You are currently browsing the Thomasville Georgia Real Estate Blog blog archives for October, 2009.
Not just Thomasville Georgia real estate, either. Since the end of 2007, as the real estate market started to decline, new rules, regulations, mandates and more have come down the pipeline.
State Specific Laws
Take Michigan, for instance. Ranking sixth in the nation on the number of foreclosures, Michigan legislature enacted the
Tags: Real Estate Law, Thomasville Georgia real estate
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If you have a Thomasville home for sale, every room needs to be just right. Most people think about the kitchens and bedrooms, but these days a great looking home office can make a huge impact too. Check out a few ways you can make a big impact:
Designate the right space
Whether it’s a spare bedroom or a computer nook, you need to specify a separate place to do business. Make sure the area has enough room so that you can set up a desk, chair, computer and a printer without making it look messy.
Clean your area
To really have a good home office, the space needs to be neat. To make your home office look its best to potential buyers, get rid of clutter and only retain the essentials.
Don’t waste money
Just because you have a home office doesn’t mean you need to go broke trying to furnish it when preparing your Thomasville home for sale. Think about wants versus needs first. Then once you get the necessities, use any left over money to buy office supplies such as ink cartridges, computer paper and more.
Add a decorative touch
Now that you have what you need, it’s okay to add some decorative style. Hang artwork. Add a few plants. But, remember to keep it simple and neutral so that potential buyers can easily imagine it as their own home office.
Many people don’t think of the importance of a home office when preparing their Thomasville home for sale. But with so many people working from home, a dedicated space for a home office is a great selling point.
If you’re ready to sell your home, with or without a home office, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us now at 226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com.
Tags: First Thomasville Realty, Home Office, Thomasville Home for sale
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Steven Fisher, the 2009 Georgia Association of REALTORS
Tags: Georgia Association of REALTORS, Steven Fisher, Thomasville Area Board of REALTORS
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Halloween is just around the corner, but if you’re looking at the homes for sale in Thomasville, it’s probably the first-time buyer fears that have your knees shaking. Hey, buying a house seems like such a final thing, so that’s understandable. It could be the biggest change in your life
Tags: First Time Homebuyers, Homes for Sale in Thomasville, Thomasville
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If you have a home for sale in Thomasville Georgia and it’s been sitting on the market for quite awhile, you’re probably trying to come up with ways to get it sold. One of the ways that people are talking about (at least on the Internet) is through a house raffle. Will a house raffle really solve all your problems? Can it really help you get that home for sale in Thomasville Georgia off your hands?
Well, yes, and no…
The Legal Aspects
Before raffling your house, whether here or anywhere else in the U.S., it’s important to know that most raffles are illegal. The only way they’re legal, in fact, is if a non-profit organization owns the house before the raffle starts. There have been so many scams in the past that it’s doubtful any U.S. state will allow you to raffle your own house. In fact, the organization must already be a 501(c) 3 and well known.
Mounds of paperwork must be filled out and filed, and a permit will be required. You’ll also want to make sure that the raffle complies with the state’s charitable gaming laws. Once the paperwork is finished, rules will need to be written to govern the raffle. Since every detail matters, this should probably be done by an attorney. You’ll need to set up a website for national coverage; be able to accept PayPal, credit cards or other forms of payment; and figure out how you’re going to keep track of your accounting records.
If a charity does raffle off your house, you can’t personally benefit. In other words, although you get a big tax deduction, you don’t get cash. For those who are trying to make up some of the money spent on the home, raffles aren’t going to give them what they’re looking for.
The Alternatives
If a charity raffle is not for you, you can try adding minor home improvements and looking at other homes for sale in Thomasville Georgia to see how your house stacks up to the competition.
You can also work with a real estate agent who will professionally price and market your home.
If raffles aren’t for you and you’re interested in working with a professional real estate agent, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email at info@FTRealty.com for more information.
Tags: Home for Sale in Thomasville Georgia, Home Raffle
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At their Annual Conference the Georgia Downtown Association and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs-Office of Downtown Development, named the Mitchell House Lofts and Condominiums, a Community Development Partners, Inc. (CDP) development in Thomasville, Georgia the Best Commercial Redevelopment Project in Georgia for 2009. This adaptive reuse of an historic hotel and adjoining property consists of 24 upscale condominiums and 6 urban loft condos, ranging in price from $200,000 to $499,000, and approximately 18,000 square feet of retail space. All but one of the retail bays are sold or leased and all but three of the lofts and fifteen of the condominiums were sold prior to the completion of construction.
This project was a collaborative effort between CDP and the local community. The Thomasville Downtown Development Authority had over the years acquired a portion of the property and CDP was able to successfully negotiate the assemblage of the remaining parcels. Development financing was provided by a consortium of three local banks, while the City of Thomasville provided infrastructure improvements and streetscapes. Not only does the project add over $9 million in additional tax base to the downtown area, but provides downtown living space that had previously been missing.
“To be nominated by the community was an honor,” said Kirby Glaze, President of CDP, “to receive such recognition for our first downtown residential project is really amazing.”
Additional information can be obtained by contacting Trent McNaull at 770.712.7125.
The Mitchell House is represented locallyby Sharlene Celaya with First Thomasville Realty. Contact her at 229-224-4095 or 229-226-6515.
Tags: Community Development Partners, First Thomasville Realty, Sharlene Celaya, The Mitchell House
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It’s October, which means Halloween is just around the corner. Are you still struggling to come up with great decorating ideas for your Thomasville home? Have no fear; your real estatecompany is here to help. Here are a few ideas that will take away those holiday Halloween jitters:
1. Nothing says
Tags: Halloween Decorating Tips
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It is common for homeowners to check their fire and smoke detectors in the spring and the fall when the time changes. As that time approaches, there are other things that can be done in your home to make it and your family safer. There are numerous inexpensive and potentially life saving precautions that can be taken, starting today, to prevent a fire in your home.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) states that working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a house fire because they provide an early warning and give persons extra seconds to get out of the home. Even though 96 percent of homes have at least one smoke alarm, 19 percent have at least one smoke alarm that does not work properly, usually due to missing or dead batteries. Using the time change that occurs twice a year in most parts of the country to remind you to change your batteries is a smart move to make and may save your life.
It is not only a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries but also a time to learn about fire safety in general. Comprise a home fire safety checklist. It only takes a few minutes and will immediately make your home and family safer.
Some of the things you can list on a checklist are general items like:
* battery changes for all alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on the day or weekend that the time changes
* working smoke alarms near the bedrooms
* working smoke alarms on every level
* smoke alarms are cleaned regularly and tested once a month
* portable fire extinguishers are available and all family members know how to use them
* make a home escape plan and practice it regularly
Other items on a checklist should include checking for heating hazards:
* combustible items such as clothes and curtains should be away from heaters and stoves
* test heating units every year
* heating devices should be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved
* install carbon monoxide detectors on every level and outside of the bedrooms
Using this checklist can help to ensure that you have done all of the simple and affordable things you can to keep you and your family safe from a fire in your home.
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Rosanne has a busy life with four children and a home to take care of. See her newest site to get some help with home decorating ideas. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosanne_Boyer |
Tags: Fire Safety, Homeowners Tips
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If you’re looking at one of the many Thomasville homes for sale (and especially when reading about buying a home), you’ve probably already read articles that ask,
Tags: Home Buyers Tips, Thomasville Homes for Sale
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By now, everyone knows that, just like the Dot Com bubble, the real estate market grew its own bubble to a degree that it finally popped. Foreclosure numbers went up, sales went down and everyone, from the government to lenders to John Q public, started looking around for someone they could point a finger at and blame.
The hard truth is that placing blame doesn’t do anyone any good, especially those trying to save their Thomasville Georgia homes. The truth is that it’s time to do what Americans have been doing since the country was founded
Tags: Foreclosures in Thomasville Georgia, Thomasville Georgia Homes
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It’s getting close to Halloween, and families across the nation are slowly but surely decorating their Thomasville homes. The spirit of the season is in the air, the leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are going up for sale. It’s time to carve!
Picking Tips
Tags: Thomasville Homes
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Everybody has a horror story of some kind, when talking about Thomasville real estate. There are just some things most people don’t think about when searching for property to buy or sell, whether you’re the buyer, the seller or even, yes, the agent.
Exhibit A
Sheryl (name changed to protect the innocent) is exhibit A. Now, she thought she’d bought a nice house at a good price. Everything seemed to be perfect. The one place that Sheryl went wrong was forgetting to do a home inspection on that beautiful piece of Thomasville real estate.
After a pleasant day of moving in, she went to take a shower. Turning on the faucet, she noticed the water pressure wasn’t what it should be. Ignoring the indications of worse yet to come, she flipped from faucet to shower. Only a few lonely, sad drips came from the showerhead. To compound the issue, she discovered that the washer didn’t have enough pressure to get her clothes clean, washing dishes was an exercise in futility and if a hose was turned on in the garden the second story toilet wouldn’t flush.
After much ado, many phone calls and two plumbers, Sheryl found that the beautiful tree in the front yard that had sealed the deal had also burst the pipes. She now had to pay to have the tree removed (it couldn’t be saved), as well as the pipe dug up and replaced. In addition, she owed the water company for all the water lost through the break.
The moral: Don’t skimp on the details just because you’re under pressure.
Exhibit B
Bob, a real estate agent (again, name changed), still loves open houses. They’re a big deal for him and he makes plenty of contacts that way. However, even Bob, who has been in the industry for years, forgot to do a last walk through before a certain open house started. Unfortunately, he and the potential buyers found an unpleasant surprise in the upstairs bathroom, deposited thoughtfully by the current owner. In trying to take care of the surprise, he found the toilet was blocked and the bathroom fan didn’t work. Needless to say, the potential buyers didn’t stick around to tour the rest of the house.
The moral: A short walk-through can save a lot of embarrassment.
With any Thomasville real estate transaction, there’s always the chance that you’ll miss something. A homebuyer’s checklist or home seller’s checklist is a great way to make sure you don’t. If you do, try to take what comes with a grain of salt, a lot of patience and as much of a smile as you can muster.
If you’re trying to find a great home without the horror, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.
Tags: Buyers Tips, First Thomasville Realty, Thomasville Real Estate
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2009 heralds the 125th Anniversary of Cole Bros. Circus, the oldest, American Circus performing under the Big Top.
The 2009 Edition of Cole Bros. Circus celebrates 125 years of circus history with a special performance reprising legendary circus acts of the past along with showcasing the talents of cirque nouveau artists. The Toprasta Troupe, from Columbia, recreates the treacherous, three-tier, 7-Man Pyramid on the High Wire. Russia’s Svetlana Gololobova exhibits grace that belies her strength in an exquisitely executed gymnastic routine on aerial silks. Circus daredevils cast caution aside as they challenge The Globe of Death and Giant Gyro Wheel, with the zany Cole Bros. Clown Crew arriving in the nick of time to provide comic relief. Elephants and acrobats, camels and jugglers, dogs and ponies, and arguably the world’s funniest mule take turns in the spotlight, and The Human Cannonball gets fired at every show!
Performances are at the Deep South Fairgrounds in Thomasville on Monday and Tuesday at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm. For more information and tickets visit their website at www.gotothecircus.com .
Tags: Cole Brothers Circus, Thomasville Georgia
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Some potential homeowners just don’t want a pre-lived in Thomasville home. They’d rather have their house built to their own specifications. They want a home that fits their needs exactly. If this is you, I understand and would like to help by giving you a glimpse into the future of home design.
The Future of Design
Thinking of the future might bring ideas of fantastic scientific miracles like smart houses that vacuum themselves. While building your Thomasville home and having it wired as a smart home may be a good idea, think, also, about sustainable design. Here are just a few reasons why sustainable design is a great idea:
1. Government mandates and incentives
Tags: Green Homes, New Construction, Thomasville Home
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The Grand Opening Celebration of Madison Grove Subdivision, 105 Madison Grove Blvd. continues through Sunday, October 18th. Hours for the weekend are from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Come out and take a look and register for drawings for cash and prizes.
Unmatched in its concept and design, Madison Grove offers four southern styled townships all focused around the Madison Grove Clubhouse.
The Jamestowne section of Madison Grove was dsigned by renowned architects Allison & Ramsey and offers an impressive array of commercial storefronts, condos and town homes for every budget and lifestyle.
The Pepperdine Cottages section of Madison Grove is very popular with it’s single family “Norman Rockwell” styled cottage bungalows.
Landover Village features single family homes on smaller lots starting at $199,900 for those who don’t wish to sacrifice quality but don’t wish to have a lot of yard work. Directly in the center of the Landover section is Landover Park with a spacious “ball field” area containing 2.5 acres.
Torrington Village is the prized jewel of the community featuring homes starting at $299,900. The lots and restrictions on this section are designed to accommodate larger homes of great character.
Please visit www.madisongrovethomasville.com for more information or call Jeffrey Jones with First Thomasville Realtyat (229) 403-9577 (cell) (229) 226-6515 (office)or jones@ftrealty.com .
Madison Grove Subdivision is located on the right on GA Hwy 122 (Pavo Rd.) about a quarter mile past the Fairgrounds. Madison Grove Rd. is on your right.
Tags: First Thomasville Realty, Jamestowne at Madison Grove, Jeffery Jones, Madison Grove Subdivision, Thomasville Georgia
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Selling a home is complicated and full of legal issues that anyone considering selling “by owner” needs to be aware of. However, two of the most important things you need to know in order to be successful as a FSBO (for sale by owner) home seller have nothing to do with legal issues.
Maximize Exposure
It takes more than just sticking a “for sale” sign in the front yard to get the right people to see your home. It is very unlikely that you will sell your Thomasville GA home to a neighbor, or anyone in the neighborhood just driving by. It can happen, but that group is very limited. For sale signs help, but they don’t usually sell the home on their own.
It’s important to advertise in as many places and as many ways as possible including on the internet, in homes magazines and in the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
Know Your Buyer
The next thing that is complicated for an individual selling their own Thomasville GA home is knowing which buyers are looking in earnest, which are just being nosey, and which have the ability to actual make good on an offer.
Along with exposure this is one of the biggest reasons FSBO sellers often end up turning to a good real estate agent. They have the ability to make sure buyers who come to view your home are ready, willing and most of all able to make a purchase.
If you would like more tips on selling your home
Tags: First Thomasville Realty, Thomasville GA home
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Madison Grove Clubhouse
The public is invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of Madison Grove Subdivision, 105 Madison Grove Blvd. from Friday, October 16th through Sunday, October 18th.
Hours: October 16th 4P-7:30P; October 17th 12P-6P; October 18th 12P-6P
Please visit www.madisongrovethomasville.com for more information or call Jeffrey Jones with First Thomasville Realtyat (229) 403-9577 (cell) (229) 226-6515 (office)or jones@ftrealty.com .
Madison Grove Subdivision is located on the right on GA Hwy 122 (Pavo Rd.) about a quarter mile past the Fairgrounds. Madison Grove Rd. is on your right.
Tags: First Thomasville Realty, Madison Grove Subdivision
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Living in a Thomasville condo can be a lot of fun, but it can also be an exercise in frustration when it comes to having enough room for all your items and making your home look its best. Here are a few tips to keep you from losing your mind:
1. Use an ottoman for your coffee table. It can double as storage.
2. Put shelves above the doorways rather than somewhere else on the wall.
3. Low bookcases along the back of your couch can double as a couch table.
4. Use glass shelves in deep-set windows as additional storage space for knickknacks.
5. Buy larger, but fewer, pieces of furniture.
6. Use a magazine rack.
7. Leave the views of windows and doors uncluttered.
8. Stay away from bright, vibrant prints for furniture fabric.
9. Use corner bookcases where possible.
10. Remember that, with a Thomasville condo, less is more.
11. Maximize space in the kitchen with apartment-size appliances.
12. Consider under the counter appliances or a pullout pantry unit.
13. Use magnetic strips to wall-mount large knives.
14. Consider a futon or Murphy bed rather than a huge mattress.
15. If you have a big bed, use the space underneath as storage.
16. Purchase pull out drawers or storage bins as under-the-bed storage areas.
17. Add shelving and wall cabinets to your bedroom to minimize clutter.
18. Use knobs and hooks in your bathroom for hanging towels or robes.
19. If you have the room, use a tall thin corner tower in your bathroom for towels and cleaning products.
20. Use a clothes hamper rather than a basket.
Just because you live in a Thomasville condo doesn’t mean you have to feel crowded or settle for a less than gorgeous d
Tags: Thomasville condo
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Jamestowne at Madison Grove
The Thomas Co. Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Boston Ideas, Jagged Edge Salon & Boutique, Metta Day Spa and Commercial Bank, invite you for fun activities at the Clubhouse and the Plaza at Jamestowne at Madison Grove. Food, drink, door prizes and tours of the property with furnished models will be available.
Time: Thursday,October 15th at 5 PM
Where: Jamestowne at Madison Grove
Tags: Business After Hours, Chamber of Commerce, First Thomasville Realty, Jamestowne at Madison Grove
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Many facing the possibility of being added to the number of foreclosures in Thomasville GA are frightened, often frustrated and feel helpless. It’s understandable; nobody wants to lose their home. However, those feelings often lead to being victimized by loan modification con artists who promise freedom from foreclosure for a little bit of money and leave victims in their wake.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself from scams that could take you one step closer to becoming one of the foreclosures in Thomasville GA:
1. Never believe a guarantee. No one, company or individual, can guarantee loan modification or that your lender won’t foreclose. If the loan modification company starts spouting guarantees, walk away.
2. Never sign over power of attorney. Sometimes, con artists will tell you that if you sign over your house to them, their good credit can help save your home. This is never a legitimate proposal and no legitimate company will ask you to do this.
3. Never spend thousands of dollars. Fees higher than $6,000 should be dismissed. Often, scam companies will charge absurdly high upfront fees to help. While some counselors will charge you a fee, those costs are added up after the loan closes, NOT before they even do anything. As well, any company charging over $4,000 needs to have a proven high quality of service and level of success.
4. Always talk to your lender first. Many loan modification scam artists will tell you to stop communicating with your lender. Communication is key, however, since your lender owns the note and will, ultimately, approve or deny the modification. Talk to your lender to find out how to refinance or restructure your payment.
5. Always check with the Better Business Bureau before hiring a
Tags: First Thomasville Realty, Thomasville GA foreclosures
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