Energy Tips Checklist

Today I found myself crawling around the attic of homeowners in Alpharetta who have decided to put their home on the market. This home was absolutely pristine! Their attic insulation was incredible. These folks will be conveying their home with tons of energy saving features. My experience today reminded me that most people have not yet embraced the idea of transitioning their home from the old standards to new and improved energy efficiency.

For this reason I share the following check list to make sure your home is using energy efficiently and effectively.

HEATING and AIR CONDITIONING
* Have your A/C units serviced annually
* Check your air filters monthly and change them as needed
* Set your thermostat on 78 degrees in the summer
* Set your thermostat on 68 degrees in the winter
* Keep heat and a/c supply vents, registers and returns free and clear of obstructions
* Use setback thermostats or manually set the temperature back to control your heat and air when the home is unoccupied or when you are sleeping
* Keep the area around your air conditioner's outside units clean and free of dirt and leaves.

INSULATION
* Attic insulation should equal R-30 or greater
* Keep attic insulation uncompressed. Limit flooring and storage in attics
* Walls and ceilings in unconditioned above-grade spaces should be insulated. Recommended insulation levels are:
R-13 -- Walls
R-19 -- Ceilings
R-30 -- Attic

* Attic stairs should be covered with R-30 boxes and the edges sealed with weather strip.
* Continuous ridge roof vents and unobstructed soffit vents provide good attic ventilation
* Seal all pipes and wires entering the house from the outside or from unconditioned spaces with rigid aerosol foam

ALL AROUND THE HOUSE
* Keep your water heater set to 120 degrees
* Use full loads in dishwashers, washers and dryers for best efficiency
* Use the air or economy dry setting for drying dishes in the dishwasher
* Clean dryer link filter with each load
* Extra refrigerators and freezers consume extra energy and cost money
* Fluorescent and halogen lighting is more efficient than incandescent bulbs

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works in the Atlanta metro area. Call Sara with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Sara can be easily reached at anytime at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara@sarahibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is looking forward to assisting you too with all your real estate needs when the time is right for you. I'm Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

Homes Are So Much More Than Price!

I hear it countless times every day.

Can you get me a great deal?

They'll start to tell me a story: My husband has a friend who bought a $1.2 million home for $390,000.

It is my experience that my clients and prospective clients love to tell me about their "friends" who got an "incredible deal". They start telling me stories that on the surface sound too good to be true. Usually, when I check out the story, via tax records and MLS data, I find the friend, stretched the story a little.

I am in and out of homes all day long. Additionally, I am running Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) and the numbers for specific neighborhoods frequently. I don't miss much. But when homebuyers tell me the stories of what happened with their friends, I usually find a flaw -- or two with the story. I think this happens because in this market, homebuyers want their friends to think that they did beat the system -- so to speak. It seems to me as though there is a certain amount of competition between neighbors and friends. "We got the greatest deal". "No, we got the greatest deal". So they boast and spin tales that are only half true. The unsuspecting friends who are my clients, believe the story of their acquaintance's. After all, the market is supposedly AWFUL, so why shouldn't they believe these incredible stories?

Are there deals to be had? Well, yes, but everyone's so called "deal" is relative to their own situation. These days, I have heard ALL the stories. I now have a pretty good idea of a "wives tale" compared to the truth.

For example, remember the story about the house that was originally priced at $1.2 million and the buyers supposedly purchased it for $390,000? Well, turn out, that story is "almost" correct. Turns out, the property was a foreclosure -- it was also physically distressed. The price was dropped to $390,000 to attract lots of attention by prospective buyers. Yes, that created a flurry of activity. The bank accepted highest and best offer and looked at more than 25 offers. The buyers actually purchased the property for $790,000. Then, because the property was riddled with mold, had missing appliances, a hole in the roof from a tree and deflected flooring, the buyers had to sink more than $80,000 into the property to bring it up to livable standards.

Was that a good deal? Depends who you are, I guess. The buyers got a great discount off the original $1.2 million price tag, but they had to invest more into the home to bring it up to a livable standard. For my money, the fact that the property had mold, would have been a deal killer. The mold may return in time and make the family sick. Additionally, if / when these folks decide to sell the home, they will always have to disclose what they repaired in the property which could ultimately affect their resale price. Time will tell whether or not this was a great deal. But, right now, their friends believe that these people actually purchased at $1.2 million home for less than $500,000.

All of that to say that Homebuyers are always asking me to find them a “great deal”. Today’s market makes that easier in some respects (prices are depressed and mortgage rates at a lifetime low) and tougher in some respects (there is SO much inventory to look at). Inevitably, though, the buyer’s definition of a “great deal” involves much, much more than just the price of the home. Here are some examples of truly GREAT DEALS (that pardon the pun I would call "PRICELESS"):

Example 1

A young first-time buyer tried his best, but was declined by the mortgage lender for the financing he needed. He had a 5% down payment, but the lender wouldn’t lend him more than 90% of the home’s value. Fighting tears, he told the Realtor he was so embarrassed not to be able to complete the purchase. The Agent asked the seller if he would be able to hold a note for the missing 5% for a year or two until the buyer could arrange other financing. He was happy to, since he could receive interest income on the note and hold a security interest in the property. The fact that the seller also respected the young man for his honesty and integrity probably played a part, too. This was a GREAT DEAL because of the financing terms.

Example 2

A young married couple lived in a small cottage, but wanted to move to a larger home. The buyers specifically wanted a one-story home to accommodate the wife’s wheelchair. Hardwood floors would also be great because the wheelchair battery would last much longer than if the wheelchair ran on carpet. The Realtor showed them a home which met all their needs except that it was about $80K over their price range and the living room was raised up by one step. They kept searching, but nothing compared to THAT house. It even had a beautiful pool which could be used for physical therapy.

The buyers made an offer they could afford which the seller’s politely declined. Time passed and the offer was resubmitted just a few dollars higher. Again, the reply was “Thank you, but no”. A month or so later, a third offer was prepared, again just a little higher than the previous offer. Still no deal. Two months later, the seller called the Realtor, asking if the buyer was still interested in their home. YES! The sellers explained that they had decided to retire and were selling everything. In fact, if the buyers would repeat their most recent offer, not only would it be accepted, but would they like the place completely furnished at no additional cost? This was a GREAT DEAL because of the timing. Oh, and it turned out that the step-up living room floor was a false floor with beautiful hardwoods beneath it.

Example 3

An active family with teenagers needed a larger home. Both parents held doctorates and extremely “brainy” jobs. They had a specific list of needs and wants for their new home – all very analytically done. With their Realtor, they looked at homes meeting all their needs but nothing caught their eye until one day they visited a traditional home with great square footage and all the features they had requested in their search criteria -- and more. That house was a total bore, but the house across the street was a stunner. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for sale.

Not a week later, their Realtor was on that same street with a different client in the car when She saw a “For Sale By Owner” sign in front of THE house as they drove by. Slamming on the brakes (she almost threw the client in the car through the windshield). The Agent jotted down the phone number on the FSBO sign. As soon as the Realtor finished with that day’s client, She hurried back to the FSBO, knocked on the door, explained the situation, looked around, called the buyers and had them rush over with their checkbook. They bought the house on the spot. In fact, the clinical psychologist and the nuclear physicist did CARTWHEELS in the back yard. This was a GREAT DEAL because of instant emotional attachment.

Great deals are different to each buyer. Did they get a great deal for their dream neighborhood or the sought-after school district? Did they get a great deal for the provenance of that home (Frank Sinatra slept here once)? Did they get a great deal with terms and conditions which met special needs? Did they get a great deal on a superbly maintained or beautifully customized home? Did the buyer get a great deal on the breath-taking view from the back deck? When we find what we want and we can find a way to make it happen, it’s a GREAT DEAL.

AND, THAT IS WHAT I CALL "PRICELESS".

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara Hibbard looks forward to assisting you and your family find your "great deal" when the time is right for you. In the meantime, please call Sara at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara@sarahibbard.com with your real estate questions. I'm Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

If Its Wednesday, It Must Be Market Conditionss Wednesday!

Woops! I'm Bad. Sorry about that! I kind of got off schedule. We have not looked at Market Conditions since August 11th! Lets try to get back on schedule.

As you will recall, I try to provide a market snap shot of current market conditions affecting a specific city in the Atlanta metro area. Since starting this column in February, we have focused on the cities of Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austell, Ball Ground, Canton, Cartersville, Conyers, Covington, Cumming and Dallas.

Today the focus is on DUNWOODY.

Dunwoody is a city located in metro Atlanta in northern Dekalb County, bounded by the Fulton County line on the north and west, Interstate 285 on the south, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard on the southeast, and Peachtree Corners/Gwinnett County on the northeast. Perimeter Mall and approximately 40 percent of the Perimeter Community Improvement District, is a self-taxing district of shopping and office buildings (including several high-rises), are both located in Dunwoody. The western part of the Perimeter Center edge city spans the Fulton county line into Sandy Springs. (The two sides of the PCID are legally separate, but work as one organization.) The tallest building in Dunwoody is the 34-story Ravinia 3, at 444 feet. Perimeter Center is served by the Dunwoody train station on MARTA's north line, while the other two stations in the area are both on the Fulton side. Dunwoody is also the home of American Idol's host, Ryan Seacrest.

According to today's FMLS data and as I write this, there is a total of 69,732 homes actively listed and on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area. Likewise, as I write this, there is a total of 214 single family homes available and on the market in Dunwoody. Additionally, there is a total of 92 condo/townhomes available today in Dunwoody.

Actively Listed Single Family Homes
This week, actively listed single family homes in Dunwoody range in price from $159,000 for a 1967 ranch style 5 bedroom/2 bathroom "fixer-upper" property on Peeler Road to a 6 bedroom/6 full and 2 half bathroom European traditional style home at the Enclave at Jett Ferry. This brand new model home offers Castel Entry Doors inviting you in. Owners suite is situated on the main floor, Kitchen offers a fire place, Keeping room. Terrace level is finished and offers a great extended living space. This home is listed at $1.7 million.

Actively Listed Condo / Town Homes
Active Dunwoody Town Homes / Condos range in price from $81,300 for a bank-owned yet charming 2 bedroom/1.5 bathroom townhome conveniently located just minutes off 285 in a quaint Dunwoody neighborhood with lots of old world charm. At the high end of town homes on the market in Dunwoody, is a 4-sided brick townhome featuring 3 bedroom/3.5 bathrooms. The master suite offers a fireplace and built-ins in the great room. The property also features a two car garage. This property was originally listed at $475,000 and has been reduced to $439,000.

Pending Sale
Currently there are 24 single family homes pending sale in Dunwoody. Of the 24 Pending, there is 1 property awaiting lender approval. These 24 homes range in price from $218,000 to $799,900.

Likewise, in Dunwoody there are 7 condo / town-homes currently PENDING SALE. They range in price from $50,000 to $285,000.

SOLD Properties (7/1/2010 - 9/15/2010)
Believe it or not, homes are selling in Dunwoody. Since July 1st, 49 single family homes sold in Dunwoody. The sold prices ranged from $229,721 to $1.8 million. Likewise, during the period, there were 2 condo/town homes sold in Dunwoody with price tags of $280,000 and $295,000.

So, as you can clearly see, there is activity in Dunwoody -- predominately with single family homes.

Please contact me if you are interested in a home in Dunwoody or the Atlanta metro area. I look forward to guiding you throughout the process when the time is right for you. In the meantime, please feel free to call me anytime with your many questions regarding the real estate market in general or specifics regarding the relocation / buying / selling process. I can be reached at 770-399-8108 or sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com. Don't forget to visit my websites located at www.SaraHibbard.com and www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com. Until then, Happy House-Hunting!

Good News Today In Cherokee County, GA

ETOWAH HIGH NAMED NATIONAL
BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

Etowah High School today was chosen as a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. Etowah is one of only six schools in Georgia and 304 nationwide to earn this honor.

"I congratulate Principal Keith Ball, the faculty, staff, parents, and students. Etowah High School is a great example of how education can work. Everyone involved has put in a lot of hard work to make this happen. We should all be proud of this great accomplishment." said Senate Majority Leader and Etowah football announcer Chip Rogers.

From the Georgia Department of Education:

September 9, 2010 -- Six Georgia public schools were named 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools today. "These six schools are outstanding examples of how high expectations and hard work can lead to outstanding student achievement," said State Superintendent of Schools Brad Bryant. "These schools show that, regardless of a school's size, geography or demographics, all students can achieve at high levels." The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the National Blue Ribbon School award winners this morning.
(See U.S. Department of Education Release) Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen in two categories (see the full criteria descriptions):

- HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS: Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement.
- DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED SCHOOLS: Schools with at least 40 percent economically disadvantaged students that have dramatically improved student achievement to high levels.

One Georgia private school was also named a National Blue Ribbon School. The selection process for private schools is different. For more information, go to http://www.capenet.org/brs.html. Georgia's winning schools will join other national winners at an awards ceremony on November 15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information on the Blue Ribbon Schools program, go to the Blue Ribbon Schools website at http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.

2010 GEORGIA BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

Public
- Etowah High, Cherokee County
- Gainesville High, Gainesville City Schools
- Ila Elementary, Madison County
- Johnson Elementary, Floyd County
- J.S. Pate Elementary, Crisp County
- Webb Bridge Middle, Fulton County

Private
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, Hapeville

Avoid Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes

I love working with 1st time home-buyers! No, I really do Love working with all my clients, but 1st timers are especially rewarding. Getting them to the closing table is the icing on the cake. Receiving their thank yous and testimonial letters is the cherry on top. Handing the keys to first time buyers is one of the most rewarding things I do as a Realtor. By the time we get to the closing table, I know my buyer clients pretty well. And, they know me pretty well by the time we are sitting at the closing table too. Often times, as we are waiting for the Attorney to start the proceedings, the buyers begin to reflect back on our many weeks, sometimes months we have been together. They talk about how much they have learned, how frightened they were in the beginning to take the plunge into home-ownership and the many myths that they learned are not true.

If you are in the market to buy your first home, you may have already realized that the process involves many different levels of knowledge and understanding. Chances are many steps of the process are completely foreign to you.

By arming yourself with an arsenal of important questions, as well as with a team of professionals, you are sure to avoid some of the most common first-time homebuyer mistakes.

1. Hire the Right Agent. Personalities and experience levels range greatly, just as with any profession. Consider interviewing several local agents before deciding on which one to hire. Do you want a new agent who is sweet, patient, and ready to answer lots of questions? Or would you prefer a seasoned agent who gets you the best deal, but has less than stellar people skills? The choice is entirely yours, neither one being better than the other, but will make a big difference on how you feel about the process.

2. Interrogate the Lender. There's no need to play good cop, bad cop. This simply means you need to ask every question that comes to mind. In the wake of the predatory lending storm, its important to be sure you understand exactly what your mortgage will entail. Be sure to compare rates with other lenders to be sure you are getting the best rate. You can also ask for par pricing, which is the rate without points.

3. Be Ready To Act. In many markets, highly desirable areas come with a large amount of competition. Many buyers may be looking at the same homes as you. If you hesitate, you may very well lose out on your dream home. The best advice? Don't begin the process of viewing homes unless you are really ready to buy.

4. Think Long Term. You love the house, and you can deal with the small bedrooms and laundry room in the garage, but will the next set of buyers? If you are planning on selling the home in the next few years, you must remember to consider the resale value of a home. Is this neighborhood appreciating quickly, or are homes losing value?

5. Be Competitive. We all want to buy a home for the best bargain price possible, but a careful consideration is respecting the seller. You may view a low ball offer as a starting point, but a seller may view it as an insult and refuse to answer your offer. If you really want a home, be reasonable with your starting bid.

Use these simple tips to avoid some of the most common buyer mistakes!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara Hibbard specializes in working with 1st time home buyers, senior citizens, foreclosures, REO, short sales and HUD properties as well as Relocation from out of state and out of country. Call Sara Hibbard anytime with your many questions and real estate concerns in the Atlanta metro area. Sara Hibbard can be reached anytime at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara@SaraHibbard.com. I'm Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

How To Choose A Home -- Tips To Make Sure You Don't Settle

When I first sit down with prospective home buyers, I am always interested to learn about their their "needs" and "wants" list. I always point out that those two lists, although helpful are not the same things. You may "want" a swimming pool in your back yard, but you don't "need" a swimming pool in a swim/tennis neighborhood. If you have a family of 5 children, you may "need" a six bedroom home. The bonus play room might be a nice "want" and an added plus for the home you ultimately purchase. It is always important to me to hear about what each family members vision is for their perfect home. And, I don't want any client to "settle" for the next best thing. That being said, here is some advise that may be helpful to you from RIS MEDIA.

Finding the home that is right for you can be a time-consuming process. The experts at Move.com offer the following tips to help make sure you don’t just settle for a home, but instead find the home that is perfect for you.

Once you've settled on a couple of neighborhoods where you would like to live, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Your wish list can remind you which features are absolute requirements and which amenities you'd like to have if possible. When narrowing down your home search, consider:

-Types of homes
-Home purchase considerations
-Home comparison chart
-What to do when you’ve found the right home for you

Types of homes
In addition to single family homes (one home per lot), there are other forms of home ownership to consider as you begin looking for the next place you will call home:

-Multifamily homes: Some buyers, particularly first-timers, start with multiple family dwellings, so they'll have rental income to help with their costs. Many mortgage plans, including VA and FHA loans, can be used for buildings with up to four units, if the buyer intends to occupy one of them.
-Condominiums: With a condo, you own "from the plaster in" just as you would a single house. You also own a certain percentage of the "common elements"—staircases, sidewalks, roofs and the like. Monthly charges pay your share of taxes and insurance on those elements, as well as repairs and maintenance. A homeowners association administers the development.
-Co-ops: In a few cities, cooperative apartments are common. With those, you purchase shares in a corporation that owns the whole building, and you receive a lease to your own apartment. A board of directors supervises management. Monthly charges include your share of an overall mortgage on the building.

Home purchase considerations
Most buyers' first consideration, after neighborhoods are chosen, is the number of bedrooms. As you begin to view homes, keep the following purchase and resale considerations in mind:

-Weigh your needs, budget and personal tastes in deciding whether you want a home that’s a newly constructed, an older home or a home that requires some work—a ‘fixer-upper.’
-One-bedroom condos are more difficult to resell than two-bedroom condos.
-Two-bedroom/one-bath single houses generally have less appeal than houses with three or more bedrooms, and therefore less appreciation potential.
-Homes with ‘curb appeal,’ (a well-maintained, attractive and charming view-from-the-street appearance) are the easiest to resell.
-When resale is a possibility, don't buy the most expensive house on the street, or anything that is unusual or unique. The best investment potential is traditionally found in a less expensive, more moderately sized home on the street.

Home comparison chart
While house-hunting, it's a good idea to make notes about what you see because viewing several houses at a time can be confusing. Create a comparison chart before you begin looking at homes so you can keep track of your search, organize your thoughts and record your impressions.

When you’ve found the right home
Before you begin the home buying process, resolve to act promptly when you find the right house. Every Realtor has stories to tell about a couple who looked far and wide for their dream home, finally found it, and then revealed that "we always promised my Dad we'd sleep on it, so we'll make an offer tomorrow." Many times the story has a sad ending—someone else came in that evening with an offer that was accepted.

Resolve at this point that you will act decisively when you find the house that’s clearly right for you. This is particularly important after a long search or if the house is newly listed and/or under-priced.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara looks forward to assisting you too when the time is right for you. Please feel free to contact Sara at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara@sarahibbard.com.

Knock - Out Neutrals

I am often asked about how a home will show in it's current condition. Will the fire engine red kitchen turn off prospective buyers? What do you think of my vintage shag carpeting? Will this wall mural discourage prospective buyers?

I can not stress enough how important it is that your home be NEUTRAL!

When preparing a house for sale, an overall interior paint job often tops many homeowners’ to-do lists, and it should. A fresh coat of paint can bring new life and vitality to living spaces in very little time and with minimal expense. But choosing the right paint palette can be the critical difference between enticing potential homebuyers and turning them away. By selecting from a range of neutral shades, you can add sophistication and selling power all at once.

Versatility and Universal Appeal
The power of neutrals, especially when you’re thinking about putting a house on the market, can’t be overemphasized. As much as you may love the deep brick red of the wall leading up from your entryway to your second floor, or the way the bright turquoise in your home office brings out the colors in that wall hanging you purchased on your honeymoon in Guatemala, a potential buyer may not see things quite the same way. Indeed, when it comes to selling a house, you don’t want buyers to see you in the space, but rather, you want them to imagine themselves.

Clean, neutral shades lend an air of sophistication and serenity while providing a perfect canvas upon which future inhabitants can apply their own accents and personalization. Because they provide so much flexibility, neutral choices have long-lasting and far-reaching appeal.

What Is Neutral?
Defining just what makes a neutral can be difficult, even for trained designers. That’s because the traditional definition of neutral is becoming blurred. In classic color theory, neutrals are achromatic “non colors” that don’t fall into any of the traditional categories associated with the “color wheel.” These include shades within the white, gray, and brown families. In recent years, however, designers have begun to embrace a new set of neutrals that include softer, muted, lighter versions of colors found on the color wheel – shades like mocha, sea foam, and lavender. With their subtle color presence, these new neutrals – often referred to as complex colors – provide the same versatility and universal appeal of traditional neutrals while adding a heightened level of dynamism and broaden your choices considerably.

Moving Beyond “Boring Beige”
“People are expanding their understanding of what neutral is now,” says Jessica Bantom, President of Bantom Designs in Bowie, Maryland, and a member of the International Association of Color Consultants. “You used to think of just boring beige,” Bantom continues, “but today there are a lot of richer neutrals, and people are becoming more aware of the fact that neutrals can contain any color.”

Author and art gallery owner Stephanie Hoppen agrees. In her book, Perfect Neutrals: Color You Can Live With, Hoppen devotes entire chapters to off-whites, grays and other neutrals, and the degrees of dimension they can add to interior spaces. “A room created in the palest, milkiest shades of off-white doesn’t have to be monotone,” she writes, “but can have surprising richness and depth.”

Neutral Nuances – Dialing Up and Dialing Down
Whether you opt for a more traditional taupe or a newer neutral like pistachio is up to you. Do bear in mind, though, that different neutrals make sense for different spaces. Lighter shades lend an airy feel, making them great for small spaces like bathrooms and hallways. Darker shades, meanwhile, can help bring a cozy feel to an especially large room. A room’s function within the house also provides clues about whether to opt for a warmer or cooler neutral. A creamy antique white with hints of yellow or orange adds a comfortable feel to a social space like the kitchen, for example, while a cooler shade of gray lends a sense of uncluttered calm to a small office or den intended to serve as a quiet, peaceful retreat.

You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Though having options is never a bad thing, the staggering array of neutrals you have to choose from today may seem overwhelming. If you don’t know or are unsure, ask for help. A Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers sales associate can provide useful insight, as can experts at your local hardware store or home decorating outlet. Magazines, like Better Homes and Garden, or Web sites like bhg.com, can provide ideas and serve as inspiration. When you see a room that looks appealing, mark the page and match the wall color at the store. And consider conducting a trial run. Purchase the smallest size can of paint available in a neutral you like, and try it out on a small area of one wall. This makes it easy to change course if necessary – or to go ahead and commit to the full gallon if you like what you see.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia working mostly in Cherokee, East Cobb, North Fulton and Paulding Counties as well as the Kennesaw and Acworth area. Call Sara anytime with your many questions at 770-399-8108. She can also be reached by e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com. Visit Sara's websites located at www.SaraHibbard.com and www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com.

Buyers Must Be Cautious When Purchasing REO Property

I get calls everyday from prospective home buyers who tell me they want a "great deal". I often ask them to describe a "great deal". The answers to that question are varied. Because, a "great deal" means different things to different people, many buyers have unrealistic expectations of obtaining a "great deal" and based on their answers, in spite of a repressed market will probably never make a purchase.

Often, prospective buyers believe that their answer to a "great deal" is to find a foreclosure, short sale, HUD or REO (Real Estate Owned By A Bank) property. For some buyers this is a great opportunity, however, for many buyers this route to home ownership is very challenging and in the end may not be the "great deal" they anticipated. When looking for foreclosure and short sale properties it is important that you have a good Realtor working for you who is experienced with dealing with the foreclosure banks. You need a Realtor who will look out for your best interests.

Bargain-hunting Buyers looking to find a great deal in this market often go after foreclosure property. They find a home that fits their needs, and together with their real estate agent they produce and submit the offer for the home. The offer is then reviewed by the Seller, and if the Seller selects the offer, CONGRATULATIONS! – but don't get too excited, the offer is Acknowledged but not officially Accepted.

In order for the offer to be Officially Accepted, the Buyer needs to agree to a few Addenda. These Addenda can be scary, as they just about give the Seller all the rights and leave the buyer with none. Unfortunately, often times Buyers must agree to this Addenda before the Seller will proceed with the sale of the property. It is under their terms, and Buyers need to understand that the Addenda can CONTROL the entire agreement. It is always BUYER BEWARE when dealing with foreclosures and short sale transactions.

These addenda are very comprehensive, and can be overwhelming as they are filled with unfamiliar terms. Moreover, this Addenda may appear to be a whole new Purchase Agreement in itself which specifies terms & conditions set forth in the purchase transaction. This is because the Addendas purpose is to protect the Seller, therefore, it overrides almost all of the language in the original Georgia Association of Realtors (GAR) form offer that was originally submitted.

Executing these instruments while obligatory, should not be taken lightly. As a Buyer it is extremely imperative that these documents are carefully read and fully understood before moving forward with the purchase. All things considered, with the correct professionals in place to help you through the process, the purchase can still be a bargain for the savvy buyer!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. One of her many specialties is working with foreclosure, short sale, HUD and REO properties. Sara holds the REOS certification. Sara can be reached anytime to discuss your many questions regarding the real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Call Sara at 770-399-8108 TODAY!

Avoid Decorating Faux Pas by Featuring Your Space Properly

People often ask me questions something like, "does this picture go here or should it go over here"?

I will be the first to admit that I am NOT an interior decorator and do not profess to be one. However, when I was in college, my roommate was an Interior Design major. As a result, I had several friends who were interior design majors too.

From their influence, one of the main things I learned was not to hang pictures too high on a wall.

Now that I am in and out of peoples homes all day long, I occasionally see "design faux pas".

In today's, RIS MEDIA, I came across this article and thought it might be of interest to you. I remember having many late night discussions on these same subjects in our dorm room over "hot pots" and pop corn way back in the 1970s!

Enjoy!

One of the mysteries of space—we’re talking real-world living space, not the cosmos—is that perfectly sound logic often leads to an illogical aesthetic. We all occasionally make cringe-worthy decorating mistakes. If you are in the process of decorating your newly-purchased home or ready for a redecoration, there are three common design mistakes involving scale, balance and proportion that you should avoid. Fortunately, they have quick and easy fixes.

Draperies flush to windows
Hanging draperies flush with the top of the window seems logical, but the effect is that it gives the appearance of shortening the window and lowering the ceiling. Just as a well-tailored pair of slacks can give your legs a longer, leaner look, draperies hung closer to the ceiling can add height to your room.

Just like those slacks, draperies should be long enough to brush the floor—an inch longer if you prefer a slightly more relaxed look.

Hanging draperies flush with the sides of the windows is similarly limiting. By extending the rod past the window, you allow the drapery panel to cover more wall than window. This creates a widening effect to the room while allowing for more natural light.

Even if you are like most homeowners, who will seldom, if ever, close the drapery, be sure to purchase enough fabric to make the panels at least appear to be full enough. It’s important that the side panels are in proportion to the width of the window.

It is always best to have lined draperies, unless you’re going for a sheer look. Lining gives the drapery more volume and a more custom, finished look.

Floating artwork
Although it seems to make sense to center artwork on the wall, pieces hung too high are difficult to view and make a room look off balance.

Artwork placed at eye level (generally 50 to 57 inches above the floor) creates a more pleasing balance. It serves as a visual anchor for other objects along the same wall, giving the whole area a cohesive look.

Artwork, unless it is a commanding piece that deserves exclusive space, looks best with a foundation beneath it. The foundation can be a sofa, sideboard, chair or mantel. In general, 6 inches from the top of a surface is a good place to start.

In a room with a soaring ceiling, artwork may need to be up to one foot above the back of a sofa to maintain proper balance in the room.

In one of those great little areas where you sit to read, for example, a piece can be tucked into a spot much lower than you would consider your eye level. Remember to consider whether you’re walking through the room or sitting in the room when determining eye level.

The scale of the artwork should also be considered. For example, a postage stamp in the middle of a large wall creates visual disharmony. It is better to incorporate smaller pieces into a grouping, and treat the grouping as a single piece of art.

Undersized rug
Never underestimate the power of a rug—and remember that size matters. A rug offers practical, as well as decorative, possibilities. Your rug creates the footprint and defines the living space for an entire room, so avoid the common mistake of choosing an undersized one.

A room-size rug should allow for a maximum of 10 to 18 inches of floor space from the edge of the rug to each wall or to the end of the room’s area. Smaller rugs placed beneath furniture, such as coffee tables, should be large enough to allow gracious space extending out beneath at least the front legs of all furniture in the grouping.

For a rug beneath a dining table, make sure it is large enough to extend at least two feet past the table on all sides so that the chairs stay on the rug when diners pull away from the table. For example, you would need a rug of at least 8 by 10 feet for a 4-by-6-foot dining table.

As a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia, Sara Hibbard subscribes to RIS MEDIA a news magazine for the real estate industry. Occasionally, Sara finds articles and ideas that could be of benefit to you, her reader, client or potential client. In this column she regularly shares ideas and advice on matters relating to home ownership, real estate and advice. Please feel free to contact Sara with any questions you may have regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the Buying / Selling process. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind. Sara can be easily reached at www.SaraHibbard.com, 770-399-8108 or sara@sarahibbard.com.

Exceeding Expectations: Pending Home Sales Rise 5.2%

RIS MEDIA is reporting today that following a sharp drop in the months immediately after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit, pending home sales have modestly risen, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 5.2% to 79.4 based on contracts signed in July from a downwardly revised 75.5 in June, but remains 19.1%below July 2009 when it was 98.1. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, cautioned that there would be a long recovery process. “Home sales will remain soft in the months ahead, but improved affordability conditions should help with a recovery,” he said. “But the recovery looks to be a long process. Home buyers over the past year got a great deal, and buyers for the balance of this year have an edge over sellers. For those who bought at or near the peak several years ago, particularly in markets experiencing big bubbles, it may take over a decade to fully recover lost equity.”

Yun added, “Affordability could reach a generational high in the second half of this year because of rock-bottom mortgage interest rates, helped partly by the Fed’s very accommodative monetary policy. The loan underwriting standards are tighter, but home buyers can improve their chances of getting a loan by staying well within their budget.”

The PHSI in the Northeast rose 6.3% to 62.5 in July but is 21.1% below a year ago. In the Midwest the index increased 4.1% to 66.7 but remains 25.7% below July 2009. Pending home sales in the South rose 1.2% to an index of 86.3, but are 15.6% lower than a year ago. In the West the index jumped 11.6% to 95.0 but is 17.6% below July 2009.

The national index had fallen 29.9% in May and another 2.8% in June.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Call Sara Hibbard with all your real estate questions. She can be reached anytime at 770-399-8108. Whether you need to sell your home, you're a 1st time home buyer, or you have been through the process many times, Sara Hibbard is capable of guiding you throughout out the process. Sara Hibbard looks forward to assisting you when the time is right for you.