Christmas in Georgia is just different than up North. Up North I would be racking leaves or shoveling snow - depending on what kind of year it was. In Georgia, there are plenty of leaves to rake, but I got to spend a good bit of time spraying my drive and walkway for mildew. It has been a very wet year. Our second power washer bit the dust this spring. We do have hard water. We are hoping for some good sales during the holidays. Harbor Freight has some decent prices. We are shopping around. Do let me know if you have any suggestions on brand/size and where to purchase. Information is power.
I have attached an interesting article at the bottom about For Sale By Owner Sellers regretting not working with an Agent - after the fact. Yes, I am pre disposed to agree with the information, but it is an outside source and worth a read. I work hard to go to classes every year to be trained to help all of my Clients. I'm looking forward to using my Home Staging Expert certification with some new listings coming up next month.
We are home for the holidays, so if you need Real Estate assistance, I'll be here and manning the phones. We are celebrating the first week in January down at my Mom's. That was when my daughter could get off work. So, I hope to see you at some of the Fun Things Going On around town:
Join us for the ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the St. Marys Intracoastal Gateway Marina docks. The visiting tall ship NAO TRINIDAD has been delayed and should now arrive Wednesday evening.
The beautiful 93 foot replica Spanish sailing ship plans to be open for tours from December 13th- January 14th. Fees Apply. Ticket sales on the boat or at www.naotrinidad.orG
Conyers Street and Osborne Street immediately adjacent to Orange Hall will be closed to traffic and offer you a view of the presentations.
This event, held the second Tuesday of December each year, is organized by Nadia Chonko with the assistance of the Community Churches of St. Marys and many community volunteers. Details subject to change.
Tickets mollysoldsouth.com/churches-and-chocolates-st-marys-christmas-walking-tour
What is more festive than churches and chocolates?
On this holiday tour, get in the Christmas spirit by gaining VIP access to quaint historic churches normally closed to the public!
Learn of these churches’ history and hear stories of their colorful parishioners over the centuries such as:
- Civil War spies
- Owners of buried “treasure”
- Suspected murder victims
Afterwards, let us treat you to festive homemade fudge at one of St. Marys’ premier shops!
You won’t want to miss the beauty, intrigue, and tastiness this tour offers!
Date: Friday, December 15
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Price: $20 per adult
$10 per child (ages 5-12)
Starting Location St. Marys Visitor Center 400 Osborne St.
Ending Location Market on the Square 100 Osborne St. (St. Marys waterfront)
Unleashed Axe Throwing Bar & Lounge
Tickets
www.unleashedcamden.com/events/a-night-in-whoville-kids-christmas-party
Calling all little Whos in town!
Get ready to step into the magical world of Whoville at "A Night in Whoville - A Kids' Christmas Party"! This festive extravaganza is happening at Unleashed Camden on Sunday, December 17th. It's a celebration like no other, and you won't want to miss it!
Choose between two sessions starting at 5:00 PM or 6:30 PM. We're bringing the whimsical charm of Dr. Seuss' classic tale to life. And guess what? The Grinch himself will be there too! Snap a photo with everyone's favorite green curmudgeon and show off your holiday spirit! #SayCheeseWithTheGrinch
Hurry, tickets are limited and going fast! Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening of holiday magic. Secure your spot now at unleashedcamden.com. Prices start at just $18 per child 2 & up & discounts are avilable for siblings. Adults are free or can purchase a dinner ticket!
Get your creative gears spinning with arts and crafts stations powered by the Camden County Public Library, where you can make your own holiday masterpieces! From making ornaments for your tree to designing your very own Cindy Lou Who headband, there's no limit to what you can create!
What's Christmas without cookies and presents? Channel your inner pastry chef at our cookie decorating station, where you'll have a blast frosting, sprinkling, and eating your delicious creations. Plus, each ticket includes a special surprise gift!
But wait, there's more! Unleash your imagination at the Plushie Pal Factory, where you can stuff, fluff, and adopt your very own cuddly friend. Take home a new buddy that will keep the holiday cheer alive all year round!
A Night in Whoville is proudly sponsored by PEMB-USA and Lifebuckets.org, who are dedicated to spreading joy and making a difference in our community. By attending this event, you're not only treating your little ones to an unforgettable experience but also supporting these incredible organizations.
So mark your calendars, grab your Santa hats, and get ready for the most Whoriffic time of the year! Don't wait, secure your tickets today and let the magic of Whoville fill your hearts with cheer
100 Herb Bauer Drive St. Marys, GA, United States, Georgia 31558
Come to the library to write your letter to Santa and enjoy yummy cookies!
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50% OFF ALL PACKAGES on December 15th
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•801 E King Ave, Kingsland, GA
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Come see us at 801 E King Ave Ste i kingsland , GA Monday-Friday 8am-8pm
Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm
Duration: 45 min
Join us with your littles over 18 months for fun songs, stories, and crafts! A different theme every week!
Visit St. Marys GA
Tickets: mollysoldsouth.com/st-marys-murder-mayhem-and-mimosas-walking-tour
An assassination plot. A deadly cane fight. A gruesome theft.
PLUS cocktails at lunchtime? Yes, please!
On this walking tour, soak in the town’s picturesque architecture as you hear tales of REAL murders and mayhem, some of which are more recent than you may expect!
Then we’ll make our own mayhem at Seagle’s Saloon, which will offer Happy Hour priced mimosas (or cocktails of your choosing) exclusively for our guests!
Date
Every Sunday
Time
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Price
$20 per adult, $10 per child
Starting Point: St. Marys Welcome Center 400 Osborne Street St. Marys, Georgia
Ending Point: Seagle’s Saloon 105 Osborne Street St. Marys, Georgia
FSBO Sellers Regret Not Having an Agent
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Survey: Sellers who go-it alone are twice as likely to be unsatisfied with the experience – and more likely to say their earlier opinion, “agents are overpaid,” was wrong.
CHICAGO – Homeowners who decline to use a real estate agent to sell their property are twice as likely to say they weren’t satisfied with the selling experience, according to a new survey from Clever Real Estate of 1,000 home sellers in 2022 and 2023. Survey respondents say they realize they likely made less money on their home sale and faced more stress by not having a professional representative.
Those who didn’t use a real estate agent said before their transaction that they think pros are overpaid for what they do and are not more knowledgeable about the home selling process than the average seller. However, when these respondents reflected on their experience after the transaction, they admitted that they made some mistakes without the help of a pro.
More than a third of non-agent sellers, such as FSBOs (for sale by owner) or those selling to an iBuyer, said the process was more difficult than they expected. What’s more, these sellers admitted:
• Buyers distrusted them because they didn’t have an agent (43%)
• They struggled to understand their contract (40%)
• They made legal mistakes because they didn’t use an agent (36%)
The survey also found other consequences of going it alone as a seller:
• Lower sales price: Homeowners who sold without a real estate agent are three times more likely to say they lost money on their home sale. The Clever Real Estate survey found that those who sold their home with an agent tended to earn $46,603 more in average profits than those who sold without an agent in 2022 and 2023. About half of unrepresented sellers say they wish they had priced their home differently, and nearly half now believe their home would have sold for more if they would have used an agent.
• Longer selling process: Home sellers without an agent are nearly twice as likely to say they didn’t accept an offer for at least three months; 53% of sellers who used an agent say they accepted an offer within a month of listing their home. Yet many homeowners who didn’t use an agent said the primary reason for going it alone was to sell faster.
• More stress: Half of home sellers who did not use an agent admit to crying at some point in the process, and 52% of unrepresented home sellers said they felt overwhelmed by the entire sales process. On the flip side, homeowners who hired an agent were more likely to say they felt good about their sale and expressed less stress.
Home sellers who used an agent also had some gripes about their experience, albeit much fewer. But those who were unhappy with their agent experience expressed feelings like their agent was only looking to make a sale and didn’t care about their interests, their agent “annoyed” them, or they thought the agent pressured them into decisions, the survey found.
That said, 77% of respondents who used an agent say they were satisfied, and 72% say they would use their agent again.
Even though the vast majority of home searches start online, most consumers still use real estate agents to buy or sell a home. Indeed, the National Association of Realtors®’ (NAR) 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that 89% of buyers and sellers in the last year used a real estate agent, up from the previous year.
Only 7% of homeowners sold as a FSBO over the last year – which matches the all-time low recorded in 2021, according to NAR data. FSBOs continue to not fare as well in the market as professionally represented homes: FSBOs sold at a median price of $310,000 in the last year, compared to $405,000 for listed homes, NAR’s data shows.
“Having a Realtor help you navigate the homebuying and selling process provides peace of mind, especially in a challenging market with high prices, elevated mortgage rates and limited inventory,” says NAR President Tracy Kasper.
© 2023 National Association of Realtors® (NAR)
December 2023
REAL ESTATE NEWS
Brought to you by Cathy Holman
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Tax Tips for Homeowners
Being a homeowner is much different than being a renter. Along with building equity and having the entire property to yourself, owning a home also gives you access to many tax benefits. Before the next tax season rolls around, learn how to take advantage of the tax benefits available to you.
You can reduce your taxes by taking advantage of energy efficiency improvements. These credits became available to homeowners through the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022. When you upgrade your HVAC system or add insulation to your home, you can claim a federal tax credit. Adding solar panels also qualifies as an energy efficiency improvement. Make sure you keep all your receipts if you want to claim this credit.
For 2023, households can claim as much as 30% of the project costs for various improvements. The total amount you can claim in a single year is $1,200 alongside a $150 credit for a home energy audit. If you have a heat pump installed in your home, you can claim a credit as high as 30% of the project costs. The maximum benefit for a heat pump is $2,000.
Deduct Home Office Expenses
If you work from home as a self-employed individual, you can deduct home office expenses if your workspace passes the "exclusive use" test. You can claim this benefit even if you don't itemize your deductions. The types of expenses that can qualify for deduction include:Office furniture
Printers, scanners, and computer monitors
Maintenance
Mortgage interest
Insurance
And some good news if you’re a renter in this situation: rent is eligible for deduction as well.
Deduct Home Equity Loan Interest
If you take out a line of credit or home equity loan, you can deduct the interest that you pay on the loan during the year. Keep in mind that this tax break is only available if you use the money to improve your existing home or buy a new one.
It's also essential that you itemize your deductions. Projects that would qualify include HVAC upgrades, new roofs, and remodeling projects. Interest is wholly deductible for up to $750,000 of qualified residential loans.
Benefit from the Mortgage Interest Deduction
If you itemize your deductions, you can write off the money you paid for mortgage interest during the year. You can deduct the interest on up to $1 million of mortgage debt. Limits vary based on when you took out your loan and your marital status when filing.
As a homeowner, you can benefit from numerous tax breaks and deductions during the next tax season. Claiming these deductions allows you to save a considerable sum of money every year.
To learn more about specific tax rules in your area and the benefits you can receive for owning a home, visit the IRS website.
How to Decorate Your Home Exterior for Winter
Once the weather begins to change and the days become shorter, it's clear that winter is right around the corner. This makes it a perfect time to think about adding some seasonal touches to your home's exterior. Try these simple tips to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere all season long.
Hang String Lights
One way to welcome the changing of the seasons is to hang string lights around the outside of your home. You can place them above your deck, around your backyard, and on your porch to give your exterior a warm glow. Choose clear or white lights if you want to keep them up for the entire season.
Spruce up Your Door or Balcony
Decorating your abode isn’t only for those who live in single-family houses. If you live in an apartment, you can embrace the season by decorating your door or balcony.
When decorating your front door or porch, use some small pieces that remind everyone of winter, including weathered crates, bare tree branches, and birch wood logs. The rustic look is a classic choice for winter.
For your balcony, try adding some small fairy lights. These lights can brighten your space and are available in different shapes – snowflake fairy lights are a great pick this time of year! Greenery garland or a potted evergreen plant are great choices for a balcony or porch as well.
Consider Everyday Wreaths
If you're looking to add a bit of color to the exterior of your home, think about adding a wreath to your front door, porch wall, or garage door. Wreaths are available in many different sizes and styles, and you can keep one up year-round, updating it to match the season.
Hang a Bird Feeder
Brighten up the winter season by placing a bird feeder outside your window. Having a bird feeder in your yard gives you the opportunity to spot dashes of red, yellow, and blue amidst the somewhat dull backdrop. Remember to keep the bird feeder stocked and clean it regularly to keep a healthy environment for your feathered visitors.
With the winter season fast approaching, now is a great time to decorate your home exterior. There are many wonderful winter decor ideas that you can implement in your home or apartment to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.
QUESTIONS? VISIT HolmanSellHomes.com
Cathy Holman
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper RE
717-801-5900
912-673-7373
cathy@holmansellhomes.com
HolmanSellHomes.com
If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. ©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.