Archive for April, 2011

Dress your Thomasville Home for a Successful Sale

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Spring is here and there is no better time to give your yard a fresh look.  Here are a few simple tips to make your Thomasville home sparkle this spring. 

Tip #1:  Everything is blooming; take advantage of it. 

Clean out the flower beds and let them shine.  Don’t have a flower bed?  Now is the perfect time to create one (or more).  Visit your local nursery to purchase small starter plants, large mature plants and everything in between.  Mix them to make your beds look their best. 

Tip #2:  Get a lush lawn.

Reseed your yard, or if you don’t want to wait, purchase sod rolls.  If your lawn is in good shape, take the time to edge the sidewalks and driveway.  Mow in a pattern to give your lawn a manicured look.  To keep your grass healthy, alternate the mowing pattern.  

Tip #3:  Take it up a notch.

Add little touches like decorative edging, mulch and walkway lights.  Put edging around trees and shrubs then fill with mulch.  Easy to install walkway lights along the driveway and sidewalk add style and security.  Don’t forget the porch light.  A new light fixture with a high and low beam saves energy, provides security, and lets buyers see your Thomasville home easily in the evening.   

Dressing your Thomasville home for spring helps it stand out from the competition.  It also gets buyers excited about seeing the interior of your home. 

Want some specific ideas on how to make your home sparkle this spring so it sells faster?  Give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Selling Thomasville Real Estate: FSBO vs. REALTOR®

Friday, April 29th, 2011

The ongoing debate as to whether selling your Thomasville real estate is better as a FSBO or with the help of a REALTOR® just got some new ammunition.  The new survey supports past findings that using a REALTOR® is more beneficial to Thomasville real estate sellers. 

The survey, conducted by HomeGain.com, a leading online real estate resource that connects home buyers and sellers with real estate professionals, surveyed over 1,000 homeowners.   Here’s what HomeGain’s survey found: 

♦    83% of homeowners surveyed said they used a REALTOR® to sell their home and 17% said they tried to sell their home on their own.

♦    59% of homeowners that used a REALTOR® to sell their homes were successful vs. 39% of FSBO’s, reflecting a 50% higher closing rate for those home sellers using a REALTOR®.

♦    81% percent of homeowners that used a REALTOR® to try and sell their homes said they would use a REALTOR® again for their real estate needs.

♦    88% of homeowners who sold their homes using a REALTOR® said they would use a REALTOR® again.

♦    71% of FSBOs who managed to sell their homes on their own said they would try and sell their home on their own again.

♦    24% of FSBOs eventually enlisted the aid of a REALTOR® to help sell their homes. 

If you’re ready to use the method most likely to get your Thomasville real estate sold, give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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5 Tips for Working with Thomasville Home Contractors

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Whether you’re looking to update your Thomasville home before selling or you want to remodel a new place before moving in, it’s imperative that you have a good relationship with your contractor. Unless you’re planning to do the renovation work yourself, you’ll be relying on the knowledge, competence and trustworthiness of someone you might barely know. 

While you want to stay on good terms with the person renovating your Thomasville home, there are a few formal guidelines that you should follow to ensure your projects are completed on time and on budget. 

5 tips for working with a contractor: 

1.    Keep in constant communication – Try to touch base with your contractor every day. Exchange cell phone numbers, set up a daily appointment or send periodic emails. This allows your contractor to keep you up to date on changes or issues, and it allows you to voice questions and concerns.

2.    Know what you want – Decide the type of materials (such as hardware, tile or wood) you’re going to use before you bring in a contractor to give you a bid. Without all of the information, he or she could vastly under or over estimate the renovation cost and budget.

3.    Sign off on all project changes – Put in your renovation contract that you want to be informed of all unforeseen changes to the project. This ensures that you stay in the loop and allows you to manage the total cost of your renovation.

4.    Accommodate and be helpful – You and your contractor will be happier if you make his or her workers’ lives easier by designating a bathroom for them to use or providing them with something cold to drink on a hot day. You’ll help motivate and boost morale!

5.    Make sure you only pay for work completed – Never pay the full amount up front.  Instead, set up a pay-as-the-project-is-completed schedule. Depending on the size of the renovation, decide on how much you’ll pay after certain points of completion. This ensures work for the money. 

If you want to learn more about dealing with Thomasville home contractors, call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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Thomasville Homes with Tough to Fix Flaws

Monday, April 25th, 2011

If you’re looking at Thomasville homes to buy, you’re probably overwhelmed by everything you need to take into account before making your final choice.  You have to think about the Thomasville home’s size, location, price and condition, to name a few. 

Some of the most important features to carefully examine are those that cannot be easily or inexpensively changed.  You can easily and relatively inexpensively repaint the bright pink walls and replace the avocado refrigerator.  But what about the power lines hanging across the backyard?  You may never be able to get those removed.

Here are a few difficult to fix flaws you may want to steer clear of:

♦    Odd smells coming from businesses in the neighborhood such as farms, garbage dumps and recycling centers

♦    A busy road

♦    Noise from businesses, trains, airports or flight paths

♦    Super steep driveway or road to the home

♦    Traffic from busy shopping centers or entertainment facilities

♦    A floodplain

Watch out for flaws that are expensive and difficult (or even impossible) to fix.  They can significantly decrease your enjoyment of the home, while you live there.  They can also lengthen your Thomasville home’s time on the market and reduce its resale value, when you’re ready to sell.

Shopping for a home to buy?  Let First Thomasville Realty help you find a home that is free of tough to fix flaws.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email info@FTRealty.com .

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Rose Festival Saturday Events

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

90th Annual Rose Show ~ 10 a.m., Continues under the big top on Broad Street at Remington Avenue, hundreds of hybrid rose varieties and breathtaking specimens will be on exhibit from growers throughout the southeast.

Art in the Park ~ 10 a.m.  – 4 p.m., Paradise Park on South Broad St., featuring arts, crafts, great food and children’s activities throughout the day.  Free admission.   

70th Annual Civic Garden Club Flower Show ~ 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., under the big top in Paradise Park.  Enjoy beautiful roses, wild flowers and horticulture set to the theme of “Let’s Communicate Through Flowers!”.  

Rose of Sharon Praise Concert ~ Noon – 5 p.m., Paradise Park, a contemporary Christian music event featuring Root 3:16 and other local praise bands.  Free admission.  

Bark in the Park ~ 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Paradise Park, lots of fun for dog lovers, bring your pooch and join in the fun!  Information:  229-228-0613.

 5th Annual Orchids on Parade ~ 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Continues inside the Genealogical Library at 135 North Broad Street featuring exhibits showcasing orchids grown by the Thomasville Orchid Society.  Members will be on hand to answer questions. Free admission.  Information:  229-224-8332.  

 34th Annual Rose City 10K  Run ~ 8 a.m., in front of the Post Office on Broad Street.  Registration information can be obtained by calling 229-226-9878.

32nd Annual 1 Mile Fun Run (Ages 12 and Under) ~ 9:30 a.m., in front of the Post Office on Broad Street.  Registration information can be obtained by calling 229-226-9878.

9th Annual City of Roses Show~N~Shine Car & Truck Show ~ 9 a.m., around the Courthouse on North Broad Street, view award winning, and unique, cars and trucks.  Registration & Information:  229-227-3288.

Rose City Golf Classic ~ 8 a.m., Friday & Saturday, Country Oaks Municipal Golf Course, 36-hole, two-person, best ball tournament.  For more information visit www.countryoaksgolfcourse.org or call 229-225-4333.

Step Into The Past – Thomas County Museum of History ~ 725 N. Dawson St. – Presentations and exhibits about Thomasville’s Victorian history and the Rose Show tradition.  Tours April 22 and 23 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; Adults $5 admission.  For group reservations or further information, call 229-226-7664 or email history@rose.net.

Step Into The Past – Lapham-Patterson House ~ 626 N. Dawson St. – Visit this 1885 winter cottage, a monument to the imagination, creative engineering and craftsmanship of the Victorian Era.  Tours April 22 and 23 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; Adults $5 admission.  For group reservations or further information, call 229-226-7664 or email history@rose.net.

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Rose Festival Friday Events

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

90th Annual Rose Show ~ 1:30 p.m., Broad Street at Remington Avenue, Downtown Thomasville, ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Thomasville Rose Queen, Madeline MacQuirter and local dignitaries.

 5th Annual Orchids on Parade ~ 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., inside the Genealogical Library at 135 North Broad Street, showcasing orchids grown by members of the Thomasville Orchid Society.  Members will be on hand to answer questions.  Free admission.  Information:  229-224-8332.

63rd Annual Rose Parade ~ 7 p.m., Broad Street, Downtown Thomasville, everyone loves a parade and this one is no exception!  Watch as Thomasville rolls out its “rose” carpet with colorful floats, marching bands, and much more!

 13th Annual Street Dance ~ 8:30 p.m., immediately following the parade, intersection of North Broad and Jefferson Streets.  Featuring The Swingin’ Medallions!  Get down and boogie with free admission – it’s fun for the entire family!    

Rose City Golf Classic ~ 8 a.m., Friday & Saturday, Country Oaks Municipal Golf Course, 36-hole, two-person, best ball tournament.  For more information visit www.countryoaksgolfcourse.org or call 229-225-4333.

Step Into The Past – Thomas County Museum of History ~ 725 N. Dawson St. – Presentations and exhibits about Thomasville’s Victorian history and the Rose Show tradition.  Tours April 22 and 23 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; Adults $5 admission.  For group reservations or further information, call 229-226-7664 or email history@rose.net.

Step Into The Past – Lapham-Patterson House ~ 626 N. Dawson St. – Visit this 1885 winter cottage, a monument to the imagination, creative engineering and craftsmanship of the Victorian Era.  Tours April 22 and 23 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; Adults $5 admission.  For group reservations or further information, call 229-226-7664 or email history@rose.net.

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Rose Festival Thursday Events

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

33rd Annual Children’s Rose Bud Parade  ~  7 p.m., Broad Street, Downtown Thomasville, possibly the cutest parade featuring hundreds of area children!

Rose Bud Parade Guidelines and Line-Up Information Available Now!  Call 229-227-7020 or click link for more information (PDF): Rose Bud Line Up Information 2011

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5 Reasons to Participate in Your Thomasville Home Inspection

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

You’ve found the Thomasville home you want to buy, and you’ve hired a professional home inspector.  But, wait!  You’re job isn’t done.  You still need to personally participate in the inspection on your Thomasville home.

Here are 5 reasons why you should attend your home inspection:

1.    See for yourself.  There’s a big difference between reading a report and seeing first-hand what’s right and wrong with the home.  Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to determine if a problem is serious enough to walk away from the home if the seller is unwilling to fix it. 

2.    Learn practical information about your home.  You’ll discover where things such as the water valve and electrical box are located.

3.    Experience your prospective home through the eyes of an expert.  This is a valuable educational opportunity.

4.    Ask the inspector questions.   If there’s anything that looks suspicious or anything you don’t understand, ask your home inspector about it.  You’re paying the inspector for his expertise, so take full advantage of his time and experience to learn all you can about the house and its features. 

5.    Comprehend the home inspection report.  While it’s your home inspector’s job to discover and disclose the condition of the home in the home inspection report, being present for the inspection helps you visualize and understand all the items in the report.  This information makes negotiating a financial solution to any potential problems much easier and much more straightforward.

What should you do during the home inspection? Your primary tasks are to watch, listen, learn and ask questions.  A professional home inspector will welcome your participation in the process.

Need a referral to a professional Thomasville home inspector?  Give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Egg-Citing Techniques for Selling Thomasville Homes

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Today’s turbulent real estate market means the days of selling Thomasville homes without any planning or preparation are a distant memory for most people. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, because there is tons of competition and buyers are not hunting Thomasville homes in a hurry like they once were. To sell your house quickly, staging and well-thought-out marketing plans are now necessities — not luxuries. 

Do you know how to best present your property? What are the most effective ways to get buyers in the door? Using the tips and techniques below, you can begin to emerge from your rabbit hole and quickly move on to your next home with as much money in your pocket as possible. 

Selling techniques for Thomasville homes:

♦    Price it Right – No amount of marketing or staging will help if your property is overpriced. For most people, it’s hard to look at their home objectively.  Compare it to other properties for sale in your neighborhood, and take into account square footage, upgrades, location, and amenities, as well as, current market trends.

♦    Develop a Marketing Plan – You have to decide the best and most cost-effective way to get potential buyers in your house. Rarely is a newspaper ad or an Internet posting enough. Today’s competitive real estate environment requires more aggressive techniques which includes everything from social media marketing to prompt follow-up chats with potentially interested buyers.

♦    Stage your Home – You want your home to appear its best every time a potential buyer comes to see it. If buyers see dirt and stains, they might begin to wonder about how diligently the rest of the property has been maintained. De-clutter and depersonalize. Turn on all your lights and open all the blinds to make your house appear as light and open as possible. For open houses, take the extra time to add fresh flowers, build a fire in the fireplace and have something baking in the oven.  

Do you need egg-stra help preparing your home for sale? Give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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Thomasville Real Estate Lingo 101

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Do you know how closing costs actually work? Or, how you’d use CMAs (comparative market analysis) to evaluate Thomasville real estate? And, can you decipher all of the abbreviations and acronyms, such as FDR, lo dues and MLS. 

Purchasing a home is frustrating enough without having to go through the frustration of decoding all the complicated speak and legalese. If you brush up with a real estate dictionary before your home-buying search, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and save yourself a lot of time and headaches in the long run. 

Basic lingo every Thomasville real estate buyer or seller should know …

ARM – This stands for Adjustable-Rate Mortgage, which is a type of mortgage where the interest rate periodically adjusts.

Closing costs – These are miscellaneous expenses buyers and sellers pay upon closing; they usually include brokerage commission, escrow taxes, recording fees, etc.

CMA – This stands for Comparable Market Analysis, which is a report of recently sold, comparable homes in the same market as the home you’re selling.

ERV – Estimated Rental Value

FDR – Formal Dining Room

Fixture – Anything that is permanently attached to the home, such as door knobs, carpeting, light fixtures and landscaping

FP – Fireplace

HDW – Hard Wood Floors

Lo dues – Dues paid to the homeowners association

MLS – Multiple Listing Service, which is an organization that compiles multiple listings into one report and distributes it to all of their realty members.

PSF – Per Square Foot

Sale price – The actual price at which the property sells. 

Don’t let the hectic housing market overwhelm you.  If you understand Thomasville real estate lingo, you’ll be more knowledgeable and able to easily achieve your real estate goals. 

If you have questions about any of these terms or want help achieving your real estate goals, call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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How to Clean a Thomasville Home with a Pet

Friday, April 15th, 2011

If you have a pet, you know how difficult it is to keep your Thomasville home clean with a pet (or two or three) living with you.  There’s the ever present pet hair that clings to everything.   And, the pet food, water, toys and treats that are scattered from room to room.

We love our pets and wouldn’t live without them.  But, life would be much more pleasant without the pet mess.  Here are a few ideas to help tame the pet mess in your Thomasville home:

1.    Brush your pet outside.  This will drastically cut down on the amount of pet hair in your home. 

2.    Brush your pet regularly.  Since pets shed frequently, try to brush them at least once a week.  Some people recommend daily brushing.  If you have time for daily brushing, it’d be great, but I don’t know anyone who has that kind of time.

3.    Pick a pet that doesn’t shed and is hypoallergenic.  Put this on your “How to Choose My Next Pet” checklist.

4.    Invest in good lint rollers.  You can get these at most big retail stores.  Use them in your house to remove pet hair from your furniture and clothing, and also have one in your car for those times you see stray pet hair on your clothes.

5.    Vacuum, sweep and/or mop frequently.  Pet fur will get worse if you don’t vacuum frequently.  It winds itself around the carpet fibers and becomes difficult to remove.  If you don’t remove the pet hair from the environment often, it will float into the air and land who knows where, including on your food.

6.    Get rid of the carpet.  Pet hair and bodily fluids from pets are much easier to remove from tile and wood floors than from carpet.  Keep your pets out of rooms, such as bedrooms, where you really want to keep the carpet.

If you establish a schedule to brush your pet and vacuum your carpets, you’ll find keeping your Thomasville home clean, even with a messy pet, becomes as simple as any other weekly routine.

Want to buy a home that’s pet friendly?  First Thomasville Realty can help.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Double-Check Public Records on Your Thomasville Home for Sale

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Marketing your Thomasville home for sale can be tough enough in this economy without having other sources working against you. That’s why you should double-check your property’s public records. Large discrepancies between your property description and what’s listed as public record could be turning potential buyers away. 

If the public property report for your house is not up to date, you could appear as if you’re inflating its qualities, such as the square footage or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Don’t let something so simple hurt your property’s sale. Consider taking the following steps to ensure your home is being portrayed accurately. 

1.    Review your property’s public record.  If it matches the information that you and your real estate agent have been promoting for your house, then you’re good to go. It won’t take long, and it will give you peace of mind.

2.    Ensure that your house’s updates, renovations and additions are all included. Evaluate the report to determine if any updates have been made but not recorded. Was there an addition added without a building permit or attic space finished to include another bedroom? Every square foot counts!

3.    Fix any discrepancies. Check with your county tax assessor about updating your public record; they’ll want an accurate report for tax purposes anyway. While this might take some time and effort, having an accurate description of your property could help you sell it faster and avoid more months of mortgage payments. 

Not only could an inaccurate public record hurt your Thomasville home for sale, it could also hurt your house’s value.  Typically, real estate appraisers only consider square footage that they can verify through a building permit. If your records aren’t up to date, you may end up getting less than your property is worth. 

If your Thomasville home for sale has yet to sell and you’d like more information on how to check its public records, give First Thomasville Realty a call at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Thomasville Real Estate: 5 Pricing Myths Debunked

Monday, April 11th, 2011

There are a few misconceptions about how to set the sales price for your Thomasville real estate.  Here are five common pricing myths and the reality behind them.

Myth #1:  It’s OK to test a high price on your Thomasville real estate just to see if anyone will buy it at that price. 

If you’re serious about selling your home, don’t play games.  In this buyer’s market you have a very small window of opportunity to pull in serious buyers when your home first enters the market.  If you play games, like over pricing your home just to test the market, buyers will stay away in droves. 

Myth #2:  You should price your Thomasville real estate higher than the market value to allow for room to negotiate.

Truth:  No matter what your reasoning or rationale, overpricing your home is never a good idea.  When your home is overpriced, very few potential buyers inquire about it or visit it.  If no one wants to buy your home, you won’t have anyone to negotiate with.

Myth #3:  The appraisal value of your home has no impact on the sales price of your home. 

Truth:  Lenders consider the value of your home to be the price for which the home is appraised.  For example, if you and your buyer have agreed on a sales price of $300,000, but the appraisal comes in at $280,000, the lender considers the value of the home to be $280,000, not $300,000.   When this occurs, buyers will want to renegotiate the sales price of the home to match the appraisal price.

Myth #4:  Real estate agents want to price homes high because they’ll make a higher commission. 

Truth:  If you’ve done the work needed to find a great real estate agent, you should trust him or her to price your home correctly.  Because of their experience, real estate agents understand more than anyone else the importance of properly pricing your home.  If they’ve incorrectly priced your home, it won’t sell, and the agents earn nothing.

Myth #5:  Real estate agents want to price homes low because they’ll sell faster and easier without the agents having to do any work.

Truth:  Professional real estate agents know that setting the price too low can be almost as harmful as setting the price too high. Buyers who are looking in a specific price range may not consider your home because of the low price tag.  They assume it will not fulfill their needs or worry that there’s something wrong with it.

If you’re ready to sell your home, First Thomasville Realty can help you price it right.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

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3 Tips for Buying Thomasville Foreclosures

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Despite all the stories you hear on the news, buying Thomasville foreclosures doesn’t have to be a negative experience.  Here are 3 tips to make the process smoother and more profitable for you:

Tip #1:  Allow plenty of time for the whole process.  

Thomasville foreclosures take longer to get to closing than traditional homes.  What takes so long?  As you probably know, there are a lot of foreclosures happening now.  That means there is a large backlog of foreclosures lenders have to process before they get to yours. 

Another common problem that extends the buying time for foreclosures is title issues. Before closing, the new mortgage lender needs to prove that you have a clean title so they feel safe lending the money.  Each step of a foreclosure increases the amount of time before you can close.   

If you can’t be patient, don’t drive yourself crazy by purchasing a foreclosure.  But if you can be patient, the wait can be well worth the savings.     

Tip #2:  Flash your cash.  

Because bad loans weaken the banks’ bottom line, they will usually accept a lower sales price with a cash offer over a higher sales price that requires financing.  So, the more cash you can flash, the better your chance of getting a great deal. 

Pay close attention to the condition of Thomasville foreclosures.  

Foreclosures are offered “as-is.”  Do a walk-through of the property before making an offer to ensure it’s worth the price.  Include a final walk-through in the real estate contract to assure the home is in the same condition as it was when the offer was made.  By including an escape clause, if the current residents trash the place, you have the option to walk away. 

If you’re in the market to buy a foreclosure, First Thomasville Realty can help.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Thomasville Homes: New Construction is Looking Up in 2011

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Good news for the housing industry!  Nationwide new home starts increased 14.6% in January, reaching its highest rate in four months and increasing more than analysts expected.

During the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, David Crowe, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders, projected single-family housing starts to rise 21% in 2011.

To what can we attribute these actual and projected increases?  The four key elements driving new construction in 2011 are:

♦    Sustained job growth.   Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of REALTORS®, projects about 2 million jobs to be added in 2011.  Unemployment is expected to drop to 9.2 percent.

♦     Increasing U.S. population.  Over the past 10 years, the U.S. population has increased by 27 million. Continued population growth will also stimulate construction and sales of Thomasville homes. “All the indicator trends are pointing to a gradual housing recovery,” Yun says.

♦    Low interest rates.  The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for Thomasville homes is forecast to rise gradually to 5.3 percent around the end of 2011.

♦    An increase in the multi-family category.  The majority of the new construction projects were for apartment buildings and other multi-family units.  The rate of starts for single-family homes was the lowest in almost two years.  Independent economist Joel Naroff said, “What is nice to see is that developers seem to be picking up the slack by putting up rental and condo units instead, a trend that is likely to continue.”

Another boost to the housing market will come as lending opens up with safe underwriting standards for creditworthy buyers.

If you have any questions about buying or selling Thomasville homes or about our local real estate market, please give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com.

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Thomasville Homes: 8 Tips for Staying Green while Moving

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Staying green while moving isn’t easy.  In fact, moving expends a lot of energy.  Think about the massive amount of gas those big trucks go through, the toxic cleaning products people use on both their old and new Thomasville homes and all those cardboard boxes that are overflowing our landfills.

You might be thinking, “Hey, moving is stressful enough without having to worry about going green while moving.”  I understand.  But, if you’re conscientious about the earth, and want to go as green as you can while you move, here are a few suggestions for you:

1.    Have a yard sale.  Make money and reduce the amount of items you have to pack.

2.    Invest in bins.  Buy recycled plastic bins.  They’re sturdy, stack together well and can be reused for years in a multitude of ways.

3.    Reuse or recycle cardboard containers.  Get cardboard boxes that someone else has used.  Most moving companies have used boxes they’ll sell to you.  Recycle your cardboard boxes by selling them back to places like U-Haul or giving them to a friend who is getting ready to move. 

4.    Use green packing materials.  Use things you have to pack anyway like clothing, linens and towels to cushion objects or fill gaps in boxes.  You can also purchase compostable packing materials, such as compostable packing peanuts.  Or, use paper towels made from recycled paper, and after you unpack, reuse them to clean up messes.  When you have to use non-green packing materials, don’t throw them away; save them for future use or give them away to people who are getting ready to move.

5.    Secure with ZIP ties.  Choose ZIP ties that are made from recycled plastic.  Use them instead of tape to secure hoses, lids and doors and drawers on furniture.

6.    Donate.  Instead of throwing things away that you no longer want, donate them.  Some thrift stores will even pick up donations at your house.

7.    Dispose properly.  Call the recycling centers in your city to find out how to properly dispose of anything you need to throw away.  These days you can recycle paper, appliances, copiers, computers and phones. 

8.    Use green cleaning products.  Green cleaning products can be found at most big retail stores these days.  Use environmentally-friendly products to clean both Thomasville homes (the one you’re moving out of and the one you’re moving into).

When it comes to the environment, every little change can make a big difference. With a little bit of knowledge, we can all help save the earth one small change at a time in our Thomasville homes.

If you’re moving and need to buy or sell a home, First Thomasville Realty can help.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or info@FTRealty.com .

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4 Questions to Identify Qualified Buyers for Your Thomasville Home for Sale by Owner

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Selling a Thomasville home for sale by owner takes a lot of time, energy and expertise.  You need to know how to set a fair market value for your home, promote your home to pull qualified buyers and negotiate the final terms and sales price. 

One of the most important skills you need to learn in order to find qualified buyers for your Thomasville home for sale by owner is how to sort out the lookers from the serious buyers. 

Lookers are people who aren’t serious about buying a home.  At the least, they waste your time and energy.  At the worst, lookers could be a security problem.  They could be checking out your home to determine if you have valuables worth stealing.

Serious buyers are people who are interested in buying a home within 30 to 90 days and are pre-approved for a mortgage.  Spend your time and energy on these individuals.

So, how do you identify qualified buyers?  Before scheduling a time to show your Thomasville home for sale by owner to potential buyers, ask them these four questions: 

1.    Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?  If they’re pre-approved for a mortgage, they’re serious about buying a home.  If buyers aren’t pre-approved, suggest they contact a mortgage specialist and get back in touch with you when they have their pre-approval letter.  Mortgage specialists check the buyer’s credit score, income and debt ratios. They also verify that the buyer has enough money for down payment and closing costs.

2.    How much are you pre-approved for?  Make sure they’ve been approved for a big enough loan to be able to afford your home.  If your home is valued at $500,000 and they’re only pre-approved for $150,000, they cannot afford your home unless they can pay the difference in cash.  If the buyer is purchasing your home with cash, or using cash for a large down payment, ask the buyer for a bank statement to verify his or her funds.

3.    Do you have your pre-approval letter?  Verify that they are pre-approved for the amount they say they are.  Ask the buyers to email or fax their pre-approval letter to you or bring it with them when they tour your home. 

4.    What’s your possession deadline?  Your move-out timeframe needs to be close to the buyer’s move-in deadline.  How close?  Close enough to negotiate the difference.  If they don’t want to take possession of your home for six months, and you need to sell immediately, they’re not a serious buyer for your home.

To successfully sell your home, you need to know if a potential buyer is qualified to buy your home.  The sooner you know this, the less time you’ll waste chasing after lookers and unqualified buyers.

Tired of going it alone?  If you’d rather have an experienced real estate agent handle everything for you from finding qualified buyers to negotiating the sales contract, give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email First Thomasville Realty at info@FTRealty.com.

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