We've Got Your Home!

Come check us out at Brookmont in Douglasville, GA. This beautiful home is our Grand Model--but we have one just like it and it's ready to go!

Down payment assistance may be gone for most homebuyers, but the truth is, we have it here at Brookmont when you use our preferred lender. Wouldn't it be nice to keep your cash and use it to furnish your new home, or maybe take your vacation after the exhausting job of moving into your new home?
The market is changing--so don't just sit there, come out and see us!

English Tudor in College Park

Just Listed!

• 5 BR/3.5 BA on full finished basement
• 1.4 acres
• In ground pool
• Bedroom on main
• Formal Living Room & Dining Room

3780 Sherbrook Ct. College Park, GA 30349

What a great time to buy! Call for an appointment to see this home.

The Georgia Dream NSP Purchase Loan

The Georgia Dream NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program)Loan is a second mortgage up to $14,000. for qualified buyers who purchase a foreclosed home in certain counties in Georgia. This loan is for all buyers, not just first time home buyers, but you must buy a bank owned, government owned or eligible non-profit owned property.
The home must also be in a designated county that has been identified as an area of greatest need.

Eligible buyers must have a total household income less than 120% of the area median income.
This second mortgage is forgiven if the borrower lives in the home over a 5 1/2 year period. The amount of the second mortgage (the NSP loan) is up to 10 percent of the purchase price and cannot exceed $14,000.

For more information check out the Georgia Dream website http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/Homeownership/programs/gadreamnspdownpayment.asp

If You Snooze You Lose, Even in This Market

It's true. There are some great deals out there, but they go quickly. I've noticed Buyers are hesitant to write contracts because they are afraid they may have missed something. If you find a good deal, don't wait. I have had Buyers enter a home, ooh and aah, say they love the home, this is it, this is the one, then turn around and say they want to see some more homes to be sure. After showing them more homes they decide to write a contract only to find out the home of their dreams is under contract. I actually had this happen several times to three different couples over the last few months. The fact is, a good deal is a good deal is a good deal. The good deals don't last just because it is a Buyer's Market. When you find a home, buy it!

3rd Place

Okay, so this has nothing to do with real estate. I just had to brag. I won third place with this photo at the Sweetwater Camera Club last night. I'm just excited about it!

New Listing!

This beautiful 4BR/4BA home is located at
181 Barberry Lane, Dallas, GA 30132
in Madison Park Subdivision.
Over 3100 SF with about $40,000. in upgrades. Granite counter tops, tiled floors, hardwood floors, sueded faux paint, upgraded lighting, cable and phone jacks in all rooms including kitchen and covered back porch. Exterior shed in back yard.

Only $189,900.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! 2009 is the year that will shine. I'm telling you, I feel really good about it. If this week is any indication, 2009 is going to be one of my busiest years ever. I am so excited about the fabulous deals out there. If I didn't love my house and neighborhood so much I would be tempted to sell and buy something else.

My partner, Diana Stowe, found this awesome deal in Douglasville for only $99,900. Can you believe it? OMG. It is a craftsman style home, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Take a look at this.

This is why you want to buy now!

How Will You Know When We Hit Bottom?

So many people are sitting on the fence waiting for the bottom to fall out. The only problem with that is we don't know we hit bottom until our prices start going up.

Some experts are saying things will start improving in the Spring of 2009 and some experts say we should be back to some normalcy by 2010. That tells me, 2009 is the time to buy. Interest rates are at an all time low, there are a number of incentives for first time home buyers and we're even looking to changes (for the better) for investors.

This may not be the best time to put your house on the market, but if you can afford a small loss now, you can find great deals for an upgrade. You need to have some equity in your home if you don't want to come to closing with cash. If you wait until the market starts improving you might get more for the house you are selling, but you'll also pay more for that new home. Make sure you are upgrading not downsizing.

Great Time to Buy/ New Low Rates

When times are hard it is understandable that we are afraid to make any moves. My husband and I thought about moving closer to Atlanta because the cost of gas for my husband to commute was equal to about 1/2 our mortgage. The problem is, it isn't a good time to sell your home, and I need to sell my home before I buy a new one. There are many people in the same boat. But, it's still a great time to buy! So if you are in an apartment or you don't need to sell an existing home to buy, now is a great time to buy.

Some people are waiting for the bottom to fall out. The problem with that is how do we know when the bottom has fallen out? When the prices have already gone up. We can't predict when it will happen, but we will know when it is over. When do you want to buy? While the prices are going down or when the prices are going up?

I just received a message yesterday from a friend in the mortgage business that the interest rates have dropped to 5 1/2%. It's been a while since we've seen them that low. If you are thinking about buying a home, now is the time to buy. With great prices and low interest the timing couldn't be better. For more information on lending you can contact Tony Boothe with Metlife (First Horizon merged w/MetLife) at tboothe@metlifehomeloans.com.


If you are interested in a foreclosure there is a link on my website to search foreclosed homes. Go to www.marylesh.prudentialgeorgia.com

I would like to introduce to you my partner Diana Stowe. I worked with Diana in New Home Sales for years, and I am so excited she has moved her license to Prudential Georgia Realty to work with me.
Diana is a real people person and a true asset to the real estate industry. She treats everyone like family and she truly looks after their best interests. She has a passion for people and the real estate business. Who wouldn't want to work with her? Her positive attitude is infectious.
Stop by our office to meet Diana.
Prudential Georgia Realty
2750 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 1400
Douglasville, GA 30135

The Stove

Wow, we've come a long way.
Can you imagine using one of these old things? For those of you who don't know, it was fueled by wood or coal. That's right. The cook had to keep filling it's belly with wood or coal to keep things cooking. That was before the days of electric appliances such as mixers, blenders, and food processors. Lots of work.



Then along came this gas stove. It must have felt like heaven. By this time we had additional electrical appliances and life was good. (At one time I thought I could never use electric unless I was forced. Then I was forced into it and it wasn't too terribly bad.)





When electric arrived we thought life couldn't get better, until flat surface came about. I don't know about you all but I couldn't live without it.
I would love to have a flat surface cook top with built-in double ovens, but I don't have that in this house. I am trying to convince my husband I don't need the pantry, but that is an entirely different story.



I have a question for you all. If you had a choice what would your choice be?
Please tell me your choices and why? Include color and style if you like. I have seen so many neat colors and styles in the last few years and I change my mind with every different model and color. I look forward to your responses.

Buy Now!

With all the bad media hype about the real estate market it is no wonder sales have dropped. Today's market is not as bad as the news media is making it out to be. Remember the market is all relative to the area. The Georgia real estate market has not changed as drastically as the media would like us to think. The only thing that has changed is who has the upper hand. We have switched from a Seller's market to a Buyer's market. If you are thinking about buying a home, today is a great day to buy. Not only do you have nearly 100,000 homes on the market, interest rates are low and Seller's are giving away incentives that will make your mouth water. Remember a year ago when Builder's would not budge on price and every thing was an upgrade? They have turned the other cheek and will practically give the shirt off their backs to get you to buy their home.
Seller's if you don't need to sell, sit tight. Let the builder's sell their inventory. Let the foreclosures sell. Your turn will come back, but you need to be patient.
I plan to make improvements on my house so I will be ready when the market turns around. I may not get my money back, but I will enjoy the upgrades. When I am finally ready to sell, my house is going to shine. My return will show in a fast sale.

The Atlanta Market

Single family home sales in four areas of North Fulton show a slight drop in sales compared to last years market. While last year there were about 55 more sales overall, the price and time it took to sell did not change much. Last year Seller’s were averaging about 96% of their list price with an average of 65 days on the market. This year Seller’s were averaging about 95% of their listed price with an average of 66 days on the market.

The condo market has not fared as well as the single family homes, but they are holding on their prices. Last year there were about 100 more sales in the condo market than this year. The good news is that the condo owners have been selling at approximately 96% of their listed price with an average of 100 days on the market. Last year condo sellers were averaging about 98% of their listed price with an average of 91 days on the market. Be patient and you will sell.

This information was taken for a small section of Atlanta and compared July 2007 to July 2006 and therefore, may not hold true for all areas.

For Fun Things to do in Georgia

If you are looking for some things to do in Georgia, go to the calendar on my website.
Click here

Curb Appeal What's the Big Deal?

I know you've all heard about curb appeal. You know what it is, but do you realize how it can make or break a deal? Several times, I have pulled up to a listing with my buyers in the car only to be told, "Never mind." It's true. And I must say, I have felt the same way. If there is no appeal outside, your gut instinct tells you there is no appeal inside. Adding curb appeal to your home may not increase the price, but it can save you money by helping you sell more quickly. In an article from NAR, "The home has to say buy me” at all times, says HarkerABR®, CRS®, a broker-associate with Keller Williams Realty in Dallas.

If you are planning to sell your home or just want your neighbors to envy you a bit, give your home some curb appeal. Here are a few inexpensive things you can do to add appeal to your home.

The first thing you need to do is check your home for repairs. Is there cracked or peeling paint? Siding missing or has it slipped from its position? Broken bricks, shutters, or railings? There is no point in adding gardens, pathways, arbors, etc. if your house is in need of repairs. Plants and sidewalks won't hide it.

After making repairs make sure any landscaping is trimmed, edged, weeded and refreshed. In other words, make sure shrubs are not growing wild and into the path. Pull weeds, edge and lay some new mulch. Make it look fresh. “If the yard is overgrown and weedy, it’s a turnoff,” says Steve Griggs, president of Land Design Studio Inc. in Blauvelt, N.Y.

If you have bare spots or no landscaping, time to start planting. Exteriors by Better Homes and Gardens suggests container plantings. These are merely plants in containers such as: flower boxes, ceramic or tera cotta pots, metal containers, or hanging baskets. According to HGTV, a seller can get 100% return on their investment in landscaping.

Exteriors by Better Homes and Gardens also suggests replacing hardware and lighting fixtures or add lighting to pathways.

A great way to get ideas is to drive through neighborhoods and check out the homes that appeal to you. I'm willing to bet most will be in good repair and beautifully landscaped with lots of flowers and shrubs and lots of color.

If any of you would like to show some transformations you've made, please email them to me and I will post them and show them off for you.

Corian, Granite, Glass or Quartz, Icestone?? Is it worth it?

Are you having trouble trying to decide what countetops might be best for you? Are you wondering what value you will get out of it? Sometimes we "bless" our homes with valuable upgrades that may not increase the value of our homes. That's okay, if you do it for you and not because you think you will reap rewards when you sell. If you plan on living in your home for a long time, you might want to invest for your own satisfaction. Adding a solid surface to your countertops will definately enhance the look and value of your kitchen. While I don't recommend you run out and install solid surface if you are in a home with a market price under $150k (this is approximate), solid surface can usually increase the value of your home. Take a look at the different types of solid surface countertops available.

According to "Kitchen Trends, Atlanta, GA" Quartz countertops are "What's Hot." Silestone by Cosentino says there are over 50 colors/patterns to choose from, it is the toughest interior surface available on the market and it is the only countertop to have built-in Microban protection, as well as NSF and Greenguard Certification. What does that mean to the consumer? Microban antimicrobial protection inhibits the growth of bacteria and it is safe for indoor use in areas where food is prepared. Check out Silestone's website for more information http://www.silestone.com/

Glass sounds fragile, but Think Glass designs says glass countertops are prized for enduring strength. These countertops can endure the hard knocks of the kitchen. Think Glass also says their designs are infinite because different colors, textures and patterns can be embedded into the glass. Glass countertops are non-porous making them extremely hygenic. Check out Think Glass' website http://www.thinkglass.com/

Monticello Granite backs their granite with a 25 year warranty. Granite is a natural stone product that will last for years provided you follow the maintenance and care guide. Countertop Specialty says, "a quick spray and wipe cleaner will adequately clean, disinfect and protect your countertops." Check out http://www.countertopspecialty.com/ and http://www.monticellogranite.com/ for more information on granite countertops

Corian Countertops by Dupont claims these countertops were created for a lifetime of easy care. Dupont has over 100 colors/patterns to choose from. You might want to check out their site for more information http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/corian/corian_care.html

Another countertop, which is new to me is IceStone. IceStone countertops are made of 100% recycled glass and concrete. What will they think of next? According to Smart HomeOwner, "this means that IceStone surfaces contain no volatile organic compounds that can off-gas and affect indoor air quality." This is environmentally safe and a healthy material. If you are looking to build "Green" this is the countertop for you. Check out their website for more information http://www.icestone.biz/

To help you make the decision that is best for you, I found this site which compares most of these products and gives you appoximate prices. http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Countertop_Options-Countertops-A1579.html