Coweta Fayette Real Estate & Newnan Homes for sale blog by Richard Weisser of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

The Newnan - Coweta County Board of Realtorsheld its Professional Achievement Awards Banquet at the Arbor Springs Golf and Country Club on Friday Night. The awards, formerly the Million Dollar Club, reward agents for meeting production levels set by the board/

2007 was supposedly a bad year for real estate, but 99 agents successfully applied for and qualified for the award. The banquet, prepared by Chef Lance Jeffers, was sumptuous and all had plenty to eat and drink. Following the presentation of the awards, the attendees enjoyed music and dancing for the rest of the evening.

A splendid time was had by all, and as chairman of the event, I sure was glad that nearly everything went smoothly and according to plan! I will never again take anything for granted when I attend an event, as now I know how every detail has to be attended to by someone.

Once again, we can't thank the folks at Arbor Springs Golf and Country Club enough. They were great, made the job easy, they really impressed all with the great facility and service. And now, it's back to work, next years goals are yet to be met!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

In an unprecedented move, Microsoft has stopped supporting FrontPage, a software program used by many developers for over nine years. While it's true that many of it's features were archaic and old-fashioned, it also had many features that set it apart, not the least of which is the ability to open a site live on a server and edit a page "on the fly!"

But no more. Not only did Microsoftpull support for the end users of the product, it has also demanded that the FrontPage extensions be removed from servers. And at that point, the product ceases to work at all.

Imagine, a program that you bought and paid foris just turned off. That's right, it has become unusable. Although I am certain that somewhere in the licencing agreement it has the right to do so, it is a marketing debacle.

Does Microsoft think that I will ever buy another product that can arbitrarily be turned off on orders from Redmond? I think not.

No, I 'll get over this with another product from another company. I have supported Microsoft and its products for 20 years now, but I think that I will try to find another company that has the best interests of its customers in mind. After all, that's what I do. Why should I expect less from anyone else?

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

It's Easter Sunday, 2008. Easter arrived very early this year, and it seems like a lot of us were not quite prepared. I found myself running around at the last minute, getting the ingredients together for Easter dinner. We elected to go non-traditional this year. My mother was Italian, and I make a great homemade sauce, so I am making meatballs, Italian sausage, pasta and a nice salad.

It takes a lot of preparation, so I had to start early in the morning. I lke for the sauce to simmer for at least six hours, so the meat absorbs all of the goodness, so I started early. Once in the pot, it simmers on it's own so I can go about the normal Easter morning activities.

Without getting too preachy, it is, after all, a time for spiritual reflection. When I think of the beauty of creation, I always think about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's only a four hours drive from home, so I visit often, and over the years, I have accumulated thousands of photos. I even have a website, SmokyPhotos, that is dedicated to archiving photos of the park that I have taken.

There is one special place in the parkthat is near and dear to me. It is the Little Cataloochee church, located in the North Carolina portion of the park. It's a little harder to visit than most of the churches withing the park boundaries, because it takes a significant drive followed by a two mile hike to get there.

But once you arrive, you are at a place of total serenity and peace. You are there, usually alone, save for the faithful resting in the burial ground. It is a place of peace, calm, beauty, inspiration and reflection. If you get a chance to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I suggest you fore-go Cades Cove and make an effort to visit this spiritual place!

I hope you get as much from it as I have!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

Announcing a new group, The ERA United Realty group! While this group is designed specifically to discuss ERA products and services, it's also a forum to discuss current marketing issues, and how to address specific problems. Hopefully, we'll all benefit from the networking.

ERA has become the company of choice for many real estate agents, because of the tools and products that are available only to ERA agents. One of the most popular, is the ERA Seller's Security Plan. In essence, we will sell your home or ERA will buy it! Some limitations apply, and not every home will be eligible, but it's a fantastic product that helps bring sellers and ERA agents together!

Even if you are only curious about ERA, you are mist welcome to join the group. Open discussion is the best method of getting answers to any questions that you may have about ERA and the opportunity for professionals to thrive there.

Also, if you are a seller or buyer, you may want to learn more about us as well!

Click on this link to visit the ERA United Realty Group, and hopefully, you will join the discussion. This is a great chance to get in on the ground floor and get some "feature" status for your posts!

So, if you would like to learn more about ERA, we'll see you in the group!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

OK, I admit it. I have become a blogging junkie.  I have been blogging on ActiveRain for some time now, and I have become obsessed with accumulating points. After all, since ActiveRain is a real estate industry blogging site, at least I feel like I am working when I spend countless hours writing, commenting and reading endless line after line of opinions of others regarding the current slump in the real estate market. Well blah, blah blah. If real estate totally tanks there are plenty of things that I can do in the new-found spare time.

1) I can finally organize those thousands of film and digital photographs that I have scattered from here to eternity.

2) I can clean up the basement, and get back to finishing the buildout down there I started 6 years ago and then quit.

3) I can get moving on all of those landscaping concepts that have remained in my head, year after year.

4) I can change the rusted wiper blades on my Miata.

5) I can get my watercolor paints out of the closet where they have been for years, and go back to creating art.

6) I can catch up on my accounting, and get my finances in order.

7) I can get back on that book I have been writing about time travel.

8) I can travel across the state, seeing and photographing places that have never been.

9) I can remodel my kitchen the way I want it.

10) I can refinish the furniture that needs updating.

Well, I could do all of those things, after I catch up on my blogging ...

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

It was a perfect day in Newnan, Georgia. Yes, it is indeed the first day of Spring, but that is an arbitrary word assigned to the day during which a specific astronomical event occurs. But that in itself, did not make the day perfect. No, it was a perfectly crisp, cool and clear day following rainstorms that cleansed the air of particulates and pollution! The sun shone gloriously, and late in the afternoon, I turned off the computer, left the office, and headed for downtown Newnan.

I am, after all, a photography buff. When you love photography, you learn to sense when the light is good. Light is the foundation of everything photographic, and when the air is clean and pristine, the day cool, and before the trees bear their leaves, the light is perfect for outdoor subjects.

And downtown Newnan is a fantastic place to take photos. We still have a real courthouse square, surrounded by quaint storefronts with independent shops and restaurants. We are the City of Homes, and there are many authentic Victorian homes, and even some Antebellum mansions grace our village.

It could be a movie set,as the fast food restaurants and chain stores are relegated to an area miles from the square. They are there if you need them, but they do not intrude on the time capsule that is Newnan. It's a trip back in time, and a photographers dream!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

I attended the Newnan - Coweta Board of Realtors luncheon today, and the guest speaker was from the Newnan - Coweta Habitat for Humanity. Our board has always been involved in community service, not the least of which is Habitat. We were challenged to raise enough money to build on of the projected six homes n the county this year, and the challenge was roundly accepted.

It's not just about generating new business opportunities, although participation in these charities will naturally increase your sphere-of-influence. It's about becoming part of something bigger than yourself and bigger than your company.

It's about being part of a spiritual community of human being, each trying to survive from day to day in the best way that they can. At the end of the day, how good do you feel? How well do you sleep? Did you make a difference?

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

It's raining here in Newnan Georgia. During most Springs of the past, I wouldn't give it a second thought. Spring is traditionally wet in our area, and Spring showers are part of the fabric of life here.

But last year was not a typical year. It did not rain much in the Spring, and even less in the summer, taking us into the worst drought we have experienced in a hundred years. The lakes were at an all-time low, and the news constantly reminded us that we only had about 45 days worth of water left.

Municipalities began quarreling over water, and water rights. Lawsuits were filed in many areas, seeking to force even more water releases from already nearly dry lakes. Everyone was desperate, and desperate times called for desperate measures, and water was on everyone's mind, all the time.

So as I sit here looking out my window at the deluge, I am smiling and content. It's a gift from God, and I, for one, am most grateful!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

Yes Indeed. Sounds strange, but it's true.It isn't that I don't believe in auction as an aggressive and wonderful marketing tool for selling real estate, it's just that the market has changed and there are many reasons that auction won't work today.

The number one reason is competition from bank foreclosures and other REO properties. They offer great terms, and bargain prices. Unfortunately. most sellers look at auction as a last resort, and wait until the property is stale before putting it on the auction block!

Auctions are expensive and time consuming, and we are not in the business to lose money. Here's the key principle:

If a property won't sell for any reason. those reasons will not be overcome by auctioning the property! Auction isn't for properties that won't sell, it's for properties that everyone WANTS!

So if it's a house that has been sitting for six months, I won't touch it, unless you are VERT WILLING TO TAKE A LOW-BALL PRICE!

But any auctioneer will be glad to discuss auction with you, and it may be a viable option. We are always willing to "talk turkey" with sellers about the auction process! 

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

I got a phone call today from a staff writer at the Newnan Times-Herald, our local newspaper in Coweta County Georgia. The journalist asked if she could ask a few questions about the local real estate market, and I said that I would be glad to talk as long as she liked.

She started with the usual questions. "How's the real estate market today" and "Where do you see it going in twelve months" and "how long will it take to sell the standing inventory in the county?" At some point, I realized that most of what I was telling her was bad news. The number of buyers is down, and the market is extremely soft for sellers.

So I added something like "and of lot of this is media driven." Her tone changed immediately. "Really," she asked? "Tell me how!" I thought she was trying to dismiss me as a disgruntled agent, but as a matter of fact, this was the real story she was seeking. We talked for about an hour about the real causes of the current crises, and how the media was no longer just documenting the plummeting market, but was instrumental in reinforcing the negative image of real estate prices and mortgages in the area.

We finished with a very positive attitude about how it is a great time for buyers to find values, and that certain areas of the market were fantastic investment opportunities. I left her with all of my contact information, and told me to call her anytime with any questions that she had concerning real estate in the area!

To my surprise, she said that she would, and that my courteous and helpful insight made me a source that she would use often. Good for her, and good for me! We all strive to make headway in our local markets, and being called upon by the local for opinions won't hurt my reputation either. It's a win-win, and I sure am glad that I gave up a little of my time in an effort to help stabilize the real estate market in my community!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

Before I attended high school, I had an epiphany regarding photography. I had worked hard mowing lawns, babysitting and delivering newspapers so I had a little cash available. My father always took great photos of us while we were on vacation, and I wanted to be able to take some pictures of my own. So I bought a very inexpensive Kodak 120 camera. The file was 35mm size, but in a cartridge that eliminated the need to spool or wind film. You just snapped a cartridge in and you were on your way. You could also add a flashcube, (sold separately) and it would turn a dark room into daylight!

Anyway, we took a trip to Orbisonia PA to visit the East Broad Top Railroad. The EBTR was the last narrow gauge railroad in PA still operating with its original steam equipment on its original tracks. The locomotives belched smoke and steam, and created a cacophony of sound as they strained to move their heavy hulks of iron over the steel rails. Although this was the late 60's, the scene was one out of the 1920's and was a dramatic demonstration of the technology of the past.

I had loaded my 120 with a black and white film cartridge and began snapping away. This was a simple point and shoot camera, no aperture settings, no shutter control, no focus required. I shot locomotives and rolling stock, the roundhouse and turntable, the water towers and maintenance equipment. I used every bit of film I had, probably 24 exposures, if I have to guess.

When the film was developed, I was shocked. The black and white exposures, sometimes blurry, grainy, over or under exposed, did not look like photographs taken in the 1960's. They looked like 19^th Century, post civil war photos. There was nothing in the photo to give away the actual date, other than the Kodak date mark on each print.

It was at that point that I realized that the photographer could control the resulting image, and that reality could be altered into an expression of the artist's intentions. Ever since that day I have realized that I could be in a crowd of others with cameras, but it was only me that would interpret the scene in the way that I wished. It wasn't long after that I realized that my interpretations were usually superior to others, and that they had some artistic merit.

I can now afford state-of-the-art photographic equipment, and my Orbisonia photos were not digitized in time to save them from the ravages of age, but I still remember my simple camera, and realize that I captured a moment in time that cannot be replaced or duplicated. Photography is the ability to capture a fraction of a second in time, and preserve it for the future, and I hope that others will accept the role of archivist, and preserve the images of today for future generations.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

Think about this...not sleeping has its advantages!

1) You get an extra 6-8 hours a day to do anything you want! Than can be up to 56 hours a week or 248 hours a month. That's a over 10 full 24 hour days a month free just for not sleeping.

2) You can be catatonic or even comatose during the day without taking mind-numbing drugs or drinking yourself into oblivion. That translates to true cash savings!

3) You can drive long distances painlessly without any recollection of how you got where you currently are! Sort of like having your own chauffeur.

4) Food becomes important not only as sustenance, but also as a cushion to break the fall when your head crashes into your plate. pastas make especially nice pillows!

5) And finally, you get to see all of that great 4 A.M. television that's full of terrific products and educational services that you could not learn about any other way. As they say over and over, NOT available in stores.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.  Copyright 2003-2008.

As I am typing this. I am wonderingabout everything I need to do tomorrow, and how I'm going to be able to get it all done. There was a time in my life, when work was a pre-defined time that required both my presence and attention, and that when the time clock was punched (do they still do that anymore?) I no longer was required to think about work in any way, shape or fashion. I was on MY TIME!

When did all of that change? Nowadays, I get to work early in the morning, leave late at night, am on the cell phone coming and going to and from work, and when I get home I plug the computer in, check emails, and start making calls. Then it's on to web work, revamping ads, managing photos, and setting up my schedule for the following day.

Free time can now be defined as having the television on while I am working, as if that is some form of relaxation. I spend about 50% of my evening time on the phone with customers, trying to resolve some issue that has popped up during the day. Work usually takes me to 1 or 2 A.M. with my wake-up call at 6:30 A.M.

What happened to my free time? Am I condemned to work the next ten years without interruption in order to finally get some well deserved time off? Burnt out? You bet I am! I need to get control of my life again. I need to get out and do things, I need to see and socialize with living people, I need to stop and smell the roses.

Oh crap, why am I writing this drivel when I have so much to do. Excuse me, I have to get back to work....

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.

The most common questions I get about buying at one of our auctions is: "How does it work?" Auction law varies from state to state, and buying at auction requires additional preparation, but there are some things you need to know before bidding on a property at auction.

1) Read the terms and conditions of auction carefully, and make sure that you fully understand the information contained therein. You agree to the terms and conditions of the auction when you register to bid. These are binding, and if you are the successful bidder, you are obligated to perform according to the terms and conditions of the auction. The terms generally include important information like:

a) Is there a buyer's premium, and if so, how will it be paid?

b) How much down-payment , and in what form, will be required on the day of auction? Is the down payment refundable under any circumstances?

c) How long do you have to close the property?

d) In what condition will the property be delivered?

2) Inspect the property before you bid. After the auction, it is usually too late to uncover defects in the property. It is the responsibility of the buyer to inspect the property prior to the auction, and make determinations as to the suitability for the buyer's needs.

3) Get an actual copy of the sales contract prior to the auction. This contract will become binding as soon as the gavel drops, so be aware of all the language in the contract.

4) Have your financing in order. There are generally no contingencies in auction, including financing. Be sure that you have the financial ability to pay for the property at closing.

5) Use the services of a real estate agent experienced in auction. A skilled agent can assist you with the documentation, provide CMA's and other local information, and help you structure a successful bidding strategy. This is no arena for the timid or weak, be sure to be prepared and hopefully, find a great buy!

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.

Visit Auction Associates today.

Okay, you can call me a radical. A troublemaker, a dissenter or even a curmudgeon. But tonight we must reset our clocks, "springing forward," and enter the realm of daylight savings time. Why?

We all know the history, started during World War II. It was enacted so families had an extra hour, after working in a defense plant all day, to work in their "Victory Garden." The Victory Garden was more symbolic than anything, but demonstrated the American spirit of independence and self-sufficiency.

Fast forward over 60 years to 2008. Now, it has been calculated that productivity, energy savings, safety, and even the mental dispositions of Americans are enhanced by an artificial adjusting of our timepieces. Well, I for one say enough is enough!

Time is at best a vague concept, and we have learned that it is relative, and can be bent or warped by gravity. There are black holes out there in the Universe that are spinning time for a loop, and the time-space continuum is moving energy forward into the future. Giant stars are exploding and then collapsing in on themselves and yet...

We think that just by turning a dial at 2 A.M. it is going to make it all better!

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Let me tell you first and foremost, I an a licensed real estate auctioneer and broker. I get calls every day from buyers wanting to get a good deal at an auction. We conduct voluntary auctions on a regular basis, but here's the reality of most cases:

You can probably get a better deal on a short-sale than you can at an auction!

I hate to say it, but it's true. We are bound to clear title on properties that we auction, and that means paying off mortgages and liens. In a short-sale however, the bank will actually take less than what is actually owed on the property!

Fortunately, as I mentioned, I am an auctioneer first, and a broker second so I am now helping most buyers with find great REO properties! And we have plenty of them here in Coweta County Georgia!

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.

Visit Auction Associates today!

In Coweta County and every other county in the state of Georgia, on the first Tuesday of every month promptly  at 10 A.M. the foreclosure auctions begin. These auction take place literally on the courthouse steps, rain or shine, and the lawyers read every word of the notices before selling the property "at public outcry to the highest bidder." It's a process that has been going on as long as I can remember.

On Tuesday, in the pouring rain I went to the steps to see what was going on in Coweta County. There were 10 full pages of foreclosure notices in the paper, and what I was expecting was a huge crowd. When I got there, I was totally surprised. At it's peak, there were 11 people on the steps, including me and an insurance guy trying to sell policies.

As each notice was read, word for word, the pattern became plainly obvious. No bids were made. In fact, for the full three hours I was there, only one property was actually bid on and sold to someone standing on the steps. As I headed back to the office, the reasons why this happened occurred to me....

All of these foreclosed properties owed more money on the security deed than the property was worth! The banks were forced to take the properties back, and all the savvy buyers will purchase them as short-sales sometime in the future, There are no deals on the steps in the actually foreclosure process, but only in dealing with banks with bigger inventories than they need. Wow, things sure have changed in the last year or so.

So if you're thinking of waiting until the first Tuesday of April to get a good deal, think again. The time to buy is NOW. Don't wait until the normal influx of late Spring and early summer buyers run up the market, and get out there a get a good deal!

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate

Who is the world would want to eat a chili-cheese dog with onions AND raw oysters at the same time? Well, that question is answered every day at a small hole-in-the-wall in downtown Newnan, Georgia.

I mean, this place is cool! It's deep and narrow and has the longest counter in town, lots of stools, and a few small tables for two. The menu is a weird combination of oysters, hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches. It's not a glamorous chain restaurant, just a mom and pop store on a side street with nice people and great oysters!

It's nice to live in a small town with a courthouse square, local shops, and interesting food. And if you go to Newnan in Coweta County Georgia, take someone you like to share the experience. You will not be disappointed.

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.

We hit 70 degrees today in Newnan Georgia, and I took advantage of it. I pulled the top back on my red Miata and took off across the county. Although my bliss was interrupted by one property showing and getting my numbers together for the Million Dollar Club application, I was able to spin around from subdivision to subdivision and seeing something I haven't seen for a while.

Buyers! Real live buyers were out and about and house hunting. Ah,  the real estate business in Coweta County is alive and well, albeit we'll be making lower offers, many of them to the bank's REO department, but hey - a sale is a sale!

So for those of you in colder climates - prepare yourself! When the snow melts, you'll have buyers. Lots of them. In the meantime, finish that CE you've been putting off and why not get started on your income tax return? April is just around the corner.

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.

As a real estate auctioneer, it is imperative that I secure the highest bid possible. The seller of the property is my client, and my business depends solely on my ability to get buyers to the auction, and to entice them to bid on the properties we are offering. It sounds easy, but its not.

With so many foreclosures, short-sales and REO properties being offered, auctions don't fire up the enthusiasm as much as we would like. But if you find yourself at an auction, here are some tips:

1) If an auction is advertised as "Absolute," the property will be sold to the highest bidder, at any price. These properties always attract the most bidders, because the property will be sold, regardless of price!

2) If a property is not advertised as "Absolute," it is, by default, an auction with reserve. The word "reserve" is ofter misunderstood, but what is actually means is that the seller reserves the right to bid, thus the reserve price is the bid of the seller.

3) Even if you don't meet the reserve with a bid, there is still a chance to make a deal on the property. Many times. we are able to come to a meeting of the minds with the sellers. buyers, and auctioneers all giving a little to make the deal happen. Many properties are sold within one week after the auction.

4) The words "Opening Bid" and "Reserve Price" have nothing in common. The words opening bid have no meaning, other than to speed up the timing of the actually call by the auctioneer. This usually applies to "Minimum Bid" as well.

5) If an auction is NOT absolute, the auctioneer can accept or reject any bid. If the auctioneer is calling for a hundred thousand dollars and you offer seventy-five thousand, he may choose to accept or reject your bid. Many times, you can judge when you are approaching the reserve price by the call of the auctioneer. The auctioneer is more likely to accept smaller increments when you are close to the reserve price!

These concepts vary from state to state, and we are specifically referring to auction law in Georgia. Always feel free to call the auctioneer prior to any auction to discuss the specifics of the auction. Read the terms and conditions of auction carefully. as it will become a contract if you are the successfully bidder. Be prepared and have fun!

C 2008 Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc

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