How Secure Is Your Property Investment?

October 10, 2008

After Finding Your Home: The Home Inspection

It’s easy to make sure the home you’ve chosen is a smart buy. By having a home inspection, the home’s vital systems are checked. A home inspection allows you to purchase your home with confidence.

We will help you set up a home inspection after you have chosen the home you like.

Our recommendation is following these minimum standards when choosing a home inspector:

  1. Membership in ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and adherence to its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
  2. Written report at the time of inspection.
  3. UPDATE: Thanks to Nick Gromicko for  noting our failure to mention NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors).

inspector on roofThe typical inspection will take approximately three hours and will cover all major systems and components of your new home.

The conditions noted during the inspection are recorded in a detailed computerized report for your reference. Digital photographs will be included for many inspection items.

Our inspectors use a 400-item inspection plan to minimize your investment risk and provide you all the facts regarding the physical condition of your home.

We understand different buyers have different needs — first time buyers may have more questions than a seasoned real estate investor. The home inspectors we recommend take time to listen to our clients.

Our home inspectors are required to address all your concerns. We want you to make an informed investment decision without undue stress, costly repairs or delays.

What Does a Home Inspection Include?

Home inspections include a comprehensive visual examination of your home’s readily accessible elements and components.

Our home inspectors cover the:
home inspection

  • Structure
  • Exterior
  • Roof
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Interior
  • Appliances
  • Crawl Spaces
  • Heating & Air Conditioning

Photo Credit: Justin Baeder

Additional Services May Include:

  • Radon Testing
  • Stucco Inspections
  • New Construction Inspections

Can I Attend the Home Inspection?

We strongly encourage our clients to attend the inspection and participate in the process. Being present for the inspection will:

  1. Help you fully understand the home inspection report.
  2. Receive an in-depth overview of the home you are purchasing.
  3. Learn how to properly maintain your investment.

Buying a home should be a good experience, one that makes you feel confident.

Contact us today. Before you know it, you’ll be the confident owner of the perfect home for your needs - in less time than if you searched on your own.

Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Buyers | 2 Comments 

First Time Atlanta Home Buyers Receive Tax Credit

August 4, 2008

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was just signed by President Bush with some amazing benefits for first time home buyers.

When is the last time someone gave you a $7,500 loan, that has no interest, no payments for two years, and if you do not make enough profit when you sell, you do not have to pay back the loan?

That is what first time homebuyers get.

Call everyone you know who wants to buy their first home, this is too good to miss.

The risk of loss in buying now is on the government. In other parts of the country where real estate is going down in value, you can lose 10% of the value of the home (up to $7,500) and the loss is covered by the fact that you do not pay back the tax credit. The North Atlanta real estate first time buyers can afford is going up in value, so we are not as worried about the risk of loss. Even a home purchase that does not go up in value is covered by the tax benefit because you get $7,500 no matter what happens.

What’s the catch?

You have to buy your first house in three years before July 1,2009, not have super high income, not use bond financing and buy anywhere in the US, Not too difficult, right?

My thanks to Tim Burrell, Raleigh real estate broker, for his informative article on tax benefits to first time homebuyers.

Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Buyers | 2 Comments 

How to Research Atlanta Real Estate to Meet My Personal Needs

February 26, 2008

Every day a new website is born featuring neighborhood maps, demographics, property listings, and more. The internet enables you to research sales data, public tax records, addresses of sex offenders, toxic waste locations, school rankings and test scores, property tax millage rates; the list goes on.

Obtaining all this information will still not answer your questions, “How do I find the best place to live in Atlanta”? “How do I sell my home in this market without giving it away?” At least not with a peace of mind.

It takes a specialist to quiet those nagging thoughts; to validate your assumptions; to give credibility to your course of action.

In my opinion, we (North Atlanta Realty Group) are Atlanta specialists, an authority on Atlanta real estate. Our knowledge only becomes an asset - an item of value - when it is shared.

Here are the characteristics which, I believe, define an authority:

  1. Well informed and up to date on industry news. We are prepared to answer your questions with candor and honesty.
  2. Aggregate and filter information. We weed out the junk and provide a no-nonsense overview to help you move forward.
  3. Provide a rigorous depth of research. We analyze the Atlanta market and provide information that is unique.
  4. Makes knowledge accessible for the general populace. We present concepts, data and information in a way that is understandable to a non-specialist audience — with respect for your knowledge.
  5. Expand the conceptual field. We challenge the traditional concepts and practices of the real estate industry.

To provide excellent service with proven results, we need more information than a list of multiple listing numbers two days before you arrive in Atlanta. We need to know more than how much money you want from the sale of your house. Or, how much money you spent getting it ready to go on the market.

Developing knowledge demands relationship and sharing of ideas. Providing excellent service with proven results requires no less.

Thanks to Dosh Dosh and Bonzai.

Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Buyers | Leave a Comment