Thom Abbott

Midtown to Add New Art Experiences

April 6, 2017 by Thom Abbott

You have to love a neighborhood/community like Midtown! Always something about something, and new things coming for all angles. Now, let’s look a Midtown to Add New Art Experiences….

Spinning Rock to Spin Out of Town

The big spinning rock at the corner of 10th and Peachtree is about to make it’s exit to head Out West! For the last three years, the corner has been a constant source of curiosity and amusement for all who discovered the 22,000 pound boulder that spins with a push. A new sculpture will arrive in June….no indication of what it will be…but it too will have a 3-year residency.

Colony Square and the Creative Hive Experience

Leave it to North American Properties and it’s leader (Midtown resident Mark Toro) to take a space and shake it up! I’ve often thought that the Food/Retail Court of that building was so underused. Of course, we know that North American Properties has big plans for a remake of this iconic Midtown space. But until then, enter The artist community Hambidge Center.

Colony Square and Hambidge are providing artists twelve empty retail spaces to turn into art studios and performance spaces. Totally awesome!!!! Check out their website for what’s coming to this space!

New Stuff at Arts Center Porch

Last year, Midtown Alliance worked in collaboration with the High Museum of Art, their artist-in-residence Jaime Hayon and MARTA to enhance its plaza-turned-“Porch” at Arts Center Station. Through the partnership, Midtown Alliance commissioned site-specific art inspired by exhibit “Tiovivo”, and added a public piano, seating, additional lighting, a bike repair station and Little Free Libraries. Building on The Porch’s success, Midtown Alliance is working again with the High Museum to bring Hayon’s new “Merry Go Zoo” piazza installation from The Woodruff Arts Center campus to Arts Center Station. Hayon is creating a custom, interactive “Shadowmaker” sculpture, featuring a bench base and topped with a hooded figure holding an umbrella-like shade. The sculpture will be installed in June, providing a whimsical focal point in the plaza as well as more seating and shade. Check here for updates on the new installation + events throughout the summer that will be hosted at “The Porch.”

(This paragraph is directly from the Midtown Alliance)

Come on out and see what Midtown is all about….and if you’d like to call Midtown Atlanta home…..

Planning to Age in Place? What to Look for in a House

April 5, 2017 by Thom Abbott

What to look for in a house if you plan to age in place — That tub might not work so well later!

Depending on your age, this may not be a topic at the front of your mind, but have you ever considered Planning to Age in Place? What to Look for in a House is very important!

And if not you, maybe for your parents? Perhaps they are considering downsizing, and a frank discussion about what their next home should be, or not be, could be important!

Things like types of flooring, or a no-threshold shower for easy access, outdoor space with no stairs or a convenient laundry room….all of these are things you just may not think of.

Back in 2004, my Mother lost our family home to a fire. It was devastating to say the least. While she was younger, we had already had conversations about how she would be able to stay in the house on our family ranch. It had multiple levels, washer/dryer in an older basement with a crazy staircase down there, not to mention in the winter months (Montana) the snow would at times require she hire someone to plow open her road. Anyways, she ended up building a new home in town, and my brother-in-law brought some of these exact issues up. So, her house was “sunk down” so there are no major steps. (Well there is a slight step into the garage that is now challenging for her base on current conditions) Also, she has a walk-in shower instead of a bathtub in the master bedroom. And the garage has a large store room that helps her store things and acts like a pantry as well.

But thankfully, because there was so much happening at the time, she would have never thought of these things without the help of a family member.

Here’s a great article about What to Look for in a House if You Plan to Age in Place!

What to Look for in a House if You Plan to Age in Place

Spring Has Sprung and So Has the Spring Buying Season!

April 3, 2017 by Thom Abbott

Spring has Sprung with the Spring Buying Season!

It would seem based on this week’s weather forecast we could have a couple nights dip into the upper 30’s, but otherwise, Spring has Sprung! Things are bloomin’ and the lovely pollen is out and about.

You know what else is out and about? Buyers! And Lots of them! We are working with several clients at the moment, some are quickly finding (and getting) what they want, and others…well, we are still on the hunt! We’ve missed out on a couple opportunities and these Buyer’s have quickly learned they have to “up their game” a bit. What exactly does that mean?

Have a Lender Pre-Approval!

Never fear, all of our Buyers have been pre-approved with a lender! But if you happen to be reading this as a Buyer looking to get into the Spring real estate market, get your mortgage pre-approval from your lender BEFORE you step out the door!! With limited inventory, you are going to be competing with other Buyers, and you want that approval letter in your toolbox!

Now is Not a “Low Ball Market!”

I’m here to help my Buyers (and YOU) get the home or condo you are looking for. And when we are making an offer, I am working with my Buyers to educate them about the market. I’ve done the research, and if the home is NOT overpriced, it may be priced JUST RIGHT! What does that mean? It means making a FULL PRICE OFFER is the right buying decision! Don’t be playing the, “oh, let’s see if they will take ‘x’ for it” and you then lose out over another offer that was right on the money.

Focus on the Big Things on Your Inspection

Unless you are buying a brand new home, your home inspection is probably going to show some things that need attention on the home you are Under Contract to purchase. But, let’s focus on the Big Things! Maybe the HVAC is way past it’s lifetime, and you could be faced with a major repair. That’s worthy of talking about the price of the home, or other options. But when a door does not close properly, that’s something you can deal with at anytime. I’ve had a Buyer lose a home over some little things like this…and now they regret it….they really wanted that home, and just knew the Seller was going to fix ALL those little things. When the Seller said NO, the Buyers said NO, and it was over. Well, they thought the Seller would call their bluff….and they didn’t…and took a back up offer. And we were out. Over little stuff.

It’s the Spring Buying Season! Let’s get our game plan together and get you the home or condo you are looking for!

Total System Services to expand in Midtown Atlanta

March 29, 2017 by Thom Abbott

Total System Services, the Columbus, GA based company that allows for online payments on probably many of the sites you use, is expanding in Midtown Atlanta!

A global provider of payment services, Total System Services (TSYS) plans to lease about 10,000 square feet — or half a floor — at One Atlantic Center, according to a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle. One Atlantic center is the building with the point on top in the drawing to the right.

Eventually, about 30 people will be based out of the space that will primarily serve as meeting space for TSYS employees from offices in Kennesaw, Alpharetta and McDonough. Potential clients will find access from the Atlanta airport to the Midtown office via MARTA waaaaay easier than reaching any of the aforementioned locations!~

There space will be about 1/2 of a floor in the Midtown highrise, located at 14th and West Peachtree Streets. This corner of Midtown Atlanta is seeing lots of activity with the addition of The Atlantic House Apartment building, along with construction by Northside Hospital and the up-and-coming Apogee apartment building.

Those 30 some employees might want to look at Midtown Atlanta, or the surrounding areas as a living option! We can certainly help them find a rental apartment, or even put firmer roots in Midtown with a home purchase!

Choosing the Right Atlanta Neighborhood

March 27, 2017 by Thom Abbott

Whether you are moving across Atlanta, or coming across country, you have a big decision to make. Single, or married or married with kids….one decision you have is choosing the right Atlanta Neighborhood!

What Should I Consider when Choosing a Neighborhood?

Of course, the answer to this question is not a one size fits all! What is important to you will play a major role in where you decide to live in Atlanta. Schools? Walkability? Style of type of house? House or condo? Commute to work? Hospitals? Hmmm.

Schools

While I personally don’t have children, I understand that schools are important. HEY…they are important even if you DON’T have kids, as quality schools can have a huge impact on property values. I’m happy to help you with resources for school information, but again, what may be important to you and your kids may differ from any website I may offer you. We can always talk and look for resources together.

Walkability

Much of Atlanta’s mobility is very, very dependent on four wheels! As such, we have traffic and we have commuting issues (see below). But maybe you want to live someplace where you can easily walk to restaurants or retail without the aid of your car. It’s certainly possible in Atlanta, but the type of housing you may want might not match with the walkability. Areas like Midtown Atlanta offer the most walkability, but much of the housing is in the form of condominiums. There is Historic Midtown with single family homes, but they may not be they type of home you are looking for. There are other “pockets” or areas to look at. Decatur, Chamblee, parts of Brookhaven, and others are out there that will offer some walkability. We just have to look at your wants and needs and find that right spot!

Style of House — Condo, Single Family or Townhome

Again, many choices here. And that is where your lifestyle comes in, and what we will talk about during our Initial Consultation. We look at your wants and needs, and they help identify the neighborhoods, or buildings that meet what you are looking for! And we might even point out things you did not think of!

Commute To Work

Yeah…this is a biggie when you look at Atlanta. If you telecommute…awesome! You have lots of options! But where you live and where you work could have a big impact on your quality of life if you spend to much time behind the wheel! Our sister website, MyAtlantaMojo.com has a cool Commute feature in the Search function. Look at a specific listing, and then you can calculate the time it will take you to get to work. It’s pretty cool!

Hospitals or Medical Services

Maybe you are relocating to the Atlanta area to be close to your adult children and their families. But you might want to be closer to doctors or hospitals as you age in place. These are other factors we can look at to decide what neighborhood is right for you!

We are here to help you sell your home and buy the next one. If you found this blog post, and are moving from another city, maybe you have not found a real estate agent to help you there? We can even help with that!! We have a vast network of agents that we know and trust all across the country. Whether it’s Los Angeles or Little Rock, we can help!

We look forward to meeting you and getting to know you!

Understanding the Atlanta Real Estate Market

March 26, 2017 by Thom Abbott

You’ve heard it. Or maybe you’ve read it somewhere. “It’s a Buyer’s market,” or “It’s a Seller’s market.” Some of will even say the “market is on fire!” But what do those statements REALLY mean? Knowing that information will be a big help to you if you are buying or selling by Understanding the Atlanta Real Estate Market.

The Housing Market

This term references the overall real estate market, referring to houses (and condominiums) being bought and sold between buyers and sellers. While most of these sales are happening with the assistance of a real estate agent, their are those sales happening directly between owners. (We call that a For Sale By Owner or FSBO). As with any product, the market is dictated by the inventory of the product, a.k.a. Supply and Demand. If we have high demand for a product, and low inventory, the market appreciates. But if demand is low, and inventory is high, the market depreciates.

Inventory in the Housing Market

Supply and demand in the housing market is related to the number of homes on the market, or the inventory. And we measure the market like this….If no other homes were to come on the market after today, at the current pace of sales, how long would it take for ALL the homes to be sold? If the inventory is high, the prices go down, as you compete to find a buyer for your home.

So What is a Buyer’s Market and a Seller’s Market?

When you have high inventory, it is considered a buyer’s market, because the homes are on the market longer, and the supply is greater than the demand. The longer a home is on the market, the more a seller is willing to negotiate. (Or, in a worse case, they take their home off the market and wait) During this market, the buyer wins by getting a good deal on a house, or they enjoy a buyer’s market.

But when we have less inventory, and a large number of buyers, the seller’s market kicks in..and it is the seller who is in the driver’s seat with their price. Mind you, you can ask whatever you want for a price on your home, but it will have to appraise if the buyer is getting a mortgage, or the buyer will need to have the financial means to make up any difference between the agreed sales price and the appraisal price, if there is a difference. (Oh, and yes, that does happen…and happens OFTEN!)

talking atlanta real estate — “Let’s grab a coffee and talk real estate!”

Take another example….if the new iPhone was not popular, and they were not selling, you would see the price come down. Apple would have all this inventory that is not moving, and they’d be adjusting prices to move it. On the flip side, if there are lines to buy the latest iPhone, rest assured, the price will be right up at the limit.

You have to remember that markets, especially real estate, have cycles. There will be a time of rapid appreciation, then stable markets, and then the potential for another decline. (UGH!) Thankfully, are price appreciation HAS slowed down, the market is stable, and homes are selling at a fast pace…hence the seller’s market we are currently in.

You can find many real estate tips for both buyers and sellers in the blog posts on our site. If you have questions about your specific building (prices DO vary from building to building) or in your neighborhood, why not contact us to get a more detailed market analysis that tells you about YOUR real estate market!