Perrie & Associates

We're only one day away from one of the biggest real estate events of the year - the 2018 FMLS Trade Show! The  Southeast Residential Real Estate Trade Show  is tomorrow, August 23 from 9:30 to 4:30 at the Cobb Galleria, and we here at Perrie & Associates could not be more excited at this event! The event brings together realtors, real estate professionals, and other affiliated industries for a day of networking and learning. More than 3,000 industry professionals are expected to attend this year's event and over 140 industry vendors will be represented at the show. National and regional speakers will be in attendance to discuss timely issues facing the industry, making this a great opportunity for those working in real estate. For this year's 18th annual show, technology use in the industry will be a primary focus. More than 15 presenters will hit the stage covering various topics ranging from market stat apps to home staging, and with three theaters run...

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 ...

Beginning August 1, new changes to the GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement will go into effect. Changes are as follows:  On the Purchase and Sale Agreement (F20), changes were made to modify language on section B7 regarding the disbursement of earnest money reflecting changes stating that the disbursement of an earnest money check constitutes liquidated damages in the even that the transaction fails to close due to default by the Buyer. This means the Seller waives any right to assert a claim for a specific performance. Language referencing the Seller's rejection of the disbursement of the earnest money check has also been removed, and the Rights of Buyer or Seller have been broken into two sections titled "Remedies of Seller" and "Remedies of Buyer". These same changes were made to the Purchase and Sale Agreement forms for purchases on New Construction (F23), Lots (F27), Land (F34), and Leased Properties (F36). In the event that a transaction falls thr...

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...

June is almost over, signifying the unofficial halfway point of summer, and if you have kids at home, you're probably starting to hear every parent's summer nightmare - "Mom, dad, I'm bored!" Any suggestion is met with a 'no' or a 'but I've already done that!', and the option for going to the pool has probably been exhausted. If you're facing this battle at this time during summer vacation, or if you're just looking to shake things up, never fear! We've rounded up some of the best summer activities and attractions in Atlanta for kids. Marvelous Museums  If you have a young scientist to entertain, there are several great science museums around the metro area. Fernbank Museum of Natural History features dinosaurs, rocks, and fossils, not to mention an IMAX theater. Their WildWoods exhibit features fun walkways through the forest near the museum as well as a nature inspired playground. Inside, the NatureQuest area has cli...

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...