We have been getting very busy . We have several upcoming listings to be posted within the next week, as well as some closings.

Many of our clients know that I was expecting and some of you know that I had a little boy a couple month’s ago. Wanda is a proud grandma! We want to thank you all for the love and support. Thank you all for your kind expressions and gifts.

Lacey Shanks, The Progressive Group www.searchnicehomes.com

Sorry we have not posted lately but new additions at our house have been great.  Sunday we had twins born and today two nannies gave birth to girls. So four girls all total. Real estate calls are picking up and there are some exciting things happening. Spring is in the air and with that there also comes hope.  

Wanda and I attended the Adairsville Council Meeting this morning. George Bline of Porch & Patio Plus, Inc. (770)773-9141, Home Improvement Specialist accompanied us.

The meeting was held at the Adairsville Inn and the food was prepared by Chef Lee and his kitchen staff. On the menu was fruit, hashbrowns, eggs, grits, gravy, bisquits, toast, bacon, sausage, orange juice, and coffee, served buffet style.

The council meeting was sponsored by all the local Adairsville, GA. banks including United Community Bank (former Bank of Adairsville), Northside Bank, Unity Bank, & Crescent Bank.

The Council meeting was lead my Paula Cox, office manager at Century 21 Brenda Brock & Associates. She announced that next year Adairsville council meetings would be lead by Denise Castro, local accountant. Denise is a Certified Quickbooks ProAdvisor located in Adairsville, (770)547-7952. There was one new visitor to the meeting, Ken from Ken’s Auction which is located on South Main Street in Adairsville.

Hoops for Hope has arrived and will be held on December 6, 2008 from 9am -7pm at the Aubrey Street Gymnasium. Basketball tournament Exhibition game is from 5pm-7pm at $3.00 a ticket between Cartersville Summer Hills Blue Devils and Morris Brown Wolverines. Bring 3 canned goods and receive a door prize ticket. Proceeds to benefit College Scholarships to 5 Bartow County Seniors and the Christmas in July School supply drive. To purchase advanced raffle or game tickets contact Jennifer Stephens 770-387-3760 or Rachael Day 770-975-4023.

A member of each of the sponsoring banks made a brief presentation. 

Gary Floyd of United Community Bank was first up. He said the Bank of Adairsville has been in business since 1899, that is more then 100 years. Gary spoke about leadership in our community, just to mention a few: Joe Frank Harris, Rosa Parks, Lois Adams, Martin Luther King, Doyle Penson, Larry Pratt, and many others. He said Adairsville greatest economic boost is Interstate, I-75 and that we are very fortunate to have such potential to grow our community. We are only 45 minutes north of Atlanta. He also noted that despite economic issues loans and banking is still a happening thing.

 The next speaker up was Lydia Adcock of Northside Bank. Lydia has been in community banking for 31 years and Northside has been open for the past 3 years. She said that prove your income and have good credit and you can still obtain a loan.

Mike Smith of Unity Bank, spoke about a bill that may be going before congress that he hopes will past with the new administration. This would allow people at risk of losing their homes because they are a payment or two behind, if they still have a job, they could possibly obtain a lower interest rate of 4.5%, with a refinance and remain in their home. Mike also said it’s very important to bank locally, no matter what bank you use, bank in your hometown.

John Agnew of Crescent Bank, said they have 11 branches. They are optimistic about future growth and upturn in the economy.

 We believe it’s important to be up on what is going on in our communities so we can better serve our clients. For all your real estate buying and selling needs please consult Wanda Bline or Lacey Shanks, Your Complete Choice Realty, Mother & Daughter Team with The Progressive Group. (770) 324-0114 or (770)324-0113, office (770)382-8491

For ALL the latest local and real estate news visit www.SearchNiceHomes.com and while your there view 1000’s of local homes for sale and seek financing and home sales information.

On November 8, 2008 at the Cartersville Country Club the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce held the Annual 2008 Black & White Ball. My partner and mom, Wanda Bline and George Bline attended this black tie affair. Wanda was so sweet to take pictures, since she hates blogging. 

The evening began at 7 o’clock. A silent auction was held and hors D’ oeuvres were served. Later in the evening the Live auction began. A live band entertained the audiences, Finesse. Everyone socialized and danced the night away, although Wanda did not get to get her dancing shoes warmed up because she had shown way too many houses that morning. A special thanks was given to Randy Thompson.

Wanda tried real hard to win the auction “You’ll Be Stylin’” donated by Adairsville Eye Associates. Doctor Gilbert James is our family eye doctor and is located at 5943B Joe Frank Harris Pkwy NW, Adairsville 30103 GA  and can be reached at: 770-773-1584.

Wanda ended up winning a Gift Basket for her k-9 friends, Dixie and Pixel that was donated by Sassy Paws Pet Boutique, Ladd’s Farm Supply, and The Canine Cottage. The Canine Cottage is located in Adairsville and grooms and boards pets. They can be reached at 770-773-2675.

George really wanted the Falcons tickets and he won them. We will all be attending the Atlanta Falcons game on December 14th against Tampa Bay. We are planning a tailgate party the day of the game, so anybody who’s coming to the game give us a call and stop by our party and say hello! The tickets were donated by the Bartow County Bank.

Wanda also won the bid on a gift donated by Cartersville Diagnostics Center and a Tableware Collection gift basket donated by Star Provisions, in which she gifted to me, Lacey Shanks and I love it!

There were many generous contributors and bidders. A big thanks to all those who participated and helped plan such a wonderfully pulled off event.

Visit us online for all your real estate needs and dreams: www.searchnicehomes.com , serving your community today, yesterday and tommorow.

 George Bline, Owner of Porch & Patio Plus, Inc. in Adairsville. Remodeling and home improvement company. 770-773-9141 and Wanda Bline with The Progressive Group Real Estate Company. 770-324-0114 or 770-382-8491 www.SearchNiceHomes.com .

The Adairsville Council Breakfast was held this morning, November 6, 2008 at 7:30 am. Sponsor of this months meeting was Yanmar. Yanmar local location is in the industrial park in Adairsvillle, GA. They are a family owned and operated company passed down from generation to generation, with their start in Japan.

We found the meeting to be very informative. I was unaware that Yanmar had been in business since 1912. They have have made many new inventions since this time and improved the types of engines available to us today. They make engines for farming vehicles and tractors, marine engines, as well as others. They work with John Deere providing many of their engines and have designed some of their tractors for them. Yanmar partners with Club Cadet. Yanmar has received prestiges awards.

Yanmar representive commented on the importance of using local companies and local products whenever possible to help the community. They also expressed concern about protecting the environment now and for future generations. Yanmar commented that they would like to be involved with the local Adairsville community and giveback. He said Adairsville has been very welcoming to Yanmar.

Yanmar is working towards expansion and growth.

 In other news:

The Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce is holding a E-Verify Seminars on Thursday, November 6, at 4pm and Friday November 7, at 8 am. The seminar will be led by Yasser Benadada, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Management and Program Analyst with the Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of this class is to show employees how to verify employees eligibility to work for local companies.  To make reservations call 770-382-1466 or email karen@cartersvillechamber.com . Event to be held at Chamber of Commerce Board Room. 

For all your real estate needs and wants give the Complete Choice Realty, Mother & Daughter Team a call. Lacey Shanks 770-324-0113, Wanda Bline 770-324-0114, The Progressive Group 770-382-8491. View 1000’s of homes on our website www.SearchNiceHomes.com  

by Brandon Cornett

2007 was a year of record-breaking real estate statistics in the United States. Unfortunately, most of those stats were bad. Just ask the hundreds of thousands of homeowners who faced foreclosure last year! window.google_render_ad();

On the up side, there is a lot you can do to prevent this kind of real estate misery, and to avoid becoming a negative real estate statistic. Education goes a long way in this regard, and that’s why I continue to publish articles like this.

So with that said, here are five ways to be a good real estate statistic in 2008, instead of a negative one:

1. Understand and Guard Your Credit

Good credit has always been important for home buyers who are shopping for a mortgage loan. But it will be even more important this year, and for the foreseeable future. Last year’s subprime mortgage crisis has led to tougher regulation of the lending industry. As a result, most lenders (those that are regulated anyway) will be paying closer attention to the credit scores of borrowers.

So your first step is to understand the importance of credit in the real estate world. Your next step should be ordering a copy of your credit report so you’ll know where you stand, compared to the average consumer in this country. You should also check your credit reports for errors and work to get them corrected if need be.

You are entitled to one free credit report per year, from all three of the credit-reporting companies. There are several websites you can use (including my own) to request all three reports at once, which is certainly the convenient way to do things.

Also, if your credit score is low — lower than average, this is — you should work on improving it. You can do this by paying down your debt, paying all of you bills on time, and being financially responsible in general.

2. Don’t Buy Over Your Head

Many of the negative real estate statistics from 2007 were people who bought more home than they could rightfully afford. Of course, some of the lenders were to blame as well, mainly for offering ARM loans with low teaser rates during the introductory period, and glossing over the potential rise in monthly payments that would ensue.

Here’s the bottom line. If you can’t afford a home, you just can’t afford a home. Instead of pursuing dangerously “creative” financing methods to purchase that new home, focus on improving your financial situation first. Reduce your debt. Save up some cash. Try to increase your income, if at all possible. You might even relocate to an area where the housing costs are more within your reach. Heck, that’s the main reason I moved from San Diego to Austin!

Avoid buying beyond your financial means. It never ends well, and you will likely end up as a bad real estate statistic instead of a good one!

3. Choose Your Mortgage Type Carefully

In the previous point, I talked about the perils of the adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan, for people who don’t truly understand the ARM.

Don’t get me wrong … an adjustable-rate mortgage can be a good idea, mainly if you have plans to sell or refinance the home within a few years. In that case, you could save yourself some money by paying lower interest rates in the short term.

Here’s the key to success when choosing a type of mortgage loan. First of all, you have to understand the pros and cons of the different mortgage types. Secondly, you have to be realistic about your future plans. If you’ll be staying in the home for many years, you might be better off with a fixed-rate mortgage that can weather the financial storms of the future without being affected by them.

Research the different types of mortgage loans, and then match your loan to your home-buying situation and future plans.

4. Don’t Trust Lenders … Or the Government

Here’s a real “shocker.” Mortgage lenders are in the business of lending money to people, and making a profit while doing so. Surprised by this? I told you it was a revelation! Mortgage lenders will do everything they can to get somebody to borrow from them, as long as they don’t get burned in the short term.

So you really can’t trust a lender to tell you what you can and cannot afford to pay each month. The only thing a lender can tell you with certainty is whether or not you’re qualified for the mortgage … not whether or not you can realistically afford it. And if they sell the loan to the secondary market after granting it to you, then they don’t really have to worry about your financial woes down the road.

But what about the government? Surely they are looking out for home buyers, right? Well, not always. You see, there are these people called lobbyists, and many of them represent the lending industry. They make big contributions to certain political campaigns (like Schwarzenegger and Bush, to name only two) in order to influence regulations — or the lack of regulations — on the lending industry as a whole.

So don’t expect the government to come riding to your rescue if you get in over your head with a mortgage loan. You must be a smart consumer, an educated consumer, and a self-reliant consumer.

5. Be Proactive in Times of Trouble

Even if you adhere to the other four guidelines on this list, but you still find yourself in trouble, you should be proactive about finding a solution. In other words, don’t procrastinate.

Here’s an example of what I mean.

Let’s say you buy a new home and take on a mortgage loan to pay for it. Everything is fine for the first two or three years, but then you run into some unexpected hospital bills and other expenses. So you get behind on your mortgage payments. But you fully expect to be back on track in a few months.

Here’s where it pays to be proactive. If you contact your mortgage lender and explain that your financial problems are only temporary, they probably have ways to help you out.

Generally speaking, mortgage lenders want to avoid foreclosure as much as the homeowner does. After all, they are in the business of loaning money, not managing and selling properties. That’s why most lenders will work with homeowners to come up with a solution to temporary setbacks. Some lenders have tools at their disposal to help in such cases, such as repayment plans and lump-sum reinstatements. But you won’t know about them unless you’re proactive about it.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett publishes a number of educational websites for consumers. He is the creator of this real estate information website as well as the Home Buying Institute.

 www.SearchNiceHomes.com

Yes, through USDA you may qualify to finance your next home.

Some of the USDA Loan program highlights include:

• 100% Financing - No Down Payment Required
• No Mortgage Insurance
• No Cash Reserves Required
• Low Fixed Rates
• Unrestricted Gifts
• Loans to $417,000
• Purchase or Refinance
• Excellent Credit Not Required

There are some restriction that apply. You can visit the website to find out more details of the programs and see if you qualify. http://www.usdadevelopment.com/

Here are the eligible areas to buy a home in Georgia:

Much of North Georgia is eligible. We can connect you with an approved USDA lender that can help you through the entire process. In addition we can assist you in finding a home that meets the USDA requirements. Give us a call today to get started! Wanda Bline 770-324-0114 or Lacey Shanks 770-324-0113, Complete Choice Realtors! The Progressive Group 770-382-8491. Visit our website and view 1000’s of homes and properties, including foreclosures and HUD homes. www.SearchNiceHomes.com

 We Serve Adairsville, Rome, Calhoun, Cartersville, and surrounding areas in North Georgia and Metro Atlanta communities.  

The information is believed accurate, but not guaranteed. Please consult USDA or loan officer for accuracy and complete details.

By far our favorite condo that we have seen in Adairsville.

This is a must see! Only $99,900

Spacious, low maintenance living with private patio and garden area. Corner garden unit with 2 bedroom and 2 baths. Large rooms. Very tastefully painted.

We would love to show this condo to you. Give us a call Wanda or Lacey 770-324-0114 or 770-324-0113, The Progressive Group 770-382-8491

View this home and 1000’s of others on our website www.SearchNiceHomes.com

4 bedroom/ 2 bath 1990 mobile home on 1.74 acres aprox., fenced and gated. For Only $49,900. Motivated Seller, BRING ALL OFFERS!

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For more details or to schedule a viewing give us a call.

Wanda Bline 770-324-0114, 770-324-0113, Office 770-382-8491 The Progressive Group

View ALL our listings and more at www.SearchNiceHomes.com

View 1000’s of homes and property at www.SearchNiceHomes.com 

Ready to buy or sell give Wanda Bline 770-324-0114 or Lacey Shanks 770-324-0113, The Progressive Group 770-382-8491. You Complete Choice Mother & Daughter Real Estate Team. 

by Brandon Cornett

What is going on with the U.S. economy right now, and how does it affect people who are trying to get a mortgage and buy a home? This explanation will give you a better understanding of the economic and housing crisis in this country, as it pertains to people who are trying to buy homes. window.google_render_ad();

This article was written in October 2008, a time of economic hardship and uncertainty in the United States. The housing crisis has grown into a full-blown economic crisis, and it has changed the “rules” of home buying. As a result, home buyers in this country have become increasingly confused and frustrated. Many are having trouble qualifying for mortgages, even when their credit scores are decent.

But based on the emails we receive at the Home Buying Institute, the biggest frustration among consumers in general (and home buyers in particular) comes from a lack of understanding. Many people simply don’t know how we got to this point, what the housing crisis means to them, and where we are headed in the future.

I can’t help with future aspect of it — my crystal ball is broken at the moment. But I can help you understand the history of our housing crisis and how it affects you in the present. Let’s start by taking a look back…

Planting the Seeds of a Crisis

Real estate is a perpetual cycle of ups and downs. But once in a while, certain factors combine to create a “perfect storm” of housing bust. This is what we are seeing now. But while many factors have led to our housing crisis, most economists point their fingers at one cause above all others — the subprime mortgage market.

As the name implies, a “subprime” loan is one given to a person with a bad credit score. Because of this low score, the borrower will not qualify for the best interest rates and will be given a rate that is below prime, hence the term subprime mortgage.

Now take this concept and multiply it many thousands of times over, and you will begin to see what caused the housing crisis in this country. Despite warnings from economists in the mid 1990s and early 2000s, these subprime loans were given out in staggering numbers.

Often, the lenders would downplay the risks associated with them, and would offer a low “teaser” rate for the first few years of the loan. After the adjustment period, however, the interest rate on the loan would skyrocket. Many people found they could no longer afford their mortgage payments. So then we saw record numbers of home foreclosures sweeping across the country.

This is not an article about who’s to blame. But, if forced to point a finger at somebody, I would say the blame could fall equally onto three groups:

1. The home buyers / borrowers who did not do enough research (blinded by the desire to own a home).
2. 2. The lenders who downplayed the risks of subprime ARM loans (blinded by greed).
3. 3. The federal government who looked the other way (blinded by all of those campaign contributions from the lenders).

What This Crisis Means to Buyers

So we have explained the primary causes of this crisis. But what does this housing crisis mean to you, if you’re planning to buy a home soon. For one thing, it means you will need a better credit score to (A) qualify for a home loan and (B) get the best rate on that loan. Tougher regulations were put in place as a result of the housing crisis, and these regulations do what should have been done years ago — they discourage banks from lending to people with bad credit (among other things).

On top of that, we are seeing financial institutions fail because of all the bad loans they made in the past. So banks today are a lot less inclined to make what they feel is a risky loan.

Let’s assign some actual numbers to this explanation so it makes more sense:

I recently saw Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for the Today Show, describing how the housing crisis has affected borrowers, in terms of their credit scores. She explained something we have already talked about. Home buyers today need better / higher credit scores to qualify for mortgage loans. She then backed this up with numbers that were derived from polls of the lending industry.

• In May of 2006, a borrower needed a credit score of 620 or above to qualify for the best interest rates on a mortgage.
• Two years later, after the housing crisis and all of its fallout, borrowers would need a score of 760 or above to qualify for the best rates.

That’s a significant change, and it shows you how this crisis affects buyers who need mortgage loans. The bottom line is that banks are not taking any risks with subprime loans or borrowers with bad credit these days. As a result of the housing crisis, the bar for mortgage qualification has been raised.

What Can You Do?

I frequently get emails from people who say something like this: “I have bad credit but I want to buy a home. How should I go about it?” In other words, these people are asking how to get a subprime loan. Evidently, they do not watch or read the news.

My response to such questions is always the same — don’t do it! Buying a home with bad credit is virtually impossible right now. And even if it were possible, it would be the worst financial move you could make in this economy. People with bad credit should “hunker down” and focus on improving their credit scores before they do anything else. Wait until the housing market shows signs of recovery. Wait until you have the kind of credit score that will allow you to qualify for a loan, and to get a decent interest rate on that loan.

Good Deals for Buyers With Great Credit

But what about home buyers who have excellent credit? Ah, now we are getting to the ray of light in all of this gloom. If you have solid credit, you could actually benefit from the effects of the housing crisis explained previously.

As we discussed, there are fewer buyers today because of the tighter lending standards. People are having trouble qualifying for mortgages. There are also more homes on the market, because so many homeowners have to sell in order to avoid foreclosure. High supply and low demand creates a buyer’s market, and this is exactly what we are seeing in many cities across the U.S.

So if you are a buyer with excellent credit, you could get a good deal on a home right now. Of course, no one can predict what will happen to the value of the home after you buy it. But at least now you can go into it with a better understanding of how the housing crisis affects you.

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you retain the citation notes and hyperlink below.

Citation Note: This article was created by Brandon Cornett and has been published with permission by the Real Estate Articles Center. Find similar articles by visiting the website below: http://www.armingyourfarming.com/articles/

Nearly everyday we get a call from a buyer saying: “I want to buy a foreclosure.” But is this what buyers “Really” want? No, not always. Usually when saying they want a foreclosure, what they are really saying is they want a good deal. Beyond popular belief these days, foreclosures are not the only deals out there and in many cases with the amount of work needed on them, for many buyers they are not a deal at all.

Whether a foreclosure is a deal or not for you depends on many factors. Here are some things to consider:

1. Is the home in need of repair. Many people think that the bank fixes these houses before they go on the market. In most cases that I’ve seen, this is not the case. Can you afford to make the repairs? Do you have the time to make the repairs?
2. Do you need a loan? Yes, you can get a loan on a foreclosure in many cases, but not always. If the home doesn’t meet loan regulations then you may not be able to get the loan. Many loans require the home to be up to a certain standard of condition of at least “good condition”, but many foreclosures fall into the category of “fair condition”.
3. Do you have the time? Some banks are slow to respond to offers because they wait for more offers to come in to choose the highest bid.
4. No Disclosure. Most of the time foreclosure do not provide a disclosure of problems existing in the home. It is buyer beware and you as the buyer are responsible to hire an inspector to inspect the house at your cost.
5. Are you prepared for competition? If you think the foreclosure is a good deal, your probably not the only one that thinks so and multiple buyers, like you, may be submitting offers also.

So what is another option besides a foreclosure? Homes still owned by their homeowners. Yes, homeowners know they must compete with foreclosures in their neighborhood if they want to sell their home so they either compete with price or condition and sometimes both. Most homeowners have their home move-in ready, which eliminates many issues that can arise with repairs and the loan process. Sometimes homeowners are facing foreclosure themselves and you can sometimes buy pre-foreclosures direct at a lower price and in better condition.

Article written by Lacey Shanks and Wanda Bline

For more information on foreclosures, HUD homes, or buying or selling a home in general we can help. Give us a call Wanda 770-324-0114 or Lacey 770-324-0113

Explore 1000’s of homes include foreclosures and HUD homes from one easy website at www.searchnicehomes.com

Ready to sell a home? Visit: www.wesellyourhousefast.com

Serving North Georgia and Metro Atlanta communities including, but not limited to: Adairsville, Cartersville, Calhoun, Rome, Fairmount, White and surrounding cities.

Dear Customers, Clients, Visitors, Colleagues, Friends, and Family:

We are very excited to announce the we have moved! No, not out of town, we just changed to The Progressive Group. The Progressive Group is a locally owned and operated company located in Bartow County and has been in business and well respected since 1997. They have been serving North Georgia and Metro Atlanta communities over the years. www.theprogressivegroup.com

We are your Complete Choice Realtors. We are Your mother & daughter Real Estate Team. We share a passion of serving our community and helping buyers and sellers accomplish their homeownership dreams. We specialize in Residential, Commercial, Land, Foreclosures, and HUD Homes. We are full-service agents, who work hard for our clients. At the same time we like to make the process fun and enjoyable, and make the entire process as smooth as possible.

We offer services for both buyers and sellers. We offer:

• Free Market Analysis
• Custom Marketing Plans
• Custom Property Searches
• Custom Foreclosure Searches
• Qualified Buyer Tours
• Custom Research
• Investor Services
• Report Services
• Zoning Services
• And much much more!

We will see you to the closing table and beyond. We are in the business of building relationship and our dream includes serving you, your children, your grandchildren, you friends, your family, and your co-workers. We want to be “YOUR” Realtor, not just someone who sold you a house.

To learn more about us visit our website: http://www.laceyandwanda.com/about-us.asp

To View 1000’s of homes visit our website: www.SearchNiceHomes.com

Have a property to Sell, Visit Us: www.WeSellYourHouseFast.com

Need Advice? Ready to Buy? Ready to Sell? Give us a Call: Wanda 770-324-0114, Lacey 770-324-0113 The Progressive Group 770-382-8491  

Serving: North Georgia and Metro Atlanta Areas. Adairsville, Cartersville, White, Acworth, Calhoun, Sugar Valley, Rydal, Ranger, Cass, Cassville, Rome, Cedartown, Kennesaw, Dallas, Marietta, and Surrounding Cities.

Bartow, Gordon, Floyd, Cobb, and surrounding counties.

For all the latest real estate news check our blog back often. To view 1000’s of homes in the North Georgia and Metro Atlanta area visit us at www.SearchNiceHomes.com , and let Your Mother & Daughter Real Estate Team assist you with all your Real Estate Buying and Selling wants and needs. Wanda 770-324-0114, Lacey 770-324-0113, The Progressive Group 770-382-8491. www.wesellyourhousefast.com

by Brandon Cornett

You’ve probably heard a lot about mortgage refinancing on the news lately. In fact, if you’re a homeowner you’ve probably received a few offers in the mail from lenders as well. window.google_render_ad();

The reason you hear so much about this topic lately has a lot to do with the mortgage / foreclosure crisis we are seeing right now. Many homeowners are in situations similar to those they have heard about on the news, having an adjustable rate mortgage set to adjust in the near future … and facing a possible spike in mortgage payments as a result. So, these homeowners naturally look into refinancing as a way to avoid such payment hikes.

The question is — when should you refinance your mortgage loan, and when should you avoid it? This question is high on the list of many homeowners, so I will do my best to shed some light on the subject.

When Refinancing Makes Sense

There are some general rules you can use to determine whether or not a refi makes sense for your situation. Bear in mind, however, that these are just general rules of thumb. So don’t make any financial decisions based on these “rules” alone. Do some further research into the subject and seek the advice of a financial professional.

With that being said, here’s a basic guide on when to refinance a home loan, from a financial standpoint:

• Switching from an ARM to a fixed rate — This is a common reason why homeowners pursue a refi in the first place, especially with all the negative press the adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan has been getting lately. Eventually, an ARM will adjust to a higher interest rate that catches a lot of homeowners off guard. So many people use refinancing as a way to move to a more predictable fixed-rate mortgage.
• Capitalizing on Lower Interest Rates — This is another common reason why people refinance their home loans. When the rates are low, homeowners in certain situations can refi to a lower interest rate, and thus reduce their overall monthly mortgage payment.

The goal of both of these strategies is the same … to either (A) lower the interest rate on the loan, or (B) prevent the interest rate from rising through a mortgage adjustment. In both cases, the goal is to pay less money each month on the mortgage payment.

It’s Not Always a Good Idea

Now is a good time to point out that a mortgage refi is not always a good idea. And I can illustrate this through another rule of thumb: If the money you pay to refinance the loan (closing costs) exceeds the amount of money you save over the term of the new loan (lower interest rates), then it doesn’t make sense to pursue it. After all, nobody wants to pay more than they save in a financial transaction.

The key here is to do the proper research to find out what you would pay, as well as what you would save by refinancing. Once you’ve determined those numbers, you will have a much easier time deciding if a refi is right for you.

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you retain the citation notes and hyperlink below.

Citation Note: This article was created by Brandon Cornett and has been published with permission by the Real Estate Articles Center. Find similar articles by visiting the center online at: http://www.armingyourfarming.com/articles/

For your complete real estate source visit www.searchnicehomes.com 

by Brandon Cornett

You can’t turn on the TV these days without seeing a news story about the U.S. economy in general and the housing market in particular. Starting in 2007, we began to see record numbers of home foreclosures, a trend that continued into 2008 (and one that shows no sign of slowing).

But for many homeowners, help is on the horizon. And it comes in the form of FHA refinance loans. Let’s take a closer look at this new program and what it promises to do.

Housing and Economic Recovery Act

The recently passed Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 will help “at least 400,000 families” who are struggling with their mortgage payments and facing foreclosure. It will do this by providing FHA-insured refinance loans to switch the homeowners from high-rate ARM loans to lower fixed-rate mortgages. For those accepted into the program, the end result will be a lower monthly payment and more desirable fixed rate that will no longer adjust / increase.

History of the FHA

The Federal Housing Administration was created in 1934, during the Great Depression, to make home financing available to a greater number of Americans. The FHA does not actually make home loans to consumers. Instead, they insure certain loans made by private lending institutions.

You’ve probably heard the term “government-backed financing” before. The FHA program is an example of this. By having government insurance in their favor, private lenders are more willing to offer mortgages to borrowers they normally wouldn’t qualify (due to credit problems or other qualification issues). The lender is assured of getting their money back on the loan, even if the homeowner defaults and stops making payments. That’s what the FHA insurance does.

The Refinancing Angle

Traditionally, the FHA program was focused on helping buyers in the purchase of a home. But as a result of the aforementioned Housing and Economic Recovery Act, the program is being opened up to homeowners who want to refinance. According to the HUD website, “an estimated 400,000 borrowers in danger of losing their homes will be able to refinance into more affordable government-insured mortgages.” The program is slated to begin in October of 2008. To find out if you are eligible, visit the HUD website or refer to the Home Buying Institute resources mentioned at the end of this article.

Getting Away from ARM Loans

The goal of this new program is two-fold. It is designed to help struggling homeowners who have adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) convert to fixed rates. It’s also designed to lower their mortgage rates in the process. Lower rates and less uncertainty — a double win.

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you retain the citation note below.

Citation Note: This article was created by Brandon Cornett and has been published with permission by the Real Estate Articles Center. Find similar articles by visiting the center online at: http://www.armingyourfarming.com/articles/

Check out 1000’s of homes on our website for sale www.searchnicehomes.com 

by Brandon Cornett

I just finished reading a Reuters article that said home foreclosures for January of this year were up 57% over January of 2007.

I guess it takes numbers like that do really drive home what’s happening in this country. I knew foreclosures were way up as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis that started last year, but that 57% increase still shocks me.

So lately I’ve been publishing a series of articles to help homeowners avoid home foreclosure altogether. In this article, I’ll explain the two paths a homeowner can take based on his or her financial situation: (1) the “get back on track” option and (2) the “sell the home quickly” option.

Essentially, these two options classify homeowners into one of two camps:

1. Those having temporary financial problems who could still keep the house.
2. Those having long-term problems who can no longer afford the home, period.

Getting Back On Track to Keep the Home

In the first camp, we have those homeowners who have had only temporary financial problems, and expect to get caught up on their mortgage payments. These people can work with their lenders to come up with repayment or reinstatement plans in order to avoid foreclosure while keeping the home.

Generally speaking, you have two options to get caught up on your missed mortgage payments. You can pay back the missed payments as a lump sum (reinstatement), or you can spread that amount over future mortgage payments (repayment plan). These are the two most common options when the homeowner’s financial problems are only temporary.

Selling the Home to Avoid Foreclosure

In the second camp are those homeowners whose financial problems are more long-term in nature. In other words, these homeowners simply cannot afford their homes anymore. These folks can avoid home foreclosure by selling the home, possibly through the real estate short sale technique we covered last week.

This is where the real estate short sale comes into the picture. A short sale is a technique through which the homeowner sells the home for less than the amount owed to the lender, in order to sell the home quickly.

With this technique for avoiding home foreclosure, speed is of the essence. That’s why mortgage lender often allow homeowners to pursue a short sale in the first place … to sell the home quickly and to get the non-performing loan off their books. This is the closest thing to a “win-win” scenario the lender and homeowner will find when foreclosure is imminent.

Obviously there is a lot more to learn about the two primary paths outlined above, and the multiple options that each path presents. My point with this article is simply to help you realize that you do have options when trying to avoid a property foreclosure, and knowing what those options are is the first step to success!

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you retain the citation notes and hyperlink below.

Citation Note: This article was created by Brandon Cornett and has been published with permission by the Real Estate Articles Center. Find similar articles by visiting the center online at: http://www.armingyourfarming.com/articles/

For All Your Real Estate Needs All You Needs Is Your Complete Choice Realtors. Visit the mother and daughter team at www.searchnicehomes.com and find your dream home. 

by Brandon Cornett

Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for the Today Show, was on TV recently to talk to consumers about their credit scores. She confirmed something I already knew, but backed it up with some eye-opening numbers.

Specifically, Jean was explaining the credit score you need to qualify for the best mortgage rates when buying a home. Here is how she broke it down:

* May 2006 - Borrowers needed a credit score of 620 to get the best rates.

* May 2008 - Borrowers needed a 760 or above to get the best rates.

That’s an increase of 140 points, which is a significant difference when you consider that the overall credit range only goes from 300 - 850.

Recent Economic Changes

Credit has always been important when buying a house and applying for a mortgage loan, but today it’s more important than ever. To fully understand the reasons for this, we need to look back over recent economic changes.

The subprime mortgage “meltdown” that started in 2007 caused widespread economic changes that we are still seeing today in 2008. Many lending institutions went out of business, and thousands of Americans lost their homes due to foreclosure. This caused a general tightening of credit that affected consumers and businesses alike.

What It Means for Home Buying

If you are planning to buy a home in the near future, this has everything to do with you. As a result of these and other factors, the process of buying a house in today’s market is more challenging. As I’ve already stated, you will need a higher credit score for home buying today than in the past, especially if you want to quality for the best rates on your loan.

Additionally, buyers with bad credit have fewer options today, because the subprime mortgage is practically extinct. This makes financial responsibility all the more important for buyers in the modern economy.

So what credit score is needed for home buying in today’s economy? Well, this will still depend on the individual mortgage lender involved and their particular lending practices. But it’s important to realize that there’s a big difference between qualifying for a mortgage loan and getting a good rate on the loan. For example, you might get approved for a mortgage with a credit score of 580. But you certainly won’t get the best rate at that level. This means you will pay more each month as long as you keep the loan.

According to the figures presented by Jean Chatzky, a couple of years ago you could have elevated your score by just 40 points to qualify for the best interest rates — i.e., you would boost it from a 580 to a 620. Today, however, you would have to increase your credit level by 180 points (from 580 to 760) to qualify for the best rates. That’s a huge difference!

My Advice to Buyers

The home buyers of today need better credit than the buyers of, say, three or four years ago. The federal government is putting more pressure on lenders. The mortgage lenders are scrutinizing borrowers. And borrowers are under increased pressure to have good credit scores to qualify for loans.

All of this is unlikely to change anytime soon. So if you fall into the bad credit range, my advice to you is this:

Do not buy a home until you get your financial “house” in order. Even if you do get qualified with a low score, you are going to pay a huge amount of interest on the loan. So instead of rushing out to buy a home before you’re financially ready, focus instead on improving your credit score. Pay all of your bills on time. Minimize your debt. And start saving money — the more of it the better.

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you retain the citation notes and hyperlink below.

Citation Note: This article was created by Brandon Cornett and has been published with permission by the Real Estate Articles Center. Find similar articles by visiting the center online at: http://www.armingyourfarming.com/articles/

Being a Realtor in today’s market we are seeing alot of desperate home owners trying to sell fast.

Alot of so called investors are out there taking advantage of this situation.  Smart homeowners really

need to take advantage of this situation instead of thinking negative. Foreclosure homes are alot of times in

desparate need of repair and alot of buyers are wanting to have “move in ready “homes.  If your home is

in good showing condition and is priced right, it will sell.  If you have alot of stuff put it in storage. Your home

will show better.  If it has not had showings quickly lower the price. Choose a Realtor that is an expert in marketing

and in condo sales.  Thanks Wanda. www.wesellyourhousefast.com

Source of information: First Multiple Listing Service

For the latest in real estate news call Lacey 770-324-0113, Wanda 770-324-0114, Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty 770-877-3393 ext 14 or 20.

www.searchnicehomes.com or www.wesellyourhousefast.com

Home Sales are on the rise. We have put together a report on June 2008 sales in Bartow county. Take a look:

http://fmlslistings.marketlinx.com/SearchDetail/Scripts/Cma/Custom/BuyerCma.asp?emailGUID=44c735fc-faf4-4d56-bf1d-73ff80f84a0f&AgentId=SHANKSL

For more up-to-date real estate information visit www.searchnicehomes.com or Call Lacey 770-324-0113, Wanda 770-324-0114 Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty 770-877-3393 ext. 14 or 20

The 1902 Stock Exchange and Maggie Mae;s Cafe-Tearoom just announced that they will be serving dinner on Friday night’s  starting this week (July 18, 2008) from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Entrees include: steak, seafood, chicken, in addition to their regular menu. Dinner music will be privided on some evenings. For reservations call 770-773-1902

Here is a link to more info on this great downtown historical Adairsville site: http://georgiahighcountry.org/1902stockexchange.html

For further information on local events, news, or real estate tips call Lacey 770-324-0113, Wanda 770-324-0114 Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty 770-877-3393 ext. 14 or 20

www.searchnicehomes.com

Babes Bayou will perform in Logtown behind downtown Adairsville on Friday August 8, 2008 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

We attended another free concert hosted by Adairsville Downtown Development Commitee a couple weeks ago and had an awesome time. The Lion’s Club has a concession stand open for business and the concert is absolutely free. Enjoy the music and cut a rug on the dance floor. Bleacher seating available or bring your own chair or blanket. Here is a recent article printed in the Cartersville Daily Tribune: http://www.daily-tribune.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=FB5B93D8-19B9-E2E2-67876BCA7D053911

Bring the whole Family! Rain NO PROBELM! In case of rain they will move the concert indooors.  For directions call Lacey 770-324-0113 or Wanda 770-324-0114

www.searchnicehomes.com

You will often find us here on the 4th Satuday of each month. If you are a fan of classic cars then you will enjoy this festive classic car show in Cartersville. The next cruise-in date is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2008. Here is some more details: http://www.notatlanta.org/eventcal/762

 For direction call Lacey 770-324-0113 or Wanda 770-324-0114

www.searchnicehomes.com

Yes, that’s right! Free movie under the stars in front of the 45 foot, big screen.

We did this last summer and it was a blast. Lots of families turned out. You can bring your blanket and chairs and a picnic if you want or purchase food while your there.

This movie is on Saturday, August 9, 2008 the gates open at 5pm, but the movie starts at dusk/dark. The featured movie is for the whole family: Dr. Seuss

Here is link to the flyer: http://www.gordoncounty.org/Portals/0/pdf/Board%20of%20Commissioners/HortonHearsAWho.pdf

 Plan to attend:

It will be at the Sonoraville Recreation center, just outside of Calhoun headed toward Fairmount.  For further directions or details call Lacey 770-324-0113 or Wanda 770-324-0114

 www.searchnicehomes.com

 We hear this nearly everyday. Most Realtors are even proclaiming: “It’s a buyer’s market!” But what are the facts? What is our opinion of the market?

Facts:

Currently in the North Georgia area there are a lot of homes for sale. Many though are in need of major repair and most buyer’s are looking for show-stoppers. Many homes are cluttered with personal items, I guess these sellers aren’t watching much TLC or HGTV because buyers can’t picture themselves in all of the confusion. Many sellers feel their house are lined with gold, when in fact they need to compete with their local competition and get their house priced right!

So are all homes in need of repair, cluttered, and overpriced? NO WAY! And these are the ones that are flying off the shelves and yes I mean flying! Recently we are showing homes in Adairsville and Calhoun and we put offers on 4 different house, yes 4 good offers, and another buyer beat us out of all 4 of them. So you tell me is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s?

We have been working several buyers over the past several weeks. 2 of them are looking for a home with land with specific requirements. We have yet to find them what they are looking for, why? Many seller’s have heard it’s a buyers market and have removed their property from the market or not put their property on the market at all. Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s?

Our opinion on the question: “Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s?” is this: It’s both! Buyer’s are looking at alot more homes and in general taking more time to decide, but they are buying and most buyer’s today know what they want and plan on getting it. They are also using the internet with national sites like www.realtor.com , www.coldwellbanker.com , and local sites like: www.searchnicehomes.com , just to mention a few. This is a perfect time to get your home in shape, talk to your local Realtor about Market Values and expectations of your home selling.

Few Reminder tips to Selling:

• Declutter
• Make home repairs
• Freshen up interior and exterior
• Do a pretend buyer walk-through
• Ask a Realtor for a Comparative Market Value

Why Buy Now Buyers?

• Interest Rates are low
• Little or No Money down loans
• Large selection of homes.
• Great home prices = great investment
• Over 60% of a persons wealth usually comes from homeownership.

Why Sell Now?

• Buyer’s are shopping and yours may just be the one.
• Opportunity, Don’t miss out.

If you are looking for a home in Georgia check out www.searchnicehomes.com .

Ready to look into selling your home with a Realtor? Then give Wanda and Lacey a call today! Lacey 770-324-0113 or Wanda 770-324-0114 or check them out on the web at: www.wesellyourhousefast.com, Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty 770-877-3393

Serving: Cartersville, Calhoun, Rome and everywhere in Between! Give us a call!

Yes, sales are up. We even have a closing this afternoon on a beautiful home below Cartersville in Euharlee. This is a very nice foreclosure with alot of square footage. The buyers are very excited about their new home and their investment.

We got a contract on 26 Larsens Ridge in Adairsville, Georgia. I hate it if you missed this one. This was a real deal! This was a huge 4-5 bedroom home on a fenced 1 acre lot with tons of upgrades priced at a low $185,900. We are scheduled to close very soon.

So what was the appeal to buy these homes. Well with the first one it was a foreclosure and the buyers were looking for something spacious and with the right price and this house had it all. With the second house price was of course a factor, it was a bargain. In addition it was in the school district the buyer wanted to be in and the owner included ALL the appliances making this a very attractive purchase. The house was also move-in ready and not in need of anything much to move-in right away.

If you are looking to buy a home visit us at www.searchnicehomes.com or if your looking to sell you visit www.wesellyourhousefast.com. Lacey Shanks and Wanda Bline can assist you with all your real estate needs. They were awarded Top Selling Agents for 2007. Lacey 770-324-0113, Wanda 770-324-0114, Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty 770-877-3393 ext. 14 or 20