About Columbia County, GA

In a word, YES. According to this article from Yahoo Finance and CNNMoney.com, if you've sold your home as a short sale, or you've been foreclosed on, your mortgage company may still be able to get a deficiency judgement against you. BB&T (my personal mortgage holder) has affirmed that they are seeking more and more deficiency judgements as many homes are no longer worth the amount of the mortgage.

Generally a mortgage has two parts: a pledge of collateral (the home) and a promise to repay the loan. If you are selling short, being foreclosed on, or giving your home back to the bank (deed in lieu of foreclosure), don't just assume that your deficiency has been negotiated away. Please seek legal advice to ensure that you are not only being released from the title but also from any debt.

Augusta residents, please (confidentially) contact me if you have any questions. I work with an amazing real estate attorney who can assist you with any issues you may be facing. You can reach me at stacie@staciewells.com or 706.447.3746.

Also, don't forget to visit me at www.MoveToAugusta.com for the latest on what's going on in the Augusta GA area!

Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE nature - the trees, the animals, the wildflowers, and the WONDERFUL photo opportunities that abound there. I would probably be a nature photographer if it would pay my bills. Seriously.

Well imagine my surprise when I walked to my back door today, glanced out at the pond behind my house, and saw a strange looking duck diving into the water. He would dive under and dissappear for 10-15 seconds and then appear about 15 feet away. I RAN to my car to grab my camera, praying that he would still be there when I got back.

He was. And so was his mate. I quickly snapped a few shots as they were swimming away. Of COURSE I couldn't find my bird book. I frantically called my husband (who has something different in mind when I say "shoot the duck") and he calmly suggested that I Google for diving duck photos. So I did.

To my surprise, they turned out to be Hooded Mergansers. I was SO excited to have identified them. I rarely see ducks in the pond - occasionally a Mallard or a Canadian Goose or 2. This was a rare treat for this nature lover!!

Don't forget to visit me at www.MoveToAugusta.com!

No matter which city you go to, you can always count on big name chain restaurants being there. But did you really just travel to another city to eat what you can get at home? No!

My favorite piece of local flavor in Augusta is Rhinehart's Oyster Bar. There are 2 locations - one in Evans and one in Augusta. It's truly a hometown favorite. Your choice of seating: picnik tables inside or picnik tables outside, all with a big roll of paper towels. They have awesome shrimp, the best french fries in town, oysters, burgers on homemade buns, and (my favorite) crab leg specials on Tuesday and Saturday nights.

Don't forget to bring your sharpie when you come - you'll want to leave your autograph ;)

Don't forget to visit me at www.MoveToAugusta.com!

In spite of a recent week of colder than usual weather here in Augusta GA, we've been enjoying some great moderate temperatures and this one iris had to speak it's mind. Normally, these irises don't bloom until March, but here we are late January and this one was in full bloom. Hopefully this is a sign of Spring on its way!

Don't forget to visit me at www.MoveToAugusta.com!

Can you AFFORD to be a homeowner? This was the topic yesterday in Part 1 .

Part of determining what you can Afford is getting a clear picture of what you are about to dive into!

Facts are facts. While they may vary from one area to another, what applies in Augusta Martinez GA will also apply in Chicago IL, with a little variation!

Let's take a good look at the facts.

What ARE the Advanges and Disadvantages to Home Ownership?

Some Obvious Advantages are ..... (not all apply to all people, remember, we are all different)

1. Tax Shelter advantages

2. Investment funds leveraging. Example: Invest 5% down . So, the homeowner only has 5% investment but they get to keep the appreciation on 100% of the value.

3. Forced Savings Plan. Even though it may be slow going, it is more savings that some would ever put away given the freedom to do so.

4. Allows Flexibility in personal tastes. You want to paint the living room highlighter Green--Go right ahead!

5. Pride in Ownership.

Home Ownership, unfortunately, has its DisAdvantages too.....

1. While you may be able to leverage your money by only sinking 5% into the home, THAT also means that you have aquired 95% of the purchase price in DEBT .

2. Future Home Values are Unpredictable. Nothing has proven that to us than the last two years!

3. Maintaining your new Investment is paramount. When the ceiling is wet after that big rain storm. It really doesnt matter what is in your bank account. You MUST , somehow, Repair that roof!

4. Costs of purchasing a home go beyond downpayment. There are closing costs, inspection costs, bank and attorney fees, Realtor fees .....etc.

5. Permant Home place. If you want to move in 6 months you have to figure out what to do with the home. You cant just "cancel the lease". So, it is less flexible in that manner.

Careful consideration and evaluation of the prospective Home Buyer's finances and lifestyle in an honest and forthright manner will allow the Home Buyer to discern whether he can Afford to Buy or Not.

As a Realtor it is part of my job to make sure my clients have ALL the facts. Obviously I cant make decisions for them, but I can, at least, make sure they have as many facts as possible so that THEY can make an Informed decision.

Home Ownership can be one of the most rewarding accomplishments of our lives ..... at the right time!

Later this week..... Part 3. AFter looking at affordability and Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Home today, Part 3 will cover Advantages and Disadvantages of RENTING.