4th ANNUAL AJC DECATUR BOOK FESIVAL STARTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Sponsored by the AJC, NPR, Dekalb Medical, Agnes Scott College (and many more), Downtown Decatur will be the center of the literary world from September 3 - 5, 2010.  The AJC Decatur Book Festival will feature lectures and signings from 300 national and local best-selling authors, representing all genres of books.  In addition, you'll find poetry readings, live music, cooking demonstrations and great food.  Whether you're 7 years old or 77, there will be something for everyone. >>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LABOR DAY FESTIVAL Hope to see you there!   ************************************************************ Posted by:  Kerry Lucasse - Decatur GA Real Estate Agent - Atlanta Home Search TeamThe ATL Home Sear... 09/01/2010

Decatur Concerts on the Square are back! One of the great things about living in Decatur is the free concerts on the square in downtown Decatur every Saturday night in May and September. There are also free concerts on the square at noon on Wednesdays in May and September. This year this first concert of the month will be on Sunday September 5, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. which will be in the middle of the Decatur Book Fest Labor Day Weekend. The rest of the concerts will be on Saturday nights from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Bring picnic food and coolers, chairs and lawn blankets.  You can get take out at one of the nearby restaurants or have dinner at one of them before the concert.  Sunday, September 5, at 6:30 pm   Zydeco T Saturday, September 11 at 7 pm Gwen Hughes & The Retro Jazz Kats - Jazz, Blues, & ... 08/31/2010

 Atlanta Intown Home Search - Homes for Sale under $225,000 Here they are!  This week's Intown Atlanta best of the best under $225,000!    ORMEWOOD PARK - 446 Hemlock, Atlanta 30316 3 bedrooms  |  2 bathrooms  |  ONLY $180,000 Adorable updated bungalow / tudor on a corner lot.  Easy walk to Glenwood Park or the East Atlanta Village.  This home is a potential short sale, but per the listing agent, it should be able to close in about 60 to 75 days. Buyers, this one will go quickly! TOUR 446 HEMLOCK ONLINE >> OAKHURST - DECATUR 324 SPRING ST, Decatur GA 30030  2 bedrooms  |  1 bathroom   |  ONLY $169,700 Cute little bungalow on one of Oakhurst's best streets.  Needs a little TLC, but this home is a fantastic investment in your future.  Only two blocks to the Oakhurst Village. TOUR SPRING S... 08/24/2010

No plans for this weekend yet? Consider to give the 10th Annual Decatur Barbeque Blues & Bluegrass Festival, at Harmony Park in Decatur a try. Free for Kids 10 and under When: Saturday, August 21 - 4pm-10pm Location: Harmony Park in Oakhurst, south of downtown Decatur Food:! Five Star Barbecue and Black Tie BBQ will be back for the second year in a row, and local BBQ provider Community Q will be joining in to serve up ribs, pulled pork and much much more! Decatur’s 10th Annual BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival is brought to you by three non-profit groups: the Community Center of South Decatur, the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association and the Decatur Recreation Department. All proceeds of the festival will be invested directly into the Decatur community. For more information please click on t... 08/21/2010

Lindmoor Woods Updated * 3308 Sanden Ferry East * $169,900   ¨ 3 BRs. 2 BATHS.   Ready to move in! ¨ Lindmoor Woods Subdivision. ¨ Decatur Georgia 30033 ¨ ENTRY FOYER has a ceramic tile floor, ¨ SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM is open to dining room and entry foyer.  Vaulted ceiling.  Carpet. Window, wood blinds. ¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM is open to living room and has room for your largest holiday gatherings and celebrations.  Chandelier.  Double windows overlook back yard. ¨ UPDATED KITCHEN features cabinets with wood stain, new faux granite Formica countertop, vinyl floor. ¨ APPLIANCES includes a GE Potscrubber Dishwasher with black glass finish, new GE oven with black glass finish, built in microwave oven with black glass finish. ¨ HUGE BREAKFAST ROOM is light and bright.  Open to kitchen and famil... 08/20/2010

Decatur GA Events - 2nd Annual Taste of the Town this Thursday Join in on the fun this Thursday and support Camp Twin Lakes, Decatur-DeKalb YMCA Partnership for Youth Foundation, and KW Cares. The event is sponsored by Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta. Sample some delightful delectables from 15 Decatur area restaurants, including Bhojanic, Wahoo, Universal Joint (U-Joint), Matator Mexican Cantina, Nectar, Capozzis, Parkers on Ponce, Farmhouse 303 and many more. Here's the scoop... DATE:  Thursday, August 19, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. LOCATION:  Oakhurst - Decatur GA -- The Solarium at the Old Scottish Rite (321 W. Hill St, Decatur, 30030) COST:   Only $10 (for food) TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:  www.tasteofthetowndecatur.com   In addition to the great food, there will also be live music, a raffle a... 08/18/2010

A sample of a recent occupied property transformation in Decatur. Design2Sell was called to the rescue. The property sold after 29 days on the market. We worked under a tide time-line and it was an excellent team effort. The condo had a lot of personality and collections of the owner traveling around the world. A wonderful example of success on a budget.   08/14/2010

Has your Kid been part eager to read the Wimpy Kid books? My son for sure is, so I was exited to learn that the Wimpy Kid summer ice-treat truck tour will roll through Georgia. The great news is that they will donate over 25,000 new books to First Book to help programs across the country serving children in need and offer Ice treats for fans and booksellers. When: Sun, August 15, 12:00pm – 1:30pmWhere: Little Shop of Stories, 133A E Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030 To read more please click here Wimpy Kid ice-retreat tour For a detailed schedule, click here Wimpy Kid ice retreat tour schedule 08/14/2010

If you are thinking of buying a home and securing an FHA Loan, this is a must read... Effective October 4, 2010, FHA will be making changes to their Mortgage Insurance Premiums.  As you know, borrowers currently pay 1.75% of their loan amount upfront which is called Upfront MIP.  Additionally they pay .50% to .55% of their loan amount annually (actually paid in 12 installments with their monthly payment). The new MIP (mortgage insurance premium) structure will require an Upfront MIP of only 1% of their loan amount.  The downside is that their annual MIP will increase to .50% to .90% paid on a monthly basis. Give Me An Example of How This Impacts MY Wallet Here is an example of how the changes will impact FHA borrowers: Loan Amount:  $250,000 Upfront MIP:       Currently                 ... 08/13/2010

Have you taken the time to look at your credit report?  You may be very surprised what's on your credit report.  In a perfect world we would all have perfect credit.  Matter of fact, in a perfect world who would even need credit.  I would trust you, you would trust me, not to mention even the banks would trust you.  I guess we should stop dreaming.  So many people believe that you can't have a piece of the American Dream with bad credit.  Well, maybe they are right.  So do something about your credit if you don't like it.  First things first.  The first thing that you must do, is see what's on your credit.  And if there is something or some things on there that shouldn't be there, you can do something about it.  Call us we can help.  We can help.  We will help.  Credit Repair is only on... 08/13/2010

 Oakhurst GA Homes - Search Oakhurst Atlanta Homes for Sale Formerly one of Decatur's best-kept secrets, Oakhurst's active neighborhood association now brings in thousands of neighboring residents each year for the many festivals and events. Oakhurst offers that small-town atmosphere, with lots of parks, great elementary schoos and a variety of restaurants -- from the Universal Joint to MoJos Pizza and El Matador. The home styles range from Craftsman bungalows to the "four-square" homes of the early 1900s.  Home prices range from $200K to $650K, and the average price for a 3 bed / 2 bath Craftsman Bungalow would be in the mid to high $300s. >> VIEW ALL THE HOMES FOR SALE IN OAKHURST DECATUR  <07/22/2010

C.E. Benefield, founder of Benefield Realty Company in 1948, turned 96 years old this week. Mr. Benefield pioneered development in DeKalb County, GA and several other metro Atlanta Counties and has been an active Realtor for over 60 years. He is one of the founders and a charter member of the DeKalb Association of Realtors and one of the original organizers and a charter member of Georgia Multiple Listing Service. C.E. Benefield's grandson, Brandon, is the founder and President of http://BVPros.com, a video production company based in Atlanta, GA. Brandon put together the following montage for his grandfathers birthday that was quite a hit at the celebration: http://www.vimeo.com/13440374 BVPros can create a montage or a fully professional edited video for you at very reasonable prices.... 07/20/2010

Knob Hill in Decatur, GA, is a new luxury townhome development in one of metro Atlanta's most desirable areas. The complex is within walking distance of downtown Decatur, and features all the amenities one would desire. The nearby Glenlake Park has just been totally renovated and is a great attraction as well. To browse homes is this complex for pictures, details & pricing, click here. Benefield Realty is very close to this complex & can show you these properties anytime. Please contact us if you are interested in buying or selling in the Decatur area.   ENJOY YOUR DAY!!     07/13/2010

Buying a home in Georgia - Review your Credit Reports and Scores There are some fantastic interest rates right now, but in order to take advantage of them and get the lowest rate possible, I highly recommend that you take the following steps to ensure that your credit report is accurate and that you understand your credit score at each of the credit reporting bureaus. Here are a few tips to get started... First and foremost, start EARLY 1)  Order your credit reports:   By law, Georgia residents are allowed a FREE credit report from each of the three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, Transunion) every 12 months.  You can contact each one directly OR you can visit: ANNUALCREDITREPORT.com ** Please note that the "Annual Credit Report"  website above is the official, government-sanctioned site to... 07/06/2010

Homes for sale in the Oakhurst community of Decatur, GA.   The Oakhurst section of Decatur, GA is a great place to live. Bordered by Agnes Scott College, Eastlake, and Kirkwood, these homes have become highly desirable for buyers looking for a hot urban location. To browse homes for sale in the Oakhurst section of Decatur, click here. One of the more enjoyable aspects for families living in Oakhurst is involvement in the "Oakhurst Community Garden". More information is available on that at: www.oakhurstgarden.org . ENJOY YOUR DAY!!     07/01/2010

Decatur homes for sale in Oakhurst - Oakhurst GA Homes Homes in this popular Intown Atlanta / Decatur neighborhood are in high demand and the best homes sell quickly!  To get the best deal it is important that you watch for the properties that are just listed. To follow are all the homes in Oakhurst that were listed in the last week.  I haven't seen 120 Adams Street yet, but for $230,000, my guess is that it won't be on the market for long!   207 CAMBRIDGE AVE, DECATUR, GA 30030 $397,500 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Virtual TourPhoto Tour (17) Listing # 4082871     719 3RD AVE, DECATUR, GA 30030 $369,900 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms Photo Tour (20) Listing # 4082721     320 FAYETTEVILLE RD, DECATUR, GA 30030 $345,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Photo Tour (12) Listing # 4077827     560 MCKOY ST, DECATUR... 06/22/2010

Oak Grove Elementary: Sunny and Bright*2643 Willow Cove*$499,000  5 BRs. 3.5 BATHS.  Comfortable home with lots of storage! 9 foot ceilings. Willow Cove Subdivision.  Decatur Georgia 30033, Cul-de-sac lot. OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT: 2643 Willow Cove Decatur GA 30033                         ¨ DRAMATIC TWO STORY ENTRY FOYER features hardwood floors, chandelier, staircase with exposed hardwood on steps. Cased openings to LR and DR. ¨ FORMAL LIVING ROOM with neutral carpet, crown mold and double window.  ¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM features a triple bay window, hardwood floors, wrought iron chandelier, crown molding.  ¨ KITCHEN features white cabinets with granite countertops, tumbled marble back splash, undercounter stainless steel sink and gooseneck faucet in a nickel finish.  Large b... 06/22/2010

Recent Activity in Ridgeland Park, Decatur, Georgia Currently there are 6 listings in Ridgeland Park Subdivision in Decatur, Georgia. The prices range from a low of $199,500, to a high of $639,900.        There have been 5 recent sales in the subdivision ranging from a low of $150,000 to a high of $530,000. Most of these were on the market for less than 120 days, with one selling after just one day on the market.      Ridgeland Park Subdivision is a very popular, close in Subdivision that has seen a lot of renovations as well as tear downs with new homes built their place. The result is the broad level of pricing in the area. This subdivision is unique in that part of the subdivision is located within the city limits of Decatur and part of it is located in unincorporated DeKalb County. ... 06/22/2010

The Decatur Beach Party is back again. On Friday June 18th from 5 p.m. to Midnight downtown Decatur GA will be turned into a beach.  For those that don't know, Decatur is no where near a beach, so this is a lot of fun for us.   Decatur brings in 60 tons of sand and turns the square into a beach for this annual event. Ponce de Leon Ave will be closed between Church Street and Clairmont Ave. There will be dancing to the beach music from the live band. Activities include children's boardwalk games, face painting and wading pools in the sand. I'm sure some will build sandcastles too. Adults $6.50 in advance, available for online purchase here, and $10 at the gate; children 12 and under, free (limit two children per paying adult). Just like anywhere else, there are rules. So, no coolers, gla... 06/18/2010

Here are some details of yet another sale in the hot North Decatur Heights Subdivision of Decatur, Georgia. North Decatur Heights is a great neighborhood that is within minutes of Downtown Decatur, Toco Hills, Emory, the CDC, and the Atlanta Veterans Hospital. This subdivision is also a mere 7 mile commute to Mid-Town Atlanta. Served by Medlock Elementary, Shamrock Middle, and Druid Hills High Schools; North Decatur Heights is an ideal subdivision for first time buyers, families, and retirees alike. Recently, 2275 Sanford Road sold for $202,000 after just 9 days on the market.   This was an FHA sale, and sold for 103% of the asking price of $195,699, most likely a result of seller paid closing cost in the amount of $6,060.00. This home closed on 6/14/2010. As you can see, demand is stil... 06/17/2010