Interesting Stories Archives

Gas Prices and Real Estate…How and When Will It Effect Us!

March 13, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Note: I originally wrote this post in May, 2008. Funny how things have a way of repeating themselves. It still makes sense to buy Midtown Atlanta Real Estate if you work in Midtown Atlanta, Downtown or parts of Buckhead…you can walk or ride the MARTA train to work!

I’ve been thinking about this post for a couple days. Then, when I saw the gas price at my local Quik Trip jump $.16 in just two days from $3.59 to $3.75, I said, “Self…we gotta do something about this. What is another question.”

Well….for one thing, we don’t go for any Sunday drives in our classic car anymore. (Actually she has other issues…but we won’t go there today!) But, I think she makes 10mpg, maybe……Sorry Wilma, you’re staying in the driveway for now.

Then, I read an interesting story on Yahoo this morning about a man who is not buying any gas for 31 days! Check out the story! He’s riding a bike 18 miles roundtrip to work! Good for him!

I actually have 3 cars, and a pickup. The convertible is not moving, I only use my truck once a week to pickup things, my Mercedes is not moving, and my Sonata is the only car that gets driven.

Buying Midtown Atlanta Real Estate , or moving is not a decision that is made on a whim. But I have to wonder, what will it take for the real estate consumer to make a living change, and move closer to work. Atlanta now ranks #1 in the worst commuting times in the U.S. (Not a rank we are proud of…at least not me!) Will it take $6 a gallon gas to change people’s minds and the way we conduct our lives? Apparently NOT!

The New York Times ran an article last week on Gas Prices and Mass Transit! IN New York, the transit authority reported ridership up by more than 5% for the first 3 months of the year! Denver, out of all places, up 8% in the first 3 months!

Hmmm….that train is looking pretty good right about now!

But for us REALTORS, kinda hard to show property on a train, right? Well yes, but for someone like me that does mostly urban areas like Midtown Atlanta, I make a point to show my Buyers HOW CLOSE they are to a MARTA station!

As for my own personal use, I think twice about going to the office from my house (I have a condo which is walkable) unless I have to.

And you can bet, that Buyer is qualified before they get in the car and I show them any Midtown Atlanta Real Estate!

(Climb up on Soap Box) Everyone should not buy gas for ONE DAY! Just ONE DAY! See what happens to the gas price. (Climb off Soap Box)

I’m thinking people will dump the SUV before they will sell their house. But then again, as I ride down the freeway with that SUV next to me with the New Car tag on it, I’m thinking….you don’t get it do you?

Gas Prices and Real Estate…it’s effecting us now, and for sometime to come!

Anyone want to go bike shopping with me? Or maybe a Moped?

Drop Dead Diva Begins Filming New Season

March 6, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Thom Abbott as Police Officer on Drop Dead Diva

“Drop Dead Diva,” the Lifetime drama series has begun work on their new season which will premiere this summer. The show films in Peachtree City and starts Margaret Cho along with Brooke Elliott, who plays the main character, Jane.

You might recall that last December, I posted that Margaret Cho had moved from uber-suburbiaville Peachtree City to Midtown Atlanta. The show will feature more “dancing dream” sequences with Paula Abdul, Wendy Williams and Margaret who competed on Dancing With The Stars.

I had the pleasure of working on this set numerous times last year, so Mr. Casting Director…I’m waiting for my call!!

Photo Courtesy of PopWrap/New York Post and Michelle Sisco

Crum & Forster Building Appears to Escape the Wrecking Ball

March 1, 2011 by Thom Abbott

The Crum & Forster building, located at 771 Spring St. in Midtown Atlanta has long been the subject of debate between potential developers who want to use the prime real estate and preservationists intent on saving it. Recently, Tech purchased a property located near the Crum & Forster building that may lead to a resolution to this longstanding dispute.

Read the rest of the article at Technique

Midtown Ponce Security Alliance Introduces Twitter Alert

February 27, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Midtown Ponce Security Alliance (MPSA) has started a Twitter account @MidtownAlert for neighbors and the organization to quickly communicate information about neighborhood issues that might pose a security risk to the residents of Historic Midtown. This new service helps residents immediately send out info about a situation without waiting for the MPSA patrol officer to arrive and assess the situation.

Midtown Ponce Security Alliance

If you are a resident of Historic Midtown, this service might be just what you need to report that hit and run drive that hit a parked car, or some other situation.

Keep in mind that MPSA services ONLY the portion of Midtown Atlanta where most of the single family homes are. The map at the right shows their patrol area.

The MPSA Patrol serves as the primary strategy in reducing crime and undesirable activity in the neighborhood. The MPSA Patrol was launched in 2003 to stabilize the neighborhood from the effects of increasing criminal and undesirable activity on our streets. Surrounding areas all had patrols, thereby creating a drainage effect on what later became the MPSA service area.

Let’s hope that the recent Twitter stream on the MPSA account is an indication that crime has reduced! If you are not following @MidtownAlert, now would be a good time to do so.

Use It Up, Wear It Out – Consumers Hold On to Stuff Longer

February 26, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Consumer spending has picked up, but for some Americans the recession has left something behind: a greater interest in making stuff last.

Consumers Save Products Longer?

For a number of products — cars, phones, computers, even shampoo and toothpaste — the data shows a slowing of product life cycles and consumption. In many cases the difference is mere months, but economists and consumers say the approach just may outlast a full recovery and the return of easy credit, because of the strong impression the downturn made on consumers.

It is hardly the stuff of generations past, those stung by the Great Depression, who held onto antediluvian dishware and stored canned goods until rust formed on the lids. But for the moment, many citizens of a throwaway society are making fewer visits to the trash and recycling bins.

Read the rest of the story at The New York Times.

Going Hollywood: Olde Town Conyers Readies for movie shoot

February 23, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Atlanta Film Industry

CONYERS — Part of Olde Town Conyers will be closed to traffic next week as taping starts for a movie starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah and Kris Kristofferson.

Film crews have already begun setting up for scenes for the upcoming movie “Joyful Noise,” a comedy about a small-town choir group. Alcon Entertainment is producing the film.

Conyers Main Street Manager Monica Coffin advised residents, merchants and visitors to be aware of road closures and traffic delays during the filming.

Preparations for filming began this week and will continue from Tuesday, Feb. 22, through the first part of the day Wednesday. Actual filming will take place from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24. Cleanup will last two hours at the end of each day. Commercial Street will be blocked off both of these days from 6 a.m. until cleanup is completed. Center Street will be closed as needed on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Coffin said there will be intermittent traffic interruptions on Railroad and Green streets.

The parking spaces along Commercial Street from EGABA to the vacant old city hall building beside Brown Wealth Management will be used for trucks hauling needed equipments and supplies for the movie.

Alternative parking for the public will include Bank Street, the city parking lot located at Carter’s Alley, and the parking lot off Travis Street.

“We will be placing signs out to assist visitors with their parking needs,” Coffin said.

She said the film crew is paying the city for costs of off-duty police officers for traffic control during filming and the city’s public works and transportation department for sign needs. Various merchants are also being compensated for building use.

“The citizens of our community will also benefit from this filming project because of the positive impact to our local economy,” Coffin said. “Staff for the project will be staying in our hotels and patronizing our restaurants and retail establishments.”

She cautioned that scheduling could change due to the weather, but there will be an effort to stay on schedule.

Cleanup and restoration efforts will take place Feb. 25 through March 1.

via rockdalecitizen.com

Midtown Ponce Security Alliance

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