After nearly a week of rain, severe urban flash floods left a Lawrenceville woman dead and nearly 300 people were stranded in their homes in Gwinnett alone. The damage was felt across metro Atlanta, where at least four more people were killed. While the severity of the weather waned for about five hours, during the middle of the day, emergency crews caught up on calls and reassessed equipment, recovering one of the two capsized boats."We certainly hope that we've seen the worst, but we want to be prepared in case we haven't," Swanson said at about 11 a.m. Monday. 09/22/2009

Unemployment benefits extended  Over the past year, Congress has twice voted to extend unemployment benefits, and it looks like its going to extend them again as the recession wears on and unemployment continues to rise.  Under a bill the House is set to take up today, more than a million people, living in states with jobless rates higher than 8.5%, could receive an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.  The extended benefits would apply to an estimated 314,000 people about to exhaust their benefits by month's end and to more than a million who will stop getting checks by the end of the year, according to the House Ways and Means Committee.   And it may not stop there...workers in other states could qualify if their state is expected to hit an 8.5% unemployment rate soon or meet... 09/22/2009

Unemployment driving foreclosures, but personal debt down Data from the Equifax credit bureau suggests that high unemployment is pushing up the rate of mortgage delinquencies, which could in turn drive personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures.  A record 7.58 percent of homeowners with mortgages were at least 30 days late on payments in August, up from 7.32% in July.  August saw the fourth consecutive monthly increase in delinquencies, and the report showed an accelerating pace.  By comparison, 4.89% of mortgages were 30 days past due in August 2008, and in August 2007 the rate was 3.44%.  The rate of subprime mortgage delinquencies is now above 41%, up from about 39% in each of the prior five months.  August bankruptcy filings were up 32 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 3... 09/22/2009

Lawrenceville GA Homes for Sale, Lawrenceville GA Active Listings - Lawrenceville GA Real Estate Market Report September 16 2009*.  As of today Wednesday, September 16 2009 there are currently 1645 Lawrenceville Homes for Sale in Gwinnett County GA.  Please keep in mind many of the Lawrenceville pending home sales are also lease purchase, and some are new construction and have to be delivered - the sale could in a few weeks or years if it is a lease purchase sale. Homes in Lawrenceville that are in the status of Contingency other or CO - denotes inspections, or financing.  A new Contingency class has just been added to our contract and that is Contingency - Due Diligence.  This reflects new changes recently incorporated in our GAR contract that is an option to purchase after a due dilig... 09/16/2009

I think sometimes we all walk around saying oh I am so Blessed, God is Blessing me I am So Richly Blessed. When you "Count your Blessing" you are setting limits and blocking God from doing more. So often out of fear of "success failure" we try and block God from really blessing us. We walk around thinking finding our car keys is a blessing or not getting a speeding ticket is God Big Blessing for the day.  I thin we do this because we know that with True Blessing, Extreme Abundant earth Moving Jaw Dropping Blessings comes accountability. God wants to give abundantly, He wants us blown away, He wants the 3D surround sound tecno cloro full screen blessing  and wants to see you rise above anything you ever dreamed I think God looks high and low for Men and Women that are ready to be transfo... 09/13/2009

 Mortgage Rate What is going on at a glance . Mortgage rates down  Both Freddie Macs weekly survey and a separate survey of major US banks and thrifts, conducted by Bankrate.com found that mortgage rates dipped slightly this week.  Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) was 5.07% with an average 0.7 points for the week ending Sept. 10, down one basis point (bp) from the previous weeks average of 5.08%.  Last year, Freddie Mac reported the average rate was 5.93%.   Freddie Mac also found that the average rate for a 15-year FRM was 4.50% with an average 0.7 point, down four bp from a week ago when it was 6.15%..Bankrate.com reported the average interest rate for a 30-year FRM also dropped 1bp, to 5.4% with an average 0.34 point.  One year ago, B... 09/11/2009

I have to side with the Mortgage Brokers Association on this one. Not sure I want Courts Deciding who and how legal binding contracts can be modified to the befit or one individualsdesire to terminate the agree terms. We there come a day when lenders can go to court and ask the loan amount be raised to reflect the current market trend. I understand the hardship but a contract is a serious thing and accountability is the bases of a strong contract. Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), fights  against court ordered mortgage modification  At a House Financial Services subcommittee hearing Wednesday, Barney Frank, D-Mass., supported cramdown legislation, which would allow bankruptcy judges to alter mortgages on primary residences, potentially lowering  or cramming down  a portion of the bala... 09/11/2009

Hi Everyone, I just received a call that I was nominated as Best Realtor in Gwinnett County.(Very exiceited) But to Win I need your Vote , So please vote at: http://www.gwinnettmagazine.com/vote/   It is  very easy just log-in in at  http://www.gwinnettmagazine.com/vote/   - Go to Business, then Best Realtor and you can click on my name, Eric Reid .    I certainly appreciate your support please forward to everyone on you list .. Please Please Pass long ...   Thank You Eric Reid Managing Broker RENAISSANCE REALTY GROUP Office: (770) 277-6652   Fax (770) 513-4443 09/09/2009

Before making an offer, have your agent contact the the listing agent and ask the following: Are there any inspection reports? What work has the bank agreed to? Is there a special "as is" form? How long does it take the bank to accept an offer? How does your agent deliver the offer? Offers are usually FAXED to the bank. The listing agent needs your originals. There is no formal presentation. Keep in mind: nothing happens evenings and weekends (banks are closed) Since there is no face-to-face presentation to the bank, provide the listing agent with a pre-qualification or better yet, a pre-approval letter and buyer biography. Make your offer easy to accept. Hopefully these tips will manage your expectations. Remember that REO's sell at pretty close to full market value and are not the dea... 09/06/2009

I get asked all the time .. what was that Bank thinking saying No to my offer...well  each bank/lender works a little differently, but they all have similar goals. They want to get the best price possible and have no interest in "dumping" real estate cheaply. Generally, banks have an entire department set up to manage their REO inventory. Once you make an offer to purchase, banks generally present a "counter-offer." It may be at a higher price than you expect, but they have to demonstrate to investors, shareholders and auditors that they attempted to get the highest price possible. You should plan to counter the counter-offer. Your offer or counter-offer will probably have to be reviewed and approved by several individuals and companies. Even once an offer is accepted, the bank may inse... 09/06/2009

The closing The closing meeting, also known as a title closing or settlement, can be a tedious process--but when it's over, the house is yours! To make sure the closing goes smoothly, some or all of the following people should be present: the seller and/or the seller's attorney, your attorney, the closing agent (a real estate attorney or the representative of a title company or mortgage lender), and both your real estate agent and the seller's. At the closing, you'll be required to sign the following paperwork: •       Promissory note: This spells out the amount and repayment terms of your mortgage loan. •       Mortgage: This gives the lender a lien against the property. •       Truth-in-lending disclosure: This tells you exactly how much you will pay over the life of your mortgage, in... 09/06/2009

Georgia Agents Are Breaking The law On Active Rain and Face book... New @ 11Agent if you are posting a "Hot" property or a "Just Listed" home for sale on Facebook or Active Rain or other Social Media sites you maybe breaking the law.  The official Code of Georgia states regarding the adverting of sale of a "specific property" must 1) be done under the supervision of your Broker 2) the name of the firm must be included equal size -prominence and frequency as the licensees 3) the telephone number of the firm must be included. So do all you're listing me the 3 minimum requirements? If not you maybe Going Directly to Real Estate Jail - I have never seen Real Estate Jail but I have been warned it is not a pretty place to be. Georgia Real Estate Commission's Notes  ADVERTISING All advertising... 08/31/2009

If your buying a home and need your $8000 tax credit now - there are ways to make it happen -- For home buyers who wish to collect or use their anticipated tax credit before filing their 2009 taxes there are some alternate options available. Buyers can adjust their tax withholding amount on their W-4 through their employer so fewer taxes are taken out of their paycheck. This will allow them more money in pocket for the remainder of the year. Buyers purchasing through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or a Federal Housing Authority (FHA) approved loan can get a short-term loan for their anticipated tax credit to use for closing costs or as a portion of the down payment. If your buying or selling a Home in Lawrenceville Georgia - call me - we get it done. 08/31/2009

What homes qualify?Buyers who haven't owned a principal residence home in three years can qualify for the tax credit. Any home purchase qualifies, including single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, manufactured homes and houseboats. Qualifying homes may be an existing home, new home or a home the owner contracted to build. Those who own a vacation home or rental homes that are not their principal residence are also eligible for the tax credit if they buy a principal residence. Are there income restrictions?Income limitations of $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers who file a joint return apply to this tax credit. However, taxpayers who earn slightly more than the limits can apply for a reduced tax credit. Is it difficult to claim the tax credit?Claiming... 08/31/2009

If you live in the Lawrenceville area, you have to check out this place called Lavender. They are a gourmet Chinese and Thai restaurant.  Their food is unlike most other Chinese food.  They serve many unique dishes, including Sweet and Sour Shrimp. You may be thinking, what is so unique about that? It is all in the sauce baby!  Not only is it sweet, they include fresh strawberries, pineapple and peaches in the sauce that the shrimp is saute`d in. It is the best I have ever had, and we are Chinese food junkies. Like soup? Their hot and sour is among the best, not too hot and not to sour. Better yet is their coconut soup, made with coconut milk, chicken and veggies. Check out this link to see what Yahoo travel users say. I am not the only one who thinks so!  Happy Dining! 08/28/2009

You all should know by now  how I Love my Google image or my Google Art and hopw it thrills me like a kid when I move my cursor over the image and discover the "Big Why" of today's Google Art.. I love learning something new and odd and The Google Art Image does that in like 30 sec. So Today's image And the Big AHHHH For Today It is 400 years since Galileo Galilei demonstrated his telescope, which would lead him to make new astronomical observations Exactly 400 years ago today, on 25 August 1609, the Italian astronomer and philosopher Galilei Galileo showed Venetian merchants his new creation, a telescope 08/25/2009

There is Still Time For the $8000 tax Credit 08/24/2009

Google Says I am Number #1 --  REALTOR REO Lawrenceville, GA and REALTOR  Lawrenceville, GA Local business results for REALTOR REO near Lawrenceville, GA Google understands that if you a Buyer or a Seller looking for a Great Realtor in Lawrenceville Ga you should be calling Renaissance Realty A. Renaissance Realty Group  - www.georgiaonlinehomes.com - (770) 277-6652 - More                       08/23/2009

Choosing the right home Before you begin looking at houses, decide in advance the features that you want your home to have. Knowing what you want ahead of time will make the search for your dream home much easier. Here are some things to consider: •       Price of home and potential for appreciation •       Location or neighborhood •       Quality of construction, age, and condition of the property •       Style of home and lot size •       Number of bedrooms and bathrooms •       Quality of local schools •       Crime level of the area •       Property taxes •       Proximity to shopping, schools, and work 08/21/2009

Should you use a real estate agent or broker? A knowledgeable real estate agent or buyer's broker can guide you through the process of buying a home and make the process much easier. This assistance can be especially helpful to a first-time home buyer. In particular, an agent or broker can: •       Help you determine your housing needs •       Show you properties and neighborhoods in your price range •       Suggest sources and techniques for financing •       Prepare and present an offer to purchase •       Act as an intermediary in negotiations •       Recommend professionals whose services you may need (e.g., lawyers, mortgage brokers, title professionals, inspectors) •       Provide insight into neighborhoods and market activity •       Disclose positive and negative aspects of prop... 08/21/2009