Mortgage rates dipped even further overnight, with a 30-yr fixed at 5.59% on average and a 15-yr fixed at 5.16%. Just this past summer, rates were almost a point higher, surpassing the 6.40% mark in June. While "just one point" may seem insignificant, consider this:On a $200,000 loan at 6.40%, th
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12/04/2007
What's In and What's Out for 2008 ...I recently read a report, published by Lowe's, based on a survey of approximately 1000 Realtors nationwide, and here's what they had to say about what they expect to be "IN" and what will be "OUT" in the real estate industry in 2008 ...What's In ...Home buyers
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11/29/2007
Thinking of buying a home soon? Below is a list of the top 10 things you shouldn't do as you approach your real estate closing ...don't make a major purchase - no cars, etc until after your closing don't change jobs - lenders want to see consistent job history don't give earnest money directly to
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11/26/2007
According to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. home-owners spending on home improvement projects is expected to decline for the first time since 2003. Given the media-induced hysteria about the real estate market's decline, owners are now more reluctant to sink additional fun
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11/20/2007
Over the past few months, both local and state officials have attempted to curb the effects of the severe drought we're experiencing by inplementing restrictions on water use. If you're like me, you've done your best to abide by the new restrictions, but you've probably never really considered ju
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11/17/2007
Over the past few years, I've closely followed the ongoing discussion about the potential for a medical campus in Athens, and through all the ups and downs, I've never been quite so frustrated as I was to hear yesterday's news. It seems to me that every time a great idea surfaces that would posit
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11/14/2007
That's a question that I get daily from prospective buyers.Given the liability concerns, and the politically correct nature of today's society, the Georgia real estate commission has limited the response that we Realtors can give.However, crime statistics shouldn't be ignored, as it can greatly i
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11/12/2007
Okay, okay ... I promise not to turn this into another Georgia football message board, but what could I possibly post that would be more fun than this ....
11/11/2007
Given the perceived slow-down in the residential real estate market, now is a perfect time for investors to pick up great deals on income-producing properties. Remember, as with any investment, the key is to "buy low & sell high". We're in the "buy low" cycle now, so don't miss out. I've just lau
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11/08/2007
