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

I purchased a new computer today that basically has everything I need. Dual-core processor, large hard drive, 4 MB RAM, card readers and DVD writer. It even has a built in webcam and Windows 7.

And I paid $400 for it. This is a dramatic change for me. I typically purchase high end products with all of the bells and whistles and pay about two grand for the privilege.

But it seems that an expensive computer is as likely to fail as a value computer, so this time I opted to purchase a computer that by any standard is still head and shoulders above any previous computer that I have owned.

So essentially, I will back up religiously and play the numbers game. I could purchase a new value computer EVERY year for the next three years and still be ahead of the game.

I am looking forward to the results of my cost-saving experiment. And I feel that this is the right choice for now!

It's going to take a while to load all of my software and to tweak the computer it to all of my tastes, but I'm ready to get started!

But I'm ready to get started right now!

Technology is both a blessing and a curse. Thanks to the Internet and a plethora of marvelous devices, we have the ability to "stay in touch" at all hours of the day and night.

And even though we may not have an appointment scheduled, there are still many tasks that have to be addressed on a daily basis. "Quiet time" generally involves working on the web, answering emails, or following up on leads.

And when we're not working, we are learning. We are reading and studying about new ways to increase our businesses or to make our jobs more efficient.

I even dream about work, so there's no rest for the weary while asleep either. I remember once, a very long time ago, when I worked until a certain time and when I got off I could forget about work until the next day. That was a wonderful feeling.

And although we are more technologically advanced now than we were in my younger days, I really wonder if our quality of life is better now than it was then.

I really do.

One of the last things I did late Wednesday evening before adjourning for the holiday was to enter a bid for a client on a bank owned property. In this case, the bid was entered electronically via the Internet, but it still requires meeting the client to sign the paper version of the offer and to collect the earnest money.

After the offer was entered into the system, the client was curious as to when we would know if the offer was accepted. I suggested that since the Thanksgiving holiday had commenced, we would likely get a response on Monday.

To my surprise, we got a response early Friday morning. That’s the good news. The bad news was that the counteroffer was nearly full price and required more earnest money and a close date no later that December 31.

This property has been on the market for over three months. It needs extensive repairs, and an FHA 203K will probably take at least 45 days to process, if not longer. And of course, there is a hefty per diem charge if my client does not close on time. So at this point it seems unlikely that we will move forward.

So kudos to the asset manager for being on the job and for getting us a fast response. However, I wish they had taken a little more time and thought about making a realistic counteroffer that would at least present the possibility of acceptance and consummation.

Instead, this property is likely to head to the auction block where it will probably garner half of the money my client offered.

And that just seems foolish to me!

I had to drag myself out of bed this morning. I really don't feel so good, but I didn't do anything yesterday but eat ... a lot! Is it possible to get a hangover from over-eating?

Is it possible to eat too much turkey and dressing, too many mountains of mashed potatoes, or too many Brussels sprouts? It could have been the pie, either the pumpkin or pecan, or both. I probably shouldn't have eaten those two last pieces before I went to bed.

Maybe a dozen or so cups of coffee this morning will get me straightened out, because I have to get to the office and get some work done. One thing is for sure, though:

I won't be taking a lunch break today!

The annual Light Up Senoia festival is scheduled for Saturday December 5. The program starts at 5 P.M. and will continue until 8 P.M. or until all of the planned activities have been concluded.

Included in the festivities are the lighting of the municipal Christmas tree, a food court, live music and entertainment, and Santa’s Secret Worship!

But the main event is always the Christmas Parade down Main Street. The parade typically includes marching bands, floats sponsored by local businesses and civic organizations, live animals, and the arrival of You-Know-Who direct from the North Pole.

Because a large crowd is expected, it is suggested that you plan to arrive early, especially if you are driving as it may take a few extra minutes to park.

If you enjoy small towns, good people, and Americana at its best, you won’t want to miss Light Up Senoia.

It’s a great holiday tradition!

First of all, I am a very simple man with minimal needs. I drive old cars, own a modest working-class house, and my idea of entertainment is an evening home with the wife and cats watching television.

But I have been truly blessed throughout my life, and I am grateful for every precious day and each new opportunity that is presented to me.

It seems that so many others are having a harder time this year. Many have been affected by the current economic situation or the pandemic illnesses working their way throughout the country. But I have been fortunate enough to have averted these perils for now.

I can honestly say that I have everything that I have ever wanted. An amazing family, all of the material possessions a minimalist could ever hope to possess, and a great job that challenges me every day and keeps me going!

And I have great friends, here in Georgia and all over the western hemisphere! I interact with many of them every day via social networking, and have built many relationships that I value and treasure.

And so I pause and give thanks for all I have, and for all that are reading this message. I am truly blessed.

Although we have over a month left to go in 2009, the onset of the holidays gives one pause to reflect on the year past, both on the good things and the things that “might have been.”

I have experienced a lot of successes this year and a few failures. What started out as an ambitious and optimistic  plunge into the new year was constantly assaulted by unforeseen outside forces beyond my control.

Every day has been a battle, and while I was able to prevail in many cases it was not without casualties. I have seen many friends give up the fight and head for greener pastures and regular paychecks.

During the next month I will assess all of the methods and tools that I have been using and decide if changes are needed. Success in this market demands adaptation, and I am always open-minded to new ideas.

I will also enjoy the season as I always have, with periods of joy interlaced with bittersweet sentimentality. And when the band finishes playing ‘Auld Lang Syne” I will no longer look back but will move ambitiously and optimistically into the new year!

Because I must, if I am to survive.

Newnan Georgia is one of those picture postcard towns that have a central square and business storefronts that haven’t changed much in the last fifty years.

It’s  a picturesque place any time of year, but even more so during the holidays. The town is decorated for the season with festive lights and other customary decorations.

And since Newnan is a great walking town, it’s a great place to meet with friends and family for dinner and a walking tour of all of the historic buildings and homes. Excellent crosswalks and traffic control makes it a safe and satisfying experience.

So plan to spend at least one night this holiday season in downtown Newnan Georgia, If you do so once, it is sure to become a holiday tradition for you and your family!

The week of Thanksgiving is one of the most curious in American culture. It’s the only National Holiday that always falls on a Thursday, and so the entire week is controlled by the event.

Monday is the day for buttoning up loose ends at work, and for setting everything in place to allow a lot of free time for the remainder of the week.

Tuesday is grocery shopping day, because you don’t want to wait until all of the good stuff is gone. This is day that menus are finalized and houses are cleaned in anticipation of company!

Wednesday is the “day before Thanksgiving,” which involves either traveling or picking up guests. It also includes several trips to the market for forgotten or last-minute items.

Thursday is self-explanatory, a great day of thankfulness and fellowship.

Friday is “Black Friday.” Did you know that it is called Black Friday because it’s typically the first day of the year that retailer’s bottom lines go from being in red ink to black? So if your one of the millions out there at 4:00 A.M. on Friday, thanks your contribution to the economy!

So there’s the Thanksgiving work week in a nutshell. If you’re going to get some work then you need to get it done today. Of course it is Monday, so have a second cup and relax.

After all, it’s the holidays!

I have played the guitar since high school, and that was a long time ago. Music has changed a lot since the late 60's, but there is one genre that remains fairly consistent year after year ... and that is holiday music.

Now before anyone chastises me and says that it's "Christmas" music, please understand that not all holiday music is Christmas music. As a matter of fact, most of the songs that we often associate with "Christmas" make no reference to Christmas at all!

Some common examples are "Jingle Bells. "Winter Wonderland" and "Frosty the Snowman" which make no reference to Christmas whatsoever. Most holiday revelers would also be surprised to note that "Deck the Halls" falls into that non-Christmas category and is actually based on a pagan ritual.

Even Christmas songs themselves fall into two subsets of holiday music, as there is both secular and religious music. This offers an ecumenical opportunity for a wide variety of celebrants with different religious affinities. Some might offer that it's the best of both worlds.

As for me, I prefer the more ancient carols in their original languages. "Adeste Fidelis," "Stille Nacht," and "In dulci Jubilo" are among my favorites.

Of course, those songs weren't all THAT old when I was in high school!

Don’t get me wrong. First impressions are very important. We all have a tendency to draw a conclusion within a few seconds of a first encounter.

So it is very important to get off to a good start. But that does not eliminate the need to look a little closer and get all of the facts before jumping to a conclusion.

And it doesn’t make any difference at all whether we are talking about meeting new people, buying real estate or eating a fine meal. The first impression will only last as long as it is supported by the deeper reality!

First impressions should be enticements but not cover-ups!  Because once the appetite is whetted, anything less than expected will be a disappointment!

Note: What does the photo have to do with this post? This photo was taken from the outside of an old building looking in. Since the roof collapsed, nature has taken over the inside of the old warehouse.

Unlike many years in the past, I started my holiday shopping and decorating early and I am essentially “done.” I did a little here and there, and now the house is ready and all I have left to do is mail out my cards which are already stamped and addressed.

But instead of feeling smug and satisfied, I’m really quite bored. It seems that not having the underlying pangs of panic takes away from some of the holiday “excitement!”

There is such a thing as being over-prepared. It’s not my nature. Back in school, so long ago, my assignments were finished minutes before they were due. I have always possessed a last-minute personality that pushed deadlines t0 the limit.

Even today, my days are prioritized by urgency, with the most pressing matters getting attention. Working under pressure makes you feel alive!

Maybe I’ll get lucky and one of the cats will knock the tree over. Now THAT would be exciting!

We all know about the record rate of foreclosures and short-sales. And while these particular kinds of transactions have created short-term chaos in the real estate market, there is also a long-term ripple effect that will affect sales for years to come.

And that doesn't just apply to real estate sales. The loss of access to credit for millions of Americans over the next 3-7 years will have a devastating effect of sales of all kinds, as many consumers will be forced by necessity to make all purchases with cash.

Shoppers that previously had thousands of dollars of buying power will be reduced to practically none, and as inventories build jobs will continue to be lost.

There has to be a way to reconcile the fact that previously good borrowers were caught in an incurable situation. There needs to be a way to repair the long-term impact of those people that just didn't have any other way out.

For now, I don't have any solutions to offer. But I know that the problem needs to be addressed now before it's too late.

There is too much at stake to ignore it.

I have one of those fancy-smancy coffee makers that grinds the beans and brews the coffee automatically.

Of course, you have to set it up each night which requires loading the grinder, filling the water, replacing the filter and setting the carafe in place. It's a task that I have come accustomed to doing, and the grinder doubles as an alarm clock when it roars into action in the morning.

However, this morning I overslept a bit. And when I reached for the coffee pot and it was empty. A quick analysis revealed that I had made a fatal error:

I did not hit the "program" button which is the last step in the process.

And while that is a seemingly minor detail, it derailed the entire coffee-making/waking up on time process. One little omission is now going to affect my entire day.

Paying attention to details is important, because although we can do NEARLY everything correctly when conducting business or doing a task, one little slip up can cost us. And it's a shame to lose all of that hard work because of a single omission.

Now if you'll excuse me, I think that my coffee is ready ...finally!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? Like it or not, “the holidays” are here and from next Monday until January 2 we will all slip into an alternate lifestyle.

It’s not just that the upcoming festivities require actual preparation and make real demands on our already precious time, it’s also that we all tend to slip into some kind of alter ego personality, much more easy-going and relaxed and ready to savor life.

It’s a pleasant time of year that makes the onset of winter more palatable, and a time that we can reconnect with family and old friends and maintain those relationships in a very personal way.

And the best part of it is that we all have a built-in excuse for running a bit behind on our ordinary mundane duties:

“You know, it’s the holidays and…”

I know that my personal experiences are anecdotal, and I am a firm believer in statistics, but I have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of activity on listings priced over $200,000 since the new $6500 tax credit went into effect November 7th.

In one case, a beautiful home that sat for months almost unnoticed suddenly had two acceptable offers within a few days of each other. And the number of showings has nearly tripled in this range.

Could this be the kick in the pants the market really needed to jump start itself to a recovery, or merely a result of some pleasant fall weather? Only time and complete data analysis will tell the true story.

But for now, I’ll just enjoy the boost in business …whatever the reason!

Even though most of their compatriots have succumbed to shortening of the days and brisk gusts of wind, there are always a few stragglers that just won’t give up!

And although it’s the middle of November and we had a tropical storm that blasted though earlier in the week, there are still some small pockets of resistors here and there.

But the clock is ticking and time is running short, but as long as there are colored autumn leaves still hanging in there, I’ll keep the camera by my side. I shot this beautiful maple at the Male Academy Museum in Newnan Georgia this afternoon.

I suspect I’ll keep up the “hunt” until Thanksgiving!

We ate at one of our favorite lunch spots the other day. The reasons that we like this place in particular is that they serve great home-style food, have friendly service and are very reasonably priced.

And because we eat there often, our expectations are pretty high each time we visit. Because we are now “regulars,” we look for the staff and owners to not only maintain the level of excellence to which we are accustomed, but to also go beyond the ordinary and exceed our expectations!

But when you keep raising the bar higher and higher, the chances are that at some point you will miss the jump. Maybe it was just a bad day, but the last time we ate there we were disappointed. Perhaps they had problems with equipment or employees, or maybe it was  the fact that our expectations were just too high.

The same thing applies to OUR businesses. While we strive to provide service beyond what is expected, there will be times when we fall short. It doesn’t mean that we are lazy or uncaring, it’s just that we have stretched ourselves too thin and that while our spirits may be willing, the actual constraints of time and other resources may preclude us from a record breaking performance.

It happens to the best of us. We just have to get up, dust ourselves off, and get ready for the next jump!

I meet with a bunch of friends every other Friday night at a local hangout for some good guitar picking and singing. And it’s pretty casual. We show up when we can and just play whatever songs we feel like playing and it’s all great fun.

But I have noticed something that seems to happen every time we play, and for lack of betters words I will call it the “volume syndrome.” It’s occurs when each player decides that their instrument should be heard over and above all of  the others.

And so, after every song, they adjust the volume control ever so slightly in an effort to stand out just a little bit from the crowd. It’s a subtle difference, but an increase nonetheless. The problem is that EVERYONE does the same thing.

The result is that over the course of the evening, there is an ever constant increase in amplitude until the point when music is so loud that nobody can hear anything!

The point of all of this is that although we each want to be heard, we can’t LISTEN if we are all trying to dominate the session at the same time. How much better it is when we occasionally “turn it down” so someone else can shine for a few moments, and then we have the opportunity to excel when it’s our turn!

October 2009 was a good month for real estate sales in Coweta and Fayette Counties.

County-wide, in Coweta County the total number of real estate sales was up 0.8% in October, the only positive gain in 2009 so far. The previous best month had been June, which experienced a 3% decline in sales from 2008.

In Fayette County, October was also the best sales month in 2009 so far, with a 5.3% increase in sales.

Our Newnan ERA United Realty office closed more sides in October 2009 than any other month in the last two years.

And although this anecdotal information is only one statistical point in the entire data set of all local real estate sales, it is still an indicator that at least one real estate office is enjoying robust sales.

And November looks pretty good so far! It’s still a great time to buy, with low interest rates and unbeatable prices!