Barry Wolfert

26 schools from across the state were selected a Georgia Schools of Excellence. The schools are chosen from each congressional district and honored in one of two categories: Top 10% and Greatest Gains. Only one school per district may be selected for each category.

Schools chosen for the Top 10% category are recognized as being in the Top 10% of all Georgia schools as measured by assessments in reading and math. Schools chosen for the Greatest Gains category have shown the greatest continuous achievement for the past three years as measured by assessments in reading and math.

Additionally, in order to be considered for the recognition, a school must:

1. Meet AYP for a minimum of three consecutive years
2. Meet or exceed state mean scores in Science and Social Studies
   (with the exception of K-2 schools, which do not test in this area)
3. Not be considered a "Persistently Dangerous School" under
   the Unsafe School Choice Option of No Child Left Behind
4. Offer a minimum of two AP courses (grades 9-12 only)
5. Be in existence for five years

Schools that have been recognized as a Georgia School of Excellence in the past five years are not eligible to win again UNLESS the only school or schools eligible to receive the honor in a certain district have won within the last five years. If no schools qualify in a specific Congressional District, an award is not given.

2008 GEORGIA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE
(School, County System)

GREATEST GAINS

1, Mamie Lou Gross Elementary, Camden
3- tie, Northgate High, Coweta
3- tie, Double Churches Elementary, Muscogee
5, Druid Hills High, DeKalb
6, Manning Oaks Elementary, Fulton
7, Loganville Elementary, Walton
8-tie, Eastside High, Newton
8-tie, Centerville Elementary, Houston
9, Otwell Middle, Forsyth
10, East Jackson Elementary, Jackson
11- tie, Kemp Elementary, Cobb
11- tie, Trion High, Trion City

TOP 10%

3- tie, Huddleston Elementary, Fayette
3- tie, McIntosh High, Fayette,
4, Browns Mill Elementary, DeKalb
5, Kittredge Elementary, DeKalb
6- tie, Timber Ridge Elementary, Cobb
6- tie, Dickerson Middle, Cobb
6- tie, Lassiter High, Cobb
7- tie, Sharon Elementary, Forsyth
7- tie, Brookwood High, Gwinnett
8, Quail Run Elementary, Houston
9, South Forsyth High, Forsyth
10, Davidson Magnet School, Richmond
11, Harrison High, Cobb
12, Savannah Arts Academy, Savannah-Chatham

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New Global Cities Index Ranks 60 Global Cities
Based on Quality-of-Life Factors

Source: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Atlanta is now recognized as one of the world's most global cities, according to Foreign Policy magazine.

While New York, London and Paris are still considered the world's most global cities, the list reveals that top-ranking cities face strong competition from growing global cities such as Beijing, Moscow, Shanghai,

Dubai and Atlanta. Only seven other U.S. cities made the list, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco and Washington.

"Atlanta's core strengths as a global city are the airport, our universities and the fact that we have a reputation as a young, hip city for the ‘Young and Restless,' the 25- to 34-year old professionals," says Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "And Atlanta's possibilities to grow asa global city are endless as Delta Air Lines becomes the world's largest airline - making Atlanta the most connected on earth."

The management consulting firm A.T. Kearney teamed up with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Foreign Policy magazine to review global cities on 24 metric based on business activity, human capital and information exchange.

The first Global Cities Index ranked Atlanta 37 out of 60 on the global cities list. The results, released this month, use a variety of metrics to rank cities according to how global they are, and how they fare in an increasingly competitive quality-of-life battle to attract and retain people and companies.

"The 1996 Centennial Olympics Games in Atlanta gave us worldwide recognition, and the vision to grow into a top global gateway and center for global commerce," Williams added. "Atlanta reached this global ranking through the collaboration and dedication of all of our partners."

What differentiates the A.T. Kearney study from many other studies and rankings is that the study has two categories - cultural experience and political engagement. The study looks at the quality of life in each city, including the level of diverse attractions for international residents and travelers. The Global Cities Index pulls in these measures of cultural, social, and policy indicators, and it offers a more complete pictures of a city's global standing - not simply economic or financial ties.

The inaugural Global Cities Index is published in the November/December 2008 issue of Foreign Policy magazine and is available here.

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Given the current market, I get a lot of calls asking about foreclosures. If you listen to the news, you’d think that every other house on the market is in foreclosure or close to it. In fact, according to the Mortgage Banker’s Association, at the end of last year, just over 9 percent of all home loans in the United States were in arrears or already in foreclosure. That means that more than 9 out of 10 homes are NOT in foreclosure. However, if the current trends continue, the percentage of homes in foreclosure could rise to 16 percent by 2012 according to a report by Credit Suisse. Regardless of what the future holds, there are several key differences between a foreclosure sale and a market sale. They are:

1. Homes that have been foreclosed on are now in the hands of the bank that made the primary loan. The owner is out of the picture (and hopefully out of the house).
2. There may be an asset management company that is now managing the property and sales process. This adds additional layers of bureaucracy and communication to the process.
3. The home is most likely listed with an REO or foreclosure broker. This adds another layer to the process but can a good REO broker will help the buyer and their agent make a good offer.
4. There are typically no disclosures and the home is sold “as-is” with no repairs.
5. The bank will often collect offers or bids and hold them until a time at which they want to respond. It is not uncommon to wait weeks before hearing of your offer is accepted, only to find out it wasn’t but someone else’s was.
6. Most banks will choose the “best offer” as they see it and may or may not even give the buyer a chance to revise their offer. The “best” offer can be one with a quick close or less contingencies or stipulations. Of course, the higher the price offered is always a good way to get considered.
7. Banks usually require several addenda be signed by the buyer and that the buyer closes at an attorney of the bank’s choosing. The addenda may not be available to review until after your offer is accepted. While there’s usually a period to review these documents before a “formal” acceptance is made, these documents can be lengthy and include key information that may change the affect the buyer. An experienced agent will know what information is critical and relevant to the buyer.
8. Foreclosure is an expensive process and banks want to re-coup as much as they can. They are not in a rush to sell and will often refuse to negotiate in the beginning. These are not fire-sales.

So what does all of this mean? It means that when making an offer on a foreclosure, you are not dealing with a motivated owner who is looking to retire or downsize. You are dealing with a bank - a business entity - who is going to scrutinize every aspect of the transaction. If they have gone through the process of foreclosing, you can bet that they are going to want every last dime they can get.

Many buyers mistake a foreclosure as a sign of desperation. It’s not. A seller in pre-foreclosure may be desperate. A foreclosed on home is now an asset and not a home. It’s on the bank’s books. They probably have priced it below the market price of a typical home already but usually at or near the amount they are owed. Buyers often think they can get a foreclosure for 50%-60% of the list price. It’s not gonna happen, at least not usually.

Here are my tips for making a strong offer and increasing your chance to have your offer accepted.

1. Be fully pre-approved by a lender and have a letter from them with your offer.
2. Review the comps for houses that have sold and compare the subject to these adjusting for condition. Base your offer price on these factors, not what “you” think it is worth.
3. Get a quote on all work that needs to be done on the house before you make the offer or be comfortable with the possible work to be done.
4. Follow the submission guidelines carefully. Many offers are rejected due to incomplete paperwork or missing signatures.
5. Be prepared to compete with other offers. Banks like to collect multiple offers and then have the buyers outbid each other.
6. Understand that the bank doesn’t care why you want the house. They are looking at it from a financial perspective.
7. CASH offers are usually more attractive. Most foreclosure deals fall apart because the buyer can’t get financing - even if they are fully approved before hand!
8. Use a professional and experienced Realtor. All homes listed in the FMLS will include a commission to your agent. They’re paying for you to be represented - be represented!
9. Make sure you want the house. Otherwise, this is a lot of effort for nothing.
10. Don’t be afraid to make another offer if the house comes back on the market. It’s not personal. Just because they didn’t select your offer before doesn’t mean they won’t this time.

I have successfully closed several foreclosure deals. I worked on many more. Typically, if the buyer is realistic and follows these tips, there is a very good chance in getting the offer accepted. If they decide to “throw an offer out” and see what happens, it usually results in a rejection and a lot of wasted effort.

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Forbes.com recently ran an article on line listing the Top 10 places in the US to sell a home. Usually these lists rank where people should be buying. However, I suppose if it's a good place to sell, it must be a good place for someone to buy.

Kennesaw is located in the northern part of Cobb County and is considered part of the northwest suburbs of Atlanta. The city is located approximately 25 miles north of center Atlanta but really only 15 miles north of the Buckhead business district.

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The Strand Theater, a noted landmark on the historic Marietta Square in Cobb County, opened as a motion picture house in 1935 until its closing in 1976. The premier movie was Top Hat starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. In 2004, a capital campaign was launched to raise $5,000,000 for the restoration and endowment of the theater. As of November 2008, $3,200,000 has been pledged.

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