Blake Ivey

May 2009
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Shakerag Farms, Suwanee [Forsyth County]  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 9025 Ruel Lane on May 3 from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM. The seller is taking advantage of the incredible rates and is moving up! We are PRICED TO SELL!!!

 

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July 2007
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Briarlake, Decatur  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 1862 Briarlake Circle on July 7 from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM.

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Chastain Park, Atlanta  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 4545 Powers Ferry Road on July 8 from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM.

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Blake Ivey

Associate Broker

KellerWilliams Realty First Atlanta

D:404-574-2472

M:770-855-8670

blakeivey@KW.com

www.RealEstateBlake.NET

Seven steps to buying your home

1. Define your needs.
   Congratulations on your decision to purchase a new home! Before you go house hunting, it's a good idea to define what kind of home and neighborhood would best suit your desires and needs and make a wish list. Share this list with your real estate agent. The finer the details, the more effective your home search will be. To further define your needs, you may want to divide your lists into negotiable and non-negotiable items, so your agent can operate with some flexibility when scouting for homes on your behalf. Feel free to contact me for a complimentary one on one home buying consultation!
2. Get prequalified or preapproved.
   Now that you know what you want in a home and neighborhood, you need to find out what you can afford. There are two ways to go about this: prequalification or preapproval for a home loan. Blake can refer you to a mortgage broker to begin the process. In most markets, preapproved buyers are preferred by sellers over those who are pre-qualified.
   Your preapproved status lets the seller know:
   * You have gone through an extensive financial background check. * A lender is willing to do business with you. * The likelihood of unexpected obstacles regarding financing is minimal. (I am happy to provide you with a list of reputable lenders).
3. Let the house hunting begin!
   Now you are ready to embark on your home search - an endeavor that can prove overwhelming if not approached with some forethought. The most efficient route is to allow your me do the initial scouting for you. Using your wish list as a guide, I will alert you of new and existing listings that have strong potential. If these listings pique your interest, I will arrange home tours at your convenience. Many agents send alerts via email - sometimes as often as daily, depending on the available inventory in your market. Often, I set up a custom web page for my clients. This page shows all available homes in their area and price point, it is a great way to ensure that the "best fit" doesn't get away! Let me know how you'd like to receive these alerts, whether by phone, email or fax.
   You also can do some research on your own. Read local real estate publications, contact your local neighborhood associations, visit the local chamber of commerce, surf the Internet, or drive around your favorite neighborhoods. While these methods certainly can lead to your dream home, it's important to note that 82 percent of home sales are the result of agent connections.* That means it's more likely your agent will find your dream home through being in the real estate business than you driving around on the weekends.
   * National Association of REALTORS(r)
4. Make an offer.
   When you're ready to make an offer on a home, your real estate agent will help you determine the offer price by reviewing recent sales of homes similar in size, quality and amenities. With your input, your agent will draft a written contract that outlines what needs to be done by both parties to execute the transaction. If the seller accepts the offer, the document becomes a binding agreement, so it is imperative that you carefully review it with me and speak up if anything is not clear to you. It's important to note that if the seller changes any aspect of the offer, it is not a binding agreement until the buyer agrees to the seller's changes.
5. Strike a deal.
   Sometimes, you get lucky and the seller accepts your offer as is. However, in most instances, the seller will make a counteroffer. This is where my experience in negotiations as a real estate agent will be invaluable. Keep in mind almost everything is negotiable when you are buying a house. This can give you a great deal of leverage in the buying process - that is, if you have adequate information and you use it in an appropriate manner. Some items you may negotiate:
   * Price
   * Financing
   * Closing costs
   * Move-in date
   * Repairs
   * Appliances and fixtures
   * Landscaping
   * Painting
   Remain in close contact with your real estate agent so you can quickly review any changes from the seller. Remember: Bargaining is not a winner-take-all deal. It is a business process that involves compromise and mutual respect.
6. Prepare for the closing.
   When an offer becomes a binding agreement, your real estate agent will help you tackle the checklist of action items that you, as the buyer, have agreed to perform prior to closing. Depending on how the responsibilities are divvied up in the agreement, this is typically when you will:
   * Conduct a home inspection.
   * Get an appraisal and finalize your financing.
   * Secure title insurance.
   * Shop for a home warranty.
   Having these procedures done in a timely and professional manner is a must, as any delays could threaten a successful closing. A first-rate real estate agent should be able to serve as your "one-stop shopping" referral source for service providers. Your agent also should serve as your advocate, helping to coordinate activities and making sure the vendors have access to the property to perform their jobs. I provide a closing concierge for my clients to ensure that they are well informed of the entire process from start to finish. I want to make this a pleasureable experience for you!
7. Close the deal.
   Congratulations! The moment you've been anticipating has arrived. The closing is where home ownership is legally transferred from the seller to the buyer. It is a formal meeting that most parties involved in the transaction will attend. Closing procedures usually are held at the lawyer's office. The closing officer will coordinate all the document-signing and the collection and disbursement of funds. A few days before your closing date, your lender will send a final closing statement that outlines your closing costs, if applicable. I will review this document with you to ensure its accuracy, as well as help you gather any necessary documentation that you'll need to bring to closing.

Then the fun begins! Feel free to let me know if you need referrals for: movers, designers, landscapers, home insurance, home warranties, contractors,security companies,etc. I am here to be your resource long after the closing of your home!

As we slip into the official summer season it's important to note how the historical real estate market fluctuations can affect you as a home buyer or home seller. Atlanta Real Estate has had several economic factors affect the Metro Atlanta real estate market in a variety of different ways. From the standpoint of a home seller and in my capacity to successfully list and sell homes in Atlanta and surrounding areas, let's focus first on the things we cannot change:
Overall National Economy: Despite the luxury of mortgage rates that are still holding at historically low levels, the rise in gas prices, consumer uncertainty due to down real estate markets in other geographic areas, the ongoing war in Iraq, and the heating up of the race for the Presidency, consumers are feeling uncertain, this is where an educated real estate agent should shine, guiding you through the home buying process.Local Economics: Georgia's HUGE foreclosure rates, due in particular to extremely lax lending guidelines and mortgage fraud.Sadly, many sellers took advantage of easy mortgage underwriting guidelines - they took out loans that are at or near 100% of today's actual market value. Remember, there are hundreds of different loan programs out there. Use caution to ensure that you get the mortgage that fits your needs and goals.Atlanta Real Estate listings are expiring at a rate of over 50%!While this sounds ominous, the Atlanta Real Estate Market is, in fact, still appreciating! The challenge facing home sellers and their real estate agents in today's market is comprised of several factors:Pricing the home correctly the moment it hits the market.Actually bringing the home up to par with the competition currently on the market.Staging the home correctly.Marketing! No longer are we in a seller's market which allows a real estate agent to simply place a sign in the front yard and enter the home into the Multiple Listing systems. Your Real Estate agent should have a thorough plan to market to both buyers and buyer agents.The new GAR Contract allows for a Due Diligence Period - this makes it much easier for a buyer to walk after inspection, or to renegotiate the price, etc. Your real estate agent should be well educated on the "ins and outs" of the new contract. If she is you will find that the particular option can be used to everyone's advantage.More later on the important things you CAN do to list and sell your Atlanta Real Estate as we head into the dog days of summer!

ALL BRICK RANCH IN WONDERFUL LOCATION!

• 2 bath, 4 bdrm ranch "RANCH ON FULL BASEMENT" - MLS® #3510408   $325,000 - GREAT VALUE!

Briarlake, Decatur  -  DESIGNER'S ADORABLE BRICK RANCH IS AN ENTERTAINERS DREAM! PRICED 10K BELOW JANUARY '07 APPRAISAL!!!!! NEW CONSTRUCTION ON THIS STREET IN THE $800'S!!!!!! This solid brick ranch features many rare upgrades including professional landscaping with custom exterior lighting, in ground sprinkler system, custom play set, and brick patios and walkway. The kitchen is a charming spot for prepping your meals and is located off of the enclosed garage - stainless refrigerator stays with the home! The large living room and dining room have hardwood floors and a cozy fireplace with low maintenance gas logs. The four bedrooms have phenomenal space and TONS of closet space! The Master Suite has a private bath, 3 HUGE closets and a sunroom. The Master Suite is located at the opposite end of the home from the other bedrooms for maximum privacy. Two additional bedrooms with hardwoods and an updated bath offer privacy and LOTS of room to grow. The fourth bedroom is currently being used as a home office and has gorgeous sisal carpet, a very large closet and overlooks the peaceful backyard. This home has a full unfinished basement with a great wine cellar area for maximum entertainment fun!

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Reduced!

• 2 bath, 3 bdrm 1 1/2 story - MLS® $299,000 - Affordable InTown!

Berkeley Park, Atlanta  -  Adorable Bungalow in Historic Berkeley Park! Close to Atlantic Station/West Midtown/Buckhead.Huge kitchen with Kitchenaid appliances, Double Ovens, Island with cooktop, Eat-In Breakfast area,Hardwoods throughout, Cozy Fireplace in Living Room, RARE Separate Dining Room, Walk-in Laundry?Mudroom, Large Bedrooms & Closets, Deck overlooking deep backyard, Partial Basement with tons of storage, Extra Parking Pad, Professional Landscaping, Third Bedroom with built-in bookshelves and double closet is great for home office/nursery/guest room or study.

Motivated!

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