Perrie & Associates

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...

For many, Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and good food. However, Thanksgiving is also a time of reflection as we take time to recognize all that we have and all that we are thankful for. Though the holiday season can get busy quickly, the Perrie & Associates staff took time to pause and reflect on what we are thankful for - Stephanie Chandler, Pre-Closer  "I am thankful God wakes me up every day to find joy in the smallest of things. I'm also thankful for my husband of 23 years and the loving, beautiful family we have raised." Gayle Willingham, Office Manager  "I am very thankful for my children and grandchildren as they bring such happiness to my life! I enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday so much as we gather together and give God thanks for all he has given us over the past year. I am thankful for the privilege to live in America, the home of the brace and the free. We are so blessed to live in this country and have the opportunities t...

In the real estate industry, it's all about networking. No matter where you go, there is someone to meet and connect with. One connection can lead to another, which could lead to a sale or future partner, and it just continues to trickle down from there. The more you network, the more you have the chance to receive referrals that can grow your business, which builds your name to be top-of-mind. However, networking can be a daunting task. Whether you're in a room full of people or just at a small gathering, the pressure of feeling like you have to make lasting connections and sell your business can be overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be. Check out some of our easy tips to master the art of networking: Be Yourself  It sounds cliche and maybe a bit over stated, but one of the most important tips when making new connections is to be yourself. Don't feel like you have to be the most flashy or most knowledgeable in the room. Be confident in who you are, what yo...

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...

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...

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...

Do you need to transfer your property to a family member? Or have you just started a new business and want to move the property to 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 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 doe...

You've signed the papers, exchanged the keys, and are all ready to move in - the deed is done, you've closed on your home!  But the work doesn't stop for us there just yet. Here's a synopsis of post-closing protocol, 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 security deed is signed when a mortgage loan is taken out in Georgia, and shows the terms of the loan and places a lien...

They say home is where the heart is, but during the summer months, the fun is had outdoors. Curb appeal is a major factor in a home, and whether you just bought your house and are looking to make your yard your own, or you are trying to sell your home, a few flowers and a trim to the grass can really add value.  If you are looking to spend some time outdoors and add to your home, check out our list of summer tips and tricks that you can use to cultivate some curb appeal. Entryway Enhancement You're sure to be welcoming guests this summer, but what first impression is your home making? If your front door and porch are drab and dreary, your home may not look too inviting, regardless of what fabulous party you have planned inside! Fixing your front entrance can be a quick and easy improvement that can make a dramatic impression. Consider adding a new coat of paint to the  front door,  one that contrasts the rest of the exterior of the h...

As a real estate agent, it is important to focus on your community. Knowing the ins and outs of the neighborhoods, schools, and businesses is crucial to helping your client find the perfect home. But it's also important to remember to build your own community. After all, selling real estate is hard work, and you don't want to be all out on your own! Thankfully, there are a number of wonderful organizations for realtors that can provide services and a strong network for agents. National Association of Realtors -    Established in 1908,   the National Association of Realtors is "The Voice for Real Estate" and represents over 1.2 million members. Brokers, salespeople, property managers and others involved in the real estate industry abide by the association's Code of Ethics in order to obtain the REALTOR membership mark. Members benefit from discounts on business and services such as insurance, electronics, and travel costs, and the association provi...

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.  The closing process can sometimes be complex considering the property rights and government regulations involved, however, closing with Perrie & Associates is a breeze, and we've broken the closing down into 7 simple steps: Give Us a Call -  To start the closing process, the buyer or seller's agent will send the contract that contains both parties' information as well as the property address and other ...