Athens Georgia Real Estate News & Listings Presented By Prudential Blanton Properties

Oconee County with Pool

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:43:31 GMT

Beautiful and well maintained Oconee County home with plenty of space. This 4BD/2.5BA features separate Living/Family rooms, Kitchen with tile counters and backsplash, breakfast area, Dining Room, oversized Owner's Bedroom, Owner's bath with jetted tub and separate shower, large patio area, and a gorgeous in-ground swimming pool. There is a also a spacious workshop by the pool which is included.

Upscale Townhouse

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:09:21 GMT

Mint condition townhouse with beautiful hardwood floors, Living Room, Family Room with fireplace, and Kitchen with granite counters, tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Low maintenance living in Oak Grove, a swim/tennis community.

Ready for Move-in

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:52:12 GMT

Wonderfully renovated 3BD/2BA ready for move-in. Great Room with fireplace, Kitchen with new granite counters and stainless steel appliances, breakfast area, Dining Room, spacious Owner's Bedroom with trey ceiling, jetted tub & separate shower in Owner's Bath, deck and huge back yard.

Low Price Craftsman

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:42:45 GMT

Well maintained 3BD/2BA with spacious and open Great Room, Kitchen/Dining area, split bedroom plan and a 2-car garage.

The Georgia Club

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:50:05 GMT

Spectacular home in the Georgia Club, a gated golf, swim and tennis community. This 5BD/5.5BA gem is loaded with beautiful touches and really has it all. The main level features an open Great Room / Dining area, gourmet Kitchen with granite counters, tile backspash and stainless steel appliances, Keeping Room with coffered ceiling, stacked stone fireplace and built-in cabinets, Owner's Suite with dual walk-in closets and access to the courtyard, laundry closet, Owner's Bathroom with walk-in multiple head tiled shower and jetted tub, and an additional bedroom/bath. There is also a powder room and a laundry room on the main floor. Upstairs you will find a spacious Family Room, 2 more bedrooms/baths and an office. Outside is a lovely courtyard with a fantastic pool / hot tub, as well as entrace to the attached guest / in-law suite. Gorgeous hardwood floors, granite counters everywhere, intercom system with surround sound, 5 zone HVAC system - this home truly has too many features to list and is a must see.

Fivepoints

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:38:45 GMT

Right in the heart of Fivepoints, just down the street from the University of Georgia. This 3BA/2BA home features hardwood floors, a Great Room, Dining Room, large Utility Room and big fenced back yard.

First Home Find

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:38:49 GMT

Well maintained home featuring a Great Room with vaulted ceiling and hardwood floors, Dining Room, Kitchen with tiled floor, Laundry Room and and Owner's Bedroom with Trey Ceiling. Professionally landscaped and has a balcony deck plus 6ft fencing around the back. Tons of storage room in the top of the line crawl space encapsulation system.

Another JD Powers Award for Prudential Real Estate

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:02:00 GMT

J.D. Power and Associates announced yesterday that the Prudential Real Estate Network ranked “Highest Overall Satisfaction for Home Sellers among National Full Service Real Estate Firms” in their 2010 Study. This is the second time in three years that the Prudential Network has ranked highest in seller satisfaction. http://www.jdpower.com/homes/ratings/home-seller-ratings

Buying Foreclosures

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:53:00 GMT

There are foreclosures available in just about every area of the country right now. Many of these appear to be great deals but buyers really need the help of a professional real estate agent to help guide them through the process. "Will banks ever make repairs to the home?" "Is it difficult to get financing for foreclosures?" "Do most banks have a special contract they use?" These are questions that I can answer for you. If you are interested in purchasing a foreclosure as an investment or for your next personal home, let me know and I can email you what is available in Athens, GA or surrounding area and help answer your questions.

Home Warranties

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:03:00 GMT

If you are preparing to buy a home then you might want to look into purchasing a home warranty. A home warranty is like an insurance policy for your major appliances and systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc). Plans usually start at around $400 and have a renewal due each year. If your dishwasher breaks down 6 months after closing you will be glad you have one! There are many companies that offer home warranties - two of the most popular are American Home Shield www.homewarranty.ahs.com and 2-10 www.2-10.com .

Georgia Primaries Tomorrow

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:24:00 GMT

Just a reminder for those in Georgia that tomorrow (July 20) is the day to vote in our state primary. Get out there and select our leaders - make your voice count!

Turn-key Townhouse

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:40:31 GMT

This townhouse is in mint condition and ready for move-in! 2BD/2.5BA with an open Great Room with beautiful laminate floors, eat-in Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash and pantry, and 2 spacious bedrooms upstairs, each with a private bath. Located minutes away from the University of Georgia.

Tax Credit Deadline to be Extended

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:23:00 GMT

Good news today as Congress has voted to extend the Federal Home Buyer tax credit for those who were unable to close on their home by the June 30 deadline . Now these buyers will have until September 30 to close on their new homes. This extension only applies to buyers who were under contract before April 30. The National Flood Insurance Program has also been extended until September 30 which provides flood insurance to those who live in flood-prone areas and are unable to obtain coverage.

Oconee County Schools Nationally Ranked

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:04:00 GMT

Both high schools in Oconee County (Oconee County High School & North Oconee High School) just made Newsweek's list of "America's Best High Schools 2010". This places both schools in the top 6% nationwide - way to go guys and keep up the good work! See here for more info on Oconee County schools http://www.oconee.k12.ga.us/ or here if you would like to view the Newsweek article http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/americas-best-high-schools.html

Short Sale Tips

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:10:00 GMT

For those who do not know, a short sale is a sale in which the sales price is less than the amount that the seller owes on the home. The seller is therefore requesting that their lender(s) forgive the deficient amount. Here are a few things to consider whether you are a buyer or seller:

Sellers:

* You need to contact a real estate professional to assist you with the sale who knows how the process works and can help you put together a short sale package.

* Gather all of your financial documents and draft a financial hardship letter.

* Prepare for what could be a long wait for bank approval once you have accepted a buyer's offer.

* Realize that although a short sale will not damage your credit to the extent that a foreclosure would, it will still negatively affect your credit.

Buyers:

* Choose a real estate professional who has experience working with short sales.

* You may be responsible for any repairs required by your lender since the sellers are likely low on cash. If the home is vacant, you may have to have utilities turned on for inspection.

*Be prepared for a long wait for response from seller's lender. A short sale might not be for you if you need to be in a new home in 6 weeks.

Great Starter Home in Oconee County

Wed, 26 May 2010 00:06:50 GMT

Recently updated home on a large private lot in Oconee for a low price. This 3BD/2BA has a Great Room with wood stove, eat-in Kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and a newly updated guest bathroom with tiled shower. New laminate flooring in Great Room and Owner's Bedroom, new tile in Kitchen and bathrooms, new carpet in Guest Bedrooms, new paint, new roof, big screened porch on rear and a workshop/detached carport. There is also a fenced area for dogs and a vegetable garden in full swing.

Great Value

Tue, 11 May 2010 21:44:21 GMT

Can't beat the price on this charming cul-de-sac home. This 3BD/2.5BA features a Great Room with fireplace, Kitchen with breakfast area, formal Dining Room and spacious bedrooms. Back deck off Great Room, 2 car garage and a very low maintainence yard.

Tax Credits Ending Soon

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:00 GMT

The Federal Homebuyer Tax Credits are ending soon - you must have a home under contract by the end of April and close by the end of June to receive the credit. Up to $8,000 for first time homebuyers and up to $6,500 for elegible repeat buyers. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing a home in Athens, Oconee County or surrounding areas. Prices and interest rates have never been better - I would love to help you find your dream home!

Timing Couldn’t Be Much Better for First-time Homebuyers

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:00:00 GMT

First-time homebuyers dominated the U.S. real estate market in 2009, accounting for roughly half of all residential transaction, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

That trend is likely to continue well into the new year. That’s because interest rates are hovering near all-time lows, home-price affordability is near all-time highs and a third factor – Congress’ extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit until April 30, 2010 – make conditions quite favorable for those considering homeownership for the first time.

Still, with the prospect of making one of the largest investments you'll ever make in your life, you can easily become overwhelmed. Some of the questions you may be asking are: Will I be able to afford the home of my dreams? Do I have enough money for a down payment? Will I qualify for the tax credit? Will I make smart home buying decisions? If you go into the process prepared, your first purchase – like the current timing – can be just right.

Resources--Before starting out, educate yourself on the process. Attend a homebuyer seminar in your market, and check out myriad real estate resources online. Among those helpful online resources is prudentialrealestate.com, through which you can access millions of property listings and gain environmental reports, property profiles and value-range estimates for just about any residence in America.
Your real estate professional also is a great resource. Don't hesitate to let him or her know that you are new to the process. Your real estate professional will expect you to have questions at each step, from house hunting to making an offer through closing.

The costs involved in the purchase of a home can seem overwhelming to first-time homebuyers. There are mortgage costs, the down payment, and closing costs to think about.

Affordability--By looking at your income and debt ratio, your sales professional can help you calculate how much you can afford each month in mortgage payments. But before determining your price range, you should also take into consideration other factors that will affect your monthly budget once you are a homeowner, such as property taxes, insurance, homeowner association dues, utilities and maintenance. And if your down payment is less than 20 percent of the cost of the home, you will be responsible for private mortgage insurance, more commonly referred to as PMI.

Mortgage payment--Fear of being rejected for a home loan is one of the main concerns for first-time homebuyers. To lessen the stress, you may want to get pre-approved for a loan before looking at prospective homes. This will not only help you feel more confident, it will also give you an advantage where there are multiple offers for a specific property. In addition, the fact that your loan has already been approved is of great value to the seller because it shortens the purchase process, and there is less of a chance that the buyer will back out of the sale. If you don’t have a specific mortgage lender in mind, ask your sales professional for a recommendation.

Down payment--The down payment amount varies depending on the value of the home you choose and your mortgage lender. Your real estate professional will be able to explain the different options available to you.

Tax credit--The first-time homebuyer tax credit, a key component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, equates to as much as $8,000, or 10% of a principal residence’s purchase price, and is available to those who have not owned a principal residence in the past three years. You can use the tax credit to help purchase your home or help pay for its closing costs, or the credit can be used to remodel, refurnish and repair your property. See your tax advisor for details about the tax-credit program and how you may benefit.

Making offers--Don't feel pressured into making an offer on the first home you see. This is a common mistake of many first-time homebuyers. Make sure you view different homes to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide on a home to make a bid on, work with your real estate professional to get all of your questions answered before making an offer. But don't wait too long to make an offer. The longer you wait, the greater the chance other prospective buyers may place offers, making it harder for you to negotiate a good deal.

Above all, remember there are no silly questions. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with every aspect of the transaction. Your real estate professional can be an invaluable asset in helping you make educated decisions so that your first home purchase is a rewarding experience.

Home Buyer Tax Credits Extended & Expanded

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:51:00 GMT

In case you have not heard, the Federal Home Tax Credit has been extended into 2010. Eligible first time home buyers will continue to receive a tax credit of up to $8,000. But now, with the expansion, eligible repeat home buyers can receive a credit of up to $6,500! The income limits were raised to $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. Some home buyers that are above these limits may receive a reduced credit. The home purchase must be completed by April 30, 2010. Home sales occuring between April 30 -June 30 are eligible provided that the home was under contract by April 30. So the time to act is now! Please feel free to contact me anytime if you are interested in purchasing a home in Athens, GA or surrounding areas. For more information on the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit, please visit: http://federalhousingtaxcredit.com/