LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION !!!

 Well at least some of them do anyways....Perfectly situated off of GA-400 about 7 miles north of Sandy Springs, and seconds to some of the cities BEST parks and recreation, Roswell has been and will always be a very convenient and highly-desired location. Yet, over the past few years, we've seen some of the best real estate start heading more and more East and West making the commute....well....uneasy to say the least.

However, GREAT and Affordable Roswell Real Estate  is still available JUST off the Highway and you can now have it lakeside too...No more trucking up to Lake Lanier for the breathtaking views...

Grand Veridian offers the BEST of Roswell location and lake living for only a fraction of what you might expect to pay-for just a few of those coveted lake lots that lie within this community.

 Two weeks ago, one of Roswell's BEST kept secrets was released to the public for the very first time.

6010 Gaineswood Drive, Roswell, GA-the ULTIMATE in Luxury Living--LAKESIDE!

  The palatial elegance masterminded over the years on this STUNNING 3-side stately brick beauty provides a place of quiet indulgence and TOTAL comfort in this extraordinary home, that sits on a PRIVATE LAKE-SIDE OASIS.

This gem boasts so many well-appointed features it's hard to cover them all. What I can say for sure is that this home is NOT the home for you if.....

*You DON'T need an abundance of space.
*You DON'T enjoy or NEED a full, finished basement with bedroom, bathroom, living areas, abundance of storage and terrace level lake access.
*You ONLY entertain two times a year.
*You want a "FIXER UPPER".
*You DON'T want to impress your friends and family.
*You're NOT looking for a GREAT value!
*You just DON'T enjoy the finer things in life.

With renovations GALORE, this resort-like home proves a luxury living experience with every modern convenience and lavish item available and at only a FRACTION of what you might expect to pay.

 Other special features include:

RARE Resort-Style Living on GLEAMING Lake Front Retreat in the HEART of Roswell!!

This ENTERTAINER'S ESTATE Boasts 6 bedrooms and 5.5 Baths!!

GORGEOUS Chef's Kitchen with MASSIVE Granite Island & View into 2-STORY GREAT ROOM OVERLOOKING Lake!

ABUNDANCE OF WINDOWS and BREATHTAKING Lake Views in Virtually EVERY Room of the Home!

Custom-Built Cabinets with EXTENSIVE Millwork and Unsurpassed Detail!

SOARING Ceiling-to-Floor Windows in Great Room with SPECTACULAR VIEW OF the LAKE!!

LAVISH Master Suite with Trey Ceilings, Lake-Front Sitting Area and DEEP WALK-IN CLOSET!!

Spa-Like Master Bath Retreat with OVERSIZED Whirlpool Tub and Dual Vanities and Vaulted Ceilings!

MIND-BLOWING Finished TERRACE LEVEL with FULL Bath, Bedroom, Living Areas and LAKE Access!

DRAMATIC and Elegant Two-Story Foyer Entrance with Catwalk!

PRISTINE Formal Living & Dining Areas with MAGNIFICENT Appointments and DESIGNER Finishes!

Commissioned SCREENED Porch and Open Deck Overlooking Outdoor Oasis!

Enchanting CROWN MOLDING AND TRIM DETAIL on Virtually EVERY Stitch of This Beauty!

GLEAMING OAK Hardwoods on Main Level!!!

DESIGNER Paint Throughout!!!!~HOW SWEET???

Generous Butler's Bar!

3-Car Garage and AMPLE Storage!!

Stately 3-Side Brick Construction with ALL NEW HARDIPLANK!!

DOUBLE-PANE Windows and EXTRA INSULATION Make this home ENERGY EFFICIENT WHAT A BONUS!!!

Rear and Front Dual Staircases!

Newer Architectural Roof!

Perfectly Situated Off GA-400 in the HEART of Roswell and Near Historic Roswell!

STELLAR School Districts and Highly-Sought Out Location!

Steps from Shopping, Dining, Entertainment and Festivals!!!

A Decorators Show House.....TRULY ONE-OF-A-KIND!!!

Mature Landscaping Throughout!

 So, if its not for the location, schools, shopping, restaurants and social atmosphere, then it HAS to be Roswell's great people who make this community one of the BEST in Atlanta.

The 12 Fatal Mistakes Sellers Make and How to Avoid Them...a series, #6

Not Having the Time, Energy and Know-How to Devote a Full-Forced Effort to Selling Your Home

One of the keys to selling your home efficiently and profitably is complete accessibility. Many homes have sat on the market much longer than necessary because the owner was unwilling or unavailable to show the property. Realize that a certain amount of hours each day is necessary to sell your home. This means during the day, at nights and on weekends. BE SURE not to plan any vacations or out-of-town endeavors. One of sellers most fatal mistakes is not being available. YOU CAN'T MAKE BUYERS WAIT because there are many other homes available that will grant them instant access.

 In addition, there are several safety precautions you must follow when showing your home. You never want to show your home alone, and you need to be very careful as to who you allow to access your home. There is a new crime wave appearing where people "acting" as buyers come in and "preview" the home with the sellers. At this time, the "buyers" are taking a mental note of all the goodies the home has such as jewelry locations, televisions, antiques, etc. These supposed buyers then watch the home for a few weeks and get an understanding of when the seller will be home and not. Shortly after, the seller is robbed and comes home to an empty house. This trend is appearing more and more and in the least suspecting neighborhoods where owners are trying to sell on their own because they think the location alone will bring the buyer.

 It's a crazy world we live in, so make sure you're protected!!

Check Back Tomorrow for the 7th Biggest Mistake Sellers Make in Today's Atlanta Real Estate Market!!!!!

 ****Here's a recap of Mistake  #1 , #2,  #3 , #4, #5

 The 12 Fatal Mistakes Sellers Make and How to Avoid Them....a series #5

 Underestimating the IMPORTANCE of Technology, Lead Generation and Follow Up!!!

To piggy back on the last fatal mistake, marketing your property isn't enough. You MUST have a system in place that allows you to keep in CONSTANT contact with any prospective buyers. This includes having a database management system in place. Furthermore, buyers want information and they want it NOW. You will need to be constantly connected to any leads you are pulling in.

Getting a PDA Smart Phone such as a Treo 755 or Blackberry will allow you the chance to respond in a timely fashion. DON'T WAIT until your 11 a.m. meeting is over...they may have very well moved on to the next property.

Consistency mixed with MASSIVE ACTION is the key when selling your home.

Check Back Tomorrow for the 6th Biggest Mistake Sellers Make in Today's Atlanta Real Estate Market!!!!!

 ****Here's a recap of Mistake #1 , #2,  #3 , #4*****

The 12 Fatal Mistakes Sellers Make and How to Avoid Them #4....a Series

Not Marketing the Property Properly!!!

When buying real estate, the tried and true statement is location, location, location. When selling a home, its marketing, marketing, marketing...

This is a home sellers MOST fatal mistake. A "For Sale By Owner" sign in the front yard will NOT, repeat, NOT get your home sold!!!

 Did you know that 87% of buyers found the home they purchased while searching online??? Buyers have more access to information than EVER before, so you better be sure to get your property out there. Make sure you have a website dedicated to your property that is accessible to buyers. Then, get your home on the plethora of online sources available like Facebook, YouTube, Craigslist, Twitter, OLX, Oodle, Trulia, Zillow, HGTV, and about 200 other websites....The downside of trying to sell your home on your own is that the #1 most visited website and where more homes get sold than any other online tool in the world,

REALTOR.COM is available to AGENTS ONLY. So, know that you will need to work extra hard on the other sites to gain exposure because you will be missing out on a good a portion of the buying population.

Once you have your online presence, be sure to get your home in print too. Send out a postcard to all potential buyers, friends, neighbors, family, organizations, colleagues and just about anyone you know who may want to buy your home.  You will also need to design a sexy full-color flyer to leave on your property that uses the right colors that make your home stand out the most. You will want to keep your copy sharp and to a minimum, while still painting the value. Most sellers make the mistake of putting together a flyer on their own and they don't know how to do it right. I would suggest if you do not have a design background, to hire someone to do this for you.

Your appearance in print is the first window a buyer has to seeing what's on the inside of the home, don't make the fatal mistake of selling yourself short!

 TWO Kinds of Marketing:

Passive Marketing & Active Marketing....

Passive Marketing is hosting open houses, advertisements, flyers...you know, the "average" home selling techniques. Active Marketing is calling, calling and calling potential buyers and asking them if they want to buy your home, getting as much online exposure as possible, measuring the results and then changing your strategy as necessary. It doesn't matter that you've had 50 showings, if you don't have an offer; you better get ACTIVE as to why.

Check Back Tomorrow for the 5th Biggest Mistake Sellers Make in Today's Atlanta Real Estate Market!!!!!

 ****Here's a recap of Mistake #1 , #2, and #3 

THE 12 FATAL MISTAKES SELLERS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM!! # 3

THE 12 FATAL MISTAKES SELLERS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM!! A SERIES......#3

3. Forgetting That INCENTIVES MATTER!!!

The three prong approach for getting your home sold fast and for top dollar is proper pricing, as discussed above, buyer incentives and agent incentives. Yes, INCENTIVES MATTER!

 For buyers, get creative...you can offer anything from a home warranty and closing costs to a Cadillac or antique item. Anything that can help the buyer see more value in YOUR home over others will help pull top dollar.

 For agents, the most important thing is to let them know that you are willing to cooperate with them and you will need to do it in writing. Other things such as brokerage fees of 3.5% or more, agent bonuses or laptops make GREAT incentivesto get buyers in the door. Remember, that buyers make the decisions, but they turn to their agent for advice, so be sure to keep all parties interested in your home.

 Check Back Tomorrow for the 4th Biggest Mistake Sellers Make in Today's Atlanta Real Estate Market!!!!!

 ****Here's a recap of Mistake #1 and #2****

 2. OVERPRICING!!!

Buyers seldom look at only one house, and often spend weeks and months comparison shopping.  If your property is overpriced relative to your competition, the following unfavorable results may occur: 

• Properties receive the best response when first listed.  Overpriced property goes stale in the first few weeks on the market and later price reductions will not rekindle original interest.
• Overpriced properties will not be shown to prospects who would otherwise be interested if the property were competitively priced.
• Overpricing leads to additional time needed to sell property.
• When a property is on the market for an unusually long time, an offer finally received may be lower than if the property were priced competitively at the beginning.  Buyers may feel the seller is becoming discouraged and will accept "any offer."
• Appraisers may have difficulty justifying the price and lenders are often reluctant to give loan commitment for property that has sold for substantially more than a comparable sold property.

This mistake works in conjunction with "testing the market."  This chart shows how well-priced homes generate buyer excitement.  The most agent and buyer enthusiasm occurs during the first 4 to 5 weeks on the market.

If you want to test the market and price high, you will likely end up losing money in the long run because of this phenomenon. Agents and buyers become nervous about homes that sit on the market for too long and will likely make lower offers than they might have earlier in the listing period.

 ****Here's a recap of Mistake #1!****

 

THE 12 FATAL MISTAKES SELLERS MAKE IN TODAY'S MARKET & HOW TO AVOID THEM!!! 
A series.... 

1. Not Having Your Home in SELLING Condition!

This FATAL mistake has been the demise of TOO many sellers. You may think the way you live is ideal, but for a buyer, it can be the DEAL BREAKER. Here are some tips to help you sell your home faster and for top dollar! 

• De-personalize: Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms and remove photographs from tables. You want to give the buyer the opportunity to identify with the house and they can't if you're there!
• De-Clutter: Put away items that are sitting on countertops and tables, pack up those knickknacks, and clean off everything on the kitchen and bathroom counters.
• Organize the closets and cabinets: Line up shoes, neatly stack dishes, and make sure that all kitchen appliances (microwave, stove, etc.) are cleaned out.
• Kill the offensive odors: They're the first thing buyers notice, and often a permanent turnoff.

 Everything from floors to windows must be spotless!!

 .o    Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior

.o    Clean out cobwebs

.o    Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks

.o    Polish chrome faucets and mirrors

.o    Clean out the refrigerator

.o    Vacuum daily

.o    Wax floors

.o    Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures

.o    Bleach dingy grout

.o    Replace worn rugs

.o    Hang up fresh towels 

• Rent a Storage Unit: Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage.
•  Check Curb Appeal: If a buyer won't get out of the car because they don't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get them inside.

.o   Keep the sidewalks cleared

.o   Mow the lawn

.o   Paint faded window trim

.o   Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together

. TIP: Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.

.o   Trim your bushes

.o   Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number

Don't forget the importance of staging...the "flow" of the home is its biggest asset when selling. Be sure to know when you need to stage and when you don't.

 REMEMBER--you only get one chance to make a first impression and first impressions help bring TOP DOLLAR!!

Check Back Tomorrow for the 2ND Biggest Mistake Sellers Make in Today's Atlanta Real Estate Market!!!!!

Regional 5 Survey Results for Georgia-Debriefed

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® RESEARCH DIVISION recently released their May 2010 Regional survey and the results are interesting.... 

 Monthly surveys are sent out to agents that will determine the national Realtor Confidence Index. The responses received from the regional surveys are then tabulated on a quarterly basis, and provide the NAR with the data that helps to predict future trends in the regional housing market. The Realtors® Confidence Index, based on information received from a random survey of Realtors, is a tool the NAR uses to measure the strength of the current housing market. It also paints a picture of the expectations agents have about the future market. According to the report, "The questions are designed to capture the effects of existing economic conditions and trends on the real estate business. This index provides Realtors® a snapshot of the performance, sentiments and expectations of their counterparts."                         

 The participants are asked to respond each month to an array of questions pertaining to the current and expected demand for homes, price trends, and prevailing economic conditions. The Confidence Index is then compiled using the quantified answers from the survey. "Responses are assigned weights of 0, 50 or 100. A response of "strong" gets 100 points, while "moderate" is given 50 points, and "weak" is assigned 0 points." The average score for each question is used to create the index, thus reflecting the respondents' confidence level for the current period and their future expectations, compared with the previous month, as well as the same month last year.  The sample size for the monthly reports varies depending upon the amount of responses, but the "sample is always well in excess of the number of responses needed for a plus or minus 1 percent precision."

 According to the Regional 5 Survey the overall results for realtors in Georgia are as follows:

 "Buyers are looking, but it is hard to get offers accepted because buyers have unrealistic ideas of what the sellers should give them. The media is fueling the idea still that they can get anything."- Georgia

 "Fear of losing jobs/lay-offs. Mortgage requirements. Bubble still hasn't bottomed. More foreclosures to hit market soon. Economy still weak. Fear of higher taxes (property & income as well as higher utility costs etc.) Over all, big government spending and uneasiness about the future." - Georgia

 "The issue I have had is financing for condos. FHA will only do certain complexes and conventional requires 20% down, because no one wants to do PMI on a condo." - Georgia

 Now, bear in mind the results provided by the Realtor® survey is simply a matter of Realtor® confidence and not actual findings. This report does not purport to predict current market trends. This information was taken directly from the National Association of Realtor® research division. For more information on the results, visit http://www.realtor.org.

 The real estate world received very exciting news today!!! Congress has passed the bill extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit  closing deadline to September 30, 2010!  The extension applies only to transactions that had ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, and have not yet closed.  There will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law. 

Additionally, Congress has extended the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)  through September 30th.  The bill is retroactive and will cover the lapsed period from June 1, 2010, to the date the law is enacted.

HELP! Why is my Mortgage Loan Being Denied, Along with 2 out of 3 Others in Today's Market??? (edit/delete)

Having trouble getting your mortgage loan approved in today's tumultuous credit climate? Don't worry, you're in good company, or is that bad company?

Reminds me of a story relayed to me by a lender friend recently. A potential client arrived at my office to apply for a new mortgage loan as a first time home buyer. During the initial interview, he announced that he had "A+ credit." He knew this because he had never been late, and every credit card company in the country wanted to give him a card. What he, and most consumers, don't know is there are many factors other than late payments that affect credit scores.

When his credit report was pulled, it was discovered that he was absolutely correct. He had never been late, and every credit card company in the country wanted to extend him credit. Unfortunately, he had accepted nearly all of the offers. He had 22 open accounts and all of the smaller accounts were maxed out. His credit score was 525, and the loan he was hoping to get was out of the question, or was it?

My friends' story brings up the misconceptions buyers have regarding the condition of their present creditworthiness.  When you are planning to purchase a new home in the near future there are certain measures you want to avoid to get yourself to the starting gate in good stead!

BAD MOVES KILL THE RACE, Here are Just a Few

.·         Don't apply for any new credit of any kind! Whenever you apply for any 'pre-approved' credit card invites you are inviting them to pull your credit, which will reduce your credit score potentially up to 20 points for one hard inquiry, OUCH!

.·         Avoid raising any RED FLAGS that will create activity on your credit report such as: co-signing for a loan, adding any new accounts, or even changing your name with any of the credit bureaus, this includes disputing anything on your credit report! Now is not the time!! Sending a letter of dispute to any credit reporting agency creates a notation on your credit report, which when noticed by the loan underwriter, can cause your loan to be delayed until the note is removed and new credit scores are pulled! OMG, no!

.·         Despite your good intentions, don't  pay off any collections or charge offs that have lurked in the shadows of your credit history. This will only cause your credit score to be decreased because the date of the last activity on your report has now been updated to recent activity. Let these old dogs lie until at least your closing, when it's possible to pay these old accounts off through escrow!

.·         The average borrow thinks if they consolidate their debt, they will minimize their payoff obligations, which in theory sounds like a logical and fiscally sound idea, however, when you consolidate all of your debt into one or two cards, that card then appears to be maxed out, and you will be rewarded by your credit score being lowered by 50 -100 points, bad start!

 Some things should go without saying, but to summarize the best way to see your loan CLOSE  and not get denied is to pay your credit accounts when due--one 30 day late payment can cost you anywhere from 50 - 100 points, and can take months, if not years to get you back in good stead, OUCH!                                                     

And don't forget to keep your Mortgage and Real Estate professionals in the loop! If you have questions regarding what will be the best actions for you to take to put yourself out there as a front runner in the loan approval race, CONTACT THEM BEFORE you make your move, so they can supply you with the resources that you need to cross the finish line in good time!

 Atlanta Short Sales & Atlanta Foreclosures...How to Get a GOOD DEAL in Today's Market!!

"It's a buyers market", "home prices are down," and "foreclosures are on the rise" are common conversations and news topics in today's market. But those actually searching for Atlanta Good Deals are hearing a different ring...instead of "stealing" the home, they are hearing, "your offer was rejected," "we're in a multiple offer situation," "you were outbid...AGAIN" and buyers are left feeling frustrated.

One of the Most OVERLOOKED Aspects of Getting a GOOD DEAL in Today's is to make sure your financial package is in order BEFORE you start your search!!!                     

When you are able to show the seller (whether its a bank or a home seller) that you are PRE- APPROVED, not pre-qualified,(there is a BIG DIFFERENCE), you are saying to that party that you are READY TO GO. Most sellers will be more comfortable accepting a lower offer if the chances that the closing WILL occur are greater. 

By getting your financing handled AHEAD of time, you are giving yourself a POWERFUL negotiating tool. We work with some of the TOP lenders in town and will be happy to recommend someone who will best meet your needs. 

But, I digress...in order to get a good deal in today's market, aside from getting your financing in order, is actually a very simple practice, but practiced so little. You simply have to do one, tiny, little thing.....THINK LIKE A SELLER . WOW! What a breath of fresh air! Let's just think about this logically. In most any situation in life, the majority of people will respond to the question "What's in it for me?" This actually applies to virtually anything, not just real estate.

My team and I pride ourselves on structuring our offers to give SELLERS WHAT THEY WANT, which in turn gets BUYERS what they want. This can come in the form of earnest money, inspections, closing time, qualifications and more. However, the bottom line to capitalize on home steals including Atlanta Foreclosures and Atlanta Short Sales, this is the key to thinking with the "other sides head."     

Since our inception, we've successfully closed hundreds of good deals. Since the beginning of 2010 alone, my team has closed 26 good deals. According to the National Association of Realtors, your average agent closes 4 transactions PER YEAR!!!

We know of many other strategies that can ensure that you get that ATLANTA GOOD DEAL that you are looking for!

 Selling an Atlanta Home in this spring market can feel like a challenge, especially with all of the competition out there. However, beyond the obvious advantages that the tax credit brought with it, and despite its passing on, there are still many other GREAT reasons that make this a good time for your client to post a For-Sale sign:

Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, whatever a seller may lose on the sell side, they can EASILY make up for on the buy side. Remember, you don't make money when you SELL a home, you make money when you BUY one.

Down-payment help is widely available. While no-doc and no-money-down loans have disappeared, it is pretty easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income, first-time home buyers and participants eligible for grants. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for "down-payment assistance programs" and the name of your region.

Turn Your Improvements into CASH: Yes, we know that the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit are now gone. However, there is still a wide array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.

Great help is available: Truly talented real estate practitioners like the One Winter Team, contractors, and designers, lenders, etc. are prepared, available and ready for business. You'll be sure to have everyone working in your court to make things happen.

Source: NAR Online, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)

REMEMBER SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND ITS PRIME TIME BUYING SEASON IN ATLANTA, GA!             

  Quick Stats:                                      
2009 Home Buyers

 Length of Active Home Search:

.·         Number of weeks searched: 10

.·         Number of homes seen: 10

First-Time vs. Repeat Buyers:

.·         First-time buyers: 41%

.·         Repeat buyers: 59%

.·         Median age of first-time buyers: 30

.·         Median age of repeat buyers: 47

Buyers who definitely would use same agent again: 70%

Actions taken as result of Internet home search: 

.·         Drove by/viewed a home: 77%

.·         Walked through a home viewed online: 63%

.·         Found a new agent to help them search/buy home: 27%

Information sources used in home search: 

.·         Internet: 87%

.·         Real estate agent: 85%

.·         Yard sign: 62%

.·         Open house: 48%

.·         Newspaper ad: 47%

.·         Home book or magazine: 30%

What are some of the most sought after Atlanta home features out there in today's market??
Well, the answer may surprise you.

Some people feel there is "one set of buyers" that all go for similar characteristics when purchasing a home, but the reality of the situation is that buyers preferences and needs drastically change based on many factors such as age, family, commute, location, etc.

However, there have been some staple features that despite hundreds of years of real estate precedence have remained in demand by buyers...

Master On Main
Its TRUE! Nothing is more convenient than having your master bedroom on the main floor. Whether you have kids and prefer to "get away" from it all, or don't want the annoyance of having to walk up and down stairs constantly just to get your socks, there is something about master on main's that people still find exciting. One of my clients who recently had a baby commented  "that although she is still young, it's just easier on her knees having the master on the main floor."

The Corner Lot
Why do people buy single family homes?? One reason is they like the feeling of owning their "own domain" and don't want to feel "on top" of one another. The corner lot is another staple that just seems to 'take the cake' on location features. Basically, a corner lot can provide you with as little as one facing side of a neighbors home, as opposed to feeling encroached by them.

The Renovated Home
Yes, renovations DO MATTER. Even if you have to go into a home to do your own, you want a place where most of the legwork is done and the "green shag carpet" has been removed. Nothing's more tedious than taking down wall paper. Having a renovated home will always help buyers "see" themselves in it.

The Yard
Whether you have kids and need a play area, or you're organic and like to grow your own veggies, or even if its just a nice break in your lifestyle to come out and prune the garden, yards play a big part in a spectacular home (especially if they're on a corner lot!)

Country Clubs
Country Clubs are a luxury, and if you're lucky enough to live in a neighborhood that has one be grateful. A Country Club can help bring tremendous value to your home, as well as allowing the pride of homeownership to really shine through.

In-Law Suites
Do I REALLY need to explain this one?? Having a FULL KITCHEN, FULL BEDROOM, FULL BATHROOM AND WASHER DRYER, all on a TERRACE ACCESS, is HARD TO BEAT and down right convenient for all who experience it. Whether it's for the elderly parent who wants to feel independent, or the group of children that need a space all their own, this is a feature that's almost impossible to come by, but so highly desirable.

Many feel it's impossible to find all these attributes in one place, but I have a surprise. I have a stellar home with every single one of the characteristics listed above and it's at an UNBELIEVABLE price!

Welcome to 260 Sassafras...

This LAVISHLY-RENOVATED Ranch that sits on a RARE, FULLY-FINISHED IN-LAW SUITE boasts the ultimate in pristine appointments, convenient features, and utter privacy!

Located in the highly-sought after golf community called Horseshoe Bend, this area is recognized for its top-rated schools and access to some of Roswell's BEST recreation!

Perfectly situated near all the major highways, your eyes won't believe this hand-tailored renovation masterminded over the years.

From the STUNNING kitchen complete with breakfast area, to the fireside family room with MASSIVE VAULTED CEILINGS, to the Japanese Garden Outdoor OASIS, to the convenience of having your MASTER ON THE MAIN, you will experience the LUXURY life, all for a fraction of what you might expect to pay.

Pride of ownership is an understatement, and cozy, classy perfection is about the only way you can describe this stunning home.

The hard-to-find fully-finished In-Law Suite with Terrace level access, complete with its own bedroom, FULL bath, living area, bonus room and FULL KITCHEN with WASHER/DRYER makes this gem a slam dunk! And, if that weren't enough, its located on an OVERSIZED CORNER LOT.

Other Special Features Include: 

~Enjoy Easy Living with CONVENIENT Master on Main!
~4 Bedrooms/3.5 Baths of Pure Perfection!
~RAREIn-Law Suite with FULL Kitchen, Including Washer/Dryer!!!
~In-Law Suite Boasts Bedroom, FULL BATH, Living Area, Storage and TERRACE LEVEL ACCESS!!!
~ STUNNING Kitchen RENOVATION Overlooking Tree Top Deck and Mature Landscaping!!!
~ GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, GLASS CABINETS, CUSTOM Backsplash AND HARDWOOD FLOORS IN THE KITCHEN, oh my!
~ PRIVATE Japanese Outdoor Oasis Awaits Your Arrival!
~ Enjoy Rhododendrons, Ferns, Roses, Azaleas, Camellias, Gingko Trees and So Much More!
~ Cozy Up In the Fireside Family Room with VAULTED CEILINGS!!!!
~ MASSIVE VAULTED CEILINGS with LOADS of Natural Light in both Living and Dining Areas!
~ BONUS ROOM can be used as a 5th Bedroom, Sewing Room, Play Area or a Storage Mecca!
~ CROWN MOLDING AND TRIM DETAIL on Virtually EVERY Stitch of This Beauty!
~DESIGNER Paint Throughout!!!!~HOW SWEET???
~GLEAMING Hardwood Floors on Main Level!!!
~UNBELIEVABLE Storage Areas including TWO CEDAR Closets!
~MASTER ON MAIN Boasts THREE CLOSETS and Spectacular View to Garden Side Landscaping!!!
~ OVERSIZED Corner Lot with PRIVATE Back Yard!!!
~TOP-NOTCH, AWARD-WINNING SCHOOL DISTRICT!!!
~Fabulous Golf Course Community Minutes from Shopping, Fine Dining and Parks!
~Entry Foyer with SLEEK Marble Floors!
~LUSH, MATURE Landscaping Masterminded Over the Years!
~RELAX and Unwind in the PRIVATE, DECK Underneath Tree Top Patio!
~New Architectural Shingle Roof Installed in 2009!!!
~GREAT NEIGHBORS
~And, SO Much More!!!

But, don't take my word for it, call me today at 678-463-3173 to set up your own private showing.

Where Have All the Atlanta Foreclosures Gone?

Are you an agent who is constantly frustrated by showing a foreclosure only to find out within hours its gone under contract?  Or, an Atlanta first time home buyer that needs to "think" about the purchase before putting in your offer to find out its been taken underneath you? Or, even the Atlanta investor, who gets how fast they move and put in offers sight unseen only to find out so did 20 other investors???

Where have all the Atlanta Foreclosures gone?? We'll according to the National Association of Realtors  buyers and sellers report, they are being BOUGHT, and bought very quickly. Did you know that in 2009, 47% of home buyers were first time home buyers with a median household income of $73,100?? And, that half of home sellers traded their current homes to a large size and higher priced home?? That's a lot of buyers out there and although the media continue to label us as in a 'down market', these statistics show anything but....                                                       

Here are the facts....the plethora of Atlanta buyers capitalizing on the first time home buyer tax credit addition to the Atlanta Short Sales and Atlanta Foreclosures are soaking up the inventory...Have you seen the GMAC sign that sits on 1-85? Homes that are currently for sale are DOWN! In record numbers. Despite that 1 out of 3 loans are being denied, with an average income of $73,100, your home sale could run 4 times a persons income. So, yes, there is still money out there for qualified buyers......And, the banks books are lightening, so despite that YES, we will see some more foreclosures hit the market, they will not be in record numbers like they were in 2008.

So, how DO you snag up a foreclosure, especially when they are fewer and farer in between?

.1)  Get yourself a good deal specialist One that understands the Atlanta Foreclosure and Atlanta short sale market and can help you find ALL types of properties--including the ones NOT currently on the market.....77 percent of buyers purchased a home through a real estate broker and real estate agents were viewed as a VERY USEFUL SOURCE OF INFORMATION by 81 percent of those buyers in 2009. That speaks VOLUMES to our abilities to protect and educate you.

.2)    Act first, think later. Put an offer in, tie up the property and then THINK LATER. Your due diligence period allows you 7-10 days to decide if you want to keep it. Don't let the other Atlanta Vultures beat you to the punch. I'm an Atlanta real estate agent that specializes in good deals and selling homes for top dollar, but I'm also an investor. I wrote 45 offers to get the 7 homes I ended up buying. Good deals are a numbers game, thinking will slow it down.

.3)    Work with someone who "SPEAKS THE BANKS LANGUAGE" and knows how to structure your contract to protect you. Foreclosures and short sales CAN be good deals, but they don't come without trials, you better be sure the agent you choose knows how to protect you.

.4)    Know that if it "sounds to good to be true", it is and know what you consider a "good deal to be". I get a lot of folks wanting to find a home for "50 cents on the dollar"...And, my question is "50 cents on WHAT DOLLAR?" The appraised value? The purchase price? The sale price? If you want a home worth $500,000 for $250,000, you are not going to find it. Deals like that just don't exist and if they did, there would be something really wrong....Have you ever found a $50,000 car worth $25,000? Exactly.

.5)    Call the Atlanta Home Vultures team today and find out how we have successfully made over 24 good deals happen since the beginning of 2010 when your average agent only does 4 transactions....A YEAR!!!!

When a Seller Loses Their Mind, a Buyer Gets $100k Equity in The Morris Brandon District!!!

Its official, my sellers have officially lost their mind!! So, why would I call my seller CRAZY??? We'll quite honestly, anyone who drops the price $100,000 off of its recent appraisal price has to be nuts!!!

And that is exactly what my MORRIS BRANDON SELLERS have done.

THESE ARE THE RARE TIMES BUYERS MUST PAY ATTENTION TO.....AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPITALIZE ON THE BEST IN LUXURY LIVING FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST....

This BRANDON Buckhead Beauty Entertainer's Estate with a MIND-BLOWING Renovation is now available for $100,000 off its recent appraisal price!!!!!!

And, it EVEN comes complete with a pool-perfect for Summer time!!!

The palatial elegance masterminded over the years on this STUNNING 4-sided brick and frame beauty provides a place of indulgence and TOTAL comfort in this extraordinary home, perfectly situated in the Heart of Atlanta.

This gem boasts so many well-appointed features; it's hard to cover them all. What I can say for sure is that this home is NOT the home for you if.....

*You DON'T need an abundance of space.
*You want to be located "OTP"
*You ONLY entertain two times a year.
*You want a "FIXER UPPER".
*You DON'T want to impress your friends and family.
*You're NOT looking for a GREAT value!
*You just DON'T enjoy the finer things in life.

With a complete renovation from the studs in, this resort-like home proves a luxury living experience with every modern convenience, yet still captures its authentic old world charm at a FRACTION of what you might expect to pay.

Other rare features include:

•  Highly-Desired and Convenient Location on the Corner of Moores Mill & Ridgewood!!
  
• GORGEOUS Chef's Kitchen Renovation from the STUDS IN!
• Prepare Your Next Meal with All Stainless Steal Appliances....Oh
• YEAH! True to Its Character, enjoy AUTHENTIC, Original Gleaming Oak Hardwood Floors!!
• Chose From TWO LAVISH Master Suites with VAULTED Ceilings and LUXURY APPOINTMENTS ABOUND!!!
• Spa-Like Master Bath Retreat with OVERSIZED Whirlpool Tub and Dual Vanities in Master Suite
• DRAMATIC Bathroom Renovation with Marble, Travertine, and  Granite Counters in Master Suite B!
• Cozy Fireside Area in Master Suite A! Ceiling-to-Floor Built-in Bookshelf in Master Suite B!
• Got Bonus Room?? We Do! Currently, a Play Area, Make this Your Pool Hall
• Baby its QUIET Inside...the QUALITY Construction and Windows Block Out Noise
• Unique Architectural Details Give This Traditional Home a Modern Feel!
• Spacious, TWO-STORY FOYER That Leads to Massive Bonus Room!
• DESIGNER Paint Throughout!!!!~HOW SWEET???
• STUNNING Outdoor Oasis
• Loads of Natural Light Overlooking Rich, MATURE LANDSCAPING!
• MASSIVE Walk-In Closet and LOADS of Storage Throughout!
• New Fixtures Throughout!
• Lowest-Priced Luxury Home Featured in Atlanta's TOP SCHOOL District!
• Butler's Pantry and Keeping Room!

For more information or to schedule your own private tour, visit www.onewinter.biz or call Winter Baserva at 678.463.3173!

Serenity NOW is Still Attainable in Alpharetta Homes...BUT Not For Long.....

It seems like the days of sitting on the porch and watching the lightning bugs go by or driving through the neighborhood while receiving a friendly wave or even owning a home where your neighbors are not sitting right on top of you are long gone.....But, serenity and peace are still available in a PRIVATE and intimate community that still holds these Old World charms in their heart....
.

Welcome to Enniskerry.....This enclave of luxury Alpharetta homes know for their OVERSIZED lots and private feel, while still being just miles from major interstates is one of Alpharetta's best kept secrets.  Home to the new Birmingham Falls Elementary School and the award-winning Milton High School, this community offers its very own PRIVATE LAKE, friendly neighbors, quality construction and some of Alpharetta's best shopping, dining and entertainment.....

One thing is for sure...its hard to find these types of amenities and luxury lifestyle under the mid $500,00's...until NOW....

This Pottery Barn PERFECT, Traditional Brick Beauty has the best of New Age design while still maintaining the Old World Intimate Community Feel.

From the moment you step in this lavish ENTERTAINER'S ESTATE your breath is taken away by the architectural details and superb layout.

Complete with CHEF'S KITCHEN recently renovated from the studs in, down to the keeping room that has a dual sided fireplace, this home boasts the ULTIMATE in LUXURY living.                                                                  
No expense has been spared and your tastes are ignited as you witness the designer features, GENEROUS master suite with sitting area and SPA-LIKE master bath retreat with, yes...you guessed it, VAULTED CEILINGS.

Truly one-of-a-kind and located on a cul-de-sac DIRECTLY across from the community lake, yet still within a stone's throw of major shopping, restaurants and parks, you will know that you are AT HOME in this private luxury oasis.

 Other Special Features Include:

 · BRAND NEW CHEF'S Kitchen Overlooking Fireside Family Room w/ GRANITE Counters and RICH Cabinets!

· Additional Keeping Area with GLEAMING Hardwood Floors and Vaulted Ceilings!!!

· BRAND NEW Cafe Cabinets, GRANITE Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances and More!

· Custom Butler's Bar PERFECT for Entertaining!

· Open Entertainer's Floor Plan and Warm Inviting Dual Side Fireplace!

· Enjoy Reading in the Sitting Area of the LAVISH Master Suite with Trey Ceilings!

· DESIGNER Paint Throughout!!!!~HOW SWEET???

· Like-New Frieze Carpet in FABULOUS Condition!

· Spa-Like Master Bath Retreat with OVERSIZED Whirlpool Tub, Dual Vanities and Vaulted Ceilings!

· Generous Formal & Living Dining Areas!

· Partially Finished Basement and an ABUNDANCE of STORAGE!!!1,200 Square Feet!!!

· Privacy Deck and Mountainisk Backyard!

· Ideal location Across from Lake and in OVERSIZED Cul-de-Sac!

· HAVE I MENTIONED THE PRIVACY OF THIS BRICK BEAUTY???

· DRAMATIC Two-Story Foyer with 15ft+++ Ceilings!

· Loads of Natural Light Overlooking Rich, MATURE LANDSCAPING!

· Quality Construction with 3-Side Brick!

· Extensive Trim work and Massive Millwork Detailing!

· 4 Bedrooms/2.5 Baths of Pure Pottery Barn Perfection!

· Cozy Intimate Neighborhood with Friendly Atmosphere!

· BRAND NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and the Top Rated Schools in GA!

· The ABUNDANCE of Storage!

. And, SO Much More!!!

For more information, or to get your OWN private tour, call Winter Baserva at 678-463-3173 or visit www.OneWinter.com

 Morris Brandon School District FINALLY Offers AFFORDABLE LUXURY!!

Declared one of the highest-rated schools in terms of curriculum and overall parent rating, is the very famous  Brandon Elementary School. Families from all over flock to find a piece of affordable real estate, so they can offer their kids the luxury of attending such a highly-rated school.

However, what most find are small brick ranches with little closet space, no yard and outdated smaller homes for around $500,000. If you find any sort of spacious home in the area, you are paying up into the $700-800,000 and finding yourself in a mortgage that is just too much to bear....UNTIL NOW....

This BRANDON Buckhead Beauty Entertainer's Estate with a MIND-BLOWING Renovation is now available for a FRACTION of What You Might Expect to Pay!!! And, it EVEN comes complete with a pool-perfect for Summer time!!!

This 4-sided brick and frame beauty provides a place of indulgence and TOTAL comfort in this extraordinary home, perfectly situated in the Heart of Atlanta.

This gem boasts so many well-appointed features; it's hard to cover them all. What I can say for sure is that this home is NOT the home for you if.....

*You DON'T need an abundance of space.
*You want to be located "OTP"
*You ONLY entertain two times a year.
*You want a "FIXER UPPER".
*You DON'T want to impress your friends and family.
*You're NOT looking for a GREAT value!
*You just DON'T enjoy the finer things in life.

With a complete renovation from the studs in, this resort-like home proves a luxury living experience with every modern convenience, yet still captures its authentic old world charm at a FRACTION of what you might expect to pay.

Other rare features include:

 *Highly-Desired and Convenient Location on the Corner of Moores Mill & Ridgewood!!
 *GORGEOUS Chef's Kitchen Renovation from the STUDS IN!
 *Prepare Your Next Meal with All Stainless Steal Appliances....Oh YEAH!
 *True to Its Character, enjoy AUTHENTIC, Original Gleaming Oak Hardwood Floors!!
 *Chose From TWO LAVISH Master Suites with VAULTED Ceilings and LUXURY APPOINTMENTS ABOUND!!! 
*Spa-Like Master Bath Retreat with OVERSIZED Whirlpool Tub and Dual Vanities in Master Suite A!
*DRAMATIC Bathroom Renovation with Marble, Travertine, and Granite Counters in Master Suite B!
*Cozy Fireside Formal Area in Master Suite A!
*Ceiling-to-Floor Built-in Bookshelf in Master Suite B!
*Got Bonus Room?? We Do! Currently, a Play Area, Make this Your Pool Hall!
*Baby its QUIET Inside...the QUALITY Construction and Windows Block Out Noise!
*Unique Architectural Details Give This Traditional Home a Modern Feel!
*Spacious, TWO-STORY FOYER That Leads to Massive Bonus Room!
*DESIGNER Paint Throughout!!!!~HOW SWEET???
*STUNNING Outdoor Oasis that Boasts Concrete Pool, Private Sitting Area & Lush Arbor!!!
*Loads of Natural Light Overlooking Rich, MATURE LANDSCAPING!
*MASSIVE Walk-In Closet and LOADS of Storage Throughout!
*New Fixtures Throughout!
*Lowest-Priced Luxury Home Featured in Atlanta's TOP SCHOOL District!
*Butler's Pantry and Keeping Room!

For more information or to schedule your own private tour, visit www.onewinter.biz or call Winter Baserva at 678.463.3173

  On October 12, 2009, California passed the Buyer's Choice Act (Assembly Bill 957), which says that any agency (usually a bank) selling a foreclosed property must let the buyer choose the closing services.  The California bill requires the REO seller to provide a disclosure notice to the buyers informing them of their right to choose their own closing attorney or title company and lender.

  Based on this new California law, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) has changed the wording in their "Real Estate Purchase Addendum" to read:

 "The closing shall be held at a place so designated and approved by the Purchaser.  The Purchaser has the right to make an independent selection of their own attorney, settlement company, escrow company, title company and/or title insurance company in connection with closing."

 Advice to realtors, buyers, and lenders: 

 If you want to choose your own closing attorney, remember to fill in your choice on the GAR contract and also where indicated as "Purchaser's Attorney" on the FNMA addendum.

  The buyer's attorney will still coordinate the transaction, title clearance, and delivery of deeds and funds with an attorney representing FNMA.  This process should not result in any additional expense to the buyer, and hopefully will provide many buyers and agents with the comfort and convenience of doing business with their own choice of attorney.

 Atlanta Lofts Have Even More to Offer Than Ever!!!
Going GREEN Isn't Just About St. Patrick's Day!

There is and has always been a passion for loft life here in Atlanta. But, unfortunately, the "loft" concept has carried stigmas with it like raw, cold and high energy bills due to the "authenticity" of where lofts are normally built.

The Eco Lofts, one of the first loft buildings in Atlanta to go green, in Atlanta are EXACTLY THAT....Eco Friendly and BOY does it show. Built in 2007, this 125-unit Loft building has been making waves since its inception. With four different floor plans to choose from, the GREEN aspect of this building ensures lower utility bills, NO GAS and have heat and cool-retaining windows, demand water heaters and cellulose insulation. FINALLY, someone has given us a new take on the rustic urban feel of a loft.

With all of the original units officially SOLD, we are starting to see some rare finds and unique gems that are trickling on the market...and they are bring a boat load of equity with them.

This recent AUTHENTIC SOFT LOFT with INFINITY PRIVACY DECK is just boasting with benefits....

o:p>

You wont believe the cutting-edge ARCHITECTURAL details and finishes...Enjoy a cup of joe on your MASSIVE walk-out PRIVATE balcony or host a gathering in your OPEN FLOOR PLAN that boasts stainless steel appliances. Or, better yet, recoil to your master bath and enjoy a spa-like retreat with this separate bath and shower combination that is TRULY one-of-a-kind.

Either way, you are living the ultimate Urban lifestyle in this RARE, vibrant loft.

Perfectly situated less than 4 miles to Phipps Plaza in Buckhead and with a DIRECT-ACCESS to Marta, CONVENIENCE is an UNDERSTATMENT on this slice of perfection.

With TOP-NOTCH amenities such as an on-site FULL facility center or the glistening pool side, you wont BELIEVE your low HOA fees.

For more information on this RARE find, visit www.OneWinter.biz or call me today to set up your private showing!

Roswell Homes Have a Way of Melting Your Heart!

What is it about homes in Roswell, GA that make them so special? For one, Roswell is perfectly situated off of GA-400 about 7 miles north of Sandy Springs making it a very convenient and highly-desired location.

Furthermore, you can get a WHOLE lot of house for your dollar too. I recently just sold this stunning Roswell home for $329,900 in TWO DAYS 



I also had three back up offers ready to go on it as well. The reason so many flock to this area is its plethora of Roswell Parks and Recreation, Roswell Restaurants, STELLAR schools and QUALITY CONSTRUCTION for less than what you would expect to pay.

I may be a little biased because I was raised in Roswell off of Holcomb Bridge Rd. in Martin's Landing. When I was a kid, I loved having all my friends in my neighborhood. I went to Mountain Park Elementary when I used to live in Brookfield West and then went to Holcomb Bridge Middle followed by Chattahoochee High School. To say I know and love the area is an understatement.

I've carried that passion into my Roswell real estate business by helping Roswell home owners sell their homes QUICKLY and for TOP DOLLAR, as well as helping Roswell home buyers find their PERFECT home.

The last home I sold in Roswell was to an AMAZING couple who was buying up into the Huntington Estates or Grand Veridian neighborhoods. They just KNEW the neighborhoods they wanted to live. You will see this with many people who are just die-hard Roswell lovers.

They hired me to sell their home first and when I asked them why they chose me, they said that "searched for the agent who had done the most business and Roswell real estate and out of all the agents, I was that one." I was humbled in their statement and can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with other Roswell realtors and would like to acknowledge them for their work.

So, if its not for the location, schools, shopping restaurants and social atmosphere, then it HAS to be Roswell's great people who make this community one of the BEST in Atlanta.

 WHAT TO FOCUS ON WHEN SELLING YOUR ATLANTA HOME AND WHY!!!!!

Many Atlanta home sellers are improving their homes in the hopes their upgrades will 1) get their home sold quicker and 2) get them the most bang for their buck. But, what most Atlanta home sellers are not thinking about are WHICH improvements are the ones that BUYERS want. Because, it doesn't matter how beautiful your home looks or how much you spent on the improvements, without a BUYER, your home won't get sold.

In a time where the market is still considered "uncertain", buyers are still being modest with their purchase and conservative regarding what they want their homes to have..

Interested in knowing the LATEST trends that buyers are looking for??? Dive below to REALLY get inside what TODAY'S BUYER wants. Here are the top 10 improvements to make in 2010.

1. Still at the forefront of all buyers preferences is the fact that KITCHENS ARE KING!!! Buyers want large kitchens, but not too large, with an Island.
Why: This has, and always will be considered the heart of the home. Spending thousands on new cabinets and countertops is no longer feasible and preferential for the 2010 buyer. But one tip, keep your renovations neutral and clean and leave your personality out of it. And, whatever you do, DON'T throw a slab of granite on some rusty old cabinets. You'll have your buyer running for the hills!

2A. Energy-Efficient Appliances, High-Efficiency Insulation and High Window Efficiency
Why: Energy and gas bills are all considerations in a buyers budget. By showing your have a "budget-friendly" home, your buyer will see the money rolling BACK into their pockets.

2B. Ceiling Fans
Why: To piggy back on point 2.

3. Space for a Home Office/Study
Why: The days of a formal living room seeing any good use are gone. And many buyers who are entrepreneurs are cutting costs by working from home. Having a dedicated area to appease that is more appealing than a room that most consider "forbidden to go in".

4. Outdoor Oasis, or At least a Porch.
Why: Atlanta's weather is one of our biggest assets. Summer is the perfect time for your family gathering or grill master championship. Having a porch, or better, a screened in porch, will allow your buyer to "envision" the benefits of buying your Atlanta home. At the very least, install brick pavers to give the buyer an idea of the potential.  

5. Master Suite Soaker Tubs
Why: The whirlpool tub took the Nation by storm a few years back, but many home owners found the upkeep was more than what they expected. And in came those large energy bills again.....You will start to see the days of the claw foot tubs and soaker tubs start to come back.

6. Closets, Closets and More Closets
Why: Because if we have more room to put stuff, we'll be able to buy more stuff <wink>. No really, buyers want to access their things easily and not have to shove and prod to get what they need.

7. Master Closets
Why: Over and above the "sitting area", buyers want a MASTER closet. It needs to be big, and have lots of nook and crannies to put stuff in. We live in a fast-paced world and want the lifestyle to match it. Expanding your master closet will provide BIG returns.

8. Stone and Brick Exteriors
Why: Word on the street is that synthetic stucco causes problems. No fear stucco owners...There is a buyer for every  home. If you get a stucco inspection and use that "clear" report in your marketing, you will ease any fears a buyer has about the material.

9. Two-Car Garages
Why: Not many people have three cars, and if the home has proper storage, there is no need for that additional space.

10. Basements
Why: You know it, I know it. Basements are BIG in Atlanta. And, most home buyers don't have $30-50k to dump into renovating a basement. If you have one that is already renovated, you'll be sure to see your returns come back to you.

If you would like to know the 12 Fatal Secrets that Sellers Make in Today's Market or would like more information on how I CAN sell your home in 180 days or less GUARANTEED contact Winter Baserva at 678-463-3173

Ding Dong! Since, Nobody Else Will Do it...Allow Me!
The Atlanta Real Estate Market Has Bottomed Out.....

So, I just did it. That's right! I rang the bell that EVERYONE is waiting to hear. The bell that signifies the bottom of the market.

In my opinion, the bottom hit two months ago and everyone is JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO RING THAT BELL, so they can feel comfortable about buying again, so allow me.....

Why do I say this even though the media is still hounding us with negative news and hopeless talk?? I say it because I live, eat and breathe real estate every single day. I cannot attest of other markets, but in the Atlanta real estate market, I can see a SIGNIFICANT shift in the way the game is being played.

Last week I wrote 50 offers. YES, 50 and only THREE of them got accepted. That is because someone else offered a better price, beat us to the punch or submitted their "highest and best" above full asking price. Why would someone do that in today's market??

The fact is--is that right now; a lot of sellers (including Atlanta Foreclosures and Atlanta Short Sales) are pricing these homes to move and move fast. The days of motivated sellers "playing" with the market are long gone. Unfortunately, for a buyer, they feel if they don't get $30-40k off asking price "they are not getting a good deal." Good deals don't stare you in the face, good deals are made--and this month, I have made over 10 good deals happen for my buyers. Most agents hope to close 10 deals all year!! Not to shabby for what is "labeled" as a down market.

A Few Other Facts to Support My Theory:

• I am currently working with over 30 Atlanta home buyers right now who are qualified (not just pre-approved), ready to close and actively looking to secure their new home or investment property in the next 30-60 days.
• I have not lost ONE home to a buyer NOT getting financed-money is not as hard to get as the media makes it out to be.
• Atlanta home prices dropped for 8 consecutive months and starting increasing (a small amount) the last two months. Hmmmm...this closely resembles the bell shaped curve of the lifecycle real estate has always followed.

• Atlanta is an END-USER town and as many people that have been laid off; companies have relocated and hired new people. There is SO MUCH opportunity and work in Atlanta. Atlanta will ALWAYS be a transitional professional mecca.
• Atlanta did NOT see the inflation other areas like Florida experienced, therefore rebound will be significantly less.
• Forbes states Atlanta is on the rebound as early as 2009.
• I could go on, but I think you see my point....

Since everyone is waiting for the bell to ring, I decided I would go ahead and do it! Ding Dong!!

Everywhere you turn, the news seems to be negative....talk of people losing their houses, their jobs, their retirement, and companies, including some of the largest banks, are going under.  In Atlanta, we are also experiencing a massive gas shortage that has people standing in lines for hours on end in the hopes to get their $80 tank of gas to last them for another few days.

Things look really bleak....

Things looked pretty bleak in 1934 in the middle of the Great Depression too...But, what I bet you didn't know is that more millionaires were made in the Great Depression than any other time in American History!!!

As a matter of fact in 1934, Bill Hewlett and David Packard started what is today the largest technology company in the world --- HP with a cash start up of only $538 U.S. dollars.

They weren't listening to the naysayers and the media...and neither should you!!!

My background is originally in marketing and media relations and the job of the media--to pull on the heart strings and emotions of people!!!

Now don't misunderstand me, I don't think we're anywhere near the situation that lead to the Great Depression. But there are plenty of lessons to learn from history. One of the biggest is that most all of the great economists of our time who have studied that period agree that the financial conditions WERE NOT bad enough to warrant what happened.
 
It was caused by FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL)!!! That's why FDR uttered those now famous
words "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

There are tremendous buying opportunities for those who are looking for and expecting them and who know how to create maximum momentum.

I think the recent news will have many buyers paralyzed until "things turn around," but those still asking the right questions ARE going to get the right answers!!!

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BUY. Sellers are motivated, interest rates are low, inventory is high and now other buyers have hibernated to "wait and see" mode.

I'm not just saying this because I'm in real estate, I practice what I preach. I have bought five homes over the last three months and just sold one yesterday that I intend to roll into another two. NO ONE IS GOING TO RING A BELL AT THE BOTTOM. And, by the time you decide to move after "things turn around," you will find yourself in massive competition with all the others who thought along the same lines. 


So......ENOUGH ALREADY WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE TALK!!! AMERICA IS NOT THAT BAD OFF

And, if you really want to capitalize on this unprecedented time the follow the following simple steps: 

1. GET A REALTOR WHO KNOWS HOW TO FIND GREAT ATLANTA HOME DEALS
2. GET QUALIFIED BY A REPUTABLE BANK (I only work with lenders and mortgage brokers who deliver), AND
3. GET OUT THERE AND SWING THE BAT!!!
   
   The rewards will come if you decide to find look for the good in the middle of the bad.
   
   Winter Baserva is a licensed realtor in the State of Georgia. She buys and sells real estate all over the Metro Atlanta area including Sandy Springs Homes, Dunwoody Homes, Roswell Homes, Buckhead Homes and Buckhead Condos, Marietta Homes, Atlanta Homes and outside the perimeter.
   
   For more information visit www.onewinter.biz or call her at 678-463-3173.

Yeah, that's right...I said it....someone HAD to say it....Right now is the absolute PERFECT time to sell your Atlanta home...IF and ONLY IF,  you can wrap your mind around one simple idea......ROLL UP!!!

If you want to sell right now, but feel like you "can't" because of "how much you have into your property," let me shed light on a few things. For one, you are not the only one in that situation, but if you NEEDED TO SELL, absolutely HAD to sell, you would sell at a loss. This is why we have so many Atlanta short sales and Atlanta foreclosures on the market right now. People HAD to sell and couldn't in time. So, IMAGINE how many other distressed sellers are out there right now that NEED to sell, but aren't at the "short sale" or "foreclosure" point yet. Now let me clarify one thing, there is nothing positive about a homeowner who is in distress. Actually, the only positive thing about a situation such as that is how much joy the seller has when someone DOES come along and buy their property-even if it is for less than they paid for it.

Back to selling your home at a loss....So, you owe more than it will sell for right now or you've upgraded more than you can get out of it which means you will probably take a loss on the sale of your Atlanta home. If you can put your ego aside and realize that that loss can so EASILY be made up on the purchase of your next home, you could find yourself in a very equitable situation in this down market. I know this concept isn't the easiest one to comprehend, but if you bear with me for just a few more minutes I think you'll see my point.

I frequently work in the Dunwoody/Sandy Springs area and a lot of my sellers are moving to next phase of their life---Buckhead homes. So, they purchased a Dunwoody home in 2005 for $630,000 and right now things in their neighborhood are selling for around $530,000. Yes, I do understand how much that hurts and I sympathize with your situation-it's quite common today.

Now let's look at the upside...If you were to sell at $530,000, you would be taking a $100,000 loss give or take. All you need to do is find an experienced buyer's broker to help you find AT LEAST that good of a deal on your next home-and believe me, THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD DEALS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

You now purchase a $750,000 Buckhead home that's valued for over $940,000 and you just profited $190,000 immediate equity minus your loss of $100,000 and you are sitting with $90,000 in a bear market!!!

Sounds crazy??? It's not. It's happening EVERYDAY!!!  When will the market turn around?? When will my home generate massive equity?? These are questions only time can answer. But, one thing right now is for sure......Atlanta is an end-user town. There are over 5.3 million residents that live in this city. We have hundreds upon hundreds of the TOP global IT companies, major headquarters, National attractions, and I mean we are the Capital of Georgia. Equity WILL return and those who can get in on this buying opportunity, EVEN IF IT MEANS TAKING A LOSS ON THE SELLING SIDE, will reap the benefits.

Millionaires are made during recessions...If you want to become one of them, call me so we can sell your Atlanta house FAST and get you in your next CASH MACHINE while we are in this pivotal buying AND selling time!!!

Freddie Mac reports a decline in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 5.78 percent during the week ended September 18 from 5.93 percent the prior week, marking the lowest level in seven months.

During the same period, the 15-year mortgage rate dropped to 5.35 percent from 5.54 percent.

Meanwhile, interest on five-year adjustable mortgages slipped to 5.67 percent from 5.87 percent; and the one-year ARM slid to 5.03 percent from 5.21 percent.

These are very interesting times for the Savvy Homebuyer…… To learn about how you can get in on this great buying time, read my report on How to Buy Foreclosures & Short Sales and the 10 Biggest Mistakes Buyers Make in Today’s Atlanta Real Estate Market.

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune (09/19/08) 

THE GAME.....PRICE vs. VALUE!!!! HOW DO YOU WIN???


There is a game being played in the Atlanta real estate market right now and the players are buyers, sellers, and Atlanta realtors. Many are unaware of its existence and therefore Atlanta homes remain unsold, Atlanta home buyers with the funds to close are not buying, and more Atlanta realtors than ever are pursuing “other careers.” The game I speak of is the PRICE VS. VALUE GAME.

The rules are simple: sellers want price, so their decisions are based on numbers, facts, and very often, emotion—the trump card that is sure to knock all players out of the game. The buyers want value; they want the best possible thing the competition will allow. Let me say that again, THE COMPETITION!!! And, right now, there’s lots of it. So, why is it that the buyer who values competition so much end up paying more for a property than the one selling down the street?? The answer is VALUE. Buyers DO want a good deal, but they also want a property that is able to meet their needs: school district, location, square footage, upgrades, etc. AND are willing to pay more for it if its valuable enough to them. I mean would you buy a pair of shoes that don’t fit just to save a few dollars??

I sell Dunwoody homes, Roswell homes, Sandy Springs homes, and homes throughout the Atlanta area and I sell them fast. How do you ask?? We’ll for one, I don’t take listings, I MARKET properties. With over 10 years experience in marketing, communications and public relations, I GET THE WORD OUT. Real estate isn’t rocket science, but getting your property into the hands of the right target audience, we’ll that takes SKILL. Furthermore, I play the VALUE game and I play it full on. I sell my buyers and/or all potential buyers on the value your home has, not just the price tag. Once buyers see the true value, the price goes away.

Since I primary work with buyers, I understand the necessary elements a buyer needs to make a decision and see the value your home brings. Not all agents understand the dynamics of buyers and therefore stick to old routines and tactics to sell homes. In Atlanta’s real estate market, you have to be out-of-the-box, fresh, innovative, and most importantly understand the NEEDS AND MINDSET of buyers and be able to appropriately paint the picture for them, so as a seller, you get your ultimate result…PRICE.

For those who do not learn the rules of the game, you will lose (i.e., sellers and real estate agents). So, if you’re ready to play and have the determination to master the rules, then call me, so I can show you how to WIN this game of buying and selling homes in Atlanta during a down market.

Ready for an out-of-the-box approach to buying or selling your home???

Winter Baserva
One Winter Real Estate & Investments of the Good Broker
www.onewinter.biz
678-463-3173

It’s no secret that Georgia has a slew of great school districts. Understanding them and knowing how they contribute to selling and buying homes in Atlanta is crucial. Many Atlanta home buyers specifically base their buying decisions on what school district the property resides in.  So, it’s up to you Mr. or Ms. Agent to do your research and know the answers to the many “school district” questions your client may have…..

I buy and sell homes in all over Greater Metro Atlanta, but I spend a majority of my time focusing on Roswell Real Estate, Sandy Springs Real Estate, Dunwoody Real Estate, Brookhaven Real Estate and Atlanta Real Estate. And, quite frequently, one of the most asked questions I get from my buyers looking to buy a home in Dunwoody is…..”Is this home in the Vanderlyn district?”

Ummmm…..at $300,000, that answer is mostly likely “No.”

Property values in the Vanderlyn district have a unique way of not only stabilizing during down markets, but actually increasing in value. Rarely are homes found under the low 4’s, high 3’s in that district.

So, what makes Vanderlyn so unique??

VANDERLYN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UNIQUE ASSETS

• Vanderlyn consistently ranks in the top 10 schools in Georgia with regard to test results
• 80% of the certified staff members have a Gifted Certification
• Vanderlyn has 100% PTA involvement
• Parents are involved almost daily in the classrooms and in school-wide programs
• Vanderlyn has a very low student transient rate
• 80% of the student population is designated as High Achiever (75th percentile or better on standardized tests)
• Vanderlyn is in the top 10% of elementary schools in Georgia on reading and math assessments.

Furthermore, Vanderlyn is highly-recognized and awarded for its contributions. For example, Vanderlyn practices The High Achiever Program, which was devised to provide materials and instructional strategies for students who excel academically.

In addition, Vanderlyn was one of eight Georgia schools nominated for President Bush’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program in February of 2003 because of the outstanding academic performance of the school.

Vanderlyn Elementary School serves Pre-K through 5th Grade Students From The City Of Dunwoody, Which Is Part Of Dekalb County.

So, in light of the recent Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac News, Atlanta Home buyers, yet again, are reaping the rewards of this historic time…So, what does Sunday’s announcement that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will come under control of the government actually mean for buyers??

Well, this announcement came as the government felt both these institutions will no longer be able to meet their mission statement which is to provide liquidity, stability and affordability in the housing markets. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both have issued many Bonds which over time mature, and Fannie and Freddie need to pay back the principal on the maturing Bonds. The way they raise capital to pay these maturing Bonds is to issue new Bonds.  This happens every month.  And as long as Fannie and Freddie can sell new Bonds this system works well.  But the problems in the mortgage industry have reduced investor appetite to purchase these Bonds...and that's where the trouble begins.  Without the ability to sell new Bonds, Fannie and Freddie are less able to meet the capital requirements to pay off the maturing Bonds.  And that's the big fear.  If Fannie and Freddie were to default and become insolvent, it would throw the beleaguered mortgage and housing markets even deeper into the abyss.

Additionally, the recent lack of appetite for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Bonds caused the two mortgage giants to have to do something to make their Bonds more attractive...so they offered their Bonds at higher yields to gain more investor interest.  However, since they couldn't go back and raise rates on loans that had already been closed, it sucked even more profits out of Fannie and Freddie, reducing capital even further, and exacerbating the problem.

That's why the Treasury has stepped in and said that they will back the payments on these Bonds.  This action has given investors a lot of confidence to step in and now buy Mortgage Bonds.  And when mortgage bonds are soaring high, it means rates go low….Think about it.  For a higher rate of return, investors can now buy Mortgage Bonds with the same guarantee as lower yielding Treasury Bonds.  This is causing a nice rally in pricing this morning - which leads to attractive rates.  


We'll see how this plays out in the weeks ahead, but for now, it means lower rates for buyers!!!

So, if you've been thinking about buying, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME!!! These historic rates, low-priced homes, plentiful inventory, and benefits such as the $7500 tax credit, will not be around forever!!!

Even if you’re not ready to go shopping, I suggest you call a mortgage broker QUICK (I can recommend some) to lock in these remarkable rates.

Thanks to Tara Ryan at Primacy Mortgage for providing this information and always keeping me informed on mortgage market changes.

For more information, visit the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac websites.

GREAT NEWS!!! According to Forbes.com, these are the 10 CITIES that Forbes projects to have home prices increase:

* Albuquerque, NM

* Charlotte, NC

* San Antonio, TX

* Portland, OR

* Austin, TX

* Salt Lake City, UT

* Colorado Springs, CO

* Minneapolis, MN

* ATLANTA, GA

* Oklahoma City, OK

And, WHY HAVEN'T YOU BOUGHT A HOME YET???

For great Atlanta Real Estate deals, Atlanta Foreclosures, Atlanta REO properties, and other useful information on buying or selling real estate in Atlanta, call Winter at 678.463.3173 or visit ww.onewinter.biz.

“U.S. Housing Market Collapses,” “U.S. Unemployment Rate at Four-Year High,” “Recession….A Reality” are the common headlines we see every day in the United States. With tight credit, unemployment growing, and worries mounting about a potential recession, Americans are in a constant state of panic. While most of us let the media navigate our plans and keep us paralyzed, there’s a whole movement of people capitalizing on the benefits of buying Atlanta homes and using “fear” to drive profitability.

See, fear has become an excuse for many people to not do anything and the smart ones are using “the fearees” lack of education to set themselves up! That’s right FEAR = MONEY for those who chose to act on these historically-low housing prices. There has never been a better time to buy Atlanta real estate and despite what the media says, the market is NOT AS BAD as they make it out to be. More and more I am finding that my buyers’ first choice has been snatched up while they were searching around “just to make sure they were getting the right one.” I’ve been put into bidding wars two times in the last month alone. All this is telling me is that the market is coming back and just as it fell off gradually and then suddenly, it will come back gradually and then very suddenly.

Some areas haven’t seen the effects as much as others including Dunwoody homes, Sandy Springs homes, Roswell homes and Brookhaven homes. Because there isn’t much to fear about owning real estate inside the perimeter--rather the fear of not buying in those areas tends to be the real driver.

What you don’t seem to hear from the media are all the statistics in favor of the Atlanta Housing Market. For example, Georgia ranks 5th among the best states for business in the new Forbes.com The Best States for Business rankings. The state of Georgia, especially the Atlanta area, has an unmatched transportation network, a favorable business tax environment and a well-trained work force.  Where there is a successful business environment, there is a strong housing market.  With low prices, available incentives, and a great selection of new homes, now is the time to buy.

So stop being a scaredy cat and start capitalizing on fear during the biggest discount sales events the housing market has ever seen….I double dog dare you!

Myth 1: I can’t afford a buyers’ agent.

FALSE. You can't afford not to!!! Georgia's "buyer agency law" means you can have an experienced REALTOR® working for you - absolutely FREE!


Myth 2: Nothing in life is FREE. If I don’t work with a buyers’ agent, then I can negotiate a better deal for myself and the seller will reduce the cost of the house for me saving them the brokerage fee.

FALSE. Here’s how it works:  There are two halves to every real estate transaction - the seller's side and the buyer's side.  Sellers contractually agree to pay their "listing agent" a full commission.  As any listing agent places a home for sale on the listing services, they contractually offer to split that Full Commission with the "buyer's agent" who sells the home.  So if you purchase a home without a buyer's agent, the seller's agent simply keeps the full commission without a split. 

Would the chance to keep both halves of that full commission cause a seller's agent "bias" to sell you their own listing? The answer is ABSOLUTELY!
 
Since your buyer's agent is offered the same split on ANY Atlanta listing, there's NO BIAS to toward any particular home. This means, by working with a buyer's agent you achieve dramatically greater integrity of information and disclosure. That's what you're looking for, and exactly what I  provide.  I will protect and guide you to help you find the absolute best home for you!  

Myth 3: I’ve been doing a lot of the work myself, I really don’t need someone to help me. I can do this on my own.

TRUE…If you prefer having everyone in that transaction working on the seller’s interests. You can guarantee that the realtor involved in the transaction will be representing seller. Why would you want to turn down the free help of a professional??

Myth 4: I’ll do my own research and contact a buyers agent after I’ve already looked at the place and I decided I want to buy it.

FALSE. You MUST contact a Buyer's Agent FIRST, before contacting the seller's agent. This will ensure a smooth transaction for you should you decide to purchase the house.

I offer Exclusive Buyer Representation and it's Free!

It’s your RIGHT to have someone represent you in the buying process and it doesn’t cost a thing, but could end up SAVING YOU A FORTUNE!!!

For more information on working with a REALTOR®, visit the realtor.com website at:http://finance.realtor.com/homefinance/guides/buyers/step02.asp

That's Right!! Read On:

By CYRIL MOULLE-BERTEAUX/The Wall Street Journal
May 6, 2008; Page A23

The dire headlines coming fast and furious in the financial and popular press
suggest that the housing crisis is intensifying. Yet it is very likely that April 2008
will mark the bottom of the U.S. housing market. Yes, the housing market is
bottoming right now.

How can this be? For starters, a bottom does not mean that prices are about to
return to the heady days of 2005. That probably won't happen for another 15
years. It just means that the trend is no longer getting worse, which is the
critical factor.

Most people forget that the current housing bust is nearly three years old. Home
sales peaked in July 2005. New home sales are down a staggering 63% from
peak levels of 1.4 million. Housing starts have fallen more than 50% and,
adjusted for population growth, are back to the trough levels of 1982.
Furthermore, residential construction is close to 15-year lows at 3.8% of GDP; by
the fourth quarter of this year, it will probably hit the lowest level ever. So what's
going to stop the housing decline? Very simply, the same thing that caused the
bust: affordability.

The boom made housing unaffordable for many American families, especially
first-time home buyers. During the 1990s and early 2000s, it took 19% of
average monthly income to service a conforming mortgage on the average home
purchased. By 2005 and 2006, it was absorbing 25% of monthly income. For first
time buyers, it went from 29% of income to 37%. That just proved to be too
much.

Prices got so high that people who intended to actually live in the houses they
purchased (as opposed to speculators) stopped buying. This caused the bubble
to burst.

Since then, house prices have fallen 10%-15%, while incomes have kept growing
(albeit more slowly recently) and mortgage rates have come down 70 basis
points from their highs. As a result, it now takes 19% of monthly income for the
average home buyer, and 31% of monthly income for the first-time home buyer,
to purchase a house. In other words, homes on average are back to being as
affordable as during the best of times in the 1990s. Numerous households that
had been priced out of the market can now afford to get in.

The next question is: Even if home sales pick up, how can home prices stop
falling with so many houses vacant and unsold? The flip but true answer:
because they always do.

In the past five major housing market corrections (and there were some big
ones, such as in the early 1980s when home sales also fell by 50%-60% and
prices fell 12%-15% in real terms), every time home sales bottomed, the pace of
house-price declines halved within one or two months.

The explanation is that by the time home sales stop declining, inventories of
unsold homes have usually already started falling in absolute terms and begin to
peak out in "months of supply" terms. That's the case right now: New home
inventories peaked at 598,000 homes in July 2006, and stand at 482,000 homes
as of the end of March. This inventory is equivalent to 11 months of supply, a
25-year high – but it is similar to 1974, 1982 and 1991 levels, which saw a
subsequent slowing in home-price declines within the next six months.
Inventories are declining because construction activity has been falling for such a
long time that home completions are now just about undershooting new home
sales. In a few months, completions of new homes for sale could be
undershooting new home sales by 50,000-100,000 annually.

Inventories will drop even faster to 400,000 – or seven months of supply – by
the end of 2008. This shift in inventories will have a significant impact on prices,
although house prices won't stop falling entirely until inventories reach five
months of supply sometime in 2009. A five-month supply has historically signaled
tightness in the housing market.

Many pundits claim that house prices need to fall another 30% to bring them
back in line with where they've been historically. This is usually based on an
analysis of house prices adjusted for inflation: Real house prices are 30% above
their 40-year, inflation-adjusted average, so they must fall 30%. This simplistic
analysis is appealing on the surface, but is flawed for a variety of reasons.
Most importantly, it neglects the fact that a great majority of Americans buy their
houses with mortgages. And if one buys a house with a mortgage, the most
important factor in deciding what to pay for the house is how much of one's
income is required to be able to make the mortgage payments on the house.
Today the rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is 5.7%. Back in 1981, the rate
hit 18.5%. Comparing today's house prices to the 1970s or 1980s, when
mortgage rates were stratospheric, is misguided and misleading.

This is all good news for the broader economy. The housing bust has been
subtracting a full percentage point from GDP for almost two years now, which is
very large for a sector that represents less than 5% of economic activity.
When the rate of house-price declines halves, there will be a wholesale shift in
markets' perceptions. All of a sudden, the expected value of the collateral (i.e.
houses) for much of the lending that went on for the past decade will change.
Right now, when valuing the collateral, market participants including banks are
extrapolating the current pace of house price declines for another two to three
years; this has a significant impact on the amount of delinquencies, foreclosures
and credit losses that lenders are expected to face.

More home sales and smaller price declines means fewer homeowners will be
underwater on their mortgages. They will thus have less incentive to walk away
and opt for foreclosure.

A milder house-price decline scenario could lead to increases in the market value
of a lot of the securitized mortgages that have been responsible for $300 billion
of write-downs in the past year. Even if write-backs do not occur, stabilizing
collateral values will have a huge impact on the markets' perception of risk
related to housing, the financial system, and the economy.

We are of course experiencing a serious housing bust, with serious economic
consequences that are still unfolding. The odds are that the reverberations will
lead to subtrend growth for a couple of years. Nonetheless, housing led us into
this credit crisis and this recession. It is likely to lead us out. And that process is
underway, right now.

For more information, visit the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/public/us