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Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

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Atlanta Travel - A Shout Out to An Atlanta Local Travel Business

11-19-09
Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

Ellen and I were discussing how we can support the economy in Atlanta.  A lot of it is going to be by going local.  Supporting other small business persons and friends like ourselves is a smart way to begin.  We feel Realtors can be at the center of the fix in he economy because we come in contact  with so many individuals.  We're calling this Blog Type "A Shout Out!"  So this is the first of a few Local Blogs "Shout Outs"  to start that off.  The Blog was written by my wife Ellen!

By Ellen Crawford

I had lunch the other day with Jeanny Elmquist and her children Luke and Victoria.  Jeanny is a Corporate Travel Consultant at Travel Office LLC, but don't be under the incorrect assumption she can't do individuals or families because Jeanny's middle name is Family so to speak.  Usually the first half hour of our conversations are about her sisters, brothers, Mom, nieces, nephews, and their children scattered everywhere.  She would have to be a travel consultant with that large extended family!  Her in-laws live in Pennsylvania and her husband has family in Malmo, Sweden where my nephew lives with his new Swedish wife.  In other words, with my granddad also originating from Pennsylvania, Jeanny and I have a lot in common.  While the kids played, we were talking about cruises and she told me about this fabulous concept that UCLA has partnered with the cruise lines she represents.  When you're on a cruise, your child can take a fun, informative, hands on science course, I just loved that.  I was counting on my two hands the number of things a multi-aged family can do on a cruise line and at 38, Jeanny had just gotten started.  Across the entire age spectrum, in addition to the usual swimming, shuffleboard, exercising, dancing, movie theater, eating, drinking and general merry making, it would be impossible not to have a great time no matter where your destination.  She sent three ebrochures to my email so I could take a look at rates, free stuff, and programs.  Ask her for more details, but the best part was the pricing and many include free upgrades - some cruises are only $80 a night and one fit for a royal honeymoon was only $249 a night.  Tell her your dream cruise and she can make it happen.  If your personnel office is looking for a new corporate travel agent, she's the gal for you.  Alaska anyone? Her email address is  your_travel_agent@email.princess.com and her site is http://jeanny.agenthub.net/contact.php,

* This is not an ad, or endorsment, but rather a support of local businesses
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Boasting, and Liable! There is a Difference!

11-19-09
Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

An agent making the claim they are the "Best Atlanta Real Estate Agent" is one thing, and an agent making the claim, "...Foreclosure Expert" are two very different types of claims. Everyone in the real estate industry... reads the claims of agents and brokers claiming they are "Short Sales Expert!" "Foreclosure Specialists...ad nauseum..." and we take take them with a grain of salt! So many agents are doing this these days. A lot of agents using terms like "Consultant, Adviser, Relocation Expert, Buyer Advocate and Distressed Property Specialist!" So far so good? The problem with this is that they have never sold a home or advised one client. To a client that is relying on them for assistance and guidance in the most expensive transaction in their life...what if that advice is totally wrong? I'm not a lawyer , but you have to believe in resentments, and righting a wrong. Once unsubstantiated claims are made in print...they go a little beyond creative marketing and may offer proof of fraud for an unhappy client. In some states even a "Pen" with printed information on it is considered advertising! I read an article along time ago that said in downturns, lawsuits increase against agents. Be careful what you claim!

If an agent is making claims, they better be able to back them up. The term 'consultant' has a ring of authority in it, but what if the sound is hollow? In some states, terms like financial adviser or consultant may have to be licensed. But what if an agent was never consulted for anything....yet makes these claims? An angry client can research your background, they can save your business cards, and print dated pages from your website where those claims are made. If they file a lawsuit after they find you've never done anything as claimed in your ads...they may want justice. FYI...If you are sued for fraud, it is my understanding that fraud is not covered by E&O, and if your E&O does not cover it... you are on your own. Your own personal assets, bank accounts, properties, and finances may be at risk.

The rush to make money in real estate is blinding many to cross the line where it is not their advertising that is in question, but their manipulation of an unknowing victim. Even if you win your case if sued, the cost of a long protracted legal fight can crush you financially, wear you down mentally and rob you of years of your life.

In Georgia the state has pretty much taken the position, that we cannot practice law. Real estate agents, are not in a position legally to advise anyone on whether they should do a short sale and how to do it. That is reserved for the practice of law because of all that is involved.

An Example: Even though we are licensed under the laws of a state to sell real estate. I may speacialize in residential real estate. I could legally sell commercial real estate, but since I have so little understanding of the the workings of commercial real estate..I will not sell it. I would place my clients and their interests at risk if I offer advice and guidance in an area I know nothing. I will refer my clients to someone that has experience in those areas and can best assist my clients.

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Credit and Home Buying!

11-18-09
Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

When you're ready to purchase a home in Atlanta (or a car for that matter) you should see a loan officer or mortgage planner first. There are so many options and programs open to Atlanta home buyers that you may want some assistance in planning the best mortgage for your needs over the lifetime of your mortgage, especially if you plan to stay put. If you'll be in Atlanta for 5 years, you may want to take a loan with a balloon coming due in seven years as opposed to an ARM, a fifteen or thirty year loan for example. You may want to work with a lender that allows you the choice of paying your mortgage twice a month and save yourself tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

First thing to do is check your credit report. In Georgia, you can check your report for free twice a year with all three credit reporting services (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Credit is very important these days, and the rate you get when buying a home will be a reflection of your credit score. A poor score will mean a higher rate.

  1. Always check for errors which are very common and can take a long time to correct. If you monitor your reports, you can catch mistakes early.
  2. Please make all your payments on time. This will result in your getting the very best rate and keep your score high. Why pay sometimes hundreds of dollars in fees?
  3. Old accounts count! Even if you don't use certain cards much, the length of your credit history is a portion of the factor in your credit score.
  4. When you spend your accounts to the maximum, you'll bring your ratios way over the top. If you have your credit card debt alone at half your credit limits, it's factored into your ability to purchase. Happy house hunting and enjoy the extension on the $8,000 tax credit and you still have time left on the Georgia $1800 tax break.
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Buying a Home - A Personal Budget Could Prevent Disaster!

11-17-09
Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

Gambling when buying a homeWhen they say "A home is the biggest investment of your life..!" They weren't kidding. It is! As you can see now what is ocuring in our economy today...it should never be taken or treated lightly as people were doing. A sudden illness, job loss can turn your world upside down. I recently heard of a friend speaking of a couple that just recently lost their home. Both the husband and wife lost their high paying jobs. They had no reserves. They lived in such a "Big home, drove a big car, and lived a big lifestyle!" At first glance, you would believe they were very well off, but it was a mirage. It was all done on credit.

Sometimes you sit back and are overwhelmed when you hear stories like this, but I no longer do. I am not cynical, a better word is that I am 'numbed to it!' I really think that too many persons lived way beyond their means and needs and what we are witnessing in our society to day is the price many are paying for the financial distress. As a parent would tell a child with too much food on the plate, "Your eyes were bigger than your stomach!" So too is the predicament that many home buyers placed themselves in. They placed themselves and their future in harms way. This is really a pretty common place story in America today. They did not anticipate income, their real financial obligations in life, increases in mortgage payments, taxes, utilities and even increases in the cost of gasoline. It was a true recipe for disaster of epic proportions.

Compulsive gamblers get a thrill by pushing the envelope a litter further than they should, and get a rush when they beat the odds. The difference is that many compulsive gamblers take calculated risks. They make their moves based upon certain known facts and odds. Unlike many homeowners that may be foreclosed on...many of them moved into deals that could never work out for them in their favor.

A budget could have laid out everything for them even before they went in on the home. A home should never be purchased on impulse or whim. The ability to buy a home, does not mean you should move forward. Down payments, monthly payments are only part of the big picture. There are many other monthly expenses that have to be allotted for in a budget. The math never lies. Before a person buys a home is the time to look at the math, once you are in the home it is pretty much too late. Many persons are finding this out the hard way that you cannot flip an expensive home in a six months or a year if every one of your neighbors are trying to do the same thing too.

This is especially true for first time home-buyers in a shaky economy and high unemployment.. Before you buy a home have a plan! make sure it is your plan...one that you are comfortable with and do not feel you are pressured into it.

  1. Start with the right mortgage that you can afford. A mortgage payment is one thing, but the reason a 30 year fixed rate became so popular after the last great depression is that it is a budgeted mortgage. It provides a fixed rate payment for the term of the loan. Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance are all provided for. If you know that your payments are for the next 30 years, you can plan around it. The secret is you pay it down, and NEVER borrow against the equity! Don't have enough money for a down payment? Get a second job! Try to put down the most possible, again...pay it down.
  2. Assess Your Finances. Once you know what your monthly payment is now you can look at all the other items in your life. Income, taxes and expenses. Some expenses may be fixed, and others will fluctuate. It is the monthly expenses that are most important. Sometime they are not constant. In summertime the air conditioning usage will be higher, and so will your electric bill. In the winter Your electric bills may go down, but your gas or oil bill will rise due to heating. Water usage may rise. There are many fees that are necessary and others that are not.
  3. Know Your Financial Obligations:Home insurance, electric, gas, sanitation, water and sewer will fall into this category. Cable tv is optional. Then there are expenses of home maintenance, auto payments, car insurance, hospitalization, the cost of maintaining a cars(s), fuel, car insurance, registration, parking tolls, food, medical, personal care, taxes and more. On top of this is you should have a good nest egg or an emergency fund. I would suggest at least 6 months in the bank!

  4. Don't Have a Budget? Get one! Plan it out! Download a free Family Budget for Microsoft Excel

Personal Budget

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Marketing Atlanta Real Estate – An Insight to a Generational Gap.

11-16-09
Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

Todays Home BuyersNo matter how much hype we have in Atlanta Real Estate about the buyers in the current market, one thing everyone is in agreement on is that the largest percentage of Atlanta Real Estate sales is still going to the first time homebuyers. This is the generation of current home buyers that instead of sports after school or building go carts made of crates from produce stands - after school they were busy gaming. That is their recreation and entertainment. This is the generation that grew up online. If they want the news, they do not even turn on the TV. They instead rely on the Internet or cell phone to update their need for more information and faster connectivity speeds. Unlike any other generation, their lives embrace technology and accept it as their way of life. The problem to most real estate agents there is a major disconnect. The average agents age in in the 50's while the average buyer is in their mid 20's. So it is a generational gap that cannot even be fathomed by the experienced agent. We are totally blindsided to how they think, act and make decisions. While the agent is busy writing ads for open houses that will be opened a week from now on a Sunday between the hours of 1-5PM. The "iGeneration buyer" has already found 5 or 6 high quality virtual tours online and has texted, emailed or Twittered this home to others that may be involved in the purchase decision and has already made appointments to see the home. He does not have to wait 5-6 days to see the inside of a home, and sign your guest register while you give them the "Third degree!". They prefer the anonymity that is offered online.

Flyers, directional signage, and classified ads have gone the way of the mammoth and mastodon to this generation of buyers. High Definition video tours online and advanced street level mapping may in time eliminate open houses, perhaps not entirely but the next gen of buyers coming from the Internet generation will view and disseminate not only properties online but surrounding areas before deciding which ones to pursue further. With the trend moving away from the ex-burbs and into the city center or fringe suburbs, it may become location, location, location again instead of the present day price, price, price. With the extension of the $8,000 tax credit, more first time home buyers are in the market again for some time to come - and searching the Internet, the medium they grew up on. They will not be getting their fingers dirty with stale classifieds, or black and white or color real estate magazines. Life as they know it is a "Print free world!" They expect and demand more than a one dimensional marketing approach, and have grown up in a world where they do not have to accept less. The will look to avoid intrusive forms, and try to get to the next level of the game without giving up any of their points. It is only when the prize is in sight will they reveal their identities. Will they be able to find your home? On our Atlanta Real Estate site they will! For over 13 years Atlanta Best Homes has had high ranking visibility on all the major search engines. We recieve over 2000 unique visitors a day!

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