north georgia mountains: Spend More Time on the Financing! - 05/17/12 03:28 PM
Financing has become the make or break factor for many real estate transactions.
As important as it is to the overall purchase of a home we are seeing less time spent on the actual specifics of financing.
Today we had a one hour class taught by one of our mortgage brokers. She wanted to review a Pre-App Worksheet, HUD form, and various funding fees for conventional, USDA, FHA, and VA mortgages.
Did you know?
· On an FHA loan that the maximum contribution from a seller, for closing cost, is 6% of the purchase price?
· A lender can pay … (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: We Know What We Are Doing! - 02/04/12 08:11 PM
I have had to emphasize this point for many years: THIS IS OUR PROFESSION.
My partner Barb and I have had the pleasure to work with many well educated, business savvy, experienced clients. Some of them have bought and sold more houses than I have!
However after 7 years of success in this real estate market we can say with confidence that we know what we are doing.
Recently we had a client who was dealing with a possible mold issue in a home that he was lease/purchasing. A water leak occurred in the bathroom (nail in a pipe). The homeowner … (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: The Norton Agency and its Invest in America Campaign! - 08/18/11 02:49 PM
We are at an interesting and somewhat frightening era in America. The stock market and world markets change daily and we watch our 401K’s and investments vacillate. With all this in mind, The Norton Agency has launched its new mantra – INVEST IN AMERICA – BUY REAL ESTATE. Despite the down turn in the real estate market over the past four years, it is still one of the best ways to invest your money. Interest rates are at an all time low – 3.75% for FHA and VA and as low as 3.5% for a 15 year Conventional.
… (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: Paint the Door! - 06/24/11 08:40 AM
My wife does the marketing for The Wells Team. One of her "things" is to have the door painted on a home when we list it. I have to admit that I never thought it was a necessity in many cases but I have been proved wrong.
Our highest priced listing had a showing last week. This home has been upgraded inside and out and has captured a lot of serious inquiries.
However last week I received some feedback from a recent showing. The agent said that the door was in bad shape and appeared worn. It gave a bad initial impression … (6 comments)
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north georgia mountains: Do You Need a Termite Inspection in Georgia? - 02/02/11 09:41 PM
What is the word on a termite inspection in Georgia?
Everytime I attend a company real estate meeting I wonder why I am wasting my time. However my broker manages to surprise me each time by bringing in relevant speakers. This meeting was no exception.
We had a representative from Coppermine Pest Control who is also a member of GPCA (Georgia pest Control Authority). He talked to us on changes to the 2011 GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement with its references to a pest inspection.
According to 2005
•· In 2005 HUD issued guidelines that said termite inspections … (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: Government Mortgage Websites - 09/27/10 10:50 AM
Do you have questions about government loan programs?Fortunately there are a lot of internet resources available.The websites were compiled by Lou King of Norton Guaranty Mortgage. Lou knows these programs well. You can contact her at 404-310-0646 lou.king@guarantymortgage.comThank you Lou!FHA Mortgage Limits per County https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfmFHA eleigible condos https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfmUSDA property eligibility http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.doReverse Mortgage http://www.reversemortgage.orgMortgage Hardship http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/If you are looking for property in the North Metro Atlanta area give us a call!We are Barb Dumont and Randy Wells of The Wells TeamSee all of our listings at www.randywellsteam.com
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north georgia mountains: Fall Festivals in North Georgia - 09/27/10 10:20 AM
(Burts Pumpkin Farm located in NW Dawson County)
This is the time of year when I really love living in North Georgia.
The leaves are starting to turn, Lake Lanier is still warm enough to take boat rides, and every weekend brings a fall festival.
Here are just a few of the many festivals available in October.
North Georgia State Fair Now until October 3rd www.northgeorgiastatefair.com
Cumming Country Fair and Festival October 7-17 www.cummingfair.net
Gold Rush Days Dahlonega October 16 and 17 www.dahlonega.org
Moonshine Festival Dawsonville October 23 and 24 www.dawson.org
Come up to North Georgia and see why Barb and … (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: THE INTERNET DOES WORK! - 09/01/10 10:43 PM
We hear Internet statistics everyday. 90% of home buyers start their search on the Internet, no 96% start their search, or some statistic in between. We hear about these numbers but it is only relevant when it affects us directly.
Our last two contracts were a direct result of the Internet.
Both buyers are relocating from other states. Both buyers did their research through various Internet websites. Besides looking directly at homes they were also able to research schools, and other demographic information.
Both buyers put contracts on their respective homes after looking only twice.
We have always emphasized the power of … (5 comments)
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north georgia mountains: I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY LENDER CONCERNING HAMP AND HAFA. WHAT DO I DO? - 08/15/10 07:58 PM
The Wells Team is very fortunate to be part of The Norton Agency. Our Norton Agency broker, Krista Holloway, has taught and researched new federal programs to assist homeowners. In this email she gives us some guidance for us to share with our clients. " Many of you are having challenges with several lending institutions not following HAFA guidelines. Because of this, I've researched whose responsibility it is to enforce this Federal program. The following are sites your clients/customers can visit to file official complaints against their lender. One caveat to this is...they MUST know what kind of loan they have and, … (1 comments)
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north georgia mountains: Be a Detective When you Look for a Home! - 08/06/10 06:49 PM
You are looking at houses. Over the weeks you have seen many of them and they start to look the same.
How do you remember the difference? Stainless Steel Appliances, Crown Molding in the Dining Room, nice furniture, or maybe a built in Television.
If that is how you remember one house vs another you need to look at the houses a different way.
What is the square footage of the home?
Does the floor plan work?
Is the driveway/lot acceptable?
How is the location?
How is the price compared to others in the neighborhood?
Is it propane, all electric, all gas, or … (1 comments)
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north georgia mountains: What do you know About Short Sales? - 08/06/10 05:37 PM
You have seen this term on the television, internet, and in the newspaper. You read it but do you really understand what it mean? Are you familiar with the acronyms FHLMC, HAMP, SAFE, and HAFA (just to name a few)?
This year we have seen a lot of regulatory changes in terms of the Short Sale. The Short Sale is an option for the homeowner prior to going into foreclosure.
The Norton Agency prides itself on the education of its agents.
Barb and Randy, of the Wells Team, have recently completed a class on Short Sales and Foreclosure properties. The class … (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: THOSE BUYER'S HAD NO INTEREST IN MY HOME. WHY WAS IT SHOWN? - 07/21/10 11:59 AM
Who is looking at my home today?
What do you know about these potential buyers?
Why did potential buyers look at my home when my home did not suit their needs?
These are common questions we receive from our sellers when it comes to the showing of their home.
What does the Wells Team do differently?
When we are first contacted by a buyer's agent we ask:
Why this home?
What is your client looking for in a home?
Are you familiar with the neighborhood?
We then tell the buyer's agent all … (0 comments)
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north georgia mountains: 3 HOME SALES IN TWO DAYS! - 07/20/10 11:06 PM
Last week The Wells Team had a couple of days that all real estate agents would like to have: In a period of 48 hours we sold three homes!
Our sales reflected three different aspects of the market: Foreclosure, lake location, and price driven.
Throughout 2010 we have kept our clients informed about market conditions.
What have we seen from potential buyers?
1) Continued interest in foreclosures. Foreclosures continue to appear, are generally in good shape, and represent great value.
2)Lake location. Lake Lanier looks continues to be near full pool. There are a lot of properties available on the lake. … (4 comments)
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north georgia mountains: Lake Lanier Market Update - 06/11/10 03:10 PM
This is short overview that we recently sent our clients.
As for Lake Lanier:
There are currently 370 properties for sale in the $250,000 to $700,000K range.
For the time period of January to May 2010 in the $250,000 to $700,000k range:
There were 67 homes sold with an average price of $389,303
There are 27 pending sales with an average price of $433,025
During the January to May 2010 time period for condos on Lake Lanier:
14 currently for sale with an average price of $173,150
13 sales with an average price of $232,015 … (1 comments)
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north georgia mountains: The Listing Interview Remains a Mystery - 05/03/10 04:30 PM
The Wells Team has had overall success in securing listings through our listing presentation.
However the way that it ultimately happens is different from what we envisioned.
Here is how The Wells Team goes into a potential listing interview:
At least one day prior we leave a listing presentation with the potential sellers. We ask them to take the time to read all of the information and be ready to ask questions.
We meet the sellers for the first time in their home. At this point we could be seeing the home for the first time. We make diligent notes among … (0 comments)
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