Brookwood Communities worth seeing - 02/24/08 08:11 PM
There are 19 homes available in The Brookwood High School district from $500,000 on up that have been built since 2006.
Brookhaven offers a totally green home experience. With prices starting at $499,000 for a ranch, this neighborhood is an excellent value for the Environmentally friendly consumer.
Havenstone offers a gated community, 3 story clubhouse, multiple tennis courts and exquisite attention to detail. There is still some availability, although homes are selling quickly.
Parkwood Estates offers a small cozy community. Only 26 homes are available in this community. Many offer tons of bathrooms and great floor plans.  Worth checking out if a … (0 comments)

Taste of Brookwood Reminder - 02/24/08 07:59 PM
March 29, 2008 5-8:00 p.m. in the Brookwood Commons. Come enjoy an evening of food, fun, music and silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Brookwood band. Some of the best dining establishments in our area will be serving food. In addition, enjoy live music and killer silent auctions where you can get real deals. This is one event that you will not want to miss.
http://www.tasteofbrookwood.com
 
Jamie Parker
Realtor
www.atlantalandandproperty.com
www.liveinsnellville.com
… (0 comments)

Foreclosures in Atlanta - 02/21/08 03:20 PM
Foreclosures have increased to over 56,000 in the 13 county metro Atlanta area. Is this a doom and gloom report? Yes and no. There is a silver lining to every cloud.
It is true that in neighborhoods plagued by foreclosures, the price of the neighborhood can go down if there are no other normal sales to comp to. That happened on a recent listing appointment that I had.  All we had to comp to were foreclosures (3 for 2007). No other normal property has sold in that neighborhood since 12/2006. Remember that market value and appraised value can mean two very different things.
The silver lining is … (0 comments)

Internet, Telephone, Cable and your Money - 02/16/08 10:05 PM
In reevaluating my monthly expenses, it apalled me to see how much my internet, home phone and sattelite bill was running me each month.  When I added it all up, I realized over the course of the year that I was spending nearly $1800 for the three services. That got me to thinking that surely there has to be a better way.
I started to investigate and found some interesting ways to save money. Most of us have to have the high speed internet, but the other (cable/telephone) are more luxury type items, especially in the day of mobile phones.
Here are … (7 comments)

Installing VFlyer on your AR Blog Posts - 02/12/08 10:00 PM
Have you seen some of our members with their listings scrolling or posted to the right of their blog post? I thought it was very cool and a great way to market your listings. I checked it out. It is called Vflyer. The site is www.vflyer.com 
Best of all, the service is free. Of course, there are loads of upgrades you can add, but the 5 listing package is free.  Basically, you go into the site, register, click on create flyer and follow the instructions. It couldn't be easier.
Here is also another environmentally friendly thought: instead of having to make tons … (1 comments)

Tax Organization Tips for Realtors - 02/10/08 09:02 PM
I am always trying to be more organized with my record keeping. Here are a few tips that may help.
1. Keep an accurate acounting of your miles. I use my palm pilot to logmy miles. At the end of the year, it is a simple print and click. An Excel spreadsheet on your computer will also work
2. Create a receipts folder for your receipts. You can categorize them and put them in envelopes should you so desire.
3. Use a money management program like Quicken or Microsoft Money.  It makes doing your taxes way easier. Print a year end report and you … (3 comments)

Things to do in Snellville - 02/10/08 08:49 PM
Here are some great things to do in and around Snellvile, Georgia.
1.  Visit one of the many parks. There is Ronald Reagan Park, complete with dog walk, walking path, skateboarding area, play ground and grills. Briscoe Park is even larger as is Lenora Park.
2. Enjoy many of the cultural events. There is the New London Theatre Group and the Aurora Theatre group that are very close to Snellville.
3. The Taste of Brookwood and South Gwinnett offers you samples of some of the finest restaurants in the area as well as a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the school.
4.  Shiloh, Brookwood or … (2 comments)

The Snellville/Lilburn Papa John's experience - 02/10/08 03:47 PM
My wife and I are expecting another bundle of joy.  Along with that also comes the cravings that she has. Yesterday, she was craving pizza. I went online and ordered. As a side note, Papa John's has online coupons- certainly better for the environment than paper coupons. You just click on the coupon and add it to your cart. It couldn't have been easier.
When I went to go pick the pizza up, I noticed that there was a new whole wheat crust that they had just come out with.  I had decided to not order my pizza with that because I … (0 comments)

Beware of Mortgage Fraud - 02/10/08 03:17 PM
I have an investor wanting to purchase two homes. They are relatively inexpensive, but the investor wants to use two different mortgage companies and close on the same day.  In this way, the investor can qualify for each property without the debt to income ratio being compromised.
I informed the investor that I could not do this, since this constitutes loan fraud. I consulted another real estate agent friend of mine at church this morning.  When you close on a loan, you are stating that you have not incurred any further debts that the bank does not know about. The punishment for … (0 comments)

Helping the Environment while paying your bills - 02/10/08 03:06 PM
I heard an interesting commentary on the radio today. The gist of it is how to live using "green money". I am not literally talking about green money, but green as in environmentally friendly. How we use our money has a direct impact on the environment. I had never really thought about it in this way before.  I want you to think about how you pay your bills. Do you write checks or do you use online banking?  If only 2% of America used online banking to pay for bills, recieve bills electronically, the environmental results would be phenomonal.
Think about writing a … (4 comments)

Energy Effecient Bulbs - 02/08/08 10:00 PM
There has been much talk and controversy recently about these bulbs. They save energy, but they contain a small amount of mercury in them.  The concern is what happens when they break? Can you be exposed and therefore create a huge health risk to you, your little ones, friend, family, etc?
From what I have read, here is what I have gleaned after some limited research:
1.  Switching even just one bulb in your home reduces your carbon footprint dramatically.
2. Reducing the amount of emissions and saving energy will reduce the amount of mercury in the air. Since most of our power comes … (9 comments)

Fatherhood real estate - 02/07/08 09:14 PM
One of the keys to success is to keep a healthy balance. I got into the real estate business so that my wife could stay home from work and be a full time mom. With another bambino on the way, time is ticking. Some days, it seems like I have plenty of time to the make the money we need for her to stay home and others it doesn't.
In my quest to create a stay at home mom, certain sacrifices of my time sometimes have to be made.  It is difficult to view myself as a good dad to my … (3 comments)

Should you purchase points? - 02/07/08 08:58 PM
Mortgage points are paid up front and are used to buy down your interest rate. Generally speaking, they are equal to one percent of the loan amount.  Whether it makes sense to purchase these points depends on how long you plan on staying in your home. If you are planning on staying there for the long haul, purchasing points might make sense since the lower the interest rate, the lower your monthly payment and less amount you will pay in finance charges.
Sit down with someone who is impartial to your situation and is good with money to discuss the pros and … (0 comments)

Credit Repair? Beware - 02/06/08 10:51 PM
The best way to repair your credit is by changing your habits. If you are not there yet and are thinking of buying a home, talk to a loan officer that can help to walk you through your credit report and explain why/why not you can/can't buy a home.  There are legit organizations out there, like Consumer Credit Counselors here in Atlanta.  They make arrangements with your creditors and help you come up with a plan that you can live with.  
Beware of companies wanting to charge you or convincing you to do illegal things or things that at the very … (2 comments)

Snellville Georgia Homes|Snellville Homes for Sale|Snellville New Homes|Havenstone - 02/06/08 09:10 PM
Havenstone is one of east Gwinnetts premier communities. It is a gated communitiy with an average listing price of $587,000 for current homes for sale, it certainly is a neighborhood of prestige. With many tennis courts, a gorgeous clubhouse and lake, it makes for picturesque living just 20 miles or so north east of Atlanta. 
Jamie Parker
Realtor
www.atlantalandandproperty.com
www.liveinsnellville.com
… (0 comments)

Have you earned your 1st commission check of the year yet...Read on - 02/06/08 08:38 PM
Hopefully you have by now or will be having a closing very soon. If you do, here are some tips on on how to start your year off off on the right foot.  These are things I suggest doing: .
Set aside money to pay for your E/O insuranceSet aside money to pay for your association duesSet aside money to pay for your website renewalTake out part of my monthly fee payment from your checkPay yourself and apply it to paying off some of your car or other debt.I hope you noticed a trend here- I am budgeting monies out of my 1st check so that I have … (0 comments)

What to do with my tax return - 02/05/08 09:04 PM
Are you getting a handsome refund?  Thinking of buying that plasma tv you have been wanting with it? Stop...
Although the government would love for you to spend your return at your local big box store, if you have any debt what so ever , it; car payments, credit cards, student loans, etc. it makes much more sense to pump it into these things.  Getting out of debt will free you from the slavery that most people have to making those monthly payments.
Are you trying to buy your first home? You refund can help with your down payment or pay off debt … (3 comments)

Crews Middle Orchestra/Band Concert - 02/05/08 08:37 PM
February 15-16 Band Rock a Thon Fundraiser
February 26, 2008 Orchestra concert 6-8 p.m.
March 4, 2008 Time TBA   Band Concert
Jamie Parker
Realtor
Solid Source Realty
www.atlantalandandproperty.com
www.liveinsnellville.com
… (0 comments)

Taste of Brookwood - 02/05/08 08:22 PM
 
March 29, 2008 5-8:00 p.m. in the Brookwood Commons. Come enjoy an evening of food, fun, music and silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Brookwood band.
http://www.tasteofbrookwood.com
 
Jamie Parker
Realtor
www.atlantalandandproperty.com
www.liveinsnellville.com
… (0 comments)

Super Tuesday - 02/05/08 08:06 PM
I was so impressed with how many people were voting tonight.  In Georgia, you had to show a state issued id for the first time. Things went fery smoothly. By the time I left a little before 6:00, the line stretched out the door.  I am glad to see how impassioned people how are to get out and vote. 
 In Gwinnett county, there was a school bond issue. The local sales tax that goes to funding the schools is coming up short of supporting the schools. So, we voted on a bond to help make up the difference. It is very important, as Gwinnett … (1 comments)

Communication is key - 02/05/08 07:51 PM
Just when you think that you have a buyer wrapped up, you find out that they were expecting to hear from you when you were waiting to hear from them. In the mean time, another agent shows them several homes.  You have set them up with the loan officer and been sending them listings.  It has been a little over a week since you have had some phone contact....
The lesson learned is if you even think that you should call, call.  Do it.  Fortunately, I believe this story will have a happy ending. Communication is key to making your buyers … (1 comments)

Lawrenceville Listing - 02/02/08 08:57 PM
Great 4 bedroom, 2.5. bath home on a cul-de-sac lot, convenient access to Ronald Reagan Parkway and Gwinnett Schools.  Check it out:
http://www.liveinsnellville.com/Listing/ViewListingDetails.aspx?ListingID=1388696
Jamie Parker, Relator Solid Source Realty
… (0 comments)

Listing in Waterford in Lassiter High School District - 02/02/08 08:48 PM
Check it out. This home has been shown many time the last few days. It won't last long.  Click on the link below to get more information.
4 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, Brick Front on Basement, wooded yard.
http://www.liveinsnellville.com/Listing/ViewListingDetails.aspx?ListingID=1503680
 
Jamie Parker
Realtor Solid Source Realty
www.atlantalandandproperty.com
www.liveinsnellville.com
… (0 comments)

Home Staging - 02/02/08 08:33 PM
Staging your home is one of the easiest ways to get your home ready to sell. For a fee, a stager will come to your home and give you ideas of how to arrange your home with the things that you already have. I recently found one that gives an initial free consultatin and a flat fee for the follow up. 
Buyers need to be able to see themselves in your home, not you.  Most buyers can not picture how the home will look different once your things are out, so help them out and clear out as much as you can.  Anything … (0 comments)

Treating your clients like you would want to be - 02/01/08 11:10 PM
I recently showed homes to a single, retired woman. When I went to go pick her up, I opened the car door for her. Each time we got in and out of the car, I did the same and made my best effort to make her feel extra special. I am not trying to toot my own horn, but this goes to the question: How do we treat our clients?
1. Do we look at them as a burden when we are already too busy (a good problem to have, but still challenging)?
2. How do we deal with those that get on our last … (3 comments)

 
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Jamie Parker Gwinnett Realtor, Snellville Homes

Snellville, GA

More about me…

Keller Williams

Address: 2346 Wisteria Dr Ste 120, Snellville, GA , 30078

Cell Phone: (404) 483-7816

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