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There is an interesting side effect to the current real estate market. We get to see a lot of places that we have not visited in years.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

 

Seeing more of Atlanta than ever!It seems that as real estate agents we spend a lot more time in the car these days. As more and more sellers dictate title companies and require hand delivery of earnest money and other documents, it is not unusual to drive over 200 miles in a day.

We get to visit places “across town” that we not have seen in years. Heck, sometimes we go to places that we have NEVER been.

There are times when I think that some evil genius has deliberately constructed a program that selects the servicers that are as far away from the subject property as possible. You just don’t know how many times I’ve heard the closer ask: “Newnan, where is that?”

As a result, those of us here in the Atlanta metropolitan area circle I-285 like planets around the sun, awaiting the robotic drone of the GPS to give us further instructions.

And we get to see a lot more of our city in a whole new light!

 

Comments (14)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

HA!  Since the mid 1980s, my market area has included I 495 (Washington Beltway) and Rt. 695 (Baltimore Beltway.

Sadly, the cost of gasoline has made the practice of real estate sales, particular with home buyers, a very expensive practice.

Jul 22, 2010 01:12 AM
John Howard
Century 21 LeMac Realty - Mountain Home, AR
GRI, Mountain Home, Arkansas 870-404-3614

Richard,  Oh if it were only going an extra mile! 

Jul 22, 2010 01:17 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Lenn...

Wer're 25 miles FROM I-285 ... so tack on another hour round trip before you even get to the perimeter! And Atlanta traffic is some of the worst in the country. Thanks.

John...

I'm telling you, they do it on purpose! THX

Jul 22, 2010 01:25 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Richard,

Driving outside the rush hour commute around here isn't bad. It's the morning and evening rush hours that kill any of the pleasure.

Rich

Jul 22, 2010 01:40 AM
Eleanor Thorne
Equity Resources - Cary, NC
Advantage Lending 919-649-5058

That's called service!  Congrats!

Jul 22, 2010 01:42 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Richard,

Wow we are finding just the opposite. Our service providers send markeingt reps all over to pick up contracts, receipt them, collect earnest money etc...They want the business and are working hard to get it!

Jul 22, 2010 02:16 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
Hey Richard. I feel your pain. Houston traffic can be a nightmare. As Dorrie stated I too have a lot of services who come to me.
Jul 22, 2010 04:07 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Having done battle with the Atlanta traffic in a previous life, I totally feel your pain.  Time for books on tape!  ;-)

Jul 22, 2010 04:34 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I love your comment: "circle I-285 like planets around the sun"  hahahahaha!

Same way in Houston.... 610 Loop circles down town Houston and Beltway 8 circles 610 Loop and then you have all the criscrosses through all that!

To make it interesting some part of the two are always under construction!

Coming to you from Texas...

Jul 22, 2010 05:07 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Gotta love the forced use of title companies from way out of the way.  I have them travel to me.  If they want the business, I make them work for it.  And in the Washington, DC metro area, they do.  They can drive around our beltway as easily as I can.

Jul 22, 2010 06:22 AM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Richard:

Don't they have Fed-x or courier service in your area?  That is how I deliver those items and it has not been a problem yet.  I certainly hope this type of demand is not in my future.  There are just not enough hours in the day.

 

Jul 22, 2010 06:52 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

HA!  My traffic is worse than your traffic.  Ya ya ya ya ya.

Here's the list.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2010/02/baltimore_ranked_16th_worst_in.html

 

Jul 22, 2010 10:01 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

It also seems to that every deal is more and more complex Richard, along with seeing other places.

Jul 22, 2010 04:16 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Richard, I've always thought that if the real estate market ever went totally bust, I could always get a job as a taxi or limo driver.

Jul 22, 2010 05:59 PM