I am excited to tell you about my upcoming listing in the Wildwood neighborhood in Buckhead.  It is a 5 bedroom 3 and a half bath home walking distance to Morris Brandon Elementary that will be priced at $599,000.  Some of the features include: renovated kitchen with stainless and granite,  kitchen is open to family room, separate living room with fireplace and separate dining room.  True master suite with his and hers walk in closets, master bath features carerra marble counter tops, deep soaking tub, separate shower and high end fixtures, mudroom, finished daylight basement with large media room/playroom, large finished storage closet, 2 bedrooms with a jack and jill renovated bath with travertine tile, profesional landscaping, fenced in back yard, 2 car covered parking and much more.  This is a lot of space and upgrades for the money in this popular  Buckhead neighborhood.  Please contact me annastephens@dorseyalston.com for more information.

There are several benefits to usings a Buyer’s Agent/ Realtor in your home buying process.  Many first time home buyers do not realize that it is the listing agent that pays the buyer’s agent their commission, so there is no cost to a buyer in using an agent.  Here are just a few of the things that I can help you with being your Buyer’s Agent.  (Please be sure to check out the “Meet Anna Page” for more information on my real estate background. ) I look forward to helping you find your next home.

1. 1. I represent you! Remember: The listing agent represents the seller, NOT the buyer.
2. 2. As your Buyer Agent, I can help you define your �wish list� for your ideal home. I can also save you time by previewing the homes in advance.
3. FMLS vs. the Internet: I have access to the FMLS system! I can help you prospect and gain information that you cannot find on the Internet. (Often times the listings provided on the Internet are either sold or expired listings)
4. Buying a new home vs. buying a resale. I can help you find the pros and cons of each type.
5. For Sale Buy Owner: I can help you with these listings too! (Remember, no representation without me!)
6. Statistics on average Sale Price vs. List Price.
7. Red Flags: I will make you aware of any Red Flags during the sale.
8. The Buying Process: From formulating your offer through post closing activities, I will help make the process run smoothly by explaining and reviewing the Purchase and Sale agreement with you.
9. The negotiation process: My understanding of neighborhood statistics, ratios and (Days on the Market) will help us prepare for making and negotiating a great contract!
10. Working with the mortgage lender. If you have not been pre-approved, I can get you in touch with several lenders to shop rates.
11. Homeowner Insurance
12. The Home Inspection Process. I will recommend inspectors for you and attend the inspection with you.
13. Survey
14. Termite Letter (Buyer’s Agents Responsibility) and maintaining a Termite Bond (your choice).
15. Coordinating the closing.
16. Educate you on the benefits of Title Insurance.

Prime Ashford Park location 3 bedrooms 2 baths. Hardwoods througout, enlarged master suite, updated kitchen, brand new roof, fenced in backyard. Enlarged 3rd bedroom makes great second family room. Neighborhood tennis & playground.Walking dist. to all the great shopping & restaurants.  Original Price $350k now priced at $335k contact me at annastephens@dorseyalston.com for more information or to set up a time to view this home.

Brought to you by your Buckhead Bargainer and Buckhead Realtor!

Most mortals can’t live in a spotless environment all the time. This can be one of the more stressful aspects of having your home on the market— but it’s worth the effort to sell your home for top dollar.   

5. Let in some light. 

It might be mood lighting to you, but if you’re trying to sell your home, keep it bright! Dimly lit rooms tend to look small and dingy— especially during the day. If you have a particularly dark room, consider investing in a floor lamp that will bounce light off the ceiling.    

6. Neutralize.  

Neutral colors sell.  It’s a fact.  Try to convey an image of quality and neutrality.  Potential buyers walking through your home want to imagine themselves as the owners.  If you use styles or colors they would never select, you’ve just turned them off.  Staying high-quality, but neutral is safest.  On the topic of neutralize if you have pets you may need to look into neutralizing the odors a can of Kills paint as a primer works wonders.

7. De-Personalize.  

Remove objects that your potential buyers won’t be able to identify with.  For example, political and religious items may turn off whole groups of buyers, because they cannot “imagine” your home as their home.  Buying a home is an emotional decision, and you want potential buyers to make an emotional connection with your home by being able to “see” themselves in it.

 8. Replace Hardware.  

It’s amazing how small adjustments can make huge differences. Whether you’re cash-strapped or have big bucks to spend, the simple act of replacing hardware around the house is a wise tip for home staging. Focus especially on the handles and knobs in the kitchen and at entranceways. The kitchen is a primary focal point of the house and is often the most important room to prospective buyers so changing cabinet hardware and a light fixture can make a big impact. 

9. Fresh Flowers 

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have fresh flowers throughout your home. Even a daisy in a bud vase brightens a bathroom counter. Ask your florist which blooms last a week. You can also use potted flowering plants that are in season for a low-cost solution. Don’t use plastic or obviously fake flowers, especially in an expensive home! 

10. Call Anna Stephens, Buckhead Realtor.   

Call me for specific ideas of how to help show off the best aspects of your home. As an experienced Realtor in the Buckhead area I take pride in going the extra mile for all of my clients.  I take part in the home staging process from start to finish! My email is annastephens@dorseyalston.com and my phone number is 404-444-6114.

Wow!  In case you thought I had a typo in the price I do not.  I typically wait until Friday to post great deals and values on Buckhead Real Estate but this one could not wait as it will be Under Contract for sure by Friday.  This is a 3 Bedroom 2 Bath home in popular Peachtree Park for only $240k!!! 

In case you are not familiar with the area that is an incredible deal for that neighborhood.  It is a foreclosure and sold as is.  I am experienced with Short Sales and Foreclosures so if you are interested in seeing this one and working with an experienced agent reach out to me ASAP at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com so we can go check this one out.

Are you or a friend looking for a home in the Virginia Highlands and haven’t found what you wanted yet?  I have exclusive access to a home not on the market that is a 3/3 with a finished basement and attached two car garage.  It also has a fenced back yard and decks on both the front and back of the house.  

Curious on the price or want to  take a sneak peak of this home or any others I feature on Buckhead Real Estate Bargains page just email me at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com.

Curious where buyers are looking for homes?  I found this chart to be very interesting in tracking the trends over the past 8 years of how the market has shifted from print to the Internet.  The importance of an agent utilizing Internet marketing is critical for the success of reaching buyers.  71% if this pie represents your agent and their online marketing.

If you are thinking about selling your home I would love to discuss with you my customized Internet marketing plan for you and your neighborhood.

ON THE FENCE ABOUT LISTING YOUR HOME NOW OR WAITING UNTIL SPRING?

Selling a home in the dead of winter might seem ill-advised, particularly considering the state of the economy, but some experts think that making the decision to wait until spring to list the property could be a mistake. Government incentives will likely have a big impact in 2010, with many buyers determined to sign a contract before the April 30 tax credit deadline. “This year, we’re anticipating sales will peak earlier,” says Nicole Hall, editor in chief of Lendingtree.com, an online home loan comparison service. “The best time to get your house on the market will be February or early March, and maybe even earlier if you want to avoid competition.” Traffic on real estate Web sites begins to rise right after the New Year, says Ken Shuman, spokesman for real estate Web site Trulia.com. Source: Forbes.com

Sincerely,

Anna

Your Buckhead Bargainer and Realtor

Sneak Peak of a 3 bedroom 3 bath home in Garden Hills.  Great entertaining floorplan, renovated kitchen with granite and stainless,  master with vaulted ceilings & his and her closets, luxurious master bath with marble, hardwood floors throughout, living room with fireplace and plantation shutters, fabulous entertaining deck and much more.  Contact us at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com for more information on this home and others in the Buckhead area.   Anna and Claire work with both first time home buyers and first time home sellers in the Buckhead area.

Just a quick reminder to continue to check out our Real Estate Bargains and Sneak Peaks Page where we are combing the market for great deals and sneak previews   to show you.  Rates are low, invetory is high never a better time to be a Buyer as it is right now. 

I went in for a sneak peak of this super cute Peachtree Hills home yesterday and I loved it!  Great entertaining flow, high ceilings, hardwoods, great outdoor entertaining space and charm galore.  4 Bedrooms 3 Baths on a great street contact us for pricing and more info.  Again you won’t find this one online or driving around so if you are not currently working with an agent and are interested in looking at some great properties with us please contact us at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com

I was thrilled to get the email yesterday from our in house lender that the First Time Home Buyer credit extension has officially passed.  It has been tied up in the Senate for weeks leaving us to wonder if the extension would pass before the month end deadline .   It was well worth the wait as now we have a new added $6500 bonus for move up buyer.  See below article.

Please contact Anna and Claire at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com for all of your real estate needs.

Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia

IT HAS PASSED!   by Corey Boyles

Congress has approved an extension today of the home buyers tax credit, sending the bill to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature. The House voted 403-12 to pass the bill after the Senate unanimously approved the measure Wednesday night. The legislation continues a home buyers’ tax credit and a measure allowing businesses to write off some of their losses incurred over the past two years. House lawmakers voted to approve the measure more than a month after initially agreeing to a more modest extension of unemployment benefits. The home buyers’ tax credit and business-tax measure were added in the Senate.

The bill  extends an $8,000 first-time home buyers’ tax credit that was set to expire at the end of this month. The credit will apply to all house contracts entered into before April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30. It creates a new $6,500 credit for existing property owners looking to sell their home and buy another during the same period of time. Both credits have income restrictions limiting their availability.