There is a real estate company in the Newnan Georgia area that ramps up recruiting efforts every year at the time the Board of Realtors dues are collected. Since this company is not a member of the board, the affiliated agents are not required to pay the annual fee that is used to fund all of the activities, amenities, and protections offered to Realtors. There is nothing wrong with not being a member of the board if one chooses not to participate. That's a free choice and everyone is entitled to make there own decision. What I find somewhat disingenuous is the fact that not participating in the board is presented to prospective agents as a perquisite and not a detriment. What does that say about an agent that will change companies to save a mere dollar a day? How dedicated are they to ... 09/15/2009

As fall starts to set in, the real estate market in my area of Newnan Georgia seems to be invigorated with new energy! Whether it's due to the current tax refund that is available, or the terrific prices combined with low interest rates, the pool of buyers that are ready to commit to a purchase has grown exponentially over the last two weeks. We have always been busy, now we are busy getting deals done. There's a different sense of urgency in the air that is calling bargain hunters to action! And even though we have a full schedule this week, the new leads are flowing in and we are going to have to work really hard to accommodate everyone! It's going to be very interesting ... and busy! 09/14/2009

    Bluebirds use our help for houses.  There are floor plans available for the ideal bluebird house that detail the best diameter of the entrance hole and explain why it should be constructed from cedar material.  You should also put the bluebird boxes in the best habitat and install them as soon as possible so that they can use the house year round.  Bluebirds welcome our manmade boxes.  A REALTOR® can help you build or select your manmade home.  In Arbor Springs Plantation we offer custom home sites that give you the choice to work with your builder to design the best floor plan and to construct it from the best materials.  With the variety of lots that are available in our community, you can select the right lot that will fit your needs... on the golf course or on the lake. When you... 09/09/2009

The Labor Day weekend has traditionally signaled the end of summer. And although the calendar says that there are still a few weeks left of the "official" season, the shift from the summer to the autumn pattern of behavior is in full force. The kids are back in school, football season has commenced, and cooler weather is returning. It's a time for enjoying the last hurrah of summer as the daylight wanes more and more with each passing day. And although our first projected frost date in Georgia is still two months away, the gardens are winding down as the annual plants begin to suffer the consequences of "old age." The tomatoes are beginning to wilt and the peppers are covered with fruit that needs to be harvested. Yet the period between Labor Day and Thanksgiving is my favorite time of ... 09/04/2009

Tom Barron #404-936-7422 of Lindseys Realtors. WONDERFUL 5 BEDROOM 4.5 BATH HOME IN PRESTIGIOUS WHITE OAK ON THE GOLF COURSE! TWO STORY FOYER, GOURMET KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, ISLAND HARDWOOD FLOORS AND STAINLESS STEEL KITCHENAID APPLIANCES. KEEPING ROOM WITH HARDWOOD FLOORS AND GAS FIREPLACE, TILED BATHS, TO DIE FOR MASTER SUITE! MUCH MORE! TO SEE COMPLETE TOUR VISIT: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/368.aspx.            09/01/2009

Sally McEntire #770-253-0008 of Parks and Mottola. BEAUTIFUL OPEN 4 BED 3 BATH HOME ON FULL UNFINISHED BASEMENT. UPGRADED STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCE PACKAGE;HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT; PLANTATION SHUTTERS AND GRANITE COUNTERTOPS THROUGHOUT; FENCED BACKYARD WITH A FABULOUS DOUBLE SIDED OUTDOOR FIREPLACE AND EXTENSIVE TRIM PACKAGE. TO SEE COMPLETE TOUR VISIT: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/845.aspx. 09/01/2009

In Coweta County Georgia, a lot of the real estate work that we do involves the sale of foreclosed properties and HUD homes. Lately, we have seen a disturbing trend that is driving both agents and their buyers CRAZY. After one of these houses is placed on the market, and the house is shown by many agents, and many bids are offered (sometimes over a dozen bids with most OVER list price) the house goes under contract to: "Another Government Agency," What??? Why was the property placed on the market in the first place if there was no intention of selling it to an outside bidder? If the property was going to be purchased by another government agency, what was the purpose of the whole charade? Are they allowing agents to waste all of their time showing clients properties, and writing offers ... 08/31/2009

It seems lately that we have a dearth of sellable properties in the Newnan Georgia area. It's not that there are not a lot of houses on the market, as there are plenty!  However, there are not enough of the types of homes that buyers are seeking. Here in Newnan Georgia, that's a decent, move-in ready house for under $100,000. We have qualified buyers, ready to go, but the selection is diminishing daily. Add to that the fact that most of the best properties that are moving are selling over and above list price. The net result is that many buyers are being squeezed out of the market, as they are at the price limit and cannot go any higher. The net result is a kind of deadlock, with the only buyers willing and able to purchase unable to find a suitable property. It's an interesting scenari... 08/27/2009

In Part Six of this series Taking the HUD contract through to closing. we learned about what happens between the time a HUD contract is executed and the time of settlement. In this chapter, we will discuss the closing or settlement process. Once the title work has been completed and the buyer's loan is approved, it's time to close on the property. All HUD properties are assigned to a law firm or title agent that is responsible for closing the government owned property. Buyers need to be aware that the attorney or agent is representing HUD and not the purchaser. If a purchaser desires legal representation, they should engage an attorney to represent them at settlement. At closing, buyers will acknowledge that the HUD-1 settlement statement is correct. This statement outlines all of the c... 08/26/2009

As you drive on Hwy 29 North you will experience the beauty of several gardens along a stretch of this state highway. Right across the street from Arbor Springs Plantation you will find the Oak Grove Plantation and Gardens.  The Plantation is on the National Register of Historic Places.  You will find themed gardens: the herb garden, pool garden, patience garden, perennial garden, vegetable garden and a sunken garden.  www.oakgrovega.com                                                    In our entrance, Arbor Springs Plantation planted several varieties of day lilies that were clippings from these gardens. The Arbor Springs Elementary school even has a beautiful entrance with flowers.    08/25/2009

In Part Five of this series What happens after you place a bid on a HUD home?  we learned the three possible outcomes of placing a bid on a HUD home. In this chapter, we will assume that your bid was accepted, and that a contract was executed by all parties, and that the sale is moving forward. The first thing that is substantially different about buying a HUD home than other kinds of foreclosures is that the utilities are not turned on. If you plan on doing an inspection on the property that you placed under contract, you need to get permission from HUD to have the utilities turned on in your name. In doing so, you will assume all of the risks of anything that could happen as the result of having the utilities turned on, such as an overflowing sink or frozen pipes in the winter time. Y... 08/24/2009

In Part 4 of this series How to bid on a HUD home we learned how to enter a bid on a HUD property in Georgia. Now we will examine what happens after the bid is submitted: Once you have entered a bid on a HUD home, you must wait until the offer deadline expires before you will know whether or not you have been successful and your bid has been accepted. Usually, within a few hours of the deadline, one of three possibilities occurs: No bid is accepted by HUD, and the property goes to a day-by-day  bid process. When this occurs, bids may be submitted daily to HUD until such a time as one bid is accepted. This process can go on for several weeks and the property remains available to sale. Another offer is accepted, and you lose the bid. This is probably, though not necessarily the end of you... 08/22/2009

In Part 3 of this series How do you find a HUD home in your area that is for sale? we discovered that the best way to find a suitable HUD homes is to engage a real estate buyer's agent that is proficient in the HUD buying process. Once you have found a HUD home that is suitable for your needs, it's time to consider making an offer. In the state of Georgia, HUD uses a blind bidding process that allows each potential buyer to enter a bid prior to a clearly defined bid deadline. Before having your buyer's agent enter your bid, you need to do several things. First and foremost, you need to read and understand the property inspection report prepared by the HUD inspector. The inspector evaluates the condition of the property in order to establish an appraised value. Finally, before you decide... 08/20/2009

In Part 2 of this series Why should you purchase a HUD home? Many of the reasons for purchasing a HUD home were identified and listed. Now we'll discuss how to go about finding a HUD property for sale. First and foremost, you should engage a good buyer's agent that is experienced and knowledgeable about HUD properties in your area. These agents understand the idiosyncrasies of HUD sales, and can help you find a suitable HUD property that is available in your area that is suited to your needs. After entering into a brokerage agreement, your agent can assist you with setting up an account on a HUD contractor website. The website will allow you to search available HUD properties online, and will also permit you to download the inspection reports performed by HUD inspectors. Additionally pr... 08/18/2009

In part one of this series: What is a HUD Home?  we discovered that a HUD home is a foreclosed property that had an FHA loan associated with it that was guaranteed by the United States government. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) actually takes title to the property. Now in part 2 of the series we'll discuss the reasons as to why a HUD home may be a good purchase opportunity for a buyer: First and foremost, HUD homes are priced in such a way as to encourage competitive bidding on the property. So many are priced below the average market price in a given neighborhood and can be genuine bargains for a potential buyer. And even if the HUD home needs minor repairs, they can be are identified as "escrow" repairs by the HUD inspector, which means that money will be put in... 08/16/2009

You can spot them right away by the "natural" look of the lawn. As the beautiful wildflowers appear where there was once green grass, it becomes very apparent that something about this property has changed. It is neither motivated by the embracing of the notion of "going green" and getting back to nature nor by a desire to save the planet. Rather, it is the after effect mandated by a true lack of the "green" that is necessary to maintain a mortgage, let alone a manicured lawn. There is a "twilight zone" of time that occurs between the time a house is abandoned, and the time it appears back on the market as an REO property or HUD home. It's the time when everyone asks the question "what the heck is going on over there?" Some attempt to penetrate the depths of the bowels of giant corporat... 08/15/2009

Ok, so I’m having a conversation with a Loan Officer for another mortgage company yesterday and I get this idea that maybe I should help our community by providing a better understanding regarding some of the “do’s and dont's" surrounding the USDA Rural Development Loan.  During this phone conversation, I quickly realized that the scenario provided was based on a misunderstanding of the difference between DIRECT versus GUARANTEED Income limits. DIRECT USDA Loans are loans that are entirely underwritten directly at the local USDA office, similar to going to the DMV in terms of service. The DIRECT USDA Loans are generally reserved for very low income borrowers. GUARANTEED USDA loans are typically underwritten by direct lenders with a “second look”/underwriting review from the local USDA ... 08/13/2009

The new Coweta Living by The Times-Herald has just come out. This annual publication is an organized approach to learn about Coweta County but is presented in a pictorial format.  If you are relocating to Coweta County this magazine will point you to the entire resources, websites and visitors center.  Even if you are a current resident you will find valuable information on new programs and future projects. The last pages of the Coweta Living are the map section.  You will find the main roads, schools, and the cities/towns that are part of Coweta County. There is an on line version at www.cowetaliving.com.    Don't miss our ad on page 25, Arbor Springs Plantation, in the HOMES section. 08/13/2009

The Hollow Restaurant originally was opened as "Catfish Hollow" restaurant in Tyrone Georgia in 1986. The name was derived from the house specialty, light and flaky catfish friend to a golden brown. In 1991 the restaurant was moved to its current location at Thomas Crossroads in Coweta County. As the menu has expanded over time to offer dishes other than seafood, the name was changed to "The Hollow Steak and Seafood." The signature dishes are delicious, such as the grilled grouper sandwich, the lobster stuffed grouper, and the red snapper. If you prefer a nice steak, the grilled sirloin is an excellent choice. There are great appetizers such as the southern classic fried green tomatoes or the standby shrimp cocktail. You can also choose from an assortment of salads, including a wonderfu... 08/12/2009

Edward Wadsworth | ERA United Realty | 404-642-6296 129 Riva Ridge, Newnan, GA 3BR/2.5BA Single Family House offered at $142,900 Year Built 2001 Sq Footage 1,444 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .25 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION EXCELLENT LOCATION, 3 BR, 2BA, SPLIT BEDROOM PLN, CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS IN KITCHEN/DINING, HIGH CEILINGS To set up a private showing of this property and other Homes in Fayette or Coweta call Edward Wadsworth @ 404-642-6296 or or visit us online at EdwardWadsworth.net For a FREE LIST OF BANK OWNED HOMES (REO Properties) in Coweta, Fayette, Clayton and Fulton CLICK HERE For a FREE LIST OF NEW HOMES AT INCREDIBLE PRICES CLICK HERE see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Fireplace - H... 08/12/2009