atlanta: This is going on your permanent record... - 07/17/08 09:36 PM
Do you remember that from school? That may have been the second scariest thing the Principal could say to us... and I heard it a few times...
But, come on...
Does my broker care that I put a harmless garden snake in the desk of my 4th grade teacher, Miss Bottomly … (7 comments)
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atlanta: What If? a different way to sell your home... - 07/08/08 12:20 AM
Maybe for free... Maybe for $999.
The simple fact is that not all sellers NEED a real estate agent. I have some folks I working with right now that have moved 38 times in 30 years. They have bought and sold 38 different homes in 30 years. In real estate terms, … (1 comments)
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atlanta: Recession anyone? - 03/11/08 11:10 PM
I ran across an article online from USA Today showing the different states and measuring if they are in a recession. It also graded various metro areas.
I am pleased with the mixed results for this area...
Georgia is shown as "At Risk." That isn't so bad... although there are only … (4 comments)
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atlanta: Gwinnett County Market Report for December/January 2007/2008 - 02/06/08 09:32 PM
I just posted the latest market report on my website. Here is the direct link.
Here are the highlights...
December is kind of a funky month. Comparing it to January or November is difficult, because of the Christmas holiday. January is a more typical month, but the numbers are only preliminary and … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Lessons from NHL transport... - 01/26/08 01:34 PM
For anyone paying attention to my other blog, you already know that I am driving NHL VIPs around during the All-Star festivities here in Atlanta. I'm picking up players, owners, celebrities and Hall of Fame players. It's a blast...
But I am learning a few things.
Here are the links for details … (3 comments)
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atlanta: Aftershock... or not so much - 01/17/08 03:36 PM
A friend of mine forwarded a Moody's study that was called "Aftershock - A study of the post Mortgage Meltdown." I went through it, and most of it is pretty dark... but then I started to notice something. The maps didn't look that bad. Ok, they didn't look that bad for … (3 comments)
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atlanta: How is the view from the sidelines? - 01/17/08 10:35 AM
Through a search a few weeks ago I ran across Real Estate Radio's blog. I have been enjoying the read for quite a while, and even listening to some of the podcasts (they are full radio show recordings, and are two hours long). I don't listen to as much of the … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Gwinnett Market Report for November/December 2007 - 01/07/08 11:57 AM
I just put the new market report for Gwinnett County, GA on my other blog. Here are a few of the highlights. The complete report is available here...
The Absorbtion Rate for Gwinnett County is still slowing, but shows improvement compared to November. The twelve month rate is 10.4 months of supply. … (0 comments)
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atlanta: You might give him a listen, Herman Cain - 01/03/08 10:52 PM
If you are a talk radio fan in Atlanta, you might already know that Herman Cain has hit the airwaves on WSB-AM750. Michael Savage got pushed back a few hours, and Herman Cain is now on from 7:00-10:00pm.
If you don't know who Herman Cain is, you should. He ran for … (12 comments)
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atlanta: How many 4+ car garage homes are available in Gwinnett County? - 01/03/08 09:34 PM
137… Currently on the market.
I am asked that question periodically. There are 137 homes on the market as of the time I am writing this that have 4 car garages in Gwinnett County, GA. They range in price from $10.5M down to $154,900. They are all over the county. One … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Lane's 2008 Prognostications... - 12/29/07 10:11 PM
Earlier I ran across a post on the official A/R blog wondering about our predictions for the next year. Well, I had already been in a prognosticating mood, since I was actually grading some of my predictions from earlier this year.
I also ran across a post by Jim Crawford looking … (9 comments)
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atlanta: US Property on sale!!! 17% off... - 12/29/07 05:32 PM
Of course there is one little hitch… You have to be from outside the United States.
I just ran some numbers, and the US Dollar is at it’s lowest level in at least the last five years against both the Euro and the Pound.
For the Euro:
In January of 2003, … (0 comments)
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atlanta: A better way to look at everything... - 12/27/07 03:55 PM
Part of my daily reading ritual includes Seth Godin’s blog. He is often described as a marketing genius. I think that well might be true. But, his blog isn’t just about marketing, but also often touches on greater issues. This one certainly did. Although, he actually wrote it four years ago… … (5 comments)
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atlanta: Hockey... and real estate - 12/18/07 11:56 PM
Back to the stretches…
We just got back from the Thrashers/Lightning game. The Thrashers were on fire (for a change) and Tampa Bay 6-2. Everything worked. Passes connected. Bounces went the right way. The calls were pretty good. For the Thrashers, anyway…
Here are the highlights from last night's game. We … (4 comments)
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atlanta: Another in the never ending series of posts about building a website... Part ZCXII - 12/01/07 10:38 AM
I think I have done around 121,894 posts about building my website... Ok, maybe not, but it seems like it.
Last night I crashed it. Bad. Like off-line for hours bad.
But, I learned (or was reminded about) a few things.
Always back up files before making changes. I did, and … (16 comments)
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atlanta: House Values Up!!! - 11/28/07 03:50 PM
What? Is this guy crazy? Take a look...
S&P Index Reveals Price Changes in 20 Markets Prices of single-family homes in the third quarter fell 4.5 percent nationwide compared with a year ago. It was the largest drop since the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller National Home Price Index was begun in 1988. “We … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Good Bread, Good Meat... - 11/27/07 10:54 PM
Every once in a while, I need to wander off on a tangent. Tonight, while driving back from the initial meeting for volunteers at the NHL All-Star Game, I drove by Fat Matt's Rib Shack (and let's not forget the Chicken Shack next door). So... I got to thinking about some … (5 comments)
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atlanta: Can we ease the water shortage? - 11/17/07 11:54 PM
It looks like there is an idea to do just that.
If the US Fish and Wildlife Service signs off, the water coming off Lake Lanier could be dramatically cut. Right now, we have about 79 days left. If this plan goes through, there would be a reduction in the Apalachicola River … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Today is THE DAY!!! One Day Sale for 2324 at Tuscany in Midtown - 11/11/07 09:25 AM
This is it. If you are in the area of the Tuscany condos in Midtown Atlanta (between Juniper and Piedmont and 8th and 10th streets) drop in. We have 6 units open today from 6 different agents. The unit I represent, #2324 in the Bocce building, is marked down $10,000 for … (4 comments)
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atlanta: Client Gateway for Buyers... a cool bonus - 11/05/07 08:09 PM
One of the great features I offer to buyers is the Client Gateway. If you aren't familiar, it is a custom private webpage that lists all of the properties that meet the criteria we decide on. As new listings are entered into the MLS, they show up in the Client … (2 comments)
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atlanta: One Day Sale... For a condo in Midtown Atlanta... and a SUPER open house at the Tuscany - 11/04/07 09:44 AM
I'm sure I'll post up about it again later in the week, but mark your calendar for November 11th.The Tuscany is a condo development in Midtown Atlanta between 8th and 10th streets (there isn't a 9th street there) and between Juniper and Piedmont. It has a decided Mediterranean style (ya … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Abandon all hope, Ye who enter Atlanta's roads... - 10/30/07 03:27 PM
Tomorrow is Halloween. Don't drive. Seriously, the scariest thing in Atlanta tomorrow will be the traffic.
It won't be bad in the morning, but coming home will NOT be fun. After about 2:00, until around 9:00, the highways and side streets will be crazy. It won't just be the little pirates … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Market update for Gwinnett County, August 2007 (revised with notes) - 10/17/07 01:03 PM
I need to change the format on these numbers just a bit. I have been trying to put out the market report around the 15th of the month for the previous month (10/15 for Sept., for example). However, the numbers have been changing so dramatically that I am seeing changes … (0 comments)
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atlanta: On droughts and mussels - 10/16/07 12:33 PM
Ok, we have hit the point where one has to live under a rock to not have heard about the drought in the Southeast. It is a real problem. But there are a few things that don't seem to be getting the play that they should.
The Army Corps of Engineers … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Multiple unit open houses? - 10/13/07 03:37 PM
Have any of you set up open houses so that a bunch of different units are held open at the same time? The listing that I have in Midtown Atlanta is one of nine units for sale in the complex. I'm thinking that if all of us with listing have an … (4 comments)
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atlanta: Calling one developer... you don't know who you are yet... - 10/11/07 03:43 PM
I must admit that I was a bit amazed at the reaction to my last post. On Active Rain, it received a Feature within an hour of being posted. It was also one of my most viewed and commented blog entires. I was shocked that the comments weren't closer to the … (4 comments)
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atlanta: If you lived here you'd be drag racing... or rock crawling... or road racing! - 10/09/07 10:12 PM
I just answered a question on another board about marketing a drag racing track that is for sale. I just couldn't help but hit a flight of fancy over it. I started to think of some of the unique, but also fairly popular concepts that I have run across over the … (19 comments)
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atlanta: Tuscany condo in Mid-town Atlanta - 09/28/07 01:29 PM
Soon to hit the MLS, you saw it here first...
This is a great 1 bedroom/1 bathroom condo that also features a den/office. With 966 square feet (tax records) of interior room, and a 103 square foot patio (builder's plan), there is more space than in other 1bd/1ba floorplans.
This is a … (4 comments)
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atlanta: What are we doing here? Looking at the housing landscape... - 09/21/07 01:15 PM
This morning, the NAR kindly sent me this little update through the Real Estate Insights eNewsletter. It explains, quite well, the steps that we will need to move through before the market stabilizes, both locally and nationally. And then, this afternoon, in my REALTOR(R) Magazine Daily Online, I got this story. … (2 comments)
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atlanta: What is a Seller's Market - 09/21/07 10:53 AM
I previously covered Buyer's Markets and what they meant for both buyers and sellers. Feel free to look over that blog entry in conjunction with this one.
Before I dive into talking about a Seller's Market, I want to cover a neutral market very quickly. When there isn't a Buyer's Market … (4 comments)
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atlanta: What is a Buyer's Market? - 09/20/07 08:50 PM
In real estate, as with other sales markets, there are three phases to the market. There is a Seller's Market, Neutral Market, and the subject for this post, the Buyer's Market.
For most markets, and most price ranges right now, we are in a Buyer's Market, but what does that mean? You've … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Market update for Gwinnett County, August 2007 - 09/18/07 11:12 AM
It time for me to make my prognostications for the coming market, while recapping that which has happened. Please keep in mind that even on the 18th of September, the numbers for August WILL change. I will come back and correct them before posting the October results. I originally posted … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Z is for... - 09/17/07 10:20 PM
Z06 Corvette, Nissan 240Z, Z28 (1LE!), Zamboni, Zagato, Zonda, some other fabulous car beginning with Z....
No.
Zillow. I mean really, this is a real estate blog. How could I go through the alphabet and not hit Zillow for Z? If you don't know what Zillow is, go ahead and Google it... … (12 comments)
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atlanta: X is for Xenophobia - 09/13/07 10:04 PM
I think I was at E when I figured out what the subject of this post would be. As I was writing about ethics, I knew that I would just have to do this post. However, I'm going to stretch the definition to fit my needs.
Simply put, xenophobia is the … (0 comments)
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atlanta: L is for Loft - 09/04/07 11:03 PM
Did you see that one coming?
Back in my pre-real estate life, I was a photographer and assistant. While working with one of my photographer clients, I had an opportunity to view one of the coolest lofts I've ever seen. It was probably around 1994 or so. At that time, the … (5 comments)
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atlanta: H is for Homestead - 09/01/07 12:07 PM
Simply put, a homestead is someone's primary residence. The byproduct, for most places is the Homestead Exemption.
One of the more important functions of the homestead is that it may shield a primary residence from loss due to bankruptcy or lawsuit. We often forget about that aspect of the Homestead status, but … (0 comments)
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atlanta: F is for Foreclosure - 08/31/07 09:20 AM
This entry will have two distinct parts.
Part I
If you are a seller, or thinking about selling because you are in financial trouble, STOP. Examine what you are doing and why. Examine all of your options. Talk to a credit counselor, like CCCS in Atlanta (no experience with them personally, but Clark … (0 comments)
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atlanta: D is for Due Diligence - 08/29/07 03:48 PM
Welcome to part four of my A-Z journey through real estate. Of course, this isn't a definitive glossary of real estate terminology, techniques, strategies or idea, but rather just a few answers to questions. Of course, for every question that gets answered, at least one new question is raised. I guess … (0 comments)
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atlanta: C is for Contingency - 08/28/07 10:28 PM
A contingency is simply a condition that must be satisfied in order for the contract to execute.
In real estate, there are several common contingencies, as well as a gazillion uncommon ones. In this post, we are only going to go over a few common contingencies. As I said previously, a … (4 comments)
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atlanta: Are you a first time buyer willing to be on TV? - 08/26/07 10:21 PM
Every once in a while, we fall into an opportunity. Here is one if you qualify, and are selected.
There is a new program that is looking to film first time home-buyers as they visit homes, make a selection, and then offer for a house. Everyone gets a shot at their fifteen … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Real Estate Investing 203 - 08/22/07 05:24 PM
Back in Real Estate Investing 101, Part II, I briefly mentioned "Shifting Classes" after the Buy & Hold strategy. There are a few different ways to shift classes and uses that can build value for investors.
Residential to Commercial
One of the most common ways to increase value while … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Want to sell your house to an investor? - 08/21/07 11:31 AM
I get the occasional call from people that have a house they wish to sell quickly. Often, the home is in less than optimal condition (sometimes heinous is a word that creeps into my mind). They range from estate sales to pre-foreclosures to rentals that the owner doesn't wish to handle … (3 comments)
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atlanta: Closing Firms facing tough choices - 08/17/07 09:03 AM
One of my lawyer friends forwarded a story to me yesterday. He isn't involved in real estate law, but thought I might like to know what was going on. I won't copy the whole article here, but unfortunately I can't find it online in a format that doesn't require a subscription. … (3 comments)
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atlanta: Real Estate Investing 202 - 08/15/07 06:33 PM
Real Estate Investing 202
Digging a little deeper in Buy and Hold strategies
In Real Estate Investing 101, Part II, we covered buying and holding property for long term appreciation and wealth building. This is by no means a get rich quick scheme, but is one of the most … (1 comments)
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atlanta: Local Real Estate Forum for Buyers, Sellers, Investors, FSBOs and others - 08/12/07 06:59 PM
You know, every once in a while, I have a "duh! Hello!" moment. Today was one of those days.
Back at the beginning of the year, one of my mortgage brokers and I built a forum on my website. Our goal was to provide an arena for buyers, sellers and investors … (2 comments)
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atlanta: I can't say... - 08/11/07 12:50 PM
I know you've been asked a question about a particular area that you just couldn't answer. Ok, you could answer, but at the peril of losing your license. You know the questions.
Here is another tool in the arsenal to give to clients to find out before moving what the pitfalls and … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Market update for Gwinnett County, July 2007 - 08/10/07 04:33 PM
Gwinnett County sales comparison for residential real estate. 7/07
It time for me to make my prognostications for the coming market, while recapping that which has happened. Please keep in mind that even on the 10th of August, the numbers for July WILL change. I will come back and … (0 comments)
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atlanta: OK, I said this a month ago!! - 08/08/07 09:13 PM
I just got today's REALTOR Magazine Online Daily Update. This was one of the stories that was featured. It is about how foreclosures are up. They make up 10% of the listings in CA, as opposed to 1.7% last year. But, at the same time, distressed properties aren't listed at much … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Luxuries for Entry Level Buyers? - 08/06/07 07:08 PM
I was out today with a client looking at entry level homes. One of the homes we looked at turned out to be a seemingly under-priced townhome. This wasn't of interest to my client, but it did have some interest for me. But, it got me thinking... (regular readers will recognize … (4 comments)
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atlanta: 7000+ sf Log Home on Lake Lanier - 08/04/07 01:01 PM
I've been waiting all week to post about this property. It isn't my listing, but I know the sellers, and it is a fabulous home for the right people.
If you are looking for a unique home on Lake Lanier, this might be it. It is a Hearthstone Log Home, with over … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Real Estate Investing 201 - 08/03/07 10:05 AM
Digging a little deeper into Flipping
In Real Estate Investing 101, Part I, we covered buying a house to resell for a short term profit. In this lesson, we’re going to delve a little deeper into flipping, run a scenario, and examine ways to maximize profit, while minimizing risk and making … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Cobb County restricts population density in homes - 07/31/07 02:28 PM
I just saw a clip on Fox News (please don't whine about the source) that Cobb County has passed a new regulation limiting the number of adults living in a home. The basic restriction is that there needs to be 390 square feet for each adult. They also limited the number … (4 comments)
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atlanta: DeKalb County Limited Building Moratorium - 07/31/07 09:41 AM
I just received this from Jenna Graber, the DeKalb Association of REALTORS PR person. It was forwarded from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Quoted as follows:
On Tuesday, July 24, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners adopted a 30-day moratorium on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness, land disturbance and building … (0 comments)
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atlanta: I'm Telling You... The Garage is the NEW Media Room - 07/26/07 03:58 PM
Take a look...
The Chicago Tribune posted a story today about garages. Here are a couple of excerpts:
Home builders, remodelers and specialized garage-organization companies see that problem as an opportunity to sell you a solution. They have plenty, including more square footage and garage-themed cabinetry. You can even find a … (8 comments)
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atlanta: Do you have a Unique Selling Proposition? - 07/26/07 09:52 AM
I touched on this in another thread, but I think a lot of people thought it was actually about cars, so I am going to go into a little more depth, and be a little less cryptic. But, the main point of the thread was...
They are saying that they specialize … (5 comments)
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atlanta: Hello, Media... Are You Listening? Real Estate is LOCAL. - 07/25/07 03:12 PM
How many times do we have to hear that the housing market is doing one thing... and that must mean that the whole market is doing the same thing?
When the price of a barrel of oil goes up, it is a singular commodity moving. While there are different grades of … (8 comments)
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atlanta: Does this mean I'm GREEN?!? - 07/25/07 02:43 PM
I have been reading a bit about green construction, and green living, and green (yada, yada, yada fading away...)
Let's see. I changed my lifestyle in part so that I wouldn't have to drive an hour to work every day. In doing so, I cut the number of miles I drive by … (5 comments)
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atlanta: What is going to happen to interest rates? - 07/23/07 01:26 PM
OK, the water is chest deep now. I started wading in here, and I just don't know when to stop.
So, what do I see happening with interest rates? Overall, I see them going down. But, I think they'll go up first. Was that vague enough that I can claim victory … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Are we on the edge of a calamitous housing bubble? - 07/23/07 01:05 PM
Boy, am I going to wade into it this time...
I was wandering through the FOXNews Real Estate section, and came across this feature story. Reading this, one would think we were seriously in trouble. "... from San Francisco to San Diego — is predicted to decline 50% in the next five … (6 comments)
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atlanta: Stone Mountain Park Animal Planet Summer Adventure - 07/18/07 07:19 PM
If you haven't made it over to Stone Mountain Park lately, I would recommend a trip. This summer, through August 5th, they are hosting the Animal Planet Summer Adventure. It's pretty cool if you are into animals. My family is definitely an animal family. We packed up and made the seven … (0 comments)
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atlanta: What are buyers looking for? - 07/16/07 03:50 PM
The NAR is getting ready to release their 2007 Profile of Buyer's Home Feature Preferences in about a month. For the REALTORS that don't subscribe to the NAR weekly newsletter, or those that are looking, here is the blurb:
Central air conditioning, walk-in closets, hardwood floors, high-end kitchen appliances, oversized garages and … (2 comments)
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atlanta: Time to Buy? - 07/12/07 02:31 PM
Time to Buy? It's a buyer's market. No denying it. Now, Atlanta is not like southern California, or DC, or Boston but it is a buyer's market here. Values aren't crashing. Interest rates aren't skyrocketing. Unemployment is at historic lows. Inflation is under control... for the most part. Of course, to … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Real Estate Investing 101 Part 2 - 07/12/07 02:28 PM
Buy and HoldAnother tool in the bag of the Real Estate Investor is the "buy and hold option. Buying and holding a property is a longer term strategy. In this case, one is using the increase in values over time, generally in conjunction with rental income, to increase their personal wealth. … (0 comments)
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atlanta: Real Estate Investing 101 Part 1 - 07/12/07 02:26 PM
Real Estate Investing, 101Real Estate investing is one of the best tools to build long term wealth and financial security. About 70% of millionaires in the US built their fortunes in Real Estate, so it is obviously an excellent tool. There are several ways to incorporate Real Estate into one’s overall … (2 comments)
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atlanta: A garage is a garage is a garage... NOT! - 06/22/07 11:02 PM
Garages are a specialty. Oddly, after deciding that I really wanted to focus on fellow gear heads, I find that there is more of a need than I thought. Personally, the garage has always been one of the first places I went to when looking at a house. I guess I … (0 comments)
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atlanta: How did it get this far? - 06/21/07 02:46 PM
I had a new experience today. Not that I am new to real estate, but I just hadn't had the occasion to hang out for one of these. I attended an eviction. The clean-out crew, locksmith and Sheriff's Deputy we all scheduled to arrive at 1:00. I got there a few … (4 comments)
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atlanta: House stalking - 06/14/07 03:29 PM
Not too long ago, I had a friend and client tell me that he and his wife were "stalking" a house.
Around the corner, in the same subdivision they were in was a house that they loved. In their case, they were friends with the owners, and joked that when their … (6 comments)
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atlanta: Garage with a detached home - 06/14/07 01:39 PM
Welcome to my world. Let me start by saying "welcome." Kick off your shoes and stay a while. Post up questions, comments and impressions. I'll be happy to answer what I can.I'm a real estate agent in the Atlanta, GA area. I tend to look at property a little differently that … (2 comments)
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