Archive for September, 2011

Avoid Tick Bites on Your Thomasville Real Estate

Friday, September 30th, 2011

So you’ve invited some friends over to show off your Thomasville real estate and all is going well. The weather is good, the food is delicious, everybody is having a great time and—oh no! Somebody finds a tick!

Unfortunately, ticks are an ugly reality just about everywhere these days. Not only are they utterly creepy blood-suckers, they can also carry some serious diseases you do not want to get. If you’ve ever tried to kill a tick, you know just how tough and gnarly they are. You need to be prepared to deal with ticks. Here are some helpful tips:

•  Treat your pets for ticks. Dogs and cats, being furry and close to the ground, are natural tick magnets. If you don’t treat your pets for ticks, you’re simply inviting ticks into your home, your lap, anywhere your pet goes.  If you apply a product to your pet that kills ticks, your pets then act as little sweepers that collect ticks wherever they go and drastically reduce the tick population in their territory (aka, your Thomasville real estate). Ask your vet about the tick treatment options available.

•  Treat yourself for ticks.  Use insect repellent on your clothing that may come in contact with grass and brush. Repellents that contain DEET or Permethrin are the most effective, but make sure you use them according to the directions because they contain powerful ingredients that can harm your health. Don’t get it in your mouth or eyes, and wash your hands after you apply it.

•  Keep a tick jar handy. This can be any small jar filled with straight vinegar. Empty vitamin jars are good, as they are dark and you won’t have to look at the nasty things. Add a few drops of essential oil to keep the smell pleasant. Any time you find a tick crawling around, toss it in. No running around in a panic trying to find two rocks to crush it with. Just be sure to label the jar and keep the lid on tight.

•  Use duct tape. Yes, it’s duct tape to the rescue! The beauty of this tactic is you don’t even have to touch the little beasts. Just unroll a bit of tape, apply it to the tick and it’s immobilized. Fold the tape over on it and it’s out of sight, out of mind. Perfect.

With these tools at the ready, you can avoid being a hapless victim of ticks. If you’d like to read more handy tips like these to enhance your Thomasville real estate, subscribe to our blog. It’s free!

Answers to Your Questions about Online Thomasville Real Estate Valuations

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the estimated Thomasville real estate values provided by online sources (such as Zillow or Trulia), so we thought we’d answer a few of the most frequently asked questions here today.

Why is the price you think my home can sell for different than the estimated home values provided by online real estate sources?

Because computer programs set those prices.  Here’s how it works in general.  A computer pulls the description of your Thomasville real estate from public records.   Using that extremely basic information, such as square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the computer comes up with a price for your home.

Computer programs cannot personally visit your home and other homes in your neighborhood to see the differences and similarities.  For example, they cannot see that your home has recently been painted and renovated.

Are there any circumstances in which those computer generated values are at least fairly accurate?

The estimated home values could be in the ballpark if all the following are true:

• Your home is in a subdivision in which homes are very similar;
• Several homes just like yours have sold recently;
• Homes are not being sold as short sales or going into foreclosure;
• Your home is newer and has not had a major renovation or addition that is not in the public records.

While it’s fun to go online to see what your neighbor’s home sold for, don’t use that information as the final word on what your home could sell for in today’s market.

If you’d like a free, in-person, professional analysis of what your home in the Thomasville real estate market could sell for, give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at  info@FTRealty.com .  No obligation, just information.

Always Dreamed of Owning a Second Home in Thomasville?

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Now is the time to make your dream of owning a second home in Thomasville come true.  Whether you want it for income property or as a vacation home, you may never encounter a more perfect time to get a great deal on your dream home.

Here are five reasons why now is the time to buy a second home in Thomasville:

1. The housing market is stabilizingHome prices are stabilizing and are not predicted to drop much past their present point.  This means homes will once again gain equity making them a good long term investment.

2.Inventory is high.  There are homes available in all price ranges and neighborhoods so finding that perfect second home is well within reach.

3.You get more for your money.  With all the homes currently on the market, many sellers are adding upgrades to help their homes stand out from the competition.  Additionally, home prices are at their lowest point since the Great Depression.  This adds up to you getting much more for your money.

4.Interest rates are at an all-time low.  Experts predict interest rates will increase in the very near future adding thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing a home.  This might make buying a second home more difficult or even impossible.   Although no one can predict exactly when this might happen, one thing is certain:  interest rates are not going to drop any lower.

5.Lending requirements are getting stricter.  The lending requirements are changing and mortgages are becoming much harder to qualify for.  The days of zero down payments are a thing of the past and the amount of down payment required is expected to increase, along with interest rates.  Right now, you can still find home loans that allow a 3% down payment, but they are becoming harder to find and harder to qualify for.  In addition, in order to qualify for a loan, credit scores must be higher than just a year ago.

If you’re ready to buy a second home in Thomasville, First Thomasville Realty can help.  Call us today at 229-226-6515 or send us an email at  info@FTRealty.com .

Disadvantages of Selling Your Home Without a Thomasville Real Estate Agent

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Is it really that difficult to sell your home by yourself?  It depends.  Do you like to market, negotiate and fill out legal documents?  If yes, you may prefer to sell your home without the help of a Thomasville real estate agent.

Before you make your decision, consider these three disadvantages of selling your home as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO):

1.  You may under-price or over-price your home.  If you’ve overpriced your home, you won’t get many interested buyers.  When you drop the price of your home a few weeks later, you’ll have missed the “new on the market” window of opportunity that brings in a lot of potential buyers.  If you under-price your home, buyers will wonder what’s wrong with it, and if it sells, you’ll be leaving money on the table.

2.  You have to pay to market and advertise your home.  When you sell your own house, you’ll spend money on marketing and advertising costs including for sale signs, online ads, print ads in newspapers and real estate magazines, as well as the cost to be included in the MLS.  When you hire a Thomasville real estate agent, they pay to market and advertise your home.

3.  You are responsible for all the legal paperwork needed to sell your home.  This means you must know what paperwork is required by the state and how to fill it out correctly.  If you fail to do this properly, it can delay the sale or even leave you open for a lawsuit down the line if something is wrong or missing.

If you determine that listing your home as a FSBO is not right for you right now, hire a Thomasville real estate agent to sell your home for you.  Although you’ll have to pay commission, it will save you time and effort (and maybe even money) in the long run.

If you’ve decided to hire a Thomasville real estate agent, First Thomasville Realty would be honored to be interviewed for the job.  Please give us a call at 229-226-6515 or by email at  info@FTRealty.com   to schedule an interview.

Time to Start a Fall Garden at Your Thomasville Home

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

It’s been a long, hot summer. Maybe your vegetable garden has been neglected lately. Take heart, fall will be here before you know it, and all things can be renewed! Here are some tips to get the garden at your Thomasville home reinvigorated.

Pick a cool morning. Don’t try going out there on a hot, sticky afternoon. Watch the weather and plan ahead. Be ready to get out there early.

Make an evaluation. First things first. Do you have harvested corn stalks that need to be removed to make room for late short-season crops? Do the tomatoes need some compost? Need to replenish mulch? Make an inventory of tasks and prioritize.

Tackle those weeds.  If you’re like most of us, chances are there are some weed problems in your Thomasville home garden this time of year.  Don’t try to pull weeds when it’s too dry. The best time is after a good rain. If the weeds are large and won’t pull, try just cutting them down for now. At least they won’t be shading crops and drinking all the water.

Feed and prune. Some crops like chard and kale can be renewed for a fall harvest. If they’re still around, give them some compost and mulch, and trim off old damaged leaves. Cooler weather will have them looking (and tasting) good as new.

Plant some seeds! Even where winters are cold and the ground freezes hard, many vegetables can still be grown to maturity before winter. Try beets, cilantro, lettuce, radish, spinach, kale, peas, salad greens, chard, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, onions, leeks and arugula.

Choose varieties that are fast-maturing. The key to growing vegetables for fall harvest is timing. Vegetables started in fall need about 14 extra days to mature compared with spring-seeded crops. When deciding the date to start your veggies from seed, first determine your average first frost date. Then look at the seed packet for days to maturity. Add 14 days to that number, then use that figure to calculate back to seed-starting date.

With these tips, you can have the garden at your Thomasville home looking great again and you’ll feel rejuvenated too. For more tips like these, subscribe to our blog. It’s free!

Advantages of Selling Your Home Without a Thomasville Real Estate Agent

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

In today’s economy, people are looking for ways to save money.  This is also true when it comes to selling their homes.  Some homeowners believe that selling their homes without a Thomasville real estate agent will save them thousands.

Is selling your home on your own right for you?  After weighing some of the advantages and disadvantages to selling your home without a Thomasville real estate agent, you will be able to make a more informed decision on which choice is best for you.

Here are two advantages of selling your home as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO):

1.You may save money by eliminating the commission.  Selling your house as a FSBO means you don’t have to pay commission to a listing agent.  The average commission is 6% of the sales price, so you could possibly save that amount.  Unfortunately, buyers know that too.  So, most buyers believe that if you are selling on your own and not paying a commission, they should get the savings – not you.

2.Offers and counter offers can be negotiated face to face between you and the buyer.  You don’t have to wait for your listing agent to talk with the buyer’s agent and get all the paperwork drawn up.  However, if you are not skilled in negotiation, you may leave money on the table.

One other thing to take into consideration before you put up your For Sale By Owner sign is the state of your local real estate market.  If it is a buyer’s market, you will most likely have a hard time selling your home by yourself.  It’s easier to sell your home by yourself when it is a seller’s market.

If you’re still not sure if selling as a FSBO is right for you, and you have plenty of time, you can try selling your home without an agent.  If your home hasn’t sold after a few months, you can then hire a Thomasville real estate agent.

If you’d like information on how to sell your home on your own or what paperwork you need, we’d be happy to help.  Contact First Thomasville Realty today at 229-226-6515 or by email at   info@FTRealty.com  .

5 Tips for Photographing Your Thomasville Home for Sale!

Monday, September 19th, 2011

With so many of today’s buyers beginning their property searches online, the photos that you post can often be the deciding factor in whether or not a buyer even looks at your Thomasville home for sale. Take advantage of these simple tips to help your house put its best foot forward — and say cheese!

5 tips to take great pictures:

1.Make sure your camera is up to par. You don’t need a professional camera with a four-figure price tag, but ensure your camera is at least 3.5 mega pixels. These days, that is not going to cost you much at all. In fact, the camera in your new smart phone may be all that you need.

2.Clean! A great picture of a dirty house will just show more of the dirt. Touch up your walls, clean your carpets and de-clutter.

3.Don’t forget the yard. You’ll want to take a number of pictures inside, but don’t forget to spruce up your yard to get that great shot of the front of your house. Trim the bushes, mow the yard and make sure to put all the cars in the garage or park them down the street.

4.Capture the right light. Lighting is probably the single most important thing in making your pictures look the best. Different rooms look better at different times of the day. Your sunny, east-facing kitchen will be brighter in the morning than in the evening, when the sun is on the other side of your house.

5.Decorate your Thomasville home for sale like homes in a magazine. Buy a copy of a popular decorating magazine and follow their examples with fresh flowers and minimal table trinkets. Also, keep the coffee-table books to a carefully selected minimum and clear off your refrigerator.

If you’d like more tips on taking photos of your Thomasville home for sale, or want to hire a professional real estate agent to do it for you, please call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at  info@FTRealty.com .

5 Benefits to Hiring a Property Management Company for Your Thomasville Real Estate

Friday, September 16th, 2011

If you own Thomasville real estate that you rent out, you already know how much work it is to juggle all the responsibilities of being a landlord.   Being able to share that work with someone else is an obvious reason for hiring a property management company.

Here are five additional benefits to hiring a company to manage your rental properties:

1.  Stay up to date on legal issues:  It’s difficult to stay on top of all the ins and outs of rental ordinances and tenant’s rights.  Property management companies ensure tenant and landlord rights are not violated and that all state and local laws regarding rental property are followed.  To help with this, property management companies often have an attorney on staff or on retainer.

2.  Free up more of your time:  The property management company is responsible for the day-to-day operations of your rental homes.  If the furnace goes out in the middle of the night, the management company gets the call, not you.  They schedule routine maintenance and handle any repairs that are needed.  Some management companies perform monthly inspections of your Thomasville real estate to identify any problems or tenants that are damaging the property.

3.  Screen potential tenants:  Instead of spending your time interviewing potential tenants, running credit reports and checking references, you can spend your time on other things that you need or want to do.  The property management company advertises your rentals and screens all potential tenants.  Their job is to get you the best possible tenants for your rental home, and they know how to do it.

4.  Collect rent:  The management company collects and deposits rent on all your rental properties.  This cuts down on the accounting you must do on a monthly basis.  Each unit is tracked separately, so you know which rentals are making the best return and which ones you might want to sell.

5.  Remove unwanted tenants:  The management company is responsible for evicting tenants for non-payment of rent or improper care of your Thomasville real estate.  They handle filing the paperwork and going to the court hearing, as well as the follow-up process.  This is probably one of the most unpleasant landlord duties and one of the most difficult to implement without violating the tenant’s rights from lack of knowledge.

Want to buy Thomasville real estate for income property?  First Thomasville Realty can help.  Give us a call at 229-226-6515 or send us an email at  info@FTRealty.com .

4 Tips to Get Your Thomasville Home Sold in a Buyers’ Market

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Yes, it’s still a buyer’s market, and there doesn’t appear to be a change coming any time soon.  What makes this a buyers’ market?  There are more homes for sale than people who want to buy them.  That means it takes longer for homes to sell, and buyers can be pickier.

If you want or need to sell your Thomasville home, here are four tips to help you do that in today’s real estate market:

1.  Be choosy about the real estate agent you hire.  Interview at least three agents.  Ask questions about how they’d market your Thomasville home.  You want someone who markets aggressively and uses both online and offline marketing techniques.  Find out how many homes they’ve sold in your neighborhood within the last six months.  You want an agent who has recently sold homes in your area – not just listed them, but actually taken them all the way through to closing.

2.  Implement the advice you get from your agent.  Find out what you should do to prepare you home for sale by asking, “What changes should I make to my home?”  Then do what your agent recommends before putting your home on the market.  What might seem unimportant to you can mean the difference between selling your home quickly and having it sit on the market for months.  Today’s buyers can afford to be picky, so they consider even minor home maintenance issues a sign of neglect and a reason not to buy your home.

3.  Price it right.  You’ve taken the time to hire a knowledgeable agent.  Now, take his or her advice, especially when it comes to pricing.  They have the tools and up-to-date information needed to find out what homes similar to yours have sold for recently and how much you can get for yours.

4.  Be willing to negotiate.  If you’re unwilling to make concessions, buyers are willing to walk away.  Remember, with the large number of homes for sale, buyers have many other options.

Yes, it’s more challenging to sell your home in a buyer’s market.  But it is definitely possible, if you are proactive.

If you’re ready to work with agents who have a proven marketing plan that gets Thomasville homes sold faster and for the most money possible, give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at  info@FTRealty.com .

4 Common Myths about House Sitters for Your Thomasville Home – Debunked

Monday, September 12th, 2011

You’re going on vacation and are considering hiring a professional house sitter to make sure your Thomasville home is safe, your plants are watered and your pets are cared for.  But, you’ve heard some mixed reviews about using house sitters.

Here are four common concerns you may have heard about house sitters, and the truth behind the myths:

Myth:  Only the very rich can afford a house sitter.
Fact:  There are many house sitters that charge little to nothing to care for your Thomasville home.   In fact, many people house sit in exchange for free lodging.  Generally, any house sitting fees charged are related to added duties such as animal care.

Myth:  The inexpensive house sitters are all college kids looking for a party house.
Fact:  House sitters come in all ages but most are older and many are retired.  House sitting appeals to retirees because it allows them to travel more frequently and affordably.

Myth:  House sitters run up the utility bills.
Fact:  In most house sitting agreements, utilities are negotiated.  Often, the first 2 months are paid by the owner.  If the stay is over one year, the cost of utilities is transferred to the house sitter.  Anything in between can be shared.

Myth:  House sitters charge outrageous prices to care for my pet.
Fact:  While some do charge a fee for caring for your pet, others negotiate payment of utility bills instead of charging a fee.

Your Thomasville home is probably your largest investment. Keep it more secure by hiring a professional house sitter, when you’re gone for an extended period of time.

Want more ideas on how to safeguard your home?  Give First Thomasville Realty a call at 229-226-6515 or send us an email info@FTRealty.com  for more information.

To Buy or Build a Home in Thomasville … That is the Question

Friday, September 9th, 2011

You want a new home in Thomasville, but you’re not sure whether it’s best to build a new one or buy an existing home.  The first thing you should do is identify your priorities.  Do you dream of a customized house built from the ground up, or is living near all the action in your ideal neighborhood most important to you?

Before you make up your mind or put in an offer, take the time to prioritize the following:

Location - Can you find land to build on in your desired location? If not, are you willing to consider a different area if it means you’ll get a house tailored to your specifications? If you’re extremely location focused, you might have to give up the idea of building your perfect house and concentrate on available homes in the area.

Timeline - How flexible is your timeline? If you absolutely need to be moved into your new home in Thomasville on a certain date, don’t even think about building. Building a house always seems to extend past the estimated completion date. If your timeline isn’t flexible, it might be time to start looking at existing homes.

Renovation – Are you willing to renovate an existing house? With property values staying consistently lower than the cost of new, custom construction, renovating an older house may get you a lot more bang for your buck. However, do your homework first to find out exactly what needs to be done and at what price because renovation costs can skyrocket if you run into unexpected problems.

Communication – Do you want to deal with builder headaches? Sometimes, even the best contractors can be difficult to work with. You’ll need time to drop by the building site on a regular basis to make sure everything is going according to your plan.

Resale Value – Are you likely to re-sell your new property in the relatively near future? If so, you might be better off buying an existing house. In new construction neighborhoods, most potential buyers will be thinking about building instead of buying.

Ultimately, you can get a lot of satisfaction from either choice — just make sure you know what you’re getting in to. If you need help deciding whether to build or buy your new home in Thomasville, call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

Ways to Save Energy and Increase Comfort in Your Thomasville Home This Summer

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save energy this summer. Some improvements to your Thomasville home will make your home more comfortable and save energy. Here are some examples.

Make sure your air conditioner is the right size for your Thomasville home. Many people think bigger is always better. Not so. If your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will not reduce the humidity sufficiently. Lower humidity equals comfort in the summer. You may find that you can keep the thermostat a few degrees higher and be just as comfortable, as long as humidity is low.

Shade your air conditioner. It will have to work harder if it’s out in the sun.

Keep a/c filters clean.

Use your window treatments wisely. Always try to close drapes or lower shades on the sunny side of the house. In the morning, you’ll want to keep sun out on the east side, and in afternoon you’ll need to block sun on the west side.

Minimize sun exposure on the west side of your home. If you’re not home in the daytime to raise and lower shades, the most important thing to do is to keep out that afternoon sun. If you have large windows or sliding glass doors on the west side of your home, be sure to use some kind of insulated window treatment that keeps out sun and heat. There are many options these days, including cellular shades, solar shades, roman shades, as well as the more traditional curtains and drapes.

Shade the outside of your Thomasville home. Yes, keep the sun out before it hits the glass and causes heat to build up. Plant trees on the west side of the house, or for a quicker fix, erect an arbor and plant fast-growing vines. If neither of these is an option, you can invest in some exterior shades. These are all-weather shades that keep out the sun but allow enough light through for an unobstructed view out the window.

If you’re looking for a new home where you can be comfortable and save energy, give First Thomasville Realty a call at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com.

What if the Appraised Value is Lower than the Purchase Price?

Monday, September 5th, 2011

What happens if you have a signed contract to purchase a piece of Thomasville real estate and the appraised value comes in lower than your agreed upon purchase price?   Unfortunately, that’s happening more often these days.

Don’t give up!  It is possible to salvage the deal.  Here are four options to consider, if you find yourself in this position:

1.     Ask the lender for a review of the appraisal.

If you are aware of comparable sales numbers or any other pertinent data that was not considered by the appraiser, provide that information to your lender and ask for a review of the appraisal.  If problems are found with the first appraisal, ask your lender to order a second appraisal by a qualified real estate appraiser.

2.     Ask the seller to drop the price to reflect the appraised value.

The seller is in a difficult situation here.  If you cannot get a loan because the house appraised for less than the agreed upon purchase price, you can walk away from the deal, as long as you have a financing contingency in the contract.  On the other hand, if the seller will not take less money now, most likely, this whole scenario will play out again the next time around.  If the homeowner still needs to sell, he or she may be willing to drop their price to the appraised value.

3.     Pay the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price.

If you’re willing to pay the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price, your lender will not protest.  Lenders are more than willing to put deals through, as long as the lenders’ interests are protected. Only pay the difference if you are absolutely positive the Thomasville real estate is worth the asking price, and you’ve exhausted all other options.

4.     Walk away from the deal.

You like the home or you would not have made an offer; however, there are times when the best option is to walk away.  Buying Thomasville real estate is not the time to let your emotions get in the way of sound financial judgment.

If you’re ready to buy, First Thomasville Realty can guide you through the process of finding a home, negotiating a contract and getting an appraisal that’ll match or beat the selling price.  Please contact us at 229-226-6515 or info@FTRealty.com  today to get started!

What Type of Mortgage is Right for You?

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

You’ve been watching the news, reading blogs and you know this is the perfect time for you to buy a piece of Thomasville real estate.  You want to do all the right things to get the best deal, and you know one of the first steps is to line up your financing.

To help you pick a mortgage that matches your goals and financial situation, here’s an overview of three of the most popular mortgages available today.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

If you plan on keeping your new Thomasville real estate for more than 10 years and you don’t expect your income to change, this is probably the loan for you.  Although fixed rate loans charge a bit more interest, the rate will never change.  This provides financial stability and the security of knowing what your monthly mortgage payment will be.  By locking in the current low interest rates, you’ll save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage)

With the ARM loan, the interest rate is usually very low at the beginning but can increase over time.  If you plan on keeping your Thomasville real estate for only a few years (up to 7) or you expect your income to increase, then this might be a better choice for you. If you expect your income to increase, an ARM loan can allow you to buy a more expensive home now. The drawback to this type of loan is that you do not know what your mortgage payment is going to be in the future; if the interest rate jumps dramatically, then so does your payment.  A particularly popular ARM is the 5/1 ARM.  The interest rate of a 5/1 ARM is fixed for a period of 5 years.  In the 6th year, the loan becomes a typical Adjustable Rate Mortgage.  So if you plan to own your home for less than 5 years, the 5/1 ARM may be your best choice.

FHA Mortgage

If your credit is a bit shaky, an FHA loan may be a good fit for you.  The qualifying criteria for FHA loans are not as strict as for traditional mortgages.  Also, because these loans are guaranteed by the FHA, lenders often allow you to provide a smaller down payment than they would allow for other types of mortgages.  If you’re in a time crunch, an FHA loan may not be right for you; processing times are typically longer than other types of loans because of the government paperwork involved.

If you have any questions about mortgages or need a referral to a lender, give First Thomasville Realty a call today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

Thomas County Housing Market Interview

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Mills Herndon, Broker of First Thomasville Realty was recently interviewed on WALB TV about the housing market in Thomas County.