Even though most of their compatriots have succumbed to shortening of the days and brisk gusts of wind, there are always a few stragglers that just won’t give up! And although it’s the middle of November and we had a tropical storm that blasted though earlier in the week, there are still some small pockets of resistors here and there. But the clock is ticking and time is running short, but as long as there are colored autumn leaves still hanging in there, I’ll keep the camera by my side. I shot this beautiful maple at the Male Academy Museum in Newnan Georgia this afternoon. I suspect I’ll keep up the “hunt” until Thanksgiving! 11/15/2009

October 2009 was a good month for real estate sales in Coweta and Fayette Counties. County-wide, in Coweta County the total number of real estate sales was up 0.8% in October, the only positive gain in 2009 so far. The previous best month had been June, which experienced a 3% decline in sales from 2008. In Fayette County, October was also the best sales month in 2009 so far, with a 5.3% increase in sales. Our Newnan ERA United Realty office closed more sides in October 2009 than any other month in the last two years. And although this anecdotal information is only one statistical point in the entire data set of all local real estate sales, it is still an indicator that at least one real estate office is enjoying robust sales. And November looks pretty good so far! It’s still a great ti... 11/11/2009

  Yesterday, I got to spend five hours driving through the rains of tropical storm Ida on my way to join some fellow auctioneers for a continuing education class in Cleveland Georgia. And although I could have taken the class online, I chose to make the trip to in order to see old friends and to make some new ones. These classes are more like class reunions, and we spend a lot of time catching up and listening to each other’s war stories revolving around the ancient profession of auctioneering. Some of my readers were surprised when I mentioned that I was an auctioneer, and in the comment section asked some specific question about the profession that I would like to address now. The first question is “how do you become an auctioneer?” The answer is not so simple. It depends on where you... 11/10/2009

It appears the Coweta County real estate market is showing some signs of recovery.  The number of foreclosures advertised in the Newnan Times-Herald for November 2009 is 185, down from 207 in October and a record 265 in September.1 In addition, requests for on-site environmental health evaluations is up nearly 20% from a year ago, indicating that there is a modest increase in building activity, These factors, combined with new federal tax credits for home purchaser, could help to stabilize the local economy. And while these improvements may only be baby steps in the right direction, they still tend to reduce the slippery slope to something a little more manageable! Coweta enjoys low property prices, and combined with low interest rates and new tax credits, there has never been a better ... 11/05/2009

It used to be that if a caller to the real estate company indicated that they wished to purchase a three bedroom, two bath home and keep the monthly payment below five hundred dollars we used to ask this question: “What kind of tires do you want on that mobile home you just described to me?” And that was back in the mid 1980s! Now, in the year 2009 as incredible as it seems, the combination of low real estate prices combined with excellent mortgage interest rates have many homebuyers purchasing property with mortgage payments at or below $500 per month. Even more remarkable is that these purchasers are buying homes at or below ONE YEAR’s equivalent of their annual income. We have even sold a few houses to individuals who paid more for the most recent vehicle they purchased. The bottom ... 11/04/2009

The Newnan - Coweta Board of Realtors Oktoberfest event is held every year for the purpose of raising money for local scholarships and the Red Cross. The event consists of both a silent auction and a live auction of goods and services donated by local Realtors and merchants. This year's event will be held at the old freight depot in downtown Newnan from 6-9 P.M. on Tuesday November 3. Tickets are $20 and there will be a cash bar available. Price includes catered heavy hors d'oeuvres, appetizers and desserts. ERA United Realty Newnan has presented a "Taste of Newnan" gift basket for the auction with over $275 dollars in local restaurant gift certificates, sample delicacies, t-shirts and cookbooks donated by local business and ERA United Realty agents and staff! The old Train Depot is loc... 11/03/2009

In January 2009, Governor Sunny Perdue eliminated state reimbursements for counties homestead exemptions. Lawmakers failed to reinstate funding and the result is higher property taxes for homeowners throughout Georgia. In Coweta County, that’s an additional $300 dollars or so for each homeowner, making 2009 property taxes the highest dollar amount EVER for most property owners. What makes this even more unpalatable is the fact that this increase was not noted in preliminary bills that might have prompted property owners to appeal their assessments in a timely fashion. For now, taxpayers can only grit their teeth and pay the tax. Next year however, all citizens of Georgia should appeal their assessments and also take their revenge at the polls. At this point in time, tax increases on pr... 10/20/2009

Tom Barron #404-936-7422 of Lindsey's Realtors. SPECTACULAR 4 BED 3.5 BATH CUSTOM BRICK HOME ON 15.13 +/- ACRES! FEATURES INCLUDE A GOURMET KITCHEN WITH STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES AND ISLAND; VAULTED FAMILY ROOM WITH STONE FIREPLACE; FORMAL DINING ROOM; OFFICE WITH BUILT-INS, MASTER SUITE ON MAIN LEVEL WITH FRENCH DOORS LEADING TO A SCREENED PORCH; GRANITE COUNTERTOPS; AND TILED FLOORS; AND A BONUS ROOM! TO SEE COMPLETE TOUR VISIT: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/897.aspx 10/11/2009

Tom Barron #404-936-7422 of Lindsey's Realtors. SPECTACULAR CUSTOM SOUTHERN LIVING HOME WITH LOADS OF UPGRADES! 5 BEDROOMS 6.5 BATHS; GOURMET KITCHEN WITH ISLAND AND HARDWOOD FLOORS; FAMILY ROOM WITH STONE FIREPLACE AND BUILT-INS; DINING ROOM; TILED BATHS; FABULOUS MASTER SUITE ON THE MAIN LEVEL; DOUBLE VANITIES IN MASTER BATH. COVERED PORCH WITH BRICK FIREPLACE AND BUILT-INS; STAINLESS GRILL AND INGROUND POOL AND FENCE! A SIMPLY STUNNING HOME!! TO SEE COMPLETE TOUR VISIT: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/970.aspx.            10/11/2009

Contact Sandra Cenkner 770-253-7516 of Lindseys Realtors. IMMACULATE 4 BEDROOM 3.5 BATH WILLIAMSBURG TRADITIONAL HOME WITH INGROUND POOL ON THE GOLF COURSE! UPGRADES THROUGHOUT! LOVELY PINE FLOORS, LARGE KEEPING ROOM, CLOSETS GALORE. MUCH MORE....MUST SEE! TO SEE COMPLETE TOUR VISIT: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/494.aspx 10/11/2009

As the November 30 deadline for the expiration of the first-time homebuyer tax credit approaches, the availability of bargain properties is diminishing drastically. Short-sales are probably out, as there is not enough time left to assure a purchase will occur by the cutoff date. HUD homes are allowing 45 days to close in our area, but if anything goes wrong you will not get to closing in time if you purchase this weekend. The "best bet" right now is a motivated conventional seller, willing to negotiate fair terms and move "QUICKLY!" The buyer can get excellent terms and conditions, a market price, and have a good change of closing the property in time to garner the tax credit. The next two weeks will be hectic. The time to act is NOW! 10/10/2009

We are having our busiest month of the year selling Coweta County real estate. So far, in the first week of October, we have closed more homes than the entire month of August. And there are plenty more scheduled to close this month. There are few places in the country that offer such a high quality of life with such a low threshold of real estate pricing. The American dream is alive and affordable in Coweta County Georgia! If you have been considering a move to the Southeaster United States, you are cordially invited to come and visit to see for yourself one of Atlanta's most charming bedroom communities! And you might want to hurry ... before all of the bargains are gone for good! 10/08/2009

I got a call yesterday that started: "I would like to check the availability of your listing at..." The only problem was, it wasn't my listing. I immediately realized that the caller had found the property on one of my IDX website and assumed it was my listing. I politely asked "Are you an agent?" The caller said "no" but that they had an agent that was helping them and that he was just checking availability for him. Now, since there was already a listing agent and a buyer's agent already involved, I simply asked the caller to please have their agent call me and I would give him the information that he needed. About an hour later, the same individual called again and said that he was at the house with his agent and that they needed the lockbox code to get in the door. At this point I as... 10/07/2009

To explore the outdoors in Coweta County you can hit the trail, tour gardens, or hit the parks.  And very soon you will be enjoying the Chattahoochee Bend State Park.  Greg Wright, president of the Coweta County Development Authority says that "this park is going to help showcase the great quality of life we have in this community". You can also Explore the Outdoors in Arbor Springs Plantation.  This community boasts the great quality of life with the Coweta Club, an 18 hole championship golf course, located right in the center of activity.   You can also enjoy the sidewalks and winding nature trails.   Residents can walk to the play park to picnic at the shoreline of the lake. The month of October is a great time to explore the outdoors.  Arbor Springs Plantation...Life, Resort Style. 09/30/2009

After the record breaking floods in the Atlanta area over the past few weeks, we are still discovering some unpleasant after-effects of the disaster. We are having some closings delays as appraisers for some lenders are being asked tp re-evaluate potential damage from floods and excessive rain and also are analyzing the potential risk for future flooding. And as you can imagine, the appraisers are already burdened with all of the activity already in progress due to the expiration of the $8000 first time homeowner's tax credit. This new issue of re-inspection could add delays across the board. It's just another chapter in the continuing saga of Coweta County real estate! 09/29/2009

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying that "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" I am a big fan of both college and professional football. I enjoy watching my favorite teams compete each weekend in the fall. But it irritates me when coaches call the same plays, use the same strategies, and fields the same complement of players week after week in losing efforts. At what point does somebody say: "Hey, what we're doing isn't working so we need to change our game plan?" I guess that we all could ask the same question regarding our businesses. If we haven't changed our marketing strategy, learned about new kinds of sales, and updated out technology products despite using the same tired old techniques over and over we just might... 09/27/2009

Coweta County Georgia was rather fortunate during the devastating Atlanta area flooding that occurred over the last few days. We did not experience the record rainfalls that pummeled the metro area with deluge after deluge of precipitation. However, Coweta County is downstream from Atlanta and the Chattahoochee River serves as the western boundary. The Chattahoochee is the principle watercourse that stretches from north Georgia through Atlanta on to the Gulf of Mexico. The water crested yesterday at record levels setting a new 100-year flood mark for the region. The short-term effect of the flooding is devastation for property owners in low-lying areas that had their homes inundated with water. It will take a lot of time and effort to rebuild and move forward with their lives. The long-... 09/23/2009

We lost a HUD bid a few months ago. And not by a little bit either, as the winning bid was about $10,000 higher than ours on a $100,000 house. We were in second place, and indicated that we would accept a backup position. As time passed, our clients purchased another property and we have already closed and they are satisfied with their purchase. Today I was notified that the house is back on the market. I can't help but wonder why it took three months for the original HUD purchase and sale to fall apart. In most cases with a HUD home, title is cleared before the home is placed on the market so I have to assume the issued was on the buyer's side of the deal. If there was a financing issue, wouldn't that be discovered in less time than three months? I hate the fact that my client lost a g... 09/18/2009

I always enjoy taking photos of Newnan Georgia. The town is nearly pristine, with a real movie-set quality that takes you back forty years in time. As a matter of fact, many movies and television shows have been shot on location here in Newnan. The TV series "October Road" actually showed some of my listings in the background! The latest is movie is Zombieland, starring Woody Harrelson which was filmed here earlier in the year and set for release on October 2, 2009! Hollywood comes to Newnan for the small town charm and appeal. I photograph it for the same reason! 09/17/2009

There is a real estate company in the Newnan Georgia area that ramps up recruiting efforts every year at the time the Board of Realtors dues are collected. Since this company is not a member of the board, the affiliated agents are not required to pay the annual fee that is used to fund all of the activities, amenities, and protections offered to Realtors. There is nothing wrong with not being a member of the board if one chooses not to participate. That's a free choice and everyone is entitled to make there own decision. What I find somewhat disingenuous is the fact that not participating in the board is presented to prospective agents as a perquisite and not a detriment. What does that say about an agent that will change companies to save a mere dollar a day? How dedicated are they to ... 09/15/2009