Atlanta Real Estate Blog

Money Magazine Checklist for Best Place to Live

Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 2:46pm. 334 Views, 0 Comments.

Money Magazine recently published an article in its August 2009 issue entitled How to Find Your Best Place. Even in tough economic times homes in certain areas seem to hold their value much better than others and experts have concluded these areas tend to have 5 things in common. 

At a time when every factor counts in a real estate transaction, buyers and sellers alike…

Greystone at Vinings - Foreclosure Deal of the Year?

Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 11:40am. 2757 Views, 0 Comments.

The current real estate market has yielded some amazing deals for my buyers at steep discounts to former prices. However, one of the most astonishing drops in value that I have seen is in a luxury condo building in Vinings called the Greystone at Vinings. This building is only a few years old, features a beautiful clubhouse, concierge, pool, wine cellar, and gym. The building is five stories tall with 59 large condos targeting a high-end buyer who needs plenty of space and a great location. It's competing development would be the luxury condos at One Vinings. The majority of the condos in the Greystone sold in 2007 at average pricing around $1.3 million......now you can get one of those same condos for between $200-$300k! Now, I am skeptical that…

Twelve Atlantic Station Condo is Home of the Day

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 2:50pm. 350 Views, 0 Comments.

Atlanta has a variety of highrise condominiums and depending on where you want to live the styles vary greatly. In Atlantic Station the buildings are relatively new and the design tends to be contemporary. Our home of the day is a condo in Twelve Atlantic Station.

This home is the best of the best. It has all the upgrades for easy living and is very unique in style.

Please call us for a preview of this home or for any other of your real estate needs.

Peachtree Hills Home of the Day

Monday, June 22nd, 2009 at 10:07am. 392 Views, 0 Comments.

One of Buckhead's coziest cottage neighborhoods is called Peachtree Hills which lies east of Peachtree Road.  Its eclectic, mostly craftsman homes are a kaleidoscope of color, with intimate gardens and innovative fences and walls. 

Our home of the day is a custom craftsman located on Shenandoah which has been reduced by 100k. It is a perfect example of the Peachtree Hills bungalow and offered at a great price.

Please call us with any of your real estate needs and we will be happy to help you search for your perfect neighborhood.

Atlanta Market Trends Reversing

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 1:34pm. 354 Views, 0 Comments.

A man named Andrew Lang once said: "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts -- for support rather than for illumination." Although it is true that statistics can be misread or manipulated, they are also extremely helpful in determining market trends in the Atlanta real estate market. I study these numbers constantly so that I can better assist and advise my clients. Our market is changing and below is a summary of recent price trends for single-family homes in Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, and Cherokee counties. This chart shows statistics for homes sold from May of this year. It shows that nearly 1800 homes sold for an average price of nearly $234,951.

Interest Rates Spike to 5.5% then Drop Slightly

Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 11:20am. 354 Views, 1 Comments.

If you were watching the markets last week, Wednesday was not a good day for interest rates. At one point traditional rates reached as high as 5.5% percent and jumbo rates (for loans above $417,000) reached 8% for some lenders, higher than they have been in months. By about 4pm EST the rates had become so volatile that many banks effectively shut down the ability to lock-in a rate for those applying for loans.

Fortunately, the last few days have brought a bit more stability though rates are still hovering around 5%. Last week’s scare has many wondering if we’ve seen the bottom of interest rates in this market. With prices at historic lows and interest rates remaining low for the time being, I would not waste any time if you’re considering purchasing a…

Governor Perdue Signs Additional $1,800 Tax Credit for Georgia Buyers

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 at 1:04am. 384 Views, 0 Comments.

Just when it seemed like the flow of government incentives for home buyers was starting to slow down, Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law a new bill authorizing an additional $1,800 tax credit for Georgia home buyers.

By now we’ve all heard about President Obama’s $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for first time home buyers, but the Governor’s latest action applies to anyone purchasing a distressed home in the state of Georgia. This could be a single family home, condominium or townhouse so long as the property was in default or foreclosure prior to March 1, 2009. If the purchase price is under $150,000 then up to 1.2% of sales price will be credited instead of the full $1,800.

The incentives won’t last long though as a time frame of June 1st to November 30th…

Ansley Park Cottage is Home of the Day

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 at 10:07pm. 339 Views, 0 Comments.

Carefully tucked among the trees of Ansley Park is today’s featured home of the day. With Japanese Maples adorning the front yard, wide Doric columns accenting the front entrance and a private waterfall running along your custom flagstone walkway, this 1920’s Cottage style home redefines the term “curb appeal”.

As you enter through one of 3 sets of French doors, the interior architecture has clearly been well considered. Sun filled bay windows and pendent lights accent the refinished ginger color hardwoods and tastefully customized gourmet kitchen.

The master suite includes a cathedral ceiling, 2 tree filled dormer windows and custom cabinetry while the master bath is complete with marble tiles, frameless shower and separate whirlpool tub.

Behind the…

Buyer Question: What exactly is a short sale?

Thursday, May 14th, 2009 at 1:35am. 364 Views, 0 Comments.

At a time when the dynamics of real estate seem to change almost weekly a question I often get from clients is “What exactly is a short sale”. While many in the real estate community are familiar with the term, the general public is often unaware of how a short sale works and both its potential pitfalls and benefits for those involved.

The quick definition of a short sale is “a sale of a debt, short of the full debt owed”. Often this comes into play when the mortgage holder on a home allows the owner to sell the home for less than what is owed in order to avoid foreclosure.

For instance, a bank might allow the owner of a $300,000 home to sell it for $250,000 and walk away free and clear of the $50,000 loss. The catch for the seller is that all…

West End Foreclosures Draw Smart Buyers

Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at 3:12pm. 412 Views, 0 Comments.

At about 6pm on Monday evening I received a phone call from an overseas buyer who had spotted a home in West End he just had to have. By 10am the following morning, this 6 bedroom, 2 bathroom house had already received 11 offers and a contract was signed for well above the listed price after only 4 days on the market.

Though heavy competition drove the price above where it started, the listed price was a staggering $240,000 under what it had sold for two years ago.

Historic West End is located just southwest of downtown Atlanta and has seen its share of struggles with mortgage fraud and foreclosures in recent years. However, as investors and first time home buyers alike move into this historic area, neighborhoods are being revitalized and home values…