South Atlanta Househounds

Before I get to the politically incorrect heading, let me ask some questions to the folks out there who have listed their property for sale. 

• Do you know your agent? 
• Is he or she a family friend? 
• Did someone refer your agent to you? 
• Did you check on the quality of work that your agent does?  
• Do you trust your agent?

By nature I’m a trusting guy, it’s how I’m wired I guess.  The problem for me and for many of you home sellers out there is that we all have to know when trust ends and common sense begins.   After all, you are dealing with one of the largest sales you will make in your lifetime… it should be handled properly. 

I have been working with this young couple trying to find their first home.  I’m searching the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) trying to find the perfect home with everything my clients desire.  They would like a 3/4 bedroom, 2/3 bathroom home with about an acre of land in Henry or Butts Counties and they would like to be under $200k.  I’m looking at many listings… as I’m searching I come across this gem:

Here is where I start to get bent.  Did this person actually think this picture would entice anyone to come and view this home?  This property is listed for $180k, so were not talking about a hole in the ground.  I’m dumbfounded.  I find it hard to believe that this agent actually uploaded a picture of trees.  I can’t even see the house!  The listing should say “Trees for sale, $180k… comes with a free house!” 

My feathers are a bit ruffled but I shake it off.  It’s a busy day and I have to stay on task.  A few houses down my list is…

Now I’m just plain mad.  I see a lot of the “broker provided photo” pictures in the low end or bank owned properties but this home is listed as a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home for $196k.  I’m asking myself what on earth this agent was thinking?   Where the first picture was sloppy this is just plain lazy. 

Now I’ll grant you that there are times when I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.  I’ve had more than my share of “Hey Man… watch this!” moments.  Once, I actually answered my wife when she asked me how her butt looked in comparison with her new jeans.  While I know that those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, I think these examples show how these realtards have goofed up the basics.  The list of items that make up a real estate transaction are just about endless.  If your agent can’t even get the pictures right, chances are they’re not doing the other parts of the job very well either.  We’re not talking about how well they marketed the property or their negotiating skills in working out the deal.  We’re talking about taking pictures. 

So my tip to all you homeowners out there is to avoid the realtards.  Ask questions.  Be participative in how your property is being marketed.  See for yourself how your agent is listing your property.  Ask for printed copies or websites that your property is listed on.  Once these terrible photos go up, they are out there in cyberspace forever being fed across the internet.  If your agent drove by your house and stuck his digital camera out the window and then stuck it on MLS, then you have been a victim of a realtard “drive by shooting”.  What to do?  First tear, them a new one.  Next, do not remove your foot from his or her posterior until the photos are replaced with something decent, promptly.  A picture really is worth a thousand words, so be careful about what your home is saying. 

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. During this time of family and giving, I would like to express my thanks to the people of the armed forces. Yes, I know this is a real estate blog and while I generally try to keep my politics out of it, this isn’t about politics. My brother in law is a Marine and at times like now I think of him and what he and his brothers in arms are sacrificing, for us. Regardless of which side of the war you are on, I feel we should still support our military that is supporting us. I’m not a big fan of videos on my blog but this one truly pulls on the heart strings. This video was made by a 15 year old girl, Lizzie Palmer. It’s about the soldiers… not the war.

Please keep them in your hearts this Christmas season.

Even if your looking to buy a home in South Atlanta, it’s nice to know why the homeowners are selling.  In the last year 43.4 million Americans moved. Fifty-six percent of these moves were within the same county, twenty percent were between counties but in the same state, and nineteen percent were moves to a different state. Four percent were from abroad.  Here in Henry, Clayton, and Butts Counties the most common reasons why people sell are:  

1. Current Home is too small.  A growing family is the main reason many owners want a new home. 
2. Get a “better” house.  Sometimes people buy a house because “it’s a good deal” and not because it’s what they want.  Maybe your house doesn’t have the yard you would like, you decided that you hate stairs or your kitchen just plain annoys you. 
3. Upgrade.  Everyone is looking for the good life.  It’s normal to want bigger and better.   
4. Transfer.  Relocation for work or for family makes it necessary for us to plant new roots.  Here in South Atlanta many folks just hate the commute and will move closer to the job to make life easier. 
5. Change in Family Status.  Getting married or divorced?  Then there is a good chance someone’s gonna need to move.   Once the kids grow up and move out many homeowners want a smaller home that is easier to maintain. 
6. The In-laws.  Some folks just have too be close to their family.  In contrast, some folks just feel more comfortable with a bit of distance between themselves and crazy old Uncle Bob. 
7. Retirement.  With the number of boomers hitting retirement, adult communities are increasingly attractive to many buyers over 55.  With age also comes potential health problems that can make it difficult to climb stairs, so a one story house may be more practical. 
8. Neighborhood.  The neighborhood may have changed.  The kids that used to ride big wheels now have cars, friends move away or maybe you don’t like your new neighbor who likes too walk around in his underwear all day with the blinds open. 
9. Deferred Maintenance.  Some folks don’t like putting on a new roof or replacing siding… it’s a lot easier to just buy a new house.
10. Cash Out Equity.  In contrast to the above, some folks love home improvement.  Some homeowners like to take the money out of their house and upgrade or invest in a new fixer-upper.   
11. Lifestyle Change.  Some folks are tired of owning a home and prefer to rent or buy a Townhome.  Others may choose to travel the world and see what’s beyond the horizon.   

As to how often we move the best available data on moving is from the U.S. Census Bureau, which has been tracking move information for decades.  Americans have long been known to be mobile, with roughly a move every 5 years.  The most-recent report says “The overall moving rate has remained constant, but people are moving longer distances.