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...

It's hard to believe, but the time for backpack shopping and catching the bus is upon us. That's right - schools all over the state of Georgia are about to start. Many schools have their first day sometime during the first week in August, but some counties, including Cobb and Cherokee, start as early as August 1. Be prepared as school buses start hitting the road and be sure to watch out for students early in the morning in your neighborhood. As many in the real estate industry know, the summer is the best time to move for families, and it has certainly been a busy season. If you have moved with your family, then it's likely your children may be starting a new school. While that can be an exciting transition, it can also be a challenge for some students to leave their old school behind and start with a blank slate at a new school. If you are preparing your students for that transition, we have a few tips to make the first day of school go off with out a hitch and...

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...

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...

It's the season of giving, and for your clients, you want to give them the best! But with so many sales, it can be pricey to be giving all season long, so we've come up with a few, low-budget, do-it-yourself gifts for your clients! Plus, who doesn't love a handmade gift? Mason Jar Recipes  The holidays are the time for baking, and with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, your clients are sure to be putting their new oven to good use. Give them a tasty treat to make in their new home with chocolate chip cookie mix in a mason jar! You can follow the recipe here , and you'll need all of the basic cookie ingredients including flour, white and brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and of course, chocolate chips. Mix all the dry ingredients together, and then layer the brown sugar, dry mix, and chocolate chips in the mason jar. All your clients will need to add is the butter, vanilla, and eggs! There are also a multitude of variations on this idea, including hot cocoa mi...

As the busy season of real estate begins to slow down, now is the time for those side projects to ramp up and be taken off the back burner. 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're going to spend your lifetime working in an i...

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...

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 yo...

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 ...

"Take me out to the ballgame . . ."  just right across the street! We are only two days away from opening day and Perrie & Associates is more than excited for our new neighbors, the Atlanta Braves, to start playing ball. The SunTrust Ballpark and Battery Atlanta have been major undertakings that we have watched develop right from our office window, and it's finally time to officially welcome the Braves to their new home. With 41,000 seats pushed closer to the field than ever before, SunTrust Park is merging America's favorite pastime with modern amenities to create the "ultimate fan experience." Three club-level seating areas feature fine-dining and Braves memorabilia displays, and a three-story Chop House in right field will include two party decks and a field level area to give fans the experience of being in the game. While building a brand new stadium is a major undertaking, SunTrust Park will act as the "crown jewel" for a larg...