New Listing: 17 Cambridge Way Cartersville, GA 30121

This is a beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 ½ bath home on a cul de sac lot with a mountain view.  The master is on the main, it features a huge upper loft, Tiger wood floors, granite throughout, built-in seating in the master and back deck, huge unfinished basement, the list goes on and on.  Don’t miss this great opportunity in the Village at Waterside.

 17 Cambridge is priced at $539,850.  Call us today for more details at 770-606-0054.

New Listing: 193 Bishop Rd. Cartersville, GA 30121

This home is a perfect 10!  Hardwood floors throughout!  Upgrades galore!  Unbelievable back yard with cooking patio, hammock and fish pond!  Almost an acre!

 This home is priced at $147,500.

 Please call us at 770-606-0054 to speak to a team member for more details!

New Listing: 108 Marshall Lane Rome, GA 30165

This is a great 3 bedroom, 1 bath home with hardwood floors throughout, a huge backyard deck, and rocking chair porch.

 This is a Fannie Mae Home Path property.  You can purchase this property for as little as 3% down.  This property is approved for Home Path Renovation Mortgage financing.

 108 Marshall Lane is listed for sale at $50,000.  Call us today for more details at 770-606-0054!

New Listing: 131 Iron Hill Road Taylorsville, GA 30178

This is a beautiful horse farm with a huge 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath house and a barn with stalls and a tack room.  The yard is fenced in for the horses as additional pasture.  The home features a great room with fireplace, bonus room off the kitchen, stained cabinets in the kitchen and a large back porch.  This horse lover’s paradise is on a 5 acre lot.

 131 Iron Hill Rd. is priced at $198,950. 

 Please call us at 770-606-0054 to speak to a team member for more details!

FHA Proposed Changes

Currently FHA has an open comment period on considering changing some of the basic parameters for it’s mortgage loans.  For one, they are considering reducing the amount seller’s contribute to closing costs (seller’s concession) to 3% which would mean buyers would need to come up with the remaining monetary amount of these funds.  Additionally, enforcing credit score minimums of 500 to 580 depending on the loan to value ratio is also being considered.  The comment period runs through August 12th.  Any changes will likely not go into effect until October of 2010.

We’ll keep you posted on any changes we hear along the way.

New Listing: 614 Graham Street Rome, GA 30165

This is a 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch close to everything.  Rocking chair front porch, separate dining room, living room on a quiet street great for first time buyers or investors.

 This is a Fannie Mae Homepath property.  Purchase this property for as little as 3% down.  This property is approved for Home Path Renovation Mortgage Financing.

 This home is listed for sale at $22,000.  Call us today for more details at 770-606-0054.

New Listing: 26 Kenwood Lane Cartersville, GA 30121

This is an updated charmer!  It features new hardwood floors in the family room, an additional 4^th bedroom, the kitchen and dining area has a lovely built-in bookcase and new lighting.  This home also boasts an addition back deck and fenced yard.   26 Kenwood is priced at $94,850.   Call us today for more details at 770-606-0054.

1. Caulk
If you’ve lived in your house a few years, you probably noticed that the caulk along your sinks, countertops and bathtub is coming loose. These gaps may not seem like a big deal, but they can wreak havoc inside your walls. Moisture causes mold and even leaks – expensive repairs that can easily be prevented. A tube of kitchen and bath caulk costs just a few dollars, and you’ll avoid expensive repairs.

2. Insulate
The quickest way to save money on your energy bill is to insulate, yet so many of us overlook this simple home improvement project for its benefits. Sure, your walls are insulated, but what about your basement, your attic, and your garage? Just in case the energy cost savings aren’t enticing enough for you, check with the IRS – there are current credits that allow you to deduct this energy-saving expense from your taxes.

3. Change Filters
When was the last time you changed your furnace’s air filters? It’s an oft-overlooked chore, but one that keep your furnace running efficiently, and improves the air quality inside your home. Change your filters at least every three months to keep your furnace working efficiently for years to come.

4. Install a Thermostat
Does your home have a programmable thermostat? If not, invest in one; it’ll earn its money back in no time. By programming heating and cooling, you avoid paying to keep an empty house at a comfortable temperature. Manage the heat appropriately in winter to avoid burst water pipes; in summer, draw your curtains during the day to keep the house cool. Buy a programmable thermostat and you can save big on monthly bills.

5. Fix Leaks
That leaky faucet or runny toilet is draining your water bill, and in most cases it’s a cheap and quick fix. Replace the washer on your faucet, and while you’re at it, consider installing a faucet aerator if yours doesn’t already have one. Faucet aerators reduce water flow from your faucet to save on your water bill; check your home improvement store for this inexpensive fix.

6. Install Dimmers
Dimmers aren’t just for romance; they can save you big bucks on your energy bill. They’re cheap and easy to install, so look for rooms that could use a little reduction in harsh lighting. While you’re at it, replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. They’re big money savers.

7. Clean Carpets
Clean your carpet lately? With proper care, carpets can last a long time and look great, but everyone needs to clean them sometime. You don’t need to hire an expensive service either – if you can vacuum, you can clean your carpets by yourself. Rent a carpet cleaner at your local supermarket or big-box store for a modest fee. Make sure you vacuum thoroughly before cleaning, and pick a dry day so your carpet dries quickly. With regular cleaning your carpet can last a long time, saving you big bucks on new flooring.

8. Clean Siding and Windows
Windows and siding get a beating in most climates. Wash your windows and siding with a simple hose and water first, and with a cleaning solution as needed; your home improvement store sells specialty products for just this kind of job. Rent a power washer for very dirty jobs. Keep an eye on cobwebs, wasp and bird nests to ensure your home’s exterior stays in good shape. Touch up with paint as needed, and your house will look like new at little or no cost.

9. Fight Pests
Those spiders and ants at your foundation, that mouse nest in your crawl space? Take care of it – pests can destroy a home in a hurry. Hire an exterminator, or for small pests, combat with pesticides. Even if you don’t think you have a problem, inspect every part of the interior and exterior of your home regularly to avoid small pest problems getting out hand.

10. Clean Ductwork
If your home is older, your ductwork likely has dust, grime, and other unwelcome residue inside. For big jobs, pay a professional; a simple cleaning can easily be done yourself. Simply remove the grates from your air vents, and clean the inside with your vacuum.

The Bottom Line
The best way to invest in your home is to take good care of what’s already there. With these simple repair jobs, you’ll even save money – with just a little elbow grease as investment

Warren Buffett once said “price is what you pay…..value is what you get.”  When it comes to real estate transactions, this is quite true.  For example, when exploring options and choosing a mortgage lender, a borrower may decide to give his business to the one with the lowest interest rate. The lender could be a bank. Often this is an online lender.  The online lender touts the lowest rate available and the ease with which they can process and approve a home loan.  So, the borrower applies with the online lender and the process begins.  Of course, there is no face to face meeting.  Everything is done online.  The closest thing to a relationship between the borrower and lender is a phone conversation, which is brief.  Now, the online lender may indeed have the lowest rate and may be able to complete the transaction.  But what happens if problems occur during the transaction?  When I say problems, I also mean turbulence…..rough spots, such as a low appraisal. Online lenders simply contract with an appraisal company they find near the area where the home is located.  The online lender has no relationship established with the appraisal company, and they use the appraisal company because perhaps they are the least expensive and are licensed to do residential appraisals.  This may work fine for the online lender, but what about their client, the borrower? Using just any appraiser can spell trouble for a real estate loan, believe me.  When there is no expectation of future business from the online lender, an appraiser is far more likely to be overly cautious and prudent in his assessment of value.  Furthermore, he is likely to cite repairs to be made even if they are minor and tedious.  How do I know this happens?  Twenty plus years of mortgage lending experience, that is how.  It happens all the time and a borrower who decides he needs to go with the lender with the lowest rate is not always making a wise decision.  So, OK, he is getting a low price, but what about the value?  The online lender is not interested in future business or the reputation of how they conduct business.  They are in it for the transaction, and that is all.  They do not attend the closing and if an appraisal comes in low, an online lender is not at all likely to pitch in and work through the problem.  Many times over the years I have intervened on my clients’ behalf when turbulence occurred, not just for my borrower, but also for my realtor partners and even the seller. Intervention on my part can be several things, but often it is my persuading underwriting to work with me and approve a loan.  Sometimes I help my realtor partners or even a borrower with money when funds are short and we need to close. This kind of participation and help is something I provide because I value my business and most of all my reputation.  A solid reputable business is not easily acquired.  It is earned, and is something I cherish.

     An online lender or just any lender with a low rate helping out like this?  Friends, it won’t happen, rest assured.  As I stated at the beginning, price and value are two very different things.  So what if a lender is .125 or .25 percent lower on rate?  When push comes to shove if they cannot deliver or if they leave parties to a transaction twisting in the wind, what do you have?  Nothing, that’s what, or at least some very regretful folks who should have been wiser in their choice of lender.

Post contributed by Rena Rogers with AmericaHomeKey (770) 387-4504 ext. 208 www.renarogers.net