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Atlanta, GA Real Estate News

By Jim Crawford, Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
(Long & Foster)
"Top 7 Chilling Statistics on Being a Real Estate Agent"I was doing some research today to find the source of one of the items mentioned in this article (7% of real estate agents do 93% of all real estate business)...when I found this blog relating to real estate agents.  Some of the numbers are not new to me, but I have never come across all of them lumped together.  In many ways after you read something like this you cannot help but be grateful to have achieved, and survived those odds.  The premise of the article is correct that there is a lot of enticement to become a real estate agent, and the realities are quite different, and very difficult to overcome.  Fees for associations, memberships, affiliations, MLS, technology, marketing materials, supplies, and more have to be paid in o...
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By Home Design, Home Design and Real Estate
Serving all of your Metro Atlanta Commercial needsClick on a County to browse all Commercial Real Estate Property listingsBartow County Commercial Real EstateCartersville, Emerson, Euharlee, & Adairsville Fayette County Commercial Real EstatePeachtree City, Fayetteville, & InmanCherokee County Commercial Real EstateCanton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, & Towne Lake Fulton County Commercial Real EstateAtlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Fairburn & Union CityClayton County Commercial Real EstateForest Park, Riverdale, Morrow, Jonesboro Forsyth County Commercial Real EstateCummingCobb County Commercial Real EstateMarietta, Acworth, Kennesaw, Powder Springs Gwinnett County Commercial Real EstateDuluth, Suwanne, Buford, Lawrenceville, LilburnDekalb County Commercial Real EstateAtlanta, Chamblee, Decat...
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By Ava Anderson, Selling Atlanta from A-Z!
(A-Z Atlanta Realty )
I just read a blog on bond programs Bond Programs - Free Money!.  Yes this exists and in Fulton County the amount available for the bond is $10,000 along with this $10,000 a buyer can use the DCA program and get an additional $5000.  These programs are great for a buyer who might not have the cash available or does not want to use their own cash and fall within the income guidelines.  The key to using the Bond programs is to find a good loan officer who knows the products available.  I mentioned Fulton County, but most of the metro area counties have this program although the amounts maybe smaller than what Fulton County currently offers.If you need the referral of a good loan officer to handle your Bond loan in Georgia, give me a call or send me an email. avalugg@hotmail.com770 369-5121  
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By Jim Crawford, Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
(Long & Foster)
A lot of Atlanta homes sellers don't want to paint, clean or fix anything when you are at the home on the listing presentation.  They always assume they have the best home, the most square footage, the biggest lot, the best nails and so on!  Isn't that always the way?  The house down the street that has been totally updated with new siding, new roof, new HVAC, new kitchen and master bath sells for a great price.  There is only one problem with the seller's home that you are interviewing has none of the above.  There are water stains on the ceiling, there is rusted water underneath the how water heater, the paint is yellowed, and the windows are all fogged up, the furnaces are gasping, and the seller does not want to address any of the issues that have been brought to his/her attention. ...
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By Diana McBride
(RE/MAX Communities)
So far, this has been a FABULOUS start to 2007 for my listings/sales!! I think that this will be an exceptional year in Atlanta, Georgia for the real estate market.  There's no bubble here in Atlanta!!
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By Rod Rich, Atlanta- Associate Broker
(Atlanta Communities Real Estate)
"If you prepare yourself at every point as well as you can...you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears."- Eleanor Roosevelt
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By Jim Crawford, Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
(Long & Foster)
Since the arrival of the Internet, many home buyers view the Internet as an online brochure of Atlanta homes for sale, and Atlanta real estate.  The home buyers now view the real estate agents, and Atlanta REALTORS as someone that can just open the door for them.  More often than not, it has been our experience that the Atlanta home buyer already has an agent.  Too bad for them, their agent does not work real estate full time.  A full time agent is not afraid to tell their client (When they are under a signed buyer agency with them) not to buy a home. A professional Atlanta real estate agent will cite their reasons why!  Perhaps the home is way overpriced, maybe the road behind the house is scheduled to be widened...it could be the home has been on the market for a long time because the...
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By Jim Crawford, Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
(Long & Foster)
"Why it is important to have an Atlanta buyer's agent when buying a home?" Because in most every state, the listing agent can only represent the seller!  Why, because they already have a listing agreement or contract in writing that obligates them to fulfill this duty.  There is nothing in that listing agreement that says they will represent the buyers.  In fact, they may have an obligation not to! Under the the terms outlined in the listing agreement, they have a duty to only represent he sellers.  Now, they may disclose all known facts about the property, and can perform ministerial duties for the buyers such as giving you the names of home inspectors or mortgage lenders, but that is about it!  They are not lawyers.  They are not obligated to advise you about termite inspections, fina...
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By Jim Crawford, Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
(Long & Foster)
In the Atlanta real estate market there has probably never been a better time to buy a home or real estate then there is today!  There is a lot of Atlanta homes for sale in the current market, but that is a good thing!  That means there are more choices for great homes, in great locations, and great financing choices available! It's opportunity time! While most of the nation has had major run ups in prices over the last few years, Atlanta real estate prices did not!  Atlanta home values, and neighborhood home prices never went crazy! We averaged one of the lowest in the nation.  That is a great thing!  It meant that housing is available, and affordible here.  Since Atlanta is a world class International town with our own internationals airport at Hartsfield, a mass transit system called...
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By Home Design, Home Design and Real Estate
Listen up all of my Atlanta REALTORS, Mortgage Brokers, Home Inspectors, and Appraisers!  Its time to increase your staff. This year is going to be fantistic to say the least.  Personally I have had a huge surge in business in December, and I know for a fact I am not the only one.  My website hits have doubled in November and December, due to an influx of people wanting to make a NEW YEARS change.  Out of State Relocation leads are coming in daily.  Looking back at this time last year, the Atlanta Real Estate market was much slower.  I believe this late 2006 surge is going to make 2007 a banner year for us all!  CNN has picked Atlanta as a Top 10 Cities on where to buy now.BusinessWeek also Predicts Positive Growth and an increase in Atlanta median home priceFinally we have some positiv...
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By Dagmar Sands, Atlanta, GA
(Real Estate International, Inc. )
Criteria for Heart Smart Homes and PropertiesHome Features:    Interior :Smoke Free HomeWhole House Air Purification SystemBuilt in/Free Standing Exercise EquipmentWhole House Water Purification System Medical/Emergency Alarm SystemPet Free HomeExterior :SidewalksTennis CourtsSwimming Pool -  Indoor or OutdoorBasketball Court - Indoor or OutdoorRacquet Ball Court - Indoor & OutdoorExercise, Sauna/Steam Room or Yoga StudioMeditation Garden or Garden AreaWalking Distance to Town/CityWalking Distance to SchoolsOutdoor PlaygroundSubdivision or Community FeaturesPlaygroundGolf Course Tennis CourtsSwimming Pool Basketball Court Skiing CommunityRacquet Ball CourtFitness/Exercise CenterRecreation/Activity FacilityOnsite Health Care FacilityOnsite Exercise or Dance LessonsExercise, Sauna/Steam R...
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By Dagmar Sands, Atlanta, GA
(Real Estate International, Inc. )
Heart Smart Properties offers Home Owners, Real Estate Agents, Speciality Communities, and Builders exposure of their Heart Smart Certified Properties. A home is both the largest financial investment a consumer will make and the largest Lifestyle Investment they make. Let everyone know that your home promotes a Healthy Heart Smart Lifestyle. Your properties will be seen by both Local, National and International Buyers.  In addition you will receive a Heart Smart Certificate to give to the owner of the home and the new Buyer, letting them take pride in the knowledge that their home is special.   You can also purchase a Heart Smart Certified Property Sign so that your home stands out from the rest. We also offer you Advertising Opportunities for not only your properties but for yourself. ...
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                        Today was the day of the long awaited 100-day naming ceremony of Zoo Atlanta's panda girl cub.  The name was determined through a public online poll sponsored by the Atlana Journal Constitution.  Voters had a list of 10 names that were suggested from various sources including Zoo Atlanta, local media and the people of China.  Mei Lan won with 22% of the vote."Mei Lan" means Atlanta Beauty.  Dennis Kelly, Zoo Atlanta President and CEO said "the name recognizes both her birthplace and her homeland. "   The naming ceremony was also attended by many Chinese dignataries who applauded Zoo Atlanta's commitment towards "conserving the species in the wild."At her checkup yesterday, Mei Lan weighed in at 12 pounds and had taken her first steps.  You can expect to see her d...
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Atlanta based Home Depot reported on Wednesday that it plans to buy "The Home Way" and estabish a retail presence in China.  They expect the deal to close by the end of 2006 and it has already been approved by the Chinese government.  Near the end of 2004, Home Depot had opened a business development office in China to evaluate marketplace strategies and gain consumer insights.The Home Way is a Chinese home improvement retailer with 12 stores located in 6 cities and around 3,000 employees.  Get this:  the Chinese home improvement market has been growing at a compounded annual rate of 20% and is valued at $50 billion. The chairman, president and CEO of Home Depot Bob Nardelli said:  "This acquisition provides us with a great point of entry in one of the world's largest and fastest-growin...
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10 Questions You Need Answers to Before Selling Your Home  1). Where do I start?  First, make sure you're ready to sell, then, determine what the market is doing in your neighborhood. Research what other properties similar to yours have sold for. Then look at what is currently on the market in your neighborhood. Determine how your house compares to these findings in terms of size, features, condition, terms offered, & location. You must be competitive with what others have done and/or are doing. You may want to consider getting a certified appraisal of your property. Typical cost for that is between $300 and $500. A Realtor® can help you with all the research you need. Visit http://www.benefieldrealty.net/ for additional tips.  2). What are the legal ramifications?  Legalities of a real...
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Last night, families in and around the metro area joined together outside the Governor's mansion for the lighting of the Christmas tree.  Governer Purdue said that the tree was the largest one to date weighing in at 2 tons.  The onlookers were entertained by dancers, live music and a tour of the mansion decorated for Christmas. At 6:40 p.m., the switch was thrown and the tree, strung with almost 40,000 lights, was lit. The mansion is open to the public during the holidays. Tours are free.                                                              
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By Laurie Furem
In November of 2005 one of the world's largest aquariums opened in Atlanta.  The Georgia Aquarium has more than 100,000 fish and animals from over 500 species. Atlanta officials have announced that Atlanta is having their largest tourism boom since the 1996 Olympics, due mostly in part to the opening of the Aquarium.  Also, the aquarium is 505,000 square feet."The Georgia Aquarium was designed with both entertainment and education in mind," said benefactor Bernie Marcus. "From the very beginning, our team was composed of both ‘fish people' and ‘theatrical designers' who looked at everything from creative positioning of windows to innovative tactile concepts on the walls and the floors."                                                                                There are 5 different ...
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By Tim Maitski, Truth, Excellence and a Good Deal
(Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage)
I keep hearing about all of the gloom and doom on the TV and radio.  I hear many agents in my office complaining about their listings not being shown.  But in the last month, we've had 3 buyers get beat out of homes by competing offers.  All of them were in no rush because they thought it was a buyer's market and they were in complete control.  All three of them waited just a bit too long and allowed someone else to come in a buy it.  I've been also getting email inquiries on homes and then finding out they are under contract.  I have a feeling that the market is turning back up.  Interest rates are down, the stock market is up, the Democrats don't seem like they will do too much damage.  The negative for the Atlanta market is the huge number of foreclosures.  There's been about 4000/mo...
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By Tim Maitski, Truth, Excellence and a Good Deal
(Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage)
The late Milton Friedman popularized the expression "There's no such thing as a  free lunch".  By listening to some very popular radio ads by an Atlanta mortgage company you would think that anyone who willingly pays closing costs for a mortgage is either an idoit or is being ripped off.  This guy doesn't charge any closing costs.  His mortgages are "free". That guy has to be making a lot of money to pay for all those radio ads.  So where does he make money if he doesn't charge closing costs? Instead of charging closing costs to fund his company, he sells mortgages with higher interest rates that banks will pay a premium for.   It's nothing  special that no one else can do.  Ask any loan officer to quote you a no closing cost mortgage.  They all can.  The question you have to ask is whi...
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