Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate November 18th, 2011

I was saddened to hear that Karl Slover, one of the last remaining Munchkins from the beloved 1939 Wizard of Oz, passed away on November 15th. The Washington Post article states that Karl died from cardiopulmonary arrest. Karl Slover had several roles in the film including lead trumpeter of the Munchkin band, a townsman and a soldier. There are only 3 remaining Munchkins left from the production of the Wizard of Oz.

Karen and I had an opportunity to meet Karl Slover at a friend’s home last year. The local friend is a collector and expert on all things Judy Garland and a dear friend of Karl’s.

A cherished photo of us and Karl Slover last year

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate November 12th, 2011

Basic Home Staging Tips

The term staging refers to all the things you can do to make your home sparkle, which we know through experience is a KEY to obtaining the highest possible sales price.

1. Create good curb appeal.  When the potential purchasers step from the salesperson’s car and see you home for the first time, you want that first impression to be a “WOW”!  The lawn, bushes, flowers, etc., should be kept cut, trimmed, and edged.
2. At the front door you want to maintain that great first impression. As the potential purchasers wait to enter your home they will be inspecting its exterior condition.  So, be sure the front door and surrounding area are scrubbed clean and painted if necessary.  You may wish to enhance the entrance area with decorative planter of colorful flowering plants.
3. Keep the window areas clean and dressed up with curtains or drapes. Keep the curtains or drapes open when the home is being shown so as to keep the interior bright and cheery.
4. If any of the interior walls need scrubbing or painting it is a good idea to get that accomplished immediately.  Money spent on interior painting is usually more than recovered in the final sales price.  Be sure to use a bright and neutral color.
5. Be sure to keep the kitchen area sparkling and neat since it is an area of major importance.  This is not always convenient, but the kitchen often sells the home.
6. The bathrooms are also utmost importance.   Be sure to keep them scrubbed and neat.
7. Make up the beds each day and make sure all clothes are hung neatly away.
8. During evening showings be sure to leave lights on in each room.  This helps to show the home in its best light and makes the potential purchasers feel welcome.
9. Keep all stairways clear of hazards.  Make sure dishes, clothes, toys, newspapers and magazines, etc., are put away.
10. Keep the family pet out of the way during showing.  If the potential purchasers are uneasy around your pet, they will not want to stay.  And, if they enjoy seeing your pet, they will be distracted.  In either case, they are not focused on your home.
11. It is important for the potential purchasers to feel as comfortable as possible while in your home.  So as not to make them feel as if they are intruding, it is a good idea for you and your children to leave them alone with the salesperson.  They will then feel more comfortable to stay and take a good look, and the salesperson can do his/her job.  They will find you if they have a question.

 The more your home looks like a model home the closer to top market value you will receive!

Staging your home is one of the things we can control in today’s market, along with price and overall condition. Staging is important and I can help. I hold the Accrediated Staging Professional Designation so I can provide staging help to my clients at no additional cost! So are you suck at the staging step? Call me I’m happy to help! 706-589-1360 or you can alway connect with me online at

Tags: home staging, staging, staging a home

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate November 9th, 2011

Time to get in the holiday spirit and these Augusta area holiday events are just the thing to get you in the holiday mood! The Augusta area offers a variety of events including art, music, theater and sports! Something for everyone.

Tags: augusta, augusta events, augusta holiday events 2011, holiday events 2011

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate November 8th, 2011

Something a little FUN about me:

1. I’m the youngest of 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls)

2. Not a native of Augusta, GA hail from HOT-LANTA!

3. I love the game show Jeopardy and if not home I DVR it.

4. Secretly a good bowler. Played in tournament bowling and carried a 180 average back in the day.

5. I love real estate, but hate to move. I’m a find a place and settle kind of person although I like people that move…that keeps me employed!

6. My first real job was at Taco Bell, still have a hard time eating there….you know what I mean!

7. I am an avid reader and not including my Kindle and my Bible I have at least 2 books going a one time.

8. I have 3 chihuahua “babies” in addition to my teenage daughter named Max (my old man), Reagan (the attention stealer) and Copper (the scaredy cat)

9. I have 3 tatoos (sorry mom) and one does include some Chinese writing.

10. I have a shoe problem and my family is in intervention mode.

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Tags: caroline ashe, caroline ashe blanchard calhoun

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate November 6th, 2011

Buying or selling a home brings with it different experiences for everyone. With the notion that all people are different the same idea will be true for two different realtors. When looking for your next realtor in the Augusta area, you may start to go batty! There area many many choices when it comes to realtors in Augusta. Don’t let the task of choosing the right realtor overwhelm you, keep a few of these must-have charateristics in mind and choosing a great realtor in Augusta and just an OK one will be easier than you think.

Communication: Buying or selling a home is a big deal! A great realtor will provide constant communication and an easy explanation of the process and answers to your questions in a way you can understand. Communication is key and must be present for a positive buying or selling experience.

Accessibility: In the real estate biz you might hear, “Time is of the Essence.” Ask a realtor, how accessible they are on the weekends and after hours. A great realtor will be easy to reach and will communicate with their clients if they are out of town or will not be easily reach for a time period. Find out all the ways the realtor can be reached, text, email and do they use a smart phone or not. Never use a part-time realtor to do the full-time job of selling your home or helping you purchase a home. Deals are done in the matter of minutes not days and a great realtor will be on top of it!

Experience: This is key. A seasoned realtor has been there and done that, so to speak. The great realtor will help you to know what to expect in different scenarios making for a much smoother transaction. Knowing what to expect helps buyers and sellers have no surprises along the way. An experienced realtor can be the difference in a good deal and an awesome deal!

Honesty: You realtor has to “have your back.” This means telling you something that could jeopardize the deal. A great realtor will be completely transparent with you no matter what, because your best interest should be the great realtor’s top priority. If you feel like your realtor is not fighting their hardest for you, it’s time for a change. Having an advocate for you when buying or selling is a must!

Realtors in Augusta vary, so do your homework, be picky and find a great realtor to represent you the next time you plan to buy or sell.

You can find out HERE why my past clients think I’m a great realtor in Augusta!

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Tags: buying, buying or selling, great realtor in augusta, great realtors in augusta, purchase a home selling, real estate, realtor in augusta, realtor in augusta area, realtors in augusta, smart phone

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate November 4th, 2011

HARP or  the Home Affordable Refinance Program announced last month it’s gaining support from the nations largest lenders Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo.

This is big news as the participation in the HARP program is voluntary. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac  will roll out the complete guidelines by November 15th for the banks to review and start their implementation process. Due to each of the lenders processes being different and needing to get the program’s operational items and information to the local mortgage lenders the ultimate timing  for each lender is unknown. But in a statement Bank of America said they hope to be taking application for the HARP program by December 1st.

This is an update to my recent blog post - Recently Announced Home Affordable Refinancing Program – my 2 cents!

The questions are many and it’s important to help educate yourself and homeowners that this will help so be sure to spread the word and share this post with your friends, family and co workers. I will be happy to answer any questions that come up.

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Tags: HARP, HARP 2.0, HARP program, home affordable refinancing program

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