Posts with tag 'getting your home ready to sell'

One of the most common questions I receive is what happens if we have a low appraisal? Most real estate contracts are contingent upon the property appraising for the sales price. The appraisal is ordered by the lender but typically paid for by the buyer, unless negotiated otherwise. A low appraisal can be common in a hot market where home values are rising faster than the comparable sales can keep up. The good news is that a low appraisal does not mean the deal is over. In fact, we are able to work out most low appraisals.

One option you have is to appeal the appraisal. This is when you need to lean on your Realtor to find suitable comparable sales that will support your contract price. Appraisers can make mistakes and overlook sales. Make sure you or your Realtor look at off-market sales and not just transactions on the local MLS. Once you have some transactions that you think will support the value, the buyer's lender will send these to the appraiser to see if they warrant...

Click Here to Read More...

Tax-Free Exchange for Dummies

You probably have heard of tax-free exchanges or maybe you have completed one yourself. If you are a real estate investor and you are not using 1031 Tax-free exchanges, you certainly should be. With a 1031 exchange, you are able to defer paying taxes on the sale of a property. If you reinvest the proceeds in a new property, this is considered an "exchange" rather than a sale. This will allow you to avoid a large capital gains tax.

The legislation and "rules" for tax-free exchanges are constantly changing so it is important to stay up to date with the latest changes. As it stands now, both properties involved must be investment properties, whether you intend to lease the new property or flip the home for profit. For example, you cannot sell an investment home, then put the profit into a property that you intend to live in yourself, and avoid taxes. Also, the home or property you are buying must be equal to or worth...

Click Here to Read More...

Spring Selling Season Continues

The spring time is the best time to sell your home. More homes are sold from, the spring time to the fall, than any other time of the year (per GAMLS). Real estate correlates with both the weather and school year. Buyers prefer to look at homes when the weather is nice. Families prefer to move their families once the school year is over. Children are already out of school then and do not have to change schools mid-year. The last day of school for Coweta County, in 2018, is May 25^th. When considering the average market time to sell, a 30-60 day closing process, its best to list in the spring to accomplish a late spring or summer move.

The first day of spring, officially, began on March 20^th. As a Realtor, we have seen activity pick up tremendously the last two months. Home owners have listed their homes for this busy time and contacted real estate agents for assistance in pricing and market...

Click Here to Read More...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSEY'S, INC. REALTORS!

We are proud to be celebrating our 70^th year in business in Newnan, Georgia this year!

My father, Lindsey Hand Barron, returned from college and the Navy in 1948 and started business in Newnan.  I know that he would be proud that, not only are his two sons, Frank and Chip, are now running the business and carrying on the fine traditions and legacy that he set for doing business over 70 years ago.  He would be especially pleased that two of his grandsons, Jess and Tom Barron, are now in business with Lindsey's as well.

We would like to thank Newnan and Coweta County for their support and business over the years.  Repeat business and word of mount recommendations from satisfied customers have continued to make Lindsey's a success.  Our employees have also held up the high standards of doing bu...

Click Here to Read More...

I am celebrating 50 years (1968-2018) as a licensed real estate professional this year. It is hard for me to believe all the changes that have taken place over this 50 year period. We did not have computers, cell phones, fax machines or even a copy machine. We used carbon paper for copies, quarters for phone calls and we used snail mail exclusively.

The life of a real estate professional moves much faster today. One cannot procrastinate at all due to the speed at which information and communication ravels. Also there are so many more agents and companies competing for listings and buyers.

One thing that has not changed is our Lindsey's motto which is the Golden Rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated." We make every effort to live up to that standard every day.