Team Melanie Kramer

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

I am a full time Real Estate Professional. I work every day and treat real estate as a business, not a part time job, second career or hobby. I work as a small intimate team with two other real estate professionals. I have a back up plan! Together as a Team we are able to assure that your needs will be handled by true professionals.

Angi Kennedy is our showing assistant and buyers agent specialist who will sometimes be showing you homes for sale as well. Matt Hill is also a buyers agent specialist on our team. I also have a transaction coordinator that will work with me and you to get the documents for closing who is named Tracee Marchese. We also have an administrative assistant and two part time marketing persons.

It is a fact of life that someone is going to get sick, someone is going to die, someone has to go out of town, etc., but with the team approach are able to assure you that your biggest investment is being handled professionally by full time trained Realtors and Administrative Staff.

I personally live in Richmond Hill, Georgia, with my husband Len Kramer and two boys ages 17 and 13 who are Trey and Brett. We have an English Bulldog Rescue named Georgia who won our hearts having as well as two Manx cats, Bob and Mrs. J.

Over the years I have serviced many, many clients in the Savannah and Richmond Hill areas and built lasting professional relationships with my clients and other professionals in the real estate and other supporting industries. Our goal and Keller Williams’ goal is to foster teamwork with all to better serve the needs of both the buyer and seller.

I return phone calls! My schedule varies widely but I strive to return phone calls promptly if I miss your call.

I strive to meet the highest ethical and business standards! I will always be honest with you and others. I pride myself on giving 110% and working hard. I cannot be an expert in every supporting field such as lending, home inspectors, etc, but I can get you to the experts in any given field!

In addition to my experience as a Realtor with Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners, I have over seventeen years of local Paralegal experience and three years of real property appraiser experience. All done right here in your community. Let me put my combined experience to work for you. I can guide you through the purchasing or selling experience from start to finish including listing your home for sale, purchasing your new home, property appraisals, negotiations and document handling (agreements, disclosures, addendums, etc). I am happy to say that over the past years, most have been long time clients who have repeatedly called me over the years no matter what the task.

I promise to do my very best to guide you through what some clients describe as a very stressful process and the biggest purchase of their life. Let me take the stress out of your next home buying or selling experience. My commitment is to make you a client for Life!

Qualifications:

State of Georgia, Real Estate Agent, License Number: 302719
State of Georgia, Registered Real Property Appraiser, License Number: 261060 (Inactive)
B.B.A. In Accounting
Member, ALC, Agent Leadership Council for years 2014, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007
Chair, Education Committee, ALC 2009
Member, Savannah Area Board of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors & National Association of Realtors
Committee Member, SABOR Adopt-A-Family 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Member, SABOR Distinquished Sales Society (DSS), 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Member, Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
Member, Coastal Conservation Assocation, Richmond Hill Historical Society,
Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Millitary Relocation Specialist (CMRS), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS),
Member, Richmond Hill Chamber of CommerceSummary Volunteer Work:
1996 Atlanta Olympic Games (Over 200 hours logged at International Sailing Venue, Savannah, Georgia)
2006-2015, Keller Williams Red Day – give back event

I look forward to working with you!

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

4th of July Fireworks and Festivities in Savannah

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

There are plenty of fireworks and festivities to participate in this weekend in the Savannah and Richmond Hill Areas.

Fireworks & Festivities

River Street Fourth of July Celebration – 4 – 10pm Live music starts at 4pm. Bring your chairs and blankets to secure your spot. Fireworks start as soon after 9pm. First Friday Oyster Roast at the Westin will follow it’s normal schedule.

Fourth of July Cruises – There are a few options to tour the Savannah River during the fireworks display. From there hours cruises offer dinner, to one and half hour cruises with snacks and open bar. Please check with Savannah’s Riverboat Cruises for availability.

Tybee Island Fireworks – Tybee Island celebrates America’s birthday July 3rd. The island fills up quickly, so plan to get there early and stay late. The fireworks start around 9:15pm. They are staged on the pier but can be easily viewed by from any of Tybee’s Eastern Beaches.

The Sand Gnats play the Charleston Riverdogs at Grayson Stadium Friday July 3rd. Doors open at 6pm and the first pitch is 7:05pm. There will be fireworks after the game.

In Richmond Hill, the 4th of July celebrations take place at J. F. Gregory Park July 3rd from 5 – 9:30pm. The festival atmosphere includes live music, great food as well as a Farmers Market. The evening with end with the traditional fireworks display.

Happy 4th!

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

RJ Reynolds Construction

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

RJ Reynolds Construction is owned by John Reynolds and Butch Reynolds – passionate home builders located here in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

Home is a little word that holds a tremendous amount of emotion. RJ Reynolds Construction is lead by a deep passion to ensure that each and every home they build is personally crafted to fit your life. And that you never feel as if one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in life is a cookie-cutter. Living by their tag line, Your Home. Our Passion., John and Butch offer a great new-construction home experience that is as stress free and hassle free as possible; and an end product that will display their care and craftsmanship and reflects your wants and needs.

Savannah Natives John Reynolds (left) and Butch Reynolds (right)

RJ Reynolds offers unique features you often will not find anywhere else, such as:

multi-tiered tray ceilings that include perimeter lighting
high-end entrance ways
quality flooring and premium name brand paints

These details bring an extra level of customization to your home. Looking for ideas for your dream home. Browse through the Reynolds gallery of work for inspiration.

For more information about RJ Reynolds Construction Homes please contact Melanie Kramer at 912-658-1390 or melaniekramer@kw.com.

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

Open House: 175 E Perry Drive Richmond Hill GA

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Melanie Kramer
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct

Tips to Avoid These Costly Mistakes Prior to Closing

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

You have signed to purchase a home, you have done your home inspection, well inspection, termite inspection, gotten a copy of the covenants for the neighborhood, charges for the HOA, you have made it through your loans underwriting and think you are home free, and then just prior to closing you find out you made a few costly mistakes…

As a seasoned real estate agent, I see miscommunication or lack of communication all the time in regard to real estate transactions. I want to save you, the buyer, much agony, and share these tips to avoid costly mistakes prior to closing.

The list below may seem like “little things” but when you are in the middle of a real estate purchase, it can amount to major problems. Real Estate closings are like dominoes and if one chip falls wrong, there is a snowball effect.

Tips to Avoid These Costly Mistakes Prior to Closing

Tell your agent the details of your travel arrangements if you do not live in the area in which you are purchasing a home. Believe me, they do not want to be your travel agent, but making certain the logistics are in order for you to sign AND be present for 24 hours after signing of documents is paramount. Do not assume you can fly in to sign and fly out immediately. Give yourself and your bank time. There is a process called “close of escrow” or funding which is behind the scenes that most buyers do not witness. Until the funds are sent to pay for the home you are purchasing, you do not own it. Most buyers do not realize that the banks and mortgage companies will not send those funds until they “approve” all the documents you just signed and how you signed them. One closing attorney mentioned that she felt like she went to law school and now she grades penmanship, but the banks are nervous and finicky. They want you to sign a certain way and its often different from bank to bank. Which brings up the next point.
SIGN AS THE BANK INDICATES on all closing documents or forms. Do not put in an extra initial if they do not have it on your loan docs or do put in the middle name even if you don’t normally use it if its on the loan docs to sign. Sign exactly like they indicate on the docs unless of course, they have the name completely wrong. Then call, call, call!
Be consistent with your name. I see it over and over. The way buyers fill out the loan application is different from what is on their driver’s license and that is different from what they put on the purchase contract. Be consistent from the start. If you use middle initial, use it consistently throughout and have your real estate agent put that on the contract.
Get any powers of attorney APPROVED BY BOTH YOUR LENDER and the CLOSING ATTORNEY -TITLE COMPANY, and I do not just mean the form. I mean get the final signed Power of Attorney after it is signed and notarized approved by both entities. The notary may not have executed the form correctly or you may have signed differently than typed. Send in a signed copy to your lender, closing/title company and your realtor and let them all take look at it. Be certain the original is at the closing! IF not, you cannot close. That Power of Attorney is officially recorded at the courthouse with your deed.
When in doubt on anything, ask your loan officer, realtor and/or closing or title company. Communicate and address the matters that can arise BEFORE you get to the closing table. It can make all the difference. Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Keep your cool. If you see inconsistencies or mistakes, make the person aware and they will be corrected. Lots of times agents are trying to “keep you in the know” and you will see DRAFTS of documents including contracts, HUD settlement statements, etc. They can be changed, corrected, etc. The key is to keep your cool and address it ahead of time by simply saying to your agent, can you take a look at this, it does not look correct or I do not understand it?

Remember, it will be okay and we will get you to the goal line, but I tell people every day… strap on your seat belt because it might get bumpy along the way but I am committed to getting you there!

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

Richmond Hill Home Owners Are Giving 5 Stars

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Thank you for Giving me 5 Stars

I believe in improving customer service every day!
I believe in wealth building through real estate!
I believe we can build a better quality of life through home ownership!

I am here to serve you in all of your Greater Savannah area real estate needs. I love guiding my clients through the purchasing or selling experience from start to finish. And I am happy to say that over the past years, most have been long time clients who have repeatedly called me over the years no matter what the task.

Thank you for all your trust and support. I am honored.

5 stars – testimonials

“Looking for a real estate agent? Melanie Kramer is an excellent and smart choice. We whole-heartedly recommend her services. We worked with Melanie in 2006 when she helped us find the house that best fit our needs. Then in 2015 we worked with Melanie to help us sell. Both experiences surpassed our expectations. Melanie is a local expert and was full of great recommendations for service providers. When we needed to sell, our home was empty and she staged it so beautifully that we wanted to move back in! Melanie is very knowledgeable of all the ins and outs of the buying and selling process. Melanie is easy and convenient to communicate with and we always felt like we were her number one clients. Her negotiation skills and advice proved to be sound, reasonable and worked to our benefit. She always had our best interest in mind. Melanie is a wonderful person and through our working experience we consider her a friend. Choose Melanie and you will have results! ” – Ramsey

“She was awesome!!Worked to get us every dollar she could for our home. Melanie has an outstanding understanding of the real a state market in the Richmond Hill area.” – Jones

“The home we purchased had been listed without disclosure that the sale had to clear probate. For four months Melanie went far beyond what could be reasonably expected of a buyer’s agent. Employing her extensive knowledge and experience as both paralegal and Realtor, Melanie relentlessly pushed the process forward despite a frequently unresponsive seller’s agent.

Melanie dealt most professionally with our growing frustration as well. She kept us well informed every step of the way and her patience and encouragement allowed us to persevere. At no small expense of her time, Melanie got us through the ordeal. Were it not for her tenacity and dedication to us there is no question that our dream of a home on the water would not have materialized.

We have bought other homes in the past and Melanie far surpasses every other agent we have had. Without reservation I can say that Melanie is in a class by herself and she has earned my highest recommendation.” – Stevens

More…

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

Summer in Savannah – June

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

With Memorial Day behind us and the last school bell rung we can officially say the unofficial start to summer in Savannah is upon us.

And summer is the perfect time for making memories with the family. Here are a few family friendly events to put on your June calendar.

Summer in Savannah

June 5-7 marks the 2^nd annual Savannah Blues Weekend on Riverstreet. Local restaurants and catering companies share their best from the smoke pit while southern blues and smooth jazz fills the air all weekend. Check the website for the entertainment schedule.

June 6^th the Exchange Club of Richmond Hill will host the Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby. Celebrating its 25^th year, the fishing derby is free and open to children 15 and under. Check the website for admission forms and information

Enjoy live original music? The Savannah Songwriters have been hosting an original in the round format at Johnny Harris for the last few years. First Friday of the month Johnny Harris opens their round room to local and touring songwriters sharing their original music and the stories behind the songs. Check the website for the entertainment schedule.

June 16-17 Sesame Street Live visits the Savannah Civic Center celebrating friendship, cultural similarities with lots of singing and dancing. Visit the Civic Center’s website for more details.

Friday on the Train is hosted every 3^rd Friday through the summer at The Station Exchange in Richmond Hill. This is a free community event. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the entertainment, food and fun. Next event is June 19^th. Check their Facebook page for more information.

June 20^th marks the return of Movies in the Park. Every third Saturday in June and July at Memorial Park on Tybee Island a family friendly movie is projected on the side of the Tybee Gym. Check the website for details.

Come for a visit and want to stay longer? Whether a permanent move or a vacation home, I’d love to help find your dream home!

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

JCH Homes LLC

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

JCH Homes LLC is the family-owned construction business of John and Linda Hopkins based here in Richmond Hill, GA.

Crafting a custom home goes through many stages and John and Linda want you to enjoy the process. JCH Homes and their partners, including myself, work together to provide you with a stress-free experience. From selecting the location and purchasing the property, to the design and features that customize it to your lifestyle – we are here every step of the way to help meet the expectations and desires you have for your dream home.

John and Linda Hopkins, JCH Southern Lifestyle Homes

When you walk into a JCH home you know immediately that the Hopkins live and breath their tagline, Building Homes for Generations to Come. These carefully crafted homes are inspired by John and Linda’s desire to create the settings where people’s lives will unfold. With over 35 years of experience, JCH offers superior craftsmanship and a difference you can see!

Outdoor Living Spaces

Here in the south we embrace our outdoor living spaces. This is often an important feature for those moving here from colder climates where the winter season packs a punch of snow and ice. Our outdoor living spaces are often used year round.

A JCH home offers a seamless flow between the inside and the beautiful outdoor lifestyle of Coastal Georgia. Whether a traditional front porch or a back deck or patio, JCH offers plenty of custom choices to inspire your dream home.

Floor Plans

JCH Coastal Lifestyle homes offers a great selection of core floor plans that showcase life on the coast. Spacious homes perfect for both entertaining and relaxing.

Think you can’t afford a custom home?

JCH offers a personalized experience and a range of affordability. For more information about JCH Coastal Lifestyle Homes please contact Melanie Kramer at 912-658-1390 or melaniekramer@kw.com.

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

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

With Memorial day around the corner and the busy days of summer hot on it’s heals now is the perfect time to check spring cleaning off your to do list. We are blessed with a very short winter and the winter blues don’t really have enough time to settle in. The day after Valentine’s we start planning for Spring and spring cleaning is tradition in more places than the south.

Whether you are getting ready for the summer or getting ready to sell your home this checklist will take you beyond the regular cleaning routines. Spring cleaning is about going deeper.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

De-clutter. It will make cleaning a lot easier. Use the natural flow of spring to let go and lighten up. Donate to charity or plan a garage sale.
Clean ceilings, walls and baseboards, don’t forget the corners. Time to bring out all those attachments that came with your vacuum cleaner.
This is also a good time to vacuum the air vents. If it’s been a few years you might want to have your air ducts cleaned by a professional, this can cut down on the overall dust in the home and help with allergies.
Give attention to your other appliances, clean dryer vents, refrigerated coils, and disposal units.
Use furniture markers to repair wood scratches or nicks.
Wash or dry clean the drapes and curtains. Dust blinds and the window sills.
Wash both the inside and outside of your windows and rinse off the screens.

The check list wouldn’t be complete without heading outside to clean the porches, decks, grills, gutters, and of course the landscaping. All before your Memorial Day cookout!

Do you have spring cleaning traditions?

For more information about our property listings please contact Melanie Kramer at 912-658-1390 or melaniekramer@kw.com.

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

304 Lou Page Ln Richmond Hill GA 31324

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Southern Coastal Living

304 Lou Page Ln Richmond Hill GA 31324 is a beautifully maintained, one owner home built in 2011.

This full brick home with side entry garage showcases the Ellington floor plan, large walk in closets, spa inspired master bedroom bath, window blinds, and mud room cubbies.

A new deck sits off the tranquil screened-in porch and overlooks a well maintained yard. The backyard features a beautifully stained fence.

Tranquilla Hall Subdivision features a pool, tennis courts and a playground.

Features at 304 Lou Page Ln Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Price: $369,900
5 Bedrooms
3 full, 1 partial Bathrooms
3,435 sqft
Porch
Deck
Roof: Asphalt
Lot Size: 0.55 acres
Garden
Sprinkler System
Subdivision: TRANQUILLA HALL PHASE 3

For more information about this property and other homes for sale in Richmond Hill Georgia please contact Melanie Kramer at 912-658-1390 or melaniekramer@kw.com.

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