Santa is Coming

Santa’s coming!   Are you ready?    Soon Santa will be climbing down your chimney to distribute presents to everyone on his “Nice List”.  Milk and cookies are waiting for him by the Christmas tree.  Decorations are all out and perfectly displayed with twinkling lights aglow.  

Remember to put the dishes in the dishwasher before you leave, make your beds, put any miscellaneous items away, and set the stage for your future home buyer.   Kitchens and bathrooms should be sparkling clean.   You should have fresh tiles in the bathrooms.  Family pictures should be put away.   The refrigerator should not be covered with notes or magnets.   Your house should look like a model home which will entice a buyer to love it and want to live there.

If you are looking to sell your home, please give me a call 678-656-6627 for a free market analysis.  No matter what your real estate needs are, I can help.  You can also get a Home Market Value or visit me, Pam Santoro at http://www.pamsantoro.com/ .

No One Sells a Home Like a Mom!  

Where Are We Going? Housing Development Trends in the Atlanta Area

Atlanta Housing Development Trendy? Maybe so.

With interest rate hikes on the horizon many potential home buyers (and realtors) are wondering where the housing market is headed for Atlanta. In particular, where are the "hot spots" or trending development areas for the 2016-2017 real estate market? With both the millennials and baby-boomers in competition, the Atlanta area real estate offerings (and the suburbs surrounding it) could lead to some interesting housing development trends.

I'm Not Ready For the Rest Home Yet, Purchasing a Senior Adult Home

Being a Senior Does Not Mean I Give Up a Life

All of us know we are headed into the season of living as a senior adult. Some of us are getting there a bit quicker than others as a matter of fact. Yet for most of us, buying a home that caters to senior adult living can feel like you are being put out to pasture rather than finding the freedom of retirement. However, this does not have to be the case. Still, whether choosing a home for yourself or your aging parents, there are some unique points to consider when looking for a house that meets the needs of seniors.  Here are a few common real estate features for senior adults to look for, when searching for a home that meets your unique needs.

First-Time Home Buyers Don’t Let Student Loan Debt Stop You



Image courtesy of Stuart Miles@freedigitalphotos.net

Student Loan Debt

Being a First Time Home Buyer can be an exciting adventure. The feeling of freedom and accomplishment that goes with it can be exhilarating to say the least. However, for most people buying a home is just a distant dream especially if they are burdened with huge STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

Let’s face it. Most people who have amassed thousands of dollars in student loan debt do not make enough to qualify for homeownership. Does this mean that they have to give up on their dreams of buying a home or wait until they have paid off all their loans? Certainly not. Here are some home buying tips that can improve the chances of being qualified for a home loan.

Wait for the Right Time

Most Federal Student Loans have a 6-month “grace period” in which new graduates have time to find a job before beginning loan re-payment and incurring interest. Do not apply for a home loan until the 6-month grace period has passed. Doing so within this period will only ruin your chances of qualifying for a home loan.

Consolidate your Student Loans

Pay off your credit card and other loans during the 6-month grace period to improve your monthly DEBT-TO-INCOME Ratio. Find out if you qualify for any STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS. Hopefully, this move will improve your credit score and increase your chances of securing a home loan.

Save Up for the Down Payment

Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong@freedigitaliphotos.net

While most lenders require buyers to put 20% of the purchase price up front, some are willing to work with less.

Find a Co-Borrower

Do you have a significant other or family member who could sign a co-mortgage? Having a co-borrower with GOOD CREDIT SCORE can help you qualify for a joint mortgage and take you a step closer to your dream.

Apply for an FHA Loan

FHA Loans are ideal for people with higher debt-to-income ratio. However, they only work if you are paying a reasonable amount on your student loans. 

Buying a home for the first time is very much possible even if have tons of student loan debts under your name. You just need to know how to do it.

Let Me Help You Find That First-Time Dream Home

If you are still not sure whether it is the perfect time to buy or sell your home, please feel free to contact me at 678-656-6627, and I will do my best to help you do what you have set to accomplish. You can also visit my site at www.pamsantoro.com  for more tips on selling or buying a home.  Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Selling Your Home? Some Expenses to Expect Before the Sale





Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net



While selling a house is a productive and exhilarating experience for some home sellers, others are disappointed with the results – especially if they do not make as much money as they hoped they would. Some sellers cannot help but feel upset as they see their profits dwindling after paying one expense after another.

There are a lot of costs associated with selling a home both before the sale and at closing. Some of the expenses incurred before the sale are necessary to ensure your house sells fast for the highest amount possible and may include the following:

Repair and improvements

Your house needs to look loved and well cared for to attract possible home buyers so determine which improvements need to be done. Keep in mind that most buyers prefer to buy a house that does not require any more work when they move in. As an added bonus, taking care of the repairs and improvements reduces the number of items the home inspector can comment on.

Painting

Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint in freshening up the interior and exterior of your house. However, refrain from using bold colors. Stick to neutral hues if you want to please potential buyers. Painting the interior of a house may cost anywhere from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot while painting the exterior can run anywhere from $3.00 or more per square foot.

Landscaping

Having a wonderful garden can be a great asset to any property so hire someone to landscape it if you have not already. You may also want to put in some new sod and add some greenery or flowering plants to make the curb appeal more inviting.

Pre-Inspection Reports

While you are under no obligation to get your house inspected, you may want to consider hiring a professional to check for any issues that may affect the condition and the price of your property. A house inspection typically costs $200 or more.

If you’re still not sure whether it is the perfect time to buy or sell your home, please feel free to　contact me at 678-656-6627 and I will help you meet your goal. You can also visit my site at www.pamsantoro.com for more tips on selling or buying a home. Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!