curry blog.

FHA LOAN LIMITS REINSTATED

Congress recently approved restoring FHA’s previous loan limits through 2013 at 125% of local area median home prices up to a maximum of $729,750 in the highest-cost markets. Those limits previously expired September 30. Continue reading FHA LOAN LIMITS REINSTATED…

Grandma Would Be Proud

According to the NAR Housing Affordability Index, housing is at its most affordable in a generation. More specifically, the index shows there hasn’t been a better home buying opportunity in 40 years. Continue reading Grandma Would Be Proud…

CAR SHOW TO BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND OTHERS

Moore Station Village, Dublin GA, will host its 1st Annual Car Show on May 21, 2011.  Proceeds from entry fees will benefit Habitat for Humanity and profits from concessions will benefit Laurens Lodge #75 and Masonic Children’s Home.  Cars will include antique through later models with awards given in 7 classes.   In conjunction with the “big car show”, local boy scouts will have their model car show inside the Village Center.   DJ, Michael Bright, will be playing music from the 50′s & 60′s.  

Click picture for more details and list of sponsors.

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

Many Irish traditions surrounding St. Patrick’s are folklore, but for those of us who are fortunate enough to live in Dublin, Georgia, St. Patrick’s is an opportunity for the community to come out for celebration.

In Dublin, St. Patrick’s is celebrated throughout the month of March with plenty of family fun.   Special St. Patrick’s events include Bridge and Canasta Tournaments, a Barbeque Cook-off, (hot-air) Balloon Fest, Kite Flying Jamboree, Lunch with Lucky Leprechaun and the Shamrock crawl.  And that’s just week one!  The list goes on with Super Saturday scheduled for March 19.  This is the highlight of the month when thousands of people will gather in Dublin for events like the Leprechaun Road Race, Parade, and Arts & Crafts Festival, among others, that will be going on throughout the day and into the evening.   

Contact Curry Companies for a complete list of scheduled events so you can make your plans to enjoy good family fun where Irish Eyes are Smiling.

It’s Tax Season: Don’t Forget Your Residential Energy Tax Credits

For several years now, the government has been offering tax credits as a way to encourage home owners to become more energy efficient.   Consumers who purchased and installed specific products such as energy-efficient appliances, windows, doors, roofs, insulation and heating/cooling equipment, during 2010, may be eligible to receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.  The improvements must meet the energy-efficient standards set by the IRS, and the home which received the upgrades must be an existing primary residence.   It is always best to consult with a tax advisor to ensure you receive the full credit to which you are entitled.  If you prepare your own tax return, make sure you complete Form 5695 properly.  See EnergyStar.gov for a complete summary of energy efficiency tax credits available.  You can also find information through the Department of Energy.   

Since purchasing and installing your energy-saving products, you’re being back with lower energy bills.  By taking advantage of the Residential Energy Tax Credit, Uncle Sam will pay you back some too.

Looking Forward to 2011

The new year is well underway with 2010 in the past.   Last year was definitely a year of challenges leaving many people anticipating the new year… fresh starts, new beginnings. 

It’s great to have a positive attitude.  Better economic times WILL come.  In the meantime, what an opportunity to  polish skills, learn new things, and strengthen accountability practices to create new and improve existing relationships, both personal and business.   Last year, a combination of these was put into action prior to and with the launch of Curry Companies’ website.  The site will continue to be a work in progress providing visitors with a wealth of information pertaining to what Curry does best—Insurance, Construction, and Real Estate.  In addition, the Helpful Links provides contact information for area attorneys, banks, city governments, hospitals, schools, and even veterinarians, just to  name a few.  Most recently added is a Video Library that answers just about any real estate-related question ever asked. And, in keeping with the times, Click to Call and Click to Text features are now available from the site, and you can join Curry Real Estate on Facebook and Twitter. 

Curry Companies has come out of its comfort zone and is embracing technology.  However, no one can dismiss the need for face-to-face meetings for building stronger relationships and connections.  Therefore, as Curry Companies continues into 2011 providing the technology people have come to expect, our door will always remain open, and customers and clients will continue to be warmly greeted with friendly smiles and a polite, “How may we help you?”.

HOUSING MARKET UPDATE

This blog entry is to answer what has become a popular question directed to the real estate agents here at Curry Real Estate:  “How’s the real estate market doing?”

Home sales reached a peak back in 2007, and shortly thereafter, started its downward spiral nationwide.  Here in the Heart of Georgia, the housing market hasn’t suffered to the extent larger cities have but, it has been in a decline; there’s no denying it.   We’re fast approaching the end of 2010, and home sales this year have been intermittent, and that’s okay.  Recovery will not be overnight.    National Association of REALTORS® chief economist, Lawrence Yum, recently stated “A housing recovery is taking place but will be choppy at times…”  He went on to say, “the overall direction should be a gradual rising trend in home sales.”    

The decline in the housing market won’t last forever.  Recent national press reports are letting people know that it’s a great time to buy a home because of the strong buyers’ market especially for families ready to settle down.  The savings today’s buyers are receiving are not a one-time benefit.  Fixed rate mortgages are staying around 4% for 30 year conventional.  Buyers with super-low fixed rate mortgages like this will save money every year they are living in their home.   Buying a home during this time will  be a tremendous investment and can help build wealth over the long-term.   Knight Kiplinger, Economic Journalist, stated in a recent column, “With your expectations duly tempered…go ahead and buy.  In a few years, you just might be pleasantly surprised.”   We could not have said it any better.

For more information or to see available houses for sale, please call one of our REALTORS®, at 478-272-2335, or visit CurryRealEstate.com.

THINGS HAPPEN! ARE YOU COVERED?

The single best way to protect your investment in your home is by owning a homeowner’s insurance (HOI) policy.  Let’s take a look at the 4 main categories of coverage that normally appear in a HOI policy.

Dwelling.  The most effective type of coverage for the home in which you reside is replacement cost coverage.  Payment based on the replacement cost is usually the most favorable figure from your point of view because it compensates you for the actual cost of replacing property. The key to determining how much dwelling coverage you need isn’t the value of your home but rather the money you’d have to pay to rebuild it. 

Other Structures.   Examples of other structures covered by HOI would be a detached garage, workshop, storage building, barn, etc.   Your policy covers all of the other structures that might be located on your property besides the home itself.  The same coverage rules apply here as the dwelling insurance – the total amount of coverage should be high enough to rebuild the entire structure if completely lost. 

Contents.  In the case of the contents, an inventory of items room by room is important to have with information such as the date purchased, serial number, the original cost of each item and a brief description. Video tape or still photos is very helpful along with the inventory. These items should be stored in a safe place such as a safety deposit box in a bank and not in the home.  Limitations are normally set for high-cost items such as jewelry, fine art, furs, electronics, collectibles, oriental rugs and antiques. If a thief comes in and steals a two-carat engagement ring, it may not be covered well enough without a personal property rider to cover specific, costly items.

Liability.   As a homeowner, you automatically assume some responsibility for what happens in and around your home.  Homeowner’s liability insurance provides for protection in the event someone gets hurt or property is damaged.  In case of either event, or a combination of the two, you are at risk of severe financial loss as a result of being found liable. In addition to covering medical expenses or cost of repairs, the liability part of your HOI usually pays for court costs should a lawsuit arise.  Don’t skimp on your liability limits!

It’s a good idea to read your policy and become familiar with what is covered and is not covered.  You may be pleasantly surprised to find that a policy covers you for more things than you originally thought.

If you have a question about your homeowner’s policy or would like a free quote, call Lee Newsome, Personal Lines Agent, at Curry Insurance Agency– 478-272-2335 or toll-free 800-596-5664.

Curry Companies Launches New Website!

Curry Companies of Dublin, Georgia announces the launch of its new user-friendly, information-packed website.

“We’re very proud of our new website and how it presents each of the Curry Companies in an easy to use format.”
Louie Curry, Jr. President.

Whether you’re looking for residential, commercial or rental property, the new Curry Companies website is crafted to provide access to the most comprehensive, easy to navigate Real Estate search tools available.  Hundreds of listings and virtual tours, thousands of photos and easy-to-use tools such as mortgage calculators and interactive maps are a click away.  The site also allows viewers to access the Curry Insurance and Premier Construction websites.

Curry Companies is comprised of 5 core businesses: Curry Residential, Curry Commercial, Curry Rentals, Curry Insurance and Premier Construction Associates.   For information about each of the Curry Companies, visit the NEW www.CurryCompanies.com

Stay informed and up to date with area information and real estate tips by subscribing to the Curry Blog.  You can also become a Facebook Fan and a Twitter Follower – all from the new website.

If you are selling property, the Curry team has created a results-driven internet and print marketing system that guarantees your property will be seen through the traditional real estate advertising clutter.  Give your property the exposure it needs to get on and off the market quickly by listing with Curry Residential or Curry Commercial’s professional services.  Visit www.CurryCompanies.com for more information.

Save Time and Hassle: Get Pre-Approved!

So you’ve decided to stop paying rent, or perhaps you still live with your parents and have decided it’s time to leave their nest and start your own.  The best place to begin is by examining your finances.   When you have your financing arranged before you start looking for your home, you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle.  

First: take stock of your income and expenses, both current and projected, to get an idea of what you think you can comfortably manage to pay each month. 

Second: shop for your loan.  Check with local banks and/or a mortgage broker. You should compare interest rates, broker fees, points, prepayment penalties, loan application fees, etc.  After you’ve decided which mortgage “store” you want to use, ask to be “pre-approved. ”

Now that you’re approved for your home loan, call a REALTOR(R) and go shopping at CurryCompanies.com.