Local Real Estate Comments and Ramblings

Below is the market activity in Amberton subdivision to  09/01/2007 to 01/30/2008. I think it is interesting that nno homes have sold in this time period. Amberton is a great neighborhood, with excellent amenities and schools.  As with any neighborhood the homes should be priced according to current market conditions and effectively marketed.

See todays list of homes currently for sale in Amberton subdivision, Powder Springs, Georgia

	Comparative Market Analysis

Here is the summary of recent sold and pending sales for Echo Mill subdivision in Powder Springs, Cobb County, Georgia.

You can see all of the homes curently for sale or get an online price evaluation for your Echo Mill home by visiting http://www.echomill.info/

	Comparative Market Analysis

Information herein is provided by Seller and is, therefore, not guaranteed.

Here is the summary of recent sold and pending sales for Country Walk subdivision in Powder Springs Georgia.

You can see all of the homes curently for sale or get an online price evaluation for your Country Walk home by visiting www.MyCountryWalkHome.info

	Comparative Market Analysis

Information herein is provided by Seller and is, therefore, not guaranteed.

Do you want to be a Loser?  Well you do, if you're losing weight.   

Country Walk subdivision in Powder Springs, Ga., is holding it's own "Biggest Loser" contest.  American Body Works in Hiram has agreed to be our sponsor for this event.    It  started today and run until May 31st.  If you missed the weigh in, it's not too late.  You can start anytime.  The cost is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents.  The total money collected will be the prize money for the biggest loser.  All weigh-ins will be confidential (only known to the representative of American Body Works).  They will be weighing, measuring, and body fat testing and will keep the records for everyone who participates.  It is not a requirement to join American Body Works; however, they will be offering discounts and prizes.  If you just want to join an exercise group, then you can do that as well.   

If you are interested in participating email Barbara Southard at bcs32@comcast.net, or call her at 770-726-7336. Thanks!

People in other parts of the country might not know that every once in a while we do get some sort of frozen precipitation around here.  Usually this comes in the form of sleet or freezing rain and sometimes actual snow.

Needless to say, this can be quite exciting for for folks around here.  At even the mention of the "s" word several things begin to happen:

     *People run to the grocery store and buy bread and milk.

     *All the news stations set up live remotes to keep us all upddated on the impending weather disaster

     *The kids get all excited because they are certain that tomorrow will be a "snow day" -no School yee ha!

Occasionally these weather events do end up amounting to something substantial. You might not realize this but the elevation of Atlanta is quite high (about 900- 1000 feet above sea level) and the from the northern suburbs all the way to the state line at Tennessee, North and South Carolina is it the terrain ranges from just hilly to mountainous.  The highest elevations in NE Ga are over 4000 feet so in some parts of the state the snow accumulation can be quite substantial.

Now keep in mind this all maybe a once or twice a year thing.  The road crews don't have a lot of snow removal equipment.  Why would they buy gozillions of dollars worth of equipment to own and maintain to use one or 2 days a year.

I have lived in the Atlanta area for about 40 years and in that time we have actually had a few severe weather events that included snow over 3 inches.  More often the really severe frozen weather comes in the form of frozen rain which can be quite devastating. The hilly roads turn to sheets of ice, power lines and trees fall from the weight of the ice. I don't care where you moved here from, your bad weather driving experience and SUV aren't worth are darn on a steep icy hill.  You are just sitting in a gian 6000 pound sled.  Enjoy the ride and call your insurance company :-).

All of this leads me up to sharing our big weather event from yesterday.  At about 3:30 or so people started spotting a bunch of flakes.  These were in the form of weather talking heads on tv and actual snowflakes.

Here is a pic of my house in Powder Springs, GA. at about 3:45

As the event went on the kids of course were certain that there would be no school today, but luckily were well stocked on bread and milk! 

Sadly for the kids the temps remained around 32-33 and the snow turned to rain with no additional freezing.  School today as usual and all we have to show for the entire event is a few pretty pictures.

 This was about 5:45

Ok, so maybe I'm being a little sarcastic about all this but the weather is truly one of the things that I love about living here in Powder Springs and metro Atlanta. The weather is not too bad and we have 4 real seasons.  We get to enjoy warm summers, pretty fall colors, mild winters that still seem like winter, and the most beautiful spring times.

If you are thinking of moving to Powder Springs, Marietta, Acworth, Kennesaw, or anywhere in Cobb County or metro Atlanta give me a call.  I'll be glad to tell stories about the great snow jam of 1980 or even the weather event of 2008!

Dear Powder Springs or Cobb County Home Buyer,

Is this the right time to make a home purchase?

There has been a lot of information in the media lately about how "bad" the real estate market is. 

First of all, all real estate is local.  For some reason the national media never seems to grasp this.  Our market here in metro Atlanta has always been fairly stable.  We don't see the roller coaster ride of prices like they do in some other markets.  Our market is more like the "tortoise" while they are the "hare".

All in all, I don't think there has been a better time in recent history to buy a home in metro Atlanta.  Here are few reasons why:

1. It Is a buyers market - There is no question about that.  Compared to recent years we have a higher supply of homes in inventory.  Sellers that MUST sell are more flexible on price and for buyers there are plenty of homes to choose from.

2. Interest rates are very low -  The rate quotes that I got on Monday ranges from 5.5-5.8% for 30 year fixed rate loans.  When you combine low rates and flexible prices it make owning a home very affordable.

3. Down Payment Assistance - For many buyers the primary obstacle to home ownership is coming up with the money for a down payment.  Currently, there are grants available to assist with the down payment.  And when these programs are used it ends up creating a home purchase with 100% financing.  There is some discussion about the continuation of these programs however, as it stands right now down payment assistance could end as soon as March 31, 2008. There is ongoing litigtion regarding the continuation of these programs so the future of these programs is unknown. However there is little doubt that lending guidelines and down payment requirements will be changing.

4. Flexible credit guidelines - No I am not talking about those "sub-prime" loans you have heard about.  There are still some good loan programs available that are very safe for buyers.  For example, government backed FHA mortgages do not even use credit score as one their criteria and if you have little or no credit you can use your utility bills and other monthly bills to establish alternative credit.  The current 30 year fixed rate on FHA loans is around 5.5-5.8% !!!!

5. Guaranteed savings + buyer rebates - I have had a long standing promise that I will save my buyers at least $5000 on their home purchase.  If I can't save you the money then I'll pay the difference! Recently, I have added even more incentive for buyers. Every buyer will receive a rebate of $500-700 dollars! There are very few restrictions but the main thing you need to know is that you have to ask for it. I don't automatically give it away.

6. Wealth building- For most Americans their #1 retirement asset is the equity they have built up through home ownership. Over time your mortgage balance goes down and at the same time your homes values is rising.  Plus, the interest on your mortgage is tax deductible!

Why wait? If you can buy a home at a great price, with a great interest rate even with limited credit), for no down payment, and get $500-700 back, why wouldn't you buy now?  An old real estate wise man once said "Don't wait to buy real estate, just buy the real estate and wait."

If you finance 100% of  a home that costs $200,000 today at 5.75% the principal and interest payment is $1167.15

If you wait to buy that home and the price jumps to $210,000 at a rate of only 6.25% which is still a very good rate - your payment jumps up to $1293.01! 

If you have been on the fence about whether or not you should buy a home, please give me a call.  Lets see if home ownership makes sense for you.

The Powder Springs Business Association is sponsoring its second annual casino night. This event is open to PSBA members as well as the general public.

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PSBA Second Annual Casino Night is here!!!!

We are asking each member to sell four tickets! No one will want to miss this fun festive occasion. If you were not there last year you will want to be there this year!

Please pick up your tickets from Dixie Delight Candles ASAP and if you need more tickets they will be available.

We also need table sponsors for $150.00 and gift cards valued at $25.00.

Romayne Chrisman and her committee members will be contacting members individually. Should you be interested in table sponsorship and/or raffles please contact Romayne ASAP.

Mardi Gras 2008 Casino Night

February 2, 2008 - 7:00 - 11:00 PM

American Legion 3282 Florence Road, Powder Springs 30127

Party Favors Plus $1000.00 Casino Money

Live Music with Carnival Atmosphere

Food Catered by Superior Catering

Gaming Tables Provided by Party All The Time Two Alcoholic Beverages per Ticket Win Fifty plus Raffle Items Worth $25.00 each Silent Auction Items Valued up to $2000.00

Learn more by visiting www.powderspringsbusinessassociation.com

Tickets: $35.00 Member $45.00 Non-Members

For Tickets Contact

Romayne Chrisman 678-697-6476

And Don Cox 404-394-8229

Dress: Festive Party with Mardi Gras Mask!

Thank you to the following people for participating in Country Walk's survey and for those who gave us many great new ideas:

Barbara & Len Bongers, Stan Kaady, Merrrie Higgins, Zandre & Wilbert Jean, Jo Kubik, Darryl & Lucretia Waker, Amy McCauley, Deanna & Jarrod Breeze, Marie & Eric Katon, Duane & Mandy Cross, Heather & Derrick Williams, Laurie & Chris Vesper, Patrick & April Rascoe, Barbara Guthrie, Sonya & Rob Frierson, Rich & Diana Evans, Angie & Geofrey Norton, Amber & Ross Powell, Samara & Brian Frank, Matt & Kay Paterson, Les & Krystal Wattley, Becky & John Williams, Karla & Andrew Neuhaus, Thomas & Julie Wolf, Margaret & Frank Neal, Celis Lewis, and Pat & Angie Cusick.

The Country Walk Social Committee tallied the results so that we could come up with socials that the neighborhood wanted to participate in. We have planned 2008 programs with approx. dates and wanted to let you know what they were so you could plan ahead. Please note that we are looking for chairpersons for each event and if you are interested please let us know.

2007

December 15 - Holiday Family Social 1‐4pm

December 21 - Best Holiday Yard Décor - Judging

2008

January 12 - Chili Cook‐off 12 - 3pm

Feb. 3 - Superbowl Party

March 22 - Easter Egg Hunt

March/April - Spring Yard Sale Date TBA

April 19 - New Homeowners Party

May 31 - End of School Party - Pool Party

June 14 - Movies on the Lawn

June 28 - Adult Pool Party

July 4 - Parade down Country Walk Drive

July 19 - Movies on the Lawn

August 1 - 2008 Surveys

August 2 - Movies on the Lawn

August 23 - End of Summer Pool Party

September 13 - New Homeowners Party

Sept/Oct. - Fall Yard Sale

October 11 - Fall Festival

October 25 - Halloween Party

October 31 - Trick or Treat for Canned Goods

November 8 - Progressive Dinner

December - Best Holiday Yard Décor ‐ Judging

December 13 - Santa Party

December 13 - Adult Holiday Party

Those people who were interested in an exercise group, men's or ladies' night out, and charity events, will be contacted on an individual basis to meet as a group to plan activities.

For more information please contact scial committe member Bob Southard at 770-656-9134

No doubt that you have seen those roadside real estate signs all over the place, usually on weekends.  The City of Powder Springs is taking action to clean up the signs!

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Here is the announcement as it appeared in the January 2008 Powder Springs Messenger:

"In our efforts to reduce sign litter, the city of Powder Springs is introducing the sign kiosk program. As and from Feb1,2008, weekend directional signs will no longer be permitted within the city limits.  DEvelopers and builders wishing to advertise will be encouraged to use the sign kiosk program.

A sign kiosk consists of a metal framed stand with several slots which will contain the business information provided by the advertiser.  One of the advantages of the sign kiosk program is numerous advertisers can display their information on one stand at one location.  The purpose of the sign kiosks is to provide clear directional signs, to help new residents locate subdivisions, parks, and city amenities.

Sign kiosks will be erected at prominent locations and at well travelled sites chosen by the city of Powder Springs.

Any questions regarding this program can be directed to Brenda Haythorne at the city of Powder Springs (770)943-8001x371 or Scott Tripp at National Sign Plazas (770) 998-9508"

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I do not know how this will effect garage sale, yard sale, open house signs.  The city has had a permit policy for these type of signs.  People who wanted to place a sign can pay a small deposit and get a permit number to be placed on each sign.  When the sign is removed you get your deposit back.

I placed a call this morning to Scott Tripp for more advertising information and have not heard back yet, although I'm sure that I will.

In the meantime if you are searching for a home in Powder Springs, Georgia or if you are a builder who needs marketing to sell your Powder Springs homes please feel free to visit my Powder Springs web site at

www.PowderSpringsHomes.info

You can search by subdivision, schools, or set uyp your own custom search.  If your subdivision is not listed then by all means, please send me an email with the subdivision name so that I can add it to the list!