midtown atlanta condos for sale Archives

Georgia Tech Parents Where Is YOUR Student Going to Live?

April 17, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Georgia Tech College Student It’s been a few years since I went to college. But the memories are quite fond. Maybe not of studying and final exams, but certainly of college life in general. It was my first opportunity to live away from my parents. (Yippie!) But, I can also remember HOW scared I was at the same time!! Meeting all these new people, fitting in with them in some form or fashion, and also being able to “start out fresh” from high school. WOW…there was lots to think about! Of course, Georgia Tech Parents want to know where their student is going to live?

I don’t think I could/would ever trade my 2 years of dorm life. I had two years, because I transferred schools. The first was my freshman year at Montana State University, and then after 3 years, I transferred to University of Houston where I again lived on campus for 1 year in the dorm, before I moved to off campus housing. That first year on campus at both colleges gave me the opportunity to make new friends and meet all the guys (and girls) that would later be my room mates. (In the essence of full disclosure, during one year at the University of Houston, we did an opposite Three’s Company living arrangement with 2 guys and one girl, living in a 3 bedroom house.)

Atlanta Condos Cornerstone Village But after the first year, I was off to bigger and better things, living off campus in apartment or houses. While my parents still paid my rent, or a portion of it, I was still renting. Paying someone else’s mortgage payment. It worked for my situation, but perhaps as a Georgia Tech parent, you might want to look at your students’ housing as a potential investment.

One way to do that is to consider purchasing a condominium near the Georgia Tech campus where your student could live after their first year on campus. Why consider a condominium? Well, first off, your student gets way more space than most any dorm room can offer. (I speak from experience here!) Secondly, it gives them the the added sense of independence by living in more of a home enviornment. But from a financial perspective, it gives you an opportunity to make a real estate investment.

Georgia Tech Parents Where Is YOUR Student Going to Live?

I know, you think “invest in real estate in this market?” Actually, this is the BEST time to invest in the real estate market, especially Midtown Atlanta. Prices have fallen dramatically in the past two years and interest rates are most likely at “once in a life time” historic lows we may never see again.

As a Georgia Tech parent, you can make a real estate investment while providing your student a safe enviornment to live in and experience more of what life is like living outside both the dorm and your home.

Additionally, you can help your student with their future through an FHA program called the Kiddie Condo Program. Basically, you purchase a condo, and co-sign with your son or daughter. Some of the advantages to this purchasing program are:

A low down payment (as little as 3% of the purchase price).
A lower, owner-occupied interest rate on the mortgage Vs the higher investment property interest rate.
Helps the new borrower establish a solid credit rating.

With a Kiddie Condo loan program, at least one borrower must occupy the property as his/her primary residence, but extra bedrooms could be rented out to help cover the cost of the mortgage payments.

As a Georgia Tech parent, if you’d like to look at these options further, please contact me for more information about the Midtown Atlanta real estate market and the options available to you and your Georgia Tech student.

1010 Midtown Atlanta

April 10, 2011 by Thom Abbott

There is something about that new car smell. You know. Not only the smell, but the fact that you are the first owner. Except maybe for a test driver at the factory, you are the first driver of your new car.

The same can be said about buying your Midtown Atlanta condominium, and you can find that “new car smell” at 1010 Midtown Atlanta. This exciting condo community is one of the few remaining “new car” living options in Midtown today. With the real estate market like it is, it may be sometime before Midtown Atlanta sees new condo construction. So if you are looking for a new condominium home, with that “new car smell” and the pride of being the first owner, then 1010 Midtown Atlanta is just what you are looking for.

As part of the massive 12th and Midtown development by Selig Enterprises, Daniel Corporation and the Canyon Johnson Urban Fund, this development is in the center of all that is Midtown Atlanta.

With restaurants like Ri Ra Irish Pub and Ra Sushi and shopping at CB2, 1010 Midtown Atlanta is a destination in itself. Across the street, the new Loews’ Midtown Atlanta Hotel offers you, your visiting friends and other Midtown Atlanta visitors luxury accommodations.

The homes here, and their views are spectacular. Beautiful finishes (including the lack of the exposed concrete ceiling found in many condos) along with resident amenities that include a fitness center, club room and outdoor roof top garden and pool make this an exciting living option in Midtown Atlanta.

It’s important to remember, when you visit the sales center of any new single family or condominium community, the sales person you are talking to represents the Seller, and not YOU! You should seriously consider being represented through a brokerage agreement with a real estate broker representing YOU.

Here is a great glimpse of the 1010 Midtown Atlanta community. For a more personal tour, why not call or e-mail me!