Perrie & Associates

       2021 has gone by in a blink, and it's hard to believe we're approaching the holiday season. This year has had its ups and downs, but we look forward to the future and all that is holds.      Each year the Perrie & Associates staff shares what we are thankful for this holiday season. We are truly a family here at Perrie & Associates, and we want to share that feeling with all of you. Below are some of the many things we are thankful for:  Brett Lefevre, Disburser  I'm thankful for good friends and family, and that two of my nieces are soon marrying the loves of their lives.  Emily Kobito, Social Media Manager  This year, I am thankful for the many people in my life who make me smile and support me: my family, husband, friends, students, and co-workers (and also my two cats who I consider my children). I am thankful for the opportunities I've had to travel and be with loved ones, and I am thankful for the support I receive from my P&A family every year.

  There's no question that the housing market this year has been upended. Low inventory and high demand have created bidding wars the likes of which we've never seen, and buyers are being forced to waive contingencies that offer protection in the home buying process.  One of these protections is the home appraisal. According to HomeLight , issues with the appraisal accounted for 27% of delayed contracts, and 14% of terminated contracts as of July 2021. Though the market may try to force buyers to push the appraisal away and pay with cash, it's important to understand the appraisal process and consider it carefully.  What is a home appraisal?  According to NerdWallet , a home appraisal is an estimation of the home's value, as determined by a licensed appraiser. The appraiser will look at features of the home as well as the values of homes nearby to determine the home's true value. Mortgage lenders require these appraisals to ensure that they are lending the proper am

  It may not be cooling down quite yet, but fall is on its way, and with it, some new ways to have fun in the Metro area! The new season is a great excuse to get out and explore the neighborhood or try something new. There are plenty of fall festivals and fairs around town, but we found some of the best and rounded them up here!  Dragon Con  You won't have to wait long for this event! This weekend, Atlanta will host Dragon Con ,  a pop-culture convention where you can see everything from Storm Troopers to Spiderman. The event will take place over Labor Day weekend and includes autograph sessions, workshops, author readings,  an art show, and more! For those not wanting to register and attend the indoor festivities, you can always make your way to Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta on Saturday. During the parade, super-fans will cosplay as their favorite characters and make their way through the city. You never quite know just who you will see at this famous Atlanta event!  Music

Countless decisions go into purchasing a home: location, architectural style, neighborhood, moving date - the list goes on and on. One decision owners face when buying real estate is whether to purchase owner's title insurance. While many choices in the home-buying process require much consideration, a decision about owner's title insurance should be one of the easiest. After all, if you buy insurance for your car, why wouldn't you insure what will most likely be the biggest investment you'll ever make? Technically speaking, owner's title insurance is optional. But again, when trying to decide if you should protect the most important purchase in your life, the option is pretty clear. Most people think of insurance as payment to protect from a future event - like when you buy car insurance to protect you from an accident that may happen in the future. Title insurance is different. It protects your from future losses based on past events before you acquired the proper

Transferring property to a new generation in your family? Want your new work-from-home office to be in the name of your LLC?  If so, you will most likely need a quit claim deed, or QCD. Life brings changes, and with it, the ownership of your property may need to change as well, and that's where a QCD comes in. A quit claim deed is simply the transfer of interest in a property from one party to another. The person transferring their interest is called the "grantor," while the person taking the interest in the property is called the "grantee." The grantor ends, or "quits," their claim to the property, allowing the grantee to take over. While a QCD is one of the easiest ways to transfer property, it is important to note that there are no warranties of title transferred with this deed. A quit claim deed does not normally occur when there is a buyer and seller and when money changes hands. These deeds also do not guarantee that the seller, or grantor, has o

  The Fourth of July is back with a bang! Last year, celebrations were cut back due to COVID-19, but now we are able to come together more safely to celebrate our country' independence!  So it's time to break out the barbecues, pool floaties, and corn hole games, grab some friends, and celebrate! Don't forget though that there's plenty of events just outside of your backyard all across the metro Atlanta area! Wondering what to do on this 245th Independence Day? We've got you covered from big events in the city to local firework shows in your county! Check it out -  Peachtree Road Race The AJC Peachtree Road Race is an Atlanta tradition, and this year - it's back for it's 52nd race around Atlanta! This year, the race will take place on TWO days for extra safety, and extra fun! The road race starts at approximately 6:30 each morning, and you can line the streets to support these red, white, and blue runners. This event is a special favorite of our own Mr. Davi

  We know this busy season of real estate can be hectic, but it's never bad idea to take a moment to look back at some basics.  Lots of closings will be happening during these summer months, but what happens after the papers are signed and the keys have been exchanged?  The work doesn't stop there, so here's a synopsis of what happens post-closing, including what we handle after you've signed, and what you should do too!  Our job Disbursement - Many checks are often disbursed at the closing table, but any wires and checks not given out at closing will be distributed afterward. The closer will get the file back and review  it to ensure all documents have been properly executed in compliance with the bank's requirements, and checks will be mailed out to the appropriate location and wires will be sent out by the closing attorney.  Deeds and Recording - The warranty deed is signed at closing and shows that a clear title has passed from the seller to the buyer. A securit

  April 22 was Earth Day and there were plenty of social media posts celebrating this amazing planet we call home. But maybe you saw a post and wondered, what can I do to be more green?  We all know going green is good for the environment, and it's important to help conserve resources. You've heard of reduce, reuse, recycle, and you know you should use paper instead of plastic, and turn the water off while you're brushing your teeth. But what can your home be doing to be more green? If you have the capability to install solar panels on your roof and live "off-the-grid," that's great, but it's probably not an option for everyone. However, there are still a few small changes you can make to ensure that your house is the most environmentally friendly it can be. Quick Fixes To start saving on your energy bill, consider switching your light bulbs to be more energy efficient. There are a wide variety of energy saving bulbs available, but you should concentrate o

  Spring is in the air! We're already seeing warmer temps this week, and it may inspire you to get outside and enjoy the nice weather! It may also inspire a bit of spring cleaning, and we're not just talking about finally washing that pile that's been building in your laundry room!  As the season transitions into warmer weather, it's a great time to check on a few important fixtures of your home. While these aren't always the most fun or even immediately noticed changes, your house will certainly thank you for running through this quick checklist!  Air Filters  Before you turn on your AC, we recommend changing out your air filters. Typically, these should be changed every 90 days. It's a quick and easy fix that ends up cleaning every room in the house!  Not sure how to replace them? First, locate your air filters and determine their size. Replaceable filters are usually surrounded by a cardboard frame, while reusable filters are typically surrounded by plastic.

  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 2020? 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 are seeking the exemption. There is no income or age l

  2020 was a year of unpredictability. However, despite the pandemic and resulting recession, more than 6 million homes were still sold, and home prices grew 5% according to Forbes .  While the last year has taught us that's impossible to know what may come next, we've gathered experts' predictions for the 2021 real estate market.  Seasonal Balance  First, the realtor.com 2021 Housing Forecast predicts that there will be some sense of normalcy returned to the seasonality of real estate. In 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic threw the predictable real estate season out the window. Many stay-at-home orders were imposed right before the summer, the best time for the real estate market. Buyers returned to the market before sellers, and had a drastic impact on inventory, time on the market, and home prices. However, realtor.com predicts that things will begin to settle into the normal seasonal trends in 2021.  Home Sales and Prices  2020 changed the way many of us live and work. Be