Tag Archive for: buying a home

Creating a First Time Home Buyer Wish List

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6 Considerations Before You Begin Your First Time Home Buying Search

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

You’ve started your search, but do you know in detail what type of home are you looking for? There are so many choices that it is important to have an idea of what you want and need before you begin looking. Consider making a checklist of amenities that are essential and those you would like to have in your new home.

The list of 6 considerations below may help you clarify your thinking on what is important to you when you are ready to purchase your first home:

  1. What neighborhood(s) would you like to live in?
  2. What price range do you have in mind?
  3. What type of home interests you? (One-story, two-story, split-entry, townhouse, condo, duplex)
  4. Are schools a factor? Do you need to be close to public transportation? Learn more about schools and local housing values!
  5. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? How many do you want?
  6. What other interior and exterior features are important to you?

Please feel free to submit a request for contact, email or call me at any time to learn more about specific areas you are interested in learning more about. I am happy to help you in your research and can give you an up-to-date snapshot of the real estate market.

ACCA Golf Tournament Presented by Team JWA Success

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The weather was perfect, golf carts were full of participants, and the food was delicious!

Our inaugural 2018 Golf Tournament benefiting the Athens Community Council on Aging and presented by Team JWA was a big success! The event was led and coordinated by Rodney England, Kelli McCain and Team JWA’s Brandon McEachern and David Walton. Thank you for your support of this year’s event!

The tournament couldn’t have been a success without the many golfers that came out and played. Thank you as well! We also had lots of tournament sponsors (pictured below), which helped raise funds for the ACCA.

The golf tournament was part of the fundraising effort for the ACCA’s Retro Prom event, which took place this past weekend. With the help of special events like the golf tournament, the ACCA was able to raise a record $55,000 this year! At this Retro Prom event,Team JWA’s David was also named Retro Prom King 2018!

Take a look at pictures below from this year’s event, and be sure to share them with friends! Check back soon too for our next big event. We’d love to see you there.

7 May Home Care Hints in the Greater Athens area

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7 Tasks for the month of May to help maintain your home

You can keep your home in top shape with simple tasks throughout the year (information via Keller Williams). This month, be sure to:

  1. 1. Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs and railings for loose members and deterioration.
  2. 2. Check plumbing shut-off valves. Ensure that they turn off and on freely.
  3. 3. Service your kitchen disposal by grinding several cups of ice cubes.
  4. 4. Check vents, louvers and chimneys for bird nests and squirrels.
  5. 5. Check your sprinkler system for leaky valves and exposed lines.
  6. 6. Inspect your home’s exterior siding for mildew. Scrub off as necessary.
  7. 7. Check your air conditioning unit and have it serviced before summer temperatures arrive.

    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! Interested in buying or selling your next home? Submit a request for contact or just give us a call!

This Month in Real Estate May 2018

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Interested in what’s going on in your Greater Athens area neighborhood too?

Your “This Month in Real Estate” update for May 2018 is here! Would you like more information on what’s going on with your home in the greater Athens area? Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today! Information via Keller Williams.

May 2018 Market Update
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Monthly VideoAccording to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing home sales inched up for the second consecutive month in March in spite of insufficient inventory in many parts of the country. The ongoing strain on available homes has kept housing growth at a slower pace than that of last year.
Interest Rates
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Interest RatesAccording to Freddie Mac, 30-year fixed rates rose from 4.45 percent to 4.47 percent. This rate remains well below the historical average of 8.90 percent.
Home Sales
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Home Sales Graph
The National Association of REALTORS® reported home sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of approximately 5.6 million homes during the month of March. This was an increase of 1.1 percent from February and a decrease of 1.2 percent from March of last year.
Home Prices
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Home Price Graph
The median home price increased to $250,400 in March, which was up 3.9 percent from February and up 5.8 percent from March of last year. The median home price has increased by approximately $13,800 in the past year alone.
Inventory
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Inventory Graph
There was a 3.6-month supply of housing inventory in March, which was an increase of 5.9 percent from February. The total number of available homes for sale has decreased by 5.3 percent compared to March of last year.
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Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources. You should not treat any opinion expressed on This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion. Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind. All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. All investments involve some degree of risk. Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

Real Estate on the River Athens – ACCA and JWA Part 2

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Team JWA’s Brandon Talks with Kelli from the ACCA

Learn more about the Meals on Wheels for Pets program at the Athens Community Council on Aging in part two of Real Estate on the River ACCA. We’re happy to be a part of this program and more going on at the ACCA. Look for Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates as sponsors of the ACCA RetroProm 2018! coming up this Friday at The Foundry, featuring The Highballs!

 

Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates
Keller Williams Realty Greater Athens
706-389-9953 / 706-316-2900

Real Estate on the River – ACCA Golf Tournament Update

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JWA Talks Golf With Kelli from the Athens Community Council on Aging

Tired of your Thursdays being subpar? A little birdie suggested your friends chip in and join us Thursday, May 3rd at the Athens Community Council on Aging golf tournament at the UGA golf course, presented by Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates! Everyone wants a slice of the tournament, so you must register your team today!

4 Home Staging Ideas To Stand Out From The Competition

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4 Home Staging Ideas in the Greater Athens Area

60 percent of homes sell during the summer months, making now the peak season for home showings. When you’re serious about selling your home for top dollar, these staging tips will help your home to stand out against the competition:

(information via Keller Williams)

1. Install an Air-Conditioning Timer – Regulate the temperature to be an optimal 70 degrees Fahrenheit when buyers arrive.
2. Clean Up Outdoor Areas – Rent a pressure washer to clean a patio, deck or driveway, and sweep up debris around the pool.
3. Show Off Built-In Features – Arrange neutral items in small clusters on built-in bookcases, shelves and wall cutouts to show off attractive architectural elements of your home.
4. Stage the Unexpected – Show buyers how livable the home is by staging something fun and inviting. Arrange some rolled up towels by the pool or place a novel next to the rocking chair on the front porch.

 

Interested in learning more about home staging? Visit our professional home staging page. We’d also be happy to provide a custom review of your home in getting it ready to sell! Submit a request for contact today, or give us a call.

Welcome Mark Adams to Team Jennifer Westmoreland and Associates

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Team JWA in the Greater Athens Area is Growing!

Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates is happy to announce the addition of Mark Adams to the team! Mark will be bringing a wealth of market knowledge and a wide variety of background experience. He’s very excited to begin working with JWA and the Keller Williams team.

Mark is recently licensed, and has always had a love for real estate. He’s looking forward to working on the JWA / Keller Williams team and working with our clients to help find their next home. He has been involved in Sales and Sales Management for 30 years. Most of that time has been spent selling technology to the Cable TV industry for ARRIS. Mark spent 10 plus years as VP of Sales at ARRIS covering Latin America so he’ll be a great asset for our Spanish speaking clients.

Mark grew up in Athens, and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Economics. He and his wife have lived in Chicago, Phoenix, Alpharetta, and Santiago, Chile. They currently reside in Athens.

Mark and his wife, Pam, have 3 boys and 2 daughters-in-law, Drew and Brittany, Will and Brooke, and Kyle. They are active members of Athens Church, and are passionate about cheering on the Dawgs. Mark enjoys golf in his free time. Please join us in welcoming Mark to our team at the JWA!

8 Home Care Hints for April 2018

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

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

Here are 8 helpful home care hints for your house in the greater Athens area. This month, be sure to:

  1. Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
  2. Drain approximately 2 gallons from your water heater to eliminate sediment.
  3. Clean your clothes dryer vent duct.
  4. Vacuum your bathroom vent covers.
  5. Replace or clean your furnace filter.
  6. Clean out your basement window wells.
  7. Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils to keep it operating efficiently.
  8. Clean around your air conditioning compressor and make sure that it gets sufficient air flow.

As always, we 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 our way! Give us a call or submit a request for contact.

How to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

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Help keep your home allergy-free with these 4 simple tips.

Allergies are often associated with the arrival of spring, but indoor allergy sufferers will often find themselves sniffing and sneezing year-round. The culprit? Indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites and pet hair and dander. So how do you make sure your home is a respite from both seasonal and interior allergens and create a healthy environment for you and your family? Here are 4 ideas via Keller Williams for your real estate in the greater Athens GA area.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, there are several best practices you can adopt to manage allergens in your home:
1. Keep it clean. Regularly cleaning your home will go far in reducing allergens such as dust, dust mites and pet dander.
2. Redo your floors. Replacing rugs and carpets with wood or vinyl floorings will help minimize dust and other allergens that become embedded in fabric fibers.
3. Groom your furry friends. Regularly bathing and brushing your pets will help reduce the amount of dander and pet hair in your home.
4. Go on mold patrol. Be on the lookout for any leaks or moisture in your home as this can cause mold to thrive.

Simple tips like these can create a happier, healthier and more valuable home. Thank you for thinking of us for all of your real estate needs, and be sure to share our contact information with anyone you know of looking to buy, sell or invest in a home. Interested buying or selling your next home? Give us a call today!