Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Model Home Furniture Auction

I love model home auctions! There are great deals on furniture, accessories, and bedding. Next weekend there will be three more auctions in the Atlanta area.

My sister cleaned up at the model home furniture warehouse auction in December. She bought the table, sconce, vases, and statues shown in the picture. They are quality pieces, too. The table is made of bronze, slate, and granite and she was able to get it for $125. Its affectionately known as the man down under. :)

Here are the details on the auctions:

Friday, February 8th at 7PM
100 Creekwood Trail Acworth, GA 30102 - Creekwood Place subdivision (Beazer Homes)
Preview starts at 5pm.

Saturday, February 9th at 11am
1001 & 1003 Manchester Way Roswell, GA 30075 - Manchester Place (Beazer Homes)
Preview starts at 9am.

There is another auction on Sunday, February 10th but the details are not yet available. Subscribe to my blog and you'll be notified immediately when my blog is updated with the details.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Mosaic At Vinings

Deal of the Day!
Its certainly a buyer's market. Yesterday's post was about Twelve Centennial Park. That's an awesome deal but this one may be a little better.

Mosaic at Vinings is offering 100% financing with no closing costs, no HOA fees for one year, and no mortgage payment for 6 months. They have eliminated the cost to move into a home and you aren't responsible for any payments for the first 6 months. That's both mortgage and HOA payments. At month 7, you start paying the mortgage but still are not responsible for HOA fees until after the first year.

Mosaic at Vinings is a luxury townhome community located on Spring Rd near Atlanta Road in Smryna. All units have 3 bedrooms and feature granite counters, stainless steel appliances, 2 car garages, and brick exteriors. Most homes start in the $270s but there are a few remaining homes at original pricing at $249,900. These lower priced homes, however, are not eligible for the incentives mentioned above.

Click here to send me an email if you'd like more information on this community or other incentives offered in the area.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Twelve Centennial Park

Deal of the day!

Twelve Centennial Park is offering an unheard of deal on its condos. Right now you can get seller financing, pay no closing costs, pay no homeowners association fees for 3 years, and, if you aren't satisfied, walk away at the end of 3 years without selling.

This program is not limited to first time home owners or owner occupants. If you are in the market for a second home or investment property, this program is available to you as well.

They've basically addressed any concern you may have about buying a condo right now. If you aren't confident in the market and wondering if a condo will be a good investment, you can buy now and get the tax benefits of owning a home but not have to worry if it will hold its value or be difficult to sell.

This is too good a deal to pass up. Everyone should take a look at this development immediately. Units start in the high $100,000s. Click here to send me an email if you'd like more details.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Let It Snow

It snowed on my birthday and its snowing again right now. This is rare in Georgia so I'm really enjoying it.

Check out the view from my balcony.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Super Tuesday



You can't turn on the tv these days without hearing about the primary elections. Clinton vs Obama or McCain vs Huckabee. There is no stand out candidate that has the nomination in the bag. I think that's why there is so much interest in this election. It can go either way and that inspires people to get involved because, for once, their candidate may really have a chance and politics won't be business as usual.

If you'd like to get involved, you should know a few key dates. The first is the primary election in Georgia on Tuesday, February 5th. If you haven't already registered then it is too late to participate in this election but you can register in time for the big election on November 4th.

Click here if you are not sure where to vote. You can enter your name and birthday and find out where you are registered to vote. If you are unable to get to the polls on February 5th, you can vote absentee by mail. Click here to download an application. Another option is advance voting the week prior to the election. You don't need an application to do this. Just show up at one of the specified locations and place your vote. Click here to find out where you can vote in advance.

I'll see you at the polls on Super Tuesday. I'll be working as an election official. This will be my 3rd time. Its kind of boring but it makes me feel like I'm part of the process.

Mortgages Rate Fall Five Days In A Row

Mortgage rates are at their lowest point in more than 2 years. The 30 year fixed rate average fell to 5.5% while the 15 year fixed rate declined to 5.06%.

This is an ideal time to refinance if you have an adjustable rate loan or a fixed rate loan with a higher interest rate. Its also a great time to buy a new home, investment property, or second home.

Real estate values are depressed so it is likely that you can buy a home for less money today than it would have cost you last year. Combine that with a low interest rate and you are in position to get a really good deal on the purchase of a home.

If you are interested in refinancing or purchasing a home, send me an email at c_lusby@kw.com and I can refer you to a phenomenal mortgage consultant.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Condos of the Future

The condo of the future will be here sooner than you think. Robotic parking, high speed elevators, solar/wind powered... it will all be a reality next year and its coming to the heart of Atlanta.
Aquarius Tower is the newest addition to Centennial Park. Located across the street from the Aquarium, Aquarius will feature 10' ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, high speed elevators, wireless internet access throughout building, top of the line stainless steel appliances, granite counters, rooftop solar panels, and Georgia's first automated, underground valet parking service.

Construction begins this summer and prices range from $300,000s for a one bedroom unit to $2.5 million for a penthouse.

See the pictures below for a preview of the parking system and rendering of the building.


Sunday, January 6, 2008

Over 500 Atlanta Homes Go to Auction

America's largest auction firm of foreclosed properties, Hudson & Marshall, will auction over 500 homes in metro Atlanta next week valued from $30,000 to $700,000.

If you are familiar with the typical foreclosure process, you know that each month homes are auctioned on the court house steps with minimal opportunity to preview the properties and certified funds (no financing) are required to complete the transacation. What is different about this auction is that you can view these homes in advance and may be able to secure financing for them as well.

If you'd like more information on the process and how to see the properties beforehand send me an email at c_lusby@kw.com

The executive home shown above is one of many that will be auctioned the week of January 15th.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The Road Not Taken

The new year is a time of reflection for me. I'm not sure if its because the year has changed or that I'll be another year older in January, but I always think back on my life and my choices. I wonder if I made the right decisions and what I could have or should have done differently.

Life is all about choices. In high school, I learned a great poem about making decisions. It's called the Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. It speaks to me when I'm not sure if I should try something new or stay in my comfort zone. Perhaps it will speak to you as well.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Happy New Year!

2008 is here and 2007 is but a memory. Last year was a challenging year for many but the new year represents a blank slate, a fresh start. That's what so great about New Year's Resolutions... the optimist in us longs for change and growth.

If last year was a tough one for you financially, you may be concerned about losing your home. If this is the case, the best thing to do is contact your lender. The foreclosure process is expensive and not at all desireable for anyone involved, including the lender. They may want to see your current pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. This is to verify that you have income to make payments. If you have the income but are falling short, a loan modification may be offered to you.

I know this can be intimidating but the alternative is much worse. Keep the lines of communication open. The worst thing that can happen is that they will say no but I'm certain they will try to work with you.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to make better financial decisions. I hope you will do the same.

Happy New Year!
P.S. The pic above is from the peach drop at Underground Atlanta. Its like watching the ball drop in Times Square but we have a big peach instead!
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