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…

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!

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

Savannah Major Employers

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Although we are known for our port, tourism and health systems, Savannah’s Major Employers cover a variety of industries.

Savannah Major Employers

With a new confidence in the job market, the percentage of people relocating for work in the US is on the rise (35% in 2013).

In Savannah Major Employers such as Gulfstream employ upward of 4500 and Memorial Health Medical Center and St. Joseph’s/Candler employ 8900.

Military related employment includes civilian personnel on the bases and can employee between 2000 – 5000.

Retail stores, such as Walmart, Kroger and fast food giants such as McDonalds also fall into the higher employer category, while Target and Publix employee 2000 respectively.

For more information on top employers in the area please visit The Savannah Area Chamber. The Champer shares a breakdown of manufacturing, non manufacturing and educational industries on their website.

If you are relocating to the Savannah / Richmond Hill area I’d love to help you find your perfect coastal empire home. 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

25 Sanctuary Dr Richmond Hill GA 31324

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Southern Coastal Lifestyle

25 Sanctuary Dr is a one owner, custom quality home built by JCH Coastal Lifestyle Homes in 2010.

This 2769 square foot home was build for entertaining and features an open floor plan with large rooms, tall ceilings, beautiful trims and moldings and rounded sheet rock corners.

The great room comes with surround sound all wired to a media room.

The Kitchen features 2 pantries (one is a walk in pantry), a built in microwave and oven, and beautiful cabinetry with a lazy-susan. The formal dinning room offers a unique trim package.

The spacious master suite offers a mini retreat with a walk in roman shower with double shower heads, an oversized closet, rope lighting in trey ceiling, and an outdoor screened room with a fireplace and comes pre-wired for a hot tub.

The coffered ceiling room is a flexible space with double door entry that can be a bedroom, office, living room, music room or sitting area.

Beautiful outdoor living area wired with surround sound and is prewired for an alarm and two 40 amp plugs. The home sits on a half acre lot with zoned sprinkler on a timer. An Oak tree overlooks the courtyard entry garage

The quaint subdivision with community pool, a bath house, two gazebos and a playground.

Transferable retreat termite bond with Yates Astro

Flood Insurance is NOT REQUIRED.

Features at 25 Sanctuary Dr Richmond Hill GA 31324

$330,800
4 beds and 3 baths
2,769 sqft
80 gallon hot water heater
Walk in full attic
Cable Ready
Double Pane/Storm Windows
Fireplace
Flooring: Carpet, Hardwood, Tile
Garden
Gated Entry
Jetted Tub
Parking: Garage – Attached, 2 spaces
Patio
Porch
Sprinkler System
Vaulted Ceiling

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

3 Tips to Attain a Higher Home Appraisal

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Attaining a higher home appraisal is crucial when refinancing or selling your home.

Although nearby properties will affect the market value of all homes in your neighbor, there are activities you can do to help attain a higher home appraisal.

3 Ways to Increase Your Home Appraisal

Pull Together Your Information

You have about 30 minutes to make a good first impression. We suggest putting together an information packet the appraiser can take back to the office.

What should go in this packet?

Facts about your home. Include the number of bedrooms and bathroom, your street address and the year your home was built. Your appraiser has access to all this information but confirmation from you can’t hurt.
We can print out a list of recent sales in the neighborhood. We specifically look for comparable homes and comparable prices to help support the price you’re asking.
Include any inside information you may have. Maybe you know that your neighbor recently sold his home at a reduced price because he was relocating for a new job.
Create a list of any improvements you’ve made to the home. Include the date and the name and contact information of the contractors that performed the work. Include any floors, windows and major systems you’ve replaced. Have you finished the basement? Include that too.

Spiff Up Your Home

“… overgrown landscaping, soiled carpeting, marks on walls — those do affect value and are part of the property’s overall condition rating,” Dean Zibas of Zibas Appraisal in San Clemente, Calif., told the Wall Street Journal.

You don’t need to stage your home for an appraisal, but it is important to showcase a well maintained home.
Cleaning the clutter, even if it’s just putting excess items into a box and storing them until after the appraisal, will help show your home in the best light.

Make Repairs

Your home will be assigned an ” effective age” which is directly correlated to the condition of the home and any improvements made.
Appraisals tend to be done in $500 increments. A broken window could mean a $500 deduction.
A good rule of thumb is to make any improvements that would age the home in the eyes of the appraisal. There may be fairly simple improvements like replacing a window screen, or more substantial ones like a coat of paint or updating your floors.

It is true that the sale prices of comparable properties are heavily relied upon when assessing a property’s value, but appraisers do not solely depend upon them. Some intangible aspects of the data collected will help determine the closest estimate of the value of a property. And these are often the aspects of the appraisal process that you can have an influence on.

For more information about living in the Richmond Hill Georgia area 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

282 Cranston Bluff RD Richmond Hill GA 31324

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Southern Coastal Lifestyle

JCH Coastal Lifestyle Homes offers this beautiful new plan on a 1.71 acre lot with no covenants, restrictions and no Home Owner Association fees! Boat and RV parking allowed and detached garages allowed.

Beautiful finishes and amenities with a low cost of living that makes Richmond Hill so desirable.

282 Cranston Bluff RD is located in a no flood zone and offers a private well on the property.

This is the last lot available!

Features at 282 Cranston Bluff RD Richmond Hill GA 31324

Price: $369,900 **NEW PRICE**
5 Bedrooms
2 full, 1 partial Bathrooms
Dishwasher
Garbage Disposal
Microwave
Attic
Parking Spaces: 2
Floors: Carpet, Hardwood, Tile – Ceramic
New Construction
Exterior: Brick, Vinyl Siding
Roof: Asphalt
Heating Fuel: electric
Lot Size: 1.67 acres
Built in 2014
3,000 sqft
Patio
Garden
Sprinkler System

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

377 Starr Creek RD Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Low Country Living

Looking for peace and privacy in the Low Country?

377 Starr Creek Rd is a two home estate on 4 historic acres with over 27 live oak trees.

The 2500 sqft was renovated in 1987 and shows like new. In 2012 a 800 square foot cottage built on the property and is perfect for a mother in law suite.

There are plenty of parking spots for vacationing friends and a 12×24 pool to ensure you enjoy a little down time too.

Additional Features at 377 Starr Creek RD Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Attic
Ceiling Fan
Double Pane/Storm Windows
Flooring: Carpet, Hardwood, Tile
Garden
Hot Tub/Spa
Mother-in-Law
Parking: 5 spaces
Patio
Pool
Porch
Wired

For more information about this property listing, 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

406 Savannah RD Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Low Country Living

New construction featuring raised slab, architectural shingles and an irrigation system.

This R J Reynolds Construction showcases quality throughout with added touches to make life in the Coastal Empire that much sweeter. Enjoy an outdoor living area, complete with an outdoor fireplace and a view of live oak in the back yard!

Hardwood flooring and great interior finishes, such as a laundry chute and cubbies in the mudroom

Additional Features at 406 Savannah Rd Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Built 2015
Total Sq. Feet: 3200
Dishwasher
Microwave
Refrigerator
Cooktop – Separate
High Ceilings
Laundry Chute
Gated Community
Hardwood Floors
Ceramic Tile

For more information about this property listing, 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

How to Make an Offer for a Home

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

When you find the home you want to buy the next step is to make an offer. A successful offer will have a few key components.

Know Your Price

Knowing your market will help you make an offer the other party will want to sign. As a real estate agent I help pull together information about the trends and statistical data of the neighborhood. I’m always happy to offer advice on an offer price. It is important to remember that the more competition there is for the home, the higher the offer should be – sometimes exceeding the asking price.

When we present the listing agent with a written offer and the seller accepts it becomes a legal contract. As this time you should be prepared to pay an earnest money deposit. This is to guarantee that your intention is to purchase the property. Securing a pre-approval for the financing before making the offer increases the chances of it being accepted.

Negotiating Terms

After we present your offer to the listing agent, it will either be accepted, rejected, or the Seller may submit a counter-offer to you through me as your agent. This is when we will negotiate the terms of the contract, if the contract is not accepted as we presented.

The step-by-step contract procedure for most single-family home purchases is standard. The purchase agreement used is a standard purchase and sale agreement contract approved by your local real estate board.

The purchase agreement or contract constitutes your offer to buy, and once accepted by the Seller, again, it becomes a valid, legal contract. For this reason, it is important to understand what is written on the contract offer.

Inspections

Once you have an accepted offer its time to have the property inspected. You’ll probably need a number of inspections.

Termites
Property Lines
Appraisals
Title Reviews
Structural

The Structural inspection is extremely important. It usually takes a few hours. This is a great opportunity to examine the property and learn about possible repairs that may be required in the next few years.

Please call or email me today for more information or questions about buying a home.

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

The Benefits of Committing to Your Real Estate Agent

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Melanie Kramer Realtor

Loyalty and commitment are the foundations of trust. You reap many benefits by committing to your real estate agent.

We build relationships with both local and out of state buyers and pride ourselves on being committed to find you the perfect home. We work with buyers in a buyer agency relationship.

What does this mean for you?

You will sign a Buyer Broker Agreement. This means we are working for you, our client, in your best interest. Otherwise, you are a customer. It all comes down to whether you want someone looking out for you. Our goal is to represent you in your real estate transaction and provide quality client service.

In Return We Ask You:

To communicate honestly and responsibly.
To willingly provide pertinent information as needed.
To promptly inform me of important changes of any time including timing, requirements, or other critical information that will affect your service commitment.
To request that you pre-qualify for a home mortgage loan if you are financing any portion of your real estate investment. (Local MLX co-oping agreements require that you be pre-qualified prior to showing you real estate properties for sale. Their sellers are being asked to make their home presentable, leave their home while we show it, etc. and I am to pre-qualify you before taking you to their homes.)
To submit a loan application and call lender – required information within the time frames of the contract when financing.
To enter into contracts in good faith and make every effort to adhere to all negotiated contingencies.
To inform all other real estate agents and For Sale By Owners that you are represented by Melanie Kramer of Keller Williams Realty.
Sign a Buyers Brokerage loyalty Agreement.

House hunting can be all consuming. You may come across a home during your daily commute or find yourself at an open house on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Please let them know that you are represented by an agent at open houses and sales offices.

Here are a few Do’s and Do Not’s to help you when you’re out and about.

Sale by Owner / Listings

DO Write down as much information as possible, pick up the hand out or save the ad.
DO Call us with the information. We can pull additional information and details for you.
DON’T Call the home owners agent or owner directly. And please do not approach the owner if you drive by.

Open or New Houses

DO Immediately share with the showing agent that you are represented by us.
DO Present my business card or my name to the agent or owner. If they require you to be accompanied by your agent, call me as soon as possible.
DON’T Disclose any information about your needs, motivation, likes or dislikes. Sharing this information could weaken your negotiating strength.
DON’T Enter the sales office without registering me as your agent representative. Call me as soon as possible to let me know what sales office you have visited.

Call or email me today to start the search for your perfect home in the Coastal Empire!

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