Let's review;It has traditionally tough to buy a home. How many times have you heard there are 2 things in life you cannot afford, your first house and your first child! So buying now is tougher than it was 2 years ago. This is not a bad thing. In New York City in the 80's there was a big run up in prices. The big difference was that the run up was caused by buyers with cash. NOT Banks giving credit. When the market corrected guess what? People held their homes and waited for the turn around. Why ? Because they had THEIR money in the home. Today the investors are walking like crazy because it isn't their money.I read a q/a from a person in California about owning 3 homes. You should read it and the responses from agents in the community. Great and honest responses. So after this correct... 02/18/2008

Today is one of the most important days of the year for many. It is Called the right to complain day. We all like to complain and voice our opinions so today is very important. How do I earn the right to complain you ask?? You earn it by going out and voting.  Not only are there candidates for President to vote for but many other local issues that effect you may be on your state ballots. I don't know about you but I cherish my right to complain about the folks in Washington. So I am going out today to renew that great right. See you at the polls 02/04/2008

There are tons of blogs and analysis about the Fed rate cut. There is anticipation of a new rate cut next week. But consumer do not understand the relationship of the rate cut to mortgage rates.Most consumers think a rate cut in the Fed funds market means lower mortgage rates. That is not always the case. In fact this week we saw rates initially go down and them bounce back up. As Realtors in our news letters and information to clients it is important to explain to them that the Bond market has more of a direct impact on mortgage rates. Many buyers especially first time buyers are sitting on the fence waiting for that next rate cut to get them a good mortgage on a home. Many budget minded folks are floating their rate instead of locking.For our sellers we must make them price realistica... 01/26/2008

I posted a blog with pictures for the first time the other day called Winter in the Mountains. Some of the responses I got asked about snow. Now wouldn't you know it. Here I am a couple of days later socked in with snow and some ice. Linda Carrig also wrote a blog about the snow today.This leads me to believe I should have written a blog asking for more business or at least 6 numbers for a Lottery ticket. So for those of you who asked here goes. Yes we did have snow last night in the Atlanta and Northern regions. Also unfortunately it changed over to sleet by morning. However around 1 oclock today I should be able to get out and about. Now remember I am 2,500 feet up so it melts a little slower. The point is that it all looks great. We have the fire going. Being in the southern end of t... 01/17/2008

I am mostly optimistic. However recent events lead me to less than optimistic predictions for us and our economy. I have posted around this issue before but now it seems to be more and more becoming a reality.When something does not make sense then usually you are missing a piece. In this case what never made sense to me was how the Fed could cut interest rates in light of over the top government spending. The result , look at gas prices, has been a devaluation of the currency. So yes we want to help the housing market but....Well the most recent turn with Citi Group helps explain it all. Foreign money is the answer the big guys are looking for a way  to solve the liquidity problem. What makes investing in U.S. institutions so appealing for foreigners is a cheap dollar versus their curr... 01/15/2008

Our Market is in trouble. Not just mine , but yours and all of ours. It is not from the sub prime problem. It is not from speculators. It is not from drought or fire. All these things are not so good but they do not effect OUR overall market.What is killing our market today is our governments inability to spend and live within its means. This is very simple. But the line to the problem is not a straight one. Let's look at it. The Fed is lowering rates because of the housing drag. On the other hand the Fed should be raising rates because the government is borrowing so much money that money is in demand so interest rates should go up. So the Fed is caught in a vise. The economy may be slowing and the housing market sluggish so lower rates.  Spending means more borrowing so raise rates. Th... 01/07/2008

OK before we get to the real reason 2008 will be fantastic lets talk about some conditions.1 The jumbo problem will play itself out and the upper end of the market will pick up.2 First time buyers will hear the message about low rates, good prices, and large selection and buy.3 Certain areas will see an increase in buyers due to retiring baby boomers.NOW FOR THE REAL REASONEvery New Years day a Florida Realtor, who will remain Nameless, and I predict how the year will be in real estate. This has been a long standing tradition between us , for the last 3 years. Here are our past and present predictions. You be the judge !!2006,  We will sell a lot of  bricks2007 A year of buyer heaven2008 This year will be greatOK so we are not Warren Buffet. But we do think this year will be good and ha... 01/01/2008

Hey it is inevitable. It is the time of year we look ahead. Here is how I see the year shaping up1 It is an election year. Elections bring about uncertainty. When we have uncertainty people tend to stay on the couch. Just look at this year. The uncertainty the press in part created  made many fear about the housing Market. So I think the election will be a drag on the market maybe in the late summer months.2 We see more and more folks buying tracts of land. I think this is an indicator that the smart money expects a rebound in the market and they are buying up land at good prices with the notion of building later.3 We have 75 million baby boomer's retiring. Not all next year of course. But as they retire and move to be closer to a loved one or downsize I think activity will be created i... 12/26/2007

We are all saying now is the time to buy. But buy what ? I work with a lot of first time investors. So here is how I think about it. First of all a first time investor is someone who maybe already owns their home and is looking to invest some money in real estate OTHER than their home investment.I apply the sleep test. If you have this investment do you worry about or do you sleep well knowing you can make the payments. I always believe the investor should feel comfortable with his decision. As an example there is a super program here where you put 10 percent down on land and can hold it for 2 years without one payment. The developer is fronting the costs. Now you might think great I can buy 3 or 4 lots. But I advise against this just in case you cannot sell them and have to suddenly ca... 12/17/2007

If you are involved in the selling or working with Mountain property then get ready. This year in our mountains we grew about 6 percent in price . That's pretty good against a tough market. Now sales were down 20-25 percent.  People ask me what does this mean? What I think it means is a shift in buyers.75 million baby boomer's are starting to retire. Mountain property is the second most popular destination. Georgia prices and values are some of the best bar none. So what we have are higher end buyers coming into our market. This is the shift and the price increase. As the market gets better and sales rebound then prices will take off.If you are in another area say Ohio, you might consider partnering with us and marketing to retirees looking to move. Same if you are in the Florida panhan... 12/13/2007

There is an old joke, "How do you know if a Lawyer is lying?" ans. "His lips are moving." Well we Realtors have an image problem too. I have found being a Realtor one of the strangest business experiences in my life. Here's why1 Almost everybody you deal with thinks they know more than you. If you were a doctor, a plumber , or a baker you would not get as much argument as you do as a Realtor about your business. Sellers tell you how to price. Buyers tell you how to offer. Buyers tell you the financial folks you recommend are no good. When something they have done against your advice goes wrong it is your fault. And the beat goes on.  2 The customer thinks you are unethical. Just yesterday I brought my buyers to a house. The listing had just expired. The sellers agent told me not to worr... 09/16/2007