Atlanta Condos For Sale

Organizing Your Home For Sale

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Organizing Your Home For SaleIf you are considering selling your home or condominium, you’ve most likely met with a real estate agent about the process. (If NOT, perhaps we should talk?!!) And they, or I, will have some suggestions for you to make your home ready For Sale!

Organizing Your Home For Sale

When I saw this article on the website, Houzz, it caught my attention for a couple reasons. One, I knew that it would be of interest to my readers, but secondly, and more importantly, was the concept of getting rid of the clutter BEFORE you try to organize. You can make your home or condo look organized, but maybe much of that stuff you put in those need stacks of storage containers could of been tossed, or given away?

It certainly gave me pause as I think about this project in many areas of my home! And hope it helps you too!

Smile You’re on a Nanny Cam!

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Smile You’re on a Nanny Cam!

Buyer Beware You May be RecordedWhen showing a home or condo to a prospective Buyer, I never want the Seller to be in the home. I too, understand if you have expensive art work and such, that you may want your listing agent there during a showing. (That too, can  be a challenge) If that is the case, I always caution my Buyers not to get excited, or show much emotion about the home, as it truly CAN affect our negotiation position later if we make an offer on the home.

But, do you really know if you are all alone in the home? Hmmm….with the technology at hand and available today, that one book on the bookshelf could infact be recording our conversation. And most likely, perfectly legal. Afterall, you are in THEIR home!

So, if you are inclined to trash someone’s choice of decor, or express “this is it…we HAVE to have this house” while touring a home or condo, it just might all be on a recording!

Here’s a great article from Realtor.com that talks about this very possibility!

Buyers Beware: You May be Under Surveillance! 

Real Estate FAQ’s | How Many Parking Spaces Will I Have?

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Real Estate FAQ at MyMidtownMojo.comA question I’m often asked by condominium buyers is How Many Parking Spaces Will I Have?

It has been a “standard” and a building code in the Atlanta Condo Market to have one parking space per bedroom. In other words, buy a 1-bedroom condo, get 1 parking space. Buy a 2-bedroom, get TWO parking spaces. Needless to say, for a couple, this could be a problem.

If you purchase a 1-bedroom and you BOTH have cars, you will need to look for an additional parking space. Where? Here are some options:

  • Other Condo Owners — There may be an owner of a 2-bedroom that only has one car. They might be willing to rent out their other parking space on a monthly basis. Check with the HOA Property Manager, or if the building has a website, or bulletin board where such information can be found.
  • Purchase an Additional Space — Some new construction condominiums will offer extra parking spaces For Sale during the early sales period. This may, or may not be a wise investment. You should not expect to ever get back what you pay for an extra parking space. I purchased one for $15,000 in 2007 when I bought my condo. I sold it in 2010 for $5,000. OUCH! But, if there is someone in the building that purchased like I did, and then wants to sell, this can be a great (and as my experience will tell you, cheap) way to get another parking space.
  • Lease a space off-site — Depending on where your condo building is located, there may be surface parking lots, or even parking Where Can I Find an Extra Parking Space in Midtown Atlantagarages where spaces could be leased. There is some serious lost revenue opportunities in Midtown Atlanta for the renting of parking spaces. Here is a photo that includes the top floor of the AT&T Parking garage on 5th and West Peachtree Streets. I’ve only ONCE ever seen a car on that top floor. There has to be a few thousand dollars in lost revenue there!

When purchasing an Intown Atlanta Real Estate condominium, always be sure to ask How Many Parking Spaces Will I Have?

Five Tips For Selling Your Condo Quickly

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With the ever-so-hot Atlanta real estate market, you may think you can just put your condo on the market and ….BAM! It will be Under Contract. That could be true for some of you. But, if you have plans to buy a house, or some other significant reason that has you putting your condo on the market….you might just need…

Five Tips For Selling Your Condo Quickly

Price

pre approved mortgageI consult with Sellers almost every day. And I totally understand that every dollar you make from your sale of your condo can go towards the purchase of your next home. But when you play the pricing game, you may not win if you are looking for a quick sale. Take a look at the comparative sales (comps) that I (or any agent) will show you. And price your condo there…if not even below that price. A condo that does not have a huge price tag is going to appeal to agents and buyers alike.

No Personal and No Pets

If you have been living in your condo for a few years, you have stuff. (Unless you truly are a minimalist…..and I’ve not seen many.) That stuff is personal items from those wedding photos (maybe THAT is why we are moving?) to the great group shot from that mud run….these things need to go in storage bins…and go to storage. There are numerous storage places around Intown Atlanta where you can get a small storage room for your….stuff.

And pets. Nothing can kill a sale like pet odors. Even if the potential buyer has a pet themselves, no one wants to smell….or “see” them. Make sure you remove pets for showings. If you are at work during the day….doggie day care is a great option. And then tuck pet dishes away.

A 2 Bedroom Looks Like a 2 Bedroom

Tips to Sell your Condo FastNow this CAN work both ways. If your second bedroom is a home office, that just might appeal to the buyer who also wants space for a home office. On the other hand, if they are looking for a 2 bedroom condo, and your’s “appears” to be a 1 bedroom with an office, they might not be able to see past this really IS the second bedroom. Again, I realize this could be hard to change in a condo….but make that office as clean and sleek as possible so the Buyer can visualize what they would use the room for.

Update…Not a Full Blown Remodel

Often times, one condo can look like another…and another. That’s because that is how they were built….in “stacks” such that 1504 looks like 1804 that looks like 2104. So if you are 1504….make it stand out above the others! The quickest, easiest thing you can do is paint! You might have a great color scheme or accent wall you just love. But that’s the point….YOU love it and the buyer does not! So THEY are thinking, “Ugh, I’ll have to paint this.” Remove THAT thought from their mind. A fresh neutral color not only gives a fresh, new feel to your condo, it helps that buyer think about their own colors….or not. Do you still happen to have the builder-grade little light fixture on the ceiling? A new ceiling fan/light can make a big difference. Has that kitchen sink taken a real beating? Replacing it could make the kitchen really shine. Think about other simple things like faucets or your cabinet hardware. Anything that makes your condo look unique and different can help lead to that quicker sale.

Technology Sells

Condo Marketing Tips For a Fast SaleEveryday when I search the MLS for properties for clients, I’m blown away at the horrible quality of photographs that are out there trying to sell someone’s home or condo. Seriously….I have to wonder if the Seller knows just how BAD their home is being marketed. Well, if I am looking at those photos, guess who else is. The potential buyer of your condo!!! Make sure your home shines online! This WILL BE the first place your home is shown! Look at the photos your listing agent takes (some of us are good at photography) or that the professional photographer takes. Just make sure they show the good features of your condo.

The days on market your condo faces can be greatly reduced by being aggressive from the moment you leave the starting gate. Also making your home readily available to show (24 hour notice, can only be shown on such and such days, etc) are not flexible to a buyer. In the hot Atlanta market, if  your listing goes live this morning….you best be prepared for showings this afternoon.

Get that potential Buyer in your condo….and let’s get it….SOLD!

What Are These “Energy Ratings” on Real Estate Listings?

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Tomorrow is Earth Day! (Click HERE to learn about Earth Day!)

What Are These “Energy Ratings” on Real Estate Listings?

And there is no better time then when we talk about our planet, to also talk about energy, and efficiency when buying a home or condo. You often hear these terms, “LEED Certified” or on a listing you see a “HERS rating.” And then there is “Energy Star.”

What do they all mean?

HERS Index

Energy Rating HERS IndexThe Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.

The HERS Index measures how efficient a home’s energy usage is. There are a lot of great reasons to have a home energy rating performed on your house.

It can tell you so much about the home you are going to purchase, like how efficiently it’s operating and where you can make modifications for greater energy savings. When you’re selling your home, a low HERS Index Score can command a higher resale price. And when you’re buying a home you can anticipate the costs of energy bills and efficiency upgrades.

How does the HERS Index work?

A certified Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100.

  • A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home
  • A home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home

For more information, visit the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) website. 

LEED

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program managed by the US Green Building Council. It is more frequently used in the commercial office environment, but it can also be applicable to residential real estate.

LEED works for all buildings—from homes to corporate headquarters—at all phases of development. Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several areas that address sustainability issues. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then receives one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

To learn more about LEED for residential construction, visit the LEED for HOMES page of U.S. Green Building Council.

Home energy efficiency Energy Star ENERGY STAR

Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.

Energy Star covers items like sealing and insulating, heating and cooling, as well as products like home appliances, electronics and lighting.

For more information about Energy Star ratings or your home, visit the Energy Star website.

Many of the above ratings may have been accomplished when the home, or condominium building was built. Others, you can change later, such as HVAC or home appliances.

If any of these certifications are important to you in your home search, we encourage you to look at these websites and learn more information about the areas you have a focus on!

Happy Earth Day!

April 22, 2016 Earth Day

5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Agent

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Why Use a Real Estate Agent5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Agent

Let’s face it. Some things are just better left to professionals.

If I knew how to work on my car, I probably would…but it goes to a mechanic. I hate painting, but I will paint the INSIDE of my house. When it comes to the outside, sorry, I hire a professional. Some people hire a lawn maintenance company….their yards look almost like a golf course.

So, when you are off to make one of the largest purchases, or a financial investment, called buying a home, don’t you think you might want to engage a professional? A real estate agent can help you through parts of the process that you might find challenging and down right difficult!

5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Agent

What’s The Market Like?

I never like to zing other companies, but it is no secret that some of the online real estate portals can be really off… I mean really, really off on what the value is of your home or condo, and those around you. A real estate agent that works the market where you are buying or selling can tell you more about what the current market conditions are, and what they will mean to you.

Experience

You may have bought your last home 3 or 5 or more years ago. Guess what? Times change. Things change….market trends change. A real estate agent is in real estate every day. In my case, I’m searching for homes and looking at what is happening in the markets I work on a daily basis…not every couple months, or even years. I understand the process of buying, selling and what you go through.

Paperwork and Paperwork

Yeah, we do have electronic signatures, but we still have lots of forms to fill out. From a Purchase and Sale Agreement to a Loan Exhibit to a Disclosure Statement. We are here as part of your team ( your lender, loan officer, inspector and more are all here to help you along the way) to help you understand these forms.

Negotiations

Buying or selling a home or condo should be a business-like process. But sometimes, it can get pretty emotional. As a Seller, you’ve lived in the home and it means something to you…how DARE they offer us that much! As a Buyer, you may have been searching and searching and you’ve finally found THE ONE, but the Seller is not budging. My job as your real estate agent is to be your negotiator…the buffer….between you and the Buyer/Seller…depending which side I’m representing.

Pricing Your home to sellPricing To SELL!

And it can be Pricing to BUY too! I’m here to help you understand those market conditions we just mentioned above, and how that special tiled floor you laid in your sunroom might not be worth as much as YOU think it is. I’m here to help you see what the market has said your home may be worth. Yes, you heard that right. The market WILL determine what your home is worth. You can list for $300,000. You might not get more than $285,000. Or in a tight inventory market, you might get MORE than your list price if there is more than one buyer interested in your home.

Working with a real estate agent will help the home buying and/or selling process be much smoother for you.  I’m here to help!

Thom Abbott

Associate Broker, REALTOR(R)
905 Juniper Street, NE Suite 110
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
770.713.1505 Direct
404.876.4901 Office

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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