Thinking of purchasing a home? Between now and the end of the year may be the PERFECT time to do so! While usually thought of as the real estate “slow season,” if the timing is right for you, there are many advantages to purchasing during the holidays.
Less Competition
We often tell our sellers that the winter season is the time to list, as there is much less competition on the market. In the same token, there are also fewer buyers. If you’re a buyer who has noticed how ferocious the real estate market has been recently, the reduced number of buyers can be a welcomed change.
Better Deals
The sellers that choose to stay on the market during the holidays may be more motivat...
Real estate experts have been saying it for years, that now is the time to buy property. And while it’s true that buyers who’ve purchased property over the past couple of years likely got a fantastic deal and a low interest rate, the residential real estate climate for buying has never been better than right now. But buyers beware, it’s time to act quickly and aggressively, or you may miss out on the low prices and historically low interest rates.
Why is now the time to buy?
Interest rates are at historical lows. Just a couple of weeks ago rates on a 30-year fixed dipped below 3.5%. To give some perspective on what that means, rates for the same loan product hovered around th...
I have had several clients interested in new construction developments in recent months. Their beef? The builders are standing firm on their prices. “But it’s a buyer’s market!” they tell me. “Everything is negotiable.”
And I completely agree—everything is negotiable. You just have to know what things to negotiate on. And price may not be one of them. Builders will very rarely reduce their prices large amounts off the asking price, for several reasons. One being they have the funds and backing to hold onto them until they get the price they want. Their cost of holding each month is not the same as an individual homeowner. They are much less desperate than a person ...
Listen up homeowners! If you bought a property that was vacant or not a primary residence, you may be paying too much in property taxes! Even if your property was someone’s primary residence, if they didn’t file for Homestead Exemption, you may be overpaying.
What is Homestead Exemption?
In Georgia, Homestead Exemption is a reduction in real estate property tax.
How do I get Homestead Exemption?
Homeowners may be granted Homestead Exemption if the property is their legal residence as of January 1 of the taxable year. To be considered the legal residence, the home must be the primary residence of the owner.
Where/How do I file?
Homeowners must apply with the tax commi...
You’ve likely heard it hundreds of time before…now is the time to buy!!! And it’s true, prices are down and interest rates are low. It’s a great time to make some savvy investments. But when considering a condo versus a single family home, it’s important to keep something in mind—the leasing permit.
I’ve had several buyers interested in snatching up some of these foreclosed condos at rock bottom prices (I’ve seen prices as low as the $20,000), put a little work into them, and then lease them out. It seems like a great plan, a smart investment, and a win-win situation for both buyers and sellers. And with the current difficulties buyers are having obtaining financing,...
The term “short-sale” is definitely a misnomer. The process is anything but short. But if you have patience and can deal with a few headaches, you can end up with an incredible value.
What is a short sale?
In a short sale, the homeowner owes more on the property than what the current market value of that property is. The holder of the mortgage (the bank/lender) agrees to forgive part of the loan amount in order complete the sale. Note- just because a property has advertised itself as a potential short sale does not mean the bank has approved the short sale.
Why does it take so long?
A short sale is contingent on the third party approval of the lender. And with the current st...
