Real Estate Information

Greetings neighbors,

According to Freddie Mac's most recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey or PMMS, long term rates rose to over 5 percent for the first time in three weeks for the week ending February 25th. According to the survey that was released today, 30-year fixed - rate mortgages (FRM) were 5.05 percent with an average 0.7 point. In comparison, this number is up from last week's average of 4.93 percent but still down from last year's number at this time of 5.07 percent.

As for the numbers on 15-year FRM's, the average was 4.40 percent with an average 0.7 point which is also up from last week's average of 4.33 percent, but still down from last year's average of 4.68 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) showed an average of 4.16 with an average point of 0.6 which is up from it's average of 4.12 last week but down from last year's ARM average of 5.06 percent.

Lastly, the 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM came in at an average of 4.15 percent and average 0.6 point which like the others was up from last week's average of 4.23 percent and still down from last year's 1-year ARM average of 4.81 percent.

Hello neighbors,

It seems that the federal government has decided to extend the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) for an additional year. The refinance program administered by Fannie Mae and Freedie Mac, was originally set to expire on June 10th, however it was announced today that the program will now expire June 2011. This may come as good news to many distressed homeowners.

After a review of the nation's current market, the FHFA determined there hasn't been much of a change from the market that actually inspired the actions taken last year.

As for a recap, last year both Fannie Mae and Freedie Mac bought over 4 million refinanced mortgages in which 190,180 were HARP. In addition, these refinances contained loan-to-value ratios between 80 - 125%.

A major component of the Obama administration's Making Home Affordable Program, HARP began in April 2009.

Hello neighbors,

Check out what we have for you to view at 624 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue in Old Fourth Ward. This one bedroom, 1.5 bath, two story home features ceiling fans and hardwood flooring.

In addition, this traditional home features a gournmet kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and built-in microwave!

You are sure to love the master suite on the second floor with vaulted ceilings as well as the garden tube and dual vanities in the master bath.

For your outside enjoyment you will find a Juliette balcony that overlooks the welcoming greenspace with gazebo!

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 2984.

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,

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.

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.

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.