Interested in how your zip code compares to the one you are moving to? Want to know how schools compare, housing prices, weather, crime and more? Just visit my website for up-to-date information. Visit www.SearchConyersHomes.com  Change the zip code to the one you are interested in and then enjoy the information. Need to know information on the home buying and selling process? Lots of articles that are updated often.

Want the latest foreclosures in Snellville, GA? It’s right there on my website waiting for you to ask. Spend some time and search for the information you want. You should be able to find it here.

Here are some activities you might want to participate in January in the metro Atlanta area.

Camp Kingfisher/Craft week-Jan 2-6 Chattahoochee Nature Center Roswell- chattnaturecenter.com -770-992-2055

Dia de los Reyes Festival- Jan 7 -Cultural Arts Center. Douglasville – artdouglas.org- 770-949-2787

The Presige Concert-Jan. 8-Callanwolde Fine Arts Center-callanwolde.org – 404-872-5338

Atlanta Boat Show- Jan 12-15-Georgia World Congress Center-atlantaboatshow.com-954-441-3220

Monster Jam-Jan 14-Georgia Dome-monsterjam.com-404-784-5650

Restaurant Week-Jan 14-22-historic Roswell downtown-roswellrestaurantweek.com – 404-888-9348

Great Southern Fishing Show-Jan 21-22-North Atlanta Trade Center, Norcross-northatlantatradecenter.com-770-279-9899

This is a time of year when we think of the past and are excited about the future. This past year has been a challenging year for many of us while some have actually had their best year yet. I wish that were my case, but I am in the basket with the challenged. I know our challenges make us grow and I have learned so much in the past couple of years. I never thought I was a person who took things for granted and wasted the things I had. I can tell you that I no longer take things for granted. I appreciate all I have and doubly appreciate all those I love.

I could not write this post about this year without mentioning my precious Mama. She was my best friend. I always knew that people are not with us forever. We all have our time here on earth and we are each here for a reason. My Mom only wanted to be a mother and she was. She said that is what made her the happiest. So each day she showed me love and appreciation. What a gift to me! February 18 she was called home to Heaven.  I know she is not suffering now, but I miss her so.

As we look forward to the new year, I hope you will take the time to love. There are many kinds of love and different people need different kinds of love. Be there for those you care for and let them know you care. You might not get another chance.

Be optimistic about the new year. We don’t know what will happen to us or for us, but we should do the best with what we have. We are given our challenges for a reason and if we don’t let them get the best of us, we  can move forward and not back. We can have a better life but a different life. Just like the butterfly breaking out of its cocoon and blossoming into something beautiful, I’m sure it did not know what the world had in store for it, but when it shed the layers of its old life, something beautiful and new came into existence.

May you have a very Merry Christmas and Holiday season and may your 2012 be the beginnings of something beautiful for you.

During the summer season, we try to find activities that will interest our family but not cost a lot of money. There are quite a few “trails” around the state that will direct you to a variety of activities and sites to see. I hope you will enjoy a day trip with the family and explore our beautiful state.

Trails Around Georgia

• Chieftains Trail: www.chieftainstrail.com
• Civil War Heritage Trails: www.civilwarheritagetrails.org
• Civil Wart Heartland Leaders Trail: www.civilwaringeorgia.com
• Colonial Coast Birding Trail: www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1356
• Folk Potters Trail: www.foldpotterymuseum.com/fptrail.html
• Georgia’s Blue and Gray Trail:  www.blueandgraytrail.com/trail
• Georgia’s Revolutionary War Trail: www.georgiasocietysar.org/revtrail/grwt.html
• Georgia’s Treasures Along I-20: www.treasuresalongi20.org
• Georgia Wine Highway: www.georgiawine.com/georgia-wine-country-map
• Heritage Highway441:  www.441heritagehighway.org
• Hospitality Highway:  www.hospitalityhighway.com
• Magnolia Trail:  www.magnoliahighway.com
• Northeast Georgia Arts Tour: www.artstour.org
• Okefenokee Trail:  www.okefenokeetrail.org
• Peach Blossom Trail: www.users.millenicom.com/pbt
• Scenic Hometown Highway:  www.georgiausahighway27.com
• Scenic Highway 197:  www.scenic197.com
• Southern Highroads Trail:  www.southernhighroads.org
• Southern Literary Trail:  www.southernliterarytrail.org
• Southern Quilt Trail:  www.southernquilttrail.com
• Woodpecker Trail:   www.woodpeckertrail.com

This wonderful list of trails was collected by Linda Erbele in the GEMC Georgia Magazine.

Buyers-Are You Ready?

The media blasts us with information on how buyers can purchase a home at half price. What does that really mean? Half price from the highest time it was on the market or half the price it is listed for sale now. Buyers need to be realistic and discuss the market with their realtor. A realtor has the experience and tools available that will help them offer the best price for a home.

Buyers should get prequalified before they start looking for a home. This will help them find out how much home they will qualify for, what type loan they should have and the biggest question, if they will qualify at all. Once they have this letter, it does not ensure they will be able to get the loan without additional information, but it is a basis to start the search. A letter or proof of cash funds must be attached to offers that are made. Sellers want to have some assurance the buyer will be able to buy the property.

Buyers also need to be realistic about the homes they are searching for. Even though the market is flooded with inventory, it is true that the best houses in the best condition and priced correctly, will sell quickly. That long lost of homes they wanted to see might be whittled down to just a couple. Buyers should act on homes they are interested in so they too will get the best price for a home in good condition.

Third Quarter of 2010 saw a steady rise in days on market from 150 to 220 in January for zip code 30305. Price were steadily moving down until December and January where we started seeing a slight increase in prices. We still have a buyers market in Atlanta and buyers can get better deals than any time in this century.

When we live in a home, we forget that everyone might not like the same things we do. Now is the time to take a good look at your home and your bedrooms to see how you can make it more dream-like.

Here are a few areas to consider:

1. Lighting-it is amazing how a higher wattage bulb can help the room look better. Check yours to see if you might install a brighter bulb.
2. Windows-this is the time to be the person who “does windows”. Make sure they are clean and there are no cracks in the panes. If the glaze needs replacing, do that. You will be surprised how much better they will look.
3. How do the doors look? If they need painting, paint them. Most doors need a good cleaning at a minimum. Do the doors open and shut correctly? If not, fix them.
4. Art work-the best stagers remove all the personal photos in the house. Now is the time to remove them and patch any holes that are left in the walls.
5. Ceiling fans-everyone loves ceiling fans in a bedroom, but make sure they are clean and working appropriately. Nothing like a squeaky fan to keep you from sleeping.
6. Walls-are they painted a neutral color? If there paneling or wallpaper on the walls? These should be removed and a nice coat of paint applied to the walls.
7. Floors-if you have carpet, does it need cleaning or need to be replaced? This is something that will be noticed by your prospective buyer so take care of it before they see the house.
8. Does the room look clean? Make the beds and be sure that everything is picked up off the floor. It’s time to be neat and tidy.

These are some ideas for the bedrooms, but actually is good advice for all rooms in the house. Take care of the small things now and they won’t become big things when you get a contract.

Are You Going to Remodel?

Atlanta sellers have a lot of competition in today’s market. Only the best houses that are priced right and in good condition, are the ones that sell. There is an abundance of foreclosed properties and short sales that regular sellers have to compete with.

So the conversation of remodeling might come up with the seller. It is important not to overdo the remodel, but to realize there are certain things that buyers are comparing between houses.

Here are a few:

1. Total square footage
2. Any upgrades that have been done and well as general repairs
3. Number of bedroom
4. Number of bathrooms
5. Utility cost per month
6. Heating and air conditioning
7. Does it have a basement? Is it finished?
8. Car storage, garage, how many cars?
9. Type of flooring-hardwoods, ceramic tile, carpet?
10. How old are the kitchen appliances and what color are they?
11. Deck or patio?
12. Are window treatments included? What do they look like?
13. How is the curb appeal?

There are other things buyers look at, but these are looked at by all buyers. You might not be able to do anything about square footage of a house, but you can make sure it has nice window treatments.

If you have any questions about which remodeling jobs will bring the most attention by a buyer, just let me know. I help Atlanta sellers in all facets of selling their home.

I want to wish each of you a very merry Christmas. Even if you do not celebrate this holiday, I hope you will be able to spend the time with your family and friends and those you love.

This has been a challenging year for many people and I hope the new year will bring good health, and prosperity to all.

Since August, the prices have been declining in 30305 while the days on market have increased.  This is indicative of the buyers market we are experiencing in most areas of Atlanta. It remains a good time to buy in the Atlanta area due to low prices, high inventory and low interest rates.