Top Middle School In Gwinnett County
March 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Results Are In
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills results are in and Crews Middle School is the highest achieving middle school in Gwinnett County in every major area; math, language arts, reading, science, and social studies! The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is the standard used by Gwinnett County Public Schools to measure student achievement in elementary and middle schools. Crews went up in every category compared to last year.
Crews Staff Deserves an Ataboy
Crews Middle School achieves at a high level every year. A part of the Gwinnett County Public School Results Based Evaluation System has been to award the highest achieving schools. The school has received this award for the past two years and hopes it will again this year. The money, in large part, has been used to finance professional learning and new technology in the school.
Congratulation Crews Middle School
The teachers couldn’t’t do it without the students and vice versa. So congratulations to your combined effort towards excellence go out to the teachers, students and the parents who support the school. I guess there is nothing left to say except “Ya’ll Done Good”.
Atlanta Real Estate Market Update
February 24, 2008 | 2 Comments
It’s A Buyers Market
If you didn’t know it before, you certainly will know it now by way of the most current stats for real estate in the Atlanta Market. Unfortunately for sellers 2008 has started much in the same fashion that 2007 ended, with a market that continues to decline. Inventory continues to increase and the average days on the market for single family homes is at it’s highest level in 10 years at over 101 days on the market.
Available Inventory Increasing
Here are some of the facts comparing months supply of available homes 1-2006 vs 1-2008:
New Single Family Homes up over 81%
Resale Single Family Homes up over 91%
New Condos and Townhomes up over 125%
Resale Condos and Townhomes up over 26%
Additional Good News for Buyers
The other factor that generally goes hand in hand with increasing days on the market and additional inventory is an overall average price decline of sold properties. The situation at this time confirms this factor. The average sale price for both single family residences and condo/townhomes declined in January.
Even More Good News
If you take the abundance of inventory to choose from and the lower average prices then add to it the notoriously low interest rates, you now have all the components of a full fledged buyers market in Atlanta. Sellers are saying bring all offers. Why don’t we get together and help them sell their home at a deep discount?
February First Time Buyer Seminar
February 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
It’s official, the next date for the First Time Buyer Seminar has been scheduled for Saturday February 23, 2008 at 10:00AM. The class will be held at RE/MAX Around Atlanta, 2280 Satellite Blvd. in Duluth.
Some of the topics we will be covering include:
* What Are Your Rights As A Home Buyer-Brokerage Relationships
* Mortgage Prequalification-How much home can you afford
* Loan Programs-Which of the various loan programs best suits your needs
* Home Inspections-Why you need to have this done
* Home Warranties-What are they and what do they protect
* Termite Issues-What you need to know about termites in Georgia
* Lead Based Paint Concerns-How does it effect me
* What is Title Insurance and Do I Need It
* What are Closing Costs and Who Pays Them
* What is the Sellers Property Disclosure
* How do schools figure into the equation
* What does a Home Owners Association Do
* Home Buying Tips
* The Contract and Important Timeframes
Please confirm how many people will be attending with you so that I can make certain that there are ample class materials available. Also please advise if you need directions.
I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd,
Terrasol - New Homes in Gwinnett
January 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The name Terrasol is derived from the Latin terms for "Earth" and "Sun". How fitting for this earth friendly new community in the highly acclaimed Brookwood High School district of Gwinnett County. The community when complete will be comprised of 128 upscale single family homes, a community center, a free-form pool, play area, four ALTA approved tennis courts and an outdoor fire pit. As if that wasn’t enough, in keeping with the earth friendly theme of the community, more than 40% of the land will remain in its natural state and there will be a natural walking trail over a mile and a half long. The wooded home sites in Terrasol will be generous in size and many will border either the Yellow River or the over 30 acres of preserved woodlands.
Great Gwinnett County Schools
Children living in Terrasol are fortunate to be included in some of Gwinnett Counties finest schools. They will attend Gwin Oaks Elementary, Five Forks Middle and Brookwood High schools.
Developed By Vesmont
Terrasol is being developed by Vesmont, LC. In keeping with their commitment to environmentally friendly building practices, Vesmont will construct the amenity area and the community center utilizing EarthCraft building methods and design principles, much as they accomplished with their Oak Grove Preserve community inside the perimeter near Lakeside High School. Vesmont, LC is a real estate investment and development company that specializes in developing residential and mixed use communities for quality builders as well as today’s home buyer who is looking for a community-based lifestyle in an upscale home.
For more information about Terrasol and lot or home availability contact Mack.
Sugarloaf Area Townhomes and Condos
January 25, 2008 | 1 Comment
The Villages at Huntcrest
One of the most popular gated townhome communities in the Sugarloaf area of Gwinnett County is The Villages at Huntcrest by The Providence Group. Floor plans feature three and four bedroom residences with numerous upscale appointments which include a seperate sunroom, formal dining rooms, media rooms, covered decks and two car garages. Standard features include 42 inch maple cabinets, extensive hardwood flooring, granite counter tops with ceramic tile backsplash and stainless steel or black Whirlpool appliances.
Local Amenities
Enjoying the community pool, tennis courts and walking trails is just the beginning of what the area has to offer. The Villages of Huntcrest is located within minutes of shopping at Discover Mills, entertainment and sporting events at The Gwinnett Civic Center and the Arena at Gwinnett along with being in close proximity to many of the areas finest restaurants. The community is also serviced by some of Gwinnett Counties best schools. Children attend Jackson Elementary, Hull Middle and Peachtree Ridge High Schools.
Special Close Out Sale
The Villages at Huntcrest are currently over 80% sold out. Just 37 of these upscale residences remain available. The Providence Group is holding a "Grand Closeout Sale" which offers buyers the opportunity to purchase with no payment of principal and interest for the first six months of ownership. Thats right spend your first six months in your new home getting to know your neighbors and enjoying much of what Gwinnett County has to offer rather than spending on payments.
Atlanta Real Estate Advocate
January 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
When thinking of the term advocate and applying it to the real estate market you would think that it would probably have something to do with being a consumer advocate. I would tend to think so also. There can be two different types of real estate advocates. There would be the buyer’s advocate whose sole intent is to protect the buyer’s interest and a seller’s advocate whose purpose would be to protect the seller. Let’s examine each type.
Purchasing a home is typically the most expensive purchase any of us will ever make. Not only should a buyer enlist the services of a qualified Atlanta Buyer’s Agent but also an individual that would be considered an Atlanta Real Estate Advocate. To be a good buyer’s advocate an agent should have a complete understanding of not only the legal requirements in representing a buyer as called for by Georgia law but also have a good working knowledge of construction techniques, current mortgage information, school information (both public and private) and most of all put the buyer’s interest above all others. For Atlanta First Time Buyers make certain that you get a complete understanding of the process of buying a home. Attending a buyer seminar or workshop is an excellent way to increase you knowledge and after all, knowledge is power especially in a real estate transaction.
Selling a home is also an enormous financial transaction. Rarely would any of us be involved in transactions for hundreds of thousands of dollars except with our homes. Doesn’t it make sense to put your trust someone who understands what is required in Selling a Home in Atlanta. The days of just putting a sign in the yard and answering the calls are gone. Having a solid marketing plan detailing the steps to be taken to properly market a home is the foundation for a successful transaction. To get a home sold in today’s market it is of utmost importance to have the home on multiple websites in order to obtain maximum exposure. One way to accomplish this is through an Internet Data Exchange (IDX) that makes your home available on every agent and broker website in the entire Atlanta Market and really helps when a buyer is searching for Atlanta Homes for Sale.
Having experience in assisting both buyers and sellers has helped me be able to understand the needs and wants of both buyers and sellers. Understanding what each wants pays off when a contract is being negotiated.
The nice part of all of this is that working with a real estate expert in Atlanta who will protect your interest doesn’t cost any more than working with a less experienced agent who may not be as qualified. It is impossible for one agent to be able to cover the entire Greater Atlanta Market effectively. Feel free to contact me for assistance with finding qualified REALTORS throughout Metro Atlanta to help with your real estate needs.
Atlanta’s Golden Triangle
January 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Smart Numbers
When it comes time to talk about statistics in the Atlanta Real Estate market the person you talk to is Steve Palm of Smart Numbers. For years Mr. Palm has been providing builders, developers and even the listing services in the Metro Atlanta area with statistical data and accurate forecasts.
Atlanta Real Estate Sales Heading Up
I had the privilege of attending a meeting yesterday were Mr. Palm was the featured speaker. He pointed out some interesting statistics about the Atlanta market. For the entire Atlanta market the last 2 months have shown an upturn in residential sales. This upturn has been fueled primarily by the resale segment of the market. Mr. Palm anticipates a quicker recovery from the resale segment than from the new construction side of the market. He bases this forecast on the fact that there are approximately 14 months of inventory for new construction versus approximately 10 months of inventory in the resale segment. In addition to the inventory status, due primarily to land prices and building materials escalating, the pricing structure of new construction has far exceeded the price appreciation in the resale market.
Atlanta’s Golden Triangle
One area that was pointed out in his talk as being a prime real estate area in the Atlanta Market is the area he referred to as "The Golden Triangle". I really liked hearing this information as this is my primary service area. This area encompasses parts of Gwinnett County, Fulton County and Forsyth County. The primary reason this area is so highly thought of in Mr. Palm’s eyes is due to the transportation arteries. The Golden Triangle, as it is referred to, is outside of Interstate 285 and is between US Highway 78 and Ga. Highway 400. What separates this area from other segments, and makes it so special, are the 7 major arteries for the area; Highway 78, Ronald Regan Parkway, I-85, Highway 316, I-985, Peachtree Industrial Blvd. and Highway 400.
I have to say that I agree with Mr. Palm’s assessment of the area. For those of us that live in the area we can tell you that not only are we fortunate to have these transportation arteries, but we also have some of the best schools in the entire Greater Atlanta area.
Atlanta Real Estate Market Summary 2007
December 27, 2007 | 2 Comments
What The Experts Say
Long recognized as one of the industry leaders in the following and reporting of home prices in the United States, Standard & Poors Case-Schiller Home Price Index sheds an interesting light on the Atlanta Real Estate market. The Index, while showing statistics back to January of 1987, has each of it’s 20 metropolitan areas on a level playing field in January of 2000 with an index rating of 100.
As of January 2007 the Atlanta index was at 133.45 and with the October report, which was released on December 26, 2007, the Atlanta index was 133.79. While the increase is small, the indication is that real estate in Atlanta continues increasing in value.
The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight latest quarterly report also shows some positive results for the Atlanta Real Estate Market. This report shows a 2.61% increase in value over the last year, a decrease of 0.56% for the quarter and a 20.18% increase in value over the last 5 years.
Why Is Atlanta Better Off?
Some will ask why is this the situation in Atlanta while other metropolitan markets have suffered so greatly? Just as an appraisal is a reflection of the value of a home in a specific location, values for an area are based on that area not what is happening in another area of the country. I guess you would have to base Atlanta’s ability to maintain even minimal growth on the fact that the region’s housing prices are fueled by relocation and job growth rather than speculative buying as happened in some areas of the country.
Additional databases that lend information to the overall real estate landscape in Atlanta is from our local listing services. One of the important statistics currently shows that the inventory in the Greater Atlanta Market is shrinking. As inventory is reduced, pricing should continue to increase.
What Does It All Mean?
So what does all of this mean? Simply stated, prices will probably not be going down in the Atlanta Real Estate Market. Couple this with the fact that interest rates are very favorable right now and you have a great time to buy a home in Atlanta.
Dominick’s Italian Restaurant in Lawrenceville
December 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
As we were finishing the last of the Christmas shopping yesterday evening the conversation turned to dinner. We had been so busy that we totally forgot about eating. Millie remembered that one of our neighbors had told her about a new Italian restaurant in downtown Lawrenceville and we decided to give it a try. To say that we were very impressed would be an understatement. This was one of the best Italian meals we have ever eaten.
So our newly found favorite Italian restaurant in Lawrenceville is Dominick’s. The Lawrenceville location is the newest as they also have a location in Norcross. Their slogan “Little Italy, Lotta Food” is very fitting. Not only is the food fantastic, but the portions are family sized. Fortunately our waiter warned us about this. We each had half orders of our dinners and had to get to-go containers also. A full order will probably feed a family of four. From what we understand, you will be well advised to have a reservation if you plan on going to Dominick’s on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening. I hope you enjoy Dominick’s as much as we did.
Bank of America Mortgage Fees
December 6, 2007 | 2 Comments
At the end of October the was an article published in a San Diego Real Estate Blog about Bank of America doing away with their wholesale mortgage division. The article quoted officials at Bank of America saying that they would be concentrating on direct-to-consumer lending. The article went on to state that Bank of America had introduced it’s no fee mortgage program which would eliminate several hundred to a few thousand dollars in costs associated with closing a home loan.
At the time it was written, I stated that I have seen many instances in which a mortgage broker was able to offer better terms to a buyer than a Bank of America branch office. Guess what, this holds true today. Yesterday afternoon I went into a local Bank of America branch and saw on their bulletin board that they were offering 5.5% 30 year fixed rate mortgages. Wonderful, I thought. Here comes the kicker, the buyer had to pay 1.835 points to get the loan. Now what would that equate to on an average home? Let’s assume that the sale price of the home is $250,000 and the buyer is putting 20% down, that would leave a loan amount of $200,000. Now with 1.835 points (or 1.835%) the buyer would be charged $3,670.
A 5.5% interest rate on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage can be obtained through a morgage broker with out having to pay points. So the question is, why not utilize the services of a mortgage broker who shops various lenders every day in order to provide clients with the best possible terms available in the market.
