Blog Archives

Midtown Atlanta Market Report | Cornerstone Village | January 2013

March 7, 2013 by Thom Abbott

I’m getting the Market Report for Cornerstone Village, January 2013 out late…but it’s worthy to point it out because of the activity in the building.

Cornerstone Village is a great option for those Georgia Tech parents that might be considering buying a condo for their student to live in while attending Georgia Tech. However, the prices are rising in this popular Midtown Atlanta condo building….and so is the activity!

Midtown Atlanta Market Report | Cornerstone Village | January 2013

Let’s take a closer look at January’s sales activity at Cornerstone Village:

FOUR Active Listings included Three 1-Bedrooms ranging in price from $70,000-$110,000. There was just ONE 2-Bedroom home listed at $189,000.
ELEVEN Pending Listings (The second highest activity of any Midtown Atlanta Condo Building!) range from $55,000-$135,000.
TWO homes SOLD, a 1-Bedroom at $96,000 and a 2-Bedroom at $173,500.

In comparison to 2012, when there was One 1-Bedroom sold at $63,000 and One 2-Bedroom sold at $203,250. Note that this 2-Bedroom was over 1600 sq. ft. and while listed as a 2 bedroom, it could have a wall added in to make it a 3 bedroom condo. Three Bedrooms in a Midtown Atlanta condo for $200,000 was quite a bargain!

Click Here to Search Cornerstone Village Homes For Sale

As the prices rise in this Midtown Atlanta condo building, the return on investment will change for those GATech parents that are looking for options for their student. There are still short sale opportunities that if you have the time to ride out the process, present some options!

MyMidtownMojo and Thom Abbott visit Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

March 5, 2013 by Thom Abbott

I had a great opportunity last week to talk about the real estate market in Atlanta and tell the listeners a bit about myself!

It really is amazing to see Atlanta and especially Midtown Atlanta real estate go from 15-20 listings in a particular building to just 2-6 in a building. And then if those listings are NOT what the Buyer is looking for, when a new listing comes on the market, it is most likely to get multiple bids because the demand is exceeding the supply right now.

Atlanta Luxury Real Estate | 700 Foxhollow Run | Former Braves Pitcher’s Estate

March 3, 2013 by Thom Abbott

Atlanta has a couple things very much in common with Los Angeles. We make movies, and we have some impressive luxury real estate.

The one thing we probably don’t have is a Map of the Movie Stars homes, and paparazzi hanging around outside your front gate trying to catch you on your way to….well, wherever!

Atlanta Luxury Real Estate really DOES come in all shapes, sizes and with a variety of amenities. Whether you choose the convenience of high-rise condominium living, or a sprawling estate with your own baseball diamond and golf course, we can find something to meet your needs.

Atlanta Luxury Real Estate

While in Los Angeles, you may find Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Malibu as locations of choice, here in Atlanta, luxury real estate is not confined to any one area. Yes, you do have Buckhead, which I would say is our “Beverly Hills” in terms of mansions, but other unique homes are locate all over the metro Atlanta area.

One I happened across this week is the luxury estate of former Atlanta Braves Pitcher, John Smoltz. It’s one of those homes you truly would never know about or see because of it’s location and the size. Atlanta and the metro area do have one thing….land…and lots of it. Unlike Beverly Hills, where a $20-30m mansion may sit on an acre or so, Atlanta Luxury real estate can be….well 20 acres!

Foxhollow as we’ll call it (I think an impressive estate should always have a name….right? As I kid I had a make believe estate…it was called Condor Estate….) features it’s own 18-hole golf course, tennis and basketball courts AND a football field! (Now we know what you can FIT on 20 acres!)

The home is actually located about 30 miles North of Midtown Atlanta. Away from the hustle and bustle, but easily accessible. (Especially if you have a driver for your Escalade!) The home has been on the market since December, 2011 and is currently listed for JUST $7,200,000. Annual property taxes for 2011 were just shy of $50,000.

Foxhollow was just featured at PricyPads.com and additional listing information is noted below.

If you are looking for Los Angeles/Hollywood luxury without all the hype, and certainly a lot for your money, let me show you what Atlanta Luxury Real Estate looks like.

Photo Compliments of Harry Norman Real Estate

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 4303188 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Real World Homeowner Association Stories

March 2, 2013 by Thom Abbott

See on Scoop.it – Other Atlanta News Events

In the world of community association management, there is never an end to the crazy and sometimes idiotic things folks will do.

Thom Abbott‘s insight:

While I’m not a Property Manager, as a real estate agent, I’ve seen some interesting rules that are presented to owners and AGENTS in condo buildings. I always say, if there is some wierd rule, something happened to cause it.

See on midtown.patch.com

Mr/Ms. Seller How Is Your Home Being Marketed?

March 1, 2013 by Thom Abbott

When I meet with a potential Seller of their Midtown Atlanta condo, I have a presentation I go through that covers all the steps I take/make to sell your home.

I review necessary forms, both for the listing, but what will be used when the offer comes in. I highlight the marketing steps I’ll take to expose your home to the greatest number of potential Buyers that may be searching for a condo like yours.

It’s not a secret that the Multiple Listing Service is a powerful tool, and one that EVERY agent uses to their advantage. Once your home is listed on the MLS, it will appear in a variety of places on-line, ranging from Realtor.com to Zillow, Trulia and even right here….at MyMidtownMojo.com. Even if I am NOT your listing agent, you will be able to find your Midtown Atlanta Condo listed here!

What’s the point? Well, do you ever “follow up” on your agent to see what they are REALLY doing in the marketing of your home? Have they put the right information out there? Maybe you listed your condo with a “friend in the business.” But do they know your building? Or the area around it? Do they know important information that a BUYER needs to know?

Mr/Ms. Seller How Is Your Home Being Marketed?

Here’s a screen capture of a listing I happened upon just a few minutes ago…

If you scan it, you will quickly figure out this is for one REALLY BIG condo at 4,000 PLUS sq. ft. Now, while a Buyer that can afford that large of a condo may not be concerned with some of these issues…take a look at the information that is MISSING!

Property Taxes — Whether you are buying a $100,000 condo or a $1,000,000 condo, this is a piece of info you’d like to know
Annual Master Association Fee — Any condo building that has retail space will have a Master Association. Cost to you would be…?
HOA Rent Restrictions — Are you planning to buy as an investment? This may not appear on a public site, but this info would certainly help the BUYER’s agent to know if leasing is possible.
Monthly Association Fee — Ah, YEAH? It could be $200 per month or $500 per month! That could make a huge difference in who may be able to BUY YOUR condo!
Initiation Fee — Important to know! It’s something you may be paying when you buy.

So, as the SELLER, look at all the information MISSING for the potential Buyer of your Midtown Atlanta Condo. Some pretty important stuff, that is part of the overall marketing of your condo.

Do YOU know how your Midtown Atlanta Condo is being marketed?

Click Here to Search Midtown Atlanta Condos For Sale!

Big Nerd Ranch Plants Big Footprint with Atlanta HQ

February 27, 2013 by Thom Abbott

I am often amazed at some of the companies that call Atlanta home…and I (or maybe YOU) don’t even know it. This story comes on the heels of my post about Atlanta Top 10 City for Technology Mergers and Acquisitions!

Well if you are a tech person, and develop apps for the mobile world, then this may NOT be news for you, but considering I was just at an event this past weekend where Big Nerd Ranch was a sponsor, I’m getting double exposure to this Atlanta company…

Big Nerd Ranch Plants Big Footprint with Atlanta HQ

Big Nerd Ranch (BNR) is an app development company that is just way too cool. (Personal opinion based solely on the fact they train on a ranch..more on that in a moment!)

Founded some 12 years ago, The company is adding 9,250 square feet, according to a building permit filed with the city. In August they moved to a new site in Kirkwood Ironworks development. (Hey guys…just a hop, skip and a jump from ultra-cool Midtown Atlanta!

BNR’s customers are pretty much Fortune 100 companies. With more and more people ( including employees) relying on mobile devices to do their work, a company like BNR can help develop those needed applications. I guess so…revenues have grown in the area of 45 percent in the past year.

High tech companies are known for being cool. And Big Nerd Ranch is no exception….and the ranch part of their name is important. Developers attend training sessions for 5 or 7 days at “The Ranch.” In looking at the website, it appears the company currently holds camp at an existing conference retreat facility Southwest of Midtown Atlanta. But a further review of their site shows they are building their OWN ranch facility for these training events. The “13 acre location offers up serenity and focus, it also offers a state-of-the-art classroom for 20 students as well as fine dining and exercise facilities. Which makes it an ideal place to learn. Oh, and did we mention that the new ranch will be a quick 20-minute drive from the Atlanta airport? We think that makes it a pretty ideal location, too,” says the company’s website.

Really? Who knew such a cool company was right here in Atlanta! If you find a job at Big Nerd Ranch, and want to live in an equally cool part of Atlanta, I’d be happy to help you settle in!

Midtown Atlanta Market Report | Cornerstone Village | January 2013

Atlanta Luxury Real Estate

Mr/Ms. Seller How Is Your Home Being Marketed?

Big Nerd Ranch Plants Big Footprint with Atlanta HQ

HomeSmart