We Remember on Memorial Day!

The following came to me in an e-mail this past week. I share it with you now as we Salute and thank the service men and women who are serving us and their country around the world. And on this Memorial Day we remember the Veteran! Thank you for your sacrifice so Americans could be free.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.


It is
the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.



It is
the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

God Bless Our Service Men and Women and their families on this Memorial Day Weekend!

5 Tips for Inspecting and Maintaining Your Garage

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: March 15, 2010

Routine maintenance will help your garage retain its value and keep it trouble-free for decades.

If you’re like many homeowners, you cruise in and out of your garage without giving the space much thought. While your garage is low-maintenance, it’s not a no-maintenance part of your home. Here are five tips for preserving your home’s value by keeping your garage in top shape.


1. Keep your garage door running smoothly
Most newer garage doors come self-lubricated or with plastic parts that need no oil, according to builder Fred Cann, owner of JRS Solutions in Melville, N.Y. You’ll need to annually oil older doors with metal rollers, hinges, and tracks. “Use a leaf blower to blast all the grit, grime, dust, cobwebs, and dead bugs from the door’s parts,” advises Mark Secord, brand manager for PremierGarage in Mobile, Ala.

Occasionally check the rubber seal on the bottom of your garage door. It can harden or chip away from wear and tear, allowing the elements to seep under your door. Replacing the seal costs less than $100. Your door may be hitting the ground too forcefully and jarring all the parts, crushing the rubber seal, or allowing light to peek through at the bottom when the door is at rest. To correct those problems, says Secord, use a screwdriver to alter the travel limit adjustment located on the door opener’s control box.

Regularly test the garage door’s sensors to be sure they still prevent it from closing if something—like your child or pet—is in the way.

2. Clean your garage floor
Hose down your garage floor annually to prevent slip hazards, stains, and pockmarks caused by road salt and auto fluids, recommends Secord. You may notice hairline cracks in your concrete slab, but those are generally no cause for concern, says Paul Fisher, owner of Danley’s Garage World in Chicago.

If there’s a serious trip hazard because of concrete that’s crumbled or separated ¼-inch or more, take action. You can try a do-it-yourself patch with a $5 concrete mix from your local hardware store. But patched concrete often doesn’t adhere to the original slab, says Fisher, especially if a car regularly passes over the patched area. If necessary, ask a licensed concrete contractor for an estimate on replacing your slab, which typically costs about $5 per square foot.

Experts disagree on whether to treat a garage slab with a sealant. “Sealants don’t protect the slab at all; they’re just for aesthetics,” says Cann, who worked as an engineer for the city of New York for 10 years. “We had more problems after we sealed and painted garage slabs. The paint would chip, discolor, or become slippery. I’d leave concrete alone.”

Secord, however, sells garage floor sealants and says they protect the concrete, prevent discoloration, and are easier to clean than bare concrete. Do-it-yourself sealants for an average two-car garage cost about $800 to $1,200 and need reapplication every three to five years. One-time, professional applications cost $1,500 to $2,000, says Secord.

3. Monitor your garage walls and foundation
Inspect interior and exterior walls and the foundation twice a year for moisture and cracks. If you see discoloration or mold, moisture is seeping in from the roof or the walls. Call a building or roofing contractor for an inspection and repair estimates.

Wall and foundation cracks smaller than ¼-inch wide that aren’t causing water damage are typically harmless. “Anything larger than a hairline crack is something to be concerned about,” says Cann. “If one side of your ceiling appears a little lower than the other, the foundation or footing has settled.” That’s sometimes hard to evaluate with a visual inspection; if necessary, get out your level.

Structural concerns require an expert evaluation. Cann suggests hiring a structural engineer, who will charge $200 to $300 per hour but won’t hype potential problems to secure the repair work.

4. Clean interior doors and gutters
Once a year, clean and inspect the interior door. Make sure the door is properly weatherstripped and that the threshold seal fits snugly against the bottom of the door.

Most building codes require the door allowing entry to your home to be fire-rated and self-closing. If the door is damaged or the self-closing mechanism has failed, repair or replace it. You’ll pay $250 to $300 for a new fire-rated door, plus $25 to $75 for installation.

If your garage has gutters, clean them every spring and fall and inspect them for damage. While you’re at it, check your roof for damaged or missing shingles or tiles.

5. Watch for pest invasions
Insects like termites and carpenter ants can furtively damage your garage walls. Inspect dark, cool, and moist spots, especially where garage walls meet the foundation, for borings from carpenter ants or termites. “Termites digest the lumber, but carpenter ants tunnel it,” says Cann. “If you see trails of sawdust, it’s carpenter ants. If you see chewed wood, it’ll likely be termites.” Call in pest-control experts for an inspection and treatment.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who oversaw the renovation of her condo association’s five-space garage so a sixth space could be added—for her. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Weekend Warrior: Fast Fixes for Common Gutter Problems

Thankfully, we have been having our fair share of rain in the Atlanta metro area. And, luckily we are heading into the summer with no drought. However, with more rain then usual, that can bring gutter problems.



Maintaining gutters is the most important thing you can do to prevent water damage.

Gutters are designed to do one thing—channel water away from the foundation—and they’re critical to protecting the structural integrity of your house. But in order for gutters to do their job properly, they have to be kept in shape and free of clogs, holes, and sags.


Luckily, most common gutter problems are easy for homeowners to fix themselves. And it’s worth the effort. “Gutters are one of those things where routine maintenance and inspecting them can really prevent bigger problems down the road,” says Jason Stutzman, director of home maintenance and repair for Brothers Redevelopment in Denver.

Here are the gutter problems that the pros see most often, and the recommended solutions.

Clogged gutters
This is the most common problem of all. Left untended, gutters and downspouts get so clogged with debris that they’re rendered useless. The excess weight of leaves, twigs, and standing water can also make them sag and pull away from the fascia.

Clean them at least once a year, and twice a year if you have a lot of trees nearby. Gary Mindlin, managing partner of New York City-based Top Hat Home Services, schedules gutter maintenance four times a year, with additional checks after big storms.

You can clean your own gutters if you’re comfortable on a ladder, don’t mind getting wet and dirty, and don’t have an extremely tall house. After you’ve cleared the muck, flush them with a garden hose to make sure they’re flowing properly. If you’d prefer, you can hire someone to do the job for you for between $50 and $250, depending on the size of your house.

Another option for dealing with chronically clogged gutters is to outfit them with gutter covers. These include mesh screens, clip-on grates, and porous foam. They still need regular maintenance, though, and the cost can be more than the gutters themselves.

Sagging gutters and gutters pulling away from the house
This is usually a problem with the hangers, the hardware that secures the gutters to the fascia. They might have deteriorated over time, the fasteners may have backed out of the wood, or they’re spaced too far apart to support the weight of full gutters. The cost to fix it yourself is cheap; hangers generally cost $10 or less apiece, and the fasteners run about $1 each.

Leaks and holes
Leaky gutter joints can be sealed by caulking the joint from the inside with gutter sealant, says John Eggenberger, vice president of training and corporate development for the Mr. Handyman franchise of home repair companies. A tube costs about $5. Very small holes can be filled with gutter sealant. Larger holes will require a patch. If you can’t find a gutter patching kit at the hardware store, you can make a patch from metal flashing.

Improperly pitched gutters
Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter; if there’s standing water, it’s not pitched properly.

To correct this yourself, you’ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Snap a chalk line between the two and find the spots where the gutter is out of alignment. You might be able to push it up into place by bending the hanger. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to take a section down and rehang it. If you have seamless gutters, call the company that installed them to correct the problem.

Downspouts draining too close to the foundation
Downspouts need to extend several feet from the house, or they’ll dump right into the basement. Gutter extensions attached to the bottom of the downspout will discharge water well beyond the foundation. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. “I like the downspout material extended four or five feet and screwed on,” says Reggie Marston, president of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, Va. Cost: less than $20 per downspout.

Missing gutters
If your house has no gutters at all, consider investing in a system. The cost depends on the material. Most residential gutters are aluminum, which is lightweight and durable. “Unless an aluminum gutter is damaged by something, it will last forever,” says Scott McCurdy, vice president of Jacksonville, Fla.,-based disaster repair contractor Coastal Reconstruction. Vinyl, galvanized steel, and copper also are available options.

Aluminum gutters range from about $4.50 to $8.50 per linear foot installed. On a 2,000-square-foot house with about 180 linear feet of gutters, that’s roughly $800 to $1,500.

Serial remodeler Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.

Alternative Buying Options -- Is a distressed property right for you?

Is a distressed property for you?

Distressed sales are a sad fact of the real estate market. While no one wants to see a homeowner lose their home, these properties also present unique opportunities for buyers. To determine whether you are a viable candidate for such a purchase, it's important to learn all you can about distressed properties -- and to work with a qualified buyer's representative who can guide you through each step of these complex, non-traditional transactions.


STAGE 1. Pre-Foreclosure --
a period of time that begins with the initial mortgage default and ends when the distressed property is sold.

STAGE 2. Foreclosure Sale --
when the property is auctioned to the highest bidder, someone who also meets the terms of the sale.

STAGE 3. REO (Real Estate Owned -- by a bank) --
if a foreclosure sale is not successful, property ownership is transferred to the lender.

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?
Typically this is a situation in which a seller owns more on their loan than a sale of the property will produce, and they are unable or unwilling to make up the difference at closing. The seller may or may not be in pre-foreclosure. Banks may consider a short sale to a new buyer to reduce their loses.

Questions To Ask Yourself:
Foreclosures, Short Sales, REO Properties, HUD Homes and the like ARE NOT for everyone. It is definitely "Buyer Beware" when entering these waters. Your Buyer's Representative can give you specific guidance based on your situation and the type of distressed property you indicate you want to purchase. But for starters, consider these questions:

* Are you flexible on timing? Can you make a quick decision and / or accommodate months of possible delays?

* Is your purchase limited by any contingencies, such as needing to sell your current home first?

* Have you already secured financing?

* Do you have resources to repair and rehab the property, if needed?

* If you are buying the property for investment purposes, what is your action plan? Do you intend to rent or resell? Or perhaps inhabit the property until market conditions improve?

NEXT STEPS
Your buyers representative can assist you further in answering these and other questions which will help you determine whether this path to home ownership is right for you.

Sara Hibbard, is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia with certifications and a specialization in the area of Foreclosures, REO, Short Sales and HUD properties. Contact Sara today with your many questions and concerns. Sara can be reached anytime at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara@sarahibbard.com OR sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com.

Wieland To Finish Hedgewood Project

Woodstock Downtown was originally the brainstorm of Hedgewood Properties. Hedgewood's concept was to offer Woodstock Downtown homeowners "the best of both worlds" WHERE YOU LIVE = HOW YOU LIVE. This vibrant and award winning neighborhood started off strong, with

Exquisite Homes ranging in the $400's - $600's
Designer Townhomes from the high $300s
Luxury Condos from the low $200s

The original Woodstock Downtown concept centered on providing an exciting neighborhood set in the heart of the city of Woodstock. Stunning architecture combined with a walkable lifestyle offering homeowners the opportunity to experience the charm of small-town living with the convenience of having shops, restaurants, offices and parks just a short stroll from their front door. By artfully designing homes in a village setting, residents are just a few footsteps from shopping, dining and the ambiance of the historic district. Walk to dinner at one of the nearby restaurants or enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning at the cafe' -- all without ever getting in your car!

Embracing the traditional values of old fashioned neighborhoods, residents here are enjoying an enviable lifestyle where friends stop to visit on front porches, stroll the walking trails together or gather to enjoy a concert in the park. Children play in one of the many neighborhood parks or swim in the neighborhood pool.

According to the Cherokee Ledger-News dated May 26, 2010, First Cherokee State Bank has confirmed that John Wieland Homes, in a partnership with the bank, will complete the residential portion of the Woodstock Downtown project. A sales office should open within a month. The development is expected to include 110 single family and townhomes in the $250,000 to $400,000 range. Wieland called Woodstock Downtown, "one of the most outstanding developments in Atlanta" and went on to say that "we're proud to have the opportunity to continue the project."

First Cherokee State Bank financed the land for Hedgewood Properties LLC and took ownership when the project foreclosed in 2008. When the Woodstock Downtown project foreclosed, it was about 35% complete. Before the recession, hopes were high for Woodstock Downtown which had received Awards including a Charter Award from the Congress on New Urbanism -- an honor given to only 15 developments worldwide -- in early 2008. In 2006, Woodstock Downtown and the city of Woodstock received the Development of Excellence Award from the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Recently there has been much activity in Woodstock's downtown area brought on by new restaurants, a myriad of special events put on by the city and local merchants, and the Elm Street Cultural Arts Center proposal being explored by the city, the county and the Towne Lake Arts Center.

The time is right to Welcome JOHN WIELAND HOMES as they complete the project inspired by the city and residents before the recession hit.

If It's Wednesday, It Must Be Market Conditions Wednesday

If it’s Wednesday, it must be MARKET CONDITIONS WEDNESDAY.

This week the focus is on the City of AUSTELL.

Each Wednesday, I provide a market snap shot of current market conditions affecting specific cities in the Atlanta metro area.

Let’s take a look this week at details and ACTIVE, PENDING, SOLD statistics in AUSTELL.

According to the latest FMLS data and as I write this, there are currently 74,051 homes on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area. As you may recall, in my last report focused on Alpharetta written on May 12th there were a total of 72,611 homes on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area. So available inventory has increased by 1,440 homes since my last post.

Today, as I write this, there is a total of 243 single family homes on the market in AUSTELL and a total of 39 condo/town-home properties available and actively listed in Austell, GA.

Actively Listed Single Family Homes
Currently listed Austell single family homes range in price from $20,700 for a "fixer-upper" home with 3 bedrooms /1.0 bathroom which was built in 1971 to $349,000 for a 5 bedroom/4 full bathroom property located in Creekside at Wade Farm new construction home.

Actively Listed Condo/Town Homes
Active Austell condo/town home properties range in price from $8,000 for a 1974 vintage townhome with 3 bedroom / 2.5 full bathrooms located in Saddle Back Ridge to a 2005 newly constructed property in Mill Park with 3 bedrooms / 2.5 bathrooms priced at $200,000. This is a beautiful home with thousands in upgrades and architectural details including coffered ceilings, professional paint, molding throughout, travertine in the kitchen and master bath, large closets and much more.

Pending Sale
Currently there are 78 single family homes pending sale in Austell with prices ranging from $49,000 for a 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom "fixer-upper" to a 5 bedroom / 3 full bathroom home in Brandemere for $219,900. Likewise there are 11 condo/town home properties Pending Sale in Austell with prices ranging from $10,900 to $100,000.

SOLD Properties (3/1/2010 to 5/24/2010)
It might interest you to know that from March 1st through May 24th there were a total of 69 single family homes sold in Austell and 12 town-homes sold in AUSTELL during the period.

Lowest Priced Single Family Home SOLD in Austell during the period was originally priced at $24,900. It was reduced to $19,000 and eventually sold after 53 days on the market 64% Sold Price to Original List Price for $16,000.

Highest Priced Single Family Home SOLD in Austell during the period was a new construction home originally priced at $229,900 and sold for $206,200 or 90% Sold Price/Original List Price (SP/OLP%). The property was on the market 61 days and closed on 3/09/2010. The home is a beautiful brick front with cement siding, two car garage, on a 1/3 acre corner, level lot.

So, as you can clearly see homes are selling in Austell! Please call me with your many questions regarding the Austell and Atlanta metro area real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Please call me if you see a home that peaks your interest or if you are considering the possibility of selling your current home or purchasing a new one. I look forward to helping you and your family realize your real estate dreams.

In the meantime please visit me at www.GeorgiaRealEstateOnMyMind.com, e-mail me at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com or CALL ME ANYTIME at 770-399-8108!

How To Keep Your Home Sale From Falling Apart

Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart
By: G. M. Filisko

Finding a buyer for your home is just the first step on the homeselling path. Tread carefully in the weeks ahead because if you make one of these common seller mistakes, your deal may not close.

Mistake #1: Ignore contingencies
If your contract requires you to do something before the sale, do it. If the buyers make the sale contingent on certain repairs, don’t do cheap patch-jobs and expect the buyers not to notice the fixes weren’t done properly.

Mistake #2: Don’t bother to fix things that break
The last thing any seller needs is for the buyers to notice on the pre-closing walk-through that the home isn’t in the same condition as when they made their offer. When things fall apart in a home about to be purchased, sellers must make the repairs. If the furnace fails, get a professional to fix it, and inform the buyers that the work was done. When you fail to maintain the home, the buyers may lose confidence in your integrity and the condition of the home and back out of the sale.

Mistake #3: Get lax about deadlines
Treat deadlines as sacrosanct. If you have three days to accept or reject the home inspection, make your decision within three days. If you’re selling, move out a few days early, so you can turn over the keys at closing.

Mistake #4: Refuse to negotiate any further
Once you’ve negotiated a price, it’s natural to calculate how much you’ll walk away with from the closing table. However, problems uncovered during inspections will have to be fixed. The appraisal may come in at a price below what the buyers offered to pay. Be prepared to negotiate with the buyers over these bottom-line-influencing issues.

Mistake #5: Hide liens from buyers
Did you neglect to mention that Uncle Sam has placed a tax lien on your home or you owe six months of homeowners association fees? The title search is going to turn up any liens filed on your house. To sell your house, you have to pay off the lien (or get the borrower to agree to pay it off). If you can do that with the sales proceeds, great. If not, the sale isn’t going to close.

Outdoor Lighting for Curb Appeal and Safety

Think about it: Most of your guests (and if your home is on the market, many would-be buyers) see your home only in the evening, when its best features may be lost in the shadows. Well-executed outdoor lighting enhances architectural detail and plays up landscape features, casting your home in the best possible light and adding an abundance of curb appeal.

Outdoor lighting also adds value. Judith Patriski, an appraiser and owner of Quad Realty Co. near Cleveland, estimates that for upper-bracket homes, an investment in outdoor lighting can yield a 50% return. “When you pull into a driveway and see a gorgeous home, you’re going to pay more for it,” says Patriski.

And she emphasizes that it’s not only about aesthetics: “In all price ranges, lighting for security is important”—both to protect against intruders and falls. Here are the elements of successful outdoor lighting.


Mimicking moonlight
Much of the success of exterior lighting hinges on its design. Hang around lighting designers long enough and you’ll hear a lot of talk about “moonlight effect.” That’s a naturalistic look that features light no more intense than that of a full moon, but still strong enough to make beautiful shadows and intense highlights.

Other techniques outdoor lighting designers use:

Highlight trees: Whether illumined from below or given presence by a light mounted in the tree itself, trees make stunning features.
Use uplights: Uplighting is dramatic because we expect light to shine downward. Used in moderation, it’s a great way to highlight architectural and landscaping features.
Have a focus: The entryway is often center stage, a way of saying, “Welcome, this way in.”
Combine beauty and function: For example, adding lighting to plantings along a pathway breaks up the “runway” look of too many lights strung alongside a walk.
Vary the fixtures: While the workhorses are spots and floods, designers turn to a wide range of fixtures, area lights, step lights, and bollards or post lights.
Stick to warm light: A rainbow of colors are possible, but most designers avoid anything but warm white light, preferring to showcase the house and its landscape rather than create a light show.
Orchestrate: A timer, with confirmation from a photocell, brings the display to life as the sun sets. At midnight it shuts shut down everything but security lighting. Some homeowners even set the timer to light things up an hour or so before dawn.
Adding safety and security
Falls are the foremost cause of home injury, according to the Home Safety Council. Outdoors, stair and pathway lighting help eliminate such hazards.

Often safety and security can be combined. For example, motion-detecting security lighting mounted near the garage provides illumination when you get out of your car at night; the same function deters intruders. Motion detecting switches can also be applied to landscape lighting to illumine shadowy areas should anyone walk nearby.

Even the moonlight effect has a security function: Soft, overall landscape lighting eliminates dark areas that might hide an intruder, exposing any movement on your property. Overly bright lights actually have a negative effect, creating undesirable pockets of deep shadow.

Switching to LEDs
Once disparaged for their high cost and cold bluish glow, LEDs are now the light source of choice for lighting designers. “They’ve come down in price and now have that warm light people love in incandescent bulbs,” says Paul Gosselin, owner of Night Scenes Landscape Lighting Professionals in Kingsland, Texas. “We haven’t installed anything but LEDs for the last year.”

Although LED fixtures remain twice as expensive as incandescents, installation is simpler because they use low-voltage wiring. “All in all, LEDs cost only about 25% more to install,” Gosselin says. “And they’ll save about 75% on your electricity bill.”

Another advantage is long life. LEDs last at least 40,000 hours, or about 18 years of nighttime service. With that kind of longevity, “why should a fixture have only a two-year warranty?” asks Gosselin. He advises buying only fixtures with a 15-year warranty, proof that the fixture’s housing is designed to live as long as the LED bulbs inside.

Innovations
The growing popularity of exterior lighting has led to innovative fixtures. Here are some bright new ideas:

Solar lighting: When first introduced, solar pathway lights produced a dull glow that rarely made it through the night. They do much better now that they are equipped with electricity-sipping LEDs, more efficient photovoltaic cells, and better batteries. Still, they have yet to measure up to hard-wired systems.
Hybrids: Porch lights now come equipped with LED lighting for all night use, and a motion sensor that clicks on an incandescent bulb to provide extra illumination as you approach the front door. Hybrids use about 5% of the power a solely incandescent fixture requires.
Barbecue light: Tired of grilling steaks by flash light? Now you can buy a gooseneck outdoor light, ideal for an outdoor kitchen.
Estimating the cost
Total outdoor lighting costs will vary according to the size of your home and the complexity of your lighting scheme. Expect to pay about $325 for each installed LED fixture. LEDs also require a transformer to step the power down from 120 volts to 12 volts, running about $400 installed.

A motion detector security light costs about $150 installed. Porch lights and sconces range from $100 to $250 installed, depending the fixture and whether running new cable is necessary.

Contractor-installed outdoor lighting for an average, two-story, 2,200 sq. ft. house might add up as follows:

7 fixtures to cover 100 feet of LED pathway lighting: $2,275
Transformer: $400
4 LED uplights to dramatize the front of the house: $1,300
2 LED area lights for plantings: $650
2 motion detector security lights: $300
Total cost: $4,925

Dave Toht has written or edited more than 60 books on home repair and remodeling, including titles for The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Better Homes & Gardens, Sunset, and Reader’s Digest. A former contractor, Dave was editor of Remodeling Ideas magazine and continues to contribute to numerous how-to publications.

If It's Wednesday, It Must Be Market Conditions Wednesday

If it’s Wednesday, it must be MARKET CONDITIONS WEDNESDAY.

This week the focus is on the City of ATLANTA.

Each Wednesday, I provide a market snap shot of current market conditions affecting specific cities in the Atlanta metro area.

Let’s take a look this week at details including ACTIVE, PENDING, SOLD statistics in ATLANTA.

According to the latest FMLS data and as I write this, there are currently 72,611 homes on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area. Last Wednesday there was a total of 73,838 listed homes on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area.

Likewise, as I write this, there is a total of 5,290 single family homes on the market in the city of ATLANTA and a total of 3,734 condo/town-home properties available and actively listed in the city of ATLANTA, GA.

Actively Listed Single Family Homes
Currently listed City of ATLANTA single family homes range in price from $7,000 for a potential short sale "fixer-upper" bungalow home with 2 bedrooms /1.0 bathroom in the LAKEWOOD sub-division which was built in 1941 to a $25 million 9 bedroom / 11 full and 4 half bathroom estate home in BUCKHEAD's West Paces Ferry area built in 2008. This home offers coral stone clad exterior, 7 full kitchens, 16 fireplaces, ballroom, theatre, hair/nail salon, smoking room, recording studio, swimming pool and much more in more than 25,000 square feet of living space.

Actively Listed Condo/Town Homes
This week actively listed ATLANTA condo/town home properties range in price from $7,000 for a 1 level townhouse with 2 bedrooms/1 full bathroom, built in 1950 to a glamorous exquisitely appointed penthouse in an astounding combination of comfort, technology and most of all incredible beauty. Private elevators open to galleries with upholstered silk walls, grand salon, dining room for accommodations of 30 guests, siematic kitchen and much more. OH...can't forget the 360 degree views of the city and beyond. This condo is listed at $17 million and offers 2 bedrooms/4 full and 2 half bathrooms.

Pending Sale
Currently there are 1,037 single family homes pending sale in ATLANTA with prices ranging from $5,000 for a 4 bedroom/1 full bath home that suffered a fire. This home is a great opportunity for investors. The property needs to be completely gutted or plowed in for a lot to build on. At the other end of the spectrum and the highest priced home currently pending sale, this home is listed at $3 million for one of Atlanta's finest built homes with concrete and steel structure. Amenities include swimming pool, 4+ car garage and features too numerous to mention.

Likewise there are 603 condo / town homes PENDING SALE. They range in price from $500.00 for an "Investor Special" requiring a major investment to make it "livable" to $2.6 million for a Penthouse property in Terminus with 3 bedrooms/3 full and 1 half bathroom.

SOLD Properties (3/1/2010 to 5/01/2010)
It might interest you to know that from March 1st through May 1st there were a total of 1,103 single family homes SOLD in the City of ATLANTA. The highest priced home sold for $3.7 million while the least expensive property sold for $10,000.

Likewise, 582 condo/town homes sold during the period March 1st through May 1st. The condo/town home properties ranged in price from $2,000 to $2.7 million.

So, as you can clearly see homes are selling in the City of ATLANTA! Please call me with your many questions regarding the Atlanta and Atlanta metro area real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Please call me if you see a home that peaks your interest or if you are considering the possibility of selling your current home. I look forward to helping you and your family realize your real estate dreams.

In the meantime please visit me at www.GeorgiaRealEstateOnMyMind.com, e-mail me at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com or CALL ME ANYTIME at 770-399-8108!

Homeowners Loosen Purse Strings for Home Improvement Projects

As written by Andrea Chang. RIS Media, May 6, 2010

Spring cleaning is turning into spring remodeling this year for many homeowners.

Home improvement projects are starting to make a comeback after frugal consumers pulled the plug on remodeling and renovation work during the downturn.

With the economy showing signs of stabilizing and retailers and contractors continuing to offer good deals, homeowners are sprucing up their homes’ appearance and value by repainting their bathrooms, installing new floors and carpets, and upgrading their kitchens.

Maritza Vega Gentry, a property manager from Glendale, Calif., said she’d hoped to begin remodeling her home in 2007 but put her plans on hold when the stock market crashed. This year, she said, she’s feeling more confident about the economy and plans to spend at least $5,000 on recessed kitchen lighting, ceiling fans and two sun roofs.

“I just sat back and waited for three years,” Gentry said while checking out light fixtures at Home Depot in Burbank, Calif., recently. “Now I’m back to doing what I was supposed to be doing: remodeling and taking care of business. I’m doing every repair that I can right now.”

In a survey recently released by American Express, 62% of homeowners said they planned to embark on home improvement projects in 2010, spending an average of $6,200 on enhancements.

It’s a relief for the battered home improvement market, which saw consumer spending plummet about 27% since 2007 as homeowners delayed or scrapped remodeling plans.

According to a report this month by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, the sector is estimated to see nearly 5% growth in 2010—although industry experts caution that a full rebound will take a while.

“The gradual recovery in the broader economy should encourage more remodeling spending by homeowners,” said Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the housing studies center. “This year could produce the first annual spending increase for the industry since 2006.”

In their most recent earnings reports, Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Cos., the nation’s two largest home improvement retailers, posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and said consumers seemed to be more willing to take on costlier projects.

At Lowe’s, based in Mooresville, N.C., “the worst of the economic cycle is likely behind us,” Chief Executive Robert A. Niblock said recently in a call with analysts.

Atlanta-based Home Depot said fourth-quarter business picked up in some areas in California and Florida—states hit especially hard by the housing crisis—and said that of its top 40 U.S. markets, all but two showed improvement at same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year.

“All of this gives us some cause for optimism in 2010,” Chief Executive Frank Blake said in a call with analysts. “We’ve been waiting for this transition for a long time.”

For fiscal 2010, Home Depot estimated that same-store sales would increase 2.5%; Lowe’s projected that its same-store sales would rise 1% to 3%.

Business still isn’t where it used to be for Sergio De Paula, a general contractor from South Pasadena, Calif., who specializes in installing outdoor kitchens. In the last few years, he saw revenue decline 40% to 60% as clients halted projects or opted for more modest outdoor setups. “Now that the worst of the housing crisis is over, they’re starting to invest again, so we’re getting a lot more calls,” De Paula said. “It’s nowhere near pre-recession levels, but at least it’s starting.”

Joe McFarland, western division president at Home Depot, said many customers are now opting for do-it-yourself projects instead of hiring professionals, leading to a boost in sales of power tools, fertilizer and fruit and vegetable plants. “The downturn changed people’s outlook on the way they spend money for years to come,” he said. “We’re all anxiously awaiting what the new normal will be.”

If It's Wednesday It Must Be Market Conditions Wednesday - Focus on Ball Ground

If it's Wednesday it must be MARKET CONDITIONS WEDNESDAY. This week our focus city is Ball Ground, GA.

Every Wednesday, I provide a market snap shot of current market conditions affecting a specific city or neighborhood in the Atlanta metro area.

Let's take a look this week at details and ACTIVE, PENDING, SOLD statistics in Ball Ground.

According to the latest FMLS data and as I write this there is a total of 72,197 homes on the market in the ATLANTA metro area. Last week at this time we had a total of 73,838 homes on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area.

ACTIVELY LISTED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
Likewise, tonight and as I write this there is a total of 159 ACTIVE single family home listings in BALL GROUND. These homes range in price from $21,000 for a bank-owned mobile home with a living room/kitchen combo with two full bathrooms to gated $3.9 million 78 acre estate home with a large guest house, stables, swimming pool, tennis courts and much more.

Actively Listed Condo/Town Homes
There is ONLY 1 condo/town home property on the market in BALL GROUND tonight. The condo / town home is new construction and features 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms and one car garage. The property is currently listed at $156,500.

Pending Sale
Currently there are 32 single family homes pending sale in BALL GROUND. Prices range from $65,000 for a 1925 vintage fixer-upper with 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom to $980,000 for an estate home on the Etowah River with 4 bedrooms/4 full and 2 half baths and 3 car garage on 5.41 acres.

SOLD Properties (3/1/2010 to 4/30/2010)
It might interest you to know that from March 1st through April 30th there were a total of 32 homes sold in BALL GROUND.

Lowest Priced Home SOLD in Ball Ground during the period was originally priced at $39,900. It sold after 59 days on the market for 75% Sold Price to Original List Price for $30,000 and 100% cash terms.

Highest Priced Home SOLD in Ball Ground during the period was originally priced at $599,900 and sold for $360,000 or 60% Sold Price/Original List Price (SP/OLP%). The property was on the market 359 days and closed on 4/05/2010.

So, as you can clearly see homes are selling in Ball Ground! Please call me with your many questions regarding the Ball Ground and Atlanta metro area real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Please call me if you see a home that peaks your interest or if you are considering the possibility of selling your current home. I look forward to helping you and your family realize your real estate dreams.

In the meantime please visit me at www.GeorgiaRealEstateOnMyMind.com, e-mail me at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com or CALL ME ANYTIME at 770-399-8108!

Going Green Tips

Are you thinking about taking the "green path" for your next home improvement project? These days the word "green" is everywhere, but home-owners really need to know what exactly it means to go green.

2010 Green Tips From The U.S. Government

* The federal government is providing homeowners with up to $1500 in tax credits for making energy-efficient upgrades.

* In addition to the increased credit, the certification standards on products considered energy efficient have also increased, so it is important to double-check what your contractor is installing.

* Home-owners who install qualified, residential alternative energy equipment, such as solar water heaters or wind terbines, are eligible for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of the property.

* The EPA implemented the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule on April 22,2010, requiring remodelers working in homes built before 1978 to be certified and follow practices designed to minimize the exposure of residents to lead hazards.

Watch this BLOG for more information on "GOING GREEN".

Please let me know when the time is right for you to consider selling your current home or purchasing a new one.

If you are considering the possibility of selling your current home and you would like a determination of value, I will be happy to take a quick tour of your home to determine its condition and marketability in todays market. This will also allow me to assess any recent updates or unique aspects that could affect the selling price.

While I'm there, I can also suggest any minor cosmetic enhancements that could increase your home's value if you do decide to sell. I can also suggest any "green updates" that could attract home buyers to your property over a home down the street.

If you are considering buying a new home or selling your current home, I can help you throughout the entire process. Please feel free to call me to schedule a time to meet, or if I can answer any real estate related questions for you.

I can be reached at 770-399-8108 or e-mail me at sara@sarahibbard.com. I look forward to assisting you with all your real estate needs when the time is right for you.

I Love it When Buyers & Sellers Development a Lasting Friendship!

I had a closing yesterday.

That's not so remarkable.

I have had several closings in 2010 and several more scheduled for the foreseeable future.

No, the really great part of the story is that during the course of the process something remarkable occurred. I represented the Buyers who were relocating to Georgia from Connecticut. The Sellers were leaving Georgia to return to their extended family and grandchildren in California.

We went under a Binding Agreement -- meaning all parties agreed to the terms of sale on March 28th. The inspection process and due-diligence period came and went without a hitch. Smooth sailing toward the closing date of May 3rd.

Soon, the Sellers determined they might have some house-hold items that would not make the move to California. The Sellers invited the buyers over to determine if there was anything the Buyers might want to keep with the house.

Still not so remarkable as people relocate to other parts of the country every day. Also, Sellers occasionally decide to offer items with the house the Buyers might appreciate.

The really neat part is that during the course of the process, the Buyers and Sellers became good friends and developed a great relationship.

While sitting around the closing table yesterday it became apparent that the Sellers and the Buyers greatly appreciated the efforts of their respective Realtors. It also became very very apparent that the Buyers and Sellers were going to miss each others company.

"PRICELESS"!

I love it when that happens!

Give me a call when you are considering the possible sale of your current home and / or the purchase of a new one. I look forward to guiding you and your family throughout the process when the time is right for you. Call me anytime at 770-399-8108 or e-mail me at sara@sarahibbard.com.

How Does Your Garden GROW?

Gardening is an activity for the whole family to enjoy and create family togetherness too! It also gives parents gratification to watch their children grow along as the garden grows.

Think about it. Kids (if you can get them away from video games) are truly gardeners at heart. They are naturally curious, they like to imitate their parents and they like to learn by doing. And, perhaps most important it is no secret that kids LOVE to play in the dirt. These characteristics are perfect for gardening.

The garden can be an excellent learning experience for kids. I suspect this is why so many schools are developing outdoor classrooms to teach kids about the outdoors.

From gardening, one can learn about the outdoors as well as responsibility and satisfaction of caring for something while observing it's growth cycle firsthand. Gardening could also be a great way to introduce fresh new fruits and vegetables to kids. Typically, if kids put the energy into growing something, they are more apt to eating something new too.

To get kids interested in gardening, start off small. It could be something as simple as a cherry tomato plant in a container on a patio or deck to start the passion for vegetable gardening. If your kids love or show an interest in flowers or wildlife, start a theme garden. Creating a theme garden can be as easy as finding a sunny spot in the landscape and planting a Lantana to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Also, you can add to vegetable gardens and theme gardens each season, which will keep the kids interested in learning about their own garden. Keep it simple and keep it small to start. The object is to get the kids interested in gardening.

Master Gardener Tommy Nobis of Buck Jones Nursery in Woodstock, GA suggests the following helpful tips for gardening with kids.

* Give them their own gardening space. If you have more than one child, make sure to give each one their own garden plot or container.

* Start from seed. Kids will learn more by seeing the growing process when it begins from a seed.

* Give them real tools. The cheap plastic tools for kids are sometimes worse than no tools at all.

* Show off their work. Give friends a tour of the kids' gardens when they come over. Take pictures periodically of the garden space and send it to friends and family members. Share pictures with the kids (or have the kids take their own pictures periodically). This will help kids recollect where they started and how far they have come in the process. If the kids have "show and tell" at school, let them take some of their harvest to school to show their classmates.

* Showing attention to your kids' work is a great motivator for kids to stay involved with their gardens.

Some starter plants for kids might include:

SUNFLOWERS. They are easy to start from seed. Kids love watching the sunflowers grow to the sky and they will enjoy watching the birds have a morning sunflower snack.

BUTTERFLY BUSH. There are many sizes and colors available on the market. They are easy to grow and look great in any landscaping scenario. Even greater, they can be cut down in the winter and they come back every spring. The kids will love watching the butterflies and hummingbirds all summer long.

MINT. Pot mint in containers. Kids can choose from apple to peppermint to chocolate mint and tons of other types.

CHERRY TOMATOES. Great source of vitamin C. Easy to grow from seed on the kitchen window sill. Red, black, yellow or golden color cherry tomatoes are available.

Activities Only A Tank Away in MAY!

Here’s Some Stuff to See & Do in MAY!

If you’re like most families you are just looking for something different to do to entertain yourself or the whole family. There is a lot going on during the month of May in the Atlanta metro area. Here are a few suggestions that aren’t more than a tank away from your house.

21st Annual Cherokee County Indian Festival and Mother’s Day Pow Wow, May 8-9, Boling Park, Canton. Authentic Native arts, crafts, cuisine, song, dance, storytelling, living villages and encampments, primitive skills activities, wildlife and stewardship development programs, warriors on horseback and more. www.rthunder.com. 770-735-6275.

Taste of the Grape, May 14, Chamber of Commerce, Douglasville. Wine tasting with jazz to kick off the Taste of Douglasville festival. www.artsdouglas.org. 770-949-2787

Northwest Georgia Hot Air Balloon Festival, May 14-16, Tillotson Field, Menlo. Family fun with food, shopping, carnival rides and the thrill of hot-air balloons. nwgeorgiaballoonfestival.homestead.com/georgiaballoon.html. 706-978-1453

2010 Taste of Dourglasville, May 15, O’Neal Plaza, Douglasville. Food, fun, out-door arts exhibition, crafts, kid’s corner and entertainment. www.artsdouglas.org. 770-949-2787.

Canton Festival of the Arts, May 15-16, Cherokee Arts Center, Canton. Includes artists, musical entertainment, food, a youth art exhibit and an area for children. www.cherokeearts.org. 770-479-2020

3rd Annual Horsin’ Around BBQ Showdown, May 29-30, Brasstown Valley Resort, Young Harris. KCBS – sanctioned barbecue competition with cash prizes, plus a car show, arts and crafts, amateur chili cook off, kids’ zone and more. 770-379-4606.

Renaissance Festival, through June 6th, Fairburn. Step back in time for jousts, roving entertainers, stallion and birds of prey shows, turkey legs, musical merriment and more. www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com. 770-964-8575.

Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, May 5, Emerson Concert Hall, Atlanta. The orchestra presents Johan DeMeij’s “Gandalf” from “Symphony No. 1”, Lord of the Rings” and the great American orchestra masterwork, Howard Hanson’s “Symphony No. 2 Romantic.” www.arts.emory.edu. 404-727-5050.

20th Annual Colors Festival of Arts, May 8-9, historic town square, Roswell. Fine arts, original handmade crafts, great food, musical entertainment, performance arts and children’s activities. www.visitroswellga.com. 770-640-3253.

26th Annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, May 8-9. Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta. Features 11 private gardens throughout Atlanta that previously have not been open to tours, plus one perennial favorite as well as the Atlanta Botanical Garden. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. 404-591-1575.

Jewelry Show and Sale, May 8-9, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta. Original, handmade pieces created by the Callenwolde jewelry-making instructors and students. www.callanwolde.org. 404-872-5338.

Armed Forces Day, May 15, Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth. Learn about locomotive and transit history, plus free admission for current and former service members. 770-476-2013.

Cobb Master Gardeners’ 2010 Tour, May 15, various locations, Marietta. Stroll through charming private gardens of Cobb County Master Gardeners. www.cobbmastergardeners.org. 770-528-4070.

Rockin’ At The River, May 15, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell. Riverfront extravaganza showcasing great Southern music. www.chattnaturecenter.org. 770-992-2055.

Wild on the Rocks: Secrets of the Zoo, May 20. Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta. Mix, meet and mingle with cocktails and exclusive after hours exhibit visits. www.zooatlanta.org.

Bow-Tie Bar B Que, May 23, Tillie’s Roadhouse, Roswell. A bow-tie fashion show, plus food and bluegrass music from The Bow Ties. www.roswellhs.org.

Pops Concert Extravaganza to Benefit Relay for Life, May 23, Earl Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta. Experience the nostalgia of the roaring ‘20s with this pops concert on Strand’s mighty theatre organ, plus sing-alongs, a silent movie and silent auction. www.earlsmithstrand.org. 678-230-6534.

Brew at the Zoo, May 29, Zoo Atlanta. Enjoy sampling award winning brews; wine tastings; live music performances and more. www.zooatlanta.org. 404-624-2809

Family Music Series, May 29, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell This alternative country music legend Farmer Jason delivers catchy songs and good times while exploring ecology, natural wonders and history. www.chattnaturecenter.org. 770-992-2055

33rd Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, May 29-30, Piedmont Park, Atlanta. Enjoy the smooth sounds of world class jazz. www.atlantafestivals.com. 404-817-6815