north georgia real estate: We Would Like Some Respect - 04/21/12 03:02 PM
A couple of years ago I did a blog about the lack of respect we receive as agents. After 7 years in the business, numerous awards, and high rankings as a top producer, our team receives absolutely no respect from the majority of our clients. I say this as a point of ever deepening frustration for The Wells Team.
Three weekends we received 5 offers on 5 different properties. As of today three of those offers fell through.
As we presented these offers to our clients we were met with very negative, and frustrating, … (1 comments)
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north georgia real estate: The First Quarter of 2012 for The Wells Team - 04/21/12 02:30 PM
The first quarter of 2012 started more positive than this time last year. However as the year progressed we are starting to see a return to the same pattern that has “haunted” us for the last three years.
A lot of lookers as spring started early in the south
A group of new lookers filled with excitement
Sellers who have decided to make a move
As April ends we are returning to the same cycle.
Buyers want updated homes at low prices
Buyers do their research and learn about the market … (1 comments)
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north georgia real estate: BEFORE YOU SAY NO DEAL PLEASE READ OUR EMAIL! - 04/02/12 06:48 PM
This is an email that we sent to our 5 offers. These offers were received over the weekend. After some of the less than enthusiastic responses we received we wanted to give our clients more information on how to deal with offers. Here is our email below.
Barb and I have been busy. In the last five days we have presented 5 offers.
All of you who have received these offers have something in common: You have recently had some major changes in your life. This includes divorce, the death of a loved one, health issues, or other … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Time to Make a Move - 02/02/12 12:25 PM
Moving is hard. Whether it is a new job, a transfer, different home, school, or church it is hard to say goodbye.
However moving brings about a new excitement to our life.
After 6.5 years at The Norton Agency of Cumming GA, The Wells Team has made a move. We are now members of Keller Williams Community Partners.
Keller Williams is the largest real estate company in Forsyth County Georgia (North side of Atlanta). We have an office in both Cumming GA and Dawsonville GA. Both of these offices are better located for The Wells Team and our clients. We will … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Lake Lanier! You are killing me! - 11/19/11 07:00 PM
For all of us "locals", we are all very familiar with Lake Lanier and its ever changing water levels.
As of today Lake Lanier was down over 14 feet!
What does that have to do with a real estate agent who sells Lake Lanier property? I think you know the answer.
We had been working with a client for over six months. We had showed them Lake Lanier property and knew their desire to live in our area. We were waiting for them to sell their Florida home.
You probably know how this turned out. Our clients had sold their Florida home however … (3 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Why I Did Not File the Deed! - 11/19/11 06:21 PM
After six years I still learn something new everyday!
I have a client who is buying a home from a seller who purchased the home on the courthouse steps. The seller, with his investment group, paid cash for the property.
As we finalized the agreement with the seller we did negotiate with one disadvantage. We did not know what the seller paid for the home. Why? Because the seller had not filed the deed with the county!
After we finalized the agreement I brought up this point with the seller. The seller waited to file the deed because he did not … (4 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Ten Trends from The Norton Agency - 11/19/11 06:03 PM
We had the opportunity to attend The Norton Agency Advanced Seminar last week. Our President, Frank Norton Jr, gave us a lot of statistics, information, and trends for the national and local real estate market.
Top ten trends, for our area, as identified by The Norton Agency
Expect no upward swing (in regards to prices) Foreclosures have run their course in Georgia Lending is invisible (more lending alternatives) Cash is piled up on the sidelines (folks in a holding pattern) Value price is in Healthcare sector is pumping Agriculture is back (demand for small farms) Function before glamour (in regards to … (2 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Frustration with Appraisals! - 11/19/11 05:47 PM
I know every agent in this country is feeling the same pain that I feel when it comes to appraisals!
At my weekly Rotary Club meeting I had a friend share his frustration. He recently had his home appraised for refinancing.
His frustration was in the fact that, in his opinion, the appraiser had no idea about the details of the home. When my friend had his home built he spared no expense. Extra insulation, upgraded hardwoods, top of the line fixtures, counter-tops, and extra energy efficiencies throughout.
In a normal market all of these upgrades would weigh on the price … (5 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Realtionships Still Work - 10/07/11 11:51 PM
We were approached by a company offering an internet lead capture system.
I know that they are great systems but The Wells Team obtains their business the old fashioned way: Personal Realtionships.
We are going to have a successful year despite the tough real estate market. The majority of our business is from personal relationships.
The Wells Team has made it a point to be active in the local community, participate in local organizations, and donate to local groups that need assistance.
I realize this is very basic but, after six years in the business, relationships remain a fundamental part of … (1 comments)
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north georgia real estate: The Norton Agency Has an App for Your Cellphone - 10/06/11 11:03 PM
The Norton Agency is a local company with its dominant presence in North Georgia. Even though we are local, our company keeps up with the latest technology.
If you go the website below, you will be able to download an app that features The Norton Agency. The app will take you to our website where you can search the latest residential and commercial properties available. You will also see the additional services the company provides including property management, Homeworks, insurance, and our affiliations with closing attorneys and title companies.
http://www.wdun.com/accesswdunapp/
The Norton Agency: Local knowledge with both a national and international … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: The Norton Agency and its Invest in America Campaign! - 08/18/11 02:49 PM
We are at an interesting and somewhat frightening era in America. The stock market and world markets change daily and we watch our 401K’s and investments vacillate. With all this in mind, The Norton Agency has launched its new mantra – INVEST IN AMERICA – BUY REAL ESTATE. Despite the down turn in the real estate market over the past four years, it is still one of the best ways to invest your money. Interest rates are at an all time low – 3.75% for FHA and VA and as low as 3.5% for a 15 year Conventional.
… (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Sometimes you have to throw in the towel - 07/19/11 11:12 PM
This is something all Realtors dread doing: Throwing in the towel! In this case it involved friends/clients of mine who had their home listed with me.
The home appeared to be priced correctly but as time went on that did not appear to be the case. We watched other houses around them go for lower prices. My clients grew more frustrated because buyers would not appreciate all of the extras that were put into the home. (does any buyer appreciate this)
After four months of multiple showings (the most we have ever had), plus two offers that did not work out, … (4 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Paint the Door! - 06/24/11 08:40 AM
My wife does the marketing for The Wells Team. One of her "things" is to have the door painted on a home when we list it. I have to admit that I never thought it was a necessity in many cases but I have been proved wrong.
Our highest priced listing had a showing last week. This home has been upgraded inside and out and has captured a lot of serious inquiries.
However last week I received some feedback from a recent showing. The agent said that the door was in bad shape and appeared worn. It gave a bad initial impression … (6 comments)
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north georgia real estate: When Do You Cut Your Losses? - 04/30/11 04:58 PM
Years ago I received some advice from my financial planner. He told me that it is human nature for investors to hesitate selling their stock when the price is going down. They want to wait for the stock to return to its original value and then sell for a profit. It is hard to part with a loser.
The same psychology also affects homeowners as they look at the declining value of their home.
They have equity in their home even though it has decreased. They look at the amount of time it would take to see their home price come back … (3 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Norton Agency Update on Metro Atlanta Market Conditions - 03/13/11 11:13 AM
Our President Frank Norton Jr gave us a very informative presentation on the housing market at our monthly sales meeting. Barb and I pride ourselves on the knowledge we gain working for The Norton Agency. This knowledge allows us to better serve our clients.
Here are some of the highlights:
•· From 2000 to 2011 Real Estate outperformed the Dow, Nasdaq, and the S&P
•· Pending home sales declined after April 2010 because of the expiration of the first time homebuyer tax credit. However since October 2010 to the present pending home sales have been rising
•· The Norton … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: The Norton Homes for Life Magazine to Increase! - 02/14/11 09:30 AM
The Norton Agency publishes The Norton Homes for Life Magazine. This publication showcases all of the properties listed by agents at The Norton Agency. This includes properties throughout North Georgia and the Atlanta Metro area!The magazine is circulated in the Gainesville Times, Dawson County Times, and The Forsyth County Times. It is also circulated at local businesses. The circulation tops 10,000 copies.
Frank Norton Jr, the president of the company, announced that we will publish 12 issues a year instead of the current 6.
This is a further indication of our committment to our clients to market their homes as effectively … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: The Foreclosures are Taking a Direct Toll on my Personal Home! - 02/14/11 09:09 AM
I have to admit that The Wells Team has benefited from the sale of foreclosure properties in the North Atlanta area!
At the same time my level of disappointment is increasing with respect to my own neighborhood.
I purchased my home in 2001. This was well before I entered the real estate industry, before the real estate boom and the real estate bubble.
The results: My home is worth less today based on the same model that sold down the street. It was a foreclosure!
We have 342 homes in our neighborhood. At this time there is only 1 active foreclosure … (1 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Debate on Forsyth County Zoning - 02/08/11 01:52 PM
Read an article in the Jan 30th AJC concerning Forsyth County and a debate on zoning.
Forsyth County reflects what many counties in Georgia, and nationwide, will be up against when they look at ways to bring in business to help their tax base. Many counties in North Georgia rely on residential for the majority of their property taxes. Forsyth County has quite a few businesses that add money to the tax rolls. However the county experienced a large influx of money as a result of the housing boom.
Now that new housing construction in Forsyth County, as well as, the … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Do You Need a Termite Inspection in Georgia? - 02/02/11 09:41 PM
What is the word on a termite inspection in Georgia?
Everytime I attend a company real estate meeting I wonder why I am wasting my time. However my broker manages to surprise me each time by bringing in relevant speakers. This meeting was no exception.
We had a representative from Coppermine Pest Control who is also a member of GPCA (Georgia pest Control Authority). He talked to us on changes to the 2011 GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement with its references to a pest inspection.
According to 2005
•· In 2005 HUD issued guidelines that said termite inspections … (0 comments)
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north georgia real estate: Highlights of The Norton Agency Annual Forecast - 01/23/11 09:39 PM
The 2011 Norton Annual Forecast marked the 24th year of this successful presentation. We had a full house at The Georgia Mountain Center where Frank Norton Jr. shared the 2011 trends.
They are:
Headed to Evolution not Recovery Mythical Multiple Bottoms The First Law of Cash A Paradox of Ownership The Million Dollar Dilemma Medical Overtakes Poultry as #1 Industry Out of the Ashes Rises the Phoenix Phantom Real Estate Our Holographic Government Collapses To The Survivors Belong the Spoils If you would like to read the details about these 10 trends along with an in depth summary of The Norton … (0 comments)
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