Housing/Construction Industry

Consumer Stories

Local investor seeks partnerships with real estate agents

A local, professional house buyer is looking for win-win relationships with real estate agents. Paul Myers, a local real estate investor and owner of Myers House Buyers, buys homes for cash. He speaks to brokerages and groups of agents about topics that bring them value on a monthly or quarterly basis. Topics range from his personal story of financial stewardship, to getting started in real estate investing, as well as professional sales training. Myers held one of these meetings in the ABD boardroom on Wednesday, March 2. About 15 real

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: When will the madness end?

Spring sales are coming friends! We are definitely still in a fast moving market. To date, we have experienced 46 months of an aggressive seller’s market. A seller’s market by definition is an economic situation in which goods are scarce and sellers can keep prices high. At this time, I am seeing the most desirable homes selling for approximately 10% over the list price in the CSRA. Keep this in mind as spring fever hits and you are buying or selling a home. Undoubtedly, the most common question everyone is

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: The draw of living the slow life

It has been an upward trend in our communities to sell your home and move out to a piece of property with room and privacy. However, with the draw to move from city life to the slow life steadily increasing, the chances of finding good land to build on is decreasing. Which is why I want to point you into the direction of GreenHead Homes. They have three more lots available in their development located in Harlem. One desirable feature, among others, is that the properties have no HOA! These

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Consumer Stories

Count of Augusta’s homeless population begins today

The homeless situation often is a concern of downtown businesses. Now Augusta is about to find out just how many people classified as homeless are living in the area. The 2022 Point-In-Time count of the homeless population in Augusta-Richmond County begins today and will run through the end of the month. This count is led by the Department of Housing and Community Development with help from other organizations. The count features a six-question survey that will determine demographic information, including mental health and addictions. Outreach programs, which many area businesses

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Homeowners may face tough choices with end of Covid mortgage protection

In December 2021, Covid mortgage protections provided by the government expired. This was concerning to owners, but likely embraced by lenders. These benefits kept those behind on mortgage payments safe from foreclosure. It sounded like a great idea at the time while you were in need of financial assistance, but now you owe all those “missed” payments in one large sum. I’m roughly estimating an average mortgage of $1,600 a month, missing mortgage payments from April 2020 through December 2021. That is about 20 payments and approximately $32,000. So what

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Keep it simple!

Recently, on CNN news, they stated that due to median house prices rising and lack of inventory, households earning between $75,000 – $100,000 per year only had an average of one affordable house to choose from for every 65 listings. This is a national average, but feels pretty accurate here in the Augusta area. The competition is extreme. If you are a buyer, always put your best offer forward. There are things that a seasoned agent will avoid accepting on offers. Here are a few tips that will make your

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: It’s Going To Be a Long WINTER

It is official, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow and we are looking down the scope of what is expected to be a long winter in the CSRA. Unfortunately for us, this rings true for real estate as well. I know we all hoped for a reprieve from the crazy market, but today’s statistics continue to be heavy-handed against buyers. The first big hit was an interest rate hike for the VA and FHA loan products. We are seeing these rates starting to hit over 4%. I have compiled a

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Going Green

The perceived job of a realtor is either intriguing to another, who wanted to try it, or it is etched with sales. I think we can all agree that some “salesmen” may not have the best reputation—and because of that may dissuade others from that career. Before I talk about going green and shift to the purpose of this article, here is the 411 on what type of knowledge and experience a good realtor will have. In my profession I have to wear many hats and I know working moms

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Agents can DOUBLE their commissions!

There is a niche real estate market in the CSRA in which investors are buying up properties. In today’s “Vodcast,” publisher Neil Gordon introduces you to an investor who partners with area realtors—and puts a lot of extra money in their pockets!

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: New Home Communities

Are you looking for a “new” new home in 2022? Buyers love to buy new homes and I completely understand the lure. When you buy a new home, you start fresh with a home warranty from your builder and manufacturers warranties on all the home appliances and major components. Traditionally the only things not covered are cosmetic issues. New home communities in the CSRA offer open house style viewing usually on Saturday and Sunday so you can go check out different communities, floor plans and builders while you are in

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