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Christen Wilbanks – Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce

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We’re wrapping up the first quarter of 2021 and big things are happening in Hall County!

Christen Wilbanks — Vice President of Membership Sales — from the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce is joining us on NorthGA Business RadioX to talk about some terrific local business resources you need to know about. We’re also celebrating some wins in our local business community, upcoming events, the benefits of becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce and so much more…
You can learn more about the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and what they do for our community on their website:
https://www.ghcc.com/
You can also connect with them on Facebook and stay up to date with local events:
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterHallChamber

Medicare and Health Insurance Expert Kevin Heath from MTD Benefits

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Medicare Expert Kevin Heath from MTD Benefits

 

During this North GA Business RadioX show, we’re chatting with Kevin Heath from MTD Benefits about health insurance, Medicare — Parts A, B, C and D, new tax credits and how the changes are helping to make health insurance more affordable than ever.

You will learn more than you ever thought you would ever want to know about Medicare and what you need to do to make sure you have the right kind of health insurance coverage when you need it most!

Medicare is exceptionally complicated and confusing. And, the last thing you want to do is choose health insurance coverage that is not appropriate for your individual situation.

A lot of people struggle with understanding how Medicare works. Why? Because Medicare changes on a yearly basis. No one should try to figure out Medicare alone.

 

Learn more about Kevin and MTD Benefits:

https://www.mtdbenefits.com/

info@mtdbenefits.com
858 Oak Street
Gainesville, GA 30501
678.928.3920

How To Get Your House Ready To Sell “From the Heart and Sold Real Estate Show” with April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver

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April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver - Get Your House Ready To Sell - North GA Business RadioX

It’s a HOT, HOT, HOT Real Estate Market here in North GA! It most definitely is a seller’s market right now. Houses are selling FAST.

Traditionally spring is when most people start getting their home ready to show and sell.

Today April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver are sharing some important tips to help make sure your home is ready to get listed and sold as quickly as possible.

There are a few things you need to do BEFORE you start getting your home ready to show:

1. You need to look at your budget to determine how much you need to invest into any updates you want to do so that you get that investment back when you sell the house. You don’t want to invest $30,000 into an update that will only bring you $10,000 when your house sells.

2. You should get a pre-inspection done so that you know exactly what needs to be fixed or brought up to current code. That way the sale goes more smoothly. Getting hit with an expensive list of repairs and updates is not something you want to have happen. It’s best to get those things done BEFORE your house goes on the market.

3. Declutter your entire home. It helps to make the space feel larger and it also gives your prospective buyer an opportunity to “see” their belongings in the space. An added benefit is that you’ve gotten a huge leg up on the moving out process when you do a deep de-cluttering!

4. Make sure that everything is in good working order.

How to make sure you can recoup the money you spend on renovations and repairs

There is a difference between features that sell a house and those that add market value.

Making sure your home has great curb appeal is very important. You want people who come to see your house be “WOWED” the first time they lay their eyes on it.

Good landscaping, a freshly mowed lawn, and a clean, well-cared for exterior are so important.

Inside your house, everything is important. Most important are the kitchen, the master bedroom and the master bathroom.

  • Take a look for things that you can easily update or upgrade.
  • A coat of fresh paint works wonders in every room of the house.
  • Refinishing hardwood floors makes the entire room feel “new”.
  • Stay abreast of the “trends” out there — paint colors, kitchen, and bathroom fixtures and finishes, cabinets, countertops, flooring, tiles. Pinterest is a wonderful resource.
  • Be careful with having a lot of “personal touches”. Not everyone is going to love everything you love and if your “personal style” is completely different from theirs, having too much of it can actually make it difficult for your home to sell.
  • The more “move-in-ready” your home is, the better. Millennials like to purchase “move-in-ready” homes.

From The Heart Moment

Recognition and gratitude to the Gainesville Police Dept. for their thoughtfulness and generosity. They recently donated slices of pie from the Southern Baked Pie Company to our local Meals-On-Wheels program. It was such a wonderful way to love on our seniors a little bit! Many of them have had a really hard time this past year.

 

Contact April Rooks:
aprilrooksrealty@gmail.com
678 851 4992

Connect With April and Cindy:

@realtoraprilrooks
https://www.facebook.com/aprilrooksrealty/

@cindyvandiver1
https://www.facebook.com/CindyVandiverMortgageBanker/

Disclaimer: This podcast features Mortgage Banker, Cindy Vandiver, NMLS 164102, at Stockton Mortgage, NMLS 8259, Equal Housing Lender. Views and opinions expressed are those of Ms. Vandiver and do not necessarily reflect those of Stockton Mortgage. Ms. Vandiver’s information should not be considered to be legal or tax advice.

Which Is Better, An Online Mortgage Lender or A Local Lender? “From The Heart and Sold Real Estate Show” with April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver

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Home mortgage interest rates are still low. Homebuyers and those looking to refinance are shopping for the best deal possible.

So, during today’s “From The Heart and Sold Real Estate Show” April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver will be discussing the pros and cons of using an online lender vs a local lender.

Nearly half of the homebuyers out there do not shop around for the right lender or rates. And, it’s costing them.

The internet has brought about a whole new world of mortgage financing options.

And, as it is with everything else in the world — advertising is everything.

So, how do you know that you’re making the right choices for yourself and your finances? And, that you’re actually going to get what was advertised?

“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!”

Onlne advertisers talk about:

1. Better rates
2. Convenience
3. Overnight Approval

And because consumers live in a space of instant gratification, we really do want and expect to have everything right now, at our fingertips!

Online can be a HUGE time saver. And it does come with its drawbacks.

  • You can call or text a local lender. If you’re working with an online lender, you need to expect that there will be delays in response time and truly personalized service.
  • You can walk into your local lender’s office. You can’t do that with an online lender.
  • If you need help, your local lender is a huge asset to you. You just won’t be able to get personal guidance and access to community relationships from an online lender.
  • Many times rates are better with a local lender than with an online lender. They usually are more firm and locked in, too!

From the Heart Moment

Conditioned Air Systems recently installed an HVAC unit in the home of a local family that had no heat for the winter. They were struggling and simply couldn’t afford to get the work done. The relief and gratitude the family experienced were so touching.

We’ve all struggled at some point in our lives. And to have someone do something so special is miraculous. And we really want to acknowledge and thank our community for doing so much for so many.

 

Contact April Rooks:
aprilrooksrealty@gmail.com
678 851 4992

Connect With April and Cindy:

@realtoraprilrooks
https://www.facebook.com/aprilrooksrealty/

@cindyvandiver1
https://www.facebook.com/CindyVandiverMortgageBanker/

Disclaimer: This podcast features Mortgage Banker, Cindy Vandiver, NMLS 164102, at Stockton Mortgage, NMLS 8259, Equal Housing Lender. Views and opinions expressed are those of Ms. Vandiver and do not necessarily reflect those of Stockton Mortgage. Ms. Vandiver’s information should not be considered to be legal or tax advice.

Real Estate Investing “From The Heart and Sold Real Estate Show” with April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver

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Real Estate Investing “From The Heart and Sold Real Estate Show” with April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver

Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” — Mark Twain

 

Real Estate Investing can set you up with a great cash flow for your future!

Join April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver for a candid conversation about the basics of Real Estate Investing during this episode of the “From The Heart and Sold Real Estate Show”.

Investing in real estate has created enormous wealth for many people. As Cindy points out, “Buy land early. It’s like a 401(k). If you don’t do it early, you don’t reap the benefits over time.”

Advantages of Investing in Real Estate:

1. Great way to build passive income.
2. Predictable cash-flow when done right.
3. Real estate appreciates in value.
4. Real estate can be leveraged — ex: 1031 exchange.
5. Can provide retirement cash-flow.
6. Many different ways to invest in real estate.

Prepare Yourself Financially To Invest In Real Estate

1. Expect a 20 – 25% down payment on the purchase price
2. Banks need to see a minimum of 6 months cash reserves on hand to cover the principal, interest, taxes and insurance in an account to cover expenses should something not work out as expected.
3. Expect that interest rates will be higher than for a primary residence.
4. The banks like to see good debt to income ratios.
5. Take the time to do your homework so you can understand and accurately calculate ROI and risk.

This week’s “From The Heart Moment”

Kay Blackstock from the Georgia Mountain Food Bank was recently involved in an event with the Gainesville Housing Authority and a number of other organizations in Gainesville — the Gainesville Police Department, the Boys and Girl Club, Andrea Cheeks, Sean Watson, just to name a few. They served food to over 800 families during the event. All of the extra food was shared with the St. John Baptist Church later that day!

Contact April Rooks:
aprilrooksrealty@gmail.com
678 851 4992

Connect With April and Cindy:

@realtoraprilrooks
https://www.facebook.com/aprilrooksrealty/

@cindyvandiver1
https://www.facebook.com/CindyVandiverMortgageBanker/

Disclaimer: This podcast features Mortgage Banker, Cindy Vandiver, NMLS 164102, at Stockton Mortgage, NMLS 8259, Equal Housing Lender. Views and opinions expressed are those of Ms. Vandiver and do not necessarily reflect those of Stockton Mortgage. Ms. Vandiver’s information should not be considered to be legal or tax advice.

RichLife Retirement Show with Beau Henderson and Bill Maine #025

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Join Beau Henderson, CEO of RichLife Advisors and Bill Maine from WDUN for a conversation about:

· Are you setting yourself up for an IRS Audit?
· The fee that’s annoying you the most may not be the one that’s costing you the most!
· What you need to consider when you’re deciding how to take your pension benefits

About Beau Henderson:

Beau Henderson is a retirement planning specialist located in Gainesville, GA, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and the founder and visionary of RichLife Advisors. He has helped more than 3,000 clients to not only improve their relationship with money, but to live their unique definition of a fulfilled, meaningful retirement with purpose.

Through his innovative RichLife Retirement Success Strategy™, Beau and his team at RichLife Advisors help families across the United States approaching retirement to properly address the six components a successful retirement:

  1. Maximizing income (including Social Security)
  2. Optimizing assets for long-term growth
  3. Paying less in taxes
  4. Planning for healthcare
  5. Protecting the people and things that they care about the most and
  6. Addressing non-financial considerations to ultimately living their unique definition of a RichLife in retirement

Beau is an avid local business advocate, podcast enthusiast and studio owner of North Georgia Business RadioX. He was recognized as Junior Achievement’s Business Partnership of the Year in 2016 for his efforts and commitment to increasing financial literacy in the community.

Website:

RichLifeAdvisors.com

Contact Beau:

EMAIL
Info@RichLifeAdvisors.com

PHONE
(770) 249-7424

Connect with Beau:

Facebook — https://Facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
Twitter — https://Twitter.com/RichLifeAdvisor
 LinkedIn.com — https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhenderson/

Senior Transitions and Reverse Mortgages “From The Heart and Sold Real Estate Show” with April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver

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Helping parents or grandparents with senior transitions can be extremely confusing and challenging.

As one woman April worked with said…

“Gettin’ old ain’t for sissies!”

Before returning to work in the Real Estate industry, April worked in the Senior Care field for seven years.

She helped seniors and their families with all of their care needs during a very, very challenging time of life for everyone.

One thing she realized after helping with her grandmother’s transition and then helping many other families navigate through those transitions, having a solid care plan created in conjunction with someone’s other health care providers, is absolutely essential.

Also, knowing where to find trustworthy information and help is critical.

There are a lot of resources out there — the big problem is most people don’t know they even exist.

For example, many Gainesville residents don’t know there is an adult daycare center located within the community that can help working families care for their elderly loved ones.

The Guest House Adult Day Health Services
320 Tower Heights Rd
Gainesville, GA 30501
General Info: (770) 535-1487

There are also programs available to Veterans that can help, too.

April is one of the few Realtors who specializes in Senior Transitions.

Cindy helps seniors and their families with Reverse Mortgages.

There’s a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about Reverse Mortgages out there.

She is happy to help answer any questions about them so that senior couples and their children can decide if a reverse mortgage is right for their individual situation.

From The Heart Moment

Over Christmas, Beronica from Dorcas Place — a mobile, nonprofit children’s clothing closet —  sponsored  Christmas Blessings an event during which she collected toys in conjunction with The Edge Church. Everything went directly to the children.

Dorcas Place Gainesville is a community-oriented organization that provides families in need with new or gently used children’s clothing and shoes, and hygiene items for FREE.

If you’d like more information about Dorcas Place:
https://dorcasgazelle936.wixsite.com/dorcasplace/

If you need assistance:
https://dorcasgazelle936.wixsite.com/dorcasplace/apply/

Contact April Rooks:
aprilrooksrealty@gmail.com
678 851 4992

Connect With April and Cindy:

@realtoraprilrooks
https://www.facebook.com/aprilrooksrealty/

@cindyvandiver1
https://www.facebook.com/CindyVandiverMortgageBanker/

Disclaimer: This podcast features Mortgage Banker, Cindy Vandiver, NMLS 164102, at Stockton Mortgage, NMLS 8259, Equal Housing Lender. Views and opinions expressed are those of Ms. Vandiver and do not necessarily reflect those of Stockton Mortgage. Ms. Vandiver’s information should not be considered to be legal or tax advice.

RichLife Retirement Show with Beau Henderson and Bill Maine #024

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Join Beau Henderson, CEO of RichLife Advisors and Bill Maine from WDUN for a conversation about the market and what to expect, what you need to know about Social Security, and important numbers you need to know in retirement!

 

About Beau Henderson:

Beau Henderson is a retirement planning specialist located in Gainesville, GA, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and the founder and visionary of RichLife Advisors. He has helped more than 3,000 clients to not only improve their relationship with money, but to live their unique definition of a fulfilled, meaningful retirement with purpose.

Through his innovative RichLife Retirement Success Strategy™, Beau and his team at RichLife Advisors help families across the United States approaching retirement to properly address the six components a successful retirement:

  1. Maximizing income (including Social Security)
  2. Optimizing assets for long-term growth
  3. Paying less in taxes
  4. Planning for healthcare
  5. Protecting the people and things that they care about the most and
  6. Addressing non-financial considerations to ultimately living their unique definition of a RichLife in retirement

Beau is an avid local business advocate, podcast enthusiast and studio owner of North Georgia Business RadioX. He was recognized as Junior Achievement’s Business Partnership of the Year in 2016 for his efforts and commitment to increasing financial literacy in the community.

Website:

RichLifeAdvisors.com

Contact Beau:

EMAIL
Info@RichLifeAdvisors.com

PHONE
(770) 249-7424

Connect with Beau:

Facebook — https://Facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
Twitter — https://Twitter.com/RichLifeAdvisor
 LinkedIn.com — https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhenderson/

No Down Payment Loans “From The Heart And Sold Real Estate Show” with April Rooks and Cindy Vandiver

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Cindy Vandiver and April Rooks talk about the incredible benefits of using No Down Payment Home Loans to purchase a home in North GA.

If you’re thinking that NOW would be the perfect time to purchase a home if you had the down payment, you will definitely want to listen to what Cindy and April have to say about no down payment loans…

 

Cindy shares the things you need to know about qualifying for this type of loan:

  1. The areas in North GA that are eligible for this special type of loan — not all areas are eligible!
  2. The financial information and documentation you need to provide to the USDA to qualify for a No Down Payment Loan (it’s very different from applying for a regular home loan).
  3. Rules and restrictions for no down payment loans.
  4. Why it’s important to get both pre-qualified and pre-approved — Cindy is an expert in this area — call her at 706 – 219 – 2500!

Why would you want to take advantage of using a No Down Payment Loan to buy a home?

  1. Many times owning a home is CHEAPER than renting.
  2. Owning real estate is the cornerstone of building wealth. Given enough time, real estate will appreciate — meaning your property is worth more than what you paid for it.
  3. When you rent, you are building someone else’s wealth, not your own.

 

From The Heart Moment…

April KNOWS first-hand that music is a powerful place for healing. She has personally experienced the impact of music through her own life and witnessed it in the lives of the children she has taught piano and voice.

She is passionate about bringing a shift into our communities through investing in the children who have been abused, neglected, and are currently in the foster care system and under the care of a CASA volunteer.

In 2018 she founded the AMPED Kids Foundation — a 501(c)3 — with a mission to positively impact the lives of foster children by providing access to free private music instruction and other music programs throughout Georgia. Amped Kids is lifting up children and giving them a voice.

2020 was a difficult year for everyone — especially young, aspiring musicians who want to perform live — due to COVID and physical distancing.

AMPED Kids was able to host one live show during which instruments were given out to some of the children.

One young man, who had a particularly hard time understanding that he was being GIVEN an instrument, made a point of going to April and thanking her personally for everything.

It’s one thing to know that you’re making a difference, it’s something else entirely to SEE the difference you made for someone shining all over their face!

Contact April Rooks:
aprilrooksrealty@gmail.com
678 851 4992

Connect With April and Cindy:

@realtoraprilrooks
https://www.facebook.com/aprilrooksrealty/

@cindyvandiver1
https://www.facebook.com/CindyVandiverMortgageBanker/

Disclaimer: This podcast features Mortgage Banker, Cindy Vandiver, NMLS 164102, at Stockton Mortgage, NMLS 8259, Equal Housing Lender. Views and opinions expressed are those of Ms. Vandiver and do not necessarily reflect those of Stockton Mortgage. Ms. Vandiver’s information should not be considered to be legal or tax advice.

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