Atlanta Home Search | Atlanta MLS | Atlanta Real Estate | Free Atlanta Home Search | Wade Morris : Take Advantage of Today's Market - We Will Represent You !

Recent Posts

MAR
17

2010

Closet clutter wastes space and makes it harder to find the things you need and will make you late for work. We recommend an annual closet cleaning.

Time
1-3 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Frequency
Annually
Where
All US

Overview

While organization is a daily process, a spring closet cleaning once a year keeps your closet clutter-free and your clothes easier to find.

Steps

Empty your closet. Take everything out and make three piles: one for things to throw away, one for things to sell or give away and one for things to keep. If you haven’t worn something in a year or more, throw it away. Put throwaways directly into a garbage bag; store your keep pile and sell/giveaway pile in laundry baskets while you work.

Closet cleaning means cleaning your actual closet space, using spray cleaner and a clean rag to wipe the shelves, the top of hanging rods and the inside of drawers. Then give the floor a good cleaning with a mop or vacuum, depending on the floor type.

Put everything in your keep pile back in the closet. Try organizing by season, with warm weather clothes on one side and cold weather on the other. Within these groups, you can further organize by color, sleeve length and type.

Divide the sell/give away pile into items to sell, items to give to friends and family, and items to donate to a charity. Be realistic about whether you'll actually get around to having a garage sale, taking it to a resale shop or listing it on eBay. Donate clothing only if you'd wear it, if you could; discard tattered clothing or find a way to recycle it.

Take care

Posted by Wade C Morris at 11:16 AM - 0 Comments

MAR
10

2010

Reapply worn kitchen and bath caulk for a waterproof sea

Caulk is an inexpensive way to prevent water from seeping into the walls near sinks, bathtubs, and showers, causing expensive damage.

Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Expertise: Ability to apply an even bead of caulk
Frequency: Once a year
Where: All US

Overview

Intact caulk is essential for maintaining the normal life expectancy of tile bathtub and shower enclosures. It's equally important for the long life of countertops and backsplashes. Considering how inexpensive caulking is, it’s a valuable line of defense.

The backing material behind tile may be water-resistant, but it is not waterproof. Particleboard backing used for laminated countertops is even more prone to water damage.

To find caulk that needs to be replaced, check the caulk around your sink, showers and tubs. Look for moldy or missing caulking. Pull it to see if any sections are loose.

Steps

Use the razor blade to gently scrape off the existing kitchen or bathroom caulk.
If the gap under the caulk in your kitchen or bathroom is damp, let it air dry or dry it with a blow dryer.
(Optional) Apply masking tape to both sides of the gap. It will catch overspill, helping create even edges when you apply the caulk.
Load the tube of caulk into the caulk gun. Cut off the tip of the nozzle at about a 30-degree angle; make the hole the same size as the gap to fill.
Place the nozzle at one end of the gap. Using steady force, push the gun's plunger until the caulk oozes from the tube.
Drag, don't push, the tip along the gap steadily to create one continuous bead — don't start and stop.
Smooth the caulk with a soapy finger, using light pressure.
Remove masking tape, if used.

Posted by Wade C Morris at 11:06 AM - 0 Comments

MAR
10

2010

Homebuyer Opportunities Nearing End

Homebuyer Opportunities Nearing End

For prospective homebuyers who are on the fence about making a home purchase, the next few months represent a countdown of sorts for two reasons.

First, huge tax incentives are about to expire. April 30, 2010 is the last day to enter into a home purchase contract and still potentially qualify for a federal income tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and up to $6,500 for repeat homebuyers. The credit can be claimed only on contracts that close by June 30, 2010.

Secondly, another form of stimulus will soon disappear, as the Federal Reserve winds down a program that has been keeping home loan rates artificially low. The fact is that the lowest rates of 2009 were driven down to their attractive levels because of the Fed's Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) purchase program. The Fed has already used over 80% of the allocated funds for MBS, meaning less than 20% remains to be used over four months.

As the Fed's program winds down and ends, we'll likely see two things happen. First, we will probably see higher levels of volatility–with rates sometimes shifting dramatically in the middle of the day. Second, since MBS will have less support from the Fed, rates are likely to rise over time.

Mortgage Interest Rates for Fixed Rate Mortgages*

Rates as of Wednesday, 10th March, 2010:

	Term	Conforming	APR	Payment per $1,000	Jumbo	APR	Payment per $1,000
30-Yr. fixed .75 orig fee	360	4.75%	4.894%	$5.22	5.75%	5.887%	$5.84
30-Yr. fixed NO orig fee	360	5.0%	5.020%	$5.37	%	0.000%	$0.00
15-Yr. fixed .75 orig fee	180	4.25%	4.496%	$7.52	%	0.000%	$0.00
5-Yr. Arm .75 orig fee	360	3.625%	3.507%	$4.56	%	0.000%	$0.00
30-Yr. FHA .75 orig fee	360	4.875%	4.894%	$5.29	%	0.000%	$0.00

Posted by Wade C Morris at 01:14 PM - 0 Comments

MAR
3

2010

Feed ailing trees and shrubs

Fertilize weak, stressed or diseased trees and shrubs to help them fight back.

Time: 15 minutes per tree or shrub
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Once a year, if needed
Where: All US

Overview

Not all trees and shrubs need to be fertilized. Those that grow in a well-fed lawn or that appear healthy don't need additional fertilizer.

But trees and shrubs that flower heavily, are diseased or declining, or grow in difficult urban locations benefit from a boost of nutrients. Some warning signs include fewer leaves each year, dying branches and pale yellow leaves with dark green veins.

The best time to feed trees and shrubs is in spring, but you can feed them any time up to early September in the North and early October in the South (new growth needs time to toughen up before the first freeze). Avoid fertilizing during hot or droughty weather when the plant is stressed.

Steps

Select a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10. In most cases, a dry granular fertilizer is fine. Some situations call for a specialized fertilizer.
Rake aside any mulch or leaves that are under the plant.
If the ground below the tree or shrub is dry, water the soil thoroughly and let it drain overnight.
Apply fertilizer at the rate recommended on the label. Starting a foot or two from the trunk, evenly spread the fertilizer as far as the ends of the branches. Iif feeding several trees and shrubs, use a fertilizer spreader. Otherwise, you can spread by hand (wear garden gloves).
If no lawn grows under the tree or shrub, use a garden rake to lightly scratch the fertilizer into the soil surface.
Water the area, if the package instructions call for it, and rake mulch back into place.

Posted by Wade C Morris at 11:19 AM - 0 Comments

MAR
1

2010

FairTax.org Lets get it done!

| Tell-A-Friend | Visit FairTax.org

Dear Members,

Thank you for your quick response to the petition to the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives. I will be delivering your petition along with tens of thousands of others, and we will continue to demand the action your FairTax bill deserves.

More than 60 United States senators and members of Congress are sponsoring your FairTax bill, led by Congressman John Linder, a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee. Yet not a single fair-and-balanced hearing that gives both proponents and opponents an equal chance to present their views has ever been held.

This is a disgrace, and you should be proud of having signed your petition demanding action. We need to reach out to the 140 million Americans in 50 states to gain further support for your FairTax.

To that end, please help us reach others about the FairTax. Click here right now and invest $15 so we can reach out with petitions to 20 more Americans.

Will you do that for your FairTax? Thank you!

If everyone who returned a petition in the mail will do this, we can add tens of thousands more of the petitions I will be delivering to Ways and Means Chairman Rangel.

Click right here right now, and you can quickly invest $15 which would enable us to send at least 20 more petitions.

Ken Hoagland
Chairman, FairTax National Victory Campaign

Americans For Fair Taxation is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. One provision in the 67,500 pages of the Federal Tax Code makes your investment in your non-profit FairTax organization non-deductible.

Posted by Wade C Morris at 04:52 PM - 0 Comments

MAR
1

2010

Making an Offer: There's More to it Than Just the Price!

The Offer: There's More to It
Than Just The Price

By PJ Wade

Fixating on price may cost you the deal:

Sellers who decide that a specific dollar figure will buy their home and won't budge from that bottom line may sell themselves short.

Buyers who drop out of a transaction for a property they love because the seller's counter-offer shocks them may be quitting before they have really started negotiating.
When a buyer makes an offer to purchase a house, the purchase price is a prime consideration, but it represents only part of the total value offered to the seller. Problems may arise for both sides of the transaction when this fact is forgotten. The value expressed in a buyer's offer to purchase, or in a seller's offer to sell, involves 5 key elements:

Purchase Price, the stated amount of dollars offered by the buyer, represents a significant contributor to value, but there are other important factors which can reduce the amount the seller receives or which can compromise the transaction. It's not the purchase price, but the net proceeds of the sale that sellers -- and savvy buyers -- should concentrate on.

Closing Date, or the day ownership changes hands and the seller receives the money, can represent cost or value to both parties. Savvy buyers usually attempt to meet the seller's preferred moving date, especially when the seller has committed to purchasing another property or needs the proceeds of the sale on a specific date. For instance, a closing before that date may be expensive because the seller would have to move out and store everything until they could move into their new home. That double move and the inconvenience represent out-of-pocket costs and time lost that make the actual purchase price lower than stated. A closing date later than the seller's preferred date may leave the seller owning two homes - and paying off two mortgages - at once.

Inclusions and Exclusions to the sale also represent costs and value for both parties. Appliances, heating systems and draperies are common seller inclusions designed to boost value for buyers. If warranties for everything from a new roof or solar panels to new appliances cannot be transferred to a buyer, these items
become "second-hand"and will probably represent less value to buyers. Buyers are also free to include excluded seller items, like an antique light fixture, in the offer to purchase. Deals have been lost to disagreements over light fixtures, fireplace accessories and vintage furnishings, so prudent sellers remove contentious items before listing. A buyer may offer less than list price and ask for nothing; a seller could sign back for more money and include items to sweeten the pot. Value is very subjective for these non-real-estate items and that's where negotiations can get heated.
- Terms and Conditions are clauses in the offer which cover "what if" risks for one party and the obligations of both parties. These clauses detail what the buyer asks the seller to do for the purchase price. Arrange a survey or include a treasured light fixture? Sellers can create conditions in an offer to sell, but usually conditions are of greater concern to the buyer. Conditions to arrange financing or a home inspection are among the "ifs" that define the offer to purchase. The degree of uncertainty attached to the conditions and the buyer's related ability to close effect the value of an offer. For instance, a buyer who is pre-approved for a mortgage of sufficient size offers less risk to a seller. However, if the purchase price is significantly-above market value, the lender may not approve the mortgage, so a condition for financing is essential to protect all parties.
- Intent and Sincerity are vital aspects of an offer although difficult to quantify. How determined is the buyer to buy, and why? How determined is the seller to sell? If either party changes their mind after the contract exists and before the closing date, the injured party has remedies in court. These legal steps may not make up for lost time and, perhaps, a missed market. For both parties, value should lie in the certainty that the other party will close in spite of market shifts.
  Yes, price matters, but there's a lot more involved in creating an offer that demands to be accepted. That's why an experienced real estate professional is a valuable contributor to success. Professionals can calculate, or at least estimate, the seller's net proceeds after costs related to the offer and deduction of commission. This information helps the seller accurately evaluate an offer to purchase.

Posted by Wade C Morris at 02:32 PM - 0 Comments

MAR
1

2010

A Guide For First Time Home Buyers

First-Timer's Guide To
Mortgage Shopping

By Broderick Perkins

It's not everyday you go looking for a mortgage. It's not a trip to the mall. It's a methodical, step-by-step process requiring planning, time, effort and attention to details.
Here are some guidelines for beginners, especially first-time home buyers -- assuming you've already laid the groundwork by inspecting your credit report.

Inspecting your credit report and getting it in the best shape possible is your first step to the best mortgage. In today's tight money world it behooves you to take the time necessary to carefully scrutinize your credit report and credit score to be prepared to explain to creditors any dings you can't fix.
Shop around for a mortgage from a variety of sources to determine what's available. Shop mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, banks and credit unions. Don't forget to examine your local and state mortgage programs as well as community service and housing agency mortgages and mortgage assistance programs.
Obtain all loan cost information, not just the monthly mortgage payment and annual percentage rate (APR). Check the cost of points (in dollar amounts, not just number of points), broker fees, origination fees, underwriting fees, administrative costs, mortgage insurance, yield spread premiums, commissions, escrow and closing costs -- each and every cost associated with your mortgage. You need these numbers to make a fair comparison.

Get an explanation for every fee you don't understand. Use the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) "Mortgage Shopping Worksheet" to help keep your costs in check.

Check the loan terms for a variety of loans. Know what down payment you'll need, the term of the loan, whether the loan is a fixed rate mortgage (FRM) or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) and the specific terms of each. For ARMs, ask for the beginning rate, when and how often adjustments occur, how much adjustments could cost, and the ARM's ceiling rate.

Be aggressive. Prepare to negotiate with the information you've gathered on the mortgage worksheet. The more information you have about each loan the move negotiating leverage you'll have. A pristine credit record can also give you an edge. Look particularly to quibble over points, yield spread premiums and other broker's fees or commissions.
Don't be afraid to ask the lender or broker to waive or reduce one or more of its fees or to agree to a lower rate or fewer points. Make sure the lender or broker isn't just lowering one fee to raise another or lowering the rate to raise points. There's also no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted to you, especially if you've found better terms elsewhere.

Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, consider a written lock-in from the lender or broker. The lock-in should include the rate that you have agreed upon, the period the lock-in lasts, the number of points to be paid and a lock on as many other costs and terms as possible.

Also seek a written loan commitment that guarantees you the terms and costs you've locked. A loan commitment puts you ahead of the pack in the eyes of the home seller who wants to sell quickly.

Posted by Wade C Morris at 02:22 PM - 0 Comments

MAR
1

2010

March Real Estate Update

Mortgage Rates Tick Up

      In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.05 percent for the week ending February 25, 2010 - up from the previous week when it averaged 4.93 percent.
      Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.07 percent.
    Rates for 30-year fixed mortgages followed long-term bond yields higher and rose above 5 percent

Mortgage Rates

Source: Realty Times

U.S. averages as of February 25, 2010:

30 yr. fixed:   5.05%
15 yr. fixed:   4.40%
1 yr. adj:        4.15%

this week amid a mixed set of economic data reports," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

Put Your Tax Return To Use

Tax season can be a challenging time of the year. Some people wait until the last minute to file their taxes, while others filed and received their funds before the mid April deadline, or paid the IRS if the case may be. But if you are one of the lucky who get a return, what will you do with those long awaited greenbacks? A popular choice amongst consumers is to pay off credit card debt; another is indulging in something extravagant. But why not consider how your tax return can help maximize your mortgage product ?
Consider refinancing if you have an ARM or a high interest rate loan. Refinancing into a fixed rate and/or a lower interest rate can save you money in the long run. Why not do it now when rates are at all time lows? You could use your tax return for closing costs.

Bathroom Addition:
Return on Investment

As an investment, a new bathroom should be carefully considered. The cost of a new bathroom ranges from $39,000 to $75,800, but the return on that investment averages a modest 59%, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report. That value has been steadily declining over the past several years due to rising construction costs.
Nevertheless, national averages may not be a reliable predictor of value in your particular neighborhood. Before committing to a bathroom addition, call your REALTOR® to evaluate whether an additional bathroom makes sense in your situation. Buyers tend to prefer houses where the number of bathrooms equals the number of bedrooms.

How High Tech is Your Home?

    We live in a wired world. At the lightning pace that home Internet technology develops, so do other arenas of home tech.
     Technology experts say homebuyers in every price range want security. A simple system might include a front door intercom. In a more upscale house, the intercom might have a security camera and a link to the telephone.
     If the latest technology or entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist.

Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups?
Are there ample telephone extensions or jacks?
Is the home pre-wired for home theater or multiroom audio and video?
Does the home have a local area network (LAN) for linking computers?
Does the home already have wiring for DSL or another high-speed Internet connection?
Does the home have multizoning heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats?
Does the home have multiroom lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features?

Is the home wired with multipurpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes?

Equal Housing
Opportunity

Home Source Group / Becky Veal and Wade Morris, ABR
678-248-3500 Phone
678-248-6260 Fax
Info@HomeSourceGroup.net
http://www.FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
678-248-3500
5163 Roswell Rd
Atlanta GA 30342

Posted by Wade C Morris at 02:18 PM - 0 Comments

NOV
4

2009

Atlanta Real Estate and Atlanta Home Search

When It Is Time To Sell Atlanta Real Estate, A Realtor Can Assist You To Make The Best Deal. by Becky Veal There are people that thing that they can save money by selling their property by themselves, but unless you have bought and sold many properties in the past, you will end up losing more money by trying to sell the property on your own than you will save buy hiring a realtor. It is estimated that persons who use an Atlanta real estate agent to sell their home get an average of sixteen percent more than persons who try to sell their own home. Most realtors work on a commission, although you will find some that work for a flat fee. Most of the flat fee realtors do not offer a full service sell of your home. If you find a realtor that works on commission, the normal fee is three percent of the selling price for each the selling and the buying agents. What can you expect if you hire a realtor to sell your home? Your home will be listed on the local MLS service. This service is available to the other realtors in town so that they can search the listings and find your home in response to a client personal needs. Many of these listings are made available to the general public through real estate websites. Many selling realtors will schedule a realtor open house where they show your home to other realtors. This helps realtors to have your home in mind when someone is looking for a home with similar characteristics. In dealing with a realtor, you are dealing with a professional that works in home sales every day. He or she will be able to answer your questions as well as the questions that any potential buyer may have. The realtor may make some small suggestions about preparing your home for showing. These suggestions will help buyers to see the home a place that they could live and not feel like they are visiting in your home. The realtor may place a realtor lock on the door. This allows him and other realtors to show your home to potential buyers without your having to be at home. If this arrangement is not suitable for you, then be sure that you let the realtor know. He can make a note that an appointment must be made to show the home. Once you have found a buyer, the realtor begins the work that can save you even more time. This is a part of the transaction where he really earns his money. The realtor should be familiar with the paperwork that is necessary to sell a home. He or she can be sure that everything has been put in writing. He can assist the buyer in securing the financing needed to make the deal go through. He can also work with the title company to prepare closing documents to be sure that the sale of your house goes through without any hitches. Locating a home using FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com is an easy process. One that can have you finding the perfect home fast, easy and with no hassle! Go to FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com immediately!

Posted by Wade C Morris at 02:22 PM - 0 Comments

View Posts By:

Categories:

Archives: March 2010 (8) | November 2009 (1)

»	Brookhaven Real Estate
»	Chamblee Real Estate
»	Dunwoody Real Estate
»	Sandy Springs Real Estate
»	Ashford Park Real Estate

Recent Posts

Steps

Steps

My Account

Local Atlanta Real Estate

Area Explorer