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.

Market Statistics for Snellville, GA

Sales in the Snellville, GA area have declined from January 2010 to January 2011. In January 2010 there were 49 closed sales where in January 2011 there were 39. That is a decrease of 20.4%. The closed dollar volume also decreased from $5,959.169 to $3,984,273 for a 33% decrease in sales volume.

Average sales price has also decreased from $121,616 in January 2010 to $102,417 in January 2011. This is a decrease of 15.8%. Although there are decreases in all levels of the market for Snellville, we are still optimistic this will turn around.

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.

This is a day to count our blessings for everything good in our lives. Sometimes we need to be thankful for the challenges we have because they too make us the person we are and help us be strong.

I hope you and your family and loved ones have a wonderful day today. May it be a day filled with good food and love and kindness.

May this be a wonderful and safe beginning of this holiday season.

A Flag on the Grave

Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States. What does that mean? It is a day to recognize those who have served in our armed forces to protect our country. Most people just let the day go by and only think of it if it is one of their listed holidays from work. But a few people stop to think about the meaning of the day and pay recognition to those who served, whether today or in the past.

I have someone who will always be the person I think of on Veteran’s Day. It is my Dad, AMHC John R. Cato, Sr. He is no longer with us on earth but he is waiting for us in heaven. My Dad was very proud of his 22 years in the Navy and serving his country in Korea and Vietnam, and we are very proud of him.

Usually the cemetery with Dad’s grave put flags on the graves of the veterans that served. This year, they chose not to do it. I guess it was their way of cutting costs. Another day to “forget” those buried there.

My Mom wanted to be sure there was a flag on his grave today. He was such a military man, never to get it out of his system. He lived military and died military. He has a flag flowing over his grave today. Dad, we will never forget.

 From my ActiveRain Blog

Staging Photos

Here are a few tips that might help you when you finish your staging and want to take photos for your advertising…

When you take your photos you want to use as wide angle lense as you can. It will enable you to get more of the room in the photo at one time. But remember that you also want to take photos of the details that need to be shown. It might be the crown molding in the living room, the banister on the stairs and those extras in the kitchen cabinets.

You need to have the best shot you can get of the front of the house. Take time to look around and make sure it is staged like the interior is. You want to make sure toys are out of the way and yard hoses are put up and out of sight. Make sure the grass is cut.

If you have an exceptional view, you might want to take a photo from both the inside and out. This takes a little more knowledge of photography, but if you can accomplish it, you will have some interesting pictures.

During this time of year, we begin to decorate for the season. Just remember if you take photos with the decorations, that you also have some without. You don’t want a photo of the wreath on the door at Christmas, when it is July. Pay attention to details.

Fall 2010

What a perfect day it was today! Sun was shining and it was about 78 degrees with no humidity. Stunning!

It is hard to think about freezing weather right around the corner, but it will come. I took advantage of the day and took a few photos from my Mom’s house in LaGrange. We don’t see the sharp color changes of the leaves, but these photos will show a hint of the Fall season upon us. I hope you enjoy!