February Video Newsletter

While the economy continues to rebound, interest rates remain low and it could be a great time to purchase your next home. This month, our videos cover tips from avoiding predatory lenders and foreclosure to understanding negotiating and mortgages. Every month our mailing offers top advice on the buying and selling process to keep you in the know, and up to date with industry trends, mortgage advice, information on home design and so much more. New video content is added monthly for our valued clients. 

Trulia-- Rent vs. Buy

Trulia's Q1 2011 Rent vs. Buy Index provides guidance to help you make a smart decision on whether it is better to rent or buy in each of America's 50 largest cities by population. The Rent:Buy Ratio is calculated by using the median list price compared with the median rent on two-bedroom apartments, condos and townhomes listed on Trulia.com. Click here for the full methodology.

Click on the tabs above the interactive map to see the differences between renting for a year and buying a similar property. To check out current rental listings and homes for sale, go to Trulia.com

Nine Fulton County high schools named best in Atlanta

Georgia’s wintry weather may have temporarily dominated news headlines, but nine high schools in the Fulton County School System are ready to take their place in the spotlight after being named to Atlanta Magazine’s annual list of “Best High Schools.” The magazine compared course offerings, facilities, extracurricular activities, awards and national test performance. Results were reported across a broad spectrum of categories to include general academics, math, science, language arts, performing/visual arts and sports.

Additionally, the magazine compiled a list of “Top All-Around” achievers, which are schools that made the cut in all categories. Of the 16 “All-Around” finalists, four were from Fulton County, while nine were private schools and three were other public schools. The following is a listing of the categories and the Fulton County high schools recognized. Roswell High School’s “Quidditch Club” – a game made popular by the Harry Potter movies – was profiled in the magazine in addition to other clubs and programs unique to Fulton County high schools. 


The January 2011 edition of Atlanta Magazine is on newsstands now.

40th Anniversary Celebration of Cathedral Antiques Show

 

40th Anniversary Celebration of Cathedral Antiques Show

January 26, 2011

The 40th Annual Cathedral Antiques Show features 35 exhibitors offering fine 18th & 19th century antiques, paintings, textiles, porcelain, jewelry, silver and more. In addition to the antiques show, there is a tour of homes, an inspiration house, a gala preview party, a special evening lecture and reception with Coach Vince Dooley, daily learning lectures, and verbal appraisals. For more details, click here to view the brochure.
The show is organized and run by over 200 dedicated volunteers and has raised over $3 million dollars for the Atlanta Communtiy. This year’s beneficiary is H.E.R.O. for Children. H.E.R.O. for Children is Dedicated to improving the quality of life for children infected with and affected by HIV-AIDS.

The Celebration Begins With The Tour of Homes & Inspiration House

This year’s tour of homes will showcase four fabulous homes in Buckhead.

Sunday, January 30, 12:30-5:00 P.M
Monday, January 31, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Donation: $30
Click here for tickets/donations

Top 5 Home Improvement Projects Based on Average Cost and Return on Investment

RISMEDIA, January 20, 2011—HomeGain.com, a website to offering Web-based, free instant home values, announced that it has released the results of its nationwide home improvement and home staging Home Sale Maximizer survey.

HomeGain surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals nationwide and configured a list of the top 10 do-it-yourself home improvements that cost under $5,000 and benefit sellers most when they sell their homes.

According to the HomeGain survey, the top five home improvements that real estate professionals recommend to home sellers based on average cost and return on investment (from highest to lowest ROI) are:

1. Cleaning and de-cluttering – ($290 cost / $1,990 price increase / 586% ROI)
2. Lightening and brightening – ($375 cost / $1,550 price increase / 313% ROI)
3. Home staging – ($550 cost / $2,194 price increase / 299% ROI)
4. Landscaping – ($540 cost / $1,932 price increase / 258% ROI)
5. Repairing electrical or plumbing – ($535 cost / $1,505 price increase / 181% ROI)





No McMansions for Millennials

Here's what Generation Y doesn't want: formal living rooms, soaker bathtubs, dependence on a car.
In other words, they don't want their parents' homes.
Much of this week's National Association of Home Builders conference has dwelled on the housing needs of an aging baby boomer population. But their children actually represent an even larger demographic. An estimated 80 million people comprise the category known as "Gen Y," youth born roughly between 1980 and the early 2000s. The boomers, meanwhile, boast 76 million.

SmarterTravel.com names Atlanta a 'Top travel destinations for 2011'

Top travel destinations for 2011

A new year brings new reasons to explore the world. And if the world is your oyster, why not seek out the pearls? Destinations set to shine in 2011 include the world's newest country (hint: think warm, aquamarine water), a city with celebrations every day, and some far-flung countries that will seem closer with the addition of new air service.

Perdue: ThyssenKrupp to Open New Facility in Alpharetta

By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta

ATLANTA - Some encouraging news for the Metro area local economy.
Governor Sonny Perdue says an international company will locate a new facility in north Metro Atlanta.
Governor Perdue made the announcement at the state capitol as he prepares to leave office on Monday.
ThyssenKrupp will locate new North American information technolgy operations in Alpharetta, says the governor.
The move is expected to create about 100 jobs.
State officials have worked hard to lure companies to Georgia with tax incentives and pledges of educational information.
For more information on jobs in Georgia, go to http://www.dol.state.ga.us/ .

North Fulton Chamber Announces Vesta Bringing up to 500 New Jobs to Alpharetta

December 21, 2010 – Alpharetta, GA

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, announced that electronic payments

giant Vesta plans to open its newest call center in North Fulton. “We are thrilled with

their decision to expand into North Fulton,” Beach said in welcoming the Portland,

Oregon-based company to Alpharetta. “This move will bring hundreds of jobs to our

area.”

– Brandon Beach, President & CEO of

Your Guide to New Year's Events in Georgia

No matter where you are, there’s an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience awaiting you in Georgia. Check out the Dropping of the Cotton Ball in the town of Nashville. Or the annual Possum Drop in downtown Tallapoosa. From a festive riverboat cruise and sumptuous buffet on the Savannah River to the Masquerade & Carnival Celebrations at Chateau Elan in North Georgia, there’s a unique and exciting New Year’s Eve adventure for everyone. There’s simply no better place to begin 2011 than in Georgia.

Find the best cities for a Southern Christmas including San Antonio, Atlanta, Louisville, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. Here, Southern Living's picks for what to see, do, and buy in each city...

Find the best cities for a Southern Christmas including San Antonio, Atlanta, Louisville, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. Here, Southern Living's picks for what to see, do, and buy in each city.

Tried-and-True Tradition: Pink Pig Rides at Macy’s (pictured) 
 Lenox Square in Buckhead
Ride Priscilla, the bubblegum-colored train in the shape of a pig, still chugging on the upper parking deck after 56 years. The 2009 version moves through a life-size storybook showing the ride’s history. This rite of passage costs $3 a trip; hours and printable two-for-one discount coupons at macys.com/campaign/pinkpig/home.jsp

Becoming a Tradition: Centennial Olympic Park Ice-skating
Downtown, across from CNN Center
The rink’s ready with rental skates ($2) and a view of the skyline. Multicolor rays bathe the ice in holiday hues to a seasonal soundtrack. It’s $7 for 90 minutes. Parking at the Green Lot on the Marietta Street side of the park, $8. centennialpark.com

 

ACT1 Theater in Alpharetta presents "A Dickens' Christmas Carol"

ACT1 THEATER PRESENTS "A DICKENS' CHRISTMAS CAROL," A COMEDY BY MARK LANDON SMITH, WHICH RUNS FROM FRIDAY, NOV. 19 THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 19.

Thanksgiving is upon us which means that no sooner is the leftover turkey and dressing stashed in the fridge that theaters throughout Atlanta (and the English speaking world) will open Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." But what would happen if a professional production of the tale went hilariously wrong?

ACT1 Theater presents "A Dickens' Christmas Carol," Mark Landon Smith's scrambled adaptation of Dickens' beloved Christmas story. Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and all of the required characters are present in Victorian London in the year of our Lord, 1843, as the seven member Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Theatre Company perform the Dickens classic during their annual farewell tour in England. Bettina, the company diva, pretends to be ill, certain the production will be canceled. However, much to her shock and rage, the show does go on without her! Mayhem ensues as she battles to reclaim her roles, and everything that could possibly go hilariously wrong does.

"A Dickens' Christmas Carol" opens Friday, November 26 and runs through Sunday, December 19. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 PM, with Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM on December 5, December 12, and December 19. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors age 60 and above, and for children age twelve and under. ACT1 Theater is located in the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street, 20009 in Alpharetta. For tickets go to http://www.act1theater.com/, or (770) 663-8989.

Downtown Alpharetta Open House and Christmas Tree Lighting- Dec 4th-5th!

‎33rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Milton Square City Park across from Alpharetta City Hall, 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 Sunday, December 5, 2010 5:00 PM

Celebrate the season at the Holiday Farmer's Market and Christmas Open House in downtown Alpharetta on Saturday, December 4th from noon to 6 p.m. The Christmas Open House continues Sunday, December 5th from noon to 7 p.m. Make it a weekend of shopping and celebrating at one of Alpharetta’s 23 upscale hotels. Check out our holiday rates at http://www.awesomealpharetta.com/uploads/Direct%20Connect/Holidays%20in%20Alpharetta/Alpharetta%20Hotel%20Rates.pdf

Your Guide to New Year's Events in Georgia

No matter where you are, there’s an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience awaiting you in Georgia. Check out the Dropping of the Cotton Ball in the town of Nashville. Or the annual Possum Drop in downtown Tallapoosa. From a festive riverboat cruise and sumptuous buffet on the Savannah River to the Masquerade & Carnival Celebrations at Chateau Elan in North Georgia, there’s a unique and exciting New Year’s Eve adventure for everyone. There’s simply no better place to begin 2011 than in Georgia.

Distressed home sales drop 31% in 3Q: RealtyTrac

A total of 188,748 homes in some stage of the foreclosure process sold in the third quarter, down 31% from a year ago and 25% from the previous quarter, according to RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure marketplace.

Many lenders froze REO sales in October to review affidavits that were allegedly signed without a review of the documentation. Even though those banks have refiled affidavits and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cleared real estate agents to resume marketing REO, demand for these homes could still wane in the months ahead.

Wine Highway 2010 Winter Wine Highway Weekend Dec 3-5, 2010

The Winter Wine Highway Weekend is your opportunity to travel the Northeast Georgia Mountains with your Passport to all 9 wineries. You can purchase your Passport for $20.00 at any winery where you begin your Wine Highway experience. Come and visit Blackstock Vineyards, Crane Creek Vineyards, Frogtown Cellars, Habersham Winery, Persimmon Creek Vineyards, Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards, Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Yonah Mountain Vineyards for unforgettable experience. For more details visit our web site at www.discovergeorgiawine.com

Home Sales Fell 2.2% in October.

Developments

Real estate news and analysis from The Wall Street Journal

By Jeff Bater and Alan Zibel
Home resales dipped in October after two months of increases, with a weak economy and worries about flaws in foreclosure documents keeping buyers away.
Sales of previously occupied homes decreased by 2.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.43 million, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had expected home sales to drop 0.7% to an annual rate of 4.50 million.
The decrease in home sales followed a pair of monthly increases from the lowest sales rate in 15 years. September resales rose an unrevised 10% to a rate of 4.53 million. In August, resales climbed 7.3%.

Frommer's Top Destinations 2011--Atlanta is on the list.

Atlanta, Georgia

As the gateway to the New South, Atlanta has certainly come a long way since it burned to the ground during General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864. And while remains of the Civil War are still a big draw for visitors -- the Kennesaw Mountain/National Battlefield Park and Cheatham Hill specifically, there is much more to this great city than 150-year-old confrontations. Atlanta boasts the world's largest aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola museum, a world-class zoo, an impressive botanical garden, and Federal parks highlighting the life and works of native son Martin Luther King, Jr.



Read more: http://www.frommers.com/micro/2010/top-destinations-2011/atlanta-georgia.html#ixzz15ZlXA9DQ

Shedding Some Light on the Issue of Shadow Inventory

There appears to be some confusion regarding the amount of shadow inventory that currently exists and the impact it will continue to have on the real estate market. Today, we want to bring some clarity to both of these issues. First, let’s define shadow inventory because part of the confusion is in differing definitions.  Originally, the term ‘shadow inventory’ was used by some to define a supposed ‘secret’ inventory; mysteriously hidden by banks from their investors and the general public. This definition caused banks to come forward and announce that they were not holding a ‘secret’ stash of foreclosures.

Holiday sights and sounds

Don’t worry about crunching numbers during the holidays — Fernbank Museum and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center are partnering up this season to present two programs for one low price. Learn more about the world’s many cultures at Fernbank’s Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World, a programmed exhibition showcasing decorated trees, dance performances, storytelling and more. Then, head over to Callanwolde’s Christmas at Callanwolde, where the Gothic-Tudor mansion has been elaborately decorated for the holidays by Atlanta’s top interior designers. Displays and events like a gingerbread village and an ice carving competition are also a part of the program. From Dec. 1-12, experience both attractions for a special package rate of $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors, and $22 for children ages 12 and younger. — Penn Hansa

Study: Amid housing slump, home sizes shrink

Is the McMansion soon to become a thing of the past?

The median American home size has dropped to 2,100 square feet -- down from 2,300 at the peak of the housing boom in 2007 -- according to a study by Trulia.com, a real estate website. Each year, Builder magazine designs a concept home to reflect the current state of the market.  This year, the "Home for the New Economy" is just 1700 square feet.

Mortgage Applications Rise

Applications to purchase homes rose 5.5 percent last week compared to the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey.

On an unadjusted basis, purchases increased 3.1 compared over the previous week. This was the third consecutive week that purchase applications rose. They are at the highest level since May.

“The increases in purchase applications we have seen over the past couple of weeks align with the better than expected news from October’s employment report and other data indicating some improvement in the economy’s growth prospects,” says Michael Fratantoni, MBA’s vice president of research and economics.

Mortgage rates held steady:

· 30-year fixed-rate mortgages remained unchanged at 4.28 percent.
· 15-year fixed-rate remained unchanged at 3.64 percent.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (11/10/2010)

Senoia, Georgia - 2010 Southern Living Idea House

When Southern Living Magazine decided to go beyond the four walls of a house and showcase the renaissance of a quaint southern town, their search brought them to Senoia, Georgia.

Welcome to the Historic Senoia Project, the best kept secret in the South.

Peter Pan

JANUARY 21-MARCH 20

THE BELOVED & TIMELESS STORY...LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE!
Pemberton Place®, adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola®, Downtown Atlanta plays host to a unique event- a spectacular new production of JM Barrie’s classic story direct from engagements in London and San Francisco and Orange County.
Dazzling 360 degree imagery takes you soaring over London with Peter, Wendy and Tinkerbell in this magical journey that combines live theatre and jaw-dropping special effects in a state-of-the-art theatre tent!

Modifications Not the Answer to Foreclosure Crisis

Even the government now realizes that there is no way to prevent a large number of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales) from entering the housing market.