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Elizabeth - Team Lead
Elizabeth St. Clair, Real Estate Agent and Team Leader, is not your average real estate agent; she's a dynamic force in the industry, dedicated to delivering unparalleled service and results for her clients. With a passion for real estate and a commitment to excellence, Elizabeth has established herself as a trusted advisor and advocate for those navigating the property market. When it comes to listing homes, Elizabeth's expertise is second to none. She employs a strategic approach to market properties effectively, ensuring maximum exposure and optimal selling prices. From staging and professional photography to targeted marketing campaigns, Elizabeth knows how to showcase a home’s best features and attract qualified buyers. Her keen market insights and innovative selling strategies set her apart, making her a go-to resource for clients looking to sell their homes quickly and at the best possible price. Elizabeth's approach is centered on building meaningful relationships with her clients, understanding their unique needs, and guiding them through every step of the process with integrity and transparency. Whether it's a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or someone looking to list their property, Elizabeth's personalized service ensures that each client receives the attention and support they deserve. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys exploring new places with her family, indulging in her passion for pickleball, and staying active in her local fitness community. Her diverse interests and vibrant personality make her a joy to work with, both professionally and personally.
Savannah Huppmann - Real Estate Agent
With over five years of marketing experience under her belt, Savannah has mastered the art of making things pop! Now, as a real estate agent, Savannah brings that same flair to helping clients find their dream homes and listing properties with exceptional finesse. She leverages her marketing background to craft compelling property listings that stand out in the competitive market. Her ability to design captivating marketing campaigns, combined with her expertise in digital and traditional advertising, ensures that each property she lists receives maximum visibility and attracts the right buyers quickly. Savannah's strong interpersonal skills mean she doesn't just show houses – she creates connections, ensuring each client feels valued and heard. By understanding the unique selling points of each home and the desires of potential buyers, she tailors her approach to highlight the features that matter most, making every listing as appealing and effective as possible. Combining her marketing savvy and passion for people, Savannah is dedicated to making every real estate journey not just successful but also enjoyable. Whether it's staging a home to perfection, crafting a persuasive listing description, or executing a targeted marketing strategy, Savannah excels at every aspect of the selling process. In her free time, Savannah loves to hang out at home and do crafts, spend time with her dog, go thrifting, or head out hiking to discover new adventures. Whether she's finding the perfect property for a client or exploring a hidden trail, Savannah is always on the lookout for the next exciting opportunity. Her goal is to bring joy and satisfaction to every aspect of her life, especially in helping others find or sell their perfect home.
Makenzie Carroll - Real Estate Agent
Makenzie is a passionate real estate agent here in Middle Georgia! She takes great pride in helping first-time homebuyers achieve their goal of homeownership and guiding all her clients through the process of finding their perfect home. Makenzie's expertise extends beyond just finding homes – she excels in listing properties with an exceptional touch. Her meticulous approach to property listings ensures that every home she represents stands out in the market, attracting the right buyers and achieving optimal sale outcomes. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach to marketing, Makenzie knows how to showcase a property's best features. She employs high-quality photography, and targeted advertising to create compelling listings that captivate potential buyers. Her understanding of market trends and buyer behavior allows her to position homes effectively, ensuring a smooth and successful selling process. Whether you are looking to buy your first home or invest in a new property, or you need a skilled agent to list and sell your current home, Makenzie is here to assist you along the way! Outside of real estate, Makenzie is the head cheer coach at Windsor Academy, where she loves inspiring and mentoring young athletes. When she is not on the field or working with clients, you can find her spending time with her adorable German shepherd, Draco. They both enjoy exploring the outdoors and taking long walks! Makenzie’s commitment to excellence in real estate is matched by her dedication to her community and her love for mentoring and inspiring others. Her goal is to provide top-notch service to her clients, making every real estate transaction as seamless and rewarding as possible.
Stacy Lautenbach - Real Estate Agent
Stacy, originally from Wisconsin, has embraced Georgia as her home for the past nine years. She recently relocated from Coastal Georgia and has quickly developed a love for Middle Georgia.
For the first decade of her career, Stacy worked as a Licensed/Certified Athletic Trainer in both high school and clinical settings. Nearly four years ago, she felt a calling to serve others in a new way and became a Licensed Real Estate Agent. Since then, she has been active in the Marietta, GA, and Metro Atlanta markets, as well as the Golden Isles region. Stacy is now thrilled to dive into Middle Georgia and explore all it has to offer.
Stacy takes pride in guiding her clients through every step of the home buying and selling process. She recognizes that these experiences can be stressful and strives to make them enjoyable, ensuring you feel confident and eager for the next opportunity. Whether you’re moving across the country or just down the street, Stacy will treat you as if you are lifelong friends, aiming to build lasting relationships.
Outside of real estate, Stacy's life revolves around her family. Her 6-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son, whom she affectionately calls her “tiny assistants,” can often be seen playing at local parks or cheering on her husband, a local high school football coach.
We're proud to have helped our clients achieve their real estate goals. Check out some of the beautiful homes we've recently sold. Our expertise ensures a smooth process for all parties involved.
Blog
What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted?
So, you've put in the hard work, diligently searched through listings, attended multiple open houses, and finally, your offer has been accepted! Congratulations are definitely in order because this is a significant milestone in your journey to homeownership. But what happens next? What should you expect after your offer is accepted as a buyer? Let's dive into the exciting journey that follows:
Celebrate (But Keep Your Cool): First things first, celebrate this achievement! Buying a home is a big deal, and your offer being accepted is a reason to rejoice. However, it's essential to keep a level head. While this is a major step forward, there are still several stages to navigate before you can call that house your own.
Deposit and Escrow: Typically, after your offer is accepted, you'll need to provide an earnest money deposit, which is a show of good faith to the seller. This deposit is held in escrow until the closing, where it's then applied to your closing costs or down payment. Make sure you understand the terms of the deposit and the escrow process.
Inspection Period: Once your offer is accepted, you'll usually have a specified period to conduct inspections on the property. This is your opportunity to bring in professionals to assess the home's condition thoroughly. Depending on the findings, you may negotiate repairs with the seller or even reconsider your offer if significant issues arise. It's important to note that as the buyer, you are responsible for paying for the home inspection as well as any specialty inspections, such as for termites and septic. These costs are part of the homebuying process and ensure you have a complete picture of the home's condition before moving forward.
Finalizing Financing: While you may have pre-approval for a mortgage, it's now time to finalize your financing. Work closely with your lender to complete the mortgage application process and provide any additional documentation required. Be prepared for underwriting and appraisal processes during this stage.
Appraisal: Next comes the appraisal, where a licensed professional evaluates the home's market value. This ensures the agreed-upon price aligns with the home's worth and helps secure your financing. It's important to note that the cost of the appraisal is the responsibility of the buyer as part of the homebuying process.
Title Search and Insurance: Your lender will likely require a title search to ensure there are no liens or claims against the property. Simultaneously, you'll want to secure homeowner's insurance to protect your investment. These steps are crucial for a smooth closing process.
Closing Preparations: As the closing date approaches, there will be several logistical preparations to make. Coordinate with your real estate agent, lender, and attorney (if applicable) to ensure all necessary paperwork is in order. You'll also need to schedule a final walkthrough of the property to verify its condition.
Closing Day: The big day has arrived! At the closing, you'll sign a plethora of documents, including the mortgage note, deed of trust, and various disclosures. You'll also pay any remaining closing costs and fees. Once all parties have signed and funds have been disbursed, the property officially becomes yours!
Moving In: After the closing, it's time to move into your new home! Whether you're hiring professional movers or enlisting the help of friends and family, make sure your moving day goes smoothly. Take some time to settle in and start making memories in your new space.
Post-Closing Tasks: Even after you've moved in, there are still a few loose ends to tie up. Change the locks for security, set up utilities in your name, and update your address with the necessary parties. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your finances and budget for ongoing homeownership expenses.
Enjoy Your New Home: Finally, take a moment to bask in the joy of homeownership! Whether it's hosting a housewarming party or simply relaxing in your favorite room, savor the accomplishment of achieving your homeownership goals.
The journey doesn't end when your offer is accepted—it's just the beginning of a new chapter in your life. By understanding what to expect after your offer is accepted as a buyer and staying organized throughout the process, you can navigate the path to homeownership with confidence and excitement. Happy house hunting!
Top Tips for Selling Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide
Selling your home can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you're upgrading to a larger property, downsizing, or relocating, getting your home ready for sale is a crucial step in the process. To help you navigate this journey successfully, we've compiled a list of top tips for selling your home:
Enhance Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, so make sure your home's exterior looks inviting. Consider painting the front door, adding potted plants, mowing the lawn, and cleaning up any clutter or debris.
Declutter and Depersonalize: Buyers want to envision themselves living in your home, so remove personal items like family photos and knick-knacks. Declutter countertops, closets, and storage spaces to create a sense of space and organization.
Deep Clean: A clean home is more appealing to potential buyers. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. Consider hiring professionals for tasks like carpet cleaning and window washing if needed.
Make Repairs: Take care of any minor repairs and maintenance tasks before listing your home. Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, cracked tiles, and other visible issues. Addressing these items upfront can prevent them from becoming negotiation points later on.
Neutralize Décor: While you may love bold colors and unique décor choices, they might not appeal to all buyers. Consider painting walls in neutral tones and removing any overly trendy or personalized décor.
Maximize Natural Light: Bright, airy spaces are attractive to buyers. Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light, and consider adding mirrors to amplify the effect. Replace outdated light fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options.
Stage Your Home: Home staging can help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the space. Arrange furniture to highlight the home's best features and create a sense of flow. Add tasteful décor and accessories to enhance the ambiance.
Set the Right Price: Pricing your home competitively is key to attracting buyers. Work with your real estate agent to analyze market trends, comparable sales, and other factors to determine the optimal listing price.
Market Effectively: Utilize a variety of marketing channels to reach potential buyers. This may include professional photography, virtual tours, online listings, open houses, and social media promotion. Highlight your home's unique features and amenities to generate interest.
Be Flexible with Showings: Make it easy for buyers to view your home by being flexible with showing times. Keep your home clean and tidy, and be prepared to accommodate last-minute requests for showings.
Respond Promptly to Offers: When you receive an offer on your home, respond promptly and professionally. Work with your real estate agent to negotiate terms and ensure a smooth transaction process.
Prepare for Closing: Once you've accepted an offer, prepare for the closing process. Gather necessary documents, coordinate with your real estate agent and attorney, and address any outstanding issues to ensure a successful closing.
Selling your home can be a complex process, but with careful planning and preparation, you can maximize your chances of success. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to selling your home quickly and for the best possible price. Happy selling!
Client Testimonials
✨ Elizabeth was very patient and extremely helpful in assisting our family with finding a home. She showed us many houses as soon as we showed interest in them. We are so thankful for Elizabeth and the whole team and all they did to make our new home a reality.
✨ Elizabeth is amazing to work with, very prompt and knowledgeable, gets things done efficiently and quickly! She made our real estate transactions easy and enjoyable. Highly recommend.
✨ Elizabeth is fantastic! She was on top of every detail. Super friendly and a joy to work with. I highly recommend Elizabeth St. Clair Group.
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Office :478-929-4444 Cell: 912-856-4445
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Elizabeth@goldenkeyrealty.net
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