Linda Futral - Quad-County Real Estate

Guided tour of Antebellum Newnan, GA

2008-03-20T11:26:11Z

Apologies in advance as the graphic is not that great but this is a map of the Historic Downtown District of Newnan, GA.

Come follow along with me as I take you to 23 of our historical places.

1. Willcoxon-Arnold House--this impressive home was constructed of hand-made brick in 1852 as part of a 1200 acre plantation known as "Shadowlawn". It is now the home of Hillcrest Funeral Chapel.

2. Sargent-Estanich House-- Built in approximately 1840, this Federal style home is one of the most perfectly proportioned houses in the county. This was the home of co-founder Harrison J. Sargent for the Willcoxon Mfg. company on Wahoo Creek.

3. Welch-Parrott House--This home was built in 1843 by James Welch the co-founder of the Newnan Herald.

4. W. B. W. Dent-Scott House--This home was built by William Barton Wade Dent in 1851. His brother built a similar house on College Street.

5. College Temple Building--This was originally part of College Temple, a private school for girls from 1853 to 1889.

6. College-Temple-Smith House--This is another portion of College Temple. It is said to have housed the first printing press in a Southern College.

7. Dent-Walls House--Built in 1854 by Joseph Ephriam Dent this Greek revival home has four large fluted Doric columns and a cantilevered balcony. This home was completely restored in 1980.

8. Arnold-Arnall-Shapiro House--Built in 1835 by the president of Wahoo Mfg. Co. and the director of Newnan National Bank.

9. Culpepper-McKoon-Sandlin House--This home was designed by a German architect for John Culpepper.

10. Brewster-Barnett House--Built in the 1860's this home was specifically adapted for the handicap needs of Major Penn Brewster. Brewster lost a leg serving in the Confederate Army.

11. Storey-Buchanan-Glover-Sumner House--Built in 1830, this home was originally a cottage owned by Edward Storey. He sold to his brother-in-law the distiguished Hugh Buchanan in 1850 and in the mid 1850's it was the headquarters for Gen. Joe Wheeler during the Battle of Brown's Mill.

12. Orr-Thornton House--This home was originally built in the country but was moved to it's present location in the late 19th century.

13. Terrell-Jones-Hobbs House--This is probably the oldest standing home in Newnan. Built as a small cottage in 1828 by Joel Wingfield Terrell. It has been added to and moved and sits at its present location since 1981.

14. Berry-Merrill-Boyd House--Built in 1840 this home was moved to its present location in 1974 but retains its original plaster medallions, simple mantels, and wide pine floors.

15. Ware-Headly House--This home was costructed in Lagrange in 1850 by Captain Dan Ware. The house was completely restored and moved to its present location in 1950 by the great-great nephew of the original owner.

16. Storey-Hollis House--William Storey was a plantation home that was dismantled in 1850 and brought by mule. It is said to be the first home on a fully brick basement.

17. Lee-Hackney-Banks House--Built in 1850 by Sanders Walker Lee a Captain in the 7th GA Regiment in the Confederate Army. It was purchased and restored to its glory in 1946 by the Banks family.

18. North-Young-Rosenzweig House--Built in 1852 as a Greek Revival home it has undergone a number of changes over the years. Updated to Victorian in the 1880's, then all touches of the Victorian were removed in 1918 and it settled back into a Greek state. Originally the home of Dr. Abraham Columbus North, a Confederate Army surgeon. The Young family bought it in 1918 and in 1980 it was rescued from its deteriorating state and painstakingly restored.

19. Hackney-Passolt-Cox House--This cottage was built in 1860. Then bought by the Passolts which were headed up by the superintendent of Newnan Water and Light Company.

20. Reese-Cheek House--Built in 1856 by Dr. J. T. Reese. The first telephones in Newnan connected this home with the Reese Drugstore in Downtown Newnan. Once condemned it has since gone through restoration and remains a fine example of Antebellum Architecture.

21. Banks-St. John House--This home was built around the mid 1950's. It was owned by the Banks family for 75 years and now houses a place for special events.

22. Cole-Roberts House--This home was built in 1850 by the founder of the R. D. Cole Mfg. Co. which supplied most of the materials for building homes in the area at this time.

23. Coweta County Courthouse--Built in 1829 the courthouse has served many purposes from being a hospital in the War Between the States to now being a museum.

As you can see by our little tour this is truly the City of Homes. We are proud of our homes that were spared in Sherman's march through GA. The court square is beautifully decorated at all times of the year and there are any number of shops to visit as you take a tour through our town.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup areas, call me at 678-633-0458. You may also want to visit my website by clicking on my logo for more information.

American Gangster--Movie Review

2008-03-19T09:35:31Z

If you like the mafia type movies you will probably like this one. I personally liked it. It starts out in an time when I was too young to know what the heck was going on in the world.

There were the civil rights movement, things were hot over in Vietnam, and drugs were prevalent.

Movies like this make me realize what a sheltered little life a lot of us live in from day to day. There is language, nudity, and a lot of drug use shots so this one is definitely not for the kids.

I think overall Russell Crowe played a very believable part in this true story. He is a detective that is marked. He is honest to a fault in his job but when it comes to his home life well lets just say there are all kinds of problems for him to deal with.

Denzel plays Frank the right hand man who turns head honcho when his boss dies. He takes the drugs to another level and does not play well with others.

Armand Assante gives us a look into the Italian side of the mafia at the time.

And if they didn't take a lot of liberties with the story line then our government is much to blame for how things got as bad as they did with the drugs on our streets.

I wouldn't say this rivaled The Godfather as so many said that it did. Similarities are there but in no way could this be deemed that powerful of a movie.

It was good, won't say it was great but wouldn't turn down seeing it again. I notice funny little things in movies and one that I noticed here was that Russell Crowe was sporting a Star of David necklace. I don't know if that had to do with the story line or not to me it seemed a bit out of place for a New Jersey detective. So, yeah may revisit this one just to see what else I notice.

Out of a 5 star rating I would say three stars is what this one gets.

The Comfort Zone!

2008-03-16T09:58:35Z

I used to have a comfort zone,

Where I knew I couldn't fail.

The same four walls of busy work,

were really more like a jail.

I longed so much to do the things,

I'd never done before.

But stayed inside my Comfort Zone,

And paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter,

that I wasn't doing much..

I said I didn't care for things,

like diamonds, furs and such.

I claimed to be so busy,

With the things inside my zone.

But deep inside I longed for,

Something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by,

Just watching others win.

I held my breath and stepped outside,

To let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength,

I'd never felt before.

I kissed my Comfort Zone good-bye,

And closed and locked the door.

If you are in a Comfort Zone,

Afraid to venture out.

Remember that all winners were,

At one time filled with doubt.

A step or two and words of praise,

Can make your dreams come true.

Greet your future with a smile,

Success is there for you!

~Author Unknown~

I think we all get into a zone where we feel comfortable. I found this poem in a stack of things I had saved, it is now posted on my bulletin board.

Call me at 678-633-0458, if you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties. If you are not ready to speak directly to an agent, please visit my website by clicking on the logo.

On the road with a moving company!

2008-03-15T11:11:40Z

While you are checking out my checklist for moving with professional movers, give a listen to this great song!

Congratulations! You bought a new home and closing is coming up. There is so much to do and it seems not enough time to do it but you have scheduled the movers to be there on Monday so time to get cracking!

A lot of people wait until the last minute to pack but once you have the accepted contract go ahead get the boxes, tape and a good marker. Pack the things that you know you aren't going to need in the coming weeks little by little. Remember to label everything! You don't want little Susie's doll collection misplaced and stored in the attic.

But before you start packing, are there some things you really don't need to move? We all have those clutter collections, you know the out dated clothes that don't fit and you wouldn't wear anyways, or that awful lamp that Aunt Masie gave you but goes with nothing in your decor. Now is the time to move these things out. Have a garage sale, donate them to a local charity, just don't move them!

Pack the essentials that you will need and make sure that these things do not get put on the truck with the rest of your goods. Some items that you need to have on hand are the alarm clock, asprin, a first aid kit, flashlight, change of clothes, bedding, towels and bath accessories, disposable plates and cups, paper towels, toilet paper, entertainment for the little ones and food.

Your valuables also need to be packed and taken along with you during the move. If you have cash, jewelry, important documents, precious photographs, these should not be in the hands of the movers. Things do happen and you wouldn't want little Susie's first baby steps pictures to disappear when the movers do.

Moving is a stressful enough experience without having to worry about the children. See if you can find someone to help with them all on the day of moving. This is to include your human children as well as the pets in your life.

Once the truck has been unloaded and there is some order to things, go collect your children and let them explore their new home. With pets you may want to crate or keep them in one room at a time until they get to know their surroundings. Cats are especially prone to spraying the new home in order to mark their territory. To prevent this keep them happy and well attended while you are getting settled.

Ok, so on the day the movers are schedule you need to think safety. Move your planters off the front porch, walkway, and drive. If your screen door has a spring or hydraulic spring use it or disconnect it so that going in and out of the door does not become a problem. Roll up all rugs and remove all door mats. The movers will have moving pads if they are needed. Make sure all your pictures and wall hangings are down and packed. You don't want anyone cracking their head on that portrait of Uncle Albert!

Most moving companies will not transport items that are flammable. Have a plan for these as it will be your responsibility to get them to the new home.

Your truck driver is your man! He will be the one responsible for overseeing the crew and that your wishes are carried out. Go over everything with him. Give him the destination and contact information again. Get his contact information! You don't want to be sitting at the new house wondering what happened to Grandpa Jo's urn!

After the truck is loaded make a sweep of the home. I am talking showers, drawers, closets, garage, crawl space, storage barns, attics everywhere you can think to look and make sure nothing has been left behind.

At the new home make yourself available to the moving crew. They are not going to know where Jr.'s room is or that the dining room is really going to be your office.

Tipping is entirely up to you! Once the job has been completed, pay the driver and if you feel that they have done a more than exemplary job give him a little extra to be distributed to the crew.

You are now in your new home! Enjoy it, wander around before you undo all those boxes. Get a feel for where things are going to hang, where furniture will be postioned and pat yourself on the back for having the most successful unstressful move in the history of man!

Call me at 678-633-0458, if you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties. Not ready to talk to an agent yet, then click on my logo to the left and go directly to my website to view my listings.

Come get your blog on!

2008-03-15T09:30:54Z

I love the county that I live in! You just can't beat it! There is entertainment, shopping, and we are ever growing.

What does this have to do with getting your blog on? Well, Richard Weisser from Coweta Fayette Real Estate formed a new group for all us Cowetians. It is a place to get your localism posts out there, talk about our county, and network amongst the members.

With well over 100 agents signed up as members of in just our county and the neighboring county of Fayette, I for one think this is a great addition for us. It will give us a chance to meet and mingle, a chance to tell everyone what a great area we live and work in, and it will give the consumers a birdseye view of our area.

So, I challenge all of you to come get your blog on with Richard and I. All you have to do is click on the button and it will transport you to the group and you can join. It's free and it won't hurt a bit. Come on Fayette and Coweta County agents what you say, let's tell the world about our area!

P.S. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties, call me at 678) 633-0458. If you are not ready to speak directly to an agent check out my website by clicking on my logo.>>

The seller's listing agreement? What is it?

2008-03-14T10:58:32Z

Putting your home on the market can be a stressful time. You have to get it looking ready, you have to keep it ready, and you have to price it right. In today's market these three things are what gets a home sold.

If you are using a real estate agent to get this done, the seller's listing agreement can add to that stress if you do not know what is in it and why.

This document is a legal binder between you and the brokerage the agent represents. It is not something to be taken lightly. Most agents will use the standard agreement for their area but it is your responsibility to understand it.

In order for you to be more comfortable with this document I am going to go over the basics here.

First, we have the term of agreement. The longer the agreement the more it benefits the agent because it allows them to find a buyer in a weakend market. But if homes are not selling quickly the longer term can hurt you the seller. Your property becomes stale unless your agent is proactively generating traffic. So, you the seller want to make sure that you have an agent that will market your home and get it sold in the least amount of time possible. Whether you go 3, 6, or 12 months on the terms you can always extend the agreement if you are satisfied with the agent.

Next, we come to how your agent will get paid. This fee is negotiable but as a general rul you can expect to pay between 5 and 7 percent. Ask what the agent will do in order to get this fee. What levels of marketing are included? Some agents will discount their fee to get the listing but you need to know if they are going to discount their marketing efforts as well. Once this fee is set it no longer becomes negotiable. Some agents may take a lesser fee for service if the contract is within just a miniscule fraction of working, but don't ask them to re-negotiate during the contract phase.

During this period of writing the listing the agent will ask you to fill out two forms. One is a disclosure statement and the other is the MLS Input sheet. The disclosure statement is a legal document that lets potential buyers know things about the home, i.e. when the roof was put on or repaired, if the septic tank has been serviced, etc. The MLS Input sheet is a document that the listing agent will use to input your home into the MLS system. If you are keeping the antique chandelier in the dining room it needs to be removed and a new light fixture put into place. Most agents just have you fill in the last page which is where it states what will remain with the home. The rest of this form is mainly for the agent to use for describing your home, the legal description of your home, directions to your home and things like that.

Lastly, the agent will want to take pictures of the home so that they can add them to the MLS and all their other marketing tools and place the lockbox. It is very important that you have the home in showing condition on the day the agent arrives to get the papers signed so that all the pictures come out looking great! Ask to see the pictures when they are done. Also, ask them to retake any you would not find appealing if you were the buyer seeing these on the internet and in flyers. Have a key available and a place to hang the lockbox if you do not want it attached to your door.

Now, sit back and relax and let your agent go to work for you! Expect that there will be and should be communication on a regular basis from your agent. Weekly emails or phone calls on what is happening and what they are doing to get your home sold. Even if there has been no activity expect to hear from them.

Call me at 678-633-0458, if you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties. Not ready to talk to an agent yet, then please visit my website by clicking on the logo to the left.

Buyers Beware! Does your agent know what the current GA contract for offer says?

2008-03-13T13:36:48Z

You as a buyer have done your homework. You have searched various different neighborhoods, styles of homes, and know what you are looking for in your purchase.

Now, you must find someone to let you in so that you may view the home. Touch the home and get a feel for it.

Beware dear buyers! Not all agents are the same, nor do they have the same knowledge.

It seems as if every year there is a new GAR purchase and sale form. Little tweaks here and there that are supposed to simplify matters. However, if you get an agent who has not been instructed on the changes it can and will end up costing you money.

Let's go over the basics of the form first. I want you comfortable with what we are putting in this form that will act as the tool for your offer on the home you choose.

In the first section of the form we have the date we are submitting the offer, the physical address of the property, and the legal description of the property.

In the next section, we get into the monitary descriptions. This is where we will put what you are offering on the property, how much earnest money I am collecting from you and whom shall hold the money, and what we will be asking for in closing costs.

Next, we will fill in a date of closing and when you will take possession of the property. Commonly, we try to take possession at closing but there are times when the seller needs a few days so there is a concession for that if we need to use it. We will also write in the closing attorney at this point. The seller may have a specific that they want to use but know that you have the right if seller agrees to select the attorney.

Ok, now we get into some technical parts. Title and how it will be transferred. The seller is warranting at this point that the title is free and clear but you as the buyer have the right to inspect the title prior to closing and list in writing any objections you may have with it. You also have the right in this section to have a new survey of the property and if it is found different than the original you do have the right to terminate the contract in writing.

There is a risk of damage to the property clause that states that the seller deems the property in good standing at closing. If damaged prior to closing the seller must give us notice and you have the right to terminate. If you choose not to terminate the seller must have the home back to prior damage condition by the time of closing.

Inspections: You as the buyer have the right to have the property inspected and to submit a repair request within a time frame that we will set in this section. I strongly suggest that you spend the extra money here to have this inspection done. This also includes the neighborhood and I would suggest you check out the www.state.ga.us/gbi/disclaim.html site for further information on sex offenders who might be residing in your neighborhood.

Are we going to accept the propety as is if it needs repairs and if not what is the due diligence period is another thing we need to consider in with the inspection.

Your lender will order an appraisal of the property to make sure that its value will withstand the loan amount.

If for any reason you decide to terminate this contract once it is binding you need to understand what can happen to your earnest money. The only time I have had issue with this is when I had a client that just decided they didn't want to buy anymore. Other than that the earnest money has been refunded to my clients. Reasons to not go ahead with the purchase need to be stated in writing though.

The next section explains that I work for you as your agent and the seller either has their own agent or are representing themselves. There is also a disclaimer here that states that you haven't relied on the advice of other brokerages outside of the one I work for.

We will obtain and sign the property disclosure statement and I will go over it step by step so that you understand what it says about the property you are buying.

I will make sure of the age of the home and that there is no potential hazard of lead based paint. If there is potential we will seek an inspection on this and how to correct it.

The next area of the contract is the legal part. You need to read over this and make sure that you understand it completely. I have stated several times that we need to make all notices in writing. That is the only way anything can be bound to the contract. A verbal just won't do it.

Lastly, before we sign the contract and send it off, we will go over what you are already sure you want to ask for. Examples of this could be that the refrigerator remains with the home. That the drapes remain or that you want the seller to pay for the termite inspection and letter. We need to make sure we have all this spelled out to the minutest detail as I have seen things happen in other contracts where we asked that the refrigerator remain and found out after closing that it wasn't the same one nor was it working.

Ok, now we will sign the document on the last page. I will need your full name here not just Bubba and we are going to give them a time frame to respond in. Now, with holidays I tend to give a little leeway but generally 48 hrs should be plenty of time for the selling agent to get with the seller and make a decision.

Well, that sums up the GAR Purchase and Sale agreement. I urge you to find an experienced agent who knows that the contract must have additional attachments for the appraisal and for the termite inspection. These two things alone can cost you well over an additional $1000 dollars if they are not present.

If you are looking to buy or sell in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties, please give me a call at 678-633-0458 or click my logo to visit my website.

You are not going to steal my thunder!

2008-03-13T12:35:59Z

Over the last several weeks I have observed something here in the Rain. I have been affected by it to a great deal. Conversely I have decided that I won't let it interfere with what I am doing and accomplishing.

What have I observed? Negative comments! Whether you meant them to be negative or not that is how they are coming across. I for one will not let you steal my thunder.

I have been down more times than I care to count. I have risen past abuse from a spouse, I have risen and survived breast cancer. I have risen after surgery took my life. I walk in pain from fibromyalga every day. I take medication to regulate a non-existant thyroid every day. I take chemo every month because of a cancerous goiter I am too scared to have removed on my thyroid gland.

My point here is that we all have issues we deal with every day of every year. If you choose to let those be a crutch, if you choose to let those things defeat you, if you choose to be negative and believe that life threw you lemons and the sour has infected your soul, don't share it with me.

If I share a joyous moment with my friends and family I do not expect those whom I love to throw stones at my joy. The beauty of the Rain is we can be our true selves here or at least I hope that we are, but we don't have to throw stones at the ones who are celebrating even if it isn't important to us. If you don't want to celebrate too, simply move on without commenting. If it irks you to see someones joy, move on without commenting. If you are envious of anothers success, move on without commenting.

Ok, I am done now but I will leave you with this beautiful video I found!

There are never enough hours in a day!

2008-03-12T20:29:59Z

In February I gave serious consideration to going part time with real estate. I was in a state where a lot of agents are not knowing where the next sale would come from and then something happened.

My daughter and I created this bag for her so that she could take work to and from home with her to the day care where she teaches. I posted about this little bag and well the rest is history.

Orders have poured in and I am in the process of filling them all.

This one went out to our own Rosemary Brooks last week.

This purse and wallet combo and three others that are similar will be going out to Brande Bradford by the weekend.

Ok, so let me get to the point of not having enough hours in the day. Along with all this sewing I have been doing and will continue to do, I have been working real estate.

How in the world can you work two full time jobs, you might be asking. Well, let me tell you it is all about balance and organization.

My mornings are dedicated to prospecting, writing my blog posts, updating websites and such. Then I have four dedicated afternoons and early evenings that I have set aside for showings. If there are no showings I work on a project.

I seriously didn't think this would turn out this way but was at a loss as to what to do. This fortunately for me works perfectly. I can still be right here answering the phone if I am sewing and I can set aside the sewing and get back to it when I am done with the real estate.

I had a lot of encouragement to persue this and I am very grateful for those that gave me strength. The hours in my day are filled to capacity right now with both sewing and real estate transactions. Since February I have had the good fortune to have several people seek me out and we are in the process of finding them homes. They are all pre-approved, thus making it a little easier to know what we are dealing with in looking at homes.

I took my complete focus which was making me a little crazy off real estate for a short time and the phone started ringing again. Imagine that!

So, for those of you out there struggling to find that next sale and thinking maybe just maybe I need something part time to help out, there is a way. There are enough hours in the day to make it work. For those of you that love to write there are some great sites that will pay for your writing as well as magazines, ezines, etc. Some of you might be handy or have a hobby like mine that could turn an extra dollar.

Just don't give up! It will happen. I can't say when or where but that phone of yours will start ringing again too.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties, please give me a call at 678-633-0458 or click on my logo to the left, it will take you directly to my website.

What FHA does for you!

2008-03-11T18:00:08Z

Ok, so we now know that DPA is staying and there have been several great posts on the subject recently. However, the one I use most is FHA and I thought for my potetial buyer clients out there I would give you some info that I generally pass along in my buyer packet.

FHA does and doesn't do several things for the buyer.

First off, they do help people become homeowners by insuring mortgages for lenders. Insuring these mortgages allows lenders to offer mortgages to first time buyers and others who may not qualify for conventional loans. Because of this insurance the buyer pays only a very low downpayment.

This is a great program to check out with your lender but keep in mind that FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of your potential new home. Finding problems that need to be repaired after the closing can become a financial burden and FHA will not lend or give you money for said repairs nor will they buy the home back.

The buyer needs to be aware of this and take all the precautions they can to insure that this will not become the case. FHA and I, strongly suggest that you get your own independent home inspection. Whether this is on an existing home or a new home it is critical that you get an inspection. A qualified, preferably certified, home inspector can walk you through the potential problems with the home so that you as a buyer can make a wise choice.

Many times I am asked, "Well, aren't the inspection and the appraisal the same?"

As part of their job insuring the loan, FHA requires that the lender conduct an FHA appraisal. The appraisal is different from the home inspection they are for the lender. The home inspection is for the buyer. The lender does the appraisal for three reasons: to estimate the value of the home, to make sure that the house meets FHA minimum property standards, and to make sure that the house is marketable.

The home inspection is going to give you a more detailed description of potential problem areas than an appraisal will. This is information that you need to make a wise decision. In the home inspection there is an indepth look at the home. The inspector will evaluate the physical condition and mechanical systems, the structure and construction will be examined, they will identify items that need to be repaired or replaced, estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure and finishes.

Educate and become an informed buyer. It is your responsiblity to be sure that what you are buying you are satisfied with and that every aspect of the home meets not only the FHA guidelines but also your guidelines.

Getting equal housing for all is my ultimate goal and I will do my best to educate you on the different products out there for you to obtain financing. However, it is ultimately your choice as to which product you and your lender think will suit you best.

If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties, please give me a call at 678-633-0458 or click on my logo to go directly to my website.

Getting back up on the horse!

2008-03-11T16:11:17Z

I love horses and horseback riding but this isn't about that at all.

This is about going from being an exclusive buyer's agent to doing it all again. In doing so there were some things I learned the first time around that I want to make sure I don't do this time or revamp so they don't cause me the same headaches I had last time.

Showing up late. Now, this generally isn't a problem for me, actually I have the opposite problem, I am perpetually early.
Smelling of dogs, cats, or smoke. Not to mention some ungodly perfume. I don't wear perfume just vanilla body spray, don't have a dog and my cat is out of doors. Only issue here is the fact that I smoke. Not in the car, only outside but sometimes it does linger so the body spray stays in the car and so do breath mints.
Not doing my homework. I am trying to talk to my potential sellers extensively before the appt. this time around.
Knowing the sellers' financial situation. With the market the way it is today this is a given if you are going to list their home.
Not treating the listing appt. to casually. I want to make sure I get a feel for the client. All business or laid back and try to mirror them for the best reception.
Not visiting the homes you are using for your CMA. If I can't speak clearly and factually about the homes in my report they need to boot my butt out the door.
Being ignorant of architectural design. Wow, now that I know what a lot of the older homes in the area have in this realm this is a biggy. I mean seriously if you don't know the correct terminology how can they take you seriously.
Moving to quickly into my presentation. Let them guide you on how and when to sit down at the table. If they want to show you the antique water closet first you best seem interested.
Tailoring the presentation to the wrong audience. Man oh man if you go in gangbusters to an elderly persons home that has no idea what a computer is or can do for their marketing you are screwing yourself if you aren't prepared.
Blah, Blah, Blah. You got to know when to shut the heck up.
Ignoring someone. Do not gear all your speech to one person. That person may very well not have any say so or may not be the deciding factor and you could end up alienating the one who is.
Ignoring pets. I don't care if you hate dogs, snakes, lizards, or tarantulas these are your potential clients babies as much as their children are so act interested.
Listing appt. out of my area of expertise. Now this one for me is hard. I know many of the areas where I live but there are some things like luxury properties I would have no clue as to how to market.
You know your systems but your client doesn't. Do not make the mistake of thinking they understand you. Explain in detail how you will handle this transaction.
Never ever will I use a document that looks like it has been run over by the car 4000 times again. Make sure all materials are top notch.
You need to prepare your potential clients for small inconviences too. Talk to them seriously about this so that they understand that they need to rinse the breakfast dishes and put them in the dishwasher. At least they will be out of sight for the most part.
As my mama always said mind your P's and Q's. Organization is critical. If they think you are disorganized they will think you will be slip shod in handling the sale of their home.
Recommend improvements so that things don't come up late during negotiations of the contract.
Turn your cell phone off or better yet leave it in the car. I have been out with agents giving presentations and the phone rings and they excuse themselves to answer it. Yes we are all struggling right now and do not want to miss a call but if you are on an appt. it can wait.
Positivity breeds positivity.
Thank the sellers for allowing you to present your presentation. Let them know you will follow up with them and when!

I can not tell you how many times I as the buyer's agent went on listing appts. with other agents and the whole presentation was slip shod. If you are gonna shoe a horse do it right the first time or get kicked in the butt the next time!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup Counties, please give me a call at 678-633-0458 or click on the logo to go directly to my website.

Courtesy, civility, and just playing dang nice!

2008-03-09T12:01:08Z

We sprang forward with the time last night and while my children are grown in a lot of ways, well they are still children. As I climbed the stairs to make sure my son was out of bed to be at work on time thoughts of being the nice guy kept running through my head.

I have read many a post in the last few weeks that talk about what this agent did or didn't do, why you shouldn't or should give feedback, should your broker compete or not and this has had me pondering many a thing. Now, if you know me at all you know once I start pondering I just gotta share, lol.

Real estate by nature is a competive sport and one of the most cut thoat sports out there in my opinion. I have seen agents who slander the good name of an agent to make themselves look better to a client. Does this really work? Sometimes unfortunately for an unsuspecting client who is trying to find someone to trust you bet it does.

To be really successful though, no one needs to stoop to these malicious standards. Standing out in the crowd is just a matter of being civil and playing nicely with others.

Say please, thank you, excuse me, and I'm sorry. Make a positive difference by saying kind words and offering assistance. Say hello to those you meet and the neighbors of properties as you show them. Extend good wishes to colleagues and celebrate in their successes. Do one thing every day to wow someone or brighten someone's day. Show gratitude in your life--it makes a difference in your attitude.

Pick up trash not only on your listings when you are there but others as well. It will show you care.

Be a share bear. If you have something that you know is working for you, share it. Yes, it might help your competition too, but they just might remember you and get that listing you have been sitting on sold.

Reaching out to help those in need will make all the difference in what you are trying to accomplish in the long run.

Now, I would like to share two new Active Rain members with you. The first is Bo Hunt out of Douglasville, GA. You can click on the picture of him and it will transport you to his profile where you can then go to his blog etc. I found Bo in the Q & A section of AR asking a question. Now, this is not the place for members questions but he was struggling with an issue and needed a little help. Since then I have discovered a writing style that is going to blossom into a bright blog. I look forward to seeing him grow here in the Rain once he recovers fully from his recent surgery.

My other recent find is Cotina Mayes. She like Bo is new to the Rain. Virtual Realty out of Alabama is where she hails from and I ask you all to check her out. Again, the picture is linked to her profile where you can carry on from there.

Where did I find this wonderful new friend? She added me as an associate with the nicest little comment and I had to go check her out. What I found was a bright young woman making a place for herself here in the Rain.

Please join me in welcoming these two new soon to be superstars of the Rain. Good deeds make all the difference in the world. Have you done yours today?

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup counties, please give me a call at 678-633-0458 or visit my website for more information and current listings.

Selling you home in Coweta County>>What's it gonna cost ya?

2008-03-08T13:09:19Z

When you are thinking of selling your home in Coweta County there are a few things to think about besides the commission you might pay to an agent.

Before you start making those plans, marking the calendar for open houses, figuring out what needs to be repaired, you need a plan.

A plan you say. Well, yes! A plan for marketing your home, a plan for how much you can get for your home, whether you will be involving agents in the selling and buying process, what you are willing to pay in closing costs, repairs, etc. and who will you get to prepare the paperwork. If you don't have a plan in place it can cost you in the long run.

The first thing you really need to think about is why are you selling. Has the house become too small for your growing family? Do you need to downsize? Do you need an in-law suite to accomodate an aging parent? These are all motivators that can answer why you are selling in the first place. Knowing what your motivator is will help you determine how quickly and seriously you need to work on selling your home.

If you plan on buying a new home put together a list of neighborhoods where you think you may want to live. Visit open houses, check the pricing between newer homes verses older homes, weigh your options and use this to help determine your motivations.

If you are planning on marketing your home on your own there are several things that you need to be aware of in the costliness of home sales. How much are the comparables going for in your neighborhood? Are you willing to compensate a buyer's agent? Things like this. Also, the time factor can be very costly here. You have to be available to show the home. This in itself can be a huge deciding factor if you are going to have to bebop from work to home at the drop of a hat.

Consider these things and interview several agents. See what their game plan for marketing your home may be. What suggestions do they offer you as they walk through your home for improvements or staging to sell? Are they using all the marketing that they can? It has been said that 80% of buyers are now starting their home search via the internet. Does the agent advertise on the net? Do they have a website? Are listings posted there? These are some of the questions you will want to find out as well as how much commission they are expecting from the sale of your home.

There are other things to take into consideration that will cost you money upfront but might make your home more appealing than that of your neighbors. Could you pay for and include a home inspection prior to putting the house on the market? Could you include a home warranty with the sale of the house? Will you pay for the termite inspection and letter? Do you want to have the home professionally staged? As with any industry there are a multitude of people that perform these services; shop around and get quotes on what it is going to cost you and then decide which you will include.

Two other things that are important here>>one you need to find out what your payoff amount is on the existing home and two you need to sell before you buy. In today's market contigencies are often frowned upon. There is just too much inventory sitting on the ground for a seller to be held up by you waiting on your home to sell.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup, please give me a call at

678-633-0458 or visit my website for more information on either of these topics. The logo will take you to my website.

10,000 B. C. A Movie Review

2008-03-07T17:49:35Z

Well, I took a couple hours me time this afternoon and went to a matinee. Dang they have gotten expensive but it was a great way to relieve a little stress. Well, almost, hehe.

This movie only got a C+ from the critics but I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of it. It is PG-13 and well the story line is just not something I think younger children will appreciate. However, for me I liked it.

CGI was good on the animals could of been better but was good. But, the story line is what had me captured from the get go.

So, would I recommend it? Oh yeah baby I would!

The community of baseball from where it starts to where it could end! March Baseball Talk 101 Contest Entry

2008-03-06T17:18:21Z

I didn't grow up with brothers but I had plenty of boys in the neighborhood to pal around with that is until spring hit. When I was little, I couldn't figure out what had happened to all my playmates. It would seem that on the first warm day they would all disappear. I adapted by taking up playing ball in the field near our home, helping my best friend Mark perfect his pitching by playing catcher, and by taking up softball on the girls church league.

Baseball gives us a sense of the past. It makes us yearn for spring and the first crack of the bat.

In Coweta you need to know about baseball. Our roots run deep in baseball and we are proud of it. Two men whom many of you won't know grew up here and spread their wings to the major leagues. Don Lassetter and Bill Ayers were both born here. Don joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957 and Bill was with the NY Giants in 1947.

From little league to the majors is a long way to go but the hopes and dreams of those playing the game are just that and they start out in the little leagues around our fine community.

The Newnan Youth Athletic Association is just one of the organized places for our T-ballers to start. The picture of the fields at the left will take you to the associations homepage where you can get directions, sign-up times and fees, etc.

Sharpsburg also has a wonderful youth team check out the link for their homepage.

These two groups are the finest groups one will find in our community for organized baseball in the spring. The age limit is 14 for these groups which is understandable since we don't want to interfere with the boys as they start out in Jr. Baseball at the high school level.

Speaking of high school ball, oh my do they have fun. Three great teams to cheer for and if you don't have kids this age, take in a game just for the fun of it. These boys take their baseball super serious and who knows you might just see them in the majors one day.

For more information on the schedule for the high schools click on the link of each of their mascots below!

Newnan East Coweta

Northgate

Of course all these great guys are dreaming of the big time and putting their all into every game. So, I am proud to say that the next step for them might just be the new minor league team that will call Gwinnett County Georgia its home. The planned opening day is yet to be announced but it will be in 2009. This will be a wonderful new venue for this great American pasttime and I for one am looking forward to checking out a few games even though it will be a little bit of a drive.

Coweta also has been called home to the likes of Dale Murphy and Steve Bedrosian from the Atlanta Braves. Clicking on the picture of Dale will take you to the homepage of the Atlanta Braves.

As you can see, baseball and community go together like ice cream and apple pie. It is downhome Americana at its very best.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, or Troup areas, please give me a call at 678-633-0458 or visit my website. It will be my pleasure to assist you!

Out of Sync and feeling funky...

2008-03-06T15:39:20Z

For the past few days, probably a week or more I have been having that distinct feeling that something is wrong. You know the one that you can't put your finger on but it is there?

Well, I did a little reading here and there and came to the conclusion that I needed to alter the way my home was arranged. Feng Shui they call it and while I didn't put much stock into this fixing the sleepless nights and unproductive days, I figured I would give it a try.

Carole Provenzale writes some wonderful articles in her blog about this topic and the picture here will link you to her. If you don't believe this will change your life I am here to tell you that after battening down the hatches yesterday and just deciding to do it there has been a vast improvenment on me.

I actually slept for 8 straight hours last night. I got up this morning refreshed. Have I been more productive today? You bet ya!

So, this is my little ThemThem thank you to Carole for writing such wonderful articles and helping me from many miles away through the great world wide web.

I needed this to keep up with the positive kick butt articles I have been putting out. I don't want to be one of those people who are the do as I say not as I do crowd.

Thank you Carole for making me a believer and my life a little less stressed!

Queen of Procrastination!

2008-03-04T16:36:05Z

Set goals is the number one thing you are supposed to do right? What if you set them then don't remember where you put them? Or, did you convienently forget where they are?

I am great at making plans but it is the sticking to like glue I have a little trouble with.

They tell me to push through the barriers. Keep on trucking so to speak but where am I going and what will I gain?

Oh those darn mentors want a weekly plan as well as a plan for the year. Heck I don't even know what I am having for dinner.

Then of course there is the daily plan. Well all this planning is great but I gotta tell ya for someone who is slightly ADD that much focus might just send me into the nanosphere.

Everyone tells me you have got to simplify your work. How the heck am I supposed to do that when I just found something new to try out that is just going to add to the load if I decide it is worth it?

Here is the one I love the best using a mobile planning system. Man I just learned how to embed a video do you really think I am tech savvy enough to figure out a mobile divice?

Progress is to be reviewed but if you can't find the goals what are we reviewing?

Now here is one I can get with the plan on >>Learn to say no. No, is easy it is getting everyone you have said yes to for so long to believe you.

Assistants can be a great asset but if you can't find the plan how are they to assist you?

Yes these are all things we do every day of every year and it boils down to procrastination. I am now having to learn how to not procrastinate with running two business models out of my home. So, pick it up and turn it around. Kick some butt and take some names. Or just get 'er done!

My First Concert...oh the horrors!

2008-03-04T11:36:01Z

I had to do some figuring for this one as my addled brain couldn't remember which came first but after a call to my mother I got it straight.

Growing up in Georgia there were and still are many opportunities to see live music. However, when you are only around the age of 11 and your parents don't promote such happenings as a concert you might not get the chance. I did get the chance but only because my mother wanted to see these two artist perform together and dad lovingly bought tickets for the event. Nothing fancy just a concert at what was once the premier spot in Atlanta for such things.

The Omni was the place and the event...well as you guessed because of my age I had to go. My sister lucked out being 6 years older than me and working she couldn't but well she had been to a couple of concerts and to an 11 year old it was something new, a way to find out what all the hype was about, and a chance to see two famous country stars perform.

So, while I really didn't care about the performance it was pretty cool to see The Omni, visit downtown Atlanta, and eat at the Varsity all in one day.

Ok, I know I need to tell you the shame of it...I just, well oh ok here it is two legends in our own time...

Dottie West and Kenny Rogers

I couldn't find one that would let me share Dottie and Kenny singing together with you so you all are getting a Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers song.

Fortunately, for me this was not to be my only experience with concerts. It was the first but well it was chaperoned so to speak and not really something I wanted to go to. My best friend Ann and I were just totally over the boards for the Bay City Rollers. She had her fav as did I and this was to be my first officially unchaperoned concert. Ann's mother drove us down to the Fox Theater in Atlanta, parked the car about a block away and walked us to the front doors. She took up residence at a tiny cafe across the street for the next two hours.

Luckily for me this would not be the end of live music. I have seen some incredible shows at many of the venues around our wonderful state. I have had the chance to meet several country music stars during this time and I have never nor will I ever give up the opportunity to see a concert live. The two most recent events I have attended were Reba when she was here at Chastain last June. My daughter gave me my ticket for my birthday and I gave her a ticket for her birthday. It was a wonderful live event.

The other event was at The Tabernacle in Atlanta. This was an experience for sure. I won tickets to this concert and had a front row standing seat to see Daughtry. The show didn't start until well after midnight but it was well worth the wait. Again, my daughter attended with me and it will be one of the nights she remembers for a lifetime.

She has gained my appreciation for live music and while at the Country Fair concert two years ago called me from her cell phone so that I could hear Big and Rich. It brought tears to my eyes that she was thinking about me while she was enjoying this great live performance.

Down on the farm!

2008-03-04T10:07:48Z

Ah, Georgia red clay just freshly turned squishing between the barefoot toes of a child on a warm spring day.

This is how I started out as a child. Watching my father turn the tractor row after row getting it ready for planting season. Georgia is famous for its red clay and while that has its benefits it also has some drawbacks. My father and grandfather would hash over the best ways to combat this and mostly what they did was to grow a crop and then at the end of the season till this back into the soil. By doing this it added much needed nutrients to the red clay and made it better for growing their crops the next year.

Planting by the changes in the moon or lunar cycle was a big deal for my Grandfather as it still is today with many farmers. If you would like more information on this kind of planting please click the picture as it will take you to a great article on the subject.

The tractor will link you to an article on spring gardening packets. If you are just getting started with designing and planning you garden, check it out, you might find some really great tips in this article or the ones that are linked to it.

My dad and grandfather grew an assortment of different vegetables from potatoes to tomatoes, but my favorite had to be the Silver Queen Corn they planted every year. Dad still plants a healthy crop of this every year so that mom and I can stock the freezer full of corn.

Georgia is also known for a few other crops that are grown throughout the state. You can find an abundance of (that's cotton if you didn't know), (peaches), and our infamous (goobers, is what my dad calls them).

I feel blessed to have grown up and learned the value of string beans, shelling peas, and shucking corn. I knew where our meats came from too.

We had for our pork meat and we had Black Angus cows for our beef. Often times we got treats like deer or quail if dad happened to be lucky when he went hunting.

By far though my favorite time on the farm was when I was riding my horse. We acquired Chief when I was 12 and I spent every chance during the next 4 years riding.

Chief was an Appaloosa and could race like the wind.

We still farm to the extent that my father's age will let him. Fresh homegrown tomatoes, corn, butter beans, peas, and beans. We have a bluebery field which is where I had my first upclose encounter with a black runner snake.

From the time I was able to walk I have had my toes in the soft turned Georgia clay. If you would like more information on buying a farm in Coweta, Troup, Meriwether, or Heard counties, please give me a call. There are agricultural tax breaks that you need to be aware of as well so having an experienced agent who knows farming will help you in the long run. You can find more listing and buying information at my website. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

You've dug yourself a hole and all you want to do is hide in it! Get out of that hole, there is work to be done!

2008-03-03T18:03:20Z

My good friend Danny wrote a very good post today about confidence. If you haven't checked it out or any of his other Power Quote series you should as they are very inspiring.

So inspiring that I just had to put into words what you can do to build your self-confidence and get out of the slump I see so many of us agents in today.

Right about now you are probably thinking oh great another motivational blog who the &*$$ needs that? Well, for me it is the motivational posts that I find solace in and right now I need all the help I can get. See, I dug myself a hole and I got down really bad. It is hard to pull yourself out of that hole once you are there but you must. It is spring and the prospects will be jumping like the fish in a lake.

But, Linda, I am tired of prospecting. I am tired of spending my money and getting nothing but tire kickers in return. Well, let me tell you I am tired too. This winter kicked my butt to say the least. However, you know what, I am still out trying to make a buck. Find out where your current business is coming from. Track it like a hound dog tracks a raccoon. Then, concentrate more of your efforts on what you are doing best. Whether that be here at AR blogging or sending out postcards. Do it and do it some more.

You and I have got to stop wasting time feeling sorry for ourselves. No matter what the cause of this hole you dug yourself, our only option is to redouble our efforts. No matter what it takes whether that is writing 100 blog posts, finding other areas to post our listings or what, just do it!

Get your butt back out there in front of clients and your community. Sometimes something as simple as delivering a dinner to a shut-in or participating in a car wash to buy equipment for the local soccer team is all it will take to get you seen and remembered.

Re-evaluate how you present your services. What you are charging in commission and how you come off when you explain that to a listing client. This doesn't mean you have to cut your commission; instead, it might mean you offer a more sophisticated marketing plan or something like you pay for the home warranty. Get creative!

Could you branch out? Send out letters offering consulting services to your clients on purchasing real estate investments or the payback they can reap from home improvements. Charge by the hour to bring in a little extra income. I am seriously thinking about this one.

If you have tunnel vision, try getting an objective opinion on what you are doing or not doing to get those creative juices flowing. Go over your listing and buyer presentations with someone who will give you the cold hard facts about how you come across. Knowing what to change can help land that next client.

Get away from those that are bringing you down. Negative views, whether given in person or related via the news will have its impact. You have got to surround yourself daily with positive reinforcement in order to stay at the top of your game and dig yourself out of the hole you are in right now.

I challenge you to do these things and I can guarantee that you will have more self-confidence. Once you have accomplished that good will win over evil every time. Don't let the bad that has happened or the negative things that are happening stop you from becoming an ostrich with its head stuck in a hole. Dig, dig, and then dig some more and you will find happiness.

Now, Get to work!

Want to take a ride?

2008-03-02T09:14:54Z

The weather is perfect for a little adventure here in Moreland, Geogia. This is the home of the Newnan-Coweta Airport. What was once a small time airport that housed single engine and a few twin engine planes has expanded and is now home to some small jets.

Alan Jackson (the country singer) flies his in regularly to see Mama Ruth. Local businesses are using it to bring in clients that want to skip the hectic pace of Atlanta's large airport. But that is not what I want to talk about today.

Today is about adventure and for a small fee you can have this one and it is a blast. You see the airport offers rides in their single engine planes. Kids love this as a special birthday trip. I personally have a friend who houses his plane here at the airport and this is the only way I have ever flown. First time was a doosy as he had just finished his pilots training and it was one of the first solo flights he had taken. We went over my house, over several other areas of the county, then out over West Point Lake where he decided it was a good time to practice some stall technique. I was not amused but it was a great time.

Located just 6 miles south of Newnan this little airport is a special find for all ages. Upcoming in the late spring they will host their annual airshow. Vendors will be set up to sell their wares and you can see all sorts of planes from the twin engine to old fighter planes to Red Baron styled planes.

Below are a few shots of some children getting ready for a ride and after they have landed. If you are up for the time they had head on down to the airport and see about setting up a time to go up, up, up in the air.

I got hit!

2008-03-01T21:26:00Z

I have to say that I am glad to see Leap Day come and go. It was a series of unfortunate happenings.

Clients come and go for varing reasons but when they question your professionalism you have to take a step back and say is it me or could this of been prevented. This happened to me yesterday morning and while I could have prevented some of it the listing agent could have prevented a lot by taking the listing off MLS when the house was rented out. However, I moved on. I understand how the client feels and hopefully my apology will be accepted and maybe they will call again but it is doubtful.

So, errands to run a multitude of things to do and I stopped into the fabric shop. Well, to say I can get lost in a fabric shop is just an understatement. All the colors, the textures, they just call to me. I was there for a while just browsing and dreaming, getting a few things for the bags I am making and I come back out to my van and from the handle on the right sliding door to the rear it is smashed and scraped. No need to call the police there is no one around, no note on my car, no one came in and asked about the car, and well it is very disheartening to know someone would do this and just leave.

I made it home, stopped at my parents to let them know what had happened and had a mini-breakdown. Dad was very understanding has had it happen to him even but it was just so frustrating.

I awoke this morning feeling better but more determined than ever to make this profession or something in my life go right. It was a glorious day. Spring came to GA today and made me smile. I worked and worked and well am still working, lol, because this posting blogs is all about working too!

Happy spring day!

Service is what sets you apart>>Handling Customer Complaints

2008-02-28T11:18:25Z

What sets you apart from the other gagillion agents out there?

Is it your tech savvyness? Or, is it your ability to make your clients feel special.

What happens when one of those clients has a complaint? Let's set the scene:

You are giving the prospective clients your presentation and all throughout it they are interjecting comments and they are deroggatory in nature. What do you do? Do you stop your presentation at every little comment to address each issue? No, acknowledge that you heard them and move on.

Wikepedia defines and objection as this:

An objection is an exclamation of disagreement or opposition, it may also refer to:

Objection (law), a motion during a trial to disallow a witness's testimony or other evidence
Objection (argument), used in informal logic and argument mapping

Inference objection, a special case of the above
Counterargument, in informal logic, an objection to an objection

Now, let's get back to the presentation--once you have finished with it go back. You want to make sure that they know you heard them.

Acknowlegement is a powerful tool if used in the right context. Use the feel felt found technique to let them know you heard what they had to say. EX. Mr. Seller, I feel you are upset. I have felt that way myself on many occassions. However, what I have found is...(you fill in the rest depending on what they are upset about).

You need to also make sure that you inject positive reinforcement. This will make them feel like you are taking their objection or complaint seriously (which you should be if you value them as a client). EX. I want you to know Mr. Seller that I will do everything in my power to make sure that this does not happen again.

Again, reassure them that what they have said is important not only to them but to you as well. Making a sad/glad statement here will help a lot to making Mr. Seller feel you are getting him. EX. I am sorry you had this experience but I am glad that you called on me this time around. We will make sure this does not happen again.

I know this sounds a bit dumb or juvenile but you have to ask the clients what you can do to help rectify the situation. You need to make sure that you are understanding if this little problem that is a major concern to them is a deal breaker. EX. Mr. Seller what will it take to rectify this problem or what would you like to see done differently so that you can remain happy?

Often the clients might be asking you for something that you do not feel you can give. Let's say they want you to lower your commission or give them a flat rate. You must then work your way thru this explaining why you expect to be paid a certain amount. If your presentation is prepared properly hopefully this one won't come up.

Now that you have detected and reassured your clients, you must be willing to offer them some form of settlement. Real estate is a balancing act that comes down to the settlement phase time and time again. Getting good at this will ensure you get all the clients you can handle. Do not compromise your standards or values to keep the client though. If what they are asking you to do seems underhanded, trust that gut instict.

Success is in knowing that you have treated your clients complaints with the utmost respect. This in itself will set you apart from the other agents out there that try to handle every little objection that comes up as it is presented. Waiting until the end of your presentation will give you time to formulate your thoughts. Once you are at the end and before you start handling every objection start with a series of questions for the clients. EX. Mr. Seller while I was presenting my marketing plan to get your home sold you stated that communication or lack there of was an issue with the last agent. Do you feel this will be an issue with me? If they say no, move on. If they say yes, address their concerns and remember to learn from this and change it in your presentation package so it won't be a yes next time.

Remember: The average satisfied customer tells three people about his experience but the average dissatisfied customer gripes to eleven other people. Negative word-of-mouth advertising is a problem few if any in this business can afford.

Seasons come and seasons go!

2008-02-27T09:30:55Z

My home state of Georgia is rich in many a resource. We have industry, we have a plethora of entertainment, but the thing I love the most is our seasons. We have all four. Sometimes they fade into each other like cool watercolors fading into different whispy shades. Other times they come into the harsh light like the resounding boom of a gun going off. My grandmother's favorite saying about our March was if it come in like a lion it will go out like a lamb or vice versa. I never quite understood this when I was younger but this March seems to be coming in like a lion.

Just around the corner is Spring. This is a time of renewal. A time to bask in warmer temperatures. A time to refresh yourself by shaking off the cold. In my area of Georgia, which is a little to the middle left, the first sign of this renewal is the trees that start budding. Bringing forth the new growth of spring. The Bradford Pears will start budding and soon they will bloom. The blooms will shed and if you have enough of them in your area this can look almost like snowfall. It is a glorious site to see.

Summer will be just around the corner. I prefer Spring to Summer in most instances but you can be assured the children in Coweta will be running through the sprinklers to cool off. Lazy days by the edge of the lake, fishing, swimming, movies on the town square, and fourth of July barbeque are all the things you can find here on a hot humid summers day.

The fading light through the golden leaves of fall has to be my favorite time of year in Georgia. The days are cooler, the sun is bright during the day and shimmers through the golden leaves of the trees. Dried cornstalks grace our lawns in a display of harvest time.

The cool crisp air means football and not just any football. It means the college teams are well underway to see who will make it to the bowl games at the end of the season. Little league games are in full swing as well. Peachtree City offers a great well rounded little league team if you are looking to get your child signed up. You son can play and your daughter can cheer.

As we ease out of Fall we head into Winter and the rush of the holidays. This time of year in Georgia can be unexpected when it comes to the weather. One day you might have temperatures in the 20's and the next you might be in the 60's. Winter in Georgia can be a fickle woman for sure.

The residents of Coweta go all out during this festive time of year though. Decorations abound at Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the coldest months of January and February we bustle from car to shop, or car to home as if the grip of old man winter has entered our bones. Ask any of us though and we would not trade the winters we have with our counterparts in the North. We like to see the snow. Actually, we get down right excited about it, but we are glad that it comes as fast as it goes.

If you are looking for a new place to call home and want to experience the joy of all seasons, Coweta County and the surroounding area is a great location. I serve Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, and Troup Counties. This is my home and I would love to show it off to you. Give me a call at 678-633-0458 to discuss your real estate needs. If you are not ready to talk to a live person and just want to explore the area a little first, please visit my website. There is abundant information there and you can browse to your hearts content. When you are ready to look around at some homes and the area, please remember me.

From acceptance to closed with keys in hand.

2008-02-24T11:12:54Z

From the time you called me and we started looking for "THE" home I have held your hand and counseled you on the various steps it would take to get here. We as a team met, discussed what particulars you had in mind, found you a lender and got you pre-approved, and now we have found "THE" house. We made an offer, went back and forth with negotiations, and got it accepted.

Now, what?

We will continue walking hand in hand until the day of closing. Our first step is to set up the lender a time for you to come in and fill out all the necessary documents so they can get the ball rolling and the loan to underwriting.

Next, we need to set a time with the Home Inspector. You do not need to be present at the inspection but I as your home sales consultant highly recommend it. Not only will you know what we need to ask for in repairs (those things that would be a hazard if not taken care of or could cost you in major repair bills in the first year) but the inspector will give you some good advice on how to maintain your homes systems in the future. For instance, did you know that it is recommended to maintain your heating and cooling system properly you need to change the filters once a month?

Once we have the inspection done we will sit down and figure out what we are going to ask for reasonably from the home owner to repair. We will then submit this to them and await their answer. There may be a little negotiation that takes place here but don't worry I will be with you every step of the way. Once all the negotiations are handled we will sign off on the paperwork and they will begin repairs.

We need to make sure that we stay in touch with that lender too. Making sure things are on schedule and that they don't need anything else from us. We will also, set up the closing date and time. Once this is done it is pretty much a waiting game to get to the day of closing.

However, during this waiting period there is much to still be done to avoid being rushed in the end. You will need to contact the post office, the utility companies, gather boxes and begin packing, set up for the movers if you are using a company or set up with your friends and family to help, and if there are children involved we will need to get you to the board of education to get them enrolled in their new schools.

Now before we do a song and dance to celebrate, we need to go back to that request for repairs and make sure that the home owner has taken care of them in a timely fashion and to your satisfaction. How do we do that you ask? Well, we schedule a time three days before closing to walk-thru the home and re-inspect it. This will also be the time to make note of window sizes--so we will bring a tape measure. If we have negotiated for things to stay in the home, we also want to make sure that they are still there and exactly what we negotiated for in the first place.

Either the day before closing or the day of--I prefer the day before we will get the HUD sheet. This financial document will tell you what to expect to bring to closing monitarily, if anything, it will give us the fees that have been incurred and we will go over it to make sure there are no hidden unexpected fees. If there are, we will call the lender and ask for an explanation of the charges. If there is anything on this document that you do not understand, now is the time to ask.

Finally, the day of closing arrives. I will meet you at the closing office and there you can expect me, the home owners, their agent if they have one, the closing attorney, and probably your lender. Lenders don't always make it to closing but most do try.

The closing attorney will ask you for identification and then will proceed to walk you through the mounds of paperwork that you need to sign to get the keys to your new home.

Once all the paperwork is signed either the seller will hand over the keys if you are taking possession immediately, or we will set a time to get the keys so that you can move in as stated in the contract.

The only thing left to do now is move in and enjoy your new home. I will as your home sales consultant continue to check in with you during the first week to make sure things are going smoothly. After that first week, I will check in periodically during the first month to make certain things are still great. Then, about once every month or so, you can expect to hear from me, either by phone or email. Wow, you are thinking you got rid of me right once those keys got transferred to you? No, I am a home sales consultant and my clients become part of my family and I like to make sure my family is okay.

Afterall, we have been through a lot together and I want you to feel as if you can call me anytime you need something, if the pipe burst in the bathroom and you need a plumbing referral, the oven goes out and you need to know if it is covered in the warranty, or if you are just having a lousy day and need to vent. This is why my slogan Home is Where One Starts From is so important. It is about families finding that home.

If you are in need of my services in the future, please give me a call, I will be there when needed.