Southern Magnolia Real Estate

What’s keeping you away from homeownership? If you're going to pay monthly for your housing expenses, why not pay towards something you own? Somewhere you can make renovations, and potentially increase the value of your home over time. If you're ready to buy, contact me today!

If you’re a homeowner, think back to your experience being a first-time buyer. What do you wish you would’ve known? What would you tell first-time buyers before they enter the world of homeownership? We would love to hear from you!

When buying a home, it pays to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. During the due diligence stage, you'll want to give every aspect of the transaction a once-over before closing. Among other things, you will want to review your appraisal and inspection before the due diligence period ends.

What are you in the market for? Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, we can help. Our role in the process can look different depending on what your needs are. For some clients, an agent may be the listing agent for the home you are selling as well as your buyer’s agent if you are purchasing a different home. No matter what you need, we are here to help. Let’s chat!

When you start considering a property, there are a few key things you should always try to look at before making your decision. While some factors, like size, can potentially be adjusted in the future, others, like location, cannot. Here are 5 factors you should consider when buying a property.

Do you know the difference? Assessed value is the amount your local government thinks your home is worth - this is what is used to determine property taxes. Appraised value is the amount a professional home appraiser thinks your home is worth. This amount is typically used by lenders when considering a mortgage application.

Today’s home buyers are looking for move-in ready homes. Ensure your home is in top condition to get the most attention and the highest possible price. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, focus on features that most home buyers really want to see. Over 80% of buyers are looking for homes with exterior lighting, energy saving windows, and ceiling fans. These can be a low cost investment that buyers would love and that you can enjoy for as long as you live in the home.

If you’re in the market for a new home, there is plenty you can do ahead of time to make the process go a little smoother. A major step in the home-buying process is securing your home loan with a lender. Here is a brief list of items your lender will likely ask for to determine how much buying power you will have. Getting these documents ready now will help to streamline the process!

The first step is to find the right real estate agent to help you market and price your home. You will work with your agent – who will study the sales of homes similar to yours – to set the right asking price. You should give your home a deep cleaning before listing it and reduce clutter by getting rid of extra furniture, décor and personal items. After discussion with your agent, you may consider investing in any minor repairs they recommend to maximize profits. If you are ready today, let’s talk!

Character and charm, or fresh and modern...what is your style? Would you rather live in a historic neighborhood or a new development? When it comes to choosing your next home, what part of the style means the most to you? Let’s chat in the comments!

Wondering what costs you will need to consider when becoming a homeowner? Here is a brief list of what to expect once you purchase a home. While you may have an idea of what your mortgage payments will look like, it is important to know what is included in that payment and what else you need to prepare for.

A house title denotes ownership rights: It is the bundle of rights that dictates who has legal or equitable interest in the property. It also details the limitations on ownership. When you purchase a home, a title company conducts a title search to ensure that the seller is the sole owner of the home and no one else has any legal claim to or against the property.

Are you considering stepping into the world of homeownership? Before you start browsing the internet for available homes in your area, ask yourself these questions! This will help give you the best starting point and help you get into the home of your dreams that much faster. Once you’ve done that, we are here to help!

Contract contingencies are quite common in real estate transactions and are put in place to allow prospective homeowners to cancel a contract without penalty. Contingencies reduce risks for buyers, and what is allowable varies from state to state. However, many contingencies are common to every state.

Buying a home can seem intimidating, especially if it is your first time. We are here to help walk you through every step of the process and would love to hear what concerns you have about buying a home. Share your questions in the comments or send us a message today.

Mortgage rates are constantly changing, but do you know what dropping rates could mean for you? Whether you are looking to buy or looking to sell, a drop in interest rates can impact what the market will look like for you. Here are some ways the market is impacted!

Worried about getting a mortgage if you work for yourself? If you’re self-employed, the loan approval process will be somewhat similar to that of a W-2 salaried applicant. You’ll need to provide certain documentation to verify your employment income and prove to the lender that you’re a creditworthy fit for a mortgage in general and a certain sum. We can recommend a lender today and get you one step closer to homeownership!

Today’s home buyers want convenient house plan designs that help them stay organized, allow them to live comfortably through all stages in life, and keep utility costs low. More importantly, buyers are looking for homes that don’t require much work on their end. What are your top 2 must haves in a new home from this list?

Have you heard this phrase before? Marrying the house means that you should focus more on finding the right property rather than trying to time your purchase to get the lowest interest rate. You are not committed to your mortgage loan interest rate for life—as long as you can refinance it down the road. Don’t lose out on time building your equity waiting for a rate. If you’re ready to buy today, let’s chat!

You can change the cosmetics of a house, but you can’t change location. Don’t ignore a home you love in a neighborhood you have been dreaming about just because it requires a change of paint or other cosmetic updates. While we always want to find you a home that checks as many of your boxes as possible, it’s important to prioritize finding a home that you can adjust to fit your requirements.

NEW LISTING!! Built in 2019, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home, features LVP, granite, fenced back yard, community pool and playground, and so much more!

190 Birch River Xing
Dallas, GA 30132

Call today to schedule your showing!

Ashley Morris, REALTOR®
Southern Magnolia Real Estate, LLC
powered by 22one Realty Co
678.201.8099 direct
770.485.3928 office

Here are some pros and cons of fixer-upper houses to keep in mind.

PROS:�
- Usually a lower purchase price: Although you’ll likely need to spend more on renovating.
�-Less competition: Generally speaking, there is less competition for fixer-upper homes.�
-Chance to customize your home: Once you buy a fixer-upper house, you have the freedom to do whatever you’d like to it.

CONS:�
-Expensive renovations: Depending on the renovations, you may end up breaking even/spending more than you intended.
�-Unexpected issues: Even if you get an inspection, there can be unexpected issues, especially if the house is older.

OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY 2-4 PM

87 Waters Road, Hiram

Come see this lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom ranch on 1.67 acres overlooking Lake Ramona this Sunday!

What is stopping you from diving into homeownership? The road to owning a home can look different for everyone, but there is more than one path. Let us help you find the one that works best for you!

How do you feel about your current space? If you don’t love where you are at, I can help change that. Contact me today!

Pre-qualification tends to refer to less rigorous assessments, while a pre-approval can require you share more personal and financial information with a creditor. As a result, an offer based on a pre-qualification may be less accurate or certain than an offer based on a pre-approval. Make sure to get pre-approved today to get started on your house hunting journey!

This is one of the most important steps you can take when getting ready to buy a home. Pre-approval can save you time and heartache by helping you eliminate houses during your search that are likely outside of your price range. Don’t set yourself up for the disappointment of falling in love with a house only to discover that you don’t qualify for the necessary loan amount - get pre-approved!

Do you know how much equity you have in your home? A licensed professional like a realtor can help you determine that value and evaluate whether now is a good time to sell your home.

A mortgage is a type of loan used to purchase or maintain a home, land, or other types of real estate. The borrower agrees to pay the lender over time, typically in a series of regular payments that are divided into principal and interest. The property then serves as collateral to secure the loan. A borrower must apply for a mortgage through their preferred lender and ensure that they meet several requirements, including minimum credit scores and down payments. Mortgage applications go through an underwriting process before they reach the closing phase. Mortgage types vary based on the needs of the borrower, such as conventional and fixed-rate loans.