I guess we have all heard someone say that it looks like the retailers are getting ready for Christmas earlier and earlier each year. Do you remember when the day after Thanksgiving was so special because you got to see all the decorations that the stores had been concealing. Then we would begin to see decorations toward the middle of November and then the beginning of the month. What’s next, Santa Claus shooting fireworks from his sleigh for the fourth of July? Oops, I probably just gave some marketing guru at Macy’s their next Christmas marketing ploy. Oh well I might as well go ahead and get ready for the after Christmas Sale, it should probably begin about 3 days before Halloween!

It appears that a new home agent in Woodbury Junction New York is attempting to slow down the use of buyer’s agents in this subdivision by challenging the rights of an agent to include information about the subdivision on his website. Why would the agent do this? The main thought that comes to mind would be so that the real estate commission would not have to be shared. Another reason would be that the buyer’s agent site does a better job than the subdivision site.

For more information or to schedule a showing contact Mack Perry at 770-318-2572

.

With all emphasis being put on ecologically and enviornmentally friendly construction practices in today’s building industry, it seems to make perfect sense for builders and homeowners alike to examine using this technology. While it may be slightly more expensive than traditional methods, the cost could easliy be amortized and recovered via the energy savings.

Properly marketing a home for sale is the top priority. Last week I attended a seminar on home sales and marketing and found out some interesting facts. 500% more buyers are likely to find their new home on the internet than in the newspaper and 2400% are more likely to find their new home on the internet than in the free home books. What are these numbers telling us? I think the main thing to be learned from them is that buyers want to look at pictures to see if a prosective home may meet their criteria. Not just one picture but multiple pictures.

This is not to say that homes don’t need to be properly priced and in show ready condition, in addition they must be marketed in innovative ways on the internet with as many pictures as possible. One way to accomplish this is by using an interactive floor plan with “mouse over” icons that show photos of individual rooms as well as a front and rear view of a home. We all remember the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”, in today’s Atlanta real estate market multiple pictures are worth thousands of words. Without having the right pictures and the right avenues to display them sellers will no doubt experience frustrations with extended time on the market as well as expired listings and then be faced with what some determine as their main marketing advantage, a price reduction.

To view photos of this home or any of Mack’s Listings just visit the "Featured Homes" section of his site.

Fortunately not all closing attorney’s in Metro Atlanta got hit with this not too pleasant surprise. However, the ramifications for anyone buying and selling real estate may be felt for years to come. This situation lends itself as a catalyst for creating changes in the way closing attorney’s do business. They may very well only accept wire transfers or certified funds from lenders, buyers and sellers.

Contact was made with Rick Tangum of The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. While he did not think that there was reason to be overly concerned Mr. Tangum did offer a suggestion. If you are concerned about your lender paying your taxes and insurance you can request that the escrow account be cancelled and assume the responsibility yourself. This would be a viable alternative provided that you have met the proper equity percentage required by FHA, Fannie Mae or Freedie Mac; depending on which entity regulated your mortgage to start with.

What we can deduct from all of this is that your escrow account is not insured no matter how solvent or insolvent your mortgage company is.