Halloween 2017 at Team JWA

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Happy Halloween from Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates!

We take your home buying and selling needs seriously, and can have fun too! If you value a local real estate team with years of experience, this is it! Before you look at the answer, see if you can guess the theme of each ofthese photos!

Sit. Stay. Sell. The Power Of Pets In Real Estate

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Every pet deserves a home!

Did you know that, at Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates, we are happy to support our local Athens Area Humane Society with each closing? We were happy to donate a percentage of 2017 closings to the AAHS in support of their mission, and look forward to continuing the tradition! Do you have pets in your household? Below is an excerpt from a Keller Williams blog post. Visit their blog page for more information on helpful ways to help show a home with pets. (Information and photo via KW)

“There was a time when selling a home with a pet was a major issue for sellers and real estate agents. Great efforts went into masking odors, eliminating stains, putting up food/water bowls, closing doggy doors, removing litter pans, putting toys away and even finding a place for the pet to be during showings. Needless to say, it required a lot of extra work on top of the other tasks needed to get the home ready for showing.

In today’s market, most of this has changed, and pet-friendly homes are now considered by many to be a benefit.

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With 65 percent of households currently owning a pet, having a pet is no longer a “downside” when it comes to buyers and sellers. However, even though 79 million households have at least one pet, home owners still need to present a clean, pet-stain and odor-free home when listing it for sale.

More than just having pets, an estimated 83 percent of people actually consider the pet a member of the family. This is causing home owners and agents to see pet-friendly homes in a different light.

Agents understand that people are passionate about their pets. But more than understanding that passion is delivering service that meets the client’s specific needs…” (Continued at KW blog post).

3 Small Steps To Prepare Your Home For Rain

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(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

Complete these home maintenance steps before spring rains begin:

  1. Inspect the foundation for low areas and fill with compacted soil to help prevent foundation damage.
  2. Check the wood trim around windows, doors and railings and make repairs before wood rot occurs.
  3. Inspect the deck for discolorations and reseal before warping occurs.

Small tips can add value to your home. A few maintenance steps can help prevent long-term damage.

Thinking about buying or selling a home? Let us be your resource for local real estate information. Give us a call today, or submit a request for contact!

October 2017 Home Care in the Greater Athens Area

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You can keep your home in top shape with simple tasks throughout the year.

Home Care Tips October

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

You can keep your home in top shape with simple tasks throughout the year. This month, be sure to:

  1. Replace or clean your furnace filter.
  2. Clean filters for kitchen exhaust fans.
  3. Drain outside faucets and winterize your sprinkler system.
  4. Check your driveway for cracks. Fill cracks and reseal as needed.
  5. Cover your air conditioner and/or remove any window units.
  6. Reverse your ceiling fans to help blow warm air down from the ceiling throughout the room.
  7. Drain approximately 2 gallons from water heater to eliminate sediment.
  8. Pass a lit candle around doors and windows to check for drafts. Weather strip as necessary.
Call today or submit a request for contact to find out what’s happening in our greater Athens area and how we can help!

Copyright 2017 Keller Williams® Realty, Inc. If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Opportunity Housing Provider. Each office is independently owned and operated.

5 Community Events on Friday the 13th and October

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5 Special Events for Friday the 13th and October in the Greater Athens area

(Image via Keller Williams)

It’s Friday the 13th, plus Halloween is coming up soon! Do you have any plans for today, or the rest of the month? Or are you looking for something to do? Our community is always fun of special events and things to do! There are lots of local seasonal events coming up in the greater Athens area. Here are 5 ideas. Visit our JWA page to share your favorite Fall events as well!

  1. Washington Farms in Watkinsville – Have you navigated the corn maze? Visit their page to learn all there is to do at Washington Farms this Fall.
  2. Zombie Farms of Athens – This “farm” is a haunted trail, opening tonight. Are you a fan of haunted houses?
  3. Oconee County Fall Festival in Watkinsville – with an expected 20,000 people attending, there will be lots to see and do. The Oconee Fall Festival is Saturday, October 21st.
  4. Watkinsville Trick or Treat – Bring the kids to downtown Watkinsville on October 31st for trick or treating and family fun!
  5. Boo-le-Bark Boulevard in Athens – A Halloween dog costume parade? Yes! Parade takes place Sunday, October 15th.

 

Sample Over 20 Athens Area Restarants at OCAF Stein and Stem

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What is your favorite Athens area restaurant?

The Oconee County Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF)is hosting their annual Stein and Stem fundraiser event this Sunday, October 15th at OCAF on School Street in Watkinsville! This year the event will showcase local culinary talent, wineries, breweries, bottle shops, live music by the Original Screw Tops, an exciting silent auction and artist demonstrations. If you’re looking to sample food from a local area restaurant, this is the place to be on Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food will be available from:

A Taste of India

Bone Island Grillhouse

Chops ‘n Hops

Copperwood Pizza

Craft Public House

DePalma’s Italian Café

Dicky’s BBQ

Edible Arrangements

Five Bar

Fox’s Pizza Den

Freddy’s

Fully Loaded Pizza

Mirko Pasta

Olive Basket

Opa Robby’s Market

Sweetie Pie by Savie

Takorea

 The Pine

The Traveling Hobo Cafe

Trumps Catering

Winghouse Grill

Zombie Donuts

Proceeds benefit the local art scene. Learn more about this event and OCAF at their website. The Greater Athens area is full of special events and entertainment. What are some of your favorites? An area with growing entertainment and restaurant options can often signal a hot real estate market. Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today to learn more!

This Month in Real Estate October 2017

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Interested in our local Greater Athens area? Contact us today! Information via Keller Williams.

THIS MONTH IN REAL ESTATE
October 2017
HOME SALES
Home sales increased year-over-year.
5.35 MILLION
Seasonally adjusted annual rate of U.S. home sales
+0.2%since one year ago
-1.7%since last month
HOME PRICE
Home prices have continued to increase year-over-year.
$253,500
Average
U.S. home price.
+5.6%since one year ago
-1.8%since last month
MORTGAGE RATES
Mortage rates remain well below the historic average.
30 year fixed: 3.83%
15 year fixed: 3.13%
5/1-year arm: 3.17%
Historical Average: 8.90%
Source: Freddie Mac
THERE’S OPPORTUNITY IN EVERY MARKET!
Call today or submit a request for contact to find out what’s happening in our greater Athens area and how we can help!

Copyright 2017 Keller Williams® Realty, Inc. If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Opportunity Housing Provider. Each office is independently owned and operated. 

Team JWA and Banksouth Dawg Watch Party

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Customer Appreciation Dawg Watch Party!

Saturday, November 11th starting at 130pm

Banksouth Mortgage

525 South Milledge Ave Athens

 

It might be an away game, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun in Athens. If you’re staying in Athens on November 11th, join us for a Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates tailgate and watch party with our friends at BankSouth Mortgage. Enjoy pre-game tailgate games, food & drinks plus stay and watch the game with us! More details to come so please invite friends and we will see you there! RSVP and invite your friends at our event page.

Halloween Safety Tips in the Greater Athens Area

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Information and photo via Keller Williams

We all want to keep our little ghosts and ghouls safe this Halloween. Here are some simple reminders on how to protect your trick or treaters so everyone has a great time.

Costume Choices

  • When choosing or constructing your costumes make sure masks fit securely and provide adequate vision and ventilation. Children should also wear shoes that are well-fitting and sturdy.
  • Costumes should be made of flame resistant materials.
  • Accessories can be a real hazard. The best swords and knives are short, soft, and flexible.

Be Seen

  • Add reflective tape to the costume or bag your child is using to carry candy. Walk with a flashlight so everyone can see where they are going and in turn, others will see you.
  • Walk from house to house as a group, and make sure children are accompanied by an adult.
  • Stick to trick-or-treating in well-lit homes in familiar neighborhoods.
  • Look both ways when crossing the street. If there is a cross walk available, use it.
Home Safety

  • Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps at your home where costumes could brush against the flames.
  • Be sure the walkway to your house is clear and free of any tripping hazards.

Have a great Halloween and don’t eat too much candy!

5 DIY Improvements to Make Your Home Classier

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Updating your home to be more chic – without looking cheap – is completely doable on a budget.

If you’re looking to add more class to your home, taking on a DIY project can give your house that extra sense of style while saving you money. No need to cringe at those three little words: “do it yourself.” There really are fast, easy and affordable projects you can do on your own. Here are five relatively easy ways to enhance your home.

1. Replace Your Light Fixtures
Switching out an old or basic light fixture for a more elegant one is an easy way to shift the ambiance of a room. By adding a sophisticated light fixture, you can control the intensity of the light and character of your room. And you don’t need to pay a pretty penny for expensive new fixtures – you can buy used fixtures online.

2. Add Floating Shelves
Installing floating shelves in your home combines the functionality of extra storage space with a bit of style and personal flair. Floating shelves can be mounted on walls in many different patterns, and they come in various materials to give your rooms a unique touch. For a small room choose shallow shelves to display framed photos; for a larger room you can afford to use deeper shelves to hold vases, books and unique trinkets.

3. Paint an Accent Wall
Painting an accent wall can add a pop of color and showcase your personality. Usually a low-risk project, a homeowner of any skill level can tackle this project in a day. You just need some painter’s tape, a brush and the color that suits you! Just make sure the color you choose is complementary with the other colors in the room. Stay consistent between warm and cool tones.

4. Install Decorative Molding
Adding decorative molding around your home can add an extra touch of elegance. Install molding to the ceiling by capping walls, columns and cabinets, or add chair molding lower to the ground. With detailed molding you can add character to your rooms while also making them feel taller and more finished.

5. Build a Stone Fire Pit

Take your sophisticated style outside by building a stone fire pit in your backyard. Completed in only a few hours, take uniquely shaped rocks or large stones and put them together to create a functional and stylish fire pit. Before starting the project, be sure to check your local fire codes or homeowners association to ensure you are safe and allowed to start building.

Adding a touch of class to your home doesn’t have to break the bank! Just be sure to start with one project at a time, allowing yourself to complete one before starting the next. Otherwise, you’ll fall victim to chronic project incompleteness syndrome – not a good look!

Now that you know about these five inexpensive DIY projects, which will you try? Or let us know what your favorite home improvement project is on our Team JWA page!