10 Reasons to Sell Your Home with a REALTOR®

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Selling a home is a big decision, and it’s often one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make. That’s why it’s important to have a trusted advisor by your side throughout the process. A REALTOR® is a professional. They can guide you through every step of the way. This includes pricing your home accurately and negotiating the best possible deal.

Here are 10 reasons why you should sell with a REALTOR®:

  1. Expertise: REALTORS® are experts in the local market. They can help you price your home accurately by analyzing comparable properties and current market conditions.
  2. MLS Listing: REALTORS® have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a database of homes for sale. This allows them to list your home in front of thousands of potential buyers.
  3. Analysis: REALTORS® will perform a thorough walkthrough of your home and suggest repairs or improvements that could increase its marketability.
  4. Marketing: REALTORS® will market your property through various channels. These include social media, video tours, yard signs, and open houses. They will also network with other REALTORS® to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible.
  5. Screening: REALTORS® will pre-qualify potential buyers. This ensures that they are serious about buying. It also confirms that they can afford your home.
  6. Open House: REALTORS® can facilitate an open house if appropriate and provide lockbox access to the property.
  7. Feedback: REALTORS® will share feedback from buyers’ agents to help you determine if any additional tasks would help the sale.
  8. Inspections: REALTORS® will coordinate property access with inspectors and appraisers.
  9. Review: REALTORS® will review all offers received once the home is on the market.
  10. Contract: REALTORS® will coordinate contract negotiations, including counteroffers, with the buyer’s agent.

These are just 10 of the many tasks that a REALTOR® performs in the duration of a sale.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, I encourage you to contact a REALTOR® today to learn more about how they can assist you.

Jacquelyn Stonehocker (706) 251-7315

Up Close Look At Closing Costs You Need To Know

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infographic look at what closing costs for sellers are.

Closing costs are typically 5%-10% of the sale price of the property. Both buyers and sellers have costs associated with closing. Depending on market conditions buyers may negotiate for sellers to pay closing costs for both sides of the transaction. For sellers, this cost is usually deducted from the closing proceeds. Buyers must pay their closing costs can sometimes be rolled into their loan depending on the lender and loan type.

Things you may see included in closing costs are:

Pro-rated HOA Dues

Transfer Tax

Prorated Property Tax

Real Estate Agent Commissions*

Escrow, Title, and Attorney’s fees

*On the topic of Real Estate commissions, it is interesting to note that VA buyers are not permitted to pay real estate agent fees or commissions. This is why sellers often benefit from being open to paying the buyers agent fees. They should also structure the contract price to compensate as needed.

Newsletter: Top 5 Resolutions for Homebuyers in 2025

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Welcome to the January 2025 Edition of Buy Dirt!

The new year is here, and for many of us, that means making resolutions. If your resolution is to buy a home, then this newsletter is for you! We’ll share five key resolutions that can help you achieve your home-ownership goals.

In this issue, you’ll also find:

  • The Best Paint Colors to Sell a House: First impressions matter! We’ll reveal the paint colors that can help your home stand out to potential buyers.
  • 5 Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter: Selling your home during the winter can be challenging. However, with the right strategies, you can still find a buyer. We’ll share five tips to help you navigate the winter market.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Buy Dirt! Click to download your newsletter.

About the Stonehocker Group:

The Stonehocker Group is a team of experienced real estate professionals dedicated to helping you achieve your real estate goals. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more!

Stonehocker Group
706-251-7315

January 2025 NewsletterDownload

The Perks of Homeownership

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Having a place to call your own is a huge benefit in and of itself. There are more benefits than just privacy and personalization!

Number 1 is credit building. Your credit score is a large factor in your loan interest rates. A higher score usually means lower interest rates. This can save you thousands and tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. Maybe you’ll be one of the few who can pay cash for everything in life. However, there will likely come a time when a loan is necessary for a large purchase. It could even be a business loan. Responsible homeownership helps improve credit scores.

Number 2 on the list is one of my favorite perks of owning a home. When inflation rises, your mortgage payment stays the same. If you have a fixed rate, your payment will stay the same, and your home will continue to gain equity. In contrast, when renting, your rental rate will likely increase at least every few years.

Tax Breaks are our 3rd perk on the list. Did you know the interest charged on your mortgage can be a tax break?? and there are a myriad of other items that can often be counted as a tax break. Speak to your tax specialist to find out more about tax breaks with homeownership.

Item 4 and 5 go hand in hand. Home value appreciation and equity ultimately mean more building wealth, and leaving more for your descendants. If you’ve paid your loan off, and your home has gained 20% of its original value, you will have a nice little nest egg. This provides an opportunity to pass wealth on to future generations.

infographic for perks of homeownership

Mastering SMART Goals for Success

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Setting goals is essential for personal and professional growth. But how do you ensure your goals are actually achievable? Enter SMART goals – a framework that helps you create realistic and attainable objectives.

What are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

Time-bound: Your goals should have a specific deadline to create a sense of urgency and keep you motivated.

Specific: Your goals should be clear and well-defined. Avoid vague statements and focus on precise outcomes.

Measurable: Your goals should have quantifiable metrics so you can track progress and measure success.

Achievable: Your goals should be realistic and within your reach. Set ambitious but attainable targets.

Relevant: Your goals should align with your overall values and aspirations.

Why SMART Goals Matter

Following the SMART framework offers several benefits:

  • Increased Motivation: Clear and specific goals provide a sense of direction and purpose, boosting your motivation.
  • Improved Focus: By setting measurable goals, you can stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked.
  • Enhanced Productivity: Time-bound goals encourage you to prioritize tasks and make progress efficiently.
  • Greater Achievement: By setting achievable goals, you’re more likely to experience success and build confidence.

Example of a SMART Goal:

Instead of: “I want to get in shape.”

Try: “I will lose 10 pounds by running 3 times a week for 30 minutes each session for the next 3 months.”

Ready to Set Your Own SMART Goals?

Now that you understand the SMART framework, it’s time to put it into action. Start by identifying your key areas for improvement and setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for each one.

Remember, achieving your goals takes consistent effort and dedication. But with the SMART framework as your guide, you’ll be well on your way to success!

If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and colleagues!

Do you have any questions about setting SMART goals? Leave a comment below!

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice.

Additional Tips:

  • Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
  • Celebrate your progress along the way to stay motivated.
  • Don’t be afraid to adjust your goals as needed.

We hope you’ll join us for our Polar Plunge on Jan 1, 2025.