MAXIMUM REAL ESTATE

Looking for BUYERS

2010-01-04T20:37:00.002-05:00

We just had another amazing closing for one of our clients. think they ended up buying the property for about 50 cents on the dollar. What a deal.
Samantha and I are now looking for some new buyers to become clients. If you are ready to take advantage of this Real Estate market we can help you with your purchase. Call us. We are here to protect your best interest in Real Estate.
Have a great 2010.

U.S. promises unlimited financial assistance to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac - washingtonpost.com

2009-12-24T23:27:00.000-05:00

U.S. promises unlimited financial assistance to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac - washingtonpost.com

411re.com

2009-12-08T15:25:00.002-05:00

Check out our new Website at 411re.com
Your source of Information on Real Estate.

Lake Lanier Docks Permits Almost Gone

2009-10-14T19:04:00.001-04:00

The deadline to seek a boat dock permit on Lake Lanier is Tuesday.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had set a request period, beginning July 15, for lake residents to file an application.
About one week after the submission period ends, a final list will be published online representing those requests confirmed for an Oct. 28 lottery drawing.
The drawing will be shown on the Web and shown by video feed to a site in the Lake Lanier area.
Final decisions will be provided in writing.
Applicants will be vying for one of 174 permits.
Lanier’s shoreline plan and the Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2004 limit the number of boat docks on the lake to 10,615. The lake now has 10,441 docks.
An outside firm is collecting the request letters, entering them into a database and reviewing the list for errors and duplicates, corps officials have said.
Only one request will be accepted for each piece of property.
"We believed (the lottery) was the fairest way (to issue permits)," Chief Ranger Ernest Noe has said.
Until earlier this year, the corps had imposed a two-year moratorium on new dock permits because extreme drought had drained the lake.
A wet spring pushed levels back up, prompting corps officials to reconsider the ban.
The corps’ Mobile District decided in June to restart the process, but only after Lanier’s elevation had remained at or above 1,064 feet above sea level for 30 consecutive days and the five-week forecast showed "the level or rise is sustainable."
Now, Lanier is closing in on full pool, or 1,071 feet, as it stood at 1,069.79 feet as of Sunday night.

Need to Know

2008-11-10T20:17:00.002-05:00

Asbestos Exposure and Remodeling Older Homes Millions of U.S. citizens are under the impression that asbestos exposure is a concern of the past. Very few are actually aware that the remodeling of older homes has the potential to cause toxic exposure. Because of the current drop in the national housing market, homeowners across the country are opting to remodel homes rather than move to another residence, and this could lead to an increase of unnecessary asbestos exposures. The Environmental Working Group Action Fund estimates approximately 10,000 Americans are claimed each year from asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. The latter is an rare form of cancer that is extremely resistant to mesothelioma treatments, and as such, a cure has yet to be discovered. In order to protect yourself and your family from asbestos exposure, it is important to know what products to look for, how to avoid exposure, and where to find local abatement companies. All these resources and more are found at Asbestos.com the Web's leading resource for information on asbestos and the diseases caused by this hazardous material.
Get more information at http://www.asbestos.com/

If Your RENTING, You Need to BUY

2008-08-21T19:03:00.002-04:00

We have seen a definite increase in activity these past months here in Georgia. If you are renting and sitting on the fence waiting for the right time to purchase your own home, don't wait much longer. You want to position yourself ahead of the curve when the market changes direction. If you wait to long you will fall behind. Take advantage of the different Mortgage packages being offered by various Mortgage Lenders and be sure to take advantage of the Down Payment Assistance program available until the end of September, 2008. Check out your options, talk to a Mortgage Lender and your REALTOR. This down turn in Real Estate is offering a great opportunity for new home owners. Get out there and talk to the RIGHT people and take advantage of the market. Don't look back at this opportunity and say "If I had only..."

Down Payment Assistance Program and FHA Update

2008-08-07T17:58:00.002-04:00

If you are looking to take advantage of the Down Payment Assistance program when purchasing your home you must be under contract by Sept. 30, 2008.
Don't wait and miss out on using this valuable program. Consult with your REALTOR about the program and your options.

FHA minimum down payment will jump to 3.5%. You still have time for a lower down payment.
FHA loan limits will decrease, which means fewer people will be eligible to receive a jumbo loan at conventional loan rates.
The popular Down Payment Assistance programs will be eliminated on Oct. 1, 2008. To use DPA you must be under contract to purchase Real Estate by Sept. 30, 2008.
First-time home buyers may get a tax credit up to $7,500!

10 home-buying tips for uneasy times

2008-07-23T23:13:00.000-04:00

10 home-buying tips for uneasy times
Check out these 10 home buying tips.
No matter if your a first time home buyer or have been through the process a number of times these tips make sense.
Really, these tips apply not only for "uneasy times", but in a booming economy as well. Find an professional agent you can not only work with, but one that wants to help you successfully purchase your home. Find a mortgage lender work for you in getting your loan at the best possible rate. Find time to research properties online and by driving around in different neighborhoods to find the house that is right for you. Foreclosures are a great way to buy properties under market value, but be sure to discuss all the aspects of buying a foreclosed property with your Real Estate Agent to make sure it is something you want to take on. Additionally, all buyers are looking for the "DEAL" and in this market there are a lot of aggressively priced homes that are great buys and that are not foreclosures. Shop around and make sure you have everything in place to allow you to make an offer when you find the right property. Chances are that if you found the perfect home for a great price someone else has found it as well.

Welcome IGNITE and STREAM ENERGY to GA.

2008-04-16T10:33:00.001-04:00

Fellow Georgians, Stream Energy is now approved in Georgia as a Natural Gas provider.
Are you looking for an alternative to lowering your monthly Natural Gas Bill? Stream Energy is could be the answer. Stream Energy is going to be very competitive with the Therm rate and will ultimately save you money on your Natural Gas Bill each month. Atlanta Gas & Light controls the Natural Gas infrastructure and the distribution of the Natural Gas.
Stream Energy is competing with the other Natural Gas providers for servicing the customer.
* Competitive Therm Rate.
* Great Customer Service.
* No cost for switching to Stream Energy.
* Third party verification of your desire to switch to Stream Energy.
* April 21, 2008 is the first day customers can transfer their Natural Gas Service to Stream Energy.

Should you wait for the market bottom?

2008-03-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

Buyers: Should you wait for the market bottom? - Buy a House: MLS Listings & Home Buying Tips - MSN Real Estate

5 REASONS TO BUY

1. Prices in the neighborhood you are interested in are relatively stable.
Either they are holding their own or increasing, or the pace of decline is slowing significantly. If you are ready to move or don't like living in your apartment, the small penalty you pay for missing the bottom of the market may not mean much.

2. You plan to stay in the home for more than five years.
If you can stick it out that long before selling, economists say you’ll probably ride out any downturn and come out ahead on price.

3. Your rent rivals a mortgage payment.
If you can qualify with a mortgage lender to buy a house, you can build equity in your house and you can deduct the mortgage-interest on your taxes.

4. You've found the right house in the right area for you.
The schools are great. You love the area and know it would be hard to find another house like the one you have your eye on. In a better market, you would most likely have much more competition for that house and possibly end up paying more money.

5. You've built equity in your house and are moving to a place where homes are cheaper.
In the market you’re moving to your money will go a lot further.

5 REASONS TO WAIT

1. You've lived in your house less than two years.
Chances are you haven't had enough time to accumulate equity in your home. In fact, you may have negative equity, if you live in many areas such as California, Florida, Arizona or Nevada. Also, to take advantage of the Capital Gains tax you will need to live in your home for two years.

2. Your job security is uncertain.
If your company or business is in distress, it's probably better to stay put until the atmosphere improves.

3. You don't plan to stay in your next house at least five years.
While it's not important to buy at the exact bottom of the market, it is important to stay long enough to ride it out completely.

4. You don't have good credit or a decent down payment.
Do you have a job and income you can document? As a result of the sub-prime lending crisis, lenders are much more careful about whom they're making loans to. Be sure to talk to a few mortgage lenders about the different programs they currently have that could work for your situation.

5. You have an existing home to sell in a neighborhood where prices are dropping or where the number of foreclosures is spiking.
In this climate, you're probably better off waiting for your market to improve.

Click on the link for additional information.

Mortgage Basics: Avoiding foreclosure

2008-01-31T08:50:00.000-05:00

Mortgage Basics: Avoiding foreclosure

With so many foreclosed properties already on the market and a number of people walking that fine line, I thought I should post a little helpful information about avoiding a pending foreclosure.
If you are about to start missing mortgage payments CALL YOUR LENDER. Communicating with your mortgage lender is your best resource to working out a solution to the problem. The lender will have a number of suggestions for you to consider. The sooner you start working with your lender the better.
Talk to a REALTOR. A REALTOR can provide valuable information on ways to get out of the situation or at least put you in contact with the right people. A REALTOR can also help you greatly by selling your home in time to avoid the foreclosure.
Everyone understands that this is not the best of times for the people looming under the shadow of foreclosure. It's not a pleasant process and it is not a generally brought up in conversation with friends and co-workers. DO NOT ignore the situation in hopes it will go away. FIGHT FOR YOUR HOME! FIGHT FOR YOUR CREDIT! Talk to the people that can help you correct the situation and if they can't help you look into other alternatives. Consider a lease purchase option for buyers, or rent out a room to generate additional income, or rent out the home. You still own the property and anything you can do to avoid the foreclosure process is in your best interest.
Check out the link for more information and be sure to research the subject on-line.

Staging your home to sell

2007-12-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

10 tips on staging your home to sell - Selling Your House - MSN Real Estate

Staging your home could be the difference between selling your home or not selling your home.
Checkout these staging tips to help make your home more presentable and attractive to potential buyers.
Additionally, if you are trying to sell a home which is currently vacant talk to a few staging companies about furnishing the home during the period it's for sale. Typically, homes can be staged for a minimal fee, but the service can pay for itself if you can sell the property quickly and avoid holding cost.

Selling in a buyer's market

2007-11-29T17:23:00.000-05:00

How to sell in a buyer's market - Selling Your House - MSN Real Estate

Looking to sell your home in a buyers market? Checkout these tips to help you find a buyer.
You need to make sure the home is clean and clear of clutter, make it presentable to prospective buyers.
Also, think long and hard on the listing price. Is your goal to make top dollar for your property or is your goal to sell your home and move into your next home. either way, make sure you price the property right or the buyers will purchase the house down the street.

Invest in Real Estate

2007-11-14T16:11:00.000-05:00

The current Real Estate Market is not only favorable for Buyers, but for Investors as well. Property selection and low rates, coupled by Builders and Bankers willingness to do almost anything to move their inventory makes this the best market in years in terms of investing in Real Estate to diversify your investment portfolio.
Whether you’re buying a second home, rental property or buying property to flip now is the time to invest. Don't wait for the Real Estate Market to turn around, buy low and hold onto the property until the Market recovers then sell for profit. This is nothing new people have been doing this successfully for years; it's just new to you.
Additionally, if you hold onto a property for over twelve months it becomes a long-term investment in the eyes of the tax collector and you will pay less in capital gains upon the sale of said property.

Oh yeah, if you don't have an investment portfolio to diversify, well that's a problem in itself.
It will be extremely difficult to free yourself financially without investing. Put your money to work. Better yet, buy Real Estate and put the Bank's money to work for you.

$1B ski resort proposed

2007-10-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

Check out this story!
A proposal to build a snow skiing resort in Dawsonville, GA.
Get ready to pull out your snow skies and snow boards.
If this plan comes into fruition we will be able to ski year round.
Not to mention the shopping, restaurants and jobs it will bring to the Dawsonville area.

Check out the full story at the link below.
$1B ski resort proposed - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

MAXIMUM FOOD DRIVE

2007-10-19T15:06:00.000-04:00

MAXIMUM FOOD DRIVE

It’s time to clean out your pantry at home. At least, once a year you should pull out everything in your pantry and resort and organize it so you know what’s hiding in the back corner. During this reorganization process you will find many items you don’t even remember buying or items that are simply no longer required.
Please place all these items in a box or bag and donate them to those who need your assistance.
You can drop off your donations at the Maximum Real Estate office located at 116 Pirkle Ferry Road, Cumming (exit 15 off hwy 400). I will clear my schedule between the hours of 3:30 – 6 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the month of November to make sure I’m there to receive your donations and to thank you personally.

So, pull out those cans of chili, donate those canned vegetables, hand over that bag of brown rice or give up your last can of who hash. Whether you donate one can or ten boxes it is all greatly appreciated and will be used for a greater purpose than sitting on your pantry shelve.

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the first level encompasses Physiological Needs.
These are biological necessities that are required to survive. They consist of oxygen, food, water, shelter, sleep, etc. They are the most important because the physiological needs are the basic needs we must satisfy before all others.

We may not be able to solve the problems of the world.
But, we can impact the lives of those in our community.

We need your help to successfully help others.

Cumming Country Fair

2007-09-11T17:46:00.000-04:00

The fair is coming to Cumming.
Get ready for ten days of family fun at the Cumming Country Fair in Forsyth County, GA.
The Fair will be at the fair grounds starting on Oct. 4th through Oct. 14th.
Prices are always reasonable and you can pick various special admission deals on different days.
Check out the link below for admission cost, direction, and more information.
Cumming Fair
See you there.

Agency Defined

2007-09-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

It’s important to understand what responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transactions. Ask your salesperson to explain what type of agency relationship you have with him or her and with the brokerage company.

1. Seller's representative (also known as a listing agent or seller's agent). A seller's agent is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a listing contract.

2. Subagent. A subagent owes the same fiduciary duties to the agent's principal as the agent does. Subagency usually arises when a cooperating sales associate from another brokerage, who is not representing the buyer as a buyer’s representative or operating in a non-agency relationship, shows property to a buyer. In such a case, the subagent works with the buyer as a customer but owes fiduciary duties to the listing broker and the seller. Although a subagent cannot assist the buyer in any way that would be detrimental to the seller, a buyer-customer can expect to be treated honestly by the subagent. It is important that subagents fully explain their duties to buyers.

3. Buyer's representative (also known as a buyer’s agent). Is a real estate licensee who is hired by prospective buyers to represent them in a real estate transaction. The buyer's rep works in the buyer's best interest throughout the transaction and owes fiduciary duties to the buyer.

4. Disclosed dual agent. Dual agency is a relationship in which the brokerage firm represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction. Dual agency relationships do not carry with them all of the traditional fiduciary duties to the clients. Instead, dual agents owe limited fiduciary duties. Because of the potential for conflicts of interest in a dual-agency relationship, it's vital that all parties give their informed consent. In many states, this consent must be in writing. Disclosed dual agency, in which both the buyer and the seller are told that the agent is representing both of them, is legal in most states.

5. Designated agent (also called, appointed agency). This is a brokerage practice that allows the managing broker to designate which licensees in the brokerage will act as an agent of the seller and which will act as an agent of the buyer. Designated agency avoids the problem of creating a dual-agency relationship for licensees at the brokerage. The designated agents give their clients full representation, with all of the attendant fiduciary duties. The broker still has the responsibility of supervising both groups of licensees.

6. Non-agency relationship (called, a transaction broker or facilitator). Some states permit a real estate licensee to have a type of non-agency relationship with a consumer. These relationships vary considerably from state to state, both as to the duties owed to the consumer and the name used to describe them. Very generally, the duties owed to the consumer in a non-agency relationship are less than the complete, traditional fiduciary duties of an agency relationship.

Lake Lanier 2007 Water Levels

2007-08-25T00:33:00.000-04:00

Lake Lanier's water levels continue to decrease in 2007.
The water levels are now creeping into the AFC action zone 4.
The link should take you to the Action Zone chart published by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
ACF Action Zones
Action zones have been defined for each of the major storage projects on the ACF -- Buford, West Point and George. They are shown on the 5-week forecast charts that are found on the ACF Basin page. These zones are used to manage the lakes at the highest level possible for recreation and other purposes that benefit from high lake levels. The actions zones also provide guidance on meeting minimum hydropower needs at each project as well as determine the amount of storage available for downstream purposes such as navigation, water supply, water quality. These zones were derived based on the past operation of the projects which considered time-of-year, historical pool level/release relationships, operational limits for conservation and recreational resource impact levels. The action zones are basic guidelines for operating the river system, however there may be other factors and activities that may cause the lakes to operate differently than the zones shown on the graphs. Some of these factors range from flood control actions, fish spawn operations, maintenance and repair of turbines, emergency situations such as drownings and chemical spills, draw downs due to shoreline maintenance, releases made to free stuck barges, and other circumstances.
All three lakes are operated to maintain their lake level in the same zones concurrently. However, due to the hydrologic and physical characteristics of the river system and factors mentioned above, there may be brief periods when one lake is in a lower zone than the other. If this occurs, efforts are made to bring the lakes back in balance with each other as soon as conditions allow. By doing this, impacts to the river basin is shared equitably among the projects.
Zone 1 indicates that releases can be made in support of seasonal navigation (when the channel has been adequately maintained), hydropower releases, and water supply, and water quality releases. If the all lakes are in Zone 1 or above, the river system would operate in a fairly normal manner.
Zone 2 indicates that water to support seasonal navigation may be limited. Hydropower generation is supported at a reduced level. Water supply and water quality releases are met. Minimum flow targets are met.
Zone 3 indicates that water to support seasonal navigation may be significantly limited. Hydropower generation is supported at a reduced level. Water supply and water quality releases are met. Minimum flow targets are met.
Zone 4 indicates that navigation is not supported. Hydropower demands will be met at minimum level and may only occur for concurrent uses. Water supply and water quality releases are met. Minimum flow targets are met.

To learn more check out the US Army Corps of Engineers WEBsite for Lake Sidney Lanier.
http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/

Countrywide gets a Bailout - MSN Money

2007-08-23T12:50:00.000-04:00

Market Dispatches - MSN Money: "Bank of America is the one coming to Countrywide Financial's rescue. Bank of America is making a $2 billion investment into the battered mortgage lender, through convertible preferred shares of the stock. 'This investment reflects our confidence in their business and recognizes the importance of the company in providing home financing across the country,' Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Lewis said in a statement late Wednesday. 'We hope this investment will be a step toward a return to more normal liquidity in the mortgage markets.'"

Rent vs. Buying Real Property

2007-08-22T21:46:00.000-04:00

It is almost always better to own your home rather than to rent. You not only build equity, but you get to write off your mortgage interest. Furthermore, home owners have a significant tax advantage when they sell their house after living on the property for two years. Married couples can bank up to $500,000 in capital gains, tax-free, while single owners can bank $250,000.
But that doesn't mean everyone should be a homeowner. If you plan to be in a specific area short-term or if you need to save the down payment to purchase a house then it may be worthwhile to rent property.
When you do decide to purchase property you should find a neighborhood and a home that is right for you. When looking at houses to purchase, make sure you can visualize yourself living in the house. Check out the neighborhood, talk to the neighbors, and get the information that is relevant to you.

Finally, don't forget that even with the tax-breaks of home ownership, you will still be incurring out-of-pocket costs that you wouldn't encounter as a renter, from the cost of repairs to modifications you make to make your house a home.

If you do decide to buy, it's in your best interest to put down at least 20% of the purchase price, to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). Additionally, with all that is going on in the mortgage industry today be sure to engage a reputable, well established mortgage lender. This simple step will save you a lot of time and anxious nights prior to closing on the property.

Today, our income is called disposable our cars are leased, we pay for things via credit card and most people actually own very little. It is time to rethink the corporate definition of success. It’s not the car you drive or the clothes you wear that make one financially successful, it’s your Portfolio! If you want to see a positive financial future ahead of you start increasing your ASSETS and limiting your LIABILITIES.
Stop giving your money away and invest in yourself. When you purchase a car, buy the car don’t lease it. When you purchase real property (Real Estate) own the property, don’t pay someone for the right of use.
Not to say situations don’t exist where renting property is the right choice, but make sure these situations are transitional periods and not long term living.
If your currently renting an apartment or house, making those monthly payments to someone else’s bank account, you really should sit down and discuss your options with your REALTOR or Mortgage Lender. You might be surprised at what you can afford. Additionally, the market is right for the home buyer, there is a wide selection of homes to choose from and interest rates on loans are still low. As with any investment, buy low sell high.