American Land is a bargain

LOVE Jubak’s Journal, I know there is only so much reading one can do in a day. Jubak’s is worth the read.
Article abstract
Land, I believe it’s called. The stuff that overseas investors with U.S. dollars burning holes in their pockets will buy to diversify their portfolios away from U.S. Treasury bonds and to protect their holdings from any further decline in the dollar.

Read the article here.

ClarkHoward.com article- Is bankruptcy ever a smart way to avoid foreclosure?

Is bankruptcy ever a smart way to avoid foreclosure?

Millions of people facing foreclosure are being tempted with ads about filing for bankruptcy as a way out of their problems. This may not affect you directly, but perhaps you know a friend, family member or co-worker who is going through this. So let’s consider a couple of scenarios and see if the bankruptcy option holds water. If you bought your home in the last two or three years and almost immediately fell behind on payments, then the reality is that you may not be able to keep your home. But that doesn’t automatically mean foreclosure. Try instead to arrange a short sale with your lender’s permission. This may help the lender avoid the usual $70,000 cost of foreclosure, while it will help you avoid the stigma of foreclosure. Approach your lender several times if you don’t initially get the answer you want. A second alternative to bankruptcy would be to arrange for something called a deed in lieu of foreclosure. This is like a voluntary turn-in of your property. This will probably appeal to lenders in states where they’d have to incur the expense of going to court to proceed with foreclosure. One thing to keep in mind about bankruptcy is that while it may help you today, it will not help you in the long run. Sometimes the best option is to allow foreclosure to proceed if it’s unavoidable. It’s like closing a bad chapter in your life and moving on. Let’s consider one other kind of scenario. Say you’re a longtime owner who has fallen on hard times now but has a good payment history. Then you might want to seek a loan modification, forbearance or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing as a last resort before you lose your home. With Chapter 13, you can remain in your home and develop a workout if you already have demonstrated a good payment history. Bear in mind that Clark’s really over-generalizing here. He’s laying out a road map, and you need to see where you fit on the road.

Atlanta’s housing market looks ripe for home buyers

By C.W. CAMERON
From the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/11/07 This week we talked with Charlotte Sears, president/chief operating officer, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

Q: We’re hearing so much about tough times in the housing industry. Is this the right time to buy a home?A: This is a great time to buy a home. For example, if you are a first-time home buyer with good credit and money saved for a down payment, now is a fantastic time to buy: interest rates are low, financing is available for those who qualify, selection is high and prices are in your favor. Homeownership is still one of the very best long-term investments you can make – plus you get the added advantage of living in your investment!

Q: What is the outlook for the Atlanta housing market?A: We are very fortunate to live and work in Atlanta. Our unemployment rate is low, our quality of life is superb, our housing choices are unlimited and our prices are stable. During the past few months, Atlanta has been the recipient of several accolades that speak to the long-term health of the area, including Forbes magazine ranking Atlanta as the No. 3 city in the nation for young professionals.

Q: What are your tips for home buying or selling ?A: Take a look at your individual situation and with advice of a good real estate professional, determine if now is the right time for you to enter the market. If you are selling, make sure the price is right and your home is in top condition. If you are a buyer, be sure to get pre-approved by a reputable mortgage company; this will give you negotiating strength and peace of mind. Successful people seize opportunities … it’s an opportune time to buy real estate!

For Mother’s to be- Going Green

Mothers have plenty of options for organic clothing, natural toys and nursery furnishings made sustainable and safe. Several suggestions are offered in this article from iVillage:
http://slideshow.ivillage.com/igo_green/pink_blue_or_green/post_66.html?nlcid=sw%7C11-07-2007%7C

Atlanta region ranks 10th in employment growth

More Great news for Atlanta posted in today’s AJC.com~

In a study of the top 100 US metropolitan areas, Atlanta ranks as the area with the tenth highest employment growth in the past decade. Employment growth generally translates to growth in the local real estate market.
The ranking, released Tuesday in a report by the Metropolitan Policy Programs at Brookings, was part of a comprehensive study on the nation’s top financial areas. The report also highlights the significance of metropolitan areas to the prosperity of the U.S. economy.
Other metropolitan areas in the top 10 include Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and Washington. The city that topped the list was New York, accounting for almost 9 million jobs in 2005.

For the complete article, click the link below:
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2007/11/06/atlantajobs_1107.html

Recycling Do’s and Don’ts

Recycling Dos and Don’ts
Each community has their own regulations on what can be recycled and what cannot. Always check with your community recycling program to see what’s ok before you start. We’ve found that, in most communities, the following recycling dos and don’ts usually apply. OK to recycle: High-quality plastics labeled with number one and two recycling symbols. Food and beverage containers, such as milk, soda, water, salad dressings, etc. Jars and canisters, like peanut butter jars, soap, aspirin bottles, etc. Cleaning products and detergents, including bleach, soap, shampoo, drain cleaners, etc. Automotive and yard care products, but make sure the containers are empty for those like antifreeze, oil, plant food and herbicide containers. Junk or direct mail, including brochures, fliers, white/light envelopes, etc. Aluminum, tin and steel cans, such as soda, beer, tuna, vegetable, etc. Printed paper like newspaper, magazines, phone books, legal pads, etc. NOT OK to Recycle: Plastic bags Newspaper delivery bags Styrofoam Lids from glass containers Pizza boxes Phone books Mirrors Aerosol cans Paint cans Wax paper Food-soiled paper Window glass Ceramics Light bulbs Microwaveable food trays Other types of plastic not labeled as CA Redemption Value or CA Cash Refund, including, household cleaners, cough syrup, shampoo bottles, condiment bottles, cosmetic containers, ketchup bottles, yogurt cups, deli product containers, egg cartons, disposable cups, ready-made lunch containers, etc.

For Buyers- going green

Our society is becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the environment.
When purchasing a new property, asking a few questions will help you examine your options:

• Ask the sellers how environmentally-aware they are, or if they’ve made any investments in their home to save energy or promote conservation.
• Ask about energy bills when looking to buy.
• Keep an eye out for any appliances that may stay in the home, and see if they carry the Energy Star label.
• Check to see if there are any air leaks through windows or doors around the house.
• Inquire about flooring, cabinetry or countertop materials. Are they eco-friendly?
• Are the toilets, faucets and showerheads low-flow?
• Ask when the heating and cooling system (HVAC) was last checked and cleaned.
• Ensure the pipes are well-insulated, and ask whether a tankless water heater is used.
• Ask if the community has a recycling process for aluminum/plastics/paper.

Real Living Launches Green Program

This article was posted in RISMedia this morning, very exciting!
Real Living Launches Green Program

RISMEDIA, Nov. 5, 2007-Real Living announced a new green initiative that is designed to help home buyers and sellers identify and adopt environmental measures that save energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, minimize waste and use environmentally-friendly products. The company says that the Real Living Green initiative responds to Real Living’s commitment to improving local communities where it does business and to customer interest in conservation, climate change and environmental protection.

Real Living Green delivers in three ways: through its own offices, agent education and certification, and consumer education.

“The recent revelations about global warming, rising energy costs and healthy living dictate that Real Living develop a green program for eco-conscious customers and its own operations,” said Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, president of Real Living. “We are committed to Real Living Green and believe it will lead to a sea change in residential real estate sales and services as more people seek to purchase green homes and take steps to make their current homes more environmentally friendly.”

Real Living offers green educational information through the tools and references on RealLiving.com and the MyRealLiving portal. Consumers can find checklists for buyers, sellers and renovators interested in conserving energy, reducing carbon emissions and installing green features in their homes. They can also find information on recycling and going green on a budget along with helpful links to other green resources. Through online carbon calculators, consumers can understand that simple changes like replacing one 75 watt incandescent light bulb with a 19 watt compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) can cut 75 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year while saving money on energy bills.

“The real estate industry is local. Our agents and franchise broker-owners always have participated in innumerable activities to improve their neighborhoods – tackling issues such as homelessness, hunger and more. Real Living Green is a natural extension of caring about our communities,” said Rouda.

Real Living offices will implement recycling and conservation programs and work to reduce waste products, especially paper. More reliance will be placed on e-communications. Agents and staff are encouraged to stop using screen savers (which use energy), refill their water bottles instead of grabbing new ones, turn off their computers at days end, recycle waste products, drink from Real Living ceramic mugs rather than Styrofoam cups and stop printing e-mails.

Real Living will soon begin offering green certification training for its agents and brokers through Real U, its professional development program. The certification will provide specialized training and resources in the newest environmental designs and home products.

“We intend to be the No. 1 green real estate company in America,” said Rouda. “Over time, Real Living Green will symbolize not just sustainable homes that are planet friendly but also help entire communities with whatever their particular environmental issue may be – cleaner water or air, better after school programs for kids or just awareness campaigns.”

The Real Living Green icon will be prominently displayed on all consumer materials and internally for communication throughout its network. With Real Living’s intranet, the promotion of green initiatives can be accomplished via earth-friendly communication tools.

“We are excited about the number of ways consumers and our agents can work together in the communities we care about to improve the earth we share,” Rouda said.

For more information, visit RealLiving.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Notice the exterior of your purchase

Maintenance requirements and costs vary considerably for brick, wood, vinyl siding, and stucco.
Daily Real Estate News  |  October 29, 2007Consider the Face of a Home Before Buying
The exterior of a house is a big factor in how much maintenance expense a home owner will face as the years go by.

Before purchasing a house, buyers should ask sellers about previous exterior maintenance. When did they last paint? How much did it cost?

North Carolina contractor John Harmon and real estate professionals from the Charlotte area offer these tips for buyers contemplating which exterior to prefer.

• Wood looks great, but it must be painted or stained and is susceptible to rot and termites.

• Brick is durable, never needs painting, is fire-resistant and energy efficient, but shifts in the soil and constant contact with rain and snow and can cause cracks in the mortar between the bricks. Re-pointing a house is expensive, so buyers should make sure the seller takes care of any problems with deteriorating brick.

• Vinyl siding, if properly installed, is durable and needs little maintenance. Newer vinyls with insulated backing are rigid and energy efficient. From a distance, it looks like real wood. But vinyl tends to fade and can’t be repainted, and some people also think it looks cheap.

• Fiber cement is a durable, low-maintenance siding that looks like wood. It resists fire, water and termite damage. It holds paint well and isn’t as expensive as it once was.

• Stucco looks like concrete. It’s similar to brick in durability, maintenance and price.

• Synthetic stucco applied over Styrofoam has had problem with rot and mold. Anyone interested in buying a house covered with this material should have it inspected by a stucco specialist before buying.

Source: Charlotte Observer, Kathy Haight (10/27/07)

Atlanta home prices are rising a tad

Article from Realtor.com

Daily Real Estate News  |  October 31, 2007Top 5 Markets Where Home Prices are Rising
Home prices have risen in five major markets, while continuing to fall in the rest of the country, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index for August, released Tuesday.

The largest price declines are in rust belt cities, although Tampa came out as the big loser as speculators abandoned properties.

“The fall in home prices is showing no real signs of a slowdown or turnaround,” says Robert J. Shiller, co-creator of the index and chief economist for MacroMarkets LLC.

The Case-Shiller indexes track multiple sales of the same homes in an attempt to screen out price differences caused by shifts in the size and type of houses being sold. Some housing economists consider these indexes the best gauge of national and metro real-estate values.

Here are the changes in the August price level from a year earlier for single-family homes.

5 Cities Where Prices Rose

1. Seattle: 5.7
2. Charlotte: 5.6
3. Portland: 2.8
4. Atlanta: 0.8
5. Dallas: 0.5

15 Cities Where Prices Fell

1. Tampa: -10.1
2. Detroit: -9.3
3. San Diego: -8.3
4. Phoenix: -8.0
5. Miami: -7.8
6. Las Vegas: -7.6
7. Washington, D.C.: -7.2
8. Los Angeles: -5.7
9. San Francisco: -4.2
10. Cleveland: -4.1
11. Minneapolis: -4.0
12. New York: -3.8
13. Boston: -3.6
14. Chicago: -1.3
15. Denver: -0.4

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Rex Nutting, and S&P Case-Shiller Index (10/31/07)