Putting Your Tax Refund on the “Fastest Path to Wealth”
This Tuesday’s tax filing deadline didn’t pass without standing as the annual reminder to all of Forsyth County, GA’s taxpayers that time seems to pass ever more quickly—as do the comings and goings of our earnings. The best estimate is that this year 70% of Americans will have overpaid by close to $3,000—making their tax refund checks the only smile-producing part of the annual ritual.
The Motley Fool financial site offered its insight into how most people plan to spend their refunds—but at least one real estate mogul counseled for a definite ultimate destination for those dollars. Forsyth County, GA real estate could play an important role.
According to the Fool, 38% of respondents will use their refunds to pay off existing debts. Only 11% will direct the cash toward vacations; 5% will splurge on some kind of purchase; an equal number will put the cash toward a major purchase. The largest percentage— 41%— will sock their refund dollars into savings accounts. That’s where the real estate mogul agrees.
The gentleman in question is Sean Conlon, himself a multi-millionaire and host of his own TV show. This time of year, with income tax refund dollars rolling into more than 100 million households, he makes it a point to recall his own point of departure from day work as a janitor into being the owner of his own real estate mortgage company.
He saved. Stuffed every spare dollar into a shoebox until he’d scraped together enough to buy his first house. CNBC quoted Conlon’s dictum last week: “I’m a true believer that you should save every penny…until you can buy your first house.” Forsyth County, GA tax refund checks would more than qualify as major stepping stones toward what Conlon assesses as being “still the fastest path to wealth in this country.”
Another pointed tax refund observation came from a website called Financial Samurai. “Sam” points out that with tax refunds nearing the $3,000 mark, that amounts to nearly 6-7% of typical after-tax income: “a pretty meaningful number.” Since saving (that is, not spending!) $250 a month in that income bracket is difficult for most, the tax refund checks provide a one-shot opportunity to make saving a done deal. The same applies to those in higher brackets. In short, since out of sight is out of mind, Samurai recommends the best course of action for any tax refund check is “to make it disappear.” Into a savings account. Then there’s at least one other relevant tax consideration—one that fattens many a refund check: that whopping mortgage interest tax deduction!
The mogul and the Samurai both have valid points—and Forsyth County, GA real estate opportunities (there are plenty on hand at the moment) certainly fit into that picture. Good reason to give me a call today!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
How Cumming GA Showings Benefit From an Element of Illusion
Showings—whether here in Cumming GA or anywhere else—can succeed or fail as a result of quite minor details. Appreciating that fact isn’t hard to do when you relate showings to their theatrical first cousins: stage presentations. In important ways, they are quite similar.
Think of what happens when you attend a live play. The audience finds their seats, settle in, and wait for the action to begin. The house lights dim, the stage lights brighten, and the action begins. If all goes without a hitch, the play captures your attention—and it has every chance of successfully casting the spell the author and director intended.
But if one element is jarringly out of place, the whole effort will go kablooey! If a stagehand accidentally wanders onstage, the illusion is wrecked. Likewise, if a drama’s agonizing death scene is perfectly portrayed—up until the moment when the dying actor’s mustache begins to slip—the audience will be hard pressed to stifle giggles.
In a different way, the success of Cumming GA home showings is subject to similar kinds of missteps. The illusion we are after isn’t that of a home that has desirable features and is in great condition—that’s no illusion: it’s real! The illusion part comes when we create the impression that the current owners are not much in residence; that the home—although it may be furnished—presents itself in a neutral kind of way that seems to be awaiting the new owners’ belongings and personal touches.
Showings tend to be most successful if prospective buyers have no trouble envisioning themselves as the comfortable new owners. They may or may not find that the spaces and features will accommodate their family’s needs—that’s not subject to illusion. But showings have the best chance for success if the “stage” is clear of distracting elements. That’s why evidence of pets should be avoided. Strong odors of any kind, likewise (fresh popcorn or newly-baked chocolate chip cookies are prized because they supersede other aromas). Family photos should be removed if at all possible; personal mementos of all kinds stored out of sight, and so forth.
When you appreciate the reasoning behind a showing’s attempted illusion, you can see why most Realtors® advise against decor schemes featuring strong colors. It is also why it’s a good idea for owners to safely vacate the premises with a few minutes to spare. It’s not because the owner is objectionable—it’s that the presence of the owner counteracts the illusion.
The funny thing is that the “illusion” is actually an authentic projection: it’s a mock-up of the reality that will come to pass if the prospect does decide to become the home’s owner.
If you are planning to sell your South Forsyth County GA home soon, here are a few other articles that might be of interest to you as well:
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Should you DYI when Preparing to Sell Your Home?
-
Quick (and cheap) Back Yard Staging Tips
-
How To Make Your Home Open House Ready
Showings are key parts of a coordinated residential sales effort that begins with the first consultation and continues through closing day. I hope you will remember to call me when you decide it’s time to put your own South Forsyth County GA property on the market!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
Preparing Your Cumming GA Home for Sale – Should You DIY?
In a time when Dave Ramsey economics reins supreme, we are all looking for ways to make every dollar stretch even further.
And, when your home is on the real estate market, the idea of completing any needed repairs or updates yourself may be tempting. While DIY may be a great way to save money, you have to know which projects are the suitable for homeowner completion and which DIY projects may end up costing you much more in the end!
Read Full Story: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/contracting/when-it-pays-to-do-it-yourself
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
For Forsyth County Homeowners 55 and Over: a Practical Issue
While much attention is directed at the mass of youthful first-time homebuyers, the Millennials and GenXers aren’t the only groups who are having a substantial influence on the direction of Forsyth County’s real estate market. Whether they are tagged “mature,” “aging,” or downright “elderly,” the 55 and over crowd comprise an increasingly influential part of the marketplace. They are also facing some challenges when it comes to housing—and where there are challenges, people with solutions stand to profit.
Last month, Freddie Mac—the quasi-governmental entity that studies changing directions in the nation’s real estate market—published an eye-opening look at what’s been going on with our older homeowners. They conducted a survey that queried a representative sample of 4,886 homeowners aged 55 and older.
One finding that everyone in Forsyth County would probably expect was that the majority (about 2/3) of respondents hope to stay in their current homes. That proportion of the population hasn’t changed much over time. Another finding that no one in Forsyth County would be awfully surprised to hear was that a similar number—the same two-thirds—admitted that their present residences aren’t accessible to anyone with arthritis or limited mobility (not to mention the wheelchair-bound).
In other words, the wish and the reality are, at least for the moment, not entirely in sync. The real estate solution boils down to the issue of retrofitting. Eighteen percent said they had never given retrofitting a thought, but most of the others who have considered it are weighing how they will finance what can cost thousands of dollars. A third said they will rely on savings to create a home where they will be able to “age in place;” 26% plan to use HELOCs or bank loans; and a smaller percentages will rely on cash-out refi’s, reverse mortgages, or family loans.
Freddie Mac didn’t provide a prescriptive commentary on the likely real estate repercussions of this aging in place phenomenon, but it seems as if Forsyth County contractors and sub-contractors will find themselves with a developing remodel category as the ranks of Forsyth County’s retirement-aged continue to grow. As far as Forsyth County’s real estate market is concerned, homes that are easily retrofitted should attract more of the 55+ crowd—as will single-level and ranch-style residences. Styles like multi-story Victorians which are generally associated with Gramma and Grandpop…well, perhaps not so much.
Aging in place is something to which even youthful homeowners should give some thought—particularly if the greater plan is to live and work in Forsyth County for the long haul.
When you add to this the fact that Forsyth County offers a very generous property tax exemption to seniors, it is no wonder we are seeing more homeowners choose to stay put.
Whenever real estate plans are under consideration, I hope you’ll give me a call to discuss how I can help!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
April Is a Good Time to List Cumming, GA Real Estate
It’s April—a time of year when area homeowners who haven’t yet added their homes to the Cumming, GA real estate listings may have a legitimate question about whether it’s too late to benefit from the spring selling season. This year, they may also be concerned that the rise in mortgage interest rates could discourage prospective buyers.
The answer to the first question is a qualified not—not too late! The only qualification has to do with the condition of the property itself. If it can be put into sound showable condition within a month or so, this is an excellent time to jump into the Cumming, GA real estate listings—for a number of reasons.
We won’t know the actual foot traffic numbers for Cumming, GA until after the dust has settled at the end of summer, but we do know for certain that the law of supply and demand points to this year being a standout for sellers. In large part, because the economic outlook has been building optimism for months, early signs point to strengthening buying interest. Realtors® across the nation report that last month’s buyer traffic was either strong or moderate.
The index number for December through February was all the way up to 70 (that’s at the top of the chart)—up from 57 just a few months back. At the same time, the volume of new listings remained weak in most areas: down to 41 from 48. That would negate the most common argument for delaying entry into Cumming, GA’s real estate listings—that is, the fear of getting lost in the shuffle as the real estate season peaks. If the number of listings continues to lag, that worry disappears. When demand is up and supply down, everyone from high school economics teachers to Warren Buffet agree there’s no better time to jump into the market.
As for the other concern—the Fed’s having raised borrowing rates—so far it hasn’t seemed to discourage buyers. The analysts at Housingwire offer three reasons why that might be happening. First, most potential homebuyers believe rates will rise further, prompting them to act sooner rather than later. Second, any slackening in mortgage applications will prompt lenders to relax the tight lending standards that have tended to depress the market. Lastly (this is a good one!), lenders had already factored in last month’s rate hike—so actual home loan rates aren’t likely to rise further for a while.
The long and the short of it is that for anyone hesitating to add their home to this spring’s Cumming, GA real estate listings, it’s not only NOT TOO LATE—it’s also an excellent idea. Another excellent idea is to give me a call ASAP: the Cumming, GA real estate listings await!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
4465 River Park Ct- Chattahoochee River Club
Welcome home to 4465 River Park Court!
This beautiful MASTER-ON-MAIN ranch-style home is nestled into a quiet, wooded cul-de-sac in Chattahoochee River Club, one of Forsyth County’s premier equestrian neighborhoods. Featuring numerous upgraded architectural details including a mixture of stacked stone, brick and shake shingles, this elegant home sits on one of the best lots in the neighborhood offering its owner amazing privacy.
With beautiful hardwoods, new carpet and fresh, on-trend interior paint colors, this home offers a buyer an amazing value.
The entry foyer sets an elegant tone for welcoming family and friends through the use of high-quality trim moldings and REAL hardwoods.
The home’s open, airy layout and natural flow between the entry and formal living & dining areas allows the natural light to shine through and provides the perfect setting for relaxing or entertaining.
The bright, white eat-in kitchen boasts TRIPLE OVENS so, no matter how large the holiday party or family get-together, you’ll have it all under control.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the family room offers a vaulted ceiling, large windows and an elegant fireplace flanked by beautiful built-in cabinetry and opens onto the main level covered porch.
The covered porch, overlooking your private backyard oasis, provides the perfect spot for that first cup of morning coffee or a quiet al’ fresco dinner with friends.
The oversized Master-On-Main offers large windows overlooking the beautiful private backyard and a spa bath (be sure to check out the HUGE double closet – no need to fight over whose side is whose…).
The main level of this home provides a powder room, laundry room and two additional bedrooms which share a full bath.
This spacious home offers a large, fully finished terrace level with room for any and every hobby you may have!
Don’t miss this opportunity to own this beautiful home in the Forsyth County school district.
?Lovingly Maintained – Move-in Ready!
?REAL Hardwoods
?New Carpeting
?Fresh Interior Paint
?Gorgeous ¾ acre Wooded Lot Provides Amazing Privacy
?Walk to Award Winning Schools!
?Swim / Tennis
?Room-by-Room Walk through VIDEO
FORSYTH COUNTY AREA:
Video – Living in Forsyth County – A Community Profile
NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES:
- Community Clubhouse
- Junior Olympic Swimming Pool
- Adult Only Leisure Pool
- Children’s Water Feature
- Fitness Center
- 6 Lighted Tennis Courts w/ with Two Cabanas
- Tennis Pavilion
- Lighted Basketball Courts
- Sports Field – Ball field w/ backstop
- Kids Playground and Picnic area
SCHOOLS:
Will House Sales in Forsyth County Match Rising U.S. Rate?
Forsyth County GA home sales usually respond in the seasonal pattern that is familiar in most other areas. Spring and summer lead the way for weather-related, financial, school scheduling and other family-related reasons. From now into well past June (and sometimes even July), house sales activity can be counted on to peak. Those are the normal expectations.
But when any segment of U.S. home sales numbers quadruple expectations even before spring bulbs see daylight, that’s worthy of special attention. That was the case last Thursday when the Commerce Department reported that in February, purchases of newly built homes rose by more than 6%. Since The Wall Street Journal’s panel of experts had forecast 1.4%, it drew headlines.
In fact, this was the second month in a row for sharp rises in U.S. new home sales—and what could be a bright sign for Forsyth County GA’s own prospects as the spring selling season begins. Press reports were, to put it mildly, enthusiastic:
- MartketWatch: “New-home sales roar to a 7-month high”
- Reuters: “…strength in housing should underpin economic growth”
- ABC News: “Americans…snapping up new homes at the fastest pace since July”
- Bloomberg: “U.S. New-Home Sales Climbed to a Seven-Month High”
- CNBC: “[Sales] were the highest since July of last year—and that was the best number since January of 2008”
Bloomberg’s Michelle Jamrisko deduced from the house sales rise that the impact from the recent rise in borrowing costs was, at most, “modest.” That sentiment was echoed by the Realtor, which quoted the National Association of Housing’s chief economist. “The uptick in mortgage interest rates,” he said, “is having a minimal effect.”
We’ll have to wait and see whether that is true vis-à-vis the impact of mortgage interest rates on Forsyth County GA’s own home sales market. They might be either “modest” or “minimal”—or the prospect of continuing hikes might induce more Forsyth County GA prospects to get busy sooner rather than later. If “sooner” describes your own inclination, I hope you’ll decide to put thought into action by giving me a call!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
Forsyth County GA Real Estate Mortgage Rates Yo-Yo Again
Keeping an eye on Forsyth County mortgage rates is a useful pastime for anyone who tracks local home sales because of the immediate effect they have on affordability. It can’t get much more immediate than the “projected monthly payment” numbers that calculators come up with alongside an online listing. Those instant calculations include tax and insurance estimates, but those change rarely. The mortgage rates, are always on the move.
Last Thursday, the Washington Post’s headline ran above a photo of Freddie Mac’s massive DC headquarters:
“Mortgage rates fall amid fears of rising inflation.”
That kind of news is always good for Forsyth County home buyers and sellers. Not the “rising inflation” part, of course—but the other part. Lower mortgage rates mean better bargains for buyers who become motivated to strike a deal sooner rather than later.
But then, Friday afternoon brought Bankrate’s headline:
“Mortgage rates increase for Friday.”
Anyone accustomed to following the mortgage interest rate gyrations wouldn’t have been surprised. It meant that the mortgage rate yo-yo was behaving pretty much as expected. Logic indicates that The Post’s inflation fears had probably not disappeared overnight, so their reasoning behind Thursday’s move had likely been overly presumptive. (When rates rise or fall, writers don’t like to admit there’s no story explaining why).
The reasons behind the up and down were probably elusive—something like the normal ebbs and flows of national and international capital flows. If anyone has ever been able to sort all that out, they’re keeping mum about it.
It does seem that Forsyth County mortgage rates are beginning to follow a more predictable pattern than has been true for a while. Despite daily ups and downs—which are usually pretty microscopic—the drift has been gradual but notable, and supports two reasonable generalizations:
- Forsyth County mortgage rates are drifting upward. A chart would show that, when you step back and ignore the day-to-day ups and downs, except for a divot in mid-December, the trend has been slightly skyward since the middle of November.
- Forsyth County mortgage rates are still a bargain by all historical measures.
What this means for prospective buyers as we enter the spring selling season is, in short, pretty good news. Buying now means locking in Forsyth County mortgage rates that are still historically affordable.
But first things first—the right home has to be found, and the right price agreed upon. That’s where giving me a call comes in!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
6 Ways to Zero in on the Lowest Forsyth County Mortgage Rates
Without knowing it, many people develop something akin to a split personality when it comes to buying a home. In the beginning, as they pursue their ideal Forsyth County house, they automatically assume an unabashedly active role. Nobody has to tell them that they’re the boss in the process—since they are the customer, they correctly expect to be in total command of the house hunting process. They develop their unique wish list and ultimately decide which property best satisfies it.
But then a split can develop… The active, in-charge commander often does an about-face when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the next step: securing the lowest Forsyth County real estate mortgage rate. Upon entering the realm of what seems to be a monolithic and largely inscrutable home loan industry, the formerly active, energetic house hunter turns passive, hoping for approval with fingers crossed.
To some degree, that’s not an unreasonable stance, since home loan terms are based on hard numbers already set in stone: income and expense records, payment histories, and credit score numbers. But in truth, the best way to secure the lowest mortgage rate for a new Forsyth County real estate home loan is to start early and actively to create the scenario you’re hoping for. Here are six ways to make it happen:
- First, as soon as possible and well before any house hunting begins, check for errors in your credit report. They can and should be corrected, but since the process can take months, here’s where being proactive early pays off.
- Stay on top of those credit accounts. Continue to use credit cards, but keep the balances below 30% of their maximum (better yet: below 20%).
- As you approach application time, keep your documents and reports up-to-date. Quick responses to document requests speed the process, and having everything at hand makes your part of the work much easier.
- Watch the market. Rates change frequently, and keeping an eye on their movement from week to week will build your confidence in being able to recognize an opportune moment to tap the lowest mortgage rates.
- Be wary of loans advertised as “no-cost.” The Brooklyn Bridge is not for sale, either: loans cost something to develop, and those costs will always be paid by the borrower. The bottom line lowest mortgage rates are best represented by the APR percentage, which summarizes the total cost, including fees, in a single number.
- Be prepared to shop. Whether you tap a savvy area mortgage broker for help or go it alone, tracking down the lowest mortgage rates in Forsyth County is doable. The home loan industry really isn’t as monolithic as it might seem.
There shouldn’t be a split between actively seeking your dream house—then merely passively hoping for favorable loan terms to come your way. Starting early is one key—and teaming with an experienced real estate professional is the other. That’s right—you guessed it: call me!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
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