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        <title>Atlanta Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/author/joshua-keen/</link>
        <description>Atlanta Real Estate Blog - a complete Atlanta Home Guide helping local buyers, sellers and investors make informed decisions through insightful market news and analysis.  Because we focus specifically on the eclectic Intown Neighborhoods (Candler Par</description>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/preparing-for-the-college-years.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/preparing-for-the-college-years.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Preparing for the College Years</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A new trend in real estate investment is emerging: parents investing in real estate to fund their children’s college education.


With the decline of the stock market in the past decade, more parents are seeking to invest for their children’s future through other assets, including real estate. These parents believe that the time is right to purchase real estate because of low prices and mortgage rates, and a strong belief that real estate prices will show considerable appreciation by the time their children are in college.


The idea is to purchase a house as an investment property when a child is born or very young. Ideally, a 15-year fixed rate mortgage is used for a property that cash flows in the first year. By the time the child has reached college age the property is paid for and the parents can sell the asset and use the gain to fund college. Not only has the equity in the property grown over 18 years, they’ve benefitted from the yearly cash flow as well.


Here’s how the scenario might play out:


Let’s say our fictional parents purchase a $100,000 house with $20,000 as a down payment. They take out a 15-year mortgage for the balance at 6.75 percent interest. Their mortgage payments are roughly $8,945 for the year (or $708 per month).


If they rent the house out for $1,200 a month and have around $325 per month in expenses (taxes, insurance, repairs), they should see about $2,005 in cash per year from rental income for the first 15 years. From years 16-18, the expense of the mortgage is eliminated, yielding them $10,500 in cash flow annually. Over 18 years the total cash flow equates to $61,575. Note that this conservative estimate does not include potential rent increases that will increase cash flow and will help offset additional property taxes. Nor does it include interest earned if the parents decide to reinvest cash flow.


In 18 years the property will have appreciated, too. The standard rate of appreciation for real estate nationally over the past 40 years has been 3 percent. At that rate the $100,000 property they bought would be worth $170,243 at the time of sale.


The initial $20,000 investment would have earned $150,243 over 18 years - a return of over 13%. Including cash flow, the return is 15%!


While it is difficult to determine what future tuition will be—increases in tuition have spiked dramatically in recent years—a $230,000 ($170,000 sales price + $60,000 in cash flow) cushion should be enough to soften the tuition blow.


Investors aren’t limited to purchasing real estate to fund college; many choose to purchase property during the college years to provide their children with a home and save on room and board.


In a recent survey of real estate agents, 64 percent saw significant number of parents investing in college-town real estate for their children. With increased room and board and the high demand for rental property in college towns, the strategy makes sense.


San Francisco-based parents Katie and Dale have purchased a house with multiple bedrooms for their children, leasing the other bedrooms to other students. Because of the high demand, the rent helps pay the mortgage on the property and the parents plan to sell when their children no longer need the house.


In the long run, these savvy parents are saving money and helping to provide their children with a stable place to live during their college careers.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:13:50 -0400</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/how-to-lease-purchase-your-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/how-to-lease-purchase-your-home.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>How to Lease Purchase Your Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Over the last few months I've had a number of past clients ask me whether a "lease purchase" would be viable to help them sell their home. Though it's not right for everyone ... it can be a win-win real estate deal, and it can help solve a serious problem for today's frustrated sellers.


Here's how it works:


In its simplest form, a lease-purchase agreement is nothing more than a written contract to purchase real estate over an extended period of time, typically not exceeding 36 months. It is usually coupled with an agreement to allow the purchaser to occupy the house and pay rent on it while he is completing the purchase.


In contrast, a lease-option agreement is primarily an agreement to rent real estate. That agreement contains a provision granting the renter the option of purchasing the real estate at some point in the future if he so chooses.


Here's why it's working today:


Traditional lenders have tightened underwriting guidelines and raised minimum credit standards, and there are lots of first-time buyers who have been pushed out of today's buying market. A lease containing an option to purchase may give the buyer enough time to get qualified and make the purchase he or she wants.


In today's market, some sellers are willing to compromise on a quick sale in order to get some revenue coming in to help cover the mortgage payment.


Typically, a lease-purchase agreement includes these features:


• A complete rental agreement outlines the relationship between the resident and the owner. This can be the same rental agreement that you might use if you were simply renting for a specific term, then intending to vacate.


• If this is a lease-purchase, there will be a simultaneous contract for the purchase of the property, specifying the price, the "on or before" closing date, and the other terms and conditions of the sale. In this contract, a non-refundable "down payment" is often made from buyer to seller. This down payment is usually applied toward the purchase price.


• If, instead, this is a lease-option, then there may or may not be any "down payment," and it may or may not be refundable, depending on the agreement. As an alternative, the lease-option agreement may specify a more traditional (and refundable) security deposit.


• A common feature of almost all these agreements is a "rent to own" provision. This clause specifies that some portion of each rental payment shall accrue toward a reduction in the purchase price of the property, even if that price has yet to be determined.


A small provision might be a monthly credit of $100, to be accumulated by the owner for use as a credit against the purchase price of the property. A more generous offer might be a credit of $400 per month, allowing the renter to build a sizeable down payment of almost $5,000 for each year of rental.


I have even heard of sellers so highly motivated to cause a sale of their home that they offered a credit of 100 percent of all rents paid as a credit against the purchase price. Obviously, a seller in this category would need sufficient equity in the property to cover such a generous offset. But it would have the further effect of almost guaranteeing an eventual sale. What smart buyer would walk away from a $24,000 credit after two years of renting?


• Another typical feature of these types of contracts is a provision asking the renter/purchaser to inspect the house as they move in and agree to accept it in "as is" condition now. This is to prevent the renter from damaging the house, then asking the seller to make repairs prior to the sale.


• Additionally, the agreement typically also makes the renter responsible for all repairs during the life of the lease and until the purchase occurs. The idea here is that since the buyer is going to buy the house, he can take on the responsibility for upkeep now. However, this provision may not be enforceable under Georgia law, which prevents the owner of residential rentals from transferring the responsibility to repair. I'd better leave that one to the attorneys to sort out.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:09:33 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/oakhurst-real-estate-a-look-back-at-2011.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/oakhurst-real-estate-a-look-back-at-2011.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Oakhurst Real Estate: A look back at 2011</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 the $500,000 threshold.   Although the exact same number of homes, 14, sold above the half million dollar mark in both 2011 and 2010 -- this segement realized an 11% increase year over year.    In 2011 it accounted for $8.513 million dollars in total sales volume vs. $7.61 million dollars in 2010.


That's good news for small builders who continue to make a push into the Oakhurst and Decatur real estate markets.  A quick drive through Oakhurst Village brings to light a surprising number of homes currently under construction as many small, local builders who withdrew from the market in 2008 started paving the way for their comeback in 2011.  Stoney River Homes, Thrive Homes and others jumped on the new construction bandwagon - driving up lot values and "tear down" home prices to levels not seen since the real estate market crashed in 2008.


Another marked difference in 2011 vs. 2010 was the impact of FHA financing limits on the middle range market (homes priced between $275,000 and $375,000).  


The return of remodeling and new home building bodes well for buyers looking to purchase Intown in the $300,000 to $600,000 price range as Oakhurst continues to build on it's reputation as one of the more stable Intown neighborhoods.  A haven for those looking to put down roots and take advantage of the top rated public schools while maintaining a small, walk-able community vibe that makes it feel like a real neighborhood. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:38:08 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/metro-atlanta-luxury-short-sales.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/metro-atlanta-luxury-short-sales.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Metro Atlanta Luxury Short Sales</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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#
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:11:33 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/lien-release-vs-full-satisfaction.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/lien-release-vs-full-satisfaction.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Lien Release vs Full Satisfaction</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 release only").  In all situation our negotiators strive to obtain a "Full Release and Satisfaction" of your debt.   Obtaining a full release and satisfaction from your lender is best for you, the obligor, but in some instances the lenders will not allow it.  In fact, sometimes  they present us with two separate amounts, one for a lien release only and another for a full release and satisfaction.


Where does the money go?


Remember, lenders accept short payoffs because they make more money than taking the houses back and selling them later. But in either situation (foreclosure vs. short sale), the lender typically loses large sums of money.  With their loss:






 If Full release and Satisfaction - They can write the loss off on their taxes as a business loss, but they must report it to the IRS and send you a 1099-C for the amount.  IRS says that because you technically received the benefit of the money, and you did not have to pay it back, then it is treated as ordinary income that you need to pay tax on.  However, the Federal Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 has put a moratorium on IRS collecting tax on all foreclosure-related 1099's for primary residences through 2010.  Additionally, the IRS Form 982 which may also release you from paying the tax if you can show you were insolvent.    In all cases you need to consult with your financial advisor or accountant about the tax consequences of foreclosure.  We are neither.






If Lien Release Only -  The lender (or someone they sell the note to) can choose to sue you to collect the difference from you.    The lender has the right in most states to pursue you for the difference between the amount they receive from the sale vs. how much they were owed or just file the 1099.  This amount is often called the "deficiency" or the "shortfall."  They can do this because even though they released the lien, you signed a "promise to pay" when you received the loan.          


They may:






 Ask you to sign a new "soft" promissory note for all or part of the deficiency as a condition for them agreeing to the short payoff.  These notes are usually 0% interest and payable over  3  - 15 years.   






Sell this debt (the deficiency amount) to a collection agency or attorney who can pursue collection efforts, obtain a court judgment against you and garnish your wages or assets. This is generally quite unpleasant but fortunately it is uncommon.






Do nothing.  After absorbing a big loss, sometimes lenders do not want to spend another minute dealing with it.  Thus it is possible you may just receive a 1099.








 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:45:40 -0400</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/atlanta-foreclosure-report-april-2011.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/atlanta-foreclosure-report-april-2011.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Atlanta Foreclosure Report: April 2011</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 owned).


This months totals are the lowest since February 2009 ...


Here's a quick breakdown of the top 5 counties and their totals:


Gwinnett County led with 1,567 total filings. Right behind Gwinnett is Fulton County with 1,463. DeKalb posted 1,240, Cobb 958 and Clayton had just 631.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 14 May 2011 14:35:15 -0400</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/real-estate-investments-in-atlanta.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/real-estate-investments-in-atlanta.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Investments in Atlanta</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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&trade; (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. Its also worth noting that nationwide, 43% of real estate investors earned less than $75,000 per year.

Today, real estate is quite literally on sale! There is an unprecedented opportunity to build wealth through real estate, and I specialize in helping all investors achieve their goals.

Contact us today to learn more about investing in real estate.

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:13:30 -0400</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/march-2011-atlanta-foreclosure-report.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/march-2011-atlanta-foreclosure-report.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Atlanta Foreclosure Report: March 2011</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Is it possible we've seen the worst of the foreclosure crisis in Atlanta?&nbsp; We find out in this Atlanta Foreclosure Report for March, 2011.
Foreclosures notices for March 2011 in the Metro Atlanta market dipped slightly suggesting a possibly peak in the activity across the 13 county area and a  glimmer of hope for the struggling market.    The March total fell to 10,779 - a .6 percent drop from the February 2011 tally and a significant 14 percent dip from March 2010 numbers.



Foreclosure trend upward during the spring and summer months.  In fact March 2010 saw a 22 percent rise from February 2010 -- so this decline, though welcomes, comes unexpectedly.



Even with the surprise drop in notices file this past month ... we're still 2 percent ahead of last year, which set an annual record.



Here's a quick breakdown of the top 5 counties and their totals:



Gwinnett County led with 2,338 total filings. Right behind Gwinnett is Fulton County with 1,928, DeKalb  posted 1,688, Cobb 1,235 and Clayton lagged behind the more populous counties with 931.

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:33:16 -0400</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/10-secrets-an-introduction.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/10-secrets-an-introduction.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>10 Secrets: An Introduction</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
It is our choices&hellip;that show what we really are, far more than our abilities.
&mdash;J.K. Rowling



A secret is something hidden or known only to insiders. A few behavioral
scientists and market researchers might be acquainted with some of the ideas
in this blog series, but these concepts have not been available to consumers prior
to now. One of my professional priorities is to change that fact by equipping
homeowners, renters, buyers, and sellers with &ldquo;insider information&rdquo; that can
help them become more comfortable (and savvy) about whatever housing
transaction they might contemplate.



Housing decisions are crucial. They can involve the most money you
ever spend, the highest debt you ever incur, and the best (or worst) investment
you ever make. A moving decision can result in either a frustrating or
fulfilling experience that affects not just your life, but the lives of loved ones
who move with you. Yet, as my brother Adam recently observed, buying and selling
houses is one of the few businesses in which the principals (and their stewards) on both sides can be rank amateurs.&nbsp; They get caught up in emotions that rarely benefit the
housing negotiations and, on occasion, trap them into making poor housing
decisions. Renters also make poor housing choices and some renters
decisions spoil their chances for future home ownership.




Whether you're a buyer, seller, renter, or one who is thinking about
remodeling, refinancing, or investing in a second home, you can learn a new
way to make housing decisions that go smoothly and enrich your personal
life and your relationships while enhancing your enjoyment of the place you
call &ldquo;home.&rdquo; In addition, you can increase your net worth at the same time.
With a little curiosity, inner preparation, and practical guidance about
decision making, you can approach your next real estate transaction with new
confidence. The discomfort you might have about finances, the markets, or
the uncertainty of making the right choice diminishes dramatically when you
learn and keep in mind the following 10 secrets of successfully buying, selling, renting or investing in real estate:



&bull; Secret 1: Your housing choices are not only about finances.
In fact, they are not just about housing. They are about every
aspect of your life.


&bull; Secret 2: You have a housing history that influences your
housing decisions today and it is key to understanding your
housing emotions.


&bull; Secret 3: You have a Housing Value System that consists of
your housing history and housing profile. Your Housing Value
System drives your housing decisions.


&bull; Secret 4: Your partner (child, mother, or father) has a Housing
Value System too, and it is as important as yours when it comes
to making housing decisions.


&bull; Secret 5: You can turn your Housing Value System into a decision
tool that can help you make your best housing decisions.


&bull; Secret 6: Self-knowledge is personal power in all housingrelated
transactions. Housing knowledge is financial power
that can save you time, money, and grief.


&bull; Secret 7: There is a U.S. Housing System that you must learn
to navigate. It includes the agents, organizations, agencies, and
regulators with whom you deal with in any housing transaction
you undertake.


&bull; Secret 8: Your fears can move with you. To move on, you must
pack up your courage and make sound housing choices, even
if you do not feel courageous.


&bull; Secret 9: Your mortgage can be the most important financial
tool in your investment toolbox. It can be your ticket to future
financial security.


&bull; Secret 10: Your Housing Value System lives as long as you do.
When it is time to downsize, find a home in retirement, or help
to choose housing for an older adult, these secrets will be as
valid then as they are today.



The Power of Knowing Your Housing Psychology



As you explore and discover the power of the 10 Housing Secrets, which I
discuss in detail throughout this blog series, you will develop your own personal
housing psychology. These secrets allow you to sort through and tame your
emotions, understand and deal with the stresses of others, and discuss your
feelings openly with less discomfort. Most importantly, these secrets can
help you become an all-around better financial decision maker in the process.
My goal is to help skeptics and believers alike learn to access and
harness the power of their housing psychology in pending and future
housing searches, negotiations, decisions, and transactions.



I specifically want to help you:


&bull; Make you aware of your housing emotions, so that you can
interpret them and then use your new understanding to make
better housing plans and decisions.


&bull; Enhance your understanding of your partners and other family
members housing emotions, so that you can minimize conflict
during the stages involved in changing where and how you live.


&bull; Learn that the best housing decisions incorporate desire, knowledge,
and the ability to successfully navigate your emotions.


&bull; Realize that wise housing choices have the potential to anchor
your entire future financial security.



What Is Housing Psychology?



I define housing psychology as &ldquo;a field of study that synthesizes humanplace
interactions with finance.&rdquo; It incorporates social psychology, which
looks at our behavioral interchanges with others. It borrows from environmental
psychology, which examines the roles of &ldquo;place&rdquo; in our lives and tries
to understand our attachments to home.2 Almost all of our housing transactions
have financial and economic effects, so the dynamics of housing psychology
fall within the new and growing field of &ldquo;behavioral finance.&rdquo;



So how can knowing your housing psychology help you make good
housing decisions today and in the future?



Any housing decision&mdash;buying, renting, selling, remodeling, or investing
in a second home&mdash;combines significant financial and personal components
and consequences. On average, the cost of renting or carrying mortgage payments
sets most of us back each month from about 25 percent to as much as
50 percent of our income. Although finances are definitely a major factor,
housing choices are not only about finances. In fact, they are not even just
about housing. They involve our ideas, desires, longings, identities, beliefs,
attitudes and all the other aspects of our unique personalities, as well as our
relationships.



There are two parts to understanding your housing psychology: uncovering
your housing history and becoming better acquainted with your
housing desires and values. With the combination of this self-knowledge, you
can create a personal decision context&mdash;call it your Housing Value System&mdash;
for grappling with even your most difficult housing decisions. It is possible
to compare notes and resolve disputes with a partner and/or other family
members, so you can make shared housing choices without the emotional
flare ups that can make moving so unpleasant.



Understanding your own inner signals and housing preferences, and
those of your partner or family members, can help you make decisions you
can trust and investment choices you can rely on better. Understanding your
housing emotions also positively spills over into other important life areas
because you learn how your past history influences your current decisions,
especially financial decisions. These are some of the benefits you discover
from the 10 Secrets to Successful Home Buying and Selling guide.



Learning from the Success and Mistakes of Others



Unlike learning from our own experiences, people are better at learning from
the successes and mistakes of others. This blog series is based on extensive empirical
research and on hundreds of case histories from interviews, consulting, presentations, and seminars.&nbsp; The posts in this series are filled with the
housing experiences of real people.



You will quickly learn the winning factors that you can apply to your
own circumstances. The housing experiences and problems from actual case
histories also illustrate how far-reaching housing decision problems are.
Whether or not you are in the same situation as the people whose stories
you read in this blog series, you can become better acquainted with yourself and
recognize others you know as well.



You will feel more confident about any type of housing decision you
face, even if you must make that decision only once or twice in your lifetime.
You will be able to extend the money you have to spend on a house, help an
older relative who must solve a housing dilemma, maximize your desirability
to a mortgage lender, help a young adult move out of the nest, and deal
with every aspect of a housing transaction with less stress and much more
self-assurance.



Get the Most from the 10 Secrets to Successful Home Buying and Selling



Use this blog series in the way that works best for you: either as uninterrupted
reading or as a guide for making a pending housing decision.
Part 1, &ldquo;Your Housing Psychology,&rdquo; acquaints you with your unique
housing psychology and the underlying reasons for the sometimes euphoric
and sometimes painful housing emotions most of us have experienced in our
lives. In my seminars on home and decision-making, Ive seen people cry
and watched others break through decision paralysis by &ldquo;revisiting&rdquo; homes
of their past. And anyone who has ever &ldquo;fallen in love&rdquo; with a home knows
the emotion that can accompany&mdash;and sometimes sabotage&mdash;their housing
negotiations. 



Posts 28 show you just how the non-financial areas of your life
impact your finances to your benefit or your detriment, depending upon your
Housing Value System and your approach to housing decision-making. Each
reader must learn for himself or herself the underlying experiences and values
that make up his or her own Housing Value System before moving on to
compare notes with a loved one or another family member.&nbsp; 



Post 9, &ldquo;When Housing Values Differ,&rdquo; is especially helpful
to couples and family members who make joint housing decisions. You
and your partner should be able to compare and discuss your housing
personalities and past experiences when informed by insight and a shared
sense of purpose. No longer must you deal silently (or otherwise uncomfortably)
with your housing differences. Instead, you can use the framework
outlined in Posts 48 to better understand and more openly deal with
individual issues that might remain unresolved.



Note: Throughout the blog series, I use &ldquo;partner&rdquo; to refer to spouses,
significant others, and other housemates because a shared living arrangement in one way or another makes you partners. People who have shared the
responsibilities of a home know the pit-of-the-stomach feeling that can
accompany an unresolved housing problem with a live-in partner.



Part 2, &ldquo;Finding Solutions That Work for You,&rdquo; provides a variety of
ideas and suggestions for how to use your Housing Value System to make
housing choices and decisions. If you skip to your pending housing problem
in Part 2, here is a decision tip at the outset: Return to the housing history and
housing profile exercises in Posts 3, &ldquo;Your Housing History,&rdquo; and 4,
&ldquo;Creating Your Housing Profile,&rdquo; and read through the analyses in Posts
58. The results of these exercises and elaborations form the core of a powerful
system that can set you straight on the path to housing and financial
security. You will clearly see how your unique housing history and housing
profile are programmed right into your present lifestyle, relationships, and
housing decisions.



Regardless of how you use this guide, if you apply its principles, you will
never have to look at housing decisions with fear or anxiety again. Instead,
you can take great pleasure in both your future decisions and your future
moves. Choosing the right home at the right time can be a mystical experience.
A bond can begin to form with the place you call &ldquo;home,&rdquo; whether you
are renting or buying. When you buy your own home or trade up (or down)
to that next home of your dreams, you will experience a feeling of well-being
that extends far beyond the home itself.



Until next time ... feel comfortable sharing your own experiences, questions or concerns related to buying, selling or renting in the comments sections below.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:35:55 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/did-you-know.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/did-you-know.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Did You Know...</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
1 in 7 mortgages are not being paid



25% of all U.S. properties are underwater (near 40% in the state of GA)



The current unemployment rate is 9.2%



1 in every 300 households in Georgia received a foreclosure notice in February 2011



As a professional real estate consultant in this market I have resources to help if you're faced with financial distress as a result of these tough economic times we've encountered.  Don't wait until it's too late to take action.  Contact me today at (404) 270 9374.


 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:55:38 -0500</pubDate>
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