So word is just getting out about “reverse staging”? The idea that this is a developing fraud trick is very old news to those of us in the field. Instead of stripping and destroying the home on the way out, the idea is just to do “light damage”, sell the home and flip for a profit. The methods by
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04/29/2012
Appraisal issues have been at the center of the real estate boom and bust. In the current environment, appraisal issues continue to be front and center when contracts go bad. Much of problem can be attributed to the “help” provided by Washington but just as much blame belongs on the industry itse
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04/29/2012
What experts believe is due to low inventory of distressed properties, new construction has picked up in Cobb County. As noted in past blogs, foreclosure inventory is high, but not in all areas. The more desirable pockets are showing low inventory of foreclosed/distressed properties, and as a res
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04/26/2012
Does it make sense to refer clients to folks that you’re comfortable using? I’m wondering if it’s best to avoid the “…you said” nonsense if/when things go wrong. Given the public perception of agents, I also wonder if despite our best intentions with recommendations, is that looked at by a client
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04/25/2012
“Sovereign citizens”; brothers in arms with the “taxes are illegal” folks are at it again in Atlanta. The scammers are busy exploiting opportunities in real estate, from “helping” with troubled mortgages, investments, adverse possessions…to illegal occupation of vacant homes, these roaches will s
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04/21/2012
I think the two most overused current real estate terms are “green” and “investor”. The “green” nonsense is a fabulous industry fabrication and “investor” has taken on a completely different definition over the last few years. I am barraged by buyers that want to “buy investment homes in Atlanta”
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04/20/2012
I was way ahead of the hotness curve on this one. Back in 2/11 we revealed studies that indicated that Good Looking Agents Sell More Homes and now the industry is playing catch up. I was moved by the article titled “ I Wasn’t Going To Buy This House Until I Saw The Realtor’s Headshot On The Sign”
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04/18/2012
I think it’s time to consider buying a home in the Atlanta area. I don’t say that as a shill for any real estate organization; I say that as an appraiser, broker and student of this industry for over twenty years. The data, coupled with rates that have been ridiculously low for so long combined w
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04/18/2012
Strategic default isn’t likely to go away for a long while and the likely 150 point credit hit most defaulters will receive isn’t incentive enough to avoid it. Strategic default in Atlanta is alive and well; the typical defaulter isn’t what most would expect and the thought process is even less c
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04/17/2012
Are real estate agents necessary? We’re drowning in data…all kinds of data…about every conceivable topic…whatever the question, Google, Bing or some other place on the web will have an answer. But with an abundance of data come challenges; how to determine credibility, how to understand it, how t
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04/09/2012
