You've been out looking and find that perfect family home, condo, townhouse, vacation house, rental property, etc. (you know the one that shines brighter than the rest in the neighborhood, has the perfect landscaping, and has all the bells-and-whistles), but, can you afford it?  Understanding your buying power puts you in a better negotiating position and will ultimately be a key determinant on home size, house amenities, and the neighborhood you will live in.  So, how do you find out what you can afford? Find a lender, or get a list from your Realtor®, and get pre-approved (preferably before you start looking).  During pre-approval a lender will examine your finances in detail and tell you how much they will loan you, the loan type, interest rate of the loan, your approximate monthly p... 09/10/2010

For all Houston County GA, Warner Robins GA, and surrounding community retirees (or soon to be retired), there is a free Retirement Inventment Strategies seminar on Tues 21 Sept at 5:30p.m. in the Jack G. Byrd JR Learning Center.  The Center is located on Robins Drive behind the parking lot of the Watson Branch in Warner Robins GA. The following topics will be discussed: The four critical concerns faced by retirees How to develop a sound financial strategy How to avoid common pitfalls faced by today's retirees It's a free service provided by Robins Federal Credit Union.  Interested folks can sign-up at Robins FCU.    09/10/2010

Today in Warner Robins GA we have 941 active residential listings with only 74 bank or relocation owned properties.  The good news...92% of Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA are consumer owned properties giving us a fairly stable real estate market.  A big part of that stability can be attributed to the constant influx of military/civilian personnel coming to Robins Air Force Base.  Although it has been difficult for buyers to get financing, many are making it through the process and becoming first-time or repeat home owners.   The bad news...I have been working foreclosures this year and all of those homes are aggressively priced to sell within 90 days.  Resale homes just can't compete.  As an example, I have a decent listing in a good subdivision that is right-priced to sell in today... 09/08/2010

Warner Robins GA Buyers...Did you know the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) guarantees free access to your credit report once every 12 months from each of the 3 consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.  If you're looking to Buy a Home in Warner Robins GA, it's important to know your FICO Credit Score.  Your FICO score is tabulated based on your credit history and along with your debt and income level help lenders assess your credit risk.  The FICO score range is 300 - 850; the higher the FICO Score, the lower the credit risk.  The report is free; the FICO score will cost a nominal fee.  It is a good idea to review your credit report annually and challenge (in writing) any debt attributed to you that you didn't create.  Also, if your rep... 09/07/2010

Is all the new/modern technology a friend or foe to you?  How do you cope if you are not computer literate or know someone who is?  I remember when I bought my first home and the Realtor® carried around a printed list of the houses for sale in the area.  OMG, she didn't even have a cell phone or GPS device/system.  That's a long way from where we are today. Just this weekend I used my Droid to text, call, and GPS, used a USB Thumb Drive to transfer some files from my work PC to my laptop, used an external hard drive to backup my laptop files, printed on wireless printers at home/office, scanned to email, blogged/tweeted, resized/used filters on digital photos, began implementing a new IDX solution into my Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA website, and synched my phone and laptop.  As s... 09/07/2010

Visit the Warner Robins GA Train Depot adjacent to Robins Air Force Base on the corner of Watson Blvd and North First Street.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The Georgia Southern & Florida Depot GA was built in 1943-44 to accomodate the exponential increase in activity in the region because of the newly established air base.It was a crucial hub for for the war effort and the town of Warner Robins literally grew up around the depot.Passenger and freight service continued until the depot was closed in 1970.It has since been renovated and is now the Warner Robins E.L. Greenway Welcome Center.  The center offers visitors information about local events and attractions as well as information about the state of Georgia.Adjacent to the welcome center is an old red cabo... 09/06/2010

I find it ironic that people think by putting a For-Sale-By-Owner sign in the front yard they can do my job.  I pride myself in the fact that I am a marketing specialist and am confidant I can provide better exposure than a home owner will get on their own.  I can screen buyers, network with other agents, interact with professional services, provide competent advice, and serve as a professional negotiator.  I am versed in contract preparation, can give staging tips, and am emotionally detached.  I can provide a realistic listing price based on facts, I know the demographics of your neighborhood and those you're competing with, and I can anticipate and respond to real estate questions/problems quickly.  I am available to show your home anytime, will never say too little or too much durin... 09/06/2010

I came home from showing a client some houses today and found these squatters on my property.  We've worked out an agreement which allows them to stay rent-free as long as they keep the noise down.  The right one looks a little shifty so I'm going to be keeping my eye on them.   09/04/2010

Robins Air Force Base will celebrate the United States Air Force's (USAF) 63rd birthday on Sept. 18 with a black tie/mess dress dinner at the Museum of Aviation's Century of Flight Hangar. The theme for the event is "Honoring our Airmen ...Responding to the Nation's Call!" Social hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Ticket cost is $35 (see organization reps). Interested volunteers should contact Kem Lingelbach at 926-8513. The Air Force Reserve Band will perform and the keynote address will be given by retired AF Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., former commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. With the passage of the National Security Act in 1947 (establishment of the Department of Defense), the USAF became a separate service (it was part ... 09/03/2010

I've been a Realtor® for only 4 years so I would consider myself a relative newbie but for the life of me I don't understand why the market isn't flooded with buyers.  House prices are reasonable (in my area anyway), interest rates are incredibly low, and there is ample inventory (in my area).  Is it because lenders are being stingier with loans?  Appraisals coming in too low?  Everyone left have bad credit?  Something else? Choosing to buy a house NOW seems like the smart move to me.  You can live the American Dream, pay less than you would for rent, and build equity in your own home. If you snooze, you lose...or do you?   09/02/2010

It is a slow open house weekend in Warner Robins because of the holiday weekend, however, ColdwellBanker SSK in Warner Robins GA is hosting 2 Open Houses this Sunday (5 Sep) in the local community.  Locations/Times/Hosts are listed below.108 Ritz Lane (Perry), 12-2pm, Launie Cunningham 102 Symes Drive (Warner Robins), 2:30-4:30pm, Launie Cunningham  08/31/2010

In the current market, other than price, it seems to be all about the square footage.  Today's families are looking for space and lots of it.  Below are 9 easy tips to minimize the mess and maximize your space to impress buyers. 1.  De-clutter your closets.  Put all out-of-season clothing in storage containers and donate all items you haven't worn in a year or won't need in the climate you are moving to. 2.  Organize your kitchen pantry throwing out all out-of-date food.  Give non-perishable items you won't eat to friends, family, neighbors, or a local food pantry.  Sort all remaining items by food types, stack cans neatly, and use storage containers for the smaller items. 3.  Organize the smaller kitchen appliances, putting the rarely used ones in cabinets or storage and off the counte... 08/31/2010

Warner Robins GA has hit the big-time!  Our first television station, WRWR-TV 38 (We Are Warner Robins) will begin broadcasts later this week (exact time/day still to-be-determined).  The station will initially cover Warner Robins and Robins' region news, city/county government, high school sports and the Southeastern Little League, as well as issues/developments affecting Robins Air Force Base. The new station will be available over the air on channel 38, channel 112 on both Cox Cable and Comsouth, and also accessible on Watson Cable.  Thanks to Cecil Staton, founder of Georgia Eagle Boradcasting (now G.E. Media) for having a vision for Warner Robins.  According to Staton, "...with all other media consolidated in Macon long ago, Warner Robins, as the growth engine of Middle Georgia, ne... 08/30/2010

Did you know there are currently 510 MLS residential Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA, priced from $12,500 to $595,000?  With such a wide selection of available properties and very low interest rates, this is the perfect time to buy your first home, next house, or last property in Warner Robins GA.To view all Warner Robins GA Real Estate, please visit Warner Robins Real Estate.If you're moving to Georgia, relocating to Warner Robins, or just moving around town, it doesn't get much better than the International City.  Warner Robins gets its International City nickname due to the number of residents from around the world brought here because of Robins Air Force Base.    According to BusinessWeek, Warner Robins GA is the #1 place in Georgia to raise a family for the second straight year!... 08/29/2010

Centerville Georgia Buyers...did you know there are currently 43 MLS residential Homes for Sale in Centerville GA, priced from $58,900 to $525,000. With such a wide selection of available properties and very low interest rates, this is the perfect time to buy your first home, next house, or last property in Centerville GA.To view all Centerville GA Real Estate, please visit Centerville GA Homes for Sale.  08/27/2010

Middle Georgia Buyers...did you know there are currently 83 MLS residential Homes for Sale in Kathleen GA, priced from $39,999 to $639,000.  With such a wide selection of available properties and very low interest rates, this is the perfect time to buy your first home, next house, or last property in Kathleen GA.To view all Kathleen GA Real Estate, please visit Kathleen GA Homes for Sale.  08/26/2010

For the second year in a row, BusinessWeek has named Warner Robins the best place in Georgia to raise a family. For a complete state-by-state list, check out the best places to raise kids.As determined by BusinessWeek, factors that determined each state winner include:  Affordability Air Quality Amenities (museums, parks, theaters, etc.) Crime Rate Diversity Family Income Household Expenditures Job Growth Number of Schools Safety School Test Scores 08/26/2010

No wonder home-buyers are so confused...take a look at some of these recent headlines.   1.  Fewer mortgages are in default (via CNNMoney.com) Sounds like good news right?  But then there is this headline and opening paragraph... Versus... One in 10 mortgage holders faces foreclosure Government aid efforts having little impact stemming housing crisis (via msnbc.com) 2.  New-home sales at record low as lack of jobs persists (via PalmBeach Post) vs. Toll Brothers: First profit in 3 years (via CNNmoney.com) 3.  Moderately Faster Growth Ahead for Jobs, Economy (via HGTVpro.com) vs... Housing Holocaust: Existing Home Sales Plunge, Market Follows  (via opednews.com) 4.  Biggest U.S. home sales plunge in decades (via SFgate.com) versus... (My favorite headline, the self dueling headline, court... 08/26/2010

I don't know about you but after a looooong hard day of working deals, saving deals, losing deals, hoping for a 2nd chance tomorrow deals, and wishing for any deal, the days stressers can leave you Dog Tired!  Below are 12 easy relaxation techniques to help us all cope with stress management... Visualization (can't get away from the office for a vacation, bring one to you) Get engrossed in a hobby (reading, painting, gardening, bird watching, etc.) Meditate (remember to breathe) Light exercise (Yoga, go for a walk, swim, etc.) Listen to music Aroma therapy Get a foot massage Play with a pet Watch a funny movie (laughter always helps) Play a family game Take a bubble bath Get quality sleep Any of these techniques will help reduce stress and leave you feeling purrfect for round 2 (or 20) ... 08/25/2010

ATTENTION Byron GA residents.  There are currently 163 MLS residential Homes for Sale in your community.  With such a wide selection of available properties and very low interest rates, this is the perfect time to buy your first home, next house, or last property.To view all Byron GA Real Estate, please visit Homes for Sale in Byron GA.  08/23/2010