"REAL" Real Estate

Why Not Bail Me Out?

2008-11-22T13:01:00Z

Dear U.S. Government:

I am writing to seek your help. You see, I'm a hard-working American citizen that's never asked for much from the government ... I stayed in school, pursued a college education, haven't been involved in any criminal activity, got married & started a family ... and, I work hard every day at a business that I started. I'm not perfect, but I've made some good choices in my life, and I choose to take responsibility for my actions when things go wrong.

But, as I watch and listen to the news lately, I've noticed that you guys are bailing out everyone else ... greedy financial institutions, homeowners that made poor decisions, automobile companies with horrible business plans ... so, I thought I'd stick my hand out too. It just seems logical that if there's extra money to bail out the people that are screwing up, surely you can reward those of us that have chosen to do things the right way?

Signed: "Frustrated Hard-Working Self-Reliant American Citizen"

Is This The Best We've Got To Choose From?

2008-10-08T03:39:00Z

I'm hesitant to express my political views in a business forum like this, because I honestly believe the US is split 50/50 along party lines ... and quite frankly, in this booming real estate market, I can't afford to piss off half my client-base by expressing an opposing political view.

However, I am 100% comfortable expressing the following opinion after watching tonight's presidential debate ... the 2 candidates we're forced to choose between can not possibly be the best available options in a country of over 300 million people.

Fast Foreclosure Facts ...

2008-10-05T02:34:00Z

Just a few statistics that I picked up recently that may be of interest ...

Georgia ranks 8th of 50 states in the # of foreclosures
foreclosures are up 112% in the past year, when comparing the 2nd quarter of '08 to the 2nd quarter of '07
over 1% of all homes in the U.S. are in some stage of foreclosure
every 3 months, over 250,000 families enter into foreclosure

According to a recent Freddie Mac / Roper poll, 6 out of 10 homeowners that are delinquent on their mortgage were not aware of services that mortgage lenders offer individuals having trouble with their mortgage.

If you're having problems with your payments, please feel free to call me anytime. At no charge and with no obligation, I'll gladly offer suggestions, and I'll help negotiate on your behalf for a workout plan with your lender.

Landscaping Adds Value

2008-10-01T01:22:00Z

In this ultra-competitive market, home sellers are constantly looking for that little something to give them an edge over their competition. The curb appeal of your home ... it's "drive-by" appearance ... should be the first place you start.

Recent studies suggest that a manicured lawn could increase your home's market value by 5-10%. Here's a few tips that I discovered in "Money" magazine, that should help you maximize your yards potential:

mow it high ... 2.5 to 3 inches high
don't use a bagger ... the "mulch" helps your lawn grow
fertilize and water in the Fall ... the deeper roots will help it in withstand heat next year

I've got several great lawn maintenance and landscaping contacts, so if your lawn needs some extra attention, shoot me an email anytime, and I'll gladly refer someone trustworthy to you.