Posts Tagged ‘First Thomasville Realty’

New Thomasville Home Construction Scheduling Delays

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Construction_DelayCreating a home for your family, from the ground up, can be an exciting experience.  But with the numerous steps involved in building a Thomasville home, and the sometimes unexpected setbacks that can plague new construction, it can also be a stressful experience.  

Knowing what potential setbacks lurk ahead can help you come up with a realistic schedule for the building of your Thomasville home.  Having a good idea of what can go wrong and preparing for the possibility of a setback will help lower your stress and make the process go much smoother. 

Following are some of the setbacks commonly experienced in new construction: 

♦    Weather:  Depending on the stage of the home building process you’re in, rain can cause a work stoppage.  If you’re building your home during a time of year when there’s typically a lot of rainfall, you’ll probably have setbacks, especially if you’re just starting the building process during this time. 

♦    Building permitsIf numerous permits are required before building can begin, there may be a delay.  Permits can involve a lot of paperwork and time.  Also, agencies which issue permits may not move as quickly as builders and homeowners would prefer.

 ♦    Reworks:  Most people building a home visit the building site frequently to keep an eye on work in progress and make sure that what they’ve asked for is being done.  Even when you take this precaution, there are times when things will be done incorrectly.  This will slow down work because the incorrect item will need to be removed, reordered (in most cases) and then reinstalled. 

These are just a few of the things which can get a Thomasville home building schedule out of whack.  

To take some of the pressure off you, hire a professional real estate agent who has experience working with new construction.  An agent can keep tabs on the building progress and make sure the work schedule stays as close to the original timeline as possible and follows the new home construction checklist. 

If you’re interested in having a new home built, First Thomasville Realty can guide you through the process and make sure you get exactly what you want.  Give us a call before you go builder or home hunting at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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Thomasville Homes and Lawns: Growing Greener Grass

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Green_GrassIf you’re anything like me, you’ve driven through neighborhoods, admiring the Thomasville homes and immaculate lawns.  You’ve pictured your dry, brown yard, wondering how these homeowners managed to get their lawns looking so great. 

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help achieve that plush, green grass that everyone hopes for: 

1.  Choose a type of grass seed that’s right for your climate zone.  

There are three climate zones:  Warm, transitional and cool.  Warm season grass is better for lawns in the South, cool season for the North, and transitional for Central.  The best bet for the transitional zone is either a mixture of warm and cool season grass or using the same seeds as the warm zone.  

2.  Plant at the right time. 

Throw grass seed on the ground at the right time, and it’ll grow. 

♦  Warm zone grasses - sown in the spring, once the soil is warm enough for sprouts to grow. 

♦  Cool zone grasses – sown in the fall, generally between August 1 – 15 for the far North, and August 15 – 30 for the warmer areas. 

3.  Cut at the right height. 

No matter what zone the Thomasville homes with gorgeous green lawns are in, you may notice that the lawns all seem to be about the same height.  There’s a reason for that.  Lawn care experts say you should never cut your grass shorter than two inches. 

4.  Use the right mower. 

You want to use mulching lawnmowers, replacing the blades every season to keep them sharp for cleaner cuts.  These lawnmowers turn the clippings into perfect grass-feed, which takes care of about half of the feed for the season.  

5.  Have a good watering schedule. 

The best time to water a lawn is first thing in the morning.  You want to water all at once instead of in short spurts, soaking your lawn with about one inch each time you water.  Cool zone lawns should be watered whenever it’s been dry for a week.  Lawns for warm zone Thomasville homes should be watered twice a week during the summer. 

Want to buy a home with a lush lawn?  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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How to Improve the Insulation of Your Thomasville Homes

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Insulation for Thomasville HomeWe’re all looking for ways to cut costs in our Thomasville homes. One of the most efficient ways to save money is to insulate. There are two simple ways to insulate your home that you may not have thought of before. Here is the low down on each of them:

Add Weatherstripping

You may be familiar with weatherstripping on your car, but have you ever thought about weather-stripping your house? It comes in many different sizes, so you can easily choose the right kind for your Thomasville homes. Pre-weather stripped doors are now sold in many home improvement stores.

When choosing which weather stripping to buy, consider the amount of friction that it will need to stand up to. It would be better to use vinyl weatherstripping in high traffic areas. You could use felt weather stripping to protect areas that don’t get a lot of wear and tear.

Clean and dry the area before applying the weatherstripping in one long strip. When installing the weatherstripping to doors, make sure that the edges compress slightly when closing the door. Install around each of the windows and doors to your house. It will keep the cold air out, and help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Insulate Your Water Heater

Another way to conserve energy is to insulate your water heater. A water heater jacket is one of the most inexpensive ways to protect from heat loss. Look for an insulating jacket that has a rating of at least R-8. You can buy them pre-cut for easy installation. Most water heater jackets are held in place with belts provided in the installation kit.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions before you set the temperature on the water heater. A temperature setting that’s too high can cause the wiring to overheat.

These insulation tips are easy to do in your spare time. You can save a lot of money on your utility bills by preventing energy loss and insulating your Thomasville homes.

Want to buy a well-insulated, energy-efficient home? First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com .

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December 2009 Agents of the Month

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

December 2009

First Thomasville Realty would like to congratulate our Agents of the Month for December 2009.

Listing Agent of the Month was Kathy Palmer. Selling Agent of the Month was Pat Glenn.

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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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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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Should You Buy A Real Christmas Tree For Your Thomasville Home?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

4507682-2700x1801-webFew questions are more important this time of year than which Christmas tree you should buy for your Thomasville home. There are some things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect Christmas tree, here are just a few:

Real Or Artificial Tree?

Real Christmas trees require some care; if you’re planning to travel this holiday season, you may not want a live tree. You must water the tree to make sure that it doesn’t lose its needles before Christmas day. The live trees are not fire resistant, the dried out pine needles can get too hot from the lights and may burst into flame.

On the other hand, there isn’t any up-keep with an artificial Christmas tree, and many look quite realistic. The plastic Christmas trees have an added bonus of being flame retardant. Then, there’s the convenience of not having to go out in the cold weather to pick the tree out.

For those of you who can’t imagine Christmas without the pine needle smell, you can buy air fresheners that mimic the smell of fresh cut pine. For some, an artificial tree is the best of both worlds.

How Big Is Too Much Tree?

Now that you’ve decided what kind of Christmas tree to buy, you have to find out how big a tree you can fit in your Thomasville home. It could be that the only thing limiting the size of your Christmas tree is your budget; in that case, your decision is easy.

However, if you’re limited on space, you’ll need to decide the best place to put your tree first.

Try to think of how the area will

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November 2009 Agents of the Month

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

November 2009

First Thomasville Realty would like to congratulate our Agents of the Month for November 2009.

Listing Agent of the Month is Kathy Palmer. Kathyhas enjoyed her 15 year career in the Real Estate Field. Prior to becoming a Realtor

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How Do I Update My Thomasville Home to Make It Greener?

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Green HomesThere are many different ways to update your Thomasville home to make it more eco-friendly.

  • In your Thomasville home, install ceiling fans and thermal windows. Ceiling fans are low energy, cost effective ways of cooling your home without using the air conditioning. Thermal windows offer insulation from outside heat and cold.
  • Use foam caulking around any cable lines or cords leading to an exterior wall. This will provide insulation against temperature changes.
  • In the winter (or in climates that are cool year round), use the natural sunlight during the day. Opening the drapes and allowing the sun to come in decreases the amount of energy needed to light and heat your home. Closing the drapes at night adds another layer of insulation against temperature changes.
  • Installing motion sensors on your light fixtures may help to decrease energy usage as well. The lights will shut off automatically when not in use.
  • Use a power strip that has an on/off switch. These power strips can be used for video games, stereos, DVD players, and other items that are not in use on a constant basis. Turning off the switch when they are not in use saves energy.

If you’d like to buy an eco-friendly home, we can help. Call First Thomasville Realty at 229-226-6515, or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

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Should You Get a 15-Year Mortgage on Your Thomasville Georgia Real Estate?

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

15 year MortgageThere are a lot of financing options to help you buy Thomasville Georgia real estate, if you can meet the credit guidelines.

Most lenders prefer to use 30-year mortgage loans. With a longer loan term, the lender can collect more money in interest over the life of the loan. For those who are credit-worthy, a 15-year mortgage term may be offered. So, what is the difference between the two? Here are a few guidelines:

What About a 30-Year Mortgage?

Thirty-year mortgages are becoming the normal term for Thomasville Georgia real estate loans. The payments are usually more affordable and lenders are quick to recommend them. Lenders are more likely to offer you a higher loan amount with a 30-year loan, but the trade off is usually a higher interest rate.

What Are The Benefits Of A 15-Year Mortgage?

Signing up for a 15-year mortgage can save you a lot of money in interest payments. True, your monthly payments will be higher than with a 30-year loan, but the impact on your long-term finances may be worth it.

After just 16 years, you can start investing the money that you’re no longer spending on your mortgage into other real estate properties or investment opportunities. You can build your investment portfolio with just the money you would’ve spent on your monthly mortgage payment.

What about Prepayments?

Even if you do decide to take out a 30-year loan, you can still have some of the same benefits of the 15-year loan. By making prepayments, you can take years off a 30-year loan and still have the freedom of making smaller monthly payments, if you need to. Before finalizing your decision, ask your lender if there are any penalties for making prepayments.

A 15-year mortgage is usually the better financial decision, because you can save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. The interest on a loan may be halved by choosing a 15-year loan.

No matter how you choose to finance your Thomasville Georgia real estate, First Thomasville Realty can help you find the home that meets your needs and budget. Call us today at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

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Holiday Candle Safety in Your Thomasville Georgia Condo

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Christmas_candlesMore festive candles are used in your Thomasville Georgia condo during the holidays than at any other time of year, so it’s important to review the safety rules. Here are few tips to keep your condo safe:

Candle Placement Preparation

It may sound silly, but you need to prepare before you light that candle. First figure out where you want to place the candle in your Thomasville Georgia condo.

  • Find a heat resistant surface.
  • Make sure there aren’t any books, papers, curtains, or bedding nearby.
  • Watch out for flammable holiday decorations.
  • Keep the candle away from windows and vents, and check for signs of a draft.
  • Place the candle where children and pets can’t reach and where it isn’t likely to be bumped into.

Getting Ready to Light the Candle

  • Before burning the candle, review the manufacturer’s instructions. Most recommend that the wick be trimmed to
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Raking, Redecorating and Thomasville Georgia Real Estate Agents

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

RakingThomasville Georgia real estate agents get a chance to see more of the city and surrounding areas than most of the people who live here. It’s a beautiful place to live, and we’re glad to be a part of it. As Thanksgiving nears, and the leaves change color and fall, we get to see a whole other side of this place

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Job-loss Mortgage Insurance: A Second Chance at Thomasville Georgia Homes for Sale?

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Job Loss Mortgage InsuranceEven those with a steady job and sufficient income are cautious about signing their mortgages for Thomasville Georgia homes for sale. They realize that signing mortgages set them up with payments for a significant amount of their lifetimes. Others worry, especially now, about losing their jobs in an unstable economy. The

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Thomasville GA Home Care

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Fall MaintainenceThe last vestiges of summer have faded away, the leaves are turning into a brilliant array of color and the temperatures are dropping. All this glorious change means the holidays are coming, but it also means it’s time, once again, to look over your Thomasville home.

With temperatures dropping and leaves falling, there are plenty of things to add to your

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National Foreclosure Trends and Thomasville Real Estate

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

12509118-3000x3892Everybody wants to know how the housing market is doing, especially if they own Thomasville real estate. we try to keep the newsy pieces to a minimum and spend most of our Internet space on helpful pointers, but a lot of readers have asked about the market. In response to high demand, here’s a peak at the current national foreclosure trends:

Foreclosure Trends

It’s a wonderful thing to own any kind of real estate (although we’re partial to Thomasville real estate, of course). Unfortunately, many people have lost their homes due to foreclosure since the housing crisis started; there have been over 7.8 million since 2007. California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois and Michigan have been topping the count for foreclosures, adding up to 62% of the nation’s foreclosures.

California’s numbers reached 349,435 foreclosures last month, and it was feared that those numbers might escalate. However, there’s some good news there. Even though homeowners are still teetering, lending institutions are caving in under government pressure to work with those homeowners. For that matter, they may even be working with the government to stem the deluge of foreclosures.

HousingPredictor.com conducted a survey of homeowners that shows we may have as many as 25 million foreclosures before everything is said and done, mainly due to homeowners who are tired of watching housing prices fall. Such a glut of the market could cause some serious repercussions for the economy. However, again, there are some positive points.

For instance, current mortgage interest rates are ranging from as low as 4% to 5.5%, cut almost in half from the

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We Admit It

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Real Estate AgentPeople have asked us about FSBO (For Sale By Owner). They want to know whether it’s a good idea to use an agent and the answers to many other questions on this topic. We admit it; we’re biased. we are, after all, Thomasville real estate agents.

We’ll even go a bit farther and admit that we’re biased about our hometown. As far as we’re concerned, if you’re going to buy a house, you should use First Thomasville Realty and their agents and buy a house in Thomasville. But then, that’s what most real estate companies will tell you.

Without the bias, however, there are some real issues with not using a Thomasville real estate agent (or any agent, anywhere, for that matter). And, there’s one BIG issue…

The Contract!

Okay, here’s the deal. A real estate contract, like any contract, is a sealed deal once the papers are signed. It’s legally binding and will be upheld in any court of law in the country, with few (and rare) exceptions.

If you don’t understand the contract you’ve signed, that’s too bad. Lack of understanding does not constitute a dismissal of said contract. While some do manage to back out of a contract once it’s signed, to do so is expensive and stressful.

A wide variety of contracts can be borrowed from anywhere and have been. FSBO sites, as well as many other online sites and offline brick and mortar businesses, have

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Owning Thomasville Georgia Homes

Friday, November 13th, 2009

tombstoneSome people who are supposedly

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