Archive for the 'Local Interest' Category

I witness love almost every morning

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate December 5th, 2012

I can get a little choked up when I witness the love that lives in the human race. I don’t like to find myself shocked when I see love in action because I always try to find the very best in people. This short story is about my neighbor, a neighbor I’ve never met personally, but a person who I know about just from a simple act I witness on almost a daily basis.

My neighbor is an older man with a small, cute Yorkie. He seems to me to be in his 70′s and he’s married. I have seen his wife from time to time because they sit together in their garage with the Yorkie watching to day pass by. His wife, I’m assuming, had some type of illness. I assume this due to the fact I saw her with a scarf covering her bare head several times. See…in the past she walked the Yorkie and now I don’t see her, I see only the older man…

My morning routine takes me from Knob Hill about the same time every morning. I pay attention to my surroundings, always in awe of the beauty that passes out my car window. In my neighborhood there is a green space area on the main road in and out. This green space offers sidewalks, a playing field, swing set and a big center tree. Around the focal tree there are several ornamental plantings that bloom all year! This time a year there is a bush that produces a beautiful deep pink flower…I don’t know its official name, but it pops with eye catching color.

My neighbor can be found at these flowering bushes with his Yorkie almost every morning selecting the perfect blooms for his wife. I do not know this for sure, but that’s what I have come to believe. He takes his time, enjoys the fragrance and makes his selections. I imagine his wife’s smile every morning when they return from their walk, flowers in hand. I see the small vase that he arranges the flowers in and I feel the love he has for his wife.

Our time on this earth is so short. Make the moments you have with others, whether they are friend or stranger, pleaseant moments. Reveal your love in humanity.

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Your Real Estate Sign and Your Political Sign

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate October 4th, 2012

Your Real Estate Sign and Your Political Sign

Random thoughts hit me as I’m touring neighborhoods and during an election year I always wonder if a seller’s political signs affect a buyer’s choice in making an offer on their home or even touring the home? Don’t think I’m crazy! Buyer’s find weirder objections about homes all the time! Don’t get me wrong I support an American’s right to free speech and their right to vote, but I wonder…

Buyers find problems with paint colors, carpet stains, yard sizes. Is it far fetched to think a buyer may have an strong opinion about buying a home from a seller who does not have their same political views? In this up and down real estate market, I don’t think so! Sellers should consider removing their political yard signs while their home is still for sale, it may just be one less thing a buyer can find objection with. Or an option would be to move the political sign from a side by side position of their real estate for sale sign.

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Real Estate Location vs. Price

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate July 23rd, 2012

The ol’ real estate saying has always went… Location Location Location! That may have been true until the housing melt down of a few years ago. Now the new saying is Price Price Price! Homes linger on the market and sellers begin to ask, “Why isn’t my home selling?” Even good homes that are well maintained and in top rated schools-still no offers.

 

The new rule is a home will sell at the right price, but some sellers are not willing to give their homes away or just don’t have the equity in the home and can not afford to take a loss. Sellers must remember the days of starting at a higher price and coming down just doesn’t work. Buyers are savvy and they know what a home should be priced for in today’s market. The competition is so high that if a seller’s pricing is off, then the buyer will simply move on to another house. If your home is overpriced then consider a price adjustment to generate new activity.

Other than pricing consider these other issue that might be hindering you from getting an offer:

  • Be willing to accommodate buyers with showings and be flexible! If a buyer can’t look they can’t buy.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of STAGING! Clean and de-clutter before the first showing!

Selling in today’s market is a challenge, but remember the there things you can control, focus on perfecting those things!

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City of Augusta GA releases Augusta Maps App

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate June 4th, 2012

City of Augusta, GA Realeases Augusta Maps App

AUGUSTA, Ga., May 31, 2012 – The City of Augusta Information Technology Department has released Augusta Maps, an app which enables users to search property records by owner, address, subdivision and parcel number. The app returns search results including property details, values, etc. Additionally, the user can choose between a 2010 Aerial Photo view or a Parcel Map view. 2011-2012 property sales layers are available as well.

 Some additional features of the app:

  •  • Locate your current location by GPS to identify the parcel you are standing on
  •  • Search by owner name, address, subdivision, or parcel id
  •  • Email a link pointing directly to a parcel
  •  • Universal app for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

 You can download the app from the App Store, accessible from the Augusta web site at: http://www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?NID=1593

 The IT Department developed the app using tools provided by ESRI, the worldwide market leader in Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology. Visit them at www.esri.com.

 The Augusta Maps app is distributed by the Augusta, Georgia Information Technology Department. For support please contact the Information Technology Help Desk at 706-821-2524.

 Augusta can now say, “we have an app for that!” The new Augusta Maps app is something cool and new and continues to show Augusta is moving right along with these technology times we live in!

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The Augusta Greenjackets – A Family Hit

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate April 28th, 2012

Augusta GA is not only know for the Masters Golf Tournament, it also has a rich long history with baseball.  Augusta’s had many minor league baseball teams over the last 123 years! The Augusta Greenjackets baseball games are a local family favorite!

The Augusta Greenjackets Schedule

Not having a team for 25 years Augusta was without a baseball teams until members of the South Atlantic League, the  then Augusta Pirates brought baseball back to Augusta in 1988. The team was renamed the Augusta Greenjackets and moved to it’s home at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The Greenjackets are affiliated with the San Fransisco Giants currently and prior to 2005 where affiliated with the Boston Red Sox.

  

The ball park is nice, clean and has something for any type of fan! Thirsty Thursday is a crowd pleaser with draft and sodas being only $1. Lake Olmstead Stadium has 3 seating options general admission which is bleacher seating, reserved seats which are actual seats and box seats. Cost of seats are minimal ranging from $7-$10. 

Augusta Greenjackets Daily Promotions:

SUNDAYS: Kids Eat Free! All kids under 12 receive a free small hot dog, small soda and bag of chips with paid ticket presented by The Augusta Chronicle.

MONDAYS:Feed Your Face Mondays (new for 2012): All fans can enjoy unlimited amounts of select items from ballpark concession stands from the time gates open until the end of the 6th inning. Each week’s Feed Your Face menu will be announced on the team’s website and on Facebook.

TUESDAYS: Two-For-Tuesdays: Fans can enjoy two-for-one pricing on soft drinks and draft beers throughout the ballgame!

WEDNESDAYS:Baseball Bingo – Play Baseball Bingo for FREE and win some great prizes from BI-LO and the GreenJackets.

THURSDAYS: Thirsty Thursday – $1 small beers and small sodas presented by The Library.

My daughter and I love watching the Augusta Greenjackets and I think you will find it’s something that can be done without breaking the bank!

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6 Tips to Buying Bank Owned or REO Homes

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate April 20th, 2012

The buzz words these days in real estate might be bank owned one day or foreclosure homes the next….OR if you are real savvy REO a.k.a Real Estate Owned and refers to property that a lender or investor acquires due to a repossession through foreclosure. Foreclosureis the actual process in which the property is acquired.

Search Augusta GA Area Bank Owned Homes HERE!

 

Helpful tips to buying bank owned property:

  1. Get pre-qualified, IT’S FREE and will save you hassle in getting your offer considered.
  2. If you are a cash buyer have proof of funds ready and available.
  3. Use a Realtor to represent you, like me Caroline Ashe.
  4. Work with your Realtor to locate bank owned homes in your area.
  5. Keep in mind lenders/investor price the home at market value taking into account condition, so many REO homes are priced well already for the current market.
  6. Be ready to make an offer when you see a home you like. There will most likely be multiple offers.

My personal tip – Be patient. There is more paperwork and you must do your due diligence because most bank owned homes are purchased AS-IS, but the benefits to getting a home at a ‘deal’ is worth it!

Search Augusta GA Area Bank Owned Homes HERE!

 

If you’d like to discuss the process further, plese let me know!

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