Virginia Lee, R.E.Broker Buford,Braselton,Flowery Branch Georgia

Short Sale and Foreclosure Help in Buford Ga.

In today’s market short sales and Foreclosures are on the short list for buyers. After all, who wouldn’t want to grab a home for pennies on the dollar

Listed below are some things to remember when you’re looking for a short sale or Foreclosure property.

1. Short sales are offered for sale for one reason. The Owners do not have enough money to pay their mortgage. Don’t ask for their appliances. Many times the owners will leave those items but not always. Read the disclosure, it is your agent’s responsibility to get this document for you to view.
2. Foreclosures are AS IS properties. Latest figures show 2.9 Million homes foreclosed in 2010 and shadow inventory (foreclosures not listed for sale yet) is sitting somewhere around 900,000. Some investors like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac/Home steps, are finally getting the message to “fluff up the home” (add appliances, carpet and paint) to get more value to sell quicker. This is a decision made by the investor (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) not the Bank. If the home offered does not have appliances, new carpet and paint, they will not put it in the home. Asking for it will only put you at the bottom of the multiple offer list.
3. Don’t low ball an offer on a short sale you will be waiting 30 to 45 days just to get a counter offer from the Bank.

4. Similar is true with a foreclosure. These homes are already priced below market value. A low ball offer will still get you a counter from the bank and as referenced in item # 2, be at the bottom of the multiple offer list and won’t be considered.
5. Get your offer in right away. Short sales are working against the foreclosure clock. If you want one of these homes (normally well maintained) you need to act quickly. Short sales are on the rise because of all the shadow inventory mentioned in item# 2. The investors do not want to foreclose and sit on this home, they already have enough foreclosure inventory.
6. Same is true with foreclosures. Banks are only releasing a few homes at a time. Releasing their entire inventory at once would flush our economy that is already in the toilet. Most of these homes have multiple offers on them. If you want to be considered, remember they are AS IS condition. There are mortgage loans that allow for repair. Speak to your lender before you start looking for a not so perfect foreclosure to see if you qualify.

This is an incredible time for an investor, first time buyer or anyone that can afford to purchase Buford Ga real estate and Lake Lanier Real Estate. Interest rates are at an historic low and real estate is too. We will never have another opportunity to purchase like this again. So don’t be ridiculous about making low ball offers you won’t get the house.

If you have any interested in purchasing any of these homes call or email me we specialize in short sales and foreclosure properties. Also, sign up for your FREE foreclosure market trend newsletter to keep you updated on what Buford Ga Real Estate and Lake Lanier Real Estate is doing.

Lake Lanier Real Estate and Holiday Marina Buford, Ga

Lake Lanier, one of the most popular places to live and play, floats a Marina called Holiday Marina.

This fabulous Marina is located on Lake Lanier and just 3 miles from Buford Georgia. With 38,000 acres of water, 692 miles of shoreline including Lake Lanier Islands, Buford, Ga real estate and Lake Lanier real estate is an exciting place to live. This great marina offers a private boat launch ramp, marina store, 3 facility bath houses and a restaurant.  Holiday, open 7 days a week, is the largest floating dock marina in the south east offering 1300 slips.

Holiday Marina, known for having some of the most expensive houseboats in the world, offers covered and open slips that can accommodate boats from 22' to 100' in length all with shore power connections.

People come from all over the metro Atlanta area to socialize with their dock mates for dock parties, overnight tie ups or just to be together on the dock.

Most of these serious boaters either live there year around or visit every weekend.  What I love the most about this social outlet is you're all friends on the dock. You don't have to live on Lake Lanier to enjoy all the wonderful things Buford, Ga Real estate offers because your 10 minutes away.  

If you are looking for a place to live where socializing is a must, contact us, we specialize in Lake Lanier Real Estate and Buford Ga Real Estate.  Call or email me now and I'll tell you all about the available homes. The lake is one more reason why I live and sell Buford Georgia Real Estate and Lake Lanier Real estate!  Oh, and we have foreclosures too!

I was having coffee with a friend last week and the conversation turned to short sales. She and her husband had purchased a home a while back and chose not to pursue a nice home on Lake Lanier because it was a short sale. We all know that Lake Lanier Real Estate is a good investment as long as you have deep water access. This friend didn't use me as her agent (mostly because I didn't know her then or she would have been crazy not to since my company specializes in short sales and foreclosures, right!?! ) So I decided to list my top 4 reasons why you should consider a short sale.

1. Many short sales continue to be maintained by the homeowner through the short sale process.
2. Many of these homes have not been sitting unoccupied for months which could cause a multitude of problems not just plumbing.
3. Most of them come with a property disclosure. (not going to happen with a foreclosure)
4. The buyer can get a general warranty deed. (foreclosures are only special warranty deeds)


Now, I'm not saying that foreclosures are not a good deal and worth pursuing I sell many of them. You just need to be aware of the problems and legal issues surrounding a foreclosure sale. Short sales on the other hand is also a good deal. It may take a little longer to close on one but you're also helping a homeowner in distress. Homeowners that loose their homes to foreclosure run the risk that the bank could come after them for a deficiency judgement (the balance of the unpaid debt) with most short sales the bank will forgive them of the debt if they at least try and sell. Remember, the investor looses a lot more money if the home goes into foreclosure. It's getting easier to get one closed these days. The banks have figured out that a short sale stops the bleeding. Lake Lanier Real Estate and Buford GA Real Estate.

The media is killing us with all the drama of the "financial crisis" and frankly I'm tired of hearing about it 24/7.

I know like everyone else what kind of impact this situation has on our lives. Not only does it cause havoc with our 401K and other investments but it also hurts our independent businesses as well. It's hard to stay positive with all this going on around us. Therefore, this past Saturday I headed to The Taste of Suwanee a yearly event that is simply outstanding and got an attitude adjustment. Located at the 10 acre Town City Park in Suwanee Georgia, Town City is not just a park, it offers shops, restaurants and residential living all at the same place.

A gorgeous fall day in the 70's, a perfect time to walk around and take in all the sites! My daughter sings with the North Gwinnett choir so I got to hear her sing in the amphitheater which has 1500 seats. Along with many others, was a drum group called the Drumline also from North Gwinnett that rocked the house! Activities for the festival hit all ages. Some of those activities included a rock wall, inflatables, pony rides and many booths for your shopping pleasure. We ate some awesome food and did a little mother/teenager bonding. Since it was close to my house I didn't spend a lot of gas getting there!

So if you're like me and need a break from all the hoop-la; pack the kids, backpack and some comfortable shoes and get to a fall festival, you won't regret it. In fact, if you know of any festivals close to you, email me with the location or respond here. I will get the word out; we could all use a little attitude adjustment right now.