Team McCormick, Inc. Real Estate Alpharetta Georgia

No Equity Facing Foreclosure? We can help!

2010-12-21T12:54:00.000-05:00

^^^HELP…CAN’T PAY YOUR MORTGAGE??? ^^^

DID YOU APPLY FOR A LOAN MODIFICATION, AND FIND OUT THAT THIS MAKES YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS HIGHER? IF YOU DO OWE MORE THAN YOUR HOME IS WORTH, WE CAN NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR LENDER TO ACCEPT LESS THAN THE FULL BALANCE DUE...AND FORGIVE THE DIFFERENCE! http://learnhowtoavoidforeclosure.weebly.com/ Let me show you how to get out from under the Mortgage nightmare. No equity...Value Dropped? I am one on one Licensed Help. Have done over 18 this year all Approved
Bob Mac 404-558-1756

Foreclosures

2009-07-28T15:38:00.000-04:00

Bank of America is making it easier for states and cities to buy foreclosures before investors purchase them.The program is a result of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which aims to encourage redevelopment of neighborhoods hit hardest by foreclosure and the resale of properties to homeowners.Bank of America will notify participating cities that properties are available before they are listed on multiple listing services. The company will set the prices with no haggling allowed.“We’re balancing our desire to work with communities that are struggling to stabilize with our fiduciary duty to the investors that hold the paper on all these properties,” says Rob Grossman, senior vice president of community affairs for Bank of America. “We will offer them the best price.”

Economists: Slow recovery on tap

2009-07-28T14:29:00.000-04:00

McLEAN, Va. – July 27, 2009 – The beginning of an economic recovery appears to be just a few months away but unemployment will continue to rise past 10 percent into next year, say economists surveyed by USA Today.The results lend support to growing forecasts for a sluggish and jobless start to the recovery. The jobless rate will peak at 10.2 percent, according to the median estimate of the 49 economists surveyed July 16-22. That’s up nearly a half-percentage point from the previous survey in April. The nation’s unemployment rate hit 9.5 percent in June, a 26-year high.About half of those surveyed said unemployment will peak in the first half of next year, while 16 percent said jobless rolls will swell into the latter part of 2010. The Federal Reserve forecasts unemployment peaking late this year at 9.8 percent to 10.1 percent.The economy is expected to grow again during the second half of this year, and slightly more robustly than the April survey projected. Yet, the median growth-rate estimate of 2 percent for the fourth quarter is weak by historical standards.“I think (the recovery) is going to be anemic,” says Allen Sinai, chief economist at Decision Economics. He cites debt-laden consumers as the main obstacle.“Households have to save a lot to fix their balance sheets before they can spend more,” he adds. “I don’t think consumers have the wherewithal to buy a lot of cars and a lot of houses.”Another factor slowing the turnaround is still-tight credit markets that will limit business expansion, UBS chief economist Maury Harris says.Overall, 63 percent of the economists say the recovery will be slow and gradual. Those surveyed expect businesses to continue to cut spending until early next year. As a result, Sinai says, unemployment will continue to rise.There are some bright spots.Two-thirds of economists say existing-home sales have hit bottom. Consumer spending has stabilized. And CEO confidence shot up in the second quarter, the Conference Board said recently. Such signals are prompting 37 percent of economists to predict a moderate or fast recovery.Bill Cheney, chief economist at MFC Global Investment, says the housing and automobile markets plunged so sharply that “both have the potential to generate some quite large percentage increases.” Consumers could be moved to open their wallets because of rising values on the stock market, he says.Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, is also fairly bullish, expecting unemployment to top out at 9.7 percent this year.“I think the key to a turnaround is that job losses stop quicker than people are expecting,” he says.Copyright © 2009 USA TODAY. All rights reserved.

Remodel or Sell?

2009-07-24T15:33:00.001-04:00

Consumer Reports latest poll on home remodeling reveals that over the next 12 months, 54 percent of homeowners plan a remodeling project, and nearly two-thirds (65 percent) plan to do at least some of the work themselves. The most popular types of work include painting (56 percent), designing (39 percent) and flooring (34 percent).The recent economic downturn has forced 67 percent of homeowners to rethink their plans, with the biggest changes including doing work themselves (42 percent), fixing or sprucing up what they already have (39 percent) and remodeling in phases (36 percent). The biggest reason consumers are cutting back on remodeling is because they simply do not have the money (42 percent).Funding for home remodeling stems from a variety of places, but two out of three homeowners (66 percent) support their projects with their savings. Others plan to cut back on travel and entertainment (29 percent), while one out of five (21 percent) is using a home equity or other loan.Ninety-one percent of homeowners have already gotten their hands dirty with either a repair or remodeling project. But not all repairs or remodeling projects went smoothly for DIY respondents, with over one third (34 percent) having at least one regret stemming from trying to fix a broken appliance, installing tile, floors or cabinets.“Whether homeowners are venturing into a project themselves or plan to hire a professional, you need to lay out a budget, decide what you want most at the end of the project – and decide what you can live without,” says Bob Markovich, senior home editor at Consumer Reports. “The more homeowners know what they’re getting into, the more money they’ll save.” According to the poll, the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners are kitchens (19 percent) and bathrooms (17 percent).

There's Gold in them walls!

2009-07-21T15:31:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON – July 1, 2009 – What do environmental laboratories, building contractors, chemical manufacturers and air quality technicians all have in common?All these businesses are hoping to be the ones to come up with a million-dollar answer that will solve the tainted Chinese drywall problem and to secure a share of the potentially lucrative remediation of thousands of homes across the country.To be sure, the legal community has recognized the potential revenue from a bounty of lawsuits already filed in multiple states. But this month, a Chinese drywall litigation conference drew not only attorneys, but also home builders, insurance company investigators, environmental testing laboratories and construction consultants.All are looking to cash in on what could be the biggest – and most lucrative – issue to come out of the housing boom since the mortgage crisis.Questions and theories abound about what’s going on with the defective wallboard. That uncertainty has created a cottage industry for local entrepreneurs who want to find and implement solutions or simply offer testing of homes.While it’s clear that certain types of Chinese drywall give off a sulfuric gas thought to corrode metal components in homes, the reason why it’s happening and what to do about it remains foggy.The problem, which was first made public in December, started with a handful of homeowner complaints but has increasingly grown in scope.The imported drywall has now become the subject of federal inquiry, local and national legislation efforts, and hundreds of lawsuits.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received complaints about the tainted material from people in 19 states and the District of Columbia. To date, more than 460 Florida residents have logged cases with the Florida Department of Health – although that number is thought to be only a small fraction of homes affected in this state.The material – which is thought to have been imported between 2000 and 2008 and used widely in construction because of building material shortages after the 2004 hurricanes and Florida’s housing boom – has also made its way into commercial structures, including office buildings and condominiums.There are no guidelines or standards for testing and remediation of the defective wallboard. The reason: it’s not clear exactly what’s wrong with it.Indeed, according to Dr. Kaye Kilburn, a California-based leading expert on hydrogen sulfide, all drywall can, under the right conditions, produce sulfuric gases.“This is not a new possibility,” he said, adding that he has worked with patients that had symptoms from hydrogen sulfide after being exposed to wet drywall in landfills. “It’s rather simple chemistry. The question is: Why did we suddenly begin with a problem with these particular types of gypsum drywall in the last several years? Why Chinese drywall? I wish I had the answer.” Some believe that the drywall was sprayed with some sort of fungicide or other material to prevent it from molding while shipping. Others argue that the drywall itself was made with a formula that included higher-than-normal levels of sulfur, bacteria or other compounds.Yet others theorize that the Chinese used a coal byproduct called “fly ash,” or that a mine that the gypsum was culled from was somehow tainted, or that perhaps the problem lies in the paper that covers the gypsum boards.For each theory, there’s a different solution. Or solutions.Entrepreneur Ken Coleman of Jupiter-based Coleman Labs has spent the past several months putting together a team of private-sector scientists, building consultants and others who he hopes will be able to come together as a “brain trust” to solve the drywall issue.Now, he’s working to try to secure more than $6 million in funding – from both private and governmental sources – to conduct the necessary research.“With all the technology out there right now from the biological, chemical and scientific communities, I bet we come up with an answer,” he said.Meanwhile, Gainesville-based U.S. Building Consultants Inc. has been conducting experiments on a Boynton Beach home affected by the tainted drywall. It believes it has found a solution to remedy the homes without tearing out drywall: an “RSU Series” machine that’s supposed to be able to catch and capture hydrogen sulfide off-gassing from the walls.At the same time, Palm Beach Gardens-based environmental firm SabCo Inc. has begun marketing what it calls a RISS System, which is meant to remove toxic and corrosive compounds from the air.Still others believe that the only true way to remediate affected buildings is to tear out the drywall – or even tear down the houses – and start over. And that, too, has attracted a gaggle of contractors and builders offering their services.In the past several weeks, Dave Laskey has been making calls to builders, homeowners and attorneys, looking to find a piece of defective Chinese drywall.A marketing consultant for a pest control company in Boca Grande, Laskey is hoping to connect his client to the drywall controversy.“If we could find a piece of the drywall, maybe we could come up with a cure,” Laskey said, adding that his client – Statewide Pest Control – works with a “national mold and pest killer manufacturer” that may be able to figure out some sort of spray or solution that would stop the effects of the tainted drywall.

Relo Georgia

2009-02-10T15:08:00.000-05:00

Relocating to Georgia?

New Buyer Credit

2009-02-09T18:24:00.000-05:00

A $15,000 homebuyer tax credit (or 10 percent of a home's selling price, whichever is less) in a stimulus bill passed by the U.S. Senate would apply to all homebuyers of a principle residence. Better yet: The homebuyer would not have to pay it back. The tax credit and its rules could change, however, before final passage in the House.

Stage Your Home to Sell!

2009-02-03T05:54:00.000-05:00

1. Move it.
Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.

2. Plant it.
Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room's look, while larger ones make a statement on their own.
Group plants of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. Jettison the scraggly specimens, Westman says. "It's important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition."

3. Paint it.
Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, "be sure to ask, 'What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?'" Birdsong says. "And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room."

4. Organize it.

"Clutter just happens," Birdsong says. "So neaten up!" She advocates a variety of organizing tools to make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. "Just a row of hooks preattached on a board is so easy to install," she says. "And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles."

5. Hide it.
Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper (available for as little as $16/roll from Creative Wallcovering) will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. Birdsong suggests applying a solid base coat, then a glaze.
"These days, it's pretty user-friendly," she says. Caution: Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value.

6. Replace it.
Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Westman suggests scanning each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches.
"And don't forget the toilet seat," adds Westman. "Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new."

7. Light it.
Lighting can have a major impact on a home's look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try "layering" the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will.
"Light is such a mood setter," Westman says. "You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights." Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.

8. Clean it.
Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it's up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. "Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors," Birdsong says. "It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it." Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

New BBQ Place John's Creek GA

2009-01-31T08:03:00.001-05:00

Sanford Sanford said he's trying to bring a little bit of Hollywood to the South. He's the owner of one of Johns Creek's newest businesses, Weezy's Movin' On Up Cafe Jazz & BBQ, and Sanford happens to be the son of a Tinseltown star - Isabel Sanford, who's known for her role as Louise "Weezy" Jefferson on the TV sitcom "The Jeffersons."

Foreclosures

2009-01-30T07:38:00.000-05:00

Research firm RealtyTrac says 850,000 foreclosed homes are already on the market and expects this number to rise by another 1 million homes in 2009, with 2 million more homes entering the foreclosure process during the same period.

Mortgage Loans These Days

2009-01-28T15:03:00.000-05:00

Qualifying for a mortgage is not as easy as it used to be. Still, mortgages are approved every day, even for homebuyers with less-than-sterling credit records. "If you have over a 580 [credit] score, you have a chance

Foreclosures

2009-01-25T17:01:00.000-05:00

More than 2.3 million American homeowners faced foreclosure proceedings last year, an 81 percent increase from 2007, according to RealtyTrac, a California-based research firm. The four states with the highest foreclosure rates: California, Nevada, Florida and Arizona.

Appraisers

2009-01-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

On Jan. 9, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced revisions to their Home Valuation Code of Conduct. Starting on May 1, lenders that want to sell their loans to the two industry behemoths must follow new guidelines. Mortgage brokers and Realtors, for example, will not be allowed to choose appraisers.

No go on FSBO

2009-01-21T14:59:00.000-05:00

"After unsuccessfully trying to sell our home, For Sale By Owner, Bob and Team McCormick stepped in and got the job done in just two weeks. Next time we sell a home, we'll leave it to the experts."
Graham and Laurie Argott

Free MLS Search

2009-01-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

Search Atlanta Foreclosures Free

Beach House

2009-01-19T17:10:00.000-05:00

Great Beach Rentals on the Pan Handle of Florida

Beach Rental's

http://www.santarosabeachhouse.com/
http://www.beachcondo-destin.com/

2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

2008-12-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

Did you know that even though one-third of all home buyers start their search for a home on the internet, approximately eight out of ten buyers eventually buy their home through a real estate agent or broker, and consider them a very important source of information? Nearly five out of ten buyers say the most important service their real estate agent can provide is guiding them to right home to purchase.

Home Sales

2008-12-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

Pending Home Sales Down on Tight Credit and Economic Slowdown
Pending home sales fell on the heels of a strong gain a month earlier as credit tightened and economic conditions deteriorated, according to the latest survey. The Pending Home Sales Index declined 4.6 percent to 89.2 from an upwardly revised reading of 93.5 in August, but is 1.6 percent higher than September 2007 when it stood at 87.8. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said pending sales have been above year-ago levels for two months in a row. “The month-to-month weakening in pending home sales is understandable, but because the index remains above year-ago levels it means we’re still in a broad period of stabilization,” he said. “Conditions remain mixed around the country, but markets that are showing annual sales gains include Long Island, N.Y.; Boston; Minneapolis; Denver and Washington, D.C., in addition to consistent solid gains in California and Florida.”

Christmas in Georgia

2008-12-07T08:37:00.001-05:00

The Atlanta area provides us with lots of local talent! Below are a few of the many events in which to participate this Christmas season. Get out and enjoy our great area.

http://www.metropolitanballet.org/performances/nutcracker.htm This local ballet company spends months preparing for their annual Christmas performance of the Nutcracker.

http://stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=42 Stone Mountain is magically transformed during the Christmas season. With more than two million lights, live entertainment and the arrival of Santa Claus nightly, your family will, for sure, have a wonderful time.

http://www.callawaygardens.com/callaway/info/accom.pkg.fil.aspx?gclid=CM77s4nhn5cCFQoHswodq22k_Q Enjoy the holiday magic of Callaway Gardens' spectacular outdoor light and sound show. The Gardens shine with more than 8 million lights and over a dozen, larger-than-life, scenes that surround you with festive color and music!

http://www.visitroswellga.com/christmas-in-roswell.html Experience the magic and wonder of the holiday season in Historic Roswell. Bulloch Hall, Barrington Hall and Smith Plantation Home can be seen in all its seasonal splendor and is open for tours.

http://www.centennialpark.com/events/ice.html From November 15th through the 4th of January, 2009, enjoy outdoor ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park.

http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=7015 The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Parade is one of the Southeast's premiere holiday parades!

http://www.lakelanierislands.com/mnol.php Lake Lanier's Magical Night of Lights is known as the world's largest light extravaganza.

4.5% interest Rates?

2008-12-05T08:31:00.000-05:00

While the federal government has little control over mortgage rates, a proposal floated yesterday might help. Financial industry lobbyists want the U.S. to buy mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, projecting that it could lower the 30-year mortgage rate to at least 4.5 percent and jumpstart home sales.

(Atlanta) Lighting of the Macy's Great Tree

2008-11-20T15:47:00.002-05:00

Lighting of the Macy's Great Tree
7-8 p.m., Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving night)Lenox Square MallAtlanta, GA 30326Kick off the holiday season with this ceremonial tree lighting at Lenox Square. Pre-show festivities begin at 6:30 PM. Make a memory that will last forever, and enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

Short Sales

2008-11-11T14:51:00.000-05:00

When families lose their homes to foreclosure, communities, the housing market and the economy all suffer. Short sales are one way that some troubled homeowners can avoid foreclosure, a topic discussed by Realtors at the Short Sales Solutions session, part of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) 2008 Conference & Expo in Orlando.“Homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments must have more options available to them to avoid foreclosure,” said NAR President Richard Gaylord. “Short sales can benefit not only the homeowner in question, but also buyers, lenders and the surrounding community. With their established lender relationships and insights into complicated real estate transactions, Realtors can add real value for both sellers and buyers interested in short sales.”A short sale is a transaction in which the seller’s mortgage lender agrees to accept a payoff of less than the balance due on the loan. The lender often receives a higher amount of the remaining loan balance than it would from the sale of the property after a foreclosure. This helps support home values in the surrounding community. Short sales also help homeowners maintain some level of credit.According to Freddie Mac, 50 percent of homeowners entering the foreclosure process did not have any contact with the lender first. One of the most valuable services Realtors can provide to clients who may be facing a foreclosure is guiding them through the lender’s short sale process and facilitating communication, according to session panelists Michael and Stacey Spikes of America’s Home Rescue.“The process for short selling an FHA loan is different than the process for shorting a Veterans Administration or conventional loan,” said Stacey Spikes. “Knowing the type of loan the seller has, and understanding the proper steps for short selling that loan and the order of those steps, is critical.”Homeowners who are having difficulty making their mortgage payments and who may be considering a short sale must generally meet three qualifying criteria: they must be behind on their payments, be able to prove a legitimate hardship, and have little or no equity in their home.While a typical real estate transaction involves two real estate professionals, a seller, a buyer, and the buyer’s lender, a short sale can include all of these parties in addition to the seller’s loan servicer, housing counselor, junior lien holders, mortgage investors and mortgage insurers. In addition to the number of parties involved, Realtors say that other challenges can make short sales difficult. These include burdensome paperwork, appraisals that do not consider the sellers’ duress or the number of foreclosures in a community, over-burdened loss mitigation departments, and complications created by second mortgages.NAR has created a working group to examine the problems and difficulties surrounding short sales and to educate its members on how to best work with their clients through this process. NAR is also reaching out to its partners in the housing and mortgage industry to encourage adoption of principles and practices to streamline the short sale process.“Short sales give many families in financial difficulties the possibility of salvaging their credit and avoiding the embarrassment of a foreclosure,” said Gaylord. “Realtors across the country stand ready to help.”

Our Market

2008-10-24T11:08:00.000-04:00

Free fall describes market behavior last week, as we watched one of the biggest declines in market history take place. By the numbers, for the week ended Friday, October 10, 2008, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 8451, down 1874 points, or 18.2%. The Standard & Poor's 500 closed at 899, down 200 points, or 18.2%, and the NASDAQ Composite closed at 1649, down 298 points, or 15.3%.As we have noted before, a substantial part of the problem in the US is debt. Congress, in its wisdom, provides deductibility of interest paid, and taxes interest earned. Two simple changes, non-deductibility of interest paid, and no taxes on interest, dividends, and cap gains, would make a big difference. The challenge is that would put some control back in the hands of voters, and loosen the bonds that tie the voters to those elected officials and their friends gorging at the government trough.Retailers reported soft sales, and 71% of retailers missed their earnings targets. IBM posted a 20% gain in quarterly earnings, and reaffirmed its earnings forecast. GM is trading at about $4.65. The last time that happened, the average car was $3000, gas was 20 cents a gallon, and your average home cost $16,000.Most of us have been attempting to sort the world out, and figure out what is going on. We have a strange election year, housing and construction is quiet, and banks appear to be out of money.In terms of lack of funds, this in my opinion is simply years of too many households, companies, and governments financing their futures with debt. The government has no place nationalizing financial institutions, yet it appears from the response of most Americans that we prefer security to freedom.On the housing front, real estate is moving through a traditional cycle. The cycle is made more difficult due to the lack of liquidity. This cycle will turn, and the survivors will be stronger for it.

Johns Creek/Alpharetta Roads

2008-10-23T11:05:00.001-04:00

October 16, 2008JOHNS CREEK - Several road improvement projects in the city are about to get underway in the next few weeks and at the start of the new year.Intersection improvements will begin soon at Old Alabama and Haynes Bridge roads, according to Ken Hildebrandt, public works director for the city.He also said at the Oct. 6 City Council work session that striping improvements will be made on Abbotts Bridge at Boles Road and Medlock Bridge at Parsons Road.The traffic signal installation on McGinnis Ferry Road at Seven Oaks Parkway will be up and functional in November, he said.Six sidewalk construction projects along Old Alabama Road (three projects total), Taylor Road and Findley Road will save the city $48,000, since the project bids came in under budget.Hildebrandt said the $48,000 will be combined with money that City Council already approved for sidewalk construction projects; the next phase will begin in the spring.Drivers may feel safer knowing guardrails will be repaired in 12 locations around the city. However, the guardrail replacement projects does not include new guardrails, only existing ones around Johns Creek.Hildebrandt said the Buice Road full reformation project will begin soon and construction on the Johns Creek Greenway will begin in the spring.

10 Undeniable Truths about Real Estate

2008-10-11T11:55:00.001-04:00

1. People have to have a place to live. -- It's basic but it speaks volumes
about the real estate profession. Today there are 4.78 million people in the
metro Atlanta area; it's predicted there will be over 8 million by 2025.
That's a lot of people coming in who will need a place to live.

2. Well-selected residential real estate will always go up in value. --
According to the most recent report (2nd quarter, 2008) from the Office of
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (www.OFHEO.gov
), home prices/values in Georgia continue to rise. There has not been a
12-month period in which home values have declined in Georgia. Click here
for that report.

3. All of us face challenges in our lives at one time or another. -- A
challenging market makes you appreciate the good times. It's as simple as
that.

4. Interest rates go up and interest rates go down, but you can always
refinance when the money is cheap. -- We are in a temporary situation in
which it's hard to find money for non-owner occupied properties and in which
the public's perception is that interest rates are high. But they will still
buy.

5. The greatest expense you will have in your lifetime, without a doubt, is
taxes. -- The level of taxation we experience in this country is remarkable.
Real estate is an investment that allows you to reach financial freedom and
reduce your tax burden.

6. The tax benefits of real estate are, indeed, too good to be true. But
they are true. -- We need to constantly tout to our customers the exclusion
from taxation of gain on a primary residence as the number 1 reason to own a
home.

7. Inflation is our friend. -- Sounds crazy, but controlled inflation can be
helpful in growing our economy.

8. You can retire comfortably on as few as 8 - 10 rental houses. -- Eight to
ten rental properties, paid off, can be a substantial retirement income.

9. Investing in real estate is simple but it's not easy. -- Seek the advice
of those who have 'been there, done that' but don't be afraid to jump right
in.

10. In the words of John McCain [and this is coming from John Adams,
lifelong Democrat!], 'Our economy is fundamentally sound.' -- We are in a
financial crisis, not an ecomonic crisis. Some of the media is comparing our
current ecomony to the Depression; however, the unemployment rate during the
Depression was over 25%, whereas our current national unemployment rate is
around 6%. Also, compare our GDP to that of the Depression and they are
nowhere near the same. We will overcome the current financial crisis and
move on with a healthy economy.

North Georgia Winery's

2008-10-09T11:51:00.001-04:00

The North Georgia Mountains are filled with vineyards and quiet bed and breakfast inns .
http://www.persimmoncreekwine.com/ Persimmon Creek Winery is situated on over 100 acres and located near Lake Bruton.
http://www.montaluce.com/ Located minutes from Dahlonega, Montaluce has not yet produced a vintage. However, you will not be disappointed with the wines served and the activities available.
http://www.wolfmountainvineyards.com/index.htm Also located close to Dahlonega, Wolf Mountain Vineyards produces award winning wines.
After your day at the vineyards, relax at one of the following bed and breakfast inns:
http://www.smithhouse.com/
http://www.mountainlaurelcreek.com/
http://www.barninn.com/

Mortgage Lender

2008-10-07T11:48:00.001-04:00

Despite what we are hearing on the news, the internet, and in the papers…..
Greater Atlanta Financial Services (owned by Wells Fargo) is still making loans to qualified borrowers!
Credit guidelines have certainly tightened, but not quite to the extent we are hearing. If your client has good credit, at least 3.5% down (which of course can be a family gift on FHA), and is buying within their means, then we can make the loan!!! We may ask for more documentation than in the past, and have an extra level of underwriting to go through, but the loan will close!
So the "credit freeze" is more of a "chill" … let's get the word out!

30 yr fixed, conventional: 5.875%
30 yr fixed, FHA: 6.00%

City of Alpharetta

2008-10-01T09:38:00.000-04:00

It has come to our attention that some City of Alpharetta 2008 property tax bills were mailed with an incorrect due date. These bills reflect a due date of September 25, 2008. Please note that the correct due date for your 2008 property tax bill is December 1, 2008. This error occurred at the printer and does not reflect inaccuracies in property tax records. If you received a property tax bill indicating the incorrect payment due date, we do apologize for the confusion and inconvenience that this error may have caused.Please call 678-297-6060 or email us at taxes@alpharetta.ga.us if you have any questions regarding your tax bill.

Forsyth Lacrosse

2008-09-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

FORSYTH COUNTY - A few years ago, many in Georgia probably didn't know much about lacrosse.Now, one of the fastest growing sports in America is spreading throughout Forsyth County's youth.One example of the growth has been the rise of the West Forsyth Youth Lacrosse organization, a program started to promote lacrosse in all of Forsyth County and is currently in the midst of its first fall season. The spring lacrosse season runs from January to May.

Road Improvement Updates Alpharetta Georgia

2008-09-30T08:03:00.002-04:00

- This intersection has gone through several reconfigurations over the past 10 years. Additional improvements will include resurfacing the intersection, aligning the west bound travel lane, installing the sidewalk from Tuxford to Waters Road and from Waters to the Sae Han church, as well as improved storm water drainage. The left turn stacking lanes will be extended in all directions and the eastbound right turn lane from KBR to Waters will be extended. Right of way discussions have continued to delay this project. Big Creek Bridge - The bridge will be constructed on the south side of the existing bridge. The road will be realigned to the new much higher bridge, and the old bridge will be demolished. The new bridge will have four foot wide bike lanes and six foot wide sidewalks on both sides with access to the Greenway underneath. North Point Pkwy/Kimball Bridge Road - In the March 2007 citizen survey this was identified as the worst intersection in Alpharetta. This project will include extended westbound left turn stacking lanes onto NPP, an extended west bound right turn lane onto NPP, eastbound merge lane on KBR from NPP to the school along with improved storm drainage and sidewalks. This is currently in a conceptual design stage.Sterling Brooke - There will be a new single family residential development (Sterling Brooke) just west of the Sheridan Park neighborhood before you get to Big Creek. This will consist of 42 homes on 14 acres.Schedule - There have been some delays due to right of way acquisition, funding, intergovernmental issues, and other obstacles. The Waters Road and Bridge replacement were scheduled to begin this year. Land clearing for Sterling Brooke should begin this month. The Kimball Bridge Coalition, of which Glen Abbey is a member, has been working diligently with GDOT, Fulton County, and the City of Alpharetta for several years to bring these projects to fruition with the interests of our residents paramount in all discussions.

ALPHARETTA, Georgia - September 25, 2008

2008-09-25T09:52:00.001-04:00

Portion Of Westside Parkway Closes To Traffic Today!The portion of Westside Parkway between Sanctuary Parkway and Mansell Road will be closed to all traffic beginning today. A portion of Old Roswell Road will also be affected. The road closure will remain in effect for approximately one year during the construction of a new bridge over Foe Killer Creek and the expansion of the road to four lanes.During the construction period, all traffic will be detoured to Mansell Road, North Point Parkway, Encore Parkway, and other portions of Westside Parkway. A map of the construction zone and related detours is attached and also available at www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Alpharetta High School

2008-09-22T15:43:00.001-04:00

It's official! The Fulton County School Board voted on Thursday evening to accept the High School Redistricting Plan, which allows Glen Abbey to remain at Alpharetta High School.

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

2008-09-11T11:29:00.001-04:00

The government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac this past weekend has caused a nice drop in interest rates! By taking control of the 2 largest holders of mortgage bonds, the government has significantly reduced the credit risk associated with these bonds. Reducing the risk to investors results in a drop in the return on these investments. Rate of return equals the interest rate, thus mortgage rates are dropping. Historically, the spread between the yield, or interest rate, on treasury bonds and mortgage bonds with a 30 year life has been around 1.25% to 1.75%. As a result of the downturn in real estate and the increase in mortgage defaults, this spread had grown to a high of 2.75%! With the government's action, we should see this spread shrink. Just today, mortgage rates have dropped .25% to .375%!

Alpharetta Bank Closes

2008-09-09T11:18:00.001-04:00

ALPHARETTA -- Integrity Bank's closure Aug. 29 after failing due to bad construction loans coupled with falling real estate value has not jeopardized depositor's money.Regions Bank bought the more than $900 million in deposits of 23,000 customers of the Alpharetta-based bank, including deposits above the insurance limits set by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.Regions reopened Integrity's five bank branches – in Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Duluth and Vinings – Tuesday morning under its own banners.Regions has agreed to pay a total premium of 1.012 percent for the failed bank's deposits. In addition, Regions Bank will purchase approximately $34.4 million of Integrity Bank's assets, consisting of cash and cash equivalents. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

Glen Abbey Homes

2008-09-08T14:25:00.000-04:00

Homes in Glen Abbey subdivision for sale:

http://fmlslistings.marketlinx.com/SearchDetail/Scripts/PrtBuy4/PrtBuy4.asp?emailGUID=a6feb542-e981-406b-a219-b84cd93f9e79&AgentId=MCCORMIB

Alpharetta Real Estate

2008-09-05T14:53:00.001-04:00

Need a Buyers Agent?

Buyers feel more comfortable working with an agent they know versus hiring a complete stranger, so wanting to hire a friend is understandable. They feel that a friend or family member will tell them the truth and look out for their best interests, but that type of situation can also create conflicts, in more ways than one.Hiring a Friend or Family Member as a Buyer's AgentThe main problem is an agent who is close to the buyer might decide to save a friendship over delivering hard, cold facts

Team McCormick, Inc. Real Estate

2008-09-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

Team McCormick, Inc. Real Estate

Granite Co

2008-09-03T14:07:00.002-04:00

Just refinished a new kitchen on a Alpharetta Georgia home. We used this company for the Granite counter tops. Did a great job!

Metro Stone Connection, Inc.
5874 Atlanta Hwy Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone (678) 366-0996 Fax (770)663-7900
metrostoneconnec@bellsouth.net
ask for Joe

Investors

2008-08-19T09:57:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK – Aug. 18, 2008 – A number of hedge funds and private equity funds have begun raising money that they intend to invest in distressed mortgage assets. While there are few direct investment avenues for retail investors, several listed hedge funds, private equity firms, and closed-end distressed asset funds may provide investors with some exposure to these assets in anticipation of a rebound over the medium to long term.Generally, a distressed asset is one that is priced below its intrinsic value. The credit crisis has created a host of assets that may not be distressed for credit reasons, but they are categorized as such because of the type of structure they’re held in, such as a collateralized debt obligation [CDO].In a roundtable discussion in the publication American Securitization, James Callahan, executive director of independent capital markets advisory firm Pentalpha, said, “Some [CDO] assets will be fine on a credit basis, but have been discounted already or may be in the future simply because of the taint of the structure they’re held in. There’s great collateral out there, but it’s languishing in the wrong box.” As the opportunities for leveraged buyouts decline, many private equity funds are looking to distressed asset investing for new opportunities. According to industry tracker Private Equity Intelligence, distressed asset funds raised $28.7 billion in the second quarter of 2008 alone, out of the $161.9 billion raised for private equity funds in general.Blackstone Group (BX), for instance, has raised $2 billion for Bayview Financial, a distressed mortgage servicer and fund manager in which it holds a stake. The money will be put toward buying portfolios of distressed mortgage securities over the course of the next few months. Blackstone started to cover its shorts on subprime in late 2007 and early 2008, and expects the subprime mortgage market to bottom out in the coming months.Other firms have also begun to raise money for distressed investing. Carlyle Group and Private Equity Partners have each raised about $1 billion for debt funds. Private Equity Intelligence reported in April that 33 funds are looking to raise more than $36 billion. While some of this money will be put toward mortgage assets, some will be used to buy leveraged loans that have become cheap.In addition to private equity firms, hedge funds are also looking to make forays into the distressed asset market in the hopes that the subprime mortgage market may finally be close to a bottom. Fortress Investment Group (FIG) established a $2 billion fund at the start of the year to take advantage of opportunities in the distressed asset market, and is reportedly considering raising more money for the fund.Similarly, in June, GLG Partners (GLG), a London-based hedge fund, hired Galia Velimukhametova, a distressed situation expert, to help the firm position itself to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. The hedge fund is looking to deploy capital opportunistically in the distressed asset market over the next 18 months.While alternative asset funds gear up to take advantage of potential opportunities in this market, there are still significant risks of further deterioration that make some alternative asset managers wary of getting into the market just yet. This is particularly true of hedge funds, where investors can take money out on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. This may make investors unwilling to accept any significant deterioration in performance resulting from a fund holding distressed assets. Private equity, where investors commit for longer periods of time, is seen as a better model since it remains unclear when the mortgage market will finally begin to turn.Additionally, according to Pentalpha’s Callahan, some funds do not have the expertise and infrastructure in place to invest in many of these distressed securities. He also highlights the difficulty in getting enough information on the underlying mortgages to make sound judgment calls on those securities.While it may be some time before distressed asset investors feel comfortable making bets on mortgage assets, over the longer term the activity is likely to be positive for the overall mortgage market, in our view. In that same roundtable from American Securitization, Ed Gainor, partner at law firm McKee Nelson, remarked, “Hopefully, this type of investing will clear out a lot of these bad assets and contribute to jump-starting the market again and providing funding for people who should have home loans.”In addition to the modest exposure an investor might get to distressed assets through investing in the stock of the various listed alternative asset managers with distressed asset funds, there are some closed-end funds that invest in distressed assets as well. A few such funds are the Highland Credit Strategies Fund (HCF), the Pioneer High Income Trust Fund (PHT), and the First Trust Strategic High Income Fund (FHI). One drawback of investing in closed-end funds that we see is that the share price may trade at either a discount or premium to the value of the underlying assets held within the fund. This is different from an open-end fund, or mutual fund, where daily closing prices reflect the net asset values of the underlying securities held in the fund.

Existing Home Sales Rise in February

2008-03-25T14:47:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2008 -
Sales of existing homes increased in February and remain within a fairly stable range, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 2.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (1) of 5.03 million units in February from a pace of 4.89 million in January, but remain 23.8 percent below the 6.60 million-unit level in February 2007. The sales pace has been in a fairly narrow range since last September.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the gain is encouraging. “We’re not expecting a notable gain in existing-home sales until the second half of this year, but the improvement is another sign that the market is stabilizing,” he said. “Buyers taking advantage of higher loan limits for both FHA and conventional mortgages will unleash some pent-up demand. As inventories are drawn down, prices in many markets should go positive later this year.”

Atlanta Growth

2008-02-28T12:50:00.001-05:00

America's Fastest-Growing Large And Small Metros (Forbes)
Atlanta, Ga.Rank: 3
Projected total GMP growth, 2007-2012: 22.81%
The Atlanta metro area is a job magnet that epitomizes the economic boom of the Southeast. Companies with headquarters there include Coca-Cola, CNN and UPS. It's also got the country's busiest airport for passenger traffic. Atlanta's population has doubled in the last 20 years; by 2012, it's expected to grow another 11%. Personal income for Atlanta residents is forecast to grow by 6.3% annually during that time, according to Global Insight.
Source: Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Moody's Economy.com, Global Insight

Georgia & Florida Mortgage

2008-02-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

Did mortgage fraud contribute to the current housing meltdown? One study that looked at 45 subprime mortgage defaults found that two-thirds of them involved owners who lied about their intention to live in the house.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-020608.cfm

Hot Trends for 2008

2008-01-29T10:03:00.000-05:00

https://www.lowesrealtorbenefits.com/newsletter/pdf/122007.pdf

Atlanta Garden Show

2008-01-22T12:33:00.000-05:00

Annual event showcases spectacular gardens, horticultural innovations, renowned speakers, fab shopping & activities galore at the World Congress Center Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2008.

Milton Georgia

2008-01-16T15:42:00.001-05:00

Milton Issues Temporary Lift of outdoor Burn Ban

The City of Milton has issued a temporary lift of its city-wide outdoor burn ban that went into effect in October 2007. The lift, issued by Milton Fire Marshall Chad McGiboney, is effective immediately, and allows residents to conduct outdoor burning under specific guidelines.

2008!!

2008-01-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

Good Stuff to Know
63% of people say they are keeping their resolutions after two months.
67% of people make three or more resolutions.
Top four resolutions:
Increase exercise
Be more conscientious about work or school
Develop better eating habits
Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine)
People make more resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old one.

Atlanta Real Estate Market

2007-12-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

REAL ESTATE FORECAST The housing downturn hit bottom and has started its turnaround, at least according to NAR's latest forecast. While the association has downgraded its forecast month-by-month for a while, the December prediction marks the first time since after the boom that NAR has predicted a short-term rise.

Alpharetta Georgia 30022 Homes

2007-12-10T14:59:00.000-05:00

Need the Value of your home?

www.FreeAlpharettaCMAreport.com

Check out our free Home Search to!

www.AlpharettaMLSsearch.com

Home Mortgages

2007-12-07T10:34:00.001-05:00

There are non-traditional ways to get a mortgage, and evidence suggests they're on an upswing. Called "private-money mortgages," they have different lending standards and carry substantially higher interest rates and fees.

Alpharetta Buyers Agent

2007-12-06T14:23:00.000-05:00

Buyers feel more comfortable working with an agent they know versus hiring a complete stranger, so wanting to hire a friend is understandable. They feel that a friend or family member will tell them the truth and look out for their best interests, but that type of situation can also create conflicts, in more ways than one.
Hiring a Friend or Family Member as a Buyer's Agent

The main problem is an agent who is close to the buyer might decide to save a friendship over delivering hard, cold facts.

Glen Abbey

2007-12-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

Johns Creek Neighborhood Tennis Taken to Top Level

The 14 and under intermediate age group tennis team from Glen Abbey subdivision was thrilled to win top honors at the U.S. Tennis Association national championship in Tucson, AZ last month.

Home Warranties

2007-12-05T10:43:00.000-05:00

With Home Buying and Selling, What You Can't See CAN Hurt You!!

We list our homes in Alparetta Georgia with a home Warranty

http://www.ahssales.com/

Great Way for Dinner Reservations

2007-11-30T14:48:00.000-05:00

My wife and I use this all the time in Alpharetta Georgia. Try it sometime.

Restaurant Reservations:Instant, Reliable & Free.

http://www.opentable.com/start.aspx?m=16

Interest Rates

2007-11-30T14:45:00.000-05:00

30 year fixed 5.500% 0 points
15 year fixed 5.125% 0 points
30 year fixed jumbo 6.250% 0 points
15 year fixed jumbo 5.750% 0 points
7/1 ARM 5.625% 0 points
5/1 ARM 5.500% 0 points
3/1 ARM 5.125% 0 points
FHA 30 year fixed 5.750% 0 points

As of 11/30/07

The Fed

2007-11-30T11:58:00.000-05:00

The Federal Reserve's latest economic snapshot released yesterday finds that the housing slump and credit crunch has made consumers more cautious. But the Fed also suggested that it would again lower interest rates at its Dec. 11 meeting, sending stock prices higher.

Verizon Voyager - Should I buy one?

2007-11-29T16:19:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking of buying the new Verizon Voyager. Anyone out there tried this new phone out yet. Please let me know what you think. I love Verizon Service but have never been too happy with their equipment, are they finally responding to consumer's desires on quality phones?

Great Rates Again

2007-11-29T10:17:00.000-05:00

Current 30 YR fixed is 5.625%!!!! I am expecting a mid-day price change since the bond market is down 1 7/32 as I write this. But the good news is the rate dropped to 5.625% on a 30 YR fixed. Time to Buy again!!

Atlanta Housing Market

2007-11-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

Georgia home prices remain stable despite perceptions
Believe it or not, your home is likely worth more today than it was a year ago.
Two recent studies have highlighted the strength of metro Atlanta housing prices, even as most other parts of the nation have seen price declines of up to 10 percent over last year.
The first study is the widely followed S&P/Case-Schiller Home Price Index, which claims to be the leading measure of U.S. home prices. It covers data through August of this year and shows declines in the prices of existing single family homes in 15 of the 20 metro areas surveyed. The area with the largest decline was metro Tampa, with a double-digit drop of 10.1 percent since August of 2006.
Atlanta was among the five gainers, but claimed less than a 1 percent increase over the period.
Areas reporting the biggest price gains were Seattle at 5.7 percent, followed by Charlotte at 5.6 percent. Portland showed a 2.8 percent increase, while Dallas squeaked out a gain of half a percent for the past year.
The Case-Schiller team of economists recognized in the 1980s that home prices tended to be "inflexible" downward. That's because many owners will refuse to sell at a price less than what they paid for a property.
This inflexibility is observed most strongly in residential real estate and has been shown to have a strong stabilizing effect on home prices.
In addition to Tampa's weak performance, home price drops were seen in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami and New York. In addition, both San Diego and San Francisco made the list of losers, leading to the conclusion that those areas hardest hit were the same ones that had experienced rapid price run-ups in recent years.
I suspect part of Atlanta's ability to retain even a minimum level of price appreciation is that our price gains over the past decade were modest compared with many parts of the nation. It seems that Atlanta's housing prices were fueled more by job growth and relocation than by the frenzy and speculation that drove some areas.
This conclusion is supported by a recently released study of America's metropolitan areas by the Brookings Institution, called Blueprint for American Prosperity. This study concludes that America stands in a position of economic strength, but that we need to leverage key assets such as innovation, human capital and infrastructure. The study suggests that these assets tend to concentrate principally in our nation's major metropolitan areas.
This study produced what it calls MetroNation Profiles, a sort of state-by-state review of the top 100 metropolitan areas, and gives statistics associated with those areas, highlighting the importance of these economic engines. In this study, metro areas often cross state boundaries.
For example, Georgia contains all or part of three of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas — Atlanta, Augusta and Chattanooga — which alone account for 60 percent of the state's population, 62 percent of the state's jobs, and 71 percent of the state's gross domestic product (GDP). All 15 of Georgia's metros constitute 81 percent of the state's population, 84 percent of the state's jobs, and 89 percent of the state's GDP.
It is a widely established fact that home prices tend to follow job growth, and if an area's prices are holding up well in the current real estate market, there should be a correlation with job growth. The good news is that the study found metro Atlanta to be ranked 10th in job growth among all metro areas nationwide, with some 67 percent of all jobs in the state being Atlanta-based.
Yet, the fact that home prices in metro Atlanta are up will come as a surprise to most Atlantans.
I conducted a completely unscientific poll over the past couple of weeks, asking everyone I talked with whether they believed home prices were up, stable, or down over the past year. Almost everyone was convinced that real estate prices were down significantly.
Stay tuned for the release of the Federal House Price Index coming up on Nov. 29. This report is a study of price movements based on a much larger sample of homes than the Case-Schiller Index, and includes both resales and refinancings through the end of September.

Negative Housing Reports Runs Risk of Becoming Market Reality!

2007-11-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

Negative housing reports in the media have altered the public's perception of the value - and potential - of today's real estate market. When too many people share too many exaggerated messages of gloom and doom, market perception runs the risk of becoming market reality.

The truth is, there is still plenty of good news on the Georgia real estate market. When we hear consumers echoing the negative media reports, let's also consider sharing the following facts:

Interest rates remain at historic lows; today's consumers are not battling the interest (or inflation) rates of the 1970s and 1980s.
Conventional financing remains available to many, and FHA loans are on the rise.
The value of a home typically doubles every 10 years, on average. How's that for a return on investment?
Over the past 30 years, homes have appreciated an average of 6.6% per year, more than any savings account interest rate, and more than most CDs or other investment vehicles. And the return on the actual initial investment is even more significant when you consider that most homeowners invest only a small fraction of their home's total value in their down payment. That's the power of leverage.
The average homeowner today holds 36 times the wealth of the average renter. Why? Keep reading below.
60% of the average homeowner's wealth rests in their home's equity. Homeowners who look at home ownership as a long-term proposition are the homeowners who most reliably build equity. So putting down roots with home ownership can be the most important step in building your financial foundation.
Home equity is the largest single source of wealth for most Americans.
Lastly, A house becomes a home. and that's more than an investment: it's a way to enjoy your life, and provide a stable environment for your loved ones.