Archive for December, 2009

Happy New Year in Georgia!

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Everyone knows about the ball that’s dropped in New York’s Times Square, but did you know that Georgia also drops five unique things around the state?

In Atlanta, celebrate New Year’s with the Peach Drop The Peach Drop- the largest event of its type in the southeast and one of the largest in the country.

Or, head over to Tallapoosa to watch the Possum Drop, a celebration that only takes place every other year.

In McDonough, you can see the Nugget Drop at Truett’s Grill where a six feet tall Chick-fil-A chicken nugget made of plaster will be lowered into a vat of honey mustard colored Karo syrup.

Further down south in Ty Ty, you can ring in the New Year at the Ty Ty First Baptist Church. After the devotional service, the men of the church serve an old fashioned breakfast, and at midnight a peanut is dropped.

Finally, for the second year in a row you can attend the Chicken Drop in Gainesville - an adult night out benefiting the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia!

The concept of showing the passage of time by dropping a ball actually dates back to 1833 at England’s Royal Observatory in Greenwich. This first “time-ball” dropped every afternoon at one o’clock so that nearby ship captains could set their chronometers.

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Thomasville Homes for Sale: 2010 Market Forecasts

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

5051748-1501x2255-webThose with Thomasville homes for sale are buckling down for the long haul, but exactly how long will that be? I spent a little bit of time roaming the Internet to get the general

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Why FSBO Isn’t the Way to Go When Selling Thomasville Condos and Homes

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

3659380-1596x2400-webWhether for Thomasville condos or single-family homes, For Sale by Owner (FSBO) sales aren’t near as successful as those sold by real estate agents. In fact, by 2006, the average price for a FSBO home was at least $50,000 less than agent-run sales.

Why is that? Are real estate agents just naturally better at it? Although I’d love to say yes, the reality is that there are just some things FSBOs don’t know. Because they don’t know it, they make mistakes. Some of the most common are:

1. Incorrect pricing

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Saving Foreclosures in Thomasville with New Fannie Mae Program

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

11794533-1353x1420-webAs the number of foreclosures rise around the nation, some lenders have held their foreclosures in Thomasville in private stock, hoping to sell them gradually in a stabilizing real estate market. That hope has slowly dwindled, however, even with the five-month extension on home buying tax credits signed by the President November 6th of this year.

Government-owned Fannie Mae may have come up with a solution.

Deed-in-Lieu

Some homeowners facing foreclosures in Thomasville have more than foreclosure, loan modification or short sale options. Some qualify for a deed-in-lieu (DIL), where they sign away all their equity back to the lender and walk away

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4 New Year’s Resolutions for Thomasville Homes for Sale

Monday, December 28th, 2009

11943408-2400x1600-webNew Years is just around the corner, and for many with Thomasville homes for sale, it’s the perfect time to make some resolutions. Let’s be expansive, though, shall we? Don’t say,

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Merry Christmas from First Thomasville Realty

Friday, December 25th, 2009

merry-christmas

On Behalf of the Staff, Management and wonderful group of agents with First Thomasville Realty, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and most joyous holiday.

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Picking a Thomasville Real Estate Agent

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

FTR 2009 Group PhotoPicking a Thomasville real estate agent is a big decision. Buying a home isn’t something most people do on a regular basis and rarely do they know agents personally or have one on retainer like they may have a lawyer for regular business purposes.

If your job doesn’t entail a lot of property transactions you might feel like a fish out of water when looking around for a Thomasville real estate agent. Fortunately, deciding on the right one isn’t as hard as you might think.

Real Estate Agents Are People Too

That’s right, they have the same qualities you would think of in any other individual you might do business with. So, finding an agent really comes down to measuring many of the same values you’d use to choose another business associate.

Here are two tips to help you determine which real estate agent is right for you:

1. Ask the agents you’re considering for a list of past clients. Contact those past clients to find out what they thought of the agents and if they’d use them again.

2. Interview the real estate agents. Ask them how long they’ve been in the Thomasville real estate business, how many homes they’ve sold in the past year, how they can help you find a home.

If you’re looking for a Thomasville real estate agent, We’d be honored if you’d give First Thomasville Realty the opportunity to interview for the job. Contact us now at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Why Would Lenders Hold Back Thomasville Foreclosures?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

3206397-1526x2290-webIt’s in the news and has been for several months now; financial institutions may be holding back their inventory of Thomasville foreclosures and national foreclosures. Why on earth would they do that?

For those of you who are wondering what would cause lenders to hold back on listing Thomasville foreclosures, here’s a little information that might enlighten:

1. April 2009, the San Francisco Chronicle published a news article about the state of foreclosed homes. In the article, Rick Sharga, vice president of RealtyTrac said,

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Christmas Comes Early for Thomasville Homes and Buyers

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

13747067-2293x1524-webHave you heard of the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit extension? Last month, President Obama signed the extension to help first-time homebuyers (who didn’t get their sales in by November 30th) buy a house that meets their needs. What about those who already own Thomasville homes, are doing well and want a larger home?

To those who already own a home, Merry Christmas! The Workers, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 didn’t just come with an extension; it came with improvements. Those in governmental positions of authority reasoned that if someone wanted to get a bigger home, they should get some kind of help too, thus further helping the overall real estate market.

If you own a home, you can now receive up to $6,500 in tax credits for buying one of the Thomasville homes for sale. The actual wording is

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What to Consider Before Buying a Thomasville Georgia Condo

Monday, December 21st, 2009

The Mitchell HouseIf a Thomasville Georgia condo lifestyle sounds interesting to you, here are a few things to consider about living in this type of residence:

Ownership

When you purchase a Thomasville Georgia condo, you own the space within your condo’s walls. The actual walls are co-owned with your neighbor, as well as the common areas like the hallways; building exterior; yard and amenities such as the pool, gym, and walking trails.

Condo Association Fees

Each condo has Association fees that are in addition to the mortgage. These fees are used for maintenance and repairs of the common areas. The Association fees also pay for the landscaping and, usually, trash removal.

Condo Association Rules

Associations also have rules. They have regulations about what you can do with your property, including what kind of pets, if any, are allowed. Most Associations don’t allow making changes to the exterior of the property. You can paint the walls inside your condominium, but can’t paint the outside.

Neighbors

So you’ve found the condominium that works for you. The next thing to consider is what kind of neighbors you’ll have. Disruptive and noisy neighbors can ruin even the perfect condominium. A good thing to do is stop by the condo at different times on different days, so you can get an accurate impression of what living there is really like. Think about looking at the Association’s board meeting minute. They’ll list what complaints the other owners have, and by looking at those you can get the big picture of life there.

Don’t let Association fees and close neighbors scare you away from condominium life. While purchasing a Thomasville Georgia condo is not simpler than buying a single-family home, living in one may be.

Thinking of buying a condo? We can help. Call First Thomasville Realty now at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Sprucing Up Your Home for Sale in Thomasville Georgia? Pay Attention to the Permits

Friday, December 18th, 2009

4900469-1600x2400-webA lot of owners who have their homes for sale in Thomasville Georgia are taking advantage of the remodeling sales going on around the nation. From tools and building supplies to the remodeling agencies themselves, they’re finding they can save money.

Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners are also choosing to forego the legal building permit process, trying to further save money.

Every building, occupied or unoccupied, has a set of building codes. Any changes that you make to your home must comply with those building codes, which means most home improvements, whether done by you or by a professional you hire, needs a permit. Depending on your locality, the home improvement that requires a permit could be as simple as installing a water heater.

Hire Someone to Get the Permit

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) says hiring a contractor can actually save you money and time, even if all they do is handle the permit process. They also warn that a contractor that expects you to handle the permits is a contractor you don’t want to use.

Get the Permit Yourself

So how do you get a home improvement permit if you’re doing your own remodeling for your home for sale in Thomasville Georgia? Submit a building plan for big projects or a description of the work for smaller projects. The plans are approved for a fee (if they comply with building codes). Building inspectors will look over the job while it’s in progress, after it’s finished or both, and make sure you used the right materials and techniques.

Cost of Not Getting a Permit

It may sound like a lot of trouble to go through, but the cost of not getting a permit can be a lot worse. For instance, if a potential buyer hires a home inspector to look over your property, the home inspector may see signs of your remodeling. They might then look for the permit record. Without one, you could lose the deal.

As well, home appraisers may look for permit records to see if a remodel changed the property value. If the work wasn’t covered by a permit, there’s a very real possibility of the escrow not going through.

If illegal home improvement is found, you might end up paying hefty fees for further inspections. You might even have to tear down sheet rock inside the house so framing, insulation and other interior work can be seen. In addition, you might have to tear out what you’ve done just so you can legalize the work and sell the home.

If you have a home for sale in Thomasville Georgia and are thinking about sprucing it up to attract more buyers, a word of caution. Don’t skimp on the permits!

If you’re ready to sell your home, we can help. Call First Thomasville Realty now at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

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Safeguard Your Thomasville Home this Holiday

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

12107799-1803x2400-webDuring this festive season, our thoughts turn to giving gifts, baking delicious treats in our Thomasville homes and visiting friends and family. However, there are others who think about unoccupied, gift-filled houses.

Don’t give a thief a chance this year. Safeguard your Thomasville home for the holidays by following these tips:

Holiday Safety at Home

  • Keep all doors and windows locked, even if your step out for a moment.
  • Videotape valuables so you’ll have a record of ownership.
  • Inspect all holiday lights for frayed wiring before your hang them.
  • Beware of strangers coming to the door asking for charitable donations. Ask for identification, if donations are tax deductible, how the funds will be used. If you are not satisfied, don’t give. Instead, help a charitable group you know.

Holiday Events Away from Your Thomasville Home

  • Turn on lights, a television or radio so that it appears that someone is home.
  • Lock all doors and windows.
  • If you have a home alarm system, use it. Alarm systems are only useful when they’re activated.
  • Holiday gifts should not be displayed where they can be seen from the outside.
  • Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots or other
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First Thomasville Realty Ltd. Receives 2009 Best of Thomasville Award

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Real Estate Agents awardFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Thomasville Realty Ltd. Receives 2009 Best of Thomasville Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 — First Thomasville Realty Ltd. has been selected for the 2009 Best of Thomasville Award in the Real Estate Agents category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

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Your Thomasville Home: Have an Eco-Friendly Holiday!

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

green wrappingYes, it’s time for the Holidays again, which means it’s time to decorate your Thomasville home. If you’re big on recycling, use eco-friendly products and try to keep your carbon footprint on a low scale, you may be trying to figure out how you can make your Holidays a blast without stepping away from your ideals.

Here are a few tips to help you get your Thomasville home decorated in eco-friendly style!

Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday:

1. Instead of buying wrapping paper, buy decorative wooden boxes, tin boxes, cloth bags or other eco-friendly packaging to hold your presents. You can get any of these with Holiday themes, most won’t get thrown away for years and, when they finally do fall apart, they’re biodegradable.

2. If you do use wrapping paper, save the paper and reuse it next year: recycling at its best!

3. Buy a real tree instead of a fake one and find an organization to plant one in its place. Once Christmas is over, you can have the Christmas tree recycled into wood chips, mulch and other wood products.

4. Try buying your gifts from an eco-friendly store. Online or offline, these businesses offer gifts made from recycled, reused or all natural materials.

5. Create fantastic holiday decorations with reusable materials from around the house. There are tons of decoration ideas around the Net, so you’ll be able to find some ideas that use things you already have lying around.

6. Send an e-card instead of a regular Holiday card, or buy Holiday cards made from recycled materials.

7. If you want lights, use LEDs (low-energy lights). Not only do they use less power, but also if one light goes out, the rest stay lit.

With a little bit of thought and ingenuity, your Thomasville home can be as bright and cheerful as you’ve always wanted without worrying about the impact on the environment. Have a Happy (and eco-friendly) Holiday!

If you’re looking for a green home to hang your eco-friendly wreaths in, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

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Keep Your Thomasville Home Clean the Green Way

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

14035925-1870x1870-webLots of people think about ways to save the environment in a physical manner such as changing light bulbs from incandescent to florescent and recycling, but many drop the ball when it comes to cleaning their Thomasville home. Keeping your home clean in a way that is healthy to you, your family, and the environment just takes a little extra thought and soon becomes second nature.

Danger, Danger

Get rid of any products under your sink, in your bathroom, or your cleaning closet that have danger cautions. If they are bad for you, they are probably bad for the environment too, and why have such hazardous materials in your Thomasville home?

Labels that have cautions such as poison, hazard, and danger on them are not only bad to have around small children, the toxins leak into the air when you use them causing health problems for your family. They also leech into the environment when you use them and are hazardous for the environment.

Re-usable and Natural

Buy mop heads and sponges made from natural materials that are bio-degradable and replenishable. Check for recycled materials labels on paper towels, toilet paper, and other disposable objects so that you know those products are making the best use of production materials.

Conserve

Use as little water as possible when doing dishes by turning off the faucet while you are washing and only using running water when you are ready to rinse. Don’t just think about conservation when cleaning your home. Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth as well for extra savings. Remove your shoes or put a rug by the entry doors of your home to help cut down the need to wash floors.

Bring in the Green

Bring nature into your Thomasville home in the form of hanging and potted plants. Plants clean the air around you and take in harmful carbon dioxide in the air.

Want top buy a clean, green home? Let First Thomasville Realty help. Contact us today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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The Unavoidably Unavailable Thomasville Home for Sale

Monday, December 14th, 2009

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4 Things to Know Before Putting Up Your Home for Sale in Thomasville Georgia

Friday, December 11th, 2009

3206817-1526x2290-webThe real estate industry is full of numbers and metrics that can influence your home for sale in Thomasville Georgia. Here are just a few you need to know before putting your house on the market:

1. Pricing

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Thomasville’s Victorian Christmas Begins Tonight

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

VCcarriage300dpiEvery street corner in Thomasville’s restored downtown, sparkles with the sights and sounds of Thomasville’s Victorian Christmas. Victorian Christmas will be Thursday and Friday evenings this week from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

Take a step back in time, where a horse-drawn buggy, brimful of computer-age children consumed with giggles, clops along with only the next block as its destination. Nearby a organ grinder cranks out a Christmas melody with his monkey. And a traffic light, out of sorts in this yesteryear haze, casts a surprisingly appropriate red-green hue on the streets quilted in brick as street vendors delight the taste buds with a banquet of foods.

Look again. And listen. A caroling group pauses to add their 4 part harmony to the evening’s festive atmosphere. The choir’s rustling satins and their top hats of beaver black, entice clusters of strolling visitors to slow, then halt and hum along.

Thomasville’s Victorian Christmas continues in the fine traditions of the era that made Thomasville Worth the trip!

For information about our community,make yourFIRST Choice, First Thomasville Realty’s website at ftrealty.com or call us at 229-226-6515.

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DOM

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

4111075-888x2400-webOh, the dreaded/happy DOM question.

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FHA On Solid Ground: Hope for Thomasville Georgia Real Estate Owners

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

FHA logoA recent interview with FHA commissioner David Stevens on CNBC gives hope to Thomasville Georgia real estate owners with FHA loans. The Federal Housing Administration now covers at least 30% of new home loans, so when Stevens announced that it might not make its 2% capital reserve, people were understandably nervous. For no reason, Stevens says in the CNBC interview.

Instead of immediate risk management in the form of strict guidelines that might make it harder on potential Thomasville Georgia real estate owners, such as those Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have put on condo mortgages, the FHA is going for some changes. The changes include hiring a chief risk officer and requiring higher capital standards for loan originators.

Once it was out that the FHA wouldn’t meet its 2% (please note that the FHA itself is the one who broke the news), news portals, blogs and other websites spread the news that the FHA was a train wreck. However, the CNBC interview with Stevens cleared the air a bit.

It appears that the FHA, put in place for instances like this when people can’t afford other loans, actually has two capital accounts. According to Stevens, the FHA has

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