Sunday, October 21, 2007

Savannah's Coastal Neighbor - Richmond Hill

One of my favorite communities!
Just minutes from Savannah is a picturesque community with more than 10,000 residents, yet still manages to keep it's small town feel and charm. Known as the city that Henry Ford Built, it is formerly the home of industrialist Henry Ford,  it was named Richmond Hill in 1939 after the name of Ford's winter residence. On  August 16, 2004 Laura Bush designated Richmond Hill among the nation's Preserve America communities.
A family oriented community, Richmond Hill's public school system is considered among the best in the coastal Georgia area. For more information on schools you can visit the Bryan County Schools website.
Whatever your looking for in a coastal community, Richmond Hill has to offer, from boating and fishing, to golf, shopping, great seafood, and fun outdoor community events like the Annual  Great Ogeechee Seafood festival, the Annual Christmas Parade, Annual Chili Cook-off  and the Annual Great Ogeechee Open Vehicle Show.
Because of the convenience to both Hinesville - Ft. Stewart base and Savannah's Hunter Army Airfield, Richmond Hill is a favorite among military families as well.  
Due to the popularity of the community there are a lot of new construction communities throughout as well as older neighborhoods with mature landscaping. Median home prices are about $175,000 to $350,000.  Many homes offer larger lots, often close to a half acre and beyond.

If you are considering moving to the area this is one community you don't want to miss!
Let me know if you would like more information on Richmond Hill or what's available in your price range.


Thomas Tolbert
Keller Williams Realty
Office 912-232-8580
Direct (Best way to reach me) 912-308-6839
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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Why not just have the listing agent show me a home?


Let's say you're searching the internet for homes or just driving around a neighborhood and see a house you like.  You just call the listing agent and ask to see the home, after all it's their listing, they know it better than anyone.   Sounds like a good idea , but here's the problem.......the listing agent represents the seller!  The listing agent is bound by a fiduciary responsibility to the seller to act in the seller's best interest creating an agency relationship with the seller.  The listing agent's job is to get the best price for the seller's home and on the seller's terms.
Sure, the listing agent can write an offer on your behalf and submit it to their client, the seller.
But remember, that agent's  duty is to get the best deal for their client, not you as their customer. 
If all parties are in agreement, the listing agent can represent both the seller and the buyer in what is called dual agency, but that can be tricky because then the agent is limited to ministerial acts and is not allowed to help either party to negotiate the best price.

On the other hand, if you have your own agent,  that agent has an obligation to work on your behalf to help you negotiate the best price and the terms most favorable to you, his client.  A buyer's agent can give you objective advise on the home, the neighborhood, the current market value of the property, help you with financing, the inspection process all the way through the closing process, looking out for your best interest the whole time.  

 When you are ready to begin looking for a home be sure to find the right realtor to represent you as a buyer!


Thomas Tolbert
Keller Williams Realty
Office 912-232-8580
Direct (Best way to reach me) 912-308-6839
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Ardsley Park - A Savannah Favorite



Ardsley Park is an extremely popular Savannah, Ga neighborhood.  Most of the homes were built in the first half of the 20th century and are a mixture of large two story homes and smaller "bungalows". Savannah's first suburb, laid out in 1911, is a mixture of prestigious four and five bedroom mansions and quaint, craftsman style bunglalows situated on tree lined streets.  The Arsley Park area, located in Midtown and loosely bounded by Victory Drive on the north, Waters Avenue on the east, 55th Street on the south and Bull Street on the west- has become one of the city's hottest neighborhoods favored by young professionals and families.
Real estate prices range from about 200,000 to $350,000 for to up to a million and beyond for very large homes.  Located about 10  minutes from both the southside business areas and the downtown Historic District helps make Arsley Park a convenient neighborhood.  Only a 20 minute drive to Wilmington Island and a 30 minute trip to the beach.
Definitely an area to check out if you appreciate the appeal of an older home.  Lots of hardwood floors and beautiful architectural details are found in many Ardsley Park homes.
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New Homes Communities in Greater Savannah area




Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon, Guyton and Port Wentworth have all seen a huge growth spurt of new construction is the past few years.  In the current market there is a lot of competition so builders are offering lots of incentives to attract buyers.  Some may offer to pay closing costs, free upgrades like granite counters or hardwood floor, upgraded cabinets, lighting packages and more.  Typically, the farther out from the immediate Savannah area, the more you can get for your money and often the lot size is much larger. Most of these communities are a short commute from midtown Savannah between 20 and 40 minutes drive.
If you're not familiar with the outlying areas, a local realtor can give you information to help you decide which communities are convenient to your needs


It always amazes me that so many new construction home buyers just drive up to the model home by themselves.  Remember, that smiling face that greets you at the door works for the seller!  They are happy to see you come in on your own and have an advantage when you come in without your own realtor and can have you in their design center picking out flooring and kitchen counters before you know what happened! 

 A local real estate agent is familiar with many home builders and can objectively provide you with the comparison you need to make a decision.  We're constantly updated with builder special, discounts and incentives from their competitors and can help you negotiate to get what you want.  I'm often amazed at the flexibility they have when an agent walks in with a buyer.  They know that the agent is looking out for the buyer and are most likely taking them to other communities so they have to be as competitive as they can.

Your own agent can objectively help you decide which community is right for you, and guide you through the whole process.  If an agent accompanies you to the community and signs you in then the builder is the one paying the agents commission, not you, but you will have someone on your side.   

I recently represented a buyer in a purchase in a new homes community for a buyer relocating from out of state.  It was down to the wire and the family was set to close on the property in just a couple of days and move in right away.  They were at their old home hundreds of miles away packing a moving van.  I stopped by their new  home to make sure everything was being finished properly on time.  To my surprise I  found that the gourmet kitchen that was included in the price, with double ovens about to be installed with only one oven and that the surrounding cabinets were being configured around the single oven.  I immediately called a meeting with the sales manager and the builder and got my buyer the ovens and cabinet configuration she had been promised and avoided a disaster.  

Any number of things can pop up,  you really need someone looking out for your best interests.
Whether you choose me or another agent, please do yourself a favor and get your own agent!
Thomas Tolbert
Keller Williams Realty
Office 912-232-8580
Direct (Best way to reach me) 912-308-6839



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