Atlanta Buyers Agent
Obama approves $3 billion in aid to help unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosure.
August 30, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
I found the following article quite interesting - I don’t generally agree with government handouts, but in this case there are too many responsible people who always paid their own way who are now in trouble due to no fault of their own. The government let the greedy bankers run amuck, and then bailed them out - IMHO, its time they bailed the little guy out. If you know of any friends or family who have lost thier job, or have been laid off, forward this to them - it could help them save their home until they get back on their feet. Robert
The Huffington Post
August 11, 2010
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is providing $3 billion to unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure in the nation’s toughest job markets.
The Treasury Department said Wednesday it will send $2 billion to 17 states that have unemployment rates higher than the national average for a year. They will use the money for programs to aid unemployed homeowners. Some of those states have already designed such programs.
Another $1 billion will go to a new program being run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It will provide homeowners with emergency zero-interest rate loans of up to $50,000 for up to two years.
The administration was required to launch the HUD emergency loan program by the financial regulatory bill signed by President Barack Obama last month.
The Treasury is using money from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout to pay its share of the program. Officials said they won’t know until next month how many people are likely to be helped.
California will get the largest share of money for the Treasury program, at $476 million. Florida is in line for nearly $239 million. Illinois will receive $166 million and Ohio will receive $149 million.
The Obama administration has rolled out numerous attempts to tackle the foreclosure crisis but has made only a small dent in the problem. More than 40 percent, or about 530,000 homeowners, have fallen out of the administration’s main effort to assist those facing foreclosure.
That program, known as Making Home Affordable, provides lenders with incentives to reduce mortgage payments. So far, it has provided permanent help to about 390,000 homeowners, or 30 percent of the 1.3 million who have enrolled since March 2009.
Also receiving money are Michigan, $129 million; Georgia, $127 million; North Carolina, $121 million; New Jersey, $112 million; Indiana, $83 million and Tennessee, $81 million.
Alabama is due to receive $61 million, South Carolina, $59 million; Kentucky, $56 million; Oregon, $49 million; Mississippi, $38 million; Nevada, $34 million; Rhode Island, $14 million; and Washington, D.C., $8 million.
The government’s department of Housing and Urban Development said it will announce details about the program, coined the Emergency Homeowner Loan Program, in the coming weeks.
As always, call me if I can be of service to you or your friends. I am available to assist and consult regarding your Atlanta real estate needs, and provide unmatched buyer or seller representaion, results, and protections.
Regards,
Robert Whitfield
Broker/Owner, Realtor
ICC Code Certified Home Inspection Expert
New Home Construction Expert
Advantage Realtors
678-585-9691
877-787-7167
Atlanta Buyers Agent
Buyer Broker Agreements. Do you use them?
June 27, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
As a member of some professional real estate groups on Linked In, I recently answered the following agents post and thought it might be of interest to my readers. About 50 other agents and brokers responded as well and made the obvious point that agents protect themselves when they insist on a Buyer Brokerage Agreement. A few agents said they had no problem “working” with buyers without the agreement - that no buyer had stiffed them. What no one discussed was the legal implications for the agent when they don’t excercise their duty to fully disclose agency choices to buyers so they understand the implications of their choices, the limitations and risks to the agent and buyer when the agent agrees to work without a Brokerage Agreement, and all the negative implications for the buyer when no Brokerage Agreement is used - that’s why I wanted to respond with an answer that more fully incompassed the ramifications of all aspects of the subject:
Buyer Broker Agreements. Do you use them?
Jarred - I typically only work with someone if they will sign a buyer broker. It just adds protection. Yet I have a new buyer who sought me out from an open house I had, whose wife is a former Realtor from another state and he’s just adamant about not signing one because they fear it ‘locks them into me.’ I may veer away from them because of this. If they’re already telling me they don’t want to be locked into ONE Realtor already this may be a red flag for me that I’ll end up getting left in the cold. Thoughts?
Robert Whitfield • I will only work with a buyer while under a written Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement - and here is why:
1. You do protect yourself - against a buyer using another agent after you have done all the work - or thinking they can somehow do better than you and contacting the seller directly.
Note: I have a very unique and advantageous Buyer Representation Program that no other agent here in Atlanta can match, so I run very little risk of a buyer leaving me for another agent. For me, the next point is really the driving reason to ONLY work with buyers under a written Brokerage Agreement.
2. You can fully serve and protect the buyer - ONLY when they become your client. This is the one that buyers who don’t want to be “locked in” to an agent don’t get (and many agents completely forget) - it’s all about agency relationships. In the absence of a Buyer Brokerage Agreement, you as the agent can not legally give the buyer the benefits of your expertise and knowledge, or protect them from mistakes, etc, because those services are reserved for “clients”. A buyer who is merely “working” with an agent without a Buyer Brokerage agreement is a customer - and the agent in that case is supposed to provide only ministerial acts - acts that require no judgment, expertise, or industry knowledge - to do otherwise can set the agent up for a lawsuit by the buyer and various other parties (the seller) if something goes wrong. It is in the buyer’s best interests to be represented as a client and never left to fend for themselves as a customer. Agents who work with buyers without representing them risk becoming an “undisclosed dual agent” without realizing it - in most states that can get them into serious trouble with the real estate commission.
While buyers may not know anything about agency, or how to protect themselves in a transaction, or what duties agents owe them when they are a client versus a customer - we as agents and brokers are responsible for fully informing them about agency and their choices of service levels (before we ever work with them) so they know the ramifications of their choice of being a client versus merely a customer.
In the rare cases where I run into buyers who are leery of Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreements (usually first-time buyers or buyers who had a horrible agent in the past), I make sure they fully understand the above - I have only had one buyer in ten years not sign a Buyer Brokerage Agreement when they fully understood that it was in their best interest to do so. (Some people need to be saved from themselves!)
I have offered a 1-2 day Brokerage Agreement to a few buyers which is a “try it before you buy it” approach that works well. It allows you to protect yourself, and provide top level representation to your client, and they see how you work and then are comfortable signing a longer term agreement.
I also explain to buyers who seem nervous about “committing” to an agent - “any agent who is willing to work with you without a Brokerage Agreement is not only agreeing to do less than a great job for you, but refusing to protect ‘their own commission and livelihood’, so what in the world makes you think such an agent will protect YOUR interests and money in a transaction if they won’t even protect their own interests?”
I refused to help the buyer who refused to sign my agreement, explaining that it would be a disservice to him. His wife was furious with him and apologized to me, but I will never make an exception to this practice. Its just good business - I am supposed to be the expert - I don’t let my prospects or clients dictate how I run my business.
What do you think?
Atlanta Buyers Agent
Atlanta Homes For Sale
May 26, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Click The Available Cities Under This ”Atlanta Homes For Sale” Categories Drop-Down Menu To See Currently Available Homes (Priced Under $900K) In The Most Popular In-Town and North Metro Atlanta Communites.
ATLANTA, once known as Terminus, the city was founded in 1837 as a transportation point with a tavern, blacksmith shop, and grocery store. The city of Atlanta was chartered in 1847, but really began as a major city after its rebirth in 1865.After The city was burned in the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War, and afterwards Atlanta began a growth and building boom that continues to this day. Atlanta is made up of many neighborhoods within the city limits, but is such an anchor for the whole metro area that even residents of outlying communities and smaller towns within the large metro area will refer to being from “Atlanta” when they are traveling.
Buckhead & In-Town Atlanta
Within Fulton County and parts of Dekalb County is an Intown area made up of several dozen distinct neighborhoods, each having its own identity, residential style, and atmosphere. Many have active and fiercely proud community associations. These are areas where streets are lined with stately oaks and azaleas and often populated by both young and old residents who can be seen out walking and socializing. Here you can find outdoor cafes, trendy boutiques, and old-fashioned drug stores which add to the charm and friendliness of these neighborhoods. From trendy Buckhead to artsy Virginia-Highlands there is an Intown neighborhood for everyone.
BUCKHEAD, around 1840 a tavern owner named Henry Irby mounted a buck’s head on a post outside his establishment which was located at the present intersection of West Paces Ferry and Roswell Roads. The area has been known as Buckhead ever since.
Buckhead is situated north of downtown proper, and is the most prestigious residential area in Atlanta as well as Atlanta’s “uptown” commercial, banking, and shopping center. Many of Atlanta’s finest shops and department stores are located here, in Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza and in smaller centers as well. It is an area of neighborhoods with distinct character, and, some of the most lavish and expensive homes in Atlanta.
BROOKHAVEN, an older neighborhood that straddles the line between the City of Atlanta and Dekalb County. Originally developed as a golf club community in 1910, Brookhaven is now one of Atlanta’s most beautiful neighborhoods, offering lush, natural landscaping and winding streets with early 20th century Georgian, Colonial, and Tudor-style homes on large lots. Brookhaven Country Club and Golf Course (a private club) was built around 1920. These historic streets are now joined by new townhomes and cluster communities on nearby roads, making Brookhaven a popular place for young professionals to live. Prices range from the high $200,000’s for some of the ranches to the low millions for some of the classic early 20th century homes. Homes facing the golf course naturally command the higher prices. The newer townhomes and cluster homes range from about $ 300,000 to $ 475,000. Schools serving the neighborhood are Sara Smith Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Fulton High School, and private schools are available as well.
BROOKWOOD HILLS, is an elegant neighborhood with quiet shady streets and fine traditional homes of Georgian and Tudor architecture built in the 1920’s. Most of these homes have been renovated and enlarged. A range of homes can be found here, from one-story bungalows to 3-story colonial and Tudor mansions. A community association maintains the neighborhood pool and tennis courts. Prices range from the mid $200,000’s to $800,000+. The neighborhood is particularly attractive to physicians, attorneys, and other professionals whose practices are located nearby. Piedmont Hospital and Shepherd Spinal Center are within walking distance, and the downtown and Buckhead business districts are only minutes away. East Rivers Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Atlanta High School serve the area, as well as nearby private schools.
COLLIER HILLS, is a close-in neighborhood of small cottage-style, and one and two story traditional homes located on the west side of Peachtree Road, and was built in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The neighborhood has an active civic association, and three parks within walking distance as well as Bobby Jones public golf course. In the past this was the place where young couples bought their first homes because of the convenience to downtown, and because these smaller homes were reasonably priced. Any remaining tracts of land have been developed with newer homes and subdivisions of larger traditional homes on small pieces of property. Prices range from about $200,000 to $350,000+. Piedmont Hospital is only a few blocks away.
GARDEN HILLS, here mature trees and landscaping and quiet winding streets create a park-like atmosphere. This Buckhead neighborhood is popular with families who have young children due in part to the active civic association and the Garden Hills Recreation Center’s swimming pool facilities, and baseball fields and tennis courts at Frankie Allen Park. Homes are a mix of one and two story traditional with stone, brick, or frame construction. Established in the 1920’s and 1930’s, many of the homes have been renovated and enlarged and are situated on lots from 1/4 to over 1 acre. Prices range from the mid $200,000’s to over $600,000. Peachtree Battle, a great neighborhood shopping center for groceries and restaurants is within walking distance. Piedmont Hospital is nearby, and Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, two of the cities best shopping centers are about ten minutes away. Schools serving the area are Garden Hills Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Atlanta High School. Private schools are also nearby.
HAYNES MANOR, developed in the 1920’s to the early 1940’s, this is an area of well-maintained homes of mostly classic traditional and Georgian architecture. The area has two neighborhood parks and is bordered on the south by Bobbie Jones Golf course. More recent homes have been developed on sub-divided tracts but careful attention has been paid to preserving the character of this area. Prices range from the high $200,000’s to the low $1 million range. Fine shopping at Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and the specialty shops on Peachtree Road are only minutes away. Public schools serving the area are Margaret Mitchell and E. Rivers Elementary, Sutton Middle, and North Atlanta High School.
PEACHTREE HILLS, developed in the1920’s, this is a charming neighborhood of traditional architecture consisting mostly of quaint two and three bedroom brick, frame, and stone bungalow-style homes. Excellent shopping and hospital facilities are nearby as are trendy cafes and restaurants. Recreation centers around Peachtree Hills Park and its lighted tennis courts. Home prices range from the high $100,000’s to $300,000+. There are private schools nearby, but most students attend the fine public schools serving the area, E. Rivers or Garden Hills Elementary, Sutton Middle and North Atlanta High School.
PEACHTREE ROAD CORRIDOR, the high price and scarcity of building lots in the Buckhead area have been the driving force in the development of elegant townhomes and, more recently, loft developments and the new high-rise condominium towers seen along Peachtree Road. High-rise condominiums, and the more recent lofts, are a relatively new but popular lifestyle in Atlanta. Residents are often young professionals or newcomers who enjoy the opportunities and conveniences of urban living, but also include “empty nesters” from the Buckhead area who want to remain near the fine shopping, dining, and cultural facilities, but no longer desire the maintenance of a larger home. Prices for the condos, lofts, and townhomes range from the low to mid $100,000’s to $ 5 million, with many in the $200,000 to $500,000 range.
TUXEDO PARK, was developed in the 1920’s and 1930’s as Atlanta’s affluent began to move north of the city to build their estates in this beautiful gently rolling woodland. Tuxedo Park is more than the most affluent residential area in Atlanta, it represents a collection of some of the finest homes in America. Atlanta’s most respected architects, Neel Reed, Philip Shutze, and James Means designed many of the homes built during this period. A pleasing mixture of English, Colonial, French, and Mediterranean architecture is represented here. These estates are situated on very large beautifully landscaped grounds, many ten acres or more, with immaculately manicured lawns and mature oak and magnolia trees. Often the long winding driveways disappear in the trees before one can even glimpse some of these fabulous estate homes. Prices in this area range from $500,000+ to over $8,000,000. Many of the homes have been renovated and enlarged. Although some large estates have been subdivided into smaller parcels over the years, building lots remain extremely scarce.
Intown/Midtown
ANSLEY PARK, was developed by Edwin Ansley in 1904 with the design being inspired by the era’s leading landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead. A great deal of attention was paid to the landscaping, large setbacks, and the many miles of curved streets. Elegant homes in this beautiful shaded setting stand witness to great urban design. It is fitting that Ansley Park, one of the cities first garden suburbs should have boundaries that begin across the street from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Well-maintained homes built mostly from 1900 to the late 1930’s are situated on hilly and heavily wooded lots. There are a variety of home styles from Victorian to Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie School and some multifamily, however grand traditional Georgian and Tudor styles predominate. Prices range from the high $200,000’s to over $1 Million. This is one of the finest and most prestigious residential areas in Atlanta. Because of its location, within walking distance to the Arts Center, and close proximity to Piedmont Park, the cities largest park, and two private clubs, The Ansley Park Golf Club and the Piedmont Driving Club, Ansley Park is highly sought after by both young professionals and native Atlantans alike. The Ansley Park Civic Association sponsors neighborhood activities and a community newspaper.
GRANT PARK, one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods is situated around Grant Park, home to two well known Atlanta landmarks, the Atlanta Zoo and Cyclorama. The area has seen many homes renovated over the last 10 years and still offers opportunities for those interested in renovating historic homes. Streets near the park are lined with restored Victorian homes, but most homes are frame bungalows priced from about $150,000. for un-restored properties. Because of Grant Park’s close proximity to downtown, the area has recently seen a dramatic increase in demand for housing.
INMAN PARK, was developed in the 1880’s as one of the nation’s first planned communities, and one of its first garden suburbs. Inman Park and Ansley Park were the first suburban developments in Atlanta. One of the countries first street car systems was formed in Inman Park to transport affluent inhabitants to their offices downtown. Most homes in Inman Park are large Victorian, Colonial, and Classic Revival with some smaller brick or frame bungalows as well. Restored Victorians can easily exceed the high $300,000’s while un-restored bungalows may be found in the high $100,000’s to mid $200,000’s
LITTLE FIVE POINTS, located next to Inman Park, the area derived its name from the meeting of five major streets in its business district. The area consists mostly of 1920’s bungalow style homes which have been popular with young professionals for restoration. This is a colorful area with sidewalk cafes and restaurants and a neighborhood theater that give it an “artsy” atmosphere. Home prices range from about the mid $100,000’s
MORNINGSIDE, is only minutes from downtown and has a diverse blend of cultures and ages. The homes are mostly well-kept Tudor and Jacobean revival styles, many with exceptional brickwork, and even a few Spanish and contemporary homes. There are a variety of well-known restaurants, coffee shops, and stores for residents. There are several small parks in the area and several Atlanta public schools are nearby. A very popular area, the prices of homes have escalated over the last few years with the majority in the $250,000 to $350,000 range. The Morningside Association sponsors festivals, block parties, and activities.
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS, gets its name from the intersection of Virginia and N. Highland Avenues, and could be described as Atlanta’s “Greenwich Village”. This “in” part of Intown is a fun potpourri of popular restaurants, hip boutiques, sidewalk cafes, bookstores, small antique and art shops and several of the cafes feature live music on weekends. Homes are mostly renovated brick bungalows and brick Tudor homes built in the 1920’s and 1930’s which are popular with young professionals as well as young families, and feature hardwood floors, carved moldings and large fireplaces. Prices range from the high $100,000’s to in excess of the high $400,000’s.
Atlanta Buyers Agent
Advantage Realtors Joins GA MLS
January 25, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Advantage Realtors joined Georgia MLS on Friday January 22, 2010 and are now members of both of the big main Multiple Listing Services in Georgia - GA MLS & FMLS. This means Advantage Realtors clients and the general public can go to the Advantage Realtors Homescanner Search Engine on any of the company or agent websites and see virtually every Atlanta Homes and Atlanta Real Estate Listings by every real estate agent and realtor firm in Georgia. This also means Advantage Realtors listings will now have a much wider exposure to more agents in Georgia working with buyers. To compensate for not being a GAMLS member, Advantage Realtors targeted advertising to various GAMLS agent offices to advertise thier northside listings to those southside offices - sometimes at considerable expense - now its all done automatically and at significantly less cost.
While Advantage agents always had manual access to GAMLS listings for thier clients, visitors to the Advantage Realtors websites did not have this same access - visitors were seeing primarily FMLS listings which cover 20+ counties around Atlanta. FMLS and GAMLS have always overlapped, however among industry users such as realtors, FMLS has always been associated with listings in In-Town and Downtown Atlanta and the Greater North Atlanta area. GAMLS has always been associated with southside and outerlying counties including most other counties all over GA. While that still largly holds true, both MLS’s have expanded thier rea estate listings into each others “historical” coverage area and all over Georgia as well.
Broker/Owner, Robert Whitfield said the move to join GAMLS was a good one and will help every area of the companies business, as more buyers and sellers from outside of the metro Atlanta area seek to do business with the company.
Atlanta Buyers Agent
Atlanta Luxury Homes $1 Million to $2 Million
May 24, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
A Selection Of Fine Atlanta Georgia Luxury Homes For Sale From $1 Million to $2 Million. Homes in this section include Atlanta Luxury Real Estate properties located in Fulton County, Cobb County, and Gwinnett County and the following luxury property types: Atlanta Luxury Golf Homes, Atlanta Luxury Homes, Luxury Homes in Buckhead, Buckhead Mansions, Alpharetta Luxury Real Estate, East Cobb Luxury Homes, Vinings Luxury Homes, North Atlanta Luxury Homes, Atlanta Luxury Waterfront Homes, Atlanta Real Estate Developement Golf Course Communities, and other Atlanta In-Town and Atlanta Metro area Luxury Properties for sale.
Please contact Atlanta Luxury Home Broker, Robert Whitfield 678-585-9691 for more in-depth information or a private and confidential showing of any of these luxury home properties, or to receive information about similar Atlanta luxury home properties.
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Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.
© 2010 First Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
DISCLAIMER: Data updated as of: 09/10/10, 3:45 AM
The broker providing this data believes it to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.
Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.
© 2010 Georgia MLS. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Data updated as of: 09/10/10, 6:15 AM
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I am an ALTA tennis addict and Boy Scout Treasurer and Committee Member living in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. I am a licensed GA Broker and the Owner of Advantage Realtors as well as an International Code Council (ICC) Certified Home Construction and Building Inspection Expert. 