I received calls this week from a couple of people interested in purchasing a home; however, they feared the possible rejection of not being able to pre-qualify for a home mortgage. These calls echo the many calls I receive and I am pretty sure this "fear of rejection" goes way beyond the callers who've contacted me.
So, in my role, what do I do? I give them the following tips:
I encourage my callers to take action because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. The" worst" outcome that can happen is they are not able to qualify NOW, but they are now empowered to know what actions they need to take to be in a better position LATER. The "not knowing" robs a person of the power they have to be proactive and make better decisions in the future; plus the "not knowing" is just not a fun place to be!
I encourage my callers to set a goal, establish a budget and get in agreement with their spouse/significant other if their desire is truly home ownership. I LOVE the calls I get when couples have taken this advice, then call me back 6, 8 or 12 months later saying "we are ready"! Plus, the home search is much more enjoyable and closings are so sweet because my clients' dream of home ownership (and the sacrifices to get there) are recognized and rewarded.
I encourage my callers to consider continuing to rent versus own as their current situation or the unknown about their future may not align with them being a homeowner at the time....and that's OK. Sure, I may loss a sale here and there, but nothing is worth losing my integrity (and sleep) in steering a person in a different direction that may benefit them in the long run. That's part of my responsibility in this public role as a Real Estate Agent!
I love my job, my past clients who've moved beyond their "fear of rejection" and all my future clients who will share their own testimony that yes.... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and I WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP!
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
I was working with a potential client the other day who really did not understand how a Buyer's Agent can help them in the real estate purchase process. After that conversation, I decided I would write down a few notes to describe how a Buyer's Agent can help during the sales process.
The Buyer's Agent represents you in the transaction. They are your advocate! The seller is represented by the listing agent.
Your Buyer’s Agent will help you narrow down the houses that best fit you needs and wants. They can take your input and select homes from the MLS that meet your criteria saving you the time and hassle.
Your Buyer’s Agent will look out for your best interests. If there are things that seem to be a challenge in a house that you considering, the Buyer's Agent will let you know immediately.
Your Buyer's Agent will help you understand the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Your Buyer’s Agent will help create a Purchase and Sale Agreement that ensures you get the best deal and conditions for your purchase
Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in getting pre-approved with a lender with one of their preferred lending partners if needed.
Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in locating a Home Inspector and other Real Estate Professionals
Your Buyer’s Agent can explain a home survey, termite letter, termite bond, and title insurance.
Your Buyer’s Agent will work to perform multiple services between the time you go under contract and closing to help ensure a smooth, no hassle closing process.
As you see, a good buyer's agent can save you both time and money. In addition, they can help to protect you as a client from making unwise financial and legal choices. Even in today's Internet age, where a large majority of consumers use the internet to search for homes, many still also choose to use a buyer agent to assist them with the home buying process.
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.
DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/19/09-10/25/09
MARKET REPORT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY :
THIS WEEK NEW LISTINGS: 63
FOR THIS WEEK PENDING SALE (UNDER CONTRACT): 37
THE EXPIRED LISTING FOR THE WEEK: 14
THIS WEEK SOLD LISTINGS: 21
AVERAGE LIST PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $158,732
AVERAGE SALES PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $140,379
If you would like a free market analysis of your own property, please feel free to email Jameka Mikell at jameka@mikellhometeam.com. Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta.
Visit our website for additional details:
www.mikellhometeam.com
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
HUD has greatly increased the number of homes available in the Atlanta metro area in an effort to reduce foreclosed inventory by the end of year. If you are a buyer who is looking to take advantage of the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit and the great prices on HUD homes, now is a great time to buy.
Currently, there are 230 new HUD listings in the metro Atlanta area. Many of the listings are homes that are fairly new and need only minor cosmetic repairs. One the higher priced properties ($125,000 and above) in West Cobb is this appealing HUD home located at 402 Holland Springs Drive in Powder Springs. This home is a 4BR/2.5BA built in 2001 in the desirable city of Powder Springs.
There are also a large number of homes available that have been relisted or on a daily bid schedule so contact us to get more details about these listings. If you would like more information on HUD homes, contact us today.
Thanks for taking the time to read our West Atlanta HUD homes blog.
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.
DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/12/09-10/18/09
MARKET REPORT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY :
THIS WEEK NEW LISTINGS: 45
FOR THIS WEEK PENDING SALE (UNDER CONTRACT): 26
THE EXPIRED LISTING FOR THE WEEK: 17
THIS WEEK SOLD LISTINGS: 30
AVERAGE LIST PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $178,880
AVERAGE SALES PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $156,902
If you would like a free market analysis of your own property, please feel free to email Jameka Mikell at jameka@mikellhometeam.com. Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta.
Visit our website for additional details:
www.mikellhometeam.com
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
Just had an interesting situation with one of my clients who was purchasing a Fannie Mae REO. Property is under contract and everything was moving fine towards closing until two days before closing, when the attorney calls and says that there is a large federal tax lien that was filed before the foreclosure but the title company missed that lien and did not notify the foreclosing lender.
What is even more interesting is that the title company wants to play hardball and not cooperate even though they issued a title policy insuring clean, marketable title. I know many people try to save a few bucks and not purchase owner's title insurance but this scenario provides a good case study of why I always advise my clients to purchase a title insurance policy.
At this time, it looks like the attorney representing the lender is working to get the lien released while also pursuing legal action against the title company because the whole situation is putting the prospective buyers, who are my clients, in a very precarious situation.
Stay tuned...will update with outcome soon..
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
As we all know property values have taken a serious hit due to the number of foreclosures and fallout from the credit crisis. Below are some statistics that provide some insight into the Atlanta metro area. If you want to appeal your tax assessment, make sure to contact your county tax assessor and learn what steps are necessary to dispute your assessed value:
Five major metro Atlanta counties have dropped values for more than 350,000 parcels:
Many times we get bogged down with the minutia of running our business while not focusing on the revenue generating activities that really the key to growing our business. With that in mind, I thought about a basic list of duties that a sales assistant could help with to help you meet your business goals. I am firm believer that we are most successful when we can focus on what we do best!
Sales Assistant Duties
I. Help To Sell Houses Fast
A. Build and manage buyer’s list
1) Send emails to email list
2) Send postcards to mailing lists
3) Add unconverted leads to buyer’s list
B. Help with getting houses ready to sell
1) Selling and Marketing
a. Place classified ads
b. Update voice mail boxes
c. Create single property and multi-property flyers
d. Post signs
e. Update selling website
f. Updated Internet Marketing
C. Take calls from buyers
1) Complete Buyer Data Sheets
2) Prescreen and qualify
3) Add to online database
D. Closing deals
1) Work with closing agents
2) Work with mortgage brokers
II. Manage Vacant Properties
A. Check on houses weekly
B. Refill flyer boxes
C. Repost signs
D. Ensure houses are still clean and secure
Feel free to add some more ideas if you have any for a sales assistant.
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
I started doing more hiking of late because it really allows me to get away and brainstorm about exciting new goals and ideas. For those that in the West Atlanta Georgia area looking for a good place to hike, I would recommend Sweetwater State Park located off of I-20 near Thornton Road. You can visit the http://www.gastateparks.org/info/sweetwater/ for more info.
Some upcoming guided hikes are below:
"New Manchester History Hike" Saturdays until September 26, 2009 (10:00pm - 12:00pm)
These mile-long hikes (easy to moderate) lead to the ruins of the Civil War era New Manchester textile mill and will focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek valley. Highlights of this tour will include going inside the impressive mill ruins and seeing the beautiful white-water rapids (both providing great photo opportunities). These hikes will be led by local historian and "Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park" volunteer Dan Emsweller or a Park Interpretive Ranger. There is a parking fee of $5 per car and a program fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children (under 18). For more information please call Sweetwater Creek State Park at (770) 732-5871.
"Ruins to Rapids - Full Moon Hike" Tuesday, July 7, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm Wednesday, August 5, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm Friday, September 4, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm Sunday, October 4, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm Monday, November 2, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
This 1.5 mile ranger-led hike is moderately difficult and visits the Civil War era New Manchester Mills ruins alongside the lovely rapids of Sweetwater Creek. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. Children under 6 years and dogs will not be permitted on this hike. There is a parking fee of $5 per car and a program fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children (under 18). For more information please call Sweetwater Creek State Park at (770) 732-5871.
Jameka & Jarell Mikell Maximum One Realty 5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700 Powder Springs, GA 30127
Rent/Rent-to-Own on Renovated 3BR/1.5BA Home - HUGE YARD, LRG PATIO DECK, DETACHED STORAGE UNIT & MUCH, MUCH MORE!
3BR/1.5BA Single Family House
offered at $104,900
Year Built
1991
Sq Footage
1,300
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1 full, 1 partial
Floors
1
Parking
1 Covered spaces
Lot Size
21,780 sqft
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
ARE YOU A 1ST-TIME HOMEBUYER?? You may be able to take advantage of $8,000 1ST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT.
Located in the StoneCreek community, this is truly a unique, one-of-a-kind home with nice amenities for any renter/buyer:
• 3 bedrooms w/ walk-in closets
• 1.5 bathroom featuring two separate, private vanities
• Spacious kitchen with oak cabinets, eat-in kitchen area and appliances stay
• Detached garage sized just under 700 sq ft with electricity
• Front porch and nice-sized deck off back
• Spacious lot w/ large front and fenced backyard providing nice curb appeal
Your local expert on all things real estate in the West Atlanta area. I utilize my many years of investment real estate experience to help buyers and sellers reach their real estate goals. Nothing is more exciting to me than the gratifying feeling I get from helping people meet their real estate needs. You can count on me to always do what's in your best interest. I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the real estate market. I know how important it is to find your dream home or get the best offer for your property. Therefore I will make it my responsibility to help you achieve those goals. I want to be your Trusted Agent!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Central A/C
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