Your AikenHOME Tips and trends for homeowners, buyers and sellers

Your AikenHOME

Tips and trends for homeowners, buyers and sellers

RETURN ON improvement

Are you thinking about selling your home, or do you just want to spruce things up and don’t know where to start? If you’re working within a strict budget, the thought of remodeling your home can be daunting. It’s best to assess your needs and also educate yourself on current market trends before you get started. The 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, produced by Remodeling magazine in cooperation with the National Association of REALTORS®, reports that large-scale jobs aren’t likely to return sellers their full cost. Instead, smaller replacement jobs tend to generate a higher return than remodeling projects. The report uncovers that replacement projects showed an average return of 73.2 percent, while the cost-value ratio of remodeling projects showed an average rate of return of 60.8 percent. Arming yourself with information like this is key before you invest in making improvements. Here are the five mid-range projects that are most likely to recoup the cost of investment.

HOME REPLACEMENTS MOST LIKELY TO RECOUP COST:

"Get REAL About Pricing"

Vikki and Brandi’s Home Selling Tip

“Get REAL About Pricing “

Today’s buyers are smart, well-educated about the market trends in your area.  Price your home ahead of competition to stand out as the best value.   With so many properties for sale, your home may not even be considered if not priced well and in its best condition.  Think of it as a beauty contest…you want to be the one that gets all the attention not the runner up!

Contact your favorite REALTOR or us to discuss your specific real estate goals!

BIG CHANGES in REAL ESTATE that may AFFECT YOUR Real Estate closing!

BIG CHANGES in REAL ESTATE that may AFFECT YOUR Real Estate closing

GOOD BYE…old HUD-1 and closing statements.

Starting August 1, 2015, any transaction involving a mortgage will use the new disclosure forms created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). The Truth-in-Lending Act/RESPA Integrated Disclosures (“TRID”) creates timing requirements for disclosures that lenders need to make to consumers. 

What should YOU expect?

·      New closing disclosures forms and loan estimates.

·      The consumer (buyer) must receive the new Closing Disclosures must be received within three business days of closing.

·      CHANGES will require a new Closing Disclosures and another three-day waiting period. For example… APR changes, loan product changes, delayed inspection of repair, final inspections on new homes, additional documents and host of others items can trigger a 3 day delay.

·      Prepare that closings time frame will be longer. They are recommending adding additional 15 days to “normal” closing time frame when a loan is involved.

As REALTORS, we will be learning how to navigate this change to best educate and guide our clients.  It’s apparent that being timely in all facets of the contract process is a must.  Buyers need to provide lenders the information requested as soon as possible and sellers need complete any agreed upon inspection reports or repairs well advance of the closing.  For example; CL100 Wood/Pest Report, repairs required, Certificate of Occupancy and final loan inspections for builders.

Summary… having “all ready and in” place 7 days in advance of the closing date would be the best goal.   This would give time just in case a 3 day waiting period is triggered for any reason.

AIKEN GARDEN SHOW is this WEEKEND

Starting the morning of May 15^th & May 16^th, 2015 our Historic Banksia, the Aiken County Historical Museum, will be the heart of the 2015 Aiken Garden Show this year.  You have the rare opportunity to tour some the most impressive private gardens in the Aiken area, which are short drive from Banksia.  At Banksia you can meet with vendors, listen to speakers and an all-arrangement rose show.

For some excitement watch the “Dueling Designers” creating fairy gardens; a popular trend among young and old and flower arranging, using the same materials with different outcomes!

There will be enjoyable food at the Banksia Bistro at the Winter Colony mansion. Come out and join the fun which will helps the Aiken Garden Club Council raise funds to maintain the historic Doll House in Hopeland’s Gardens, one of Aiken's garden gems.

Flowers, gardens, playing in the dirt is my passion, I look forward to this event.

To learn more information & how to buy tickets visit:  http://aikengardenshow.org/index.html

Farmstead Subdivision in Aiken, SC

6091 High Meadow Loop


Farmstead Subdivision in Aiken, SC! Lives UP to your EXPECTATIONS!
Distinguishing architecture with attention to details, extensive amount of reclaimed heart pine floors and pride of ownership. Picturesque views of the lake and open community areas with a wooded buffer in rear. An open floor plan; full of livability that works for every lifestyle. You'll love the wainscoting, trim work and craftsmanship along with solid wood cabinetry, coffered ceilings adds to the charm and character. Chef's delight kitchen with lots of cabinetry, luminous granite and all the bells and whistle the cook in the house would desire. The grand and gracious formal dining room with custom cabinetry with built in wine cooler. The serene master suite offers a spa like bathroom boasting over sized walk in tiled shower with twin shower heads, overhead rain faucet plus a relaxing jetted garden tub, large double bowl vanity with great storage space and a wonderful walk in closet. There is a downstairs guest bedroom and two bedrooms upstairs. All bedrooms are inviting and offer their own appeal and have access to a quality featured bathroom. The bonus room is awesome with the reclaimed wood floors and back stairwell. The lower level is where you can use your own imagination family room, theater room, workshop, or optional 5th bedroom and full bath! the choice is yours on how you finish and use this space. The lower area opens up to wonderful rear yard with plenty of space for array of family activities and enjoyment. The laundry room adjoins a wonderful space with a built in coat/storage area that is just delightful. You will relish the 3-car garage with plenty of space. This home was thoughtfully built with extras not normally found in most homes; spray foam insulated, pre-wired for networking, encapsulated crawlspace, tankless water heaters and upgraded HVAC system. This desirable FINE home is perfected situated in the gated community of Farmstead; natural green space, trails and a community pavilion with dock on the lake.

Click on the link below for a virtual tour on this lovely home:

https://youtu.be/UZOBDAlIqF4

Hopeland Gardens Concert Schedule 2015

Thinking of RELOCATING to the Aiken, SC area?

Thinking of RELOCATING to the Aiken, SC area?

Our fabulous Aiken Chamber of Commerce offers tons of valuable information for anyone considering moving to the area. One of TOOLS they offer is Cost of LIVING INDEX Calculator to compare your area to the Augusta, GA/Aiken, SC area.

Try their Cost of LIVING INDEX Calculator:

http://www.aikenchamber.net/index.php?submenu=Relocation&src=gendocs&ref=CostofLiving&category=Relocation

Enter your Income and the area you want to compare, to find how AFFORDABLE it is to live in our GA-SC Augusta-Aiken area!