Georgia Real Estate Voice: December 2010

Q & A on Title Insurance- I'm an Atlanta real estate agent and find that my home buyers often have these questions before closing.

What's title insurance? It's meant to protect the owner's or lender's financial interest in real estate.

Whose interest does it protect?  Lender's title insurance protects the lender and Owner's title insurance protects the home buyer for as long as they own the home.

Who pays for it? When a buyer is getting a loan, they pay for both the Lender's title policy and the Owner's title policy. It's a one time fee at closing. If there is no loan and it's an all cash transaction, then only Owner's title insurance is recommended.

If I have Homeowner's Insurance, do I still need Title Insurance? Yes, they insure 2 very different things. Homeowner's Insurance insures the contents and the building. Title Insurance insures your financial interest in the home.

If there's a title search and it's clear at closing why do I need it? Clear Title means that the closing attorney didn't find any liens on the property before closing and the seller is the legal owner with the right to sell the property, I heard an attorney say that 1 out 5 homeowner's end up using their title insurance. Things don't always show up in the initial search before the closing.

Is Title Insurance required? Lenders require the buyer to purchase it to protect the Lender's interest in the property. Owner's title insurance is not required, but I highly recommend it.

I highly recommend Owner's Title Insurance for several reasons. Years ago when I bought my first Atlanta condo, months after I closed, I received a letter from the city saying that back taxes were owed on the property. For whatever reason, the back taxes didn't show up before closing in the Title Search. Thankfully I had paid a few hundred dollars at closing and it saved me thousands of dollars.

Last year, I had a buyer client buy a foreclosure in a swim tennis community. Several months later, she received a letter stating that back Home Owner Association dues were owed. Once again, it was in the thousands of dollars. My buyer called me asking what to do. I reminded her that she was fine because of the Owner's Title Insurance she purchased at closing. 

Within a few weeks after closing, home buyers receive the Owner's Title Insurance policy in the mail from the closing attorney's office. Put it in a safe place. If something comes up after closing, that policy information will be needed.

For more information on home buying in Georgia, contact Jen Bowman, Realtor and Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.　

Snow in Atlanta for Christmas - For the first in over 100 years it snowed on Christmas day 2010 in Atlanta, GA. 

We don't get much snow here, just a couple of inches, barely enough to cover the grass. It's usually gone in a day or two so I had to capture these photos.  We had a white Christmas which is very exciting for a northern transplant like me. I've been in Georgia 14 years and this is the first one I've seen.

Atlanta is an awesome place to live. There is lots to do, from major sporting events to theater to festivals and everything in between. Our winters are generally mild.

If you are thinking of making a move to the Atlanta area, give me a call. We'll find the home and neighborhood that fit your needs and personality.  

Jen Bowman, Broker Associate - Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners 404-456-5024

West Village in Smyrna, GA is a live, shop and play community located off of S. Atlanta Rd and I-285. 

This is such a cool community with brick paved sidewalks and quiet music coming from the speakers in the ground. Homes in West Village include condos (The Flats at West Village), townhomes - TownePark 1 and 2 and the Single Family Homes in Gateway Park. West Village is an EarthCraft homes community. There are also apartments for lease.

See all the homes for sale in West Village.

West Village is a walkable community with boutiques, hair and nail salon, excellent restaurants, bars and organic grocery.

Amenities at West Village include pool, fitness room and clubhouse.   Starting in February, there will be a monthly social event for Homeowners. 

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in West Village contact Jen Bowman, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.

I want to buy a home, what's the first step? I often get this question. The first step is to contact a local real estate agent, (like me). Get a referral to a good local lender. Why local? Let's just say if it's someone we've worked with in the past, we know their track record and know it can get closed. A buyer recently came to me after going on-line to a service that contacts 30 lenders on her behalf and was overwhelmed with it. I gave her a number to a trusted professional and it made the stress go away.

Once you get the referral to a good mortgage lender, you will contact them to get pre-approved. See my post about Getting Pre-Qualified Just to see the House.

The lender can give you a heads up on any red flags on your credit report. We want to make sure that there isn't anything there that will prevent you from getting a mortgage.

Do you think that if it's not on your credit report, it doesn't matter? Think again. Last month I had a buyer whose credit was fine. But, he had a couple of non-sufficient funds (NSF) showing on his bank statement. The loan was not approved. Paying rent on time, paying all your bills on time and showing that you are responsible with your money all matter.

With your pre-approval in your hands, the world is yours! (To a certain extent anyway) The pre-approval amount gives you a starting point on the price range you should be looking in or under. Then the search for your dream home begins.

Contact me for a phone number to call to get automated information on any home for sale in metro Atlanta. As you are driving around, you might see a house that intrigues you. Get instant info. We can also set up a customized website that gives you updates on homes that fit your search criteria.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Cobb or Dekalb County GA, contact me, local Realtor Jen Bowman, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners 404-456-5024.

See more tips on making your home buying easier.

Quoted in Inman News because of my Blog -  About a year and a half ago I started using digital or electronic signatures. I wrote a blog post comparing 2 providers, mostly just sharing my thoughts and trying to figure out which worked best for me. Last month a reporter from Inman News contacted me to ask about my experience. We spoke for about 20 minutes and last week the article came out in Inman News.

E-Signatures a Real Estate Reality - Inman News

I use e-signatures on every contract and listing agreement I can. I use them for every offer I submit. If we need to go back later and do wet signatures, than I do. It's the best time saver I know. Contracts are clean, have a documented history of who received it and when it was opened and signed, and best of all I am nearly paperless. My files used to be really thick with all the paper, now the only thing in my paper file is the HUD1 settlement statement. My last closing I scanned the HUD1 and then had no paper file.

E-signatures are great because anyone who has an email address can use it. No special equipment or software is needed. Just click and sign.  Digital signatures have been legal for a decade now, hopefully as digital signatures get more exposure, we will see more of them.

Thanks to Inman News for the article! Thanks to Active Rain for the forum to post in!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Atlanta please contact me at 404-456-5024. Jen Bowman, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners.  

Avondale Estates Christmas Tour of Homes will be Sunday, December 12th, 2010  from 3-8 pm. Visitors will tour unique Avondale Estates homes decorated for the season.

This year there will be a trolley to take visitors to the homes on tour. Pick up the trolley between two Points of Interest - the Avondale Baptist Church (showcasing nativities from around the world) and The Museum School.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on tour day. Advance tickets are available at Avondale Antiques, Avondale City Hall, REAL Salon, Finders Keepers Furniture and Seventeen Steps.  On the day of the tour, you can get tickets at the Avondale Estates Community Club, 59 Lakeshore Drive in Avondale Estates, GA.

Begin the tour at the Avondale Community Club.  Visit the Holiday Market featuring great foods, (really good homemade jams), unique and fun gifts,  The market is open from noon until 6 p.m.
 
This is the 18th annual tour and it features homes that have been restored or renovated to preserve the character of historic Avondale. This year's tour spans over 80 years beginning with the Community Club built when the city was established in 1926 to mid century homes to newer construction. 

A word of caution, as you are driving through Avondale Estates, be sure to come to complete stops at the stop signs and watch your speed.  Just a word to the wise from a local... :)  Happy Holidays!

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in metro Atlanta, contact Jen Bowman, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Metro Atlanta, GA. 404-456-5024

Decatur Holiday Bonfire & Marshmallow Roast

You're invited to the Holiday Bonfire and Marshmallow Roast.  It's Thursday, December 16th, 2010 from 7 to 8 pm in downtown Decatur GA. It's also the last day of Terrific Thursdays in Decatur for the season.  Be sure to stop in many of the shops and restaurants while you are there. They will be open late.

The 10' x 10' bonfire will be on the Square. Enjoy the holiday music and visit with Santa.  This free event is open to the public.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

This event is just another thing that makes Decatur GA a great place to live, work and play. 

If you are thinking of of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Keller Williams Realty at 404-456-5024.

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