How to make your kitchen store more

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been organizing the kitchen.  I used to do it for my mother on summer vacation.  I used to do that and wash all the china and put it back in the china cabinet - nice memories!

Now, I'm in a ranch style home with no basement.  My kitchen is average with builder grade cupboards and always short on storage.  The pantry is one of those 24" deep cabinets, but if you pack the cabinet, you won't be able get to the stuff in the back.  And, the older I get, the less I want to bend. 

A good client/friend of mine and I were talking last week and she wanted to organize her cabinets with pull out drawers.  I couldn't believe the prices she was quoted. 

Check out these pictures:

Since I'm a big DIY advocate, I decided to tackle this project myself.  I was able to buy slide out "Elfa" shelving from the Container Store and really pack things in.  I only had to make minor modifications by shortening the shelving tower in the lower cabinets.

Let me know if you want any pointers!  The Elfa shelving is on sale sometimes - it's worth it to wait for the sale.

Things you see when you don’t take the train.

My husband and I took a short trip earlier this month to visit with my sister and her husband while they were in Myrtle Beach. We flew. It was a great, short trip. We can do that because our daughter, Jennifer, flies for Delta and we have flight benefits (Thank you, Jen).

We always take the people mover train at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Especially when going to our gate – gotta get to the gate early and all that. And besides, it’s a quarter of a mile between terminals not to mention the long concourses!

So, when we came home, we landed and debarked at terminal “D”. I was getting down on myself because I hadn’t walked at all on our short trip (I'm in weight watchers). So, when we got down into the lower level to take the train back to baggage claim, I saw a lady, about my age in a wheel chair. I thought to myself, God gave you two good legs, use ‘em. So, I told my husband I’d meet him at baggage claim shortly and took off.

The Rock Ranch, 30 mins south of McDonough, GA

The Rock Ranch near Barnesville, GA

We have six grandchildren and two daughters. This is a treat for me - the daughters are step-daughters and, since I never had kids, the grandkids are always a treat.

Last year we went to Southern Belle Farm here in Henry County.  It was a great, warm, October day.  That  year they had a corn maze made in a likeness of Bobby Cox, the now retired manager of the Atlanta Braves.  The kids went through that and played on everything that was available - a cool slide that goes under ground, a big "jumpy" pillow, they shot the corn canon and Bella (6 years old at the time) got a prize for hitting a target. We went on a hay ride, petted the cows, watched a pig race, fed the goats - great time for all concerned. They all came back to the house.  Monty took the boys and got all of them in the shower and I took the girls - they were dusty and dirty and then we all ate pizza.

Important questions to ask when listing your home.

It’s about you, it’s not about me.

Have you ever seen it? You know what I’m talking about…that insipid, smiling picture of a salesperson on a billboard or bus bench or grocery cart. Maybe they’re even winking.

It’s funny, about 15 years ago when I got in the real estate business, it wasn’t too hard to represent a seller. In the good old days, we could list a house and be closed in 45-60 days and the owner would get what they asked and actually put a few dollars in their pockets. You could actually put a sign in the yard, put it in the MLS, put a lock box on the door and pray and it would sell. No additional marketing required.

Not so easy today. Now, we have to tell people that not only won’t they see the price they paid for the house, but it’s likely they’ll get considerably less. Try explaining that to someone who paid $660,000 and barely squeaked by with a $400,000 sales price or paid $380,000 and sold for $280,000. Sadly, this phenomenon is found in all price ranges. Wouldn’t you want to know that this was likely before you put your house on your market? Wouldn’t you want to know the market trend? That prices are going down? That the offer that’s below your list price is really good? That if you don’t take it, we might get less next month? And we’ll be lucky if the house APPRAISES for THAT lower price?

Why did my taxes go up?

There are a number of reasons:

• The millage rate has increased; 
• The home was previously owned by an elderly person 62 years old or older and they have an elderly exemption which you are not entitled to;
• The home has increased in value;
• The home was new construction and there was no owner-occupant on January 1  (test for whether homestead exemption should be given);
• The home was a rental property or was foreclosed the year prior to sale and there was no owner-occupant on January 1.

Taxes, as listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), are a representation of what the tax office states the property was valued usually the year prior to the sale. Example, tax bill available is for 2010, house sells early in 2011, tax proration at closing is done based on 2010 taxes. Most tax offices publish the tax bill in October; however the assessment is published in the spring. If home is being sold by owner occupant, we may get more accurate information during the year if, in fact, the tax rate is about to change.

Kansas with Kennesaw Symphony Orchestra

My husband is quite the Rock 'n Roll fan.  Thanks to him, we've seen a ton of great performances in Atlanta and the southeast. Yes, the southeast! One time James Tayor was touring and I knew he was going to be in Atlanta.  But we didn't see him in Atlanta, we went to Nashville to see him. Why? Because Nashville has White Castles and Atlanta doesn't.  We've also been to West Palm Beach to see 38 Special and REO.

Last night we went to the Cobb Energy Center to see Kansas.  What a beautiful building - I had never been there before.  I was struck by the elegance of the building.  There is dark woodwork, colorful carpeting and huge glass chandeliers that look like they are made of ribbon, but as you look closely you see that it is delicate twisted glass that shimmers in the light.  There is a 5 or 6 story wall of glass so as you walk up the stairs to the top floor, you can see Atlanta off in the distance.  And the stair way is gorgeous too - instead of pickets, you are protected by glass panels so the view is relatively unobstructed. There is also a 5 story wall of Onyx - gorgeous natural stone illuminated from the back.

It remind me of the first time I went to "The Fabulous Fox Theater" in downtown Atlanta.  That day we saw The Guess Who and Joe Cocker. It was a great evening.  I was struck by the beauty of the Fox and the magical ceiling.

We've been to a lot of places in search of great Rock 'n Roll - we've been to

• The Verizon Amphitheater in Alpharetta - The Steve Miller Band and Boston
• The Gwinnett Center - Transiberian Orchestra, Styx, Reo, Manheim Steamroller, Don Henley and Stevie Nix, James Taylor and Carole King
• Mable House in Mableton - Art Garfunkel
• The Lakewood - a couple of times
• The Fred - Kansas
• Phillips Arena - Simon and Garfunkel, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, The Eagles, Manheim Steamroller, Transiberian Orchestra
• Chastain Park - Heart, Joan Jett, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Jackson Brown
• The Tabernacle - Jackson Brown

Plus, we've seen a variety of princesses, muppets, witches and blue men, etc. with the grandkids and daughters at The Fox, Phillips Arena and the Gwinnett Center.

And, you can see major league football, basketball and baseball as well as college football and basketball and AAA baseball.

There isn't a weekend where there isn't something fun, cultural, sports or otherwise to do in and around Atlanta.

Not only would we love to help you find your perfect home, but we are always available for inquiries regarding things to do in Atlanta.  If you need a tip, give us a call.

The tax man commeth and he's not always fair.

Since we have lost so much value in our properties, some folks haven't thought to have their taxes reviewed and are paying more than they should. 

I have had many clients ask me about how to appeal their taxes, so I thought I'd share what the Tax Assessor's office in Henry County, GA, told me today. 

Did you know that Roswell might have been Barrington?

I took a rare day off yesterday with my good friend, Leslie Jeffrey. 



Barrington Hall Side View



I had purchased tickets to a Southern Trilogy Tour of Homes through Groupon back in early summer and we vowed that we would tour these homes once the weather cooled off and yesterday was nice and cool.  The tickets allowed us to tour Smith Plantation, Barrington Hall and Bulloch Hall.  Leslie lived in Roswell for some time and had never been to see any of the homes.  Although I have been to the Swan House and the Atlanta Historical Society, I know nothing about the northern suburbs and so it was quite an adventure for me.

I was a little off in our planning and we got to Barrington Hall "after the hour".  Tours begin "on the hour".  So we explored the gardens first and then had a private tour - just the two of us with the docent.  It was great.  I had been to Stone Mountain, but all the structures there had been moved to the site.  This was the original house, owned by Roswell Barrington! Who knew? I had no idea such a beautiful, original home existed so close to Atlanta! 



Smith Plantation



After that tour, we went to lunch at a lovely cafe - Oak Street Cafe - nice atmosphere and tasty lunch.  And then, we proceeded to go to the Smith Plantantation.  We had a great guide by the name of Jane.  She made it very interesting and she spoke about Mamie Cotton, the domestic who stayed on beyond the death of Mrs. Smith, because of the life estate that had been left to her.

Unfortunately, we were unable to see Bulloch Hall which was closed in preparation for a quilt display.  We'll go back soon to see Bulloch Hall and follow that with shopping at the quaint local antique shops.  It's fun to explore!  There are actually a lot of great venues to explore in and around our area.  Stay tuned for additional places of interest.

Never saw so much OSB in a tract home!

Monty and I were driving through a new home subdivision the other day.  Remember that this is 2011 and building has just about stopped in Metro Atlanta.  So, watching a home being built is a fairy rare occurrence these days.

But, I was just awe-struck by the fact that the entire home is sheathed in oriented strand board (OSB).  See photo below. When this house gets its exterior siding, it will have an all brick front and hardi-plank siding on the sides and rear.

About a hundred years ago, when I first moved to Atlanta (really 1986), I wrote a contract

Pay for college or retirement - why choose?

Buy a piece of real estate for each child and avoid the dilemma...

I watched this story on the Today show today. (If you are on an ipad, you may need to
click here).

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It's a debate on how or if  you should fund your child's education or your retirement fund.  I submit to you that you can do both!

This has always been a sore topic for me. I am first generation Italian.  I am the last of 5 children.  I would have loved to go to college.  But, my parents worked very hard, my father was a steel worker and my mother was a seamstress in a factory. Although I wouldn't consider us poor, I certainly wouldn't consider us rich. I didn't want to be a drag on them - they were in their late 50's and early 60's when it was time for me to go to college.  For some reason, the State of New York said they made too much money in order for me to qualify for any tuition assistance. 

Has it come to this? and why you shouldn't wear crocs to a crime scene.



First break-in - too much
broken glass for crocs

 Yes, I did wear crocs to this crime scene - thieves threw a big rock through the door which caused the alarm to go off.  There was glass everywhere.  I couldn't go into the house all the way. I had to tip toe gingerly into the kitchen so I could survey some of the damage. They smashed the thermostat and the alarm control panel off the wall. We dealt with that break-in and about a month later... another theft at the same house.

I got a phone call from a fellow who was the neighbor of one of my listings.  He used to cut the grass for the homeowner and wanted to get in touch with her.  I gave him the information and then he said, "By the way, did you know the air conditioner is missing?"

No, I didn't know the air conditioner was missing! Very frustrating! So, I ranted on facebook for a minute and two friends commented.

One said, "While my rental is vacant, I had the appliances and the air conditioner removed until I get a new tenant."

The other said, "In some areas, we don't advertise the address of the rentals we manage nor do we put a sign in the yard."

Amazing!

I will be talking to my alarm company representative and see how hard it is to put a sensor on the air conditioning compressor so that if someone tries to steal it, the alarm will go off.

Of course, it didn't help that when the owner moved out she:

• Took the curtains off one of the front windows
• Didn't have anyone cutting the grass
• Didn't ask any neighbors to  park in the yard
• Generally left the place looking abandoned...

I welcome any words of wisdom.

Straight Talk About Internet Real Estate Sites

Years ago, real estate was a closed industry. By that, we mean that the public had no way to easily access the current inventory of available homes without the services of a real estate professional. Indeed, inventory was a closely-held secret with agents having the 'book'... literally a phone-book sized publication that they guarded with their lives. After all, the old axiom is that 'knowledge is power'. In those days, buyers based their purchase decision based upon what they were shown, not what was available. In the late 1990s, the real estate industry transitioned to an internet-based model and, Eureka, consumers now had access to all the available inventory. Big improvement, right? Maybe not.

While legitimate brokers and agents now display their inventories on the internet and each other’s sites, the past few years have given rise to a type of provider known as an 'aggregator'. An aggregator, simply stated, is an entity that's not directly involved in the sale of real estate but collects a fee for being nothing more than a matchmaker. They also allegedly provide “value added” services such as access to information about sold

What’s Your Balance?

Financing outside the box...

I hadn’t heard of this either, but, believe it or not, people are doing it. They are buying foreclosures in Georgia with credit cards.

A good friend of mine said, Carla, you have the money to buy that foreclosure—put it on a credit card. I thought she was crazy, but believe it or not, now you can buy a house, not just a building lot, but a real live house for just over $10,000.

Yes, you need to fix it up, but if the foundation is sound and the framing is OK and interior walls, and fixtures are OK, you’re getting all that AND the land! It’s a beginning.  Look at the pictures below of these foreclosure homes that were fabulous deals.

Foreclosures down in Metro Atlanta




Information provided by Data Intelligence Corporation

  The chart above shows data for the metropolitan Atlanta area.  It charts the number of properties involved in foreclosure notices; the number of foreclosures; and the number of bank-owned sales. 

As you can see, the number of foreclosure notices as well as the number of foreclosures is down dramatically from a high of 12,739 and 6,097, respectively, compared to September of last year.  

Trash to treasure in one easy loan

This home was dirty and had been stripped! It was missing the entire kitchen, the 2 AC compressors, 17 interior doors, one furnace, the pull down attic stairs, lots of electrical fixtures, 1/2 of the master bath vanity, the hall bath vanity. And, it had termites.