Sally English Atlanta Real Estate

Atlanta Real Estate Market Red Hot This Week.

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:37:41 -0700

Contracts to buy and sell real estate have been flying through my email account this week. Buyers have lighted up my inbox with sales contracts. Some sales contracts are offers on houses for buyers I represent. I have also received sales contracts from buyers making offers on English Team listings.

The past 7 days have been a frenzy of activity. Unfortunately, this activity has not been evenly spread as some listings are getting a bunch of showings and others are getting none. It is not hard to predict that most offers on English Team listings came in on properties where the activity was high.

While out showing houses this week I had several occasions where more than another agent was simultaneously showing a house while I was walking my clients through. It has been a while since this happened to me and it took me by surprise.

Another by-product of the market activity has been a breakdown in the reliability of data on FMLS and especially on the secondary housing Internet sites like Zillow and Trulia. Buyers looking online at houses are seeing a snapshot of the housing market that is at least 24 and probably 72 hours old. In effect, the data is unreliable. Houses showing “for sale” on Zillow and Trulia have been under contract for days but the changes do not come through the online listing for several days (or weeks!).

Even my normally trustworthy and reliable Multiple Listing Service is not keeping up with the market. Brokers are not changing the status of properties when they go under contract. I am out showing properties that have already been “Sold” AKA “pending sale” and the property is still showing “Active” on the MLS. This is just wrong.

My remedy has been to go “old school” and call the listing agent to check availability of homes I am showing. AND I am not wasting a lot of time showing homes where the INFO may be unreliable. If you are a seller listing with a discount brokerage, you should especially take note. Unless you are able to QUICKLY respond to requests for showing instructions, I am moving my buyers along to the next house on the list. We do not have time to wait around for you to decide to call us back, text or email. Sorry you were in an important meeting and could not respond. But hey, you are saving money on the commission so missing a sale is not big deal.

And a special shout out to those Brokers listing Bank Foreclosures, you stink!!!! I mean it. You make no effort whatsoever to update your information on the MLS. And you are slow to respond to calls and emails. More on that in a later post.

SELLERS, if you are not getting showings right now in the Atlanta market, something needs to be tweaked. Call your listing agent and talk.

BUYERS, have your loan prequalification letter in hand and be ready to move ASAP when you spot a house that works for you. There will not be a lot of time to mull the decision over.

If you have an Atlanta Georgia home to sell, call me at 770-939-3174 and I will guide you through the process. Want to buy an Atlanta Georgia home, call me at 770-939-3174 and let’s talk.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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All content copyright © 2009-2012 by Sarah Bryant English DBA Sally English and The English Team, Atlanta Georgia. This sale offering is made subject to errors, ommissions, change of price, prior sale and withdrawal without notice. Potential purchasers should make a physical inspection to verify all features independently. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. Sally English is not an attorney or CPA and ALL legal or tax advice should be rendered by a professional. Sally English is an Atlanta real estate agent specializing in homes and neighborhoods convenient to Emory University and The CDC. Thanks for visiting my BLOG!

PDK Airport: Peachtree DeKalb Air Show and First Annual Good Neighbor Day

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:53:31 -0700

THE PLANE FOLKS WELCOME YOU!

DeKalb Peachtree Airport’s Annual Good Neighbor Day Airshow and Open House

This year’s airshow sponsor, the Jim Ellis Automotive Group Atlanta, has gone over-the-top to provide you with what will truly be theBest Civilian Airshow in the country. Committals to this year’s airshow includes:Team AeroShell, world renowned Gary Wardin the MX2, U.S. Aerobatic Champion Skip Stewart in his super-charged biplane, superb formation flying by Team RV, Circus Maximus flying team, Neal Darnell in the Flash Fire Jet Truck, single-plane acts including Greg Koontz in the Super Decathlon, Greg Connell flying the Super Pits Special. This is an airshow you don’t want to miss. It will be our best airshow ever!

Our static display line will be second to none. Attractions include a generous supply of restored antique planes, World War II warriors including the Berlin airlift museum (C-54), Tinker Belle (C-45), C-47, C-1A, P-51, Commemorative Air Force airplanes including the SBD Dauntless, T-6 Mosquito, T-26 Cornell, L-16 Grasshopper, Japanese Zero, Nakajima Kate, and the SNJ. Additionally DeKalb’s own fire trucks, police vehicles, ambulances, and helicopters galore.

Visitors may view booths and exhibits in the EppsHangar, and buy food and soft drinks from Briarlake Baptist Church. Food will also be available in the on-site restaurant, The Downwind, located in the Administration Building or watch the show from the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant's Patio which will have a full menu and bar, and BBQ on the Big Green Egg (there is no reserved seating for the lounge or patio). There will also be plenty of play activities for children provided by Jump 'N Slide.

There is no admission fee to Good Neighbor Day; parking is $5.00 per vehicleregardless of the number of occupants. All Good Neighbor Day access is through Airport Road via Clairmont Road.

In the interest of safety and security, all containers such as backpacks, coolers, etc. are subject to search and may, if unattended, be removed from the premises. Also, anyone wanting to purchase a ride on an airplane or helicopter will be subject to the same security restrictions placed on airline passengers. We regret the inconvenience, but safety & security is important for a wonderful and fun Good Neighbor Day.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Open Sunday May 6th 2878 Blackwood Road Decatur GA 30033

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:17:46 -0700

Sally English and The English Team, Atlanta real estate agents, will be holdingan open house Sunday may 6th from 3:00 till 5:00 pm at 2878 Blackwood Road Decatur Georgia 30033. The nearest intersection is Briarlake Road near Briarlake Elementary School.

¨ 4 BRs, 2.5 Baths. Decatur, GA 30033.

¨ First time on market in 28 years. Lovely patina and feel.

¨ Bathrooms gutted to studs and rebuilt in 2012.

¨ New exterior doors installed by Champion.

¨ TROTTER WATER PROOFING in 2011. New interior paint.

¨ HARDWOOD FLOORS in most rooms- main and upper level

¨ TWO CAR GARAGE: Liftmaster door opener, remote controls.

¨ ENTRANCE FOYER features parquet wood floor, coat closet, new front door and hardware, cased opening to den and LR. Steps to UPPER level of split floor plan.

¨ FORMAL LIVING ROOM features neutral carpet over original hardwood floors. Triple window. Open to dining room.

¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM has a chandelier, hardwood floors under neutral carpet, window, chair rail and crown molding. Cased opening to LR. Door to kitchen.

¨ UPDATED KITCHEN features hardwood floors, white cabinets and butcher block laminate countertops. Double bowl stainless steel sink, separate built in desk, painted wood paneling. Door to garage. PREMIUM APPLIANCES: KitchenAid sealed surface cooktop, Whirlpool dishwasher, Whirlpool self cleaning oven. All in black glass. BREAKFAST BAR separates kitchen and family room.

¨ LARGE FAMILY ROOM has a brick fireplace with raised hearth, floor to ceiling exposed brick and custom mantle. Hardwood floors. Painted wood paneling. Steps DOWN to lower level of split plan. Double French doors (with built in blinds) open to screen porch.

¨ OVERSIZE SCREEN PORCH has a waist high brick wall and screened panels above. Lovely views of fenced and private back yard. Screen door.

¨ LOWER LEVEL of split floor plan: BR, laundry-half bath and rec room.

¨ LAUNDRY ROOM (and access to POWDER BATH) off lower hall. Vinyl floor, washer-dryer connections, storage cabinets. Door to half bath.

¨ BEDROOM # 4 would make a great home office, teen suite or special purpose room. Carpet.

¨ REC ROOM on lower level has wood paneling, carpet, lots of windows, glass doors to patio and built in bookshelves-desk. Another option for home office.

¨ UPPER LEVEL of split floor plan has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths.

¨ MASTER BEDROOM features hardwood floors, ceiling fan and light, double door closet. RENOVATEDMASTER BATH features all new plumbing, fixtures and ceramic tile. Walk-in shower, ceramic tile walls. Pedestal sink. New ceramic tile floor. Window.

¨ SPACIOUS BEDROOMS # 2 and 3 have hardwood floors, windows, ceiling fan-light, double door closets.

¨ RENOVATED HALL BATH features NEW plumbing, fixtures and ceramic tile. NEW white vanity cabinet with simulated marble top and sink, NEW ceramic tile floor, NEW tub-shower combination with NEW ceramic tile wall.

¨ LARGE FENCED BACK YARD with level grassed lawn, play house.

¨ GARAGE space to park two cars. Automatic door opener.

¨ Walk to Twin Lakes private neighborhood swim-tennis club.

¨ Easy Walk to Briarlake ES

¨ Henderson MS.

¨ Lakeside HS (National award winner)

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Sustainable Atlanta and Effective Energy Code Implementation in the City of Atlanta

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:14:18 -0700

Effective Energy Code Implementation in the City of Atlanta

Greetings!

As a sub-grant recipient of the City of Atlanta's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding, Sustainable Atlanta worked with The Southface Energy Institute to develop policy recommendations and programming to drive progress towards the efficient implementation of and compliance with theGeorgia State Supplement and Amendments to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE IESNA Standard 90.1-2007. Both of which went into effect in January 2011.

In an effort to accomplish this goal, Sustainable Atlanta convened a steering committee consisting of experts from the commercial and residential real estate industry to provide input for the effective implementation of the Georgia's new energy code.

This group, the Energy Code Compliance Steering committee, selected a team of technical experts to form a taskforce representing their various stakeholder groups. The Energy Code Compliance Taskforce shared their experience and expertise in developing recommendations to reduce the barriers to energy code compliance and enforcement. Sustainable Atlanta captured these recommendations in "Removing Barriers to Compliance: Energy Code Compliance Task Force recommendations."

Under this program in addition to providing training on Georgia's new energy code to City of Atlanta staff and other stakeholders, Southface authored a White Paper on the benefits of effective energy code enforcement. This White Paper titled, "Benefits from Effective Energy Code Implementation in the City of Atlanta", demonstrates that effective implementation of the Georgia energy code by the Office of Buildings in the City of Atlanta will strengthen Atlanta's economy, save water, improve public health, and enhance the comfort and long term energy performance of buildings.

Both of these documents can be found here at the Sustainable Atlanta website. The documents can also be found here Southface website along with additional information about Georgia's energy code.

Sustainable Atlanta and Southface would like to thank the members of the Energy Code Compliance Taskforce and Steering Committee for their hard work and dedication to this project.

This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number(s) EE0000801.

Sincerely,

Sustainable Atlanta

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Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Bradcliff Drive Atlanta GA 30345: Just listed 1960s Ranch Remodeled to Meet 2012 Expectations

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:08:42 -0700

Sally English and The English Team just listed the home at 2416 Bradcliff Drive Atlanta GA 30345. This homes is priced at $259,900 and is ready to move in now.

¨ 3 BRs, 2 Baths. Atlanta GA 30345. Totally renovated.

¨ 1960s BRICK RANCH updated to meet your 2012 expectations.

¨ Partial BASEMENT ready for your finish or special use

¨ NEW BATHS: gutted to sheetrock and re-built. All new ceramic tile, plumbing fixtures, vanities and finish.

¨ NEW: Roof, gutters and exterior paint (2011). New carpet (2012).

¨ NEW: water heater 2009

¨ NEW: HVAC (2010).

¨ FAMILY ROOM ADDITION.

¨ TWO CAR GARAGE: Overhead door with remote controlled opener. Storage closet. 2 windows. Room for storage.

¨ ENTRANCE FOYER FROM GARAGE features wood floor, 2large picture windows, sky light, cased opening to dining room.

¨ VERY LARGE FORMAL DINING ROOM has a crystal chandelier, hardwood floors, bay window, cased opening to living room. Shadowbox molding under chair rail.

¨ MASSIVE FORMAL LIVING ROOM features hardwood floors, 3 floor to ceiling windows, front door with radius window, open to dining room. Door to back hall.

¨ ORIGINAL FAMILY ROOM: pine paneled walls with light stain finish. Neutral Berber style carpet. Generously sized room with lots of flexibility. Openings to kitchen, new family room, back hall, back foyer.

¨ UPDATED KITCHEN features custom built cabinets with light stain finish and beadboard doors. White marble countertops and backsplash. Stainless steel sink with pull out gooseneck faucet. Garden window above for your indoor plants. Under counter lighting. Recessed lighting above. Ceramic tile floor. Work island with real butcher-block top for food prep. PREMIUM APPLIANCES: Corning solid surface 4 burner cooktop. Additional Thermador 2 burner cooktop. Whirlpool ventahood. Kenmore self cleaning oven. KitchenAid built in microwave oven.

¨ NEW: FAMILY ROOM ADDITION has a stone fireplace with raised hearth, gas logs, glass doors and custom mantle. Wet bar with glass cabinet above. Built in bookshelves. Sky light. French door to deck. Neutral Berber style carpet. Vaulted ceiling and exposed beams. Stain finish on moldings and trim.

¨ MASTER BEDROOM features hardwood floors, closet. French door to deck. RENOVATEDMASTER BATH gutted to sheetrock and re-built. All new plumbing, fixtures and ceramic tile. Walk-in shower, ceramic tile walls, hand held sprayer. New vanity cabinet and sink. New ceramic tile floor. Window.

¨ BEDROOMS # 2 and 3 have hardwood floors, windows, double door closets.

¨ RENOVATED HALL BATH features new plumbing, fixtures, ceramic tile. New vanity cabinet and sink, new ceramic tile floor, new tub-shower combination with ceramic tile wall.

¨ DAYLIGHT BASEMENT has double doors to BACK YARD with level grassed lawn. Nice privacy hedge along rear property line.

¨ DECK accessed from Family Room and Master Bedroom. Steps down.

¨ Neighborhood swim and tennis clubs located nearby.

¨ Convenient commute to Emory-CDC.

¨ Hawthorne ES

¨ Henderson MS.

¨ Lakeside HS (National award winner)

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Braithwood Drive: New Listing Coming Soon

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:58:04 -0700

Can't wait to get this house on Braithwood Drive on the market.

This new listing on Braithwood Drive is coming soon. Owners are wrapping up some repairs and sprucing up. Should hit the market ina week or so. Call me if you are interested.

Huge fenced back yard.

Henderson Mill Elementary School - Lakeside High School. Easy commute to Emory University and CDC.

Call Sally English at 770-939-3174 to schedule an appointment to see this new listing on Braithwood Drive.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Homes with Swimming Pools

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:55:59 -0700

Are you looking to "hit the pool" this weekend?

We have some awesome homes with swimming pools in the Northlake - Tucker neighborhoods.

Starting with:

2432 Cardinal Way Tucker GA 30084 $249,000

MORE HOMES THAT HAVE SWIMMING POOLS in the 30345 and 30084 Zip Codes.

Swimming pools are a "must" for some home buyers and a "must not" for others. If you are concerned about maintenance, we have great news. Help is right around the corner in Tucker:

Dillard Swimming Pools, Inc.

4505 Hugh Howell Rd. Tucker, GA 30084

Tel: (770) 934 7611 Fax: (770) 938 8077

Email: dillardpools@bellsouth.net

Website: aqualanta.com

This is a great source for everything from advice to a full service maintenance contract. It will take all the hassle out of being a pool owner.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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2567 Cosmos Drive UNDER CONTRACT - Are you ready to list your 30345 home?

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:27:20 -0700

Sally English and The English Team listed, marketed and have under contract the home at 2567 Cosmos Drive Atlanta Ga 30345 and we need more homes in 30345 to list and sell.

Are you thinking about putting your home on the market in Atlanta Georgia. Call us at 770-939-3174 and we can get you started with a FREE market analysis of your home.

1. We can pull comparables from recent sales and help you determine a reasonable sales price for your home

2. During a walk-around tour of your home we can suggest easy to complete tasks that will help you sell your home faster - even in a down market.

3. Do you have some delayed maintenance or repair items - we have a "black book" of contractors who are hungry for work and have reasonable prices.

Call Sally English at 770-939-3174 and we can find a convenient time to help you determine the marketability of YOUR home.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Roses Blooming Now in My Atlanta Garden

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:50:10 -0700

April 25th is early for these roses. But I am loving the excitement of roses in bloom.

So many roses and so little time!

If you are a beginner rose gardener, try these easy to grow favorites.

1. "Knock out" roses: lots of flowers in a variety of colors. Shrub type rose that blooms all summer. Requires almost no maintenance.

2. "New dawn" climbing rose. Pink flower in on of the photos above. Vigorous grower that covers walls and fences. You will get a carpet of roses in May (normal years). Must do some pruning after they bloom each year to keep in check.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Metro Atlanta Housing Prices Drop More than other Major Cities

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:03:58 -0700

Here is the lead story in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution today: Metro Atlanta housing prices plummet

"We kicked off the week talking about the economic challenges facing metro Atlanta and the region’s need to adapt to suit the modern real estate marketplace.

Yesterday, we got a rather harsh confirmation that change is indeed necessary. According to the latest S&P Case-Shiller numbers, housing prices in the 20 largest metro areas fell by 3.5 percent from February 2011 to February 2012.

In the 28-county metro Atlanta region, however, the year-to-year price decline was 17.3 percent, easily the largest drop in the nation. The decline was twice as large as that in Las Vegas, the second worst-performing metro region in the country"

No surprise here for anyone who has been trying to sell their house. Buyers are out there and homes are selling, but prices have dropped big time in the past year.

Latest report from Case-Schilling

“Phoenix and Atlanta stand out this month in terms of their contrasting relative strength and weakness in the early 2012 housing market. At one end of the spectrum, we have Atlanta posting a double-digit, and lowest on record, annual rate at -17.3%. Atlanta has now recorded five consecutive months of double-digit negative annual rates and seven consecutive monthly declines. On the other hand, Phoenix has posted two consecutive months of positive annual rates, with its latest being +3.3%, and five consecutive positive monthly returns.”

So if you want to sell your house, you have GOT TO PRICE IT right.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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2244 Dogwood Lane IS UNDER CONTRACT - Are you ready to list your home?

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:05:28 -0700

2244 Dogwood Lane Atlanta GA 30345 is UNDER CONTRACT

And we need more homes like this to sell......immediately!!!!!!!!!!

Are you thinking about listing your home in the EMory - CDC neighborhood area? We have buyers looking for your home and they are pre-qualified and READY TO BUY

The list price of this home was $674,900. But we have buyers waiting in all prices ranges.

We especially need listings in 30345 and 30033.

Call me at 770-939-3174.

Are you underwater on your mortgage? Not a problem. We can get you out of that old house and help you start over. Short sales are a specialty and we are qualified and experienced in working with banks.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

FREE Atlanta MLS Search

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Northlake Community Shred Day

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:57:01 -0700

Northlake Community Shred Day

April 28, 2012 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Time and Location 9:00 am till noon,April 28, 2012

Resurgens Bank (2300 Henderson Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30345).

The Northlake Community Alliance, Inc. (NCA), Resurgens Bank, and Eagle Secure Shredding will host their 4th Community Shred Day. Bring those old tax records, canceled checks, and any kind of sensitive paper document for completely secure shredding.

The cost for shredding is free but we will be requesting tax-exempt donations to support the work of the Northlake Community Alliance, Inc. There will be a limit of 5 copier paper sized boxes or equivalent bags. Arrangements can be made for large shred jobs by contacting Ian Taylor at Eagle Secure Shredding (770-619-5300).

For more information go to www.nlake.org or www.resurgensbank.com.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Visiting My Daughter Caroline in Washington DC

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:13:10 -0700

My husband Tim and I took a quick break this past weekend and visited oldest daughter Caroline in Washington DC. We were way past due for a visit as it had been two years since we had last traveled to see her. Fortunately Caroline comes home regularly so we had plenty of opportunities to see her in the past two years. But this was our first opportunity to visit her in the house she shares with four other girls in the Woodley Park section of Washington DC.

Katherine Bryant is one of the five room mates sharing the house. Katherine is my niece (daughter of Brad and Kay Bryant) and we double dipped by getting in a visit with her.

We had a great weekend sharing meals and activities with Caroline and her Washington DC room mates. We caught a glimpse of what their life must be like when we are away. We slept in Caroline's bedroom and Caroline had a pull out cot in Katherine's room for the weekend. It was nice to share coffee in the morning and listen in to the girls plans and activities for the day.

One of the neatest activities of the weekend was walking around the campus of the high school where Caroline teaches history. It was a lovely, sunny and warm afternoon and we saw all the spring sports in action: lacrosse, softball, baseball, tennis. We met lots of teachers and students. It was hard not to respond when one of the students came up and said "hello Ms English". But of course they were initially speaking to Caroline and not me.

We were on the go all weekend. Friday evening we cooked a big dinner for the house: mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, grilled veggies and a huge salad. Later Friday night we caught Caroline's room mate in a band performance in he hip Morgan Adams neighborhood of Washington DC. The room mate is a speech therapist during the day and lead singer of a rockin band on weekends. The performance was in a crowded bar and it was entertaining in a lot of ways. The band has groupies and it was entertaining to watch them rock out to the music. Caroline's roommate has an awesome voice. Hoping she makes it BIG some day.

Saturday we attended the Washington Nationals game as Tim had forever wanted to see the stadium and we all love baseball.

Saturday night we were dinner guests of the Siekes in Alexandria, VA (parents of Caroline's boyfriend).

After a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast we toured the gardens of the National Cathedral. The gardens were in full bloom, No pictures because it was raining buckets of water. Katherine said it reminded her of visits to England and I quite agreed.

After a late lunch at Surfside, a Mexican type restaurant nearby, we hustled back to the house to change for the DC United and New York Red Bulls soccer match. We sat in the pouring rain and freezing temperatures to watch DC United hammer the Red Bulls and were rewarded with free DC United Scarves.

Our post game warm up was hot chili at Ben's Chili Bowl in Downtown DC. This is one of President Obama's hangouts (look for a clue, I sat in his regular seat).

The weekend ended too quickly.

Monday we rolled out at dark thirty to beat the DC traffic and I spent the 10 hour drive back to Atlanta on my cell phone and Ipad working weekend offers, counteroffers and other brokerage business. Good thing Tim likes to drive.

After hitting the door in Atlanta early Monday afternoon I was out meeting clients and hustling contracts. It was almost as if the weekend never happened.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

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Clark Howard Finally Fires the Starting Pistol to Start the Race For Atlanta Home Buyers

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:18:10 -0700

Home buyers who have been sitting on the sideline waiting to buy a home finally heard the starting pistol fired by consumer advocate Clark Howard. Clark told potential Atlanta home buyers listening to WSB radio (am 750) to start the home buying process.

The Atlanta housing market is a tale of two cities right now.

Inside I-285: the housing market is close to leveling out with an equal number of buyers and sellers. Home prices have firmed up and sellers are receiving multiple offers on their homes if the listing was priced competitively.

Outside I-285: we continue to have more homes for sale than buyers to purchase them Foreclosures continue to be a factor in these suburban markets where production home builders had standing inventory when the mortgage tsunami hit. Also, many of the buyers outside I-285 bought at the height of the market and paid way too much for the house they bought. These home buyers were almost instantly underwater on their mortgage and owed far more on their home loan than the rapidly dropping market value of their home. Short sales were the only way out for these home owners.

START THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

If you are thinking about buying a home this year, you should immediately start the following process.

1. Get copies of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Look for errors on the credit report and get any errors fixed ASAP.

2. Contact a mortgage lender and get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. Most capable mortgage lenders can do this over the phone. I recommend Robbie Crozier at Fairfield Mortgage. 770-724-8053. Robbie's Website

3. Find how from the mortgage lender how much house you can afford to buy. If you are talking to Robbie he will give you advice about how much home you can comfortably afford. This will be lower than the maximum amount of house you can buy.

4. Contact an experienced and capable real estateb agent. Preferably not a casual aquantaince or someone recommended by your hairdresser . Needs to be a full time professional who knows how to negotiate. Do not use a contact that is someone's relative or your haridresser's client. Look in the neighborhood where you want to buy and find an agent that is active in that neighborhood. This agent will understand the pricing structure and know how to negotiate.....successfully.....for the home you ultimately find. Also, this agent will know about homes BEFORE they come on the market. Meet with the agent at their office and see if your chemistry is a match.

5. Have your buyer's agent set up a listing alert that sends you new listing direct from the FMLS. You can receive a daily email with photos and information about new listings that come up in your target neighborhoods at your target price level.

6. When you have free time, ride around in the target neighborhoods and get a feel for houses, schools, neighborhoods, shopping, work commute etc

7. WHEN YOU ARE READY: call your agent and ask to start looking at houses. After the initial phone conversation, many of my clients like to handle this part of the communication with their agent by email.

8. Go visit houses and evaluate the plusses and minuses of each property you visit.

CALL ME DIRECT AT 770-939-3174 if you need assistance buying a metro Atlanta Georgia home. Good hunting!

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

FREE Atlanta MLS Search

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Visit our WEBSITE: http://englishteam.com/ | http://sallyenglishblog.com/

Realty Associates of Atlanta Throws a Wedding-Baby Shower

Sally English|Atlanta Georgia Real Estate (The English Team) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:24:27 -0700

Realty Associates of Atlanta threw a wedding and baby shower last week - but not for the same girl. Mellissa Herrington is getting married and Emily Teate Hogan is expecting a baby. Melissa is the receptionist (and marketing specialist) at Realty Associates of Atlanta. Emily is a Realtor with The Rental Group at Realty Associates of Atlanta.

Guests dined on cheese straws, fruit, chicken salad and yummy desserts.

Sally English and The English Team. Atlanta real estate agents.

Realty Associates of Atlanta LLC; 3350 Northlake Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30345 |770-939-3174

FREE Atlanta MLS Search

LIKE Sally on facebook

View more of SALLY'S BLOG: Sallys Atlanta Real Estate Updates

EMAIL SALLY

Visit our WEBSITE: http://englishteam.com/ | http://sallyenglishblog.com/