Shawna Woodward

Regular home maintenance is crucial for keeping your property in excellent condition and avoiding costly repairs down the line. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, an experienced one, or renting a home, these practical tips will help you stay on top of essential tasks to maintain your properties’ best functionality. 1. Inspect and Clean Gutters In my experience clogged gutters are worse than not having them at all here in Augusta. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, roof leaks, and foundation issues. Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts, especially during

Editor’s Note: As we are winding down a new month in a new year, it seemed a great time to recap what has happened and what is on the horizon for the CSRA real estate market. If you’re following the real estate market in Augusta, GA, you know it’s been an eventful year. From shifting demand to fluctuating interest rates, buyers and sellers alike are navigating a changing landscape. Here’s a snapshot of the latest trends, insights, and what I expect to see as we move toward the end of

As the New Year unfolds, many homeowners begin considering their goals for the months ahead. If selling your home in the spring is on your to-do list, now is the perfect time to start preparing. The spring real estate market is one of the busiest of the year, and getting a head start can help your home stand out among the competition. Here are the key areas to focus on to ensure your property is ready to shine when buyers start their search this spring. 1. Declutter and Organize A

Editor’s note: Welcome to a new year! Happy house hunting! As CSRA homeowners make changes after Helene and new potential homeowners move into the area, it seemed appropriate to repeat a column you might have missed about the potential of affordable homes in 2025. The question on everyone’s mind is whether 2025 will bring relief to homebuyers struggling with affordability. While recent fluctuations in mortgage rates have added uncertainty, many industry experts predict a gradual decline in rates next year. However, don’t expect rates to plummet too quickly. The powers

Publisher’s Note: A few months back, our resident Real Estate expert, Shawna Woodward looked into her crystal ball to share her insights on 2024. Here is the “best of” Real Talk Real Estate! If you’re following the real estate market in Augusta, GA, you know it’s been an eventful year. From shifting demand to fluctuating interest rates, buyers and sellers alike are navigating a changing landscape. Here’s a snapshot of the latest trends, insights, and what I expect to see as we move toward the end of 2024. Unfortunately, interest

Home appraisals are a critical step in the home-buying process, ensuring that you pay a fair price for the property and that your lender feels confident about the investment. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, understanding how appraisals work and what to expect can empower you during your home purchase. This guide will explain the appraisal process and inevitably what may happen when the real estate market surges again following an anticipated increase in sales activity. What Is a Home Appraisal? A home appraisal is an unbiased

If you’re following the real estate market in Augusta, GA, you know it’s been an eventful year. From shifting demand to fluctuating interest rates, buyers and sellers alike are navigating a changing landscape. Here’s a snapshot of the latest trends, insights, and what I expect to see as we move toward the end of 2024. Unfortunately, interest rates have continued to rise over the past year, putting a bit of a squeeze on affordability. Nonetheless, our area remains attractive to both local buyers and newcomers, thanks to the area’s quality

Christmas is quickly approaching and finding the right gifts for our favorite people can feel like a burden. Today, I thought I would share some of the best gift ideas for anyone you know who just moved into a home. Buying a home is a big milestone; finding the right gift to celebrate doesn’t have to break the bank. Practical, thoughtful, and affordable gifts can make a new space feel like home while helping new homeowners settle in. Here are my favorite gift ideas for young or first-time home buyers—all

The question on everyone’s mind is whether 2025 will bring relief to homebuyers struggling with affordability. While recent fluctuations in mortgage rates have added uncertainty, many industry experts predict a gradual decline in rates next year. However, don’t expect rates to plummet too quickly. The powers that be, believe a sudden drop could trigger a wave of buyer demand that might erase inventory gains, potentially driving prices back up. I am awaiting, hopefully, a drop to the 5.5% range so I can refinance my own mortgage. In 2023, I got