Mon, September 09, 2024

Thought Leaders

Shawna Woodward

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: Homeowners Insurance Woes

In recent months, Iโ€™ve noticed some concerning trends affecting homeowners across the country. You may have faced increasing difficulties in obtaining and retaining your own homeownerโ€™s insurance. These challenges have become particularly pronounced, affecting both new and existing homeowners. After witnessing the rising insurance costs firsthand, I felt we could all use an update on what to expect moving forward. One of the primary issues homeowners face is the rising cost of insurance premiums. Several factors have contributed to this increase, including, a rise in natural disasters, a rise in

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Consumer Stories

Fun at Work for Employees and Business: A Winning Strategy for Both!

The workplace is viewed as an intense and driven environment that continuously strives to increase production while enhancing efficiencies. Push, push, push is the motto, and employees are the engine to drive success and navigate wins for any organization. All too often, however, we have all witnessed burnout, decreased teamwork, and declining morale as employees feel unenergized, isolated, and unhappy with little attention to employee mental welfare. Employees are complex and come with differing needs in the workplace, while also being preoccupied with personal situations from home. Infusing a little

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Expo Preview

Connections and Career Conference: ConceptHR

The first words you see on the ConceptHR website say: โ€œWe Know You by Name: The ConceptHR Difference.โ€ CEO, Tim Carpenter believes strongly in that notion. โ€œWeโ€™re very hands-on, very close to our clients. We do what we call concierge service and put our arms around our clients to give them the best service we possibly can,โ€ he said. With seasoned expert staff and a reachable local CSRA presence, ConceptHR has a competitive advantage in the small-business market providing advanced technology with people-to-people support. Their clients donโ€™t have to search

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Inside Scoop: Custom-Built Homes on Acreage in Appling, GA

Are you yearning for a little piece of land in a great area that you can build your own customized home on? Tired of dealing with your HOA and living a sneeze-shot away from your neighbors? Well, I have the scoop on a few great off-market options owned by Greenhead Homes. Letโ€™s explore why you would consider moving to Appling. Appling offers a unique blend of rural charm and convenient access to amenities. Itโ€™s a community where you can enjoy the great outdoors, whether it’s boating on Clarks Hill Lake

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Consumer Stories

Overwhelmed with Medicare Part D Requirements?

What words come to your mind when you think of Medicare Part D? Complex โ€“ Confusing โ€“ Ever-Changing โ€“ Choices โ€“ Deadlines? Not only do you have to maintain the success of your operations, employee retention, payroll taxes, and employee insurances but you must also comply with Medicare Part D requirements. What is Medicare Part D? Medicare Part D is an option to help cover prescription costs for everyone who qualifies for Medicare. It is a separate prescription drug plan which varies in costs and covered drugs, all of which

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Shawna Woodward

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: Navigating the Home Inspection: A Guide for Buyers

The home inspection is a crucial part of the home-buying process, impacting both buyers and sellers. While it can be one of the more stressful steps, especially after the physical demands of moving, itโ€™s essential for ensuring that your new home is safe and sound. In my 20 years of experience, Iโ€™ve never seen a home inspection that didnโ€™t uncover something. Understanding the terminology and the process will help you make informed decisions without unnecessary worry. When you receive your inspection report, youโ€™ll see terms like defective, deferred maintenance, monitor,

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Consumer Stories

Lions, and Tigers, and ACAโ€ฆoh my!

So, todayโ€™s business mail has a letter from the IRS waiting for you. Those are always awesome. You open the envelope and read something about the tax year 2021 and: โ€œDear Employer: Our records show you may have been an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) and therefore are required to file certain information returns.โ€ Waitโ€ฆ what? Though there have been a few changes since its inception in March of 2010, many employers are still unaware that they have been deemed by the IRS to be an ALE and are left scrambling

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Unlocking Real Estate Secrets: 3 Top Googled Questions Answered

We all do it, take all our questions about real estate to the infamous Google! Initially, they mostly revolve around the same topic everyone is curious about: โ€œWhen is the housing market going to crash?โ€ Frankly, Iโ€™m a bit tired of that one, so let’s talk about a few other commonly searched questions. Can You Sell a Property After Probate? This is a common question, but not one many people are familiar with. Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s assets and debts. Depending on whether thereโ€™s

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Consumer Stories

ConceptHR Corner Interviews: Whatโ€™s Illegal to Ask?

Federal and state laws generally require employers to limit their interview questions to those that are essential for determining if a person is qualified for the job. In general, employers should not ask about race, gender, religion, marital status, national origin, or age because that information is irrelevant in determining if an applicant is qualified for the job. Also, federal law expressly prohibits employers from making pre-employment inquiries about an applicantโ€™s disability. Illegal interview questions are those that single an individual out for reasons that are contrary to employment anti-discrimination

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: How School Choice and Ratings Influence Your Home-Buying Decision

When buying a home, specific needs often narrow down the selection. Key factors include community amenities, the home’s size, proximity to work, and features like a garage or yard. One often underestimated element that significantly impacts property values and choices is school zoning. School choice and school ratings profoundly influence lifestyle choices, purchase locations, and homeowner happiness. Since back-to-school posts are flooding our feeds right now, I thought we could talk about how compelling this factor is when it comes to buying a home. Homebuyers are no longer merely checking

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