Perrie & Associates

The busy season of real estate is just right around the corner, so before it becomes hectic, let's get back to basics! Presenting: The Real Estate Closing. First, of all - what is a closing? Why do I have to have one?  After all the searching, all the open houses, all the comparing and price negotiating and inspections - you have finally purchased or sold a home.  While you have certainly gotten through the hardest part of the process, there is still one more step to take for Georgia residents: the closing.  A real estate closing is the process of transferring the title of the home from the current owner to the new owner. Each state has different requirements for the transaction, and in the state of Georgia, an attorney is required to oversee the closing. Okay, so what all happens? What do I have to do?  The closing process can seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be! We've broken down the closing into 7 simple steps.  Give Us a Call...

3.5 x 2 In that small space, you're supposed to be able to convey everything. Who you are, what you do, and most importantly, why the person holding this piece of card stock should hang onto it and contact you in the future. Business cards are a hallmark of the industry, and for many businesses, you've "made it" if you've got a company card. But in the technological world we still live in today, do business cards still have a chance? That's up for debate, but according to Entrepreneur , the answer is still "yes" - at least for now. Business cards provide a first impression for your business, and it's also a personal way to swap information, rather than just adding your name to someone's phone and getting lost in their contact list. Not only that, but it also shows that you are prepared. Whether at a networking event or a showing, being able to pull out a business card when a person asks for your info shows that you've put though...

The new year is upon us and with it, we can always expect changes from our resolutions to the real estate market. So what can Realtors expect in the new year? We've rounded up the highlights of the 2019 real estate predictions - Mortgage Rates will Rise  Mortgage rates will likely cause an issue for affordability in 2019. Although rates have been rising throughout the past two years, mortgage rates still remain lower than they were during the recession. According to Aaron Terrazas, director of economic research with Zillow , interest rates "will change in 2019, as the 30-year, fixed rate mortgage reaches 5.8 percent - territory not seen since the dark days of 2008, when rates were racing downward in response to the housing crisis. In 2019, rising rates will compound the effect of still-climbing home values, making homeownership even less affordable." Millennials will Keep Buying  Despite these rising mortgage rates, millennials will still be the largest ge...

With the first day of fall last Saturday, the new season is officially here. Crisp weather is on it's way, and it's time to get out and enjoy all the autumn has to offer! If you're looking for some ways to enjoy the new season, we have a few ideas to help you out! Touchdown Football season is finally here, and in the heart of SEC country and the home of the Atlanta Falcons, football fans are rejoicing. Now is a great time to head over to the College Football Hall of Fame. The hall boasts memorabilia from all of your college football favorites, and the Chick-Fil-A fan experience gives you the chance to train like your favorite players! After you've enjoyed some college football history, you can head over to the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch the Atlanta Falcons play. The new stadium has great food, an awesome atmosphere, and a new retractable roof that is officially open for business. Check out the Falcon's schedule here . If you aren't able to s...

With all the technology that's out there now, it seems like some jobs are becoming obsolete. Machines have replaced assembly line workers, and even self-checkout machines are taking over grocery stores. But will there be a technology to replace the Realtor? Some services on the market now that claim to do so, letting sellers "skip" the negotiation process and the work with a real estate agent. These iBuyers, such as Knock, OpenDoor, and OfferPad aim to sell your home quickly and conveniently, often allowing homeowners to close on their home in a matter of days. But does speed and convenience beat out the quality of a trained Realtor? Many industry experts say no. Most of the iBuyers operate in a similar fashion. A seller contacts the company about selling their home, and the investors use what's called an automated valuation model to determine an approximate value of the home. According to MetroBrokers , this model uses tax records and comps to determine the ...

We all know going green is good for the environment, and it's important to help conserve resources to help out planet Earth. 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 on finding bulbs that are either LED, halogen incandescent, or compact fluorescent lamps. These bulbs save between 20 to 80 percent more energy and last...

You know about Amazon Echo, the Roomba, and you may have even heard of the Nest - but did you know there's a robot to mow your lawn and a way to measure the amount of energy you use in your home? There's seemingly endless opportunities today to make your house a smart home, and there's technology available for practically every room in the house. In fact, Amazon recently announced their plans to create an entire smart community  in Cumming with homes that allow owners to be completely hands-free and live more conveniently. Using smart-home products allows homeowners to not only use their utilities more easily and comfortably, but they can also be major money savers. Most smart technology aims at being more efficient at managing a home's utilities, optimizing their use. Home automation can also improve the safety of a home with improved video surveillance, As these smart-home products become more commonplace, their costs have come down to be more convenient an...

As the start of summer and the end of school looms near, many families are preparing to pack up and move 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. 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 on what all they will no longer have. Instead, show them what all the new home has to offer, whether that be a bigger bedroom, a fun basement, a pool, or a big backyard. If you can, try to take them to the new home before they ...

The busy season of real estate season is here and it's only going to get busier as the summer rolls in. Before everything gets too hectic, now is a great time to sit down and get yourself organized as we head into the summer months.  Whether it's perfecting your filing system, updating your calendars, or changing your regular routine, even small adjustments to your organization can mean big differences to your productivity.  We've organized a few tips  for you on where you can save time and contain the clutter -  Filing System From listings to contracts to termite letters and everything in between, real estate agents have a lot of paperwork to keep up with, so a filing system is key.  There are a number of ways to approach your filing, but there are a few main categories you should keep in mind including buyers, sellers, legal documents and administrative processes.  Depending on your preference, you can sort listings by neighborhood or by cl...

Showing a home can be a daunting task. How do you work with the empty space? How are potential buyers going to find out about your home? What do you do once they walk in the door? Hosting an open house requires a lot of work and preparation but can be worth it when just the right person walks in the door and falls in love with the space. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a new agent on the block, it's always helpful to learn some new tricks or refresh yourself on some tips, so we've compiled a few ideas to make your open house out of this world. Advertise The only way potential buyers will walk in the door is if they know it's open. Of course, yard signs are a great way to advertise a day or two before your open house. A variety of signs can help draw clients, so consider including other information besides just "open house." If you have giveaways or refreshments, consider adding that to your advertisement. You never know what will draw people in, ...

Important changes could be coming to the real estate industry, but not without your help.  The Georgia General Assembly is currently reviewing House Bill 410, a bill aimed at lowering fees that can be charged for an HOA status letter when a property is being sold.  The bill will prohibit fees from being "in excess o f one-twelfth of the current annual dues" for the property, and an additional, expedited fee to deliver the letter within three business days may not exceed $15 according to the proposed bill. As many agents, realtors, and industry professionals know, Homeowner's Association letters can run upwards of $150, with expedited fees adding another $50 - $100 to the total cost. This proposed bill could save clients quite literally hundreds of dollars, but it may not go anywhere if local officials aren't made aware of it's importance and need for their constituents. We are encouraging professionals in the industry to reach out to their local off...

An era in radio is coming to an end, as Real Estate Radio Atlanta's final show will air this Sunday. The show, hosted by Susan Pryor and David Perrie, has aired on News Radio 106.7 every Sunday for the past five years, bringing together hard-working, industry professionals to discuss the real estate market and educate the consumer on their most important investment, their home. In 2013, Susan Pryor, Branch Manager of Benchmark Mortgage in East Cobb, started the show after learning about the Real Estate Radio Network, a nationwide group of realtors dedicated to "delivering the timely truth" about local markets over the radio. She flew out to San Diego to learn more about, liked the idea, and brought it back to Georgia. "Susan called me up one day and said she was starting a radio show," David Perrie said. "She told me I was going to be on it, and I said 'okay', and she said 'no, you're going to be on it every week', so I sa...

The new year is approaching and it's time to look ahead and start planning for 2018. Undoubtedly, after you get asked what your plans are for New Year's Eve, you'll probably get that dreaded follow up question: so what's your New Year's Resolution? Of course, there's a number of typical responses for such a question - "lose weight. Get fit. Be better with finances." But how easy are those to keep? It seems that many people let go of their resolutions after a month or two. None of those classic goals are wrong by any means, but if you're looking for a more unique and maybe more "exciting" resolution for 2018, we've got a few ideas for you. Unplug In these days of social media and constant connection, it's easy to get wrapped up in what everyone else is doing and lose a sense of what's happening in your own world. If you find yourself Instagramming every meal or constantly checking up on other friends to see if they a...

With all the hustle and bustle that comes with the holidays, it can sometimes be hard to get into the spirit of the season. Running from one store to another and checking items of the list isn't much of a way to celebrate the meaning of the holidays. So to truly enjoy this season of giving and love, we've got 12 simple ideas to bring you some holiday cheer. Elf on the Shelf For children, Christmas is the most magical and special time of year. Spread the joy and wonder this season with an Elf on the Shelf. The popular toy acts as a "spy" for Santa in your home, and he will report back to the North Pole to let him know if the kids have been naughty or nice. Many elves get up to trouble and move around each night so they can keep an eye on everything going on. If you're worried about what your elf may get up to, never fear! There is plenty of evidence around, and you can check out hundreds of things that may attract your elf's interest. Hang Holiday...

Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving, a day to give thanks and appreciate those around us who offer support and love. The day is often celebrated with family gatherings and dinner tables filled to the brim with turkey, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing and pies. But before we head out to our families, we here at Perrie & Associates took a moment to think about what we are thankful for. We are like family here at P&A and we want to share that feeling with you. Here is what some of our employees are thankful for this year: Brandi Woody, Pre-Closer (Cumming) "I am so thankful to be part of the Perrie & Associates LLC Team here in Cumming, and I am so thankful to work with a great group of people. I am also so very thankful for my wonderful husband and two wonderful kids, and all of my friends and family."  Bobbie Massei, Closer  (Cumming) "I am so thankful for my wonderful coworkers at Perrie & Associates, LLC. Each one has a very specia...