Home Buying
{ Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 }
Client Testimonials
I’ve recently asked previous clients to review me on Zillow.
It was not something that I was initially enthusiastic about.
I’m not sure why I had avoided it for so long. Perhaps I felt uncomfortable asking, or maybe I just didn’t think it was that important. Regardless of what was holding me back, I decided to just make the plunge. We’re all becoming increasingly reliant on peer review web sites, and I realized that it was about time that I stepped up and asked those who I do business with every day to tell the entire world what they thought of me.
So far, so good- I’ve posted all of the reviews on my Client Testimonial page. I receieved the review below yesterday. One unintended benefit of reviews like this is that it reminds me of why I do what I do in the first place, and why I enjoy what I do so much:
My husband and I have purchased property in New York City, upstate NY, Los Angeles, coastal Maine…and In-Town Atlanta with Jon Effron in 2011. He is hands down our favorite and most impressive real estate agent to date.
With his help we were able to purchase a short-sale home in Lake Claire. This was a complicated deal that took nearly five months to complete. There were numerous entities to be negotiated with…including the original owners, the bank holding the mortgage and their foreclosure team, multiple attorneys and other agents, etc.
It was a nail-biter of a deal, and honesty we didn’t think it would go through. If it weren’t for Jon it might not have.
He stayed invested and informed during every stage of the process, was uniformly liked and listened to by all parties involved…and despite the fact that it was a shaky deal from start to finish he maintained a positive attitude that made things go smoothly and in our favor. And when we were considering other houses to purchase instead…he advised us to stick to going after the house of our dreams, despite how difficult it was.
And we got it.
We give him the highest recommendation possible.
Whether you list with him, or shop for your next house with him…you’ll most likely get what you want…
{ Monday, April 30th, 2012 }
The Return of Bidding Wars
Bidding wars are back.
I’ve been involved in several multiple-offer situations this year, as have a number of my colleagues. It’s not uncommon right now. A quality house in a quality neighborhood – priced to sell – is going to garner immediate interest. It’s just the way it is. Unless you’re viewing the market through the prism that Case-Shiller puts out every month.
Just last week, Case-Shiller reported that Atlanta was at a 16 year low. Case-Shiller is designed for people that view Atlanta as a single real estate market, evidenced by the fact that it’s based on a 28 county analysis. It’s really odd, when you think about it. It’s like telling Ritz-Carlton that they function within the same hospitality market as Comfort Suites, or explaining to Mario Batali that the $30 plate of fennel pollen dusted sweetbreads that he’s plating up at Babbo are in the same dining “market” as an extra value meal at McDonald’s.
Of course, they are. But they’re really not.
If you offered me one million dollars to name 18 metro Atlanta counties, I probably couldn’t do it. 28 metro Atlanta counties? Not a chance. Why we still accord any value on a housing index based on a 28 county area masquerading as “Atlanta”, I’m still not sure.
All of that being said, I was thrilled to recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal about the return of the bidding war. You should really check it out, it’s a far more accurate depiction of the Atlanta market that I’ve been getting to know these past few months.
A little taste:
Competitive bidding in the current environment isn’t producing huge price increases or leaving sellers with hefty profits, as occurred during the housing boom. Still, the bidding wars caused by tight inventory provide the latest evidence that housing demand is starting to pick up after a six-year-long slump.
The Relevant Linkage
Maybe it’s time to start thinking about selling your home. Find out how much it’s worth.
Check out one of the counties that Case Shiller is referring to as “Atlanta”
{ Friday, March 16th, 2012 }
Emory Match Day
Medical School students all over the country are participating in an annual rite of passage today: Match Day. Approximately 16,000 graduates from U.S. medical schools and 15,000 graduates from osteopathic or foreign medical schools compete each year for approximately 24,000 residency positions at U.S. hospitals. And today – Match Day – is when they all find out where they’re headed for further training.
To the Emory students who will be matriculating to training programs outside our fair city, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. May you evolve into outstanding physicians.
To physicians who have been fortunate enough to be “matched” with Emory University… mazel tov! On behalf of Atlanta, welcome to our outstanding city. As you may be training and living in Atlanta for many years to come, consider me as a resource for finding the perfect place to live. While I know that many of you are strongly considering renting, don’t rule out home ownership. Prices have ebbed to dramatic lows, interest rates are insane, and as a physician you qualify for loan programs that the rest of us mere mortals have no access to. That being said, here are some quick housing/neighborhood recommendations for you:
1-You’re thinking: “I’m going to spend a few years shuttling back and forth between Emory University Hospital and Grady Hospital, and I need something in between the two.”
I’m responding: Inman Park. Specifically, my one bedroom condo listing at Brickworks. Two miles to Grady and four miles to Emory. Phenomenal community that’s walking distance to restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Perfect for the 4 hours of free time per week that you have to look forward to!
2-You’re thinking: “I’m relocating from Boston, where I’m used to walking everywhere. My week is going to be spent primarily at Emory, so I’d like to be as close to Emory as possible without being near a dorm.”
I’m responding: Decatur all the way. Tons to do, and some great options under $250,000.
3-You’re thinking: “I really need some space- a couple of bedrooms and a yard. I don’t care if I’m a few minutes from Emory, so long as I can buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home for under $300,000. Oh, and as long as you’re asking, I’m really interested in mid-century modern architecture.
I’m responding: We need to take a drive up to the Northcrest subdivision, located right at the junction of I-285 and I-85. Perfectly situated on two of Atlanta’s primary highways, you’re looking at a twenty minute drive to the hospital. If mid-century is your game, than this is the neighborhood for you. You’ll love it.
4-You’re thinking: “You seem incredibly knowledgable, the perfect real estate person to help me find a new home in Atlanta. How do we move forward?”
I’m responding: That’s an awfully nice thing to say! I’d love to assist you. Here’s my contact information- be in touch at your convenience!
{ Thursday, March 8th, 2012 }
Atlanta Real Estate Reality Check
I recently took a quick snapshot of this real estate “sign topper” in Grant Park:
The sign belongs to fellow Keller Williams Realtor Tony Raffalovich. The day Tony put his sign up, he received an offer. Within 48 hours, he received three more offers. The home is, understandably, now under contract to close.
It’s just one piece of anectdotal evidence, but it is indicative of what I’ve been seeing in the market. It is not, however, reflected in what I’m reading about the market.
Last week, we were treated to our monthly “10,000 foot perspective” of the Atlanta housing market: The Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. Case-Shiller is the leading national measurement tool of the U.S. housing economy, a much-watched report by economists, pundits and politicians. With regards to Atlanta, Case-Shiller basically takes everything it can find in Atlanta- single family homes, condominiums, foreclosures, south of the city, north of the city, you name it- and wraps it all into one (not so) pretty picture. This month, a sampling of what we learned (courtesy of the AJC):
1. Metro Atlanta home prices fell to the lowest point since 1998 as a mass of foreclosures and short sales continued to batter the market
2. Home prices in Atlanta fell for the fourth straight month in November, with a 2.5 percent decline that followed a 5 percent drop in October
3. “Atlanta continues to stand out in terms of recent relative weakness,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices
For me- and most Realtors that I know- the strange irony is that these headlines have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the market that we’re experiencing right now. Barely two months into 2012 and I’ve already been in six multiple-offer situations. Together the relatively low inventory levels intown (in areas with “better” public schools specifically), and increasing home buyer confidence has really started to heat things up. This might not provide a lot of comfort to the underwater home seller, but it’s becoming an emerging, highly underrported trend that’s hard to miss for those of us working in the industry.
Atlanta simply can’t be viewed as one single housing market. In reality, it’s hundreds of sub-markets.
{ Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 }
Kerry Howard, High Style High Rise Home Tour
When designer Kerry Howard isn’t popping up all over the television (Bravo’s Top Design and HGTV’s Design Wars, to be precise), he’s conceiving brilliant interiors all over Atlanta. Beginning March 9th, Kerry will take part in the High Style High Rise Home Tour at The Residences at W Atlanta – Downtown. Six of Atlanta’s top designers will be designing model units there, where they’ll be on display and open to the public for a month-long home tour. Check out what Kerry has to say, go take a look at the condos, and then give me a call when you’re ready to write an offer on one of them…
Q. What are your favorite Atlanta hidden gems?
A. One of my favorite hidden gems in Atlanta is Bjork Antikt, owned by Amy Wikman. It is a warehouse packed full of any type of furnishing you could possibly want and that would provide inspiration to any designer. You would never know what is in the building based on its outside appearance. I could literally spend hours in this space if I had the time and money to spend there.
Q. You’re hosting a delegation of top designers from around the world, and you’ve got 24 hours to show off Atlanta to them. What’s on the agenda?
A. Being the southern gentleman that I am, I would show them a little hospitality by starting with a visit to White Provision, located on the west side of Atlanta. I would take everyone to get a hot breakfast at West Egg and spend the remainder of the morning perusing through some of the furniture and accessory showrooms in that area. After lunch, I would take them on a pre-arranged tour of the southeast’s premier design center, ADAC, where some of the world’s finest showrooms are represented.
Q. What’s a big design trend on the horizon?
A. Well as those in the industry know, interior design usually follows fashion trends. I am excited to see a lot of color blocking happening with some major fashion designers. Within the next few years we will begin to see this color blocking trend happen with interior design. I could not be more excited for this trend to start! I do not think that most people fully grasp how much color can effect and change our surroundings.
Q. Design trend that you can’t wait to see disappear?
A. I feel like the economy has played a major role in influencing design over the past four years. I have seen so many interiors with a monochromatic scheme due to an economic influence. All of the reclaimed, recycled and reused furniture is starting to look really watered down to me. I think it is time for a resurgence of color in our lives.
Q. What’s so special about the High Style High Rise home tour at The Residences at W Atlanta- Downtown?
A. We all know the phrase “Location, Location, Location!” Well this magnificent piece of architecture is located on prime real estate, with views that are bar none for potential home owners looking for a less-is-more lifestyle. From a designer’s standpoint, even the interior selections were easy to work with. The Residences offer a blank slate from which to build a beautiful space that complements the panoramic views in Atlanta.
