All Forum Posts by: Anna Watkins

I am in process of a home equity line of credit on my principal residence, using TIAA-CREF's bank (forget the exact name, maybe TIAA Direct). The LTV cap is 80%, but the terms are excellent. Prime + .74 (I do have a great credit rating. . . so far!) so currently 3.99%, hardly any closing costs at all. The DeKalb County recording tax or whatever it is is pushing the closing costs to an almighty $355. Interest only, no annual fee, no application fee. I saw it on Bankrate.com, and since I have my retirement with TIAA-CREF, I checked it out. So far so good.

@Brie Schmidt- Thanks, Brie. That makes it more clear.  Don't I have to have some sort of membership to access everything on Realtor.com?

OK, y'all (@J Benoit @Ali Boone @Chris Clothier ) -- my pedigree is solid, with Bulldogs, Roll Tide, War Eagles, Seminoles, Yellow Jackets & Vols in my family tree, and and orange-&-white degree myself, but truthfully, real estate is WAY more interesting than pigskins!

J, you're getting me intrigued with B'ham (family tree has roots there too). Look out for a PM from me with probably a million questions :-)

@Todd Whiddon or anybody else with a clue -- please explain the MLS systems to me! What's the difference between the GeorgiaMLS (open to the public, as far as I can tell) and the FMLS (which my agent uses to send me the auto updates)? and what about other states? I haven't found a public equivalent to the MLS for Tennessee, so I have to look on realtor sites or Zillow. I always thought it was some sort of standardized national system, but I'm beginning to think I'm really wrong on that.

Out-of-state investors, how are you finding out what's available in your target areas?

 You and me both, Ali. I keep taking lessons, but I swear the hardest part is figuring out which wave to go for!  I am sooo envious that you live near actual surf -- nothing in Georgia qualifies (sandbar 15 miles off the entire Ga coast kills it all), so developing my fantasy mad surfing skills just ain't easy!

Great idea, Todd. The pre-demo tour is fascinating -- the vision is something I can really learn from. 

The post-demo tour is fascinating, too, but I coudn't watch it all. I got too seasick!

 Love it! Whether you self-manage or have a property manager, there really is no substitute for the person on the spot being known and having a positive relationship in the neighborhood.  In my experience, if you respect and value that they live there while you don't, folks will mostly try to help you out.

@Peter Skobic

@David Begley  

Actually, it looks as though Google Maps is including the beltline now, so you can see exactly where a potential purchase is relative to the path.  Cool!

Followup -- Michelle appreciates anybody who's contacted her as a possible agent or property manager for them in Atlanta. She also gave me the ok to put her direct contact info on the list -- a direct relationship helps her keep a higher percentage of any commissions that come along, and the management company is hers alone.  - email [email protected]

 Michelle appreciates anybody who's contacted her as a possible agent or property manager for them in Atlanta. She also gave me the ok to put her direct contact info on the list -- a direct relationship helps her keep a higher percentage of any commissions that come along, and the management company is hers alone.  Michelle Hollberg - email [REMOVED]