the gebhardt group: My 10 Favorite Free iPhone Apps for My Real Estate Business (Right Now) - 03/30/10 10:45 AM
I am an iPhone devotee. I suffered through years of Palm Treo and various Blackberries (a Curve and two Bolds) to land, finally, in the land of the iPhone. And I couldn’t love it more. The usability and variety of the apps available for work and for play are a big part of that.
It’s the device that seems to have an app for everything (except, as the joke goes, for actually making a phone call) – and here is a list of my 10 favorite apps for my real estate business...
And yes, I’m a cheapskate – all of these apps … (2 comments)

the gebhardt group: Mark Your Calendars and Be There, Y'all! Making Time For Yourself and Your Business - 03/16/10 08:23 AM

Sure – the economy’s tanked, your market stinks, and money’s tight. I get it. So pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get on down South, ya’ll, for two of the best events you’ll attend all year.
If you’re like me, you’re carefully planning where and when to spend not only your money but also your time. These two events will transform your business – and they’re more than worth the money you’ll spend to get there. And these ain’t your momma’s real estate conferences – from events held in bars, karaoke nights, and live Twitter feeds teaching you almost … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: Looking for Something to do In or Around Atlanta? How About 365 Things? - 03/03/10 02:30 AM

Whether you're new to Atlanta or a native, there's always something new to discover. Our great city is vibrant and eclectic, full of vitality and variety - and that's why so many of us love to call it home!
So newbie or native...do you sometimes find yourself yearning for something new to do? Well, how about 365 things to do?
A new blogsite started about 2 weeks ago that will give you just that - 365 things to do in and around Atlanta!
Atlanta: 365 Days, 365 Things To Dowill feature one new thing to do (and occasionally two!) every day.
Who … (1 comments)

the gebhardt group: I'm More than a REALTOR - I'm a Real Estate Concierge, or What My Business Has In Common with the Wedding Business - 02/16/10 03:08 AM
I had a delightful morning today with a friend of mine, Patrice Ducoffe of Ducoffe Wedding Concierge (doesn't her name just sing with sophistication?). We met at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee in Roswell, Georgia, to network and learn a little more about each others' businesses.
We realized, while drinking rich African coffee and indulging in delicious (and huge!) muffins that what we do is very comparable. Patrice is a wedding concierge - she is a hands-on wedding coordinator who can do everything for the bride from researching florists and reception venues to reminding her to write her thank you … (6 comments)

the gebhardt group: Clients vs. Past Clients - A Wise Friend Shared This Thought With Me - 02/12/10 11:59 AM
A wise friend, Ira Serkes, shared this thought with me today on my Facebook Wall:

So Ira got me thinking - about 92% of my business comes from referrals: from my friends, family and clients. Many of my clients are also my friends - if they aren't my friends before we do business together, by the time we are finished, they have become friends. They stay in my life, becoming a source of future business while remaining, if not close friends, then at least casual friends who are happy to stay in touch via email, Facebook, the occasional phone call. They … (3 comments)

the gebhardt group: Penny-Pinching Homebuyer? 5 Places NOT to Cut Costs on Your Real Estate Transaction - 02/11/10 10:55 AM
It's no secret that times are tough - money is tight and people are cutting back on expenses and spending.
And yet, there are still people out there buying homes. In fact, the federal government's new extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit is making buying a home rather attractive to a large number of potential homeowners out there, who are racing against the clock to get under contract by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010.
But for many first-time homebuyers, money can be tight - perhaps they have spent months or years saving enough for a down payment for … (6 comments)

the gebhardt group: U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) on the Unintended Consequences of Well-Intended Regulation - 02/10/10 06:42 AM
United States Senator Johnny Isakson is a REALTOR® and a great friend to the real estate industry and a proponent for homeownership and personal property rights.
In this video, from February 1, 2010, "Senator Johnny Isakson talks about the unintended consequences to regulation and how we need to start looking at the cause and effect to help our economic recovery."  I wanted to share this video because I think it's important information. I won't take away from Senator Isakson's speech and remarks by paraphrasing - you should just take a few moments to view this video.

 
 Subscribe to The Gebhardt … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: I'm Representing the Buyer in this Transaction...and Now I Have to Pre-Qualify the Seller, Too? - 02/08/10 01:25 AM
Here's a hypothetical for you:
You are representing the buyer in a transaction. The listing sheet clearly states, "Not a short sale," but you notice, while doing your due diligence and researching the property in the MLS, tax records, county courthouse records, etc. that the list price is significantly less than NOT ONLY what the seller paid for the home but also less than the amount of their loan. You ask the listing agent, "This definitely isn't a short sale?" He says, "No."
You write the offer, and following negotiations, your client (the Buyer) reaches an agreement with the Seller - … (10 comments)

the gebhardt group: QR Codes - The Gebhardt Group's Newest Tech Innovation to Help Sell Your Home! - 02/02/10 07:47 AM
I just returned from the CyberStars Summit in Scottsdale, AZ, and WOW, was I ever blown away by the amount of idea-sharing and learning. I attend lots of conferences and educational opportunities every year - I've always wanted to be a perpetual student - and this was, by far, one of the best!
The number one takeaway that I learned from this conference was using QR Codes in my real estate business to help me sell your home.
What is a QR Code, you ask? Good question!
A QR Code is like a bar code - the ones you see … (2 comments)

the gebhardt group: REALTORS(R) Who Are Always Learning Are Your Best Choice - CyberStars Summit 2010 - 02/02/10 07:45 AM
I just returned from the CyberStars Summit in Scottsdale, AZ - January 10-13, 2010. There, I was able to learn from and network with some of the top tech-savvy REALTORS® in the nation - wow! was I ever blown away!
The weather was lovely - after our unseasonably cold weather and snow/ice storms in Atlanta - and the networking and learning were even better!
Not only was I able to meet and put a face to a name with REALTORS® whom I've had the pleasure of knowing only on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social networking sites, but I was also able … (1 comments)

the gebhardt group: North Atlanta Homebuyers: Valuable Tax Credit Information - FAQs and More Information for You! - 01/25/10 11:47 AM
The 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit was pretty great - it enabled many first-time homebuyers to become homeowners and created an incentive to help kick-start our slow economy. The NEW 2010 Extended and Expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit is creating quite a stir, too, but it has also created some confusion and brought up many questions from homebuyers, both veteran and first-timers.
Here are some answers to a few of the many questions out there - they may be questions YOU have, as well: 
Is the tax credit for first-time homebuyers only?No, the NEW Extended and Expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit is for all buyers. … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: Johns Creek, Alpharetta, GA Flood Victims Now Eligible for Federal Aid - 10/13/09 02:47 AM
According to a press release sent out by the City of Johns Creek, Georgia, Fulton County was officially added to the list of counties declared federal disaster areas, following the flooding and torrential rains two weeks ago in Georgia. This means both residents and business owners are eligible for aid.
Those affected by flooding in Johns Creek are encouraged to notify the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency at 404-730-5600 and report any flood damage to the City of Johns Creek at 678-512-3200 or send an email to info@JohnsCreekGA.gov.
There is detailed information on how to apply for aid and the types … (1 comments)

the gebhardt group: The Gebhardt Group's 4th Annual "Trick or Treat for the Troops" | Johns Creek, Georgia | How You Can Help! - 10/07/09 04:39 AM

It's that time of year - time for The Gebhardt Group's 4th Annual Trick or Treat for the Troops! Once again, we are collecting donations for our holiday care packages to be sent to brave men and women of our Armed Services who will be deployed during the holiday season.  
How can you help? There are a number of ways!
Donate items from our list - our donation drop-off day is Saturday, October 24 from 1:30-5:30 PM at our office, located at 10220 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA. Donate $$ toward postage fees, which are completely subsidized by The Gebhardt Group. Send … (2 comments)

the gebhardt group: October 4 - 10 is Fire Prevention Week - Have You Checked Your Smoke Alarms? - 10/05/09 08:02 AM
October 4 - 10 is National Fire Prevention Week. It's a good time to check your smoke and fire alarms, and you might as well check your carbon monoxide detectors while you're at it!
While we usually remind people to check their smoke alarms twice a year -- usually when we change our clocks, springing forward and falling back -- Fire Prevetion Week is a great time to check them, too.
Make sure that you text your smoke alarms weekly and be sure you test and replace batteries at least twice a year.
If you live in Johns Creek, Georgia, you can visit local … (2 comments)

the gebhardt group: Johns Creek, Georgia, Celebrates National Fire Prevention Week by Educating Citizens, Opening Fire Stations - 10/05/09 08:01 AM
October 4 - 10 is National Fire Prevention Week and the City of Johns Creek, Georgia, is using it as an opportunity to educate its citizens about fire prevention and fire safety tips.
All this week between 4 PM - 6 PM, the public is invited to stop in to its local Johns Creek fire station for a tour and children's fire safety materials, badges and hats.
You can click on the press release below or just click here for more information.
In addition, The Gebhardt Group reminds you to check your smoke and fire alarms, and you might as well check your … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: 100% Chance of Snow in Johns Creek, GA, on October 3 | Movies in the Park Playing "Ice Age 3" - 10/03/09 07:57 AM
The final installment of this year's "Movies in the Park" in Johns Creek, Georgia, is Ice Age 3 - scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at Johns Creek's Newtown Park.
And there's a 100% chance of snow that evening, at least according to the City of Johns Creek!
In celebration of the last film of the year and the fact that the showing is Ice Age 3, the city will have a snow machine on hand! The event is FREE and starts at 6 PM with pre-show events, with the movie starting at 7:30 PM. Food vendors will be there selling snacks … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: City of Johns Creek has New 911 Service - 09/23/09 08:49 AM
The City of Johns Creek is seeing its tax dollars go toward another worthy investment - its own 911 Emergency Communcations Center.
Developed with the City of Sandy Springs and servicing both of the new cities in north Fulton County, Georgia, the promise is that the new 911 center will provide more efficient service that the current Fulton County system, under which both cities previously fell.
I took the Johns Creek 101 class back in the spring and it was refreshing to hear the Mayor and the City Manager talk about the new 911 system with so much enthusiasm and pride. … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: Congratulations to The Gebhardt Group's Pam Gebhardt - Featured in CRS magazine, "The Residential Specialist" - 09/23/09 08:14 AM
It's not every day you get to see your mentor, teammate and boss in print!
Congratulations to Pam Gebhardt - who is all three of those things to me - on being featured in the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) magazine, The Residential Specialist, in the September/October 2009 issue with a referral story.  
I wanted to share it here because it's a great story - and if it doesn't convince you to begin working on (or finish) your CRS designation...I don't know what will!
I became a CRS because Pam is one - I saw the amazing impact it can have on your business … (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: City of Alpharetta Road Closures - Monday, September 21 - RAIN & FLOODING! - 09/21/09 08:45 AM
Dear Friends and Clients,
We just received an Emergency Advisory email from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce with road closures for Alpharetta. Please drive with caution - lights and wipers on - do not attempt to drive through large pools of standing water - be more careful than you think you need to be!

 Subscribe to The Gebhardt Group's Real Estate blog today!
Maura Neill, ABR, CRS, MAThe Gebhardt GroupRE/MAX Greater Atlanta10220 Medlock Bridge RoadJohns Creek, GA 30097
(770) 238-0595email: Maura@GebhardtGroup.comwebsite: http://www.GebhardtGroup.com/blog: http://www.GebhardtGroupBlog.com/
     
… (0 comments)

the gebhardt group: Rain, Rain, Go Away! Rain Continues to Plague Georgia and the Southeast - 09/21/09 05:53 AM

This time last year, Georgians were praying for rain...literally! And now, we're hoping for some kind of respite from the torrential downpours!
Last summer, our lakes were severely down, strict watering restriction were in place and being patrolled by police, the drought was in full effect.
This morning on 11 Alive, the weatherman reported one to two inches of rain falling per hour. Schools are closed today because of flash flooding - two have been reported dead and one missing child is thought to have been swept away by the rushing water.

Respondents on the 11 Alive website/blog are … (4 comments)