Selling Your Home During the Holidays

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Believe it or not the Holidays are not a horrible time to sell your home.

Life happens – even in the middle of a busy family season! January is a popular time for relocations. Company’s often transfer people to start new jobs or positions the first of the new year. Children are on break in December and free to travel to help their parent’s house hunt.

And this time of year I find myself talking to southern living enthusiasts tired of the cold weather and ready for a warmer winter. Recently I spoke with a resident of New Jersey who has been hunting online for a home in the Savannah / Richmond Hill area. I’m always happy to help our friends that are “over the ice and snow” find the perfect home here in the Coastal Empire.

Buyers during this time of year:

tend to have more time to look for houses
are often serious and highly motivated

Sellers during this time of year:

have fewer houses to compete with
must be motivated to sell, the holidays are stressful enough

Tips for selling your home during the Holidays

Decorate your home but be careful not to overdo it. Homes often look their best during the holidays but it is important not to add clutter. Use smaller decorations and simple color schemes. Less is more.

Curb appeal is important this time of year. When the leaves fall and expose more of the home it’s a good idea to do a little fall cleaning when you’re hanging the wreath.

Flameless battery operated candles will create a warm and homey feel. Placed around the home they offer an extra glow that is both safe and welcoming. If you have a fireplace, these candles displayed in the hearth can make a beautiful impression.

Use scents sparingly, especially before a viewing. What smells great to you may not to another and allergies can also be a concern.

Using video to share your home is a great way to capture interest from those house hunters with limited time during the holidays or living out of state and hunting online. This is where I come in. I have a professional photography session for each of my listings and use the images to create a video to showcase your home.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, or maybe both, I can help lift the weight from your shoulders and make sure you have enough time to enjoy the season.

Please call or email me today for more information or questions about selling your home during the holidays.

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

This is a great time of year to share my gratitude. I love living in Richmond Hill and as a Realtor, I love sharing the homes and quality of life the area offers.

Thank you for another great year! Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Life’s big events don’t tend to pay attention to the holiday calendar and that includes moving. Here are a few ideas that might help this holiday season.

Crock Pot Love

It’s hard to plan and pack when we should be basting the turkey. So how can you organize a move and still dress the table with something special? With the greatest invention for the perpetual multi-tasker – the crock pot!

Check out these 23 Thanksgiving Dishes You Can Make In A Crock Pot.

Move Your Body

Planning for a move can take up a lot of our free time. In the beginning we do it around our work and daily schedules and then it seems to take over.

It’s important to continue to exercise, even if just 10 minute sessions and especially on turkey day. Exercise reduces stress and keeps our heads clear for all the decisions a move requires.

Check out these 3 Thanksgiving Workouts

Treat Yourself

You’ll be forgiven if this year you don’t go all out. Many restaurants are open and will be happy to host a gathering. Save yourself the mess of cooking and cleaning up after and take the family out.

Yelp offers great suggestions and reviews for eating out during the holidays.

Happy Holidays!

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

1053 St. Catherine CR Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

CLICK HERE to take a Virtual Tour

Join the many pleased owners of a RJ Reynolds home and live the lifestyle The Bluffs can offer with a 1.75 acre full brick Estate. Bring the outdoors in with screened living area with fireplace. Custom shelving, a laundry chute, and mudroom cubbies make life easier. The 6th bedroom is a bonus and the garage features a 3rd bay for the golf cart.

Special Features at 1053 St. Catherine CR Richmond Hill, GA 31324

MLS Number: 121952
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 4 full and 1 half
Approx. Sq. Ft.: 3500
R J Reynolds Construction Full Brick! with 3 Bay Garage on 1.75 Acre Lot
Community: Pool Community, Playground Community, Clubhouse, Street Lights & Sidewalks

For more information about this property, please contact Melanie Kramer at 912-658-1390 or melaniekramer@kw.com. You can also text 2435539 to 67299.

For more listings please visit: www.melaniekramer.com

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

Savannah Neighborhoods: from the Historic District to Tybee Island

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

The Savannah Richmond Hill area offer many residential communities with prices and amenities to fit your budget and lifestyle. Today we’ll explore Savannah Neighborhoods from the Historic District out to Tybee Island via Victory Drive.

The Historic District

The “Hostess City of the South”, established in 1733, is the heart of the Savannah area. For the most part the city has maintained its original plan and is a walkable community laid out around 22 park like squares shaded by live oaks and Spanish Moss.

The homes are stately, historic (the oldest buildings date back to the 1700’s) and offer a full range of architecture styles including an area of Victorian homes. Since the 1950s, there has been a focus to reclaim and restore homes within the historic district. Many of the interiors feature hand carved wooden accents and modern updates to spaces with historic significance.

Elegant condos and town homes seamlessly blend into the landscape of the historic district and offer the charm and convenience of living in town.

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt is a small town that was once the shipping point for many of the local plantations making it a perfect spot for those looking for something close to water.

Incorporated in 1856, Thunderbolt offers both historic and new construction homes as well as condo communities.

Whitemarsh and Wilmington Islands

Located half way between the historic district and Tybee Island, these islands offer wonderful residential neighborhoods with the convenience of in town living. Most of the homes and condos are within a few minutes of shopping and doctor’s offices.

Here you can find new construction as well as homes dating back to the 1950’s.

Looking for water access? This area is rich with water ways that could take you just about anywhere you’d care to go. Homes on the marshes tend to offer floating docks that move in relation to the tides.

Tybee Island

Looking for a fun and funky beach house? Tybee Island is a relatively quiet beach community. The condos and homes that line the beach lean a little more toward rental properties, but less than a block from the beach you will find the locals. Most of the construction dates back to the 1920’s through the 1950’s, but you can still find new construction and active renovation projects.

What sounds like home to you? Please call or email me today for more information or questions about your relocation needs!

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

Haunted Homes in the Savannah Area

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Stories of Haunted Homes in the Savannah area are as common as front porches. The number of successful ghost tour companies operating in the area are a testament to the number of people interested in hearing them. This time of year many people come in numbers to take an evening stroll, trolley, horse drawn carriage or even a hearse around town in hopes of catching a glimpse of Savannah’s haunted history.

Many homes, bed & breakfasts, hotels and restaurants share the tellings of paranormal experiences. It’s not surprising. Savannah’s history, with it’s massive fires, yellow fever epidemics and cemetery foundation is prime real estate for ghost stories.

“Sometimes you got to commune with the dead.” Or so says Minerva in ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’.

Haunted Homes in Savannah

Hampton Lillibridge House: 507 East St. Julian Street – Built in 1796

Jim Williams, of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame and a well-known Savannah restoration expert purchased the home in 1963 and had it moved to its current location. During the restoration process many of the workers reported hearing voices, laughing and footsteps. Although Jim reportedly dismissed the presence of any paranormal activity within a few weeks of moving in he had an exorcism performed on the house.

Sorrel Weed House: 6 W Harris St – Built 1836

The Sorrel Weed House is one of Savannah’s largest homes and like most homes on tour in the area comes with stories of figures in the windows and disembodies voices. My favorite is that of a women in black walking the courtyard. This home was also featured on Ghost Hunters during it’s first Halloween special on SyFy channel.

Laura’s Cottage: State Street

Laura’s cottage is a rustic vacation rental in Savannah’s historic district. I heard first hand from a couple about their experiences while staying there. Although they never felt nervous they were aware this was going to be a vacation like none other. Within a few hours of arriving, the couple were sitting on the sofa reading the stories of past visitors to the cabin when the deck of cards their young child had been playing with, cut it self, the top half hovering for a split second before hitting the floor. Throughout the month they would misplace small items only to have them show up somewhere unexpected. And one night they were woken by the voice of a women singing. Would they stay there again? “Absolutely” they said.

There are so many to choose from and haunted homes aren’t just located in the historic district of Savannah, Tybee Island, the Plantation in Richmond Hill and many of the surrounding areas are rich with hauntings and spirits.

So if you, like my friends visiting Laura’s Cottage, are looking for something a little extra special with your next home purchase I’d be happy to find it for you.

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

Exploring Film Locations in Savannah

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

With the Savannah Film Festival kicking off this weekend I got to thinking about some of our beautiful southern homes and locations that have graced the silver screen.

The film locations in Savannah can be a fun adventure for any film buff but is also a great way to see the area when visiting during a scouting trip for a relocation move.

You may be familiar with a couple of the most popular films shot here, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Forrest Gump. Both were set and filmed in the Savannah area. But the list doesn’t start or stop there. There are so many, you can even take a 90 minute narrated tour of film locations.

Exploring Film Locations in Savannah

A few years ago Robert Redford transformed Savannah’s historic district into 1865 Washington, DC when he filmed The Conspirator.

The Harper Fowlkes House at 230 Barnard St is a Greek revival mansion built in 1842 is one of many homes open for tours.

Laura’s cottage, an old slave cabin on State Street was used as the lawyer’s home in the film and is also available as a vacation rental.

The Last Song used a variety of locations on Tybee Island and the Savannah Coast.

A running story line throughout the film was the burning of a community church. The church was built as a temporary set for the film, but ended up as a permanent structure. The church was moved to its current location on highway 80 just as you enter Tybee Island and is now used as a wedding chapel.

How about that scene in Something to Talk About where Julia Robert’s character tears Dennis Quaid a new one on the streets of Savannah?

The Six Pence Pub at 245 Bull Street is a true English Pub complete with an old red phone box out front. The food is great and the atmosphere fun. A great place for an afternoon stop.

Believe it or not, the set dressers of CBGB turned Congress St into New York City cir. 1973.

Congress St. is lined with pubs and shops and with a little imagination was transformed into the famous CBGB (which stands for Country, Blue Grass, and Blues) on the Bowery and Bleeker Streets in the East Village.

A tour of filming locations in Savannah wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Leapold’s Ice Cream shop on Broughton Street. It’s owner Stratton Leopold still produces movies and film memorabilia decorates the walls of the 1930s themed ice cream shop.

About the Savannah Film Festival

Each fall the Savannah College of Art and Design hosts the festival which presents a variety of competition film screenings, workshops, panels and lectures. More than 40,000 people attend and support the craft of filmmaking including award-wining professionals and emerging student filmmakers.

Please call or email me today for more information or questions about your relocation needs!

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

Melanie Kramer: LOCAL REALTOR® AWARDED SRS DESIGNATION

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Melanie Kramer, Local Realtor® Awarded SRS Designation

Richmond Hill, Ga, — Melanie Kramer, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Richmond Hill, has been awarded the Seller Representative Specialist – SRS designation, the premier seller agency designation in the country.

The SRS Designation is conferred by the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) and is an official credential of the National Association of REALTORS®. Melanie joins an elite group of real estate professionals in North America who have earned the SRSsm designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in seller representation, pass a comprehensive exam and subscribe to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

About Melanie Kramer

Melanie Kramer has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting, an inactive Real Estate Appraisers license, an active real estate sales license, and has been a Distinguished Sales Society consecutively since 2006.

Melanie is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors, Savannah Area Board of Realtors, is also an Accredited buyers representative, has served on 4 different occasions on Keller Williams Agent Leadership Council as well as volunteering in her community with the 1996 Olympic Games, Savannah venue, as well as other local civic organizations.

About SRS

SRSsm is a wholly owned division of CRB and focuses specifically on representing the real estate seller. Founded in 1968, CRB is a not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®. You may contact SRS by telephone, 800-621-8738, by e-mail, [CustomerService@SRSCouncil.com], or by visiting the SRS website, [www.SRSCouncil.com].

5 Fall Home Maintenance Tips for your Southern Home

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

I saw the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival circled on the calendar and thought now is the perfect time to talk about Fall Home Maintenance.

With average October highs reaching into the mid-70s our autumns in Richmond Hill, Ga and Savannah, GA are near perfect. Before we start pulling out old family turkey stuffing recipes, lets go over a few tips to keep your home running efficiently through this change of season.

5 Fall Home Maintenance Tips for your Southern Home

HVAC

Did you know that NOT changing your air conditioner filters is the main reason they break down? Really, a $2.00 filter change can save you a $200.00 service call or worse!

A dirty air filter makes air flow harder to pass through the unit. It also causes the unit to run less efficiently or not run at all if the system overheats. Changing your filters every month can extend the life of your HVAC unit. Take my word for it! Change your filters! This will lower your energy costs as well as be a health benefit to those living in the home.

This is a great time of year to call your HVAC company and have them do a yearly maintenance check up on your entire system. They will clean the drain lines and brush or clean the coils, as well as remove any obstructions. Have them check to make sure there are no refrigerant leaks and that the refrigerant levels are not low. You have to request it, but you can also have them look for duct leaks which are usually easily fixed and will also help your unit run more efficiently.

Fireplace

Have your fireplace chimney liner, firebox, smoke chamber and damper inspected for creosote. Even a small glazing has the potential for devastating effects. Along with removing the creosote, a chimney sweep will clean any soot and blockages.

Just because we may not use our fireplaces that often, doesn’t mean birds and other critters haven’t been. It will be important to remove any nesting debris before using the fireplace.

Fire Alarm Batteries

Now is also a great time to replace your Fire Alarm batteries. Even if your home has been hard wired with an alarm, you will want to replace the back up battery.

Window and door caulking and weather stripping

The weather strip acts as a barrier designed to reduce air and water infiltration. Make sure it is still effective by checking for leaks. A home air pressure test will suck outside air into your home and reveal areas with air leaks that need attention.

Inspect the exterior caulking around your windows and doors. Anything that looks old or is loose will need to be trimmed off. Seal the gaps with a good quality caulk. A $2.00 tube of caulk can also save you many dollars later on!

Clean the Gutters & Roof

Georgia has beautiful tree canopies, but along with that comes falling leaves and lots of Georgia Pine needles or “pinestraw” as we southerners call it. After most of the leaves have fallen, clean the gutters and downspouts and flush them with water. A great alternative is to have a built in leaf guard placed over the gutter. Make certain leaves and pinestraw are not accumulating in the valleys of your roof line. Check the valley to make sure the debris has not caused rotten wood. If so, have a qualified roofer flash those areas.

A buildup of debris can cause damage to your gutters, downspouts and roof line and can also lead to water damage to your roof.

DIY Gutter Cleaning:

Wear gloves, a dust mask and safety goggles.
Secure your ladder.
Using a garden trowel to scoop the debris into a garbage bag.
Use a high pressure nozzle on your water hose to rinse (toward the downspout).
Wash down the gutter.
Clear the downspout.

Please call or email me today for more information or questions about your relocation needs!

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

A Better Cost of Living in the South

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

I’m often asked about cost comparisons between the Savannah, Georgia area and the north east, “Is the cost of living really that much better in the south?”

We touched on the cost of living when we discussed buying a second home in the area…

the cost of living is much lower here. When compared with Newark, New Jersey for example the overall cost of living in the Savannah area is 31% lower*. The cost of housing alone is 58% lower* than Newark. Generally speaking if you’re living on $120,000 in New Jersey you could maintain your lifestyle in Savannah with $82,818.

Breaking Down the Cost of Living in the South

What makes the Richmond Hill / Savannah area so desirable?

Along with the beautiful weather, beaches, and 2nd biggest St. Patrick’s Day festival in the country – we also boast an excellent cost of living.

Forbes lists Savannah’s cost of living to be below the national average and considerably lower than the New England, New York and New Jersey area.

Looking for a home in the Savannah area often means getting more for less.

What does this mean to your pocketbook?

In basic terms, everyday items are a little bit cheaper here. AreaVibes.com notes that both kinds of liquid fuel trend below the national average. The price of gas in the Savannah area averages 1.2% below and the price of coffee averages 3.5% below.

With a longer warmer weather season than our friends in the north east our energy and utility costs run about 5.3% lower than the national average.

Health care and dental costs are also lower. You may also find other self-care costs such as getting your hair styled will save you a few dollars too.

The Richmond Hill / Savannah area can help stretch your retirement dollars too, all while providing the benefits of a top tourism destination – great hotels (for visiting relatives), world class events and a variety of outdoor activities.

Taxes

A tax friendly town can be a crucial deciding factor when planning a relocation or retirement. Georgia does have a state tax on each home you purchase, but what makes it such a great option for retirees is that Social Security benefits are not taxable income and the state also offers exceptions on other types of retirement income.

Check with your accountant for tax information that will relate specifically to your needs.

Property taxes in both Chatham and Bryan Counties are assessed based on 40% of the fair market value of the property. A $240,000 home would have an assessed value of $96,000 for taxing purposes. The final tax bill will be based on the property and any exemptions available. For example, there is a senior citizen discount on property taxes.

Generally speaking, factor in approximately 1% for Bryan County yearly property taxes and 1.5% in Chatham and Effingham Counties for easy round numbers. All three counties use a mileage rate which equates to about these percentages. That means you could buy a $200,000 house in Bryan county and the property taxes are $2,000 per year even if you have no senior citizen discount.

Further, if you buy a home in the suburbs of Bryan County (Richmond Hill, GA), your 1% tax bill INCLUDES your waste bill for weekly curbside service, your yearly fire department dues (no separate bill), and your biweekly curbside recycle service (you do not have to sort). Those “extras” that are included in themselves save you a few hundred dollars each year!

There is no better example than my own: 3.5% home mortgage for 30 years, 1% property taxes on my home, no fire department dues, no waste monthly bill, approximately $45.00 each month for my water useage, no sewage bill, a local electric company (www.coastalem.com) which equates to $9.50 to $11.00 per KWH used. There are no yearly vehicle emission tests in Georgia. There are new vehicle purchase taxes and a yearly $25.00 car tag fee. Not a bad cost of living at all!

A better cost of living equals a great quality of life.

Please call or email me today for more information or questions about your relocation needs!

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

*statistics pulled from payscale.com

New Listing: 1200 Mill Hill Rd Richmond Hill GA

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Build your dream home on the Ogeechee River!

1200 Mill Hill Rd in Richmond Hill is a cleared lot and ready for building.

Over half an acre sits on the deepwater of the Ogeechee and boasts a renovated floating dock (2011) with a 24ft aluminum ramp and boat hoist. At 10×58 this size dock can no longer be built; this one has been grandfathered in.

View the listing page here.

Please call me today for more information or questions about your relocation needs!

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct