Tag Archive for: selling my house

Sample Over 20 Athens Area Restarants at OCAF Stein and Stem

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!

Team JWA and Banksouth Dawg Watch Party

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

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!

This Month in Real Estate September

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

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

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

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?

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!

Not Finding Exact Real Estate You’re Looking For Online

Not Finding Exact Real Estate You’re Looking For Online?

Let us show you the whole picture in the greater Athens area!

NOT FINDING EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, ONLINE

Info Via KW


Personal Photo Real Tips from a Real Estate Professional
Most people these days start out their real estate search online, but it’s easy to feel like you’re not getting the full picture. Seeing properties in person is really the only way you can narrow down your search and really get the buying process started.
Call me today and I can help you put together a list of properties that we can view together in the greater Athens GA area. If you don’t have a solid idea on what you’d like to see, we can even plan on just touring a few open houses together.
And one more question – Often people start searching online to try and gain an understanding of their own home’s value. Is this the case with you? If so, I would love to give you an online, no hassle estimate or an in-depth broker price opinion. Submit a request for contact, or ask for a customized home valuation guide for your current home today!

Luxury Homes Available in Greater Athens GA

Luxury Homes Available in Greater Athens GA

In the market for a custom home? Be looking for this luxury home insert!

Are you in the market for your next dream home in the greater Athens area? This monthly luxury home flyer may have just the information you’re looking for to simplify your process! Did you know that Jennifer is the #1 Keller Williams Athens Luxury Home Specialist? The insert can be found in the Real Estate Book of Athens, and we will also share information on these beautiful homes. On one side you’ll find featured homes in the Athens area, and on the other side are featured homes in Oconee area. See a home you like or have additional questions? Please give us a call today, or submit a request for contact! For our sellers, this is also an additional benefit that we offer at Team Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates to find potential buyers for your current home. We look forward to speaking with you soon, with a focus on finding a home that is just right for you.