Wednesday Mornings on Ponce

Every week, Ponce Realty sends out an enewsletter with updates, stories, and general info about the real estate industry in Atlanta and across the nation. If you would like to receive this weekly, please email wednesdays@poncerealty.biz!

Is it time to change the sales environment? Consumers don't want to be sold or pressured these days. Times are tight and one way to ensure your clients stay with you is to make yourself indespensible.

Average interest rates. The economy may be down, but our interest rates have never been better! Here is a chart displaying the average interest rate for 30 year fixed loans since 1991.

Atlanta's intown condo market improving. In the first half of this year, condo sales and contracts have amounted to 482. Out of the 93 active condo project in intown Atlanta, 6,817 are available. Read more about the supply and demand of the intown condo market.

Joke of the week. A real estate agent walking along the beach found a bottle. When he rubbed it, lo and behold, a genie appeared. "I will grant you three wishes," announced the genie. "But since Satan still hates me, for every wish you make, your rival gets the wish as well -- only double."

The real estate agent thought about this for a while. "For my first wish, I would like ten million dollars," he announced. Instantly the genie gave him a Swiss bank account number and assured the man that $10,000,000 had been deposited. "But your rival has just received $20,000,000," the genie said.

"I've always wanted a Ferrari," the agent said. Instantly a Ferrari appeared. "But your rival has just received two Ferraris," the genie said. "And what is your last wish?"

"Well," said the salesman, "I've always wanted to donate a kidney for transplant." 

Renting REOs. A proposed bill, Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2011, is calling for banks to rent out unoccupied foreclosures while the market stabilizes. Homeowners facing foreclosure could also sign rental agreements to stay in their homes.

Coach's Corner. Dirk Zeller shows champions how to develop your pricing philosophy in this week's edition of his weekly newsletter.

"Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that's how dogs spend their lives." - comedian Sue Murphy

Quick Response code apps. If you haven't yet downloaded an app to your phone to read QR codes on the go, here's a list to get you started! On August 12, the DeKalb Board of Realtors is hosting a brown bag lunch session on QR codes - more info here!

Agent wanted! Zac is looking for one additional agent to help with all of our leads! With our sophisticated lead generation and management platforms, high-level technology, and high energy sales environment, you'll wonder why you didn't start at Ponce realty sooner! Did we mention that we fill buyer's agents' lead pipelines with company leads? For details on our plans and how to grow YOUR business, please contact our broker at 404.564.7272 for a confidential interview.

Join us on Linked In! Connect with Zac and see what we're up to over at Ponce Realty! 

Have a great week!
Your colleagues at Ponce Realty

Wednesday Mornings at Ponce

Every week, Ponce Realty sends out an enewsletter with updates, stories, and general info about the real estate industry in Atlanta and across the nation. If you would like to receive this weekly, please email wednesdays@poncerealty.biz!

Wednesday Mornings at Ponce is expanding to facebook! That's right, thanks to the support we've received from our dear readers, we've decided to spread the love to facebook. Check us out here!

Wells Fargo fined. This story came out last week after we had sent out Wednesday Mornings on Ponce, so we wanted to share it with you now. Wells Fargo will be paying an $85 million fine to the Federal Reserve and thousands more to homeowners affected by Wells putting them into subprime loans. In addition, 16 former employees are now banned from ever working in the banking industry again.

Zillow goes public. Zillow's stock hit the market last week and the share price tripled before settling back down. Investors are embracing this as part of several internet-based IPOs to drop recently.

Best value cities. Kiplinger teamed up to explore the financial prosperity of cities across the nation. They incorporated a number of factors such as unemployment, low housing costs, and nurturing business environment.

Joke of the week. The last word in an argument is what a wife has. Anything a husband says after that is the beginning of another argument. 

Homeowners skeptical. 33 percent of homeowners polled last week said that they feel that their house is worth less than they owe. 49 percent are more confident in the value of their home and 18 percent are unser.

Coach's Corner. Dirk Zeller shows champions how to develop your pricing philosophy in this week's edition of his weekly newsletter.

"What you can't get out of, get into wholeheartedly." - writer Mignon McLaughlin

Home prices up slightly. The Case Shiller Index reported that home prices rose one percent in their 20-city index over the month of April, but that they are still down 4.5 percent from one year ago.

Buyers agent wanted! Zac is looking for one additional buyer's agent to help with all of our leads! With our sophisticated lead generation and management platforms, high-level technology, and high energy sales environment, you'll wonder why you didn't start at Ponce realty sooner! Did we mention that we fill buyer's agents' lead pipelines with company leads? For details on our plans and how to grow YOUR business, please contact our broker at 404.564.7272 for a confidential interview.

Join us on Linked In! Connect with Zac and see what we're up to over at Ponce Realty! 

Have a great week!
Your colleagues at Ponce Realty

Below are a few packing tips to help make your Atlanta move smooth and easy (or easier at least - moving takes some energy!). You will save a great deal by packing yourself, so here are some guidelines:

• Use strong containers that are in good condition and that can be secured tightly with twine or strapping tape. These can usually be purchased from your moving company. Purchase special boxes for dishes, clothing, and other special items.
• Label each box with its content, which room it should go in, whether it is fragile, and whether it should be loaded last so as to be unloaded first.
• Don't load more than 50 pounds into any one box, and make sure the weight is evenly distributed.
• Cushion contents with newspaper or other packaging material to prevent breakage. Use newsprint or tissue paper for items that might be soiled by newspaper.
• Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. Alternate bindings and wrap valuable books separately.
• Have your rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in their wrappings for easier handling.
• Remove all breakables and liquids from drawers and pack them separately. Seal medicines and other containers to prevent leaking and pack in a leak-proof bag or container.
• Pack linen and cloting in drawers, but don't overload them.
• Carry all valuables with you. Don't pack jewelry, documents, coin or stamp collections, or anything that will be difficult to replace. Contents of a safety deposit box can be moved for you by your bank. 

Hopefully these tips help! If you want to move, but have a house to sell first, give Zac a call at 404.564.7200 - we'll take good care of you!

Got a green thumb? Want to make sure your house plants make it through your next big move intact? You can take them with you without harming them - here are some tips!

• Call your local U.S. Department of Agriculture to check on regulations if moving from one state to another. Many states have restrictions on certain kinds of plants to prevent importing bugs or pests that can destroy valuable cash crops in that state.
• A couple of weeks before you move, prune plants to facilitate packing. Consult a florist or plant book for instructions.
• A week before your move, put your plants in a black plastic bag with a bug / pest strip, conventional flea collar, or bug powder in the bag before you put the plant in. Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight. This will kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.
• The day before your move, set the boxes aside and mark "DO NOT LOAD" so they won't be taken with the moving van.
• On the day you leave, close boxes, punch air holes in the top, and load in your car.
• When on the road, be careful where you park your car. Look for a shaded area in summer and a sunny spot in winter.
• Unpack the plants as soon as you can after arriving. Remove plants through the bottom of the box in order to avoid breaking the stems. Do not expose the plants to too much sunlight at first. Let them get accustomed to more light gradually.
• If you must leave your plants behind, then take cuttings. Put them in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.

If you ever have questions about moving (or buying a house to move into or selling a house to move out of), please give Zac a call at 404.564.7200!

Get your Atlanta housing market statistics! Direct from the First Multiple Listing Service, these numbers are published by Smart Numbers with extensive research and statistics on the Atlanta market. Here, we break down the most significant real estate numbers and put it into a quick reference format to share with our sellers and fellow agents.

The compilation shows April 2011 market statistics versus April 2010 numbers. Enjoy and please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions! And scroll down for links to a year's worth of past statistics! Our office # is 404.564.7200.

Click here for the March 2011 report!

Click here for the February 2011 report!

Click here for the January 2011 report!

Click here for the November 2010 report!

Click here for the October 2010 report!

Click here for the September 2010 report!

Click here for the August 2010 report!

Click here for the July 2010 report!

Click here for the June 2010 report!

Click here for the May 2010 report!

Click here for the April 2010 report!

Want more stats?
We can email you monthly reports on current listings and the last six months of sales for the following areas. Just click below for the neighborhood or condo building that you're interested in!

Click here for Atlanta’s fabulous intown neighborhoods!
(including Morningside, Virginia Highland, Candler Park, and Lake Claire real estate)
Click here for Atlanta’s Midtown condo scene!
(including 12 Atlantic Station, Plaza Midtown, Metropolis, Spire, Mayfair, and 905 Juniper mid-rise and high rise condos)

Get your Atlanta housing market statistics! Direct from the First Multiple Listing Service, these numbers are published by Smart Numbers with extensive research and statistics on the Atlanta market. Here, we break down the most significant real estate numbers and put it into a quick reference format to share with our sellers and fellow agents.

The compilation shows April 2011 market statistics versus April 2010 numbers. Enjoy and please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions! And scroll down for links to a year's worth of past statistics! Our office # is 404.564.7200.

Click here for the April 2011 report!

Click here for the March 2011 report!

Click here for the February 2011 report!

Click here for the January 2011 report!

Click here for the November 2010 report!

Click here for the October 2010 report!

Click here for the September 2010 report!

Click here for the August 2010 report!

Click here for the July 2010 report!

Click here for the June 2010 report!

Click here for the May 2010 report!

Click here for the April 2010 report!

Want more stats?
We can email you monthly reports on current listings and the last six months of sales for the following areas. Just click below for the neighborhood or condo building that you're interested in!

Click here for Atlanta’s fabulous intown neighborhoods!
(including Morningside, Virginia Highland, Candler Park, and Lake Claire real estate)
Click here for Atlanta’s Midtown condo scene!
(including 12 Atlantic Station, Plaza Midtown, Metropolis, Spire, Mayfair, and 905 Juniper mid-rise and high rise condos)

The Zac Team would like to cordially invite you to an open house this Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 2-5 p.m. to discover one of Atlanta's true intown gems! This 4 bedroom, 3 bath home at 875 Vistavia Circle is the custom designed & built, personal home of well-known Atlanta architect Van Fraser. Similar to homes by the architect Eichler that populated California suburbs from the 1950s to 1970s, this contemporary-style home is nestled in the quiet woods of Emory's prestigious Mason Mill area.

Everything from the Redwood siding to the exposed granite wall foundation will welcome you home. Updated kitchen, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, finished daylight terrace level, solarium with hot-tub. Slate patio and expansive deck overlook the creek. Outbuilding for tool-shed or playhouse. 2-car carport. Unincorporated DeKalb, so low taxes! The list goes on - come see it today!

Have you been looking for the next great deal in real estate? Of course you have - who hasn't?! Well, we have an idea, and it's in the shape of a lovely brick ranch a stone's throw from Brookhaven and Buckhead in zip code 30345! This 3 bed, 1.5 bath home at 2405 Woodacres Road is priced under $170,000.

Get full details, including the most current price, here for 2405 Woodacres Road.

You will love the stylish glass-fronted cabinets in the kitchen, where a wall was removed to allow for an open floor plan between the kitchen and dining room. You'll find original hardwood floors throughout, including in the bedrooms and a bonus room. Bathrooms have been recently updated.

Large patio is great for entertaining! The back yard is nestled privately in the woods, yet home is close to 85 and a quick drive to downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you all about a very special house we have for sale right now near Stone Mountain Park. This unique property is a gorgeous custom log home situated on almost 5 acres of land - not something you find very often near Atlanta! This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home (with a 2 bed, 1 bath carriage house over the 2-car garage) has been featured in magazines and will make you feel as if you've entered your own retreat in the mountains! For full details and all the photos on this home, please visit 6099 Pattillo Way online!

Genuine solid logs inside & out - glowing hardwoods, exposed beams. Open floor plan between kitchen, dining, and living rooms.

Newly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel and granite!

2 super-sized master suites with vaulted ceilings. Completely custom master bathroom with copper tub, separate shower.

Finished terrace level w/ two bedrooms, full bath, rec room, sauna. Detached 2-car garage with workshop and separate apartment. Apartment has living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bath, laundry area. Deep rocking chair porches front & back run the length of the home. This home is convenient to everything, yet surprisingly private. For full details and all the photos on this home, please visit 6099 Pattillo Way online!

Get your Atlanta housing market statistics! Direct from the First Multiple Listing Service, these numbers are published by Smart Numbers with extensive research and statistics on the Atlanta market. Here, we break down the most significant real estate numbers and put it into a quick reference format to share with our sellers and fellow agents.

The compilation shows March 2011 market statistics versus March 2010 numbers. Enjoy and please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions! And scroll down for links to a year's worth of past statistics! Our office # is 404.564.7200.

Click here for the February 2011 report!

Click here for the January 2011 report!

Click here for the November 2010 report!

Click here for the October 2010 report!
Click here for the September 2010 report!
Click here for the August 2010 report!
Click here for the July 2010 report!
Click here for the June 2010 report!
Click here for the May 2010 report!
Click here for the April 2010 report!

Want more stats?
We can email you monthly reports on current listings and the last six months of sales for the following areas. Just click below for the neighborhood or condo building that you're interested in!

Click here for Atlanta’s fabulous intown neighborhoods!
(including Morningside, Virginia Highland, Candler Park, and Lake Claire real estate)
Click here for Atlanta’s Midtown condo scene!
(including 12 Atlantic Station, Plaza Midtown, Metropolis, Spire, Mayfair, and 905 Juniper mid-rise and high rise condos)