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Richmond Hill, GA Real Estate News

By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
We Don't Sell Anything         I get so upset when I hear the consumer label Real Estate Agents as "salespeople".  I have had strangers and even family members comment that they would never be able to do what I do, because, "I can't sell anything".  I am constantly amazed (and somewhat offended) that we are lumped into a negatively perceived group of pushy salespeople.  We have all had car salesman who have talked us into buying a car that we aren't crazy about or a boutique salesgirl convince us that a too-tight, and too-expensive pair of pants look great.  I suppose that there are some agents out there, who could talk a prospective client into buying a house that they don't really like and/or can't really afford, but that is another level of specialty that I do not possess and really ...
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By Arlow Real Estate Group in Savannah, Pooler & Richmond Hill
(Keller Williams)
It looks like it is going to be another beautiful day in Richmond Hill today, perfect day for an open house. We will be holding 161 Young Way open for viewing by potential Buyers and their agents from 3-5pm. More Information on 161 Young Way 161 Young Way is located in Richmond Place. Richmond Place has a great community features: clubhouse, pool, baseball field, soccer field, playground and tennis courts; and is ideally located for access to Ft. Stewart or the I-95.  To view all properties for sale in Richmond Place, click here. If you would prefer to arrange a private viewing of this property at a time that suits you better, call John Sherrod - 912 659 7864.
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By Arlow Real Estate Group in Savannah, Pooler & Richmond Hill
(Keller Williams)
Thank you to the folks at The Ford Plantation for sharing this amazing video.  This is a rare opportunity to see "The Master", Pete Dye in action as he architects the rebuild of The Ford Plantation golf course, due to open 1 October 2014! The video offers a behind the scenes look at the golf course restoration and rebuild work.    What is also amazing is that the residential membership of The Ford Plantation Club voted for this improvement and then paid for it, cash, with no debt, $7 Million.  If you would like to find out more about The Ford Plantation or plan a trip to come and view the home ownership opportunities on this amazing golf course call me, or visit my website to view current homes and home sites for sale.  Properties For Sale The Ford Plantation is a very low density priva...
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By Arlow Real Estate Group in Savannah, Pooler & Richmond Hill
(Keller Williams)
According to a recent press release from The Ford Plantation things are going very well with the golf course restructuring project that is being lead by Pete Dye. The latest milestone is that the crew has begun the task of laying more than a million square feet of sod! The project started about a 7 months ago and involves a $7 Million redevelopment of The Ford Plantation’s Pete Dye-designed golf course. Much to the delight of club members the course is schedule to re-open in October, right on schedule. Mr. Dye, the only living World Golf Hall of Fame architect, has been hands-on, spending extended time on-site and hand drawing green complex designs in the Coastal Georgia dirt. “I looked at The Ford Plantation as a unique chance and almost a blank slate,” Dye said of a course he original...
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By Arlow Real Estate Group in Savannah, Pooler & Richmond Hill
(Keller Williams)
Richmond Hill Schools have a proud history of producing top championship winning teams in all sports. This morning local business people came out to line the streets for a quick impromptu parade to see the Wildcats Baseball Team off, as they left for the second round of the playoffs tonight. The Wildcats are the 2013 3-AAAAA Champions and they are looking good again in 2014.  They are playing Greenbrier at 5pm - Go Wildcats! For more information check out quadrant 2 of the link below.  http://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/MlUBSc_BEeO00gAmVebEWg/0UEaSM_FEeO00gAmVebEWg/baseball-spring-14/2014-ghsa-state-baseball-tournament-class-aaaaa.htm   Richmond Hill has a great sense of community, one of the many reason I love calling Richmond Hill home. A true Live - Work - Play city. 
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
  Even for the seasoned professional, buying a house is a major decision.  Now, put yourself in the shoes of a first time buyer or novice.  The decision can be overwhelming and extremely stressful.  Many first time buyers tell me that they feel a dual sense of euphoria and terror all at once.  Many factors go into this euphoric terror.   In regards to terror, many first time buyers are moving to a new city or starting a new job.  Many of the first time buyers are under the age of thirty and are completely green to the process of buying a home and the major commitment that it entails.  The euphoria comes into play, because most first time buyers absolutely love the chase; meaning they love looking for their first home in person and on line.  It goes without saying, though, that there is ...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Richmond Hill Georgia's Deep Water Properties Waterfront property can be as diverse as the homes they are built on them.  I hear all the time, "I want to live on the water."  Realtors will add the status "Waterfront Property" to a home that has had a three day long rain and hence, has mud puddles in the backyard.  There are four major classification to "Waterfront Property": Deep Water, Tidal Creek, Marsh Front, and Lake/Lagoon.  But, what do the different classifications of waterfront property actually mean? First, let's start with Deep Water property.  Richmond Hill and the surrounding Savannah communities do have deep water property.  Deep water refers to a river or canal that on the lowest tide, or when the tide is completely out, still maintains a water depth of 12 feet or more.  I...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Simple Home Sellers Tips Buyers Notice.  I show and market a LOT of homes. At any given time in Richmond Hill, Ga, there are between 350 and 450 homes on the market. I've shown ninety percent of those homes. The ones that stand out the most and get offers the quickest follow a few golden rules. I'll list some of these rules here. Home Seller Tip 1) Appeal to the masses! Try to make your home appealing to the most amount of people possible in order to draw the most looks possible. Try not to customize too much as many custom features tend to alienate the masses and trend toward the few. For instance, an exterior paint job should be something bright that has a lot of curb appeal.   Home Seller Tip 2) Dress up the landscaping by adding new mulch in beds or fluffing the existing mulch. Brig...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
"List to Live,  List to Last!"  We have all heard that in our profession. Listings are the life-blood of Real Estate. Gary Keller,  the founder of Keller Williams, has said on many occasions , "Control the Listings , Control the market" .    I have been selling for 16 years now. I know how important it is to have a listing. Listings should be called what they are: Inventory.  Without them, there is no Real Estate business.   Good Agents sell, Great Agents List homes.    Listings equal leverage.  Having a properly price home on the market will allow you to make an income even when you are off.   I recently had an opportunity to go up against three very good Realtors in my market for a great listing. It was for the home of seller who was realistic and was knowledgeable to the process and ...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Climate- While snowy winter scenes look beautiful in Thomas Kinkade prints, dealing with it is back breaking work.  Think: No more scraping car windows, no more shoveling, no more salting steps, no more red chapped cheeks.  Say hello to an average Winter temperature of 51 degrees, flowing dresses, shorts, flip flops, and light sweaters to brave our harsh winters. Location, Location, Location- Richmond Hill is only 10 miles away from beautiful and historic Downtown Savannah with its cobble lined streets, single houses, cute shops, and great social life.  Its 4 hours from Disney, 4 hours from Atlanta, and 2 hours from Historic Downtown Charleston, South Carolina.  Enjoy the location, without the annoying tourists. Education-  No, I'm not joking, despite the rumors about education in the s...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Don't let all of your hard work go down the drain.  Make sure  the  closing is a wonderful experience . No Surprises. Both buyer and seller are supposed to be  happy at a  Real Estate Closing. Finish the closing with as much attention as you gave when you first started with the clients. I will admit that sometimes, once we get someone under contract, we lose focus and move to the next bright shiny object. Don't allow this to happen. I teach my team that you want your client , the other Realtor involved , the lender and the closing attorney to be tired of our calls asking "What Can I do for this closing ?  Are we ready?"   Great communication with your client is essential to explain the HUD statement and making sure they understand the terms of the key hand-off.   I will pull my clients ...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
I recently had a home inspection completed on a home for a buyer client of mine. My normal home inspector was out of town so I had to utilize another one . I have known this other inspector for many years and he had a great reputation for doing a great job. He had many Realtors who swore by him, so I felt confident in my choice.  I usually recommend that my buyer attend the inspection so they could get acclimated to their home and see any issues that might be found during the inspection. This inspector has wanted my business for many years and if I wasn't so loyal to my guy, I would have certainly used this new inspector in the past.    During the inspection, the inspector noticed a couple of issues with the HVAC system.  The system's duct lines were poorly done. The home was heated and...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
You're a military spouse PCSing to a New Base You're a military spouse PCSing to a New Base. You’ve had to put up with a lot this past year. Your spouse has been deployed for several months. Your children have learned that one of their parents is only reachable by phone or Skype. You’ve had to fix several problems with your car/home/appliance, because it/they only break when your spouse is nine thousand miles away. Luckily, you're smart enough to know that Youtube knows how to fix everything. Just ask it and it will tell you. You’ve witnessed several milestones in your kids’ childhood that should be witnessed in person to be appreciated, but you know that your spouse will have to live these moments through your description, not witness them firsthand. And, you've been to the ER with two...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
I read somewhere that it isn't just important who is riding the bus, but that they are comfortable in their assigned seats.  Where do I fit in?  Am I an Executive Assistant, Rainmaker,  Buyer's Agent, Listing Specialist, or Showing Assistant?  What makes a strong team?  What makes an average team?  I must admit, I am guilty of having a lack of direction and a clear mission statement for my team.  My mindset was wrong.  My initial mindset was that we were in the fight together and let's see what we can do.  The correct path, or the profitable path, is to have a clear vision of where you are going as a team, how to get there, and each person's role towards reaching the goal.  You must investigate, as intensely as a CSI, the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the team.  The mistake...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
I recently took on a listing where during the interview process the represented demeanor of the client changed once I got the listing.  Don't get me wrong.  They were super nice and professional during the interview process and their house looked spectacular.  But, I had no idea the amount of involvement and micromanagement that this client would take on herself.   I commented to her, during the initial tour of the home, how clean the home looked and that it was one of the cleanest homes I had ever seen in 15 years of real estate.  The husband made a joke during that visit, or what I though was a joke, that he had to eat his dinner over the kitchen sink.  Now, I am not so sure he was kidding.   One of the first rules she laid down was that she wanted to make sure that each prospective b...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Not too long ago, I received a very surprising call. In the real estate business, you get a wide variety of phone calls. All kinds of calls on all kinds of issues. But, this one call in particular was different. The call came in, late afternoon, from a young man and a young lady on a speakerphone. Right away, I realized they were young, but I wasn't sure how young. You see we service a large military base, Fort Stewart, and have soldiers as young as 18 years old move into our area.  My assumption was just that, it was a young soldier relocating to Fort Stewart. They proceeded to ask me questions about one particular home: all the normal questions an inquisitive buyer would ask (size, condition, time on the market, etc...) After the initial fact-finding questions from them, it was my tur...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Getting PCSed is always stressful, even when it’s to a great area like this… Q: “I’m in the military and PCSing to Fort Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield. Should I buy a home or should I rent?”A: Even though the military life is mobile (as we know… several of us are veterans!), there are many great reasons to buy a home! We’ll explain how to start building future wealth now! More… Q: “What is my BAH for FORT STEWART, HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD?”A: Here are the 2013 BAH rates for Fort Stewart, GA and Hunter Army Airfield, GA. Check back for 2014 rates, coming soon! Q: Do I need a down payment to buy a home?A: Nope! As a current or former member of our nation’s military, you are eligible for a 100% home loan, guaranteed by the VA. More… Q: “I have school age children, what are my options?”A: The...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
Why buy a home in Richmond Hill, Georgia?   Is it our great schools?  How about our average winter temperature of 51 degrees?  Maybe, it is the proximity to the beaches and water.  Maybe, it is the incredible restaurants and nightlife available in downtown Savannah.  The answer is: D. all of the above. Richmond Hill is a bedroom community close to Savannah, Georgia and Fort Stewart.  Richmond Hill has a population of approximately 20,000 people.  It is known for having some of the best public schools in the state of Georgia.  On average, there are only about 350-450 active homes on the market at any given time.  Sellers get, on average, 97% of their asking price.  Over 70% of our buyers are military buyers from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.  The average household income in our ...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
  New Construction Walk Thru is a MUST       If you spend any time in real estate, you’re going to run the full gamut of deals; rentals, first time buyers, retirees, vacationers and second homers, and selling new construction homes. In some places, new construction is a prominent part of an agent’s business. When working with a client and helping them buy a new construction home there are certain things you need to know.       The walk thru process is critical, necessary, and in my opinion mandatory. If your builder allows you to have walk thrus during the process of the home being built, good for them and take advantage of it. The walk thru that I’m mainly talking about today is the completion walk thru prior to closing. In addition to the completion walk thru, it’s good practice to in...
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By Randy Bocook, Selling Coastal Georgia
(Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)
  Richmond Hill GA Real Estate       108 Comments – Thank You Paula Deen?       I had no idea that writing a blog about Paula Deen would cause such a fire storm of comments. The comments were right, wrong, inappropriate, lengthy, short, but because they were so vast in opinion triggered debate they were perfect. All of us as a part of the ActiveRain community take pride in what we do. We sell real estate, we provide lending for potential buyers, we’re home inspectors, insurance agents, surveyors, or closing attorneys. All of us are different, we come from all parts of the world.       Reading the comments posted on my Paula Deen blog made me realize – We don’t have to think alike to be in a similar profession or trade. Our differences can make us stronger and be more vast than someone l...
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