Atlanta Condos For Sale

35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home For Less

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Furnish your new home for less with these 35 tipsBuying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture placement and decor before the ink dries on your offer letter.
 
But before you run to the nearest home goods store, take a deep breath. First, you’ll need to delay any major purchases before you close on your new home. A large outlay or additional line of credit could lower your credit score and, thus, impact your mortgage terms. (1) Second, moving and closing costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to be strategic with your remaining budget.
 
But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to save on home essentials, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share with you. Here are some 35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home For Less! 
 

PRIORITIZE WHAT YOU REALLY NEED BEFORE YOU START SHOPPING

According to Home Advisor, the national average cost to furnish a new house is $16,000, but it can easily soar higher. (2) That’s why we recommend starting with a thorough assessment of what you already have and what you actually need to start life in your new place. Here are some steps to help you prioritize your purchases and keep spending in check.
  • Make a list of everything you need. Going room by room could help you brainstorm—for example, you might list items ranging from a mattress to blackout curtains for your new primary bedroom.
  • Inventory what you already have. Cross the big (dining table) to the small (kitchen knives) off your list as you go.
  • Divide the remaining items into three groups: things you need right away (a mattress), items you’d like to have in the near future (a coffee table for your living room), and pieces that can wait (an area rug).
  • Calculate your budget. Figure out how much money you’ll have available for immediate purchases after the sale has closed, and start researching the items on your priority list to understand how they’ll fit into your budget.
  • Don’t rush the process. Bringing older items to your new space doesn’t mean you need to keep them forever. Consider hanging onto pieces that can tide you over for a year or two until your bank account has recovered from the costs of a home purchase.
Before you start shopping, make sure you know which appliances and fixtures are included with your home purchase. We can inform you of the standard contract terms when you’re making an initial offer and note any additional items that you would like to request.
 

35 tips to furnish your homeTIME YOUR PURCHASES TO MAKE THE MOST OF SEASONAL SALES

Did you know that some home items predictably go on sale at certain times of the year? If you can wait to buy these pieces when prices are lower, you could save significantly. Here are some of the best times to buy household essentials:(3,4)
  • Bedding and linens: January
  • TVs: Black Friday/Cyber Monday and late January (before the Super Bowl)
  • Furniture: February and August, as well as Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
  • Large appliances: Labor Day through October
  • Small kitchen appliances: May
  • Mattresses: Holiday weekends, especially Memorial Day, Labor Day, and 4th of July
  • Vacuum cleaners: April
  • Tools: June
  • Outdoor furniture: August through October
Generally speaking, holiday weekends (as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday) tend to be great times to find deals. If the item you’re looking for is seasonal—like patio furniture or holiday decorations—waiting until the end of that season usually pays off.
 

FIND ALTERNATIVE SHOPPING SOURCES

Can’t wait for a sale? It’s time to think outside of the box (the big-box stores, that is). There are plenty of surprising places to find great furniture and houseware deals.

  • Check out overstock and liquidation stores. These stores purchase items other retailers haven’t sold and offer them at a steep discount. The inventory can be hit or miss, but you can often get a great deal if you find what you’re looking for.(5)
  • Try private membership/warehouse stores. Retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club often have great deals on home goods. If you’re not already a member, ask family or friends if they are willing to take you to look around before you commit.
  • Consider open-box items. When buyers return items like furniture or electronics, retailers can’t always sell them as new, even if they haven’t truly been used. Look online for open-box deals from retailers like Wayfair and Amazon Warehouse or visit local retailers to see what they have in stock.
  • Give scratch-and-dent appliances a chance. These appliances are brand new but sold at deep discounts because their external packaging was damaged. Typically, this means that flaws are purely cosmetic—but it’s always possible that the merchandise has suffered more serious damage. So, be sure to check out the appliances carefully and ask about included warranties.(6)
  • Expand your window treatment search. Window treatments can be surprisingly expensive, but it’s often possible to save by buying off-the-shelf offerings in standard sizes. If you need a custom size or material, consider ordering online from a discount supplier and installing them yourself.
  • Shop secondhand. In addition to thrift stores and garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and Craigslist are all great places to find deals in your area.
Are alternative shopping sources still a stretch for your budget? Check out local Freecycle or “Buy Nothing” groups, which are often hosted on Facebook. Participants offer big and small items they no longer need—everything from furniture to clothing hangers—for free to other members. (7,8)
 

DON’T BE AFRAID TO NEGOTIATE FOR A BETTER DEAL

Many people don’t realize that prices for home goods, from furniture to appliances, are often negotiable. While asking for a discount can be intimidating, it’s common practice in many industries, although more so at independently-owned stores than chains. Here are a few tips: (9,10)
  • Comparison shop before you walk into a store. If you can find a lower price for the same item elsewhere, many retailers will match it.
  • Ask the store associate or manager for the best price available. They may be able to offer additional discounts or coupons.
  • If you can pay in cash, ask if you can get a discount for doing so. The seller may be happy to offer a small price reduction to avoid paying processor fees.
  • Call ahead to ask about applicable discounts. Some retailers offer price reductions for active military, veterans, teachers, first responders, or senior citizens on certain days or times of the year.
  • Point out scratches or dings to the sales associate. They may be willing to offer a discount to compensate for the imperfection.
  • Ask about floor models. Many stores offer these pieces at a lower price, even if they’re in like-new condition.
After you’ve negotiated a killer deal, don’t forget to ask for free or discounted delivery! Sometimes furniture and appliance stores will offer complimentary delivery or installation if you spend a certain amount or purchase multiple items.
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MAKE THE MOST OF REWARD PROGRAMS AND COUPONS

Every penny counts when you’re on a budget—and spending a little extra time maximizing reward programs and discounts is usually worthwhile.
  • Sign up for a change of address kit with the United States Postal Service. You’ll need to do anyway to forward mail to your new address, and it comes packed with valuable coupons.11
  • Make sure you never miss a sale. Sign up for your favorite retailers’ email lists and follow them on social media for discounts and sale alerts.
  • Take advantage of loyalty programs. If you’re making a big purchase or getting multiple items from one store, ask about free loyalty programs. Signing up often comes with an introductory coupon.
  • Consider store credit cards (carefully). Store credit cards can offer significant discounts—but only charge items you can pay off right away to avoid interest, and never open new lines of credit until your home purchase is complete, since it can affect your credit score.
  • Enroll in coupon and cashback programs. When you’re shopping online, programs like Rakuten and Honey can help you find coupon codes and give you cash back on purchases.
While you’re at it, why not set up a housewarming registry?12 You can share the link with family and friends if they ask what you need—and you can also use it to score discounts. Many stores offer a percentage off to help you buy unpurchased items on your registry.

35 tips to creatively furnish your homeGET CREATIVE

If you want to avoid a cookie-cutter home aesthetic—and save a few bucks—try reimagining your existing furniture and how it could fit into your new space. Here are a few of our favorite strategies.
  • Repurpose what you have. Instead of buying a new item to fit a specific purpose, ask yourself if you can use what you have in a different way. For example, repurpose an old dresser as a television stand or use a mismatched dining chair in your home office.
  • Upgrade existing items. Sometimes, a new coat of paint or varnish, or simply swapping out drawer pulls and handles, can lend a new lease on life to an old piece of furniture. You can also keep this strategy in mind if you see second-hand items that would be just right if they were a different color or had nicer fixtures.
  • Reupholster instead of buying new. If you have a tired-looking sofa or chair that’s still comfortable and stable, think about getting it reupholstered in new fabric instead of replacing it.
  • Get handy. Building furniture is certainly not for everyone, but with some basic tools and help from the internet, you may find that simple items like headboards are well within your grasp. You might also be able to repair pieces you already have and avoid shopping altogether.
Do-it-yourself projects can be fun, but they aren’t for everyone. If you’d like some professional help, reach out for a list of our recommended service providers.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

We know budgeting for a new home can be overwhelming, and we want to make the process easier for you. If you’re considering a home purchase, we can advise you on a realistic budget and help you review your options. We can also offer insights on other financial considerations and programs and incentives that can help make homeownership more attainable. Reach out for a free consultation.
The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.
Sources:
  1. Bankrate – https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/avoid-mortgage-closing-missteps/
  2. Furniture Bank – https://www.furniturebank.org/how-much-does-it-cost-to-furnish-an-apartment/
  3. US News – https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/the-best-time-of-year-to-buy-everything
  4. NerdWallet – https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/wht-to-buy-every-month
  5. Business Insider – https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/strategies-to-save-money-on-furniture-for-my-new-home?r=US&IR=T
  6. CNET – https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/buy-scratch-and-dent-appliances/
  7. Real Simple – https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/green-living/buy-nothing-groups
  8. Freecycle – https://www.freecycle.org/
  9. Consumer Reports – https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/08/how-to-bargain/index.htm
  10. Realtor.com – https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/furniture-stores-money-saving-tricks/
  11. The Krazy Coupon Lady – https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/usps-moving-coupons
  12. Taste of Home – https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/housewarming-registry/

Why Home Prices Keep Going Up

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Why Home Prices Keep Going Up

If you’ve ever dreamed of buying your own place, or selling your current house to upgrade, you’re no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions changing home prices can stir up. It’s a tale of financial goals, doubts, and a dash of anxiety that many have been through.

But if you put off moving because you’re worried home prices might drop, make no mistake, they’re not going down. In fact, it’s just the opposite. National data from several sources says they’ve been going up consistently this year (see graph below):

 

Here’s what this graph shows. In the first half of 2022, home prices rose significantly (the green bars on the left side of the graphs above). Those increases were dramatic and unsustainable.

So, in the second half of the year, prices went through a correction and started dipping a bit (shown in red). But those slight declines were shallow and short-lived. Still, the media really focused on those drops in their headlines – and that created a lot of fear and uncertainty among consumers.

But here’s what hasn’t been covered fully. So far in 2023, prices are going up once more, but this time at a more normal pace (the green bars on the right side of the graphs above). And after price gains that were too high and then the corrections that followed in 2022, the fact that all three reports show more normal or typical price appreciation this year is good news for the housing market.

Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow, explains changing home prices over the past 12 months this way: 

“The U.S. housing market has surged over the past year after a temporary hiccup from July 2022-January 2023. . . . That downturn has proven to be short lived as housing has rebounded impressively so far in 2023. . .”

Looking ahead, home price appreciation typically starts to ease up this time of year. As that happens, there’s some risk the media will confuse slowing price growth (deceleration of appreciation) with home prices falling (depreciation). Don’t be fooled. Slower price growth is still growth.

Why Are Home Prices Increasing Now?

One reason why home prices are going back up is because there still aren’t enough homes for sale for all the people who want to buy them.

Even though higher mortgage rates cause buyer demand to moderate, they also cause the supply of available homes to go down. That’s because of the mortgage rate lock-in effect. When rates rise, some homeowners are reluctant to sell and lose their current low mortgage rate just to take on a higher one for their next home.

So, with higher mortgage rates impacting both buyers and sellers, the supply and demand equation of the housing market has been affected. But since there are still more people who want to purchase homes than there are homes available to buy, prices continue to rise. As Freddie Mac states: 

“While rising interest rates have reduced affordability—and therefore demand—they have also reduced supply through the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Overall, it appears the reduction in supply has outweighed the decrease in demand, thus house prices have started to increase . . .”

Here’s How This Impacts You

  • Buyers: If you’ve been waiting to buy a home because you were afraid its value might drop, knowing that home prices have gone back up should make you feel better. Buying a home gives you a chance to own something that usually becomes more valuable over time.
  • Sellers: If you’ve been holding off on selling your house because you were worried about how changing home prices would impact its value, it could be a smart move to work with a real estate agent and put your house on the market. You don’t have to wait any longer because the most recent data indicates home prices have turned in your favor.

Bottom Line

If you put off moving because you were worried that home prices might go down, data shows they’re increasing across the country. Let’s connect so you can understand how home prices are changing in our local area.

Relocating to Atlanta GA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

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Every really good city (well at least a Big city…..) needs an airport. And if you are looking for one big guy, you found it right here. Relocating to Atlanta GA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport! 

Relocating to Atlanta GA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The name itself is quite a mouthful. ATL is the airport code used by airlines. Most locals call it Hartsfield International. Or Hartsfield Atlanta. No matter what you call it…you can call it big.

 

Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Relocating to Atlanta

  • 94+ Million Passengers Annually
  • 275,000 Daily Passengers
  • Two Terminals (See my comments below)
  • Five Runways ( I think a hotel was lost in one expansion)

Besides offering you a non-stop flight to almost any city you want to visit, the convenience of Hartsfield-Jackson is why Atlanta is such a choice city for Fortune 500 companies to call it home! Do the names The Home Depot, UPS , Coca-Cola and NCR sound familiar? And don’t forget that Atlanta and the airport are the global headquarters for Delta Air Lines.

The Layout of the Atlanta Airport

As I mentioned above, the airport only has TWO terminals, North and South. You just need to know which terminal based on the airline you are flying. (Delta pretty much owns the South Terminal!) But once you are in the airport, there is where people think it’s confusing, or not a user friendly airport. Once you check in, you then have to ride The Plane Train, which is an underground train running from the two main terminals to the SEVEN concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E and F) The new International Terminal (F) opened in 2012 at a cost of some $1.4 billion. I can remember arriving in that terminal once BEFORE the Plane Train had been connected to it…and that was a nightmare to get back to the North/South terminals to then catch a MARTA train into the city. 

I remember flying out of Dallas, Texas (DFW) and missing my flight because it was so far from the entrance to the airport, and then if you did not know your flight number, you did not know know where to go! Maybe it has changed since that time, but it was very confusing to me…at least. Here at Hartsfield Jackson, you just have to know your airline to get to the right spot. Once you are in the airport, then you’ve got that Plane Train ride. 

How Do I Get To and From the Airport into Atlanta?

Hartsfield Jackson Relocating to Atlanta

 

The airport is accessible by car via I-85 or I-285. That is for the North and South Terminals. The International Terminal has its own entrance, separate from the domestic terminal. The international terminal entrance is accessible from Interstate 75 at Exit 239. Roadway signage directs motorists to the international terminal via interstates 75, 85 and 285. Surface street signs also have been updated to direct motorists to the facility. All of the Interstate signage points you to Domestic or International. I think THAT is confusing.

Depending on where you live in Atlanta, using MARTA is the most awesome way to get to and from the airport. It’s the final stop for both the Red and Gold Lines, and its connected directly to the Domestic terminal. If you live further North of Atlanta, you might have family or friends drop you at the outermost station and take the train from there. But if you live in areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven, access to the stations is relatively easy. 

 

 

 

I’ve Heard Getting Checked-in and through TSA is horrible?

Well, yes and now. Lots of factors play into this, but it’s best to error on the side of extra time on your Concourse (or the Delta Sky Club if you are a member) than miss your flight because of the long time at TSA. I honestly have never been in the TSA line for more than 30 minutes. I do have TSA Pre-Check….but thankfully have never been at the airport for the lines that I have heard snake around through the Atrium. 

Truly, our airport is one of the best things about our city.

 

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know

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Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know | MyKCM

One of the first steps in your homebuying journey is getting pre-approved.  To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to understand what pre-approval is and what it does for you. Business Insider explains:

“In a preapproval [sic], the lender tells you which types of loans you may be eligible to take out, how much you may be approved to borrow, and what your rate could be.”

Basically, pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand your options and what you may be able to borrow.

How does it work? As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will look at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow. That can make it easier when you set out to search for homes because you’ll know your overall numbers. And with higher mortgage rates impacting affordability for many buyers today, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more important.

Pre-Approval Helps Show You’re a Serious Buyer

Another added benefit is pre-approval can help a seller feel more confident in your offer because it shows you’re serious about buying their house. A recent article from Forbes notes:

“From the seller’s perspective, a preapproval [sic] letter from a reputable local lender often can make the difference between accepting and rejecting an offer.”

This goes to show, even though you may not face the intense bidding wars you saw if you tried to buy during the pandemic, pre-approval is still an important part of making a strong offer. In fact, Christy Bieber, Personal Finance Writer at The Motley Fool explains it may be the most important part of making an offer:

“Pre-approval maximizes the chances you’ll be able to actually close the deal – and sellers want to see that.

The fact that a pre-approval gives you a better chance of getting your offer accepted is undoubtedly the most important reason to complete this step . . .”

Bottom Line

Getting pre-approved is an important first step towards buying a home. It lets you know what you can borrow, shows sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home, and last but not least, it helps ME know what to be looking for as we search for a home.  We have a great team of Lenders to help you get that important pre-approval! Check them out at YOUR TEAM Page here on the site.

Why Is My Home Not Being Shown Multiple Times Per Week?

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Why Is My Home Not Being Shown Multiple Times Per Week?

As I have daily conversations with my Seller’s, as well as speak with other real estate professionals, and it is a continuing education class for Seller’s in the current market. Long gone are the multiple offers, offers over list price and no contingencies. In fact, gone are multiple showings in a day!

When Seller’s ask me, “Why is my home not being shown multiple times per week?” I have to remind and educate them that the real estate market in Atlanta (and pretty much every city from people I talk to) has made a dramatic shift. It’s not that Buyer’s don’t want to buy a home…it’s that many Buyers have been priced out of the market completely by the sharp rise in interest rates. 

This dramatic rise in interest rates can do a number of things to a buyer: 1) They can no longer afford the mortgage payment on the price point they were looking; 2) They are having to look at less expensive homes to meet their mortgage budget (hence not looking at yours?) or; 3) have left the market completely.  Other buyers, while they may still be able to afford the payment at a higher interest rate, have chosen to move to the sidelines while they see what happens to the economy.

The increase in interest rates is directly related to the number of times your home is being shown. And unless you have priced it below market value….yes…I said BELOW market value, it may be on the market for sometime before it sells. While we certainly have not shifted 100% from a crazy Seller’s market where we were last year or even at the beginning of this year, Buyers are looking for homes that the Seller is showing their willingness to price it such that it is a great value to the buyer.

As a listing agent, I can work to market your home in numerous ways. If your home is vacant, we can increase the amount of virtual staging we do in each room to help show the home in a better way. We reach out to agents in our marketplace that we know list and sell homes in the area to confirm they have seen your listing, and if they have any buyers that might be interested. But even with these efforts, when you have a reduced buyer pool to draw from, it’s going to take more than 3 days to sell your home. It is now quite common to see homes on the market for 60-90 days and even longer. 

Some Seller’s are showing their frustration by taking their home off the market. I had one Seller say, ” I’ll put it back on after the holidays when the market has improved.” Well, I don’t have THAT crystal ball, but if there are buyers out during the holidays, they most likely are strong buyers that ARE qualified, and you could miss that opportunity. 

I can talk to you and tell you about the market, but numbers don’t lie….as this statement about the volume of mortgages clearly says:

 

 

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation?

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Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation?

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation? | MyKCM

While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession.

You’re likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as you watch the cost of goods and services climb. The pinch it’s creating on your wallet and the looming economic uncertainty may leave you wondering: “should I still buy a home right now?” If that question is top of mind for you, here’s what you need to know.

Homeownership Is Historically a Great Hedge Against Inflation

In an inflationary economy, prices rise across the board. Historically, homeownership is a great hedge against those rising costs because you can lock in what’s likely your largest monthly payment (your mortgage) for the duration of your loan. That helps stabilize some of your monthly expenses. James Royal, Senior Wealth Management Reporter at Bankrate, explains:

“A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to maintain the biggest portion of housing expenses at the same payment. Sure, property taxes will rise and other expenses may creep up, but your monthly housing payment remains the same.”

And with rents being as high as they are, the ability to stabilize your monthly payments and protect yourself from future rent hikes may be even more important. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains what happened to rents in the latest inflation report:

“Inflation refuses to budge. In September, consumer prices rose by 8.2%. Rents rose by 7.2%, the highest pace in 40 years.”

When you rent, your monthly payment is determined by your lease, which typically renews on an annual basis. With inflation high, your landlord may be more likely to increase your payments to offset the impact of inflation. That may be part of the reason why a survey from realtor.com shows 72% of landlords said they plan to raise the rent on one or more of their properties in the next year.

Becoming a homeowner, if you’re ready and able to do so, can provide lasting stability and a reliable shelter in times of economic uncertainty.

If you are new to the home buying process, check out our Intown Atlanta Real Estate Buyers Guide!

Bottom Line

The best hedge against inflation is a fixed housing cost. If you’re ready to learn more and start your journey to homeownership, let’s connect.

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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