Whether you are buying or selling a home, being prepared is key. Below are some tips I hope you find useful.

FOR BUYERS
Determine if You are Ready to Buy

•Get pre-qualified with a lender. Pre-qualification will help you determine the correct price range for you, before choosing a home. After getting pertinent information from you, most lenders can pre-qualify you over the phone. You should be prepared to give a lender pertinent information regarding your employment, income, and debt. Let me help you find a knowlegable loan officer that will work for you.

   Some questions you will need to think about are:

    1. How much do I want my monthly payments to be, including taxes and insurance.
     2. How much do I need for a down payment and closing costs. (A lender will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate to give you an estimate of costs. Once you have a home under contract, the lender will give you more concrete numbers.)
     3. What is the best kind of loan for me?  (There are many products to meet individual needs).

•Choose a real estate professional to show you properties, guide you through the process of making an offer, negotiate the transaction, and bring it to a successful close. Communicate with your realtor. Once she knows your wants and needs, she can assist you in buying the perfect home. I would love the opportunity to help you realize your dream!

•When looking at homes, take notes. After a day of looking at many homes, they tend to “run together”. Making notes or naming the house (eg: “the Georgia Bulldog house”) will sometimes trigger your memory and make it easier to remember individual homes at the end of the day.

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FOR SELLERS

In this very competitive market, when selling a home, you need every advantage you can get! Here are some tips to prepare you for selling your home.

  • Create a "To-Do" list
  With my experience in selling homes, I can look at your home with fresh eyes and help you
  make this list. Some things to consider are:

EXTERIOR TIPS
• Curb Appeal — First Impressions Count!
  – Pull weeds, trim shrubs, mow the lawn and rake leaves.
  – Does the front door need a fresh coat of paint?
  – Consider adding seasonal flowers.
• Exterior Repairs
  – Check for any needed maintenance.
  – Pressure wash or paint as needed.
  – Clean out gutters and downspouts.
  – Replace any broken window panes.

INTERIOR TIPS
• Interior Repairs — Check for any needed maintenance.
  – Leaky faucets or showers
  – Change furnace filters
  – Repair/paint water stains on ceilings
• Clean — A Clean House Sells!
  – Clean every inch of the house. If carpets are soiled, clean those as well.
  – Organize closets and cabinets
• De-Clutter
  – Remove unused items from kitchen counters and bathroom vanities. This will make it appear that you have more space.
  – Can you see the front of your refrigerator? All those photos and children's artwork that you adore can create a cluttered look.
  – Pack up your extra "stuff". It gives you a head start on packing and makes your home appear larger.
• Brighten Up
  – When showing a home, open your blinds or drapes and let the sun in!
  – Turn on lights, especially on cloudy or rainy days.

If you are interested in selling your home, please call Judy Payne at 706-255-5781 or email me at judy@sellingathenshomes.com
I would love to work with you!  

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