Great Date Night Restaurant

If you are looking for a great place to take a date or a business dinner I would highly recommend checking out 4th & Swift. The restaurant is located in the old Southern Dairies building. It has exposed brick, high ceilings and great woodwork. Very eye pleasing and sexy. The food is amazing.The service is outstanding. The restaurants runs seasonal specials with organic locally grown produce. Great wine list. Check out the menu at http://www.4thandswift.com. You will not be disappointed.

Interesting Info on the Areas With Highest Foreclosure Rates

In todays USA TODAY there is an article that states "half of the foreclosures in 2008 took place in only 35 counties". Wow...that kind of put things in perspective. The article goes on to say "the 35 counties are located in just 12 states" and that these counties were the epi-center of the banking/mortgage crisis. Even more fascinating is that 25% of all foreclosures occurred in only eight counties in Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada.

What was the most important piece of information in the article: " In more than 650 other counties-about a fifth of the nation-the number of foreclosure actions actually dropped since 2006".

If you look at the map, you'll see that Fulton County was one of the counties with the highest number of foreclosures. This resulted from another problem...the fact that South Fulton County, and more specifically Southwest Atlanta, was the mortgage fraud CAPITAL of the country. Obviously, the tidal wave of mortgage fraud resulted in a surge of foreclosures, giving Fulton County that dubious distinction.

All in all, the USA Today article is a glimpse at where the real problem areas are and what was the source. As side from the mortgage fraud issue, Atlanta has been plugging along and is a great investment that will reap huge benefits in the future.

SOURCE OF INFO and MAP: USA TODAY 3/6/09

Another Pending Sale !!!

The news would have us all believe that the real estate market is dead. Well Michelle and I can tell you that there is activity going on. If the home/condo is in good condition and priced right it WILL SELL.

Buyers are out looking and are still getting financing( the news would tell you otherwise).

This buyer went under contract after we lost out to multiple offers on two different condos.

A Lesson From Warren Buffet

Last night I just finished reading Warren Buffett's latest book, "The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life". It's basically a biography about his life (from birth to present) that includes many of his business philosophies as themes throughout the book.

One theme or motto that was reiterated time and again was this: Be greedy when everyone else is fearful and be fearful when everyone else is greedy. Okay...I know that the term greed definitely has a negative connotation. What Buffett was speaking to is this...when everyone else is fearful there are a multitude of opportunities that are available to those who will jump on them.

How does this relate to real estate? Simply, that now everyone is running scared from the real estate market. All the news is just perpetuating fear, fear, fear!!! But take a look around...there are a multitude of great options and deals, for those willing to capitalize on them, you can bet that when the market turns around (WHICH IT WILL!!!) those who jumped in when everyone else was fearful will reap the rewards!!!

A Real World Example of the $8000 Tax Credit

This morning Melanie had I had a closing with a couple of terrific clients!!! What's pretty amazing is that they bought a $325,500 home, with $8200 as a downpayment. What's even more amazing is that they will get most of their downpayment back through the $8000 tax credit.

Think about it...they put $8200 down and will get an $8000 tax credit back. The math is easy...for a $200 investment our client's are getting a home they've always wanted. Now is the time to take advantage of great interests rates and free money! The tax credit ends December 1st, 2009

Check out The Van Thompson Group's Facebook Page

Melanie & I have published our Facebook page so that all of our friends and clients can keep an eye on us and a finger on the pulse of the real estate market in Atlanta.

Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-GA/Van-Thompson-Group/32122120403


There are SO MANY good reasons to buy real estate now...

1. An $8000 tax credit that is paid to you! Basically, you are getting back your down-payment money. And, this tax credit DOES NOT have to be repaid!!!

2. Atlanta currently has the lowest interest rates in the country.

3. There are countless motivated Sellers, which translates into countless opportunities for you to pick up a great deal.

4. The real estate market is/will recover and it's best to buy at the bottom. There is absolutely no way to time the market until it's too late.

5. Start building your wealth and stop making your landlord RICH!!!

The list could go on & on. Just take our word for it...you should definitely be buying real estate!!

How the Stimulus Package Affects You

How the Economic Stimulus Package Affects Home Owners
Credit for first-time homebuyers: The bill increases the size of an existing temporary and refundable first-time home buyer credit to $8,000, up from $7,500. It also removes the requirement under current law that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least three years. And it would extend the credit's expiration date to Dec. 1, 2009, from July 1. Those eligible for this credit must have purchased a home after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009. The full credit is available to those making $75,000 or less ($150,000 for joint filers).

Good News for '09!!!!

Van Thompson is feeling completely optimistic about the real estate market in 2009. Forbes just published an article saying that Atlanta is one of 10 cities that will emerge from the house slump with growth, both in the resale market and new homes.

Now's the time to jump in...get historically low rates and an $8000 tax credit to boot!!

P.S. Atlanta currently has the lowest mortgage rates of whole THE COUNTRY!!!

Green Living in the Heart of East Lake

Check out our new listing in East Lake Commons. This community is one of very few co-operative communities in the city. ELC boasts organic gardens, huge playground area, community center for weekly meals and entertainment. This is a secure, gated community with hiking trail, pond and recycling center.

Check it out...

Great New Eco-Friendly Townhome

We just listed the coolest townhome in an amazing community. The community is called East Lake Commons. It is an award winning eco-friendly , co-housing community with 22 acres of grounds. The grounds include organic gardens, large playground,walking trails and a pond.

There is also a really cool community clubhouse. The community has 2 nights a week that they put together dinners in the restaurant size kitchen in the clubhouse. Many of the dishes served contain fresh ingredients pulled right from the garden that day. Great place to socialize with your neighbors and get a farm fresh meal.

You can get more information about this community by visiting www.eastlakecommons.org