Houses for Sale - Douglasville, West Cobb, GA

Incorrect Title Conveyances via Land Trusts Causing Problems

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:39:39 -0600

I was at a staff meeting the other day and one our attorney partners provided some good information on several issues that have been due to fradulent title conveyances that have occurred between sellers and buyers who are placing properties in land trusts without following the appropriate requirements and precautions listed below.

Some tips for your clients to consider before conveying title in a land trust;

1) A fully executed contract for the sale of the property is needed

2) Since Georgia is an 'attorney state', it requires that an attornedy oversee the transaction and properly pass title from the seller to the land trust

3) Trust Agreement: A valid Trust Agreement is needed to make the transaction valid. Many people are transferring title to land trusts with no formal Trust Agreement being created. The closing attorney must have a copy of the trust agreeement which clearly identifies the Trustee's name and the name of the Trust. In addition, the trust will also specify what powers the trustee has per the Trust Agreement

4) Due on Sale Clause: Most security deeds (used in GA) contain a Due on Sale clause which specifies that the lender could accelerate the loan since the seller has transferred interest in the property without paying off the loan. Many times, the land trust is used to conceal the conveyance to prevent the triggering of due on sale clause.

5) Seller is stll responsible for mortgage: This is probably the most important point for sellers to consider. Conveying title in this manner via the land trust does not remove the seller's liablility for the underlying loan. If the new buyers fails to make a payment or the property ends up in foreclosure, the seller's credit will be negatively affected and not the buyer

Just some notes from our meeting that I wanted to share for anyone who is not familiar with this type of transaction. It is becoming more commonplace because many individuals are in foreclosure and this method allows a quick sale for the seller but they should be fully aware of the risks involved.

Have a great day!

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Don't be afraid of mortgage loan pre-qualification process!

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:52:28 -0600

I received calls this week from a couple of people interested in purchasing a home; however, they feared the possible rejection of not being able to pre-qualify for a home mortgage. These calls echo the many calls I receive and I am pretty sure this "fear of rejection" goes way beyond the callers who've contacted me.

So, in my role, what do I do? I give them the following tips:

I encourage my callers to take action because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. The" worst" outcome that can happen is they are not able to qualify NOW, but they are now empowered to know what actions they need to take to be in a better position LATER. The "not knowing" robs a person of the power they have to be proactive and make better decisions in the future; plus the "not knowing" is just not a fun place to be!
I encourage my callers to set a goal, establish a budget and get in agreement with their spouse/significant other if their desire is truly home ownership. I LOVE the calls I get when couples have taken this advice, then call me back 6, 8 or 12 months later saying "we are ready"! Plus, the home search is much more enjoyable and closings are so sweet because my clients' dream of home ownership (and the sacrifices to get there) are recognized and rewarded.
I encourage my callers to consider continuing to rent versus own as their current situation or the unknown about their future may not align with them being a homeowner at the time....and that's OK. Sure, I may loss a sale here and there, but nothing is worth losing my integrity (and sleep) in steering a person in a different direction that may benefit them in the long run. That's part of my responsibility in this public role as a Real Estate Agent!

I love my job, my past clients who've moved beyond their "fear of rejection" and all my future clients who will share their own testimony that yes.... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and I WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP!

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Why You Should Use a Buyer's Agent

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:44:19 -0600

I was working with a potential client the other day who really did not understand how a Buyer's Agent can help them in the real estate purchase process. After that conversation, I decided I would write down a few notes to describe how a Buyer's Agent can help during the sales process.

The Buyer's Agent represents you in the transaction. They are your advocate! The seller is represented by the listing agent.

Your Buyer’s Agent will help you narrow down the houses that best fit you needs and wants. They can take your input and select homes from the MLS that meet your criteria saving you the time and hassle.

Your Buyer’s Agent will look out for your best interests. If there are things that seem to be a challenge in a house that you considering, the Buyer's Agent will let you know immediately.

Your Buyer's Agent will help you understand the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Your Buyer’s Agent will help create a Purchase and Sale Agreement that ensures you get the best deal and conditions for your purchase

Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in getting pre-approved with a lender with one of their preferred lending partners if needed.

Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in locating a Home Inspector and other Real Estate Professionals

Your Buyer’s Agent can explain a home survey, termite letter, termite bond, and title insurance.

Your Buyer’s Agent will work to perform multiple services between the time you go under contract and closing to help ensure a smooth, no hassle closing process.

As you see, a good buyer's agent can save you both time and money. In addition, they can help to protect you as a client from making unwise financial and legal choices. Even in today's Internet age, where a large majority of consumers use the internet to search for homes, many still also choose to use a buyer agent to assist them with the home buying process.

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/19/09-10/25/09 Douglasville, GA

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:07:05 -0500

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/19/09-10/25/09

MARKET REPORT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY :

THIS WEEK NEW LISTINGS: 63

FOR THIS WEEK PENDING SALE (UNDER CONTRACT): 37

THE EXPIRED LISTING FOR THE WEEK: 14

THIS WEEK SOLD LISTINGS: 21

AVERAGE LIST PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $158,732

AVERAGE SALES PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $140,379

If you would like a free market analysis of your own property, please feel free to email Jameka Mikell at jameka@mikellhometeam.com. Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta.

Visit our website for additional details:

www.mikellhometeam.com

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

HUD Homes in Powder Springs Georgia and West Atlanta Area

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:44:57 -0500

HUD has greatly increased the number of homes available in the Atlanta metro area in an effort to reduce foreclosed inventory by the end of year. If you are a buyer who is looking to take advantage of the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit and the great prices on HUD homes, now is a great time to buy.

Currently, there are 230 new HUD listings in the metro Atlanta area. Many of the listings are homes that are fairly new and need only minor cosmetic repairs. One the higher priced properties ($125,000 and above) in West Cobb is this appealing HUD home located at 402 Holland Springs Drive in Powder Springs. This home is a 4BR/2.5BA built in 2001 in the desirable city of Powder Springs.

There are also a large number of homes available that have been relisted or on a daily bid schedule so contact us to get more details about these listings. If you would like more information on HUD homes, contact us today.

Thanks for taking the time to read our West Atlanta HUD homes blog.

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/12/09-10/18/09 Douglasville, GA

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:45:39 -0500

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/12/09-10/18/09

MARKET REPORT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY :

THIS WEEK NEW LISTINGS: 45

FOR THIS WEEK PENDING SALE (UNDER CONTRACT): 26

THE EXPIRED LISTING FOR THE WEEK: 17

THIS WEEK SOLD LISTINGS: 30

AVERAGE LIST PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $178,880

AVERAGE SALES PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $156,902

If you would like a free market analysis of your own property, please feel free to email Jameka Mikell at jameka@mikellhometeam.com. Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta.

Visit our website for additional details:

www.mikellhometeam.com

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Why Owner's Title Insurance is Important!

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:14:45 -0500

Just had an interesting situation with one of my clients who was purchasing a Fannie Mae REO. Property is under contract and everything was moving fine towards closing until two days before closing, when the attorney calls and says that there is a large federal tax lien that was filed before the foreclosure but the title company missed that lien and did not notify the foreclosing lender.

What is even more interesting is that the title company wants to play hardball and not cooperate even though they issued a title policy insuring clean, marketable title. I know many people try to save a few bucks and not purchase owner's title insurance but this scenario provides a good case study of why I always advise my clients to purchase a title insurance policy.

At this time, it looks like the attorney representing the lender is working to get the lien released while also pursuing legal action against the title company because the whole situation is putting the prospective buyers, who are my clients, in a very precarious situation.

Stay tuned...will update with outcome soon..

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Property tax assessments lowered in Atlanta metro area

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:39:23 -0500

As we all know property values have taken a serious hit due to the number of foreclosures and fallout from the credit crisis. Below are some statistics that provide some insight into the Atlanta metro area. If you want to appeal your tax assessment, make sure to contact your county tax assessor and learn what steps are necessary to dispute your assessed value:

Five major metro Atlanta counties have dropped values for more than 350,000 parcels:

• Clayton: 90,000 parcels, 70,000 parcels lowered (78%)

• DeKalb: 235,000 parcels, 95,000 parcels lowered (40%)

• Fulton: 335,000 parcels, 100,000 parcels lowered (30%)

• Gwinnett: 273,000 parcels, 70,000 parcels lowered (26%)

• Cobb: 246,000 parcels, 20,000 parcels lowered (8%)

Source: Atlanta-Journal Constitution - www.ajc.com

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Improve Your Business Productivity - Get an Assistant!

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:02:34 -0500

Many times we get bogged down with the minutia of running our business while not focusing on the revenue generating activities that really the key to growing our business. With that in mind, I thought about a basic list of duties that a sales assistant could help with to help you meet your business goals. I am firm believer that we are most successful when we can focus on what we do best!

Sales Assistant Duties

I. Help To Sell Houses Fast

A. Build and manage buyer’s list

1) Send emails to email list

2) Send postcards to mailing lists

3) Add unconverted leads to buyer’s list

B. Help with getting houses ready to sell

1) Selling and Marketing

a. Place classified ads

b. Update voice mail boxes

c. Create single property and multi-property flyers

d. Post signs

e. Update selling website

f. Updated Internet Marketing

C. Take calls from buyers

1) Complete Buyer Data Sheets

2) Prescreen and qualify

3) Add to online database

D. Closing deals

1) Work with closing agents

2) Work with mortgage brokers

II. Manage Vacant Properties

A. Check on houses weekly

B. Refill flyer boxes

C. Repost signs

D. Ensure houses are still clean and secure

Feel free to add some more ideas if you have any for a sales assistant.

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Hiking - Sweetwater Creek State Park

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:45:29 -0500

I started doing more hiking of late because it really allows me to get away and brainstorm about exciting new goals and ideas. For those that in the West Atlanta Georgia area looking for a good place to hike, I would recommend Sweetwater State Park located off of I-20 near Thornton Road. You can visit the http://www.gastateparks.org/info/sweetwater/ for more info.

Some upcoming guided hikes are below:

"New Manchester History Hike"
Saturdays until September 26, 2009
(10:00pm - 12:00pm)

These mile-long hikes (easy to moderate) lead to the ruins of the Civil
War era New Manchester textile mill and will focus on the history of the
Sweetwater Creek valley. Highlights of this tour will include going
inside the impressive mill ruins and seeing the beautiful white-water
rapids (both providing great photo opportunities). These hikes will be
led by local historian and "Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park"
volunteer Dan Emsweller or a Park Interpretive Ranger. There is a
parking fee of $5 per car and a program fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children
(under 18). For more information please call Sweetwater Creek State Park at
(770) 732-5871.

"Ruins to Rapids - Full Moon Hike"
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday, September 4, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday, October 4, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Monday, November 2, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This 1.5 mile ranger-led hike is moderately difficult and visits the Civil War era New Manchester Mills ruins alongside the lovely rapids of Sweetwater Creek. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. Children under 6 years and dogs will not be permitted on this hike. There is a parking fee of $5 per car and a program fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children (under 18). For more information please call Sweetwater Creek State Park at (770) 732-5871.

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

7787 Melanie Drive - For Sale/Lease Option

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:20:53 -0500

Jarell Mikell | 404-693-4117

7787 Melanie Drive, Douglasville, GA

Rent/Rent-to-Own on Renovated 3BR/1.5BA Home - HUGE YARD, LRG PATIO DECK, DETACHED STORAGE UNIT & MUCH, MUCH MORE!

3BR/1.5BA Single Family House

offered at $104,900

Year Built	1991
Sq Footage	1,300
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Covered spaces
Lot Size	21,780 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

ARE YOU A 1ST-TIME HOMEBUYER?? You may be able to take advantage of $8,000 1ST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT.

Located in the StoneCreek community, this is truly a unique, one-of-a-kind home with nice amenities for any renter/buyer:
• 3 bedrooms w/ walk-in closets
• 1.5 bathroom featuring two separate, private vanities
• Spacious kitchen with oak cabinets, eat-in kitchen area and appliances stay
• Detached garage sized just under 700 sq ft with electricity
• Front porch and nice-sized deck off back
• Spacious lot w/ large front and fenced backyard providing nice curb appeal

Truly a gem and a must-see!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Walk-in closet
Family room	Stove/Oven	Microwave
Attic	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

Covered parking

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Nice curb appeal!	Clean,spacious kitchen
Fenced in backyard	Detached garage/storage
Patio deck off kitchen	Relax..home sweet home!

Contact info:

Jarell Mikell

404-693-4117

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 16, 2009, 7:45am PDT

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Douglas County Georgia Market Report

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:29:16 -0500

Periodically, I will review certain neighborhoods in the Atlanta area to provide insight into lifestyle, cost of living and quality of schoools for the area.

The first city on the list is Douglasville, GA which is located about 20 miles west of Atlanta.

Here are some statistics for 2008 in Dougasville

Median Income: $57,139

Median Home Price: $143, 050

Home ownership in Douglasville is around 66% which is a little higher than most metro counties. Also, Douglasville has crime risk rates that are below average for all crimes. Douglasville has many established communities with the Chapel Hills and Anneewakee Trails areas being some of the largest residential developments in the county.

Douglas county currently has four high schools

Litha Springs High School

Douglas County High School

Alexander High School

Chapel Hill High School

There is currently a new high school under construction on the east side of the county which will help with the rampant growth that has occurred on the east side of the county. Also, Douglas county has one of the lowest cost of living indexes in the Atlanta metro area. Due to the fact that Douglas county is a more rural area, property taxes, housing and food costs tend to be less than areas closer to the heart of downtown Atlanta. Douglasville, also provides excellent shopping, restaurants nearby with Arbor Place Mall being the hub of the primary area that has most shopping and dining options.

You can learn more about Douglas County by visiting the county website, Douglas County Official Website.

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

Some Crazy Laws In Georgia

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:15:24 -0500

Well, I figured I would take a break and post something not related to real estate but instead have some fun with our laws in the state of Georgia. I was looking around and found these at the Crazy Topics blog website. Details are some of the zany laws are below: Georgia

Acworth: All citizens must own a rake.
A Kennesaw, Ga. law makes it illegal for every homeowner not to own a gun, unless you are a convicted felon, conscientious objector or disabled.
Atlanta: Against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp; One man may not be on another man's back.
Columbus: Can't cut off a chicken's head on Sunday; It is illegal to carry a chicken by it's feet down Broadway on Sunday.
Gainesville: Chicken must be eaten with the hands.
In Columbus, Georgia it is illegal to sit on one's porch in an indecent position.
In Georgia, movie houses that want to show films on Sunday must reserve one showing a month for religious material.
It is illegal in Georgia to use profanity in the presence of a corpse.
In Quitman, It is illegal for a chicken to cross the road.
It is illegal to change the clothes on a storefront mannequin unless the shades are down.
It is illegal to say "Oh, Boy" in Jonesboro.
It is illegal to take a bath of orange peel.
Kennesaw: Every head of household must possess a firearm of some kind.
Marietta: Though it is illegal to spit from a car or bus, citizens may spit from a truck.
Members of the state assembly cannot be ticketed for speeding while the state assembly is in session.
Signs are required to be written in English.
St. Mary's: No spitting on the sidewalk is permitted after dark.

Have fun and make sure to share these with your friends and be careful out there, you never know what law you maybe breaking!

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale

REOs - Small Local Banks

Jameka Mikell (Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:16:38 -0500

Hello,

Since foreclosures are so rampant at the moment, has anyone had any success in working wiith smaller local banks to help them unload their foreclosed properties? I know many people work REOs for the the major banks but I was considering putting together a strategy to reach out to smaller banks and wanted to know if anyone has had any success in establishing relationships with them to gain some of their REO business.

Jameka & Jarell Mikell
Maximum One Realty
5041 Dallas Hwy, Suite 700
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Office: 770-919-8825
Fax: 678-264-1587
Cell: 404-693-4117

Jarell Mikell
Cell: 404-403-2774

Vist our website for Douglasville & West Cobb Real Estate for Sale