Should you Update or Upgrade Your Home?

Should you update and upgrade your home prior to selling? That is a difficult question to answer but is a question worth examing.

I wanted to lead by example. My family is living in a 10 year old home. During those ten years we have updated the Kitchen, painted, installed new carpet, and additional hardwoods.

We just completed remodeling the Bathroom (my wife designed the entire project). I have attached before and after pictures to show you the difference.

Why do we do it? There are many reasons. Future resale would be one reason. However we did it to enjoy it!

Our situation is slightly different than our present clients. We are not going to sell our home for quite a few years.

However my suggestion to our present and future home selling clients: Strongly consider doing some upgrading and updating to your home!

Here is my reasoning:

Decorator allowances, agent bonuses, and other "give aways" do not work

Atlanta has limited new construction. However buyers are demanding new home style in a resale home.

Buyers continue to lack imagination, time, and money to do their own upgrades.

Our feedback continues to be consistent. We have homes that show well but lack the latest that separates it from the rest.



Barb, Sue, and Randy make up The Wells Team of The Norton Agency. Let us help you prepare your home for sale in the North Atlanta area. We also offer redesign services free to our clients!

I Can Call You Anything I Want!

The professionalism continues to decline.

Recently I had a problem with an agent showing my listings. The agent would contact our sellers directly sometimes knocking on their door. Our showing instructions were clear that we needed to be contacted first.

I wrote an email to this agent, and her broker. I thanked them for showing the property and looked forward to working with them. All I asked, nicely, was that they called me first. I have information on my clients, and their property, that could be beneficial to all sides.

In return I received an email. It said that it was all about control and that I am a D---!

Obviously I was shocked by the response.

I took this to my broker. She contacted the other broker and asked her to explain her agent's behavior. Her response was irritation that I had forwarded the email to my broker. Nothing was going to be done!

My broker's hands are tied. Why? Because this sales office agents are not members of a board of realtors and have no company guidelines on this type of behavior.

If I had made a similar comment my company would have fired me for violating company policy.

Bottom Line: There are agents who can do whatever they want. They do not have conduct guidelines from their company. Since they are not members of a board of realtors, or the National Association of Realtors, they have no additional codes of conduct.

Unfortunately this sales office is in my neighborhood! How ironic!

We are a part of Dawson County Georgia

The Wells Team had the opportunity to participate in the Dawson County Business Expo. The event was sponsored by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. (The Wells Team is a proud member of the chamber).

The event was a way for local businesses to showcase their talent.

The Wells Team, of The Norton Agency, is proud to call Dawson County Georgia home.

If we can help you look for property in Dawson County, or the North Atlanta Metro area, give us a call.

Check out our website at www.randywellsteam.com

Before you list your home: Upgrade and Update!

By now any homeowner should know what is happening in the real estate market. It is on the news daily, in magazines, newspapers, and discussed frequently by the "experts".

HGTV dedicates shows to homeowners who endure ridicule from potential homebuyers on the condition of their home. They in turn spend money and time upgrading their home to ready it for sale. The results are usually positive.

With all of this information available why do many homeowners put up a "wall" when upgrading is discussed on their particular home?

Barb and I have sold over $4 million dollars in real estate for 2010. Based on these sales we can tell you where our success has been in home sales.

The home is either a foreclosure or short sale. If not then the home has undergone upgrading and updating.

It is that simple.

The buyers are still in control. I repeat the buyers are still in control. What they want is a resale home with the latest and greatest included. That means granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwoods, updated master bathrooms, and mounted flat screen televisions.

They do not have the time, money, or imagination to renovate themselves. They want the home move in ready.

If you are considering listing your home in the North Metro Atlanta area give Barb and I a call. We will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear.

Check out our listings at www.randywellsteam.com

Helpful Government Mortgage Websites

Do you have questions about government loan programs?

Fortunately there are a lot of internet resources available.

The websites were compiled by Lou King of Norton Guaranty Mortgage. Lou knows these programs well. You can contact her at 404-310-0646 lou.king@guarantymortgage.com

Thank you Lou!

FHA Mortgage Limits per County https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm

FHA eleigible condos https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm

USDA property eligibility http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

Reverse Mortgage http://www.reversemortgage.org

Mortgage Hardship http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/


If you are looking for property in the North Metro Atlanta area give us a call!
We are Barb Dumont and Randy Wells of The Wells Team
See all of our listings at www.randywellsteam.com...

Fall Festivals in North Georgia

(Burts Pumpkin Farm in NW Dawson County)

This is the time of year when I really love living in North Georgia.

The leaves are starting to turn, Lake Lanier is still warm enough to take boat rides, and every weekend brings a fall festival.

Here are just a few of the many festivals available in October.

North Georgia State Fair Now until October 3rd www.northgeorgiastatefair.com

Cumming Country Fair and Festival October 7-17 www.cummingfair.net

Gold Rush Days Dahlonega October 16 and 17 www.dahlonega.org

Moonshine Festival Dawsonville October 23 and 24 www.dawson.org

Come up to North Georgia and see why Barb and I have enjoyed living here for 9 years!

While you are up here let us show you some properties that we have listed!

We are The Wells Team of The Norton Agency

To see all of our listings please go to our website www.randywellsteam.com

Where is the Professionalism?

We spent last night with one of our clients updating them on our local market.

They understand what is transpiring in the economy and the housing market. What they do not understand is the lack of courtesy shown by other real estate agents.

The past few showings have frustrated them. A 3pm appointment actually took place at 4:30pm. Another appointment actually transpired over two hours late. Others scheduled and did not show.

Why?

The agent who was 90 minutes late decided to show other vacant properties first. This individual did not put together a plan keeping in mind the inconvenience of our sellers.

The agent who was two hours late did the same thing. This agent showed his client empty homes first not keeping track of the time.

The ironic part is that the empty homes, as well as, our listing were in the same neighborhood!They could have easily gone back to the empty home after they kept their appointment with our listing!

We do not ask for much just some professional courtesy.

If you make an appointment be there on time. If you are running early or late give us a call.

If you drive up to the home and your clients do like the home call us. Do not leave us waiting.

Give us feedback on your showing.



A little professional courtesy in this tough market goes a long way!