Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! We had a costume contest in our office today. Everyone looked so great! Here are some pictures of the fun:

Everyone all dressed up!

Suzie dressed as Sarah Palin - she looked just like her!

Our fabulous lenders dressed as the Dynamic Duo

Gloria and Patty as ABBA

Melinda, the native Texan, as a Cowgirl, Sarah Palin, Me and Paula the Cavewoman

Paula's costume was great!

Melinda and our office manager Doris

Now Is The Time to Buy!

We had a great presentation in our sales meeting this morning about the benefits of buying a house now - as opposed to when the market bottoms and starts rising. Many people are waiting to purchase a property once the market hits the bottom. The problem is, when will we know when it hits the bottom? The bottom of any market is not an absolute position, but a relative position to a rising market. Because of this relative nature, the bottom of a market can only be determined in hindsight. Therefore, one cannot knowingly purchase at the bottom. So then the obvious questions is "Should I buy before or after the bottom?" Purchasing after the bottom carries the benefit of immediate appreciation, but it also brings the risk of higher interest rates, fewer homes available and multiple offer competition.

Here are the key benefits to buying before the market bottoms:

1. Lower Interest Rates - They will rise when the market starts rising
2. More Inventory - In a rising market you choices are fewer
3. Relaxed Pace - A rising market brings buyer competition and multiple offers
4. Time in Home - By buying NOW you can ENJOY the home

"Scary-etta" Trolley Tour

This past Friday night we went on the Scary-etta Trolley Tour. The tour is a combination of the Ghosts of Marietta walking tour and the Historic Marietta Trolley Company. The 90 minute tour left from the Trolley Company's office on Church Street, and included stops in front of the Marietta Museum of History, the Glover House on Whitlock, the Confederate Cemetery, the National Cemetery, the Root House and many other haunted places. We did not manage to see any ghosts, but we had a ton of fun! The Scary-etta Trolley Tour is happening nightly through November 1st, after that you can catch it the first Friday of the month. The Ghosts of Marietta walking tours are nightly year round. Visit www.ghostsofmarietta.com for more details.

Me, Hillary and Rachel partaking in some fun while waiting for the tour to start.

Waiting to board the Trolley - Me, Hillary, Melissa, Skully, Becky and Courtney

Harry Norman's President to be on WSB-TV Tonight!

Martha Hayhurst, President of Homeservices of Georgia (which owns Harry Norman and Jenny Pruitt), was interviewed today on WSB-TV Channel 2. Her interview, which will focus on the housing market, will air during their 5pm and 6pm news cast this evening. Please be sure to check it out!

Welcome to Our Real Estate Blog!

Welcome to our Real Estate blog! The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed of what's going on in the ever changing real estate market, to let you know about events in and around the City of Marietta, and, most importantly, to let you know that our real estate business is still going STRONG and that we are here to serve you and your real estate needs!

Joanna is originally from Marietta, Ga and has lived in the area almost her whole life, with the exception of her college years in Athens. Carson was born and raised in Marietta and has also lived in the City most of her life, with the exception of her college years which were split between Tuscaloosa, AL and downtown Atlanta.

Joanna has been in the real estate industry for over 16 years. She has been in Harry Norman's Cobb Marietta office her entire career. About 2.5 years ago, Carson left her Account Executive position with an advertising agency to join Joanna in real estate and has never looked back. Joanna's prolonged knowledge of personal real estate and the market, and Carson's advertising, marketing and technology skills make for one great real estate team! Despite the current market, we still love what we do and are very passionate about real estate and helping people meet their real estate goals.

Please do not hesitate to contact one of us with your real estate questions. We hope you enjoy our blog and check it frequently. Please leave us a comment too - we would love to hear from you!