Atlanta Real Estate Blog - Jim Crawford REMAX Greater Atlanta

Marietta GA Homes for Sale

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:21:07 -0600

Marietta GA Homes for Sale, Marietta GA Active Listings - Marietta GA Real Estate Market Report November 15, 2009*. As of today December 15 2009 there are currently 1874 Marietta GA homes for sale in Cobb County GA.

Homes in Marietta that are in the status of Contingency other or CO - denotes inspections, due diligence, financing. So many of these Marietta homes may come back on the market within the due-diligence period. This is a direct result of the Georgia Association of Realtors GAR contract has just changed, and the new contract is quite different than the previous version. It is a great time to buy a home in Marietta, there are many Marietta homes and fine properties to choose from and the sellers will negotiate. Mortgage rates are still low!

Active - 1874 Properties Found Marietta GA Homes for Sale Detached Fee Simple
Contingency w/Kickout - 5 Marietta GA Homes for Sale that are in in CK Status
Contingency Due- Diligence - 23 Marietta GA Homes for Sale that are in in CK Status
Contingency - Other - 23 Marietta GA Homes for Sale are in CO Status
Pending - 270 Marietta GA Homes for Sale are in Pending Status
SOLD 2384 YTD >01/01/2009

*FMLS

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Dunwoody GA - It's Beggining to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:00:44 -0600

When I was in Dunwoody Georgia just last week for our office Christmas Party I could not help but take a few pictures of the outside of the historic "Cheek-Spruill Farmhouse!" The old farmhouse looked great, and I decided to take a few shots of the home from the car as I drove buy, trying to capture the Christmas Spirit in the homes decorations. I think I managed to pull it off! I can only imagine what the old farm home looked like years ago before Dunwoody was even on the map! So thse photos are to get us ready for the fast approacing Christmas Holidays! I hope you all enjoy a good old fashioned holiday!

Search All Dunwoody Georgia Real Estate Listings
» Single Family Home in Dunwoody Georgia
» Condo / Townhome in Dunwoody Georgia
» Land Lot in Dunwoody Georgia
» Acreage / Farm in Dunwoody Georgia
» Multi-Family / Res. Income in Dunwoody Georgia
» Commercial in Dunwoody Georgia
» Rental - Commercial in Dunwoody Georgia

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Sugarloaf Country Club Duluth GA

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:57:55 -0600

Sugarloaf Golf and Country Club is an exclusive multi-million dollar homes planned 24 hour gated country club community built around the acclaimed Sugarloaf Golf and Country Club golf course in Duluth Georgia. Sugarloaf Golf and Country Club is located just 18 miles north of Atlanta in Duluth Georgia.

Here is the current real estate market update for Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth GA as of today Monday December 15, 2009:

Active - 86 Properties Found - Sugarloaf Country Club homes for sale
Contingency w/Kickout - 0 Properties Found - Sugarloaf Country Club homes for sale
Contingency - Due Diligence- 0 Properties Found - Sugarloaf Country Club homes for sale
Contingency - Other -1 Properties Found - Sugarloaf Country Club homes for sale
Pending - 2 Properties Found - Sugarloaf Country Club homes for sale
SOLD 49 YTD >01/01/2009

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Does the FDIC Know Something We Don't Know?

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:47:22 -0600

I just read an article this evening in the Washington Business Journal that the FDIC is hiring, They are hiring so many in fact you could call it an expansion of the agency. Prior to this current wave of bank closings, the FDIC had beefed up staff by hiring an additional 500. Now just a short while later the FDIC is now hiring an additional 1600, (increasing staff again by 23%), and increasing their budget by 55% to deal with the current wave of bank foreclosures. If you listen to the press and the media the jobless recovery is moving forward, and the recession is over. However there is a lot of conflicting news still getting out there. Now you know why consumer confidence is so low, unemployment is high, and that there is a lot of really bad propaganda is coming out of Washington. Washington needs to get their stories straight! Is it going to get better, or worse?

The Story Is Here:

FDIC is Hiring!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Roswell GA Homes

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:18:43 -0600

Roswell GA homes for sale. Roswell Georgia's homes search is presented to you as a service from Ellen Crawford of RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Roswell Georgia. We hope to make your Roswell Georgia home search a smooth and enjoyable process. Search our web pages for Roswell GA Homes for sale, our listings, company listings, and cooperating brokerages. View Roswell GA new homes, homes for sale in Roswell with full basements, custom builds, estates, cluster, patio, golf course, condos, land, farms, commercial, and retirement homes in Roswell GA's finest subdivisions. Here you can find Roswell GA homes in swim tennis, country clubs, condos, gated communities, or relax for easy in town living.

Click here for homes for sale in Roswell Georgia

Roswell GA - Single Family Detached Homes

Active - 564 Roswell GA Single Family Homes Properties Found
Contingency w/Kickout - 1 Properties Found
Contingency - Due Diligence - 7 Properties Found
Contingency - Other - 12 Properties Found
Pending - 69 Properties Found
Sold 637 YTD Since 01/01/2009

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Buckhead - Atlanta's Most Sought After Neighborhood

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:52:57 -0600

Buckhead homes for sale.

I guess there is one area that seems to be sought after all the time, and that's Buckhead. Of all the calls we receive for homes for sale in Altanta one neighborhood always tops the list. By far, Homes in Buckhead to seem to be always in demand. It is an important address with locals and those that want to rub elbows with Atlanta's movers and shakers. Buckhead is sometimes referred to as "Beverly Hills East!" It is the 9th wealthiest zip code in the US, it has a population of about 100,000 and comprises about 1/5th of the population of Atlanta. Owning a home in Buckhead is a smart decision because it is so centrally located and covenient to all in Atlanta Metro area. It is centrally located between I-75 and I- 85. There is quick access to the Lenox Square and Marta. The city of Atlanta is just a short drive or train station away and so is Hartsfield airport. Buckhead is well known for its nightlife, bars and fine dining. Search for current Buckhead's houses for sale. Find Buckhead homes for sale in the MLS, homes, tours, condos!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Brookfield Country Club Roswell GA

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:43:31 -0600

Brookfield Country Club - Roswell GA! Brookfield Country Club (formerly known as "Brookfield West") is a planned and established luxury, golf, swim tennis country club community located in Fulton county in Roswell GA. Large mature lots, tall full trees and mature landscaping set this fine established subdivision apart from the cookie cutter homes! Brookfield Country Club is swim tennis golf and country club community that has great recreation facilities and a clubhouse! From the GA 400 north, Brookfield Country Club subdivision just a short ride from Holcomb Bridge. Brookfield Country Club in Roswell GA has a clubhouse, lake, golf, and swim tennis.

As of today December 16, 2009

Active - 24 Properties Found Homes for Sale in Brookfield Country Club
Contingency w/Kickout - 0 Properties Found Homes for Sale in Brookfield Country Club
Contingency - Due Diligence -0 Properties Found Homes for Sale in Brookfield Country Club
Contingency - Other - 3 Properties Found Homes for Sale in Brookfield Country Club
Pending - 3 Properties Found Homes for Sale in Brookfield Country Club
SOLD YTD > 01/01/2009 15 Homes Sold

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Large 3 Car Garage Ranch Homes for Sale in Snellville GA - Under 200K!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:31:30 -0600

Ellen Crawford | RE/MAX Greater Atlanta | 770-238-0122

1769 Willard Way, Snellville, GA

REDUCED! Ranch Home with Full Daylight Basement ready to be finished - 3 Car side load garage.

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $198,900

Year Built	1987
Sq Footage	2,318
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	30,492 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

HUGE ranch, redone: new light fixtures, faucets, paint, carpet, flooring, blinds, deck stained. Move in perfect. Washer/dryer/fridge stay. California style closets in MBR, very light, bright, immaculate. BROOKWOOD schools, active HOA, low dues. THREE CAR GARAGE, formal LR and DR!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central heat	- Fireplace	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Family room	- Living room
- Bonus/Rec room	- Dining room	- Breakfast nook
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Basement	- Washer
- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside	- Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Brick Ranch

- Master on Main

- 3-Car Side Load Garage

- New Carpet, New Paint Throughout

- New Light-fixtures Throughout

- Turn-key Condition

- Immaculate - Perfect for Fussy Buyers

- Full Daylight Basement, Easily Finished

- Large Lot, Private Yard

- Brookwood High School

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Snellville Home	Family Room
Dining Room	Kitchen
Kitchen	Master Suite

Contact info:

Ellen Crawford

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta

770-238-0122

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Dec 16, 2009, 2:16pm PST

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Christmas Is Almost Here - A Holiday Reflection.

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:09:19 -0600

The problems with the Christmas holidays is that when you get older is they really seem to come a lot faster than they used to. It feels like we just celebrated Christmas 2008 a few weeks ago, and now Christmas 2009 is knocking really hard on the door! I'm starting to think that Santa has rockets on his sled!

Christmas sort of takes on a different meaning as we grow older and hopefully wiser. It's just like "Santa's List!" Were you naughty or nice? How did you live your life in the last year? Were you selfish, ofr selfless? It is a great time to reflect how we have lived out lives, and what could we do to change an make it better and have more meaning. I really think that is what the holidays are really all about. It is about the passage of time, and our relevance. Do we matter, and are we a giver or a taker? Christmas is also the message the we too can be reborn and start all over. It does not matter what mistakes we made, or errors than cannot be changed. Christmas is different. Just like the book the "Christmas Carol," it is never too late to change the way we live and fit into this world! For that reason alone I love the Christmas Holidays! Not for the stuff, but for the substance of life! This is a picture of Ellen and I on our 31 Christmas together! I am grateful for all the blessings bestowed, and I wish the same and more for everyone. Merry Christmas and have a Joyous and Healthy New Year!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Do You Really Want to Lease Purchase or Just Rent?

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:11 -0600

I don't like beating a dead issue especially so near the holidays when we should all be merry as in Merry Christmas, but my phone is ringing off the hook with people inquiring about lease purchases. IF ALL YOU REALLY WANT TO DO IS LEASE A HOUSE FOR THREE MONTHS, this isn't going to work for you.

When I return calls to people who have called for a lease purchase and explain the terms of a lease purchase, they're horrified. WHAT? What do you mean "terms"? "I have to put down non-refundable earnest money?" "What, I actually have to buy the house at the end of the term?" "What, only a portion of the rent will go toward my down payment?" "What, I can't get out of my contract after 3 months - after all, I really only want to rent for three months anyway, and I don't want to rent an apartment." "What, I have to have a credit check, are you kidding me, if I had good credit I'd get a loan." "This is more complicated than buying a house, I'm out of here!" Reality bites! Rather sounds like Kyle's Mom, Sheila Broflovski on South Park with her famous rant: WHAT, WHAT WHAT????!!!!

A lease purchase means you will lease a particular property for an agreed upon term at an agreed upon monthly price and agreed upon NON-REFUNDABLE earnest money. At the end of the term there is a performance - you'll buy the property. Lease purchases are great for salespeople for example who know they're expecting a bonus check at the end of June, but want to purchase a home today. Unfortunately, without that bonus as a deposit, they can't get the loan terms they'd like. If the buyer will be paying cash and not proceeding with a loan, your bank will generate a signed letter to the seller to that effect - that funds are available for purchase. The seller and prospective purchaser sign a lease purchase agreement and when the bonus comes in or that big raise is realized, they notify their loan officer and proceed with the loan and purchase of the property. Sellers defaulting is somewhat rare, except for those sellers that are not makeing motgage payments or are behind already in thier payments. So buyer defaults are more the norm. Should the buyer default, the seller keeps the earnest money for having kept his property off the market while the seller waited to fulfill his legal obligations. It can be written into the contract that if a buyer loses his job, is transferred by his company, or some other similar event where purchasing the home is out of the question, the buyer's liability can be limited and credit left in good standing.

I remember many years back that there was a contract called "lease with an option to buy." That option was not merely a verbal agreement. When a prospective purchaser signed a contract to lease a property and live in it for an agreed upon time, say six months, they bought the house at the end of the time period OR they moved out. The penalty for not purchasing the home might be forfeiture of half the earnest money or whatever both parties had agreed. If you moved into a neighborhood and realized the school wasn't working, the commute was too long, you didn't like the neighbors, or any other reason whatsoever, you did not have to go forward with your purchase but you did have a cash penalty - you were not about to live in a person's house for several months for free, nor would the seller have to obtain a court order to have you removed. They'd go straight to the sheriff and like Nicholas Cage, you were Gone in Sixty Seconds.

If you want to do a lease purchase today because you want the kids to start in the new school this January rather than waiting till March when that big promotion will be announced or if your lease is up now, or the commute is the real reason you were even considering this particular property, remember that you must have spoken to a loan officer to get your ducks in a row for loan at the end of the lease term, you will have to put down non-refundable earnest money, and there is a severe penalty if you do not move forward, not the least of which is ruined credit.

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Sugar Hill GA Homes for Sale

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:44:48 -0600

Sugar Hill Homes for Sale, Sugar Hill GA Active Listings - Sugar Hill Real Estate Market Report December 13 2009*. As of today Sunday December 13 2009 there are currently 176 Sugar Hill Homes for Sale. Please keep in mind many of the Sugar Hill pending home sales could also be a lease purchse that will skew the data with a later date for closing or if they close at all.

These are single family detached homes fee simple. Homes in Sugar Hill that are in Contingency other or CO Status - denotes inspections, or financing. A new Contingency class has just been added to our contract and that is Contingency - Due Diligence. This reflects new changes recently incorporated in our GAR contract that is an option to purchase after a due diligence period.

It is a great time to buy homes in Sugar Hill, there are many Sugar Hill homes and fine properties to choose from and the sellers will negotiate. Mortgage rates are still low!

Active - 176 Properties Found Sugar Hill Homes for Sale Detached Fee Simple
Contingency w/Kickout - 1 Sugar Hill Homes for Sale that are in CK Status
Contingency - Due Diligence- 2 Sugar Hill Homes for Sale CDD Status
Contingency - Other - 6 Sugar Hill homes are in CO Status
Pending - 36 Sugar Hill Homes for Sale are in Pending Status
Sold YTD 273

* FMLS

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Free! Animated Signitures for Blog, Web or Email!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:34:10 -0600

During this last year, I have received so many requests about where I got my free animated signature! I forgot I wrote a Blog about it last year, but only found it this evening. LOL! Life gets interesting after 55!

Anyway, I finally found it and thought it would be fun to share it with all here on Activerain that have been requesting where I get this signature it on almost a daily basis! Well here it is! I promised I would post it if I ever dfound it again!

This is an animated signature is great to personalize your blog, add to your emails or website. I first publish to my web, and then reference that gif here in AR. Check it out it is free! The site where you can create the signature free is:

Free Animated Signitures Gifs

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Alpharetta Homes For Sale

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:07:22 -0600

Alpharetta Listings - Alpharetta Real Estate Update December 13 2009 - Alpharetta Real Estate for Sale - Single Family Detached Homes.

As of today 12/13/2009 these are the current statistics for Alpharetta FMLS listings entries. Alpharetta GA in Fulton County there are 876 single family detached Alpharetta homes for sale.

The Alpharetta MLS breakdown for single family detached homes for sale is below.

Alpharetta Georgia Real Estate - MLS SINGLE FAMILY LISTINGS

Active - 876 Alpharetta homes for sale
Pending - 137 Alpharetta homes for sale
Contingency - Due Diligence - 22 Alpharetta homes for sale
Contingency w/Kickout - 2 Alpharetta homes for sale
Contingency - Other - 13 Alpharetta homes for sale
Sold Alpharetta Homes YTD - >1/01/2009 1104

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Acworth GA Homes for Sale

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:48:18 -0600

Acworth Homes for Sale, Acworth GA Active MLS Listings - Acworth Real Estate Market Report December 13, 2009*.

As of today Sunday, December 13, 2009 there are currently813 Acworth homes for sale in Cherokee County GA. These are single family detached homes fee simple. Please keep in mind many of the Acworth pending sales are also new construction, and lease purchases. They can distort the actual performance in this real estate market. Real performance is measured when a contract closes.

Please note that Homes in Acworth that are in the status of Contingency other or CO - denotes inspections, or financing. A new Contingency class has just been added to our contract and that is Contingency - Due Diligence. This reflects new changes recently incorporated in our GAR contract that is an option to purchase after a due diligence period.

It is a great time to buy homes in Acworth Georgia, there are many Acworth homes and fine properties to choose from and the sellers are willing to negotiate. Mortgage rates are still low!

Active - 813 Properties Found Acworth Homes for Sale Detached Fee Simple
Contingency w/Kickout - 0 Acworth Homes for Sale that are in CK Status
Contingency - Due Diligence- 7 Acworth Homes for Sale CDD Status
Contingency - Other - 10 Acworth homes are in CO Status
Pending - 148 Acworth Homes for Sale are in Pending Status
960 Acworth Homes have sold YTD since 1/01/2009

*FMLS

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Holiday Greetings To All Our Friends in Real Estate!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:24:28 -0600

Well the close of 2009 in our Atlanta real estate seems to be approaching, and this year looks like it will end a lot better than 2008. We are very grateful for that! In real estate there are never any guarantees. Working hard has its rewards and it is important that we all hang in there, work hard and see how this all turns out. No one ever said real estate is easy, and no one understands it more than we do. The best lesson I've learned in life is that it's never good to be a quitter, and that even when things are difficult...never give up before the miracles in life happen. The do happen each and every day. Miracles happen each day we awaken and they are a result of our willingness to believe that there are bigger objectives in life than just the next deal. The greatest gift is to be part of God's plan in life.

This time of year leaves us planning ahead for success in real estate in 2010. We would like to send an early holiday greeting to all our friends in Active Rain and real estate. We will do a little traveling visiting family and friends and thought it would be smart to get the holiday greetings out a little early.

So to all our real estate friends,

"May the season holidays, and coming New Year be filled with the best of health for you and all your loved ones. May the holiday season be a time of renewal, reflection, blessings and rebirth. May you have peace of mind, prosper and share that prosperity and good fortune with all."

God Bless you Always! The Crawford's!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Cash for Clunkers Japanese Style!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:03:21 -0600

Everyone in the United States that purchased a foreign car during the "Cash for Clunkers Program" that was foreign made should be taking a lesson from the Japanese. While in the United States 80% of all cars purchased under this program were foreign cars and over almost 50% were Japanese cars...I am not sure how that is supposed to help the US economy, but that is what happened. I am really at a loss when I read follow up stories of Congressional Bailouts wasting our hard earned tax dollars.

Well there is the latest one. In Japan, they developed a similar auto trade-in program to the US "Cash for Clunkers Program" except for one major difference! Japan's policy kept their market closed to foreign car manufacturers. Japan's Cash for Clunkers - bars cars imported under the program.

Maybe Americans need to contact their elected representatives and ask why we are not supporting products made in the USA!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Holiday Party

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:16:18 -0600

REMAX Greater Atlanta Holiday Party

The holidays area always a great time of year and especially when you get to go to the office party. This year RE/MAX Greater Atlanta held our holiday luncheon at the the Dunwoody Country Club! It was so good to see a lot of my associates and agents that we worked with over the year, and yet many I've not seen in a long while. It was great catching up with friends. These are tough times for so many in our industry and we were all so very grateful to belong to such a wonderful organization that has offered so much productivity, support, training and guidance over the years. We all enjoyed each others company, the companionship, food and the holiday entertainment.

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Coconut Custard Pie - It's Been A Long Time!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:44:57 -0600

Most of you in Active Rain do know that my secret passion is cooking. You name it Chinese, Italian..., roasts, whatever, I cook it, and I also enjoy eating it. Years ago I used to make a lot more cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, and my worlds famous "Jim's New York Cheesecake," but in the interest in keeping my weight down, I've not made any pastries, sweets or pies for many, many years. I think my doctors liked that decision. The holidays are a great time of year to fire up the old oven and dust off the chef's hat! Well today, I had a hankering for a coconut custard pie, and it's been so long I had to go online and look up the recipe. It must be 20 years since I made one last. What was very interesting was how simple it was to make. There really is not really any difference in aall the coconut custard pie recipes, other than sugar, temperature or the time cooked. I decided to go with this recipe because it used ½ cup less sugar. I know my Doctors would like that choice, and I will forgo telling them about the eggs, the coconut, and the butter.

Coconut Pie Recipe

1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
2 eggs + 1 extra yolk
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 cup of milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (6 oz.) pkg. coconut

By hand, mix all ingredients well. Pour batter into a 9 inch unbaked deep dish pie shell and bake for 45 - 50 minutes at 350 degrees or until crust is brown and custard is firm. I even took a picture of the pie as it came out of the oven!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

My Agent is On A Cruise for the Next Month!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:19:00 -0600

Believe it or not every day for many years we get calls from potential home buyers that are not very forthcoming. If you ask them if they have an agent, more often than not they will lie and say they are not working with any agent, or that they have not signed anything yet. If you press the buyer during your conversation they sometimes will let it slip that they are working with a buyer agent. So basically they want us or my referred agents to show them a home, and if they like it they will call their agent to write it up. The problem with that is that is abusive to the buyers agents. Buyers are wasting our time, gas and money to do the work for their agents that are living it up and not doing thier duties.

The reason why their agent cannot show them are many. Their agents are usually a relative or a close friend. They are working another job full time and are too busy to show 9-5PM, or they are out of town for the holidays. Lately we are finding that many agents are actually out of the country for a month or so, on a cruise or away from the USA for an extended period of time. However, the buyer has to buy immediately. The buyer then states that they have full loyalty to their agent, and wants them to get paid. So there must be a kiss off. "I'm sorry I cannot help you! Bon Voyage!" The reason we let them go is simple.

I am not going to solicit another agents clients. That is unlawful!
I cannot give free advice to the buyers without a signed buyers agency agreement! (GA Law)
I am not going to get paid!
I am not their agent!
They are not my clients!
I am not going to invoke a threshold rule and arbitrate.
I am not going to sue the buyers for a commission if I show them with a limited buyers agency agreement.
I will not waste my time.
I am not a door opener!
I am not a taxi or limo service!
I have too much good self esteem to grovel and beg for their business.
I should tell them "OK, my fee is $200 an hour paid up front with a 3 Hour minimum!"

Any agent that is a professional will not leave town without having another agent or their broker cover their clients for them is not working in their clients best interests.

* Effective July 1, 2000 STATE OF GEORGIA law prohibits Broker from representing Buyer as a client without first entering into a written agreement under O.C.G.A § 10-6A et. seq.*

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Is Real Estate Social Media "The New Coffee Pot Crowd?"

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:25:32 -0600

Personally, I get the real estate social media part where it is really about business to business networking and building a client base for future sales. It really isn't as much about socializing as many in our industry think. That is just the 'fad' part of social media. I prefer to talk about the productivity part of it.

I view real estate whether it is in a bricks and mortar or a virtual setting as a profession and a career. It is also my livelihood! All efforts Blogging at some point should be a productive exercise and have a purpose, otherwise what is the point? In my opinion, there has to be a purpose to a posting other than "I just walked my dog," or "I'm so sleepy!" As much as many defend this, I do not see how that enhances a professional career or image. What would much more appealing to me... as result of my online efforts - that I were viewed as a source of information, or advice. If we can demonstrate our knowledge and real estate experience - that alone should raise the bar on why clients need to seek us out for our superior service. On the other hand, if my online image is so poor, mundane or so colloquial, I'd assume that the reader or viewer will just move on very quickly! "Next!"

In our real estate industry it has been accepted a fact that even in good times we have an 80% turnover of real estate agents every two years. So here's my question... "Is real estate social media the new "Gathering around the coffee pot crowd at the office?" The reason that I say this is that most people in our industry will not make it. They have always been time wasters and complainers. This large industry turnover really magnifies the 80/20 rule or the 93/7% rule in our business. What is is really saying is that although many persons are licensed in real estate, but very few actually produce. The sad reality is that a few people in real estate produce while others talk about production, and then they move on. So how does this apply online where the conversations, comments and opinions are now online? Is real estate social media the new office hangout around a virtual coffee pot for senseless conversations, bad jokes, political rants and more?

In the past, those that produced were seldom seen around the office or office meetings. They were too busy working. For them, there is no time for idle chatter if your production was up and you were busy closing real deals in real estate and making good money. If you asked a high producing agent (making over 6 figures /year) why they never come into the office, they would have a list of items they would routinely answer:

I can't sell homes to other agents.
Doesn't pay the bills.
Too many interruptions - can't get my work finished.
Too much negativity and speculation around the water cooler or coffee pot!
Idle gossip.
Too much socializing - lunch, jokes, shopping, and attempts of fraternization.
Just a waste of time!

Now I take a different view. In a brick and mortar real estate office I've had my mentor that were well versed highly productive brokers and lawyers that I could ask real estate legal questions or seek advice. I also had access to loan officers, inspectors, builders, and other high producers that occasionally I would pick their brains or share some referrals. For me it was a productive exercise. It does not matter who produces around me, what matters is that I produce. So I make a personal choice to avoid the unproductive items, luncheons, the caravans, the gossip and the time wasters.

If we do that in the office, how do you do that online?

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

The First 600000 Points Were the Hardest!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:20:24 -0600

I can't remember who told me, maybe it was Lenn Harley...that the fist 600000 points on Active Rain are the hardest! I hope she is right! (Just kidding Lenn!) Actually I passed the 600000 mark yesterday and I hadn't really noticed it until I logged in today. I have a lot of fun on Active Rain Blogging... yes it's addictive. Why I really love Active Rain is that I love reading about real estate technology, ethics, real estate trends, new gadgets, widgets, Word Press Blogs, and ideas for obtaining better page ranking, web position, and SEO. Blogging also keeps me out of trouble in this soft real estate market where I am left with more spare time than I am used to. Blogging in this AR real estate oriented community is a productive and constructive use of my time. I know this is what will grow my business further as the economy levels out and starts a full recovery.

There are many aspects that I like about this real estate community oriented platform. Yes it is social media, but desgned around the core of my Internet web business which is referral based. I must admit that I also like the idea of meeting new friends at conventions, and REBAR Camp. It's fun connecting to AR friends I've met online. Actually there are too many names to even mention. If you are new to Blogging on Active Rain this is the most fantastic networking tool ever designed for your real estate business! A successful career in real estate begins with networking, and AR is the perfect "real-estate-centric" platform for that! Active Rain has a lot of really great collective knowledge. There are loads of fantastic members here that over the years, and many I’ve called and made friends with. Perhaps for some, the door opener was that we discussed a Blog they wrote or I look to them for their wisdom or their insights. For some of those members, it turned into a productive relationship of referrals I’ve developed form one of my websites. Over 85% of my business still comes from the web. So Blogging is the perfect extension of web marketing that I can think of. Over the years on Active Rain I've sold my own home from a real estate Blog in 4 days even in this market, and have benefitted from referrals that have really helped us to survive these tough times. I am most grateful for that!

All in all, I've found that Blogging is a good way to keep your image visible in your local community, and network of real estate peers. I’ve benefitted from many media and TV interviews, as a direct result of my presence on Active Rain. If times were better, this would be the perfect tool for relocations and local referrals to other real estate professionals for an agent that is featured for a city state or local market. Thank you Active Rain for creating this great forward thinking community! It is truly an opportunity not to be missed. I look forward to Blogging here in the rain for many years to come!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

It Doesn’t Apply to Me!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:39:40 -0600

Newton’s “Laws of gravity” has always intrigued me. “What goes up must come down!” Why is it that it applies to everyone except home owners and their listing agents? A lot of homeowners and agents just don’t get it. You can see it in the overpriced listings sitting around town forever. There are some absolutes in life and there are other things that are not a given. Take selling and listing price for example.

Guaranteed profit and appreciation are not written in granite. They are not absolutes, and there is a lot of give and take. Just because you purchased the home for 300K in June of 2006, does not mean that it must sell it for 350K plus add commissions and improvements to the the top of the price! It doesn’t work that way.

Those that espouse their home, neighborhood or listing is different need to get a grasp on reality. The mantra “It doesn’t apply to me” is totally wrong. Just ask the appraiser that says “It didn’t appraise for the agreed upon price!” Or the buyer’s lender that denied the loan at the last minute! The buyer’s thought it couldn’t happen to them, but it did! Perhaps they were laid off unexpectedly! Sellers have to realize that buyers that lose their job at the last moment just cannot move forward and purchase their home. Stuff happens to everyone, and it does not matter that your belongings are on a moving truck! Incidents like this occur everyday in real estate. When a buyer cannot sell a home, they cannot move forward and buy the next home. The cumulative effect of all that is occuring in this market is that events like this... pull prices down on a much larger level than one would like to believe. Not all real estate is local! A lot of sellers just don’t think the rules apply to them.

It really doesn't matter to the seller what the neighbor's home just for. Seller’s feel they will sell their 350K homes for 347K and pay 5K in closing costs, and will buy their next home that is listed at 500K (that may be really worth 650K) for 325K! However this lowball offer will not happen to their own home. After all, their home is better, bigger, and has the best lot in the neighborhood. Excuse me? Why does the current market apply to everyone elses home but not to their own? Are they exempt? What Kool Aid are they been drinking? If a home is underpriced by 150K, what makes you think the sellers will take another 175K off? Stop dreaming! If the deals were that good I‘d buy it and get paid a commission to boot!

Seller's need to acknowledge that the buyers are looking at their overpriced home are thinking the same way they are! It is the nature of this real estate market. Why should they pay 347K on a home that should be priced at 295K? Why would I say that?

Well for one thing in your neighborhood homes are not selling for 350K! They have not closed at that price for 2 years. So why are you still overpriced?

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Yet Another Georgia Bank Fails Tonight!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:41:25 -0600

Maybe tonight is one of those nights you would like to sleep lightly with one eye opened. A little while ago, I posted a Blog about 2 bank failures in GA. Well no sooner than that story posted, another GA bank failed. This makes three for today!

Tattnall Bank, of Reidsville in south Georgia was closed this evening by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. Reidsville is the the county seat of Tattnall County GA, and the home of the Georgia State Penitentiary

It appears in the FDIC press release that this bank was shuttered.

For more information, please read the FDIC press release.

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Two More Banks Fail in Georgia│Georgia 23 Bank Failures this Year!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:29:27 -0600

Buckhead Community Bank in Atlanta and First Security National Bank in Norcross Ga were closed this evening by state regulators. and turned over to the FDIC. This brings the tally of failed banks in the US this year to 126 not counting the shot gun weddings and so called mergers this year. Georgia leads the nation in bank failures. This makes the 23 bank failure in Georgia alone this year. Buckhead Community bank had branches Alpharetta and Cumming GA. Those branches...Alpharetta Community Bank, Forsyth Community Bank, the branches in Sandy Springs, Midtown, Cobb County and Hall County, and First Security National Bank in Norcross will open Monday as branches of State Bank and Trust.

FDIC FAILED BANK LIST

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Smart - Secure Your Home!

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:27:54 -0600

To grandmother's house we go....If you're leaving town for the holidays, please be sure to keep your home secure while you're gone. If you have a community newsletter on line, don't put in a comment such as "Dear Neighbors, sorry to miss the holiday party, but we'll be in Aruba the month of December. Cheers." For that matter, be careful where you make any announcement about being gone for an extended period (longer than a weekend), especially on all the social media we have such as Facebook. Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and remove your newspaper from the driveway - I'm sure they'd love to have the free paper. If you're gone for longer than a week, you may want to have the post office hold your mail and have the newspaper delivery suspended during that time. If you have a "Neighborhood Watch" and a street captain like we do, take advantage of their good office, it's what they volunteer to do. If you don't have a Neighborhood Watch sign with the logo known to all, see if you can get your association to put one up front at the entrance of your subdivision, next to the "No Soliciting" sign.

In NY, we had the wonderful old gals we used to call "Mama Pajamas". They were generally older ladies, dressed in their pj's well into the day and who peered out from behind the shade or curtain and knew everything about everyone in the whole mile radius from her window. If you have an alarm system, I can tell you one of our stories. We left on vacation and had a freaky storm. Our outside alarm blasted like the Queen Mary and none of our neighbors had a key. The alarm wasn't monitored so no help there and the police couldn't do much, their hands were tied. Fortunately, my brother-in-law coincidentally came by to pick up our mail and newspaper and rescued the neighborhood from the piercing sound. If you don't have a trusted brother-in-law, you might want to find a friend or neighbor you can leave a key with and a temporary passcode you can make up for just the time away, then re-set back to your original passcode when you get home. Never, ever put a message on your phone at home that you are away on vacation! At work, if you must do so in an effort to serve your clients, be professional in your message but don't wish your clients a "Happy New Year and I'll return after my world cruise in February." Give Grandma a big hug for us.

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta 770-238-0122 Direct

Or 888-992-5546 Toll Free Office

Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale

Atlanta Real Estate Blog - Jim Crawford REMAX Greater Atlanta

Marietta GA Homes for Sale

Dunwoody GA - It's Beggining to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Sugarloaf Country Club Duluth GA

Does the FDIC Know Something We Don't Know?

The Story Is Here:

FDIC is Hiring!

Roswell GA Homes

Buckhead - Atlanta's Most Sought After Neighborhood

Brookfield Country Club Roswell GA

Large 3 Car Garage Ranch Homes for Sale in Snellville GA - Under 200K!

Christmas Is Almost Here - A Holiday Reflection.

Do You Really Want to Lease Purchase or Just Rent?

Sugar Hill GA Homes for Sale

Free! Animated Signitures for Blog, Web or Email!

Free Animated Signitures Gifs

Alpharetta Homes For Sale

Acworth GA Homes for Sale

Holiday Greetings To All Our Friends in Real Estate!

God Bless you Always! The Crawford's!

Cash for Clunkers Japanese Style!

RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Holiday Party

REMAX Greater Atlanta Holiday Party

Coconut Custard Pie - It's Been A Long Time!

Coconut Pie Recipe

My Agent is On A Cruise for the Next Month!

Is Real Estate Social Media "The New Coffee Pot Crowd?"

If we do that in the office, how do you do that online?

The First 600000 Points Were the Hardest!

It Doesn’t Apply to Me!

Yet Another Georgia Bank Fails Tonight!

It appears in the FDIC press release that this bank was shuttered.

For more information, please read the FDIC press release.

Two More Banks Fail in Georgia│Georgia 23 Bank Failures this Year!

FDIC FAILED BANK LIST

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Smart - Secure Your Home!