Welcome to 2010!  This is our first listing of the New Year to hit the market!  And, it’s a great one!  There is a reason our listings don’t last.  From marketing to pricing to staging, we know how to get homes sold in the least amount of time for the most amount of money. Run, don’t walk!  It’s sure to go fast… 

Modern Day Luxury Renovated to Original Craftsman Charm

Old is new again. Originally built in 1930, this immaculate renovation reminds us of a much simpler Decatur. The custom paint and trim fit perfectly and help restore the home to original cottage charm. But don’t let this little trip down memory lane fool you!  This Decatur home, nestled in historic Decatur Heights, is equipped with everything and more that you’d expect from a brand new home, at a fraction of the price.  Within easy walking distance of downtown Decatur, all your favorite hot spots are at your back door.  Also, since you have easy access to Ponce de Leon, the main thoroughfares and public transportation are convenient.  The fenced corner lot provides great privacy and enhances the overall function and curb appeal of the home, and you are districted for the desirable Winnona Park Elementary School within the City Schools of Decatur cluster.

An open floorplan in a 70 year old house? Absolutely! You will love the natural light, flow and openness created in the main living room, dining room, and gourmet kitchen running the length of the home. The rich original hardwood floors and warm custom paint finishes tie everything together. The original fireplace has been brought back to life with modern day gas logs. The tiled kitchen features the granite countertops and counter space you have been looking for with a complimenting tile backsplash and extra outlets for convenience. In addition, the custom cabinets are painted to accent and give the kitchen an ultra updated appeal. The home includes three separate bedrooms along with two separate bathrooms. The updated motif is continued in the baths. No more perfect example than the crisp and clean master bathroom including tasteful tile and an oversized master shower complete with two shower heads. The guest bath includes modern designer light and bath fixtures and includes a classically unique antique slipper tub.

If you’re considering a Decatur relocation or an Atlanta relocation, this may just be the home for you!  What a perfect commute to Emory, Agnes Scott, Decatur Square, CDC, Downtown Atlanta, Midtown Atlanta, Buckhead, or Brookhaven.  This home is also nearby entertainment, shopping, and restaurant destinations such as DeKalb Farmer’s Market, Eddie’s Attic, Watershed Restaurant, Brick Store Pub, Wahoo! A Decatur Grill, and Fernbank.

Your home is waiting. Time is not on your side. This beautifully updated charmer will not last long, and once you see it, you will understand why.  Click on the flyer below for the full PDF image.

Because of you… We are still the #1 Team at Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road and now ranked in the Top 50 amongst all Keller Williams Realty agents in the Southeastern Region. Thank you for trusting us to be your real estate agents for life!

We have closed 15 transactions since July 1, 2009! 11 out of those 15 came from your referrals. What an honor!

Through September, we’ve sold over $6 million dollars in real estate. We’re busy but we are never too busy for new clients. As we begin to approach 2010, please don’t keep us a secret!

Your agents for life,
Lesley and Andy

About twice a year, Andy and I will develop a HOUSE CRUSH! Yes, you heard me correctly – “house crush!” I know it may sound a little odd but we have the great pleasure of seeing some of the most beautiful homes and condos in Atlanta. It can be a dangerous encounter as we often think of moving. Our most recent house crush has been on one of our very own listings – this gorgeous, fully-furnished foreclosure condo in Park Place Buckhead!  The Problem: We’ve already SOLD it! In all seriousness, I’m not sure a family of 5 (including the dog) would be best suited for a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom condo but we can always dream, right?

Congratulations to the new buyers who got a fantastic deal and will have the most amazing view from the 27th floor every night! Can you tell I still have the CRUSH?

We see a lot of Atlanta foreclosures and many are in rotten shape!  This one was a diamond in the rough – completely renovated and fully furnished!  In addition, it was located in one of the most well-known luxury highrises – Park Place on Peachtree. Park Place, nestled amongst church row (Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Christ the King, and St. Phillips Cathedral) and across the street from an Atlanta restaurant favorite (La Grotta) is located in the Heart of Buckhead.  It’s also in walking distance to the new Steets of Buckhead!  No doubt that these buyers got a fantastic location, beautiful condo, and exceptional deal!  CONGRATS!!!

If we can help you find or sell a luxury Buckhead condo, give us a call!

One of the joys of our job is to help our clients achieve their goals and through that process become good friends.  We have accomplished that yet again with Berkley and Lee.  Having first met with them in October of 2008, we decided in February to eventually rent their current Norcross townhome and help them find a “deal” on a larger Norcross single family home now.  While these results are not typical, we were able to secure them a deal alright at 83% sales/original list price.  Buyers are holding a lot of cards right now, but this was truly a diamond in the rough.  We closed on their new home on Thursday, and coincidentally we closed on the rental of their townhome on Friday.  We are so appreciative of the opportunity that Berkley and Lee gave us.  It was a real pleasure working with them, and best of all we made new friends in the process.

If you have been thinking about taking advantage of this market and need another opinion, we would be more than happy to invest an hour with you to determine your best move.  There are so many options out there for today’s Atlanta homeowner.  You can always reach us through the website at www.thepeterscompany.com.  We look forward to working with you!

The Peters Company KNOWS Ashford Park in Brookhaven.  Not only have we personally lived in Ashford Park, but we have helped Brookhaven homesellers and homebuyers in Ashford Park time and time again.  It’s amazing to see what this neighborhood has done through the years!  If you are interested in Brookhaven, you should definitely consider Ashford Park, and we’d be happy to help.

Here’s the details on our latest Brookhaven listing:

Developed in the 1950’s, Ashford Park was home to military personnel stationed at the site of today’s Peachtree-DeKalb Airport (PDK).  The military housing is a distant memory, but this area is still flying.  You’ll appreciate the history of the neighborhood while enjoying the incredibly desirable location in the heart of Brookhaven’s rejuvenated east side.  With the new Village Place Brookhaven blossoming now and within walking distance on Dresden, there’s a lot to be excited about here.  This charming two bedroom two bathroom cottage provides the perfect setting for city convenience and affordability. 

The front of the home has been freshly painted and finished with fresh landscaping.  From the moment you walk in the door, you’re greeted by rich history filled hardwood floors.  You’ll have plenty of space to relax in the main living room and adjoining separate dining room.  There is no need to waste a bedroom for your home office with the bonus nook off of the living room.  The kitchen features white cabinets and a brand new dishwasher as well as an extra cupboard cabinet for additional display and storage.  Come outside and find the screened porch you have always wanted.  Relax or entertain in privacy with a large flat fenced backyard.  The master bedroom and guest room are accompanied by a traditional full bathroom.  With an excellent lot, the possibilities for expansion are endless here.  The neighbors are friendly and wonderful.  You’re going to love it.  Welcome home to Ashford Park!

The buyers are out in full bloom already, braving this flood weather we have experienced recently in Atlanta.  We’re working with homebuyers in Norcross, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Buckhead, and Decatur.  Rain can’t keep people away, and it’s just wonderful to see the pickup a little earlier than expected.  Atlanta home sales are on the move.  Our phone continues to ring daily with new homebuyers ready to take advantage of the market.  With the new buyers also come new listings.  In the past week we have added three new single family listings in Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead.  You’ll note those listings on our blog.  Week after next we will be adding a foreclosure listing in the well known Park Place condominium building of Buckhead. 

Remember that it’s only a buyer’s market if you’re buying.  If you are a seller, think like a buyer.  If you are interested in learning more about our metro Atlanta market and perhaps how you can take advantage of it, we would love to spend an hour with you over lunch, coffee, or at your home.  We have some wonderful statistics, tips, and tricks for ensuring that your next move is a great move.  If you are an intown Atlanta homebuyer, we would like to meet with you, and if you are an Atlanta first time homebuyer we definitely want to meet with you!  This is an amazing market for you first timers!  All the best. -Andy & Lesley

The Peters Company just listed this beautifully renovated 3bed/2bath classic in historic Decatur. It’s located in the Clairemont-Great Lakes neighborhood and incredibly convenient to Emory Hospital, DeKalb Medical Hospital, and CDC.  The home has been renovated and updated front to back, side to side, and a recent addition makes for an expanded kitchen and an oversized master suite.  The home sits back tucked away from the road, and the lot is large and deep with a deck overlooking the private fenced in yard.  You must see this home. You’re going to love it, and it won’t last long!  We are well versed in the Decatur home sale market, and we have helped many buyers in Decatur as well.  To see this listing, please contact Andy at 770.634.2782 or andy@thepeterscompany.com for an easy appointment.

Having attended at least one listing appointment per week for the last several months, we have had to share our fair share of bad news.  In fact, we talk more people out of selling than into selling.  That’s the truth.  As we have said before, we are in the market of selling homes, not listing homes.  If we take a listing it is because we think we can sell it.  This is not the market to get what you want for your house, and it’s really not, in some cases, the market to get what you need.  If I can paint with a broad brush here, I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by saying that inventories remain high and homeowners remain frustrated. 

There is some positive though.  This strange market we are in has created a counter culture for the rental market for the landlord and the tenant.  It has become harder and harder to secure financing thanks to the tightening credit market so more and more renters are looking to take advantage of the market not by buying, but by renting.  What does that mean? 

Many homeowners find themselves upside down on their mortgage or simply refusing to take a large loss by selling their home.  So, what’s a homeowner to do?  Rent it baby!  As in the resale market, a well priced rental home rents fast.  It’s really a great time for the tenant too because they are, in many cases, able to rent a home/townhome/condo at a discount versus the traditional apartment complex.  It’s a win-win for everybody because these new opportunities for tenants allow the landlord homeowner to move on and accomplish goals as well, such as moving up, down, or out of town. 

We have been fortunate to work with some smart couples recently that did not let the market scare them.  In fact, they are rolling with the punches and maximizing their opportunity.  Two couples in particular have already bought or are under contract to buy their “move up” home while renting their current condo/townhome.  This window of opportunity to buy in a perfect storm of high inventory, depressed home values, and historically low interest rates will not last forever.  The smart buyer understands the economics of this decision beyond the initial sticker shock of two mortgages.  A break even on a rental, or even a slight negative cash flow, can pay massive dividends when coupled with a purchase in these times.  As said before, money can be made in an “up” market, but a whole heck of a lot more can be made in a “down” market. 

If you want to move, but you feel stuck or out of options, let’s talk.  We have some great ideas, and we will be happy to discuss the options available to you with no obligation to buy whatsoever.  We aren’t here to talk you in to anything.  We don’t operate like that.  In fact, I think our clients would agree that we are fairly conservative on the risk front.  Regardless, we have relevant statistics and ideas to share with you, and we want all of our clients to make the decisions that are best for them and consistent with their long term goals.

As is customary, The Peters Company brings you this monthly market snapshot for the metro Atlanta area.  We believe in market statistics.  It’s hard to sell homes in this market, but it’s even harder when you don’t understand the market.  We have always paid the upfront price to ensure we know what’s going on out there and so we can provide timely insight and valuable advice.  The detached home market is included here. 

Here are a couple of observations:

• After comparing these numbers to the January MMO, total inventory has jumped from 9.2 months to 12.7 months.  This trend is not too surprising given that February is really the first full month back from the holiday season.  Inventory is up in every price point from last month.
• Foreclosures are up to nearly 30% of market sales, a number that is likely understated given the tendancy of some agents to “miscode” their listings.  This just means that there are a lot of great deals out there that buyers are taking advantage of.
• The median list price is down $15,000 from last month.  This is not all a bad thing.  I believe that sellers are becoming a lot more realistic on price, which only helps us get out of this mess faster.
• The percentage of failed listings (listings that did not sell) held steady at 66.9% when compared to last month.  Here’s some good news.  Now, let’s just get that percentage to come down a little.  The only way out of this is more and more buyers buying on the heels of more realistic pricing.

If you have interest in the attached (condo/townhome) market, simply shoot us an email, and we will be happy to provide it for you.  These statistics are the tip of the iceberg.  If you are considering buying or selling this year, I hope you will give us an opportunity to share some more with you.  It would be our pleasure to work with you.

At the beginning of every year, we send a letter out to our clients we represented from the previous year.  Our purpose of the letter is twofold.  First and foremost to thank them for giving us an oppotunity in an ocean full of real estate agents.  Secondly, we always remind our past clients about the importance of filing for the Homestead Exemption on their primary residence.  This year’s letters have already gone out, but I wanted to post some helpful information and links in the event that you have purchased a home in the last calendar year.  

As you know, buying a home can be a huge tax advantage, so we want to be sure that as a new homeowner you know you may be eligible for a Homestead Exemption.

Georgia allows homeowners to claim a Homestead Exemption as a tax benefit that could amount to considerable annual savings.  To qualify the homeowner must occupy the residence and file at the county Court House or Tax Commissioner’s Office in person, by mail or on the web, depending on the county in which you reside.  Filing deadlines do vary by county, but we encourage you to do this as soon as possible.

For your convenience, we have attached the contact information below of most major Georgia county Tax Commissioner offices, so that you may file for exemption quickly and easily.  If your county is not listed, please visit www.georgia.gov/00/topic_index_channel/0,2092,4802_5083,00.html to find your county’s tax office information.  If you have any questions about the homestead exemption and its benefits, we encourage you to talk with your accountant.  Many thank to Leigh Clack with Neel and Robinson for providing these updated links and contacts.

Fulton County – deadline is April 1, 2009                   404-612-6440

http://www.fultonassessor.org/Forms/HtmlFrame.aspx?mode=content/Exemptions.htm&taxyear=2007&ownseq=1&jur=&LMparent=180

DeKalb County – deadline is March 1, 2009 (file by Friday, 2/27)  404-298-4000

https://dklbweb.dekalbga.org/taxcommissioner/index.asp?pg=homestead#applications

Gwinnett County – deadline is March 2, 2009            770-822-8800

https://ssl.gwinnetttaxcommissioner.com/Property/information/TypesOfExemptions.aspx

Cobb County – deadline is April 1, 2009                     770-528-8600

http://www.cobbtax.org/Forms/HtmlFrame.aspx?mode=content/Exemptions.htm&LMparent=189

Clayton County – deadline is April 1, 2009                770-477-3311

http://www.co.clayton.ga.us/tax_commissioner/exemptions.htm

Cherokee County – deadline is April 1, 2009              678-493-6122

 http://www.cherokeega.com/ccweb/departments/assessor/

Henry County – deadline is April 1, 2009                    770-288-8180                 

http://www.co.henry.ga.us/taxcommissioner/PropertyTaxExemptions.shtml

Forsyth County – deadline is March 1, 2009 (aim for 2/27)     770-781-2106 

http://www.forsythco.com/DeptPage.asp?DeptID=25&PageID=299

Douglas County – deadline is April 1, 2009                  770-920-7272

http://www.celebratedouglascounty.com/tax/

Fayette County – deadline is March 1, 2009 (aim for 2/27)   770-461-3652

http://www.fayettecountytaxcomm.com/HOMESTEA.html

Paulding County – deadline is April 1, 2009                 770-443-7606

http://www.paulding.gov/gov/taxcommissioner.asp