News Archives

You Tube Is 5 Years Old! Happy Birthday!

December 20, 2010 by Thom Abbott

You Tube Is 5 Years Old! Happy Birthday!

This year, in fact on February 15th, You Tube turned 5 years old! It started with a kid’s video from a trip to the zoo. And that kid later turned out to be one of the FOUNDERS of You Tube, which was sold to Google for a modest $1.6 BILLION! And You Tube is the second most searched site after Google itself.

Man, how come I can’t think of an idea like this?

So, You Tube Is 5 Years Old! Happy Birthday! I thought I would share with you all the single most watched video EVER on You Tube…..

3,487,000 VIEWS!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU TUBE!

Hawaii Residents Enjoy A Winter Snow! Yes…SNOW!

December 16, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Hawaii Residents Enjoy A Winter Snow! Yes…SNOW!

If you have never been to Hawaii….GO! But, on the Big Island of Hawaii (my Mom and I own a Timeshare there) you have have the best of both worlds…beach AND snow!

The last time I was in Hawaii, we drove up to Mauna Kea to the observatories. Of course, it was not winter, but it was still in the 40’s by the time we got to the top. And you have to hike up the road as rental cars are banned from the steep road due to people burning out breaks or transmissions as they come down!

But a good friend of my, Susie Blackmon who use to live in Hawaii, shared this video from the Big Island Video News site. I could not include it here, but please click on the link to watch the story.

We get snow here in Atlanta every once in awhile….last year we got a really nice blanket…..

Atlanta Snow 2010

Jobless Benefits? Where Can I Get Help?

December 15, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Jobless Benefits? Where Can I Get Help?

Jobless Man It’s no secret that if you are not employed, you are probably NOT going to be buying a home. You could call it the Perfect Storm! Unheard of interest rates, and you can’t take advantage of them.

While somedays, selling real estate FEELS like being jobless, it’s probably not quite the same. But, when I learned about this web site that has information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs, I just had to spread the word.

Life can be pretty tough out there right now…I know. So if I can help by passing along some information, I’ll feel I am a better person for helping someone. Just click on the picture below to be taken to the official benefits website of the U.S. Government for jobless benefits and where you can get help.

Government Benefits

College Football Hall of Fame Selects Atlanta Site

December 13, 2010 by Thom Abbott

College Football Hall of Fame Selects Atlanta Site

It appears that the “tourist center” of Downtown Atlanta is going to gain another attraction! The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported last month that the College Football Hall of Fame appears to have selected their preferred site…a parking lot on Marietta Street, close to CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park.

The article states there are several issues to we worked out before any deal is signed however. And that will be some 8-10 months in the making. This might be a good thing, giving the economy time to rebound and travelers willing to spend money on such attractions.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame that Atlanta bid on and lost (darn it…that would have been a good one…or so I thought) which opened in Charlotte in May of this year has been running a deficit and has had challenges with visitors. The museum set an attendance goal of 50,000 people per month, but attendance for BOTH July and August totaled 55,000 people.

This map shows the proposed location of the College Football Hall of Fame and its proximity to many of the Downtown Atlanta attractions, such as World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium. This is all good as Atlanta NEEDS to work on its draw for tourists and convention attendees. While the city has great hotel rooms and the Georgia World Congress Center, it lacks in the way of entertainment for both tourists and convention attendees.

We will keep tabs on this project and let you know how things develop for the site and the projected date of opening.

Margaret Cho Calls Midtown Atlanta Home Why Not You?

December 8, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Margaret Cho Calls Midtown Atlanta Home!

I’m still working on a blog post (or series) about my recent adventures called working as an extra on various film and TV productions that are happening in Atlanta. But I’ll fill in with tidbits as they come along.

I’ve had the opportunity to work numerous times on the Lifetime TV series, Drop Dead Diva. Depending on the specific set, you may, or may not have much interaction with the actual stars of the show.

Margaret Cho Talks with Fenuxe Magazine Two weeks ago, I was on set with the infamous Margaret Cho, who stars as Terri Lee, the assistant of Jane Bingum, played by Brooke Elliott. At one point I wanted to poke my head in the office where she was sitting and tell her how fantastic she was when she was the star entertainer on an Atlantis Cruise I was on a few years ago. Turns out my partner, Ray Benitez DID talk to her when he was on set and she remember the cruise well!

Margaret took time out to talk with Fenuxe Magazine here in Atlanta. She mentioned that she has moved from Peachtree City to Midtown Atlanta. Well of course, MY first question is why she did not call ME to be her REALTOR!! Second Question….What Midtown Atlanta Condo building did she select? Hmmmm…I don’t have the answer for that own.

But, if Margaret Cho calls Midtown Atlanta home, shouldn’t you?

Let me show you why I love Midtown Atlanta, call it my home, and now, so does Margaret!

This post also appeared at MyMidtownMojo.com

Midtown Atlanta

NOTE: This post was published earlier this year, but not on this site! Wanted to share it with you!

Thomas Ramon Realty Moves to Palmer House Properties!

December 7, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Thomas Ramon Realty Moves to Palmer House Properties

A real estate broker is often asked a couple familiar questions, both by fellow brokers, but from our clients as well. Why do you not have your own company and/or why are you affiliated with such and such brokerage? Both good questions, both with varied answers, based on who you ask. So, let’s say you asked me?

As to owning my own brokerage, it’s a matter of timing and money. Starting any new business requires some type of capital. A real estate brokerage can be minimal since we don’t HAVE to have a store front. Many agents and brokers work from the comfort of a home office. And now, with the ever increasing number of home buyers and sellers looking for their home, and maybe even their agent online, a “bricks and mortar” office is not always needed. But there are still expenses in setting up a business, such as the form (LLC, S-Corp, etc) and there are the costs of joining the local listing service. And signs. And logo design. So all those costs start to add up. But one day my little grasshopper…..

The second question is who you choose to affiliate with. For those of you NOT in the real estate business, (and I’m speaking for the State of Georgia as real estate license rules vary from state to state) a real estate agent’s license must be held by a Broker. I am currently an Associate Broker, which means I am now licensed to have my own brokerage when I’m ready to do so. (Note paragraph above) So that is one reason for an affiliation. From there, the reasoning can go in a number of directions.

Thomas Ramon Realty recently changed our affiliation to Palmer House Properties. While our primary reasons were financial decisions, there is something to be said about being with a company that seems to add agents to its roster on a weekly basis. That, and the fact that Palmer House Properties was ranked #8 of Atlanta’s 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies certainly had something to do with it. And, it was just time for, well…new real estate!

Ray and I have a spacious office in our new new building, complete with conference rooms, a kitchen and the ability to do our client’s closings right in our office! How convenient for our clients. We are excited about this new change, and our new office! If you are in Atlanta, we invite you to stop by and say Hello. Mind you, a “heads up” phone call might be wise, since we could be out showing property, or working on videos and our blog to keep our clients informed about what is happening in Midtown Atlanta! But, it the time is right, the wine will be chilled, or the coffee fresh and hot!

If you’d like to know more about us, just drop us a quick note and let us know how we can help you.

Thomas Ramon Realty + Palmer House Properties = “Can You Feel The Vibe?”

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