Jameka Mikell

I was working with a potential client the other day who really did not understand how a Buyer's Agent can help them in the real estate purchase process. After that conversation, I decided I would write down a few notes to describe how a Buyer's Agent can help during the sales process.

The Buyer's Agent represents you in the transaction. They are your advocate! The seller is represented by the listing agent.

Your Buyer’s Agent will help you narrow down the houses that best fit you needs and wants. They can take your input and select homes from the MLS that meet your criteria saving you the time and hassle.

Your Buyer’s Agent will look out for your best interests. If there are things that seem to be a challenge in a house that you considering, the Buyer's Agent will let you know immediately.

Your Buyer's Agent will help you understand the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Your Buyer’s Agent will help create a Purchase and Sale Agreement that ensures you get the best deal and conditions for your purchase

Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in getting pre-approved with a lender with one of their preferred lending partners if needed.

Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in locating a Home Inspector and other Real Estate Professionals

Your Buyer’s Agent can explain a home survey, termite letter, termite bond, and title insurance.

Your Buyer’s Agent will work to perform multiple services between the time you go under contract and closing to help ensure a smooth, no hassle closing process.

As you see, a good buyer's agent can save you both time and money. In addition, they can help to protect you as a client from making unwise financial and legal choices. Even in today's Internet age, where a large majority of consumers use the internet to search for homes, many still also choose to use a buyer agent to assist them with the home buying process.

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/19/09-10/25/09

MARKET REPORT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY :

THIS WEEK NEW LISTINGS: 63

FOR THIS WEEK PENDING SALE (UNDER CONTRACT): 37

THE EXPIRED LISTING FOR THE WEEK: 14

THIS WEEK SOLD LISTINGS: 21

AVERAGE LIST PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $158,732

AVERAGE SALES PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $140,379

If you would like a free market analysis of your own property, please feel free to email Jameka Mikell at jameka@mikellhometeam.com. Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta.

Visit our website for additional details:

www.mikellhometeam.com

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARKET REPORT ANALYSIS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/12/09-10/18/09

MARKET REPORT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY :

THIS WEEK NEW LISTINGS: 45

FOR THIS WEEK PENDING SALE (UNDER CONTRACT): 26

THE EXPIRED LISTING FOR THE WEEK: 17

THIS WEEK SOLD LISTINGS: 30

AVERAGE LIST PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $178,880

AVERAGE SALES PRICE FOR THE WEEK: $156,902

If you would like a free market analysis of your own property, please feel free to email Jameka Mikell at jameka@mikellhometeam.com. Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta.

Visit our website for additional details:

www.mikellhometeam.com

As we all know property values have taken a serious hit due to the number of foreclosures and fallout from the credit crisis. Below are some statistics that provide some insight into the Atlanta metro area. If you want to appeal your tax assessment, make sure to contact your county tax assessor and learn what steps are necessary to dispute your assessed value:

Five major metro Atlanta counties have dropped values for more than 350,000 parcels:

• Clayton: 90,000 parcels, 70,000 parcels lowered (78%)

• DeKalb: 235,000 parcels, 95,000 parcels lowered (40%)

• Fulton: 335,000 parcels, 100,000 parcels lowered (30%)

• Gwinnett: 273,000 parcels, 70,000 parcels lowered (26%)

• Cobb: 246,000 parcels, 20,000 parcels lowered (8%)

Source: Atlanta-Journal Constitution - www.ajc.com

I started doing more hiking of late because it really allows me to get away and brainstorm about exciting new goals and ideas. For those that in the West Atlanta Georgia area looking for a good place to hike, I would recommend Sweetwater State Park located off of I-20 near Thornton Road. You can visit the http://www.gastateparks.org/info/sweetwater/ for more info.

Some upcoming guided hikes are below:

"New Manchester History Hike"
Saturdays until September 26, 2009
(10:00pm - 12:00pm)

These mile-long hikes (easy to moderate) lead to the ruins of the Civil
War era New Manchester textile mill and will focus on the history of the
Sweetwater Creek valley. Highlights of this tour will include going
inside the impressive mill ruins and seeing the beautiful white-water
rapids (both providing great photo opportunities). These hikes will be
led by local historian and "Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park"
volunteer Dan Emsweller or a Park Interpretive Ranger. There is a
parking fee of $5 per car and a program fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children
(under 18). For more information please call Sweetwater Creek State Park at
(770) 732-5871.

"Ruins to Rapids - Full Moon Hike"
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday, September 4, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday, October 4, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Monday, November 2, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This 1.5 mile ranger-led hike is moderately difficult and visits the Civil War era New Manchester Mills ruins alongside the lovely rapids of Sweetwater Creek. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. Children under 6 years and dogs will not be permitted on this hike. There is a parking fee of $5 per car and a program fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children (under 18). For more information please call Sweetwater Creek State Park at (770) 732-5871.