My Country Walk Blog

Hi Neighbors,

The Country Walk annual 4^th of July parade and festivities will be this Friday.  So I hope everyone has planned to have a decorated float, bike, car, etc. in the parade.  If you own a business and want free advertising and want to have an entry – you are welcome to showcase away.  We have 8 categories in which you will be judged on.  Registration and parade line up begins on the corner of Bradford Lane and Country Walk Drive at 9am.  The parade will start around 9:30am.  If you are not participating in the parade, feel free to put out a chair and cheer our entries on.  After the parade we will have balloons and popsicles for all the kids.  Then around 11:30 we will have pizza, drinks, and a DJ in the pavilion so bring your bathing suits and cool off after while you are waiting.  Announcements of the parade winners will be just before lunch is served. 

I would like to thank all those that have volunteered so far, but we still need a few more hands.  If you are willing to help, please let me know. 

Also, don’t forget about the Powder Springs 4^th of July Celebration in the Powder Springs Square.  For more information about this you may go to www.cityofpowdersprings.org. 

If you’re not attending or you’re out of town, well I hope you have a Happy 4^th of July! 

Sincerely,

Barbara Southard

Country Walk Social Chairperson

As of today there are 816 homes for sale in Powder Springs, Cobb County, Georgia.

From Jan1, 2008 through May 31,2008 there have 231 homes sold in the same area for an average of 46.2 hoes sold per month.

What this means is that at the current rate of absorbtion we have a 17.6 month supply of homes for sale. The realty is that many of the homes currently for sale will not sell. The homes that will sell are price at the midddle to lower price point for similar homes and they are in ready to move in condition.

The good news is that there are still buyers out there. The bad news is that “top dollar” today is not what it was last year. If you are selling your current home and moving to another home in the Atlanta area all of this really does not present much of a problem. Whatever theoretical loss or discount that you may take on your current home can be made up on the purchase of your next home. You may even come out ahead on the whole thing if you can adjust to the idea of a correct price on your current home.

View all Powder Springs homes for sale at www.PowderSpringsHomes.info

For the last four years on the Saturday before Memorial Day, my son and I have gone with the scouts to decorate the graves at the National Cemetary in Marietta. This is a truly amazing experience. There are over 18,000 graves on about 23 acres and the scouts put flags on every one of them.

Like I said, it’s a very moving experience. We had the honor of paying tribute to people like Lt Colonel Nick Karl Stanislo who I don’t know but he served in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam.

But also honored the unknown soldiers like unknown 4503

Remember that Memorial day is about more than potato salad and bbq. Take a few minutes this weekend to give thanks for Lt Col Stanislo, unknown 4503, and the hundres of thousands of others who have served so that we may live free.

About 3:30 or so today, when the storms started rolling through, my daughter and I were standing in our kitchen and heard a loud smack of lightning. You could hear the sparks. I knew it was the closest I’ve ever been to lightning but I didn’t know where it hit.

A few minutes later, I was out on my front porch talking on the phone and looked around and still didn’t see anything but I knew something nearby had been hit.

Evidently it slowly smoldered for a while because when I walked outside about 4pm the poLice and my neighbor were out front waiting for the firetrucks!

Every one got out ok and the home is still standing. There is some pretty serious fire damge and a lot of water damage bu tit would appear to me that the home can be saved.

So here is the bottom line …. we have a neighbor who will need some help. I don’t know what maybe securing the home or packing some stuff for storage. This could have been worse and it could have been any one of us, so lets all be ready to help!

Hey, I know that this has nothing to do with Country Walk, but what the heck ….
One of the things about blogging is that we are supposed to write about things to help people get to know us. I thought of this fun fact about myself the other night and had to share.

I believe that Elvis is alive. There, I said it. Now, let me say that I am not a huge Elvis fan. I don’t memorialize his birthday or the date of his alleged death. I don’t think that I even own an Elvis record.

After looking at the Elvis is alive conspircies I just think that the chances are better than 50/50 that he faked his own death. Know doubt that many of you have heard the theories and all of the long list of “facts” that support them. There are 2 items that rally make me think:

1. The name on his grave is mis-spelled. Just a small clue that he might not be in there. C’mon, don’t you think that if it was a mistake that somebody would have fixed the spelling?

2. This is the big one for me. $1,000,000 life insurance policy was never cashed in! Of course the reason is that if was cashed it would be fraud since he is still alive!

So why would he fake his own death? I have always believed that it was simply to escape the life that he had created for himself. Elvis was just a simple southern boy and no longer could stand the trappings of his own stardom. The other theory is that he is in witness protection because of some sort of testimony that he was going to give against the mob. Of course that would explain alot about how he was actually able to pull the whole thing off. The feds were helping.

I don’t lose any sleep over any of this. Honestly I am not real concerned whether it is true or not. But like I said, it think it is better than 50/50 that he is still out there somewhere.

Remember, when the big news breaks, that I am the one who told you so!

p.s. Since Elvis is alive, that makes him the first living person to have a memorial postage stamp made … Hey, why not if the Feds were in on the whole thing anyway

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If you want to buy or sell a home in the Atlanta area please give me a call.

Bob Southard Solid Source Realty

Home Listing and Sales Foreclosure Prevention Services

Real Estate Consulting and BPO Services Foreclosure and Asset Management

770 -656-9134

Email: Bob@AgentBobSells.com

If you weren’t at the HOA meeting last Tuesday then you might not have seen the great new improvements to our community room. The repairs to the window have been made and the room has painted.  Yeehah!  No more “purple” walls.

Seriously, the room looks great, so thanks to the board and the other folks who got this work done.  It really makes our  space look great!

Country Walk subdivision is located in Powder Springs, Georgia, 30127.  To view Country Walk homes for sale visit www.MyCountryWalkHome.info

The end of the school year pool party is scheduled for Satuday May 31 from 12-3.  Lauren and Mandy have worked hard and it should be a fun time for everybody.

If you are planning on being there please rsvp so we know how much pizza to order :-).

Thanks

Yippee!  This weekend is pool opening time.  Scot will be there during the day Saturday and Sunday to isue ID cards.

Also, remember that if you owe HOA dues you need to contact NMS and get those paid you that you and the kids can play in pool.  Also, if you have outstanding acc violations, then those will need to be adressed as well.

See you there!

Alternatives to Foreclosure

So, your house is in foreclosure… now what?!? Georgia has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country and homes in Country Walk are no exception.  Try to look at the situation without attaching your emotions. If viewing the situation from a strictly business viewpoint, you can more successfully analyze which option might best suit your needs and desires and move you towards resolving your financial difficulty. One very important thing to remember: Time is of the essence, so sit and take serious thought of your situation and take quick action in order to allow yourself enough time to complete the chosen process.

Nine options when facing Foreclosure

1. Do Nothing – If a homeowner does nothing, they most likely will lose their home at foreclosure auction. Loan applications generally ask if the applicant has ever been foreclosed upon. Credit reports also disclose this damaging information. Not the best option. The Sheriff or Marshall will certainly show up one day and give you from 20-30 minutes to gather what belongings you can carry and vacate the premises. There is no dignity in this scenario.

2. Payoff/Refinance – Completely paying off the entire loan amount plus any default amount and fees. Usually this is accomplished through a refinance of the debt. New debt is at a normally higher interest rate and there may be a prepayment penalty because of the recent default. With this option, there should be equity in the home. With the recent foreclsoure prevention initiatives passed by congress, this may be more of an option than you might think.

3. Reinstatement – Paying the entire default amount plus interest, attorney fees, late fees, taxes, missed payments and fees.

4. Loan Modification – Utilizing the existing mortgage company to refinance the debt or extend the terms of the loan. This may allow the homeowner to catch up at a more affordable level. To qualify, you must prove to the lender you have fixed the problem that caused the late payment.

5. Forbearance – Lender may be able to arrange a repayment plan based on the homeowner’s financial situation. The lender may even be able to provide a temporary payment reduction or suspension of payments. Information will be required by the lender to show that you are able to meet the new payment plan requirements. You must show you can recover from the hardship.

6. Partial Claim – A loan from the lender for a 2^nd loan to include back payments, costs and fees. Credit must be hugh enough to qualify.

7. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure – Give the property back to the bank instead of the bank foreclosing. Banks require the home be well maintained, all mortgage payment and taxes must be current. The home must be listed at fair market value for at least 90 days with no offers before this option may be exercised. Most loan applications ask if this has ever happened.

8. Bankruptcy – This option can liquidate debt and/or allow more time. Be sure to consider if this is an actual solution or are you just buying time to avoid the inevitable?

–Chapter 7 (Liquidation) To completely settle personal debt.

–Chapter 13 (Wage Earner Plan) Payments are made toward a plan to pay off debts in 3-5 years.

–Chapter 11 (Business Reorganization) A business debt solution.

9. Sale – If the property has equity (money left over after all loans and monetary encumbrances are paid). The homeowner may sell the home without lender approval through a conventional home sale. In this case, the homeowner will get cash from the sale.

On the other hand, a Short Sale, also known as a pre-foreclosure sale, can be negotiated with your lender by an experienced Real Estate Professional if what is owed is MORE than the property’s current value.

*Make sure that your real estate professional has experience and training regarding the short sale process and do not pay any huge upfront fees for home retention services.

If you sell the home your credit record may simply reflect that you had some late payments and now you have a $0 balance.  It will be much easier to re-establish credit and obtain a mortgage in the future.

 The bottom line is this - Communicate with your lender! They do not want your house.  Some lender also contract with home retention specialists to communicate with the home owner.  If you are contacted be sure to comminicate.  The job of the home retention specialistis to help you avoid foreclosure - they are collection agents.

 If you need help please be sure to ask for it.  Do not ignore the situation.

 In addition to being a REALTOR(R), I am a Home Retention Specialist with Titanium Solutions.  I have successfully negotiated several short sales (including the home that I am living in) and helped several home owners re instate their mortgage and keep their homes.

Please fell free to contact me if I can help.  770-656-9134 or countrywalk@AgentBobSells.com

Country Walk subdivision is located in Powder Springs, Georgia, 30127.  To view Country Walk homes for sale visit  www.MyCountryWalkHome.info