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Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate

How long 'till we recover?

So, How's the market? People used to ask me that all the time. They don't ask that question too much anymore. I think they know, or are afraid to know, the answer.

The question I get now is more like.. Any signs that it's getting better? Or, How long until we see a recovery?

Bear in mind that all real estate is local. There are market variations even within single neighborhoods and the differences across larger areas can be significant. I don't have a crystal ball and don't pretend to know what the market will do in the future.

With all of that being said, here are some generalizations for the Market here in Cobb County Georgia. I am also going to go out on a limb and make some predictions...sort of :-)

  • Home values have decreased to about the same value that they were in 2001-2002. According Realist property tax records average Cobb County Home values dropped by 9% from April 2008 to April 2009.
  • The market high was 2007-2008.

So....

IF
The market is at the bottom now (I don't think it is)

And

IF
The market begins to appreciate at the rate it did in the 6 years from 2002 to 2008 ( I don't think it will)


Then 6 years from now in the year 2015 your home will be worth what was worth in 2008 but, those are some mighty big "IFS".

So what to do? I have two thoughts to add.
  1. If you are a buyer it is a fantastic time to buy. Real Estate is on sale!
  2. If you are an owner, remember the value of home ownership is not a short term profit. it is a long term investment in a place to call home, to raise your family, and make memories. If you are in it for the long term you will be fine.

******

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Visit www.AgentBobSells.com

See All Powder Springs Homes For Sale

See ALL Homes listed in both Atlanta MLS Services. The only home search youll ever need!

Contact Agent Bob

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Copyright © 2008 By Bob Southard, All Rights Reserved



How to stop foreclosure

How to stop foreclosure.

Flickr Creative Commons Uploaded on May 31, 2008 by respres
Flickr Creative Commons Uploaded on May 31, 2008 by respres

There are basically 3 ways to stop a foreclosure. I am writing this from my perspective as an agent here in Georgia. Foreclosure laws vary from state to state so there will be some differences in process but I think the basic ideas will apply anywhere in the U.S.

  1. Pay the money owed. This sounds sort of obvious but it is one way to stop the foreclosure process. This does not mean that the loan needs to be paid in full. In fact it does not necessarily even mean that you will need to make up all of the back payments! of course if you can find a way to do either of those then all the better. Communicate with your bank. They do not want the house back. In loss mitigation work for banks I have direct contact with many home owners who have fallen behind. In many cases the banks are very anxious to work something out with the home owner. Just about 2 weeks ago I met with a home owner who had a first and second mortgage with the same bank. The bank agreed to completely forego any payments on the second mortgage for 4 months and cut the payment on the first mortgage in half for 6 months. This will allow the home owner some time to find a new job and get back on their feet. The big thing is that if you are behind you need to communicate with your mortgage holder!
  2. File Bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy will stop the foreclosure dead in its tracks. It will buy you some time but be carefull. Think carefully about whether or not it it will solve a problem or are you just buying time to avoid making a tougher decision? The payments will still need to be made or the mortgage holder will appeal to the bankruptcy court to have the home released from bankruptcy protection and then the foreclosure will proceed at that time. About 70-80% of chapter 13 (repayment,reorginization) bankruptcies go in to default. That is the debtor can't make the repayment to the court and defaults. The house ends up getting foreclosed and the home owner ends up with a bankruptcy AND foreclosure on their credit. Again, bankruptcy can be an option, but use it wisely. It is a drastic measure.
  3. Sell the house. I know this is an emotional and tough decision. It's your home. It's where you want to raise your family. You love your neighbors. Listen, it is better to sell and leave with dignity than get foreclosed and thrown out. Period. I think that no matter where you live, your home is worth less now than tit was a few years ago. Selling can be difficult. If you have any equity after the sale the cash is yours to keep (or pay other bills). Maybe you'll just break even on the sale. Sell the house and walk away. However the more common situation today is that you owe more than the home is worth. If this is the case then the mortgage holder will need to agree to a short sale. That is they will agree to accept a payoff for less than what is owed. Why would they do that? It's better to do that than foreclose. It keeps them from owning the house and bearing all the expenses of the foreclosure and resale. It can be a sound but difficult decision for the bank to do this. Again, communicate with the mortgage holder! If your foreclosure is scheduled for next Tuesday then it is too late to work on a short sale today!
Remember that whatever you are facing today is temporary. You can and probably will be a homeowner again. If you can avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy, maintain 2 year of good payment history on your rent and other bills, and can show stable income, you can buy in as soon as 2 years!

I you are here in the metro Atlanta area and behind on your payments, give me a call. I will only list our home if that is the best option for you. I will be glad to discuss your options to help make the plans for your situation. I build my business on repeat and referral clients. I want to be the agent that helps you solve your problem today, earn your referrals, and help you buy your next home in 2 years or whenever the time is right for you.

*******

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Visit www.AgentBobSells.com

See All Powder Springs Homes For Sale

See ALL Homes listed in both Atlanta MLS Services. The only home search youll ever need!

Contact Agent Bob

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Copyright © 2008 By Bob Southard, All Rights Reserved

A couple of great grilling recipes and help my friend...

Help my friend ...and get some great 4th of July Grilling recipes! (check out yummy the pictures)


I have blogged previously about my friend and neighbor,Chef Rian MacDonald. He is a fanatastic young chef that already has published his own cookbook, he is a recruiter and instructor at La Cordon Bleu, and I wouldn't be suprised if he ends up as a famous chef with his own tv show or chain of restraunts!

So check out these great recipes and impress the heck out of your friends at your July 4th cookout!

I also want to ask for your HELP.

  • To vote for your favorite, you must follow the "click here to read or post comments" link on the individual recipe page, and then add your rating in stars and your comments.
  • Please ReBlog or repost this information
  • Twitter it
  • Facebook it
  • etc...

Help get the word out and lets get a bunch of votes for Chef Rians recipes! Thanks for your help.

Have a safe, happy, and delicious 4th of July!

************

Here are the recipes and details




Chef Rian Macdonald has entered the OUTDOOR COOKING's SECOND BBQ RECIPE contest!


Grilled Georgia Peach with Blueberry Crumb Cake Filling and Cranberry Sauce

by Rian Macdonald
(Powder Springs, GA)

Grilled Georgia Peach with Blueberry Crumb Cake Filling and Cranberry Sauce

Grilled Georgia Peach with Blueberry Crumb Cake Filling and Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients
6 Peaches
3 pint Blueberries
½ cup Granulated White Sugar
½ cup Light Brown Sugar
5 tablespoons Butter, softened
¼ cup cinnamon
10 whole Graham Crackers, crushed
Whipped Cream
12 sprigs of mint

For Sauce:
1 cup Cranberries
2 tablespoons Honey
1/8 cup Granulated White Sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
¼ cup Riesling wine
¼ cup Cranberry Juice


Procedure:
1. Cut peaches in half and twist to separate the halves, much like an avocado. With a spoon, remove the pit and fibrous center of the peach to form a pocket.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the flesh of the peach halves and slightly sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Reserve in refrigerator until ready to use.
3. Place a sheet of foil, shiny side up, on flat surface and put a coffee mug in the middle. Fold the sides of foil up around the mug forming a cup shape with the foil. Then remove the mug. Repeat this to form 4 foil cups.
4. Wash the blueberries. Separate evenly into the foil shaped cups.
5. In a separate bowl, combine butter, 1 tablespoon of honey, granulated white sugar, graham crackers, and ¼ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon and mix with a fork. Mixture should be clumpy, like coffee cake topping.
6. Evenly spoon sugar mixture into each foil cup, reserving ¼ of the mixture for later use. Pinch edges together tightly to close.
7. Put blueberry foil filled cups on the grill and cook covered for 5 minutes.
8. Lightly grease grill, put peach halves skin side up to grill-mark the flesh of the peach. This should take about 2 minutes in one direction, than 2 minutes in the opposite direction.
9. Remove peaches and foil cups filled with blueberries. Let rest for 5 minutes.
10. To make the cranberry sauce, combine all listed sauce ingredients in a food processor, and mix until smooth.
11. Transfer sauce from food processor to sauce pot and let cook over medium-high heat until the sauce reduces by half
Assembly:
1. On the bottom of the skin side of the peach, slice off a sliver, so the peach sits flat on a plate.
2. Add the blueberry mixture to the formed pocket in the center of the peach. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture on top of each blueberry mixture.
3. Pipe out some whipped cream on top of the blueberry mixture and garnish with a sprig of mint.
4. Drizzle Cranberry Sauce to the side of the peach, and then serve.


Makes 12 servings


To vote for your favorite, you must follow the "click here to read or post comments" link on the individual recipe page, and then add your rating in stars and your comments.

**********

Fire Roasted Pork Loin Tower with Mango Salsa and Cranberry Infused Rice

by Rian Macdonald
(Powder Springs, GA)

Fire Roasted Pork Loin Tower with Mango Salsa and Cranberry Infused Rice

Fire Roasted Pork Loin Tower with Mango Salsa and Cranberry Infused Rice

Ingredients:

2 whole Pork loins, trussed

For Marinade:
1 cup Cranberries
1/8 cup Rice Vinegar
½ Cranberry Juice
1/8 cup Riesling wine
Olive Oil
Zest from 1 Lemon

For Rice:
2 cups White Rice
2 cups Water
2 cups Cranberry Juice

For Mango Salsa:
2 ripe Mango, small diced
1 medium sized Cucumber, seeded, small diced
4 tablespoons Cilantro, chopped
1 medium White Onion, small diced

For Cranberry Sauce:
1 cup Cranberries
1 tablespoon Honey
1/8 cup Granulated White Sugar
¼ cup Riesling Wine
¼ cup Cranberry Juice
Zest of 1 lemon

Parsley

Procedure:

For Cranberry Marinade:
1. In a food processor combine 1 cup of Cranberries, rice vinegar, lemon zest, and olive oil. Put combined marinade in plastic bag and add pork loin. Let marinade for 2 hours.

For Rice:
1. In a medium saucepot, add 2 cups water and 2 cups Cranberry Juice, and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, add rice and cover. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is al dente, this should take about 30 minutes.

For Mango Salsa:
1. In a small mixing bowl, add ingredients for mango salsa and combine. Keep in the refrigerator to keep cool.

For Preparation:
1. Place the pork tenderloins on a hot grill, and sear all sides of the loin until a nice crust has formed.
2. Lower the heat of the grill and continue to baste the pork tenderloins with marinade every 5 minutes.
3. Pork tenderloin is done cooking when the juice run clear or the internal temperature is 155 degrees.
4. When pork tenderloins are done cooking, remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
5. Remove butcher?s twine.

For Cranberry Sauce:
1. In a food processor add all ingredients from sauce list and mix well until smooth.
2. Transfer ingredients from food processor to a medium saucepot.
3. On high heat reduce cranberry sauce by ½, then let cool.

Assembly:
1. With a pastry mold, put rice on inside the mold, about ½ of the way to the top, and then top off with the mango salsa. Push ingredients down while removing the mold.
2. Slice pork tenderloins into ¼-inch medallions. Put 1 medallion on top of the rice and salsa mixture.
3. Garnish with cranberry sauce, and a fresh cranberry.

Makes 12 servings


To vote for your favorite, you must follow the "click here to read or post comments" link on the individual recipe page, and then add your rating in stars and your comments.


Thank you for your support!
Chef Rian Macdonald
ChefMac, LLC
President/Author
Cell:770.883.6666
E-Mail: chefmac@gmail.com
www.chefrianstastebuds.com
www.authorhouse.com

********

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Visit www.AgentBobSells.com

See All Powder Springs Homes For Sale

See ALL Homes listed in both Atlanta MLS Services. The only home search youll ever need!

Contact Agent Bob

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Copyright © 2008 By Bob Southard, All Rights Reserved

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

Kennesaw Ga. Home Search

Are you searching for a home in Kennesaw, Ga.?

Here is the only Kennesaw Home Search you will ever need!

Marietta, Ga , Home of the Big Chicken!

Kennesaw Mtn Battlefiled

Photo: from Flickr creative commons by terra2055


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Foreclosure listings - See all Kennesaw bank owned homes





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***********

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Visit www.AgentBobSells.com

See All Powder Springs Homes For Sale

See ALL Homes listed in both Atlanta MLS Services. The only home search youll ever need!

Contact Agent Bob

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Copyright © 2008 By Bob Southard, All Rights Reserved

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

Marietta Ga. - The only home search you'll ever need

Are you searching for a home in Marietta, Ga.?

Here is the only Marietta Home Search you will ever need!

Marietta, Ga , Home of the Big Chicken!

Photo: from Flickr creative commons by tanjila

Create and Save Your Own Custom Search

Foreclosure listings - See all Marietta bank owned homes


Search Marietta Homes by Price Range

Marietta homes up to $100,000 Marietta Homes $100,001-$150,000

Marietta Homes $150,001-$200,000 Marietta Homes$200,001-$250,000

Marietta Homes $250,001-$300,000 Marietta Homes $300,001-$350,000

Marietta Homes $350,001-$400,000 Marietta Homes $400,001-$500,000

Marietta Homes over $500,000

Create Your Own Custom Search

***********

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Visit www.AgentBobSells.com

See All Powder Springs Homes For Sale

See ALL Homes listed in both Atlanta MLS Services. The only home search youll ever need!

Contact Agent Bob

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Copyright © 2008 By Bob Southard, All Rights Reserved

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn