Atlanta Real Estate Blog

The 2011 Oakhurst Real Estate market had an uncanny resemblance to the 2010 Oakhurst Real Estate market with a total of 92 homes sold ranging in price at the low end of $125,000 to the high end of $795,000.  That's just 5 more homes than 2010 when a total of 87 homes sold ranging in price from $113,000 to $638,000.   

In 2011, the average Oakhurst home listed for $378,131 and sold in 85 days for 94.35% of list price at $349,252.    That's a slight improvement when compared to 2010 when the average Oakhurst home listed for $368,635 and in 101 days for 94.86% list price at $343,956. 

A quick look at the numbers and we discover the improvement in average sales price is, in large part, because of the higher total sales volume of homes sold above…

A quick look at the short sale market reveals there are several homes in the $1,000,000 plus price range currently listed as potential short sales.  From Luxury Estates to Penthouse Condominiums -- there's a little something for everyone.  And an excellent opportunity for buyers to negotiate deep, deep discounts on preforeclosure listings. 

#atlanta-luxury-short-sales#

Lien Release vs. Full Satisfaction in Short Sales

When buyers purchase real property, they, and the title company insuring title, will ensure that the property is conveyed free and clear of all liens.  When your lender agrees to a short sale, they are agreeing to release their lien(s) from the property for less money than what is owed so the property can be sold.  So whenever a property is sold in a short sale, the lien is released from the property.  Yet the lender generally has two choices.
Lenders can either: 1) Release the lien and declare the debt paid and settled in full (called a "full release and satisfaction") or 2) Release the lien only from the property and still consider you personally liable for any unpaid balance of the loan ("lien…

Saturday, June 4, 2011 – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 


Sunday, June 5, 2011 – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m Scenic and historic Virginia Ave.

(between 
North Highland Ave. & Park Drive)

As you can tell from my previous blogs over the last month or so I've been delighted to highlight some of our great city's summer festivals. Each year I find that the festivals get larger and more entertaining, this year's (28th annual) Virginia Highlands Summerfest is no different. Not only has the festival grown in size with the amount of vendors and people over the years, but this year brings a couple better known musical acts as well. Most notably will be Collective Soul's Ed…

Foreclosures notices for April 2011 in the Metro Atlanta market dropped by 28% from March 2011 and 18% from April 2010. What does this mean for the foreclosure market here in Atlanta? Well ... as much as we'd like this to mean foreclosures have seen their peak, it's more reasonable to assume the precipitous drop is due to recent changes in lender requirements.

Pervasive problems with improper paperwork led many lenders to slow down the filing process. They're now taking extra steps before advertising properties for foreclosure; making certain to dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's". Those extra steps, though necessary to protect the legal interests of big banks, are causing homes to sit longer before hitting the market as REOs (real estate…

*Family Friendly

The 9th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling kicks off at 8am on Saturday, May 14th with a 5k Road Race. The main festival will last from 10am-11pm - the live music ending around 11pm. The festival includes music, arts and craft booths, food booths, a kids area, a tour of Kirkwood area homes and a 5k race. You can register for the 5k race on the day of the festival for $25. This is only the 2nd year the festival includes a 5k run so come out and make it an event to remember. You can find all the information you need here.

This year is exciting musically because the headlining act is Atlanta's own Drivin N' Cryin. Drivin N' Cryin have made a national name for themselves over the past 25 years and I think its exciting to have such a big name…

There is a way to defer the taxes on the "sale" of a property being used or held for investment purposes or trade. Its referred to as a Tax Deferred Exchange. You may also hear it called a "Deferred Like-Kind Exchange" or a "Section 1031 Exchange" or a variety of other terms; we're going to stick to tax deferred exchange or TDE. First, let me say that you must use, by law, what is called a "qualified intermediary" to complete a TDE. Its also highly recommended that you have an attorney that can explain the legal aspects of the exchange.

In simple terms…you can defer (postpone), and in some cases, eliminate the capital gains tax on an investment property you're selling. The catch? You have to be purchasing a "like-kind property" to "replace" the one…

*kid friendly
*environmentally friendly

Local Atlanta brewery Sweetwater is back again this year with their annual Sweetwater 420 Festival, taking place in Candler Park on April 15-17. The festival has traditionally taken place on just 1 or 2 days but this year they are expanding to a full 3 days of sun, beer, music, art, crafts and many more activities around environmental and greening initiatives. The festival is always in April to coincide with Earth Day and features a variety of booths and companies that exist to draw awareness to environmental and social issues. This year also includes the addition of an adult comedy tent hosted by the newly renovated and improved Relapse Theatre on 14th street.

The festival also includes the 7th annual Sweetwater…

 This Saturday, March 26th at 8pm, Decatur will host a family bonfire and marshmallow roast in honor of this year's Earth Hour. Earth Hour was started in 2007 and involved 100s of countries and 1000s of people across the entire world turning off their lights for one hour to raise awareness for climate change…and also as a way to show that its possible for global coordination on such important issues.

Its a great family event to help draw awareness for energy conservation and climate change. At 8:30 they'll be a countdown to turning out lights in the square and around Decatur for 1 hour to join in this year's global effort. And Roasted Marchmallows...…

Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Metro Atlanta

To better serve the needs of real estate investors throughout the Metro Atlanta market, I recently earned the Certified Investor Agent Specialist™ (CIAS) Designation. With the CIAS, I have the training, tools and calculations to effectively serve the five investor types: First-Time Investor, Move-Up Investor, Portfolio Investor, Performance Investor, and Rehab and Resell Investor.

Real estate represents a consistent and stable way to build wealth, brings liquidity to our housing market, and stimulates our local economy. In fact, in the past year, investment and second-home properties represented approximately 27% of all residential sales. It’s also worth noting that nationwide, 43% of real estate…