New Listing 71 Mission Ridge Dr Cartersville GA 30120

H & H Residential Ribbon Cutting and Low Country Boil

Getting Ready for the Party!!

We are getting ready for a great time tonight!  Here is command central where Jeff is going to work his magic!

Grand Opening Celebration for H & H Residential - TONIGHT!!!

Tonight we celebrate the grand opening of H & H Residential, sister company to H & H Realty with a ribbon cutting and low country boil!  Everyone here is excited and we have been working hard all week to get ready for this big event.  All are invited but I will post pictures next week for those of you who aren't able to make it.  Just in case you missed the details - the party is from 4:30pm-7pm, here at the H & H offices - 700 Douthit Ferry Rd, Cartersville.   Hope to see you tonight!!

 

H & H Residential and Canes Basketball!

Asa went to basketball camp last week for the very first time.  He LOVED every minute of it.  The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes did a great job and we can't wait to go back again next year.  At the end of camp, Asa brought home a shirt that he was very excited about -  not only did he get his first basketball shirt, it also had H & H Residential on the back!!  Mama was proud, too ;-)
 

$340,000 Great Sky Subdivision Canton GA

Today's Cartersville Real Estate

The economy is on everyone’s mind these days and many look to the Realtors as a measure of the local market’s health.  Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask “How is your business?”   Now, I like to think this is out of love and concern for me personally but I know they are as anxious as I am to know when things will get better and I am their local indicator for that. So, let me tell you about my business here in the Cartersville/Bartow County area…

H & H Residential opened just over a month ago and I must admit, my partner Leah Woodall and I, have been working non-stop ever since.  We even added a new agent to our company, Ashton Norrod, to help with the load.  I am finding these days that I am working harder than I have ever worked; showing more houses, negotiating longer, making more phone calls, but these things are slowly paying off.  People eventually find that certain property they are looking for at the price they want.  And this seems to be true for the metro Atlanta area, as well.  According to First Multiple Listing Service, the closed units are increasing.  Prices of those units, however, are remaining at one of the lowest points in the past decade. 

Rentals are in high demand right now.  People are choosing to rent for a variety of reasons.  Some are working on their credit in hopes of buying in the future.  Many are able to buy but prefer to wait before purchasing in order to watch the market and house prices to see if they are going to drop further. Available rental houses are going on the market one day and are being rented the next.  I recently had to compete for a high end rental property on behalf of my tenant.  The rent was close to $2000/month and two applications came in at the same time for the house.  Investors are having a great time with this market.  They are constantly on the lookout for another house to add to their inventory. 

Traditional buyers are beginning to resemble investors.  They want to make sure that when they buy they have enough room between what they spend and the current market price to protect them against future declines.  Buyers are offering low and negotiating hard.  They aren’t afraid to walk away from a house and continue searching for another good deal. 

Sellers are the hardest hit today, often losing money on their sales and many times paying out of their pocket to close the deal.  The good news for them is that they are able to make it up on their next purchase when they move into the buyer’s seat and start looking for that great deal where they get a much larger house for a fraction of the price. 

I went to a new member breakfast at the Cartersville/Bartow Co. Chamber of Commerce yesterday and was amazed at the number of new members.  Some were from established businesses just joining the chamber while others were start ups, like H & H Residential, just wading into today’s market waters.  The Chamber reported their membership was up with a net of 80 more new members this year than all of last year combined.  I guess you could say we are all a little bit crazy for starting something new when the nation is facing a double dip recession.  But, I say that maybe, just maybe, things are a little brighter here in our neck of the woods. 

Blogging

Guess who has been approved to be a blogger on cartersville.patch.com? I'll give you a hint, her name starts with Leigh Anne and ends with Shepard. Yep, that is right, me! I will be posting articles about real estate, anything from buying and selling tips to spring cleaning tips (although looking at the state of my house, I might have to do a bit of research on that one). As I write, I'll be sure to add a copy here too.
If you haven't surfed patch yet let me encourage you to check it out. Www.cartersville.patch.com. It is filled with local news and info. They also post updates on facebook and twitter so you can follow them easily.
I would love to know your topic ideas so if you have a suggestion, please leave a comment and I will try to accommodate article requests!

Our New Billboard

We are off and running here at H & H Residential and beginning our marketing campaigns.  I had to share this picture of our new billboard.  We are so proud!  I have had a lot of positive feedback and am thankful for the support and well wishes! 

8 Mull Street Cartersville GA 30120 - $118,000

517 West Main Street Cartersville GA 30120 - $59,200

229 Towering Peaks Canton GA

83+ Acres with 3 Bedroom/2 Bath

For Sale - 83+ Acres with 3 Bedroom/2Bath Home

Bring the horses! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has everything and more! Pristine fenced pasture with two ponds and creek. Open floor plan home with beamed cathedral ceilings, open great room/dining room with skylights, kitchen with a plethora of cabinets, split bedroom plan with private master suite with double vanity and large walk in closet. Second and third bedrooms are connected with a jack and jill bath. Rocking chair front porch

H & H Residential

Here is a sneak peek at our new logo! H & H Residential is up and running with Leah H. Woodall and I ready to assist in all your residential real estate needs. We can also handle all of your commercial, industrial, and investments needs in house with our sister company H & H Realty. Call us today at 770-382-1407!!

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Announces

Survivors of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding from April 27-28 in Georgia should register now for federal assistance. Assistance is available in the form of grants for temporary houseing, basic home repairs, and other serious disaster-related needs and low-interest disaster loans. Renters, homeowners and business owners may apply for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). You can register for federal assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also visit m.fema.gov from your mobile devices for information or visit the GEMA Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GEMA.OHS.

Additional Information
Housing: www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org
Disaster Assistance: www.disasterassistance.gov/daip_en.portal
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Information: www.fema.gov/assistance/process/additional.shtm#1
Additional Assistance: www.fema.gov/assistance/process/additional.shtm
Rebuilding Resources: www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/resources.shtm
Survivors with disabilities and/or functional needs: www.fema.gov/about/odic/

H & H Realty

I am still in the change over process to my new company H & H Residential and its sister company H & H Realty. I am very excited about this move and think it will give me and my clients many new advantages and unique opportunities. I will be posting new listings soon including a large and beautiful home in Great Sky subdivision in Canton, a horse (or cattle) farm in Ranger GA that has a little over 83 gorgeous acres, two ponds, and a stream and a few investment properties. Send me an email or a post if you would like more information on these properties sooner rather than later and I can email you a flyer!

A little change is good!

I wanted to let everyone know that I am making a few changes! I am now affiliated with H & H Residential. We are in the process of changing over and you will see the results soon. You can still expect the same great service as always!
My new office number is 770-382-1407.

Hot Sheet

I have pulled a hot sheet that covers the last five days since it has been about that long since I posted the first hot sheet. There have been 27 new listings by Realtors working in Bartow County.

White Road 4BR/4BA/1HA - $1,200,000
Spring Lake Trail 4BR/3BA - $355,999
Lowry Way 5BR/3BA/1HA - $250,000
Burnt Hickory Rd 4BR/2BA - $237,500
Devin Lane 4BR/2BA/1HA - $234,900
Leila Cv 3BR/2BA - $190,000
Hopkins Farm Dr 3BR/2BA/1HA - $159,900
Clark Way NW 4BR/3BA - $152,000
Sassafras Trl 3BR/2BA - $149,900
Rowland Springs Rd 3BR/2BA - $149,900
Summit St 4BR/3BA - $149,900
Old Alabama Rd 3BR/2BA - $146,900
Holly Springs Rd 3BR/2BA - $139,900
Shady Valley Dr 4BR/3BA - $130,000
Hardin Bridge Rd 4BR/2BA - $129,900
Old Tenn Hwy 3BR/2BA - $115,000
Woodhaven Ct 3BR/2BA - $101,600
Manning Mill Rd 3BR/2BA - $98,500
Sunset Cir 3BR/1BA - $94,900
Oak Grove Ln 3BR/2BA - $73,000
Old Barn Way 3BR/3BA - $69,900
Terry Ln 3BR/1BA/1HA - $69,900
Reynolds Bridge Rd 3BR/2BA - $61,200
Taylorsville Macedonia Rd 3BR/2BA - $54,900
Mayflower St 4BR/2BA - $53,460
Ryles Rd 3BR/2BA - $52,000
John Kay Rd 3BR/2BA - $39,900

Foreclosure Inspection Issues

Foreclosures make up a large part of the market these days. When buying a house, I always recommend you have an inspection. They usually cost around $350 (depending on the inspector you use) for the average 3 bedroom/2 bath home and are well worth the money. The inspector will go over the house from the roof to the foundation and let you know (in a written report with pictures) all his/her comments on the property. Here are a few things to think about when you are inspecting a foreclosed property.

Foreclosure inspections take longer than normal resale inspections. Foreclosures are owned by a company/bank that more than likely has never seen the property so there are no disclosures to help the inspector know areas to pay special attention to or answers to questions that arise. So, it will take longer to ferret out all the concerns of the house. Be sure to allow plenty of time for this inspection.

Utilities are almost always an issue. An inspector cannot do a full inspection without all the utilities being turned on. With foreclosed properties the utilities are always turned off and will need to be turned back on so you can truly test the house.

Vacant homes may have squatters. Please be aware of this even when looking at properties before you decide which one to purchase. I have been in several homes with signs of squatters and even one with the squatter himself in the house. It is frightening and potentially dangerous so PLEASE be careful. If you find yourself in this sort of situation please call the listing agent and the police.

Make the inspector aware of any concerns you have. The more eyes the better. Inspectors are well trained but still only human. Point out any concerns you have to help make sure the inspector doesn't miss anything. Also, ask the inspector for help on how to fix the concerns you have. Many problems you encounter will be do-it-yourself easy fixes and he/she can point you in the right direction on those. Sometimes you find larger problems and then the inspector can guide you to the right professional on those issue as well.

The inspector may consider an abbreviated structural inspection. If for some reason the inspector cannot do a full inspection an abbreviated structural inspection may be a better option. This looks at the structure of the house but doesn't test utilities. There is usually a cost savings with this sort of inspection.

Make sure you are working with an experienced and certified home inspector. Many people are very handy but that doesn't make them an expert. Be sure you are working with an inspector who is a member of ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) or GAHI (Georgia Association of Home Inspectors).

Good Luck!

Topics for Home Owners, Buyers, & Sellers

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

Preparing your home for sale in a buyer’s market can seem daunting, but these five tips will help you get the best price in the least amount of time.

• Organizing and cleaning is crucial when prepping a home for sale. Potential home buyers have a more positive reaction to homes that are clutter-free and give them the feeling that the home is “move-in ready.”
• Presale home inspection can inform you of any trouble areas within your home that can stand out to potential buyers. An inspection can also help you make any repairs necessary before future open houses.
• Determine replacement estimates before listing your home, even if you are not planning on making the replacements yourself. This information can help buyers to make informed decisions.
• Have your warranties ready – especially for all those home appliances that will stay within the home after the sale.
• Curb appeal is a crucial factor because it determines first impressions. A negative first impression can cloud their entire opinion about the home.

Current Interest Rates

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates jumped above 5% for the first time since April 2009 in January. While rates dipped back to just below 5%, they are expected to continue an upward trend throughout the year. As overall economic recovery remains on track, rates will likely rise to keep inflation in check. Buyers wanting to capture the savings in monthly payments that a historically low interest rate affords are expected to take advantage of excellent buying conditions.

Bartow County at 100,000 residents

Did you know that December census data has counted Bartow county as the fastest growing county in the 9th most populous state in the nation? We now have over 100,000 residents. I have linked this to the Daily Tribune article published a few days ago.

Celebrity Real Estate

If the world wasn't star struck enough with all the celeb magazines, gossip columns, etc., there is now (or maybe it has been there a while and I'm just behind) a blog for celebrity real estate. Check it out!! Zillow.com has a tab on their blog for celebrity real estate. There is a post advertising that Ozzy Osborn's malibu house can be rented for $40,000 a month. Another post telling that Dr Phil has lowered the price on his house $2.6 million. And several listings for sale sighting divorce as the reason. Which house would you like to buy?

Hot Sheet

In the world of real estate, most Realtors begin their day by pulling a hot sheet. This shows all the market activity that occurred in the last 24 hours. This helps you stay on top of the market and be able to get to find new properties for your buyers when they first hit the market.

I thought I would post a few of the new listings from today's Hot Sheet...

There are 6 new listings on the market ranging from $29,000 - $300,000. There are no pending sales or closings that have happened during this same time.

Tower Ridge Rd - 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 1 half bath for $300,000
Clearview Drive - 4 bedroom, 3 bath - $189,850
Lantern Circle - 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 half bath - $184,900
Hardy Rd - 3 bedroom, 2 bath - $107,000
St Elmo Circle - 5 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 half bath - $90,000
Parmenter St - 1 bedroom, 1 bath - $29,000

I you would like more information on these or any other properties on the market, please feel free to contact me!

LA

Want to Save Money??

In today's economy we are all trying to find a few extra dollars, right? Have you thought about your property taxes? The last time your property was assessed values were probably higher than they are right now. Because of this you might be able to see hundreds of dollars in savings on your property tax bill if you file for a reevaluation with the county tax assessor. Here is what you need to do...

1. Pull out last year's tax bill and find your current assessed value.

2. Check your neighborhood for comparable properties values. To get these numbers, contact a Realtor (that would be me ;-) or go online and search some of the real estate websites such as zillow.com or realtor.com for some recent listings/sales in your area.

3. Compare these values to your current assessment. If the current listing/sold prices seem to be less than your assessed values then BINGO - it is time to file for a reevaluation.

4. To file for a property reevaluation: Contact your county tax assessors office for exact instructions as each county is a little different. As for Bartow County, Georgia, fill out for PT50R which can be found at here and take it to the tax assessor's office located in the basement of the Frank Moore Administration Building before April 1. The county will then review their files and make their determination. This doesn't cost anything but a little time and effort but could save you hundreds!

Good Luck and Happy Savings!!

March 2011 - Market Update

Here is a quick summary from Keller Williams on the national housing market. Sounds like things are slowly moving toward the positive!

March 2011 Market Update:

Gradual progress in the housing market continues at a steady pace without government support. The market has shown remarkable improvement from the initial drop after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit this past July. Although higher-than-normal distressed sales skew the overall picture of home prices downward, inventory continues to shrink and sales continue to rise. The rock-bottom interest rates of 2010 are likely to trend upward. As economists anticipate rates at or above 6% by the end of 2012, buyers are moving off the sidelines and into the market.

A good sign for long-term market stability is that the median down payment on conventional mortgages has risen to 22%, up from 4% in 2006 and slightly above the 20% standard in the 1990s. This may keep buyers looking in slightly lower price ranges, but it is a good sign of future sustainability for homeowners and banks alike. There are still ample opportunities for those who would like down payments below 20%, including some conventional mortgages and those backed by the Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development loans.

As the economy improves, stimulus efforts by the government and the Federal Reserve Board will gradually wind down, which typically means rising interest rates. Meanwhile, buyers continue to benefit from historically favorable buying conditions and sellers are encouraged by increased market stability.

I'm BACK!!

Dear Friends,

If you haven't noticed from my lack of blogging, I took a break from real estate to focus on my family. I had a little girl during the summer of 2009 and needed a bit of time to adjust to being a mother of two. It has been a big but wonderful change!!

Now, my baby will be 2 this summer and my older baby (shh...don't tell him I called him "baby" ;-) will be 6 this fall - they are growing SO fast. They are also a bit less demanding since school (and pre-school) takes up 9 months out of the year. So it is time for me to return to real estate again. I am currently reacquainting myself with today's market and showing properties to buyers. Things have changed so much in the past couple of years that there are a few things I am having to relearn. I will keep you all updated my progress as well as the changes in the market.
Please send me any of your real estate questions and test my knowledge ;-)

LA