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. 

 

Vote Early Georgia!

Did you know that you can vote now?  Yesterday I went to update my address and found people lining up to exercise their right to vote.  It wasn’t too crowded out there.  Take advantage of this opportunity!  One voter said she only waited 10 minutes!  This is a far cry from how long it will take come November 4!

 

Early voting locations in metro Atlanta include:

• Cherokee County: Monday-Friday, 8:30-5 p.m., 400 East Main St., Canton; 770-479-0407

• Clayton County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 121 South McDonough St., Jonesboro, 770-477-3372

• Cobb County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 736 Whitlock Ave., Marietta; 770-528-2581

 

• DeKalb County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur; 404-298-4020

• Fayette County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., 140 Stonewall Ave., Suite 208, Fayetteville: 770-305-5408

• Forsyth County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., 110 East Main St., Suite 200, Cumming; 770-781-2118

• Fulton County, three locations: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 141 Pryor St. SW; 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, Atlanta; 7741 Roswell Road, Atlanta; 404-612-7020

• Gwinnett County: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 455 Grayson Highway, Suite 200, Lawrenceville; 678-226-7210

• Henry County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 66 Veteran’s Drive, McDonough; 770-288-6448

 

The Georgia Secretary of State Web site has information, in PDF form, about voting locations in every county.

Keshia Knight Pulliam’s Estate For Sale!

 

 

 

Hello Everyone!

I am happy to announce my newest listing! This is a gorgeous all brick 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with 3 car garage offered at $549,999! Ms. Pulliam worked side by side with the builder to ensure a custom home with many unique features. She wanted to make sure it was one of a kind! The attention to detail and openness makes this home really stand out! It’s located just south of Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Fayetteville, GA.

This is a must see for buyers looking in this area! Please contact me if you would like further information.

http://www.jayme.jay.harrynorman.com/

Have a wonderful day!!!!

 

RUDY SAYS CALL!!

 

Welcome!

Hello Everyone!

I am very excited to introduce my new Real Estate blog!!! This will be the first blog ever created by yours truly! My intended goal is to keep you up to date on real estate related issues and other topics you should find intriguing. Any new listings and sales will be posted along with other exciting news. I promise to keep it interesting!!

The market may not be the best it’s ever been but it will turn around. During this “down time” think about adding value to your home. I’m not talking a huge addition but perhaps smaller projects such as landscaping or even updating hardware in the kitchen and baths.? Simple updates can really change a room.

I hope everyone is well! This has been a crazy year for me so far. Business is beginning to pick up speed after a wonderful first half of the year! I look forward to the upswing just ahead of us.

Have a great night friends!