Atlanta Real Estate

Real Estate at Wholesale Prices. Check back often

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:52:00 GMT

WEGO Property Management post a collection of homes that are of great value. Save up to 35% on your next real estate investment. Click the following links to find some incredible real estate deals in the atlanta area.

Atlanta Investment Properties

Check back often, the list is updated regularly.

Asbestos Removal and Green Alternatives – A Must for Property Owners

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:49:00 GMT

www.Heatherstanton.com

Asbestos Removal and Green Alternatives – A Must for Property Owners

When purchasing, remodeling or foreclosing an older home, there are a variety of things to consider in the real estate industry. homes built before 1980 maintain a strong potential of harboring asbestos. Citizens of Georgia should be aware that exposure to damaged asbestos fibers can produce many health concerns when levels are inhaled over a long period of time.

Used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century, asbestos materials can be a real problem for homeowners due to causing a variety of lung ailments, such as malignant mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Medical research indicates that over 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. Asbestos manufacturers were aware about the harmful effects of its product and continued manufacturing it anyways.

With a steady increase in public awareness and technology, there is an ever growing list of green insulation alternatives that replace the need for asbestos. The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available. These kinds of eco friendly figures have attracted those who were unaware of environmentally sustainable and safe construction practices.

Removal of asbestos in homes, workplaces and public facilities must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Once the safe removal is complete, green insulation alternative options should be a serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene. These asbestos alternatives will not only reduce energy costs, but allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.

4.50% for Purchase Money? Who knows, could be...

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:30:00 GMT

4.50% for Purchase Money? Who knows, could be...

With the phones ringing and the emails coming on questions with the 4.5% rate news, I wanted to go ahead and send this out as an alert. I have highlighted the most important areas.

It was announced this week that the Treasury Department is strongly considering a plan to dramatically force down interest rates in an effort to stimulate our housing market. Under the plan, the Treasury would would set up a special loan program for purchase loans only (NOT REFINANCES) whereby the Treasury would buy mortgages from lenders who are offering fixed rates at or below 4.5%.

We are still in the early stages of this, but it sounds like the Treasury is upset that this leaked out. Obviously, as potential home buyers hear about this plan it could cause more of them to sit on the fence, which is exactly what we don't need right now. Hopefully, the fact that this did leak out will force the Treasury to put the plan in place sooner rather than later.

The plan remains in discussion and will probably not be made final before the Bush administration's term ends in January- if ever. President-elect Barack Obama has said repeatedly that his administration would do more than the current one to help struggling homeowners, but he has not offered specifics.

I still maintain that this is an awesome time to buy property - rates are near historic lows, and inventory is high. If rates do drop to these levels, and the government continues to reduce the number of foreclosures, we'll see an immediate increase in demand along with the reduction in supply. That is probably good overall for you and I - but for buyers, their best negotiating position may be now. Waiting for a little lower interest rate - when it means paying more for the property - is not a good trade-off. Let me know if I can help any of your potential clients or friends understand why the time is now to buy!

Rest assured that I will be keeping a very close eye on this situation as it develops and I will alert you if and when the measure is finalized.

I'll continue to keep you updated in these turbulent times. To your success!

Close the Door on Dryer Fires

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:48:00 GMT

Close the Door on Dryer Fires

By Ann Sullivan, CLU

State Farm® agent

You could be heating up more than clothes in your laundry room. According to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated 15,500 dryer fires annually, resulting in nearly $100 million in damage.

The most frequent causes of these fires are improper ventilation and/or poor maintenance, which allow lint to accumulate. When lint covers heaters, switches and motors in the dryer, fires can result.

Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are some things you can do to help prevent dryer fires:

· Avoid leaving the dryer running when way from your home
· Clean the lint trap after every use.
· Don’t dry oily rags in your dryer
· Don’t operate the dryer without a lint filter
· Ensure that the dryer is plugged into an outlet suitable for its electrical needs.
· Keep the dryer area free of combustibles such as clothing and boxes.

Adequate ventilation is key to not only the safety but the performance of your dryer as well.

The dryer duct should vent directly outdoors, not into an attic, crawl space or indoors. Ducts should be kept free of lint and

combustible debris to prevent a fire from spreading outside of the dryer.

Use only metal dryer ducts. Plastic ducts can collapse, causing blockage and lint

buildup within the dryer. Plastic ducts may ignite or melt, and will not contain a fire within the dryer.

Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on the length of ducting you should use, since appliances are tested and certified according to certain specifications. Make sure to consult your owner’s manual for more information.

Hot spots

While there are no sure signs that your dryer may catch fire, the following are some possible warning signs of trouble:

· Clothes, especially towels or jeans,
· take a long time to dry
· Clothes are hotter than usual at the end of the cycle.
· The flapper on the vent hood won’t open when the dryer is on.

Consider having a professional disassemble your dryer to clean the lint and debris covering the heaters, switches and motors in your dryer and help prevent fires from occurring.

Zap! No TV

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:44:00 GMT

Zap! No TV

By Ann Sullivan, CLU

State Farm® agent

In many respects, we have become a “wired society.” Many of us have more than one television, a VCR or two, computers, microwave ovens, automatic electric garage door openers, stereo components and on and on. A quick look around your home or apartment will likely reveal a number of electric and electronic devices plugged into the walls.

And, in less time than it takes to blink your eye, these modern luxuries and conveniences could be gone.

Electrical surges cause millions of dollars in damage to home appliances and electronics each year and, in most cases, this damage and inconvenience can be prevented.

While lightning can cause some surges, most are caused by other factors. Damaging electrical spikes occur when the voltage in your home’s electrical system increases and returns to normal within millionths of a second.

An electronic device you really need

Properly installed surge protection devices (SPD), combined with a good home grounding system, should protect your electrical and electronic appliances from all but the most severe electrical surges.

For the best protection from surges, an SPD should be installed at the electrical meter or main electrical panel. Your utility company can install this device at your request. If your utility company doesn’t offer the service, a qualified electrician can perform the work.

In addition, an SPD should be connected to each device to be protected. For computers, TVs or VCRs, a multiport SPD is needed to help prevent outside surges from causing damage through a phone or antenna connection.

A down to earth necessity

It’s important to note a good electrical grounding system is essential for SPDs to work. A qualified electrician or local building code official may be able to verify the quality of your grounding system. All surge protection equipment should be approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc. An SPD to be installed at the electrical panel or meter should be UL-listed 1449 and IEEC 587 Category C. The SPD should also be rated for not less than 40,000 amps.

Surge protection devices meant for appliances and other electronics should be UL-listed IEEE 587 Category A or B and rated not less than 5,000 amps. Both types of devices should have the same clamping voltage, which should be rated between 400 and 500 volts.

More than an inconvenience

Electronic components and microchips are being installed in most appliances, and they are very sensitive to surges. The electrical windings in motors and even the insulation on wiring can be damaged by a surge. But there is more to be concerned about than the inconvenience of living temporarily without a phone, air conditioning or television.

Well pumps and sump pumps can also fall prey to electrical surges. Few of us could handle life without running water; none of us wants to deal with a flooded basement. Now is the time to investigate surge protection.

Ann Sullivan - Statefarm Insurance

Property Management and Landlord Services in the Atlanta Georgia area

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:56:00 GMT

With the market as slow as molasses many sellers have decided to take a more pro-active approach. You have probably asked yourself, with so many foreclosures nationwide, where will all of these displaced families live? Well there just so happens to be a silver lining to this mess. real estate Owners are turning to renting instead of selling and low and behold the rentals are flying off the shelf.

If you are in need of hanging on to your real estate for as long as possible or until the market shifts then I recommend you contact WEGO Property Management in Atlanta. WEGO Management takes an extremely agressive approach on getting your real estate leased and just so happens to be one of the cheapest.

800-537-WEGO

Townhomes FOR RENT in Woodstock Ga

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:13:00 GMT

FOR RENT

LUXURY TOWNHOME COMMUNITY. COMPLETE WITH BEAUTIFUL CROWN MOLDING, GLASS FRONT CABINETS, TILE BACK SPLASH, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, AMENITIES WILL INCLUDE POOL, CABANA AND PLAYGROUND. CALL FOR LOCK-BOX CODE.

DIRECTIONS: I-75 NORTH TO I-575 NORTH TO EXIT 7 (HWY 92). MAKE A LEFT AND GO APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE. WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Beautiful Home For Rent

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:57:00 GMT

FOR RENT

ABSOLUTLY STUNNING CUSTOM BUILT HOME IN GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT (UNION GROVE). HARDWOOD FLOORS, SOLID SURFACE COUNTERTOPS, DOUBLE OVENS. ALL FORMAL AREAS. VERY PRIVATE YARD. ON FULL UN-FINISHED BASEMENT. LOOKS LIKE A MODEL HOME!

Heron Bay Country Club Home on the Lake with a view

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:04:00 GMT

For Sale

SITUATED ON THE WATER IN GATED LAKEVIEW @ HERON BAY. THIS CUSTOM BUILT HOME HAS EVERYTHING. FINISHED BASEMENT, CUSTOM CABINETS, HARDWOOD FLOORS, EXERCISE ROOM. TOO MANY CUSTOM FINISHES TO LIST. THIS ALL BRICK BEAUTY HAS A MILLION DOLLAR VIEW WITHOUT THE PRICE!

Download Flyer .pdf

Atlanta, Ga - Real Estate Mortgage Insurance

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:54:00 GMT

Becoming an atlanta, Ga Homeowner

Search Atlanta Homes By Map

Many Americans dream of owning their own homes, but few families
are able to pay cash for them. Many people who could not
otherwise afford to own a house become homeowners with the help
of FHA mortgage insurance programs.

Helping people obtain financing for their homes is one of the
chief purposes of FHA. FHA is the Federal Housing Administration.
It is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD).

Once you have found the home you want to buy, you must decide how
to finance your dream. This booklet gives you information about
FHA programs to help you meet that challenge. It explains:

     *    How FHA mortgage insurance works.
     *    How to shop for a HUD-approved lender.
     *    How to apply for an FHA-insured loan.
     *    How your payment schedule will operate.
     *    What restrictions apply to FHA-insured mortgages.
     *    Which specific FHA program can best help you.

How FHA Mortgage Insurance Works

FHA mortgage insurance allows a homebuyer to make a modest
downpayment and obtain a mortgage for the balance of the purchase
price.

The mortgage loan is made by a bank, savings
and loan association, mortgage company, credit union, or other
FHA-approved lender. FHA (HUD) insures the loan and pays the
lender if the borrower defaults on the mortgage. Because the
lender is protected by this insurance, it can offer more liberal
mortgage terms than the prospective homeowner might otherwise
obtain.

HUD does not make direct loans to help people build or buy homes.
-------------------------------------------------
Who Can Get an FHA-Insured Mortgage

Almost any individual who has a satisfactory credit record,
enough cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to
make monthly mortgage payments without difficulty can be approved
for an FHA-insured mortgage.

Generally, only people who will reside in the property are
eligible for FHA-insured mortgages. However, investors can
participate in FHA's Section 203(k) rehabilitation insurance
program.

HUD sets no upper age limit for the borrower, nor does HUD
require that the borrower have a certain income level to buy a
home at a certain price. Income is simply one of several factors
that help a lender and HUD determine whether the borrower will be
able to repay the mortgage.

FHA mortgages are available to individuals regardless of race,
creed, religion, sex, or marital status.

Special terms are available to qualified veterans purchasing a
single-family home. The veteran must present a Certificate of
Veterans Status from the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is
no limit on the number of times an eligible veteran can
use his/her eligibility in HUD programs.

-------------------------------------------------
Types of Mortgages FHA Insures

HUD insures mortgages to buy existing homes, to improve homes, to
purchase a newly built home, and to refinance existing
indebtedness. FHA-insured mortgages are available for many types
of properties, including:

     -    One-family residences.

     -    Two-, three-, and four-unit properties.

     -    Condominium units.

     -    Houses needing rehabilitation.

The terms of FHA-insured mortgages can also be structured in
different ways, such as:

     -    Fixed rate, level payment mortgages.

     -    Graduated payment mortgages.

     -    Growing equity mortgages.

     -    Adjustable rate mortgages.

Each of these mortgages is explained later in this brochure.

Shopping for an FHA-Insured Loan

After you have found the home you want to buy, you should call
various lenders listed under "Mortgages" in the Yellow Pages to
find the lender offering the best terms.

The costs associated with a loan can vary significantly from one
lender to another. It pays to comparison shop for a mortgage. The
most important factors to consider in comparing loans are:

     -    Interest Rate.

     -    Discount points.

     -    Closing costs and other fees, such as charges to
          originate the loan, commitment fees to "lock in" the
          mortgage terms you and the lender have agreed to for a
          certain period, and mortgageinsurance premiums (MIP).

     -    Annual Percentage Rate.

All of these factors are negotiated between you and your lender.
HUD does not establish minimum or maximum amounts for the
interest rate, discount points, or most processing fees you pay
the lender.

Interest Rate

The interest rate a borrower pays for the mortgage is negotiated
between the borrower and the lender. Interest rates fluctuate
daily, depending on conditions in the mortgage market. It is
always a good idea to check with several mortgage lenders to make
sure you are getting the best interest rate available.

The following chart shows how the principal and interest on your
mortgage will vary according to the interest rate.

Monthly Payment for Principal and Interest on a 30-Year Fixed Rate,
Level Payment Mortgage

                         Interest Rate
     Mortgage
     Amount    7.0%      8.0%      9.0%      10.0%

     $40,000   266.40    293.60    322.00    351.20

     $50,000   333.00    367.00    402.50    439.00

     $60,000   399.60    440.40    483.00    526.80

     $70,000* 466.20    513.80    563.50    614.60

     $80,000* 532.80    587.20    644.00    702.40

     $90,000* 599.40    660.60    724.50    790.20

*The maximum FHA-insured mortgage is $67,500.
In areas where the cost of housing is high, the limit may go up
to $151,725.

Initial Investment (Downpayment)

The borrower's initial cash investment is the difference between
the amount of the mortgage and the total cost of the home. The
total cost includes the purchase price plus closing costs, but it
does not include prepaid items that you have to pay at
settlement, such as real estate taxes and hazard insurance. Most
FHA programs require the borrower to invest a minimum of between
3 and 5 percent of the total cost of the home.

Discount Points

Lenders can charge discount points to borrowers. A point is $1
for every $100 of the mortgage amount. Points are charged when
the interest rate is lower than the yield required by investors
who buy mortgage securities. (Yield is the ratio of investment
income to the total amount invested over a given period of time.)
Securities are "packaged," usually in portfolios of $1 million
dollars or more, and bought and sold in the financial markets.
This creates additional mortgage money to lend to other
homebuyers.

The numbers of points charged varies in different places at
different times and among different lenders.

Discount points for an FHA-insured mortgage
may be paid by homebuyer, the builder of the house, or the person
selling the house. Discount points may not be financed as part of
the mortgage amount (unless you are refinancing your mortgage and
you have sufficient equity in the home to cover the points).

HUD does not control the number of points you agree to pay your
lender. HUD does not set the points that a lender may require,
and HUD does not receive any of this money.

Closing Costs and Prepaid Items

When your loan is finalized, you will have
to pay closing costs. These fees may include
a lender's service charge or origination fee, cost of the title
search, fees for preparing, notarizing, and recording the deed
and the mortgage, and other items. You will also be
asked to make payments in advance for such items as taxes,
property insurance, and interest to the end of the month.

Certain closing costs, such as recording fees and taxes, title
examination, and credit reports, may be paid by the seller, or
they may be shared between the borrower and the seller, depending
on the terms of the sales contract. Most of the closing costs
paid by the borrower may be financed as part of the mortgage.

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires that
your lender give you an information booklet and a Good Faith
Estimate of your closing costs within 3 days of receiving your
written loan application. RESPA also requires that at closing or
shortly afterward, you must receive a Uniform Settlement
Statement , which is a permanent record of all the final
settlement charges. You are entitled to review the Settlement
Statement 1 business day before you close on your loan.

Origination Fees

Lenders may charge a service charge (called an origination fee)
when you submit your mortgage application. In most cases, this
charge cannot exceed 1 percent of the mortgage amount. However,
if you are buying and rehabilitating your purchase under the
Section 203(k) Program, a lender can charge an additional $350 or
2 1/2 percent of the portion of the mortgage that is escrowed for
the rehabilitation.

Commitment Fees

The lender may charge a fee to "lock in" the interest rate,
number of discount points, and other terms you have agreed to, or
to limit the extent to which the terms may be changed. Lenders
may agree to offer the loan terms for a definite period of time
(30 days, 60 days, 90 days, etc.), or they may refuse to do so.
The terms of your commitment agreement will determine to what
extent, if any, the interest rate and discount points may change
before your loan closes. Any increase in the number of discount
points or a 1-percent increase in the interest rate requires that
your mortgage application be reprocessed.

Mortgage Insurance Premium

HUD charges a premium to insure mortgages. The premiums are used
to pay claims to lenders when a borrower defaults on an
FHA-insured mortgage.

Most borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages currently pay an
up-front mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual MIP as
well. The up-front MIP can be financed into the mortgage. Your
lender can provide you with more information about MIP charges.

Annual Percentage Rate

The Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to disclose to
borrowers the annual percentage rate charged on a mortgage to
finance the purchase of residential real estate. The annual
percentage rate is calculated by adding the interest rate, the
discount points, the initial service charge, the premium paid to
insure the mortgage, and certain other charges collected by the
lender. The Truth in Lending Act is administered by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Your monthly payment will be determined
by the amount of your mortgage, the interest rate, and the length
of the loan. A longer mortgage term will lower your monthly pay-
ment, but it will increase the total amount of interest you pay.
For example, if you borrow $50,000 with an interest rate of 10
percent, your payment to principal and interest will be:

     Monthly   Term Total
               Payment

     $537.50   15 years $96,750

     $439.00   30 years $158,040

Applying for the Loan

When you have selected a lender, arrange a meeting with the loan
officer to fill out the application forms. At the interview, you
will have to provide the lender with your most recent bank
statement and pay stub, picture identification, and proof of your
social security number. You will also have to pay fees for an
appraisal and a credit report.

The lender will take care of processing the loan for FHA
insurance and will arrange to close the loan.

Many lenders are authorized to approve mortgage applications
without submitting any paperwork to HUD. These companies
are called Direct Endorsement lenders. Most FHA-insured loans are
handled by these lenders. In some cases, however, HUD
reviews information submitted by the lender and determines
whether the property and the borrower are acceptable risks for an
FHA-insured mortgage. Regardless of the type of loan you select,
you will deal only with the lender, and the lender will handle
all transactions with HUD.

-------------------------------------------------

Payments on an FHA-Insured Mortgage

Monthly Payments

The amount of your monthly payment will depend on how much money
you borrow and the interest rate on your loan. Your monthly
mortgage payment will include money to repay the principal amount
you borrowed, the interest on that money, your FHA mortgage
insurance premium, and amounts for taxes and property insurance.
Typically, your combined monthly payment for principal, interest,
taxes, and insurance should be no more than 29 percent of your
gross (total) monthly income (before taxes.)

Advance Payments

With an FHA-insured mortgage, you can make extra payments toward
the principal when you make your regularly monthly payment. By
making extra payments, you can repay the loan faster and save on
interest. However, extra payments do not relieve you from
continuing to make regular payments every month.

You can also pay off the entire balance of your FHA-insured
mortgage at any time.

Limits on FHA-Insured Mortgages

Amount of the Mortgage

There is a limit on the maximum mortgage HUD will insure.
Generally, for a single family home, HUD insures mortgages up to
$67,500. If you live in an area where the cost of housing is
high, HUD may insure a mortgage up to $151,725. Information about
the mortgage limits for the area you live in may be obtained from
HUD-approved lending institutions or the local HUD Field Office.

Property Appraisal

For an existing home, HUD's estimate of the appraised value is
based on the condition of the house and recent sales of
comparable properties in the neighborhood. If there are obvious,
serious defects, the house must be repaired before HUD insures
the mortgage.

If your house has not yet been built, HUD will base the estimate
of its value on the plans and specifications for the house and
the value of the land where it will be built.

Existing houses are generally sold "as is" unless the buyer and
seller agree, usually in writing, to repairs. Since there may be
hidden defects in a home, the homebuyer should carefully examine
the house or have the house inspected by a professional home
inspection firm and be satisfied of its soundness before
purchasing. An appraisal is not an inspection, and HUD does not
warrant the condition of the house you buy.

-------------------------------------------------

The Most Frequently Used FHA Mortgage Insurance Programs

Section 203(b)

Home Mortgage Insurance
(Federal Domestic Assistance Codes 14.117 and 14.118)

Section 203(b) of the National Housing Act is the most commonly
used HUD single family program. This program is available in all
areas of the country, provided a market exists for the property
and the home meets HUD's Minimum Property Standards. You may use
the Section 203(b) Program to purchase a new or existing one- to
four-family home in both urban and rural areas.

A Section 203(b) mortgage may be repaid in monthly payments over
10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years.

-------------------------------------------------

Section 234(c)
Condominium Units (Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.133)

Section 234(c) provides mortgage insurance for buyers who wish to
purchase a unit in a condominium project. The condominium may
consist of more than one building, such as a group of row
apartments, high-rise buildings, townhouses, or any combination
of these structures.

When you buy a unit in a condominium,
you will own one unit in a multi-unit project, and you will have
a voting interest in the condominium association that governs the
day-to-day operation of the project.

You will share an undivided interest with other owners in the
common areas and facilities that serve the project and share the
obligation to maintain them. All owners pay a monthly condominium
fee to the association to maintain the shared common areas and
facilities, including common land areas, roofs, floors, main
walls, stairways, lobbies, halls, and parking spaces. This
payment is separate from the regular monthly mortgage payment.

Any condominium project must be approved by HUD before you can
purchase a unit using an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD requires that
51 percent of the units in the project must be owner-occupied
before FHA will offer mortgage insurance for individual units in
the project.

-------------------------------------------------

Section 203(k)
Rehabilitation Home Mortgage Insurance
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.108)

Section 203(k) mortgages allow you to purchase or refinance and
rehabilitate a home at least 1 year old. A portion of the loan
proceeds are used to pay off the existing mortgage, and the
remaining funds are placed in an escrow account and released as
rehabilitation is completed.

The loan may be used to purchase a home and the land on which it
is located and rehabilitate it; purchase a home on one site and
move it onto a new foundation at another site and rehabilitate
it; or refinance an existing mortgage to rehabilitate the home.
In addition, a Section 203(k) mortgage may be used to allows you
to have smaller initial monthly payments. The deferred
interest is added to the loan balance in later years.

FHA offers five GPM payment plans, which vary in the rate of
payment increases and the number of years over which the payments
will increase. The greater the rate of increase or the longer the
period of increase, the lower the mortgage payments in the early
years. For example:

          Increase in    Frequency of
     GPM Plan Monthly Payments    Increase

     Plan 1    2.5 percent    First 5 years

     Plan 2    5 percent      First 5 years

     Plan 3    7.5 percent    First 5 years

     Plan 4    2 percent      First 10 years

     Plan 5    3 percent      First 10 years

To give you an idea of how a 245(a) GPM works, the following
table compares the monthly payment schedule of a 203(b)
FHA-insured loan with Plan 3, the most frequently used GPM plan.
In Plan 3, payments increase 7.5 percent each year for 5 years
before leveling off. The example uses a 30-year, $60,000
mortgage, with an interest rate of 10 percent:

     Year 203(b)    GPM Loan

     1    526.80    400.22

     2    526.80    430.24

     3    526.80    462.50

     4    526.80    497.20

     5    536.80    534.49

     6    526.80    574.57

     Remaining
     Payments 526.80    574.57

life of the loan, the interest rate may not increase or decrease
more than 5 percent from the initial interest rate.

Your lender must explain how the Adjustable Rate Mortgage is
calculated when you apply for your loan. Your lender must inform
you at least 25 days in advance if there is an adjustment to your
monthly payment.

-------------------------------------------------

Other FHA Mortgage
Insurance Programs

Although the following FHA mortgage insurance programs are still
active, they are not used as much as the six major FHA programs,
because they were designed to serve certain specific purposes.

Section 203(h)
Mortgage Insurance for
Disaster Victims
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.119)

You may use this program to finance the purchase of a home if
your home was damaged or destroyed because of a major disaster.
The President of the United States must designate the area a
major disaster area. The loan may be used to purchase an existing
home or a newly built home.

Disaster victims are not required to meet minimum investment
requirements, and a downpayment is not required.

Section 203(i)
Mortgage Insurance for Outlying Area Properties
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.121)

You may use Section 203(i) to purchase a home in a rural area.
You may also use it to purchase a new farm house on 2.5 or more
acres of land adjacent to an all-weather road.

Section 220
Urban Renewal Mortgage Insurance
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.122)

This program is used in conjunction with local governments to
rehabilitate existing dwellings for up to 11 families or to build
new dwellings in redevelopment areas where concentrated housing,
physical development, and public service activities are being
carried out. If the building houses more than four families, the
mortgage limit increases $9,165 for each additional unit.

Section 220(h)
Insured Improvement Loans
in Urban Areas

These loans are used to finance alterations, repairs, or
improvements to existing dwellings housing up to 11 families in a
redevelopment area as defined in Section 220. The mortgage limit
is the lessor of:

     *    HUD's estimate of the cost of
          improvements;

     *    $40,000; or

     *    $12,000 for each family unit ($17,400 in
          high cost areas).

Section 221(d)(2)
Home Mortgage Insurance for Low and Moderate Income Families
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.120)

This program may be used by low- to moderate-income families to
finance the purchase of a home. It may also be used by families
displaced by urban renewal, code enforcement, condemnation, etc.,
or as a result of the President declaring an area a major
disaster. The mortgage limit for a one-family unit is
$31,000. This amount may be increased up to $36,000 in high cost
areas determined by the Department.

Section 222
Mortgage Insurance for Service Members
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.166)

You may use Section 222 to purchase a home if you are on active
duty with the Department of Transportation (Coast Guard) or the
Department of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). While
there is no upfront mortgage insurance premium, the employing
agency pays the monthly mortgage insurance premium directly to
HUD as long as you remain in active service. The employing agency
must issue a certificate of eligibility.

Section 223(e)
Miscellaneous Housing Insurance
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.123)

You may use Section 223(e) to purchase a property in an older,
declining urban area where normal requirements for mortgage
insurance cannot be met. Only HUD can determine whether a
property is eligible for Section 223(e) mortgage insurance. This
program is intended to supplement other HUD mortgage insurance
programs.

Section 237
Mortgage Insurance for Special Credit Risks
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.140)

Low- and moderate-income families who are unable to meet the
normal underwriting standards of HUD's other single family
programs because of their credit history may use Section 237 to
finance the purchase of new, existing, or substantially
rehabilitated single-family homes or condominiums.

To qualify for a Section 237 mortgage, you must obtain counseling
assistance from a HUD-approved counseling agency. These agencies
provide budget, debt-management, and related counseling services
to families as needed.

This program is limited by law to mortgages up to $18,000
($21,000 in high cost areas).

Section 238(c)
Mortgage Insurance in Military Impacted Areas
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.165)

You may use Section 238(c) to finance the repair, rehabilitation,
or purchase of a home near any military installation in a
federally impacted area. The Secretary of Defense must certify
the need for additional housing in the area.

Section 240
Purchase of Fee-Simple Title from Lessors
(Federal Domestic Assistance Code 14.130)

You may use Section 240 to finance the purchase of fee simple
title if your home is on leased land. The maximum mortgage amount
is the lessor of:

     *    $10,000 per family unit ($30,000 if the
          property is in Hawaii);

     *    The cost of purchasing the fee simple
          title; or

     *    An amount that does not exceed the
          maximum mortgage insurable under Section 203(b).

Real Estate Housing Crisis Is Over.

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:44:00 GMT

According to an article posted today by "The Wall Street Journal" our housing crisis has ceased to decline. That's right, we are actually hearing some positive news for a change. The real estate market bust from 2005 has finally bottomed out. The article speculates that it could be as much as 15 years before we see a boom like we did a few short years ago.

With home prices as affordable as they are right now we are seeing more and more buyers creep out of the wood-work. Here in atlanta, investors have already been taking advantage over the past few months and will certainly reep the benefits in the coming years.

Here is a link to the article. "Click Here" Let me know what you think (comment section at bottom of this page).

Thanks - Your Atlanta Real Estate Pro

Weekly Market Statistics for Atlanta Ga single family homes

Wed, 21 May 2008 12:10:00 GMT

This weeks market statistics for atlanta real estate. Currently there are a total of 5184 active homes for sale. See Report Below.

Atlanta, Ga MARKET STATISTICS REPORT

**Atlanta, Ga - ACTIVE LISTINGS**
Prop Type	Bedrooms	# Active	Avg LP	Avg MT
SF	ALL	5184	333,744	107
	2 OR LESS	817	130,015	104
	3	2652	177,193	105
	4	1116	393,807	109
	5 OR MORE	599	1,192,824	115
MF	ALL	362	254,851	122
LL	ALL	447	215,816	194
CM	ALL	132	612,270	156
AF	ALL	15	485,113	134
	2 OR LESS	14	394,764	124
	4	1	1,750,000	275
RR	ALL	355	1,768	81
	2 OR LESS	185	1,618	82
	3	105	1,289	88
	4	43	2,175	59
	5 OR MORE	22	4,517	86
RC	ALL	20	2,533	107
CT	ALL	2814	299,924	134
	2 OR LESS	2284	259,352	140
	3	469	432,698	109
	4	60	810,981	101
	5 OR MORE	1	30,300	226

**Atlanta, Ga - OFF MARKET LISTINGS**
Prop Type	# of Bedrooms	# of SOLD	% SOLD	Avg LP of SOLD	Avg SP of SOLD	SP:LP Ratio	Avg MT of SOLD	Avg LP UN-SOLD	% EXPD
SF	ALL	4281	34	229,526	217,544	94	90	285,898	59
	2 OR LESS	696	35	133,563	126,794	94	80	146,560	58
	3	2392	35	166,517	158,541	95	93	190,581	58
	4	878	32	313,707	297,256	94	92	343,204	61
	5 OR MORE	315	27	685,225	643,768	93	90	852,898	66
MF	ALL	482	28	181,350	167,715	92	91	252,750	33
LL	ALL	186	15	151,408	132,506	87	120	285,611	39
CM	ALL	60	12	330,217	297,140	89	122	616,865	41
AF	ALL	1	5	350,000	238,000	68	147	226,279	5
	2 OR LESS	0	0	0	0	0	0	542,475	100
	3	1	100	350,000	238,000	68	147	0	0
RR	ALL	4	0	0	0	0	39	1,799	97
	2 OR LESS	1	0	0	0	0	41	1,354	97
	3	1	0	1,000	1,000	100	44	2,196	99
	4	2	2	875	875	100	36	1,713	97
	5 OR MORE	0	0	0	0	0	0	3,613	100
RC	ALL	0	0	0	0	0	0	2,305	50
CT	ALL	1587	27	237,775	227,569	95	99	269,469	67
	2 OR LESS	1349	27	213,533	205,235	96	100	242,184	67
	3	217	26	345,367	325,652	94	96	398,467	69
	4	16	28	716,118	678,525	94	71	620,981	70
	5 OR MORE	5	45	577,900	553,400	95	110	806,300	54

Atlanta Real Estate Map Search

Tue, 13 May 2008 03:00:00 GMT

Click to view Mapping Solution

10 Tips To Sell Your Atlanta Home This Spring!

Fri, 09 May 2008 20:49:00 GMT

10 Tips to Sell A House Faster This Spring

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is never more true than when purchasing a home.

No one needs to remind sellers that today's market is a challenging one. In fact, there are on average more than 11 months of inventory on the market at any given time.

So it is vitally important that you make sure all of your listings stand out above the others that are competing for the buyer's attention.

Here are some very basic pointers you can print out and share with home sellers to help get them headed in the right direction:

1. De-Clutter: This one is simple. De-clutter everywhere; inside and outside. If it's taking up space it is a potential candidate to be thrown out. The sellers need to make that all important mental conversion from "home to live in" to "house for sale." Personal things are a big distraction as you want the buyers to be able to visualize their own belonging in the house.

2. Repair: Buyers want everything working so don't disappoint them - dripping faucets, broken windows, leaking roofs, damaged walls and doors, etc, beg the question in the buyer's mind...What else is broken or doesn't work?

3. Lots of Light:The last thing home buyers want to see is a dark home with all of the doors and windows covered. Let the light in and open some windows to let in some fresh air. Room deodorizers leave the impression of covering something up as does a window that has the blinds drawn.

4. Clean Windows: Buyers want to know and see the view they will have from every room - don't make them look through dirty windows. If they do, the impression of a having great view is literally going "out the window."

5. Kitchen and Bathrooms:Two of the most important rooms in the house.They must be spotless and first class.Just cleaning up isn't going to be good enough - you need to "deep clean" all counters, floors, cabinets and all the fixtures in the bathrooms. In the bathrooms consider new fixtures or countertops and perhaps redoing the shower and tub enclosures. If new fixtures are not in the budget you may want to consider having them refinished. Think about having all the tile steam cleaned and make sure all grout is free from grease and dirt.

6. Odors:Absolute deal killers are cigarette or pet odors. If this is a problem - have the drapes, carpets and furniture professionally cleaned and please..."no smoking" in the house. Also, cooking odors are not a good thing. The best bet is to always for plan fresh air. Often a little lemon oil mixed with water in a spray bottle used lightly used will add just a bit of freshness without overpowering the house.

7. Paint: A fresh coat of paint on the outside or inside is an excellent way of freshening up your home. Be sure to use neutral colors and avoid accent painting. Don't try and guess what a potential buyer will like. In most cases they should use a professional painter because it's always a bigger job than most people think.

8. Yard Work: Deal with overgrown bushes, shrubs and trees. Everything in the yard needs to be trimmed, watered, manicured and "living." Remove everything lying around the yard including sports equipment, boats, trailers, toys, etc. You may also add some color by placing some annuals in planters in the back as well as in the front. Curb appeal makes that all important "first impression."

9. Furniture:The bottom line... less is best. If it's old, worn or dated, you should put it in storage. Remember that you are setting a stage and the actor needs to be the house - not their furniture. De-Personalize!

10. Hardwood Floors:Hardwood floors can be a huge plus for buyers unless they look like a 20 year old basketball court. It may be a great investment to have them all refinished - but keep in mind that it's not a simple weekend project.

Want More Home Selling Advice? <

Atlanta Real Estate Search. Map-Based Property Search is Best Tool for Searching Homes in Atlanta, GA

Tue, 06 May 2008 09:03:00 GMT

Wow, if only I had this service when I was searching for homes this spring. The Heather Stanton Team has an amazing tool that allows buyers to search for homes by selecting neighborhoods on a map. It is so simple and useful and far exceeds other neighborhood searches. The difference between this neighborhood search and the numerous sites other agents offer is this: You can visually see on the Atlanta area map all the homes listed in the section you selected. Simply draw a box (you may have to draw more than one to narrow in your search to a street level view) over the map in the area you are interested in. If it is a broad section you will see little dots (more than 100 homes in the area you selected,) and as you zoom in on your selection, the homes are represented by little home icons. As you hover your mouse/cursor over the home icons a second information box pops up with basic details and pictures of the house your mouse/cursor is hovering over. You may then opt to click on the pop-up box for more details about the home or continue to persue the map for additional listings. Most real estate websites offer maps that allow you to click on the neighborhood and add it to your search list, but they do not actually show the homes listed in relation to each other or their location on the map.

The best way to understand this Atlanta Map-Based Property search is to try it out. An email address is necessary to log-in to the site, but once you are there it is easy to use. The website also has features that allow you to maximize your search by naming price range, number of bedrooms and additional categories. Once you find a home of interest and you click on the details box it will take you to an in-depth page with photos, features and public school information. There will also be options to register and save the search, make an appointment to view the property, or sign up to receive emails of listings as they come on the market. This Map-Based Property search is the best tool for buyers searching for properties in specific locations!

Atlanta Real Estate Update

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:46:00 GMT

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

There have been a number of articles written as of late indicating that renting is a smarter choice than purchasing a home right now. Although, renting may be necessary for some people, home purchase remains a smart choice for most. Long term, home ownership is one of the best investments most of us can make. There is not only appreciation over time, but there are also significant tax benefits. My advice is don't let the negative press on home ownership frighten you away from one of the most sound investments you can make. Right now with home prices being soft and mortgage loan interest rates low, home purchase is a safe bet.

Have An Awesome Week!

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerly,

Heather

What are mortgage points and when should you pay them?

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:17:00 GMT

More Homes For Sale in Atlanta, Ga

What Are Points and When Should You Pay Them?

Points are up-front fees paid to obtain a better interest rate on a loan. One point equals one percent of the loan amount. A lower interest rate may result in a lower monthly payment, but it is important to consider how long you intend to be in the loan, and to compare current rates to historical market trends.

If you take out a $300,000 mortgage and decide to pay one point, this translates into an up-front closing cost of $3,000. Paying a point up front saves $100 a month but it will take 30 months to recuperate the cost of that point. If you decide to refinance or sell the home before the 30-month mark, your money is lost. In this case, you would benefit financially by remaining in the home longer than the 30 months.

Rates run in cycles. When rates are at historical lows, it is sensible to pay points if you plan to live in the home for an extended period of time. It is unlikely that rates will go down; hence, there will be no need to refinance.

When rates are up, there is a strong likelihood that they will come down. This is no time to pay points. The chances of refinancing in the future are extremely high, and you will likely not be in the loan long enough to recuperate the cost of the points. Atlanta Map-Based Property Search

Mortgage Interest Rates*

Rates as of May 2, 2008:

	Conforming	APR	Payment per $100,000	Jumbo	APR	Payment per $100,000
30 Year Fixed	5.625%	5.731%	$575.66	7.375%	7.452%	$690.68
15 Year Fixed	5.250%	5.356%	$803.88	6.625%	6.702%	$877.99
3/1 ARM	5.125%	5.231%	$544.49	6.125%	6.202%	$607.61
5/1 ARM	5.000%	5.106%	$536.82	5.375%	5.452%	$559.97
5/1 ARM Interest-Only	5.375%	5.481%	$447.92	5.500%	5.577%	$458.33
7/1 ARM	5.500%	5.606%	$567.79	5.750%	5.827%	$583.57
10/1 ARM	5.625%	5.731%	$575.66	7.250%	7.327%	$682.18

* Rates are subject to change due to market fluctuations and borrower's eligibility

There is always something to do in Atlanta.

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:22:00 GMT

atlanta real estate, Atlanta Real Estate, you always here about me talking about real estate and updating you on the market here in Atlanta Georgia. But, it's alot more than just affordable homes and good interest rates and a growing job market.

Atlanta has plenty of family activities for you. It's more than a place to live it's a life style. Below you'll find everything you'll need to start living in Atlanta, Ga

Atlanta Real Estate, Information and City Links

Area Entertainment	Area Information
Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta Entertainment Atlanta Entertainment Guide Atlanta Metro Visitors Guide Atlanta Opera Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Creative Loafing - Atlanta Guide Georgia Aquarium Georgia State Fair Georgia's Waterfalls & Caves Heritage & Wildlife Conservation SeeTheMovies.com Six Flags Over Georgia Zoo Atlanta Area Restaurant Reviews AtlantasMenu.com Atlanta Web Guide Dinesite.com News & Media CBS 46 Atlanta Atlanta Journal Constitution Daily Tribune News Gwinnett Daily Post The Weekly - Duluth WSB-TV Channel 2 WXIA-TV Channel 11 Weather Channel - Atlanta	AccessAtlanta Alpharetta Atlanta, City of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Berkeley Lake, City of Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Cobb Chamber of Commerce College Park, City of DeKalb Chamber of Commerce DeKalb County Sheriff's Office District 6 Duluth, City of Forsyth County-Cumming Chamber of Commerce Fulton County Sheriff's Reserve Fulton County Fulton County Police Department Georgia Chamber of Commerce Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Public Library Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Roswell, City of Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau State of Georgia Southeastern Library Network Suwanee, City of

Sports & Recreation	Parks & Museums
Atlanta Braves Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Golfer Magazine Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Silverbacks Soccer Atlanta Thrashers Georgia Dome Great Outdoor Recreation Gwinnett Soccer Association IceForum Olde Atlanta Golf Club Peachtree Road Race Philips Arena	American Museum of Papermaking Center for Puppetry Arts Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Fernbank Science Center & Natural History Museum Inman Park Museum of Music North Georgia Parks Parks & Recreation Guide State Parks and Historic Sites Stone Mountain Park

School Information	Theater
Georgia Department of Education Atlanta Boarding, Montessori, PreSchools and Childcare, Tutoring, and Special Schools Barrow County Public Schools Cherokee County Public Schools Clayton County Public Schools Cobb County Public Schools Coweta County Public Schools Decatur City Schools DeKalb County Public Schools Douglas County Public Schools Fayette County Public Schools Forsyth County Public Schools Fulton County Public Schools Griffin/Spalding County Public Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools Hall County Public Schools Henry County Public Schools Lumpkin County Public Schools Marietta City Schools Newton County Public Schools Paulding County Public Schools Rockdale County Public Schools Walton County School District White County Public Schools	14th Street Playhouse 7 Stages Actors Express Agatha's Mystery Theatre Alliance Theatre Ansley Park Playhouse Peachtree Playhouse Atlanta Civic Center Dad's Garage Theatre Ferst Center The Fox Theatre Georgia Ensemble Theatre Horizon Theatre Neighborhood Playhouse The New American Shakespeare Tavern PushPush Theatre Rialto Center for the Performing Arts Theatre in the Square

Arts	Other Links
Atlanta History Center Atlanta International Museum Atlanta College of Art The Atlanta Chamber Players Atlanta Contemporary Art Center Callanwolde Arts Center DeFoor Center Fernbank Museum Georgia Museum of Art High Museum of Art Michael C. Carlos Museum Emory University Moving in the Spirit Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia Roswell Cultural Arts Center Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center Visual Art Atlanta	Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Children's Miracle Network Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends

Real Estate Market Statistics for Alpharetta Georgia

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:11:00 GMT

This weeks Alpharetta Ga real estate update. Alpharetta is holding on strong in this real estate market storm. In the past 12 months over 1200 homes have sold which is 43% of the listing volume. Not to shabby for the Metro area. The average price of the sold homes is $400,619.00 and the average list price is $416,179.00 (typical negotiations). The average marketing time (MT) of sold homes is a mere 71 days. However, pricing in this market is everything. If you want or need to sell be realistic and aggressive when calculating your list price.

Whats For Sale in Alpharetta, Ga - Real Estate

Alpharetta, Ga Real Estate Stats Below.

Alpharetta Ga Real Estate

MARKET STATISTICS REPORT

**ACTIVE LISTINGS**
Prop Type	Bedrooms	# Active	Avg LP	Avg MT
SF	ALL	1339	611,024	91
	2 OR LESS	26	340,688	91
	3	219	291,919	92
	4	423	455,766	86
	5 OR MORE	671	823,524	94
MF	ALL	4	346,425	42
LL	ALL	91	502,276	147
CM	ALL	21	731,438	149
AF	ALL	45	1,811,899	182
	2 OR LESS	34	1,744,899	183
	3	2	1,340,000	295
	4	8	2,097,362	163
	5 OR MORE	1	2,750,000	81
RR	ALL	59	1,908	81
	2 OR LESS	6	1,053	45
	3	27	1,464	99
	4	11	2,226	78
	5 OR MORE	15	2,819	65
RC	ALL	5	1,435	77
CT	ALL	363	230,168	106
	2 OR LESS	94	161,234	85
	3	228	244,581	119
	4	41	308,060	78

**OFF MARKET LISTINGS**
Prop Type	# of Bedrooms	# of SOLD	% SOLD	Avg LP of SOLD	Avg SP of SOLD	SP:LP Ratio	Avg MT of SOLD	Avg LP UN-SOLD	% EXPD
SF	ALL	1261	43	416,179	400,619	96	71	564,453	51
	2 OR LESS	35	51	226,492	218,124	96	75	237,409	42
	3	313	51	231,511	224,325	96	74	282,075	43
	4	425	44	356,033	349,659	98	73	430,517	51
	5 OR MORE	488	38	600,610	571,163	95	66	779,804	56
MF	ALL	2	16	274,900	225,000	81	46	285,160	41
LL	ALL	4	3	287,450	242,500	84	116	684,897	46
CM	ALL	10	13	450,960	388,981	86	113	841,584	41
AF	ALL	5	10	329,430	295,200	89	127	1,004,947	34
	2 OR LESS	3	9	315,750	269,666	85	181	1,607,408	87
	3	2	20	349,950	333,500	95	47	1,195,925	80
	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	813,800	100
	5 OR MORE	0	0	0	0	0	0	817,000	100
RR	ALL	1	1	0	0	0	20	1,709	90
	2 OR LESS	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,135	85
	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,345	90
	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	2,126	94
	5 OR MORE	1	16	0	0	0	20	3,328	83
RC	ALL	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,054	50
CT	ALL	371	44	200,758	193,110	96	88	206,379	52
	2 OR LESS	96	37	145,136	141,317	97	75	157,935	59
	3	246	48	213,576	204,557	95	93	221,409	48
	4	28	35	282,121	273,115	96	95	280,820	59
	5 OR MORE	1	100	216,000	212,000	98	6	0	0

Atlanta Real Estate. The future looks bright.

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:46:00 GMT

News journals recently published a conducted study comparing real estate costs to income levels in the 50 largest metro areas in the United States. They did this by comparing median home payments alongside household income levels. The results showed that California is (not surprisingly) the most expensive place to try and own a home with the median California homeowner spending over 75% of their monthly income on their mortgage payments. That was not a typo… I said 75%! According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, home costs should not add up to more than one third of monthly income so other life necessities can be purchased… clothes, food, etc.

Lucky for us, atlanta was in the Top 10 list for the most affordable home markets in the U.S. Good news for Atlanta, Ga! Not too shabby for this so called “market crisis” the media is painting for us. While other parts of the country are definitely hurting, our market here in Atlanta is weathering the storm. According to Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors’ chief economist, “The healthiest housing markets today generally are moderately priced and are experiencing job growth and often population growth, which in turn is supporting strong price growth.”

The moral of this story is that Atlantan’s can rest easy because our housing market is continuing to hold strong. I believe this quote summed it up best for me… “If the news predicted a snow storm in Denver, would you walk outside with your snow boots in Atlanta?”