Thursday, August 28, 2008

Fall Festivals of Fun… Savannah Style

27th Annual Savannah Jazz Festival - September 20 – 28
19th Annual Savannah Folk Music Festival - October 10 – 12
Oktoberfest - October 3 – 5
Tybee Island Pirate Festival - October 10 – 11
57th Annual Greek Festival - October 16 – 18
12th Annual Festival of the Arts (Tybee) - October 18 – 19
Shalom Y’all Jewish Food Festival - October 26
11th Annual Savannah Film Festival - October 25 – November 11
27th Annual Seafood Festival - October 31 – November 2

Buy More Home Now!

While the pundits determine whether the real estate market is plunging or recovering, buyers are in the unique position of looking at a glass that is half full, not half empty. When sales are slow, that's actually a good thing for qualified buyers, and there has not been a better time to consider finally purchasing that vacation home.

Your second home is not a short-term investment, like those that have been "flipped" in recent years. Your vacation home is meant to be a long-term investment that pays big dividends not only in appreciation, but also in recreation and great family memories.

Today's market allows you to take more time to do your research and make your decision. Start by connecting with a real estate agent in the area you're interested in, and have them watch that market like a hawk to alert you to possible buying opportunities.

Don't focus on what the market is doing now... look ahead and consider the value of your purchase several years from now. Because real estate nearly always appreciates, you can buy more home now than you could further down the line.

Property is still a terrific long-term investment, regardless of current market conditions. Knowing that you can always rent your second home might just prove to be a great strategy for making second home ownership a real possibility!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

2008 Savannah Film Festival


2008 Savannah Film Festival
October 25 - November 1, 2008

Tickets on sale now -- http://www.scad.edu/filmfest/

This week's OPEN HOUSES

Sunday, August 24

2-4 PM
50 Wylly Avenue
$399,900
Isle of Hope

615 East 48th Street
$310,000
Ardsley Park

3-5 PM
2902 River Dr., Unit 101A
$479,000
Thunderbolt Harbour

Don't Compare...Compete!

As you prepare to list your home, you'll need to determine how to set your asking price. You may come across the term Comparative Market Analysis, which is used as a tool for gauging the perceived value of your home. However, as a seller, you should think of that informal appraisal more as a COMPETITIVE Market Analysis.

Why? Because comparisons can be very subjective, and while buyers may "compare" several homes, sellers must "compete" against other properties. No matter how unique you believe your home to be, it doesn't really matter how it compares to others until you have priced it to compete successfully against them.

In today's real estate market, past sales may not necessarily reflect the present reality. Similar listings compete by asking the lowest price for the perceived value, with price and value representing different sides of the same coin.

When you speak with a real estate agent, he or she will explain how your home must challenge the competition with savvy marketing, spotless presentation, and aggressive pricing. That is how to attract the interest of other agents and buyers.

Remember, it is the prospective buyers who will be making the comparisons. It's your responsibility as a seller to compete for their best offer in a challenging marketplace. Ask your representative today for a Competitive Market Analysis to get the ball rolling.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Bi-lingual Agent Joins Cora Bett Thomas Realty


Real estate professional Sonja Bannon recently joined Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates as an associate broker. In her new position, Bannon represents clients in buying and selling distinctive property throughout the greater Savannah area.


We warmly welcome Sonja to our team of accomplished sales professionals,” said Cora Bett Thomas, founder and CEO of Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates. “Her diverse background in residential sales and multi-unit investment real estate in the Savannah area will be advantageous to both our business and clients.”


Bannon is also bi-lingual in French and English. This is an amazing trait for an agent in the market at this time with European investors looking for property in the United States. Prior to joining Cora Bett Thomas Realty, Bannon worked as an agent with Judge Realty and Seabolt Brokers in Savannah.


Thursday, August 14, 2008

An Ocean of Options

As a buyer, you may find yourself drifting on an ocean of financing options. As lenders tighten their requirements, there are a few aspects of the loan application of which you should be aware before applying for a mortgage.

First, determine whether you are seeking "pre-qualification" or "pre-approval." What's the difference? Generally speaking, when you are pre-qualified, the lender reviews your information and hazards a "best guess" as to the size of loan for which you would qualify.

In the pre-approval process, however, the lender verifies everything on your application, and offers to approve a certain amount at a certain interest rate. Either way, the final loan is only cleared upon receipt of an acceptable appraisal, title check, last-minute credit check, and other verifications. Usually, a pre-approval puts you on stronger buying ground.

A critical aspect of your application is your credit score. Excessive credit, like car loans and credit cards, can sometimes prove as unattractive to lenders as bad or no credit, so make sure that you have plenty of credit available before applying, and put off major purchases until after you've bought your home.

Finally, investigate all of your loan options, compare worst-case scenarios, and do your math. If you need guidance, seek it from a local mortgage specialist or real estate agent who is well versed in current market and lending conditions.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Cora Bett Thomas Realty Agents Recognized for Internet Marketing Excellence


Nationally renowned real estate marketing and technology speaker and REALTOR.com® Vice President, Max Pigman, recently presented Marjorie Maddox and Peter Nelsen of Cora Bett Thomas Realty the “Real Estate Online Marketing Award of Excellence.” The Award of Excellence recognizes top agents who consistently provide great marketing services on behalf of their buyers and sellers.


“There are always some real estate agents who distinguish themselves from other agents by doing a little more for their sellers.” says Max Pigman, Vice President of REALTOR.com®. Cora Bett Thomas Realty provides it agents with enhanced features for every listing on REALTOR.com. The enhanced features provided to all agents are additional photos, customized headlines, video tours, and showcase status for each listing.


“Our agents and clients appreciate that we help bring more attention to the unique selling attributes of their home and ultimately help attract more qualified buyers. Buyers are also appreciative of a well presented home that has a better description and more ways to learn about the property before arranging an appointment,” said Cora Bett Thomas, president and CEO of Cora Bett Thomas Realty.


The excellence award was presented to Maddox and Nelsen and other agents at a recent real estate marketing and technology seminar that demonstrated cutting edge techniques for leveraging the Internet and technology in real estate marketing. “Videos have become an essential tool for marketing a home. I add videos to my listings because buyers today want the whole story. Pictures can hide defects or undesirable features, but with video everything is there. There are no surprises that could waste the time of a buyer,” said Nelsen. The agents at Cora Bett Thomas Realty have received positive responses from buyers and sellers alike.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Three Possible Choices

There are many factors that affect how you'll price your home when you're ready to sell. In spite of market conditions, interest rates, and so on, every transaction is unique. So you should seek the assistance of an agent and prepare yourself and your home well in advance of placing the For Sale sign out front.

Sometimes a home will have three different possible prices: the price the sellers want to net, the price the buyers would like to offer, and the final sales price agreed upon by both parties. Your home's ultimate value is determined by other local sale prices, which are often a product of supply and demand.

The asking price or the offered price are not the whole story, however. While an offer of $200,000 doesn't seem to appear as good as an offer of $210,000, pay close attention to the terms attached to that higher offer. If the buyers also want you to offset closing costs and deduct for a decorating allowance, the "clean" offer of $200,000 might actually put more money in your pocket.

It's wise to seek representation and assistance with pricing, marketing, negotiation and closing. Put a real estate agent with local experience to work for you. Once armed with the facts relating to terms and conditions of local sales, you can move forward with confidence in your listing.