Scenario #1

THINK:  I want to spend the least amount of cash at Closing.

ASK:   “I want to know the best rate for a 30 Year fixed rate loan with no more than $________ in closing costs.”

Scenario #2

THINK:  I want the best rate.

ASK:  ”What are the closing costs for a 30 Year, Fixed Rate loan, at _____%.”

Depending on your situation, “limited cash” or “best rate”, use one of the above questions and Only That Question and present to 3 lenders.  You will have fixed the most important variable For You and now only need the compare the other variable against the lenders.  APR  vs Closing Costs.

A friend of mine, and Mortgage Banker, turned me onto this truism.  There are so many variables that add into APR and Closing Costs that it surpasses one’s threshold to compare.  By isolating one of the two variables, a mortgage shopper has in effect isolated many variables.  (Discount Points, Origination Points, Fees, Appraisals, etc, etc.)

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 5. See more city of Woodstock real estate.
(all data current as of 2/3/2012)

1. $650,000 : 2206 Cox Road, Woodstock
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,707 sq ft

   Year built: 1993

   Parking spots: 3

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
2. $650,000 : 138 Myrtle Road, Woodstock
   
   5 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 3,518 sq ft

   Year built: 1978

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
3. $680,000 : 302 Whistle Wood Lane, Woodstock
   
   6 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 4,368 sq ft

   Year built: 1989

   Parking spots: 3

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
4. $689,900 : 109 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,290 sq ft

   Year built: 1910

   Parking spots: 1

   Square foot source: Appraisal
   
5. $699,000 : 360 Chambers Street, Unit 201, Woodstock
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,067 sq ft

   Year built: 2007

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

• Require “little to no” work to be  Move-In ready
• Located in Subdivisions with great amenities
• Located near shopping, restaurants, and highways
• Are a demonstrated good value vs. comparable properties.

• 251 Old Tassel Court, Woodstock, GA 30189 (MLS # 4231985)

  (all data current as of 2/3/2012)
  
  

  View Virtual Tour

  Price	$135,000
  Beds	3
  Baths	2 full, 1 half
  Home size	2,052 sq ft
  Lot Size	10,018 sq ft

  GREAT FLOOR PLAN IN TOWNE LAKE COMMUNITY. SUNROOM ADDED OFF THE KITCHEN. SIDE ENTRY GARAGE. 3RD BEDROOM W/BONUS ROOM. CARPET IN BEDROOMS ONLY. GORGEOUS CORNER LOT W/FENCED YARD. NEEDS SOME TLC

  

  Property Type(s): Residential

  Last Updated	1/4/2012	Tract	Deer Run
  Year Built	1996	Community	Cherokee County (112)
  Garage Spaces	2.0	County	Cherokee
  Total Parking	2

  Schools

  Elementary School	Carmel
  Jr. High School	Woodstock
  High School	Woodstock

  Additional Details

  Initiation Fee	0	Lot	692
  Lot Dimensions	.230	Waterfront Footage	0
  Annual Assoc Fee	550	Annual Master Assoc. Fee	0
  SqFt Source	Tax Record

  Features

  Age Description	Resale
  Appliance Desc.	"Dishwasher", "Garbage Disposal", "Gas Ovn/Rng/Ctop", "Microwave"
  Basement Description	"Slab/None"
  Bedroom Description	"Other"
  Construction Desc.	"Frame", "Stucco - Unknown"
  Cooling Description	"Central Electric", "Fan"
  Dining Room Description	"Separate Dng Rm"
  Dock	"None"
  Energy Features	"Extra Insulation", "Storm Doors"
  Exterior	"Fenced Yard"
  Fireplace Features/Location	"Factory Built", "Gas Starter", "In Living Room"
  Handicapped Desc.	"None"
  Heat Type	"Forced Air", "Gas"
  Home Warranty	Negotiable
  House Faces	Unknown
  Interior	"2-Story Foyer", "Entrance Foyer", "Hardwood Floors", "High Speed Internet Available", "His & Her Closets"
  Kitchen Features	"Breakfast Bar", "Counter Top - Laminated", "Pantry", "View To Fmly Rm"
  Lake Name	NONE
  Laundry Features/Location	"Kitchen", "Laundry Room"
  Lot Description	"Corner", "Cul-De-Sac", "Level"
  Master Bath Features	"Garden Tub", "Sep His/Hers", "Sep Tub/Shower"
  Neighborhood Amenities	"Club House", "Homeowners Assoc", "Park", "Playground", "Sidewalk", "Street Lights", "Swimming Pool", "Tennis Lighted"
  Owner Financing ?	No
  Parking Desc.	"2 Car Garage", "Detached", "Kitchen Level", "Side/Rear Entry"
  Pool on Property?	"None"
  Property Category	Residential Detached
  Road Type	"Paved"
  Roof Type	"Other"
  Rooms Description	"Bonus Room", "Sun Room"
  Setting	"Golf"
  Sewer Description	"Pub Swr Connectd"
  Special Circumstances	"Fixer Upper", "Other", "Potential Short Sale", "Sold As/Is"
  SqFt Source	Tax Record
  Stories	2 Stories
  Style	"Traditional"
  Swim/Tennis Fee Due	None
  Water Source	Public Water

  Location

  Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

  Listing provided courtesy of PRUDENTIAL GEORGIA REALTY

  (view all details for MLS #4231985)

1. $300,000 : 915 Pine Circle, Woodstock
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 4,066 sq ft

   Year built: 1965

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
2. $242,900 : 505 Helene Court, Woodstock
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,908 sq ft

   Year built: 2004

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
3. $289,900 : 501 Scenic Way, Woodstock
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,286 sq ft

   Year built: 1993

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
4. $239,000 : 412 Gael Way, Woodstock
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,364 sq ft

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
5. $239,900 : 402 W Leslie Court, Woodstock
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Year built: 1987

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Not Available
   
6. $285,000 : 1068 Longwood Drive, Woodstock
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,129 sq ft

   Year built: 1993

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
7. $218,500 : 802 Springdale Crossing, Woodstock
   
   5 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Year built: 1991

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Not Available
   
8. $229,900 : 172 Bradshaw Park Dr Drive, Woodstock
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,776 sq ft

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
9. $249,900 : 702 Parkside Drive, Woodstock
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,482 sq ft

   Year built: 1999

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
10. $254,900 : 429 Old Deerfield Lane, Woodstock
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 3,482 sq ft

    Year built: 1999

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
11. $230,000 : 115 Saddlehorn Court, Woodstock
    
    3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,608 sq ft

    Year built: 1988

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
12. $240,000 : 908 Bendleton Drive, Woodstock
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,348 sq ft

    Year built: 2003

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
13. $283,900 : 106 Lakestone Parkway, Woodstock
    
    5 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 255 sq ft

    Year built: 2012

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
14. $284,900 : 225 Lakestone Overlook, Woodstock
    
    5 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 255 sq ft

    Year built: 2010

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
15. $235,000 : 903 Willow Branch Court, Woodstock
    
    5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Year built: 1998

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Not Available
    
16. $229,000 : 539 Ashland Parkway, Woodstock
    
    7 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 4,064 sq ft

    Year built: 2002

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
17. $239,900 : 409 Ridgeview Court, Woodstock
    
    5 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 3,366 sq ft

    Year built: 1999

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Builder
    
18. $249,750 : 6000 Seren Cove, Woodstock
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,582 sq ft

    Year built: 1993

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
19. $249,900 : 606 Chickory Court, Woodstock
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,896 sq ft

    Year built: 2005

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    
20. $200,000 : 205 Hardman Way, Woodstock
    
    3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,800 sq ft

    Year built: 1986

    Parking spots: 2

    Square foot source: Tax Record
    

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Agents who seek to be informed will find a wealth of knowledge provided GAR.  Information is value in the modern era of real estate and consumers appreciate unbiased fact filled information to help them make the decision to buy or sell a home.

Consumers will find a better understanding of the REALTOR trade organization and the many benefits they are afforded by the actions of GAR Advocacy in Local, State, and National Politics.

Bobbi Cowart and Ben Carter have made the commitment to get in the game due to increased buyer interest in niche specific markets.  We are excited to have them join our team and look forward to working with each of them to develop their strategy for success.

Ms. Cowart has multiple years of lending and real estate experience and admits she is looking forward to working with on-line home buyers by engaging them early in the buying process.  Maxsell Real Estate generates organic web leads via a strong web presence and strategic SEO policys.

Mr. Carter is the owner of Carter Realty, a property management company in Georgia, and has chosen to work with Maxsell Real Estate in a Sales capacity.  We are excited to work with Ben to develop target specific websites to assist buyers and sellers in their endeavor to learn more about the “hyper-local real estate markets” that are Cherokee County.

We wish them both the highest levels of success.

• Require “little to no” work to be  Move-In ready
• Located in Subdivisions with great amenities
• Located near shopping, restaurants, and highways
• Are a demonstrated good value vs. comparable properties.

 Woodlands Subdivision: 5 Beds, 2.5 Baths $214,900

Listing Provided by ERA Sunrise Realty

925 Bendleton Dr, Woodstock 30188

If you are actively pursuing a purchase and would like assistance in seeing this property, please contact Mike or Heather at opendoor@maxsell.net.  We strive to “open that door” within 3 to 8 hours of your request.

Click Here for More Information on the Above Property

Price:  $139,900

Address:  500 Ashland Parkway, Woodstock, GA  30189

Each week, I am picking a sweet Home deal in the Woostock area.
The deals are chosen based off the following criteria:

• Attractive price for today’s top buyer pool
• Quality of finishes, style and character
• Ease of projects to make move-in ready.
• Proximity to shops, restaurants and neighborhood amenities

For buyer representation on any of these homes, please contact Mike or Heather at opendoor@maxsell.net. We can have you inside within 3-10 hours of your inquiry!

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — JUNE 2011
(excerpted from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Report, July 8 2011)

Nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged in June (+18,000), and the unemployment rate was little changed at 9.2 percent.

Employment in most major private-sector industries changed little over the month. Government employment continued to trend down.

Household Survey Data

The number of unemployed persons is 14.1 million.

The unemployment rate is 9.2 percent.

Since March, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 545,000, and the unemployment rate has risen by 0.4 percentage points.

The labor force is at 153.4 million.

The number of persons unemployed for less than 5 weeks increased by 412,000 in June.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over)

was essentially unchanged over the month, at 6.3 million, and accounted for 44.4 percent of the unemployed.

Establishment Survey Data

Following gains averaging 215,000 per month from February through April,

employment has been essentially flat for the past 2 months.

Excepted from: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

OK OK.  I’ll take it down a notch but there are some important observations about the difference between now vs. the housing boom of 2004-2006?

• In many states, there are half the agents employed now vs. then (higher standards)
• Home prices have fallen 30% according to the Case Shiller Index (better values)
• Unemployment has nearly doubled to 8.7% (less buyer competition)
• Interest rates remain at all time lows (purchasing power)
• 1/3 of all homes for sale are short sales or foreclosures (equity opportunity)
• Loans have been created to assist in purchasing with little money down (not what they said on the news, is it?)
• Loans have been created to assist in buying ugly houses and making them beautiful (with little money down)

Analytically speaking, we find ourselves in the perfect buyers market.  Conversely, most home buyers would agree that if each observation above were stated in the opposite, it would be called a seller’s market.  True?  And Yes, that is what we had in 2005-2006.

While I will proudly say that “Now is the time to buy a house”, be assured the statement is based on observable facts and unlike in 2005 where hindsight shows us that many home purchases were purchased for a variety of other, very different, reasons.