I know it’s early August but school is already back in session here in Coweta County Georgia (it seems like they go back earlier every year) and that turns ones thoughts forward towards Autumn! Fall is my favorite time of the year, and I look forward to the season with eager anticipation. It’s time for football, fried apple pies, and of course, the leaf season! We have an extended foliage experience here in Georgia, as the leaves start turning in late September and can persist all the way through to December. I always keep the camera at the ready, as everything looks better with a little added color! So as the daylight hours wane, I don’t get depressed at all. Instead, I get excited! 08/08/2012

Joe Powell, a full service real estate authority out of the Newnan GA area announced the launch of their advanced website http://www.freegamls.com. This Coweta County specific website was custom built on behalf of Joe Powell to help consumers search property for sale in Coweta County. Using this brand new website freegamls.com, Joe Powell will bring effortless search functionality to local buyers searching real estate for sale in Coweta County. freegamls.com is a direct website for the Coweta County homes area. freegamls.com will provide responsive search functionality for Coweta County Foreclosures, Coweta County New Homes and Coweta County homes. For the easiest Coweta County homes Search you need freegamls.com. For more information about the easiest Coweta County homes Search or to r... 08/08/2012

Chattahoochee Bend State Park opened in July 2011 and is one of the largest state parks inGeorgia. And in a little over a year all of the proposed trails have been blazed and now there are over ten miles of maintained hiking routes open. One of the more interesting sites along the trails is the “Bear” tree found along the Riverwalk Trail. It’s an interesting natural phenomenon that at first glance actually looks like the silhouette of a climbing bear cub! And although black bears range throughout Georgia, they are seldom seen in these parts. So the casual walker might be a bit startled. Chattahoochee Bend State Park is a great place to hike, picnic, camp and canoe or kayak the Chattahoochee River. And although it is Georgia’s newest state park, it is certain to become one of its most po... 08/05/2012

The expression “Modern Medicine” is often used to describe the state-of-the-art in healthcare. When I was a child, new vaccines for poliomyelitis had just been developed, smallpox was being eradicated, and work was being done to eliminate “ordinary” childhood diseases such as mumps and the measles. For the first time in human history the odds of a child surviving to adulthood became more of a certainty than a coin flip. But as I look back to those days, the medical arts were primitive by today’s standards. There were no MRI’s, no arthroscopic surgery, and no computers to help diagnose an illness. Technology and medicine are intrinsically entwined, and every day new technologies are being developed and implemented in health care. This month’s “Modern” medicine may be a significant improv... 07/15/2012

It’s the first Saturday of the month and that means two things in Downtown Newnan Georgia: It’s both “Market Day” AND “Pickin’ on the Square!” The first Saturday of every month is Market Day. Vendors set up booths around the historic courthouse and sell everything from fresh grown produce to locally made crafts. Also, the first and third Saturdays are earmarked for “Pickin’ on the Square,” and musicians from across the county entertain the crowd with a variety of acoustic music. And so I’ll grab my 12-string and meet up with the rest of the band on the East Side of the Courthouse at 10:00 A.M. We’ll play as long as there is someone to listen and we don’t melt in the heat! Oh, and the best part? There is no admission charge or parking fees. One of the magical things about living in a sma... 07/06/2012

It was with great sadness that I leaned of the passing of Andy Griffith. Although he was a skilled and versatile actor that succeeded in many endeavors, Andy will always be best remembered as the Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry North Carolina. Born in Mt. Airy ( Mayberry ,,, Mt Airy …Mayberry … Mt Airy … get it?) Andy took his vision of small town Americana to the small screen in 1960. As a child that was coincidentally the same age as Opie Taylor,  I often confused Mayberry with the real world. In Mayberry, everybody looked after his neighbor, and went to great lengths to prevent hurt felling or damaged pride. Family always came first, and friends were treated like family! In Mayberry, there was never a crisis that could not be solved in twenty-six minutes. Even today, when we describe... 07/03/2012

Like much of the country has already experienced, today we will see temperatures in triple digits in Coweta County Georgia. It’s on days like this that I am thankful that I have a job that does not keep me outside for significant periods of time, and that I can control my environment during the hottest parts of the day. I pray that those that must work outside take all of the necessary precautions to protect their health in these extreme conditions. However, it is also important to remain our friend in the animal kingdom, who must combat the temperatures head on. I always make sure that I provide “cooling” stations with plenty of fresh water for both the birds and the mammals that might have no other resource for survival. It just takes a little time and very little effort, but the crea... 06/28/2012

If you happen to be traveling through historic downtown Newnan Georgia, you may be taken aback by the herd of brightly painted horse sculptures scatteded along the way. “A Horsey Affair” is a free public art display that includes twenty-five hand painted statues gracing the historic Old Courthouse Square and adjacent parks! The Newnan-Coweta Historical Society organized the project which enlisted the help of local artists and sponsors in an effort to raise money for a new interactive children’s museum. The exhibit has been a huge success and a boon for downtown Newnan, as visitors spend both time and money as they try to find and indentify all twenty-five horses! You can get more information at the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society or at the Visitor’s Center in the Old Courthouse! 06/17/2012

The Friends of Chattahoochee Bend State Park has announced that the construction of all approved trail paths is complete. One can now hike from the Visitors Center and connect to the Riverwalk Trail and continue from there to the Bend Trail. There is also a short loop available (.9 miles) for those just wanting to stretch their legs. Here’s the latest Chattahoochee Bend State Park Trail Map. Since there are some moderate changes in elevation it is wise to always carry water and perhaps an energy snack. The hot Georgia Summer can talk a toll on the ill-prepared hiker. There is a plethora of diverse plant and animal life to be observed in the park. And one of the best ways to get “up close and personal” with Nature is to spend a morning or afternoon on the trails. Chattahoochee Bend State... 05/15/2012

Yesterday I got another one of THOSE calls: “Hello, I just got off the Interstate at the Newnan exit and I need to find Greenville Street Park.” I was more than happy to help the caller find their way. After all, I wrote the post about Greenville Street Park way back in August 2008, and I have been getting calls about it ever since. But yesterday’s call piqued my curiosity, and after a little checking I discovered that my posts about local, state and national parks actually were among my most viewed web pages. And yesterday’s call that occurred nearly four years after the fact proves that these kinds of articles are SEO durable and will stand the test of time. Parks play an important role in any community. A municipality with quality parks can attract those seeking to relocate in a new ... 05/03/2012

A glint of azure tinged with greenThat beckons from the dark ravine,The forest reveals its hidden jewelA softly trembling shimmering pool!                  (R Weisser 2012) We all know the old saying that you “can’t see the forest for the trees,” and we rarely apply it literally. But as an avid hiker and naturalist, I have learned to keep an open eye along the trail for any nuance of nature that could easily be bypassed without so much as a second look! So as I was walking the East-West Trail in Chattahoochee Bend State Park, I noticed a nice reflection on a small pool in a rivulet. You can only wonder how the light penetrates through the full canopy of leaves and is able to reveal an otherwise easily missed spot along the way. It is indeed easy to miss the forest for the trees. So we n... 04/28/2012

As hard as it is believe, we are already in the second quarter of 2012. The year seems to be racing along at lightning speed. Perhaps that it because the Coweta County real estate market is red hot right now. There seems to be more of a sense of urgency for buyers as inventories dwindle and as interest rates threaten to rise. A lot of fence sitters have abandoned their perches and are now in the game. For many, it may be too late. Because the market now belongs to the sellers with fairly priced properties that command multiple offers. As we move towards Election Day, the expectation is that the economy will improve through the rest of the year. The market shows no sign of slowing down! Game on! 04/01/2012

Along the byways far from town, Away from mob and traffic sounds.Serene and cloistered hamlets waitFor those that forgo the interstate!                     (R Weisser 2012)  In the real estate business, it is hard to get away for more than a day or two. As a matter of fact, I haven’t had a day off in 2012 yet. So instead of thinking of “getting away” in terms of weeks, days, or even hours, I often take breaks that may last only minutes, but provide an enduring legacy to my photo archives. Do you ever choose to take the “scenic" route? Yes, we are pressed for time, and there is precious little extra for the extravagance of leisure. But there are places near our homes and places of work that are worthy of meriting a little detour every now and then. It may takes a few extra minutes and a ... 03/31/2012

Awake, from sleeping root push forthTo beckon famished apian swarms‘Tis Spring’s first industry of growthThat bursts from rock as Nature’s host!                         (R Weisser 2012) It’s THAT time of year again. The time when the earth warms enough to force the earliest blooms to open and face the sunlight before the canopy of leaves prohibit them for completing their reproduction cycles. I often marvel at how delicate and fragile these earliest flowers are. Springtime conditions provide a harsh environment and the plants will only bloom a short time. And while you may have to narrow your focus and look very closely to see the show, it’s well worth the time and effort to discover what symphonies of life are being orchestrated beneath your feet! It’s a show that should not be missed!... 03/03/2012

Is was an unusually busy weekend with quite a bit of activity. As a result, my Monday is fully scheduled out with housekeeping tasks that need to be completed today. I often wonder what causes the “switch” in business to be thrown from “off” to “on.” If I had to guess, I would say that there are three significant factors that contributed to the current floury of consumer interest: 1) Amazingly low interest rates. Rates are so low now, they are barely significant. In many cases, there is not enough mortgage interest being paid to even consider itemizing deductions on an income tax return. And since mortgages are long term notes, a buyer can fix mortgage expenses for years to come. 2)Decreasing inventory. InCowetaCountyGeorgia, we are at about one third of the number of listings compared ... 02/26/2012

In Coweta County Georgia, we are starting to see some houses listed as short sales and REO and HUD sales for the SECOND time in the last few years. How did this happen? Did we learn nothing from the past? Have year after year of buyer incentives and continued low down payments completely eroded the fundamental concept of ownership? True ownership involves skin in the game. It is too easy to just walk away and there are fewer and fewer consequences with each passing month. And yet the clamoring continues for easing mortgage qualification requirements. Leverage has toppled the market. The notion of only losing OPM has created economic chaos. Call me simple-minded, but I will always feel that people will act more responsible when THEIR money is at risk. The madness will not end until attit... 02/24/2012

The current real estate market has caused a paradigm shift in the way buyers think about real estate. The old notion that “more is better” has given way to “less is best.” Buyers simply do not want to put a lot of money into a house during a declining market. Builders in Coweta County Georgia has responded to consumers by purchasing  existing lots at fire sale prices, and by downgrading the product finishing to make the price as attractive as possible. What was once a stone or tile shower is now a one piece fiberglass unit. Where there was once crown molding, now there is none. Carpet has crept over most of the space that at one tome would have been a hardwood floor. It makes you wonder if perhaps we had come to the point where we expected too much in the first place. Perhaps simpler is... 02/16/2012

All of the experts seem to agree that the “shadow inventory” is out there.  Houses that have gone through the foreclosure process but for whatever reason are being maintained in inventory but have not been placed on the market for resale. The motivation behind the phenomenon has been described as being anything from sinister to shrewd. Are these institutional sellers simply buried under piles of paperwork, stymied by litigation, or simply trying to stabilize the market in an effort to reap top dollar for their properties? Whatever the reasons, in Coweta County Georgia there is a significant difference between the number of monthly foreclosures and REO and HUD homes showing up in the marketplace. I get calls all of the time about houses that have been sitting empty for long periods of ti... 02/08/2012

Come set your joy on golden frondsThat spice the meadow with saffron strains‘Tis Spring that waxes, fresh verdure dawnsAwakes as Winter’s crescent wanes!                    ( R Weisser 2012 ) Spring has come early to Newnan Georgia this year. The “jonquils” started blooming in January and the “redbuds” are resplendent in their awakening. The trees are already budding out. And while I enjoy Spring as much as anyone, you have to wonder about the impact this unseasonably mild winter will have on agriculture. The famous Georgia Peaches require a significant amount of hours below 45 degrees to properly set fruit. Not to mention the fact that if they bloom too early, a late frost or freeze can ruin a crop. But like it or not, we have no control of the weather and must deal with it as it comes... 02/05/2012

The woodpile and the furnace grateAwait the tardy guest waylaid.Is Winter past or only late…Asleep, to stir another day?              (R Weisser 2012)  It seems as if we haven’t has any Winter at all this year here in Newnan Georgia. As a matter of fact, even though it’s still January, the yellow bells and jonquils are already blooming. And although we enjoy a relatively mild climate here in the Southeast, we do occasionally get a real taste of Winter, as these photographs from previous years will attest! Here's wishing you snow if you want it, and sunshine and warm breezes if you don't! 01/29/2012