About Cherokee County, GA

If you are still interested in selling your home yourself without the help of a Real Estate Agent, here are 10 tips to help you be prepared.
1. Price it Right-Pricing is established by the market not by your emotional attachment to your home or what you feel it is worth. Compare its features and condition to all similar homes in your neighborhood and area. Also prepare a cost sheet to carefully calculate all of the costs associated with the sale and what your net outcome will be.
2. Prepare Your Home for Sale- Your homes first impression is crucial. Inspect all the details and don't overlook any repairs or fix ups. Create impressions from the street to generate curb appeal.
3. Prepare Yourself with all the neccessary Legal Documentation. Here is a partial checklist:
Seller Disclosure, Mortgage Payoff, Personal Property List, Survey/plat, Purchase Contract, Preferred Closing Attorney.
4. Market Your Home Effectively- Beyond the yard sign be sure to use the local newspapers, contact Local Realtors who may have buyers for your property, create internet exposure, and be sure the property is readily available for showings.
5. Remain Objective During a Showing of Your Home- Keep emotion out of the sale. The best way to do this is to remain physically in the background. If a prospective buyer says something negative, counter this with a positive rather than getting defensive.
6. Pre Qualify Your Prospects- Contact a mortgage broker to work with your prospects to insure they can purchase.
7. Negotiate Effectively and Knowledgeably- There are many details to resolve before a sale is final, price, terms, inspections, etc. Make sure you fully understand the contract you have drawn up.
8. Know Your Buyers- Your objectives during negotiations are to control the pace and set the duration. Determine your buyers motivation, do they have to move quickly, are they mainly concerned about price, etc. Knowing as much as possible will give yur the advantage in the negotiation.
9. Don't Move Out Before You Sell- Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant. The home looks forgotten. It also tells buyers you have moved on and are motivated to sell fast, which can give them the advantage in negotiation.
10. Know Why You're Selling and Keep it to Yourself- Understand your reasons for selling. Knowing these will affect how you set your price, as well as how much time and money you are willing to invest into getting your home ready to sell. Your motivation will help you determine what is more important to you: the money you walk away with, the length of time your property is on the market. What ever the motivation keep it to yourself. A buyer armed with this information can be at an advantage in negotiations.
I found many FSBOs don't see the big picture

I never would have guessed our local Cherokee County Georgia real estate market would end up with more foreclosures every month (about 250) than actual sales every month (about 200). It is just a sign of the times. The entire Atlanta Area Real Estate market is suffering a similar fate, although areas with great inventories of new homes seem to struggle the most.

Some of the real estate deals are incredible, with homes costing less than an SUV! Many people are trying to diversify their investments, by purchasing investment or second home properties, especially with all the turmoil on wall street. At least real estate is a tangible asset that won't dissolve into nothing overnight!

My website has a special section with all Cherokee Foreclosures, making it super easy to search them and sign up for auto email updates of new listings.

As discouraging as the market is for sellers, there are some proven ways to make a sale likely in this market! Marketing with great photos and descriptions of the house, putting a home in move-in condition, and pricing it based on today's market creates a recipe for success.

As a home stager, I get the benefit of working with many different people in all different kinds of circumstances.

Sometimes they are the empty nesters looking to downsize or move closer to the family who's spread their wings and left the nest.

Sometimes they are the people that move sideways...just looking for a new house in another neighborhood.

And there are times I've had people in the process of graduating to the bigger home.

The common denominator in all of these scenarios is making sure the house is properly prepared to sell. All of my consulations include the basics:

1. Clean, clean, clean
2. make any necessary repairs or updates
3. declutter and organize
4. depersonalize
5. reconfigure the furnishings and accessories

Aside from having a few great real estate agents to refer to all of my clients (if they need one) I also need to have a great referral for things like cleaning, painting, minor repairs, landscaping, etc.

I have the added benefit to refer my husband, Tim, to my clients for their home repairs. Being a home stager, it's the perfect marriage for my business. He's been hired by clients to perform the repairs and changes I've suggested. He's also been referred by an agent friend of ours to perform some repairs designated on the inspection report of a house that her client is purchasing. Additionally he's worked alongside our neighbor who owns Precision Home Improvement as well as performing multiple improvements in our home from finishing the basment to closing up a wall, to removing windows and installing doors.

His business, ATR Home Improvement, serves the northern Atlanta area, including Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Woodstock, Acworth and Kennesaw. His specialty is custom carpentry but will do flooring, painting, and other projects as necessary.

We are currently working on a joint marketing plan for the fall for redesign services. Redesign is an inexpensive alternative to update a room or rooms and a great way to prepare the house for the upcoming holidays...which will be here before you know it!

Our beautiful state of Georgia is famous for peaches, peanuts and the great city of Atlanta. The 1996 Olympic games really helped put Atlanta on the map and brought us attention from across the world!

A vast number of businesses thrive in our great city, and commuters make the daily trek to the city from one of our many lovely suburbs. Living in the outskirts of Atlanta provides the ideal combination of being close enough to enjoy the city life, but far enough removed to enjoy nature's wonders.

There is one little town that is quickly gaining attention from families and businesses alike for all it has to offer: the City of Acworth, also known as the Lake City. Acworth is bursting at the seams with activities for families of all ages as well as for avid enthusiasts of all kinds! From unique playgrounds, beaches and team sports to boating, fishing, live theatre and more, you will never run out of things to do! When it is time to refuel you will also find a variety of restaurants for every craving: Cajun, Italian, Mexican, Southern Home cooking, and All American too. Not to mention the Farmer's Market every Friday morning! Come by tomorrow for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables!

The Historic District downtown features shops as unique as they are charming. You can find trendy clothes, unique home décor, hard-to-find antiques, collectibles... I could go on and on! National chains have also found value in opening franchises, so you can be sure to find your favorite one!

Since there is so much to discover in Acworth, we will begin featuring a business or hobby each week. Be sure to come back for an inside peek at this charming, beautiful, emerging Atlanta suburb!