JP Morgan Chase Halts Foreclosure on 50,000 Homes - 09/30/10 08:09 AM
The Associated Press reports in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution that JP Morgan Chase is halting foreclosure on 50,000 homes because of improper paperwork.
JPMorgan halts 50K foreclosures for possible flaws
Earlier this month GMAC Mortgage LLC is reported to have " halted certain evictions and sales of foreclosed homes in 23 states to review those cases. The company said it found procedural errors in some foreclosure affidavits"
The key point here is that the foreclosures have been delayed. But, foreclosures will start up again once the banks have their paperwork back in order.
JP Morgan CHase and GMAC Mortage holders may have … (6 comments)
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SUN TRUST Short Sale in Sagamore Hills CLOSED in 90 Days - 09/30/10 07:42 AM
Last April, just before the Tax Credit was about to expire, I listed a home for sale in Sagamore Hills. It was a lovely home and the owners had every hope it could be sold without a short sale. Unfortunately the market was continuing to slide downward and a short sale became the new reality.
We had the home under contract by June.
Once under contract, we started work on the short sale. The selling agent was short sale savvy, the seller was motivated and capable and the buyer was ready to "do what it takes" to get it closed. Sun … (2 comments)
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Updated Cluster Home on Henley Park Drive - 09/26/10 07:56 PM
Updated Cluster Home on Henley Park Drive
This home has an open floor plan, all new kitchen and lots of space for the dollar. Hardwood floors on the first floor. Low maintenance lot. Worth a second look.
Volume Ceilings * Newer Home * 3258 Henley Drive Atlanta Georgia 30340* $ 294,900
¨ 3 BRs (plus Bonus Room) * 2.5 BATHS. Complete interior update!
¨ Henley Park Subdivision. Atlanta Georgia 30341
¨ NEW FLOORS: New carpet (2010). Newly refinished hardwood floors (2010)
¨ NEW BATHROOMS: Vanity Cabinets/Granite countertops (2010). Under counter vanity sinks, natural finish. New ceramic tile. More!!!
¨ NEW Jacuzzi Tub (2010) in Master … (2 comments)
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BUYERS: You can have new listings delivered directly to your email box. - 09/26/10 03:14 PM
If you are thinking about buying a home in the next year or so, why not have new listings delivered directly to your email address. There are two ways to do this.
1. Go to my website, skip talking to a person and register for listing alerts. GO HERE Search Atlanta Georgia Homes and look for the button that says "Email me property updates" You select the criteria. You specify where and how you want the listings delivered. You control the process.
2. Contact Sally English (phone or email) and let me know what type home you are looking for. Price, … (0 comments)
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Why the Atlanta Real Estate Market is in the Toilet - 09/26/10 08:41 AM
A friend of mine, now passed away and sorely missed, was eulogized by his son at a memorial service. My friend, Bob White, was a savvy financial advisor (in his second career) and taught his children the value of a dollar as they were growing up.
Bob's son, Bobby, told those gathered to celebrate his father's life, the story of turning 16 and talking to his father about a car.
Young Bobby asked his father about the propects for having a car to drive. "Son, do you know how to spell car?" was Bob's reply to his son. "Car is spelled … (3 comments)
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Renovated Ranch Gets Fresh Paint and New Price - 09/25/10 04:40 PM
Renovated Ranch Gets Fresh Paint and New Price
Located on Henderson Mill Road, across from Henderson Mill Elementary School. Now priced at $259,900. A tremendous value that would be a great buy for a savvy home buyer.
¨ 3 BRs. 2 Full BATHS. Full basement ready for your finish.
¨ Atlanta Georgia 30345. On MARTA line.
¨ Easy walk to Northlake Mall and business district.
¨ Walk to Leslie Beach Swim and Tennis Club
¨ Great blend of older and newer home. Updates since 2005 include roof, gutters, downspouts, high efficiency water heater and HVAC system, French doors to patio and basement doors. Hardwood floors refinished … (0 comments)
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Short Sale in Hawthorne Elementary School District is a Diamond in the Rough. - 09/25/10 03:52 PM
Short Sale in Hawthorne Elementary School District is a Diamond in the Rough
I have a listing that has been on the market for a while. It is located in an excellent Elementary School district. The home is spacious and has a nice floor plan.
We have lowered the price steadily over the past 6 months. We are now priced at $259,900 which is well under the market.
The problem, as I see it, is a lack of vision on the part of potential buyers. When they see the kitchen, they immediately assume this admittedly disappointing appearance of the kitchen cabinets … (0 comments)
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SPAM: Directional Signs Used as A Marketing Tool - 09/25/10 03:32 PM
SPAM: Directional Signs Used as A Marketing Tool
A couple of real estate agents in my markets use directional signs to "spam" the neighborhood with marketing about their services. I find this particularly un professional and really dislike the posting of directional signs at every possible street corner.
OK, I use directional signs. But I only post them at the intersection with the main street leading into the subdivision. One or maybe two signs is the max I will put out for a listing.
One of the agents in my area uses 5 or more directional signs per listing. This "spamming" … (39 comments)
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My Thoughts on Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia - 09/25/10 03:15 PM
With all the news this week about the National data bases that post listings it is truly the consumer that will be the winner in the contest.
Realtor.com's parent Move, Inc. cut a deal to purchase the parent company of ListHub, the primary listings syndicator most Brokers and MLSs use to post listings on national databases (including Zillow and Trulia). See Leslie's Ebersole's excellent article
Move, Inc (Realtor.com) Is the New 800 lb Gorilla. Will it Squash Zillow and Trulia?
What is the future of the major real estate databases?
I advertise on all three databases. The motivation to market my … (5 comments)
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Price Reductions in the Decatur, Northlake and Tucker Markets of Atlanta Georgia - 09/24/10 08:53 AM
Price Reductions in the Decatur, Northlake and Tucker Markets
Several of my sellers reduced their listing price this week as we looked to make their homes more competitive in the marketplace.
Price reduced from $179,900 to $174,900
3308 Sanden Ferry Drive East, Decatur, GA 30033
Go Here for detailed info, lots of potos, driving map, schools and more.
Price reduced from $247,000 to $229,900
4198 Oak Crest Drive Tucker Georgia 30084
Go Here for detailed info, lots of potos, driving map, schools and more.
… (0 comments)
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Millie the English Springer Spaniel Goes to the Vet - 09/24/10 08:20 AM
Millie has been miserable. Her miseries started over Labor Day weekend when we visited my husband's parents at their farm in Crabapple. We had a fabulous day. Tim did some gardening and Millie enjoyed romping around the yard and pasture with her "cousin" Jigs who is a terrier type dog.
We had a big family gathering for dinner, one of those bring a covered dish typ of affairs and my husband Tim did a low country boil with shrimp, sausage, new potatoes and sweet corn. It was a nice day.
When we got home I went to bathe Millie as she was … (0 comments)
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Home Search in Emory University Neighborhoods - 09/19/10 05:29 PM
Home Search in Emory University Neighborhoods
Are you searching for homes and neighborhoods convenient to Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control? We have some tools that may help you search for homes for free.
To search for homes in the immediate Emory neighborhood go here.
To search for homes in nearby Decatur Georgia go here
To search for homes in the Lakeside HS and Northlake districts go here.
To search for homes in affordable Tucker Georgia, a convenient commute to Emory University and CDC go here.
To search for Atlanta Foreclosures go here.
To search all Atlanta Georgia Homes … (2 comments)
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Atlanta Garden Guide - 09/19/10 05:10 PM
Atlanta Garden Guide
Most everything you would ever need to know about lawns and gardens in Atlanta Georgia can be found in the brain of a single human being. Walter Reeves has slowly collected knowledge and wisdom about growing gardens, lawns and landscapes in Atlanta Georgia and he most willing to share it with others.
I initially became a fan of Walter Reeves by listening to his Saturday morning radio show on wsb 750 am. On the way to soccer matches or running errands, I would listen to Walter help callers with problems in their landscape and dispatch advice and humor … (0 comments)
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Emory University Relocation Clients Look for Atlanta Home - 09/19/10 04:52 PM
Emory University Relocation Clients Look for Atlanta Home
Emory University and The Centers for Disease Control are two fo the major employers in my neighborhoods. These two institutions are the back bone of our local economy. Local neighborhoods are filled with employees of the two employers and both employ primarily white collar professionals.
If something happened to either one of these employers, local real estate values would sink like a rock. I often wonder if real estate values have stabilized in cities dependent on a single industry for most of their jobs. Particularly if the industry hits on hard times as some … (0 comments)
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Thankful this Saturday Is Back to Normal - 09/18/10 02:33 PM
Thankful this Saturday Is Back to Normal
We had a family emergency last week. My brother-in law, Darryl Guttery, had just eaten lunch with his wife (and my sister) Jane Bryant Guttery and his son Boyd. Boyd is a freshman at the University of Georgia and had come home for the weekend to celebrate his birthday with Darryl and Jane. After lunch Darryl and Boyd were watch the Georgia Bulldog football game and Darryl realized he was suffering a seizure.
Darryl lost consciousness and fell striking his head on the floor.
An ambulance rushed Darryl to North Fulton Hospital where Doctors … (8 comments)
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New Price for Northlake Brick Ranch - 09/18/10 01:58 PM
New Price for Northlake Brick Ranch. 220 Aldah Drive Tucker Georgia 30084
Estate owned. Executors wabt to sell now. Price reduced from $184,900 to $174,900. Updated interior. Private fenced back yard. Refinished hardwood floors.
¨ 3 BRs. 2 BATHS. LaVista Woods Subdivision.
¨ Tucker GA 30084. Off LaVista Road
¨ Hardwood floors throughout home newly refinished
¨ New interior paint. New ceramic tile.
¨ Clean and ready to move in immediately
¨ All white KITCHEN: Lots wood cabinets with white paint. Formica countertops. Double sink. White vinyl floor. Ceiling fan. Open to … (0 comments)
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Price Reduction on Tucker Traditional - 09/18/10 01:47 PM
Price reduction on Tucker Traditional
Owners say get it sold. Price reduced from $247,000 to $229,900.
Spacious and delightful two story on large cul-de-sac lot.
Call Sally at 770-939-3174 to see this home or others in the neighborhood.
Huge 5 BR Traditional *
4198 Oak Crest Drive
Tucker, GA
30084
¨ 5 BRs. 3.5 Full BATHS. You will not find a better deal !!!!
¨ North Creek Subdivision. Tucker Georgia 30084
¨ NEWER (5 yrs): Architectural roof, Hardiplank siding on four sides, water heater, carpet.
¨ Spacious home on a large, private cul-de-sac lot. Fenced and private back yard. Screen porch, deck … (0 comments)
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Buying a Short Sale A Lot Like Prospecting For Gold - 09/16/10 08:19 AM
Buying a short sale and prospecting for gold have a lot in common. If you prospect for gold you know rich veins of golden ore exist just below the surface and to find them you have to constantly be on the lookout for signs of the underground wealth. It takes experience and talent to identify the tell tale signs of a rich vein of gold. Little things like quartz crystal or other companion minerals may be evidence of a richer vein of gold nearby. Most of the "luck" of prospecting for gold lies in the preparation, education and experience of the miner.
… (2 comments)
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Why is it difficult to find someone to replant your fescue lawn in the fall - 09/15/10 06:14 PM
Why is it difficult to find someone to replant your fescue lawn in the fall
Fall fescue planting season coincides with several major outdoor activities.
Trout are biting on the Chattahoochee River. Check out this 26 inch monster caught this week below Buford dam. There is also deer hunting season and dove season but not sure about dates.
Youth sports are starting up and keeping everyone busy on weekends.
College football cranks up.
Fall baseball at Turner Field. And always the possibilty … (0 comments)
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Now is the time to replant your fescue lawn - 09/15/10 05:53 PM
Now is the time to replant your fescue lawn
Summer in Atlanta has been a killer for fescue lawns. This summer was especially difficult for fescue lawns because night time temperatures stayed high and fescue had not chance to re-coop from the hot and dry summer days.
So many of us has brown lawns rather than green ones. Walter Reeves has especially good advice about re-seeding you fescue lawn. Go Here for Walter Reeves Lawn Care Advice
How do you go about re-seeding or replanting a fescue lawn?
1. Take a rake and remove the dead grass from your lawn. This … (0 comments)
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Will the Short Sale Lender Really Make You Pay a Deficiency? - 09/11/10 10:12 AM
Bryant Tutas gives the skinny on how Bank of America delt with his client on a HELOC (Line of Credit) in a SHORT SALE of his home. Very intersting reading.
Via Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc:
Hi folks. Do you ever wonder what happens after the Short Sale? If the lien holder states they will be contacting you after closing to make arrangements for you to pay the rest of the money you owe....do you believe them? Well you should.
I had a closing a few months ago where Bank of America was the 2nd lien holder. The lien was a HELOC … (2 comments)
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Should I pull my house off the market now and wait for spring? - 09/11/10 09:26 AM
Should I pull my house off the market now and wait for spring?
One of my listing clients recently posed this question. The answer has been difficult to formulate. I have been thinking about this question all week and I still don't have a solid answer.
The market in Atlanta is slow. The sales that occurring seem to be concentrated in short sales, foreclosures and other "damaged" goods that have been discounted in one way or another.
I have had some sales recently that involved concessions on "100%" type homes where the house was meticulously maintained and staged to show exceptionally well … (7 comments)
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Parents Guide to Safe and Responsible Teenager Parties - 09/11/10 09:07 AM
My three daughters have all attended The Lovett School in Atlanta Georgia. Every fall the school sends out information to parents that gives excellent guidelines and advice about parties for teenagers.
Unfortunately, every year there seems to be a set of parents who are oblivious to what is happening in the world of teenagers. They leave town for a weekend and the teenagers are left unchaperoned or have access to a house with no adult supervision.
The parents are fully convinced little Bobby or Caroline would never consider having their friends come over and have a party. I guess they never saw … (1 comments)
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The Money You "Lost" in Your Price Reduction Wasn't Real - 09/11/10 08:54 AM
My associate in Westchester New York, Phillip Faranda, wrote this piece for his listing clients. I find it accurately sums up our osychology about pricing homes in what has been a declining market.
The only value that sticks in our head is the high point in the market. It is a very human behavior to look at the highest and best value an asset has ever obtained as the benchmark for valuation at any time in the future.
That is fine if you are holding an asset (aka your home) for thirty years.
It is a whole different situation if you need … (4 comments)
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Community Meeting about Traffic Improvements for Henderson Middle School - 09/10/10 01:33 PM
Henderson Middle School and the DeKalb School System invite you to a community meeting on Sept. 16th at 6 pm. The community meeting will be held in the school cafeteria.
The purpose of this community meeting is to present the proposed plan designed to resolve the traffic congestion and safety issues in the area. The Board of Education (BOE) approved $1.6 million for upgrades to Henderson Middle School in February 2009. Historically, Henderson Middle School was Henderson High School. At the time Henderson High became Henderson Middle School in 1996, no work was done to convert the facilities for middle school use. … (0 comments)
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New Droid Phone is Changing My Old Habits - 09/09/10 07:46 AM
New Droid Phone is Changing My Old Habits
For the past couple of years I have lusted for an iPhone. But, I found myself in a bind because AT&T phone coverage in my geographic area has lots of dropped calls and missed calls. My daughter Caroline always whines about our poor AT&T phone service in Atlanta as she suffers through dropped and missed calls on her visits home.
So, I am pretty much locked in to Verizon as my phone supplier. I absolutely can not afford to have any dropped or missed calls. I forward all my calls to my cell … (8 comments)
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Price Reduction on Nice Northlake Brick Ranch - 09/09/10 07:32 AM
Price Reduction on Nice Northlake Brick Ranch
Just had a price reduction on a nice brick ranch near Northlake Mall in Northeast Atlanta. This home is convenient to Emory University and the CDC.
Price was $184,900
New Price: $174,900
2200 Aldah Drive Tucker Georgia 30084
This is an estate owned home and the owners are ready to deal. Newly refinished hardwood floors and lots of intertior work. Home is ready to move in and you can close ASAP.
¨ 3 BRs. 2 BATHS. LaVista Woods Subdivision.
¨ Tucker GA 30084. Closest intersection: LaVista Road
¨ Hardwood floors throughout home newly refinished
¨ New interior … (0 comments)
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Cedar Circle Condominiums On Brockett Road in Tucker Georgia - 09/08/10 02:56 PM
Cedar Circle Condominiums On Brockett Road in Tucker Georgia
3942 Cedar Circle
Tucker GA 30084
$ 98,900
2 BRs and 2 baths.
One level ground floor home.
No steps
Beautiful single level living in quiet community close to Emory, CDC, Decatur and Midtown. Hardwood floors in foyer, dining area, great room and kitchen. Great room features a fireplace and built in bookshelves. Great room opens to Sun room. Private patio and rear storage area off sun room. Master bedroom has a walk-in closet, entrance to master bath. Spacious bedroom number two and hall bath. Large dining room. Enjoy the outdoors from … (2 comments)
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Underwater mortgages are the real problem in housing - 09/07/10 08:40 PM
My friend Walter DuPre studies the markets in search of under valued investment opportunities. Through his firm, Buckhead Capital, he invests millions of dollars for pension funds and wealthy individuals. Walter is a student of National economics and stays very current with all economic reports.
He has been perplexed by the US housing market and had pontificated to me this morning that the New York Times article this past weekend may have been the appropriate answer for the current housing woes...just let the markets handle it. Values will settle out evenitually.
After later consideration today, he sent me the following quote … (6 comments)
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Do You Know Anybody Who Finishes Basements, Renovates Baths and Kitchens, Adds on Screen Porches? - 09/06/10 09:12 AM
I often get asked who I recommend to do remodeling in my former clients Atlanta homes. After families have lived in a home a few years they usually find there are a couple of things they would like to change. They love the home but they just want to update some aspect of it. Maybe the master bathroom has a basic tub/shower combination and lime green ceramic tile. Or perhaps they just want to finish out the basement and have a Rec room and teen suite to take advantage unfinished basement space.
I have just the answer for clients and friends who … (4 comments)
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Mortgage Rates at ALL TIME LOW - 09/02/10 04:19 PM
Newspaper headlines tell it all. Mortgage rates have hit rock bottom:
Atlanta Journal and Constitution:Mortgage rates hit decades-low of 4.32 percent
"WASHINGTON - Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in decades for the tenth time in 11 weeks, as investors worried about the economy.
The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan was 4.32 percent this week, down from 4.36 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.
The low rates have fueled a wave of refinancing by borrowers. Refinancing is at its highest level since May 2009 … (2 comments)
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DeKalb County’s Strategic Plan and Community Survey - 09/01/10 10:26 PM
FOCUS DEKALB
Hundreds of DeKalb County citizens, business owners and other stakeholders turned out to community meetings last month to help develop a blueprint for the county's future.
FOCUSS (Fiscal Accountability, Opportunity, Community, Unity, Safety and Sustainability) DeKalb, the county's strategic planning initiative, hosted five meetings to give you an opportunity to contribute your input to our strategic plan. FOCUSS DeKalb is centered on four focus areas -- economic development, infrastructure, public safety and services -- which work together to yield a high quality of life, strong neighborhoods, economic sustainability and fiscal accountability. Citizens interested in contributing their ideas to the county's … (0 comments)
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Why Real Estate Values in 30345, 30329 and 30033 Have Stayed Relatively High - 09/01/10 04:40 PM
Many metro Atlanta neighborhoods have experienced significant declines in home values over the past couple of years. Not so in the 30033, 30329 and 30345 zip codes! House values have remained relatively stable and the market is not flooded with homes for sale.
What do these zip codes have in common?
Major Employers have remained stable. Emory University, The Centers For Disease Control, The VA Hospital and The DeKalb County School system have not experienced any significant layoffs or down sizing. When jobs are stable, real estate values remain stable. Most of the housing stock consists of homes built in the … (0 comments)
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What A Difference A Little Paint and Wallpaper Removal Make In How A Home Shows - 09/01/10 02:19 PM
One of my listing clients just spent a couple hundred dollars repainting kitchen cabinets, removing wallpaper from the kitchen walls and repainting with a neutral color and a few minor cosmetic touch ups.
I could not believe the difference in the before and after photos for this home. Take a look for yourself.
KITCHEN BEFORE
KITCHEN AFTER
.
BREAKFAST ROOM BEFORE
… (3 comments)
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Atlanta BBQ I Have Loved - 09/01/10 08:16 AM
Atlanta BBQ I Have Loved
By Tim English
Wood smoke causes my mouth to water. Where there is wood smoke there is the possibility of real pit barbeque. And where there is real pit barbeque I am apt to be found taking big bites of pork butt and sauce on sandwich bread while grinning from ear to ear as I think about my good fortune.
I love everything about barbeque. I smoke my own barbecue at home and thanks to my neighbors Tom and Beth Stalzer, who cut some trees in their yard yesterday, I will be smoking pork butts, spare … (2 comments)
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