Real Estate Information

Greetings neighbors,

It's Sunday and the end to a beautiful weekend of weather. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and rested up for another work week. Here's a list of things to do around town the day before you head back into work.

Biblical Black Art.com -Presents-for Black History Month "The Parade of Stars" - Come and experience black history @ Initiators Gift Shop and Art Gallery - 1240 Cumberland Mall SE, Atlanta, GA, 30339, (770) 438-9494.  Time: 10am-9pm, Price: Free

Let Your Motto be Resistance: African American Portraits - 69 exhibits tracing back over 150 years @ Atlanta History Center - 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30305, (404) 814-4000. Time: 10AM-5PM, Price: General Admission.

Sunday Sessions - $10 Brunch @ Loca Luna - 550-C Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30306, (404) 875-4494. Time: 11AM, Price: $10.

Universoul Circus - Experience the circus with soul @ Green Lot @ Turner Field - 521 Capitol Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30312. Time: 12:30PM.

Brownie Points - A new comic-drama by Atlanta playwrite by Janece Shaffer @ The Balzer Theatre at Herren's - 84 Luckie St. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30303, (678) 528-1500. Time: 2:30PM-4:30PM, Price: $35, group discounts and $15 student walk-up tickets available.

This Thing Called Dance - Come experience and support young dancers @ Woodruff Arts Center: 14th Street Playhouse - 173 14th St., Atlanta, GA, 30309, (404) 733-4750. Time: 3PM, Price: $15 Advance, $20 at door.

Mulan - Experience Mulan @ Woodruff Arts Center: Alliance Theatre - 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA, 30309, (404) 733-5000. Time: 3:30PM.

Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Winter Concert - Come experience the premiere youth orchestra of the Southeast @ Woodruff Arts Center - 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA, 30309, (404) 733-5000. Time: 3PM-5PM, Price: $12.

Atlanta Hawks - Regular Season Play @ Philips Arena - One Philips Dr., Atlanta, GA, 30303, (404) 878-3000. Time: 6PM, Price: Ticket info.

Hello neighbors,

It's that time of the week again, Friday! We're coming to the end of another work week so go out and unwind. Here are a few events for you to check out this evening.

Romeo and Juliet - Marking the 11th anniversary of the play's performance @ The New American Shakespeare Tavern - 499 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA, 30308, (404) 874-5299. Time: 7:30pm - 10pm, Price: $12-$35.

Alice in Chains with Middle Class Rut - Rock Concert @ Tabernacle - 152 Luckie Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30303, (404) 659-902. Time: 8pm. Ticket no longer available online. Contact venue.

Benefit for Haiti: Let The Music Play featuring Ken Ford - Come out and help Haiti @ Center Stage - 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA, 30309, (404) 885-1365. Time: 8pm, Price: $35.

Dark Star Orchestra - Come and enjoy @ Variety Playhouse - 1099 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30303, (404) 524-7354.  Time: 8:30pm, Price: $25

Universoul Circus - Come experience the circus with soul @ the Green Lot at Turner Field - 521 Capitol Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30312, Time: 7:30pm.

ATL's Comics Unleashed - Enjoy Atlanta's funniest comics @ Apache Cafe - 64 Third St. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30308, (404) 876-5436. Time: Doors open @ 8pm, Price: $10.

Comedy of Maria Bamford - Come out and laugh @ Laughing Skull Lounge - 878 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA, 30309, 877.LAFF.AT.U (877.523.3288). Time: 8pm

Atlanta Hawks - Regular season play @ Philips Arena - One Philips Dr., Atlanta, GA, 30303, (404) 878-3000. Time: 8pm, Click here for ticket info.

Hello neighbors,

Here we have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, brick home at 932 Gresham Avenue in East Atlanta. This budget - saving brick home contains a newer kitchen with features such as custom appliances in, granite counters, tile flooring, and breakfast bar overlooking the dining room!

Other features you are sure to enjoy include gleaming hardwood floors and a bright sun room off of the family room!

In addition, you will find that this home contains ample storage and is in close proximity to schools.

View the virtual tour here!

For more information and the most current price of this home, please call our 24-hour hotline for free, recorded information at 1.888.510.1884 and enter code 2914.

Areas we serve: Decatur Georgia, Buckhead Atlanta Georgia, DeKalb County, Fulton County, Avondale Estates, Ansley Park, Virginia Highland, Poncey-Highland, Poncey Highland, Morningside, Candler Park, Grant Park, Lake Claire, Druid Hills, Emory, Inman Park, Downtown Atlanta, Midtown Atlanta, Little Five Points, Edgewood, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Oakhurst, Medlock, Fernbank, Castleberry Hill, East Lake, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Atlanta lofts, Atlanta condos, Atlanta luxury condos, Atlanta townhouses.

Greetings neighbors,

With many Americans gaining an interest in saving the environment, its no surprise that this idea would eventually trickle into the real estate market. With many homes on the market for sale, homeowners are still interested in upgrading their homes to get a quicker and more profitable sale. However, the focus of upgrading is now turning towards eco friendly upgrades and upgrades that may be a little costly in the beginning but save you more in the long run. Here are 5 home improvements you may want to consider that are recession proof.

Cork Floors:

Quickly replacing tile and wood plank flooring, low density cork is excellent for insulation and if exposed to water, this material will not rot. In addition, this flooring will not absorb dust.

Bamboo Counter Tops:

In comparison to maple wood, bamboo is harder and more dense. When considering using bamboo, the parquet model would be an excellent option.

LED Lighting:

LED lighting or light emitting diode, utilizes less energy than your basic light bulb which produces a cheaper light bill. Although these lights can be a little more expensive, the use of them will pay off over time.

Garage Doors:

Garages have a tendency to boost your home's curb value. When updating a garage factors you want to keep in mind include: the quantity of garage doors, the style of your garage, and the quality of the pavement leading to the garage.

Energy Star Windows:

Although these windows are more expensive you will definitely get your money's worth when your heating bill starts to decrease. In addition, you will also be eligible for a rebate from Uncle Sam!

Stay tuned for more Recession Proof Upgrades.

Hello neighbors,

How many of you remember the Peanuts crew which consisted of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and etc.? For those of you who may not be aware, cartoonist Charles Schulz, who passed away 10 years ago this month, created the classic cartoon.

The late Mr. Schulz created many of the Peanuts comic strips in his home located in Santa Rosa, California. This 7,230 - square foot home, which was built in 1949, is currently on the market and has been since November.

The original selling price of the home was $2.9 million however it has been said that the price will be reduced to $2.275 million due to the removal of 2 acres of land, which will now be sold separately for $600,000.

The home contains 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths and powder room. In addition, some features of the home include: a 1000 square foot guest house with kitchen and 2 bedrooms, in-ground pool, and cabana with changing rooms and showers.

Schulz purchased the home 37 years ago for approximately $250,000. The second and current owner of the house purchased in 1996.

Greetings neighbors,

The plan to fight foreclosures is finally coming into its own according to recent numbers from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Housing and Urban Development. As of the end of January 2010, over 116,000 homeowners were approved and received permanent loan modifications through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). In addition, 76,000 distressed homeowners have been approved for permanent loan modifications.

This is a significant increase in numbers and a big leap for HAMP. In 2009, the program struggled to obtain any significant numbers in relevance to permanent loan modifications. In comparison to just a few months ago in December, 66,000 homeowners had received permanent loan modifications and 44,000 had been approved. However, December numbers were still a vast improvement considering the program struggled throughout last year.

Currently, there are 1.8 million homes heading towards foreclosure, meaning home owners are in extreme default on payments according to Standard & Poor's. There are 940,000 homeowners that are currently on trail loan modifications through HAMP.

HAMP RECAP:

Announced on March 4, 2009 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) is a loan modification program implemented to reduce mortgage payments for at risk borrowers that are severely delinquent in monthly payments.

Greetings neighbors,

Check out this huge 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home located at 4655 O'Conner Way in Shannon Glen, Mableton, just west of Atlanta! This lovely home has enough room for everyone with great room with vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan with continuous space into the dining room and living rooms. In addition, this wonderful home has hardwood flooring throughout!

As for your eating and cooking needs, you will appreciate the large kitchen with stainless steal appliances, over-sized pantry, and eat-in breakfast area. Off the kitchen you will also find an additional family room or in - home office with gas starter fireplace as well as a convenient half-bath. A large laundry/mud room will complete your kitchen.

As you travel upstairs, you will love the oversized master suite with two large closets and a full bathroom with separate water closet! In addition to the master suite you will find 2 other bedrooms and a full bath.

You will also be happy to know that home and crawl spaces are sealed to prevent air leaks, so you save in your utility bills and breathe healthy air! There is plenty of closet and storage space, including additional storage in the living room’s lofted attic!

The location of this home will provide you with easy access to 285 via the East West Connector and only walking distance to the Silver Comet Trail!

Two-car garage! All appliances included (washer and dryer, fridge, gas stove, built-in microwave, etc.)!

View the virtual tour here!

Hello neighbors,

Check out this fabulous find we have for you at 55 Pharr Road, B106. Located in Buckhead, this charming 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo sits in a gated community with a landscaped courtyard!

Featuring a large freshly painted bedroom, other features of the home include: Berber carpet, custom blinds and ceramic tile baths.

You will also appreciate the kitchen which features a built-in wine rack, full appliance package, solid surface counter top, and washer/dryer!

In addition, the security system and fire sprinklers indoors will definitely make you feel secure.

For your convenience, the community offers a gym and organized activities and is located close to transportation, recreation, shops and schools in the heart of Buckhead!

View the virtual tour here!

For more information and the most current price of this home, please call our 24-hour hotline for free, recorded information at 1.888.510.1884 and enter code 2754.

Areas we serve: Decatur Georgia, Buckhead Atlanta Georgia, DeKalb County, Fulton County, Avondale Estates, Ansley Park, Virginia Highland, Poncey-Highland, Poncey Highland, Morningside, Candler Park, Grant Park, Lake Claire, Druid Hills, Emory, Inman Park, Downtown Atlanta, Midtown Atlanta, Little Five Points, Edgewood, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Oakhurst, Medlock, Fernbank, Castleberry Hill, East Lake, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Atlanta lofts, Atlanta condos, Atlanta luxury condos, Atlanta townhouses.

Greetings neighbors,

Do you or someone you know currently have your home on the market? If so, has it been on the market a little longer than you expected? If the answer is yes, it may not be the price or the marketing but something as simple as your home not being as clean as it should. Many consumers prefer to walk into a clean home when contemplating on whether to purchase or not. Therefore, make sure your home is spic and span; take a look at 5 prominent areas of your home that needs to gleam in the consumer's eye.

Windows/skylights

Many times the windows or skylights of a home are overlooked due to them being inaccessible or difficult to clean. However, it's important to remember that cloudy windows can produce a room that looks murky. Clean windows and/or skylights will produce a brighter room.

Baseboards/Walls

It's best to give your home a fresh coat of paint when placing it on the market however if the walls of the home are not terribly scuffed or pealing, you can scrub them with mild, soapy water. Clean walls and baseboards will provide the consumer with a feel or cleanliness.

Toilets

Because buyers may sometimes use the restroom while looking at a home, make sure your toilets do not display any type of rust stains. In addition, make sure you inspect your toilet and fix any type of leaks before placing your home on the market.

Closets, Cabinets, and Computer Area

Because many people love to snoop, you better believe a consumer will open your closets and cabinets. Therefore, make sure your closets are neat and try to hang your shirts facing the same way. Also make sure your cabinets are tidy and not cluttered. If you really want your cabinets to stand out you may try alphabetizing your spices!

Tile

When showing a home, one hopes for many prospects which of course leads to a lot of foot traffic. With that being said, your floor will probably end up with plenty of dirt and grout. You may even have a sign asking consumers to remove their shoes or provide footies but everyone doesn't always follow the rules. Therefore, be sure to scrub away those pesky footprints.