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John Foster

How to sell homes in this market

06-19-09
John Foster

Today I showed 9 homes today - out of those 9 homes 6 were vacant. Vacant homes do not show as well as homes that have a correct amount of furniture and are staged correctly. Today it was hot - the high was supposed to be in the high 90s and of the 6 homes that were vacant 4 had not power and I was amazed at how hot those homes were. The last house we went to was a very nice house and as we entered the A/C was very welcome. Question - which home was my buyers favorite today. Pretty obvious - it was the home that was staged and pleasant to enter w/ the A/C. It reminded me of the last time I bought a car - we looked in the summer and each car's a/c was turned up to the max when we turned it on.

What do you think as you show a vacant home vs. one that has power and is staged?

If you are considering selling your home in Cumming, Alpharetta or Suwanee - call me - I would like to interview for the job of helping you sell your home.

Visist my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com to see the virtual tours of homes I currently have listed, as some I sold in the past. List with me and I will explain why I pay for each virtual tour.

Doing business with John Foster - comments from a client I worked with last month

06-18-09
John Foster

Today I received an email from a client I worked that closed on a beautiful home in McGinnis Reserve two weeks ago - about two weeks before that we closed on their home in Creekside Estates in Forsyth County. I must say when I received this it made me feel very good - today's market is still a tough market - but there are people still out there buying and selling homes. Here is what Kevin emailed me.

"John,

We have had a busy week, all the box's are emptied, everything is put up and was just the weekend. We will finish hanging the last pictures tonight. But that's not what this email is for. Donna and I want to again thank you for all your time, effort and hard work. Your attention to detail and keeping us on track with reality checks made this the best move we have had. You are in every sense of the word a professional, you took our phone calls and allowed us to take you away from your family after hours and on weekends for that I can only offer words of thanks, but those words come with the utmost sincerity.

Although we are at the end of our project, your work and professionalism will carry on with us, we will, without hesitation give your name and number to all we meet who are looking for a home. Again I can't thank you enough for helping us get home

Thanks

Kevin Opela"

Kevin and Donna's home sold in 42 days, we listed it at 439K and it sold for 430 K (all of this is public knowledge). Why did there home sale while others sit on the market? The reason is Kevin and Donna realized they were engaged in a price war and a beauty contest - additionally, they realized however much their house declined in value over the past year they would pick that up when they purchased their next home, and they did. That was a great transaction and I appreciated Donna referring a co-worker to me.

If you are interviewing agents for the job of helping you sell your home, or find you next one, call me - I would like to interview for the job of being your Realtor.

South Fosyth High School

06-18-09
John Foster

In todays Forstyh County News it is reported that South Forsyth High School was ranked by Newsweek Magazine, to be ranked the 11th best High school in the state and 327th in the Nation. The schools are ranked based on the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge test taken by the graduating Seniors. The Principal recognized that the students worked very hard and the teachers at not only the High School but the middle schools and the elementary schools make the school what it is.

Just a couple of days ago I read where the Forsyth County elementary schools, such as Daves Creek, Big Creek, Sharon and other were ranked in the top 10 in the state in every area of the CRCT.

The Forsyth County school system is an outstanding school system.

If you are considering moving in the near future and are interviewing real estate agents, I would like to apply for the job of helping you move. Call me at 770 722-7010.

Great places to eat in North Atlanta

06-16-09
John Foster

As a real estate agent that services Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Cumming and Suwanee Ga, I am often asked for good places to eat. Today I found a new place that I plan on returning to often.

For lunch today I ate as Sushi City located at 5805 State Bridge Rd, Duluth Ga. It was amazing. For $10 it was an all you can eat Sushi buffet that I highly recommend. For lunch $10 is a lot, but for the amount of Sushi it was amazing. There was a whole line of Sushi and as I kept eating unagi they kept bringing more out.

I would love to hear about restaurants you like as well as the ones to avoid - that way when people move into the area I can have several to recommend.

If you need a real estate agent that for Alpharetta, Cumming Suwanne or Johns Creek - please call me at 770 722-7010.

An interesting Listing Appointment

06-09-09
John Foster

This past week I had a great listing appointment - one I am sure is not common in this business. I received a call from someone wanting to sell their home because they are moving to Fl. Great, I prepared the Market Analysis and toured their home and presented my marketing plan and then we spent about 45 minutes discussing comps in her neighborhood. She was so upset at the recent sales in her neighborhood and at the prices the homes were currently listed at she asked if she could look at the one that was priced the lowest in her neighborhood - she ended up making an offer on that home and it went under contract today. She just could not believe how the home values had gone down and based on the recent rentals in her neighborhood she should be very close to breaking even when she rents it.

If you are moving to the Atlanta area - when you intereview agents to become your realtor I would like to apply for that job - please call me at 770 722-7010 to make an appointment.