I've recently heard that if a home owner sells their home in a short sale they will be sent a 1099 tax document by the Federal goverment.  The home owners are selling the home for less than what is owed and the goverment considers the loss "income".  If you owe $140,000 and short sell for $100,000 you will be sent a 1099 for the income of $40,000. If the home is foreclosed on the same thing will happen, only difference is the seller is working to sell, they just walk away.  Under both situations your credit is ruined. How does one know what the best choice is? What is your view?     06/04/2010

Fannie Mae is checking on you and how you are treating their listings. Assume that you will lose your REO listings if you don't take the results of this internal memo seriously. NOTE: Remember, even though your REO listing asset maybe a ‘Countrywide' asset...there is close to a 70% chance that Fannie Mae actually owns the mortgage...owns the property. In this example, CW is the 'servicer'...Fannie Mae is the ‘investor' In January, Fannie Mae initiated a "secret shopper" pilot designed to collect accurate data on the knowledge, responsiveness, follow-up, professionalism and effectiveness of brokers and agents listing Fannie Mae-owned properties. Over a four and a half month period, our secret shopping vendor reviewed several hundred listing brokers/agents on a broad range of measures. Th... 06/04/2010

If you are buying a home in Lawrenceville, GA, or anywhere in the Metro Atlanta area, and are looking at townhomes, you likely have figured out that there are a ton of great deals right now on condos and townhomes.  Have you wondered, "How do HOA Fees Affect Your Mortgage?"  One thing you might not have calculated is the HOA association fees.  It not only comes into account on a monthly basis for most of these homes, but it affects your purchase power too!   06/02/2010

Well the Gwinnett County Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) was created to help slow the decline of neighborhoods where housing values and conditions are deteriorating due to the presence of foreclosed homes. A second objective of the NSP is to provide affordable housing to eligible low, moderate, and middle income homebuyers. To address the foreclosure problem, the County will use NSP funds to purchase vacant foreclosed homes in targeted Census Tract Block Groups, make necessary repairs on the homes, and resell the houses to new homebuyers. Federal law prohibits the County from providing foreclosure prevention assistance from NSP funds.The County has received approximately $10.5 million from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and approximately $3 ... 05/27/2010

 EverBank would like to extend to your buyers special discounted pricing as well as closing cost incentives on any EverBank property. With financing by EverBank, there are great opportunities for buyers that may help expedite your sale.  What you should know about EverBank.  EverBank provides banking and mortgage services to consumers nationwide. The EverBank Family of Companies serves over 525,000 customers, has over $6.3 billion of customer deposits, and services over $53.7 billion in loans. Find out more at www.EverBank.com.  Think of EverBank for potential buyers. EverBank delivers home financing options to meet a range of needs-including fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages (ARM), FHA loans, and more. EverBank will work with your buyers to find the best lending solution ... 05/25/2010

Mortgage rates have fallen unexpectedly below 5 percent again. Will that drive you back into the housing or refi market? Mortgage rate could fall as low as 4.5% overall by mid summer combine low rates with new home programs like "Let's Do Business Gwinnett." that is offer up to $5000 for the purchase of a new home in Gwinnett The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the financial turmoil in Europe has caused many international investors to seek a safe haven for their money in the U.S. That has pushed domestic mortgage rates to the lowest levels of the year - and back near 50-year lows, the WSJ reports. The housing industry had been bracing for a period of rising mortgage rates, triggered by the end of the Federal Reserve's $1.25 trillion mortgage-securities purchase program. Instead, t... 05/24/2010

Renaissance Realty Group, Inc. | Renaissance Realty Group | 770-277-6652 Paden Cove Trail, Lawrenceville, GA Bank Owned Foreclosure. 2 BR 2.5 BA Townhome 2BR/2+1BA Townhouse offered at $54,900 Year Built 2002 Sq Footage 1,240 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Lot Size 1,307 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Bank Owned foreclosure. Originally sold in 2002 for $111k. Nice community, good condition. Formal Dining Room. Open kitchen. Family room w/ fireplace. Two oversized bedrooms. This is a STEAL!!! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - Walk-in closet - Family room - Dishwasher - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Laundry area - inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio COMMUNITY FEATURES - Guest parking ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Phot... 05/23/2010

How will the new plan work?      Unincorporated Gwinnett County has been divided into five service areas. Residents will begin receiving service from their new waste hauler starting July 1, 2010. Residents will have once-per-week pick-up of household waste, recyclables, and larger items like appliances and old furniture. The initial monthly service fee for the first 18 months will be $17.86 per household, to be paid to Gwinnett County on the property tax statement. Yard waste pickup will continue to be an elective service provided by the waste hauler in each district. Monthly service fee will be $10.00, to be paid semi-annually to the waste hauler.   What are the benefits of the new plan? Cleaner neighborhoods: Under the new plan, homeowners will have the opportunity to recycle 35 diffe... 05/23/2010

Lets Do Business Gwinnett: Leaders announce economic stimulus plan Gwinnett's public and private sector leaders today launched "Let's Do Business Gwinnett." This is an unprecedented economic stimulus plan designed to stabilize housing prices and stimulate consumer, business and public sector spending. The program offers a potential impact of more than $1 billion to the local economy over the next five years. "When communities and neighbors work together for the common good, everybody wins - local businesses, employees, citizens and County government. I encourage all Gwinnett citizens to make a conscious effort to do business locally," said Commission Chairman Charles Bannister.  For more information, visit http://www.letsdobusinessgwinnett.com/.   $5000 Home Buyer Credit Now Available ... 05/23/2010

Today a new program was released title  "Let's Do Business Gwinnett" aimed at not only New Home Buyer Programs backed with county / state and federal dollars but also local Gwinnett business to take a look at their spending habit and relize  that if Gwinnett business and local governments,simply bringing 5% of your out-of-Gwinnett business spending back home to our economy will generate more than $1 billion in local economic impact over the next five years. Did you know Gwinnett County loses over $20 million a day to out-of-area purchases  "Let's Do Business" is brought to you by the Gwinnett Chamber and directly supported by Partnership Gwinnett, the Chamber's public-private economic development fund monetarily supported by more than 100 area public and private sector partners. Busines... 05/21/2010

Mine is to repeat the WI4C2TS 3 times very slowly with intent. The Win Win sounds so salesmen like but if you pull away from teh dollar signs and ask what does a win FEEL like and how do I want the other person to FEEL when this is deal is done a shift happens and the rest follows. WI4C2TSOur Belief System in Action...  Win-Win. . . or no deal  Integrity. . . do the right thing  Commitment. . . in all things  Communication. . .  seek first to understand  Creativity. . . ideas before results  Customers. . . always come first  Teamwork. . . together everyone achieves more  Trust. . . starts with honesty  Success. . . results through people 05/21/2010

As an REO agent I often have to check vacant homes and determine if the GAS is on or off, and for some reason I can never remember which way is on and which way is off. I know all about Righty Tighty Lefty Loosy. For the Electrical panel it is OUT is OFF and In is On ( 3 letter and 2 letters) But to this day I have not come up with a trick to remember the gas line thing. HELP please   05/20/2010

Just got a call from Gwinnett County Code Enforcement Unit about one of our REO properties ... Officer Renee called to say THANK YOU.. a recent new REO assignment had been vacant for some time and the grass was 2 -3 feet high trees over grown a real eye shore to the neighborhood Should have known how happy the neighbors were when they kept stopping to thank our clean up / lawn crew.. But to get a call from officer Renee that was cool.. We always try and improve each of our REO listing to the highest value of the neighborhood. If your an Asset Manger or Investor you know how high these fines and fees and be. Me and My crew don't rack up fines we get thank you calls and contracts call us today. To handle all your Short Sale and REO property needs.   Before B After                 By the w... 05/20/2010

Renaissance Realty Group founders Eric Reid and Timothy Swiney proudlybecome corporate sponser the Foster Children's Foundation Run for the Children 5K  Gwinnett County Georgia, May 2010- Eric Reid and Timothy Swiney of the Renaissance Realty Group proudly made a corporate sponser level  donation to Foster Children's Foundations Run for the Children 5K that will be held on June 12, 2010. This event will raise funds to support the work of the Foster Children's Foundation and provide for the many needs of local foster children. The Renaissance Realty Group is passionate about supporting less fortunate children in our community. The motto of the Renaissance Realty Group is Imagine the Possibilities and through their efforts, they are helping the Foster Children's Foundation to open up a wo... 05/18/2010

Well consider this: 1)    The average person reads 6 blogs per day…. 2)    Twitter doubles in size every 90 days… 3)    Facebook has 250 million active users…. 4)    Youtube has 75 million video views every month…. 5)    Here is the big one..people between the ages of 18-34 spend 40% of their online time on…Social Media sites! I know these facts are hard to comprehend…let me put all of this into perspective… More people are using the top 4 social media sites than are watching…ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News COMBINED. 05/16/2010

Market stats for Lawrenceville, March, 2010, indicate that there are 1566 properties on the market. Overall, there is about an 10.8 month supply of properties, with a continued deceleration in sales, since November. Image via Wikipedia In the sub-$200k arena, there are 1150 listings, with about a 9.4 month supply of homes. Sales accelerated through November, but then fell off as the first tax credit was slated to end… and the Holiday slowdown hit.  Sales have picked up for January, February and March, but so were listings. Between $200k and $400k, there are 365 listings for sale, and about 16.6 months of supply.  Sales have slowed dramatically since December, right up through March.  The drop in Absorption Rate was likely due to decreased listings rather than increases in sales. From $4... 05/07/2010

Gated Lawrenceville Home for Sale -1632 Telfair Chase Way -Gorgeous 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath home on a quiet wooded lot in a private gated community. Bright, open floor plan featuring 2-story foyer & family room with marble fireplace. New all-glass Four Seasons Victorian sunroom. Hardwood floors in foyer, kitchen, breakfast area & powder room. Fresh interior & exterior paint and new carpeting throughout. Master bedroom with his & hers walk-in closets, tray ceiling & fan. Master bathroom features a Jacuzzi tub, frameless shower & 2 separate sinks. Built-in shelving/bookcases & recessed lighting throughout home. Additional storage area in garage. Community amenities include pool & tennis. Conveniently located near I-85 and GA-316. Excellent schools (Jackson Elementary, Hull Middle, Peachtree ... 05/03/2010

Volunteer! Join the City of Lawrenceville and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) in the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Great American Clean-Up ChallengeDate: Saturday, April 24, 2010 Time: 9:00am - untilProject: Beautification of the College Corridor Depot and Louise Cooper Park (located one block north of the Depot)Location: The Lawrenceville Depot is located on the corner of N. Clayton Street and Depot Road. The Depot does not have a street number address and is located directly across the street from 550 N. Clayton St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (for those who will use Mapquest, Garman or TomTom for GPS directions)From Atlanta:I-85 North , Take GA 316 Exit towards Lawrenceville/Athens. Take a right turn onto Buford Drive (GA 20), Turn right on North Clayton St. The Depot is located on your rig... 04/23/2010

Some days you run across and sign or an ad that just says it all so clearly. Clearly "HE" understands marketing After the dust settles I may ask this Guy to come work for me in the meantime you can bet tomorrow I will be out garage sale shopping   Eric Reid Managing Broker Renaissance Realty Group   office 770-277-6652 Efax 404-795-1009end_of_the_skype_high770   Accredited REO AgentTMA-REOTM RDCProTM     04/16/2010

Market stats for Lawrenceville, January, 2010, indicate that there are 1495 properties on the market. Overall, there is about an 10.5 month supply of properties, with a slight deceleration in sales. In the sub-$200k arena, there are 1070 listings, with about a 9 month supply of homes. Sales accelerated through November, but then fell off as the first tax credit was slated to end... and the Holiday slowdown hit.  Sales have picked up for both January and February. Between $200k and $400k, there are 375 listings for sale, and about 18 months of supply.  Sales have slowed dramatically since December, right up through February. From $400k to $600k, there are 28 homes on the market. The absorption rate is around 42 months.  However, with the level of sales in this segment, a couple of sales ... 04/11/2010