Angela Aull

Metro Atlanta Real Estate

Bring the Essence of Summer Blooms Inside with These Quick Décor Ideas

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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy bright floral blooms in gardens and parks. Vibrant colors enhance warm weather views, inviting us to relax and enjoy the season. So, why not take a little time this weekend to transform interior spaces with some flower-themed accents? Simple changes can brighten and update any room, from the bedroom to the living room. Here are a few simple décor ideas to get you started.

· Cushions and Throws – Swap out your normal cushions and throws with bold floral prints. Choose from sunny yellows, vibrant pinks, and calming greens to bring the energy of summer to your room.

· Blooming Wall Art – Introduce flower-themed wall art to create a focal point. Choose artwork that complements your existing color scheme while adding a burst of summer brightness.

· Fresh Flowers and Plants – Go to the source with fresh flowers and houseplants. A sunny window is a wonderful place for a blooming plant. Cutting blooms from your garden also make a great centerpiece for a dining or coffee table.

· Area Rugs – A floral rug can anchor a space and bring the room together. Many home stores even offer flower-shaped rugs that lend a sense of summer whimsy.

The summer season is the perfect time to bring the outdoors in. By adding a few floral accents paired with bright colors, you can freshen your spaces and create outdoor energy in any room.

Drone Photography

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Drone photography has revolutionized the way real estate agents market their listings. Highlighting the location or neighborhood can help potential buyers learn more about the property and increase interest in the home. But it is not as simple as buying a drone and launching it; there are specific rules that must be followed. Before you either take photos yourself or allow your agent to do so, learn the rules to ensure that you do not end up with fines.

· Licensing and Certifications – All commercial drone operators must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Photos and videos used in real estate listings fall into this category.

· Airspace Authorization – Some areas are in controlled airspace and prior authorization must be obtained before launching. Apps like B4UFLY or Airmap can help you determine if your property is subject to this restriction.

· Height Restrictions – Drones must fly below 400 feet to avoid interfering with manned aircraft. Operators should maintain a line of sight to
avoid obstacles and special waivers for night flying must be obtained ahead of time.

· Insurance – While not strictly required, homeowners should request any commercial drone pilots to obtain insurance to cover any  accidental damage or liability issues.

Finally, understand the privacy concerns of the neighborhood. If there is a Homeowner’s Association for the home, check the rules before scheduling. It is common courtesy to discuss in advance with any other homeowners whose property you plan to photograph. If there are concerns, you might offer the ability to review and approve any pictures before publication. Drone photography and video add so much to real estate marketing. Potential buyers gain a greater sense of the home and the area, which can increase the number of serious buyers interested in the property.

How Lenders Treat Commissions When Qualifying for a Home Loan

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One of the biggest factors lenders use in qualifying potential home buyers is income. When coupled with credit scores, income is critical in reducing the risk for the lender which in turn gives the buyer better terms, lowering costs. For most borrowers, income is a steady paycheck every few weeks, but for others, a sizable portion of their annual income comes from commissions or bonuses. Understanding how a lender applies this income to the qualifying criteria will help potential borrowers avoid frustration and successfully get a loan.

The main concern lenders have when evaluating risk is the consistency of the borrower’s income. Commissions and bonuses are variable, and lenders want to be assured that the income will continue. The first thing a borrower can do to reassure the underwriter is to offer strong documentation. People in the sales profession, for example, should be able to provide years of documented commissions. This shows a record of consistent commissions. Bonuses can be treated the same way.

For those who’ve recently started receiving commissions, lenders may limit the amount they use in determining income. Lenders are typically looking for two years of history to establish a pattern of earnings. They may ask for a letter from the employer to outline the commission and bonus structure.

The best strategy for those looking to get a home loan with  variable income is to plan. Provide strong and complete documentation up front. Maintaining excellent credit will also demonstrate stability. Lastly, prequalification becomes even more important for those who have commissions or bonuses as part of their income. Lenders may limit the amount of these variables when determining a maximum loan amount; knowing this upfront is important to understand before home shopping.

Choosing the Right Community

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Nothing is more frustrating than finding a wonderful house and then realizing that the neighborhood is not as great. Everyone has heard the
expression, “location, location, location,” and it’s one of the main reasons homeowners say they love their home. Yes, the chef’s kitchen is a nice feature, but if there are rules that are deal breakers in the HOA, the excitement fades quickly. Here are Six Questions to ask yourself that will help you find the right community:

1. Is there pride of ownership? Observing the community – the streets, the parks, the neighborhood yards – can tell you a lot about the location. Is there pride of ownership?

2. Is convenience important to you? Do you want to live close to highways, shopping, medical facilities, or schools? Do you prefer a more rural location with a slower pace? Carefully consider the lifestyle you want as part of the community analysis.

3. Are home values rising or falling? While the overall market will impact all communities, pay special attention to housing values and if they are declining, understand why.

4. Does the community have an HOA? Some people love HOAs for maintaining the community’s appearance while others do not want the restrictions they bring.

5. How are the schools rated? Regardless of whether you have school-aged children, the quality of the schools can affect property values, positively or negatively.

Selling the Family Home?

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Family is important, and your decision to sell your home may be difficult for those closest to you. Moving can create mixed emotions, and it’s important to help your family understand how and why you made your decision. Including family members in the process can prevent strong emotions from potentially sabotaging the sale.

As soon as you decide to sell your home, set aside time to have a serious conversation with the rest of your family. If you have children living at home, they may be fearful of leaving their home, their school, and possibly their friends. Listen to them and reassure them of the safety of the family unit.

You can’t promise that nothing will change, but share the good things you expect to get from the move; a bigger home, a better job, advantages of the new area, etc. Help your children see that you’ve considered them from the very beginning and explain why it will be a good move for them as well.

Adult children might be difficult as well. Even though they have left the home, they may be less than enthusiastic for several reasons. They may question your decision to move into the new home or area, or they might simply be nostalgic and sad to see their childhood home sold.

A home is a special place and the decision to sell, especially if you’ve been in the home for a long time, affects not just you but your family. You can help bring them into the conversation by making time to listen and understand their concerns and then share your own. This way, while you might not all agree, no one will feel left out of the decision.

Tips for the First-Time Home Seller

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There is a lot of attention paid to first-time homebuyers. Most real estate agents and lenders have some kind of guide to help first-time homebuyers navigate their first home purchase, but what about the first-time seller?

Selling your home for the first time can be just as confusing as a home purchase, so here are a few things to remember as you navigate your home sale.

Before that first showing, it’s important to prepare. This involves not only cleaning, decluttering, and staging the home, but also learning about your local real estate market and finding the best agent for your needs.

Interview more than one agent and ask lots of questions. Learn about the services they offer: do they include professional photography, video, or virtual tours? Ask for a comprehensive market analysis (CMA) and ask each agent their suggestion for the listing price and their method for arriving at that number. Use this information to determine the best agent to assist you.

Once you have an agent, stay involved. Discuss the plan for showings and open houses. Try and be flexible to allow for as many potential buyers as possible viewing your property. Review the listing online for accuracy and stay in touch with your agent for feedback from showings.

Once you start getting offers, respond as quickly as possible. It’s not just about the price; watch for terms, such as length of escrow and contingencies, when evaluating these offers. Be prepared to move so that you can take advantage of a good offer, such as all-cash.

The most important aspect of a successful home sale is the relationship you have with your agent. Be transparent about your needs, concerns, and goals; insist that your agent do the same, and working together you will navigate through your first home sale successfully.

Angela Aull | HomeSmart

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