The much anticipated Christmas Day snow that was predicted for Newnan Georgia is here at last! I have lived in the area for nearly forty years and this is the first “White Christmas” we have ever experienced. It’s even stranger because a lot of my friends in the Northeast have told me that there is no snow on the ground in many places. I guess it’s a numbers game. It does occasionally snow in Georgia, so it was just a matter of time before it happened on Christmas! Merry Christmas to all!   12/25/2010

  The big day is finally here, and it's the time that we shift our emotions from anxious anticipation to the realization that “ready or not, here we are!” Christmas Day always feels a little anticlimactic. The frenzy of preparation that crescendos through Christmas Eve is suddenly squelched as we finally get to enjoy the fruits of our pre-holiday labors! And somewhere in the midst of the gift-opening, the family visits, and the holiday feasts comes the realization that all the time and effort leading up to the celebration was well-spent. After the wrapping papers are discarded and the dishes are washed, it’s time to settle back and reflect on the day, the season, and the year. I wish all of my family, friends, and anyone reading this the merriest of Christmases! I hope that it is your b... 12/25/2010

  There is a buzz here in Georgia about the possibility of snow on Christmas Day. And while that may not be a big deal in much of the country, it’s pretty exciting news here in Newnan! In the nearly thirty-eight years that I have live in the ‘Peach State,” there have been a few significant snowfalls, but never on Christmas Day. So if indeed it does happen, it will be a very special event. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, a white Christmas was always a possibility though it was not a certainty. Many years were certainly cold enough, but there wasn’t enough moisture to produce snow. But there were plenty of Christmases with the white stuff, and a good snowfall always made the holiday more enchanting! So while I don’t expect to hear “sleigh bells in the snow,” I just might get to see th... 12/24/2010

Newnan HUD homes have always been attractive for buyers looking for value-priced homes with affordable financing options in Coweta County Georgia. One of the best reasons for purchasing a HUD home is that owner-occupants may qualify for and FHA loan with only $100 down. It’s one of the best opportunities around for buyer with income and good credit, but not a lot of cash on hand. Best of all, HUD employs a blind bidding process that gives all owner-occupant buyers an opportunity to make an offer during the exclusive period! If you need more information about buying a HUD home in Newnan or anywhere in Coweta County Georgia, give us a call and we’ll be happy to assist you with your purchase! 12/16/2010

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, the holiday season was frequently punctuated with snow and always accompanied by cold weather. Here in Newnan Georgia, our winter weather hinges on the wind. When the wind blows from the cold Canadian North, we have typical winter weather. If it blows from the South, we have warm breezes from the Gulf of Mexico Should the two collide, we have a blizzard! Tonight, it is just very cold, which seems to make the holiday lights burn a little brighter. After a nice bone-chilling walk around the neighborhood, it’s nice to retire to the family room with a hot drink and bathe in the warmth! And just maybe I’ll have a second cup. 12/05/2010

  I was talking to a business associate in Buffalo yesterday afternoon and she mentioned that they had just received their first big snowfall of the year and she was hoping to get out of the office on time.. I responded that since she lived in Buffalo, she should be used to it. She quipped: “We are, but this is the first big snow of the year!” Perception is a funny thing. And everything is relative. Many people believe that here in middle Georgia we don’t have to deal with the cold. And while it is true that we don’t have to deal with as MUCH cold, we still experience a significant freezing weather that requires vacant homes without utilities to be winterized to prevent frozen pipes from bursting! I checked the weather channel this morning. We don’t have snow on the ground here in Newna... 12/03/2010

  There are a lot of inexpensive homes for sale in the Newnan Georgia. By “inexpensive,” I mean under $70,000. And if you crunch the numbers at today’s low interest rates, house payments on recent purchases in the $300-$400 range are not as uncommon as one might expect. It is certainly true that the amount of income required to qualify for a loan on a house in this price range places nearly everyone in the realm of a potential buyer. Many would-be purchasers have car payments that are higher than their potential monthly mortgage outlay. So therein lays the problems: Debt to Income ratio and the dreaded FICO score. Cavalier attitudes toward accumulated debt and the accompanying timely repayment of the same preclude many from actually saving money and buying a piece of America. And these ... 12/02/2010

In the HGTV era of real estate sales, I run into a lot of sellers that insist that every upgrade that they have ever made should increase the value of their home. However, here in Coweta County Georgia, that is simply not the case. Stainless steel appliances or granite countertops or hardwood floors may really make a house stand out. And a well maintained home with many upgrades may be just the thing to prompt a fence-sitting buyer into action. But these enhancements do not translate directly to price. And while they may garner a modest premium by narrowing the degree of wiggle room in the negotiation process, the rate of return on expenditure is fractional. And many items, such as a new roof or a new HVAC system are maintenance items, and do not add value either. Buyers expect a roof ... 11/23/2010

At one time, Coweta County Georgia was the fastest growing county in the entire United States. But the nearly uncontrolled explosive development threatened the rural character of the former bedroom community, now a suburb of Atlanta. When the earth movers ceased their incessant drone in late 2006, the days of the great land grab ended. And acreage as a commodity was no longer traded. So at least for now, I can drive a few short miles and be a totally different world, devoid of sprawl and in essentially the same state as it was fifty years ago. Anthropological history, at least for now, is taking a much needed breather I Coweta County. And I for one am glad! (I took these photos today!} 11/21/2010

In Coweta County and Newnan Georgia, the supply of available REO properties is currently exceeding the demand of qualified buyers. As a result, the institutional seller’s dictatorial attitude toward contract negotiation is eroding with each new competing property on the market. Buyers can now not only barter on price, but there is increasing flexibility regarding the terms of the sale. What was once sacred ground is now being trodden by savvy buyers on a regular basis. One by one, each REO seller must acquiesce or face the fact that nobody wants their properties under their terms. They have truly been painted into a corner. It’s an interesting shift in the market. And it makes it an even BETTER time to buy! 11/15/2010

One of the best incentives for buying a HUD home in Newnan Georgia is the low down payment requirement for qualifying owner occupants. Many buyers with good credit, steady employment, and satisfactory debt/income ratios may qualify to obtain an FHA 203B loan with as little as $100 down. Combined with low interest rates and competitive pricing, a HUD home is an attractive option for many Coweta County homebuyers. In order to place a bid for a HUD home, a buyer must use a registered HUD broker or agent. Contracts are awarded based on a variety of parameters, such as price, closing costs, and the status of the purchasing entity. Governmental agencies and non-profit organization get first preference, followed by owner-occupants, and investors get the lowest priority. For complete details a... 11/13/2010

The Newnan Times-Herald reported today that for the first time the number of foreclosures advertised in the legal section of the paper surpassed three hundred for the first time ever, Georgia is a non-judicial state. Once a borrower defaults, the holder of the security deed merely has to notify the property owner of the foreclosure, and advertise it is the legal organ of the county for a minimum of four consecutive weeks. Then on the first Tuesday of the month, beginning at ten A.M. the property will be auctioned at public outcry on the courthouse steps to the highest cash bidder. Not every advertised property will go to the steps, as some of the loans will be redeemed or the borrower may seek legal relief to postpone the sale. But a lot of them will be sold, and the vast majority will... 11/11/2010

  98 Vinings Trace – Veronica Bangsboll. SPECTACULAR!! LUXURIOUS EXECUTIVE 4 BED 4.5 BATH CUL-DE-SAC HOME WITH INCREDIBLE OPEN FLOOR PLAN, GOURMET KITCHEN, SCREEN PORCH WITH FIREPLACE, 4 FIREPLACES IN ALL INCLUDING ONE IN THE MASTER! ICYNENE INSULATIONS! THIS HOME HAS EVERYTHING. For complete view of property tour: http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/2106.aspx. 11/09/2010

I will be hosting a HUD homebuyer seminar in our Newnan Georgia Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers office on Thursday, November 11th at 6:30 P.M. The program will consist of a simple how-to to clinic, covering all of the steps from pre-qualification to closing, and everything in between. HUD homes are unique in many ways, as they are owned by the Federal Government and the buying process is highly controlled. There is a propriety bidding system in place, which allows all qualified buyers to have an equal chance of being awarded the house. We will also be discussing the$100 down FHA loan for owner-occupants, as well as other possible bonuses that may be available to HUD home purchasers. There are many good reasons to buy a HUD home, but it is important to have all of the... 10/31/2010

The annual Newnan Christmas parade is one of the most anticipated events in Coweta County. And it’s not just because it’s the day that Santa Claus comes to town! The parade features marchers, dancers, floats, and vehicles of all kinds representing schools, local businesses, churches, civic organizations and individual participants. The procession is colorful, musical, and offers something for every one. There is a friendly competition among the three county high school marching bands. Partisans from Northgate, East Coweta, and Newnan will all declare that their band provided the premier performance. And there are always plenty of “Santa’s helpers” lining the street offering sweet treats for the children along the way. The event is magical for the kids. The climax of the parade is the a... 10/30/2010

  The Newnan-Coweta Historic Society is observing the season with special events that not only highlight Newnan’s colorful and historic past, but also provide area residents with a chance for some ghostly fun and entertainment. The spirit strolls will be conducted on Friday October 29th at 7:00 P.M. and 9:P.M. A spirit guide will whisk you along the sidewalks of Newnan and relate all of the “strange and unusual spirit activities” in the downtown area. The stroll will be punctuated with visitations from the specters that will spin their tales of woe and misfortune. The cost is $15 per person. On Saturday October 30th, the society will sponsor “Dinner with the Dead” at Something Special, which is located at 83 Greenville Street. (Across from the new Justice Center.) Appetizers and dinner ... 10/27/2010

Unlike three or four years ago, a lot of homebuyers in the Newnan Georgia area are not look for the “most house they can buy. Instead of seeking large homes with all the bells and whistles in the most expensive neighborhoods, many buyers are seeking a serviceable home that can be purchased outright for the same amount of money needed for a down payment on a status property! By eliminating a mortgage, all of the expenses of borrowing money are eliminated. This includes loan fees, mortgage insurance premiums, and of course, interest. And there are homes in Coweta County that can be purchased for under $50,000. Owning a home free and clear is the best hedge against inflation and is immune to shifts in direction of the political winds. And it will never face foreclosure! And that can lead ... 10/17/2010

Scalloped wings aflutter on pillowed wisps.In acrobatic flips and twists adriftUnfettered, free to soar aloft‘Til calm prevails o’er Autumn’s waftsAnd flight succumbs to Newton’s strainsNew carpet on the floor is lain!                            (R. Weisser 2010) It’s October, and it’s time for nature’s most fabulous show of the year. There is nothing like the brilliant colors of fall foliage on a bright and sunny Autumn day. But just like fireworks that burn the brightest just before they fizzle out into smoke and dark, the showy deciduous  leaf display is fleeting and short-lived. This incredible annual event mitigates the impending dread of the cold and dark winter weather ahead.   And that’s what makes it so special. (Photo: Fall leaves at the Male Museum in Newnan Georgia, October... 10/05/2010

Fiscal Year 2011 Funding for the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Program October 1st, 2010 marked the beginning of Fiscal Year 2011 for USDA Rural Development.  Traditionally, when a new fiscal year begins there is a brief delay in available funding.  Such is the case this year, as USDA Rural Development awaits confirmation of funding.  During this time, USDA will continue to accept and review new loan applications for purchase transactions and issue modified loan approvals referencing that the approval are "subject to the availability of congressionally appropriated funds".  HomeStar Financial Corporation is the largest producer of USDA Guaranteed Rural Development loans in Georgia.  Just as in previous years, HomeStar Financial Corporation will continue closing USDA Guaranteed Rural Dev... 10/05/2010

  After a record-breaking hot summer that extended deep into September, we are finally enjoying some cooler temperatures here in the Newnan Georgia area. When the fall weather is cool, crisp, and clear, there is a compelling desire to get outdoors and enjoy the near perfect conditions. And like sleepy headed children rubbing their eyes in an attempt to adjust to the morning light, adults were out and about and trying to adapt to the clarity of the Autumn sunshine! It is both invigorating and inspirational. And it feels great!   10/04/2010