Archive for May, 2011

Memorial Day

Monday, May 30th, 2011

Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War. It was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end.

Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the Civil War, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not.

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Don’t Be Fooled By the Monthly Mortgage on Your Thomasville Home

Friday, May 27th, 2011

mortage payments

If you’re searching for a new house, don’t get fooled into purchasing a Thomasville home you can’t actually afford. Many new homeowners find themselves in a pickle when they fall in love with a property that has high monthly mortgage payments. Being house poor could lead to a confining quality of life, increased stress and possibly foreclosure. 

Before buying a Thomasville home, do your research to determine all the actual costs involved with purchasing and owning the home.  Without the proper tools and budget, you could be biting off more than you can chew. 

Here are four tips to help you get a manageable mortgage: 

1.    Save up – If you’ve saved and can provide a large down payment, you’ll be able take out a smaller loan, which will result in lower monthly payments. 

2.    Check on interest rates – Talk with several lenders to compare interest rates. Also, improve your credit score before purchasing property because your credit score partially determines your loan’s interest rate.  

3.    Decide on the length of the loan – The length of your loan impacts your monthly payments. The shorter the time, the larger your payments will be. Use a mortgage calculator to find out what your monthly payments will be if you go with a 30-year loan versus a 15-year loan. 

4.    Don’t forget the last-minute costs – Put some extra money aside for any additional expenses that come up during the actual purchase, such as closing costs, taxes and homeowner’s insurance. 

Save up a down payment for your Thomasville home, get pre-approved for a loan, know your limit for monthly mortgage payments and don’t get fooled by the real estate market. Doing the research before you start looking for a house will reduce your stress and help to ensure you have manageable mortgage payments. 

If you need help calculating what your maximum mortgage payments should be or have any questions about purchasing a home, call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com.

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Clean Up Your Thomasville Home for Sale’s Curb Appeal this Memorial Day Weekend

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Take advantage of this month’s three-day weekend and warmer weather to spruce up the curb appeal of your Thomasville home for sale. No matter what kind of house you’re trying to sell, you’ll never get buyers through the door if their first impressions make them want to drive right past.

Whether it’s those Easter decorations still adorning your front porch, the extended family of yard gnomes or simply some bushes gone wild, anything detracting from your property’s curb appeal will automatically make buyers view the rest of your house in a negative light.

Here are 5 tips to improve the curb appeal of your Thomasville home for sale:
1.    Clean things up. Make sure your yard is mowed, leaves are raked and the kids’ toys are put away. You might have learned to overlook the mess and clutter that comes with a busy and active family, but don’t expect your buyers to do the same.

2.    Stage outside. This means that you need to de-clutter, depersonalize and put your flock of pink flamingos into hibernation. Also, you’ll need to remove dead flowers and store personal accessories like deer statues out of sight.

3.    Update your front door. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new storm door, but a new brushed nickel door handle and a little paint will go a long way towards making your house appear fresh and up to date.
Hit the lights. Even during the daytime, turn on your exterior lights. It will make your house look bright and cheery, especially if it’s raining.

4.  Finally get around to all those little projects. Touch up exterior paint, fix bits of broken trim, put in the new mailbox and repair that loose shutter.

If you’ve completed all these tips, then there are always more ways to give your property a facelift this Memorial Day Weekend. Give First Thomasville Realty a call at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com  if you need help making an outdoor to-do list for your Thomasville home for sale.

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How to Avoid Costly Mistakes Made by Many First-time Thomasville Home Buyers

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Buying your first Thomasville home is exciting, but it can also be expensive, especially if you’re unaware of the mistakes frequently made by many first-time home buyers.  Here are six common mistakes many first-time home buyers make and how to avoid them: 

1.    Going it alone.  Buying a Thomasville home involves a lot of little (and big) details.  Additionally, buying a home is the most expensive purchase you’ll most likely ever make.  All that adds up to needing a professional on your side. 

2.    Hiring your cousin.   Although your cousin (or cousin’s best friend) may be a real estate agent, it doesn’t mean she’s the right agent for you.  Do your homework.  Interview at least three buyer’s agents to find the agent who meets all your criteria.  If your cousin meets all your criteria, then hire her.  But only after you’ve done all your homework. 

3.    Working with the seller’s agent.  One of the most costly mistakes you can make when buying a Thomasville home is working directly with the agent who is selling the home you want to buy.  They are not looking out for your best interests.  They are looking out for the best interests of the seller.  Instead, hire your own buyer’s agent. 

4.    Assuming your lender is giving you the best deal.  Lenders are not required to give you the very best terms.  It’s your responsibility to shop for a mortgage the same way you shop for anything you buy.  Consider this:  You’re not just buying a home; you’re buying a very expensive financial product — a mortgage loan.  Getting the best mortgage terms can save you thousands of dollars.  For example, if you get a mortgage for $250,000, at 5 percent interest and keep that loan for a full 30 years, you end up paying $229,910 in interest alone.  Insist on the best mortgage terms, or find a new lender who’s willing to give them to you. 

5.    Making an unappealing offer.  Yes, this is a buyer’s market, but that doesn’t mean sellers automatically accept any offer that comes their way.  Make your offer impossible to resist by offering the highest price you can, making the largest down payment possible, getting preapproved for a mortgage and attaching a copy of the preapproval letter to your offer.  

6.    Forgetting about resale potential.  Statistics show that the average first-time home buyer only stays in a home for four years.  That means you need to consider the home’s resale potential now, before buying it.  You may love the hustle and bustle of life on a busy street, but the majority of buyers do not.  You may only need 2 bedrooms, but the average buyer wants 3 or more bedrooms.  

If you have any questions about buying your first Thomasville home, or avoiding the mistakes many first-time homebuyers make, give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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10 Ways to Conserve Water in Your Thomasville Home

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

You’re ready to dip your toe into the “green” ocean by adding a few environmentally-friendly features to your Thomasville home and taking a “greener” attitude toward the way you live.  Whether you’re doing this strictly to help the planet, to save money or a combination, implementing water-saving systems and habits is a good place to start. 

Here are 10 ways you can conserve water in your Thomasville home: 

1.    Plant landscaping that requires minimal watering.  In the U.S.A., up to 1.5 billion gallons of water are wasted daily watering yards.  If the landscaping project is too expensive or time consuming right now, the next four tips give you easier-to-implement ideas for conserving water in your yard. 

2.    Water your lawn only when it truly needs it.  Walk across the grass to test if your lawn needs water.  If you leave footprints, it’s time to water.   

3.    Water your lawn in the early morning.  Up to 30 percent of the water can evaporate when you water midday. 

4.    Set your lawn mower one notch higher.  This makes your lawn more drought-tolerant. 

5.    Buy a rain barrel.  Save rain water to water your lawn and garden. 

6.    Clean your concrete slabs with a broom.  Especially in the summertime, many people spray their concrete driveways, sidewalks or patios with water to clean them.  

7.    Wash your car using a bucket of water.  Or, use a commercial car wash that recycles water.  Call around to find one in your area that recycles water. 

8.    Wash full loads of laundry and dishes.  Use your water-saver cycle.  Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher.  Consider purchasing a high efficiency washing machine which can save over 50% in laundry water and energy use. 

9.    Check for water leaks.  Promptly fix any you find.  Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used.  If the meter changes at all, you most likely have a leak. 

10.    Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator. Don’t waste water waiting for it to run cold from the faucet.  When your faucet runs for 5 minutes, it uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours.   

If you implement just a few of these suggestions, you’ll save one of our most valuable and scarce resources, and you’ll also save money. 

If you’d like to buy an eco-friendly Thomasville home, we can help.  Give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com.

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Congratulations Local High School Graduates!

Friday, May 20th, 2011

First Thomasville Realty would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our local high school graduates!  Thomasville and Thomasville County are blessed to have such fine schools as Brookwood, Thomasville High, and Thomas County Central.  We hope that each of you reach for your dreams and wish you much success in your future!

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Thomasville Real Estate Investments: How to Pick Profitable Rental Property

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Low home prices combined with low interest rates makes this a great time to purchase Thomasville real estate investment property.  One of the most popular real estate investments is rental property.  Investing in rental property can be profitable, if you pick properties that meet the following criteria:

1.       Require minimal maintenance.  Thomasville real estate with newer appliances, smaller yards and that have been well-maintained, are typically easier and less expensive to continue to maintain. 

2    Attract long-term, well-paying renters.  Your goal is to get renters who will take good care of your Thomasville real estate, stay a long time and pay on time.  While lower-priced properties near colleges may be easy to rent, they typically attract students who tend to be loud, messy and short term renters.   On the other hand, rental properties that are in the highest price range may attract renters who are in jobs that require them to move frequently or who will quickly purchase homes of their own. 

3.    Located in highly-populated, low-crime areas.  Steer away from rural areas where there are fewer potential renters.  Look for homes in neighborhoods that have low crime rates and good school districts.  Neighborhoods near public transportation, grocery stores and shopping malls attract renters. 

4.    Zoned for renting.  Always check to be sure the property you intend to lease is approved to be rented by local zoning or home owners’ associations. 

5.     Priced properly.  Your purchase price must be low enough to allow you to set the rent within a range the local market will bear and that will earn a profit for you.  Be sure to take into consideration every expense of owning, maintaining and renting this property, when considering if you can turn a profit and have a positive cash flow from the start.

Interested in buying a rental property?  First Thomasville Realty can help.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

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How to Negotiate the Best Deal on a Thomasville Home

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Buying a home is one of the few occasions in which some form of negotiation is the rule rather than the exception.  Just because it is the norm, however, does not mean that most people are good at it.  

Here are a few tips to help you negotiate the best deal when buying your next Thomasville home: 

1.  Know your bottom line.  Determine your bottom line and stick to it.  This sometimes means you have to be willing to walk away from a deal.   It also means being realistic about what you’re asking from the seller.  Many sellers are faced with the fact that their home may not be worth what they paid for it.  This puts limits on the concessions a seller can offer. 

2.    Stay flexible.  For example, what if the Thomasville home you’d like to buy needs a new heating system.  The seller is unwilling to replace the unit but is willing to put $3,000 toward your closing costs.  The $3,000 you’re saving in closing costs will cover the cost of a new heating system.  If all you focus on is the seller replacing the heating system, you miss the chance to achieve your overall goal, which is purchasing a home without paying for a new heating system. 

3.    Find out how long the home has been for sale.  If the home is newly listed, the seller is less likely to lower the price significantly or offer other concessions.  However, if the home has been for sale for 12 months or longer, the homeowner is more motivated to sell, and you’re more likely to get a great deal. 

4.    Work with a pro.  No one is better at knowing what sellers want and how to negotiate great real estate deals than professional real estate agents.  Unless you are an experienced, savvy negotiator, leave it to the pros.   

Thinking of buying a Thomasville home?  First Thomasville Realty would be pleased to represent you in your next real estate purchase.  You can reach us by phone at 229-226-6515 or send us an email info@FTRealty.com . 

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4 Tips to Price Your Thomasville Home for Sale like a Pro

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Do you think you have a good handle on what a reasonable price would be for your Thomasville home for sale? In today’s rollercoaster real estate market, the right price could be the difference between a quick sale and your house sitting for months without a single bite. 

REALTORS® are experts when it comes to housing market values. However, if you’re planning on selling your house yourself, do you even know where to begin? Below are four tips the pros use to set a price that gets potential buyers in the door and still allows you to get the most money from the sale of your property. 

Four tips to price your Thomasville home for sale like a pro: 

1.    Study your history – Take a look at what properties in your neighborhood sold for when you bought your house and then look at recent sales. Have prices increased, decreased or remained the same? This will give you a good idea of how the market value of your property might have progressed over time. 

2.    Research comparables – Check around to see what houses of similar square footage and style are actually selling for in your area. Then you’ll be able to get an objective idea of what your house is worth without letting attachments to self-done projects like bathroom upgrades or landscaping influence your judgment. 

3.    Tour other houses – REALTORS® take the time to personally visit almost every property on the market.  If you’re going to price your home like a pro, you should tour a multitude of houses in your neighborhood.  By going to open houses in your area, you can determine how your home stacks up to the competition.  

4.     Consider your location – As the old adage goes, “Real estate is all about location, location, location.” Are you in the most desirable neighborhood? If so, you may be able to command a higher price for your house. Make sure your price reflects your neighborhood, lot and surroundings, to set a realistic price.

 If you need help pricing your Thomasville home for sale, please call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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3 Economical Projects that Add Value to Your Thomasville Home for Sale

Friday, May 13th, 2011

In this competitive real estate market, how do you make your Thomasville home for sale shine without breaking the bank?  Here are three inexpensive projects to help your Thomasville home for sale rise above the competition. 

1.  Low-cost kitchen countertops.  Simply upgrading the countertops can change the whole look of your kitchen.  Even on a limited budget, you can have granite.  Shop around for the best price on granite slabs.  Some colors are less expensive than others.  To save even more, go for granite tiles.  Both options provide the granite countertops buyers love. 

2.  Economical bathroom projects.  There are many reasonably priced products available to bring your bathroom into the 21st Century.  New tile, whether on the floor or the walls, is an obvious way to upgrade the look of any bathroom.  The way to get the most for your money is to use budget-priced tile for most of your project and save the expensive tile for accents.  If you’re redoing the bathroom floor, the addition of in-floor heating is a good investment.  No need to call the pro’s for this one; in-floor heating has become a do-it-yourself project. 

3.  Budget-friendly floor updates.  Floors are an area that can run into big bucks, if you don’t know where to splurge and where to save.  Carpeting is one place you want to spend a little more.  Cheap carpet stands out and so does poor installation.  You want something durable and stain-resistant in a neutral color.  Wood flooring is a great choice.  There are a few options to pick from depending on your budget.  Laminate is not a recommended choice; it’s equivalent to vinyl.  If solid hardwood is not in the budget, then engineered hardwood is the best choice.  It’s durable and long lasting.  Also, it can be sanded and refinished just like solid hardwood. 

If you’d like to put your Thomasville home up for sale, and want ideas on how to make it stand out from the competition, 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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3 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Thomasville Home for Sale

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Here are a few tips to help your Thomasville home for sale show better and sell faster.

1.    Get rid of the excess:  Eliminate as much as possible, and then do it again.  Remember when staging your Thomasville home for sale, less is best.  Swap out personal photos for framed art.  The main idea is to remove as much as possible and replace personal items with neutral objects so that people can imagine their things in the home. 

2.    Repair and paint:  Before painting, fix all those minor dings that don’t really bother you.  Buyers notice everything.  A missing piece of baseboard, an outlet that doesn’t work, or a closet door that won’t stay on track all seem minor, but they can have a huge affect on how a buyer views your home.  The next step is to apply a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color.  Freshly painted walls make a room look cleaner and larger.  

3.    Improve the curb appeal:  You have to get people in the door before they’ll buy your Thomasville home for sale.  If your house looks bad on the outside, buyers won’t waste their time taking a look at the inside.  Improving your curb appeal doesn’t mean you need to hire a landscaper.  It can be as basic as trimming your hedges and trees, especially those closest to your house.  Repair or replace loose porch railings and make sure the exterior paint is not chipping.  If needed, scrape and paint; peeling paint is a real turnoff to buyers.  Keep the lawn mowed.  Put away bikes, toys and garden tools. 

Following these simple steps will go a long way to getting your home sold quickly.

Ready to sell your home?  We can help.  Call First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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How to Shop for a Mortgage for Your Thomasville Home

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Shopping for a mortgage is as important as shopping for a Thomasville home to buy.  It’s the only way to get the best interest rate and terms with a lender you trust.  Take your time, do your research, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you found the mortgage that meets your needs.

Here are six tips to help you find the best mortgage to use to purchase your Thomasville home:

1.    Find a lender you like and trust.  Ask your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and most importantly, your real estate agent for names of lenders they admire and enjoy working with.  You want to find one who is knowledgeable about the mortgage industry, will answer all your questions and can talk with you about loans in a way you understand.

2.    Explore your options.  There is a wide-variety of loans for Thomasville homes.  Talk with your lender to make sure you understand the pros and cons of the loans and which one works best for your circumstances.

3.    Get a low interest rate.  One-tenth of a point can make a big difference in a 30-year loan and save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the mortgage.

4.    Identify fees and negotiate them down.  The lender is required to give you a good-faith estimate which includes an itemized list of all costs associated with the loan.  If there are any fees you don’t understand, ask your lender to explain them thoroughly.   Ask for fees you believe are too high to be eliminated or reduced. 

5.    Find out if there are any penalties.  Ask if there are any penalties for anything on the loan you’re considering.  Do not get a loan with a pre-payment penalty.  A few loans have pre-payment penalties even if you pay it off early because you’re moving or refinancing.

6.    Lock in your interest rate.  Most interest rates lock in for 30 to 90 days.  Make sure you have plenty of time to find your home, get the inspections done, and complete closing before the locked-in rate expires.

If you’d like a referral to a professional lender, give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Real Estate Agents: Fact verses Fiction

Friday, May 6th, 2011

The fact is that not all Thomasville real estate agents are created equal.   There are important differences you need to consider before choosing an agent to help you buy a home. 

Here are some fictional beliefs people have about Thomasville real estate agents and the facts behind them. 

1.    Fiction:  Any agent you contact about a property is now your buyer’s agent and is looking out for your best interests. 

2.    Fact:  When you call the agent whose name is on the For Sale sign in the front yard of the home, you’re calling the seller’s agent.  That agent is looking out for the home seller’s best interest, not yours.   Hire a buyer’s agent and ask him or her to show you homes you’re interested in seeing. 

3.    Fiction:  When you hire a buyer’s agent, you have to pay their commission.

4.    Fact:  In most cases, the seller pays the commission for both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent.  In a typical listing agreement, the seller agrees to pay a set percentage of the sales price and this amount is divided between the two real estate agents involved in the sale.  

5.    Fiction:  Thomasville real estate agents won’t show you a FSBO (for sale by owner).

6.    Fact:  If you find a FSBO you’d like to see, ask your agent to show it to you.  Your agent will contact the property owner and negotiate commission and paperwork, such as “permission to show” or “one-time show” agreements.  If the seller is unwilling to pay commission, you may decide you don’t want to see the home, or you can choose to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission.  You then get the same service from your agent as if he or she was showing you a typical home for sale. 

To get the home of your dreams at the best price and terms, hire a buyer’s agent to represent your interests.  Knowing you have an expert on your side makes any real estate experience more pleasant and profitable. 

Looking for a professional buyer’s agent?  We’d be honored if you’d give First Thomasville Realty an opportunity to interview for the job.  Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email =us at info@FTRealty.com  to schedule an interview.

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How to Avoid Over Improving Your Thomasville Home

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

As a homeowner, one of the biggest traps you can fall into is over improving your Thomasville home.  

Turn on any home improvement channel, and they will show you all the latest and greatest in must haves for your Thomasville home.  What they don’t tell you is that even the best upgrades won’t guarantee an increase in your resale value.  In fact, most remodel jobs only recoup 60% to 70% of their costs. 

Here are some tips to help you avoid over improving your home: 

Assess the value of homes in your neighborhood.   

Unless you plan on staying in your Thomasville home forever, do some research on the home values in your neighborhood before you begin any home renovations. Ideally, you want to add improvements that increase the resale value of your home while staying within the average market price of homes in your neighborhood.  

For example, if the homes in your area sell for an average of $250,000, with the highest priced home in the area going for $350,000, make home renovations that increase the value of your property to the average home price of $250,000 or less.  You do not want to be the highest priced home in your neighborhood.  And, the last thing you want to do is to put more money into your home than you can get back.  

Pick the projects you want to tackle.  

Start with home maintenance and repair projects like fixing the foundation, roofing, painting, carpeting and upgrading windows.  If your home isn’t well cared for, it will show and potential buyers will move on to the next home for sale. 

“Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes.”  Sound familiar?  Excluding location and price, this is a true statement.  Updating your kitchen and baths are excellent projects to tackle to increase the value of your home. 

Refinish or replace rather than completely renovate.   

You don’t have to do a complete kitchen or bath renovation.  Minor improvements such as refinishing cabinets, replacing old hardware and adding new fixtures make a big difference in the appearance of baths and kitchens.  And, you’ll conserve your financial outlay. 

If you’re planning to renovate your home before putting it on the market, First Thomasville Realty can help you identify the projects that will increase your resale value or get your home sold faster.  Give us a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Perks of a Pre-Approved Thomasville Home Loan

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Looking to buy a new house? Do you have a specified budget in place? Are you going to need to take out a loan? In such a tumultuous real estate market, there are many frustrating financial hurdles that you need to jump before you can purchase your Thomasville home. However, with a pre-approved loan you could reduce stress and move in quicker. 

A pre-approved loan is when a bank provides you with an amount they would be willing to lend you for a Thomasville home and a period of time for which this offer is good. They determine this amount based on several criteria that you must provide and prove, such as your current income, bank statements, income tax returns and credit history. 

Perks from pre-approval

♦    Know what you can afford –Using a mortgage calculator, you can see an estimate of the monthly mortgage payment to help you determine if it is within your budget.  By obtaining a pre-approved loan, you’ll know exactly how much money you can spend on a house.

♦    Gain credibility – Real estate agents and sellers take you more seriously if they have proof that you can come up with the money to purchase the property.

♦    Save time – When you know exactly how much you can spend, you won’t waste your time looking at houses out of your price range. This allows you to spend more time scrutinizing the houses you can afford.

♦    Close quicker – With a pre-approved loan, you’ve already completed part of the time consuming work toward getting your mortgage. Without pre-approval, you might endure heartache if you find your dream Thomasville home, but can’t find the funds.  

If you’re searching for a Thomasville home without a pre-approved loan, stop wasting time. Analyze your income, talk with a lender and get pre-approved before beginning the house hunt. 

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

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