The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[Leahs Mom]

I do have a serious question. How in the world do you dust the light fixtures and change the bulbs?

 

[speckledhen]

I do have a serious question. How in the world do you dust the light fixtures and change the bulbs?

Wondered that myself. If I was a billionaire, I wouldn't buy that place.

 

[1muttsfan]

You don't dust them. The maid does it.

 

[speckledhen]

According to my mortgage company:
Median home price in Zip Code - 30559:
$352,500

They say I have $139,872 in equity, but they are not aware of the extra lot we own adjacent that has 1.4 ac of pasture which would add to the home value.

 

[getaclue]

Is that equity based on what you've paid into your existing mortgage, or is it based on what they consider the current market value of your home to be?

 

[speckledhen]

Is that equity based on what you've paid into your existing mortgage, or is it based on what they consider the current market value of your home to be?

Equity is the value above and beyond what we owe, which is approx. $38K

ETA: We paid only $89,900 in 2002 and it appraised for $103K at the time. Then, the 2008 bubble happened. We had put about 50% down when we bought it. Then, we bought the other lots which added about $17K to the mortgage. Now, it's down to right at $38K and values have climbed back up again.

 

[speckledhen]

They are saying the value is about $178K. I say more like $190K+ because of the extra acreage the mortgage company doesn't know about, and the fact that more than half of the house was taken down to the studs and replaced with everything brand new, plus the porch roof removed and completely rebuilt and entire house re-roofed a few years ago. That also doesn't count the steel barn the county values at $12K. And again, I see trailers, which are personal property and taxed accordingly in most places, being sold on similar acreage to mine for $170K. Seems nuts to me that mine would be worth the same as those.

 

[getaclue]

I did the math, and was about to tell you that you could list it for $195,000 that gives you plenty of wiggle room to accept a bit lower offer, or if it sits on the market, do a "New lower price" to $190,000. That's without the extra lot, since it was not figured into the equation.

 

[speckledhen]

I did the math, and was about to tell you that you could list it for $195,000 that gives you plenty of wiggle room to accept a bit lower offer, or if it sits on the market, do a "New lower price" to $190,000. That's without the extra lot, since it was not figured into the equation.

I'd do a FSBO at first because I see many folks selling houses on the FB pages all the time. Even as a former realtor, I'd rather keep $$ in my own pocket. Anne's company, which was also the last company I worked for (Coldwell Banker, who bought out our smaller company I started with), doesn't have a lot of wiggle room in list fees, unless something has drastically changed since I quit. 6-7% of the selling price is a big chunk. I like to be loyal to folks I've worked with and always try to be because people were loyal to me when I did the job, but I also have to look out for my bottom line.

This place would be listed as a mini-farm since all livestock other than pigs are allowed. And we've already done the work of conditioning the garden for them, thanks to the chickens. I'm not sure we are ready yet, though, not unless I found something with a standing building I could put up pens in to house the birds I have now. I'd really rather not be living here full-time when I have it on the market. It was so much easier moving to one place when you didn't have to immediately sell the other and juggle closings. That's what having a good financial standing and lots of equity does for you! I wish my sons would get that. I wish a lot of folks would get that, actually. It's because we bought below our means and lived frugally for so long that it's possible to do this. But, prices have risen a lot around here over the past couple of years so finding something within 20 miles of us may not be so easy. And I'd rather not go into NC. They have a flock registration law, though many resident chicken owners don't even know it. I wouldn't follow it since I think it's just an unjust law for backyard flock owners. Its not for their protection, though that's the way it's pushed. Ga may institute one, too, though, one day. We will not comply.

 

[speckledhen]

Speaking of mobile homes, look at this unusual property. They made it look inside nothing like a trailer whatsoever, but there is also a separate house on the property, barns and acreage. Not interested for us, too pricey, but I thought it was highly unusual.
https://www.realtor.com/realestatea...n_GA_30560_M61043-23719?ex=GA644241230#photo0

I have to say, I hate when they say "totally remodeled", then tell you that was in 1994. Um, needs another one, dontcha think? And they either paint everything this flat white, or awful weird colors, or wallpaper the heck out of everything. Does no one understand neutral? Then, there are the nightmare clients who don't even clean or tidy up before the realtor takes photos. I'd tell them I would not even list it until they cleaned up and de-personalized the place. Like, take your samurai swords and other firearms off the wall? Maybe the deer heads? Maybe the badly hung family pictures? Or maybe put the underwear in a hamper? Geez, I'm having real estate flashbacks.


If I wanted a humongous project, how about this one? This has been on the market for awhile now. Wonder what is stopping folks other than the price? It will be a huge house when finished, but is on a road that travels to the river (River Rd) and recreation area. It's not super private, being where it is. There is a concrete pad that used to be the foundation of a metal building, but that has been removed.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatea...d_Mineral-Bluff_GA_30559_M52229-88979#photo25