You see in your Facebook mini-feed the fabulous home purchase deals your friends are making.  And now that interest rates are inching upwards along with real estate home prices in Metro Atlanta and throughout the nation, you want to purchase a real estate gem (whether as an investor, move-up buyer, downsizer, or first-timer) before the market prices and rates become astronomical.  Smart move!  Here’s a tip to make your REALTOR agent search easy.   Simply log in to REALTOR.com with your Facebook account.  Now you will be able to directly contact all of the real estate agents that any of your friends, or even their friends, have used.  How fantastic!  You no longer have to look with envy at your friends great real estate home finds – you can join the club of a spectacular home at low ra... 07/11/2013

    Calling all REALTORS(R)!  Have you set up your free profile yet on REALTOR.com?  As a real estate agent, this can help you generate free real estate leads because any time a person visits REALTOR.com (which is still in the top 10 of home search sites), your completed profile can gain you business.  Here are three main ways how you can increase  your buyer and seller leads with a REALTOR.com completed profile.. Visit this site to see all of the FREE tools REALTOR.com offers you including sending recommendations to your satisfied clients that will not only be posted on REALTOR.com but you can send to Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites.   Even if you do not have someone that has the time to submit a recommendation, you can showcase your knowledge under the Advice Tab based on the quest... 07/10/2013

If you are a fan or even just a casual viewer of HGTV, you are probably familiar with HGTV's on-air real estate expert Collette McDonald of RE/MAX Around Atlanta.  With a lifetime of experience lived vicariously through her father as a successful real estate agent and over a decade of personally being one of Georgia's top real estate agents, Collette has a wealth of knowledge to help you as a new or experienced agent become the agent of choice for your community.Listen to our exclusive interview and learn Collette's tips to: Successfully migrate from Corporate America to Real Estate entrepreneurship Stand out as the Real Estate Leader in your community Create an effective Marketing Strategy  Select a Brokerage Firm Grow through Personal Coaching  And More!        Do you, or someone you... 07/05/2013

In case you want another fireworks celebration after July 4th, don't miss out on Sandy Springs Stars and Stripes Celebration. On July 6th, stars and sparklers will illuminate across the skies of Sandy Springs as the community comes together in celebration of our nation’s Independence Day. Music from the band, Shiloh, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will dazzle the skies beginning at 9:45 p.m.viewing will be at Concourse Corporate Center: Five Concourse Parkway. Residents are encouraged to pack a snack, bring a blanket, and enjoy an evening under the stars. Water stations will be located throughout the Concourse viewing area. Pets, tents, outdoor cooking and personal-use sparklers will not be permitted. The Sandy Springs Stars and Stripes Celebration is sponsored in part by Regent Par... 07/03/2013

Whether you are a real estate agent, a buyer purchasing a home or a seller listing your property, there is a FREE mobile phone and tablet app that can save you time, gas and ultimately money.  This may sound too good to be true - an app that can help every party in a real estate transaction for free - but it is real.  What is this marvelous app?     CamScanner   This app will save your seller who is still using that outdated fax machine that has all those squiggly lines through it - you know the one you can never read the documents clearly from?  Simultaneously, CamScanner will save your buyer from having to run up to your real estate office or to their work scanner to send documents in those last-minute, late-night instances you are required to have the wet signature and not an e-sign... 07/01/2013

Andrew Malone of RE/MAX Around Atlanta has been a successful and in-demand real estate agent in Metro Atlanta for the past 12 years.  Despite the "Dot-Com" market crash of 2001 and "The Great Recession" that began in 2007/2008, Andrew has thrived in real estate and we have the inside story on how he did it!   Watch this clip of Andrew and learn how to:   Get started as a real estate agent after a market crash Survive and thrive in all markets Select the right real estate brokerage     Do you, or someone you know, have a great success story as a real estate agent?  We would love to share it!  Email Lee@AroundAtlanta.com or call 404.444.5777 for details.  Happy selling!     06/28/2013

Sandy Springs GA Homes for Sale Update │Active Listings Sandy Springs GA Homes for Sale Active Listings - MLS Update: Here are the most recent Sandy Springs GA area MLS figures for Sandy Springs homes for sale and Sandy Springs real estate in Fulton County.  As of today Friday June 28, 2013 Here are the MLS Single Family Detached Listings At a Glance: Active - 92 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale Contingency - Due Diligence- 7 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Contingency w/Kickout - 0 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Contingency - Other- 0 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Pending- 35 Properties Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Pending Offer Approval 4 Detached Single Fam... 06/28/2013

The subdivision of Four Seasons is located in the City of Sandy Springs, Fulton County GA 30350. The list price range for a home in Four Seasons is between $247,500 to $1,395,000. Most homes built between 1968 to 2010. Most homes have between 3 to 7 bedrooms & 2.5 to 7 full bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms. Homes & Real Estate For Sale In Four Seasons More Real Estate Homes For Sale In 30350 The average selling price for a home, at time of post, is $372,507.00. The average total list days on market is 138, at time of post. The Neighborhood Schools At Time Of Post Elementary: Dunwoody Springs Middle: Sandy Springs High: North Springs Home Owner Association (H.O.A.) fees, at time of post, are $450.00 a year and includes Walk to Schools, Walk to Marta, Tennis Lighted, Swimming Pool, and Com... 06/26/2013

As real estate agents, we are thrust into the world of photography with the very first home we list.  Whether we are taking the pictures ourselves or proofing the pictures of a hired photographer, real estate agents must have an eye for detail because our photos tell a story about our listings that our voices may never share.   For those of us that are taking pictures ourselves, the quintessential website to bookmark is iPiccy.com.  This fantastic find was featured on ActiveRain (which is a site every real estate agent should blog to if you are blogging but that is another topic, another day).  I was hesitant to even click on the article because I was enamored with PicMonkey.com, another photo editing site, but the reviews on ActiveRain were so good that I had to be nosy.  I am glad I w... 06/26/2013

In this Age of Information, it is vital for every real estate agent to have an online presence - this we know.  Without an online presence, you may have the most wonderful product and service but its like you are talking to a room full of empty chairs. However, an online presence can become quite expensive and even prohibitive relative to the resulting new clients it actually produces if any at all.  In the world of entrepreneurs, it is imperative that we prudently account for ever dollar while simultaneously maximizing our exposure.  I am sure you are thinking at this point, "Lee, that's an impossible contradiction!  To increase our internet exposure, we have to spend, spend, spend."  But there is one critical and FREE thing that you need online that will have consumers seeking you ou... 06/26/2013

The Sandy Springs housing market is doing well and off to a fast start in 2013. In the first five months of 2013, 237 homes have already been sold with an average price of $585,000. And they’re selling fairly quickly with the average days on market being 117 days. For the homes that do stand out from the crowd, we are seeing very strong demand and buyer competition for those homes. Homes are selling at an average of 94% of original list price. And while 237 Sandy Springs homes have sold in the first five months, there are currently an additional 140 under contract. And with only 286 homes on the market, you can see that the demand is clearly outpacing the supply. This compares with 211 homes that sold in the first five months of 2012 at an average price of $535,000, which equates to a ... 06/26/2013

Sandy Springs GA Homes for Sale Report Sandy Springs GA Homes for Sale MLS Report: Here are the most recent Sandy Springs GA area MLS figures for Sandy Springs homes for sale and Sandy Springs real estate in Fulton County.  As of today Sunday May 12, 2013 Here are the MLS Single Family Detached Listings At a Glance: Active - 90 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale Contingency - Due Diligence- 5 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Contingency w/Kickout - 0 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Contingency - Other- 1 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Pending- 46 Properties Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale   Pending Offer Approval 4 Detached Single Family Sandy Springs GA homes for Sale  ... 06/23/2013

It’s time to recap Sandy Springs short sales for May and it’s impact on the current market. With 36.9% of all homes sold in Q1 2013 in metro Atlanta being distressed properties, it’s important to understand the influence that short sales have on today’s market and to keep an eye on the market. In May, Sandy Springs short sales activity was: 8 active homes 24 pending homes 4 closed homes 15 active condos and townhomes 36 pending condos and townhomes 6 closed condos and townhomes If you’re in the market for a Sandy Springs short sale, whether a single family home, condo or townhome, we’re here to help. Our team is led by a Certified Distressed Property Expert and experienced in the nuances faced when purchasing short sales. Protect yourself and work with the Sandy Springs short sale expe... 06/21/2013

No need to wait in the long lines at Six Flags if you have small children in Metro Atlanta that would enjoy the latest playable attractions to Sandy Springs, Georgia.  Imagine the fun possible on the 17-foot tall swing set and the 40-foot climbing wall at Sandy Springs’ Abernathy Greenway Linear Park, just two of the many soon-coming playable art. For those of you current Georgians that grew up in Michigan, you may remember the fun of the “Giant Slide” on Belle Isle (pictured to the left), which the over-sized play area in Sandy Springs makes me reminisce about fondly.  However, the Sandy Springs’ Abernathy Greenway Linear Park will have more than just one over-sized attraction, all of which will be tastefully depicted on the busy thoroughfare of Abernathy Rd. For more information on th... 06/11/2013

Only two days left for online registration for the 11th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race & Festival on Saturday, June 15, in Roswell. They’re expecting more than 350 paddlers for this annual race, an 8-mile course that launches at 9 a.m. from Garrard Landing off Holcomb Bridge Road and finishes at Riverside Park. Paddlers of all ages and skill levels will take to the water on Saturday, June 15, for the 11th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race & Festival. Organized and presented by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) in partnership with the National Park Service and the city of Roswell, the event celebrates the Chattahoochee and foster a sense of community around the river that serves nearly 4 million Georgians and 70 percent of metro Atlantans. The RACE begins at 9 a.m. a... 06/08/2013

Sandy Springs Swimming Pool Homes for Sale | Pool Homes Sandy Springs GA Sandy Springs Swimming Pool Homes for Sale.  Summer is upon us and Sandy Springs is a great place to own home with a swimming pool in the back yard!  With rising gas prices, and high costs of expensive vacations owning a swimming pool in Sandy Springs is a smart idea!  Relax at the then end of a long day in your own swimming pools while you cook up dinner on your BBQ grill!  Swimming pools are fun for everyone!  For more information about buying or selling a swimming pool home in Sandy Springs or north Atlanta, please feel free to contact us!  As your Sandy Springs GA real estate agents, we can assist you with all your real estate needs.  Jim and Ellen Crawford been selling real estate in the Sandy Springs area sin... 06/05/2013

Concerts by the Springs is an annual series of free outdoor concerts, open to the public. Now celebrating its 17th annual year, the series is held at Heritage Green,onThe Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn, 6110 Bluestone Road. Scheduled on Sunday evenings throughout the summer, this season will feature five unforgettable performances with a variety of popular music. The Tams kicked off the 2013 Concert by the Springs season on Mothers Day. Upcoming concerts include: June 2: Gwen Huges & The Retro Jazz Kats July 14: A-Town A-List August 4: The Mustangs September 8: Kinchafoonee Cowboys All concerts are from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and are FREE to the public. Gates Gates to the Entertainment Lawn will open at 5:00 p.m. to DISCOURAGE people from setting up blankets early to reserve exces... 06/01/2013

  Heritage Sandy Springs is pleased to unveil its newest endeavor, Rhythm & Brews. Heritage Sandy Springs is shaking things up and presenting a new open-air happy hour series that invites a young and diverse audience to enjoy regional live music in a beautiful outdoor setting. Rhythm & Brews was sparked by the success of its previous happy hour music series, Wind Down Wednesdays, and by growing audience request to present more regional acts,    The new series, Rhythm & Brews, embraces regional roots, presenting four acts in a variety of musical genres.  Each month features an unforgettable performance of both up-and-coming and established artists whose origins are deeply rooted in the region.   2013 Rhythm & Brews   Thursday, May 30 – Seven Handle Circus   Thursday, June 27 – von Grey ... 05/30/2013

In a recent article by Business Insider titled, 10 Cities Where Homebuyers Can Get Steals On Short Sales, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta metro area made the top 10 list. So let’s recap Sandy Springs short sales for April and it’s impact on the current market. With 39.4% of all homes sold in Q4 2012 in metro Atlanta being distressed properties, it’s important to understand the influence that short sales have on today’s market and to keep an eye on the market. In April, Sandy Springs short sales activity was: 9 active homes 29 pending homes 7 closed homes 11 active condos and townhomes 44 pending condos and townhomes 5 closed condos and townhomes If you’re in the market for a Sandy Springs short sale, whether a single family home, condo or townhome, we’re here to help. Our team is le... 05/29/2013

Nothing better than some locally grown produce for your family. Sandy Springs kicked off the farmers market in May and continues until October. The Sandy Springs Farmers Market is where friends and neighbors gather to share the experience of a community farmers market. The Sandy Springs Farmers Market springs to life each Saturday morning with live music and 45+ vendors offering an abundance of fresh, local produce, along with pasture-raised meat and pork products, farm fresh eggs and dairy products, and a wide variety of prepared foods.  Additionally, the market offers local artists and jewelers the opportunity to sell their creations on a rotating basis. Finally, as the market is deeply dedicated to the Sandy Springs community, the market hosts a variety of civic and non-profit group... 05/21/2013