You Need a Real Estate Agent that Answers the Phone and Returns Calls   It amazes me how shocked people are when I answer my phone and give prompt service, or if they call on a property and I can't make it to the phone that I call them back very quickly.  This week I listed a home on Monday and got 10 offers by Wednesday.  The property is selling for well over list price, and for a much higher amount than any recent comp in the neighborhood.  While home buyers that are not working with agents are disappointed when they find that this house has gone under contract, they are extremely impressed that they get immediate return phone calls.  It's surprising how many people say, "Wow, you actually return phone calls," or, "Oh, I didn't expect you to actually answer the phone."  Just today I p... 10/26/2013

Why Are You Knocking At My Door In Morgans Crossing, Buford, GA 30519?   There is a very good chance that you will find me knocking at your door once per quarter in Morgan's Crossing Subdivision in Buford, GA 30519.  You may see me on your street at 5:30 in the morning or 5:30 in the afternoon! If it's at the earlier time, I promise not to knock on your door, because that's when I'm exercising, but in the late afternoon I love to meet my neighbors. You see, I live in Morgans Crossing subdivision and love to meet my neighbors.  Often times I'm referring contractors and finding out about what their rehab plans are that they might need help with.  Sometimes people need a good painter, roofer, hard wood floor refinisher, landscaper, appliance repair man, granite counter installer, tile or p... 10/25/2013

Choose the Right Contractor, Do Renovations with Permits and to Code!   One of the biggest mistakes I have seen novice investors make is choosing the wrong contractor.  Price certainly isn't the only factor, yet newbies often go with the lowest price without realizing what is at stake.  There are several things to consider before hiring a contractor: It's so important to make sure that your contractor is licensed, and you need to check with the state agency that oversees their type of license, don't take their word for it!   Getting a copy of their workers comp policy, insurance and bond is very important.  If something bad happens on the job and they are injured on your property, and are uninsured, you may be sued! Get references from several past clients, but don't just talk to the on... 10/19/2013

Are Realtors Overpaid Locksmiths, Advisors or Sales Agents? At times I'm amazed at the perceptions Realtors face.  The general public and the public in general often feel that agents are overpaid, earn too much commission, or that they may be self serving.  Certainly we must admit that there are vast differences among agents, and that sales agents are different from trusted real estate advisors, part time agents versus full time realtors, model home hosts and GRI, CRS, ABR, E-Pro, professionals.  Just as there are different levels of service and expertise in every profession there is a big difference among real estate agents!   Realtors ascribe to a higher code of ethics and increased standards of service than real estate agents who are not members of a board of realty and are not "Real... 10/17/2013

Are You a Trusted Advisor or a Salesperson?    In our industry, if you are having success, it's probably a given that you are good at marketing, have some communication and sales skills, and know how to fill out a contract and help clients through the issues that arise as you help them sell or buy a home.  You may  have tremendous market share and may be making a good or even great living, but do your clients view you as a SALESPERSON or a TRUSTED ADVISOR? When I worked for Robert Kiyosaki, he was very big on explaining the need for "Power Teams," groups of professionals that include Real Estate Agents, CPA's, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate, Estate Planning and Asset Protection Attorneys, Home Inspectors, Property Managers and other professionals.  He pointed out that if they all worked ... 10/16/2013

Marketing Homes As a Zillow Premeir Agent:  Does It Work? What has your experience with Zillow been like?  Have You thought of being a Zillow Premier Agent?  Over the years I've tried a lot of different marketing techniques, with varied results.  I've done door hangers, paid for flyer drops, tested direct mail, done email drip campaigns, bought middle sections in the Real Estate Book, paid for radio advertising, and have a weekly real estate show.  We do video emails and video blogging, and now are trying the best we can to learn ActiveRain.  We are doing door knocking campaigns and are calling expired listings. Attending Mega Agent Camp with Keller Williams a few weeks back, I decided to give Zillow Premier Agent a chance.  The customer service rep told me of another agent in my area w... 10/15/2013

Real Estate Is A Relationship Business!   It never ceases to amaze me at the agents who won't answer their phones, or who develop a team and become so big that you only reach automated attendants that ask you to choose one of 15 options, most of which don't even allow you to leave a message.  That is unless you push the button that says you are "A BUYER NOT WORKING WITH AN AGENT."   Some of these agents won't return calls or texts in a timely manner, and if they are working with a lot of foreclossures, they often dont put their listings on a SUPRA box, but instead put them on a combo box, but then fail to answer the phone so you can show and sell their properties. These same agents are likely the ones who continue to farm Craig's List and pay for advertising to get all of their leads be... 10/14/2013

Same Kitchen, almost same square footage, same subdivision, but renovated.  One sold for $140,000 one is Under Contract and they were asking $318,000 and it probably got pretty close to that! This is the tale of two applicants, two homes, applying for the same job or buyer.  Both are in the same neighborhood, and are virtually the same floor plan and size (competing for the same job/buyer).  One is updated (has a great resume) and the other is not.  One sold for $140,000 and the other is under contract and they were asking $318,000!  Both sold very quickly, but the owner of the one got a much better salary (net price)!  Before you sell your home, you have to know the competition and beat it! Selling your home is a lot like getting a job, and your agent's well executed marketing plan wi... 09/29/2013

My Home Didn't Sell, Who's Fault Is It? This home was very nice inside, but the powder Blue shutters and would have looked so modern and popped as black shutters.  Also, the door for $1,000 could be a carriage style door and would look great!  You don't even notice the new roof! At the end of a listing period everyone is disappointed when the house doesn't sell.  The agent likely wouldn't have listed it for that length of the time with the plan to go home empty handed, and the seller certainly wouldn't have listed with theagent if the agent hadn't been recommended by friends and at least appeared to have many great ideas to market the house.  Yet at the end of six months and countless hours of cleaning, de-cluttering, getting ready for the showing that gave no notice, and a great deal o... 09/26/2013

HUGE SHOUT OUT! to Friends and Neighbors Corley and Meg Steward on the grand opening of :     - 3385 Woodward Crossing Blvd., Suite 350Buford, GA 30519       Click to watch video: What Burgers Would Eat If Burgers Could Eat Burgers!!LOL   What the public is saying:    Burger21 is A-MAZ-ING! I can't begin to choose my favorite thing: the sauce bar, the tex-mex burger, the half and half fries, the banana foster milk shake or the super awesome staff!  much success from this great restaurant!             B21 Fun! It was beyond delish - so fabulous! Banana's Foster shake, Ahi Tuna Burger and fries with sauces are all Legendary! I'll need to come back for more tomorrow!! So excited for the Grand Opening! Congrats!!     New obsession...B21 chocolate chip cookies                  Its up to all ... 09/26/2013

  I have always loved the Windgate subdivsion in Buford, Georgia!  It's a great neighborhood with huge lots, filled with people who have lived in the neighborhood since it was built!  It's very close to the nearly new Publix Shopping center where Spout Springs Rd Meets Friendship, and of course there is the Kroger directly across the street from that!  Lake Lanier Islands is about 10 minutes away, and you can jump right on I 985 in 5 minutes!  Since the number one rule of real estate is location, location, location, Windgate Subdivision is a great place to buy a starter home.  Surrounding homes are much more expensive, with neighborhoods like Sterling on the Lake and Reunion being very close by, as well as Chateau Elan, Morgans Crossing and Friendship Farm.  All of these factors make t... 09/23/2013

Morgans Crossing Subdivision Home Values in Buford, GA Are Spiking! Currently there are NO homes listed for sale in Morgans Crossing Subdivision, which is a really good sign of neighborhood stability and desirability.  There are no distressed sales, and not even a single sign saying, "Coming Soon!"  Now if you live in Morgans Crossing Subdivision, you may be scratching your head thinking, "Wait just a minute, I saw one house for sale!"   Two weeks ago, you would have been right, but on about September 6, 2013 that one house on Lake Seminole Drive went Under Contract!  While we don't know what the contract price is, we do know that the home was listed for $348,000 August 10, 2013 and then quickly reduced to $318,000 twelve days later!  It went Under Contract in thirteen days at a price w... 09/22/2013

Moving to Atlanta?  Why Not Consider Buford! In moving to the Atlanta area, there are a lot of things to consider in selecting the right place to call home.  There are so many more things to consider than just the four walls you will surround yourself with and what they will cost!  Living is about quality of life, having a sense of community, and enjoying your spare time with those you care about, hopefully in a place that fits you!  Establishing yourself in a place to only find it's NOT at all what you thought is a huge nightmare! Lifestyle? If you are looking for urban chic Bohemia, Buford is too far and won't have the eclectic feel you are looking for, try "Little Five-Points." However, if you want to be outside the bustle of an endless sea of people, enjoy your off time at One of th... 09/21/2013

Looking for a great place to walk/run on Lake Lanier? Are you currently looking for that perfect spot on Lake Lanier? Well, I decided to venture down the road the other day for a run and was heading towards Shoal Creek Park located at the end of Shadburn Ferry Road in Buford, GA. Little did I know I was about to find a fantastic place to unwind from the day, getting some exercise and have beautiful scenery! I have been by Shoal Creek many times by boat, but never knew it was so large! It kept going and going and going. I stopped at one point to watch a group of deer and asked the guard if it went back very far? He responded “You could stay in this park for hours!” He was not kidding! I have since walked a handful of times and each time I take a different trail in order to change up the ... 08/20/2013

  Welcome to our Buford GA real estate search site including Buford GA Real Estate. Here you will be able to search all homes for sale in the Buford GA real estate MLS. This includes all Buford GA properties for sale such as condominiums, houses and homes and also includes short-sales, foreclosures and HUD Homes. If you are ready to buy or sell a house, we can help you out as a Buford Georgia real estate agent which includesBuford GA Real Estate. If you see a house you want more information on or would like to schedule a showing, be sure to call The Mark Spain Team, a great Buford Realtor, at 770-886-9000. If you would like to buy a new Buford GA home, we can get you in contact with Buford home builders to see all of yor Buford GA home construction options including Buford GA Real Estat... 08/18/2013

We're excited to tell you that we finally closed 2090 Brickton Station, in Buford.  This short sale success was a result of our teams tenacious resolve to see this through to the end.  After over 4 buyers put this home under contract and then flaked out we thought it might be the one exception to our normally guaranteed sale of short sales.  We feel blessed that that we found favor by "going up the chain" with Fannie Mae.  Fannie Mae short sales aren't impossible, but they are more difficult, especially when they think a home is worth what it sold for in 2007 without any repairs. This Buford home sold for a good price keeping Buford Home Values high, and much higher then they would have sold for if the home got foreclosed on.   Pass the word, short sales are still possible, but for how ... 08/12/2013

If you're thinking of buying a home for sale in Buford, you more then likely will consider Hidden Falls real estate listings.  It's one of the premiere communities in Buford.   Like most of the newer communities in Buford, Hidden Falls has an HOA  or Home Owners Association.   It has dues that are ANNUAL (not monthly for our Florida friends).  The annual dues for Hidden Falls are $776 at the time of this writing and is currently being managed byHeritage Property Management500 Sugar Mill RoadSuite 200BAtlanta, GA 30350 (770) 451-8171 Hidden Falls membership in the Home Owners Association is mandatory and comes with a $1,100 initiation fee.  The membeship priveledges are plentiful but basic fees cover the following: Access to the fitness area and club house use (party reservations are ext... 07/29/2013

Buford GA 5 Bedroom Homes for Sale | Five Bedroom Homes Buford GA 5 bedrooms homes for sale.  Search current MLS listings for Buford GA homes for sale with 5 bedrooms.  Do you need the extra space for an office or for guests or family?   Are you searching for homes in Gwinnett that have more bed rooms than the average home?  Well you are in luck!  This custom search will allow you to search only those homes for sale that have 5 bedrooms or more and have a minimum price of $100,000.  For more information about buying or selling a Buford GA home with 5 or more bedrooms, please contact us!  It will be our pleasure to assist you as your Buford GA real estate agents!  Contact Us Now! Buford GA 5 Bedroom Homes for Sale 07/29/2013

Buford GA Townhomes and Condos Listings for Sale Buford townhomes and condos Listings for sale. Search MLS listings for Buford townhomes for sale and luxury townhouses. [ Buying A Home ] [ Selling A Home ] [ Contact Us ] Buford townhomes and condos listings for sale! Buford has some great townhomes for sale and condo communities!  These are both low maintenance homes, and usually the communities are swim tennis communities.  This is a major plus for those on the run! That is why so many people prefer townhome and condominium living!   Feel free to search for Buford townhomes for sale, and view condos listed for sale in Buford.   Search the MLS listings and find your dream home today!  We have loads of great Buford town homes for sale. Feel free to search the MLS listings for Buford tow... 07/16/2013

Buford GA Homes for Sale Active MLS Listings Update Buford GA Homes for Sale Active MLS Listings Update: Here are the most recent Buford GA area MLS figures for Buford homes for sale and Buford real estate in Gwinnett County.  As of today Wednesday July 3, 2013 Here are the MLS Single Family Detached Listings At a Glance: Active - 224 Detached Single Family Buford GA homes for Sale Contingency - Due Diligence- 10 Detached Single Family Buford GA homes for Sale   Contingency w/Kickout - 0 Detached Single Family Buford GA homes for Sale   Contingency - Other- 5 Detached Single Family Buford GA homes for Sale   Pending- 115 Properties Detached Single Family Buford GA homes for Sale   Pending Offer Approval 55 Detached Single Family Buford GA homes for Sale   *Single Family Detached invent... 07/03/2013