Over the years in real estate business the percentage of sellers that we work and buyers goes all over the map!  When we worked traditional real estate, we listed mostly.  It was not uncommon in the mid 1990's to work about 80% of our clients as sellers.  When the Internet arrived, it started to changed.  First there was a transition from traditional marketing to Internet.  The Internet at first generated mostly buyers.   Our regular real estate business in 1995 was about 50/50 buyers and sellers, and in later years it was as high as 80% buyers.  In the last few years it leveled off. Our Atlanta real estate website now generates for us an even 50 / 50 buyers and sellers.  We generate as many buyer clients, as we do sellers.What does your real estate website generate  buyers / sellers?Su... 03/18/2007

As a consumer, it is sometimes difficult to find exactly what you are looking for when you begin a search for real estate. Let's take Atlanta real estate as an example. If you are a seller and you are looking to find a REALTOR to sell your home you may use the term "atlanta realtor" or something similar for your search term. However the list of REALTORS you will find will be all over Atlanta and you may not be able to find an agent who knows your particular area as well as necesaary to list your home for sale. If you live in Roswell, a suburb of Atlanta, try refining your search to "roswell realtor". This new list will bring up more agents that specifically market to and know your area. Atlanta Real Estate is such a broad term that to find what you are looking for will be difficult. Ano... 03/16/2007

The Atlanta real estate market is heating up with spring and buyers and sellers seem to have shrugged of the media's continuous talk of a full market meltdown. A quick check in the Atlanta MLS shows contingent and pending homes rising month over month showing that buyers have no plans to slow down. Sellers don't seem to worried about the Atlanta real estate market either because there the number of homes for sale is on the rise as well. It looks like 2007 is off to a good start and with interest rates remaining low, there doesn't seem to be any impending slowdown on the horizon. 03/14/2007

It is interesting to look back on a career in Atlanta real estate, and look at what worked, what didn't, what I would not do again, where did I make money, where did I throw money away, and what I wished I did more of sooner!  The longer I am in real estate the Internet is one of those things that seems to fascinate me more and more.  It is so effective! The more I use it I appreciate it for how it transformed our lives. Over all the years in the Atlanta real estate business has something worked as well as it should.  A real estate website was literally a gift from God!  We enjoyed a fairly successful career in real estate with post cards, mailers, real estate classifieds, magazine ads, cold calling, bulk mailings, knocking doors, working for sale by owners and expired!  It was all exhi... 03/09/2007

Would you like to buy a new luxury home in Atlanta? If so, now would be a fantastic time. The Atlanta luxury home inventory is very high and, as wel all know about supply and demand, that makes for a great oppotunity for buyers. Let's take a look at some numbers and see why the opportunity is so great for buyers in the luxury real estate market in Atlanta. The easiest place to look at the Atlanta luxury real estate market is in the area of Buckhead. Data gathered from the FMLS shows that in January of 2006 there were 74 new homes for sale over $1,000,000. That number now is nearly double what it was just one year ago. The latest statistics show that there were 146 new luxury homes over $1,000,000 in January of 2007. These numbers are consistent with all areas of Atlanta. The only area t... 03/05/2007

The City of Atlanta is offering free tax preparation if you make under $39,000 per year.  For more information you can go to http://www.atlantaworkforce.org/.  Certified tax preparers will be preparing and electronically filing returns for free at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA).  There are two Saturday sessions scheduled March 10, 2007 and March 24, 2007.   On March 24, 2007 a fair will also be provide information on financial awareness programs for first time homebuyers and  financial products offered by local banks and credit unions.  Feel free to bring the kids, activities will be provided for children with their parents.   www.atlantahomesrelocation.com 02/28/2007

Foreclosures or Real Estate Owned REO as they are priced today, are really not a buy.  Years ago in real estate when purchasing a home you had to have at least 20% down.  So on a 200K home purchase, you had to put down 40K.  So  the seller owed 160K, and perhaps paid 10 years of a 30 year mortgage. The actual amount owed, minus appreciation was probably about 140K! So a defaulting seller on a 200K home, may have 60K in equity.  A great buy at a negotiated $145K! Today, it is quite different.  Home buyers buy with 100% financing, and then take a second!  So on the books, the 200K home in on the loan books for a combined 250K!  At what price is a good buy for a neglected home?  What price realistically will the banks let it go for?  I see them all the time.  $250K homes AS IS in a 200K ne... 02/20/2007

"Top 7 Chilling Statistics on Being a Real Estate Agent"I was doing some research today to find the source of one of the items mentioned in this article (7% of real estate agents do 93% of all real estate business)...when I found this blog relating to real estate agents.  Some of the numbers are not new to me, but I have never come across all of them lumped together.  In many ways after you read something like this you cannot help but be grateful to have achieved, and survived those odds.  The premise of the article is correct that there is a lot of enticement to become a real estate agent, and the realities are quite different, and very difficult to overcome.  Fees for associations, memberships, affiliations, MLS, technology, marketing materials, supplies, and more have to be paid in o... 02/16/2007

Serving all of your Metro Atlanta Commercial needsClick on a County to browse all Commercial Real Estate Property listingsBartow County Commercial Real EstateCartersville, Emerson, Euharlee, & Adairsville Fayette County Commercial Real EstatePeachtree City, Fayetteville, & InmanCherokee County Commercial Real EstateCanton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, & Towne Lake Fulton County Commercial Real EstateAtlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Fairburn & Union CityClayton County Commercial Real EstateForest Park, Riverdale, Morrow, Jonesboro Forsyth County Commercial Real EstateCummingCobb County Commercial Real EstateMarietta, Acworth, Kennesaw, Powder Springs Gwinnett County Commercial Real EstateDuluth, Suwanne, Buford, Lawrenceville, LilburnDekalb County Commercial Real EstateAtlanta, Chamblee, Decat... 02/08/2007

I just read a blog on bond programs Bond Programs - Free Money!.  Yes this exists and in Fulton County the amount available for the bond is $10,000 along with this $10,000 a buyer can use the DCA program and get an additional $5000.  These programs are great for a buyer who might not have the cash available or does not want to use their own cash and fall within the income guidelines.  The key to using the Bond programs is to find a good loan officer who knows the products available.  I mentioned Fulton County, but most of the metro area counties have this program although the amounts maybe smaller than what Fulton County currently offers.If you need the referral of a good loan officer to handle your Bond loan in Georgia, give me a call or send me an email. avalugg@hotmail.com770 369-5121   01/30/2007

A lot of Atlanta homes sellers don't want to paint, clean or fix anything when you are at the home on the listing presentation.  They always assume they have the best home, the most square footage, the biggest lot, the best nails and so on!  Isn't that always the way?  The house down the street that has been totally updated with new siding, new roof, new HVAC, new kitchen and master bath sells for a great price.  There is only one problem with the seller's home that you are interviewing has none of the above.  There are water stains on the ceiling, there is rusted water underneath the how water heater, the paint is yellowed, and the windows are all fogged up, the furnaces are gasping, and the seller does not want to address any of the issues that have been brought to his/her attention. ... 01/16/2007

So far, this has been a FABULOUS start to 2007 for my listings/sales!! I think that this will be an exceptional year in Atlanta, Georgia for the real estate market.  There's no bubble here in Atlanta!! 01/16/2007

"If you prepare yourself at every point as well as you can...you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears."- Eleanor Roosevelt 01/16/2007

Since the arrival of the Internet, many home buyers view the Internet as an online brochure of Atlanta homes for sale, and Atlanta real estate.  The home buyers now view the real estate agents, and Atlanta REALTORS as someone that can just open the door for them.  More often than not, it has been our experience that the Atlanta home buyer already has an agent.  Too bad for them, their agent does not work real estate full time.  A full time agent is not afraid to tell their client (When they are under a signed buyer agency with them) not to buy a home. A professional Atlanta real estate agent will cite their reasons why!  Perhaps the home is way overpriced, maybe the road behind the house is scheduled to be widened...it could be the home has been on the market for a long time because the... 01/14/2007

"Why it is important to have an Atlanta buyer's agent when buying a home?" Because in most every state, the listing agent can only represent the seller!  Why, because they already have a listing agreement or contract in writing that obligates them to fulfill this duty.  There is nothing in that listing agreement that says they will represent the buyers.  In fact, they may have an obligation not to! Under the the terms outlined in the listing agreement, they have a duty to only represent he sellers.  Now, they may disclose all known facts about the property, and can perform ministerial duties for the buyers such as giving you the names of home inspectors or mortgage lenders, but that is about it!  They are not lawyers.  They are not obligated to advise you about termite inspections, fina... 01/12/2007

In the Atlanta real estate market there has probably never been a better time to buy a home or real estate then there is today!  There is a lot of Atlanta homes for sale in the current market, but that is a good thing!  That means there are more choices for great homes, in great locations, and great financing choices available! It's opportunity time! While most of the nation has had major run ups in prices over the last few years, Atlanta real estate prices did not!  Atlanta home values, and neighborhood home prices never went crazy! We averaged one of the lowest in the nation.  That is a great thing!  It meant that housing is available, and affordible here.  Since Atlanta is a world class International town with our own internationals airport at Hartsfield, a mass transit system called... 01/06/2007

Listen up all of my Atlanta REALTORS, Mortgage Brokers, Home Inspectors, and Appraisers!  Its time to increase your staff. This year is going to be fantistic to say the least.  Personally I have had a huge surge in business in December, and I know for a fact I am not the only one.  My website hits have doubled in November and December, due to an influx of people wanting to make a NEW YEARS change.  Out of State Relocation leads are coming in daily.  Looking back at this time last year, the Atlanta Real Estate market was much slower.  I believe this late 2006 surge is going to make 2007 a banner year for us all!  CNN has picked Atlanta as a Top 10 Cities on where to buy now.BusinessWeek also Predicts Positive Growth and an increase in Atlanta median home priceFinally we have some positiv... 01/02/2007

Criteria for Heart Smart Homes and PropertiesHome Features:    Interior :Smoke Free HomeWhole House Air Purification SystemBuilt in/Free Standing Exercise EquipmentWhole House Water Purification System Medical/Emergency Alarm SystemPet Free HomeExterior :SidewalksTennis CourtsSwimming Pool -  Indoor or OutdoorBasketball Court - Indoor or OutdoorRacquet Ball Court - Indoor & OutdoorExercise, Sauna/Steam Room or Yoga StudioMeditation Garden or Garden AreaWalking Distance to Town/CityWalking Distance to SchoolsOutdoor PlaygroundSubdivision or Community FeaturesPlaygroundGolf Course Tennis CourtsSwimming Pool Basketball Court Skiing CommunityRacquet Ball CourtFitness/Exercise CenterRecreation/Activity FacilityOnsite Health Care FacilityOnsite Exercise or Dance LessonsExercise, Sauna/Steam R... 12/27/2006

Heart Smart Properties offers Home Owners, Real Estate Agents, Speciality Communities, and Builders exposure of their Heart Smart Certified Properties. A home is both the largest financial investment a consumer will make and the largest Lifestyle Investment they make. Let everyone know that your home promotes a Healthy Heart Smart Lifestyle. Your properties will be seen by both Local, National and International Buyers.  In addition you will receive a Heart Smart Certificate to give to the owner of the home and the new Buyer, letting them take pride in the knowledge that their home is special.   You can also purchase a Heart Smart Certified Property Sign so that your home stands out from the rest. We also offer you Advertising Opportunities for not only your properties but for yourself. ... 12/27/2006

                        Today was the day of the long awaited 100-day naming ceremony of Zoo Atlanta's panda girl cub.  The name was determined through a public online poll sponsored by the Atlana Journal Constitution.  Voters had a list of 10 names that were suggested from various sources including Zoo Atlanta, local media and the people of China.  Mei Lan won with 22% of the vote."Mei Lan" means Atlanta Beauty.  Dennis Kelly, Zoo Atlanta President and CEO said "the name recognizes both her birthplace and her homeland. "   The naming ceremony was also attended by many Chinese dignataries who applauded Zoo Atlanta's commitment towards "conserving the species in the wild."At her checkup yesterday, Mei Lan weighed in at 12 pounds and had taken her first steps.  You can expect to see her d... 12/15/2006