Buyers Archives -

MyMidtownMojo and Thomas Ramon Group Make a Happy Buyer

November 6, 2020 by Thom Abbott

Selling real estate is not an easy gig. Anyone that says it is…ehhhh! But, it is also very rewarding. And certainly, it’s that part of it that I enjoy the most. There is a lot, and I mean A LOT of stress that I either absorb, or my clients may feel it to. From finding the right home, the negotiations, the inspection, the appraisal and any other of the countless landmines that can show up…. it can wear you out.

But, when you see the look on that Buyer’s face, when they find the right home….well, that’s a pretty big reward….at least for me. And I suppose it might even be a bit bigger when it’s a first time home buyer! I’ve been able to help them through the whole process, and explain it all, step-by-step. From getting their pre-approval, to finding that home, and making it to our Celebration Day….it’s awesome.

But, sometimes, there are some bumps in the road. We try to avoid them, but it happens. In Kaylynn’s case, the lender dropped the ball. We are not going to go into specifics, or call anyone out, but let’s just say when it is 8 days before closing and the bomb drops, it makes for some stressful living! Kaylynn’s file was transferred to another loan officer, and they did nothing short of a miracle to get us to the closing table, and only miss that day by one day!

I kept Kaylynn informed of what was happening, what our next steps were, and kept the necessary paperwork moving to keep our Celebration Day on track.

As Kaylynn said to us:

“I had a great experience working with this company. When literally everything went wrong with my lending company my Realtor, Mr. Abbott was the one person I could count on to be responsive, thorough, and straight forward. It was a pleasure working with him and I would recommend this company as well as Mr. Abbott to anyone.”

Well, I’m blushing, but I’m thankful to have been able to help Kaylynn through some challenging days and get us to our Celebration Day!

Congratulations Kaylynn and we hope you enjoy your new home!

5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know

January 27, 2020 by Thom Abbott

5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know

Owning a home can be one of the most important parts of a satisfying lifestyle. The joy of coming home to someplace you can call your very own offers security and comfort. Yet owning a home comes with responsibilities as well; maintaining the home in proper condition is critical to avoid larger problems later. Let’s look at 5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know.

And yes, this applies to condo owners as well.

While some people are handier than others, here are 5 maintenance skills anyone can master.

1. How to Turn off Your Gas and Water –If you smell gas or have a water leak, taking quick action to shut off the source to the home while you wait for a professional can save thousands of dollars, and even lives. When you purchased your home or condo, this may have been pointed out to you during your home inspection. These are key things to know. If you have a dishwasher or washing machine that won’t stop filling, you can turn off all the water at the main shutoff to stop any flooding, or at least minimize it. With gas, of course you want to avoid any potential explosion and/or getting sick from the fumes.

2. Understanding How Electricity Is Fed to Your Home –Learn how to reset GFI outlets and popped breakers at the panel to avoid expensive house calls. Check out this YouTube video!

3. How to Find a Wall Stud – Avoid drywall repair when hanging pictures or shelves. Here is one on Amazon!

4. How to Change Your Air Filters – Keep your air fresh and your HVAC systems running efficiently. Know the size of your filter, and have extras on hand. You can change your filter as often as you desire, but many recommend every other month. Some systems say every 6 months, but that could be to long.

5. How to Address Simple Plumbing – From fixing a running toilet to recaulking the shower, simple plumbing related issues can save money in service calls and damage.

A quick visit to the local big box home supply store or afternoon online watching repair videos can help any homeowner tackle a few simple do-it-yourself tasks around the house. Learning a few basic maintenance skills will ensure you and your loved ones are safe and you’ll help your home stay in top condition.

If we can help you find a handyman to help with these issues, let us know. We also have plumbers and HVAC contacts should you find a problem is bigger than what you may be comfortable handling.

2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation

December 26, 2019 by Thom Abbott

2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation

Questions continue to rise around where home prices will head in 2020. The latest forecast from CoreLogic shows continued appreciation at 5.4% over the next year:Additionally, ARCH Mortgage Insurance Company in their current Housing and Mortgage Market Review revealed their latest ARCH Risk Index, which estimates the probability of home prices being lower in two years. Based on the most recent results, 32 of the 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) had a minimal probability of lowering by 2021.

Bottom Line

Experts forecast home price appreciation to continue at a moderate rate as we move through 2020 and beyond. With appreciation growing, let’s get together and plan for your next move.

How Much Do You Know About Down Payments?

August 11, 2019 by Thom Abbott

How Much Do You Know About Down Payments?

Whether you’ve owned a home before, or you’re ready to jump into homeownership for the first time, there are always a lot of questions swirling around about what is truly required for a down payment, and how to best source down payment assistance. Let’s tackle these two today.

1. How much do you really need for a down payment?

There is a long-standing misconception about down payment requirements. A survey from Fannie Mae shows only 17% of consumers know the minimum options are actually between 1 – 5% of the purchase price and 40% don’t know how much they need at all.There are many mortgage loans available that require as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, and some ask for only 3.5% down from repeat buyers. There are even loans available for Veterans that provide 0% down payment options too.

We’ve mentioned recently that you don’t need to come up with a 20% down payment to buy, and we’ve also shared how quickly you can save for a 3% or 10% down payment, depending on where you live. If you’re planning to put down just 3%, the research shows it may be possible in most states to have enough saved for a down payment in less than a year. That puts homeownership in a much closer reach for many potential buyers, maybe even you!

2. How can I get help with my down payment?

Regardless of the loans available, many buyers still need assistance with a down payment. The great news is, there are a lot of ways to tap into down payment assistance options. Here are just a couple of them:

Assistance from Family Members

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said, “a third of recent first-time buyers received down payment assistance from family members.” They also mentioned, “the average net worth of those aged 75 and over stands at $264,800…They just might offer the boost the next generation needs to become homeowners.”

That means one of the ways to find help with a down payment is to accept a gift from a family member. If this is an option for you, make sure you talk to your loan officer before you accept the money, to ensure you document the process the way it is required by your loan. This way, it will be received properly and you can still potentially qualify.

Down Payment Assistance Programs

The reality is, not everyone has a loved one or a family member who can provide help with a down payment. There are, however, more than 2,500 down payment assistance programs available (by local areas like city, county, or neighborhood), and some of them are even specifically for first-time buyers.

The gap, as mentioned in the same survey, is “only 23% of consumers are familiar with low down payment programs.”

That’s why it is so important to get familiar with these options by doing your homework before you plan to buy a home. Determine what is available in the area where you ultimately want to live, so you have all the details you need to take advantage of the down payment assistance option that is best for your family.

Bottom Line

If buying a home is one of your long-term goals, you may be able to get there sooner than you think by tapping into one of the many down payment assistance programs available.

Learn more about the home buying process by reviewing the articles in our Real Estate Buyers Guide.

Chamblee Signal -Official Newsletter of Chamblee, GA May June 2019

May 26, 2019 by Thom Abbott

Chamblee is a great community located along the Gold line of MARTA, North and slightly East of Midtown Atlanta. Once upon a time it was a sleepy town with it’s main street an example of what it was…Peachtree Industrial Blvd. But times have changed, and the Chamblee Signal -Official Newsletter of Chamblee is a great city publication about what’s happening in the city.

Here are the highlights of the May-June, 2019 issue:

Community Involvement in Comp Plan

A Comprehensive Plan is one of the most important documents any city can have in place. It’s the “road map” of where the city is headed in the future….the “vision” if you will. The first round of meetings referenced in the Signal happened earlier this month. You can learn more about the upcoming meetings and this process at OneChamblee.com

Facade Grant Program

Started by the Chamblee Downtown Development Authority (DDA) five years ago, this program is instrumental to the revitalizing and redevelopment of the Downtown Chamblee area. You can learn more about the DDA at DowntownChamblee.com

2019 National Wiffle Championship

Ahhhh…..don’t really know what to say. Best read the Signal, and you will find a link to it below.

PDK – A Hub for Business

Indeed, the SECOND busiest airport in GEORGIA sits right in Chamblee….Dekalb_peachtree, also known as PDK. While the airport primarily serves private aircraft, Ultimate Air Shuttle provides scheduled passenger service to Cleveland, Ohio and Charlotte, NC.

Chamblee Dining on the Rise

Along with the new apartment buildings and Peachtree Station Shopping Center comes more dining options. From Bad Daddy’s Burgers to Chronic Tacos, Gu’s Kitchen, La Garde, The Alden and more….residents and visitors alike have many new dining options, and more will certainly follow as the Downtown area redevelops and the new apartment buildings open up.

For all the stories in the Chamblee Signal -Official Newsletter of Chamblee, GA May June 2019, CLICK HERE!

If you are looking to purchase a new or existing home in Chamblee, give us a call at 770.713.1505. We’d be delighted to show you all the neighborhoods and various living options available to you! Or you can contact us here!

What Is Mortgage Insurance?

May 6, 2019 by Thom Abbott

As you look to purchase your new home, you are going to see one of the costs of borrowing money will be mortgage insurance, or private mortgage insurance (PMI) Most likely, this will occur due to your amount of down payment and the interest rate on your mortgage. Let’s take a look.

Benefits of Mortgage Insurance

Flexible premium payment options (your lender may have numerous options available)
Premium Payments are temporary – PMI can be cancelled once your home reaches an 80% loan to value ratio
Ability to buy your home sooner with as little as 3% down payment (this will depend on other factors)

FAQ’s about Mortgage Insurance

How much does PM cost?

The amount will vary based on your loan terms. You need less PMI with 15% down payment than you do with a 3% down payment. And it depends on the type of mortgage and other factors. Your TEAM Lender can provide you with specific payment amounts.

Won’t PMI Increase my mortgage payment?

While there is an added cost to PMI, it’s a small percentage of your overall mortgage payment. Most of it will be determined by your interest rate, and the loan amount.

Do I pay PMI for the entire time I have a Mortgage?

Thankfully, no! YOu can request to have PMI removed from your mortgage when your loan balance hits 80% of your original appraised value. Additionally, the FHPA (Federal Homeowners Protection Act) requires that mortgage insurance be automatically cancelled when your balance reaches 78%. This law may or may not apply to your mortgage….and you will want to discuss this with your lender.

At your closing (we like to call it a Celebration!) your lender must provide you with information about the mortgage insurance on the loan, and the conditions when you can cancel it. Furthermore, each year after you close, your lender must send you a reminder about PMI and that you can make that cancellation request once the conditions have been met.

Why do Lenders need Protection?

One need not look any further than the housing crash for this answer! But, to be more specific, it protects your mortgage company or bank if you are unable to continue making mortgage payments.

Studies have shown that homeowners with less than 20% invested in a home are more likely to default. It makes a loan with a lower down payment a higher risk. This should not be read that ALL home buyers with less than 20% are going to be a problem!! But you know how statistics work……not always in your favor. And you should not let this deter you from buying a home. MANY buyers buy with less than 20% as a down payment.

How Do I Pay PMI?

It is usually a part of your monthly payment, but can be paid in a single premium and financed as part of your mortgage. Again, your TEAM Lender can answer these questions, based on your specific situation.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has more information about Mortgage Insurance HERE.

And one of our TEAM Lenders, Movement Mortgage has a great article HERE.

Every Buyer and their situation, and every mortgage can be different. This is why we strongly encourage you to meet with a lender early on in your home search process to know what your specific situation is. Your lender can look at numerous options for you, and even suggest ways to lower these amounts.

We always say that it is OUR job to help you find the right home at the best possible price and terms, but it is your LENDER that helps you pay for it.

5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know

2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation

Bottom Line

How Much Do You Know About Down Payments?

1. How much do you really need for a down payment?

2. How can I get help with my down payment?

Assistance from Family Members

Down Payment Assistance Programs

Bottom Line

Benefits of Mortgage Insurance

FAQ’s about Mortgage Insurance

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