Top 8 New Year’s Resolutions for Cumming, GA Real Estate

Cumming, GA Real Estate Figures in Some New Year’s Resolutions

For most Cumming, GA celebrants, the holiday season hasn’t been a single non-stop flurry of activities (even though that’s what sticks in our memories). In fact, the holidays usually include more stretches of free time than we generally experience. Probably because our regular schedules get shredded over the holidays, you can usually count on injections of unclaimed time—whether spent in airport departure lounges or at home, awaiting waylaid deliveries or overdue guests.

Such moments provide a disguised benefit. Especially this week, as we begin our voyage into Cumming, GA ’s New Year, there is no more apt time to steal the moments needed to consider what fresh initiatives might be possible.

It is New Year’s Resolution time, after all—and if a change in Cumming, GA real estate matters could be due, that’s something that probably belongs near the top of the list. With that in mind, here are the most frequently named real estate-related subjects in popular New Year’s resolution lists:

Make extra mortgage payments — even a single extra payment a year makes a surprisingly large financial impact
Downsize — recognizing when family living space requirements shrink can mean significant cash savings as well as property maintenance time and effort
Upsize — sometimes the extra elbow room yields major quality of living gains
Save Up for a Down Payment — even if a new home isn’t contemplated in the near future, the sooner a regular saving plan is put into action, the easier it will be to meet the goal
Tackle Deferred Household Maintenance Items — for efficiency and pride of ownership
Buy an Investment Property — a thoughtful Cumming, GA real estate investment can yield both cash flow and long-term growth benefits
Get Organized — de-cluttering is a near universal New Year’s resolution
Get Efficient — cutting energy consumption and/or water usage by converting outdated household systems should result in net operating outlays

When it comes to Cumming, GA real estate initiatives, a list of your own New Year’s resolutions may be minor or monumental. If it’s the latter (and a possible change of residence is nearing) you might add one item to your New Year’s to-do list: CALL ME!

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY 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

Real Estate Predictions Suggest Strong 2017 Forsyth County, GA Market

It’s that time again: the annual look at whether there is a convincing consensus among real estate experts for what to expect in the coming year. Forsyth County, GA homeowners and potential homeowners found generally welcoming conditions throughout 2016, as steadily improving property values and low mortgage interest rates echoed the national picture. With lending rates beginning to rise, there could be reason to question whether an equally agreeable Forsyth County, GA real estate climate will prevail in 2017.

Apparently, there is not much to worry about. Despite the usual qualification that the nation’s real estate experts are no more clairvoyant than are experts in any field, when you look over this batch of New Year’s predictions, you can’t help but emerge with the impression that there’s a more than usual degree of certainty about the immediate future. Almost unanimously, there is confidence that the nation’s real estate prospects are good—and likely to stay that way. The most frequently recurring adjectives are “moderate” and “moderating”—and no mention of major obstacles that might upset the apple cart. If Georgia and Forsyth County, GA real estate markets follow suit, the optimism voiced by most commentators should mean continuing good news locally. Here are some samplings:

Fiscal Times: Rising prices will keep pushing up homeowners’ net worth.
CBS MoneyWatch: Millennials and baby boomers will be big buyers; home appreciation rates will normalize.
Realtor.com: Home prices projected to increase 3.9%; new home sales expected to grow 10%.
Nela Richardson: 2017 will be the fastest real estate market on record (measured by average number of days spent on market).
Home Buying Institute: Mortgage rates will rise gradually, but stay below 5%.
The Washington Post: Expect home sales and prices to moderate; suburbs will make a comeback.
Zillow: Homeownership rates will bounce back; rental affordability will improve as incomes rise.
Kiplinger: Rising national GDP, retail sales and jobs growth should result in steady demand for housing—as well as spurring price growth.

For some reason, the editors at Fortune didn’t have anything to add about real estate—perhaps because continuing with the current moderate growth scenario doesn’t make for interesting reading. They did predict that in the coming year a Tesla will drive itself across the country…and drones will deliver pizza and burritos (let’s keep an eye out for that in Forsyth County, GA).

We’ve seen New Year’s predictions go wide of the mark in the past, but the unanimity of this year’s projections make it hard to imagine that will happen in 2017. In any case, I’ll stay tuned and close to the phone, as well—ready to help with any and all of your Forsyth County, GA real estate needs!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Why You Should Use Realtor Recommended Service Providers

I’m supposed to be at a closing right now, but it ain’t gonna happen!

When buying a new home there are many service providers you will choose to assist you. Of course the first will be your Realtor, but you will also need the services of a lender and closing attorney/title office among others.

I strongly recommend that you request a referral for these services from your Realtor rather than using a friend or choosing the “lowest bidder”. Your agent has day-to-day experience with these professionals and knows who can get the job done and who can turn your transaction into a real estate nightmare!

In this case, the buyer had preselected the lender (a friend) and closing attorney they wanted to use, as is their right, and would not even consider changing to one of my trusted sources. I think that many consumers believe that Realtors get a kickback from their referral partners. Certainly in my case this is not true. I simply want a smooth stress-free transaction for my clients and refer service providers based solely on their successful track record.

From the beginning, the lender (who supposedly had 30 years of experience) was slow and did not seem to understand the basic financing guidelines and timelines we were facing. In fact, one of my trusted lenders could have had the loan closed in the length of time it took him to simply provide the initial approval. Today, the day of closing, we still do not have a loan package and he has no idea how to expedite that situation.

The attorney, who has no vested interest in working hard to keep my business as they are the lender’s friend – not my trusted partner, has been a challenge from the beginning in terms of communication and scheduling and is not willing to get the loan closed today as we did not keep our prescheduled appointment and they want to leave early.

UPDATE: We are now three hours past our scheduled closing time and just received notice from the lender that they are not accepting the appraisal as is so it must be put back through the system. With no timeline provided by the lender, it looks like we are destined to close as late as late next week.

Moral of the story…. I cannot state strongly enough that choosing service providers based on a proven track record is the only choice that makes sense when the little bit of money you might have saved is eaten up by storage facility costs and interim housing needs.

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Farwell to Cumming, GA Mortgage Rate Predictability

On the fence at the whether or not it’s the right time to buy a new Cumming GA home? Changes in mortgage rates may clarify that decision soon.

Most of us favor a high degree of predictability when it comes to things like the interest rates on mortgages. In that realm, “poised” is a bad word. When anything is poised, it means it’s about to do something different: change. For those who like predictability, change is unwelcome.

But this week should provide both good and bad news when it comes to change and Cumming, GA mortgage rates. For once, a change in the immediate future is pretty nearly a sure thing. Although rates are poised, they’re poised for a comfortingly predictable change.

What happens after that is a different story.

Up until very recently, the mortgage interest rates offered to Cumming, GA home buyers has been an island of calm in a sea of…well, less calm, if the year’s turbulent election cycle is any example. Predictability has been in short supply—except when it comes to mortgage rates.

For a decade, Cumming, GA mortgage interest rates have been tucked safely within a snooze-worthy range—right there at the bottom of the charts. No matter how often the experts predicted that a rate rise was imminent, they were proven wrong again and again. Only one time did it happen. The flat line down there at the bottom of the rate charts stayed remarkably flat.

But this week, mortgage rates are poised!

The triggering mechanism for a rate boost is, as always, the Federal Reserve. When it votes to raise its Fed Funds rate, banks pay more for cash; and charge more for access to the money they lend. This isn’t a one-to-one cause and effect, but it’s generally the case. Only once in the past decade did they nudge rates even a quarter of a percent. But even in that instance, for reasons still somewhat mystifying, mortgage rates went down instead of up (before returning to the flatlands).

This week, the Fed is poised to raise rates—but this time it’s all but certain actually to happen. The certainty among analysts made comforting reading for those who relish predictability. MarketWatch headlined “Fed to hike interest rates.” Forbes didn’t even wait, headlining on Sunday, “Week Ahead on Wall Street: Fed Hikes Rates” as if it were a done deal.

But if a Fed Funds rate hike announcement on Wednesday is knowable, what happens down the road is anything but. As USA Today put it, “The Federal Reserve is virtually certain to raise interest rates this week for the first time this year, but the course of future hikes has suddenly become cloudier.” Bloomberg said, “the pace of monetary tightening is uncertain.”

In other words, the previous certainty that future interest hikes would be slow and deliberate was suddenly in question. Future moves might be more abrupt than anyone thought…or not. For those who favor predictability, after this week, an unsettled future awaits.

One fact that doesn’t depend on what happens down the line is that Cumming, GA mortgage rates remain unusually favorable. These are likely to be looked back upon as halcyon days for home buyers and the sellers whose listings showed unusually affordable monthly payment numbers. At least for now, it’s predictably a most opportune time to give me a call!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Ways to Thwart Forsyth County GA Housing Rental Rip-off Schemes

The idea of “fake news” and how to tell it from the real thing has gotten loads of attention lately, so Forsyth County, GA web users are entitled to be more skeptical than usual of news items. Last week, there was one of those “come hither” headlines you run across on the web—but with a byline from The Washington Post, it looked like it would contain actual news.

Sure enough, this one was for real: “How to Spot a Housing Rental Scam.” Housing rental scams aren’t totally unknown in Georgia—so dispatches about how to spot any new kind of Forsyth County, GA housing rental funny business figured to be worth checking into. It turns out that the article originated in the Washington Post for a good reason: it centered on a surge in housing rental rip-offs being attempted right now in the nation’s capital.

It seems that every change in Administration causes a real estate upheaval in D.C. Literally thousands of out-of-towners have been looking for short-term living quarters during the changing of the political guard. Many plan on having more time to find permanent living arrangements once they’ve adjusted to their new situations—so a quick temporary fix is called for. It isn’t just the headline cabinet heads and their assistants who may suddenly be looking for digs near Pennsylvania Avenue, Capitol Hill, or Foggy Bottom: lots of temps on short-term contracts are piling into town, too.

Since they aren’t familiar with rental stock and prices in the area (a situation familiar to some Forsyth County, GA newcomers), they become prime targets for scamsters lying in wait. The hoped-for payoff is a nice fat security-plus-rental deposit meant to secure one of the coveted furnished apartments in the right area.

The downside for the would-be renter is that the hokum artists have no connection with the actual apartment being offered. They advertise with pictures and detailed descriptions (the pictures can be from real D.C. apartments at different addresses). For out-of-towners in a hurry and too occupied with affairs of state to sweat the details, the result can be a crater in their checkbook and no place to put their belongings once they arrive in Washington.

This might seem like a brazen move, but for accomplished crooks, knowing exactly how to vanish after receiving a mailed-in money order or bank account information is a basic skill.

What’s the solution for someone seeking to reserve a housing rental in Forsyth County, GA when circumstances make it impossible to visit in advance? Zillow says that a request for payment via Western Union, Moneygram or prepaid credit card is one definite red flag. Others are a failure to disclose the street address—or a price that seems too good to be true (although the current batch of Washington crooks may be onto that, setting prices just below market). The ultimate answer—which applies to Forsyth County, GA housing rentals as well, is to ask a lot of questions (anathema to most scam artists). Better yet, if you have a trusted friend in the area, asking him or her to take a look at the property in advance should uncover any funny business.

We aren’t hosting momentous government changes at the moment, but for Forsyth County, GA real estate matters of all stripes, knowing that you are dealing with a trusted and experienced real estate professional is the surest way to rest assured no funny business is at hand. A call to my office is all it takes!

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Time Becomes the True Affluence for Cumming, GA Retirement

You don’t have to be beyond your 40s to begin plotting a direction for your retirement years. Most younger Cumming, GA residents know this full well but, truth be told, do precious little about it. For most of us, we’re all so busy tending to career and daily living concerns that most of the time it seems like self-indulgent wool-gathering to go daydreaming about retirement plans. Besides—who has extra cash to be doing more than the bare minimum about financing retirement? It’s so far off in the future…

That may be the 21st-century reality for most Cumming, GA adults who aren’t close to retirement age, but in fact, some of the real estate decisions we make early on can set the stage for satisfaction in later years. That’s one of the takeaways from the brains at Age Wave, a think tank who consult on all things retirement-related. They recently co-authored (with Merrill Lynch) a study on the subject of satisfaction among the retired. It turns out that money is not the major determinant of happiness in retirement that everyone assumes.
Cumming, GA elders will probably already be interested, but youngsters: listen up! As the country and western lyrics tell us, You can’t get to where you’re going – If you ain’t got a map! The key findings spell out some things most of us would assume—but some we wouldn’t.

• Pre-retirement, most working Americans take fewer vacation days than in other nations (and 83% of us do at least some work even when we’re on vacation!)
• Working folks feel stressed during leisure time because it’s so fragmented
• When retirement comes, it can take years before they can adjust
• Once retirees adjust to their new schedule of free time, gradually they come to value experiences over things
• Another change is to elevate the import of social connections and bonds with family and friends (that we could guess!)

The researchers at Age Wave came up with a catchy key phrase that helps summarize where their findings lead: it’s “Time Affluence.” Sure—the security of financial independence is valuable in retirement, but it doesn’t seem to be the single all-important element that investment house commercials would lead us to believe. It’s easy to find fun, inexpensive leisure activities according to 86% of retirees—and 95% prefer experiences of all kinds over “buying more things.” A huge majority say they are happier after retirement than before.

For Cumming, GA real estate planning purposes, the ultimate takeaway boils down to the familiar real estate watchwords: location, location, location! Planning to settle in a residence that’s close to friends and family might just be a key element in bringing satisfaction in later years. It follows that planning for a home base that fills the bill can begin long before “time affluence” becomes a daily reality. For that and all Cumming, GA real estate strategic planning, I’m here to offer my professional, no-obligation advice and guidance.

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

3930 Graystone Preserve – Cumming

PROPERTY SOLD IN 2 DAYS FOR FULL ASKING PRICE!

Welcome home to 3930 Graystone Preserve Place!
This beautiful 4-sided brick custom-built, executive home is located in the prestigious Fieldstone Preserve neighborhood. Featuring numerous upgraded architectural details including a mixture of stacked stone, brick and shake shingles, this stunning home offers an elegant European-style.

The beautiful entry foyer sets an elegant tone for this stunning executive home through the extensive use of high-quality trim and moldings and REAL hardwoods. These features flow through into the beautifully appointed formal dining room.

The large chef’s kitchen boasts a large granite topped island, stainless appliances with a gas cooktop and high quality custom cabinetry and tile work, while the adjacent keeping room provides an elegant fireplace, and custom built-in bookcases.

The gracious family room offers a two-story coffered ceiling, another fireplace and beautiful windows overlooking the wooded backyard. Rounding out the main level, you will also find a guest suite and formal living room/office. With an upgraded trim package and gleaming hardwood floors, this home offers a buyer an amazing value.

The upper level of this exquisite home offers a luxurious master suite with a sitting area and an upgraded spa bath as well as 3 additional well-sized secondary bedrooms.

The covered deck overlooks the private backyard oasis which is fully fenced and offers an irrigation system. The open deck area is the perfect place to soak up the sun or grill out. And, the unfinished terrace level leaves plenty of room for expansion.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own this executive-style home in and exclusive community and excellent Forsyth County schools.

Custom Home w/ European Architectural Details
4-Sides Bric & Stacked Stone
Oversized 3-Car Garage
Upgrades and Custom Features Throughout
Lovingly Maintained – Move-in Ready!
Excellent Forsyth County Schools!

NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES:

Recreation Center w/ Outstanding Tennis Complex
12 Lighted Tennis Courts
Amazing Olympic Sized Pool with Baby Pool, Waterslide
Clubhouse – Rentable w/catering kitchen and two restrooms
Fitness Center
Playground
Volleyball Court
Basketball Court
Walking Trails
Lake

Fieldstone Neighborhood HOA Webpage

FORSYTH COUNTY AREA :

Video – Living in Forsyth County – A Community Profile

SCHOOLS:

Kelly Mill Elementary

Vickery Creek Middle School
West Forsyth High School

Contact Listing Agent Gayle Barton for more information: 404-710-0204

Gayle Barton Forsyth County Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate | Homes for sale in Fieldstone Preserve

Homes For Sale in Fieldstone Preserve Cumming GA Real Estate 30040

Real Estate Listings and Homes For Sale in Fieldstone Preserve Cumming GA Real Estate 30040 in West Forsyth County

Neighborhood Listings – Homes For Sale in Fieldstone Preserve Cumming GA Real Estate 30040 in West Forsyth County – West Forsyth High School

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

James Creek Townhome – Cumming

[property_details details=”1″]

THIS PROPERTY SOLD IN JUST 4 DAYS!

Served by award-winning Dave’s Creek Elementary, South Forsyth Middle and South Forsyth High School

Located on a lovely quiet street, this upgraded, move-in ready END UNIT townhome in the popular James Creek subdivision is just waiting for you!

The large eat-in kitchen boasts a granite topped island, stainless appliances and beautiful stained cabinetry, while the adjacent family provides an elegant stone fireplace and gleaming hardwood floors.

The upper level of this beautiful home offers a roomy master suite and 2 additional well-sized secondary bedrooms and laundry room.

Fresh and clean with new interior paint, this beautiful upgraded unit also offers an oversized 2-CAR GARAGE and access to the James Creek swim/tennis amenity center.

Walk to award-winning Dave’s Creek Elementary!

Well Maintained – Move-in Ready!
End Unit
Many Upgrades and Hardwoods on Main Level
Oversized 2-Car Garage
Access To James Creek Swim / Tennis Amenities
Award Winning Schools!

NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES:

Recreation Center w/ Outstanding Tennis Complex
4 Indoor Courts / 6 Outdoor Hard Courts / 2 Clay Courts
Amazing Pool & Clubhouse
Fitness Center
Playground
Walking Trails
James Creek Tennis Center

FORSYTH COUNTY AREA :

Video – Living in Forsyth County – A Community Profile

SCHOOLS:

Daves Creek Elementary

South Forsyth Middle School

South Forsyth High School

Contact Listing Agent Gayle Barton for more information: 404-710-0204

Gayle Barton South Forsyth County Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate | Homes for sale in James Creek

What is a CMA and Why Do You Need One?

Determining a suitable list price for your home is one of the most important tasks a listing agent will assist you with. Generally this begins with a CMA.

When a real estate agent says they will be completing a “CMA” on your property, they are referring to a Comparative Market Analysis. A CMA is a detailed market data report prepared specifically for your property.

The CMA process will be completed before your home is listed for sale and should provide you with a reasonable idea of what your home will likely sell for.

The CMA report is created using information about area “comps” (properties which are similar to yours) which have recently sold, are currently active on the market or were recently listed for sale but expired without selling. In the report, adjustments will be made to the price of each comp to account for additional or missing features, upgrades or size discrepancies as compared to your home.

The information provided in a CMA will be very useful in helping you determine an accurate sales price for your home. As an agent, it is my goal to help you get your home sold for the most money possible, in the shortest time possible and with the least hassle possible – and this information can help us do that.

The first step in creating an accurate CMA will involve a quick walk through inspection of your property. This inspection will not take long and need not be extremely detailed. It simply allows us to note specific details about your home (such as special features or upgrades) and assess the overall condition of the property. If you are thinking of making any updates, upgrades or modifications to your home prior to selling, this would be the best time to make us aware of your plans.

Next, we will research several property data sources to obtain information on comparable properties in your local market – including active listings, properties which have sold recently, foreclosures, etc.

Active listings: Tell us what your direct market competition will be.

Sold listings: Tell us what an actual buyer is willing to pay for home similar to yours.

Expired listings: Tell us the price at which a buyer will walk away from a home similar to yours.

The data sources we use include a blend of multiple listing services, tax records and other market trending databases. Additionally, to further enhance the accuracy of our CMA, we utilize a private data source used by many lenders to create a “desktop appraisal” report. This report provides us excellent insight into how a mortgage lender will likely evaluate your property’s value.

The sum of this information will provide the agent an accurate estimate of what your property is worth in the current market. This will be presented to you in the form a “pricing range”. (More aggressive pricing for those in need of an immediate sale – less aggressive pricing if time on the market is not an issue.)

Not only is a CMA important in terms of pricing your home for sale, but buyers often request that their agent complete a CMA on any property they are seriously considering making an offer on to verify that the asking price accurately reflects the current market value.

A CMA is not an appraisal. An appraisal must be performed by a licensed appraiser. You have the right to have a pre-listing appraisal completed on your property by the appraiser of your choice if you feel the value is in question. If the homebuyer is seeking a loan to purchase your home, the buyer’s lender will require one to be completed by an appraiser, sanctioned by them, prior to loan approval.

REQUEST a FREE Market Analysis (CMA) of Your Home

CLICK HERE TO GET PRE-APPROVED

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325 Brannon Rd., Suite #200 Cumming GA 30041
770.844.8484

Cumming, GA Real Estate Figures in Some New Year’s Resolutions

Determining a suitable list price for your home is one of the most important tasks a listing agent will assist you with. Generally this begins with a CMA.

When a real estate agent says they will be completing a “CMA” on your property, they are referring to a Comparative Market Analysis. A CMA is a detailed market data report prepared specifically for your property.

The CMA process will be completed before your home is listed for sale and should provide you with a reasonable idea of what your home will likely sell for.

Next, we will research several property data sources to obtain information on comparable properties in your local market – including active listings, properties which have sold recently, foreclosures, etc.

Active listings: Tell us what your direct market competition will be.

Sold listings: Tell us what an actual buyer is willing to pay for home similar to yours.

Expired listings: Tell us the price at which a buyer will walk away from a home similar to yours.

Not only is a CMA important in terms of pricing your home for sale, but buyers often request that their agent complete a CMA on any property they are seriously considering making an offer on to verify that the asking price accurately reflects the current market value.

CLICK HERE TO GET PRE-APPROVED

Interesting Real Estate Story of the Day

Meet Gayle

Connect with Me

325 Brannon Rd., Suite #200 Cumming GA 30041 770.844.8484

325 Brannon Rd., Suite #200 Cumming GA 30041
770.844.8484