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

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 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 Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the world. On an average day, thousands of visitors will be enjoying the many collections of aquatic species.

Most have a camera, and will take as many photos as possible. Some have great results, sometimes the resulting pictures are not so good. Taking photos in an aquarium can be tricky, mostly because of glass and water!

Here are a few tips for aquarium shooting: First of all, don't use a flash. The resulting reflections on the glass will obscure the photo. Use a fast lens, and open the lens as much as possible to get adequate light for the shot!

Secondly, try to shoot fish as close to the glass as possible. This practice eliminates a lot of distortion from the water, and let's you capture the fish in fine detail.

Thirdly, try to shoot the fish on a flat plane of even depth of field to avoid distortion from distance to the focal are of the lens.

And last of all: PRACTICE! With digital photography, there is no reason NOT to experiment. Just shoot away and you will have some fine souvenir photo of your visit!

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!

What does Atlanta have in common with great cities such as Rome, Sydney, Beijing, Berlin and Moscow? Of course, the answer to that question is that all of these illustrious cities hosted the Olympic Games.

And while that may seem trivial, the long term effects of the games are revitalization and prosperity for the Olympic cities. Atlanta is no exception to this phenomenon.

Since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the downtown area has thrived and grown and become a favorite destination for both tourists from around the world, and locals from the suburbs.

And reminders of the Olympics can be seen everywhere in the area, from dormitories at Georgia State and Georgia Tech (formerly the Olympic Village) to Turner Field (formerly Olympic Stadium) to Centennial Olympic Park.

Having the Olympic Games in Atlanta was a good thing, but the long term legacy of the event can only be described as extraordinary. The city was permanently transformed into a world class destination!

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!

I had out of town visitors at the house last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And they wanted to see the local sights and to get out and have some fun!

So it was up to me to plan an itinerary of places to go go and things to do!

We started on Friday by heading to Warm Springs Georgia for lunch at the Bulloch House and after we were loaded with fried chicken and green tomatoes, we toured Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Little White House. We followed that with a trip to the spring itself, and then a visit to Dowdell's Know which was one of the late president's favorite picnic spots!

On Saturday we lunched at the famous Varsity Drive-in in Atlanta, followed by a trip to the Atlanta Zoo. After seeing all of the animals, we went to the Cyclorama to see the civil war museum in addition to the largest oil painting in the world! We finished Saturday off with a fine dinner at Frank's Fine Foods, right here in Coweta County!

Sunday morning took us back to downtown Atlanta, to visit the largest Aquarium in the world ...The Georgia Aquarium! While there, we toured the Titanic exhibit which has hundreds of artifacts recovered from under the sea. It was amazing. After the Aquarium, we spent the rest of the afternoon in Centennial Olympic Park, which was bustling with activity of a beautiful Spring Day.

Then it was off to Ru-Sans for sushi. The last thing we did was an auto tour of the beautiful antebellum homes in Newnan, where I work every day.

We all had a great time, and the truth is, I haven't really looked at where I live through the eyes of a tourist in a long time!

Atlanta is a great place to live, and there is plenty to do and see! We already have a long list of places to go and things to do next time!

And I can't wait!

Images, from top: Georgia Aquarium. The Little White house in Warm Springs. View from Dowdells Know in Roosevelt State Park. Animals in the Atlanta Zoo. The Cyclorama Building.

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!

Pandas are very popular these days.  Although the species is declining in the wild, zoos around the world are having some success with breeding programs.

These mostly docile creatures eat young green bamboo shoots, and sufficient habitat and food sources are being lost in their native China. As progress encroaches on their habitat ranges their numbers in the wild had been decreasing at a substantial rate.

However, awareness and conservation measures taken by the Chinese government seem to have stabilized the panda population in their native land.

Let's hope that the tide has turned for these beautiful animals, and that they will be with us for a long tine to come.

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!

As most of you know by now, I love to take fall photos! When you think of autumn photos, you usually don't head to the downtown area of a large metropolis like Atlanta.

But the seasonal color change is just enough to office the neutral steel, glass and stone exteriors of the skyline.

And the clear blue skies of fall make the photos really stand out. It's a rare combination of color and textures that doesn't exist any other time of the year.

No mountains in sight, just monoliths! I hope that you enjoy them.

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and Lake West Point Lots.

The Georgia Aquarium is one of the most popular destinations in Atlanta Georgia. It is located just north of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown. Atlanta experienced a makeover for the 1996 Olympic Games, and since that time has evolved into one of the premiere destinations for both tourists and suburbanites eager to experience the amenities of the metropolis.

The aquarium itself contains one of the largest collections of aquatic species in the world, from the tiniest crustaceans to beluga whales and everything in between. The aquarium is divided into different environments, Coldwater Quest, Georgia Explorer, Ocean Voyager, River Scout and Tropical Diver, each with its own unique ecosystem.

There are plenty on hands-on exhibits, including petting pools and even an indoor playground for the kids. There are also touring exhibits, currently a collection of artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Titanic. Whether you want to or not, you will learn something new on every visit to this marvelous facility.

For directions, hours of operation and to purchase tickets to the Georgia Aquarium, visit their website.

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and Lake West Point Lots.

There is a common perception in the marketplace that no sector in the real estate industry is moving forward. However, downtown real estate in major metropolitan areas continues to be a favorite among consumers.

Concerns about the price of fuel, ever increasing commuter traffic, and the quality of life have many potential buyers thinking about moving from the suburbs back to the cities. There is something very appealing about shopping and restaurants within walking distance of your residence.

The photo attached to this article was taken on Sunday, November 9, 2008 and depicts intensive construction in the city of Atlanta. New shopping districts are also flourishing, and developers are employing the "if you build it, they will come" attitude.

So if you haven't thought about downtown real estate lately, either as a buyer of a real estate professional, you may want to give it some thought. Prices are moderate and the amenities are second to none. It's a burgeoning market, and one well worth consideration!

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 ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and Lake West Point Lots.

I just can't help myself, I have Olympic fever. Due to the cyclical nature of the event, many of us measure our lives by the Olympics. I remember Rome, and Mexico City and Munich and Montreal and the list goes on and on.

In 1996, the Olympic City was Atlanta Georgia. I lived and worked in the midst of all of the action and excitement. It was a time when our city welcomed the world with open arms, and the world accepted our invitation.

One of the most interesting things that I discovered about the games was that there were several events that you could watch for free! Four of them occurred two blocks from my office. The Men's and Women's Cycling Road Races and the Men's and Women's Time Trials came right down Northside Drive and they made the loop fifteen times!

The difference in the events is simple. In the Road Races, everyone races together. In the Time Trials, the cyclists race individually against the clock. Because the course meanders through the city, there are plenty of excellent vantage points.

So all I had to do to witness these events was walk two blocks, and there, right in front of me, were the Olympic Games. I can't describe how that felt, it was eerie and exciting at the same time. No long lines, no expensive tickets, no waiting, just pure competition at its finest. And we were even provided with programs so we could identify the competitors!

I did attended many ticketed even\s, but my fondest memory of the 1996 Olympics will always be the 4 Gold Medal events that I watched on the streets that I traveled every day! It's a memory that I will continue to cherish.

Photo: The Peleton courtesy of RichardWeisser.com

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) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette 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. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

The summer Olympic Games in Beijing China are just a few short weeks away. As a resident witness to the games hosted by Atlanta in 1996, I can tell you that there is still a lot left to be done right up until the Opening Ceremonies.

It's hard to even imagine the number of venues needed to host the games. In Atlanta, the entire Olympic Stadium had to be constructed, as well as the Aquatic Center at Georgia Tech, the Velodrome in Stone Mountain, The Equestrian Center in Conyers, The Beach Volleyball Center in Jonesboro, The Canoe and Kayak Center in Tennessee, the Rowing Center on Lake Lanier and the Yachting Venue in Savannah.

Atlanta used many existing facilities too. The Georgia Dome, Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, The Georgia World Congress Center, The Alexander Memorial Coliseum, The Atlanta University Complex and many others.

The Olympic village had to be constructed as well. Enough secure housing had to be provided for the athletes, coaches and support staff for all of the represented countries.

Getting ready for the Olympic Games involve a lot of attention to minutia, and the workers in Beijing are scrambling to complete all of the last minute details. But finished or not, the opening ceremonies will begin on August 8!

You can visit the Official 2008 Beijing Olympics Website here.

Photos Courtesy Of Richard Weisser and RichardWeisser.com

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. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Atlanta is the capital of Georgia, and at a population of over five million in the metropolitan area, it is by far the largest city in the state. Atlanta has always enjoyed a robust economy, thanks to mild weather and exceptional amenities.

Atlanta is serviced by an excellent road system, highlighted by Interstates I-75, I -85, and I-20, which all intersect in the city. The city also has a rapid rail system, MARTA, that moves commuters at high speed from points as far south as the airport to points North, East and West of the city.

And speaking of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, with five operational runways it is the busiest airport in the world both in the number of passengers arriving and departing and the total number of flights per day!

Two major railroads have continuous operations in Atlanta. Both the Norfolk Southern and CSX have main lines and yard facilities in the region, providing excellent freight conveyance. Amtrak has a station in North Atlanta and the Southern Crescent offers regular passenger rail service.

Atlanta offers excellent cultural venues, such as The Atlanta Botanical Garden, The High Museum of Art, The Woodruff Arts Center and the Alliance Theatre.

Places of interest include the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke, The Fernbank Science Center and the Atlanta History Center.

Professional Sports Teams include the Atlanta Braves (MLB,) The Atlanta Falcons (NFL,) The Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and the Atlanta Thrashers (NHL!)

Since the 2000 census, Atlanta is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. Come see for yourself when more and more people are making Atlanta Georgia the place they call home!

Photos: Top Right - Georgia State Capitol, Bottom Left - Atlanta Botanical Garden

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. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of Atlanta's favorite destinations for horticultural nirvana. The gardens feature both indoor and outdoor displays, so there is something blooming year round.

The Garden is a photographer's paradise, and you'll see plenty of photos being taken during your visit. And since the flowers that are blooming change with the season, there is always a new subject waiting to be captured by the camera.

The garden features many outdoor displays, including a hydrangea garden, a rock garden, a Japanese garden, a bog garden and just about every other kind of garden imaginable.

There are as many indoor displays as there are outdoors. Tthese climate controlled areas feature some of the garden's most exotic species!

Inside the Fuqua Conservatory, you'll find a tropical rain forest, a desert hothouse, and an orchid house. Here plants collected from all over the world coexist in harmony!

One of the most popular areas is the Children's Garden, a combination playground and classroom that let's kids of all ages have fun while they're learning about gardening.

You can find out all the details by visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden website. Why not plan a visit the next time you are in Atlanta!

Photos: Top Right, Water Lily at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Bottom Left, The Children's Garden.

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. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

I, and most of my friends and neighbors, have a common bond with the citizens of Beijing China. Both Beijing and Atlanta share the privilege of being Olympic sister cities.

You may or may not care about the games themselves, but the Olympics are bigger than you can ever imagine. The amount of building and preparation needed for a 17 day event is unfathomable. Venues must be constructed, transportation had to be provided, security has to be implemented and the athletes, fans, and media from around the world have to be accommodated.

I was the broker at CENTURY 21 Intown in downtown Atlanta, and was able to witness every step of the process firsthand. It was amazing to see the permanent changes to the landscape of downtown Atlanta.

And the games themselves were phenomenal. The crowds were orderly, the events were exciting, and everyone seemed to enjoy the true melting pot of culture that collected in our city for two and an half weeks.

It was something I'll never forget. I will be posting more about the Olympics as time goes on. My ancient (1996) report on the games is located at:

http://richardweisser.com/1996.htm 

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) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette 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. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

Yes indeedy! One of the best kept secrets in Atlanta is the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. They have fabulous collections from many cultures of antiquity, including an Egyptian exhibit that will knock your socks off!

It is low key, rarely crowded, self guided and donation driven. You may have to pay a nominal admission to see special exhibitions, but that's only to help defray expenses.

And there are mummies, from different ages and eras. There are ornate coffins and sarcophagi and treasures of the pat. There are even mummies of animals. It's a treasure trove of the past and a fantastic adventure that's not to be missed.

The museum received prestige and noteriety recently, as a part of the collection was found to be the mummy of Ramesses I. The excitement of having a king at the museum was absolutely overwhelming. In a spirit of respect and deep appreciation for the momentousness of this discovery, Ramesses I was sent back to Egypt to lie in state with other Pharaohs.

Starting November 15th, King Tutankhamun will be honored with a special exhibition. It's expected to be a crowd pleaser.

To visit the Michael C. Carlos Museum online, Click here or on the photo. You can get all the relevant information you need!

Visit soon, I'm sure the mummies will appreciate the company!

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.