5 Tips for Preparing to Purchase a Home

Dec 10, 2013 2:59 pm
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Whether you are looking toHispanic couple outside home purchase a home for the first time, or you have owned a home in the past, the lending environment has changed and perspective buyers really do need to prepare in advance of their search.   Here are some tips that will make the purchase process a whole lot easier:

1. Make sure you know what’s on your credit report.   Pam Wright, with OnQ Finance wrote a great article on how to check your credit.   You need to get your report early in the process so you can make sure that it is accurate and clear any negative or erroneous information.    It’s free to get your credit report; there’s no need to sign up for services that want to charge you.

2. Get rid of as much debt as possible.   Lenders want to make sure that you are not overextended, and that you pay your debts on time.   The better your payment record, the higher your credit score.  You also need to make sure that once you do start the mortgage process, that you do not take on any new debt.   Here’s another great article from Pam, explaining what not to do.

3. Have cash available for the purchase.    While you may be financing the bulk of your home, you will still need cash for such things as earnest money, inspection/appraisals, HOA fees, utility deposits, moving expenses, etc.   These will be in addition to the down payment.   Your down payment amount can vary, but it would be wise to have at least 20% available for a down payment.

4. Have an idea of where you’d like to live –  This is obviously the more fun part of preparing for a purchase.   If you are looking to purchase in a particular subdivision, I can send you free, no-bother, updates on homes being listed in that neighborhood.    Just click here to sign up, and don’t forget to add the Subdivision name in the Comments section (Georgia subdivisions only please).   You will then receive automatic updates anytime any home is listed, sold, or there is a price change.  If you are looking for new construction in a particular area, let me know as there are new subdivisions coming in the North Metro-Atlanta area.

5. Get pre-approved. There was a time when you went house hunting, put in a bid, and then you went looking for a mortgage.   Those days are gone.   In today’s market, you need to be able to show up front that you can qualify for a home in the price range for which you are looking with a Pre-Approval.   This will also you save you time and frustration when your realtor is trying to find homes for you that will fit your needs and budget.

The purchase of a home is probably one of the biggest investments you will make in life.   Being properly prepared will help make the process go more smoothly and reduce any negative surprises.

Please contact me if you are considering buying or selling.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

You Can Make a Difference to Local Families in Need this Holiday Season

Dec 3, 2013 3:49 pm
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kid christmas

While there are many ways you can make a difference this holiday season, here are two ways you can help those in need right here in Forsyth County!

Adopt-A-Family for Christmas Program

The Adopt-A-Family for Christmas Program matches families served by Family Haven with individual or group sponsors. When a match is made, the family’s wish list is sent to the sponsor. Each family completes their wish list identifying items that they may need or want. The wish list includes sizes for each family member for clothing items and shoes. Also, the list includes a gift or toy item for each family member. While you may wish to include additional items not listed on the wish list, we ask that sponsors provide only items that are listed to ensure consistency across families. Family Haven will ensure that families receive their gifts during the week before Christmas.

We ask that all wish list items are unwrapped and taken to drop off site by December 13, 2013. Sponsors are welcome to provide wrapping paper to Family Haven for gift wrapping. All wish list items can be taken to our thrift store location at 598 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Cumming, Georgia 30040.

Should you wish to Adopt-A-Family this year, please contact Family Haven at 770-889-6384 or at tasho@familyhavenga.org.

A Great DEAL

Simply make a monetary donation at the Forsyth County Family Haven thrift store (located at 598 Veteran’s Memorial Blvd.) and in return, you’ll be given a playing card. Sign it and the folks at the Thrift Store will happily display it.  That’s it!

Later, the signed cards are given to the shelter where families can use them to play Crazy Eights, Solitaire, and more, all the while seeing the signatures of those who cared enough to help.  All proceeds will benefit the families we serve this holiday.

Forsyth County Family Haven is an advocate for victims and families of domestic violence providing shelter, programs and community education to end the cycle of violence.

I hope you will consider participating in one of these worthy programs.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Get Your Home Prepared for the Cold

Nov 29, 2013 8:21 pm
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While we don’t get much snow cold househere in Atlanta, the cold can still cause damage to your home, which may lead to homeowners insurance claims and costly repairs.  Maintaining your home and preparing for the cold is the best plan.

Here are some tips for preparing for the winter:

  • Check your fireplace and chimney.  Wood burning fireplaces collect soot over time, and can clog the chimney.   The best way to prevent this potential fire hazard is to have a professional inspect both every year, or at least every other year.
  • Have your furnace tuned up.   As with your fireplace, your furnace should be inspected at least every other year for optimum efficiency as well as for leaks and cracks.    Also don’t forget to change your filters regularly.   The dirtier the filters are, the hard it is for your system to work.
  • Drain all exterior spigots and remove water hoses.    Extreme cold can cause pipes connected to spigots to burst.   Once hoses have been removed, you can insulate your spigots from the cold for extra protection.   If you have an irrigation system, make sure that is properly drained for the winter months.
  • Keep your gutters cleaned.   Once all the leaves have fallen, make sure to do another check of your gutters.   If there is a snow fall and your gutters are not clear, once the snow melts your gutter could break if they are weighed down with backed up leaves.
  • Check all weather stripping.   This inexpensive ounce of prevention will save you money during all seasons.     Check with your hardware professional for the best solution for your window and door types.   Caulking, stripping and expandable foam are all great tools for keeping the cold out and the heat in.
  • Keep a supply of salt or kitty litter ready for ice.   Again, while we don’t get much snow, we do get ice – which is much more dangerous.    Make sure to check the walkway and steps for any ice accumulation.  A single accident due to someone slipping on your walkway can be extremely expensive.

As we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Please contact me if you are considering buying or selling, and keep safe this winter!

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

More Good News for Georgia Home Sellers

Nov 27, 2013 4:08 pm
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According to the Georgia Association of Realtors recent monthly indicator report, October continued to be a great month for sellers.    The report shows that home values continued to rise and inventory continued to decline.

Even better news for sellers…  Days on Market was at the lowest point in 9 years and Percent of Original List Price has significantly increased for Georgians!

2013-10 Days on Market2013-10 Percent of Asking

Some of the highlights from the report are:

•           Median Prices rose 34% to $147,150

•           Average Prices rose 23% to $186,362

•           New Listings increased 8%

•           Pending Sales were up 17%

•           Inventory Levels shrank 10%

•           Month’s Supply of Homes for Sale decreased 13% to 5.4 months

•           Days on Market decreased 22% to 75 days

•           Percent of Original Price Received increased 1% to 94.5%

Click here to access the full report.

Please contact me if you would are considering selling and would like to know more.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

2014 Housing Market Forecast

Nov 19, 2013 3:26 pm
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Housing UpThere was a great article in the Washington Business Journal on the 2014 Housing Market that I thought I would share, quoting two notable Economists.

According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, good things will continue to happen in the housing market in 2014.   Due to suppressed activity during the past four years, rising demand, and a steady decline in inventory, Mr. Yun expects home prices to increase in 2014 as well as 2015, nationally.   He predicts that the nation median existing home prices should increase by 6% in 2014.

“Real estate will be a hedge against inflation, with values rising 15 percent cumulatively over the next three years, also meaning there will be fewer upside-down home owners,” Yun said. “Today is a perfect opportunity for moderate-income renters to become successful home owners, but stringent mortgage credit conditions are holding them back.”

Mark Vitner, Managing Director and Senior Economist at Wells Fargo, predicts that distressed homes (short-sales and foreclosures) will still be around, but will be declining.  “Distressed homes right now are like an after-Christmas sale – most of the best stuff has been picked over, but make no mistake they’ll be with us for a while.”

Yun projects the market share of distressed sales will decline from about 25% in 2012 to 8% in 2014.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Traditions – New Lifestyle Community in South Forsyth

Nov 13, 2013 10:17 pm
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While groundbreaking just took place, this new 400-home community in South Forsyth County, Georgia is drawing a lot of interest.

130917_Traditions_Rendering-01

Traditions will feature amenities for families of all ages including playgrounds, sports fields, tennis courts, a signature pool and lakefront clubhouse as well as multiple parks and open spaces sprinkled about the community. All of this will be within walking distance to Fowler Park and the Big Creek Greenway Trail. In addition, a grocery-anchored neighborhood marketplace with pedestrian access from Traditions is planned directly adjacent to the community.

Traditions - Phase 1

The homes, ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, will be designed by the award-winning architecture firm Wakefield Beasley and will include standard features that would be considered extras in other communities.  Local artists and designers have also been contracted to provide unique touches to Traditions homes and its outdoor amenities, creating inspiring outdoor spaces and floor plans for today’s busy family.

Traditions siteplanTraditions is located near top-rated schools (Vickery Elementary School, Vickery Middle School, West Forsyth High School) and is less than two miles from GA 400 and will be the closest residential community in Forsyth County to Atlanta (accessible by either the McFarland Rd. or Hwy 141 exits). Residents will be a short drive to The Collection (formerly known as The Avenue) and many other popular restaurants, shopping and other entertainment venues.

FrontDoor Communities is the developer for this new community.   Terry Russell, FrontDoor’s CEO and Partner said, “Forsyth County is one of the most sought-after and fastest-growing residential submarkets in the area. We couldn’t have chosen a more ideal location for our entry into the metro Atlanta market.”

Phase I should be completed by mid-2014.   If you are interested in this fabulous new community, please contact me before the choice lots have been taken.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789