midtown atlanta real estate Archives

If You SEE Something, SAY Something

October 3, 2011 by Thom Abbott

If You See Something Say Something Atlanta Police Department One of the strong points of any neighborhood is the actual people that live there. And when they work together, for whatever reason, things can get done. One such thing is the concept of community policing.

If You SEE Something, SAY Something is an Atlanta Police Department initative that is targeted at citizens and employees of the City of Atlanta to be the eyes and ears of the APD. The more involved the citizens are in their own community, the less likely a crime will go unnoticed. The idea behind If You SEE Something, SAY Something is making criminals feel THEY are not safe in a neighborhood.

You should never put yourself in danger, but the idea is to teach everyone to be a good witness and report in detail as much as you possibily can. Just take note of:

What drew your attention to the activity?
Who did you see?
What were they wearing?
What was their location?
How were they involved?

Basically, the Who, What, When, Where and How of the incident.

If you see something suspicious, report it. Let the APD determine if it’s a problem. They would rather be called by a concerned citizen and it turn out to be nothing versus ignore what you see and it turns into a crime. If You SEE Something, SAY Something.

The program is for all city empolyees and citizens while they are at work or at home. Being observant of your surroundings at all times is just good personal safety, no matter where you are.

Midtown Atlanta is covered by Zone 5 of the APD, as well as two additional private security forces, Midtown Blue and the Midtown Ponce Security Alliance (MPSA). Additionally, MARTA has its own police force. You can reach each of them at the following numbers:

APD Zone 5 — 404/658-7054/7830 as well as dialing 911
Midtown Blue — 404/817-0500
MPSA — They only offer their patrol hotline to paid members, but you can report activity to info@midtownponce.org
MARTA Police — 404/848-4911

Take a moment, and program these numbers into your cell phone. Don’t live in Midtown Atlanta, but visit the area often? Be an alert citizen and have these numbers available.

****************************************

Thom Abbott Midtown Atlanta For More Information on how we can best serve your Midtown Atlanta Real Estate needs, please fill out the online contact form or call us at 770.713.1505.

We specialize in Condominium homes in Midtown Atlanta and other In Town areas of Atlanta. If you are planning to Buy or Sell real estate, let us help you explore all the possibilities available to you and help you find just the right home you will LOVE!

For a Quick Look at Midtown Atlanta Condominiums:

Midtown Atlanta High Rise Condominiums

Midtown Atlanta Mid Rise Condominiums

Perhaps you are interested in Historic Midtown? Take a look at Homes For Sale In Historic Midtown Atlanta

Excuse Me? Why Do You Ask If You Don’t Answer?

September 29, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Excuse Me? Why Do You Ask If You Don’t Answer?

Atlanta Intown Real Estate I like to consider myself a responsible, professional individual.

My business background comes from the hospitality industry. There, I was trained that the “customer is always right”. You bend over backwards to help them with their needs and make sure they are happy. I did this working at the Front Desk, and later in the Sales Department as Director of Sales.

Recently, I “re-launched” MyMidtownMojo.com. You are seeing it in its new format. It has been a success, because it ranks better with search engines, gets more traffic and I’m getting more inquires (a.k.a. leads) for rentals in the Midtown Atlanta area. I would like to see more Buyer and Seller leads, but that’s another story. Now, let me say I use the word “lead” lightly and I want to explain why.

Visitors here search for rental properties via the search features I’ve set up. They find a condo that is of interest, and fill out the request for more information.

But, Why Do You Ask, If You Don’t Answer? You asked me a question about a potential home you would like to rent, and I’m professional enough to respond to your request. Why can’t you?

Now, I completely understand the individual that likes to remain anonymous in their home search. You just want to get some information. Understood. But when you GET that information, why not say, “Not what I wanted to hear, Not interested, etc.”

If you were at your job, and your boss asked you a question, you would answer, right? Of course you would. It’s your job and you are a professional at your job.

Well, so am I.

Here’s a great idea. Why don’t we BOTH treat each other as professionals?

Did you know that when you inquire about a particular rental listing, that I can not only help you with that one, but ANY rental listing in the MLS. That’s the amazing thing about us real estate agents. We can help you with numerous properties, not just the one you happened to ask about!! Pretty cool, eh?

So, let’s all rise to the top and treat each other like the professionals we are. You’re a student? No problem. That is your current profession.

I’m a real estate broker and that is my profession.

So when you ask a question, and I answer it, how about a professional response back? Yes, I’m interested. Bummer, it’s no longer available. What else is in the building? Do you have any other options for me?

Excuse Me? Why Do You Ask If You Don’t Answer?

Market Knowledge DOES Matter When Buying Real Estate

September 24, 2011 by Thom Abbott

So, you’re looking for that new home or condominium and you’ve made a smart decision in seeking the help of a professional, a real estate agent, to represent you and your interests. An important point you need to consider is… Market knowledge DOES matter when buying real estate!

You’re thinking, what a silly statement. Isn’t that what real estate people do? Know the market and what is happening? Well, you are about 50% right with that statement. Let me explain why choosing the RIGHT real estate agent for your home or condominium purchase is so important.

First off, any real estate agent that says they can help you anywhere (we’ll use the Atlanta market place as an example) is probably not a totally correct statement either. Take Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona. Both are in the Atlanta Area. Both areas are within driving distance for me. Have I ever SOLD or LISTED lake property? NO! Do I know anything about lake shore easements, sea walls, docks and such? NO! So, do you think I’m the right agent to represent you in the purchase or sale of lake front property. Well, I’ll be the first to tell you….NO! But I will find you an agent that works in the area that I know and that is familiar with these unique issues and refer you to them. Again that question, Market knowledge DOES matter when buying real estate!

Buying Midtown Atlanta Condominiums is very much the same way. Let’s say you are standing on the balcony on the 10th floor of a building, and there is a vacant lot, or a 3 story building across the street. You ask your agent what is proposed for that vacant lot. Do they know? Hmmm. I probably would. Because Midtown Atlanta is my market and I make it my business to know what’s happening in my market. (As a disclaimer to that statement, you as a Buyer are equally responsible to do your own due diligence on any issues that may be of concern to you, such as the future impact on your view.)

Today, I received a strange call. It was from another agent in the Atlanta ara with one of the MAJOR brokerage firms. When I answered the phone, she asked me if this was the Sales Center for MidCity Lofts Condominiums. Ah….darhling….MidCity Lofts was built in 2002!!! Which means the Sales Center has probably been closed for about EIGHT YEARS! Really? Are you representing a Buyer? Do you KNOW the Midtown Atlanta Condominium market well enough to be looking for a sales center that was closed 8 years ago? Scare me!

The same consideration should be given if you are in the market to SELL your Midtown Atlanta Condominium or home. Just because your husband’s brother’s wife’s sister is a real estate agent does not mean they are your best choice to represent you in the marketing and sale of your home. Do your research. Google the name of your building (or community). See who you find? Most likely if they are knowledgable and know your building, they will either have a page on their site about it that ranks in a Google Search (good marketing point) or they will have written blog posts about the neighborhood. Check out our page About Midtown Atlanta.

Selling or buying your home is a big thing. Market knowledge DOES matter when buying real estate!

For More Information on how we can best serve your Midtown Atlanta Real Estate needs, please fill out the online contact form or call us at 770.713.1505.

For a Quick Look at Midtown Atlanta Condominiums:

Midtown Atlanta High Rise Condominiums

Midtown Atlanta Mid Rise Condominiums

Perhaps you are interested in Historic Midtown? Take a look at Homes For Sale In Historic Midtown Atlanta

Mayfair Renaissance 1 Bedroom PLUS Den For Rent $1500 Per Month

September 17, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Mayfair Renaissance Tower Midtown Atlanta Check out this great rental opportunity at Mayfair Renaissance!

Located just 1 block from Piedmont Park!

Home is currently having new carpet installed in the bedroom and den.

Expected occupancy should be 1st or 2nd week of October!

Just in time to watch the Fall Colors of Piedmont Park and Midtown Atlanta.

Visit Mayfair Renaissance 802 for More Information!

Metropolis Midtown Atlanta Market Report January June 2011

September 14, 2011 by Thom Abbott

When you look at real estate, and especially things like the Metropolis Midtown Atlanta Market Report for January – June, 2011, it’s always good to have an “inside perspective” on what the numbers mean. First off, Metropolis Midtown Atlanta was the “one that started it all” with regard to condominium building in Midtown Atlanta. The building has two towers, and the original plan was to have one be condominiums and the second to be apartments with shared amenities. The condo tower sold out so fast that the second tower was immediately converted to condos and sold as well.

Metropolis Midtown Atlanta was the first new construction project for Novare Group, and was the start of their climb up the ladder as THE condo builder in Atlanta. While the finishes included granite, stainless steel appliances and a choice of cabinets (well pick the right floor) the finishes were not as high end as some of the later Novare products produced. But, the building still has many unique characteristics that you will not find in other Midtown buildings, such as a double lobby entrance, huge amenities deck with pool and guest parking.

Let’s take a look at what happened in Metropolis Midtown Atlanta from 2010 to 2011.

Metropolis Midtown Atlanta Market Report Janaury June 2011

Here is where the “inside look” is important. At first glance, it looks like the Average Sales Price went up from 2010 to 2011. Well, there was one sale in 2011 for $500,000 that sends our numbers askew! Take that out, and the Average Sales Price for 2011 is actually $172,646, so we have a decrease. The Pending Sales number is back up, but we will have to see how the sales actually close to know if this is an upward trend, prices are flat, or there has been further decrease.

Metropolis Midtown Atlanta still remains a great Midtown Atlanta Condominium living option and I’d be delighted to show you the homes available in this building! Just contact me here, or call me at 770.713.1505!

Thom Abbott Midtown Atlanta For More Information on how we can best serve your Midtown Atlanta Real Estate needs, please fill out the online contact form or call us at 770.713.1505.

For a Quick Look at Midtown Atlanta Condominiums:

Midtown Atlanta High Rise Condominiums

Midtown Atlanta Mid Rise Condominiums

Perhaps you are interested in Historic Midtown? Take a look at Homes For Sale In Historic Midtown Atlanta

Why Should I Use A Real Estate Agent to Find My Rental Home or Condo?

September 10, 2011 by Thom Abbott

The world is a big place you know. And in that big place, there can be lots of scary things. Some things may scare you more than others. Renting a home or condominium in Midtown Atlanta probably does not rank real high on the list. Or should it?

Why Should I Use A Real Estate Agent to Find My Rental Home or Condo?

There are a number of reasons, and a number of sources that I have seen that give you the wrong information. So, let’s go through some of the reasons:

More Availability of Rental Options to See

Renting Midtown Atlanta Real Estate Ok, this can be a bit tricky. The real estate finding your rental home or condo may have more access to rentals than you could find on your own. Your agent can search the listing service for rental options that meet your needs. Agents also search other online sites to see what may be out there that is not listed with an agent (i.e. a For Rent By Owner kind of thing) So let’s talk about that By Owner thing…

You are searching Craigslist for a Midtown Atlanta Condo to rent. You find an exciting post about a large 1 bedroom available in Cornerstone Village. So you call the owner. You discuss the location, features of the condo, the rental terms (price, length of lease, rules, etc.) It sounds just like what you are looking for. So you set an appointment for Friday at 2pm to see the condo.

WHO did you really just set an appointment with? You actually have NO idea who you really just talked to. Are they really the owner? A tenant who is trying to sublease so as to not break their lease? Or worse case, a con artist or criminal that could relieve you of your wallet, car keys, cell phone and….what the heck, the car too. You think it’s not possible. Think again. We’ll cover safety in a later post.

In today’s hyper-world of online communications, you never know exactly who you may be talking to when you call on that posting. Now, in all fairness, some real estate agents use Craigslist as well, and should be disclosing they are an agent in the ad. So, you may be actually meeting one of us. Or, maybe not.

Also when you meet with this person (we will presume they are the actual owner) you are hopefully real estate savvy enough to ask to see a copy of their leasing permit. What’s a leasing permit you ask? Ah, you see why you might want to work with that real estate agent that knows how to verify the rental status of a condominium? Did you know that if you rent a Midtown Atlanta condominium and it’s not an approved rental, you can end up having to move out of the condo at your expense. The owner will be getting fined daily (if caught) until you move out. Depending on the specific rules of the building, you could very quickly find yourself standing in the lobby of the building without access to your rental condo. Since your landlord is responsible for paying the monthly HOA fees, those fees are what pay for you to have access to the lobby, elevators, garage, pool, gym and other common areas of the building. Did you know this?

Why Should I Use A Real Estate Agent to Find My Rental Home or Condo?

Don’t find yourself minus your wallet or standing in the lobby with no elevator to ride.

In our next article, we will talk about if you are or are not being represented when you work with or without a real estate agent.

Excuse Me? Why Do You Ask If You Don’t Answer?

Excuse Me? Why Do You Ask If You Don’t Answer?

HomeSmart