About Atlanta's Midtown

When you read the title of THIS post, "Atlanta Clean Car Campaign. Stow It - Don't Show It, you think what on earth is this about? Washing my car? No, not quite.

Several months ago, the Atlanta Police Department launched a program called Atlanta Clean Car Campaign in response to car break-ins that were happening in Atlanta, particularly in Zone 5, which is where Midtown and Downtown are located. People that live in the area, as well as those that don't were the direct cause of increased car break-ins because they were leaving items in their cars in plain sight. Here is a link to a letter to the community from Major Khirus E. Williams, Zone 5 commander.

Well, the holiday shopping time has not even started, and unfortunately, there has been a huge uptick in this crime, which can easily be prevented. Here's a simple list of what NOT to leave in your car:

• GPS Devices, their windshield mount or any cords associated with them
• MP3 Players
• Laptop computers and/or their bags
• Loose Change (YES, they will pop a window for a visible two quarters!)
• Bags or Boxes
• Your Purse or Briefcase
• Cell Phones and/or their chargers
• Cameras

You'd think this would be common sense, but I guess not! I saw one day a few months back, an SUV that had it's window popped across the street from my office. They owner came in to use the phone to call the police. I asked them what happened, and they said they had left their laptop on the front seat. Good Grief!

Now, I know that the suburbs are less prone to this kind of activity, but hey, this stuff just does not belong INSIDE your car! Hence, the tag line that came from the Midtown Neighbors' Association and the Midtown Ponce Security Alliance, "Stow It - Don't Show it."

So on your next trip to the Fox Theatre, or the Georgia Aquarium or doing your holiday shopping at Ikea or Atlantic Station, remember, if you can see it, so can someone else.

Wine Tasting - Cooking Class to Benefit Atlanta Community Food Bank - The holidays are upon us and more focus is given to those in need. On Monday December 7, 2009 there is a Simple Abundance class, Wine Makes the Holidays at the Cook's Warehouse in Midtown / Ansley in Atlanta, GA.

The cost is $55 per person and 100% of the tuition benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank's program Open Table. The demonstration and tasting is from 7 to 9 p.m.

At this class you'll learn how to prepare some delicious appetizers paired perfectly with wine.

• Herbed Cheesecake
• Smoked Trout Mousse
• Roasted Beef Tenderloin
• Tomato Goat Cheese Fondue
• Double Chocolate Pate

Learn to prepare each of these delicious dishes and the perfect wines to serve. The evening includes wine tastings sponsored by Sherlock's Wine Merchant and a chance to win tasty door prizes provided by Atlanta Beverage, Bella Cucina Artful Foods, Cabot Cheese and Via Elisa Authentic Fresh Pasta.

The Simple Abundance Class - Wine Makes the Holidays will be held at The Cook's Warehouse - Midtown/Ansley: 1544 Piedmont Road, Ste. 403-R, Atlanta GA 30324. Buy Tickets for Wine Makes the Holidays.

Donations of time, money or food can be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Lots of help is needed not just around the holidays but all year. Summer time is when there is a great need for donations too.

If you or someone you know is in need of food here is the list of food pantries throughout Georgia provided by United Way of Metro Atlanta.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Atlanta, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024. If you are a real estate agent, I'm also looking for people to join my team.

View more of the Georgia Real Estate Voice. Search Atlanta GA homes for Sale

This morning finds me very puzzled. Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I probably don't stay on top of current events like I should. Be they world, national or even local. The news can paint a picture, and you either believe it, or you take the time to research the topic and all sides of the topic, and learn more about the issue.

I'm probably not a researcher. But, after reading two real estate related articles back-to-back, I had to stop and ask a simple question, "Can We Have Our Cake AND Eat It Too?" Here's how that question came to my head.

I get a daily digest of real estate news, sent to me by RISMedia and sponsored by Lowe's. It's usually got some pretty good articles. In fact, I often will print, scan and send them to my clients and my sphere to keep THEM up on real estate news.

Well, today, two articles in the same digest seem to say that we can continue to have foreclosures, and WILL, because the banks do better financially by foreclosing on a homeowner instead of helping them with a loan modification. At the same time, our home prices are going to stablize because of First Time Home Buyers and the extension of the tax credit. To be fair to my readers, I want you to be able to read the same articles.

The Problems With Loan Modifications and Housing and Economy Headed for Sustainable Recovery; First-Time Homebuyers Lead the Way

I'll let you take a moment and read them, and then we'll continue on.....

Ok, you're back. So, in the first article we read how banks are less inclined to offer loan mods since if they foreclose on the property, they now have the property to sell again.

It further states the lack of really knowing where our loan "is" as far as who now owns it. (Many of us pay to a "servicer" of our loan, not directly to the lender) makes the modification process even more difficult.

And that it may not really be in the best interests of the bank to voluntarily modify a mortgage and you might want to look for a lawyer to assist you!

I just love that!

Then our second article gives us insights into the housing and economic recovery by Mr. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist. In the second paragraph, it states "...we are hopeful about the impact of the expanded tax credit because it will stablize home prices."

Ok. I'm not always the sharpest tool in the shed, but I do have a college education.

How can continued foreclosures help stablize home prices? Case in point. In my condo building where I live, foreclosures and short sales have brought the prices down some 24% from what people originally paid. So. many people are paying on homes that have lost 24% of their value, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel as to when the values will start back up, nor how long they will take to go back up.

So, if homeowners are having trouble with their mortgage, or the fact that they are paying on a home that has decreased value, but still the same mortgage, what is their option? It appears a loan modification will be about as easy as living on Mars. And if they go to foreclosure, how will that stablize the prices?

I'm just sayin', I don't know exactly how we can have our cake, and eat it too.

This past Friday, Ray and I had the opportunity to attend Cook's Warehouse Grand Opening at Ansley Mall. For those of you that are not aware of this move, Cook's Warehouse was formerly located in the Amsterdam Walk shopping area off of Monroe Drive.

This new location, gives the store a whole new look, and a great location, next to Blockbuster Video and just around the corner from.....a Publix Market! See, you can buy that standing rib roast, and then when you are on your way to the car and realize you don't have a roasting pan, there's Cook's Warehouse!

If you are into the latest and greatest in kitchen gadgets and cook ware, this is the place to go! They have got it all, and then some!

The Grand Opening was also a fund raising event for a special organization here in Atlanta, For The Kid In All Of Us. This organization hosts two events each year. Back Pack in The Park asks the attendees to bring backpacks filled with school supplies for under privdliged children. And The Toy Pary, held the first Sunday in December, is...well...bring toys! This event is attended by some 2500-3000 people and is one of THE social events of the holiday season!

Here's a map to show you the new location:

The Grand Opening event had some great food, provided by Sawicki's Meat, Seafood and More and Sun In My Belly. Both had delicious items to sample. While both restaurants are outside of my "normal" areas, they will be worth a special trip in the future!

Wine was provided, and the glasses were yours to keep, compliments of Cook's Warehouse! So, now I've got a set of two! LOL!

Here are a few more pictures of the event.

I posed with Susan Nicholson who writes a weekly menu planning column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution... but looks like she blinked...and I did not catch it till later! Sorry Susan!

In keeping with the new tradition I learned at REBAR Camp in Raleigh, I snapped a picture of food porn, or at least in this case, wine porn, with some of the For The Kid In All Of Us raffle items that were on display.

For more pictures of the event, visit my Facebook Page!

We had a great time at the Cook's Warehouse Grand Opening at Ansley Mall!

Be sure to visit the store soon! And now, when you are invited to that housewarming party of a new homeowner that The Thom And Ray Team, you will know JUST where to go for the perfect gift!

Midtown Atlanta Condo Market Report September 2009

Yes, it is November 15th, and I'm reporting on September! Actually, our numbers are not out till mid month, so I should be doing a quick follow up with October's numbers in the coming days. But, I wanted to get this report out, so you could see a true picture of the market.

In preparing the Midtown Atlanta Condo Market Report, it kinda put the market into a harsh perspective. But a quick reference to this report will make it easy for any Seller to understand the current Midtown Atlanta Real Estate Market and the challenges we face.

The Midtown Atlanta Condo Market Report September 2009 covers 16 major communities (buildings) in the Midtown Atlanta area. Of those 16 buildings, 8 buildings had NO SALES in September, 2009!

Cornerstone Village

2008 - Average Sales Price: $165,000 (1 Bed)

No 2 Bedrooms were sold in 2008

2009 - NO Sales of either 1 or 2 bedrooms

Average List Price: $141,535 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $230,975 (2 Bedroom)

805 Peachtree

2008 - No Sales of either 1 or 2 Bedrooms

2009- Average Sales Price: $184,500 (1 Bed)

No 2 Bedrooms were sold in 2009

Average List Price: $242,600 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $313,100 (2 Bedroom)

Spire Midtown

2008 Average Sales Price: $182,700 (1 Bedroom)

No 2 Bedrooms were sold in 2008

2009- Average Sales Price: $158,650 (1 Bedroom) -15%

2009- Average Sales Price: $221,333 (2 Bedroom)

Average List Price; $206,566 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $317,847 (2 Bedroom)

Metropolis Midtown

2008 Average Sales Price: $238,000 (1 Bedroom)

No 2 Bedrooms were sold in 2008

2009- Average Sales Price: $158,000 (1 Bedroom) -56%

2009- Average Sales Price: $233,000 (2 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $165,269 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $317,540 (2 Bedroom)

905 Juniper

2008 Average Sales Price: $234,029 (1 Bedroom)

No 2 Bedrooms were sold in 2008

There were no sales in September, 2009

Average List Price: $264,900 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $418,325 (2 Bedroom)

Tuscany

No 1 Bedrooms were sold in 2008

2008 Average Sales Price: $233,000 (2 Bedroom)

2009 Average Sales Price: $161,250 (1 Bedroom)

No 2 Bedrooms were sold in 2009

Average List Price: $159,310 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $209,900 (2 Bedroom)

Plaza Midtown

2008 Average Sales Price: $220,000 (1 Bedroom)

2008 Average Sales Price: $298,750 (2 Bedroom)

2009 No 1 Bedroom Sales

2009 Average Sales Price: $209,000 (2 bedroom) -30%

Average List Price; $180,161 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $260,590 (2 Bedroom)

MidCity Lofts

In 2008, there were no sales in MidCity Lofts.

In 2009, there were no sales in MidCity Lofts.

Average List Price: $ 217,475 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $ 344,750 (2 Bedroom)

Aqua Midtown

In 2008, Sales in Aqua Midtown were still going through the On-Site Sales Center. In May, 2009, the remaining units were sold at Auction.

The Average List Price for the Auction was $552,250

The Average Bid Price for the Auction was $279,500

There is currently a 2 Bedroom listed at $499,900 and a 3 Bedroom listed at $1,075,560.

Park Central

2008 Average Sales Price: $158,900 (1 Bedroom)

2008 Average Sales Price: $231,666 (2 Bedroom)

2009 Average Sales Price: $150,900 (1 Bedroom)

2009 Average Sales Price: $237,900 (2 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $137,725 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $233,157 (2 Bedroom)

The Best "performing" building in Midtown!

Mayfair Renaissance and Mayfair Tower

2008 Average Sales Price: $185,583 (1 Bedroom)

2008 Average Sales Price: $288,000 (2 Bedroom)

2009 Average Sales Price: $153,500 (1 Bedroom)

No 2 Bedrooms Sold in 2009

Average List Price: $158,110 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $357,363 (2 Bedroom)

The Dakota Condominiums

No 1 Bedrooms Sold in 2008

2008 Average Sales Price: $355,000 (2 Bedroom)

2009 Average Sales Price: $235,000 (1 Bedroom)

2009 No 2 Bedrooms Sold

Average List Price; $275,000 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $398,941 (2 Bedroom)

Peachtree Lofts

2008 No 1 Bedrooms Sold

2008 Average Sales Price: $175,000 (2 Bedroom)

2009 There were No Sales in the Building.

Average List Price: $158,700 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $229,892 (2 Bedroom)

(This building just passed a major assessment to refurbish the exterior, roof, a/c systems, and remodel the lobby.)

Peachtree Walk

2008 No 1 Bedrooms Sold

2008 Average Sales Price: $201,000 (2 Bedroom)

2009 There were No Sales in the Building.

Average List Price: $143,980 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $201,600 (2 Bedroom)

Ansley Above The Park

This Building had no Sales in 2008 OR 2009!

Average List Price: $375,042

Above The Four Seasons

This Building had no Sales in 2008 or 2009.

Average List Price: $336,300 (1 Bedroom)

Average List Price: $703,733 (2 Bedroom)

There are three other buildings that are not included in the Midtown Atlanta Condo Market Report September 2009. They are Viewpoint Midtown, Luxe and 1010Midtown. These three buildings are still being sold by On Site Sales Centers, and as such do not fully report their sales since they are not always listed in the listing service.

The Thom And Ray Team would be happy to help you find a new home in any of these buildings. If you are looking to sell your Midtown Atlanta Condo, give us a call to discuss our Marketing Plan!