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Kennesaw State University: Recognizing Outstanding Academic Excellence

Kennesaw State University, which is located in Kennesaw Georgia, is a comprehensive university which offers a fine array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs in business, education and nursing, among others.

Also known as KSU, Kennesaw or Kennesaw State, Kennesaw State University is a public institution which is part of the University System of Georgia. Kennesaw State University, which was founded in 1963, is conveniently located just 20 miles north of Atlanta on 240 acres of land near Interstate 75.

Facts about Kennesaw State University

  1. Kennesaw State University enrolls over 20,000 students and is the third largest university in the state of Georgia, followed only by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.
  2. Over 75 percent of the students enrolled in Kennesaw State University are from local counties, including Cobb, Cherokee and Fulton, while nine percent of the students are from different countries.
  3. About 70 percent of undergraduate students and about 31 percent of graduate students are full-time. Over half of the students graduating from Kennesaw State University are between the ages of 23 and 34.
  4. Over 600 faculty members are employed at Kennesaw State University, and 74 percent of those faculty members have a doctorate degree.
  5. U.S. News recognized Kennesaw State University as a school which has made promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities in 2008 based upon nominations.
  6. Kennesaw State University was the only public institution in Georgia to be ranked as an “Up and Coming” school by U.S. News.
  7. Kennesaw State University was the only college in Georgia to be recognized for its efforts to help freshmen adjust to the rigors of college life by U.S. News.
  8. Kennesaw State University was recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as one of the nation’s top publicly engaged universities in a study entitled “Stepping Forward as Stewards of Place.”
  9. Kennesaw State University boasts more than one million square feet of administration, instruction and student support facilities.
  10. New facilities at Kennesaw State University include a Social Sciences Building and a 4,800-seat convocation center, which is the largest of its kind in northwest Georgia.
  11. Majors at Kennesaw State University (both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs) include education, health, business, the humanities, the arts, science and math.
  12. Graduate degree programs are offered in professional concentrations including nursing, business, information systems, conflict management, public administration, education and professional writing.
  13. New to Kennesaw State University in 2006 is the Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Learning, which is the first doctorate in the university's history.
  14. The Executive MBA program is the second-largest program in the country and has been recognized by Business Week.

Find all Kennesaw homes for sale and all Cobb County real estate at tinafountain.com, we can be reached at 404-842-1555

The Top Three Reasons why a REALTOR’s Advice is Unmatched

Giving a percentage of your home’s sale price to a REALTOR may be a hard pill to swallow for some sellers. In fact, it is the main reason why many home owners choose to undertake this process alone. Although it may initially seem like a great idea to sell your home yourself and save thousands in commissions, it shouldn’t be a decision you take lightly.

In short, the expertise and education of a qualified Atlanta real estate agent may be simply invaluable for homeowners who are looking to sell their home for top dollar, in a short amount of time, and with the least amount of hassle.

Whether you have a luxury Atlanta home for sale or a home for a first time home buyer, here is our list of the top three reasons why every seller should consider using the services of a qualified real estate agent:

  1. A REALTOR has a deep understanding of the local market – A qualified REALTOR will understand the market better than anyone else. He or she will understand the strength or weakness of the market, the length of time it takes to sell a home, and the pricing strategy most often employed. In short, a REALTOR will be able to help you price your home according to what the local market dictates, thereby allowing you to remain competitive in the marketplace and allowing you to sell your home quickly. Many sellers who sell their home without the help of a REALTOR will actually lose money because they did not price their home properly.
  2. A REALTOR has the knowledge and expertise necessary to negotiate the best price for your home – Perhaps the most important service a REALTOR can provide is expert negotiation. Once again, a REALTOR with a good understanding of the local market will be able to negotiate a solid selling price for your home.
  3. A REALTOR has the marketing tools and strategies to draw attention to your home – A REALTOR has something many home sellers do not: access to effective marketing strategies and tools that will give your home the attention it deserves. From websites and blogs to virtual tours and industry publications, your home will likely be more visible to buyers, thereby allowing you to sell it in the shortest amount of time possible.

Preparing To Buy A Home

Buying a home today involves the process of getting qualified for a mortgage, finding an agent to assist you with the home buying process and choosing the right home. Before you start the process, it is a good idea to do some research on the Internet or by reading the newspaper about mortgage rates, the type of mortgages available and home prices in the area where you want to purchase the home.This way,you will have a good understanding of how the home buying process works and it will less stressful for you.Getting Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage Ask for a referral for a mortgage broker from someone you know that has recently bought a home.A mortgage broker works with many lenders and can shop around to find you the best mortgage products.

A loan officer works at a bank and is limited to finding you one of their own mortgage products.You can also check rates on the Internet and use an online mortgage calculator to determine your monthly payment.The mortgage broker or bank loan officer will pre-qualify you for a mortgage so you know how much you home can afford. They will give you pre-qualification letter to give to the seller when you make your offer so the seller knows you are qualified to purchase their home.The Realtor will also want a copy of the letter so they can find you a home that meets your budget and criteria.You can also start the loan process by submitting your financial information such as your W-2's or 1099's, your tax return and recent banks statements. Once you have a negotiated contract, the lender will require that you pay for a home appraisal upfront to make sure the home appraises so the lender knows they will be able to get their money back if you default on your mortgage.However, home prices fluxuate up and down depending on market conditions so the appraisal is only valid based upon current market market conditions.

Finding a Realtor You can find a Realtor several different ways including referral from a friend or family member, on the Internet, the newspaper or by visiting an open house. When choosing a Realtor,it is always best to work with an agent who is an expert in the neighborhood where you want to buy. Using a buyer's agent is a good idea because they are looking out for your best interests and not the seller's interests. The listing agent represents the seller. You should choose a Realtor you trust and like whether they are the listing agent or a buyer's agent. Once you find the right property,your Realtor will help you determine the price to offer and assist you with writing and presenting your offer to the seller or the seller's agent. The seller may not accept the offer right away. They may decide to counter some of the terms and/or the price.If you and the seller come to an agreement, then escrow will be opened and you can give your lender the contract so they can process your loan in time to close the transaction. You will receive an itemized closing statement to review prior to closing from the closing agent. The closing agent will go over the statement with you and let you know the balance of the closing funds a day or two before closing so you can make arrangements to wire the funds or bring a cashier's check to the closing agent.Your Realtor will coordinate with the closing agent, the lender and the listing agent to make sure everything goes smoothly and you get the keys to your new home.

Visit tinafountain.com to view homes for sale in Rivers Call and homes for sale in Paper Chase Farm

Leeds, Alabama

Home to the basketball hall of famer, Charles Barkley, Leeds, Alabama is a city that was only incorporated in 1987 and was named after the famous city of Leeds in England. It is located in the Jefferson, St. Clair and Shelby Counties in Alabama and benefits from the typical mild Alabama weather, with the exception of some hurricanes and rare snowfall.

Most people associate Alabama and, particularly, the year 1812 with the Indian Wars. It was during this time that Cherokees, Seminoles and Europeans came to Leeds and formed one community from three cultures. Among the most famous residents at that time was John Stewart, who left Leeds residents with legitimate claims to Cherokee royalty. Although, the city had not been developed at that time and was largely a suburb of the southern end of the St. Clair County in the 1800s. Leeds is now considered a suburb of the busiest, largest and most populous city of Alabama ñ Birmingham.

In the first decade of the 1900s, the industrial revolution became a phenomenon in Leeds, with city leaders trying their best to cash in on the long term opportunity that it sought to provide residents with. Things started looking good with the opening of a cement plant in Leeds, the making of the Georgia Pacific railroad and Central Georgia railroad. All these industrial advancements created new employment opportunities and people rushed in from neighboring cities with their families to start a new life. Leeds provided good schools and enough recreation to make them permanent residents.

Leeds was an unknown city for the larger part of its history but success came after the incorporation of Birmingham and the beginning of iron ore production there. Since Birmingham was already so populated, people started moving towards the country to smaller towns such as Leeds, for fresh air and the small town American way of life. The city is also working hard to become a tourist attraction and a magnet for new residents with the recent addition of a vintage sports museum.

Leeds is a very small city with a population of only around 10,000. It is the perfect getaway for those who love the close knit community life of a small town but also the cultural and social events that any busy city offers. All major festivals are celebrated across the city with a lot of enthusiasm. And who can forget the favorite American past time of fishing, since the Cahaba river flows through the city.

View homes for sale in Leeds Alabama at birminghamhomefinders.com, also read the latest on our blog: How to Sabotage the Home Buying Experience

Increase Your Home's Value with Curb Appeal Upgrades

Have you ever driven up to your home and felt under whelmed by its appearance? Have you ever wondered why some homes look great while others lack zest? Do you have a favorite street you like to drive down because all the homes on it look sophisticated?

What is Curb Appeal?

If you've answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then you're the type of person who is aware of curb appeal. Curb appeal is a phrase used to describe how a home looks from the curb, or while driving by. Curb appeal can be either positive or negative. A bland-looking house might have zero curb appeal. A cluttered yard detracts from a home's beauty while a well-maintained and manicured yard boosts a home's appearance and raises its perceived value.

Why is Curb Appeal Important?

Good curb appeal is essential when preparing a home for sale so that it attracts passersby. When a potential buyer drives up to your home, your curb appeal will be the first thing noticed. An opinion of your property is formed in the first few seconds of viewing it. Make those seconds count by doing some curb appeal homework.

Each home on a street has the potential to add or detract from the over arching tone of the neighborhood. It only takes one or two dowdy-looking homes to bring down the real estate prices on your street. Even if you aren't about to sell your home, you can raise its prestige and contribute to the reputation of your neighborhood by boosting its curb appeal.

How Do You Improve Curb Appeal?

Great curb appeal doesn't just happen. With a little artistic flair or professional guidance, you can make simple changes to your home to give it the pizzazz you're looking for. Do your neighbors a favor, or at least do yourself a favor, by looking into what changes you can make.

Here's a partial list of suggestions:

Tackle and Touch-Up: No matter if your home looks a little worn from the previous owner or the ravages of time, take an inventory of needed improvements and identify steps to take that are within your current budget. Perhaps changing the home's siding isn't in the budget just now, but painting the trim might be a start.

Mend and Maintain: Mend fences, gates or porches in need of repair. Fix sidewalk cracks. Replace loose shingles, rusty mailboxes or scratched and dented doors. Cut back overgrown shrubbery. Mend and maintain a lush green lawn.

Professionalize and Prettify: Check out the latest landscaping trends pictured in home and real estate magazines or online, or visit a neighborhood that has had professional landscaping done in order to get a new ideas. Wide sweeping walkways and entrance-enhancing flowerbeds are key to taking your home from so-so to sensational. If you aren't talented or don't have the time or equipment for major landscaping tasks, hire a local landscaper.

Conceal Clutter: Create a place for everything and put everything in its place. Put away sports equipment, bicycles and other clutter after using it. If there's no room in your driveway or garage for your trailer or canoe, rent offsite storage space.

Accessorize and Accentuate: Add attractive items that are consistent with the style and colors of your home for that extra touch. Patio furniture, a garden bench, an attractive arbor, water fountain and in-season plantings add warmth and glamour.

Liven with Lighting: Light up your house address numbers and walkway. Add landscape lighting to accent your home's architecture and flowerbeds.

If you're about to sell your home, done well, your improvements can be the deciding factor in your home selling quicker and for a higher price than a similar home on the market.

Don't settle for the same old look you're used to seeing every time you drive up to your home. Increase its value by starting with some basic maintenance and upgrades and enjoy your home even more than you already do while boosting its curb appeal.

Search all homes for sale in Atlanta Georgia and homes for sale in Marietta Georgia as well as homes for sale in Cobb County Georgia at tinafountain.com.