There Are Multiple Offers. Now What?

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There Are Multiple Offers.  Now What?

Your Realtors in the Mountains of Northeast Georgia and Western North CarolinaAs the real estate market starts to recover, homes are selling and many areas are reporting serious declines in inventory.  I have read several reports lately which had less than 60 days inventory!

When there are more buyers than desirable properties, you are very likely to get into a Multiple Offer situation.  Will you get the opportunity to make a “highest and best” offer? That’s up to the seller.  You see, the seller is not required to give notice and ask for highest and best. Instead, he is free to take any offer he deems to be acceptable.  We’ve seen the buyers who don’t get the house say “well, I would have paid that too if they had just asked”. When they asked for your highest and best, they DID!!

How can you increase your odds of coming out on top?  Have your agent put together the cleanest offer you can.  This includes price, earnest money deposit, inspection period, closing date, you name it.  Don’t ask for concessions or contingencies.  Is it worth losing the house because you asked the seller to leave the patio furniture and the other buyer(s) didn’t?  Increase your earnest money deposit to show you’re serious.  If you’re paying cash then  offer to close quickly.  We have used this several times and always came out on Your Realtors in the Mountains of Northeast Georgia and Western North Caroinatop!

Just remember, if you get into a multiple offer situation and the seller asks for your highest and best – you have ONE shot.  Make sure it truly IS your highest and best.

Bill and Cyndi

Don’t Give Up If You Can’t Fly Before You Hatch!

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Your Realtors in the Mountains of NE Georgia and Western NC“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for a bird to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” C.S. Lewis

 

At the end of a very intense yoga session yesterday, the instructor read this quote by C.S. Lewis.  I’d never heard it before and as I sat there taking it in, my thoughts quickly shifted away from my intensely sore muscles.  Instead I thought of how this applies to our everyday life – both personal and business.  

 

We have a vision of where we want to go, who we want to be, what we want to do.  Yet so often we become easily and quickly disenchanted with our goal – our vision – because it doesn’t happen overnight.  You want to give up.  You convince yourself you could never do it.Your Realtors in the Mountains of NE Georgia and Western NC

The egg cannot fly without first taking the time to develop into a bird and likewise we cannot achieve our goals – our vision – without first taking time to develop.

 

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, we are like eggs at present and we must be hatched or go bad.

Namaste,

Cyndi

BUYER FAQ: Do I Need To Get A Home Inspection?

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Do I Need To Get A Home Inspection?

Do I Need To Get A Home InspectionOne question we are frequently asked when working with buyers is “do I need a home inspection”?   Unless you are purchasing a brand new, custom built home that has been inspected through each step of the building process, then the answer is a resounding YES! Believe it or not, there are some times when I would even recommend a home inspection for a brand new home too!  Trust me, not all builders are created equal!

A home inspector is going to do a more thorough check with a different set of eyes – and with a different set of expectations than your real estate agent.  They are going to crawl UNDER the house (most agents don’t do that), they are going to crawl in the attic, they are going to get ON the roof, they are going to poke, prod and peer into every nook and cranny.   As a neutral party to the transaction, they are going to tell you what you NEED to know about the house you’ve fallen in love with.

Another question we are asked frequently is whether or not you should attend the inspection.  If you are able, I strongly suggest it.  If the home inspector finds something that needs to be fixed, he can take the time and show it to you if you’re there.  You can ask him any questions and get a good reading of how serious it is, or isn’t.  This is much better than you just reading the report and not knowing if you should be freaking out about something you read there or not!

Case in point.  Last week we closed on a house.  When I wrote the offer, the buyer asked me “do I need to get a home inspection” and as usual I said yes.  Armed with the names of a couple of inspectors, she called them and set up an appointment for the next day with one.   Since I had to open the lockbox and let them all in, I went as well.  The majority of the inspection went perfectly except for one issue – the corner of foundation/crawl space had a significant crack on each side of the corner.  He took us under the deck (I could stand upright so no crawling) and showed it to us. By being there she was able to ask him questions and get herDo I Need To Get A Home Inspection concerns addressed and we moved forward with the closing and made arrangements to have it fixed.  I am afraid that if she had received the report via email and read the home inspectors comments rather than hearing them and asking questions, she might not have been so anxious to proceed.

Keep in mind that the inspector is going to cite any issue he finds, even it it might be functioning properly today.  They may say something  like “the roof is nearing the end of it’s useful life”. That doesn’t mean it’s leaking and needs to be replaced.

Always check the home inspectors “warranty” period.  Many are only 30-90 days.  This warranty covers anything that the home inspector should have seen and didn’t.  It won’t cover a stove that goes bad 30 days after closing.  It should cover a big crack in the foundation that is apparent was there before closing.

In closing, I will always recommend a home inspection.   It’s always better to find out if there is a problem BEFORE you close rather than after.

Happy Shopping!

Cyndi

Bill and Cyndi Daves are REALTORS in the mountains of NE Georgia and Western North Carolina.

If you are in need of the services of professional, caring and qualified brokers, please give us a call.

We’ll treat you like family – or better!

What Is There To Do In Hayesville, NC

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Got Cabin Fever?

Got Cabin Fever?

What Is There To Do In Hayesville?

What is there to do in Hayesville, North Carolina? If you’re visiting Hayesville North Carolina this week you’re undoubtedly enjoying some sunny but chilly temperatures.  If Mother Nature has you and your family experiencing some vacation cabin fever you may be asking yourself  “What is there to do in Hayesville”

Enjoy Yoga?  Sunrise Yoga Studio on the Square in downtown Hayesville offers a full range of classes during the week.  Whether you’re a novice or a skilled Yogi, the studio has something for everyone. Check the calendar and then come and visit with instructor/owner Julie Shaw or one of the other great instructors. Drop in rates are available.

Visit Sunrise Yoga Studio

Visit Sunrise Yoga Studio

 

While you’re on the Square, take some time to learn about the history of Clay County and Hayesville from the 1800’s until today at the Centennial Exhibit.  The exhibit includes photographs, quilts, pottery and other artisan displays from the local area. The Centennial Exhibit is located next to the Post Office just off the square, it is open on Friday and Saturdays from 11 am until 4 pm.

 

Dreamed of taking a cooking class with a world-renowned chef? You can do that right here in Hayesville at The Copper Door Restaurant.  On select Fridays Chef Dennis will walk you through making some of your favorite items from the Copper Door menu.   The theme for this Friday’s class, which runs from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, is Vegetarian Dinner Party.

 

Wind down your busy Friday at the The John C. Campbell Folk School “Playing On The Planet”  The concert begins at 7pm in the Community Room of the Keith House.  Admission is free.  The John C. Campbell Folk School is a short 15 minute drive from the Square.

 

NC Cooperative Extension Service 2014 Plant SalePerhaps you have a home here and want to add some new plants to your landscape?  The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is having it’s 2014 Annual Plant Sale. Orders will be taken through February 21. The list includes apple, pear, cherry, peach and plum trees, as well as blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry and grape plants. Please download and fill in the order form or you may come by the Clay County Extension Office to place your order. Payments are due by February 21. Plants may be picked up Wednesday, March 5 noon-6:00. No early pickups.

There’s plenty to do in Hayesville, North Carolina!  Don’t let Mother Nature and the chilly weather keep you cooped up this weekend!  Get out and enjoy yourself!

Bill and Cyndi

Market Report – Homes For Sale in Clay County NC

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MARKET REPORT – HOMES FOR SALE IN CLAY COUNTY NC

Market Report: Homes For Sale in Clay County NC

Market Report: Homes For Sale in Clay County NC

 

Clay County North Carolina is the second fastest growing county in Western North Carolina.  Here you will find Brasstown, Warne and the county seat, Hayesville.  Whether you enjoy hiking or biking on a mountain trail, fishing or boating on Lake Chatuge, shopping for antiques and handcrafted items on the Square in Hayesville and throughout the community, you will enjoy the charming shops and warm and friendly people.

 

Just another reason for YOU to consider looking at Homes For Sale in Clay County, NC!

 

There are currently 280 homes for sale in Clay County, NC.  The list prices range from a low of $39,900 for a 1930’s farmhouse to a high of $2,700,000 for a 8124 sf estate home on Lake Chatuge.  The median price for those 280 properties is $229,000.  The DOM (days on market) range for these homes is from a low of 2 days to a high of 3781 with a median 196 days on the market.

A good indicator of the market of course is SOLD properties.  In 2012 there were 142 homes sold in Clay County, NC.  They ranged in price from $12,750 for a doublewide mobile home (in serious need of rehab) on 2 acres to $755,000 for an Equestrian Estate on 60 acres.  The median price of the homes sold was $135,000.   The DOM range is from a low of 2 days to a high of 1590 with a median 190 days on the market.   In 2013 there were 137 homes sold in Clay County, NC.  They ranged in price from $15,000 for a “rehab project” farmhouse to $910,000 for a 2-story rustic craftsman pool home on Lake Chatuge.  The median price of homes

Market Report: Homes For Sale in Hayesville, NC

Market Report: Homes For Sale in Hayesville, NC

sold in Clay County NC during 2013 was $145,000.  That’s an increase in median price of slightly over 7.4%.  With many market areas reporting a continued decrease in the median sales price year-over-year, this is definitely good news for sellers!

All indicators are that it’s going to be another great year here in the mountains!  If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Clay County, NC don’t delay!  If you would like to receive a current list of homes for sale in Clay County, NC that’s updated each time a new property comes on the market CLICK HERE to register.  Include your email address and type CLAY COUNTY in the message box.

We’ll be happy to get you started on your way to finding the perfect home for sale in Clay County, NC.

Bill and Cyndi

Are YOU Receptive To Inspiration?

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Are YOU Receptive To Inspiration?

Are You Receptive To Inspiration

The desire to provide interesting content in a blog keeps me on my toes.  I am constantly asking myself  “what could I write about this or that”.  Of course, the next question to automatically pop into my head is “would anyone find it interesting”?  Keeping the audience in mind, we  make every effort to write content that we hope the general public will find interesting and informative and assist them with their real estate experience. This requires us to keep our eyes, ears and brains wide open to receive that inspiration.

I recently received an email from a friend/client/fellow blogger which contained 100 writing prompts.   This reminded me of when our daughters were taking their end-of-year writing exams in school.  For the test the students are given a prompt and then have to write an essay about it within a certain time-frame.  They were graded on quality of content and, of course, grammar.  To prepare them we would have “practice” exams at home where I would give them a random prompt and have them write for me.  When it came time to take their exams at school, they had the confidence that they could handle any topic and produce proper content with ease.

One of the most important aspects of writing is to keep your mind open and receptive. Inspiration can strike at any time.  However, if your mind is not in the receiving mode, it will simply pass you by totally unnoticed.

This concept applies in other areas of our lives as well.  Opportunity, like inspiration, can come in many forms.  We may be searching for something so intensely that we cannot “see the forest for the trees”.   Sometimes we see something so often that it simply disappears from our mental vision.

Keep your mind open.   Hear the birds.  Smell the roses.   Enjoy the beauty around you.

And, if you’re a writer, having a pen and paper handy helps a lot too!

Bill and Cyndi