Foreclosures Halted in 23 States

Bank of America and Chase recently announced that they are halting foreclosures in multiple states due to faulty internal practices that may have caused some homes to be foreclosed in error. Unfortunately for Georgia homeowners, this does not apply to our state. The issue is with improper paperwork that was filed in the courts to initiate the foreclosure process. In Georgia, it isn't necessary to take the homeowner to court to foreclose so the assumption is that foreclosures in our state are valid. In reality there are many issues with the process and often the entity foreclosing on a home is not the same entity that actually holds the lien on the property. That's why I feel that Georgia and all other states should be included until there is a closer review of the practices of these mortgage companies.

Click here fore more information.

Foreclosured Condos under $100,000

The link below provides info on available foreclosed condos in the metro Atlanta area. All condos are relatively new and priced at $100,000 or less. The two bedroom townhome shown above is a steal at $40,000. Its an end unit with a one car garage and is located in a gated community. Four years ago it sold for $164,300. That's a difference of more than $120,000.

Foreclosed Condos

Free Museum Admission on September 25th

In recognition of the Sixth Annual Smithsonian Museum Day, 10 museums in the metro area are offering free admission this Saturday. To take advantage of this deal, download the Museum Day Ticket from www.smithsonian.com. This ticket will grant you and one other person access to the museum.

The following museums are currently participating:

• Archibald Smith Plantation Home
• Art On 5
• Barrington Hall
• Bulloch Hall
• CDC's Global Health Odyssey Museum
• Center for Puppetry Arts
• Hammonds House Museum
• Marietta Museum of History
• The Hudgens Center for the Arts
• The National Museum of Patriotism 

For more information, click here.

Saving Money in Atlanta

There are lots of great websites to help you stretch the dollar. My favorites are Groupon, Atlanta on The Cheap, and Half Off Depot. Groupon partners with different businesses to advertise their products or services and the businesses agree to accept discounted rates if enough people buy in advance. (Its a group coupon so to speak, hence the name groupon.) Its a great concept. I've saved hundreds of dollars on dining out, auto maintenance, dance classes, laser hair removal, etc. I love it!

Atlanta on the Cheap is another favorite because it compiles info from different sources so you save time and money. Today there was a great offer for a free symphony concert at the Rialto in celebration of Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years. This is what I did before going out to dinner. It was a great way to spend the day.

Half Off Depot is similar to Groupon but, in addition to daily deals, it offers regular 50% off coupons from different businesses. From meals to massages to auto maintenance, its all on Half Off Depot.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here are flowers and a poem to brighten your day. :) 

Resignation by Nikki Giovanni  


I love you
because the Earth turns round the sun
because the North wind blows north
sometimes
because the Pope is Catholic
and most Rabbis Jewish
because winters flow into spring
and the air clears after a storm
because only my love for you
despite the charms of gravity
keeps me from falling off the Earth
into another dimension
I love you
because it is the natural order of things
I love you
like the habit I picked up in college
of sleeping through lectures
or saying I'm sorry
when I get stopped for speeding
because I drink a glass of water
in the morning
and chain-smoke cigarettes
all through the day
because I take my coffee Black
and my milk with chocolate
because you keep my feet warm
through my life a mess
I love you
because I don't want it
any other way
I am helpless
in my love for you
It makes me so happy
to hear you call my name
I am amazed you can resist
locking me in an echo chamber
where your voice reverberates
through the four walls
sending me into spasmatic ecstasy
I love you
because it's been so good
for so long
that if I didn't love you
I'd have to be born again
and that is not a theological statement
I am pitiful in my love for you
The Dells tell me Love
is so simple
the thought though of you
sends indescribably delicious multitudinous
thrills throughout and through-in my body
I love you
because no two snowflakes are alike
and it is possible if you stand tippy-toe
to walk between the raindrops
I love you
because I am afraid of the dark
and can't sleep in the light
because I rub my eyes
when I wake up in the morning
and find you there
because you with all your magic powers were
determined that
I should love you
because there was nothing for you but that
I would love you
I love you
because you made me
want to love you
more than I love my privacy
my freedom my commitments
and responsibilities
I love you `cause I changed my life
to love you
because you saw me one friday
afternoon and decided that I would
love you
I love you I love you I love you

Haiti - How You Can Help

There are currently several relief efforts under way to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. If you want to contribute, please be wise and donate to an organization that is trusted and will use the funds wisely.

To make a contribution to the American Red Cross International Response Fund,

Call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767)

Visit www.redcross.org

or

Text the word "Haiti" to 90999

(a $10 charge will appear on your cell phone bill)

A Snow Day!!!

Last night it snowed and the city has been shut down ever since. This is comical to anyone from up north or the midwest but in Atlanta this is a real situation. Icy roads and fast drivers don't mix. I think most people were thankful to have the day off and enjoyed the view. (Check out Atlantic Station covered in snow.)

It won't get above freezing until Monday so take it slow on the roads. They are also predicting more snow next week so you may want to get a DVD or two and keep the refrigerator stocked.