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

It’s the second day of March, and there is a prediction for significant snowfall in the metro Atlanta area. “Significant” means one inch or more of the white stuff.

There are several considerations here that are noteworthy:

1)      This is Georgia.

2)      It is March.

3)      We have already had three snow storms this year.

But there is one interesting side effect of Mather’s Nature’s madness. In the past the mere mention of the “S” word would send Atlantans into a panic, assaulting grocery stores and stripping milk and bread from the shelves like deranged lunatics.

But now, we have become conditioned to the weather phenomenon. It’s just another work day. No fear, no panic, no stocking up on milk and bread.

We will go about our normal business today as seasoned snow veterans. We have made the grade! We have evolved.

It seems that a lot of the magic surrounding southern snow has melted away like so many snowmen.

And that’s a little sad.

If this weekend is an indicator of things to come, the next two months are going to be very active in the Newnan and Coweta County real estate market.

The phone has been ringing off the hook with approved buyers seeking to grab a bargain priced house and grab a nice tax credit to boot.

And with interest rates still very low and with limits on seller contributions to closing soon to be enacted, there is a genuine sense of urgency to move now.

We are gearing up to make the dream of home ownership a reality for a many buyers as we can.

It is a noble calling, and we are ready and willing to fulfill it!

It reached 60 degrees on a beautiful day in Newnan Georgia today. After all, this is supposed to be the sunny south!

Tomorrow we are expected to hit 67 degrees, but after that we will gradually return back to unseasonably cool weather, as Thursday’s HIGH temperature is predicted to only achieve the 35 degree mark!

This has been the coldest winter that I can recall since I moved to Georgia in 1973. We have experienced floods and heavy snowfall when typically we would be playing golf or working in the winter garden.

So I’ll enjoy the warm day tomorrow and will try to get going with some outside chores around the house. It’s something that I’m actually looking forward to doing!

Atlanta, like many other cities in the United States, has a perimeter highway that circles the metro area.

I-285 has long been used both as a traffic conduit and as a line of demarcation for real estate location, as a property is designated as either being “inside” or “outside” the perimeter.

Today, I will get to experience the loop in its entirety, as commitments will compel me to circumnavigate the entire sixty-four mile loop and soak up as much of the Atlanta traffic mania that I can.

It’s kind of strange to drive that far to get back to where you started. After all, we use the expression “I’m going around in circles” quite a bit in real estate today.

Bur rarely do we do it by design!

The elimination of the regulation that required investors to hold on to a property for at least 90 days before an FHA insured mortgage could be used for a future purchase has resulted in significantly more activity in the under $100,000 price range in Coweta County Georgia.

As a result, the supply of homes that appeal the most to first-time buyers seeking to cash in of the $8000 tax credit has dwindled to a scant few.

But all property owners will ultimately benefit as the investors refurbish these home for profit and improve the comparable sales values for the neighborhood.

As more money in infused into the communities with the highest numbers of foreclosures, the net result will revitalize the area and stabilize prices.

It’s private sector capitalism its finest. And it works.

I heard an interesting item yesterday on the news. The reporter stated that for the first time since records have been kept, that there was at least some snow on the ground somewhere in 49 of the 50 United States! Hawaii was the only exception.

And although most of us are weary of winter weather stories and are ready for warmer temperatures, that really is an amazing declaration. Even Florida had some snow on the ground in it’s northern region.

I’m not suggesting that we are in the midst of a mini ice-age but even the most cynical observer would have to admit that this has been one crazy winter.

On the bright side, I’ve reloaded a new arsenal of snow photos. I’m thinking that I may hold on to some of them until July.

Because quite a few of us have seen enough for one year!

As predicted, a snow squall blasted through the southern metro Atlanta region this afternoon, dropping from 2-5 inches of snow.

And while that may seem paltry, especially in those areas that have seen several feet of snow accumulation, keep in mind that we don’t have snowplows or other snow removal equipment. So we pretty much have to wait until it melts.

As temperatures drop into the 20’s tonight, the unsalted streets will glaze over with ice. And that always creates treacherous driving conditions.

But clean, white snow is beautiful, and although we only see it on rare occasions, it is a nice change of scenery. And it always reminds me of the days of my youth north of the Mason-Dixon Line!

But now I’m ready for spring!

The opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games will commence tonight, Friday February 12, 2010 in Vancouver.

And while many consider the Olympic Games to be a passing spectacle, those of us that have experienced the thrill of living and working in a host city during the international celebration of sport will always enjoy a kindred spirit with those that have shared the experience.

Some of the cities are well known names like Rome, Berlin and Los Angeles. Others would be unheard of were it not for the Olympics, such as Lake Placid, Grenoble and Sapporo.

When you invite the entire world to your city, things are bound to change. Atlanta experienced an economic boom and explosive growth for years after the event.

The Olympics changed Atlanta forever. The legacy of the games is visible everywhere from Turner Field (formerly Olympic Stadium) to dormitories at Georgia State and Georgia Tech. (formerly the Olympic village.)

So today, I welcome our sister city Vancouver to the ranks of Olympic host, and I look forward to seeing some incredible competition that will be forever associated with your city

Let the games begin!

The real estate market in Newnan and Coweta County Georgia is friendly to buyers seeking to take the plunge on a home purchase.

Since Coweta County enjoys a good inventory of market priced properties combined with low interest rates, there has never been a better time to buy in the I-85 corridor. And since it’s an easy drive to the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Downtown Atlanta, commuters find Coweta County strikes a great balance between affordability and convenience.

And for those that prefer experience a “close-to-home” lifestyle, Newnan offers great shopping, excellent restaurants, and a multitude of parks and other recreational diversions!

If you haven’t been to Newnan lately, why not plan a trip here soon!

It’s a great place to live!

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Maintenance free windows add to the beauty and value of your home. And they can pay for themselves by lowering your energy bills. If you live anywhere in the South Metro Atlanta area, call Kevin today at Spring Street interiors!

Spring Street Interiors
33 Fair Street
Newnan, Georgia 30263

770-683-3100

Vinyl replacement windows in the Newnan, Peachtree City or Fayetteville GA

The preamble to the Realtor® Code of Ethics begins with the words: “Under all is the land. And while at first that may seem a bit cryptic, the fact of the matter is that it has never had more meaning than it does today!

Where I live, in Coweta County Georgia, land was the hottest commodity in the earlier years of this decade. Developers were gobbling up any available acreage at nearly any price and even though production was at its peak, building lots were scarce.

Today, land is poison. Banks will not lend money to purchase or develop it, and there are hundreds if not thousands of building lots lying fallow awaiting the return of the economic equivalent of spring.

But land is still an excellent long-term investment. Those with cash reserves might want to consider foregoing paltry 1.35% interest rates and instead, invest in the most finite of all commodities.

And if one subscribes to the investment theory of buying low and selling high, there has never been a better time to invest in good, raw land.

In our area, Newnan Georgia, we have a lot of value priced properties that attract many buyers. In many of these cases, the highest bid is either accepted on an electronic Internet system, or the listing agent calls for “highest and best bids: by a certain deadline.

When I am representing a client and they ask me how much they should bid in these scenarios, I always reply with this question:

“Is it more important for you to get a bargain or this house?”

And it’s a fair question. It is possible to offer too much for a house and that might diminish the value attribute. But ff they love the house, and can see themselves spending many happy year there, it could have intrinsic value way beyond mere dollars and cents.

The bottom line is always the same. I advise that they bid the most that they are willing to pay for the property under any circumstance, rather than trying to outwit the other offerees.

And if our offer is accepted, that’s great. And if we lose the house, we’ll go on to the next property.

And we’ll do it until we get just the right house at the right price!

Although yesterday was a national holiday in honor of Dr. King, and despite the fact that our Newnan real estate office was officially closed, the place was teeming with activity.

Agents were scrambling about with clients and offers and getting ready for property showings. It was actually much busier than a normal weekday.

I had at least five phone calls from new prospects, and we are going to show property to two of them and one was referred out.

My take on this is simple … buyers realize that the time is right to purchase real estate and are using their free time to take advantage of the opportunity. The shift from caveat emptor to carpe diem is almost dramatic!

And I believe that this is a portent of what is to come. So we are gearing up our operation is preparation for an onslaught of purchasers.

It’s a great time to buy real estate, and we are here to help!

After a rather long week of moving, we have settled into our Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Newnan Georgia office, and we are completely up and running full speed!

Changing physical addresses can be a test of one’s patience and fortitude, but the new office already feels like home. It is a wonderful place to conduct real estate business and we are looking forward to many prosperous years in this location!

So now it’s time to buckle down and get back to doing what we do best: selling real estate in Coweta County Georgia. Please feel free to drop by and say hello, and I’ll even buy you a cup of coffee!

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers
209 Newnan Crossing bypass
Newnan, Georgia 30265

I had a candid conversation with one of our buyers the other day. She is looking for a $40,000 house in a nice area that doesn’t need anything other than cosmetic repairs. Without really thinking, I told her that we had plenty of $40,000 houses that met her criteria but that they cost $80,000!

And while that seemed a bit specious at first, there is an underlying truth to the statement. The intrinsic value of real estate is absolutely determined by location and condition.

The demand for properties in good areas that are move-in ready is very high in our area, and that is reflected in the sale prices of these homes. We have seen some sell as high as 60% OVER list price.

We are still looking for that compromise rare gem that we might uncover, but we are also adjusting our search criteria to a more realistic level of expectation.

And working together, armed with knowledge and an accurate assessment of the market, we will find just the right house for her!

Perhaps it is an epidemic of cabin fever, or just a desire to take advantage of bargain priced homes, but we are experiencing a surge of home buyers ready to take action here in Coweta County Georgia.

I was waiting to open a house for some potential buyers on Friday, when the roads were covered with ice and snow and temperatures were well below freezing. As I waited in the car two other agents showed up with prospective clients and showed the property.

So I came to the unscientific conclusion that if buyers are willing to brave the elements to see property, they are also willing to face the shifting winds of the current economic climate.

People still need a place to live. And they want a bargain, and in some cases will benefit with a nice tax incentive. It takes a little more effort to consummate a purchase these days, but most are up for the challenge.

So today I am going to bundle up and get out there and sell some real estate.

And that ALWAYS gives me a warm feeling inside!

I drive my wife crazy every year, because I keep the Christmas decorations up longer than anyone else in my neighborhood in an effort to get the elusive Georgia snow photo with the Christmas lights ablaze!

Although we just got a dusting of the white stuff last night in Coweta County, I was finally rewarded for my years of decoration procrastination! I managed to grab some better than average photos of the house, and overall, I am pleased!

And my wife is even more pleased, because now I can get to work this weekend and pack up the lights until Thanksgiving!

The Mary Ray Memorial School, which serves as the Raymond Community Center, was listed by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the 2009 Places in Peril.

The building was in an advanced state of disrepair, and was probably months from total collapse. It would have been lost forever if not for the work of zealous volunteers from all across the southeastern United States that worked diligently to preserve it!

I am happy to report that the building has not only been saved, but has been returned to it’s former glory. The top photo was taken less than one year ago in February 2009. The bottom photo was taken this week.

I would like to applaud all who participated in the project, both financially and with their hard work.

You saved a Coweta County treasure!

I have been under a lot of stress lately. The sleep-depriving, stomach-aching, “why can’t I do something about this” kind of stress that gnaws at you every conscious moment of the day.

I feel the years slipping off of my life as every day seems to pile more anxiety onto an already overloaded bill of laden. It’s getting more arduous every day!

So what could possible lighten up such a dreary environment? One word:

SNOW!

They are predicting a snow event for this afternoon and here in middle Georgia, that’s pretty exciting. We are giddy for snow and when it appears it is like Christmas all over again!

Snow in the south induces a winter carnival euphoria that is rarely matched by any other occurrence. So with fingers crossed and spirits awaiting uplifting, I’m hoping to see the white stuff today!

The camera is charged and ready. Whoo-hoo!

Photo: A previous snow event in Newnan GA

Georgia has always been a state where driving fast is the accepted norm. Georgia drivers are among the most aggressive in the country, and in many cases law enforcement for even the most severe speeding cases has been rather ineffective at slowing drivers down.

The new Georgia Superspeeder Law which went into effect on January 1, 2010 has tacked on an additional $200 fine payable to the state for any drivers convicted of traveling at over 85 mph. on interstate and other four lane highways and 75 mph. on two lane roads,

And while those tolerances may still seem relatively high to some, in Georgia, that could affect a large portion of the driving public.

So if you plan to drive in Georgia, buckle up and slow down. It could save you money.

It might even save your life!