Local Real Estate Comments and Ramblings

I have just plugged in a new IDX search to my website.  It's been there about 2 weeks now and I love it!  They are not giving me any kind of referral or anything like that.  Nothing in this for me other than it's a great product and worth sharing.

The provider is a company called Listingware.  The product was easy to set up and plug in to the search for homes function my website.  It has great features to capture prospect info and the back end information details are amazing.  I can see how long they have looked, what they looked at, different searches they've entered, get breakdowns on most popular searches, and much much more.

I can send automated detailed searches to prospects that have signed up or that I have entered myself.  This is a great alternative to sending the listings from my mls since I will be able to track their viewings and activities. With my former IDX provider I couild only save searches narrowed down to the price,city and zip, but I couldn,t save searches by school or subdivision.

The feature that I really like though is the api codes to create specific search links to use in my marketing. One of the things that I like to do is create a neighborhood website for my market areas such as www.MyCountryWalkHome.info. Once I have the website set up I can insert a link specifically to search for Country Walk Homes.

All in all listing ware is a great product and I have to say it is worth looking at.  They are not nationwide but they are in several market areas around the country.  Check them out if you are interested!

I always to to support local business and non -profits.  If your business or non-profit group has a special event coming up, please let me know.  I'll be glad to post it for you.

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My friend, Janet Huffman, who owns the "Cup of the Word" bookstore sent this to me.  If you are in the Marietta area on Saturday be sure to stop by and say hi! www.Acupoftheword.com 

...Village at Old Trace...

Back To School Kick-Off!

3405 Dallas Hwy. Marietta, GA 30064

***SATURDAY AUGUST 18TH***
11AM - 2PM * Rain or Shine

v    Sidewalk Sales

v    Moon Walk

v    Face Painting

v    Balloon Sculpturing

v    Trackless Train

v    Hillgrove High School Marching Band & Cheerleaders

Come join in the fun sponsored by the Village at Old Trace merchants.

Our First Annual Back-To-School Kickoff will feature games, prizes, food and entertainment, with special offers by:

A Cup of The Word, Capital Funding and Mortgage Group, Focus On Vision, ES Johnson Real Estate Services, Honeybaked Ham, Integrated Health Services,  Leather Gallery and Bedding Center, PJ's Coffee, Piano Crafters, Pomegranate, Sanda Gané.

Bring your school supplies, gently worn clothes & donations to benefit Calvary Children's Home.

I always to to support local business and non -profits.  If your business or non-profit group haqs a special event coming up, please let me know.  I'll be glad to post it for you.

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Elaine Turner from Brooke Insurance is having a grand opening celebration on Sat., Aug 18.  I met Elaine throught the Powder Springs Business Association and I'm sure she would love to have you stop by and say "HI"

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The Brooke Insurance Agency will be having their Grand Opening on Saturday, August 18, 2007.  Let's join Elaine  Turner and her staff in celebrating their grand opening between the hours of 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.

For further information please contact:

Elaine Turner

Brooke Insurance

3729 New Macland Road

Suite 140

Powder Springs, GA 30127

770-222-4272

http://www.brookeagent.com/ElaineTurner/

Elaine.Turner@BrookeAgent.com

(Powder Springs) – As more and more consumers begin their search for real estate-related information on the Internet, it is critical that real estate professionals are well educated in the use of technology to the benefit of both the consumer and the agent and/or broker.

Realizing the importance of technology training, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) now offers its members the e-PRO certification course -- the only technology certification program offered by NAR. The program is designed to prepare real estate professionals to make the most of Internet technology and to identify, evaluate, and implement new Internet business models. The elite group of course graduates represents only one percent of all REALTORS in the country including Bob Southard of Re/Max Platinum.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past five years,” Bob Southard said. “Today, more than 70% of all buyers and sellers begin their search online. As an e-PRO certified agent, I have knowledge and tools needed to provide my clients with the information they need and the customer service they demand. It’s both hi-tech and hi-touch.”

The REALTOR e-PROÒ certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

The exclusive REALTOR e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. The course is designed to help REALTORSÒ stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade®. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Bob Southard at Bob@AgentBobSells.com or call 770-656-9134.

The entrance to Pickets Mill located on Mt Tabor Church Rd in Dallas Ga, near the Cobb County line.  The Confederates won the battle and delayed Shermans march by a few days.

Many of the areas around Metro Atlanta are rich with civil war history.  The Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield National Park is only a few miles away.

 This information is for FMLS map area 73 which covers Powder Springs and West Marietta in the area south of Ga Hwy 120 (Dallas Hwy)

Here is some interesting data just released from FMLS and Smartnumbers.com.

In June 2006, 215 homes sold for an average price of $215,534.

In June 2007, 148 homes sold for an average price of $219,775.

So even though sales are slowing and inventory is risig, prices are still slowly climbing.  This has been the trend all across the metro Atlanta area.

For Sellers- this means that if you don't need to sell its probably not the best time to "test the waters". However you are selling it means there are still buyers out there.  Don't expect a huge price increase over what your neighbors home sold for last year and expect to keep your home on the market longer as inventory continues to increase.  As always, a nice home that is priced fairly and marketed like crazy will still sell.

For Buyers- Its a good time to buy.  There are plenty of homes to choose from and interest rates are still fairly low.  In spite of all the gloom and doom in the media prices are stable and Powder Springs/West Cobb is a great place to live.  One word of caution for buyers - with the recent upheavals in the mortgage industry it is important to make sure that you are well qualified before you enter the market place.

Buyers - Ask about our 100% Financing Loan Program

Modular home on approx. 1.5 acres of beautifully wooded setting adjacent to Corp of Engineer property.  Features include a master suite with walk-in closet, casual great room with fireplace, kitchen with breakfast area. Close to parks and public lake access such as Red Top Mountain and Bartow Carver Park. Asking $79,000!

View the virtual tour at:4279 Bartow Carver Rd Tour

Call:   Bob Southard  770-656-9143
:AgentBobSells.com

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Smyrna, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs. Visit my website Call me for all of your Real Estate needs 770-656-9134 Copyright © 2008 By Bob Southard, All Rights Reserved   Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn