Tag Archive for: Jennifer Westmoreland

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!

6 Questions to Ask When Building Your Real Estate Wish List

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Building Your Real Estate Wish List in the Greater Athens Area

6 questions to ask to figure out what type of home you’re looking for in Athens

Photo and information 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 checklist below may help you clarify your thinking on what is important to you when you are ready to purchase.

  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?
  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 email, call us or submit a request for contact at any time to learn more about specific areas you are interested in learning more about. We are happy to help you in your research, and can give you an up-to-date snapshot of the local real estate market here in the greater Athens area.

 

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. 

This Month in Real Estate August 2017

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This Month in Real Estate – August 2017

Information Provided by Keller Williams!

Below is information provided by Keller Williams. Interested in what’s happening in your neighborhood as well? Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today for a personalized home value report and market update!

August 2017 Market Update
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Monthly VideoAccording to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing home sales dipped slightly in the month of June. While demand for homes remains high, inventory, especially in the starter home category, remains constrained. With so many interested buyers waiting for more homes to become available, now may be the perfect time to sell.
Interest Rates
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Monthly VideoAccording to Freddie Mac, 30-year fixed rates ticked up from 3.90 percent to 3.96 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 5.52 million homes during the month of May. This was a decrease of 1.8 percent from May and an increase of 0.7 percent from June of last year.
Home Prices
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Home Price Graph
The median home price increased to $263,800 in June, which was up 4.5 percent from May and up 6.5 percent from June of last year. The median home price has increased by approximately $16,200 in the past year alone.
Inventory
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Inventory Graph
There was a 4.3-month supply of housing inventory in June, which was up 2.4 percent from May. The total number of available homes for sale has decreased by 6.5 percent compared to June of last year.
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.

Steps in the Real Estate Home Buying Process

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Steps in the Real Estate Home Buying Process

Let Team JWA guide you through your next home purchase in the Greater Athens area

You need a good representative who will work hard for you. Our real estate team is dedicated to helping you find the right home, at the best price. We want you to find the home that will make you happy and successful in real estate ownership.

When you hire us to help you buy your home, we want to know what you want and how much you can afford. Then we’ll find a way to merge these two priorities and find a residence that you’ll enjoy owning.

Keep your objectives in mind when visiting a home. Sometimes the idea of owning a home can overwhelm your practical sense, so keep your feelings in check. Keep a list handy of the features that you need and want in a home, and judge each home by the list instead of by details that could distract you from your goal. When you’re alone with your real estate professional, you can go over the pros and cons of each home. We can help you stay on track while still keeping our eyes out for a great property.

Engage the services of a good real estate lawyer. We can recommend several lawyers in the area who might be a good fit for you. Interview them to ensure that you get someone you can work with. The legalities of transferring land ownership can be dodgy, and a lawyer can be your best defense against future legal troubles. A good lawyer can charge several hundred to over a thousand dollars for their services, but the thousands of dollars saved in legal fees later on makes this a good expense.

Make the offer. This can be a maze of “buyer”, “seller”, “chattels”, “deposit”, and “completion”. We’ll be happy to prepare the paperwork and go through it with you before submitting it. Remember, the seller may reject or counter your offer, so even at this late date, avoid setting your heart on the home you hope to own. You’ll probably have to write a deposit check to the seller’s broker that proves the seriousness of your offer.

Get all necessary inspections done. A home inspector will check for signs of harmful materials like asbestos, lead paint and mold. They’ll also check for evidence of pests, faulty wiring and leaks. This is a crucial part of the home purchase. Not getting an inspection done means that you could be stuck in a home with a bad case of black mold and no recourse other than to pay for its removal. Inspections will cost a few hundred dollars, but again, this is more than worth it in the end. There are several inspectors in the area that we’d be happy to recommend.

Do a final walkthrough before closing the deal. We’d be happy to do this with you to make sure that everything agreed upon is completed prior to the final signing.

From the first interview that determines your requirements to the moment that you receive the keys, we can help you with the complicated process of buying a home. Don’t hesitate to submit a request for contact or give us a call to find out more about how we can make the home buying process easier!

2018 Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates Dog Calendar

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Submit your favorite dog in support of the Athens Area Humane Society

Does your dog have what it takes to be in the upcoming 2018 JWA Dog Calendar to benefit the Athens Area Humane Society? Interested in supporting this new idea? Submit your favorite dog pictures to hannah@thejwa.com today, and your pet may be included in our new calendar! Please include any cute stories or special talents your dog me have (although not required!) We will select several dogs for this year’s calendar, and will be distributing this calendar to our customers, and will also offer calendars for sale, with proceeds benefitting the Athens Area Humane Society. The submission deadline will be soon, so be sure and send in your dog today!

8 August Home Care Tips in Greater Athens GA

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August Home Care Tips in Greater Athens

Keep your home in top shape with these 8 August tasks

Can you believe it’s already August?! Back to school is coming up, and Fall weather is right around the corner. With the start of a new month, it’s a good time to review this checklist of 8 August tasks to keep your home in top shape. Info via Keller Williams!

  1. Test smoke detectors
  2. Drain approximately 2 gallons from water heaters to eliminate sediment.
  3. Clean dryer vent duct.
  4. Vacuum bathroom vent covers.
  5. Replace or clean furnace filter.
  6. Clean out basement window wells.
  7. Clean coils in rear of refrigerator unit.
  8. Clean around air conditioning compressor.

Have you taken care of your home over the years and are now thinking about moving, or know someone that is? We’d love to help you with the process! Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today.

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. 

2017 Oconee School Supply Drive a Success

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2017 Oconee School Supply Drive a Success!

A record amount of school supply donations were presented to area schools

Oconee schools were presented with your school supply donations today at the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to your support and our community partners, we were able to help provide a record number of school supplies for the 2017-18 school year. Special thanks to our community partners, including Athens First Bank and Trust, Banksouth, Fox’s Pizza Den of Oconee, Matt Dixon/Briscoe Family Foundation, the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and Target of Athens. We’re happy to support education in our community, and look forward to the success of the new school year.

From People To Pets – Everyone Deserves A Home

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From People to Pets – Everyone Deserves a Home

Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates and the Athens Area Humane Society

From People to Pets – Everyone Deserves a Home! Community is important to us, and we are so happy to support the AthensArea HumaneSociety! Along with a top local real estate team, you are also supporting your community when you work with us at Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates in buying or selling your next home! #foryoureverymove #athensga #aahs #honestathensagent

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