Ok, now as I typed my blog title this morning, I can certainly come up with several answers to that question. But an experience yesterday, still left me amazed and bewildered.
I was meeting clients yesterday to show them the "newest kid on the block", Viewpoint Midtown. They called to say they were running a few minutes late, so I just waited for them in the Sales Center.
You all might recall a previous post I did about the Viewpoint Specials where they are offering some incredible savings on the homes in this new condo development right on Peachtree Street.
While I was sitting there, at least 4 "groups" (they could of been a couple, one was 4 people, but only 1 said they were looking) came into the sales center, filled out an information card, and waited to meet with a sales rep. Not a single one came in with a REALTOR with them!!! I'm thinking....hmmm...how can I get these people as buyers. And this is not the first time! A week ago, I was also in the Sales Center, and I asked the receptionist how many of the people waiting (there were 10 "groups" that day!) had agents with them, or indicated they were working with and agent, and she replied....NONE!!!!
So, now I'm back to my title question? WHY would you not want to work with a REALTOR? Don't know someone? Think it will cost YOU more money? Think you know more about real estate than those of us that have been selling for years and have the education to go with it? I wonder.
For a potential Buyer that might be reading this, here's just one example....I sold a home in Viewpoint before this new incentive program started. I negotiated for my Buyer, Hardwood flooring upgrades, stainless steel refrigerator included, washer/dryer included, AND.....AND....$14,000 off the price! Not only that, I was able to get a couple other stipulations in the contract that a Buyer working on their own would of probably not ever thought of.
Buyer's, contrary to popular belief, we REALTORS really ARE good People! We really ARE here to help YOU get the best you can. Our services do not cost you more when you buy. (Ok....yes, there might be an exception to that one...but rarely)
Next time you are out to shop for a new home, let a professional REALTOR, like The Thom and Ray Team help you with your purchase. And what could be more convenient if you are looking at Viewpoint Midtown...our office is just a block away!
When I first discovered Active Rain, I saw all these picture on posts. Some of them you could tell were "stock" photos, or they were cartoon in nature. And I read where you should have your camera with you all the time, you never know when you might find a great picture that could be the source of a blog!
So, this morning, I was downloading the pictures from my digital camera to my laptop, and I realized....wow, I've already built up quite a library of photos! I'm doing it partly because Midtown Atlanta is changing SO fast, that you forget what was there a couple years ago! Take these two pictures...the far left is 1010Midtown as it was coming up, and the other is close to topping out! Amazing!
I don't know how many of you out there in AR Land have ever been to Atlanta (and changing planes at Hartsfield Jackson Int' Airport DOES NOT count!) but it's a pretty cool city. We seem to make the news alot lately about our traffic...and true...it's getting to be challenging! For those of us that work in the condominium markets of Midtown and Buckhead, it just makes our marketplace, that much better since you can live intown, and not have the hour+ commute each way! UGH!
Anyway, I thought I'd just share a few pictures to show you where The Thom And Ray Team hangout! Enjoy!
Atlanta's Backstreet, one of only 3 places in the U.S that was a 24-Hour club (oh I remember it well and miss it as well....)
Made way for progress, and was replaced by Viewpoint!
But Midtown still has the charm it once had, as you can see from St. Marks Methodist Church!
And lastly, here is a "time wharp" of two pictures that really tell it all!
1968 -- to today! Wow! We've Come Along Way Baby!!
For those of you that live in a city, you may or may not be able to relate to what live is like OUTSIDE of the city? In some cities, an "escape" is farther than just a car ride. It might take you hours by car, or even a plane ride to really escape and get away.
Here in Atlanta, we are quite fortunate to have the ability to get away in the matter of a few minutes. (ok, like 90 minutes to be exact....depending on what time you exit the city!) So, we can go from this.....
To this in the matter of an hour and a half......
I was feeling the need to "get away from real estate" this weekend, so I hopped in the car and took off to the Georgia/North Carolina mountains. It's so peaceful to see all the wide open spaces, horses and cattle grazing and just a change of pace.
We actually went to Harrah's Cherokee Hotel and Casino to help add to the local economy...and that we did!
We also choose a different route instead of going the same old way. (I'm a REAL creature of habit....something that has come with age I guess...when I was younger, I use to drive all over the place and see where I ended up...or maybe I just don't make the time for that?) So, we ventured off the beaten path to go through a few of the small towns we have often bypassed on the 4 lane highway....
And there we found places like Cornelia, Georgia!
What a cute, quaint little town! Now, I could never slow down THAT much to ever live someplace like this, but it certainly is someplace fun to visit.
It was Easter Sunday, so browsing through the stores was not possible...everyone was closed! But just the drive on the country roads, and taking in the sites was worth it.
Since I've started blogging, I try, and I mean really try, to remember to have my camera along. I'm still not taking nearly enough pictures, but I'm working on it!
But, I did find a couple great moments that I captured! It's scenes like this that make you appreciate the simple things in life!
I hope you had a chance to stop and appreciate the simple things in life this weekend!
I know I did!!
YOUR CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND!!
MIDTOWN ATLANTA'S 2008 TOUR OF HOMES
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 11AM - 5PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2008 12PM - 5PM
Midtown Atlanta is known for being a diverse community. And our housing certainly reflects that diversity as well! From single family homes such as the one pictured above, to the "vertical communities" that are bringing new life to the Midtown Community, there is something for everyone's tastes and budget (if you want to be a permanent resident, just ask us, we'll be happy to help you!)
There will be 7 homes and 5 condominiums on this year's tour! Some of them you may have walked by numerous times and said, "Gosh, I wonder what that looks like inside?"
Well now's your chance to find out!
Tickets are $15 In Advance and can be ordered online at
2008 Midtown Tour of Homes Tickets
Proceeds from the Tour help fund the many Committees of
The Midtown Neighbors' Association
The above home at 875 Piedmont Avenue will be on the tour, and is Sponsored by 975 Piedmont Villas.
Thom Abbott, GRI and Ray Benitez, Associate Brokers will be on hand at this home to answer questions about the newest community on Piedmont Avenue!
Find out more about 975 Piedmont by visiting our website!
AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON THE TOUR!!!
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Midtown Atlanta Real Estate "Real Estate For The Urban Lifestyle"....means Midtown Atlanta Real Estate! We LIVE, WORK and KNOW Midtown Atlanta! A dynamic, ever-changing part of Atlanta! Welcome Home!
"Midtown Atlanta...Manhattan of The South"
Once an area filled with boarded up buildings, vagrants and empty streets, Midtown Atlanta is now the Premiere location in Atlanta! The Midtown Alliance is guiding The Midtown BluePrint...and now Peachtree Street (also know as the Midtown Mile) is lined with luxury condominiums, office towers and retail shops. New construction continues, and in the next few years, Midtown will offer almost 1 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL SPACE....the size of Phipps Plaza in Buckhead! Cultural activities abound, from the Fox Theatre, High Museum, Alliance Theatre, and the Center for Puppetry Arts are just a few! New restaurants offer you dining options galore...and more open almost monthly! See the brick building on the left of the picture...that's OUR office....right in the Heart of the Mile!
Like to travel? The Midtown MARTA station is just across the street from Plaza Midtown...making those weekend getaways easy!
Midtown Atlanta...Manhattan of The South!!
The "A" on the Map is our office! Right in the Heart of Midtown Atlanta!
There is a very strong neighborhood association, Midtown Neighbors' Association, which works to improve the community through various community services, land use planning, review of liquor licenses for local businesses and safety. MNA also hosts two signature events each year, the Midtown Tour of Homes, and the Midtown Atlanta Shop And Dine Week! Both are ones you don't want to miss! And maybe, even become involved with!
Midtown Atlanta........Where YOU want to Be!
Want to see the FUTURE of Midtown Atlanta?
Just Click on the Picture Below for a Special Tour!
I've been a Resident of Atlanta for 16 years (the second longest place I've lived since growing up in Montana!) and to say it's changing...well! But, it's all exciting! Of course, we have growing pains, just like any big city does, but it's a great place.....Come on down....I'll give you a personal tour in my special real estate touring car....
In my time in real estate, I've learned "you cannot be everything to everyone." That being said, if I have a Buyer or Seller who want to buy a home, or list a home in an area of Atlanta I'm not familiar with, I won't do it. Call me crazy...think I am turning away business....NOT! I feel I will do a client/customer a BETTER service be referring them to an agent who knows the area they want to look in. On the flipside of that, I see agents work in my marketplace who have no idea what building is coming up next, or what's going on in the neighborhood.
I specialize in Midtown Atlanta! While most of this area is condominiums, I do keep abreast of single-family home neighborhoods close to Midtown, so that if my clients want to move from a condo to a home, I know of areas that would fit their needs. Again, I stay Inside The Perimeter (ITP) so I can focus on areas and know more about them.
Midtown is a dynamic, ever-changing neighborhood. Knowing my market, knowing my product, and knowing the area, are what I consider key factors that any home Buyer or Seller should be looking for when they select a REALTOR.
I bring my extensive Marketing and Sales background full circle from the hospitality industry to Real Estate. I previously held Sales positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation, Nikko Hotels North America, and most recently as President and CEO of Benott Hospitality Group, a consulting firm specializing in small hotels and motels. My marketing experience helps clients market and stage their homes for maximum exposure and maximum dollars!
While helping my clients market their homes, I also enjoy helping buyers find the "PERFECT" home. By listening and understanding what they are looking for, I use the latest technology to help them find their new home. My experience in Customer Focused Service training in the Hospitality industry for 20 plus years gives me a unique advantage when working with both Buyers and Sellers. I determine the needs of my Buyers, find the homes that have those features and benefits they are looking for, and then help them every step of the way, from contract to closing, and all the details in between. For Sellers, I identify the features and benefits of their home so we can market it more effectively.
Thom,
Kimberly and I wanted to thank you and Ray for all your help in our recent Atlanta real estate ventures.
We were impressed from day one with your excellent organization and professionalism. The booklet you prepared for us with the property photos and summaries was especially helpful when viewing multiple properties, more so since we were out of town and would not have the opportunity to visit frequently.
Kimberly and I were also very happy with your assistance beyond closing. It is obvious that your commitment did not end there, and we are grateful for the follow up you provided with our property even after we closed.
We would highly recommend you and Ray to any of our friends who would be interested in Atlanta real estate.
Thanks again,
Brad
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Bradley G. Goldberg, M.D.
www.coffeewomenscenter.com
Thom and Ray:
Thank you both so much for all you did to help me with the purchase of my condo at Spire Midtown. I cannot adequately express how much I appreciate your patience, expertise and counsel throughout the entire process.
Everything you did, from educating me on the basics of home buying to referring me to a superb mortgage broker, worked toward making me feel more comfortable and more confident about the pending purchase. I never felt like I was "just another client", since you were guiding me every step of the way.
And the result? I am the proud owner of an amazing condo in the heart of Midtown Atlanta! I have an incredible place to call home and entertain guests. Thank you again, and rest assured that I will refer you to friends and associates. I look forward to working with you again in the future.
Winston W. Chapman
My husband, Don Jones, and I are extremely happy to say that we sold our townhouse at The Dakota in Midtown Atlanta in 92 days in one of the most depressed real estate and stock markets in more than six years! Not only did it sell amazingly fast, it sold for 94% of our Listing Price!
One of the major contributing factors to our recent sales success was The Thom And Ray Team. They have an amazing combination of skill sets: Professionalism, Sales, Marketing, Market Savvy and Negotiating. We strongly recommend using The Thom And Ray Team adn would welcome an opportunity to answer any questions you may have.
Thom and Ray also handled the purchase of our new home at Viewpoint Midtown which was complicated by our purchaseof two units to be combined into one. At each step of the process, we received consisitent and professional advice and ended up purchasing at a very favorable price.
Peggy Denby, Executive Director, Keep Atlanta Beautiful
Note: Peggy (in Pink) and Don (white shirt) cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening Party for Viewpoint!
When my fiancée and I decided to move to California, we began to shop around for agents to help sell our condo. We were referred to Thom Abbott by a friend of my fiancées family and decided to use him as our agent after a brief meeting. Thom is extremely knowledgeable about the Midtown Atlanta market and impressed us with his ideas about how to market our condo. Thom held open houses and also created a flyer that was displayed for potential buyers to take home with them. 
My fiancée and I were selling our condo in a tough market when many homes were being foreclosed upon; however we had a steady flow of showings on a weekly basis. Thom was able to get feedback for us from other agents about what potential buyers liked/disliked about our unit and we were able to sell our unit in a just few short months. Whenever we had a question or concern, Thom was always easily reachable or got back to back to us in a very timely manner. I would highly recommend Thom as an agent and will definitely refer him as an agent to friends and family.
Peter and Kira Morris
To Whom It May Concern:
Thom and Ray were very proactive in helping me sell my condo in Midtown. I previously had my place on the market for a year and I never got a single offer.
The second time around, I hired Thom to list my place because he seemed very knowledgeable of the in-town market. He and Ray pulled out all the stops to get my place exposed to as many people as possible. They sent out promotional flyers, posted the listing on all the major websites, and held numerous open houses.
I was out of town during this time so they kept me informed of progress through email and phone calls. I was surprised, given the staggering slack in home sales, how many people they actually got to come through the doors.
After a few months we had a buyer. Thom negotiated the price and took care of all the contracts and paperwork, making the closing a hassle-free process. I was a first time home owner trying to unload a one bedroom condo in a troubled market; Thom and Ray were great partners to have on my side--I'd recommend these guys to anybody.
Kevin Manley Cornerstone Village Condominiums
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