SOLDbyNat.com Real Estate Services

If you’ve considered changing your light bulbs to energy-saving LED bulbs but decided not to make the investment because the prices were too high, you might want to investigate again.  The prices have come down considerably. An initial investment now will generate immediate returns through energy costs and because they last longer, you won’t need to replace them for years. The life of LED bulbs is projected to be from 35,000 to 50,000 hours compared to an incandescent bulb at 750 to 2,000 hours.  For normal home use, a LED bulb could last more than 20 years. 80-90% of the energy used by fluorescent and incandescent bulbs is wasted by the heat generated.  In contrast, cool LED bulbs converts 80% of the electrical energy to light energy. • The color of LED lights is bright white, more like daylight, instead of the warm yellow of incandescent or the greenish tint of fluorescent bulbs. • LEDs light up instantly instead of building to their...

It’s part of holiday tradition to celebrate with family and friends and to share gifts with our loved ones.  There’s no measuring how much is spent on the combined effort and money to find the perfect gift. The challenge is to identify the right gift in the right color and size; something they really want and need; and something that won’t break the budget. “Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost a Cent” are suggestions that have been offered on numerous Internet sites attributed to an anonymous writer.  They may be just what you need to find the perfect gift. • THE GIFT OF LISTENING...but you must really listen. No interrupting; no daydreaming; no planning your response; just listening. • THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.  Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. • THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...clip cartoons and share articles and funny stories.  Your gift will say “I lo...

I have a very special holiday message for YOU! Click the link: A Special Message for YOU! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natasha Liburd Bazile  is a Realtor with Keller Williams Atlanta Partners and the Lead Home Stager with Heart of Decor  in Georgia (virtual services available). She prides herself in being a guide to her clients and finds fulfillment in helping them achieve their goals. Direct Phone: (404) 857-2508  www.SoldbyNat.com -  Email - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube

The energy-efficient home upgrades tax credit is scheduled to expire on December 31st this year.  If you need to make improvements to your home, this could be an incentive to do it before the end of the year.  If you have already made qualifying improvements without realizing the tax credit is available, it may seem like a holiday gift you weren't expecting. The equipment must be installed to qualify for the credit which can put you under a time crunch.  Heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors, skylights, water heaters and home weatherization may qualify. The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit has been available for purchases since January 1, 2011.  The tax credit is 10% of up to $5,000 of qualifying improvements which would make a maximum of $500 tax credit. The cumulative maximum amount of tax credit that can be claimed by a taxpayer in the different years this law has been in effect is $500.  If it has been claimed in previous year...

I couldn't be more happier for my clients! They closed on the sale of their "starter home" on Thursday and then closed on the purchase of their "dream home" on Monday!  People have been surprised how quickly it all happened and  how everything lined up so they could move from one home to the other. I honestly have to give them a ton of credit because they were extremely smart and savvy sellers!  Listed - October 21st 1st Offer Received - October 22nd ( Multiple offers were received, so the sellers opted to accept offers for one week before making a decision.) Under Contract - October 31st ( Winning offer was over $15,000 above the asking price.) Closed - December 5th    ------------------------------------------------- So how did they go from Listed to Under Contract in only 10 days? Here are 6 Tips for Selling Your Home! 1) They were motivated.   They had a goal in mind, put a plan in place, and acted on it.    2) The...

With a 2,000+ mile long winter storm affecting much of the country, there are plenty of home owners who wish they were better prepared.  Even when you live in warm climates, some of these things are important to check periodically. Preparing for the change of seasons can make your home more comfortable and protect your investment.  Regular maintenance extends the various components of a home and can generate savings in operating costs while avoiding expensive replacements. Weather strips around doors and windows should be checked for possible air leaks. Caulking around windows and doors should seal out moisture and air leaks. HVAC should be inspected and serviced by a professional annually. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested regularly. Ductwork and supply lines from water heaters should be insulated. Fireplace chimneys should be cleaned regularly and fireplaces should be inspected for crack...

The Winter Home Buyer Report conducted in the second week of November by REALTOR.com ® revealed the sentiments of current home buyers expecting to buy a house during the winter months.  It appears that there is pent-up demand with buyers who were unable to purchase a home recently. Most cited as an impediment to purchase was the challenge of low inventory.  Strong demand coupled with short supply explains why home prices have been increasing. "This summer and spring home buying season was particularly challenging for buyers, especially first-time home buyers trying to compete with all-cash offers and bidding wars because of reduced inventory.  In fact, a quarter of the winter home buyers revealed they are in the market now because they were unable to find a home during this last home buying season," said Alison Schwartz, vice president of corporate communications at REALTOR.com ® .  "While buyers are still experiencing challenges with inventory and appro...

Most school children would probably say that Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims at Plymouth as early as 1621. By the late 1660’s, it had become traditional to hold a harvest festival in New England. President George Washington declared the first nation-wide thanksgiving in 1789 “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.” One hundred fifty years ago during the Civil War, in October, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving. William Seward, Lincoln’s secretary of state, drafted the proclamation: “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God…they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.” Even though the country was in the middle o...

Most people are familiar with the various reasons a homeowner refinances their home which generally result in two major benefits: saving interest and building equity.  There is however another reason to refinance which may not be as common which is to remove a person from the loan. In the case of a divorce, when one party wants to keep the home and the other party wants their equity out of the home, it is possible for the remaining party to refinance the home. If the equity is sufficient to justify it and the remaining owner can qualify for the new loan, the refinance can provide the proceeds to buy out the other spouse. Refinancing to remove a person from the loan could also involve a situation where two or more heirs jointly own a property and have differing opinions on when to sell. The same situation could apply to a rental property with multiple owners and the refinance would provide a way to buy out a partner. Sometimes, it’s not about taking cash out of the home ...

  Check out this great advice from a trusted source...  Want this handout emailed to you?  Click here to email me your request or leave a comment. Do you need to BUY or SELL? Call me at (404) 857-2508 to see how I'll get it done!   Not local? No problem!  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natasha Liburd Bazile  is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Atlanta and the Lead Home Stager with Heart of Decor  in Georgia (virtual services available). She prides herself in being a guide to her clients and finds fulfillment in helping them achieve their goals. Direct Phone: (404) 857-2508  www.Natasha K nowsATLHomes.com -  Email - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube

As a homeowner, you obviously pay for your mortgage but as an investor, your tenant does.  Equity build-up is a significant benefit of mortgaged rental property.  As the investor collects rent and pays expenses, the principal amount of the loan is reduced which increases the equity in the property.  Over time, the tenant pays for the property to the benefit of the investor. Equity build-up occurs with normal amortization as the loan is paid down.  It can be accelerated by making additional contributions to the principal each month along with the normal payment.  Some investors consider this a good use of the cash flows because interest rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposits are much lower than their mortgage rate. In the example below, is a hypothetical rental with a purchase price of $125,000 with 80% loan-to-value mortgage at 4.5% for 30 years compared to a 3.5% for 15 years.  The acquisition costs were estimated at $3,000, the monthly...

  If you are looking to rent a home, this info will help YOU tremendously! Two Ways to Find a Rental Home 1) If you are finding a rental home on your own , call the agent listing the property directly (aka Listing Agent) to schedule a showing, to apply, etc. 2) If you are finding a rental home by working with an agent , ONLY WORK WITH THAT ONE AGENT. DO NOT "work with" multiple agents (having them show you several properties) because only 1 of those agents will get paid! This is a HUGE frustration for agents and the reason many do not work with renters. Don't believe me??? Check out this post! Why Don’t Real Estate Agents call me back about a Rental? -------------------------------------------------------- Helpful Tips for Renters 1) Know what you want. A rental should be relatively easy to find. If you are searching for months or have seen tons of homes, you should re-evaluate your criteria, motives for moving, and fin...

Home Sweet Home!  Well maintained home with fenced yard, antiqued & sealed concrete patio, and deck. Great for kids, pets, and entertaining!  Upgrades include: new HVAC, wood blinds, custom window screens (UV & heat blocking), sprinkler system, laminate floors w/ 20 year warranty, ceiling fans.  A must see! Priced to sell, not a short sale or foreclosure. 1 year AHS Home Warranty available.   If you are considering SELLING your home, now is the time to GET OFF THE FENCE! Give me a call at (404) 857-2508!      In Georgia, I service Monroe, Loganville, Grayson, Snellville, Lilburn, Lithonia, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Dacula, and Stone Mountain.  Outside of these areas? No problem! I can still help! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natasha Liburd Bazile  is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Atlanta and the Lead Home Stager wi...

Just received these kind words from a seller I had the pleasure of working with (her home went under contract in 15 days; closed in a month). While I didn't get to physically meet her because she now resides in Iowa, she was a joy to work with!  Hi Natasha! I hope this email finds you enjoying your day! If I had ten thousand tongues I could not thank you enough for your patience and outstanding professionalism. I appreciate the fact that you always made time for me, and were always willing to answer my many questions. If given any future opportunities, I will recommend you to friends and family members in need of assistance. Too, I received the card you sent today, and I would like to thank you for making a donation in my name. May the kindness you have shown me be returned to you in blessings too numerous for you to count! Thanks again and may you always be prosperous in all that you do! - Sherri If you are planning to SELL your home, give me a call at (404) 857-...