Mike Kinlaw

Here's a bit of a glimpse of what you're in for...

How you know you're from Georgia.

1. You can properly pronounce Chickamauga, DeKalb, Dahlonega, and Smyrna.

2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the
distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.

6. You've seen people wear bib overalls at weddings and funerals.

7. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.

8. You measure distance in minutes.

9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

11. You know cow pies are not made of beef.

12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

13. You know someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

14. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, beer, and bait all in the
same store.

15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.

16. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressing.

17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

18. You want to go back to Georgia, where everything is normal.

And finally:

19. You are 100% Georgian if you have ever had this conversation:
"You wanna coke?"
"Yeah."
"What kind?"
"Dr Pepper."

Prudential Georgia Realty, in my opinion, offers the most resources for their agents to use in selling/marketing homes. If there was another company that I felt offered more...I'd be there.

Most in the public don't understand that successful real estate agents can virtually work for any company they choose. Why wouldn't a company want to bring a successful agent on-board? Agents who are able to produce...make money for their real estate company.

Why have I chosen to work at Prudential Georgia Realty? One of the biggest reasons is the amount of resources (especially those relating to technology) that are available to Prudential agents as it relates to marketing a home.

Want to see an example of what I'm talking about?

Prudential Georgia Realty just got the top national story on Inman News this week. Inman is one of the leading national providers of news for the real estate industry. The article recognizes Dan Forsman, President & CEO for his insight and facts about the Atlanta real estate market.

To see the article, click on the image above

Prudential Georgia Realty has been named a Consumers Choice Award winner each year since 2004 and was classified as the 36th largest real estate firm in the U.S., based on 2006 closed transactions.

In today's market, agents need to take advantage of every resource available to them.

Remember, your home is the biggest financial investment you have!!!

If you want to see some of the tools I use in selling homes, just click here

The National Association of Realtors has announced that pending home sales rose 6.3% nationally in April, according to the Pending Home Sales Index. Pending home sales reached it's highest level in over 8 months.

For more information on the rising home sales, view the entire document below.

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008060901?OpenDocument

I believe some of the reason for the improving numbers is seasonal. Many people want to close on their new home in the summer months...after school is out...and be moved-in by fall in order to allow their kids to start at their (potentially) new school on-time. Therefore, they do their searching in the early spring months and try to get a home under contract around April or May.

It will be interesting to see what the Pending Home Sales Index does in May. When the May data is released, I'll be the first to let you know.

For you buyers that are on the fence...waiting for the market to "hit bottom" before you buy...you may want to make sure you haven't already missed it. With sellers and their agents seeing the improving numbers, they will be less likely to negotiate that great deal that they may still be willing to negotiate.

Check out the latest update from the National Association of Realtors' website and Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. Higher conforming loan limits, rising popularity of FHA loans, and a potentially stronger economy towards the end of 2008 will all have a positive effect on the national real estate market.

http://www.realtor.org/research/reinsights/forecast

Remember, all real estate is local - markets differ from city to city...and certainly differ from state to state. Don't let the media's talk of a nationally poor real estate market completely influence your opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

And, the most important thing...a "poor" or "soft" real estate market means what??? That it's tough to sell your house for top-dollar. What does this mean to buyers? It means that it's a perfect time to buy!!! Don't wait for inflation to get worse and let mortgage rates rise (and yes, they're already rising) before you buy! You'll kick yourself later!

Look at how a higher interest rate can affect your monthly payment (principal and interest) for a $200,000 house:

Rate: 5.5% - Payment: 1,135.58

Rate: 6.5% - Payment: 1,264.14

Rate: 7.5% - Payment: 1,398.43

At the current time, rates are still low - and sellers are very, very motivated...especially if there house has been on the market for months and months. If you're going to buy, buy soon! If you wait "for the market to come back," you're going to have to pay top-dollar!