FSBO Atlanta Blog

The FSBO Atlanta Blog has a new home on the internet. Come check us out at FsboAtlantaBlog for news, articles, listings, and help when selling your home for sale by owner in Atlanta.

Build a Home

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How would you like to have a home built that is highly energy efficient, that also resists tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, bullets, fires, is sound resistant and is built with environmentally friendly materials, for just a fraction above a traditional home?

How would you like to receive a tax credit for having such a home built?

More Info

Fixed Rate Mortgage

The traditional fixed rate mortgage is the most common type of loan programs, where monthly principal and interest payments never change during the life of the loan. Fixed rate mortgages are available in terms ranging from 10 to 30 years and can be paid off at any time without penalty. This type of mortgage is structured, or "amortized" so that it will be completely paid off by the end of the loan term. There are also "bi-weekly" mortgages, which shorten the loan by calling for half the monthly payment every two weeks. (Since there are 52 weeks in a year, you make 26 payments, or 13 "months" worth, every year.)

97% Of American Homeowners Overpay Their Lender In Mortgage Interest Every Month

If you own a home, have just re-financed or are shopping for a mortgage, you’ll be outraged.

Housing:
Americans across the country were shocked to hear of a new poll that states 97% of homeowners here in America are overpaying millions of dollars each month in mortgage interest.

The National poll was conducted last month to determine how many homeowners take advantage of the pre-payment loophole in our mortgage system, which eliminates costly interest overpayments.
The shocking results showed only 3% of America’s homeowner population utilize this loophole and take advantage of the valuable benefits created by it.

When Sean Drover, a Chicago businessman and homeowner found out he was overpaying $217 in mortgage interest every month, he was appalled.
“Honestly,I was sick to my stomach when I thought back on all the monthly payments I’d made. If I would have known about the pre-payment loophole when I first bought my home I could have put all that money into equity instead of my lenders pocket.”

The problem lies with what the banking industry calls “front loading”.
This is when the majority of a homeowner’s payment is applied towards the interest on the loan instead of the original amount borrowed.

The disturbing fact about front loading is it ensures you’ll pay over three times the original amount borrowed. Thus, resulting in enormous profits coming straight out of your pocket and directly into your lenders.

Most people (97%) never stop and take a good look at how damaging the system really is. Unfortunately, it’s just the way conventional mortgages are structured here in America.

Average Homeowner overpays $60,000
In fact, the average homeowner in America is overpaying $2000 in mortgage
interest every year, or $60,000 over the life of the mortgage.

“That’s an enormous amount of money”. Says top mortgage analyst, Craig Romero.
“This is money that homeowners are needlessly giving away each year. Imagine what a person could do with an extra $60,000."

While gaining back thousands of dollars from these overpayments is a huge benefit, it’s not the only one. Cutting up to 10 years from the term of a traditional mortgage is also another major advantage.

“I’ve been using the prepayment loophole for years”.
Says Denver homeowner, Curtis Landau.
“I’ve actually been able to remodel my home and pocket about $25,000…all from the equity that was built so quickly.”

Americans must understand this pre-payment loophole isn’t something lenders are eager
to share with their customers. If they did, they would risk taking a huge cut in profits.

With over 50 million mortgages in force, it’s estimated Americans overpay their lenders
in excess of $12 billion every year. It’s no wonder this loophole is kept secret…lenders
are undoubtedly getting rich off these interest overpayments.

Written by Craig Romero

Free report on how to implement a proper bi-weekly payment plan
visit: www.equityfast.com

Craig Romero is an author and mortgage analyst dedicated to helping homeowners
maximize the investment in their homes.

Hiring a home improvement contractor

Here is a step by step guide to help you hire a quality home improvement contractor.

Before talking to any contractors the first thing to do is create a budget for the project. Without a budget you will be flying blind and may end up over spending. Having a tight budget will also help you make decisions about what kind of fixtures, and materials to purchase. Most products have a wide price range and having a budget will help keep you in line when making buying decisions.

After you have your budget dialed in get three written estimates from three different contractors. Be sure the estimate is complete; getting a “written” estimate on the back of a business card is not a sign of a good contractor. Getting three estimates will enable you to compare prices from different contractors. Reliableremodeler.com is a great service that will help you get free estimates from quality contractors for free.

Take the time to talk with each contractor and get a feel for which one you will be most comfortable working with and having in your home. Be sure and pay attention to things like who shows up on time and who is prepared to talk about your project. If a contractor shows up late to your appointment chances are they will show up late when working on your project.

While you are in the process of selecting a contractor it is a good idea to make sure they have the proper license, insurance, and bonding. All three of these items are in place to protect homeowners. Working with a contractor who isn’t licensed or doesn’t have the proper insurance might come back to haunt you. A good contractor will show you copies of these documents when they present your written estimate.

The next step is to check the references of the contractor you are leaning towards selecting. Be sure to ask specific questions about their experience with the contractor. “Did the contractor show up on time?” “Did the contractor clean up after themselves?” If you want to be more aggressive you can ask the contractor for the names and numbers of their last three jobs and call those instead of their handpicked references. This will provide a more realistic overview of the contractors daily work habits and skills.

The last step is to select your contractor and have them provide you a timeline for the completion of the project. Having a timeline will help ensure your project is completed in a timely manner.

Georgia foreclosures jump 99%

More than 115,000 properties across the country were in the foreclosure process in October — up 42 percent from the same month a year earlier, according to RealtyTrac, a California company that tracks foreclosures.

Foreclosures in Georgia are up a stunning 99 percent in the past year.

The state now has the nation's third-highest rate of foreclosures: One in every 449 households. In October, that meant 6,895 properties were in the foreclosure process. Source: ajc.com

Happy FSBOATL Sellers

With hundreds of homes sold, lots of people are talking about FSBOATL. Here's what just a few have had to say about their experiences selling with FSBOATL

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. Ok, can I say it enough? I think this is an absolute awesome service to provide for people trying to sell their homes. God bless and thanks" Kathy Caldwell

"Our house is under contract. The site was very helpful and we will tell our friends about it." Adrianne & Eric D.

Read More Testimonials

Georgia Real Estate Purchase Contracts

If you show your home to a Buyer and hear the words "Yes, I love it. I want to make an offer" and you don't have a contract on hand, you'll look unprepared.

Do you want to risk having a buyer slip through your fingers because you are not prepared ?

We Highly Recommend U.S. Legal Forms™ Inc. whom provides Georgia real estate forms for all your real estate form needs, including deeds, contracts, liens, contract for deed and many other forms. All real estate forms must be drafted to comply with Georgia laws. Standardized forms are sometimes not acceptable. They provide private sellers with the correct valid forms.

Most FSBO transaction requires several forms. The Georgia Real Estate Home Sales Package is the perfect solution. This package contains ALL the forms necessary for selling your home. Bundled packages offer tremendous savings as opposed to purchasing each form individually. Buying or selling a home is the most important transaction most people will ever encounter. This package makes the process much easier to understand.

Will a listing agent help me sell my home?

9.5 out of 10 listing agents don't sell their own listings.

Listed properties sell because a "buyers agent" brought a buyer to the table usually after finding your property in a local database. The sad part about this is the "listing agent" typically gets half of the 6% commission for simply inputting your property information into the local database where the buyers agent found your listing.

Remember, If they are 'top listing agent' of the month, in most cases they are bottom 'selling agent' of the month.

Commercial Property in Ball Ground Georgia

Commercial property available in booming Cherokee County, with possible owner financing to qualified individuals.

Property is on a major I-575 exchange, and is ideally suited for future development. Parcel includes a 40,000 square foot building including 3500 square foot of office space on 7acres. Property will provide POSITIVE cash flow for the astute investor.

The current building on site would be well suited for rental as a manufacturing or distribution facility. The building has numerous dock loading facilities as well as conventional roll-up doors. Based upon a reasonable rental of $5-6 per foot (currently rents in the area are in the $5.50-6.00 range, without the benefit of the large lot), this would provide approximately $200-240K in annual income until developed.

PROPERTY COMPARABLES:

To find comparable sites one doesn’t have to look too far. A similar, but undeveloped, 4-acre parcel located across Airport Drive from this site is priced at $225K per acre. Similar parcels on Airport road, but across the freeway, and near the Airport (but farther from I-575) are priced at $250K per acre for raw land alone. Additionally, new shell construction in the Industrial Park is starting at $50/ft. When you factor in the value of the building already on site, the property’s value becomes apparent.

Land Value (@ $200K/acre) $1,400,000
Building Value (Discounted @ $25/ft) $1,000,000
TOTAL VALUE $2,400,000

PRICE:

This parcel is available for sale now at much less than you could replace it for. The asking price of $2,400,000 reflects a per acre price of just $200K per acre, with only half the building’s replacement value. The bonus of already having the building on site will allow the investor to realize immediate monthly cash flow while determining future development plans.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL:

One only has to look at the phenomenal development at Riverstone (the next exit) to see the potential for this site. Outparcels and retail/commercial sites are going for up to $400K for road frontage outparcels (1/4 acre), with almost complete build-out already completed. As Riverstone is finally built out, the wave of development will move on to the next exit (Airport Drive).

For more details, visit FSBOATL web id# 1920

An agent told me to list with them because they have buyers

FACT: Would any agent really admit to not having buyers?

If the agent has buyers, great, this is worth 2%-3% max as a "buyers agent," so there is absolutely no need to sign an "exclusive right to sell" full 6% listing contract.

Don't fall for the old "dual agency" trap. Besides, would you really pay someone twice to do one job?

For Sale by Owner Myths

I tried selling by owner and it didn't work.

FACT: "Trying to sell" with a few test ads in the classifieds rarely results in success. Most sellers will "try" a few classifieds first. If you are advertising for a yard sale or have a home to rent or are selling a car, the local "classifieds" are a good place to run a "tiny classified" ad for $6 a day, however when you are selling property in the hundreds of thousands of dollars you need an advanced professional marketing system! The idea is not to see how little money you can spend on advertising... the idea is to get the greatest market exposure. Use the classifieds in addition to our marketing services. The typical seller is not a marketing expert, we are. A homemade flyer pinned up at the laundry mat or the corner grocery store or stapled to a tree may have worked in the 1970's, but it won't work today. Go with a proven system. FSBOATL

The FSBO marketing program seems pricey (compared to the local classifieds).

FACT: Remember, we provide more than just advertising. We offer a complete marketing system. You can not compare what we provide with a "tiny classified" ad. But go ahead, add up the cost for a tiny classified ad at $6 a day, times the entire month, times the average of 4-6 months* (or more) that it takes a full-time agent to sell an average Georgia property. You'll find that tiny ad will cost you TEN TIMES more than we charge and we give you so much more. Dollar-for-dollar our FSBO featured package is the best choice. *99% of our sellers do sell in 4 months or less (typically 1-2 months), again, compare this to the up to 60% of agent listings that expire without a sale or take over 175 days to sell.

Atlanta For Sale By Owner Myth - I Don't Have Time

I don't have time, the agents will handle everything.

FACT: These days most people don't have much time to do anything but work their two jobs, raise a family, run the household, be a spouse, volunteer, run their business etc.

Try this, multiply your selling price times 6%, take this figure and calculate how many months it will take you to earn this figure?

Now ask yourself, is it worth giving this same figure to an agent, while you are slaving at a job/business to bring that figure back into your family?

Help Sell Your Home by Providing a Home Inspection

Providing a home inspection report to buyers may help your home sell easier. This report may help convince buyers that you are not trying to hide problems.

A home inspector will examine the general physical condition of your home. The inspector then submits a detailed written report on the quality and condition. This report usually lists what is in good repair, as well as current and impending possible problems.

The price of a home inspection is determined by the home's square footage, age, number of rooms, and sale price. The price range for Atlanta is usually between $200-$950.

Make Rooms Look Bigger

Painting is the number one home improvement you can do to make your home more appealing. Eggshell finish or white with just a tint of beige is the best choice in colors. Always use high-quality paint, it's not only easier to apply but it looks better too.

Off-white walls makes your rooms look bigger and helps the buyers visualize their pictures and their furniture in your house.

Sell Your Own Home in Atlanta

If you are going to sell your own home, you will need to consider different types of exposure and advertising so that people will know your home is for sale.

Did you know that 78% of home shoppers are using the Internet as part of their home search?

Take a look at how FSBOATL.COM in Atlanta is helping homeowners succeed in selling their own home.

House For Sale By Owner in Douglasville Georgia

$5000 Closing Costs Paid By Seller SOLD!

Beautiful split level home. Master w/trey ceiling and 2 walk in closets. Huge Master Bath with shower & jetted tub. Large great room & formal dining. Basement w/laundry, partially finished & studded for bath. Huge storage room in garage. All lighting fixtures and blinds stay!

Nothing like it at this price!
For more photos.. see our web page at fsboatl.com web ID# 1896

Atlanta Flat Fee MLS

The MLS is an agent’s primary marketing tool and a database of homes for sale. The MLS contains detailed information about each listing, with easy access for buyers who have real estate agents. It’s the MLS exposure that accounts for about 70% to 80% of all home sales.

There is a new alternative today that will allow you to place your property on the Multiple Listing Service for a one time flat fee. Instead of paying the listing agent a percentage of the sales price, usually 6%, the property is advertised to every Realtor in your local MLS region offering a commission, usually 3%, to any agent that delivers a buyer. And you retain the right to sell your home on your own and pay absolutely no commission.

For Sale By Owner Atlanta's newly developed MLS-FLAT-FEE listing plan gives sellers (Maximum Exposure) through effective use of the MLS system. Your home will be exposed to 1000's of Buyers working with local Realtors®.

Prepare Your Home For Viewing

The effort put into repairing and cleaning your property is likely to be returned in a fast sale at an attractive price.

• As buyers approach your property the first time, impressions are formed quickly.
• Paint house - this can do more for sales appeal than any other factor.
• Yard - Remove all toys, garbage, garden tools and other items from view.
• Mow lawn and keep edged.
• Close garage doors.
• Put colorful flowers in front of house.

Often, while waiting to be let in, the first thing a buyer looks at closely is the front door.

• Put new paint on the front door.
• Buy a new door mat.
• Buyers take a close look at the basement of a home. They will look for bad wiring, leaky pipes and signs of decay.
• Clean out basement and dispose of everything you are not going to move.
• Ensure that there is plenty of lighting.
• Sweep or vacuum floor.
• Stack items neatly against walls.

The kitchen is often the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive.

• Put a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
• Replace curtains or clean existing ones.
• Remove appliances from counters.
• Create a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen (i.e. vanilla, cinnamon).

It is important that bathrooms are clean, bright and smell fresh.

• Install a new shower curtain and replace worn throw rugs.
• Polish all fixtures.
• Open windows.
• Hang bright, fresh towels.
• Remove stains from toilets and bathtubs.
• Use air freshener.
• Display colorful soaps.

The living room

• Clean out the fireplace and place logs in it.
• Polish all woodwork.
• Put big furniture in storage so rooms are not cluttered or crowded.

More Makeover tips, tweaks, and trade secrets that
increase the selling price of your home!

For Sale by Owner in Atlanta

FSBOATL.COM is a local FSBO website listing homes, condos, land, and commercial properties "For Sale By Owner" in the Greater Atlanta Area.
We are pleased to offer sellers the most cost-effective method of selling homes For Sale By Owner. Buyers will get the best price for property by buying directly from the homeowner without paying a commission.

Our website helps buyers compare prices, research schools, and view pictures
on-line. Our high traffic content rich site also provide home sellers with the Greatest Possible Exposure. Use our website as your best advertising resource and our professional custom-made yard signs to direct buyers to your property.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
It's Simple! Sellers can login and begin listing their property(s) immediately. Type in your listing information and upload up to 10 photos.
That's It! And you can make changes to your listings instantly. Buyers can view properties for sale 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.
Unlike many other FSBO websites, buyers do not have to register to view properties on fsboatl.com.

FREE Listings Available - Contact Robby Cox at (770) 313-1835 or robby@fsboatl.com