On, HGTV's "Design Star" on Sunday night (August 9, 2009 episode), host Clive Pearse introduced the designers' challenge by saying, "In today's economy, people are not moving, they are improving." He went on to introduce the task of turning two California familes' garages into additional finished living space, therefore adding on to their existing homes and saving them from having to sell and move into larger homes. Much of our real estate work right now has consisted of advising clients on home improvement projects that will add value and/or space to their existing homes, if they do not want to try to move in the current economy. Though it is a great time to buy a new home and move up (if one can afford to), many are waiting out the economic downturn, unwilling to take a big loss on th... 09/02/2009

Many of you know the secret to my success in Atlanta real estate is the web.  My business have been Internet based now for over 12 years.  I am a national speaker and trainer on Internet market and the fundamentals of SEO, and I understand how to get to the top, and stay their. I also know that outbound dead links is something that is very counter productive to a website, and I try to check out my Atlanta real estate sites occasionally and remove or edit them because they will hurt page rank.  Well, last night I found a dead link to another agents site on my Atlanta real estate website.  These are links categorized by state for real estate agents, mortgage sites, home inspectors, real estate directories and anything that is real estate related.  The one key was that they had to have a ... 08/24/2009

In this market, buy for your lifestyle, not just for an "investment." A "down market" or a "soft market" is a great time to buy a home...but not for the reason that some people think.   Ask yourself: what lifestyle do you want and how can buying a home help you to achieve it? Are you currently renting and eager to buy your first home? Are you expecting your family to grow in the near future? Have you been considering downsizing? It can be a scary time to buy, not only because of the way the media feeds our fears about the economy, but also because of the very real dangers that many face right now with potential job loss, company downsizing, depletion of investments like stocks and 401(k) accounts, etc. Thinking about your home as a way of meeting your lifestyle needs, rather than as a p... 08/18/2009

I have been noticing lately that North Fulton homes sales are off more than usual this summer in North Fulton County.  I am referring to the east side of the GA 400 better known to Atlanta real estate agents as Area 14.  It include the new city of Johns Creek, Roswell East, and Alpharetta.  These are very sought after areas in the Atlanta real estate market.  So I went back a few years and pulled up sales of June 2006 to see what was occurring, and I was pretty shocked at the numbers. Sales of North Fulton homes are off over 58% and the average sales price has dropped $42,562 or 10% of value.  Believe it or not in this North Fulton homes market isn't too bad, but for what was once the hottest area in the state for Atlanta real estate sales it is a bitter pill to swallow. 07/31/2009

This year's Tax Free Shopping in Georgia will be from Thursday, July 30, 2009 - Sunday, August 2, 2009.  During this 4 day period, you are able to buy clothing including shoes, school supplies and computers without paying Georgia state tax.  CLOTHING:  exemption for articles of clothing and footware priced at $100 or less per item SCHOOL SUPPLIES:  sales price on general school supplies of $20 or less per item PERSONAL COMPUTERS:  single purchase of $1,500 on a personal computer and/or related accessories.  Purchases over $1,500 are taxed regularly. Happy Shopping! The Sherry & Maria TeamKeller Williams RealtySherry: 678-283-1710Maria: 678-548-5513www.sherryandmariateam.com   07/27/2009

That's right - The Gebhardt Group is on Facebook, and we'd love for you to become a fan! Just click the image below to visit our Facebook Fan Page - North Atlanta Real Estate and Homes and then click on We'll be posting links to our blog, Atlanta real estate news and tips, and fun photos of the Atlanta area. If you're a past client, friend or member of The Gebhardt Group family - or would like to be! - please visit our page and become a fan. We'd love to have you! Of course, if you have and questions about Atlanta real estate, we'd be happy to answer them for you. Please visit our website or email me at Maura@GebhardtGroup.com. We look forward to seeing you on our Facebook page!  Subscribe to The Gebhardt Group's Real Estate blog today! Maura Neill, ABR, CRS, MAThe Gebhardt GroupRE/MAX ... 07/08/2009

What are you doing for this 4th of July holiday weekend? Whether you are planning to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, cook out, go boating, take a vacation...or just sit back and relax and enjoy a few days off from work, won't you take a few moments to think about those whom we have to thank for our freedom? The brave men and women of our military, who may not get to enjoy days off this weekend - whose work goes on despite the holiday - especially those who are deployed to far-off, hostile lands, fighting for you and for me. Take a moment to hope for their safety, to hope that they may soon come home and see their loved ones. And if you see someone in uniform this weekend - or any time - pause a second and thank him or her for all they do for our country. Just a simple "thank you... 07/03/2009

TRUTH: When I saw this bar of chocolate in the gourmet chocolate section at my local Fresh Market in Johns Creek, GA, I knew I had to take a picture of it. After all, no one would believe me if I told them I saw a bacon chocolate bar. Then I realized I had to write a blog about it, too, because it was just too good to pass up. (My apologies if you find the correlation to real estate a bit of a stretch - just be entertained by the chocolate bar!) Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get." Real estate is like that, too. You never know what your new clients will be like - will they be friendly or nasty, easy-going or picky, analytical or sentimental? The same goes for potential new listings.You show up for the listing appointment - will it... 07/02/2009

Years ago in real estate I can remember the phrase "Dress for Success" was a major component of sales presentations.  There was not a seminar you would attend that did not stress the fact.  A trip into the office confirmed that there was a "Dress code" that complimented the professional image of the company you were associated with.  This was not limited to just one company, but in several companies that I was associated with.  The first reason was that we represented our clients in the biggest possible transaction of their lives. Their home or purchase represented their dreams, a fulfillment of their goals, the sweat of many hours working overtime and saving to achieve those goals.  Dressing up, made clients feel at ease that someone competent was assisting them.  Those were the times ... 07/01/2009

Over a couple of glasses of wine last night, I had a revelation:In this current market, a good house is like a fine wine. Now, you might think that I wasn't thinking too clearly or that it was the wine talking, but hear me out: in today's tougher markets, across the country, the homes that are selling quickly and for top dollar (or as close to top dollar as we can get these days) are the exceptional ones. Gone are the days when homes fly off the market, regardless of their condition and upkeep. These days, as I'm sure you've heard over and over, "It's a Price War and a Beauty Contest." But it's more than that. Now, I'm no wine expert - heck, I can't even pronounce "sommelier" (well, maybe I wouldn't go that far), but I know what I like and what I don't - the same with houses. I know tha... 07/01/2009

Today - Friday, June 26 - is Take Your Dog To Work Day, according to my HUmane Society of the United States wall calendar! Since I work from home, I get to take my pooch to work every day - or rather, I'm lucky enough to be able to spend a lot more time with him than if I had a regular 9-5 job. And for that, I consider myself lucky! But poor Charlie! He never gets to get that special attention that he would get if he could accompany me to my office! So in honor of Charlie and all the other doggies whose "moms" and "dads" work from home and never get to go into work, I invite you to post pics of your pups in the comments below - at work, at play, at rest, whatever your pooch does all day while you work! Post your photos so we can all admire your adorable canine buddies! Charlie says, "Th... 06/26/2009

Contact Mina Dyson #770-313-3658. A RARE FIND!  3 BEDROOM 2.5 BATH RANCH WITH A ‘3 WOOD' DRIVE FROM THE ATLANTA ATHLETIC CLUB! THIS OUTSTANDING LOCATION CANNOT BE BEAT. THE STEPLESS, OPEN FLOOR PLAN IS GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING AND FOR COMFORTABLE LIVING. BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE HAND CARVED INDIANA LIMESTONE HEARTH AND MANTLE GRACE THE TWO FIREPLACES.  For complete tour:  http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/489/Default.aspx 06/06/2009

Contact James McGowan 404-307-5081. NEWER 7 BEDROOM 5 BATH HOME IN SUGAR MILL. TOP SCHOOLS! HOME FEATURES OPEN FLOOR PLAN, KITCHEN WITH ISLAND, GAS COOKING AND STAINED CABINETS, MASTER HAS SITTING AREA, HUGE BATH AND CLOSET. HOME ALSO FEATURES FINISHED BASEMENT, SCREENED PORCH, DECK AND FLAT YARD! For complete home tour: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/487/Default.aspx 06/06/2009

Market Update   Cumming Area Sales   Period # Homes Sold Average Sale Price Average Sell to List Price Average Days on Market 1st Quarter 2009 500 $282,888 92% 105 1st Quarter 2008 753 $332,760 95% 101 Variance 34% Decline $15% Decline 3% Decline 4% Increase   2008 Review:  # Homes Sold 2330  -  Avg Sales Price $334,772  -  Avg Sell to List Price 94.4%  -  Avg Days on Market - 97   Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell Area Sales Period # Homes Sold Average Sale Price Average Sell to List Price Average Days on Market 1st Quarter 2009 470 $381,012 93% 96 1st Quarter 2008 708 $422,011 96% 87 Variance 34% Decline 10% Decline 3% Decline 9% Increase   2008 Review:  # Homes Sold 2360  -  Avg Sales Price $422,290  -  Avg Sell to List Price 94.4%  -  Avg Days on Market - 83 Summary: •·      ... 05/22/2009

Just a reminder to our friends, families and clients that POSTAGE RATES ARE ON THE RISE...AGAIN! As of Monday, May 11, 2009, rates went up to: 44¢ for a first-class letter (up from 42¢) 28¢ for a regular postcard (up from 27¢) For more information about other rates, you can visit www.usps.com. Plan now to save that stamp - set up online bill pay through your bank, credit card websites and utilities companies. Consider emailing newsletters and photos to your friends, families and clients - use websites like Constant Contact, Flickr.com, and Facebook. And if you simply must use stamps, save yourself some time and order them online from the U.S. Post Office website! And as always, if you have any questions about North Metro Atlanta area real estate, contact The Gebhardt Group today!  Subsc... 05/14/2009

A big thank you to our wonderful clients from 2008 - both buyers and sellers - for helping us to meet our 2008 goals! And of course to all our past clients and friends who helped us by referring their friends, families and colleagues! For the 2008 calendar year, The Gebhardt Group was ranked: #1 in our RE/MAX Greater Atlanta office #6 in the RE/MAX Greater Atlanta company #10 in the Atlanta Board of REALTORS® #12 for RE/MAX of Georgia We're not bragging - we're just thankful! Without our wonderful clients and friends, we would not be able to achieve these milestones or be able to reach our sales goals. We thank you and look forward to serving your real estate needs and investment goals in 2009 and for many years to come!  Subscribe to The Gebhardt Group's Real Estate blog today! Maura ... 04/24/2009

Just when you thought you were getting your finances in order, tightening your belt in this shifting economy and getting your budget under control... The U.S. Post Office is raising their rates...again. As of May 11, 2009, it will cost another 2¢ more to mail a regular first class letter (up to 44¢ from 42¢) and 1¢ more to mail a regular-sized postcard (up to 28¢ from 27¢). The last postage hike was on May 12, 2008. (For other rate increases in detail, you can visit www.usps.com.) Plan ahead now - order your 1¢ and 2¢ stamps so that you can use up your old stamps. It's simple to order postage at the U.S. Post Office website, so that you don't have to wait in line at the Post Office. And if you use a lot of stamps, order some of the current denomination when you order those 1¢ and 2 ¢ st... 04/21/2009

"Truth is a double edged sword that can hurt when you are not prepared to hear the news."  There is so much difficulty when listing a home in this current market.  There are loads of homes that you have to compete with in foreclosures, bank owned, short sales and new homes that have been sitting for a while un occupied.  In many areas... comps of foreclosures are putting a major drag on prices.  After months of a home on the market you hammer out a a contract only to find the home does not appariase, the buyer lost their job or buyer and seller cannot come to terms on the inspection items.  We are not dealing wihtrelocation buyers we had just a few years ago.  They do not have to buy!  This is not even counting the issue of a buyer losing their job just before the scheduled closing.  So... 04/17/2009

The real estate market in the Atlanta area is picking up.  Just over the past couple of weeks, our office has received more offers/contracts right now than they have had total in the past 2 months.  Suprisingly, some of those contracts were multiple offer scenarios.   Interest rates are still holding low for now.  Word on the street is they will be going up in the not so distant future...Good news - it's still a buyer's market with approximately 10 months of inventory in the North Atlanta area alone.  As a Buyer's agent, I'm seeing deals out there that I thought would never have been imanigable!  These deals are not just on Foreclosure or Short Sale properties.  If you're looking to purchase a Good Deal - WE can help.  Our services are free to you and we would love the opportunity to ea... 04/16/2009

Lexington Woods, Johns Creek Update:  Jan-March 2009(per FMLS and office records, as of April 9, 2009)  Active Listings:  There are 5 active listings in the Lexington Woods subdivision (Johns Creek, Georgia) $425,000 5215 LEXINGTON WOODS LN  $385,000 115 REDLEAF COURT  $394,000 12220 Broadleaf Ln $288,000 3050 LAKESIDE COURT $274,900 4030 CREEKSIDE CT  1 home recorded as Pending:  Listed for $439,000 at 5535 LEXINGTON WOODS LANE  2 homes recorded as SOLD for Jan-March 2009 in Lexington Woods: Listed for $490,000- SOLD for $470,000 - closed on 2/27/09  (This is the highest price in neighborhood since 2007 - Listed and SOLD by the Sherry & Maria Team.  Received offer in 4 days!) Listed for $344,500 - SOLD for $326,000 - closed on 3/18/09 For more information about Lexington Woods, contact... 04/09/2009