For more information contact a REALTOR® with Curry Real Estate today. You can also view available homes for sale at CurryRealEstate.com.

The HAI, comprised of median home prices, median family income, and the current mortgage rate, looks at the ability of the typical family to buy a median priced home. An index of over 100 means a family has enough income to be able to purchase a house. An index of 120 implies a median income family has 20 percent more income than is necessary to purchase said home. This year, the index will likely surpass 180.

The rise in affordability can be attributed to a combination of lower home prices, record low mortgage rates, and a slight rise in family income.

Talk with a REALTOR at Curry Real Estate to help you begin your search for a new home.

Here are some inexpensive DYI projects that made HomeGain’s list, and the estimated increase to the home’s price at resale for each project.

DECLUTTER & CLEAN.  These two things can have some of the biggest impact of all with the least cost.  Organize closets and shelves throughout the home.  Clean until the home sparkles.  Pack up collectibles and stacks of things that are unnecessary to maintain your household.   Think of it as getting a head start on packing which will have to be done anyway when the house sells.   Estimated return:  $1,990

LIGHT AND BRIGHT.  Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.  Estimated return:  $1,550

STAGING.  Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, including artwork.  Be careful that your rooms do not have too much furniture which can make rooms seem smaller than they actually are.  Estimated return:  $2,194

LANDSCAPING.  Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and backyards by adding bark mulch, bushes and flowers, and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.  (More tips for added curb appeal can be found here.)   Estimated return:  $1,932

REPAIR ELECTRICAL AND/OR PLUMBING.  Repair any leaks under the bathroom or kitchen sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition.  Consider updating the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.   Estimated return:  $1,505

REPLACE OR SHAMPOO DIRTY CARPETS.  Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpet and repair any floor creaks.  Estimated return:  $1,739

Another DYI project that can add value to a home that you may want to consider is painting.  If the walls have smudges that are beyond being cleaned with soap and water, or you have a room color that can be overwhelming to some people, make the time and effort to paint and do so in a neutral color.  The bold colors can be used (sparingly) in accessories such as pillows and throws.  

It is all about presentation.  Your home needs to stand out among the competition, and these inexpensive projects can help it do just that.  Call or visit Curry Real Estate today and let a REALTOR® help you to get your home sold quickly and at top dollar. 

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 ** NEWS RELEASE **

 Dublin (Georgia), March 12, 2011—MAGE SOLAR, part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP, is deeply saddened and shocked by the severe natural disaster that hit Japan on Friday. While the full scope of the devastation is still unfolding, MAGE SOLAR’s Team for Humanitarian Outreach has decided to act and provide help for those hardest hit by this inconceivable destruction.

 “We are in a state of shock in regards to the events in Japan,” says MAGE SOLAR CEO Norbert Philipp. “Our hearts go out to the Japanese people, some of which have become valued business partners and dear friends. They are now in our thoughts and prayers during this terrible time, as are all the victims of this terrible natural disaster.”

 In an effort to cope with the disaster’s aftermath MAGE SOLAR has established a Disaster Relief Fund in the amount of $35,000 USD.

 Sylvia Minton, Sr. VP Corporate Affairs for MAGE SOLAR, who will be managing the relief effort and the fund stresses that there is no time to spare when it comes to assist in times of such great need. “We have begun to reach out to our friends and business partners, some of which are located in the area most affected by this catastrophic chain of events. Communication to the impacted area is rather difficult, but we are confident that we will be able to find out soon where we can best be of help. Sadly a tragedy like this is a grave reminder of how powerful and destructive the forces of nature can be. And while man might want to believe that he is in full control, he might not always be.”

 MAGE SOLAR – New Energy For A New World

 MAGE SOLAR USA, headquartered in Dublin, GA, specializes in complete solar systems and provides high-quality photovoltaic modules, intelligent mounting systems and high-performance brand inverters. As a subsidiary of the international MAGE GROUP, it uses the Group’s 35 years of know-how to develop optimally coordinated system solutions. A competent partner network guarantees profitable solar energy systems for customers throughout North America and in twelve further countries.

 ***

The Curry Companies applaud Mage Solar for their generous humanitarian outreach and shares in the great sadness of last week’s disasters in Japan, Hawaii, and along the northwest coast of the United States.

In Dublin, St. Patrick’s is celebrated throughout the month of March with plenty of family fun.   Special St. Patrick’s events include Bridge and Canasta Tournaments, a Barbeque Cook-off, (hot-air) Balloon Fest, Kite Flying Jamboree, Lunch with Lucky Leprechaun and the Shamrock crawl.  And that’s just week one!  The list goes on with Super Saturday scheduled for March 19.  This is the highlight of the month when thousands of people will gather in Dublin for events like the Leprechaun Road Race, Parade, and Arts & Crafts Festival, among others, that will be going on throughout the day and into the evening.   

Contact Curry Companies for a complete list of scheduled events so you can make your plans to enjoy good family fun where Irish Eyes are Smiling.

Since purchasing and installing your energy-saving products, you’re being back with lower energy bills.  By taking advantage of the Residential Energy Tax Credit, Uncle Sam will pay you back some too.

It’s great to have a positive attitude.  Better economic times WILL come.  In the meantime, what an opportunity to  polish skills, learn new things, and strengthen accountability practices to create new and improve existing relationships, both personal and business.   Last year, a combination of these was put into action prior to and with the launch of Curry Companies’ website.  The site will continue to be a work in progress providing visitors with a wealth of information pertaining to what Curry does best—Insurance, Construction, and Real Estate.  In addition, the Helpful Links provides contact information for area attorneys, banks, city governments, hospitals, schools, and even veterinarians, just to  name a few.  Most recently added is a Video Library that answers just about any real estate-related question ever asked. And, in keeping with the times, Click to Call and Click to Text features are now available from the site, and you can join Curry Real Estate on Facebook and Twitter. 

Curry Companies has come out of its comfort zone and is embracing technology.  However, no one can dismiss the need for face-to-face meetings for building stronger relationships and connections.  Therefore, as Curry Companies continues into 2011 providing the technology people have come to expect, our door will always remain open, and customers and clients will continue to be warmly greeted with friendly smiles and a polite, “How may we help you?”.

Home sales reached a peak back in 2007, and shortly thereafter, started its downward spiral nationwide.  Here in the Heart of Georgia, the housing market hasn’t suffered to the extent larger cities have but, it has been in a decline; there’s no denying it.   We’re fast approaching the end of 2010, and home sales this year have been intermittent, and that’s okay.  Recovery will not be overnight.    National Association of REALTORS® chief economist, Lawrence Yum, recently stated “A housing recovery is taking place but will be choppy at times…”  He went on to say, “the overall direction should be a gradual rising trend in home sales.”    

The decline in the housing market won’t last forever.  Recent national press reports are letting people know that it’s a great time to buy a home because of the strong buyers’ market especially for families ready to settle down.  The savings today’s buyers are receiving are not a one-time benefit.  Fixed rate mortgages are staying around 4% for 30 year conventional.  Buyers with super-low fixed rate mortgages like this will save money every year they are living in their home.   Buying a home during this time will  be a tremendous investment and can help build wealth over the long-term.   Knight Kiplinger, Economic Journalist, stated in a recent column, “With your expectations duly tempered…go ahead and buy.  In a few years, you just might be pleasantly surprised.”   We could not have said it any better.

For more information or to see available houses for sale, please call one of our REALTORS®, at 478-272-2335, or visit CurryRealEstate.com.

Dwelling.  The most effective type of coverage for the home in which you reside is replacement cost coverage.  Payment based on the replacement cost is usually the most favorable figure from your point of view because it compensates you for the actual cost of replacing property. The key to determining how much dwelling coverage you need isn’t the value of your home but rather the money you’d have to pay to rebuild it. 

Other Structures.   Examples of other structures covered by HOI would be a detached garage, workshop, storage building, barn, etc.   Your policy covers all of the other structures that might be located on your property besides the home itself.  The same coverage rules apply here as the dwelling insurance – the total amount of coverage should be high enough to rebuild the entire structure if completely lost. 

Contents.  In the case of the contents, an inventory of items room by room is important to have with information such as the date purchased, serial number, the original cost of each item and a brief description. Video tape or still photos is very helpful along with the inventory. These items should be stored in a safe place such as a safety deposit box in a bank and not in the home.  Limitations are normally set for high-cost items such as jewelry, fine art, furs, electronics, collectibles, oriental rugs and antiques. If a thief comes in and steals a two-carat engagement ring, it may not be covered well enough without a personal property rider to cover specific, costly items.

Liability.   As a homeowner, you automatically assume some responsibility for what happens in and around your home.  Homeowner’s liability insurance provides for protection in the event someone gets hurt or property is damaged.  In case of either event, or a combination of the two, you are at risk of severe financial loss as a result of being found liable. In addition to covering medical expenses or cost of repairs, the liability part of your HOI usually pays for court costs should a lawsuit arise.  Don’t skimp on your liability limits!

It’s a good idea to read your policy and become familiar with what is covered and is not covered.  You may be pleasantly surprised to find that a policy covers you for more things than you originally thought.

If you have a question about your homeowner’s policy or would like a free quote, call Lee Newsome, Personal Lines Agent, at Curry Insurance Agency– 478-272-2335 or toll-free 800-596-5664.