REAL ESTATE NEWS

Many Reasons for Atlanta Foreclosures
The reasons why GA has so many foreclosures go beyond just a lousy economy and overextended homeowners. Metro Atlanta has no real boundaries and during the boom the area grew unbridled...until the bubble burst. GA is a non-judicial foreclosure state … [Read More...]

Homeownership Survey – Please Respond
Please answer these 6 short questions about homeownership. Your comments are always welcome... … [Read More...]

Spilling Tears Over Bad Appraisals – Stop Already!
Can the real estate industry please stop spilling tears over bad appraisals - stop already! Katie Cosner of AGBeat posted a well done article about "bad appraisals", hitting the very same things I've been hammering for years. The disconnect between … [Read More...]

Milton, GA is 9th in the South for Quality of Life
Milton, GA is ninth in the south for quality of life and highest ranking in metro Atlanta, according to On Numbers’ quality-of-life standings for the Southern United States. The highest ranked metro area is West University Place, TX. Many … [Read More...]

Paying the Credit Card Before the Mortgage
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that a new trend is apparent; homeowners are paying the credit card before the mortgage. Historically, Americans protected their house payment and were more apt to be delinquent on credit card payments, … [Read More...]

3rd Quarter 2011 Atlanta Home Sales Data
Interesting results when the 3rd quarter 2011 Atlanta home sales data is reviewed. Chartmasters gives us a look at current Atlanta real estate trends, most noteworthy is that 65% of homes sold in Metro Atlanta (viewed overall) were below $200,000. … [Read More...]

Renting Foreclosures? Another Stupid Idea
Given the bloody mess that is real estate market, the feds are now considering the idea of renting some of the housing inventory. This is a spectacular idea, for all the wrong reasons. The slide into what has always smelled like a double dip … [Read More...]

Atlanta Home Prices – 2nd Quarter 2011
Chartmasters has completed their typically outstanding review of the 2nd Quarter 2011 Atlanta real estate market data. Metro map overlays are posted, there were some interesting results from the data analysis. Highlights from the report … [Read More...]

Mold Growing Wild in Atlanta Foreclosures
As has been mentioned at least a few hundred times on here and elsewhere, I’m a broker as well as certified appraiser. Since ’89 I’ve appraised and reviewed thousands of homes, currently I’ve been completing foreclosure assignments all over … [Read More...]
REAL ESTATE AGENT NONSENSE

Your Fate is Tied to Your Real Estate Agent
What’s the most important thing to consider when selecting a real estate agent? Is a large franchise better than a local independent company? Here in Metro Atlanta there are several of each variety; a few of the independents have hundreds of agents while others are “boutique” or “single/small team” offices. Given the myriad of choices, [...]

Good Looking Agents Sell More Homes
Research by Michael Seiler, a professor at Old Dominion University, has found that both men and women (though particularly men) are susceptible to the attractiveness of a female real estate agent. The more attractive the agent, the more the buyer is willing to pay.

6% Just Feels Vulgar
“6% just feels vulgar”…here we go again with the discount broker argument! Your home is “buyer bait” – it will generate views and inquiries, that sign will generate calls. Do you seriously think the discounters care if your home sells? Really? You pay all of their expenses up front, your home is only out there to hook buyers – that’s all.
VIDEOS, DATA & MORE

Spider Web Foreclosure & More
Two more entries into the continuing “foreclosure video” series. I’m trying to keep the videos a little different and hit on things beyond the normal trashed out and brutalized home. Not every Atlanta foreclosure is a disaster but if you’re considering one then you better have your radar up. As these homes continue to sit [...]

Marietta Foreclosure “OJ’ed” w/Knife & Hammer
Here’s a Marietta foreclosure home that has several of the normal issues – mold, extensive water damage, rats chewing through siding, drywall damage….. The take away here is the refrigerator and knife work completed by the former owner…toss in the smashed patio door and destroyed lower level bathroom for fun. The outside video is worth a [...]

Buckets O’Cat Litter – an Especially Disgusting Foreclosure
In keeping with my policy of “sharing the fun”, get a load of this Atlanta area foreclosure. They seemed to have been fans of cats – not fans of clean. There were many overflowing litter boxes, multiple empty buckets of cat litter and a few heavy duty trash bags filled with used cat litter laying [...]

