Anne Ortiz's (anneortiz) Blog

As so many prospective home buyers are learning, the market remains favorable for finding that dream home.  Inventory is abundant, sellers are willing to negotiate and interest rates are low.  Being considered loan worthy, however, is not as easy as it was once upon a time.  Besides a stable empl...

Now that the first month of 2012 has come to an end, residents of Marietta, Georgia can for the first time say that they were given access to fresh winter produce.  The first Saturday in January saw the opening of the Winter Edition Marietta’s Farmer’s Market and folks were lined up to shop befor...

Celebration of Southern culture is an ongoing activity in this historic region of northwest Georgia.  Marietta is a city that was founded before the Civil War, and was the location of hard fought battles as General S...

Celebration of Southern culture is an ongoing activity in this historic region of northwest Georgia.  Marietta is a city that was founded before the Civil War, and was the location of hard fought battles as General ...

Another warm weekend is coming up and Cobb County, Georgia has the perfect way to get in the spirit of the season. What could be better than listening to summer serenades under the stars? Come and enjoy a night of music on the beach right on the shores of Lake Acworth. On Saturday, June 11, artis...

With uncertainty still lingering in the current economy, many potential home buyers are sitting on the fence. Inventory and selection are good, home prices remain flat and sellers are more motivated to work with buyers on price. Interest rates are great, but may inch up later this year. This fact...

The first week of the summer months ushers in the First Friday Art Walk on Marietta Square.  A self-guided tour around the Square will connect you with more than 30 merchants who will host artists in their stores. Participating merchants will host in-store events and stay open until at least 8:00...

OK, we just had a great long weekend to kick off the summer season, but it's not too soon to look forward to next weekend.  One man's trash is another man's treasure! Mark your calendars for this year's Annual Dixie Highway Yard Sale the first weekend in June. The 90 mile yard sale organized by t...

The first big summer weekend is here and who can resist breaking out the grill for a holiday feast.  Although accidents are the furthest thing from our minds, outdoor cooking accounts for 7,700 fires each year.  Here are some safety tips for outdoor grilling:  - Check gas grills for leaks by appl...

If you have considered selling your home and either concluded that now is not the time or just haven't found a suitable replacement, you might be thinking about a renovation.  You can enjoy the improvements for the next few years and have it more appealing to a buyer when the time is right.  Ther...