New East Atlanta Listing!!

Brick Retro Modern House w/ Solid Granite Foundation
1476 Woodland Circle
Atlanta, Ga. 30316

CALL JAYME JAY WITH HARRY NORMAN, REALTORS FOR MORE INFO: 404-664-4721

HOME FOR SALE

- Completely Renovated Inside & Out
- 3 Bedroom + 1 ½ Bath with Modern Loft Vibe
- Large 20’ x 10’ ft. Master Bedroom with 10’ ft. Walk-In Closet
Guest Bedroom 13’ x 9’ ft. + Bonus 20’x10’Entertainment Room Glass Doors Opening Up To The Back Yard
- Living Room, Dinning Room and Laundry Room
- New Gourmet Kitchen :
* All Matching Stainless Steel “ FRIGIDARE ” Appliances:
Gas Stove, Refrigerator w/ Ice Maker + Water, Microwave w/ Hood
& Dishwasher w/ Delayed Start – Turns on When You Are Away
* Concrete Countertops w/ Cast Concrete Sink & Stainless Fixtures
* Dark Ebony Wood Cabinets & 13” Dark Ebony Spanish Modern Tile
- New Modern Picture-View Windows – Lifetime Warranty, Double Paned
& Lt. tinted – With Full Roll-Out Casement Windows in Bedrooms
- New Roof with Ridge Crest Ventilation for Energy Efficiency
- Full Attic Storage with pull-down Stairs and Basement storage
- New Copper Pluming Through Entire House –
All Fixtures, Main Drains , & Water Main Supply From Street Replaced
- New Hot Water Heater
- New Bathroom Sinks, Tub , & Toilets – With Modern Stainless Fixtures
( 8” Rain Effect Showerhead & 13” Dark Ebony Spanish Modern Tile )
- New Interior & Exterior Wood Doors w/ Stainless Locks, Handles, &Hinges
¬- Refinished Gleaming Dark Ebony Oak Hardwood Floors In All Rooms
- Modern Recessed- Eye Can Ceiling Lights Through Entire House
With Soft Touch Pad Switches and Electric Plugs
- Motion Detection Flood Lights Around Entire Home / Dusk Auto On
With 500 watt Roof Mounted Back Yard Light –Great For Entertaining
- Concrete Basement With Separate Outside Entrance
( Great For Storage or Workshop – 600 Sq. Ft. )
- Multiple Car Driveway & Concrete Slab
- Orkin Termite Bond on Property – Lifetime and Transferable
- Energy Efficient Home :
New Double Paned Windows, Ridge Crest Vented Attic, New Hot
Water Heater , All New Appliances, & Digital A/C and Heat Thermostat
- Home is on Quiet Street – 2 Miles From East Atlanta Village & Shops
- New Imagine Wesley International Academy – 1 block from home
( 10 Minutes to Downtown & CNN / Minutes to Midtown – Piedmont Park )

AJC Homefinder Article! Recently Sold Property to a Great Client!

Atlanta New Homes for Sale & Home Builders 5:02 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2009

A move from Maryland, a move from renting

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

A change of location, moving from Maryland to Georgia, caused LaTaryn Dexter to say goodbye to renting. Dexter, 34, who works in the telecommunications industry, chatted about her first place, which she put a contract on during her first day of house hunting.

LaTaryn Dexter says the negotiation process moved very smoothly. LaTaryn Dexter says nothing else in her exhaustive home search compared to the amenities she found at Brookwood Park.

Q: What brought you to Atlanta?

A: I had lived in Maryland for 18 years and I just wanted something different. I have family in the area, so I had already visited Atlanta several times. I just started talking to my cousins about the living environment in Atlanta. It just seemed like the most logical place to go. I already know people here. My employer already has offices here. It was the perfect fit.

Q: What did you have to have in a home?

A: I definitely wanted a single-family home. I was looking for a suburban area, kind of a family environment, not too far from the city.

Q: How did you work with your agent?

A: Jayme (Jay with Harry Norman, Realtors) had pulled several listings for me. I set a date and came down. We had already seen several properties. This property wasn’t on our list. We were actually at the house next door. Jayme called the listing agent to see if we could get in. We walked inside and it was just like, wow.

Q: What was so impressive?

A: It was everything I could have wanted with updated appliances and a very nice backyard. The appliances were stainless steel and have marble countertops. It was just beautiful. It kind of became the benchmark because Jayme was like, “Well, OK, this is the house that we love, but let’s continue with our listings just so you can see everything.” The rest of the houses we saw, nothing compared to this one.

Q: How did the negotiating process go?

A: We went through maybe two rounds. It was very quick. We were able to negotiate very reasonably. The previous owners were moving out of state, and I assumed they were buying another property. I contacted Jayme in late February and flew out the first part of March. By AprilI was moving in.

Q: How did you finance the home?

A: I used a combination of my savings and my 401(k).

Q: Did you have any concerns about the financial aspects?

A: Initially I think anyone who is buying a home, because it’s such a large investment, has some concerns. The market was right. The interest rates were relatively low. I just kind of got to a point where I said, “You know what, this is the time to do it. I’m just going to do it.”

At a glance

LaTaryn Dexter’s home has 4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths and about 2,544 square feet of livable space. She purchased it in April.

Brookwood Park

County: Cobb

Price range: Mid $200,000s-mid $300,000s

Square footage: 2,400-4,100

Lot sizes: 1/3 to 1/2 acre

Standard features: Stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors,

separate garden tub and shower in master bath

Amenities: Playground, sidewalks

Homeowners fees: $250 a year

Schools: Sanders Elementary, Floyd Middle, South Cobb High

More on schools: schools.ajc homefinder.com/

Source: Neighborhood information provided by Jayme Jay with Harry Norman, Realtors

Getting there

Take I-285 to exit 16 (Atlanta Road), traveling north. Turn left onto the East/West Connector. Turn left onto Brookwood. Brookwood Park will be on the right.

Recent sale

$260,000: 4414 Yelverton Place, Mableton 30126. 5-bedroom, 3-bath home built in 2005 with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in kitchen.

For sale

$350,000: 4542 Santee Trail, Mableton 30126. A 4-bedroom, 3-bath home built in 2005 with a master on the main level.

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE:

a-move-from-105567.html

More about the $8,000 Tax Credit!

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009

Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said that the
Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow homeowners to use the $8,000 tax credit as a downpayment.

Donovan’s remarks came in an address to several thousand Realtors^® gathered this morning at The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy, a special daylong session at the Realtors^® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here.

Secretary Donovan said that important changes, which the National Association of Realtors^® has been calling for, will help consumers purchase a home. “We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a downpayment,” Donovan said. According to Donovan, the FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

Donovan said the Obama administration plans to further stabilize the housing market. “I do think we have some early signs hat the market overall is stabilizing,” said Donovan. “Since January we’ve seen both home sales moving up and down around a relatively stable number and we are seeing the first signs that the rapid decline in home prices is starting to abate.”

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said, “As the leading advocate for housing issues and homeownership, NAR continues to take a leadership role in promoting ideas for improving our economy by stabilizing the housing and real estate markets. Today we have the best of the best to begin a dialogue, develop solutions and initiate action toward real estate and economic recovery.”

The morning session included a panel discussion that was moderated by CNBC’s Ron Insana. The 13 panelists and Realtors^® in attendance examined cutting-edge solutions necessary to promote and preserve homeownership and real estate development, stimulate the economy, and protect the nation’s taxpayers. They also shared their ideas on what the role and responsibility of the federal government is in the revitalization effort.

The list of distinguished panelists include Dr. Martin Feldstein, professor of Economics from Harvard University; Dr. Barry Bluestone, professor of Political Economy from Northeastern University; John Taylor, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition; Maria Kong, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers; and Sarah Rosen Wartell, executive vice president for the Center for American Progress.

“Right now the Federal Reserve is the market,” said Jay Brinkman, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. “What will be the effect when the Fed stops buying?” Brinkman explained that an exit strategy must be planned for the long-term; the federal government cannot continue to support the mortgage markets indefinitely.

“We must make sure FHA and the GSEs are supported,” added the Wharton School’s Susan Wachter.

“We are thrilled that so many high-caliber individuals were able to join us today at this important meeting to promote stability in the housing market and the U.S. economy,” McMillan said. “We look forward to an ongoing dialogue and action toward this goal, during our midyear meetings this week and beyond.”

The real estate summit is part of the Realtors^® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here through Saturday. During the week, more than 8,500 Realtors^® will attend meetings, visit lawmakers and inspire action on Capitol Hill.

© Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® | Headquarters: 430 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

DC Office: 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2020 I 1-800-874-6500

Published!!! – Living In Atlanta Magazine

Living In Atlanta

Dear HNR Family,

 

 

 

I wanted to share a success story with you:

You’ve all seen emails from me that begin, “MEDIA REQUEST.” Often, these emails come before the overtaxed and time-starved, so a number of responses either miss the mark completely or miss the deadline. But occasionally, someone is paying acute attention and sends me a lead that fits the reporter’s request exactly.

This was the reporter’s request -

“I’m working on another story for the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Living in Atlanta magazine, in which I’d like to spotlight a handful of high-profile residential listings in metro Atlanta. I’m trying to learn about homes for sale owned by notable Atlantans or with a unique history or features.“

Atlanta Perimeter sales associate, Jayme Jay, had Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy from the Cosby Show’s) house listed and she was paying attention. Keshia’s home and story (and Jayme Jay’s name) were featured in last week’s Atlanta Business Chronicle Living in Atlanta Magazine. (see attachment)

I sent this email to Jayme and the Reporter today:

Lori,

I’m very pleased with the story and placement and I believe that Keshia and Jayme are pleased as well. Thank you so much for making it happen. As always, it is a pleasure working with you.

Thanks,

Alisa Bennett-Hart

The reporter and I received this response from Jayme today:

 

 

I second that!!

 

Lori we got an offer today!!!  Thank you sooooo much for everything!!  I will be bringing more clients your way!

 

I appreciate you both very much!!

 

My Best,

 

Jayme Jay

 

Did PR help to secure the offer? I don’t know but increased exposure in this market is always a good thing especially when it only cost time and effort.

 

Moral of the story – Pay attention to the MEDIA REQUESTS. Respond quickly with exactly what the reporter requires (the reporter is in control here). And it doesn’t hurt to list the home of a cute Cosby kid either!

 

 

 

Alisa Bennett-Hart
Harry Norman, Realtors®
Assistant Director of Communications
Corporate Marketing and Communications

Last Day to Register to Vote Georgia!!

Today is the FINAL day to register to vote in Georgia!  Scroll down to my “Vote Early Georgia” blog post for locations. Take advantage of this early voting and stay home November 4, 2008!

Party’s Over: Bailout Time!

 

The past few weeks have brought us devastating news about our financial situation.  Day by day banks and lending institutions crumbled right before our very eyes.  Could it be that ultimately that “The American Dream” got us here?  We all bet on the fact that home values would increase as would our wages and other investments.  The idea that the market would keep getting better proved to be false.  Instead of riding the credit dependant wave of the past we are all washed out now. 

 

 

 

How did we get to this point?  That question can be answered quite simply:  easy lending.  Millions of people went to get a loan from their bank.  After working with the prospect the bank determined the future homeowner could actually take on a bigger loan.  This news coming from a bank was solid advice right!?  WRONG!  Banks actually received more money for securing higher risk loans.  Yes, some people took advantage of the system on purpose and falsified information to banks yet the majority did not.  It was the perfect storm: banks lending more then they should and consumers buying more of a house then they could afford.  The cash flow from the average Joe to Wall Street came to a screeching halt when loan after loan went bad. 

 

 

 

The Bailout is a result of not catching this problem earlier.  With the money for this revised rescue plan America will be able to strengthen it’s lending again.  Until then we have time to make sure our future is secure.  Suze Orman pointed out some good things to concentrate on RIGHT NOW! 

 

 

 

1.   Make sure your money is FDIC insured.  I wrote about this in a previous blog.  Check the old post for a video.  Or check this website:  www.myfdicinsurance.org (If I’m not mistaken the Bailout plan proposed to increase the FDIC insured individual limit from $100k to $250k).  If your money is in a Credit Union you need to check on that as well.  The NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) insures 98% of the unions.  If your money is in the 2% that is not insured it is recommended that you move it to one that is insured. 

2.   Pay down your credit cards.  Many consumers will start to see a reduction in their credit limit because of our current crisis.  The banks do not have to warn you of this decrease.  This is also the worst possible time to be late on your payments. Being late could result in being “credit-less”. 

3.   Get health and life insurance!  The #1 reason in America for Bankruptcy is medical bills!  It can be crippling to you/your family if someone needs extensive medical care and was uninsured.  This is a huge problem for us and the best protection is insurance!

4.   PARTY IS OVER!  Stop spending more then you can afford!  That is what got us into this mess in the first place.  We need to start valuing who we are over what we own!  We have been knocked off our high horses and need to humble ourselves.  Living within your means is also a lot less stressful.  I wonder if divorce rates are higher when finances are in trouble??…..I bet they are. 

 

 

 

The main idea here is to spend money only on things you need and not on things you desire.  This is a time for everyone to cut back and examine how they spend their money.  We were just served with a huge wake up call and need to pay close attention to it.  From our Government to average Joe – we all overdid it.  The market will not change until the banks are comfortable lending money again.  Until then it will be tight.  When the banks feel their debt has been absorbed they will begin to operate more freely. 

 

 

 

We can get through this mess.  Being smart about our money and not panicking is key.  These uncertain times can be used as a time of reflection and healing.  We can begin to remedy our past mistakes and move forward.  The economy will get better but first we have to prioritize and refocus our goals in order to get on a better path for a healthier future. 

 

Atlanta’s Gas Crisis: A Good Thing?

 

What in the world is going on with our gas situation???  Everywhere I go I see people scrambling to fill up their cars.  With lines over an hour long anxious drivers try to remain calm.  Could all of this ciaos actually be a good thing??  Right now we are being forced to face our own dependence on oil/gas in a very personal way.  This crisis hurts everyone.  Look how desperate we are when supply is low! 

I have noticed Marta parking lots and other forms of public transportation have been busier than usual.  Between the price and availability of gas I see why commuters are abandoning their cars.  Could this be a positive trend brewing as a result of a “crisis”?  On our movement toward a greener America I think this could actually be a push in the right direction!  Atlanta’s highways and major streets are already overcrowded and current construction makes getting around difficult. 

Check out Marta’s website and see if this could work for you.  There is even a calculator that will estimate your monthly savings if you switched.  I know this isn’t practical for all but I’m sure it could benefit many! 

http://www.itsmarta.com/default.asp  (Marta)

http://www.itsmarta.com/calculator/index.htm   (Calculator)

Is Your Money Insured?

Here is a great site to examine your money and it’s safety. Don’t just hope you will be protected….know for sure!

http://myfdicinsurance.gov/

You may or may not like Suze Orman but I am sure you like your money!

Keshia Knight Pulliam’s Flyer!

 

Making A Change….

I have decided to move my blog here to World Press.  It allows me to have a more accurate view of activity which helps me serve you better.  So please excuse the switch and keep checking back with me!