Shawna Woodward

Starting May 1, 2023, the Federal Housing Finance Agency will enforce new fee adjustments for federally backed home mortgage companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Loan-Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) will affect all private banks and mortgage companies across the U.S. The new rule aims to subsidize high-risk borrowers by imposing intentional disruption to traditional risk-based pricing. This policy, however, comes with added costs for homebuyers with credit scores of 680 or higher. These homebuyers may pay approximately $40 more per month on a $400,000 loan. Those who make down

There is much news to share regarding all things real estate in the AUG this week. First, I want to let you know that I have heard a tale of a VA loan with a 5% interest rate! Will you qualify for 5%? Probably not, but it is a start towards what I hope will encourage the fence riders to hop on down! I come to you today with a quick market update. Take this information as you will, but remember, owning a home will always be a wise step

It’s Masters week here in Augusta, Georgia! This is the week where a third of the town has left for spring break, a third has stayed to staff one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world, and the last third are wondering what the heck is going on! Essentially, living here in Augusta, you have heard about renting your house out for Masters Week. Renting can be super exciting and very profitable if you are suited for this task. Knowing that there are loads of questions that surround this

As the days get longer, now is an excellent time to complete a few home maintenance tasks before it gets unbearably hot outside. One of the first things you should do is clean out the gutters. The best practice is to remove all leaves, pine needles, and any other debris that has accumulated. We get a lot of rain in the spring, so you want to make sure the gutters and downspouts are not blocked. Clogged gutters can be the main cause of damage to siding, interior ceilings, and property

My husband and I are in a new phase of life. We have found ourselves straddling life as empty nesters, but knew our current home couldn’t house our future. About 2 years ago, we decided it was time to make a move. In all honesty, I didn’t want to do it! Being a realtor, I am intimately aware of the hard work it takes to find a home and move. If you are familiar with the enneagrams, I am a 1 wing 9 and like to declare myself as a

The decision to buy your home or rent your home is a crucial financial choice. It requires careful consideration. I often get asked which of the two is the better option. My answer is always, “It depends!” In this article, I will compare and contrast buying a home versus renting a home to help you make an informed decision. Buying a Home Pros: Equity: When you buy a home, you build equity in the property. This means that as you make mortgage payments and the property value appreciates, you own

This is the time of year people get the itch to sell their homes. Whether you have been waiting for spring to come, or the beautiful sunny days have you thinking about making a big move, here is some wise advice on what to focus on while you are getting ready. I have been selling real estate for 18 years in the CSRA and I have seen a lot of homes. Back some years ago, I remember having a home for sale that I felt was less than desirable in

A few days ago, I found out that Braydon and I were the top Re/Max agent contributors to the Children’s Miracle Network for Georgia in 2022. We give in the honor of our clients on every sales transaction. Because of you, and your unwavering support, we are able to help families in Augusta, Georgia at our local children’s hospital, AU. I want to thank you all for choosing us to be your real estate agent and thought this would be a great time to share the “why” behind our choice

As a short backstory to preface this article, I am going to tell you how and why I got into Real Estate. As a young high school grad, like most people, I had no clue what I wanted as a career. I spent years in college swapping majors trying to determine what it was that I was good at, and what I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. Eventually, I decided that whatever it was I was looking for was not going to be found in

One of the questions I get asked frequently is, “What kind of mortgage loan should I choose?” With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. In this article, we’ll explore five different types of mortgage loans: FHA, USDA, Conventional, VA, and Hard Money loans. FHA Loans: Perfect for First-Time Homebuyers The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a government agency that insures mortgages, making it easier for first-time homebuyers to qualify for a loan. FHA loans typically have lower down payment requirements