1. real estate

Welcome Home To…
January 2015
Anita’s Corner
Houston County!
+
YOUR WARNER ROBINS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST
ABOUT THIS ISSUE
All of the
content? in this
newsletter is
displayed on
my blog
and
*
my website.
I’m an avid
blogger, you
should check
out some of
my other
articles!
Do I Need A Termite Bond?
Recently a client asked me this question
while we were previewing a home. Living
in the south where termites are a major
problem, my response was it is always
advisable for a buyer to have a termite
inspection. While they are typically
required by the lender, technically in
Georgia, a Termite Bond is not required to
sell a property. However, I always do my
due diligence and advise my buyers to
obtain a new or assume an existing bond.
A Termite Bond is a contract between a
homeowner and pest control company,
effective after an inspection has been
accomplished
and
any
treatment
performed. Treatments for termite
recurrence are free for the life of the bond.
An annual inspection is typically included
and many companies also provide damage
compensation
(they
pay
for
repairs/replacement) if the termites did
damage.
The seller indicates on the sellers
disclosure whether they have a
transferable bond or not so there
shouldn’t be any confusion on whether or
not one already exists. As a buyer, you’re
spending a lot of money for the home, why
not have the peace of mind knowing your
home is termite free? With termites, if you
you don’t pay for protection now, you will
definitely pay more later!
So what are termites?
Termites are small burrowing insects that
feed on wood (the cellulose). There are over
2,000 species but they can generally be
grouped into four categories: Dampwood,
Drywood, Subterranean, and Formosan.
Dampwood Termites are found where there
is a high moisture content like in forests or
near ponds. They are typically not found in
homes.
Drywood Termites do just that, they attack
dry wood. Wood above the soil level is
susceptible to infestations, such as attic
framing. Sealing all structure cracks will help
keep these pests out.
Subterranean Termites live in large
colonies and build mud tubes to attack wood
and protect themselves from open air. With
up to 2 million members per colony, they are
the most destructive.
Formosan Termites are the most aggressive
subterranean species and can collapse a
building if left untreated long enough.
Difficult to control, prevention is key with
these wood lovers.
Tips to help avoid termite infestations
 Get a Termite Bond and have regular
inspections
 Move all untreated wood products away
from the house and avoid wood-toground contact
 Eliminate water leaks and fix any
cracks/holes in the foundation
 Keep gutters/downspouts clear of debris
and avoid rainwater buildup wherever
possible
 Basement, crawl space and attic should
be well ventilated and dry
 Avoid wood mulch and keep all
vegetation away from the foundation
 Treat exposed wood and/or paint where
appropriate
 Screen your vents…termites can fly
Fun Termite Facts
 Termites look a little like ants but are
most closely related to the cockroach
 The termite is the most destructive insect
in North America
 Termites cause billions of dollars of
damage annually in the U.S.
 The queen can live up to 30 years, laying
hundreds of eggs each day
 Termite nests can be 20 ft. high and hold
well over a million insects
 The colony eats 24 hours a day, every day
303 Opal Court, Bonaire, GA
BLOG
WEB
FEATURED
LISTING
`
Asking Price:
$312,503
Sq. Ft.: 2867
Year Built: 2014
MLS #: 121853
Beautiful, custom all brick home by Jon’s Custom Homes, located on a cul-de-sac in the Windsor Heights
Subdivision. This 2867 Sq. Ft. home will have five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a two car garage. The
gorgeous kitchen will have custom cabinets, backsplash, granite countertops, and a breakfast area. Other
features will include a great room with a gas log fireplace and a formal dining room. The home will also have a
rocking chair front porch and an extra-large covered rear patio. Stop by and view this home soon!
Featured Neighborhood: Remington Chase
Subdivision in Perry GA 31069
The Remington Chase Subdivision is
a growing community located East
of Perry Parkway off Gurr Road. This
subdivision consists mainly of one
and two-story brick and vinyl homes
with the first residents making this
community their home in 2007.
This community is conveniently
close to a variety of restaurants,
+[=h7jshopping, and a quick 30 minutes to
Robins Air Force Base. It could be
the perfect location for families with
kids, professionals on-the-go, or
seniors looking to downsize.
Visit my Warner Robins Real Estate
Specialist website to preview a
complete list of Homes for Sale in
Perry or to Search for Homes in
Houston County GA.
Call me today at (478) 960-8055 for
all your Middle Georgia real estate
needs.
Click to watch my video about this
subdivision!
The Houston County Public Schools
for this Perry GA Subdivision are
Kings Chapel Elementary, Perry
Middle, and Perry High School.
What is the Secret to Selling your Home for Top Dollar
Putting your home on the market can be a
stressful time as a homeowner. No doubt, you
probably have a lot of questions about the
process, what are the steps you should follow,
what will your agent do for you, and of course
the secret to selling your home for top dollar. As
it turns out, there are several answers to that
last question. This guide will help you
understand what the secret to selling your
home for top dollar is and answer the other
questions too.





Does the house need repairs?
Is the seller hiding something?
Why has it been on the market so long?
Is the seller unreasonable to deal with?
Something wrong with the neighborhood?
In addition, homes that have been on the market
for a long time tend to generate less interest and
weaker offers too. Plus there is less urgency to buy
the house right now because the thought it no one
else is interested. Homes that have been parked on
the market for quite awhile gives buyers the
impression it is not a good deal. This often causes
Discussing Home Pricing
Bar none the most important factor to help you them to continue to browse other inventory
get the mist for your house is pricing it correctly instead of taking a long look at yours.
from the start. Find an expert Realtor® in your
area that knows the fair market value of homes
and use their expertise to help gauge where
your home should be listed at. Priced
competitively from the onset your property the
very best opportunity to get seen and sold.
Big market or small, the story is the same too.
Chris Feltus, who sets up shop as a Realtor in
Dallas (one of the most competitive housing
markets in the US), sees some homeowners
trying to price their property high, then
negotiate it down. He understands where they
are coming from, but does not think it is a good
way to go about it. According to Chris, “The
reason is, if you price it right to start with, you
are helping create demand at what the market
will bear.” He makes good sense too. Price the
home right from the beginning and more buyers
will be interested, they will potentially put in
stronger bids, which can lead to multiple offers.
This is a situation which definitely benefits the
homeowner.
On the other hand, if you price it too high from
the onset it might lead to a mindset by some of
“What is wrong with the house syndrome?”.
Buyers and agents alike start to wonder what
could be wrong with the house which always
leads to other questions such as:
from the crowd. You want every advantage over
the home down the street or across town…insist
on good photos of your property, you will not
regret it!
Get the Word Out
Exposure is your best friend when it comes to
selling your home for its maximum value in the
quickest amount of time possible. At a
minimum, your agent needs to blog about your
home for sale, produce a personal video of your
property and share it online, and utilize as
many social media platforms as possible to
ensure your home gets seen by consumers who
are perusing the Web, preferably in your local
area. If your agent does not mention their
marketing plan, you need to ask about it, and
ensure they show you examples of what, how,
when and results they attained in the past. If
their online presence is weak you may need to
consider
finding
another
agent
who
understands the importance of online
marketing.
As a homeowner, one of the things you can do
to assist is share what your agent posts (ask
them to send you the links as they post) with
your network of online friends. If you are a fan
of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest,
YouTube, or any other social site, put your
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
Today’s world is very visual and buyers are more agents content out there so your friends will see
tech savvy than ever. In fact over 90% of it. You will be surprised the effects that sharing
homeowners now start their home search online. with your sphere of influence can have.
It is now more important than ever to showcase
your home in the best light possible to entice The bottom line is, both you and your agent
buyers to stop by and take a look. How is this want as many eyes to see your home as
possible. That means consumers should be
done? Professional photography!
finding your home both online and in person.
Unless your agent can provide example photos of The more traffic your home receives, the more
previous homes they have listed, insist they utilize quickly a potential offer will come in, and
a professional photographer to take photos of your at potentially the price point you are
home. While some agents may balk at this, you looking to get for the house.
only get one opportunity to make a good first
impression online. Having top notch photos is one -Continued on Page 3of the easiest ways to get your home to stand out
LISTINGS
103 Spruce Street
Warner Robins, Georgia
3BR/1BA, 1552 SQFT
$65,000, MLS# 121801
If you know anyone who might be interested in one of these homes, or might need
the assistance of a Realtor®, please feel free to call me or to pass on my number.
307 Skyway Drive
Warner Robins, Georgia
3BR/1.5BA, 1847 SQFT
$84,900, MLS# 119895
602 Lattice Bend
Bonaire, Georgia
3BR/2.5BA, 2133 SQFT
$189,900, MLS# 119108
303 Opal Court
Bonaire, Georgia
5BR/4BA, 2867 SQFT
$312,503, MLS# 121853
106 Fifth Fairway
Warner Robins, Georgia
4BR/4BA, 3665 SQFT
$329,900, MLS# 121223
159 Addington Drive
Kathleen, Georgia
4BR/3BA, 2541 SQFT
$195,000, MLS# 122144
Closing Date: 01/24/15
280 Southfield Court
Bonaire, Georgia
5BR/3BA, 2760 SQFT
$300,000, MLS# 118625
Closing Date: 02/24/15
105 Rustic Oaks Court
Warner Robins, Georgia
4BR/4.5BA, 3698 SQFT
$408,250, MLS# 122083
Closing Date: 05/22/15
PENDINGS
309 Laurel Woods Drive
Warner Robins, Georgia
3BR/2BA, 1478 SQFT
$99,900, MLS# 121254
Closing Date: 12/19/14
100 Timber Mill Court
Warner Robins, Georgia
3BR/2BA, 1562 SQFT
$89,900, MLS# 121090
Closing Date: 01/21/15
Call Anita Clark today to find your future home!
Direct: (478) 960-8055 | Business: (478) 953-8595
x227on my listings check out:
For additional information
www.anitaclarkrealtor.com
Continued- What is the Secret to Selling Your Home for Top Dollar
First Impressions are often
Last Impression
So far so good…you are following along and
checking everything off this list. Pricing it
right, check. Photography, check. A great agent
and exposure, check. The next step is to make
sure your home is clean, reasonably decluttered, all visible maintenance is completed,
and the property has been updated as
necessary. This needs to happen both inside
and outside the home.
When a consumer pulls your listing up on the
Internet or rolls up outside, you want to leave
them with the thought, “I want to see
more…this may be the home.” At a minimum,
the bathrooms and kitchen need to be clean,
pets need to be put away, smells need to
neutralized, and as much as practical the
property needs to be in a neutral setting (depersonalize) so it will shine. The old adage is
definitely true. You only get one opportunity
to make a good first impression!
Purchasing a home is an emotional experience
and buyers must be able to envision
themselves living in the house. No one is
perfect, and it can be hectic trying to keep your
house clean for showings (especially if you
have kids). We get it. But taking a few simple
steps can really help make a difference.
If you are really looking to make a great first
impression consider professionally staging
your home. It can definitely help you in the
home selling process. If you do not know of
someone who can perform this task, ask your
agent for a list of home staging resources.
It Is Dangerous to Go Alone: Use a Realtor®!
If you had a legal issue you probably would not
consider representing yourself in court. If you
had a toothache I bet you would not ask a
family member or friend to pull the tooth for
you. It is doubtful you would try to tackle
complicated tax questions on your own either.
The point is, selling your home needs to be left
to a professional who does this for a living
everyday.
They know the local market, understand all
the nuances that entail getting your home
from listed to sold, and will have your best
interest in mind as they negotiate on your
behalf to get you the highest price possible.
Good Realtors® do much more than just put a
sign in the yard and hope for the best. They
take the time to study the market, have a plan
to right price your home, and market it to the
fullest extent possible, Statistics bear out that
homes which are listed with an agent sell for
more and faster than their For-Sale-By-Owner
counterparts.
Hopefully after reading this guide you are
convinced that the secret to selling your home
for top dollar is an attainable goal. While
selling your home can be a stressful time, with
a solid plan, you can not only sell for a decent
price but keep your sanity through the process
too. Best of luck!
Currently, the Warner Robins real estate market favors
buyers with 8+ months of available inventory (460
homes) to choose from. The averages and totals for the
Warner Robins GA real estate market are as follows:











Average Sales Price: $131,636
Median Sales Price: $130,500
Number of Monthly Sales: 52
Average Days-On-Market, Sold Homes: 89
Average SP/LP Ratio:
[ `` 97.06%
Highest Priced Sale: $327,680
Lowest Priced Sale: $8,000
Highest Priced Listing: $649,900
Lowest Priced Listing: $12,000
Largest Home on the Market: 7,200 sq ft
Smallest Home on the Market: 720 sq ft
With lots of activity, you can definitely find what you
need in this market. Happy searching!
CHECK OUT
MY VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE!
Warner Robins GA Real Estate Market in November 2014
Available inventory dropped
slightly this past month down
to 460 homes for sale (4%
drop). The weather may have
scared some sellers off but the
winter here is mild so they
need to come back and get
their property on the market.
Sales went down significantly
this past month (52 home
sales) coming in 15 less than
the 12-month average as both
buyers and investors found
what they were seeking in
other communities in Houston
County GA. Right priced
homes are selling so ensure
you are listening to your agent
and market pricing your
property or it may be awhile
before you close.
market priced to have its
best shot to sell in the
Warner Robins GA real
estate market at the
moment. With a decent
amount of inventory in a
variety of price points,
there are good
opportunities for
consumers to find what
they are looking for in
Warner Robins right now!
Lower prices. The number
of days-on-market for
sold homes (89) and sales
price to list price ratio
(97.06%) both stayed in
line with the 12-month
average for both
categories (84 days/
96.97%).
When you are ready, I
am available to assist
with all your Warner
The average sales price
Robins home buying and
stayed steady coming in
selling needs. For a
at over $131K which
complete list of available
improved on the previous Warner Robins homes
months total by $9K but
for sale, click here for
did come in just under
Warner Robins GA Home
$1K below the 12-month
Searches or call me at
average of $132K+. As
Pending sales went up 26% always, it was great to see (478) 960-8055 (C) /
(478) 953- 8595 x227
from October which means a lot of lower priced
this market will end the year inventory get contracted (O) so we can discuss
on a high note. Good advice for and sold. Also, 9
your specific housing
sellers is to ensure your home
needs.
distressed home sales
is reasonably maintained,
contributed slightly to the
updated as needed, and
ANITA CLARK, Realtor®, ABR, CRS, e-PRO
Honors Graduate of Williams Real Estate Academy
ABOUT ME:
I am a full-time realtor and will help you and your family find your dream home! I am British, a 20-year military spouse (retired),
married with two grown daughters who are both married, and an active member of Harvest Church. I am an Honor Graduate of
Williams Academy of Real Estate and a member of the following associations/services: Central Georgia Multiple Listing Service,
Georgia Multiple Listing Service, National Association of Realtors, and the Central GA Board of Realtors.
CONTACT:
Business: (478) 953-8595/ext. 227
Toll Free: (888) 535-5055
Cell: (478) 960-8055
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.anitaclarkrealtor.com
Blog: www.sellingwarnerrobins.com
COMMENTS:
Selling, buying, or leasing, I am committed to provide you the best possible service to meet all your real estate needs. I will give you
the personal attention you deserve, have high ethical standards, and look forward to working with you!
TERRITORIES:
Warner Robins, Centerville, Bonaire, Kathleen, Perry, Byron, Forty Valley, Hawkinsville, Jeffersonville
EXPERTISE:
First Time Homebuyers, Military Relocations, New/Resale Residentials, Leases
“If you want it SOLD, call Anita Clark – she is a houseSOLD name!”
l
If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the
offering of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.
l