Are you ready for....(drumroll, please!)....EXTREME COUPONING???

Extreme Couponing?  Huh????

That's what I said too...until I read Rana Cash's article in the AJC about workshops that are SOLD OUT across the metro area to teach how you can maximize savings with coupons and learn about the 6-8 week cycles that supermarkets use.

It's interesting how frugal is now sexy.  Get your scissors ready, folks!

The group is called Southern Savers and you can email them directly at southernsavers@bellsouth.net to sign up for a class.  Some tips she suggests:  keeping a log of the lowest prices you’ve seen, or the most you’ll pay, is important. Manufacturer coupon inserts are in a rotation of about 30 days or as soon as one set expires. Another tip she shared is to look at the amount of savings the grocery store advertises on the shelf.  If they don't bother to do the math, then it's not worth purchasing because it's not a great deal.

Click here to learn more and read the article in it's entirety:  EXTREME COUPONING

Financial Planning with Roger S. Green - A Women's Council of REALTORS' Education Event

(Roger S. Green -left- with JJ Ortega from Showhomes of Atlanta and Judy Harper, WCR Atlanta Chapter President for 2010)

Roger Green was on site to teach a class yesterday for our Women's Council of REALTORS' education session on Financial Planning. Let me tell you something: this man is a guru. He is amazing with how he teaches, the mathematical deductions he can complete in the blink of an eye, the historical market knowledge he can relay and the caring you can see from the moment you meet him. This is not advertisement of his services, just a true account of what I perceived when I met this father of six!

His view of the recovery:
- Housing will probably take another 12 months to show recovery in Atlanta
- New home demand will be coming back
- Inventory has decreased tremendously!
- Residential lots will take a longer to recover.
- Do not pay off your mortgage early if you are in a rate in the 4% range. The mortgage tax deductions you'll get will far outweigh the difference. Take the extra money and put it into growth opportunities....And MORE!

He holds a long list of accolades but what I like most about him was his nature to serve his clients. A tenet I hold valuable. Visit him on his website at: www.rogersgreen.com. He offers a free consultation and I also have 2 packets left from the class. So if you want it, email me or post a comment below and I will follow up with you accordingly.

Big, THANK YOU, to Showhomes of Atlanta. We love using them for our vacant listings. It is free to the homeowner and your home is show-ready 24/7. You can learn more at www.showhomesofatlanta.com.

Check out Labor Day happenings!

We've got a great list of event happenings in the Atlanta area for Labor Day.

Check out the PDF of events on the link below:

http://www.box.net/shared/krysrpsfir

Have a safe holiday weekend! Thank our troops for their service! And, don't forget that we are here for your real estate needs.

Ready to increase energy efficiency in your home AND get a tax credit?

There's still time!

Don't let your money fly out the window!

First step: Make sure that the investment is worth it. The credit maxes out at $5,000.

Second step: Get an energy audit so you can truly see where the deficiencies are. Contact me today for a list of reputable energy audit vendors at: atlantamaven@gmail.com

Third step: Make sure the replacements you are selecting qualify.

Fourth step: Purchase and install

Fifth step: Claim your tax credit on IRS Form 5695 for 2009 and 2010 only.

Learn the specifics in the PDF on the following link:

http://www.box.net/shared/cmoac83bz6

OMG, Ladies....Designer 'Gently Used' Bags for great prices!

I'm not ALL real estate folks!  I enjoy a lot in this thing called life....peace and quiet, sunsets, hanging with the hubster and family, cupcakes, laying out by the pool, a nice glass of vino...and the list goes on and on...you get the point!  But another one of my loves is the smell of fresh leather.  There is absolutely nothing like it.

So, when I found this website that joins nice prices with gently used, authentic purses, I had to share.  Just because you're saving for that next home downpayment doesn't mean you can start another fund for that new purse that will go with everything!

Check it out:  http://www.fashionphile.com/



How come no one ever told me about this website?????

Just finished an inspiring book I wanted to share....

"Crush It:  Cash in on Your Passion" by Gary Vaynerchuck was a fun and inspiring read.  He takes the question of what your passion is or what hobby you wish you could indulge in all day and translates that desire into making an income source and creating a better quality of life by enjoying your work.

This book outlines the author's journey as a young man turning his father's wine business  into a $40 million dollar company.  He discusses how now is the perfect time to try your hand at the business you've always dreamed of with all of the various new forms of instantaneous communication and free resources.

Do you have a dream?  Ready to open that bakery, discuss your love of photography or have an affinity for legos?  Find out how to cash in on that passion.  The book is full of strategies, tips and resources and well worth the $19.99 retail price.

And, don't forget, my passion is real estate and if you need assistance on the domestic or international frontier:  I'm here!  Call my office at 404.309.1098 to discuss how I can help you find the right home to house all those plans.

Ciao for now!

Short Sales: To Do or Not? Foreclosure is not the only option

Short sales are very tricky.

Some people view this as a way to walk away from your home. That is not the intention of a short sale.

The reality is that a lot of people are experiencing financial hardships and with rates adjusting, some mortgages are becoming too much for homeowners. People have seen increases as much as $2,000 in their monthly mortgage payment.

Short sales are negotiated when the lender agrees to accept a sales price less than the mortgage amount. If this is the route you need to pursue, we fight vigourously to assist you.

Remember:

• Short sales are a timely process. This is very important to understand upfront.
• Real estate is limited and will always be in demand.
• Like life, real estate is cyclical. If you can hang on...do so. Preserve your credit rating and do what the house was intended for: live in it!
• Look at renting the property out. Let tenants pay your mortgage down while you move in with parents, friends or find lower priced living accomodations.
• Interest in mortgage loans is tax-deductible which will allow you to still reap a tremendous benefit.

If you would like to discuss your options, fill out our Short Sale Information Sheet on the following PDF: http://www.box.net/shared/uh1xxmpdca and email it to atlantamaven@gmail.com or fax to 404.238.9604.

We look forward to assisting you explore your options.

Atlanta Historical Sites - Find Things To Do In Atlanta Georgia

There's so much to do in Atlanta and sometimes when you've been here a while, you may not see all the possibilities.

Check out the link and visit it often to see things to do in Atlanta at http://www.atlanta.net/.

At the following link take a look at Atlanta's historical sites: Atlanta Historical Sites - Find Things To Do In Atlanta Georgia

Have fun! Be sure to come back and comment on which ones you liked the best!

Okay, so you see red hair and black hair...which one am I wearing?

It all depends when you see me.  I can't help it.  I love color!

And, speaking of color, need a pop of color in your home?  Corinne Matthews of Dream Room Designs is an awesome interior designer that is ready to make your home all that you can envision and more.  She also is great at helping you turn your basement into an income property like she has successfully done on

Find out more details at http://www.dreamroomdesigns.com/ and look out for our upcoming video interviewing her about ways to update your home.

If you have questions you would like answered be sure to ask them in the comment section below.  They may just be answered in our video!

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FHA Announces Policy changes to address risk equal more money out of pocket for your closing

In this economic climate, every penny is being evaluated. From federal to local governments to kitchen tables across the country, ways to save money are being discussed daily.

So, it's understandable that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) needs to strengthen its reserves and bring back private lending. The question is: are the FHA's pending changes going to make that a reality or will it stagnate the housing market to a screeching halt? The FHA has insured more than 37 million mortgages since 1934. Once 'the ugly duckling' of loans, FHA loans are now the darling of loan officers. They are truly the loans moving the marketplace.

I've semi-formed my own opinion but I want you to be the judge. Let's take a $250,000 home as an example. Joe wants to buy a home for $250,000. He calls me this week and wants to start his home search. I link him with a lender to get qualified and he receives a qualification for $275,000. Living under his means like the wise man he is, we find a home for $250,000 and calculate the money he will need to close on a home. Under current guidelines, he will have to pay 1.75% of the sales price for his Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). That would equal $4,375. In the spring, that amount will go up to 2.25% of the sales price which equals $5,625 or $1,250 more!

FREE MONEY! That got your attention right? Well, seller's concessions are a little like that - costs the seller's are willing to contribute to your bottom line. Currently, sellers are able to provide up to 6% of the closing costs. On a $250,000 sales price that equals $15,000. That's a great amount to help cover those costs!

Well, welcome to the new FHA policies where seller concessions are reduced to 3%!! That means you can receive up to $7,500 total from the seller. Now, let's do the math...you can receive $7,500 and your up-front MIP amount equals $5,625 - well that leaves only $1,875 towards your closing costs. Remember your closing costs include your lending fees, recording fees, escrows (for taxes and insurance), attorney fees (generally $450), etc.

You do the math. And, remember, this is in addition to the downpayment that you need to have.

Trust me, I agree that buyers should have skin in the game and lenders should responsibly issue loans to deserving borrowers but this does NOT seem like the path to making home affordable and keeping the housing market in motion.

So, I step down from my soapbox today to say that if you are mulling over, contemplating, toying around, or even have an inkling of a clue that you may want to purchase a home ~~ Talk to a lender NOW. Call me, NOW.

Remember, that I am always here as 'Your Advocate & Resource in Real Estate.' Contact me with your questions, inquiries and comments. I'd love to hear them all!

Yours in Success,
Christan

3551 Brycewood Drive Slideshare

A new rental in Decatur -- beautiful townhome that shows like a model home!

3551 Brycewood Drive Slideshare

View more presentations from Christan Ross & Associates, Atlanta’s Real Estate Maven.

How Long Should It Last?

We all know that replacing a home's windows, appliances, or roofing can be very pricey and dip into that emergency savings you have stashed away. So knowing how long before the water heater or refrigerator is likely to take its last breath is very valuable to buyers and home owners.

As a buyer, you may want to factor in replacement costs. As a seller, you may want to use replacements or warrantys as a negotiation tool. Remember, additionally as a seller, call me to help you 'green' your home as well and contact us to be advised of our next GREEN SEMINAR and check back on our calendar: http://www.atlantamaven.com/meet/event_calendar.htm

Well, a study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders provides us with some insight that can help you estimate the average useful life of household appliances and building materials.

Of course, the true longevity of any household material depends the use, quality of installation, climate conditions and timely maintenance - so let these averages serve as a general guide.

Let's take a look now and play our new game....'HOW LONG SHOULD IT ASK?' (Just imagine the Price is Right music in the background!)

100 YEARS OR MORE
Brick siding: Lifetime of the home (see why brick has more value?)
All wooden floors: Lifetime of the home
Cellulose insulation material: 100+ years

50-100 YEARS
Slate, copper, and clay and concreate roofs: 50+ years
Copper gutters: 50+ years
Kitchen cabinets: Up to 50 years
Modified acrylic kitchen sinks: 50 years
Modified acrylic kitchen sinks: 50 years
Vinyl floors: 50 years

30-50 YEARS
Thermostats: 35 years
Wooden windows: 30 years
Wood shake roofs: 30 years
French interior doors: 30-50 years

10-20 YEARS
Built-in audio system: 20 years
Aluminum windows: 15-20 years
Asphalt shingle roof: 20 years
Faucets, kitchen sinks: 15 years
Gas ranges: 15 years
Cultured marble countertops: 20 years
Dryers and refrigerators: 13 years
Air conditioning units: 10-15 years
Lighting controls: 10+ years
Interior and Exterior Paints: 15+ years
Electric or gas water hearters: 10+ years
Furnaces: 15-20 years

5-10 YEARS
Security systems: 5-10 years
Heat and smoke detectors: 5-10 years
Dishwashers: 9 years
Microwave ovens: 9 years (is it just me...these things seem to last forever)
Carpet: 8-10 years

Hope you had fun playing! If you ever need a review of the improvements you are planning to make, request a copy of our Vendor Directory or assess the value of the one's you've made, give me a call at 404.309.1098.

Yours in Success,
Christan Ross
Your Advocate & Resource in Real Estate

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from us....to YOU!

Quarter one is going to mark numerous changes to HUD, FHA, Appraisals and more.

Don't worry....we'll be in the know to keep you advised of the changes.

Sincerely,

Your Advocate & Resource in Real Estate