Are you still buying and selling real estate the old-fashioned way, through offices with their high overhead? Who pays their operating costs? You, the final consumer.
Times are hard. Consider my lean, low overhead, Internet-based real estate company. So much of a buying and selling transaction is done online -- electronically -- that the need for a physical office building is less and less every year.
Now, more than ever, we need to economize -- but with no sacrifice in the quality of services rendered. For a better idea of what you should be getting from your real estate company, visit my website -- http://michaeldixonrealty.com --and read my guarantee.
Among your other benefits:
My buyers who are pre-approved for a mortgage loan get their choice of a home warranty for the first year they own their home, or a Lowe's gift card of comparable value.*
My sellers get a one-year warranty while their house is on the market, transferable to their buyer, or a Lowe's gift card -- their choice.* My seller's also get a break, which they will find in the Special Stipulations on page 5 of their listing agreement.
This is Real Estate Today.
*Conditions apply.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Your office in Americus, Ga. Location, location, location
Ready to open an office, or move up, and you want a great location in Americus, Ga.? You may have found it at 104 West Lamar Street, former home of the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. This 1920s vintage building with its inviting front porch is being offered for sale at $195,000.
It is located just one block east of the new Sumter County Courthouse on West Lamar Street, which is US Highway 280 as well as Georgia highways 27,30 and 49 through Americus. It is across Hampton Street from the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity International, and two blocks west of the Windsor Hotel, an Americus landmark.
See photos and details of the building at http://michaeldixonrealty.com. Call Michael if you need more information or would like to see the building. 229-924-3089.
Our inventory of unsold properties in the Americus area remains high -- a great opportunity for qualified buyers. Serious buyers always talk with a mortgage lender and get pre-approved for a loan before venturing into the real estate market. They want to know in advance they can get the needed financing when they find the property of their choice. (Sellers want to know it, too.)
If you're that exception to the rule, a cash buyer, good for you. You probably have more bargaining power, and can get a deal closed sooner with cash.
You can always see all of the properties for sale through real estate companies in the Americus area by visiting the website: www.americusareamls.com. If you find one or more properties you would like more information about, call Michael at 229-924-3089, or email: michael@michaeldixonrealty.com.
The former Chamber of Commerce office building, with approximately 2100 square feet of heated and cooled area, might provide the attractive office space you need. Let's look inside and talk about it.
It is located just one block east of the new Sumter County Courthouse on West Lamar Street, which is US Highway 280 as well as Georgia highways 27,30 and 49 through Americus. It is across Hampton Street from the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity International, and two blocks west of the Windsor Hotel, an Americus landmark.
See photos and details of the building at http://michaeldixonrealty.com. Call Michael if you need more information or would like to see the building. 229-924-3089.
Our inventory of unsold properties in the Americus area remains high -- a great opportunity for qualified buyers. Serious buyers always talk with a mortgage lender and get pre-approved for a loan before venturing into the real estate market. They want to know in advance they can get the needed financing when they find the property of their choice. (Sellers want to know it, too.)
If you're that exception to the rule, a cash buyer, good for you. You probably have more bargaining power, and can get a deal closed sooner with cash.
You can always see all of the properties for sale through real estate companies in the Americus area by visiting the website: www.americusareamls.com. If you find one or more properties you would like more information about, call Michael at 229-924-3089, or email: michael@michaeldixonrealty.com.
The former Chamber of Commerce office building, with approximately 2100 square feet of heated and cooled area, might provide the attractive office space you need. Let's look inside and talk about it.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Pre-approved buyers should be looking now.
Do you get frustrated looking for real estate for sale online? If you're looking in the Americus, Ga., or Ellaville, Ga., area, you can quickly see every listed property on the Multiple Listing Service website: www.americusareamls.com. This is the website of the Americus Board of Realtors. It lists every residential, commercial and land property for sale through the real estate companies in the MLS.
Currently there are between 165 and 170 residential properties listed. There are 70 land properties, and 27 commercial properties. The inventory of unsold properties is the highest it has ever been in the Americus, Sumter County, Ellaville and Schley County area. This means, if you are pre-approved for a mortgage loan, you are in a position to negotiate a good deal on a house, building lot, or large tract of land.
A Realtor can be your best friend when it comes to finding and negotiating the purchase of real estate. Best of all, the Realtor's services are free to you, the buyer. It's the seller who pays the Realtor a commission for finding you, the buyer, and putting a deal together. If you aren't working with a Realtor, you may not hear about properties that you'd be interested in, and you may not get some professional advice that a Realtor can offer.
You can relate to your Realtor in one of two ways. You can be a "customer" or a "client." There's a big difference. If you are interested, you can visit a new website -- www.americusgarealestate.net -- and ask questions. As host of the site, I'll answer your questions. However, anyone may provide not only questions but also answers. They also may post notices of community interest. Create your own password, login, and visit the site as often as you want to.
Currently there are between 165 and 170 residential properties listed. There are 70 land properties, and 27 commercial properties. The inventory of unsold properties is the highest it has ever been in the Americus, Sumter County, Ellaville and Schley County area. This means, if you are pre-approved for a mortgage loan, you are in a position to negotiate a good deal on a house, building lot, or large tract of land.
A Realtor can be your best friend when it comes to finding and negotiating the purchase of real estate. Best of all, the Realtor's services are free to you, the buyer. It's the seller who pays the Realtor a commission for finding you, the buyer, and putting a deal together. If you aren't working with a Realtor, you may not hear about properties that you'd be interested in, and you may not get some professional advice that a Realtor can offer.
You can relate to your Realtor in one of two ways. You can be a "customer" or a "client." There's a big difference. If you are interested, you can visit a new website -- www.americusgarealestate.net -- and ask questions. As host of the site, I'll answer your questions. However, anyone may provide not only questions but also answers. They also may post notices of community interest. Create your own password, login, and visit the site as often as you want to.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Your Real Estate Questions Answered -- and More
You now have a special place on the Internet to ask questions about real estate -- real estate in general or the Americus and Ellaville, Ga., area in particular. It is: http://americusgarealestate.net. Read more about this new website for real estate information, and then visit the site.
The website allows you to post your questions, or provide answers to others' questions. The website host, Michael Dixon, will answer questions, but anyone may offer a response. You log in with your user name and password, and then return any time you wish to access the site.
You may tell everyone about your real estate for sale, or tell them what you are looking for. You might make just the right connection.
Post notices of events of interest to the general community. Use this website as a bulletin board.
See you soon.
The website allows you to post your questions, or provide answers to others' questions. The website host, Michael Dixon, will answer questions, but anyone may offer a response. You log in with your user name and password, and then return any time you wish to access the site.
You may tell everyone about your real estate for sale, or tell them what you are looking for. You might make just the right connection.
Post notices of events of interest to the general community. Use this website as a bulletin board.
See you soon.
Friday, March 27, 2009
A great time to buy real estate
Spring is here. This should be the peak season for buying and selling residential real estate. But even the "peak" season this year is not as good as a poor season in years past. We all are victims of a major economic downturn.
But ... take heart! After the market hits bottom there's nowhere to go but up. Get on board.
What are the smart people doing? They are investing in tangible goods including homes and land. They are taking advantage of a buyer's market. A large inventory of unsold properties, and low interest rates, have put buyers in charge of the market.
Are you taking advantage of buying opportunities?
I use those words "taking advantage" guardedly. Please don't follow the example of some buyers by making such a low offer on a property that there's almost no chance of making a deal. Not all sellers are desperate to unload real estate, and they will not entertain offers that border on insult.
On the other hand, many bargains are there for the taking. In our own area around Americus and Ellaville, Ga., we have the most houses for sale right now that we have had in my 13 years in this real estate market. Many sellers are ready to deal; they just want to be treated fairly.
Mortgage money is available from a wide variety of sources, and lenders are eager to work with you. If you are thinking about buying real estate, and have not been pre-approved for mortgage loan, talk with a lender soon. The pre-approved buyer always has the advantage over one who hasn't bothered to nail down the source of a loan.
I've said this a thousand times, but here I go again: Whenever possible, work with a local lender, someone who is a part of your community, someone you may see at the grocery store or gas station. Local lenders share your interest in your community because it's also theirs. And they compete for your business.
May I get a bit personal? I recently listed a very nice property in a very nice neighborhood in Americus. If you know someone looking in the $250,000 range, please tell them to call me. (229-924-3089)
There are some nice properties priced well under that figure, too. If you are thinking of buying, you need to be looking now. If you are thinking of selling, price your property to compete. You may want to give it a spring makeover. If you would like to have my personal advice, without obligation, please get in touch.
Best wishes, buyers and sellers.
But ... take heart! After the market hits bottom there's nowhere to go but up. Get on board.
What are the smart people doing? They are investing in tangible goods including homes and land. They are taking advantage of a buyer's market. A large inventory of unsold properties, and low interest rates, have put buyers in charge of the market.
Are you taking advantage of buying opportunities?
I use those words "taking advantage" guardedly. Please don't follow the example of some buyers by making such a low offer on a property that there's almost no chance of making a deal. Not all sellers are desperate to unload real estate, and they will not entertain offers that border on insult.
On the other hand, many bargains are there for the taking. In our own area around Americus and Ellaville, Ga., we have the most houses for sale right now that we have had in my 13 years in this real estate market. Many sellers are ready to deal; they just want to be treated fairly.
Mortgage money is available from a wide variety of sources, and lenders are eager to work with you. If you are thinking about buying real estate, and have not been pre-approved for mortgage loan, talk with a lender soon. The pre-approved buyer always has the advantage over one who hasn't bothered to nail down the source of a loan.
I've said this a thousand times, but here I go again: Whenever possible, work with a local lender, someone who is a part of your community, someone you may see at the grocery store or gas station. Local lenders share your interest in your community because it's also theirs. And they compete for your business.
May I get a bit personal? I recently listed a very nice property in a very nice neighborhood in Americus. If you know someone looking in the $250,000 range, please tell them to call me. (229-924-3089)
There are some nice properties priced well under that figure, too. If you are thinking of buying, you need to be looking now. If you are thinking of selling, price your property to compete. You may want to give it a spring makeover. If you would like to have my personal advice, without obligation, please get in touch.
Best wishes, buyers and sellers.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Americans are a great people -- still
It's a rainy day in Georgia, or at least in my part of it. After a low of 18 degrees Thursday night, this rainy day is comparatively warm. Great day for staying in and writing a blog entry.
Yours truly listed a property in Sumter County last week. It's a nice country place. House with three bedrooms and two baths on 5.69 acres with a red barn. Located at 582 Ga.Hwy.49 S, which is southwest of Americus. $75,000.
Monday is the official Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and the next day we swear in our new president, the nation's first African-American. In my lifetime we have seen men land on the moon, and now this monumental event in our nation's history. Americans can now choose to mope around and talk about how bad the economy is, or adopt a positive attitude and resolve to forge ahead as a great people. Someone once said, "Ninety percent of success is having a positive attitude."
Currently, I'm involved in my first "short sale." It's a situation in which a property is being sold for less than the borrower owes on it. I'm the listing agent, so I'm doing my best to make sure my client is protected to the extent possible. To be candid with you, I have been a bit apprehensive about being paid my commission. Likewise, the selling agent wants to be sure he is covered. My conversations with the lender's representative have been reassuring, and the preliminary closing document shows the commission.
We Realtors work for nothing right up until the moment of closing. I would hate for that time to come, and have to leave empty handed. There are many hoops to jump through between here and there, and it would be nice to be compensated. Seriously, I'm not worried about it, but this is a first-time experience for both me and the selling agent.
At the moment, I must get ready to run an errand, so will sign off and post this soon. Happy New Year everyone! And let's do what we can to make it a prosperous one.
Yours truly listed a property in Sumter County last week. It's a nice country place. House with three bedrooms and two baths on 5.69 acres with a red barn. Located at 582 Ga.Hwy.49 S, which is southwest of Americus. $75,000.
Monday is the official Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and the next day we swear in our new president, the nation's first African-American. In my lifetime we have seen men land on the moon, and now this monumental event in our nation's history. Americans can now choose to mope around and talk about how bad the economy is, or adopt a positive attitude and resolve to forge ahead as a great people. Someone once said, "Ninety percent of success is having a positive attitude."
Currently, I'm involved in my first "short sale." It's a situation in which a property is being sold for less than the borrower owes on it. I'm the listing agent, so I'm doing my best to make sure my client is protected to the extent possible. To be candid with you, I have been a bit apprehensive about being paid my commission. Likewise, the selling agent wants to be sure he is covered. My conversations with the lender's representative have been reassuring, and the preliminary closing document shows the commission.
We Realtors work for nothing right up until the moment of closing. I would hate for that time to come, and have to leave empty handed. There are many hoops to jump through between here and there, and it would be nice to be compensated. Seriously, I'm not worried about it, but this is a first-time experience for both me and the selling agent.
At the moment, I must get ready to run an errand, so will sign off and post this soon. Happy New Year everyone! And let's do what we can to make it a prosperous one.
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