Atlanta: Growth Still Steady

I was reading THIS ARTICLE on Frobes about the number of growing southern cities. One of the reasons that Forbes identifies Atlanta's strong and steady growth is because of our tech industries. It also cites close proximity to universities (Kennesaw State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, etc,.) and an increase in population. We have seen a steady increase in population and suburban growth for over a hundred years now. Our unemployment rate is low and our cost of living is good.

Housing, as with the rest of the nation, is a market on the decline now. Many experts feel that the market will take an upturn in the spring. The interest rates are at an all-time low now so if you are interested in positioning yourself for a sale of your current home or the purchase of a new one, let me tell you some things that you can do to make that successful. Give me a call at 770-862-8002 and we can discuss your needs.

-Michael Bradford

Southern Prime Realty

A Dream Home

HGTV is giving away a dream home located in the Florida Keys. To enter to win this home, you can CLICK HERE. If you'd rather live here in Atlanta, I can help you find a dream home that suits your needs. Give me a call today at 770-862-8002 and let's start looking!

-Michael Bradford
Southern prime Realty

Painting Trim Tips

Lowering Energy Costs

When it gets cold out and you are cranking up the thermostat, stoking the fireplace, increasing your gas usage and still feeling chilly, it's time to evaluate what you might be able to do to help your home retain heat and your wallet retain money.

.

Energy Star, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's brainchild, is equipped to help every American consumer of energy to learn how they can use less. THIS SITE is an awesome little interactive place where you (and your whole family) can see what you can do to improve your quality of life and use less of our natural resources.

.

Besides the money and energy you will save, another benefit is that if and when you decide to sell your home, you can show the potential buyers how inexpensive their monthly bills will be. If you would like more information on how to conserve energy, insulating your house or preparing it for the market, please call me today at 770-862-8002.

.

Michael Bradford

Southern Prime Realty

Considering a Transfer? Employers Will Help...

Many employers are recognizing the need to give their employess extra help when it comes to job transfers. Because the housing slump is fairly widespread throughout the nation, employers are stepping up their game to meet the needs of employees reluctant to accept job transfers because they fear they will lose money on the sale of their homes.

In THIS USA Today article by Stephanie Armour, Sally Stetson, co-founder of Salveson Stetson Group, a Philadelphia executive search firm, says "What's going on in the housing market is causing an increasing reluctance for candidates to consider relocating. Employers are much more willing to extend corporate housing on a month-to-month basis."

What employers are willing to do:

•Employers are extending temporary housing allowances from two to three months to up to eight months, an indicator of how hard it is today for relocating employees to sell their homes.
•Larger companies in some cases will buy the new employee's home as a buyer of last resort. Home Depot (HD), for example, will buy a relocating employee's residence once it's been on the market for 90 days.
•Some companies will let a new hire or employee who can't relocate work remotely, or let them commute long distances, going to the main office less frequently.

If you are considering a job transfer, let's talk about how you might be able to negotiate with your employer to get some help with the sale of your home. Call me today at 770-862-8002.

Michael Bradford
Southern Prime Realty

Want to Buy A House? Get Your Finances in Order..

I came across a very interesting and comprehensive financial help site called Wesabe. This site offers free membership, allows you to keep all of your financial info in one place, allows you to enter expenditures and then analyzes what you spend to give you tips on how to save. Here is an introductory video:

Color Corrections

HGTV has a fantastic website that is absolutely FULL of ideas for your home. One of the areas where many poeple who are selling their homes need help in is COLOR. Click HERE to go to HGTV's Color Correction page. You can view a 5 minute video about sophisticated master colors, learn the top 10 mistakes people make regarding color and see how you can use hues to improve your home.

Zip Skinny

I ran across this interesting website that allows you to enter a zipcode and will then bring up the latest statistics on that area. People call me wanting to relocate to Georgia and often ask questions about income, demographics and similar factoids. Here is the "skinny" on my personal zipcode: 30189

To enter your own zipcodes and get the "skinny" on the area, visit Zipskinny by clicking HERE.

Organize your Closet

A Little Tax Joke

A Dutchman was explaining the red, white and blue Netherlands flag to an American. "Our flag is symbolic of our taxes. We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bills, and blue after we pay them." The American nodded. "It's the same in the USA only we see stars too!"

Rent's Going Up, Interest Rate's Going Down.

Who would want unemployment numbers to go up? If you want a new mortgage, you do! When Wall Street gets bad news like it did on Friday, the market goes down. When the market goes down, interest rates for mortgages usually go down with them. That is exactly what happened on Friday.

Long term interest rates have gone down this week (Click Here). Hopefully this is the beginning of a downward trend but I wouldn't bet the house on it. Anyone looking to purchase a house soon will be glad to know that rates are trending downward and they make buying a house or re-financing your current loan very affordable.

Couple that with the fact that rents are sure to go up, (Click Here for more info) anyone who invest in real estate could position them selves nicely with a low mortgage and higher rents. I have several properties in mind that will create a good cash flow and excellent appreciation in Cobb and Cherokee County.

If you every wanted to invest in real estate, now is a great time to start. Call me today and let's get started.

Michael Bradford

770-862-8002

Resolution: Exercise More

• I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
• I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
• I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
• The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
• If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
• Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.
• My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where on earth she is.
• The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
• I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.
• And last but not least: I don't exercise because it makes the ice jump right out of my glass.
  

Georgia Growth Promises Steady Market

I recently read THIS ARTICLE by Mary Lou Pickel in the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. It reported the latest census figures that show Georgia ranks as the 5th fastest growing state in the nation. This growth is what is keeping Georgia steady in the real estate market and what will help metro Atlanta's recovery from a slowed market.

"We are the fastest-growing state east of the Rocky Mountains. That confirms a trend that has been in place many years. It's deja vu," said Jeffrey Humphreys, a demographer with the University of Georgia's Selig Center. "It ratifies the fundamental strength that Georgia has as an economic engine," he said. "People come here for jobs and to get educated and to retire."

It's a new year and time to make plans for your dream house. Whether you want to buy or sell a house, I can help make that happen. Call me today and let's talk about how you can put yourself in the best position for the rebounding market. 770-862-8002.

Michael Bradford
Southern Prime Realty