Top Local Realtor - Forsyth County Real Estate in Cumming GA

Cumming, GA Housing Affordability Heats Current Market

Periodically, Forbes magazine assembles what it calls its “top financial brain power” to comment on a topic of interest. Late last week, the topic was real estate—more specifically, the answer to the question, “Is the Real Estate Market Still Healthy?” Speaking for our Cumming, GA real estate market, I’d have to the answer “yes.” (It’s a cinch I’ll never be asked by Forbes to join the panel because a one-word answer doesn’t make for a very long article).
Their panelists did better at elaborating. They voiced a couple of blanket observations on homeownership in today’s market, then settled on some reassuring points on housing affordability. Their observations are aimed at the nation as a whole, but the conclusions are accurate for Cumming, GA buyers and sellers, too:
Point One: The inventory of existing homes for sale continues to be tight just about everywhere. It’s been trending that way for quite a while—and it results in the average days on market continuing to be shorter than usual. Ultimately, that should cause new housing construction to accelerate.
Point Two: The average age of homeowners is gradually increasing. Younger first-time buyers—who have spent their entire working lives during The Great Recession and its aftermath—have been having a harder time gathering the wherewithal to buy their first home. If the latest optimistic projections about the economy prove accurate, those demographics should reverse.
Point Three: Rising interest rates have not had much of an impact on the residential market because the overall level of rates “is low enough right now…The fact is that housing is affordable.” Cumming, GA buyers should be reassured by one investment officer (he oversees $200 billion) who says that housing “still will be affordable even if rates go up another 50 basis points.”
Point Four: In a related point, fixed mortgages are growing in popularity. As we head into real estate’s peak season, that “speaks to housing affordability” because it reflects buyers’ satisfaction with today’s rates: they don’t have to stretch the family budget to handle the resulting monthly payments.
Cumming, GA buyers and sellers benefit when the Housing Affordability Index—the measure that tracks payment amount as a percentage of income—indicates that typical families can qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home. That has much to do with the real estate market health the analysts were pointing to…and a sign that now is a good time to give 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.

South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
 Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Real Estate Investing in Forsyth County Now Easier than Ever

4440 Wildener Way - Townhome for sale James CreekHas technology made investing in Forsyth County GA real estate easier? Entrepreneur Magazine has supplied an answer to warm the heart of any Forsyth County GA Realtor® (like yours truly). They say investing in real estate isn’t just easier—it’s grown significantly easier. The reason is the medium we’re communicating through right now.

“7 Reasons NOW Is a Great Time to Invest in Real Estate” was the title of the essay. The screaming “NOW” was the initial attention-getter, although the single one of the 7 Reasons that had me nodding my head didn’t deal with interest rates or bankers’ current awakening from their previous lending lethargy. It wasn’t any of the points dealing with prices, the job market, or any of the other financial reasons you’d expect from a magazine called Entrepreneur.

The reason that got my attention was one that is truly applicable for potential Forsyth County GA investors who are mulling over the plusses and minuses of taking on their first Forsyth County GA rental property. If you’re one of those, you are necessarily a successful person. It’s 99% certain that you are also a busy person. Becoming a landlord certainly makes sound investment sense…but does it makes scheduling sense, given your typically busy day?

Entrepreneur’s one-word reason that real estate investing has gotten easier is “technology.” Nearly every one of the associated tasks that were time- and labor-consuming back in the “olden days” (translation: a couple of years ago) have become much simpler. Not surprising is that locating and funding candidate properties is easier because of the web: you’ve found me here, so you know that one already.

The thought-provoking reasons were listed as bullet points. Each formerly time-consuming task you’d associate with real estate investing can now be handled by services that are, in 2017, a mouse click away. Services like Craigslist and online Forsyth County GA newspaper classifieds automation make advertising a breeze. Collections and tenant screening, likewise. In fact, just about every task can be made easier, whether via professional services or—for do-it-yourselfers—sophisticated software programs:

  • Advertising
  • Tenant screening
  • cleaning services
  • handymen
  • rent collection
  • tenant management (those midnight calls, especially!)

For potential Forsyth County GA investors, it’s one part of today’s technology that’s a decidedly positive development. And right now, the array of local real estate investing opportunities make it an excellent time to give 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.

South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

The Home Equity Playbook – What is Equity?

 

What is Home Equity? Home equity seems to be a very simple calculation What is Home Equity?
Home equity seems to be a very simple calculation — the total amount of mortgages owed subtracted from the current market value of a home. Here is a simple example:
Current Home Market Value                $325,000
Existing Mortgage                                   $225,000
Homeowner Equity                                 $100,000
One side of the equation is well defined, and it is found on the monthly mortgage statement, the loan balance. The other side is less obvious — the current market value of the property.
As a homeowner, your down payment purchases your initial equity, and your monthly (or additional) principal payments increase your equity. In strong real estate markets and in-demand locations, equity can increase quite rapidly as the property value increases, but the inverse can also happen — too much available inventory and market down-cycles can lead to falling home values and a reduction in homeowner equity.
It can be difficult to put an accurate value on something that you have emotional and monetary vesting in. It is safe to say that most people think their home is worth more than then it is.
Homeowners can make savvy assessments about their home’s current market value by following the sales of similar properties in the neighborhood, but should stay away from websites such as Zillow and Trulia, which provide inaccurate and outdated estimates. The most accurate measurement requires a comparative market analysis from a real estate professional or having the home professionally appraised. But, the bottom line — your home is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.
Creating Value is in Your Hands
Maintaining the condition of a home is vitally important to retaining and increasing value. Homes are judged against their peers: how they compare to similar homes in the neighborhood. Another way to retain value is to not over upgrade, since it is rare to ever recoup the money spent if you exceed neighborhood value. Keep up the landscaping and do the little things to add curb appeal.
Putting Home Equity to Work
Home equity represents the largest single asset of millions of people, and because it represents so much of an individual’s net worth, it must be treated with respect. Home equity is not a liquid asset until a property is sold, or it is borrowed against.
There are two types of loans that tap into homeowner equity as collateral.
Home Equity Loans
Many home equity plans set a fixed period during which the person can borrow money, such as 10 years. At the end of this “draw period,” the person may be allowed to renew the credit line. If the plan does not allow renewals, the homeowner will not be able to borrow additional money once the period has ended. Some plans may call for payment in full of any outstanding balance at the end of the period. Others may allow repayment over a fixed period, for example, of 10 years.
A home equity loan, sometimes called a second mortgage, usually has a fixed rate and a set time to pay it back, generally with equal monthly payments.
Home Equity Line of Credit
A home equity line of credit is similar to a credit card. The lender sets a maximum amount you can borrow, and you can draw money as you need it, though many home equity lines of credit require an initial draw. The interest rate varies daily, and is usually prime plus a set number, but the required payment is usually interest only. Once the loan has been paid down, the payment is reduced, and it can be paid off and initiated as many times as a homeowner requires.
How Much Equity can be Accessed?
Since the financial institution is lending money and using a home as collateral, they will not lend 100% of the home’s equity. The bank does not want to take the risk that if the house price drops, they would be carrying a loan for more than its market value. Therefore, most banks will allow a qualified homeowner to borrow approximately 80% of their equity.
It’s Important to Use Your Home Equity Wisely
Because it is likely the biggest asset most people have, losing your home equity is hard to overcome. It must be used in prudent ways, and the payments against the loan must be affordable. Using equity money to make the loan payment is only acceptable for a short-term solution.
There are number of good reasons to use money from a home equity loan… and some really bad ones. First, let’s cover smart uses.
  1. Invest in Your Home
The best way to use the money is create more equity in the home. Among the very best returns on your investment (ROI) include kitchen and bathroom remodels, adding square footage or an extra bath, enhancing curb appeal and repairing/keeping the existing structure sound. Making prudent investments in your home is a wonderful win-win: you enjoy the upgrades and the repairs can add value to the home.
  1. Invest in your Children’s Education
Using your home equity to finance a child’s higher education may be the greatest payoff of all. Not only is the rate much lower than a student loan, it is an investment in the child’s future.
  1. Supplement Retirement Needs
Older homeowners spent their working lives paying down their mortgage. At retirement, when monthly income is reduced, a home equity loan could pay for a dream vacation or an unexpected major expense.
  1. Augment the Impending Sale of a Home
If you’re planning to sell soon, a home equity line of credit may be the best way to finance improvements, and you can pay it off entirely when you sell. Investing wisely on upgrades and repairs may even reap a profit on your investment.
Here are some examples of some not very wise choices.
Adding luxury amenities like a swimming pool, a hot spa, lavish landscaping, expensive appliances and exotic countertops and flooring rarely pay off.
Purchasing a car or boat or most any personal luxury items is a poor use of the funds, since these items quickly depreciate in value.
Also stay away from using money on risk-heavy investments. Financing stock purchases, start-up businesses and paying routine bills is not financially smart. If you cannot afford to purchase those items with available funds, using equity from your home means they should not be in your budget.
You should treat a home equity loan as an investment and not as extra cash when making financial decisions. If your intended use of the money doesn’t pay you back in some way, it’s not the best use of your valuable equity.
We Are Happy to Assist You
If you would like an assessment of the market value of your home and the current equity you can access, give us a call for a comparative market analysis.

 

 

 

 
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.

South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
 Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Increase Your Home’s Value Up to 28% with These 5 Tips

 Tips to add value to your home
Great curb appeal not only makes your home the star of the neighborhood, it can also improve its value and help you sell it for more. Whether you’re thinking of listing your home or just want to make your home the envy of your neighbors, here are several ways to increase your home’s curb appeal.

 

  1. Make your home’s exterior look like new.
For many potential buyers, the condition of the exterior of a home can offer clues to the condition of the interior. The first place to start when boosting curb appeal is the exterior of your house.
– Paint:  Paint is the best way to make your home appear newer. While you can paint your home yourself, if it’s large or more than one story, consider hiring a professional. Painting is a fairly inexpensive improvement with between 60 to 100 percent return on investment.1
– Maintain your siding:  Over time, weather and the elements can make your home’s siding appear dull and dirty. Use a pressure washer to clean stains, spider webs and accumulated dirt and grime, or use a soft cloth and a household cleaner to get into those small nooks and spaces. Although the average life expectancy of siding ranges from 60 to 100 years, depending on the material, extreme weather may reduce this number. If you need to replace the siding, you’ll enjoy a 77 percent return on investment.1
– Paint or replace garage doors:  If your garage doors are in good condition, give them a new coat of paint. If they’re beginning to show their age, consider replacing them. Not only are new garage doors more energy efficient and better insulated than older models, they also have a 91.5 percent return on investment.1
 Check out this article about updating your garage door.
– Maintain your fence:  Replace rotted or worn posts and panels and freshen it up with a coat of paint. If you have a hedge that serves as your property’s border, keep it trimmed and in good shape.

 

  1. Pay attention to the small details.
The small details tie your home’s exterior together and help it stand out from others in the neighborhood.
– Paint front door, trim and shutters. This inexpensive improvement adds brightness to a home, whether you choose a bold color, a neutral tone or classic white.
– Install new door fixtures and be sure they match in style and finish and complement the style of your home.
 
– Update your house numbers. Make sure potential buyers and guests can find your home. If the numbers have faded or need an update, replace them. If choosing a metallic finish, make sure it matches the finish of your exterior light fixtures.

 

  1. Tend to your driveway and lawn.
– Well landscaped homes may sell for between 5.5% and 12.7% more than other similar homes and studies show it may also add up to 28 percent to your home’s overall value.5
– Place a border along your driveway or walkway made of brick, stone, pavers or another hardscape element to add visual interest to a plain driveway.
– Maintain your green space:  If you have grass, a well-maintained, green lawn makes your home look inviting and picturesque. However, in many parts of the country, water conservation is becoming more important. Xeriscaped landscapes incorporate drought-tolerant vegetation that thrives in warm, dry climates, such as lavender, sage, wisteria and agave, with water-saving drip irrigation and mulch. Xeriscaping has a cost savings of 36 cents per square foot annually through reduced irrigation and maintenance costs.3 Additionally, these landscapes are virtually maintenance free, which makes it an attractive option for busy buyers.
– Include trees and shrubs to create texture and add interest to your landscape. Planting a few types of trees and shrubs of varying heights, widths and flowering times boosts your home’s curb appeal year-round.

 

  1. Make it feel inviting.
It’s no secret that emotions play a role in a person’s decision to purchase a home. Stage the outside of your home to evoke warm feelings.
– Stage your porch:  If you have a front porch, make it feel more inviting by including seating, such as a chair or loveseat, an outdoor rug and a small table. If space is an issue, incorporate small decorative touches, such as a festive wreath or potted plant.
– Hang flower boxes on your front porch railings and/or below your windows. If you don’t want to affix flower boxes to your home, purchase nice planters and containers and place them around your porch or on your front steps.
– Choose flowers and plants that bloom at different times of the year for year-round appeal. For example, bulbs not only bloom all spring, they also multiply and come up every year. Perennials often flower for most of the year and will prevent you from having to replant them every year.
If you don’t have a green thumb, choose low maintenance plants and flowers. Flowers such as lavender, rosemary, and zinnias are a few low-maintenance and drought-tolerant options.

 

  1. Boost Your Online “Curb Appeal.”
For those interested in selling, it’s important to know the effect online curb appeal has on a home. The better impression your home gives online, the more likely buyers will want to see it in person. Here’s how to get your home ready for its listing debut.
– Stage your home:  Staging shows your home in its best light and helps potential buyers picture themselves living there.
– Hire a professional to take photos:   A photographer has the skills and equipment to shoot your home in the best light and make it look its best. All of my listings receive professional photography and videography to showcase the home.
– Include a short video tour of the home:  Videos are becoming a popular way to give buyers a glimpse of the home before they step foot in it.
Before you start a home project, keep these four things in mind:
  1. Why are you renovating? In other words, is your intention to update your home and get it show-ready or do you want to sell it for more money? Don’t fall into the trap of undertaking major renovations that may not pay off when you sell. If your home is in good shape, a few inexpensive updates may be enough to make your home attractive to buyers.
  2. The style of the neighborhood. Whenever you renovate your home, make sure the project fits with the style of the neighborhood and rules of the homeowner association. For example, an HOA may limit the choice and number of trees you can plant on your property. Similarly, a tall hedge border may not fit in in a neighborhood of low, picket fences.
  3. Permits. If you’re planning an extensive exterior renovation, you may need a permit from your municipality or other authority.
  4. Budget. A budget keeps your project’s costs and scope in check. Make a list of the improvements you’d like to make, set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you’d like advice on improvements you can make to boost your home’s curb appeal, give us a call.
Are you thinking of boosting your home’s curb appeal or renovating your home before you list? Do you want help making your home more appealing to potential buyers online and in-person? Give us a call and we’ll help you present your home in its best light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 and North Fulton County cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek. Other north metro-Atlanta suburbs are serviced by request, so please call.

Forsyth County Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate | Mountain Crest Homes For Sale
 Cumming GA Real Estate | Forsyth County Real Estate

 

Sources: Remodeling, 2016 Cost vs Value Report

  • Realtor Mag, September 22, 2016
  • REALTOR.com
  • Houzz, Houzz & Home-U.S., June 2016
  • Houselogic.com

    • Request My Seller Tips and Reports

    Forsyth County GA Mortgage Interest Rates: Another Surprise

    mortgage loan application - Cumming, GA home loan ratesIt usually takes at least some digging to come up with relevant news for Forsyth County GA real estate watchers. Last week provided an exception.

    The boldest headlines, cable TV info crawls, and email announcements dealt with the unexpected move in mortgage interest rates. The welcome news for Forsyth County GA home sellers and prospective buyers came with Freddie Mac’s midweek announcement that the benchmark 30-year mortgage rate had fallen to 3.97% “for the first time since November.”

    Beneath the “Mortgage Rates Tumble Below 4 Percent” headline, the quasi-government site elaborated on the importance of the move. The drop had pierced “the psychologically important 4 percent level.” Freddie doesn’t usually delve into psychology, but in this case, it was well warranted. Locally, Forsyth County GA mortgage interest rates had been expected to trace a slow but steady rise, paralleling the Federal Reserve’s announced intention to nudge bank borrowing rates upward. Last month, after the Fed did exactly that, Forsyth County GA mortgage interest rates behaved as expected, tiptoeing upward.

    Of course, since higher lending rates mean buyers experience higher monthly payments, that could presage less real estate activity. But since the Fed was expected to continue with two or three more Fed funds rate hikes in 2017, the opposite had been expected. More likely, prospective homebuyers would appreciate that the 4+% rates were still lower than average—and want to take advantage of them before they moved higher.

    And in fact, by Friday the NAR’s Realtor® website could confirm that U.S. “Existing-Home Sales Jumped 4.4% in March.” The spring selling season was off to a robust start, chalking up the strongest month of sales in a decade. That was all well and fine, but how to explain the drop in mortgage interest rates?

    Some informed opinions had it that world financial markets were queasy about an election in France, so capital was seeking safety (real estate lending fits the bill). When lenders have lots of investors sending cash into their coffers, rates get competitive. Others saw signs that the Fed might once again fail to follow through on future rate hike promises.

    As for the most important takeaway—namely, what should local buyers and sellers expect for the immediate future of mortgage interest rates in Forsyth County GA, prognosticators were saying things like, “it’s important not to over-interpret” the latest news. Translation: “It’s anyone’s guess.”

    One thing that is certain: we’re again seeing absolutely terrific Forsyth County mortgage interest rates!

    For potential buyers and sellers who choose to take advantage of that window, the way to get started is as easy as 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.

    South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
     Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

    Was Your Home a Good Investment? Use this Calculator to See

    I spend my days showing homes for sale in Cumming, GA in South Forsyth county GA and I speak to homeowners every week who are shocked to find out that their home is not worth what they thought it was.
    “But I paid $…”
    On the other hand, values in our local market have really held strong when compared to the national average so others are pleasantly surprised. It really just depends on a combination of location, date of purchase and updates/upgrades that have been made over the years.
    Are you wondering if buying your home was a good investment? You can use this Calculator from CNN Money to find out.
    Want an up-to-date market value analysis of your home? Just use this form to provide a bit of info and I’ll share my expertise with you for FREE!
    Want to know why you need a CMA or market value analysis before you decide to sell?

    See what your home is worth in just seconds

     

     

     

     

     

    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.

    South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
    Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

    How Should a Seller Respond to A Low Ball Offer?

    “STOP now, before you lose a sale!”

    You just received an offer on your home and you are ecstatic…. Until you really look at it closely and see that the amount is significantly lower than your asking price. How should you respond?
    For most sellers, receiving what they consider to be a low ball offer generates an immediate and, usually, very negative response. For many that response is “This is ridiculous. I’m not even going to reply!”  But, any seasoned real estate agent will tell you “STOP now, before you lose a sale!”
    Before you choose to ignore any offer on your property you must first stop to think that a written offer means that there is a person who is seriously interested in buying your home and a responding counter offer may well turn that low price offer into a sale with a bit of strategic negotiation.
    In the current market climate I make every effort to prepare my home seller clients for this possibility. In some cases a buyer is just “fishing” to see how motivated a seller is. In others, they simply have the misconception that all areas have suffered the same level of market downturn they hear the media harp on day in and day out.
     Stop and Think
    No matter how low, all purchase offers deserve a response. In some cases this may be a counteroffer in others it may be an outright rejection. In order to determine which way is best in your situation, you will need to check your emotions and deal strictly with the facts. A frank discussion with your real estate agent will help you determine the ways in which you can respond and still keep the negotiations open. Keep in mind: At the end of the day, it is your goal to sell your home so you, and your agent, must make every effort to progress the negotiations if possible.
     
    Make a Counteroffer
    A counteroffer signals to the buyer that you are willing to negotiate. Curb the instinct to respond at full price. While real estate “feels” very emotional, in the end, it is a business transaction and the best response is usually a reasonable response.
    In most cases, the best strategy is to determine a price and terms that you would willingly accept and respond accordingly. This may mean lowering your price and removing any seller concessions (such as paying closing costs) or it may mean sticking to your price, but giving in on a few of the buyer’s requests (such as leaving behind the appliances).
     
     Review Recent Changes in the Market
    A seasoned agent constantly monitors the local market and should be providing you with market updates throughout your listing period. If you are unsure, ask your agent to provide you with an up-to-date CMA  so you can see which comparable homes in the area have sold since your home was listed or if any new properties have been listed for sale. In a volatile real estate market, this data is very important as not only the sale price, but the appraisal price may be affected.   Keep in mind: If the new CMA determines a lower price based on the changes in the market (recent comps), you might be forced to lower your price in order to sell.
     
    Have Your “People” Call My “People”
    In most cases, the selling agent knows why the Buyer made a very low offer so ask your agent to call them.  A buyer’s agent cannot necessarily speak to “motivation”, but if the buyers are using a different set of comps, your agent should be able to get a copy of them for you.  If it is simply a situation in which the buyer can’t really afford what he/she wants and is hoping for a desperation sale, then you can feel justified in rejecting the offer and moving on with no aditional wasted time or effort.  Basically, you won’t know unless you ask and information is king when negotiating a sale.
     
    In today’s real estate climate low offers are more often  a “sign of the times” than an actual statement about the quality or value of your home. However, buyers now have access to real estate listings online and most are aware that certain circumstances may make a seller more receptive to a low offer. If your home is vacant or if the wording in your MLS listing signals desperation (motivated seller, seller says bring all offers) you are much more likely to receive a lowball offer.
    If at all possible, try to make your home presentable and reduce any obvious clues that you are overly motivated and the next offer you receive might be more what you have in mind.

    Putting Your Tax Refund on the “Fastest Path to Wealth”

    Forsyth County Real Estate Mortgage Home LoanThis 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.

    South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
     Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

    How Cumming GA Showings Benefit From an Element of Illusion

    Preparing Your Home For Sale - Why Home Staging is Important in Cumming GA real estateShowings—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:
    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.
    South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
     Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

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