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.