Cute, Cozy Home in Valdosta, GA

It's a breath of fresh air when you enter this lovely home in Valdosta, Ga. Located just off of I-75 in a Lowndes County neighborhood, it's quaintness makes it perfect.

Don't you just love the traditional feel with the classic, inviting red front door saying "Welcome, Come on in."?!

Beautifully designed and custom built, this home is more than you'd expect! It's all about style and class. Check out the great room with hardwood floors that flows nicely into the kitchen and breakfast area.

The kitchen is nice with lots of windows to let the light shine in, and cabinets for storage space.

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath jewel is waiting for you! Upgraded and already fenced, don't wait too long!

Take a look at this great back porch and well kept back yard!

Priced at only $129,000, she's ready to see what you'll experience in this beautiful home!

Click here to see a Narrated e-Tour!

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Ok, I'm not crazy. I promise to come at you live and in person ASAP. Technical difficulties are preventing progress now, but soon, it'll be my face on your screen! :)

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It's Gonna Be Me!

Ok, I've been taking a little hiatus, not to neglect but to revamp and refocus! It's been a month now, since my last post and I've done a lot of things in the last month. I've been to Dallas, I've listened to numerous speakers, I've hired a coach, I've prepared and nearly finished 2011's Business Plan, I've prayed, I've cried, I've been to Atlanta, I've investigated, I've been to Tallahassee, I've talked, I've listened, I've calculated. I've done a lot of thinking in the last month. Thinking about business, thinking about life, thinking about myself, thinking about people, thinking about what is truly important to me. And, I don't mean asking the question "What is important to me" just once, but SEVEN times and about the previous thought. Joe Stumpf taught me to do this. It's about getting to the root of who I really am and what I really want out of this gift I've been given, this responsibility I've been blessed with: LIFE.

As a part of this time of self-analysis, I've learned, and ultimately decided, that real estate is more about you and I than contracts and checks. Real estate is about developing relationships that matter, and helping people achieve their dreams and overcome their struggles. I'm committed now, in this blog, in my day-to-day interactions, in my emails, in my phone conversations, in my walk, in my speech and in every facet of my life to do my best to develop myself while touching people's lives. I, therefore, am committed to giving you a truer, rawer sense of Morgan Plyler. I am determined to be Morgan Plyler: Your Friend in the Real Estate Business.

I am so committed, in fact, that most of my posts from now on (fingers crossed) will be LIVE, IN PERSON! Yes, that's right live video of yours truly! :)

I'm so thankful for what I've been blessed with. I'm so thankful for my career. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of!

So, looking forward, I warn you and, yes, borrowing a line from an old school NSync tune: It's Gonna Be Me!

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Monthly Market Report: September 2010

It's that time again! I've got the numbers for September, and I'm ready to...report.

In September 2010, Lowndes County saw just over at 18% decrease in combined dollar amount of units sold compared to that of August 2010. However, when compared to September 2009, the area saw about a 1% decrease of the same. In September 2010, only ONE unit less was sold in Lowndes County when compared to September 2009.

While we did see a decrease in number, 1% ain't too shabby. (if you'll allow my Southern expression) We expect a bit of decrease when we move to the cooler months. Folks get busy with homework, football games, PTO, and LIFE, and just find themselves a little too busy to worry about purchasing their next home. A large decrease between August and September is pretty regular and expected. The "Summer Selling Season" has officially ended, and the itch seems to subside for many people.

In Lowndes County last month, agents listed 5% more homes this year than last, but again, it's nothing to get your feathers ruffled over.

Now is the time to invest in real estate, now is the time to buy! House payments are cheaper than rent, and they make you money in the long run!

...Oh, and FYI: Lowest interest rate I've seen came to me this week:

                                    2.375%!

 Yes, that's right. Seriously, it's almost free!

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EXIT Realty Hits the World Stage in Istanbul

Company CEO on hand to address gathering at International Business Awards
Mississauga, ON – Steve Morris, CEO and Founder of EXIT Realty Corp. International joined a distinguished group of honorees in Istanbul, Turkey last week as the best in global business were recognized at the 7th Annual International Business Awards.

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word “crowned,” EXIT Realty earned a Distinguished Honoree medal in the category of “Most Innovative Company of the Year in North America”. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in business.

 

Honorees were selected from more than 1,700 entries received from organizations and individuals in more than 40 countries. The Board of Judges and Advisors included Donald Trump, Chairman, President & CEO of the Trump Organization and Anthony Robbins, Chairman & CEO of the Anthony Robbins Companies.

“I had the special privilege of introducing single-level residuals to the real estate industry in North America in 1996,” Morris told the gathering. “Based on today’s economic pressures, it has proven to be a godsend to many REALTORS®. This award is a wonderful honor that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of three individuals here with me tonight; Tami Bonnell, President of our US Organization, Erika Gileo, Senior Vice President of Operations and my wife, Cathy Morris.”

About EXIT Realty: Founded in Canada in 1996, and taking the U.S. by storm starting in 1999, EXIT Realty sold over half of the regional rights by population in under 365 days, was named as one of the Top 10 Trendsetters of 2007 by the Swanepoel Trends report, and Steve Morris was named one of REALTOR® Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Thought Leaders. A portion of every transaction fee collected by EXIT International is applied to its charitable fund and to-date, $1.68 Million has been pledged to Habitat for Humanity in both Canada and the U.S. Please visit http://www.exitrealty.com/ for more information.

About The Stevie Awards: Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at http://www.stevieawards.com/.


This article was taken from http://www.realestateindustryleaders.com/public/item/260760.

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The First Step in Buying a Home

Are you or someone you know thinking of buying a home?? Well, let's get right down to it and make sure you know what comes FIRST when looking into the process.

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After the preliminary personal finances are worked out and you have come to the conclusion that this is the best decision for you, then comes the important part!

Before looking at homes, before deciding on a Realtor, before walking up and peering in someone's window...Go talk to a Mortgage Lender! This is so important to get done very early on in the process of purchasing a home. Many Realtors require that you have a Pre-Approval Letter available for them before they begin showing you property. While this may seem a bit annoying, think of it from our perspective. We could spend days, weeks, or months showing you properties all over creation, and then come to find out something is not quite right with your credit and you can't purchase a home for 6 months!! That is a lot of wasted time for the agent, for you as the buyer looking at homes that probably won't be available in 6 months, and for the sellers who had to get their home ready and get out so that you could view it.

When you sit down with the mortgage lender, they will be able to tell you how much of a home you can afford. They'll be able to break down monthly payments for you based on different price levels to make sure you feel comfortable with the price range that you are in. You may be able to afford a $250,000 home, but wouldn't want to spend that much on a monthly payment. So, it's best to lay it out and get a few details before looking at homes that you really would rather not purchase.

Once you have had the appropriate discussions with the lender, get a copy of the Pre-Approval Letter and find the Realtor that you would like to work with! Then, it's time to find the home of your dreams!

Just remember, First Things First: Talk to at least one Mortgage Lender BEFORE looking at homes! It makes the process easier for everyone involved and ensures you a much better experience!

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Beautiful Home and Land For Sale In Hahira, GA

Imagine waking up each morning, pouring yourself your first cup of coffee, and stepping outside to nestle in your rocking chair as you look over the beautiful pond.

Your 5 acres of land set off by the 2.5 acre stocked pond is peaceful and gorgeous, and the perfect way to start each morning.

Oh, and guess what?! Connected to that porch is a rustic, cabin style home built in 2006. Wide open in the kitchen and living area, anchored by the wood-burning stone fireplace, it just feels like home.

With this attractive property you get all the feelings of being in the middle of the woods, but are only 10 minutes from the city of Valdosta.

Not only this, but in addition to the newly built 3 bedroom, 2 bath main house, a guest house built circa 1900 sits just next to the pond.

This 1 bedroom, 1 bath home with living area, kitchen and great front porch is perfect for guests!

Priced at only $249,900 this property is your perfect getaway!

Check out the Narrated e-Tour HERE!!

Call Today for more information!! (229) 251-7897

Home in Hahira, GA, near Valdosta, Ga in north Lowndes County.

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Foreclosures on the Rise...NO WORRIES!

National reports have come out in the last week showing that foreclosures are on the rise. RealtyTrac reported that there were a whopping 95,364 foreclosures in the month of August NATIONWIDE! To put this into perspective:
    
       If every person in Lowndes County was foreclosed on, that would be more foreclosures than we have seen in the ENTIRE COUNTRY! Yes, that's right, Lowndes County has more residents than there were foreclosures in the United States of America in August 2010!!


View Larger Map


Not as bad as it seems, huh?! Oh, the media! Americans must regain confidence in our economy and without perspective, it can't be done. Spread the GOOD news, not the bad and America will be just fine!

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Check out this report from the Today Show today! While most areas of the country are not seeing this type of volume, many of the same deals can be found everywhere! Lemons = Lemonade! It's time America took advantage and started getting positive!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Monthly Market Report: August 2010

So, each month, I’d like to give a little update on what’s going on in our marketplace. I’m going to provide statistics and information using our South Georgia Multiple Listing Service. Hopefully, the information will help to provide insight into the real estate market in the Lowndes County and Valdosta, GA areas, and help give a clearer picture about home pricing and more.


When comparing to one year ago, August 2009, last month saw just over a 3% increase in number of residential units sold in Lowndes County alone. Compared to the month of July 2010, August 2010 saw just over a 16% increase in the number of residential units sold, again, in Lowndes County only. If nothing else, just this figure shows that we’re looking up!

According to the MLS, Lowndes County has seen an 11% decrease in August 2010, compared to August 2009, in the number of homes being newly listed for sale. This may be evidence of some stabilization.

The real estate market in Valdosta and Lowndes County, like much of the rest of the country, did not see the awful numbers being reported by our national news. Several factors help to keep our market “out of the woods” and fairly stable throughout the downturn. We were seeing such high and inflated home prices before the crash that our market has simply corrected through these times, not plummeted. Our values now are pretty accurate and straight forward. We have definitely seen a decrease, but again, now the values are probably what they should be, not at rock bottom.

All of these things considered, NOW is the time to buy real estate. Home prices are low, interest rates are at RECORD lows (I’ve seen 2.75%), and the economy will not suffer forever. I read today, where forecasters are predicting an increase in the interest rates in the next WEEK!! While nothing is a guarantee, do not be one of those people kicking themselves at the end of this for not taking advantage. Americans, and our economy, will get up, dust off their shoulders, become more confident, and, even if a little scarred, will MOVE ON and MOVE UP!

So, I, and EXIT, say: BUY REAL ESTATE NOW! Stop talking about how bad everything is and realize that things are only as bad as WE make them. Refuse to let the national news form your opinion! Look at the facts! The facts are that it’s not all that bad! Chin Up, Folks!

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What is a real estate CMA? (Competitive Market Analysis)

Have you as a home buyer or seller ever been offered a "CMA"? Sometimes, we REALTORS forget that folks out there in everyday land, not in Real Estate Land, don't understand our "lingo". We use terms and abbreviations like REO, FHA, CMA, FSBO (fizz-bo), GFE, and VA that mean absolutely nothing to most buyers and sellers. So, today, I'm going to try and clear up one of the most commonly used abbreviations:

The CMA.

CMA stands for "Competitive Market Analysis" or "Comparative Market Analysis". This document gives the interested party the likely value that a buyer may place on the property in question. Included in a CMA are properties that are similar to the subject property (the property that is being bought or sold). The goal when composing a CMA is to find properties that are most similar to the subject property in terms of location, square footage, lot size, upgrades, year built, amenities, and other features along the same line. The key is to look for comparable properties that have been on the market or sold in the previous 6 months or so. By looking at what these similar homes may have been listed for, sold, or not sold, for we can help determine the market value of any property in consideration. The information about the similar properties should come from a local Multiple Listing Service where properties for sale are stored along with specific information. This helps ensure that the information is relatively accurate and monitored by a local, non-biased office. Once specific properties are located, then they are compared to the subject property and adjustments are made for differences in each of the areas being compared. For instance, if the home you are selling has 2500 square feet, and the one you are using as a comparable only has 2000 square feet then a minor adjustment may need to be made for the difference. After adjustments are made and each property is compared, an estimated market value or suggested list price is determined based on the information collected.

The CMA is an important tool if you are trying to sell your home, because it provides insight into what a typical buyer might be willing to pay. This is what helps you determine where you want/need to set your asking price.

When buying a home, the CMA can help you determine how to structure your offer to the seller, and what may or may not be reasonable.

So, I hope that helps clear up some questions you may have about the ever-confusing Real Estate Language. Hang in there and Ask Questions! Your real estate professional is there to help you through each step of the home buying or selling process. Don't be shy!

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TOP 10 STEPS TO GET YOUR HOME SOLD!

Besides the issue of price, maybe the next most important part of selling your home is what we marketing people call "merchandising". Merchandising with regard to the sale of your home is what you do to contribute to the sale, or, in other words, how you make your home as absolutely attractive as possible! Now, you may be thinking that pictures of you or your grandkids are extremely attractive, but...I'm going to just go ahead and say...YOU and YOUR FAMILY are the only ones who think so. (Ouch, I know.) But, seriously, TAKE THEM DOWN!!
Merchandising is all about little things like these that will make a HUGE difference in the way your home appeals to the potential buyer taking a look.

I've composed a list of what I believe to be the TOP 10 Merchandising Tips. Take a look, and take my advice!

1. First Impressions Count!

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so look at your home’s exterior with a critical eye. Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, and tidy up the front porch.

2. Start with a Clean Slate

Take the time to clean the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room. Potential buyers would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look.

3. Everything Has its Place

Remember, propects are not only looking for comfortable living space, but plenty of storage space. Check the attic, garage, and all of the closets, making sure they are all neat and free of clutter. Invest here or here.

4. Make your Bathroom Shine, Shine, Shine

As crazy as it sounds, bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine! Check and repair areas that may need caulk. Display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.

5. Peel Back those Blinds

Let the sun shine in! Pull open your curtains, drapes, or blinds so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is. The more light, the better atmosphere.

6. Be it Ever so Humble…

No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. And if a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment, bite your tongue. You do not want to scare away a potential buyer forever.

7. Pets May Pose Problems

Dogs and cats can easily get in the way when showing your home. Try to be considerate and keep them outside, at a neighbor’s house, or in their kennel.

8. Too Much of a Good Thing

Put personal collections away someplace safe. They often take up tons of space and can easily make a room feel cluttered.

9. Check the Temperature

Now is NOT the time to be worried about the utility bill. If it’s warm or cool outside, adjust the temperature accordingly. You want to give your buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on those hot and cold days.

10. Play Down the Scent

Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers. Don’t overdo it with candles and perfumes. Your home should have a fresh scent, not anything overwhelming. Try this.


Ok, I think that about gets it! Whether selling your home yourself, or with a licensed REALTOR, swallow the knot in your throat, do a few things to make your home look its best, and SELL IT!

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About Me

     SO, first things first! My name is Morgan Plyler, also known as many other things, but “Mo” specifically. I’ve lived in Valdosta, Ga for pretty much my entire life, except a year or so during college. I graduated from Georgia Christian School down in Dasher, Ga, just south of Valdosta. I did most of my growing up down in Dasher, it will always be home. I moved on to Alabama for my first year or so of college, then back to Valdosta where I graduated with a degree in Business Management from Valdosta State University. I am so blessed to have grown up in this city that’s close enough to the beach and to the big city, but just far enough away.

…more to come about Valdosta soon…

     Close to finishing college, I felt it was time to break into the real estate market. Yes, this was the beginning of the worst real estate market in recent history. BUT,…I was a fearless college student, young, energetic, and ready to take on the task. It seemed like the right thing to do. Get an early start in a career where I control my income, I work on my time, and I get to help people through one of the biggest, most exciting purchases of their lives. Helping people realize a traditional American dream, like homeownership, is extremely rewarding. I would say the early start into the business served me well. According to what “they” say, the market can’t get much worse than it’s been in the last 2 years, so I can make it through anything! I learned, it’s not about the market, it’s about me! Work hard, pound the pavement, and success is inevitable. EXIT Realty showed me that. If not for the real estate and mindset training offered by this company, my outlook in life and in business would still be flawed. What a blessing!

     So, a 2.5 year old Realtor, I come with many real estate experiences. Being in the new, younger generation, I use technology to my advantage, and bring fresh ideas to the marketing and sale of homes in the area (no doubt linked to my focus on marketing, as well as management at VSU). I love the career I’ve chosen and the opportunities that it allows me to help others while supporting myself. Again, so blessed!

     Outside of real estate, I love sports!! I’ve been a player, a coach, and a fan my entire life! You can’t live in Valdosta, GA…Winnersville, USA, Titletown USA…without being a fan! I also enjoy teaching young girls, and volunteering in other ways around Valdosta. My friends are scattered around the southeast, but the ones I’ve grown up with are still around. We keep it pretty low-key, but always manage to have a great time!

     So, that’s pretty much ME! Real Estate Agent…with Southern Style. It’s what I bring to life, it’s what I bring to business.

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