Charles's Blog

Looking for Property

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:27:09 -0500

I'm looking for property in the Atlanta area. Don't want to spend to much, actually don't won't to spend more than $50,000. I have cash, in hand, and am ready to buy as soon as I find a good deal. So if you have any properties that are a good deal that your looking to get rid of let me know. Thanks

Costa Rica

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:58:43 -0500

I recently visted one of the most amazing places in the world! The Country was Costa Rica and the town was Dominical! Dominical is a small, I mean really small, town in the south western part of Costa Rica. Up until recently very few people had ever heard of Dominical. It's a place were your more likely to find a surf shop then a convenience store. A group of hippies back in the 60's and early 70's were the first Americans to really ever visit there and many of them still live there! Who wouldn't want to though. It's paradise, actually its even better than paradise because the surfing is next to none.

Unfortunately I didn't go to Dominical on vacation, I went there to serve my father! Even though Dominical is a gorgeous area, its infested with poverty. The natives that have been living there for centuries haven't been blessed like most of us living in the states, so hunger and homelessness are common. Our mission was to go down to Dominical and brighten up a group of children at a local school. To be honest I was a little nervous before going. I mean I didn't exactly know what to expect. What I found though was more amazing then I ever imagined. We were welcomed with open arms, maybe thats because we came bearing gifts, but its probably because we brought a sign of hope.

This trip was the most amazing experience of my life! It opened my mind up to the true definition of love and it taught me that the most important thing we have in ours lives are our relationships with those we are surrounded by. Relationships are the key to success and can bring happiness in any time of darkness.

Charles E Jarvis

Keller Williams Realty

Atlanta, Ga, 30328

404-403-9873

Buckhead a Buyers Market

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:09:07 -0500

Like many other areas of Atlanta, Georgia, Buckhead is in a buyers market. Buckhead is known nationwide as Shoppers dream and a place where people can go to let loose. And just recently Buckhead was voted as the number one city in the nation for singles! It's where our Governor resides and it's home to two of the ost popular malls in the South. Buckhead is made up of some twenty different neighborhoods including Peachtree Hills, Habersham, Peachtree Park, Garden Hills and Tuxedo Park.

Buckhead is Currently experiencing a Buyers market right now! Homes are staying on the market for longer, and prices are starting to be reduced. But don't be alarmed yet. Overall, the housing market is still strong due primarily to the low interest rates as well as low inventory and a lack of confidence in the stock market.

If you asked anyone living in or around Atlanta were they would like to live, more than likely they'd tell you Buckhead! Who wouldn't want to live there. It's literally five minutes from everything- shopping, dining, downtown, and good schools. These attractions put Buckhead at the top of every buyers list.

Charles E Jarvis

Keller Williams Realty

Atlanta, Ga 30328

404-403-9873

5 keys to negotiating good deals with wholesalers!

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:14:49 -0500

Research is one of the most if not the most important thing when purchasing investment properties. It's your money so when looking at purchasing a property make the time worth it. Verify the value of the home after the needed renovations are completed. Familiarize yourself with estimating repairs and find yourself a respectable contractor you feel comfortable with. Don't go solely on reputable wholesalers word or appearance alone; most reputable wholesalers do their best to provide ARVs and renovation estimates, however there are hundreds of variables to take into account. Educating yourself will only save you a lot of time and a whole lot of cash!

Wholesalers are like any seller - timing is everything! In some cases the best time to negotiate is when the property first hits the market. But unfortunately most times it's a waiting game. Keeping your name and your price in the sellers mind can pay dividends in the end. Find a price that works for you and stick to it. If you can't work the deal out then simply walk away, there are thousands of houses out there.

Most people don't have the means to pay all cash for a home, especially investors, so financing is the next best thing and in many cases its even better then paying all cash. Be sure to secure your finances first! By being pre-approved you can provide the seller the documentation to prove your serious about the deal. Getting this out of the way early won't cause any headaches later and you can focus on more important issues and so can the seller

The key to success in many businesses is developing strong relationships, relationships are the key to any business transaction. If you and and the seller can't see eye to eye don't burn any bridges. Be honest with the seller and leave on a good note. In most cases the seller will have more inventory in the future so burning bridges may hurt you in the long run.

Always use common and professional courtesy in any business transaction. If you say your going to preview a property then do it. If its not what your looking for then explain why to the seller. This will let them know if your a serious investor and what type of property your looking for. This will help you maximize your time by not being shown every shack out there but instead garnering leads on a house you what want to purchase.

Charles Jarvis

Keller Williams Realty

Atlanta, Ga 30328

404-403-9873

Atlanta Real Estate Outlook

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:19:22 -0500

Overall market conditions for Atlanta are strong and vibrant in many different areas including first-time homebuyers, buyers "moving-up" to the $200-$350K price range, and investors seeking to take advantage of historically low interest rates. With the current popularity of interest-only loans and competition among lenders, low mortgage rates continue to fuel the housing market and mutually beneficial deals are being negotiated for both buyers and sellers.

There is plenty of evidence that our leaders and citizens will rise to the challenge of welcoming new residents while maintaining and improving our quality of life.

Consider:

- The Quality Growth Task Force is analyzing and developing recommendations for responsible land use and quality growth throughout region.

- The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is advancing the area's first transportation plan, called Mobility 2030. The plan identifies the most congested corridors, establishes goals to fix the worst first, and is recommending accountability and performance measures.

- Future area transportation projects include funding for commuter rail to encompass surrounding counties.

- The newly-created Regional Arts & Culture Leadership Alliance will begin to drive initiatives that will benefit and nurture the arts throughout the region including Atlanta.

- The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, along with city and state legislature have agreed on guidelines to provide for the region's future water needs, and the local economy will continue to grow through entrepreneurs, as well as big corporations. By targeting innovative industries, our research universities offer immediate advantages to emerging fields, such as the biosciences and other technology.

Internationally, our leaders have positioned Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to continue to be America's gateway for emerging nations and the transportation hub for the entire Southeast.

As a resident for over 18 years, I can safely say we all own a piece of this regions' future and together we can be build a better tomorrow. Should you have any questions about a particular area or neighborhood, I will be happy to furnish a customized package to suit your needs. I'm dedicated to Atlanta and surrounding communities and helping you achieve your real estate goals.

Perfect time for first time homebuyers!

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:04:55 -0500

Now's the time for first time home buyers to get on the ball and purchase their first home! For 20 or so more days a first time home buyer can take advantage of down payment assistance and the 10% or $7,500 tax credit. As of October 1, 2008 down payment assistance on FHA loans will be no more. Add to that the fact that minimum down payment will increase from 3% to 3.5%, and your headline has crossed the wire.

For the first time home buyer the next few days will represent the best time to move into home ownership. Make your best offer and close the deal while sellers are still biting their nails that this market could go lower. Move now and you will be the intelligent buyer people will be talking about in the spring of '09. Buyers need to realize this oppurtunity and act fast.

Charles E Jarvis

Keller Williams Realty

Atlanta, Ga 30328

Phone (404)-403-9873

Atlanta Real Estate

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:36:35 -0600

Yesterday our great city, Atlanta of course, was voted number five on the top American cities to live well at an affordable price! We were also ranked as one of the top five most caffeine driven cities in the country! I don't know what these rankings will do for our real estate market but they sure sound exciting!

Atlanta Draught

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:37:46 -0600

I love going up to Lake Lanier Georgia and I love the water! Unfortunately Georgia is going through one of the worst draughts in its history! Being an Atlanta area real estate agent I know a lot of people interested in or would be interested in purchasing lake-front property somewhere in Georgia yet the more popular lakes are suffering, Lake Lanier being one of them. Are there any real estate agents who deal a lot in Lake Lanier property and can tell me if no is a really good time to buy?

Seniors calling for a blackout!

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:11:46 -0600

Lets face it, Georgia Bulldog fans come to home games dressed in red! This has been a tradition for years and I don't think its going to change any time soon. So when I heard that a group a seniors on this years football team were wanting a "Blackout" I was a little confused. I mean why change a tradtion?

Go Hawks!

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:22:50 -0600

Well, my two favorite local teams didn't far well this season so it's up to the Atlanta Hawks to change the Atlanta sports year! Lets see how they far.

Go Falcons!

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:19:29 -0600

Falcons Look to be improving! Lets hope they keep this up!

So.. How's the market?

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:17:39 -0600

Historically speaking, the real estate market is what the real estate market does... and hear in Atlanta, it does what it does relatively slow. We all know the changing real estate market conditions have been covered heavily in the mainstream media, but those of us who have been active in the Atlanta area real estate market know that the national real estate boom managed to pass us by! Over the past few years Atlanta housing prices have seen steady appreciation unlike the rest of the Country who saw prices skyrocket resulting in a near nationwide collapse. Fortunately for those living in Atlanta we haven't quite witnessed a real estate collapse and Fortune magazine has predicted a 4% growth in terms of value for the Metro Atlanta area... not far off the 6% annual return we've seen over the past 5 years.

Unfortunately the article Fortune put out was based on what our local market was doing months ago and if anyone has been paying attention to the media they would know that the forecasts for the nationwide real estate market haven't been to promising! According to Kiplingers, by the time the housing market ends, the median price of U.S homes will have tumbled 11% from the 2005 peak! For those of us living in Atlanta we feel a since of relief knowing that the Nationwide real estate boom did pass us by and from the looks of it it seems as if the nationwide real estate collapse might pass us by as well! So what does this mean for those living in Atlanta? Nobody knows! All I know is that the market is what the market does. Lets all hope the market improves!

Brookwood Hills

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:31:06 -0500

Buckhead, which is located in the northern part of Atlanta, Ga, is known around the South as one of the most prominent neighborhoods in the Country! Tucked away deep inside lies the only completely enclaved neighborhood in all of Buckhead. Brookwood Hills has that rare privacy most residents living inside of a city can only dream of. Brookwood Hills, which stretches from the east side of Peachtree road from I-85 to Piedmont Hospital, 370 homes set on 40 beautiful acres.

This unique and quite charming neighborhood consists of numerous home styles including large Georgian, Tudor, Colonial, and Mediterraneon which line streets blanketed by 100 year old oak trees. The lots tend to be less than 1/2 an acre, but the yards are well maintained and homes sit near the streets. The streets are also lined with sidewalks and nonexistent traffic helps neighbors to feel safe and it encourages walking, bicycling, and jogging!

Brookwood Hills has a history which runs deep. Some of the Civil Wars toughest battles began at the present-day intersection of Peachtree Battle and Brighton Rd. Soon after a wealthy business man and his wife built there estate named "Brookwood" near what is now the intersection of I-85 and Peachtree Rd. Soon after many other rich and prominent Atlantans began building homes north of the city. In 1912 the subdivision Brookwood Hills first broke ground when developers B.F Burdett and E.F Chambliss found the perfect place to build.

All of it's rich history has helped Brookwood Hills become what it is today, one of the most desirable neighborhoods to live in in Atlanta! Today Brookwood Hills is conveniently located near some of the best shopping and restaurants in Atlanta as well as one of the Souths best hospitals. It also has a great swim and tennis facility with walking distance from every house in the neighborhood.

If Brookwood Hills sounds like a place you'd like to live in and enjoy all of its benefits then give me a call! I am one of the areas most knowledgeable real estate agents and can help you find that perfect home! My website link is located just below this paragraph and will provide you with all the information you need!

Candler Park

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:07:50 -0500

Candler Park, which was once the city of Edgewood in the late 1800's, is a unique place nestled in one of the earliest neighborhoods of Atlanta. Life in Candler Park is much different than what you might find five or so miles away. It's a place where people still sit on their front porches and talk with neighbors. It's a place where people still say hello to strangers without fear. Candler Park brings out a feeling like you might find in the smallest of Southern towns yet your literally within a five minute drive from downtown Atlanta and some of Atlanta's best entertainment values are within walking distance. While that might seem like the best part about living in such a unique place, residents believe the best part about living in Candler park is the sense of never knowing whats going to happen tomorrow. It's a place that seems to nurture the eclectic. In my opinion the best things about Candler Park is it might be the only place in the South where the most diverse of groups live together in harmony. Regardless of if you have purple hair, a body full of tattoos, a pin stripe suit, or hair down to your feet, Candler Park residents are pretty apt to accept you as you are!

The homes in the area are just as unique as the people who reside in them. From beautiful old 2 story Craftsman style homes, to Victorian style homes, to small one story cottages, to brand new homes, Candler Park has something for everyone. You would think that a place having so many different style homes would have a large population residing there however there are only about 1,600 households in the neighborhood and fewer than 7,000 people. The houses themselves range from very well maintained and restored to abandoned. Over the past 10 or so years prices have climbed a bit as people have begun to discover the charm and beauty of this wonderful neighborhood.

If you are interested in finding any more information about Candler Park or you think Candler Park is a neighborhood you could picture yourself living in please visit my website or give me a call! I'd love to help you out anyway I can.

Huntcliff Neighborhood

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:18:42 -0500

Just outside the Atlanta city limits lies one of Metro Atlanta's most forgotten treasures! With it's lovely estate homes, award winning stables and one of Atlanta's greatest country clubs, its hard to imagine how a place with so much charm could have been forgotten. Huntcliff is tucked within a five mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River in the northern part of Sandy Springs and is easily missed by daily commuters traveling along Roswell road everyday. Along those five miles of the Chattahoochee River one can easily see Huntcliff's beauty because of the horse stables and riding facilities that are right along the river in the flood plains. Also lying within the floodplain are 4 tennis courts, a club house, and a swimming pool. Membership is $900 a year and a $1000 initiation fee. The 400 or so homes that have been built in this great neighborhood are built on some of Atlanta's most beautiful lands with many of them overlooking the river. Another great amenity Huntcliff has to offer is that it surrounds the 36 holes of the renowned Cherokee Country Club. Homes in the neighborhood range from $300,000 all the way up t0 $2,000,000 however the average price for a home today is in the high $600,000 and $700,000. For anyone wanting to live close enough in to the big city yet far enough out to avoid high city taxes and relatively no traffic Huntcliff is the place for you. Being the most knowledgable Huntcliff Realtor, I can help you find the perfect place to live in this neighborhood or any other neighborhood you might desire. So if you want an honest real estate agent who will provide you with the most professional service available give me a call I'd love to help you find your dream home!

Sandy Springs Real Estate

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:29:16 -0500

Sandy Springs is one of Metro Atlanta's newest cities and is fast becoming one of the most desirable places to live in all of Georgia. Known for being close enough to downtown that traffic isn't much of an issue yet far enough out to avoid those high City of Atlanta taxes it's no wonder that Sandy Springs has become such a popular place to reside. Sandy Springs has an unlimited amount of activities to take part in, from white water rafting on the Chattahoochee to shopping in some of the Souths best antique stores, there's never a dull moment! If you or anyone you know are interested in Buying or Selling a home in Sandy Springs there's never been a better time! The market has held strong despite dropping prices around the country and there's plenty of inventory to meet every buyers need! As one of Sandy Springs most knowledgeable and trusted Realtors, I will assist you with any of your real estate needs!

Charles Jarvis

I need Help!

Charles Jarvis (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:30:09 -0500

I am a licensed real estate agent who is looking to become an agent who lists foreclosures and REO's. If anyone out there can give me any advise as to how to achieve this goal I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks