Home Hunter March 3, 2013

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Sunday, March 3, 2013 Home Hunter

UTILITIES:

HomeHunterAdDeadlineevery Tuesdayatnoon.

ELECTRICITY

Aiken Electric Co-op803-649-6245 or 1-800-922-1262

www.aikenco-op.org

Mid-Carolina Electric Co-op803-749-6400 or 1-888-813-8000

www.mcecoop.com

South Carolina Electric & Gas803-442-2000 or 1-800-251-7234

www.sceg.com/en

NATURAL GAS

SCE&G Gas Operations106 Langley Dam Road

Aiken, SC 29834(803) 643-5916

TELEPHONE

AT&TResidential 1-888-288-2020

Business 1-866-620-6000www.att.com

Atlantic Broadband1-888-301-8649

WATER

City of Aiken 803-642-7613www.aiken.net

City of North Augusta803-441-4219

www.northaugusta.net

Jackson Water Department803-471-2229

New Ellenton Public Works Commission803-652-2862

DRIVERS LICENSENewcomers have 90 days after establishing

residency to apply for a drivers license.With a valid out-of-state driver's license, only aneye exam or statement of visual acuity from aneye specialist is required.

Military personnel may operate on a validdriver's license from their home state.

For Information Call:1-800-442-1DMV (1-800-442-1368)

www.scdmvonline.com

DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES

1755 Richland Ave., Aiken

803-641-7752

1913 Ascauga Lake Road,

North Augusta

803-279-6659

TAGS/REGISTRATION

Newcomers have 45 days after establishing

residency to purchase South Carolina license

tags.

To purchase license tags, you will need to fill

out Form 400, available from any Division of

Motor Vehicles office.

Beforegetting your tag, you will need to pay the

property tax on the vehicle at your local tax

office.

The South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

handles vehicle tags. Offices are open

Mon.- Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm.

Aiken Co. Administrative Offices828 Richland Avenue W. 642-2012

Aiken City Offices214 Park Avenue, S.W. 642-7654

Jackson Town Offices106 Main Street 471-2228

New Ellenton City Offices200 Main Street 652-2214

North Augusta City Offices400 Buena Vista Ave. E.

Municipal Bldg 441-4202

VOTER REGISTRATION

Voter Registration Office

916 Vaucluse Road, Aiken 642-2030

TAXES

Aiken County Tax Office 642-2081

Aiken Chamber of Commerce121 Richland Avenue E.

641-1111www.aikenchamber.net

Aiken Board of Realtors648-1891

AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION:

GOVERNMENT

INFORMATION SOURCES:

Real Estate Sales Rep: Lauren Molony 644-2376 or

Kathy Boyette 644-2349 Advertising Director: Dee Taylor 644-2371

AS14-9141201


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AS14-914119 1Publishers Notice

The Aiken Standard is pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the

achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourageand support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are

no barriers to obtain housing. All real estate advertising in the Aiken Standard is

subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any

preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handi-

cap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences,

limitations or discriminations. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for

real estate that is in violation of the law.

Connect the Dots

with the Aiken Standard

Home Hunter

in Print & Online

aikenstandard.com

fnd

your

homehere

Home Hunterwww.aikenstandard.com




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Tips for buying a home in todays marketStatePoint-

If youre considering buying a home, someexperts think you should get a move on it.Interest rates are at 65-year record lows andnational home prices have finally hit bottomand are on the rise. Despite what you maybe hearing, loans are available for those withgood credit histories, stable income and suf-ficient savings.

But dont jump right in unprepared. Wheth-er youre a seasoned buyer or a newbie, thereare strategies that can help you throughoutthe home-buying process:

Stick to Your BudgetDetermining how much home you can

afford depends on several factors, includ-ing your annual gross income, credit history,current mortgage rates and the amount ofyour down payment.

In todays market, you can expect a downpayment to generally be between 5 to 20 per-cent of the purchase price for a conventionalmortgage. Lenders recommend that your

mortgage payment (principal, interest, taxesand mortgage insurance) be less than 28 per-cent of your monthly gross income.

Before looking for a home, consider callinga Department of Housing and Urban Devel-opment-approved housing counselor for freeand confidential f inancial assistance.

Avoid Borrowing Pitfalls

Unscrupulous lenders can damage yourcredit and cause you financial hardship. Hereare some ways to avoid becoming a victim:

Say no to easy money. Beware if some-one claims that your credit problems wontaffect the interest rate. If a solicitation isreally appealing, get it in writing and seek asecond opinion.

Talk to several lenders to find the bestloan.

Know if the loan offered to you charges afee if you pay it off early. If its a requirementof the loan, ask about other products thatdont contain this type of penalty.

Ensure documents are correct and com-plete. Beware of anyone offering to falsify

your income information to qualify you for aloan. Never sign documents that have incor-rect dates or blank fields.

Ask for written estimates that include allpoints and fees. When you get to the closingtable, if any fees or charges differ from whatwas previously disclosed, delay closing untilall terms are understood.

If youre taking equity out of your proper-ty, only take the minimum. Equity typicallybuilds slowly over time, so its important totry to preserve it.

If youre not sure, dont sign! Get advicefirst from a reputable consumer credit coun-seling agency or housing counselor.

Know the Mortgage Process

Mortgages are serious long-term financialcommitments. Selecting the right mortgagemay make a big difference in your monthlypayments and overall cost of your loan.

To determine the best term for your per-sonal situation and one that aligns with yourfinancial goals, talk with your lender or fi-nancial professional for guidance.

Fotolia.comThe prospect of making such a big invest-ment can be intimidating, especially if yourea first time homebuyer. Do your research,reach out to the professionals, stick to yourbudget and be sure youre ready to takeon the financial responsibilities of being ahomeowner..

The Top 5Home Improvement ProjectsThat Increase Your Homes ValueStatePoint-

Selling a home in todays aggressive market-place can be challenging. The good news is thereare a few tweaks that can give homeowners aserious leg up on the competition.

With the warmer months being the most activetime of year to buy and sell real estate, its im-portant to ensure your home is seen in the bestlight possible.

Despite the influx of homes for sale this sea-son, the process of buying and selling a homecan be simple, efficient and enjoyable, saysWendy Froehlich of Homes.com, one of the na-tions top online real estate listing and lifestyleresources.

According to Homes.com, the top five projects

that improve home equity are:

Bathrooms

If adding an additional bathroom isn t an op-tion, upgrade existing ones.

Adding a dual vanity to a master or secondarybath improves functionality, allowing multiplepeople to use the space. Change out fixtures likefaucets and shower doors to increase aestheticappeal. If youre on a budget, replace light fix-tures or switch plates to help refresh the space.

When working with a small space, highlightstorage options with shelving and update or re-move wall decor, paint or wallpaper.

Kitchen

Kitchen renovations can cost anywhere from$20,000 to $40,000 and more. If thats not inyour budget, upgrading cabinetry and paintdoes wonders to liven up even the most outdatedspaces.

Add crown or decorative molding to shapeout the kitchen cabinets and modernize thespace. Repaint cabinets, or add new hardware toadd visual interest and brighten dark spaces.

Outdoor SpacesCurb appeal adds immediate interest to any

homes exterior. According to Remodeling Mag-

azine, improving outdoor spaces can increase ahomes resale value dollar-for-dollar.

Frame the front walkway with items that addvisual interest, like flowers, potted plants, largerocks of various sizes and solar-powered lights.If yard space is scarce, hanging plants are an-other great, low-cost option.

Extend outdoor projects to the backyard --power-wash decks or patios and clean screened-in areas.

BasementBasement improvements can optimize liv-

able space and protect the home from extremeweather, mold, moisture damage and mites.Whether transitioning the basement to a homegym, office or family room, the basics remainthe same: insulate well and waterproof.

Maximize space by including shelving andstorage units. If the opportunity exists, make thespace feel open and inviting by creating an openstairwell, a trick that visually connects the upperpart of the house with the lower, and filters natu-ral light into the space.

Mudroom

Mudrooms ensure families stay clutter-freeand have a dedicated space to drop stuff as they

come through the door. They can also make po-tential homeowners feel welcome upon entry.

While knocking out a wall to create a mud-room is expensive and labor-intensive, you canmake a drop zone by simply anchoring a benchto an empty wall and hanging labeled storageunits.

Making homes stand out in a sea of real estatelistings isnt always easy. More tips on increas-ing home values can be found at www.Homes.com.



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