Cherokee County GA Real Estate An entertaining and informative take on the real estate market in Cherokee County, Georgia.

Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Visitors Out: Total Visitors Out: 21 41 4008 4008

"Pet Friendly"
2007-07-28 03:19:00
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, almost 65% of households in America have pets. Wow! I am glad to know that I am not alone! I love my new dog. His name is "Jack" (after Captain Jack Sparrow, arrg!) and he is a mix between a Poodle and a Schnauzer, more commonly know as a "Schnoodle". Click here for more information about Schnoodle's. We chose our new home in part because it was "pet friendly".The National Association of Realtors, reports " Spacious yards and condominiums that allow pets are moving closer to the top of buyers' lists of priorities. According to Chicago-based agent Mario Greco, clients often refuse to consider buildings that do not accept animal companions. " Read the whole article here.I know for me, I wouldn't want to live where Jack was not as at home as the rest of my family. Let me help you and your "family" find the home of you dreams. ...

Got Cars?
2007-07-24 15:52:00
Sometimes, people have a hobby of working on cars. This hobby can take up a lot of space and the front yard is usually the one to suffer. (along with the neighbors). If you are trying to sell your house, you may want to think about finishing those repair projects and getting the cars off of the property before putting the "For Sale" sign in the yard. For most buyers, first impressions are everything. If they can't see the house for all of the junk cars on the property, they won't even want to go inside for a look. For more tips on preparing your house to be market ready, please call me today at 770-862-8002.-Michael BradfordAssociate Broker, Southern Prime Realty ...
Cars 

Lowering Energy Bills
2007-07-24 15:42:00
One of the big drains on the cash flow of a home owner is the cost of energy to the home. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)has suggestions for helping you to not only save energy/resources, but also money. Sometimes, it just takes a small amount of cash to stave off the larger amount you might have to pay in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. Here is their home energy checklist: To Do TodayTurn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers.Survey your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These lamps can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60-100W bulbs used several hours a day. New CFLs come in many sizes and styles to fit in most standard fixtur ...
Energy 

Woodstock, GA: Forbes Pick Among Fastest Growing Suburbs
2007-07-21 14:37:00
In a recent FORBES MAGAZINE ARTICLE, Woodstock, GA is listed as the 10th fastest growing suburbs in the nation.Woodstock is in a moderate climate, has a beautiful old main street with restuants and shopping, many affordable neighborhoods, excellent schools, several golf courses and recreation areas, plenty of parks with events continually scheduled in them, a major interstate situated conveniently nearby, a huge mall one exit south, and plenty for families to do! As you can see by this graph, Woodstock is a city full of children -Would you like to be among the numbers who call Woodstock home? If so, why not give me a call today and I will get to work on finding just the right house to fit your needs. 770-862-8002.Michael Bradford ...

Ready for your first home?
2007-07-20 15:02:00
Most of us have heard that the "sub-prime" mortgage market is in trouble. According to Realtor.org, over 25 major lenders have quit or severely limited this area of lending. On Wednesday, July 18th, The national Association of Realtors testified before Congress regarding a reformed FHA (Federal Housing Authority). "REALTORS® support efforts to give consumers affordable alternatives to subprime mortgages. We believe that a modernized FHA could offer a safe alternative, especially for borrowers with less than perfect credit,” said John Anderson, broker-owner of Twin Oaks Realty in Crystal, Minn., testifying on behalf of NAR. See the rest of this article here. FHA loans have come back in vogue. Not that they ever left us, but the market produced products that made FHA loans less attractive. That is changing because of the sub prime markets colapse.Research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that the cost of home ownership is going down while the cost of renting is on the ...

Do Pools Help or Hurt Resale Value? It Depends
2007-07-19 03:31:00
I was reading this article by Freda Savana about pools and I thought it was good enough to share. There is a lot of controversey and questions about pools. Many sellers think they add value to the house. Many buyers are put off by the cost of maintaining them and keeping them in good repair. So what's the deal with pools anyway? Walter Molony, spokesman for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, says that pools can be "a double-edged sword" when it comes to a home's resale value. "For people who like them they are a plus, but for families with small children it may discourage them from a purchase," he says.After reviewing almost 30,000 home sales in Philadelphia from 1996 to 2003, NAR reported in 2004 that property values jump about 8 percent because of in-ground pools and fall by roughly 2 percent because of above-ground pools.If you have an in-ground pool that has been well-maintained and you live in a nice neighborhood, your pool will likely be an asset. If your pool is abo ...
Help  Resale 

Real Estate Tip #7
2007-07-17 14:59:00
The entrance to your house is extremely important when selling!This house would turn many potential buyers off simply because the entrance is not a welcoming and neutral space. If you have something like this by your front door, go ahead and pack it up for your next house and replace it with a warm, welcoming doorbell. First impressions are very important. For more tips on how you can make your house entryway perfect for showing, you can click HERE or give me a call @ 770-862-8002 today! ...
Estate  Real Estate 

TAG! I'm It!
2007-07-17 14:45:00
E-Babe over at A Modicum of Decorum tagged me with the Random Facts Tag and I have to play along. Here are the rules:1. Let others know who tagged you. (E-Babe)2. Players start with 8 random facts about themselves. (see mine below)3. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.4. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged. (This will be a challenge because I'm so new to the Blogoshpere but I will give it a shot!) My Random Facts:1. I'm happily married2. I'm grateful to be a dad3. I love dogs4. I'm somewhat musically inclined (except when singing with headphones on)5. I love to talk about real estate6. I'm becoming a trivia junkie7. I like card games8. I love sleeping late - because I never get to!I'm going to tag the following people:Maxloxtonthanate191ReeblesoiloffmarI'll have to think about the rest!Thanks, E-Babe! ...

Real Estate Investing 101
2007-07-16 16:10:00
Since we've been on the topic of real estate investing, I wanted to make a point to help clear up any confusion that people have about when a good time to invest in real estate might be. The best time to invest in real estate is ALL OF THE TIME - but especially when the market is slow. Allow me to explain: When markets are sluggish and the prices are in a holding pattern or downward trend, people begin to worry that it's a bad time to buy and they don't. This is a costly mistake. The best time to buy any investment is when prices are low. (Stock Market Rule #1: "Buy low, sell high" - Also applies to real estate). You can get some amazing deals right now! It is a buyers market... especially in Atlanta. Ands there is a glut of houses listed so you have many more choices and sellers are more open to negotiate on things like price, terms, repairs and even help with financing. Why wait another minute? NOW is the time to get that investment property you've always wanted. I can h ...
Estate  Investing  Real Estate 

Flip That House?
2007-07-15 17:19:00
One of my "flips" BEFORE The same house 7 weeks laterA lot of people are interested in flipping houses for big profits these days. And there is a good reason: you can make great money while improving a neighborhood and providing a buyer with a nice, newly refurbished home. It's a win-win... IF it's done correctly.I have "flipped' more than 20 properties in the past 6 years and I can share with you some of my experiences, tips and help if you are interested in doing this type of work. There are some hard and fast rules that novices either don't know or ignore. Let me help keep you from making those costly mistakes. Give me a call today @ 770-862-8002 and, together, we'll find a deal for you! ...
House 

Real Estate Tip #6
2007-07-14 13:08:00
Home need updating? One of the questions that I am asked quite frequently by sellers is how can they update their home to help it sell quickly without spending big bucks? The great news is that has already been done for you! .When builders develop a new subdivision, they spend a LOT of money researching what is popular among potential buyers. They hire professional stagers to design the model homes so that they look modern and appealing. .Go visit a few of these model homes to get some good ideas about changes that you can make that won't break the bank. A few well spent dollars can add thousands to your selling price! For more information on staging, click here or call me @ 770-862-8002 for some local recommendations..-Michael BradfordAssociate Broker, Southern Prime Realty ...
Estate  Real Estate 

A New Informational Tool
2007-07-13 14:46:00
This is a "Talking House" sign. It's a new tool in my selling package that I'm so excited to tell you about. How does it work? you ask....It is a simple technology that uses a small radio transmitter to broadcast facts and features about a house in a small area near the home. The transmitter is placed inside of the house and stays on a continual loop so that a potential buyer can hear it over and over.When you list a house with me, I will put one of these signs in your yard so that potential buyers can listen to all of the features that make your home stand out above the rest. This sign keeps people off of your lawn (to get flyers that are continually running out, getting wet and causing your grass to be trampled on). This Talking House is a free service to my customers.If you are interested in listing your Cherokee or Cobb County house for sale, please give me a call today at 770-862-8002. I will show you all of the tools I plan to use to get your house sold quickly. Thank ...
Tool 

Real Estate Tip #5
2007-07-11 21:21:00
Keep to the Code! (Arrr!)Many sellers do not realize that as they customize their homes, they need to comply with current building codes. If you fail to follow the code, you may have a difficult, if not impossible time, finding a buyer when you are ready to move. Although you might think your repairs and customizations are safe, the local governments and building inspectors may beg to differ. Don't let this problem become one that costs you big bucks down the road. If you would like help finding an inspector or contractor to check your house out, please give me a call today and I can hook you up! 770-862-8002.-Michael Bradford ...
Estate  Real Estate 

Transtechnik Plans Growth in Cherokee County
2007-07-11 14:46:00
I came across this encouraging article about more growth of jobs/economy in Cherokee County in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:German power supply company Transtechnik plans to add 45 jobs to its facility in Ball Ground, Ga., Gov. Sonny Perdue announced after a meeting in Munich, Germany with company officials.The company moved its manufacturing operations from New Jersey to Cherokee County in March 2006 and now has 47 employees. The company makes power supplies for mass transit systems such as the Las Vegas Monorail and MARTA. Transtechnik is adding capacity because it is branching out into subcontracting for original equipment manufacturers.Read the rest of this article by clicking HERE. ...
Cherokee  County  Plans 

Real EstateTip #4
2007-07-10 22:25:00
When considering how to landscape your house to make it sell quickly, it is better to plant your flowers either directly into the ground with plenty of mulch -OR- you can use pots and containers found in the garden section of your local store. Although I support recycling, using old toilets for planters is not generally appealing to the eye and tends to turn potential buyers away. For more tips on prepping your home for sale, give me a call today at 770-862-8002. Thanks!Michael Bradford ...

Patriotic House
2007-07-06 21:59:00
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House 

Mortgage Rates Remain Calm
2007-07-06 21:55:00
Mortgage rates remained calm during this holiday week, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate holding at 6.74 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders.The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage popular for refinancing inched higher to 6.41 percent. On larger loans, the average jumbo 30-year fixed rate nosed higher to 6.97 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages behaved the same, with the average one-year ARM and 5/1 ARM each rising, to 6.24 percent and 6.48 percent, respectively.Fixed mortgage rates are roughly one-half percentage point higher than three months ago. At the time, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.25 percent, meaning that a $165,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,015.93. With the average 30-year fixed rate now 6.74 percent, the same loan originated today would carry a monthly payment of $1,069.09.Fixed mortgage rates still remain the better refinancing alternative for adjustable rate borrowers facing sharp p ...
Mortgage  Rates 

Real Estate Tip #3
2007-07-05 21:24:00
Hiring a qualified contractor is of the utmost importance! Before you get your house ready to sell, be sure you check the qualifications and references of your contractor. You could end up spending a lot of money to have something done that will not add value to your house, and in some cases, even DETRACT value. For more help in this area, give me a call today!(Example of poor contracting of a back porch) ...
Estate  Real Estate 

Good News For North Georgia Real Estate!
2007-07-05 21:10:00
I was reading an article by Mardell Cully over at realtytimes.com and he made some important observations that I wanted to share with you. He states: "Overall market conditions for Atlanta remain strong and vibrant for several different sectors including first-time homebuyers, buyers "moving-up" to the $200-$350K price range, and investors seeking to capitalize on historically low interest rates. With the current popularity of interest-only loans and competition among lenders, low mortgage rates continue to fuel the housing market and mutually beneficial deals are being negotiated for both buyers and sellers."Hank Miller from the same site writes:"We've seen a bit more activity in the North Atlanta real estate market over the last two weeks as relocation buyers from around the country add to local buyers. Now that schools are out in most states, transferees are starting to appear - and that's a good thing! If you're headed to North Atlanta, you'll be pleased with the area as well a ...
Estate  Good News  News  Real Estate 

Real Estate Tip #2
2007-07-01 20:29:00
Ready to buy a house? Before you get in the car with your agent, a call to your bank, credit union or mortgage broker is a great place to start. We have all heard the news that foreclosures are at an all time high. Don't become a statistic! Learn about what programs are available and how much house you can buy before you find the home of your dreams. The National Association of Realtors has put together information designed to help you. Please visit the NAR web site for more information. Don't let what happened to this house happen to yours! Ask your Realtor for help navigating the waters of home ownership. ...
Estate  Real Estate 

Real Estate Tip #1
2007-06-30 03:58:00
Trying to sell your house yourself may be a costly mistake. Many homeowners make unnecessary repairs, fail to keep things neutral and don't market wisely. This example below shows that the homeowner failed to use a proper sign indicating that the house is on the market. This misstep will actually cost the seller money!Don't make rookie mistakes like this one! Call me for a professional listing. I will get your house sold and without costing you money. ...
Estate  Real Estate 

Welcome to My Humble Blog
2007-06-28 19:40:00
I am starting this blog for one reason: I want to inform people about as much as I can regarding the healthy real estate market in Cherokee County, Georgia. I am actively listing and selling homes. I also buy homes from people who do not want to list them. I usually rehab these homes and sell them or rent them out. I hope this blog will be a useful and entertaining place for you to visit.Come Back Soon!-Michael ...
Blog  Humble