Lee Graham's Blog

Awesome Ranch on Full Finished Basement! 1027 Boston Ridge, Woodstock, GA 30189

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:38:23 -0700

Beautiful 4BR/3B ranch on wooded lot! Home features master on main with trey ceiling; kitchen with Corian countertops and breakfast area; soaring family room with gas log fireplace Enjoy the outdoors on the huge covered deck that overlooks the private backyard! Featured listing! Lee Graham is an Associate Broker and owner of The Graham Group, a premier team of real estate professionals specializing in Atlanta Real Estate. Their areas of expertise include Residential, Foreclosures, and Short-Sales. View more information at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com.

Incredible Value! 200 Arrow Wood Drive, Waleska, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:58:43 -0700

2.2 acres of gorgeous private living! Lavish kitchen with stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash, and stone countertops. Spacious family room with stone surround fireplace. Large master suite on main with beautiful garden tub and separate shower. Huge basement! New $4000 water filtration system. Walk to the lake!

Riding the 2nd Wave of Foreclosures

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:52:38 -0700

Driving South on Interstate 75 in Marietta, GA everyone on their way to work looks up to see the big realty company sign that tells how many listings are on the market, waiting to be sold. The numbers have finally made it back in the 70,000 range which is what we used to call "normal" when referring to the then thriving Georgia Market. We may be tempted to give a sigh of relief that things are finally returning to "normal," but the numbers portray a false security.
May's foreclosure statistics reported the third largest number in history of U.S. properties with foreclosure activity. Although the number was down 6% from April, still 321,480 homes showed filings for foreclosure, notices of default, or were marked for auction and repossession. May also was the third straight month of national foreclosures exceeding the 300,000 homes mark. According to a report put out recently by RealtyTrac®, 1 in every 398 U.S. homes received a foreclosure filing in May. Georgia is currently ranked 7th in properties with foreclosure filings. In Georgia, 1 in every 377 homes is involved in foreclosure activity, a figure slightly under the national average.
Though there may seem to be signs of less homes on the market, and thus the return of a healthy, more stable real estate economy - the problem lies in the reality of a flood of foreclosures that has been dammed up by various state regulations and the Obama administration's requests in the form of an imposed moratorium since October 31, 2008. That moratorium was lifted March 31st, and now banks and mortgage companies are aggressively engaging their previous process and policies of foreclosure regarding delinquent homeowners. We haven't seen the effects of the flood yet because evictions and notices take time. But be assured, it's coming. RealtyTrac's executive officer James Saccacio stated this month "We expect REO activity to spike in the coming months as foreclosure delays and moratoria implemented by various state laws come to an end."
Many people have been living in their homes for 6 months to a year without making payments, and without so much as a peep from their mortgage company. Many lenders had slowed or stopped their foreclosing on borrowers waiting for clarification on Obama's housing-rescue plan introduced in February, and the possible incentives accompanying it. Other mortgage companies delayed foreclosures simply trying to deal with and strengthen their own programs to withstand the onslaught of the first wave and to comply with the changes in state laws. But now with the moratorium lifted, the dam has begun to crack, and the force of the waters behind it is great - and these guests who have overstayed their welcome are being told to pack their bags -- quickly.
The effects of this 2nd wave of foreclosures on the real estate industry and the economy at large are uncertain. Some experts expect more than 2 million homes to be foreclosed on in 2009 and that this flood of properties may cause further decline in home prices of up to 20%. So, I guess it's fair to say we're not out of the woods yet. At the same time though, it's not all doom and gloom. With the second wave of foreclosures on the way, the agents who have survived through grit and professional determination, savvy investors, and homebuyers have a chance to ride the wave -- this time with more experience, more opportunity, and potentially more incentives than ever before. I have hope that, although the real estate industry led the way in getting us into this mess, it will also lead us the way out.

Lee Graham is an Associate Broker and owner of The Graham Group, a premier team of real estate professionals specializing in Atlanta Real Estate. Their areas of expertise include Residential, Foreclosures, and Short-Sales. View more information at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com.

Fantastic Upgrades! 30 Evecliff Drive, Dallas, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:42:07 -0700

Fantastic home, just needs some sweat equity! 3 sides brick, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, lots of windows throughout. Cherry cabinets in kitchen. Spacious master, bath with decorator tile and jetted tub. Loft area perfect for a child's play area or a desk!

Home on Large Cul-de-sac Lot! 307 Bennett Farms Court, Acworth, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:37:30 -0700

Spacious 4BR/3BA home on park-like cul-de-sac. Formal dining room and large family room with stone fireplace. Master suite features trey ceiling and private bath with garden tub. Finished terrace level complete with media room, fireplace, built in book shelves, bedroom and full bath. Newer roof/windows! 3/4 acre lot!!

Great Deal in Eagle Watch! 3706 Broken Arrow, Woodstock, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:32:45 -0700

Traditional in Eagle Watch! Family room with bay window, gas fireplace, recessed lights, plantation shutters; open, spacious kitchen; separate dining room with chair rail; owner's suite with trey ceiling, walk in closet, bath w/garden tub and dual vanities; finished basement with recreation/game room, 5th BR & full bath; fenced backyard.

East Cobb Beauty! 2711 Bridgegate Cove, Marietta, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:28:06 -0700

Incredible hardcoat stucco home in East Cobb! Kitchen with new stainless steel appls, tile counters, stainless backsplash; sep DR; fam rm w/built in shelving, gas FP, recessed lighting; master w/private deck, his/hers closets, bath w/silestone dbl vanity, jetted tub; plantation shutters throughout; new HVAC, paint.

Super Buy! 196 Lake Forrest Drive, Acworth, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:38:25 -0700

Great buy in well established neighborhood in Cherokee County! New interior and exterior paint. Close to I575, Hwy 92, shopping and Kennesaw State University! 3BR/2BA, office/den, stone fireplace. Brand new extended wooden deck for summer entertaining. Large level backyard and more! Featured listing, check it out today at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com!

Beautiful Home in Bartow County! 145 Amberwood Lane, Euharlee, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:30:24 -0700

Beautiful home on large lot! Hardwoods on main, spacius kitchen with island and decorator tile backsplash, family room with cathedral ceiling, owner's suite with double trey ceiling, crown molding and designer paint, finished basement with bar, recessed lighting, 4th bedroom/office & half bath. Must see!! Featured listing, check it out today at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com!

Great Home in Quiet Neighborhood! 408 Chippewa Drive, Acworth, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:26:53 -0700

Great home in quiet, established neighborhood! Beautiful hardwood floors on main level, open family room with gas fireplace, sleek black appliances in kitchen, large fenced backyard...don't miss this one! Featured home, check it out today at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com!

Private Retreat! 566 Cherokee Forest Park Drive, Ball Ground, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:17:27 -0700

Spacious private retreat! 3BR/2BA ranch home situated on 2.24 acres. Built in media center in greatroom. Fresh paint in kitchen. Lavish garden bath in owner's suite. New deck, screened patio. Spacious bedrooms with tons of closet space! Wooded lot with creek, close to shops and restaurants of Marble Hill and Jasper. Featured property, check it out today at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com!

Great Investment Opportunity! 2184 Pinehurst Drive, East Point, GA

Lee Graham (The Graham Group) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:06:03 -0700

Great investment opportunity! 2 or 3 bedroom bungalow. Fixer upper, but great potential! Sold as is. For more information, check out this and other properties at www.AtlantaGroupRealEstate.com!