Perrie & Associates

      2020 has thrown so many curveballs it's hard to keep up. With the world where it is right now, it's sometimes hard to find the silver lining; however, in some ways, this year has shown us all that we truly have to be thankful for.      Each year the Perrie & Associates staff shares what we are thankful for this holiday season, and 2020 is no exception. In fact, we feel it's even more important to share with our clients what we are thankful for this year, and the hopes we have for the future. We are truly a family here at Perrie & Associates, and we want to share that feeling with all of you, in this especially trying year. Below are some of the many things we are thankful for:  Brett Lefevre, Disburser  I'm thankful for our management team who has guided us through the COVID pandemic and has caused our company to thrive during uncertain times. I'm also thankful to work with such wonderful people! Emily Kobito, Social Media Manager...

  As the real estate season begins to slow a bit from the hot summer to a cool winter, it's time to take some of those side projects off the back burner and bring them to the forefront once more.  For real estate agents, one of those projects should be brand building. In the days of social media, everyone has a personal brand. The digital footprint you leave behind on a daily basis says a lot about you and your business or company. Real estate agents are quite often a one-man or one-woman show, so building your personal brand is important to stand out and draw business. According to  Monster , "whether you like to think about it or not, right now there are people thinking about your very own brand of whatever you are and do, and they're deciding if they want to make it one of their favorites." Of course, you want to be the favorite real estate agent in town! So we've compiled a few tips to help you build your brand to new heights: Know and Be Yourself If you'r...

With the season change, many other things are adjusting along with the weather. For one, pumpkin spice everything is already everywheres, and you're likely getting ready to freshen up your closet and bring out those jeans and long-sleeves. But what around your home needs changing? Despite the current Georgia heat, fall is a great time for fixing up a few things around your home. As the weather gets cooler, it's easier to get outside and not only enjoy the new temperatures, but actually enjoy the time you spend making adjustments to your home's exterior. The season is also a great time to get ready for winter because you don't want to be left out in the cold trying to fix your heater when it's only 32 degrees. Here are a few fall fixes we recommend: Seal it Up Fall is a great time to seal up the home and make sure you aren't losing out on precious heat (or in Georgia's case, air conditioning). Take some time to seal up cracks around windows and doors in your ...

  The real estate market doesn't take a holiday. Or a weekend.  Between showing homes, sending out listings, and answering and responding to the endless calls and emails, it probably feels like you work non-stop.  And for many real estate agents, that is true. A job that requires you to be on-call practically 24/7 makes it seem nearly impossible to obtain a work life balance.  However, with a little intentionality and effort, it can be done. Don't believe us? Try a few of these tips and see if you find a few more minutes for yourself!  Prioritize  It may seem obvious to prioritize your to-do list, but what about prioritizing the different aspects of your life? According to Sara Caputo , author of the "The Productivity Puzzle", it's important to identify a "core four" of priorities for your life. Perhaps this is your work, family, and health; or perhaps it's your family, spiritual wellbeing, and recreational time. Understand that these four won't...

Heading on vacation during your closing? Have a medical procedure scheduled and know you won't make it in to sign? Work sending you out on a last-minute business trip? If you're in any of these scenarios, you're probably worried about what you're going to do about signing at closing.  We all have busy lives with work, family and travel - throw a home buying or selling process into that mix and it can get a little hectic! That's what the Power of Attorney, or POA, is for.  A power of attorney is a document between two parties in which one party grants the other broad power to act on their behalf. This power can be for a number of things, including signing during a real estate closing.  In a POA transaction, the person granting the power is called the principal, and the person receiving the power is called the agent or attorney in fact. The agent will act on behalf of the principal within the circumstances noted in the document. An attorney in fact does ...

With all that 2020 has thrown at us, it is hard to believe that we are already nearly halfway through the year. As states begin to reopen in a corona-virus world, and people begin to feel somewhat safer to return to "normal," the housing market is changing too. Of course, the pandemic has greatly affected the housing buying market as states quarantined in April, and according to the National Association of Realtors ' (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index, contract signings fell 21 percent in April. This will likely lead to a significant decrease to closed sales in May, said Lawrence Yun, NAR's Chief Economist. However, experts are seeing some positive trends, and have a more positive outlook for the summer. Forbes reported that Realtor.com's weekly housing report has several highlights for the market including only a 20 percent decrease in new listings May 23, as opposed to a 28 percent decrease the week prior. Median listing prices have also "regained mome...

Summer vacation is looking a little different and many schools are bringing classes to a close; however, the summer season is still on the way. Despite the challenges faced by the corona virus, this time remains popular in the housing market, and many families are looking at packing up and moving to a new home. While parents may be excited about the new possibilities a new house offers, some children may be feeling sad to leave their friends and comforts of home behind, especially while social distancing. It's important for parents to prepare their children for a change, and even real estate agents can help play a part in getting kids ready for the transition. One of the most important things to remember when moving with kids is to communicate. Involving them in the process and keeping them updated will help them to better understand what is happening. Young children may not understand the reasons for moving such as a new job or a larger home; it's easy for them to focus...

There's a lot to think about when you're moving - packing everything up, adjusting your finances, signing and filing paperwork . . . the list goes on and on. Though there's a lot happening, you know where you're headed and what's to come - but that may not be true for everyone in your household. Your furry friends may get a clue that something's changing when all the boxes are piled up, but they have no idea what's in store when your moving. For those who have one (or two, or three), pets are an important part of our lives. For many, a pet becomes part of the family. So when you're moving, it's important to think about how you can help this important family member. You may not be able to sit down and talk to them about what to expect, but there are a few things you can do to help make the transition a smooth one. Packing Plan  A house that's being prepped for a move can get hectic. Boxes are everywhere, and nothing is where it's ...

Well, the forms are already filling your mailbox, so you know what it's time for - taxes.   We know they may not be the love letters you were hoping for, but it's time to gather your documents and get it done. Did you buy a home in 2019? If so, fall head over heels for the homestead exemption! Not sure or can't remember how to file for the exemption? We've got you covered with these quick facts about the homestead tax exemption!  What is it?  A homestead exemption is a one-time, tax exemption on your property taxes that can be filed the January after you have purchased a new home. It lasts until the ownership of your home changes. How much is exempt? The exemption is a reduction of the amount of taxes charged, and so will vary for each county and property.  What do I need?  To file for a homestead exemption, you must be a legal resident of the county and must own and occupy the home as of January 1 in the year you...