6 Ways to Stage Your Home in the Greater Athens Area

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Expertly staging your house could be the difference between whether or not a buyer is captivated by your house.

Here are six ways to make sure that your house makes an outstanding impression and is staged for success (information and photo via Keller Williams):

1. Store Personal Items: As your real estate team, our goal is to make sure your house appeals to the largest segment of likely buyers in order to secure the best possible price. In order to do this, it’s important to make sure the buyer can picture themselves in your house, so that means safely storing any personal items.
2. Minimize Furniture: Rearranging and even storing furniture will allow your house to appear more spacious as well as show off its charm and unique details.
3. Go Easy on Scents: One buyer might love the smell of a candle or freshly baked cookies, another might not. It’s best to keep scents neutral and minimal in order to boost appeal.
4. Show off Storage: Clearing out closets and other storage areas will show off their size and capacity.
5. Create a Hotel-like Space: Some of the best hotels invite guests to feel at home – and that is precisely what a buyer should feel when viewing your house.
6. Curb Appeal: The first impression is often the most important. We will help you identify landscaping that complements your house’s distinctive style.

 

Interested in learning more about what Team JWA can do to help market and sell your home? Submit a request for contact today, or give us a call for more information!

4 Questions For Home Buyers In Athens

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Ask Jennifer… What should home buyers be thinking about?

4 Questions To Ask Yourself As You Begin the Process!

Owning a home may be your dream, but in order for the purchase to be the happy and satisfying experience it was meant to be, you need to ensure that you are financially and mentally prepared for the responsibilities that come with it.

Some people have a notion that home ownership is like renting, but with the power to have pets and paint the walls whatever color you like. However, while these privileges are available to homeowners in most municipalities, they come with the responsibilities of a mortgage, taxes and home maintenance. Preparing for home ownership requires you to take critical stock of your finances and your expectations. Here are 4 common questions to consider when beginning your home purchase process in our Greater Athens area!

1. Are you ready to buy?

Owning your own home is about more than just being able to decorate any way you like; it’s about being prepared to maintain your home over the years, realizing that part of your income and time will go towards repairs and maintenance. It’s about being willing to take the risks of home ownership with a realistic expectation of the rewards.

2. How much can you afford?

It can be discouraging to find that your salary won’t stretch as far as the home you want to own. However, sacrificing a huge part of your income just to pay the mortgage can very quickly make home ownership a burden rather than a point of pride. It’s better to buy a modest home now and look at purchasing your “dream home” in a few years.

3. What is your debt-to-income ratio?

This is something that lenders take very seriously. Your overall debt should not be more than 40% of your income, and your housing debt should not be more than 32%. What 32% of your income will buy depends on where you want to live. In rural or downtrodden areas for example, it can buy a very comfortable residence and ample acreage. In highly sought-after urban areas however, it may not even buy a 400 square foot bachelor suite.

4. What do you want?

Do you like the idea of cleaning your own gutters? Do you shudder at the thought of lawn care? Would you rather just pay a fee every month and have everything done for you? Would obeying rules about when you can have your garbage cans out bother you, or do you want to live in a neighborhood where everything is ‘just so’? The answers to these questions can help you narrow down the search for the right type of property for you.

Interested in help with some of these questions, or ready to start the buying or selling process? Send us a request for contact for more customized information specifically researched for your needs today!

September Gardening in the Greater Athens Area

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Reminders to help get your garden cleaned up

Information and photo via Keller Williams

September may be the end of the outdoor gardening season for most, but it’s also the time to prepare everything for next spring. Here are a few reminders on what you need to do to get your garden cleaned up and ready for next year!

Harvest and Transplant:

  • Pick your tomatoes, even the ones that are still green, and ripen these indoors.
  • Transplant your outdoor herbs into pots and bring these indoors for winter growth.
  • Tender bulbs should be dug up and moved indoors to a cool and dark area.

Plant for Spring:

  • When the weather cools down, you can start to plant spring flowering bulbs and peony roots.
  • Divide and replant perennials that have overgrown their current space.

Clean and Compost:

  • Remove and compost your annual plants that are spent.
  • Rake and remove leaves.

We wish you and your family a happy Fall. Please keep us in mind if you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate soon.

 

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. 

Tired of the Online Home Search in Athens?

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Tired of the Online Home Search in Athens?

Learn How Team Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates Can Help!

(Article and information via Hannah Harris with Team JWA)

Tired of seeing houses when performing your own online searches at various websites that are already UNDER CONTRACT but say FOR SALE?

We can help!

From the time a new listing is listed on our local Multiple Listing Service (that real estate agents use), it can sometimes take anywhere from 24-48 hours to show up on general real estate websites. More times than not, once you see a popular new listing pop up in the neighborhood you’ve been looking for, it will have multiple offers or even be under contract already! How frustrating!?

But there is hope! Contact Hannah at hannah@thejwa.com, submit a request for contact, or simply give us a call and we can set you up to receive listings that meet your criteria directly from our Multiple Listing Service within the HOUR of it being listed! We have access to the newest homes, often before they are even available online! Looking for something specific like houses under $250,000, a house with a basement or  minimum number of bathrooms, or in a certain neighborhood? We can provide a custom list, plus provide you with each new listing that fits your customized needs as they come on the market. This is just one of the ways that Team JWA’s clients can stay ahead of the game to be one of the first to make an offer when the perfect home is available.

We have a dedicated buyer’s team focused on you, including our lead buyer’s agent Brandon McEachern. Interested in being one of the first to learn of the new listing that fits your needs in a home? Contact us today and we’ll create your custom home purchase plan.

Winterize Your Home in the Greater Athens Area

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Help Winterize Your Home in the Greater Athens Area

9 Hints To Help Protect Your Home as Temperatures Drop

Information and photo via Keller Williams

…Start Saving!

  1. Inspect your roof and replace any damaged or missing roof shingles.
  2. Make sure gutters and downspouts are free of leaves and debris.
  3. Consider a fresh coat of paint or sealer on your deck.
  4. On a windy day, close your windows and feel for air leaks.
  5. Seal any leaks with rope caulk.
  6. Install weather stripping on the sides or bottoms of any leaky doors.
  7. Insulate exposed plumbing.
  8. Remove leaves or debris from your air conditioner’s condensing unit, cover for winter.
  9. If you haven’t had your fireplace chimney cleaned in a few years, hire a professional chimney sweep.
If you need a recommendation for local professionals who can perform this or any other work around your home, I can help! Contact us today, or visit our home resources page!

And as always, if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, you can count on me for the utmost professionalism, expertise and results! Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today for your custom plan.

This Month in Real Estate September

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This Month in Real Estate – September 2017

Information and photos via Keller Williams

 

THIS MONTH IN REAL ESTATE
September 2017
HOME SALES
Home sales increased year-over-year.
5.44 MILLION
Seasonally adjusted annual rate of U.S. home sales
+2.1% since one year ago
-1.3% since last month
HOME PRICE
Home prices have continued to increase year-over-year.
$258,300
Average
U.S. home price.
+6.2% since one year ago
-1.9% since last month
MORTGAGE RATES
Mortage rates remain well below the historic average.
30 year fixed: 3.86%
15 year fixed: 3.16%
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.

6 Steps To Fall In Love With Your Home

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6 Steps To Fall In Love With Your Home

Have you fallen out of love with your home? Here are six ways to rekindle the romance:

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)
1. Play musical chairs 
Rearrange the furniture.
2. Let it grow 
Potted plants add appeal with little maintenance.
3. Less is more 
Ditching clutter relieves stress.
4. Do a deep clean 
Scrub those baseboards, and clean those windows.
5. Make a list 
Decide what needs improving and prioritize your projects.
6. Give a room a mini-makeover 
Add new hardware to your cabinets, or pick up new organizing bins for your office.
Still not feeling the love? It may be time to start exploring available homes on the market. Submit a request for contact today, or give us a call to learn more about what’s available in market, customized just for you!
When you’re ready to buy, sell or invest in real estate, you need a trusted local expert. Call me today to arrange a personalized consultation.

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. 

Landscaping Difficult Areas With A Rock Garden

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Landscaping Difficult Areas in the Greater Athens Area With a Rock Garden

3 simple steps to transforming your hard to manage parts of home landscape

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

 

Want to turn that part of your yard where nothing will grow into something more than an eyesore? Consider building a rock garden. You can use rocks and plants that can withstand growing in difficult conditions to transform hard to manage parts of your home landscape.

Try it with these three simple steps

1. Clear the area. You’ll want to dig up the soil where you’re creating your rock garden and get rid of any grasses, weeds, trees, and roots.

2. Add rocks and soil. Select the rocks you want to use for your garden and begin placing them. It’s a good idea to choose rocks of different sizes and shapes. Variety is desirable and will create a more natural look for the garden. If you’re planning on adding a lot of plants, your rocks should be placed farther apart.

The soil that you use in your rock garden should drain well. You may be able to use the dirt that’s already in your yard or you may need to supplement it with something that’s less clayey.

3. Select plants and flowers. The local nursery can help you select the best plants for your garden. Typically, vegetation that does well in rock gardens will not grow much taller than 1 meter and prefers well drained soil. Again—variety can be the key here, both in color and when the plants will bloom in the year. Whatever you decide, you should have fun with your choices!

As always, I appreciate referrals from my friends and past clients. If you know of anyone who is looking to buy or sell real estate, please send them my way! Have additional questions or looking to buy or sell your next home? Submit a request for contact today, or simply give us a call!

 

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. 

Jennifer Westmoreland and Associates Customer Appreciation Event

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Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates 2017 Customer Appreciation Event

Join us for a 2017 football kickoff party!

The 2017 Football Season is upon us, and the excitement level in the Athens area is at a “10”! At Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates, we would like to personally invite you to our 2017 Football Kickoff Party. Join us on Thursday, August 31st at Southern Brewing Company in Athens! BBQ will be available, plus live music will be provided by Studio Gold Nashville Country Artist Scott Brantley as a special treat! The Athens Area Humane Society will also have an adoption event set up at SBC. Discounted entry of only $10 at the door when you mention JWA, and please RSVP at the event page for planning purposes! Kids are welcome to attend and enjoy the music, food and games. 21+ for the tour.

Doors open at 5pm, and the party stops around 9pm when SBC closes! You’ve helped make this year really special for us here at the JWA, and we wanted to invite you to this exclusive event as a thank you. We look forward to seeing you there!

Are We in a Sellers Market in the Greater Athens Area?

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Are We in a “Seller’s Market” in the Greater Athens Area?

How Team Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates can guide you through the home purchase process:

Info via Brandon McEachern with Team JWA!

If you’ve been watching the news on the housing industry lately, you understand that we’re in a “seller’s market”…meaning sellers have the upper-hand when it comes to the negotiation process.  It’s true.  In our market we’re realizing the phenomenon of most properties receiving multiple offers once they hit the market.  If you’re a buyer, DON’T PANIC.  With the right guidance and knowledge, you can put yourself in the best position possible to acquire the property.  Here are a few tips to help give you the best shot.

1)  BE PREPARED.  Those of you who were Boy Scouts early in life should have this locked and loaded.  If you haven’t talked to a lender prior to doing any home search, STOP!  Get with a lender asap so you’ll know exactly what you can afford, what your closing costs will be for different purchase prices, what type of loan is best for you, and how quickly can you close.  Knowing these things in advance may put you ahead of the pack when you have to hurry to beat other offers. If you don’t have a local lender already in mind, contact your REALTOR ®.  …which brings me to #2…

2)  HIRE A GOOD REALTOR ®.  Let’s face it, you don’t have time to have weak representation when in a hurried situation, as well as making one of the most important purchases of your life.  Look for a seasoned Buyer’s Agent.  Real estate offices/agents are ever-evolving (as the market does the same).  We see more agents specializing in either listings or buyers these days.  Why would you hire someone who specializes in listing property to help you as a buyer?  Exactly, you wouldn’t.  Interview more than one person, let them know your expectations up front, and have them tell you what they’ll do for you.  And make sure your agent is a REALTOR ®. Very important…but that is a different article altogether.

3)  KEEP IT CLEAN.  Ever heard of the “K.I.S.S.” rule?  Simple is key here.  Buyers can absolutely ask for anything they want in an offer, as most everything is negotiable.  But at what cost?  When compared to other offers that are coming in on the same property, you’ll probably have your best chance to obtain the property if you don’t ask for much.  Is that home warranty you’re requesting necessary?  If so, buy it yourself at closing.  You don’t want a few hundred dollars in a small request to be why you lost the deal.  Some things may well be necessary to request.  But if they’re not, leave them off of the paperwork.  This could also apply to asking the seller not to pay for any of the buyer’s closing costs (or maybe asking seller to pay a smaller amount towards your closing costs), agreeing to a sooner closing date (if your lender approves of such), and putting down more earnest money than is usually the norm in your market.

4)  DON’T BE AFRAID TO PAY OVER LIST PRICE. Ok, so I made you cringe.  No fear…there is an out here.  Most states have forms that you can attach to the offer that protect the buyer from a property not appraising at contract price.  So if you’re fighting others on price, go high.  Once you get the property under contract, it may take a few weeks before the appraisal returns.  If it comes back lower than the contract price, you may not be obligated to go through with the purchase.  In fact, the seller will most likely now understand that they priced the home too high, and they will reduce the price of the property to match the appraised value.  If they won’t, you can walk away from the deal, with little costs absorbed on your end.  ** IMPORTANT ** Make sure you talk to your agent about this scenario BEFORE making an offer to make sure they have you protected properly in such case. 

5)  RELAX.  Your REALTOR ® is working for you.  As a buyer, you should have a game plan with your agent as to where you are willing to stop in your negotiation.  If you’ve done the things above, you’re in good shape to play ball.  Put it in your agent’s hands, and let them lead the way.  Try to stay busy with other facets in your life, and attempt to take your mind off of it as much as possible (yeah, right).  Things will fall into place.  If not, maybe it wasn’t meant to be.  Now you’re well-versed to attack the next one you see.  But let’s put ourselves in the best position to get THIS one, right?  Right!  Good luck.  

-Brandon McEachern is the lead Buyer Specialist with Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates, Keller Williams Greater Athens. Athens, Georgia.  He can be reached at Brandon@theJWA.com. Submit a request for contact today!