Aging Parents Workshop - March 24th, 2016

Our next Aging Parents Workshop

Empower Yourself and Your Parents 

Empower Yourself and

Parents

THURSDAY 03 • 24 • 2016

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library

Milton Branch

855 Mayfield Road

Milton, GA 30009

Telephone: 404.613.4402

This event is hosted by the following:

Seating is limited so please r 

 Pam Santoro

Realtor

Berkshire Hathaway

Home Services of Georgia

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Lisa McGrath

Financial Advisor

Commonwealth of Atlanta LLC

Lisa McGrath is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative.  Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely by ONESCO, Member FINRA/SIPC, 5909 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 990, Atlanta, GA 30328. 678-842-3100.

Mary Becker

Moving Specialist

Best Deal Movers

BEST

MOVERS

Erica Ramsey

Insurance Advisor

AAA, The Auto Club Group

Mary Jo Bowser

Home Care Advisor

Griswold Home Care

Seating is limited so please register early.  Guarantee your reservation today by calling 678-842-3100
If you prefer, email lisa@cwbfs.com.    

What Makes a Great Real Estate Agent?

How do you enjoy a stress-free and profitable real estate transaction? Well, all you need is to find the right real estate agent. Sounds simple enough, right? While it may certainly look that way, it’s actually a little more difficult and more complicated than what you think.

So, how do you find one? First, you need to know what makes a great agent.

Qualities of a Good Real Estate Agent

You’ll know you have chosen a winner if your agent possesses the following characteristics:

·         Has the right credentials. Your agent has all the right degrees and certifications, and is licensed by your state’s regulatory board. To make sure that you have someone who is looking out for your best financial interest, choose an agent that belongs to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).  

·         Extensive local knowledge. Aside from being in the business for more than five years, your agent has recent sales experience and success in the area, and understands the nuances of the local housing market. Don’t settle for one who is new in town unless you want to encounter troubles down the road.

·         Has the right connections. Your agent has a vast network of contacts (real estate agents, brokers, potential buyers and sellers, appraisers, home inspectors, and mortgage loan officers) within the area they serve. The larger your agent’s network is, the faster you can sell your home for a nice profit.

·         Excellent negotiation skills. A good agent is aggressive and is not afraid to speak up. He or she will do everything to meet the needs of his or her clients.  

·         Engaging personality. Trust your instincts when choosing an agent. Generally, a good real estate agent has a great, can-do personality and impeccable work ethics. He or she is also personable, polite, honest, and organized. 

Keep in mind that hiring the right real estate agent can be the key to a painless and stress-free real estate transaction so choose wisely!

No one sells a home like a Mom so contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you within your search for real estate. You can also visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/ for more tips on selling or buying a home. 

Plus, join us at the 

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on March 11, 2016. 

Click on the flyer below to view video promotion of this upcoming event!

photo courtesy of stockimages at freedigitalphotos.net

Buying a New Home? Get to Know Your New Neighborhood by Doing an Online Search

When shopping for a new home in an unfamiliar area, potential t can provide you with a general overview of what you need to know about the neighborhood, you should do your own research before making a decision.

However, you don't need to stroll arhome buyers usually want to know what the neighborhood is really like. While your real estate agenound the area and ask every stranger you meet about what it's like to live there. You can learn everything you need without leaving the comforts of your own home. How do you do it? Through the power of the internet! Here are some useful sites that may help you get all the information that you need.

My Local Crime

Would it be safe to live in your chosen neighborhood? Are there certain areas that should be avoided after dark? Since you need to ensure your family's safety and security at all times, consider using this website to know what crimes took place in the area and where those crimes were committed. Just type in the address of the house you are thinking about buying and you will get an index of all the crimes committed in the neighborhood.

Greatschools.org

Moving in to a new neighborhood that offers good quality education would be a definite plus, especially if you have school age children, right? If this is one of your primary concerns, use the Greatschools.org website to find useful information and reviews.

Walk Score and Bike Score

Do you want to know how easy it is to get around on foot or on a bike to the nearest grocery, coffee shop, or park in your chosen neighborhood? If you do, you'll find everything you need to know by visiting these websites.

You can also use other websites such as Transit Score to check the area's accessibility to public transport, Yelp to discover new restaurants and Moviefone to discover nearby theatres, and Gravy to get a list of the local events.

For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate. 

Plus, join us at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on March 11, 2016.

Click on the flyer at right to view video promotion of this upcoming event!

Photo courtesy of jannoon028 at freedigitalphotos.net

Understanding the Role of an Appraiser in the Home Buying Process

The appraiser plays a very important role in the home buying process. Basically, he or she is tasked to determine the current value of a property by carefully examining the exterior and interior condition of the home, evaluating the amenities and taking note of any health and/or safety code violations. In addition, the appraiser also evaluates the current real estate market in the neighborhood to help determine the real value of the property.

Understanding the Hiring and Payment Process

As a rule, the lender or financing organization chooses a qualified appraiser from a list of reputable appraisers they have hired in the past. Since it is in their interest to get a good appraisal, you can be sure that the chosen appraiser will have all the necessary qualifications (state license, membership in a professional organization, and other certifications) required to do their job.

As to the question of who will pay the appraiser, it is customary that whoever takes out the loan will be responsible for paying for the appraisal of the property, unless specified otherwise. In some cases, the seller may pay for the appraisal just to back his asking price.

The appraisal fee is usually affected by the size, value, and location of the property, and may range anywhere from $300 to $600. If the buyer is paying, it will usually be included in the closing costs.

What are the Benefits of a Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal can provide you with an objective, third party opinion of a property’s current market value, and help you make a more informed offer to purchase. With a properly conducted home appraisal, you can be sure that you are not spending more than what you should for your next home. And that alone is worth the small price you have to pay.

For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate. Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Photo courtesy of stockimages at freedigitalphotos.net 

Buying a House? 3 Costly Emotional Mistakes to Avoid

For most home buyers, buying a house can be an overly emotional experience. While this cannot be avoided, it becomes a major problem when buyers allow their feelings to cloud their judgement. Don't fall into the same trap. You can avoid overpaying for your dream home by knowing how to deal with the most common emotional mistakes home buyers usually make.

Common Emotional Mistakes When Buying a Home

Falling in love at first sight

When buying a home, do your best not to fall in love at first sight since this can be your downfall. Some buyers often overlook the flaws or overextend themselves financially just because they get so infatuated with the property the moment they see it. Get a hold of your emotions, practice due diligence and make sure you have the strength to walk away, if needed. Keep in mind that buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments, so treat it accordingly.   

Believing that a short sale is a good deal

Some people think that buying a short sale or a foreclosure can give them more value for their money when in reality, it can be the exact opposite. To reduce your chances of committing this costly mistake, consider working with a professional who has an extensive knowledge of the local market.

Not negotiating realistically

All home buyers are looking for the best deal they can get but keep in mind that there is a world of difference between negotiating and lowballing. If you want to increase your chances of getting your dream home, make a realistic bid. A lowball offer can only annoy the sellers and increase your chances of getting your bid rejected and losing the property.

For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate. Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Photo courtesy of fantasista at freedigitalphotos.net

3 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home

While getting your dream home under contract can be a good thing since it brings you a step closer to finally calling it your own, you need to take things easy to avoid getting yourself into trouble. Keep in mind that securing a mortgage pre-approval and getting under contract doesn't guarantee that your lender will fund your home loan.

Since a lot of things can happen until closing day, you need to carefully tread your path to avoid making some costly mistakes that you may regret later. How do you do it? Here are 3 simple tips that you may want to consider.

Avoid indiscriminate spending

Clearly, you may be thrilled on the idea of finally living in your dream home but that doesn't mean that you have to go shopping for new furniture before your loan closes. Keep in mind that any new payments will negatively affect your monthly debt-to-income ratio, and hard inquiries on your credit report will lower your credit score.

Pay your bills on time

Since payment history contributes about a third of your credit score, any late payments in your credit report may ruin the deal. While this may seem insignificant for those who have an 800 score, it may be enough for some lenders to reject your loan.

Don't co-sign a loan

Co-signing a loan during the mortgage lending process is not a good idea since it means that you will be financially liable for someone else's loan. This could also affect your assets and debt-to-income ratio.

Remember, getting under contract does not serve as a guarantee that you can get the money you need to buy your dream home so avoid making any of these costly mistakes before closing on your home loan.

For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate.

Photo courtesy of  ddpavumba at freedigitalphotos.net

The Life of a Real Estate Agent: A Sneak Peak on What Happens Behind-the-Scenes

Do you have any ideas how hard your real estate agent is working for you? Well, for every hour your agent spends with you, he or she is working an average of nine hours just to make sure the sale comes through. After all, they don't get paid a single dime until they seal the deal.

So, what do agents do to earn their commission? Here are some of the things that keep them busy all day long.

They research potential properties online.

The best real estate agents spend considerable time (about two hours or more per day) shopping for potential properties online. They also check their multiple listing service database on a regular basis so they don't miss anything out. They know that finding the perfect match may take some time so they don't give up easily.

They actively prospect for new business. 

The most successful realtors drive around town to check new listings. After all, there's nothing better than previewing and sizing up properties. They also take the time to seek out potential customers by calling past clients and absentee owners, and checking expired listings. 

They provide marketing services.

The best agents prepare effective marketing materials (fliers, virtual tours; magazine, newspaper and online ads, etc.) using their own money to increase their chances of making a sale.

They network with other agents.

Agents spend a lot of time with each other swapping listing information. Aside from helping them find a property that matches their buyers' preferences, these pitching sessions also allow them to reach out to fellow agents who have qualified buyers.

They will make sure the sale goes smoothly.

Your agent will help you navigate through the entire transaction process. They will give you all the information you need and advise you on certain issues but will never make the final decision for you. However, there will be times when they will try to shield you from the occasional drama that may result when buyers or sellers get difficult. They may even act as your therapist and keep you calm when the pressure's on.

For more valuable tips on selling or buying a home, please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro.bhhsgeorgia.com/. You can also contact me at 678-656-6627 if you have any questions about local market conditions, financing or anything that can help you with in your search for real estate. Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!

Photo courtesy of renjith krishnan at freedigitalphotos.net