Archive for October, 2010

3 Tips to Buying an Eco-friendly Home for Sale in Thomasville

Friday, October 29th, 2010

Eco_FriendlyBuyers are becoming more concerned about their personal environment, from eco-friendly carpeting to energy efficient appliances. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly home for sale in Thomasville, but aren’t sure how to find it, here are a few tips on what to look for: 

1.    Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Although the number is growing, only a few builders are employing eco-friendly practices during construction. However, those that do can qualify for the EPA Indoor airPlus designation. These homes are designed for better IAQ, which means a healthier home for you. Rest assured, if a builder meets this designation they’ll tell you about it. However, just in case – ask! 

2.    Energy Efficient – If it qualifies for the EPA Indoor airPlus designation, the home for sale in Thomasville will also be energy efficient. However, if you’re not looking at a newly built home, look for those homes that are Energy Star efficient. According to the Energy Star website, “These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.” 

3.    Eco-friendly – Energy Star and EPA qualifications aside, you can also find homes in which the seller has made eco-friendly changes that will help you even though they may not meet the guidelines for qualifications. For instance, solar paneling, wind turbines and geothermal heating aren’t covered by the EPA or Energy Star qualifications by themselves, but they’re eco-friendly and can lower your utilities.  

An eco-friendly home for sale in Thomasville may be hard to find, but the numbers are growing. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly home, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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How to Preserve Your Pumpkin for Display at Your Thomasville Home

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Carved_PumpkinsAs Halloween draws closer, celebrators everywhere are beginning to decorate their Thomasville homes with pumpkins.  Unfortunately, by the time the actual holiday is here, many of the jack-o-lanterns will be rotting away – poor remnants of the original carving.  

If you’d like to keep your carved pumpkin up to par, here are 11 tips: 

1.    Put your pumpkin in cold water; it will soak up the water and get firm.  You can do this after it’s carved as well; just place it face down and let it fill up with water. 

2.    Let your pumpkin soak overnight for detailed work.  This allows for carving that is more intricate. 

3.    Dry your pumpkin immediately once you take it out of the water to display it in your Thomasville home.  Otherwise, mold will take hold and grow. 

4.    If your pumpkin starts to shrivel, put it back in cold water for one to eight hours. 

5.    Put a thin coating of petroleum jelly on exposed, cut edges to keep the water from evaporating and to preserve the cuts, as well as the pumpkin. 

6.    Add a very small amount of unscented bleach to the water to stop premature molding. 

7.    Spray your pumpkin with a plant mister to keep it from shriveling. 

8.    Wrap the pumpkin in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator, when not in use, to keep it looking fresh. 

9.    Extinguish the candle inside the pumpkin whenever you’re not using it for decoration; otherwise, the heat can cook the inside. 

10.    Spray the pumpkin with Lysol, or another disinfectant, after you’ve finished carving, to keep off bacteria.  (Don’t do this if you used bleach in the water.) 

11.     Use a spray on pumpkin preserver, if you prefer not to use bleach or a spray disinfectant.   

Following these tips and tricks can help you stretch the lifetime of your jack-o-lanterns from a few days to a week or longer.  Decorate your Thomasville home with all the pumpkin patterns your heart desires and have a Happy Halloween!

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How Does a Second Mortgage Work on a Thomasville Condo?

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Second_MortgageYou may not know it, but you can take out a second mortgage on your Thomasville condo, if you have equity in the property.  A lender may offer you a home equity loan (HEL) or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).  Which one is right for you?  Here are a couple of tips to help you decide:

♦    A home equity loan is commonly referred to as a second mortgage.  Expect the process to be similar to getting your primary mortgage.  Your home will have to be inspected, and you’ll need to arrange for another appraisal.  Home equity loans frequently have a higher interest rate than primary mortgages because the lender is at a greater risk of you defaulting on the loan.

♦    The HEL can be a fixed-rate mortgage, which means that your interest rate and payments are fixed for the duration of the loan.  This makes it easier to plan for the payments, so you’ll be able to borrow responsibly and not get in over your head.

♦    A home equity line of credit is more like a credit card secured by your Thomasville condo.  It allows you to withdraw money, up to a set limit, whenever you need it. There is generally a minimum payment due each month.  Unlike a loan, you’ll increase your available credit each time you make a payment.

♦    A line of credit usually has a variable interest rate, like a credit card.  It may have a low introductory interest rate for a short time, and then increase for the rest of the loan term.  You can access the funds with a bankcard or checks drawn off the HELOC.

If you are borrowing for a single project like remodeling the kitchen of your Thomasville condo, you might think about a home equity loan.  However, if you’re looking to finance a re-occurring expense like college tuition, an open line of credit might work best for you. 

Have questions about mortgages or real estate?  We’re happy to help.  Call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com.

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3 Things You Shouldn’t Say No To With a Home for Sale in Thomasville

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Home_Warranty_PlanThe point of having your home for sale in Thomasville is to… well, sell it, isn’t it? I mean, it makes logical sense, right? Yet, too often, home sellers seem to think that selling is as easy as “hire agent, put sign in front, sold.” 

This attitude, especially in a slow real estate market, has left many a seller empty-handed. They say “no” when they should have said “yes.” They have all these reasons why they won’t “A, B or C,” rather than just doing “A, B or C” for their home for sale in Thomasville. 

What am I talking about? Well, here are just a few of those “don’t say no” things: 

Buyer Incentives

Listen – a slow market or not, you do have competition. What does this mean? You may have the best house on the block, but if your neighbor’s house has higher perceived value, yours will be left sitting there. 

By offering buyer incentives such as a home warranty plan, pre-paid homeowner association fees or credit toward the closing costs, you’re giving the buyer more perceived value. Let’s face it; buyers want the best bang for their buck. 

Home Showings

When an agent calls and asks if they can show your home, say YES!  It doesn’t matter if they want to show it in five minutes or five hours, your answer should be yes.  If your home doesn’t get seen, it won’t get sold.  That person you said “no” to might have been your ideal buyer. 

Virtual Tours

Buyers like to be able to view a potential home online first. The best way for them to do this is with a virtual real estate tour, looking at the home with a 360-degree view. Because this is such a quickly growing trend (some buyers ignore listings without them), you can’t afford to pass it up. 

If you have a home for sale in Thomasville and it’s been on the market for a while, you may have said “no” to too many things. Take some time to look at what you can do to market your home better. These pointers may very well make all the difference! 

If you’re trying to market your home and need a professional, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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How to Remove Oil Stains from your Thomasville Home’s Driveway

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

DrivewayOne of the side effects of living in your Thomasville home is the traffic your driveway sees.  Your cars and the cars of your friends and family may be leaving behind evidence they were there in the form of oil stains.  Not only are oil stains an eyesore, they are notoriously difficult to remove. 

Here are a few suggestions that will have the driveway of your Thomasville home sparkling again:

*    Soak up any oil left standing on the driveway.  Most people use a fine gravel cat litter or sawdust.  You can use baking soda, flour or any other absorbent material that you have on hand.  Whichever material you choose, needs to be left on the stains for a couple of hours to absorb the excess.

*     Wash the stain.  Use dishwashing soap on the area first.  If the stain doesn’t come out with the soap, you can try harsher chemicals.  Be sure to follow all safety precautions when working with these products.  Many people have success using bleach or hydrogen peroxide to remove oil stains.  Rinse the area with plenty of water after you’ve cleaned it. 

*    Use a commercial oil stain remover.  For stains that just won’t come out, you can try commercially prepared oil stain removers.  Auto part stores usually have a good selection of stain removers.  Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before using the commercial stain remover and follow all instructions.

To prevent the driveway of your Thomasville home from being stained in the future, keep a bucket of kitty litter available and use it to soak up the oil as soon as it appears.

Want more home maintenance tips like this?  Subscribe to the First Thomasville Realty blog now, and you’ll automatically be emailed information like this as soon as we post it.  It’s free and easy.

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Decorating Thomasville Homes with the Perfect Pumpkins

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Pumpkin_PickingIt’s getting close to Halloween, and families across the nation are slowly but surely decorating their Thomasville homes.  The spirit of the season is in the air, the leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are going up for sale.  It’s time to carve! 

Pumpkin Picking Tips

♦    Make sure your pumpkin has a stem; it won’t last very long if it doesn’t.

♦    Find a pumpkin with a flat bottom so it won’t roll.

♦    Look for one with no holes or soft spots, because it’ll rot.

♦    Choose a light-colored pumpkin for easier carving, or a dark-colored pumpkin for a longer lasting decoration.

Pumpkin Pattern Tips

On the steps of Thomasville homes everywhere, pumpkin faces sprout fangs and witches ride their brooms.  Here are a few things to consider when choosing a pumpkin pattern:

♦    Keep in mind who’ll be doing the carving.  Smaller children generally have a harder time with detailed carvings. 

♦    Use carving patterns as large as the pumpkin you’re working with.

♦    Draw elaborate designs out on paper first.  You can’t erase a cut.

♦    Remember that you have to leave space between the cuts.  The pumpkin needs to stay in one piece.

Pumpkin Carving Tips

♦    Wash the pumpkin and let it dry, before carving.

♦    Use good carving tools – or a sharp knife and a small serrated knife – for the more elaborate designs.

♦    Start at the center of your design and work outwards.

♦    Apply petroleum jelly to the cut edges after you’re done to help the pumpkin last longer.

Pumpkin Leftovers

Once you’re done carving, you’ll have a lot of leftover pumpkin.  Instead of throwing it in the trash try roasting the pumpkin seeds for a great snack, or using the flesh for a delicious pumpkin pie. 

Soon, children will be visiting Thomasville homes in mass, and with these tips on pumpkins, patterns and carving (and a good stash of candy, of course), you can have them oohing and aahing with delight.

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Should You Buy Thomasville Real Estate Through an Auction?

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Auction_SaleWith the many auctions here and throughout the U.S., you may be wondering if it’s worth buying Thomasville real estate this way. Auctions let you bid at a public sale.  Some property is being sold by the owner, but most properties are foreclosures being sold by banks. 

Like any endeavor, there are pros and cons in buying Thomasville real estate at an auction. For instance, a pro for auctions might be the price; you can often get great discounts on nice homes through an auction. However, you may get caught up in the fervor of the bidding process and pay more for a home than you ever intended. 

The Condition of the Home may be Questionable 

When you work with a real estate agent to buy a home in the traditional manner, you go through the home inspection process.  This ensures the home is in sound structural condition. 

In an auction, you have to go with the timeframe of the bidding process and most likely will not have time to get a home inspection performed.  In fact, homes sold at auction are sold “as is.”  That means no improvements will be made to the home, even if you had it inspected and found something wrong.  Additionally, there’s no warranty and no legal recourse to get your money back if you find problems later. 

Tax liens can be Costly

In foreclosure auctions, a property may have a tax lien. If you win the auction, you may then become responsible for the payment of the tax lien. It could be a small or large amount of money, but no matter the size, you may not be able to afford it on top of the cost of the house. 

Large Payments in Short Timeframes

Lastly, consider that full payment may be required at the close of the sale; if not full payment, earnest money will at least be required. Because closing usually happens within a month of the auction, it’s always best to be pre-approved for your loan before you start bidding. 

If you’re looking at Thomasville real estate auctions for your dream home, do your homework first. You could end up with a fantastic deal, but, without enough information, you could also end up with a dead end. 

If you’re looking for a great deal on a wonderful home, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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5 Tips to Keep Your Thomasville Home for Sale Ready to Show

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Ready_To_ShowYou’ve repaired, de-cluttered, deep cleaned and polished your Thomasville home for sale until it shines.  But how do you keep it that way when you and your family have to live in it every day?

Here are 5 tips to keep your Thomasville home for sale ready to show (without driving yourself crazy):

1.    Decree some rooms off limits.  There are a few obvious rooms that can easily be declared off limits such as the formal dining room and living room.  But there are others you may not have considered.  If you have 3 bathrooms, proclaim 1 or 2 of those bathrooms off limits.  Have a guest room but no guest?  Shut the door and forget it.

2.    Hire a maid service.  You may not be able to afford a cleaning crew on a regular basis, but to reduce your stress while your Thomasville home is for sale, consider hiring a housecleaner to come in once or twice a month.

3.    Leave your shoes at the door.  Sure, it’s inconvenient, but it really does keep your floors clean much longer which means less vacuuming, sweeping and mopping.

4.    Clean as you go. Anytime you get something out, put it away when you’re done with it.  Persuade every member of your household to do the same.

5.    Use potpourri.  You may have read some tips I’ve given about baking cookies to make your home smell great for showings.  That’s an excellent idea for people who have lots of time or just love to bake.  But for the rest of us, put out a bowl of cinnamon scented potpourri and avoid cooking smelly foods such as liver, fish or anything fried until your home is sold.  Just remember not to overdo it!  Many people are sensitive to smells and fragrances and can even have allergic reactions… not the kind of impression you want to leave with a buyer!  Remember… less is more!  If you can’t do without your fish, go out to eat.

Need to sell your home?  Let First Thomasville Realty help you get it sold so you can relax.  Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Slow Markets and Thomasville Homes: Bringing Them Together for the Sale

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Buyer_IncentivesToday’s slow real estate market is a hard place to sell Thomasville homes. However, the fact remains that homes are still being bought and sold.  Buyers are out there; you just have to attract them to your home. 

Here are a few tips for getting Thomasville homes sold in a slow real estate market: 

Prepare for the Sale

Your home needs to stand out from the rest. Give it a lot of sparkle and shine: 

*  Make minor repairs:  Patch holes, fix faucets and replace cracked tiles.

*  Clean inside and out:  No cobwebs, dirty carpets, worn rugs or smelly odors.

*  Check your curb appeal:  Mow the lawn, plant flowers, trim bushes, etc.

*  Remove clutter and de-personalize:  If it isn’t essential, pack it up or get rid of it.

*  Straighten your cabinets and closets:  Buyers will open them; make sure they’re nice and neat. 

Stage Your Home

Hire a professional home stager or read informational home staging articles on doing it yourself. Here are a few quick tips: 

*  Carefully choose your window coverings.

*  Tie new bathroom towels with ribbons for a “finished” bathroom look.

*  Use color psychology.

*  Bring in plants.

Use Good Marketing Techniques

A strong marketing campaign is a must.  A few techniques you want to be sure you or your agent includes in your marketing campaign are: 

*  Take photographs with good lighting that show off the positive aspects of your home.

*  Create a virtual tour that showcases both the inside and outside of your home.

*  Display the photos and virtual tour on as many real estate websites as possible.  

Selling Thomasville homes isn’t a quick or easy endeavor. Especially now, aggressive marketers are the winners. Taking the time to clean and stage your home, as well as create a wide-reaching marketing campaign, can get that for sale sign taken down for good. 

If you’d like to sell your home, let First Thomasville Realty create a strong, wide-reaching marketing campaign to get your home sold.   Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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How Autumn Can Take Thomasville Homes for Sale Off the Market

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Fall_DecoratingThe temperature is starting to drop, leaves are beginning to fall and autumn is getting closer. For those with Thomasville homes for sale, this is a good time to make sure all your t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted. Why? 

Fall brings nostalgia for most people across the United States. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, the last part of the year brings the most family-oriented, warm thoughts. It brings memories of days gone by when families met over turkey or ham around a table, young cousins played together in the yard and, in general, everyone had a wonderful time. In other words, it brings thoughts of home. 

Often, these thoughts cause a yearning in potential buyers to own one of the Thomasville homes for sale. Renters often become homeowners because of these nostalgic feelings. How can this benefit you? 

Go ahead and decorate.

Don’t hold off just because your house is for sale. However, be careful not to over decorate. A few pumpkin gourds can add a warm, homey touch to a porch, but a slew of snarling jack-o’-lanterns can turn a buyer off. A tasteful Christmas wreath on the door can welcome cheerful potential buyers into your home, but using enough lights on the house to cause a blackout may not be the best idea. 

Run from scary decorations.

When decorating, stay away from cobwebs, fake spiders and skeletons in the closet. Use other things to enhance the “nostalgic buying” mood, such as plug-in scents in Apple Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice. Simple bowls of potpourri add an inviting aroma without being overstated. Whatever you use, it really doesn’t take much to turn your house into a warm, inviting place that potential buyers may want to call home. 

While decorating for the holidays can increase buyer appeal for Thomasville homes for sale, remember “all things in moderation.”  Although it’s a little early, let me wish you happy holidays for the end of the year season, and good luck! 

If you’re considering selling your home, whether this season or next, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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Thomasville Home Inspection: What it Covers

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Home_InspectionsThe home buying process isn’t complete without a home inspection. Your real estate agent will mention it. The lender will ask about it. Even your closer will make sure the Thomasville home you’re purchasing had an inspection.

Home inspections are important. No matter how much you trust the seller, there are some things you need to know about your Thomasville home before you purchase it.  While you’re not required to attend the inspection, it’s an excellent idea to do so.

So you’ll know what to expect, here are the basics that a typical home inspection covers:

♦    Appliances. You will know if the appliances are in working order.

♦    Electrical. The inspector makes sure the main panel, circuit breakers, lights, and outlets are working.

♦    Exterior. An inspector looks for defects on the outside of the home, like problems with the wall covering, landscaping, trim, and exterior electrical outlets.

♦    Garage. You don’t have to worry about what the garage is hiding. You will know if the slab, walls, vents, and entries have any problems that need to be addressed.

♦    Home structure. The inspector checks the foundation, ceilings, floors, roof, and wall construction for any defects.

♦    Plumbing inspection. Although inspectors do not check sewer systems, they can tell you if you need to do any work to toilets, showers, sinks, and faucets.

♦    Roof and attic. The roof inspection is not a guarantee of its condition, but you will know what type of roof you have and what condition the roof covering, flashing, vents, and gutters are in.

♦    Systems. They will also check the effectiveness of your air conditioner, duct work, fireplace, and heating system.

A quality home inspector will look at every nook and cranny to gauge structure stability, present and potential dangers. But remember, a home inspection is not a guarantee or a warranty – it may not find everything.

No house is perfect, so you should expect your inspector to find some issues with the Thomasville home.  If significant problems are discovered, you can ask the seller to repair them, reduce the sale price or you can even back out of the deal without consequences, as long as your contract includes this contingency.

Let First Thomasville Realty help you find the right home for you. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com  for more information about home buying.

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The FSBO Mindset: Successful Ways to Sell Your Thomasville Real Estate

Monday, October 11th, 2010

FSBO MindsetWhen you first set out to sell your home, you are probably excited by all the possibilities, maybe a little scared, and often thinking about the best ways to save money. Many times saving money when selling Thomasville real estate means trying to sell it as a FSBO (For Sale By Owner). If you have the conviction, the salesmanship, and the knowhow you might be able to sell your home yourself and keep the commission in your pocket. There are, however, a few key elements you should be aware of when attempting to sell your own home.

Your House—Not Your Home

The first trick of selling your own home is to immediately stop thinking about it as your home. It may seem like an insignificant change and purely a matter of semantics but as your ‘home’ you will have far less ability to coldly asses its value than simply as a piece of Thomasville real estate—a house.

As a ‘home’ it will be harder to handle rejection, off-handed comments by viewers, and a feeling of general violation as strangers traipse through your rooms at all hours of the day interrupting your home life. As a house it is simply a piece of property you have to move. Thinking about your property as just a house, a structure you need to get rid of, will help you detach emotionally enough to have realistic expectations and the ability to handle the stress of selling.

Be Realistic

Carefully assess the value of your Thomasville real estate.  Check out the competition. Know what others have to offer in your same neighborhood and what their prices are.

Prepare and Market

Get rid of personal items. Put them in storage. Eliminate all the clutter of everyday living and make your home sparkle. Also remember that no one will be viewing your house if they don’t know it’s for sale. Get the word out in as many ways as possible.

If you would like help selling your home, give First Thomasville Realty a call at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Downsizing Your Demands for a Home for Sale in Thomasville

Friday, October 8th, 2010

DownsizingAre you tired of looking for a home for sale in Thomasville? Have you found any that had everything you wanted, but cost too much? Are you dissatisfied with the selection? 

A while back, I had a buyer tell me he didn’t want to spend more than $100,000 on a home for sale in Thomasville. He gave me a long list of features he felt the house must have – a pool, a big kitchen for his wife, four bedrooms, etc. With it being his market (a buyer’s market), he said, I should have no problems finding a home with those qualifications and that price. He refused to budge on any of it. That buyer is no longer my client. 

You May Have to Compromise

The buyer had read tons of material about it being a buyer’s market. Prices, while not particularly great for the sellers, are great for the buyers. “Thar’s gold in them thar hills.” In other words, there are deals to be had. 

It’s all true, but there are limitations to what your money can buy, even now. If you’re getting frustrated due to a lack of fully automated homes with pools and fallout shelters for $35,000, it’s time to ask yourself, “Do I really need a pool?” 

Okay, so that’s an exaggeration, but there is a legitimate question in all this. Can you compromise? If you want a pool, can you buy a home with a big backyard where a pool can be built later? Do you have to have a pool right now? 

Consider that a home is a long-term acquirement. Think about what you want versus what you need. For example, maybe you want a big kitchen. What you’ve found are smaller kitchens with big dining rooms. Can the two rooms be opened up to create a dining/cooking area? Again, can you compromise? 

Before you go house hunting again, examine your expectations. Are they realistic? If not, create a list of needs, and then create a list of wants. Think about where you can compromise on the two lists. Of course, you should be able to get some of your “wants,” but you may not be able to get all of them. 

When you look at a home for sale in Thomasville that you can afford, also look at the possibilities. Can the affordable home be remodeled over time into the dream home you want?  

If you’re looking for a home with great potential, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Halloween Decorations for a Thomasville Home for Sale?

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Happy_PumpkinThe fall holidays are just around the corner, starting with the scariest day of the year – Halloween. You may have always enjoyed Halloween in the past, but the most frightening thought now might be, “I have a Thomasville home for sale! I can’t do Halloween right now!”

Sure, sure. Right, right.

Take a deep breath. Don’t panic. First, if the idea of Halloween or autumn decorations this year (versus before you had a Thomasville home for sale) freaks you out, you need the break anyway. Secondly, it’s the perfect opportunity to sell your house. Holiday decorations can help buyers imagine the decorations they might use for a warm, inviting atmosphere.

There is, however, a difference between decorating before you put your home on the market and decorating now. For example, don’t go overboard. You want potential buyers to enjoy a relaxing stroll through the house, not scream when the skeleton falls out of the closet.

Pumpkins

If you decide to decorate for Halloween rather than just an autumn theme, that’s okay. Pumpkins, used wisely, can draw attention to an area. However, growling faces are a thing of the past until your house is sold. Use harmless, happy pumpkin expressions to help build the overall cheerful holiday house-buying mood. 

Candles

Forget about burning candles right now.  The last thing you want is to have a candle fall over during negotiations and set the curtains on fire. It’s a sure bet the buyers will change their minds.  Consider using flameless candles as a safer alternative.  They’re even available in autumn scents such as Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon Fusion. 

Colors

You can use autumn colors to warm a room.  A bowl of chrysanthemums and dried leaves will make a special touch in the bathroom, while pumpkin gourds can add warmth to a porch.

Because of the holidays coming up, autumn makes people nostalgic. For most, it brings thoughts of family and friends, pumpkins and turkey, fun and light-heartedness. A warm, inviting decorating scheme can further bring out that nostalgia, and get a SOLD sign put in front of your Thomasville home for sale.

If you’d like to sell your home before the holidays begin, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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September 2010 Agent of the Month

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Agent of the Month Kathy Palmer

First Thomasville Realty would like to congratulate Kathy Palmer on being named both Listing and Selling Agent of the Month for September 2010.

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Is Your Thomasville Home for Sale a Victim of DIY Remodeling?

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Remodeling-5Has your Thomasville home for sale been victimized by DIY remodeling projects? Did they not quite turn out like you thought they would? You aren’t alone; I’ve walked into houses with cabinets hanging at a slant and the owner proudly telling me they did it themselves. 

Leave it to a pro.

Not everybody can be a remodeler. Not everybody is handy at everything. For instance, I can change the oil on my car, but I leave engine overhauls to the professionals.  Why? Because that’s what they do, and they do it well. 

Now, many people choose to do remodeling themselves because they think it’s cheaper – and it often is when done right. However, knowledge is power. It’d be cheaper for me to do my own engine overhaul, too, but I’ve never done it before and don’t know how. I’m not going to start learning on my own car, either. 

Consider the quality.

If you’re considering a major remodeling project to add value to your Thomasville home for sale, I strongly recommend hiring a professional remodeler. I especially recommend this if you don’t know anything about plumbing, wiring or building standards. Keep in mind that your house will have to pass inspection. If your remodeling project doesn’t stand up to building codes, it won’t pass inspection. 

As well, when you remodel to add value in order to sell, quality is of utmost importance. The first DIY project you do very seldom ends up looking right, and – although you may be understandably proud of sloping countertops or unevenly stained molding because you did it yourself – it won’t help sell your home. 

Start small.

If you’re remodeling and you plan to stay in your home, I strongly suggest – if you must DIY – that you start small. Here’s a hint: expanding your bathroom or kitchen isn’t considered a small project. A small project is like fixing a squeaky stairway or replacing a door. 

DIY sites like This Old House and Do It Yourself make big projects look easy, I know. However, if you want to, say, strip your wooden kitchen cabinets, try starting with a piece of furniture. Go buy a cheap wooden chair from a flea market and see how it turns out first. 

Whether you’re remodeling to get more value from your Thomasville home for sale or just to make it a more comfortable space to live, I implore you – your home implores you – at least think about a professional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your home may end up as just another victim of random DIY. 

Are you good at remodeling and looking for a home with potential? First Thomasville Realty can help. Call 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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Thomasville’s Deep South Fair Opens Tonight!

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Deep South FairThe fair opens tonight with food, games and rides. And again this year, demolition derby. This is the fourth year the derby has been at the fair. Dannie Rogers says the fair is a great place for families to spend time together.

“We ask the community to support us in it and come out here and have some good entertainment, good clean family fun,” says Rogers. “Very clean, well organized fair, and we’re excited about it.”

The fair opens at six, with demolition derby starting at seven. The fair will be in Thomasville through Saturday.

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Thomasville Homes 101: Fall Maintenance Checklist

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Fall_LeavesLeaves are starting to change color, nights are getting cooler and pumpkins are appearing on porches of Thomasville homes.  All signs that fall is here.

That means it’s time to do fall preventative maintenance on all Thomasville homes.  To help you get started, here’s a quick checklist: 

♦    Have a professional heating contractor inspect your Thomasville home’s heating system.  An annual heating inspection ensures that your heating system is operating at peak efficiency and most importantly that it is running safely.

♦    Replace your filter.  Filters need to be replaced frequently to allow your heating system to operate properly.

♦    Hire a certified chimney sweep clean.  Have him inspect your wood burning stove or fireplace and clean the chimney.

♦    Check your home for water damage.  Look for water stains on the ceilings or leaks under the bathroom and kitchen sinks.  This minor water damage may seem trivial, but can lead to real problems, like a weakened roof or rotten boards.

♦    Prepare your pipes.  Every year, approximately a quarter-million families have their homes ruined due to water pipes that freeze and burst.  Prepare your pipes, both inside and outside, before the cold weather hits.  Caulk around pipes where they enter your Thomasville home.  Insulate pipes in unheated areas.  If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, shut it off.  If you don’t have a separate valve to turn off outside faucets, wrap outside faucets or hose bibs.

♦    Tend your garden tools and equipment.  Run all lawn equipment until the gas is gone.  This removes flammable liquid from your garage.  Drain water from garden hoses and sprinklers.  Clean shovels, hoes, trowels and spades

♦    Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Replace batteries and clean the alarms if needed.

♦    Examine caulking.  To prevent water from seeping into the sub-floor, inspect and repair the caulking around your bathroom fixtures.  To reduce heat loss, inspect and repair the caulking around doors, windows and outlets.

Want more home maintenance tips like these?  Subscribe to the First Thomasville Blog now.  It’s free, fast and easy.  Or, email us at info@FTRealty.com , and we’ll set up your free subscription for you.

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Buying Thomasville Real Estate and the Right of Conquest – A History

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Real Estate HistoryBefore Thomasville real estate – or real estate anywhere, for that matter – was bought and sold, it was just… owned. “Possession is nine-tenths of the law.” If you wanted some land, you found it, fought for it and kept it. Legal rights weren’t even a thought. 

A long, long time ago…

William, Duke of Normandy, felt he had a claim to the throne of England. King Harold Godwinson, crowned king in January 1066, didn’t much agree. While it took until October, William and Harold met on the battlefield at Hastings; Harold was killed, William moved on to storm London. 

Upon his coronation, William became King William I of England. He then made a proclamation that went something like, “I came. I conquered. Give it.” William I claimed the complete ownership of all land in England based on right of conquest. He won the battle, so it only made good sense to claim the spoils, and possession equaled ownership. 

English aristocracy and the feudal system began. Lords could bargain with the King, who then might make them tenants-in-chief through tenure, or estate. The most extensive and complete estate was called the Fee Simple Estate (also known as an estate of inheritance, fee simple absolute or fee ownership), the basis of our real estate laws now, in America. 

When our British ancestors spread across the pond to American soil, they brought Fee Simple Estate with them. And, they claimed America by King William’s idea of “right of conquest.” However, they also developed the concept of an informal association of agents in the 1880s. 

Inception of National Association of Realtors®

In 1908, they formed the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). At that time, the NAR had a whole 19 Real Estate Boards and one state association! 

While the history of real estate associations probably isn’t that exciting, unless you’re trying to pass a test, modern real estate laws are based off that history. 

Although things have changed in terms of law, they really haven’t changed that much in terms of conquest. Okay, so maybe now the army is real estate agents and the weapons are contracts, but you still have to fight for the land you want. 

If you’re looking for Thomasville real estate to buy and you’re feeling tentative, it’s time to buck up a little. Buying and selling is still a matter of conquest, and it can still get rough. Negotiations, for instance, aren’t usually quiet discussions over Earl Grey tea. Before you go house hunting, do yourself a favor and make sure you’re armed… with a good real estate agent. 

If you’re looking for a great piece of land to call your own, we can help. Call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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4 Tips to Help Your Kids Adjust to a New Thomasville Home

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Moving With KidsAre you moving to a new Thomasville home or thinking about it? When you have young children, it can be a dramatic – or even traumatic – event. Here are a few tips to help your children adjust to a new home: 

Tip # 1: Share exciting points about your new Thomasville home.

Does the house have a big back yard? Is there a park or bike path close by? Talk about the things you might be able to do together at the new place. Build up excitement, so your kids can’t wait to see where they’re going to live. 

Tip #2: Let your kids be part of the packing process, if they’re old enough.

Children like to help when there’s a lot of hustle and bustle going on. You’ve probably noticed this yourself; every time you’re busy, they become your shadow. One way to let them help is to give them a moving box to fill up. Depending on their age, you’ll probably want them in the same room as you, but a little supervised packing can keep them out from underfoot and happy. 

Tip #3: Let them chose the packing labels for each room.

Online or at most local office supply stores, you can find several types of packing labels. If you choose different colored packing labels, you can let your child decide which label color or type should be used for each room. While moving in, you can even supervise a “treasure hunt” for each room’s labeled boxes. 

Tip #4: Involve them in unpacking their rooms or family areas.

By asking, “Where do you think this should go,” and letting your children choose, you’re also helping them make the new house their own. If you’re worried about an oddly decorated home with a picture of Daffy Duck over the mantle, give them a few choices of places you wouldn’t mind an object being for a while. I say “a while” because if you move the objects, your child will notice, which could make it harder for them to begin feeling at home. 

Moving into a new Thomasville home is a big adjustment for anyone, not just children. However, children seem to have a harder time getting used to a new place.  Keeping them involved in the packing, moving and unpacking can help turn your new home into their new home. 

If you’re looking for a new home for your family, we can help. Call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  to get started today.

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