Originally written for and published by InMyArea.com Professional website? Check. Realty firm business cards? Check. Access to the home you are interested in? Check. Those are typically the signs that you are working with a credible real estate agent, right? Not necessarily! Unfortunately, this South Carolina story is not the first incident of someone falsely posing as a lawful real estate agent but hopefully with the help of this article, it will be the last. Photo from Flickr - modified with text Take this one-question quiz to see how savvy you are in your home search. If you are looking for a new space to call home and see an advertisement for a great home, do you:  A. Call the number on the ad and arrange to meet the person as soon as your schedule permits.  B. Call the number on th... 03/10/2015

Our buddies at the National Association of REALTORS® found that REFERRALS, REPEAT business and the INTERNET are the top three ways that agents generate leads.  Referrals are typically new clients that heard someone else "singing your praises" about your effectiveness as a real estate agent.  Repeat business is obviously those clients that you had a good rapport with and whom you serviced well that just cannot get enough of you :).  And around 90% of those on the internet are likely to be swayed to work with or avoid you based on your online reviews.  This all boils down to the imperativeness that agents having "raving fans" (a.k.a. brand ambassadors or client cheerleaders), who lavish praises both online and in person about you, to successfully generate leads both now and in the future... 03/04/2015

It’s time to recap Sandy Springs short sales for January 2015 and its impact on the current market. It’s important to understand the influence that short sales have on today’s market and to keep an eye on the market. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act was extended at the last minute for 2014. This really shouldn’t have any impact on short sales and foreclosures, but could create a political firestorm as forgiven debt will be taxable again in 2015. In January, Sandy Springs short sales activity was: 2 active homes 8 pending homes 0 closed homes 4 active condos and townhomes 12 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 led by a Ce... 02/28/2015

Due to inclement weather, the Open House has been postponed to next Wednesday, March 4, 2015. The City of Sandy Springs will host a public Open House on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 to update the community on the progress of City Center development as well as to gather input on visual aesthetics throughout the downtown development. “The heartbeat of a city is its downtown. It’s important to reach back into the community to gather feedback as we approach milestones within the project to keep in tune with the community’s thoughts, ” said Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul. The Open House will take place beginning at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall located at 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. A formal presentation will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. to provide an u... 02/24/2015

The 2014-15 Heritage Winter Classics concert series concludes on Febuary 15, 2015 with with a treat for couples when jazz group Jules & the Gents performs a selection of cool jazz songs from the 20's-60's with authentic, polished jazz sound and style. A modern Betty Paige lookalike with the voice of Peggy Lee, Atlanta resident Julie Stein leads the group with soulful vocals, melodic flute, bluesy saxophone and beautiful stage presence. Integrating jazz standards from the greats like Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Antonio Jobim, Benny Goodman, Coltrane and more, Jules & the Gents will play the best of American standards with a few extra love songs thrown in. Heritage Winter Classics is held one Sunday evening each month, November through February, celebrating classical, jazz, and vocal m... 02/15/2015

The 3rd Annual “Sandy’s” Award Gala is a Masquerade Ball with a black-tie optional dress code. The evening consists of a cocktail hour followed by a gourmet dinner and awards program. Awards (Sandy’s) for Small Business of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and Community Volunteer of the year will be presented. In addition, Chairman’s Circle members will be honored with a plaque. The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce (SSPC) "Sandy's" Award Gala will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2015 from 6:00pm - 10:00pm at The Chastain Horse Park, 4371 Powers Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30342. Prices are $75 individual ticket, $140 couple ticket or $1000 table of eight. Click here to register for the 3rd Annual “Sandy’s” Award Gala. Visit AllAboutSandySprings.com for the latest Sandy Sp... 02/12/2015

Originally written for and posted on KatieLance.com. Lights, camera, action!  It is hard to ignore the audience reach and marketability of creating and using videos in today’s mobile and social age.  I am sure within the past week you probably have clicked on at least one online video, whether for entertainment or informational purposes (I personally have re-watched some of the funny Superbowl ads).  Well, you were not alone.  YouTube (one of the most popular video platforms owned by the behemoth, Google) touts that they have over 1 BILLION unique views EACH month with millions of viewers DAILY subscribing to their favorite channels. To add fuel to the growing video audience fire, Millennials watch YouTube more than ANY cable network – wow!  Sidebar: if you have been spinning your whee... 02/12/2015

Hashtag this, hashtag that.  What's all the mumbo jumbo about using the dial, number or pound sign (pick your term based on your point of reference for using this funky little, tic-tac-toe wannabe symbol, #, as agent Alan May reminded me) before some real estate or business relevant term?  Well, here is the quick and clean reason to use it, particularly if you are a real estate agent looking to grow your business using social media... it helps drive more FREE traffic to your posts.  Thus, making the use of this number sign one of the most pivotal to increase your fan-base and followers.  And if you are using social media (no matter your weapon of choice from Facebook, to Google+ to Twitter) in the hopes of generating eyeballs that lead to raving fans and paying clients (both of home bu... 01/29/2015

It’s time to recap Sandy Springs short sales for December 2014 and its impact on the current market. It’s important to understand the influence that short sales have on today’s market and to keep an eye on the market. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has been extended at the last minute for 2014. This really shouldn’t have any impact on short sales and foreclosures, but could create a political firestorm as forgiven debt will be taxable again in 2015. In December, Sandy Springs short sales activity was: 1 active homes 5 pending homes 1 closed homes 4 active condos and townhomes 17 pending condos and townhomes 3 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 ... 01/28/2015

HOW TO GET YOUR HOME READY BEFORE LISTING IT FOR SALE January 28, 2015 by tbermeo1@gmail.com Leave a Comment (Edit)   Share the joy     How to Get Your Home Ready Before Listing It for Sale How to Get Your Home Ready Before Listing It for Sale When you are selling your home and your agent is coming to list it for sale, you should be properly ready. Agents prefer it if the home is in its best condition when they arrive to take photographs and sign the listing agreement. So you need to be sure that your home is in tip-top condition when the agent arrives from inside and outside. This means you need to be sure your lawn is mowed before the agent comes and everything is perfect to put the right impression. You need to schedule a meeting time when you can make sure you will be able to keep t... 01/27/2015

The Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department would like to invite you to the 6th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance. This year’s event will take place on February 7, 2015. This fun-filled annual dance will feature music from both generations geared to the dads or father figures and daughters provided by a live DJ and includes dance contests, musical games, complimentary snacks, and refreshments, door prizes and a goodie bag for each girl. This is a night you and your special Valentine don’t want to miss. Tickets go quick- so buy your ticket today! When it comes to father-daughter bonding time, there is hardly a better way to enjoy your relationship than spending an evening dancing and making her feel like the princess that she is. Attire is business casual to semi formal. Date: Saturday,... 01/25/2015

The City of Sandy Springs Is a very highly desirable place to live. Located North of Atlanta and close to everything Atlanta, many buyers would love to live there but finding a home on an acre, is not the easiest thing to find. Cities North of Atlanta, the burbs, are often the option for this request. Cities of Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, and Cumming, have many communities and homes for sale resting on an acre. Well back to the topic, Where are the homes for sale in Sandy Springs that are resting on an acre or more and available NOW in the Georgia MLS. Here you go, a resource listed by price. Enjoy!   Homes For Sale In Sandy Springs Resting On One Acre+   Priced-$100,000-$400,000 Priced-$400,000-$500,000 Priced-$500,000-$600,000 Priced-$600,000-$700,000 Priced-$700,000-$800,000 Pr... 01/22/2015

 With the start of the New Year, you may have made it your resolution to purchase a home, whether it is your first time or fiftieth time. Congratulations! Yet, buying a house (particularly in today's market) may not seem like an easy task, especially when dealing with a completely unknown seller. It is often a difficult task to trust a completely unknown seller (and sometimes a familiar seller - like a shady uncle ugh) as you have so many questions that you want answers to. The key is to ask away!  Buying a home is, for many, a substantial purchase and investment so timidity should be thrown out the door. We have a compiled a list of 10 very common yet important questions that every buyer should ask when purchasing a home. Have a look at them. If you are a seller you can be fairly sure ... 01/06/2015

It’s time to recap Sandy Springs short sales for November 2014 and its impact on the current market. It’s important to understand the influence that short sales have on today’s market and to keep an eye on the market. Also, keep in mind that the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has not been extended. This really shouldn’t have any impact on short sales and foreclosures, but could create a political firestorm as forgiven debt is now taxable again. In November, Sandy Springs short sales activity was: 2 active homes 6 pending homes 0 closed homes 4 active condos and townhomes 20 pending condos and townhomes 0 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 Cert... 12/26/2014

Nominations are open for the 2015 Sandy Springs Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. Every year, the City of Sandy Springs honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by recognizing an individual who exemplifies King’s history of character and service. Each award recipient showed exemplary dedication to providing outreach and support in our community. The award will go to a person distinguished for humanitarian contributions to society in his or her business, profession, volunteerism or philanthropic life’s work. Individuals may nominate a living resident of Sandy Springs or a person who works in the City who instills pride within the community and inspires others. Each nominee must have been a resident of Sandy Springs for the past three years or longer, or have worked ... 11/28/2014

It’s time to recap Sandy Springs short sales for October 2014 and its impact on the current market. It’s important to understand the influence that short sales have on today’s market and to keep an eye on the market. Also, keep in mind that the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has not been extended. This really shouldn’t have any impact on short sales and foreclosures, but could create a political firestorm as forgiven debt is now taxable again. In October, Sandy Springs short sales activity was: 5 active homes 4 pending homes 2 closed homes 3 active condos and townhomes 19 pending condos and townhomes 3 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 Certif... 11/25/2014

Sandy Springs Small Business Saturday (okay, say that ten times really quickly) is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses not just in Sandy Springs, but across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 29th. First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now, there’s the 5th annual Small Business Saturday, the day people support small businesses. American Express is partnering with lots of local businesses. This year, American Express is offering Card Members the opportunity to get a $10 statement credit when they enroll their eligible American Express® Card and then use it to spend $10 or more in a single in – store transaction at a qualifying small... 11/24/2014

Sandy Spring GA Homes for Sale | Homes Features Sandy Springs GA homes for sale by homes features.  Are you looking to purchase a home in the Sandy Springs area of Atlanta GA? Do you know what you are looking for in a home?  I mean the specifics in the home you want to buy...such as the style of home, neighborhood, upgrades, price of home, neighborhood amenities, the type of lot etc.  Well you are in luck!  I created this page just for the Sandy Springs GA home buyer or seller.  Now you can search for homes in Sandy Springs that fit your needs, and price. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!  It will be our pleasure to assist you buying or selling Sandy Springs GA real estate and homes for sale. Sandy Spring Homes for Sale Home Features Sandy Springs GA Homes for Sale $100... 11/17/2014

2014 Trail Stomp and S’mores Trail Stomp and S’mores will be held at Morgan Falls Overlook Park and Trails on Sunday, November 16, 2014 from 3 pm – 5:30 pm. Join the Sandy Springs Conservancy for a trail stomp and stories with National Park Service Ranger Jerry Hightower. Bring the whole family to this free Sandy Springs Conservancy celebration to kick off their new membership campaign. Help get the trails ready for winter by walking them to tamp down the leaves, followed by stories by the fire pit and s’mores for everyone. R.S.V.P.s are welcome but not required – email info@sandyspringsconservancy.org with any questions! The Sandy Springs Conservancy mission is to build partnerships to create, conserve, and connect parks and greenspace in Sandy Springs. They want to ensure that attrac... 11/16/2014

The 2014-15 Heritage Winter Classics concert series kicks off on November 16 with That Mancini Magic! The Music of Henry Mancini with Cecil Welch. When Cecil Welch was with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra during the tenure of Maestro Robert Shaw, Henry Mancini, the Academy Award winning film composer, heard him perform and offered him a position as his principal trumpeter and soloist. This association allowed Cecil to perform with most of the major symphonies all across America, Canada and abroad, including the London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and the Tokyo Philharmonic. Welch went on to serve as Mancini’s principal trumpeter for 18 years. On November 16, Welch and friends will perform the best of Henry Mancini, including the ever popular “Moon River”. Heritag... 11/16/2014