Elva Branson-Lee, e-Pro, CDPE

That's right, I'm changing my professional I.D. I'm not just a real estate agent anymore. I am a Change Agent now. I'm going to personally help our president-elect effect change for our nation by helping troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure.

You see, my love of houses is not the only thing that drew me to this profession. I got into real estate when I saw the 'bust' coming, because I knew there would be a lot of people needing a very specific kind of help. I set out from the beginning to learn how to give that help.

To that end I've become a Certified Distressed Property Expert, and not a moment too soon. Nowhere is the default and foreclosure process faster or more brutal than in the state where I practice: Georgia. As a REALTOR working in the south metro Atlanta, Georgia area, I hear many heartbreaking questions from troubled homeowners:

"My interest rate is about to adjust up, but my income hasn't kept pace with inflation. What do I do now?"

"My employer has already cut back our work week and now they've announced layoffs are likely. What if I can no longer pay my mortgage? What can I do?"

"I've got to relocate, but my house isn't worth what I owe on it. I can't pay rent there and a mortgage here. What happens when I miss my mortgage payments?"

"What if I can't keep my home?"

"What should I do? What should I not do?"

My neighbors, my community and my country are in distress due, in part, to the state of real estate. That's why I'm writing this blog series for distressed Georgia homeowners, to share with them everything I've learned about avoiding foreclosure in Georgia. Because it's time. In fact it's already too late for some of my Georgia neighbors, but I hope it will be right on time for my readers.

When people are facing the threat of foreclosure, they are embarrassed, depressed and stressed. They need someone who can help them out of a traumatizing situation. My CDPE expertise allows me to step in and handle the sale, help them compile the necessary paperwork, and work with the bank on their behalf. That aids the economic recovery in a small but very significant way.

Over the next few weeks I hope to answer many readers' foreclosure prevention questions in these blog entries. I've also put together a free e-book on the subject, which is available from a new website, http://AvoidGeorgiaForeclosure.com. I invite other Gerogia real estate, banking and law professionals to add their input and comments here. Our neighbors need all the prevention help they can get.

Here's another good reason to consider Ellenwood, Georgia real estate: Sugar Creek, a place where families can play together.

Golf and tennis enthusiasts who buy homes in Ellenwood, GA may choose from several conveniently located clubs and courses when it's time to get their game on. This weekend, my huband Vince and I visited the Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center in Dekalb county for a little R&R. We arrived in the early evening as the late summer day was just cooling down a bit, and were greeted by the jazzy musical strains of a local quartet who were laying down smooth sound on the clubhouse veranda. As we approached, the tennis courts were all occupied and the happy laughter of people having fun filled the air.

Now, I've never been good with a tennis racket, but I do have clubs and will travel. The 18-hole facility at Sugar Creek has been a favorite of South East Atlanta and Ellenwood residents since it was built in 1977. Tucked away on several wooded acres off Bouldercrest Road slightly south of I-285 Exit 51, the par 71 champion course features 6,200 yards of manicured greens with a course rating of 72 and a slope rating of 127. What a great way to walk off a few calories and breathe in a lot of fresh, country air.

The Staff at Sugar Creek Golf Course will assist you with tee times, reservations, planning and hosting private and corporate outings, junior golf camps, individual and group golf lessons. Among the reasons why Sugar Creek enjoys such continued popularity for those in and around Ellenwood are its many amenities, including:

• Full service practice facility including a large lighted driving range, putting green, practice bunker and grass tees.
• Full service clubhouse including: pro shop, snack bar, lockers showers, club repair, and advance tee times.
• Dynamic women's and men's golf associations.
• Annual Passes, Junior and Senior Rates
• Excellent Junior Golf Programs
• Partnerships with DeKalb County Schools, Churches and YMCA'

We won't talk about my golf score. I play for fun. My favorite game is "best ball." Suffice it to say that all levels of play are welcome at Sugar Creek. So on the way out, I picked up a brochure and invitation to join the women's golf association, where I can learn to better my game plus benefit from the clinics, discounts on range fees, apparel, individual golf lessons and various outings. They offer a men's golf association, a church league, a Junior Golf program and a Seniors Play Day. We were pleased to see several groups of young players practicing on the driving range and putting green. Now we'll have to bring our own grandsons out to hit a few balls after school. If you'd like to check out Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center, here's some information to help you get started:

Location: 2706 Bouldercrest Rd SE
Atlanta, GA 30316-4812

Phone: (404) 241-7671
http://www.sugarcreekgolf.net