Thinking about refinancing your current mortgage loan? Whether you are trying to lower your monthly payments, looking for an alternative loan type or term, or need funding for a renovation project, there are many reasons to refinance. If you have thought about refinancing but not sure where to begin, keep reading. Below we will discuss what refinancing is, what you need to know, and when the best time to refinance your home loan.

What is mortgage refinancing? Refinancing, in simple terms, means to swap out your current loan for a new one. Most people refinance their home to reduce the interest rate, monthly payment or to withdraw from their home’s equity. Others may refinance to pay off their home faster or find another loan term that is more

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As a homeowner, you would probably love your home to be the highlight of the neighborhood, standing out in elegance to all people that pass by. The power of good curb appeal doesn't just lie in its ability to spark pride and joy. Investing in landscaping for curb appeal raises the value of your property while also increasing the chances of landing a sale should you decide to contact a real estate agent and put it on the market. Potential buyers are far more likely to visit a home that looks great on the outside. So here are five things you can do to increase the curb appeal of your property!

1. Landscaping for curb appeal should include a feature.

If your yard was a dinner table, think of a landscape feature as the centerpiece. It's

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Looking for something festive to do for Memorial Day? Whether you plan to lounge by the pool, throw some hamburgers on the grill, or head outdoors with family and friends, there are so many ways to celebrate the holiday. If you are looking for something to do during the three-day weekend, keep reading! Below is a list of fun things to do outside for Memorial Day.

 Dine Outdoors: Gather your family and friends for a cookout or a picnic. Keep a memorial theme by decorating with red, white, and blue colors; Add a flag or two to up the patriotic factor. Don’t feel like cooking? We get it! Try some of these local restaurants with outdoor seating:

• The Brunch House

• Pizza Joint

• Beamie’s at the River

• Noble Jones

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Buying and renting a home each have their pros and cons. There isn’t a clear answer because the choice to rent or buy depends on your personal situation. Financially, the costs and benefits are not always clear at first glance. Overall, buying vs. renting depends on what you have planned for your future!  

Perks to Buying

Equity

One of the clear benefits of buying a home is building equity for yourself. If you can qualify for a home loan, your monthly payment is toward lowering your mortgage instead of going to a landlord. Your home becomes an investment as well as a roof over your head.

Customization

There are fewer restrictions when you buy a home. You can customize it as you please…

Are you considering selling or refinancing your home?  If so, you will want to get your house ready for an appraisal. The appraisal will determine the value of your property which will be the deciding factor on how much your home is worth. A certified appraiser will do a walk-thru to assess your home and many factors are considered when determining the value of your property.  

If you are selling, a potential buyer will be required to get an appraiser to appraise your home in order to fund your mortgage loan. If the sale price on your home is higher than the appraisal price, the buyer will have to fork out the rest of the cost.  If the buyer cannot afford the difference, he/she will most likely ask you, the seller, to come down on the price or they

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Map Credit: Housing and Urban Development Opportunity Zone Locator

By: Alex Griffin
Investment Associate | Beman Group

Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate | Commercial Division

Government incentives are a great way for real estate investors to increase their return on investments. These incentives usually fall in 3 categories: (i) decreasing your individual tax obligation, (ii) lowering the total project costs, or (iii) lowering the project’s annual operating expenses. Let’s focus on four of these incentives available in most municipalities. (Note: I will focus on the programs available in Augusta, Georgia as this is my home market).

1.     Federal Opportunity Zone.
The Federal Opportunity Zone is the newest government program designed to boost

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The garage has become the “catch-all space” or the “dump room” in our home for many of us.  And before we know it, we have a garage full of I’ll-put-that-away-later items and an overwhelming mess. Eventually, cleaning out the garage becomes such a daunting task that it gets put off day after day. If that sounds like you, you are not alone! We are here to help. We have put together a list of some simple tricks to help you organize the garage.  

1. Make Some Time:  Cleaning out the garage can be a huge project. If you know you have your work cut out, go ahead and give yourself more than one day: Schedule a weekend. 

2. Make Piles: Go through everything and begin sorting items into various categories such as: 

   Donate outdated items

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This Mother’s Day, show all the moms in your life your appreciation with a special gift from a local gift shop.  By shopping local, you are not only pouring back into our community, but you are sure to find a one-of-a-kind gift that any mom will adore.  There are so many great local gift shops and restaurants right here in Augusta!  Check out the list below of things to do with the woman that loves you the most to make her day memorable!

Here are some great local gift store options to just name a few:

Pecans Unlimited

Augusta Candle Company

Book Tavern

Mish Mash Interiors and Gifts

Shoes at Surrey

Or, consider treating mom to a special lunch or dinner.  

Local Restaurants: 

Tako Sushi

Sconyers BBQ

Raes Coastal Cafe

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If you are thinking about listing your home, now is the perfect time to get started. Spring not only brings the perfect weather and longer days, but it’s also a great time to put your house on the market! Here are three reasons why Spring is the perfect time to sell your home.

1. Buyer Activity

With the sunny days and pleasantly mild temperatures, outside activity is inevitable and prospective buyers are out exploring neighborhoods and visiting homes. The favorable weather is not the only reason for buyer activity, and Spring is also a great season to settle into a new home.  And most home buyers with school-aged kids prefer to move before summer break begins.

2.  Curb Appeal

With flowers in bloom, Spring is the perfect time to freshen

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by Alex Griffin
Investment Associate | Beman Group
Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Commercial Division

You’ve no doubt been to some of downtown Augusta’s new restaurants or entertainment locations: Edgar’s Above Broad, Miller Theater, Pineapple Ink Tavern, etc. You’ve probably also seen a lot of vacant buildings, just sitting empty with no lights on and making downtown look like a strange hodgepodge of thriving and dying. A lot of people don’t understand why more buildings aren’t renovated, and I hope to explain those challenges below and what we can do to help mitigate those challenges.

The main reason for the lack of new development or renovation is the gap between rental rates and construction costs. Building a new building in Augusta

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