As we welcome the warmer breezes and blooming azaleas in Georgia, it’s time to refresh and protect your home with these spring maintenance must-dos. Download our FREE PDF checklist: print and check off the boxes to prep your home for spring/summer! The Checklist HVAC [...]
When it comes to uninvited guests, pests are the least welcome. Professional pest control services can be a worthy investment, but if you're a homeowner looking to save some cash, there are effective DIY strategies to keep common critters at bay. Let's dive into practical pest prevention and control measures you can do yourself! [...]
Congratulations on your new home! As you settle in, it's crucial to prepare for the colder months ahead. Winterizing your home not only keeps you cozy but also saves on heating costs and prevents costly repairs. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to help you navigate your first winter as a homeowner. [...]
Each year in June, we recognize National Homeownership Month. This is a special observance in our industry, a time when we celebrate the pride, joy, and countless benefits of owning a home. Homeownership represents a significant milestone and a cornerstone of the American Dream. In this article, we will delve into the advantages of homeownership, [...]
The homebuying process looks something like this: Get preapproved for a mortgage, find your dream home and win the bidding war. But before you can move those boxes in and start enjoying your new property, you have one more major step to take: the home inspection. A home inspection isn't an appraisal. In fact, an inspection [...]
Neighborhood Comparable Homes Past/Recent sale prices Amenities The local market Location Schools Businesses Public transportation and rail Shopping & entertainment Highways Home Size Square Footage Usable Space garage, attics, and unfinished basements don’t count! Number of bedrooms/bathrooms Age & Condition Newer homes typically appraise for higher Plumbing/Electrical/Roof/Appliances Inspection report à can negotiate repairs Upgrades & Updates [...]
Realtors and lenders may work in the same industry, but they’re anything but competition. In fact, because of the distinct assets that both roles bring, loan officers and realtors prove to work together more successfully. At Northpoint Mortgage, we’ve seen opportunities to help our realtor partners increase their profits in at least five different partnership payoffs. [...]
Efficiency-labeled homes are showing an increase in popularity and preference for new homebuyers, and are improving in visibility across housing markets. If you’re wondering how to increase home value for appraisal, then improving the energy-efficiency of your home is an option that creates benefits for both current and future homeowners. According to the Building Codes Assistance [...]
The county assigns each property a Fair Market Value (FMV) for taxation purposes This assessment includes an estimate of taxes for 2018 based on the FMV No taxes are due at this time, 2018 tax bills will be sent out later this year Assessments can be appealed with the county The assessor mails the notice [...]
You comparison shopped, choosing your mortgage lender carefully. Shortly after closing, you receive a letter from a new company introducing themselves as your mortgage servicing provider. What does this change really mean? Here is what you need to know about your mortgage being sold to another company. Why Are Mortgages Sold? From the perspective of a [...]