Lee Davenport

Are you ready to sell but do not know how in this market? Have no fear, you can do it by following these quintessential tips.

1. Price, Price, Price!

Get beyond what you think your home is worth and have a real estate professional prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) so you can truly know your neighborhood and what its real estate is selling for in today's market (not when you purchased your home). If you feel the amounts are too low, then now may not be the best time for you to sell your home in this real estate market. Don't be in denial - if your neighborhood is not actually selling for more, than do not list your house for more! If you do, you will just become frustrated with the market, your agent, and the pool of buyers that are comparison shopping and are not willing to pay more for something than they have to.

2. Stage & Add Curb Appeal

Make sure your home calls the name of the comparison shoppers. Have you ever been to a store and seen the exact shirt you want with a stain on it? What did you do? Look for a similar one without the stain - it is no different for buyers looking for real estate. Make sure your home is inviting by keeping the lawn at least trimmed but ideally landscaped (with flowers, etc.), the interior is clean (it should not look like someone is still moving out, contractors have been there and left behind food containers, etc.), and ideally simple decorations abound throughout. If need be, consultant a professional designer to assist you in creating the look that will cause your home to sell, sell, sell!

To receive a free price evaluation of your home or to be referred to interior designers in your area, visit http://Places2Love.GeorgiaMLS.com or email Places2Love@gmail.com.

Happy Selling!

As of this past Sunday, the US Government, in the nation's largest financial bailout, has decided to take control of Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae, which collectively control more than half of the nation's $12 trillion in outstanding home mortgages.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this was the best course of action? If so, why? If not, what would have been some more viable solutions? Share your comments.

Good news, Sandy Springs, GA and Metro Atlanta! Although we may all loathe the seemingly endless traffic jams due to the growing Metro Atlanta population, this is actually a good sign for the recovery of the real estate market.

According to a recent article in Forbes Magazine (http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/25/housing-prices-rising-forbeslife-cx_mw_0825realestate.html), metro Atlanta (including Sandy Springs, GA) is slated to have up to 2% annually in job growth over the next 4 years, which means that businesses will be thriving, which leads to land values appreciating and an ultimate recovery in the real estate market. In fact, next year home prices are expected to increase by 32.5% for single family homes and multi-family home prices are expected to rise by as much as 18.4% in Metro Atlanta real estate. Of the top ten metropolitan areas expected to experience long term recovery that will begin next year, Metro Atlanta is number 9 among a list including Oklahoma City, Minneapolis, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Austin, Portland, San Antonio, Charlotte, and Albuquerque.

With all this being said, be sure to take advantage of the great, discounted prices now since the Metro Atlanta real estate market is turning around and you do not want to miss the great opportunities that exist today. Visit http://Places2Love.GeorgiaMLS.com for more information about the great deals in Sandy Springs and Metro Atlanta.

It's 2008 not 1938 so why are we still having the same hatred issues? Have you heard that in less than two weeks, two different graffiti images of a swastika were painted near the Epstein School, which is a Jewish Day school near the heavily trafficked Johnson Ferry Rd. in the heart of Sandy Springs? The Epstein School is currently seeking expansion of its real estate acreage, which may have been the spark to ignite these property-defacing acts. What a horrible image and reminder of the Nazi regime for parents, teachers, and children to see all in the pursuit of education and personal betterment.

Thankfully, even though there are unfortunately individuals that still revel in prejudices/anti-Semitism, the residents and servants of Sandy Springs proudly showed that we are indeed a progressive city that will not idly stand for hate crimes. The city council along with two neighborhood associations (the Mountaire Springs Neighborhood Association and the Rivershore Estates Subdivision) acted promptly and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the perpetrator(s). Meanwhile, the Sandy Springs Police Department has been working valiantly to find those responsible.

Visit http://www.sandyspringspolice.org/ for more information about this incident and the reward.

It just doesn't get any better than this! Okay, so I am driving down Mount Vernon Highway [Sandy Springs' well-known street because of the unique real estate properties, great schools (like the Mount Vernon Presbyterian School: www.mvpschool.com), public library (Sandy Springs Regional Library: http://www.afplweb.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111), and fantastic shops lining the road] and I spot a fabulous, still being constructed real estate community of Brownstones - Promenade at NorthPlace. So of course, I enter the community (which is situated directly off Barfield Rd.) so that I can report to you the Buyer's perspective.

Once in the eye-catching Promenade at NorthPlace, I quickly drive through the community to locate the ammenities of this real estate community - they have a beautiful pool and grill area that actually sits on top a hill so that you are overlooking some areas of Sandy Springs. I could just imagine lounging poolside after a long day and feeling like I was "sitting on top of the world".

After spotting the ammenities of the Promenade at NorthPlace, I entered the 2 model Brownstones. The entry way was definitely a little tight to get into but the interior more than made of for it. As you walk in to the living room, you will love the open floor plan if you like to entertain. You may even be mesmerized by the deep hue of the hardwoods, the regal stainless steel appliances, and the 9' ceilings. These Brownstones definitely contain all of the "bells and whistles" for this $250,000 to $400,000 price range, including granite counter tops, brushed nickel designer fixtures, cultured marble in the master bath, and crown molding. Floor plans range from 2-3 bedrooms of 1160 to 2100 square feet, giving you convenient, low-maintenance living.

The builder has a price special on some of the brownstones so visit www.SandySpringsNow.com or call me for more information. Happy Townhouse Hunting!