Yesterday I went on a listing appointment with someone I met off a sign call.  She needs to Sell her home in Alpharetta to purchase something a little smaller and closer to work - in researching her home she purchased the home a little over two years ago.

As we walked through the home it is beautiful, well staged and the interior was well maintained.  After the tour we discussed the value of her home at which time I told her it looks to me like you have siding that is part of the class action lawsuits from the Mid 1990s - I told her while I am not an inspector, in looking at the chimney there appears to be siding that is delaminating.  She said when she bought the home she knew a couple of boards were replaced with the inspection, but had no idea all the boards could go bad or that they were part of a lawsuit and considered defective.

Naturally, we discussed the impact that has on being able to sell a home as well as the value of the home.  We left it that she would get a quote in the next week and determine the route she wants to go down. 

As an agent the best thing we can do with clients is education and provide information for them so they can make an informed decision.  This is certainly a case where my potential seller feels she was not educated.  What is an agent worth - in this case if all the siding needs to be replaced about $15K.

The John Foster Team with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta is offering a FREE Home buying seminary this Saturday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.  Here are items that will be covered in the Seminar:

1.  Where are the best deals right now for Home Buyers?  What is the process for purchasing a home? 

2.  Should you have a licensed agent represent your interests at closing or should you buyer a home from the Listing Agent?

3.  What is the $7,500 income tax credit that is available for First Time Home Buyers?  Who qualifies for that credit?

4.  How much income do I need to buy a home?

5.  You will be allowed to say an area you are interested in and have home within a price point or school district pulled up on the MLS and look at pictures and virtual tours.  If you want to take a look at them on Saturday we will set that up.

6.  May Smith, a Mortgage expert, will discuss down payment assistance programs and how they are going away on 10/1/08.  Time is short to take advantage of this program.

The deals of today will create tomorrows wealth.  Attend this FREE Home Buyers Seminar today.  It will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 this Saturday at the Re/Max Greater Atlanta Office located at 10220 Medlock Bridge, Duluth Ga 30097.  Call Lisa at 678 595-5465 for directions or questions.

See homes for Sale in Alpharetta, Cumming, Duluth, Roswell and Suwanee at www.FosterHomeInfo.com.

 Olde Atlanta Club Review for the first half of 2008

Olde Atlanta Club is located off of Old Atlanta rd in Suwanee and is one of Atlanta's premier Golf Club Communities, with a Golf Course, Swimming Pool and Tennis Courts with about 640 homes.  With two swimming pools, an outdoor fountain, six tennis courts with a tennis pavilion and deck overlooking the courts, an entertainment pavilion for our many social activities, a basketball court and a children's playground. Residents actively compete in over 10 ALTA league teams and the neighborhood has an array of social and civic groups.

(Current listing in Olde Atlanta Club)

Children from the Olde Atlanta Club attend the award winning schools of John's Creek Elementary School, Riverwatch Middle School, and South Forsyth High School.   Forsyth County Schools are amongst the best in the State of Georgia and have won national awards for their leadership in technology and education. 

From 1/1/08-7/31/08 a total of 11 homes sold through the FMLS system.  The prices ranged from $307,000 up to $580,000, for an average sales price of $397,863.  The home that sold for $307k was a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home on a slab, the one that sold for $580K was a 4 bedroom 4.5 bath home with a finished basement.  The average days on market for homes that Sell in Olde Atlanta Club was 55 days.

Currently there are 16 homes listed for sale in Olde Atlanta club, with an average list price of $385,912.  If you would like a list of Homes for Sale in Olde Atlanta club, just email me at JohnFoster@remax.net and I will email you the current listings.  Additionally, if you want to be automatically notified when a home is listed in Olde Atlanta Club, drop me an email and I will set you up.

In the last month I have seen an increase in offers, without an increase in the number of showings.  This tells me the Buyers are more motivated than in the last few months.  In the past two months I have listed and sold two listings in the Glenmoor Subdivision.  One went under cotract in 4 days and sold for 100% of the list price.  The other sold in 25 days and sold for 96% of the list price.  Homes for sale in Glenmoor sale quickly when they are priced right and ready to show. 

Homes are selling in this market - the key is to make sure the home is in excellent showing condition and that it is priced right. 

I specialize in finding homes and properties for those interested in Cumming, Alpharetta and Suwanee GA (North Atlanta).

For those who are interested in credentials: I'm a college graduate, a licensed Real Estate Agent, a member of the NAR. I'm an accredited buyer's agent ("ABR") who has helped many people locally- as well as those from out of state and other nations find property in Georgia. Along with the ABR designation I'm also a member of the RE/Max Hall of Fame.  I consistently attend more classes than is required by the state licensing board.  I enjoy learning and consider continuing education to be a lifelong event. If there is something I don't know, I will endeavor to acquire the knowledge and expertise necessary.

Unlike many agents who simply do a database search, I make it may duty to find "hidden gems" in the market. Each day one of my goals is to discover these properties for my clients.  I preview homes 5 days a week to make sure I know the market and find those hidden gems.

I'm a multi-million dollar producer whose specialty is finding the properties that match what my clients are looking for. I work with a network of individuals who have "unlisted" properties.

Please feel free to contact me for any of your real estate needs. How to contact me:

Areas of Expertise

• Investors
• First Time Home Buyers
• Golf Course lots
• Gated Communities
• Relocation
• New Homes Expert

Stop by my Open House this Sunday, March 30, 2008 from 2:00- 5:00 to see my listing.  This Alpharetta open house will be held in the Popular Gated Community of Abberley Towneship at 10746 Austen Bend, Alpharetta Ga 30022 (FMLS # 366222).  This townhome is gorgeous with hardwoods on the main level, a gourmet kitchen w/ Granite Counter tops and a tiled back-splash - all with a private interior courtyard, a 2 car garage and overlooks a quite park.  Call me if you need directions at 770 722-7010.

I am holding an open house this Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 at 1530 Overland Crossing in Alpharetta - stop by if you can. This is a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home with a gourmet kitchen, with granite counter tops and new flooring, new carpet with an outstanding backyard.  Check out the virtual tour at www.FosterHomeInfo.com or call me at 770 722-7010 for directions

This is a good sign - in our market it seemed like during October there were very few buyers out looking.  Then is seemed like the number of showings improved in December and then again in January.  Now that the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) has been released it reveals what I thought, that January was better than December.  The index is just coming off its all time low but at least moving up is good.  Basically, the builders are reporting seeing more people looking at their homes - sales will follow activity.  Sandy Dunn, the 2008 president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said  builders remain cautious about the outlook for new-home sales market with today's economic environment, the fact that more consumers are checking out their options is a good sign.

I think buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting to see if the pricing improves any - once the builders firm up their pricing, which they will once their inventory levels come down, then the resale market will still have to absorb the foreclosure wave, but I definitely see firmer resales in the future. 

 I would love to know if other agents saw the same activity as I saw in Ga.

This is a good sign - in our market it seemed like October there were very few buyers out looking, with it improving in December and January.  Now that the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) has been released it reveals what I thought, that January was better than December.  The index is just coming off its all time low but at least moving up is good.  Basically, the builders are reporting seeing more people looking at their homes - sales will follow activity.  Sandy Dunn, the 2008 president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said  builders remain cautious about the outlook for new-home sales market with today's economic environment, the fact that more consumers are checking out their options is a good sign.

I think buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting to see if the pricing improves any - once the builders firm up their pricing, which they will once their inventory levels come down, then the resale market will still have to absorb the foreclosure wave, but I definitely see firmer resales in the future. 

This is a good sign - in our market it seemed like October there were very few buyers out looking, with it improving in December and January.  Now that the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) has been released it reveals what I thought, that January was better than December.  The index is just coming off its all time low but at least moving up is good.  Basically, the builders are reporting seeing more people looking at their homes - sales will follow activity.  Sandy Dunn, the 2008 president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said  builders remain cautious about the outlook for new-home sales market with today's economic environment, the fact that more consumers are checking out their options is a good sign.

I think buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting to see if the pricing improves any - once the builders firm up their pricing, which they will once their inventory levels come down, then the resale market will still have to absorb the foreclosure wave, but I definitely see firmer resales in the future.