Peachtree City, GA

Wow Peachtree City, I woke up this morning from a terrible dream. Hmmm...in the movies Freddie Krueger normally got to you when you fell asleep. But he let me continue to dream, or was it! Well, when I woke up our economic world did not blow up during the night. But what I saw in my dream was another outbreak of serious financial trouble. The decades of irresponsible over-creation of excess money and credit by Alan Greenspan and his Federal Reserve along with the rest of the central banks of the world, were wreaking their inevitable damage.

Maybe I'm just paranoid and worried about my kids in college and creditors trying to drive me to suicide with their incessant demands for more money, more money, It's always more money! Is that not just enough to worry about?

Okay, perhaps I am in shock from this whole thing. But the way I see it while total Fed credit went down by a massive $19.3 billion dollars last week, how does that compared to the $142 billion increase of the previous week, which despite my deadened senses, still merits a deathly gasp!

You know I can remember my mom saying that growing old is inevitable it the growing up that the real challenge. So maybe I am finally growing up, But I seemed to be going into childishly hysterical.. you know when you used to cry and couldn't stop even though you wanted too..or because your folks told you there was more to come if you didn't... Anyway, that is the feeling I got from hearing that our government is prepared to lend more than $7.4 trillion on behalf of American taxpayers. My friends, that is half the value of everything produced in the U.S. last year! All to rescue the financial system since the credit markets seized up 15 months ago?

It was like Freddie was killing me slow. A thousand little cuts was leading to a massive blood letting. I could not think straight as my brain went into convulsions. The average increase in Federal Reserve credit was only $10 billion per month during the Greenspan years that created the bubble, and now the Fed is lending 1,900 times the weekly average for the three years before the crisis. OMG! We're freaking doomed!

So there I was laying on the floor waiting for an ambulance to get here. Clutching my heart, I was laughing and coughing up blood at the sheer irony of American taxpayers loaning $7.4 trillion dollars! Again, half of our GDP! Folks, the problem is that American taxpayers are already up to their ears in debt and can't make payments as it is; American corporations are up to their ears in debt, and all the federal, state and local governments are up to their ears in debt. I can hear them laughing, mocking us for our stupidity. "We are smarter than you anyway," I could hear them snickering in the distance...

Gasping for breath I shouted back, "I have some bad news for the government! The taxpayers are not prepared to loan anything to you! Can't you see our total debt-to-GDP is over 350% already, maybe 450%, which is the highest of anything we've seen in U.S. history including the heights of the Roaring Twenties boom that preceded the Great Depression!

Then there was silence. Perhaps it is because nobody cares about me, or perhaps because $7.4 trillion is already a big freaking number that defies reasonable comprehension. This unprecedented pledge of funds includes $2.8 trillion already tapped by financial institutions in the biggest response to an economic emergency since the New Deal of the 1930s.

But this, as horrifying as it is, is typical government crap, and if you want a good example of the kind of governments we have, I read in a article that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said his administration had to pay out $800 million to companies that over paid their business tax but wouldn't send $400 property-tax rebate checks due this month to owners of apartments and houses because the slowing economy threatens to worsen a widening budget gap. What the hell is going on!!!!

I wipe the tears of either sadness or laughter from my eyes. With what seemed to be my last breath I asked Freddie why he let me live to see this.. He fiendishly smiled and stated that Seeing the way the government is stealing the buying power of the currency, confiscating our tax money, taking away our homes and jobs..and our dignity is just outright theft. Although Freddie thrived on the innocent, even this was too much violence and death for him. But to get paid a visit by Freddie all you had to do is fall asleep. America we have fallen asleep at the wheel.

I woke up..Whew! What a dream...or was it! The truth of the matter is that the American dream could turn into the American Nightmare on Main Street...your street, my street! It affecting all of us! Unfortunately it seemed like we stopped giving a damn about each other some time ago. Maybe now we will realize that its time to go back to the things that really made our country great!

Don't remember....you'd better ask somebody!

You want the truth...You can't handle the truth!!!" Hey Peachtree City, Remember that famous line from the movie A Few Good Men that pitted Hollywood giants Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise against each other searching for the truth about the death of a U.S soldier. Not to mention Demi Moore looks good in uniform. So what is the truth?

Well we've already seen things continuing to go south. This year will be the worst year for the stock market since 1937. Trillions of dollars has been lost causing a serious shift in how folks not only think but spend.

You'll remember, the Bush administration worked hard to make people fearful. They came up with those preposterous "threat levels," trying to convince the public that it was in constant and consistent danger. Of course the public actually feels in danger - in danger of losing its jobs and houses. Fake fear has given way to real fear. So, the Obama administration will be doing its darnest to doing away with that atmosphere of fear to trying to give people their confidence back again.

And so now many Americans would gladly give up our freedom in the hope that it will keep us from losing any more money. So now, when the feds come a knockin', we all open the door and invite them in.
Because we need them to give us money, bailout our banks and our auto industry...to provide financing for our homes, save our economy, and yes our jobs!

Just a few short months ago we were naive enough to think that people should look out for their own finances. We believed that free market should decide which businesses survive and which fail. We thought that buyers and sellers should set prices for assets...and that capitalists should finance their own banks and insurance companies with their own money. Isn't or wasn't that the American way?

However, we're so much smarter now! Remember, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. One thing is for sure George W. Bush's popularity is the worst of any sitting President and nobody likes Wall Street right now. The two are probably going to be punished in the months ahead with more restrictions and a thorough flushing out of the Bush administration and all its workings.

Meanwhile, I'm hearing folks shouting advice for the Obama team to cut taxes. And then there is the talk of continuing this Big Bang Bailout as if it were the next World War. Well maybe it is on a financial level! We're hearing about another stimulus package and even more advice that next year we should continue deficit spending by borrowing about $2 trillion dollars to rebuild the nation's infrastructure. Building and repairing our roads would immediately create jobs. Building up the infrastructure was a big part of China's huge 849 billion stimulus/bailout strategy.

So here is what I think may happen. The average Joe right now is desperate for cash. He's also desperate to rebuild his balance sheet by paying off debt and adding some savings. A tax cut will probably help him do that. It will also allow the savings rate to go back to where it was before Greenspan's bubble years - around 10%... or about $1. 3 trillion. That cash will go mostly into U.S. Treasury debt. Probably the only place where it is believed to be safe right now. So if you cut taxes, the money will come back to the U. S. government, allowing the bailouts and spending to continue.

Of course, at some level the whole thing is still a massive cluster. All you're really doing is replacing private spending with government spending. But that's what you want to do anyway. This is just a way of gaining more government control over the economy while appearing to save people from a depression.

Okay can these actions actually stop a depression you say? Well, Yes and No. The key thing is that Americans' wealth and our standards of living must come down and fall in line. The President's
objective should be to allow them to fall without revolution, or national despair. Under this plan, standards of living will fall - except for those few who are likely to get a sweetheart deal. But the numbers will look fairly decent. There will be jobs. There will be economic activity. Confidence will be restored. Well sort of. But it will appear a bit like the U.S. economy during WWII when living standards fell but savings increased. It will look good to most people. President Obama has a lot on his shoulders but he has an opportunity to go down in history as one of our greatest presidents. Only time and his plan will tell!

Gordon Brown the Prime Minister of Great Britain at the financial summit in Washington, D.C. stated it very appropriately. "Uniquely in this global age, it is now in our power to come together so that 2008 is remembered not just for the failure of a financial crash that engulfed the world but for the resilience and optimism with which we faced the storm, endured it and prevailed,"

Further, if we learn from our experience of turning unity of purpose into unity of action, we can together seize this moment of change in our world to create a truly global society. The message is this: We must be; internationalist not protectionist; interventionist not neutral; progressive not reactive; and forward looking not frozen by events. We can seize this moment and in doing so build a truly global society. "

Folks, we are all Americans and collectively we all can contribute to restoring this country to its previous splendor regardless or race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin. We have all been affected and trust me we all have plenty skin in the game....And that the whole truth!!!!

Fun at the Falcon!

Three local churches are getting together to give you a night of Fantastic Fun and Excitement! Holy Trinity in Peachtree City, St. Matthew in Tyrone and St. Mary Magdalene in Sharpsburg, are joining forces to put on a Casino Night gala at Falcon Field - Dixie Wing Hangar, in Peachtree City, Georgia, Saturday, November 1^st, 2008 from 6:30 to 11:00 pm

Dinner is being provided by Carrabba's Italian Cuisine, with Specialty Desserts from the Georgia Shrimp Company and Starbucks is supplying the coffee.

In addition to great food, you'll have the chance to play your favorite Vegas style games: Blackjack, Poker, Craps Tables and More!

There'll be Dancing to Live Music provided by The Peachtree Jazz Edition and chances for great prizes! There also will a Silent Auction. Your chance to get some fabulous gifts like Falcon tickets or a weeks stay at the beach!

All the proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the St Vincent de Paul outreach ministries at all 3 churches. Tickets are $50 and on sale at the door.

Come out for a night of some Vegas style excitement and have

Fun at the Falcon!

Listen up potential home-buyers!

Yes, take a break from all the gloom and doom on CNN. Remember you had just made the decision to buy a new home, right! Okay, now what? Well shopping for a new home can be scary. The next question that come to mind is: Whom can you trust? How do you pick an agent? Will they stick it to me? How will I know if I'm getting the biggest bang for my buck? How much house can I really afford?

All these are great questions and exactly what you should be considering. You know, I love this industry and I have had the opportunity to meet some really great agents who were very professional and serviced their clients needs. But, I have also met some that left a lot to be desired. As a result, some folks are deciding to for go using a real estate agent to buy their next home. Then there are some folks that it never even dawned on then to use or even look for an agent!

Now that brings me to this point. If you have made the decision to buy a home, it is a big deal. In fact, purchasing a home is the single biggest expense for most folks. It is a complicated process that requires financial and legal expertise. So let me ask you this, "If you got into some legal trouble and had to go to court, what do you think your chances would be of getting through that ordeal without representation or basically going it on your own." Exactly my point! You need the experience of a professional that works with these transactions on a daily basis who can help you manage this process. Not to mention the stress that is associated with home-buying.

Does that describe your situation? Then may I suggest using a buyer's agent. This agent can give you some protection and fully represent your best interest in a traditional real estate transaction.

Now first you should know that typically real estate agents traditionally represent the seller, not the buyer, and they get a percentage of the sale price. Therefore, it's in their best interest (and the seller's) to set as high a price as possible. The higher the sale price, the higher the agent's commission. Now a buyer's agent represents the buyer interest and of course negotiates for the best price on the house. Additionally, it should be noted that the buyer's agent gets paid by the seller at closing (a co-op fee) for bringing a buyer to the seller.

Now the Seller's agent will do everything within the limits of the law to assist you and get you to buy a house. No problem! In fact, that's their job as the seller's representative. A buyer's agent will help you get a more realistic picture of the home, the neighborhood, and the offer price you should prepare for submission.

Sounds good so far, right? But hold on! Before you put a buyer's agent in charge of your home-buying decisions, keep in mind what are the limits of this professional.

A buyer's agent can help you get a fair price, but he or she cannot promise you any bargain. Often, the buyer's agent has just as much a stake in the price of the home you buy. As I mentioned, the buyer's agent gets paid a percentage of the sale proceeds, just as the seller's agent does. That doesn't automatically create a conflict of interest, but it does mean that your agent really would want you to buy a house.

Additionally, a buyer's agent cannot absolve you of the responsibility of understanding your mortgage and buying an affordable house. Agents will often defer to lenders' decisions about the amount of money you can borrow and the monthly payment you can afford. In the worst case, an agent will take advantage of that information to sell you a home at your maximum price, with monthly payments that you can afford now but not later, when the mortgage rate adjusts.

It's up to you to make sure you're comfortable with your mortgage's current and future monthly payments. Just because you can buy a big expensive home just because the bank will lend you the money, doesn't mean you have to buy it. You're the expert on your personal finances. After all, you pay the bills, not your agent. A buyer's agent also cannot promise that if you take a less-than-optimal mortgage to get into a home, you'll be able to refinance later. That decision's up to the lenders.

Overall, having a buyer's agent can be very helpful. As long as you understand what a buyer's agent can and can't do for you, you'll feel more comfortable about the process and potentially get a better deal in the end.

So, if you are looking for a polished professional, please give me a call at 678-640-2275. Oh, and don't be afraid to ask for references

Are you familiar with the term "Buyer's Agent"?

If you are considering purchasing a home, it is important you work with a Buyer's Agent. What a Buyer's Agent does is represent YOU, the Buyer, in the transaction - from start to finish. If you speak directly with a Listing Agent - whether it be on a private resale, or even in a new Subdivision - keep in mind that person has been hired by the Seller and has the Seller's best interests in mind.

AND, very importantly, a Buyer's Agent's services are FREE TO YOU in most cases! If you are purchasing a home listed on the MLS - the Real Estate Multiple Listing Service which just about all Real Estate Agents are connected to - the Buyer's Agent's fees are paid for by the Sellers and their Agents! (This is also true in many cases when purchasing a home that is For Sale By Owner.)

As a Buyer's Agent, here's what I do:

I talk to you via phone and e:mail to find out a little about you and your family, what it is you're looking for in a home, what areas interest you, what you feel your price range is and when you'd like to make this purchase.

I will put you in touch with a Mortgage Broker so you can discuss what loan would be best suited for you and have you "Pre-Qualified" for your mortgage. Pre-Qualifying is a quick, easy and painless process to find out what amount of mortgage you qualify for, before you start the process of looking for a home. This is an important step, as most Home Sellers would like to see the Buyer's are serious and already working with a Mortgage Broker.

Then I will answer all your questions and give you information on your preferred areas - including state, town, neighborhood and school information.

We'll go over your "Wish List" of what you would most like to see in your new home.

I'll research all the homes that fit that criteria and schedule appointments to preview those homes and then we start the search.

Once a home is selected, I will answer questions, advise, fill out contracts with you and negotiate the best deal for you.

When you are "Under Contract", I will then help you set up inspections to insure the home is in good condition, negotiate any areas of concern with the Seller and their Agent, set up your Closing with a local Attorney, stay in touch with your Mortgage Broker, answer any additional questions, do a final walk through at the home, attend the Closing with you, and be there to hand you the keys and congratulate you on your New Home with a Housewarming/Thank You Gift.

A Buyer's Agent is simply an agent who will have only your interests at heart. I would appreciate the opportunity to be your Buyer's Agent. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks, Debbie