R.E. Real Estate Magazine Spring 2010

M E T R O AT L A N TA E D I T I O N > S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0

Rachel Mooney Inspiring Success plus

Inspector’s Report and

Realtor Resource Directory

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Attitude is Everything

Publisher Lawrence A. Cohen publisher@remagazines.com

Karon Warren editor@remagazines.com

Photographer Sundra Paul www.ananchel.com

Database Administrator Lynn Paul circulation@remagazines.com

Graphic Design/Production Felicia Kahn feliciakm@gmail.com

Contributing Writers Sarah Anne Gleim Greg Herder David Lelak

Board of Advisors Jim Cochran Carol Flammer Dan Forsman Kevin Levent Sandra McCrary Jenny Pruitt Walter Sanford Tom Spurlin

R.E. Magazine® is published quarterly

by REM Publishing, LLC., 3036 Leafwood Drive SE., Marietta, GA 30067.

Phone: 770-956-7100 FAX: 770-956-7105

www.remagazines.com R.E. Real Estate Magazine is printed

by Executive Press, Richardson, TX, using earth-friendly printing techniques, including FSC-certified paper, and soybased inks and biodegradable coatings.

Subscriptions are free for Realtor® Board or Association members in Metro Atlanta. Allow 6-8 weeks for new subscriptions.

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from the publisher

Editorial Consultant

I recently read something written by a very successful salesperson, who attributed their amazing success to 5% talent, and 95% attitude. The very best salespeople are not usually blessed with any supernatural powers of persuasion, but almost always have an extraordinary work ethic! It’s that Can Do attitude that separates the true sales leaders from the rest of the pack.

The good news is, attitude is self-determined. It is not something you are given or stumble upon, but something that you develop, and work on every day. Rachel Mooney knows this, and has spend much of her career helping to coach and motivate other real estate agents to develop the work habits and the attitude of success. Her training has inspired countless agents to success. Today, as the owner of her own newly formed company, The Property Shop, Rachel continues to make coaching an integral part of her company culture, pushing her agents a bit beyond their comfort zone in order to help them achieve their goals. Read this month’s cover story to learn how this entrepreneur has blended her passion for helping others with her desire for a small “community” business to achieve her own goals of success and happiness!

The buzzword in marketing these days is definitely Social Media. Indeed, the proliferation of Twitter and Facebook, among others, has sparked a revolution of sorts in online marketing. (Shameless self promotion – Come visit OUR fan site at www.facebook.com/remagazine. You’ll find hundreds of pictures from real estate events all over metro Atlanta!) However, let’s not forget the basics, which is your own personal website. Like an “electronic business card,” your website is your public face on the Internet, and you don’t want that face to look old and wrinkled! Real estate Marketing Maverick Greg Herder gives you his tips for making sure your website is fresh, relevant, and is still helping you achieve your marketing goals.

Hope everyone out there is enjoying the slightly cooler weather after one of the most scorching summers we’ve experienced in recent memory. While the weather may be cooler, it’s still time to keep turning up the heat in your real estate business! Fall is a great time to show homes, and we wish all of our reader a busy and profitable sales season! All signs point to the market’s continued recovery, and we’ll still be here to inspire, motivate, and educate our readers on the best ways to move ahead in the months and years to come!

Live Passionately!

Lawrence A. Cohen Publisher

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Your Real Estate Website: marketing maverick

Helping or Hurting Your Lead Generation?

An outdated website can do more harm than good, making you look out of touch. Here is a list of 10 key indicators to determine whether or not you might be due for an update.

By Greg Herder, CRB 1. Size Does Matter Today’s best websites look different from the moment your browser lands on them. From a purely technical standpoint, if your site is not a minimum of 800 pixels wide, it’s time to consider a redesign.

2. Get Social Does your site include links to all of your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? The more you can integrate social media into your site, the more it will provide the valuable “new content” that leads to high rankings in search engines.

3. Branding Matters Far too often agents fail to convey their personal brand on their website. Ask yourself the following questions: What will be visitors’ first impression? What emotional response will they have to your site? Does your website differentiate you from other agents? Does it convey a sense of high quality?

If your site isn’t doing a good job answering these questions satisfactorily, it’s time to consider making a change to your website.

4. Continuity is Key Continuity of message and your look is an important element in building a personal brand. That means that anything and everything you do – direct mail, fliers, handouts and website – should have a consistent, instantly recognizable look. If your site doesn’t match the look of your other marketing activities, it’s time to make a change.

5. Converting Visitors into Leads It’s essential that you have a system and technology in place to compel visitors to sign up and give you their information.

From special report offers to periodic market update requests and more, effective lead-capture tactics are essential to making your website a strong business

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generator. After initial contact and lead qualification, a maintenance follow-up of one to two emails a month is a good plan.

6. Keep It Simple The best sites are those with simple, clean navigation that deliver content people actually want and provides value. Create an easy-to-navigate site that puts the emphasis where it belongs – on conveying your personal brand and delivering valuable, relevant content to your visitors.

7. Search Engine Optimization It’s critical that your site properly integrates the most-searched-for keywords in order to generate more traffic to your site. It’s also important to post new content to your site on a regular basis. Links to your site from other sites are also highly beneficial to your ranking in the search engines.

8. Keep It in Working Order Monitor your website to ensure everything is in working order and providing the most value possible to your visitors. If your site has fallen into a state of disrepair, it’s time to consider a new alternative.

9. Copy Counts There’s no doubt the Web is primarily a visual medium. But that doesn’t mean the copywriting doesn’t matter. A poorly written sentence here, a typo or spelling error there, and suddenly you start to desell yourself.

10. When Was Your Last Site Review? Updating your photos is the bare minimum, and you’ll likely find that many of the elements we discussed in this article are lacking from your site.

Greg Herder is a cofounder of Hobbs/Herder, and is one of the most highly respected figures in North America on the topic of personal marketing in real estate. He has written books, articles and seminars on the subject, and consults with many of the industry’s top agents and companies. For more information or to contact Greg Herder, e-mail him at Greg@HobbsHerder.com.

contents S EP T E M B E R 2 0 1 0

VOLU ME 8

N UMBER 3

Cover Story

Rachel Mooney

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While her talents as an agent have earned her significant acclaim, it is her ability to inspire others that has made this star shine bright.

Publisher’s Page Marketing Maverick R.E. People R.E. Calendar

3 4 6 13

R.E. News Inspection Section

18 20

RealtorÂŽ Resource Directory

22

Cover photo by Sundra Paul

Visit our Facebook fan site at: www.facebook.com/remagazine.

Connecttingg You to Youur Best Customer: Easier and Faster Thousands of home listings accross the country and around the world

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people

Ginny Bryant joined nationwide homebuilder Lennar as the company’s director of sales for the new Atlanta division.

Bringing more than 10 Ginny Bryant years of local and national sales and marketing management expertise to the job, Bryant built her career assisting semi-custom homebuilders, production homebuilders and Internet marketing companies in the metro Atlanta market. Most recently, she served as the director of sales and marketing for The Providence Group.

A licensed Realtor®, Bryant is a member of the Greater Atlanta Homebuilder’s Association’s Sales and Marketing Council and a past committee chair on the board of the 50-plus Housing Council. Currently, she is an active member of the e-Women’s Networking and Atlanta Women’s Network.

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With more than five years’ real estate experience, Victoria Brannon joined Stages Realty of Georgia. A certified Short Sale Specialist, Brannon attended the Atlanta College of Art and Kennesaw State University.

Peggy Mercer joined Soleil Laurel Victoria Brannon Canyon, a 330-acre active adult community in Canton, as its newest home sales consultant. For the last five years, she worked as a sales consultant for an Atlanta-area builder that specialized in active adult communities in the north Georgia area.

Kathy Haddock of SD & Associates Real Estate Professionals gained acceptance into the NAR Leadership Academy class. Haddock is a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors®, where she serves as the treasurer of the Georgia chapter.

Kathy Haddock

Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty expanded its team with the addition of Yetty Arp, Jim Glover, Beth Wallace and Chuck Wood. A former vice president of Southeast commercial properties, Arp brings more than 35 years

of experience to her position as broker associate. A member of The Luxury Home Marketing Institute, Glover (R.E. Magazine cover story November Yetty Arp Jim Glover 2004) holds the distinction of being the No. 1 transaction agent for 2005 to 2008 at his previous company. Also involved with his community, he works with The Society of Colonial Wars Charleston, S.C., branch), The French Huguenot Society of South Carolina, First Families of South Carolina, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and St. Jude’s Episcopal Church.

Beth Wallace Dedicated to ongoing education, Wallace is a certified Accredited Buyer Representative, Accredited Relocation Specialist, Senior Marketing Consultant and REO Specialist. In her community, she is a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, past president of the Cherokee Women’s Tennis Association and the Chuck Wood Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Board.

With more than 27 years of experience, Wood received an undergraduate degree in civil engineering as well as a master’s degree in business administration. He also served in the U.S. Navy, where he received the Navy Commendation Medal.

The DeKalb Association of Realtors® welcomed Linda Bardach, RCE, CAE, as its Association Executive. A veteran of the real estate association management industry, Bardach brings more than 12 years of experience with her, most recently as CEO of the Melbourne Association of Realtors® and director of professional development for the Georgia Association of Realtors®.

During her career, Bardach has garnered several awards, including the Award of Excellence and Education from the American Society of Association Executives, the Education Program Award for Realtor® Safety Awareness from the Georgia Real Estate Educators Association, and the 2007 New Program Award and the 2008 Real Estate Educators Association Education Program of the Year Award for Closing the Door on Mortgage Fraud. continued on page 15

Wes Vawter, the #1 agent companywide of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Real Estate, announced the affiliation of James W. Brand as an agent of The Vawter Group, part of the Atlantabased real estate firm. Most recently Sales Jim Brand Manager of Trillium, LLC, the Cashiers, North Carolina luxury mountain home community, Jim Brand has over 25 years experience in sales in both Georgia and North Carolina.

Prudential Georgia Realty welcomed several new members at five of its offices in the metro Atlanta area. John Giffer joined the Buckhead office, bringing 10 years of experience with him from RE/ MAX Greater Atlanta. To better serve

John Giffer

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Rachel Moon

Photo by Sundra Paul

cover story

While her talents as an agent have earned acclaim, it is her ability to inspire others this star shine bright.

Although most of Rachel’s ongoing training with her agents is one-on-one, her monthly team meetings are always special. “I want to make sure that with something they can use in their day-to-day business.”

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R

ey her significant that has made

By Sarah Gleim

achel Mooney is, by her very nature, a born leader and coach. From the time she began her professional career, she has always swiftly risen through the ranks to achieve positions of leadership. It wasn’t until she entered the real estate profession, however, that her real flair for coaching and mentoring began to emerge, and she realized her true calling. Mooney is so passionate in her desire to help other agents that that she recently launched her own real-estate business, The Property Shop in Canton, to allow her to focus more time on helping other agents shape their jobs into lucrative businesses.

Mooney says she values the teaching process so much because when she began her own career in real estate in 1999, veteran agents usually didn’t spend much time coaching beginners. So without an adviser to guide her through the pitfalls of starting a new business, she had to simply dive in headfirst and learn along the way.

“It was basically sink or swim for me,” Mooney recalls about those early days. “Nobody was really there for me so it was basically a ‘figure-it-out-on-your-own’ situation.”

Being the natural go-getter she is, Mooney persevered and took the sink-orswim opportunity and, well, swam away with it. She not only took top honors as the Rockdale County Board of Realtors® Rookie of the Year in 1999, but also continued to make a name for herself in the industry as a Medallion Award winner the first four years of her career. But she knows that not everyone has the same fortitude – and luck – she had in the beginning.

“I’ve known some great agents that just needed to know what steps to take to make their business work,” she explains. “And some that have just needed the motivation or even accountability, and that’s what I want to do when I am consulting.

I push people to go outside of their comfort zone and it can really take them beyond their ceiling.”

I

in our meetings, the agents always walk away

f there’s a real estate agent you’d want to learn from, it’s Mooney. Not only is she passionate about mentoring and training, she’s also zealous about selling real estate. She’s been a real estate success story for nearly 10 years, the last five as an investor/owner for Keller Williams Select Partners in Canton, where she was team leader/managing broker for the past 3. She made quite a name for herself while there, earning several Top Achiever awards, a Culture Award in 2006 and Top Achiever Awards from the Cherokee Association of Realtors® in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

But she also learned how to run a thriving real estate company. “I loved working for Keller Williams,” Mooney says. “It is a great company, but I really wanted to be able open my own local real estate company where I could really focus on a small community business. I also wanted to be able to have a more flexible schedule for my family.”

In the few short months since opening The Property Shop, she has taken much of what she learned from (and loved about) Keller Williams and applied it into her new business plan. The Property Shop is completely locally owned, and there are no overhead fees for agents, something Mooney feels is a value to her agents. And even though The Property shop is still relatively small – it has just eight full-time agents – the company still handles any type of real estate transaction, from new home sales, short sales, foreclosures, traditional home sales and even commercial.

She’s also been able to spend more time with her husband Shane and their two daughters, Olivia, 8 and Lola, 6. What she loves doing most is watching her girls practice their gymnastics – five days a week, no less – in the gym. “I’d never be able to spend the time in the gym with them if I didn’t have this amazing career in real estate,” she says. “It’s given me the chance to watch them grow up, and that’s one of the things I love so much about it.” r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

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M

ooney and her team, “Call Rachel Mooney,” specialize in Cherokee, North Fulton and Forsyth counties, and use the latest hightech search tools and computer technology for marketing their listings, as well as searching for homes for potential buyers. “You really have to educate your clients in a market like this,” explains Mooney. “Consulting with my buyers and sellers on how to get the results they are looking for is essential. They look to us for advice and guidance.”

to be a real estate agent,” she explains. “I know the housing market is going to rebound so I wanted to have my own company up and established when the market returns. When everyone else is scrambling to get in, we will already be ahead of the game.”

In fact, that kind of future business planning is one of the most important things Mooney stressed to real estate agent Kristin Cantrell. The two women worked together for several years at Keller Williams, and Mooney coached Cantrell to set goals to improve her business.

“I’ve known some great agents that just needed to know what steps to take to make their business work…I push people to go outside of their comfort zone and it can really take them beyond their ceiling.”

“Rachel actually consulted with me when I was a brand new agent and helped me get my business where it is today,” Cantrell recalls. “She has definitely been a major influence in my real estate career.”

Cantrell says Mooney suggested monthly and annual goals and how to reach them. “She would say ‘If you want to be here by X, then you have to do this, this and this,’

Photo by Sundra Paul

One might think that starting a new business in these challenging economic times would be extremely difficult, especially one in real estate. Don’t tell that to Rachel! In fact, the slow-down in the housing market is one of the factors that actually helped prompt her decision to move forward and start her own company.

“When the housing market is hot, everyone wants

The Dearman family had their house on the market for two years with two different agents before they listed with Mooney, and their house sold in just four months! “When I work with a client, I think of it as a partnership, so we usually wind up forming great friendships as well!”

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Photo by Sundra Paul

and I would do it. I focus on foreclosures so she told me step-by-step how to get bigger bank clients. Of course there were times when I didn’t meet my goals, but she’s very much a supportive leader and that’s huge in this business.”

Mooney says she loves success stories like Cantrell’s, and is especially gratified to know that her mentoring has helped a new agent’s career blossom. “That’s why I think consulting is so important, because it gives you the opportunity to guide someone as they are starting something new. It can really mean a world of difference for them.”

But equally important, Mooney says, is networking. “I also implore the agents that I consult with to get out and network, network, network,” she says.

Not surprisingly, Mooney practices what she preaches. She’s a member of several real estate organizations, including the 400 North Board of Realtors® and the Cherokee Association of Realtors®.

She’s also a very prominent member of the Cherokee Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors® (WCR), where she is currently president-elect and will be sworn in as the 2011 president in January.

She’s served on numerous boards and “Family time is one of the most important things in my life, which is one of the reasons committees over the last five years, including I started my own company,” explains Rachel. “Olivia and Lola have always been around real estate – Olivia has been to more closings than some experienced agents! vice president of membership in 2009 where Maybe we’re starting a family dynasty!” she helped increase membership by more than 20 percent. And the chapter named her the 2009 Mooney also says she’s excited about the opportunity her title brings. “I’ve been part of the Cherokee Chapter Entrepreneur of the Year, as well.

Kathy Delbridge, a loan officer at First Century Bank for more than three years,” she says. “I can’t wait to be in Roswell, has worked with Mooney for several years able to help continue to grow the chapter because it is a in WCR. They have served on the board together and great organization that does great things.”

One of the things particularly close to Mooney’s worked on both brainstorming sessions and real estate transactions. She says she’s thrilled about Mooney being heart is Cherokee’s Got Talent, an American Idol-style talent show held this past September 11 at Woodstock elected as the incoming president.

“Rachel was a team leader at Keller Williams and I Community Church that the WCR helped sponsor know she will be able to bring those leadership skills to alongside the Cherokee Association of Realtors®. “I’m the team,” Delbridge says. “But she will also bring a lot one of the co-chairs and all of the proceeds benefit of excitement and follow-through skills and resources Habitat for Humanity and the Elm Street Cultural Arts that will help the WCR.” Center,” she says. “It’s a great event.” r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

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Photo by Sundra Paul

Rachel schedules a bi-weekly coaching session with each of her associates, where they work together to develop goals and action steps to achieve them. Here, she works with Sid Holladay on putting together a marketing plan. “Accountability is key,” explains Mooney. “No one ever wants to come into a meeting having not achieved their goals!”

Getting involved in more events like Cherokee’s Got Talent is something Mooney plans to involve The Property Shop in as well. It’s a part of her mission as a small-community business leader to give back. “It’s so important for us to be part of our community,” she says. “that we made it part of our company’s mission statement. I definitely want my team to do that as much as possible.”

That includes team members like agent Linda Larkin, who just joined The Property Shop in July. Larkin and Mooney worked together for several years at her former company where Mooney mentored and consulted Larkin when she was launching her business.

“Rachel was my team leader and was incredibly supportive,” Larkin says. I wouldn’t have left them to work for anybody else. I’m very glad to be working with her again.”

Cantrell, on the other hand, says she was extremely sad to see Mooney leave to start her own business, but only because she wouldn’t be able to work side-by-side with her any longer. “I knew she wanted to go in another direction, so I really couldn’t be happier for her,” Cantrell

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says. “I don’t even work with her anymore, but she just met with me during her own time to help me put together a process manual for my business. She’s a giver and I can’t say enough good things about her, professionally and personally. I know she’ll be successful.”

Sarah Gleim is an Atlanta-based freelance writer who specializes in lifestyle, home and garden, and food writing. She is a regular contributor to Jezebel, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and AirTran GO! among others.

678-283-0629 www.callrachelmooney.com

Calendar of Events October – November 2010 October 8 11:00 – 1:00 DeKalb Association of Realtors® and DeKalb Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® Joint Membership Meeting Vote for 2011 Slate of Officers for Association and WCR Speaker: DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis “The State of DeKalb County Real Estate: Cost: $25 Members Location: Druid Hills Golf Club, 740 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta Website registration: www.dekalbrealtors.org Or call 770-493-6100

October 11, Scramble Format, shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.

7th Annual Children’s Miracle Network Golf Tournament Benefitting Children’s Miracle Network and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cost: $100 per person Location: Chateau Elan Woodlands Course Online Registration. www.play4thekids.com

October 13, 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

Cobb Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® Business Resource and Breakfast Meeting Pumpkin Toss Speaker: Gloria Richardson, Northwest Exterminating Cost: $15 member, $20 non-members Location: Pinetree Country Club, 3400 Mccollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw To Register: email wcrcobb@gmail.com or call: Claudie Biassou 678-522-4969

October 14, 8:00 a.m. SHARP seating N.A.M.A.R. & Gwinnett Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® Breakfast with Senator Johnny Isakson Cost: $15 WCR Members, $20 Non-members Location: 1818 Club, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Duluth Website registration: www.namar.org or call Florence Greeson 770-495-7300

October 20, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cobb Association of Realtors® General Membership Meeting Voting for 2011 Slate of Officers Cost: $20 Members, $25 Non-members Location: Marietta Conference Center, 500 Powder Springs Rd, Marietta Website registration: www.cobbrealtor.com or call 770-422-3900

October 20, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Atlanta Board of Realtors® Extreme Networking Guest Speaker, Steve Palm of Smart Numbers Also, speed networking, door prizes, Hors d’ouevres and drinks Cost: Free for Atlanta Board of Realtors® members Location: Atlanta Realtors® Center 5784 Lake Forrest Drive, Atlanta Website registration: www.abr.org

October 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Atlanta Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® Business Meeting and Luncheon Brandon Beach, president Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce “21st Century Leadership for 21st Century Challenges Cost: $25 WCR Members, $35 Non-members Location: Cherokee Town Club, 155 W. Paces Rd. Atlanta Email reservation to Serena Henry serena.henry@hotmail.com

October 24, 8:00 a.m.

Gwinnett Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® “Hoofin’ for Habitat” 5K Run to Benefit Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity Cost: $20 Pre-registration online or Mail by Oct. 15, $25 at race Location: Start and finish at Kurt’s Restaurant, 4225 Rivergreen Pkwy, Duluth Online Registration. www.wcrgwinnett.org or call Joan Shanks 404-580-4450 or Carol Guse 678-644-6777

October 29 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Atlanta Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® A Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Fundraiser To benefit Georgia Care and Counseling Cost: $125 per person Location: Cherokee Town & Country Club.

155 W. Paces Ferry, Atlanta For info or to purchase tickets: www.atlwcrmurdermystery.com Or call Louri Kearns 678-778-7011 email lkearns@2-10.com

November 18, 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Atlanta Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® Business Meeting and Luncheon Deborah Gilmore, national WCR President and Officer installations Cost: $25 WCR Members, $35 Non-members Location: Piedmont Driving Club, 1215 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta Email reservation: Serena Henry, serena.henry@hotmail.com

November 5-8, NARdiGras National Association of Realtors® Annual Trade Show and Convention Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA For Information and Registration – www.realtor.org

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continued from page 7

his clients, Giffer has earned the Seller Representative Specialist and the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource designations. Outside of the office, he works as a volunteer and official donor with the Atlanta Humane Society.

Francine Bethune and Kris Kolarich, a team specializing in the Atlanta foreclosure market, joined the Midtown office after their previous company, Bo Bridgeport Brokers, merged with Prudential Georgia Realty. Specializing Francine Bethune in bank-owned properties, short sales and foreclosures in Fulton, DeKalb, Henry and Gwinnett counties, the duo were the No. 1 team with Bo Bridgeport in 2009.

At the Cobb office, Lori Greenwald brings four years of real estate experience plus her Accredited Buyer Representative and Short Sales Foreclosure Resource designations to the team.

Previously with Harry Norman, Realtors,

Greenwald is a member of the Million Dollar Club of the Atlanta Board of Realtors®.

Making the switch from Solid Source realty, Harold Smith joined the Towne Lake office. He is a member of the Cherokee Association of Realtors®.

The Northwest office welcomed three new members: Lawrence

Forester,

Harold Smith

Cheryl Lenney and Janet Longmire. Previously with Realty Executives, Forester has earned the Seller Representative Specialist designation and the Real Estate Owned Specialist and is Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource certified.

He is a member of the Cobb Association of Realtors® and the Women’s Council of Realtors®.

Bringing more than 25 years of real Lawrence Forester

estate experience with her from Crye-

Leike Realty, Lenney serves as a Georgia Association of Realtors® director and serves as the statewide vice president

Lori Greenwald

continued on page 17

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of the Women’s Council of RealtorsŽ.

Formerly with Milicki & Associates, Longmire is a graduate of Clark College, an active Cheryl Lenney Janet Longmire member of Toastmasters and a member of Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church.

G

reg

president and managing

broker of ERA Sunrise Realty, recently starting hosting a weekly radio show, House Talk, on Newstalk1340 WGAU in

Julie Brittain

Martin,

Athens,

airing

Designations

Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Martin, who

Julie Brittain of Keller Williams RealtyÂŽ First Atlanta earned the EcoBrokerÂŽ CertiďŹ ed designation after completing a training program on the energy and environmental issues affecting real estate transactions.

was a former radio DJ in his pre-real estate days, conducts interviews with real estate experts on enhancing the home ownership experience.

While the broadcasts cannot be received in the metro Atlanta area, streaming audio can be listened to online at www.1340gau.com, where one can also listen to archived broadcasts of

Have a piece of people-related news? Send information to Editor, R.E. Magazine, 3036 Leafwood Drive S.E., Marietta, GA 30067, or e-mail to editor@remagazines.com.

past shows.

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

17

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Continues Growth Spurt

r.e. news

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate them, and recently became lifetime members Metro Brokers recently acquired Best Mountain of the Million Dollar Club at their local real Properties, which serves Pickens and Dawson estate board. counties and specializes in the Big Canoe area. Founded in 1988, Best Mountain Properties had upwards of $20 million in annual sales volume in the last five years. The firm will now operate under the BHGRE Metro Brokers name, and its 15 sales associates will join the Jasper and Forsyth offices. Tom and Kelly Beechler, broker-owners of Best Mountain Properties, will continue on at BHGRE Metro Brokers as the Beechler Realty Group team. The couple brings more than 19 years of President and CEO Kevin Levent welcomes Kelly and Tom Beechler to the Better combined real estate experience with Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers family.

ABR Annual Trade Show a Great Success Showcase 2010, the Atlanta Board of Realtors® and FMLS annual trade show, was once again a great success, with over 3500 real estate agents, brokers, vendors, and friends gathering to network, learn, and mingle at the Cobb Galleria Centre on August 25. Participants explored the offerings of over 120 vendors, as well as over 16 educations sessions offered throughout the day, including a standing room-only session conducted by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson.

Some of the proceeds from the 10th annual tradeshow once again were slated to benefit the board’s annual construction of a Habitat for Humanity home.

Jeff Ledford, the Georgia Rea l Estate Commissioner and one of the speakers at Showcase 2010, with Rebecca Fletche r, director of the GA Institute of Real Estate.

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

bing Express show off their R.E. Blake Mowe and Renee Arnold of Plum at Showcase 2010 at the Cobb Magazine “Partners’ Profile” reprints Galleria Centre.

DeKalb Association of Realtors Receives Grant for Workforce Housing Issues

ERA Sunrise Realty Acquires The Good Broker

The DeKalb Association of Realtors®, in partnership with Georgia Association of Realtors®, received the Ira Gribin Grant to assist workforce service employees meeting income parameters in the purchase of homes.

The grant will help fund the DeKalb Workforce Housing Initiative Program (DWHIP), which seeks to bring together educated Realtors® and qualified workforce housing buyers to help stabilize neighborhoods and communities by reducing inventories of foreclosed and/or distressed properties in targeted communities throughout DeKalb County.

At this time, partners include Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership Inc., DeKalb County Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Community Capital Bank and Brand Mortgage Company.

The program is offered exclusively to DeKalb association members and includes education such as Short Sale Foreclosure, Expanding Housing Opportunities and Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Several financial institutions featuring various lending products will offer additional classes as well. DAR members will receive homebuyer education materials, and consumer websites will contain the list of DWHIP-approved agents.

E

®

RA Sunrise Realty, a Canton-based real estate brokerage with 8 offices around metro Atlanta and north Georgia, recently acquired ERA The Good Broker, an Atlanta-based firm with over 25 agents.

The merger, completed in early summer, solidified Sunrise Realty’s spot as one of the fastest growing real estate firms in Georgia, as well as the #1 ERA brokerage in the state.

The Good Broker, a real estate company started by three former top-producing agents, Joe Eman and brothers Chris and Jason Brown, has been an ERA affiliate since 2008. All three principals will be staying on with the new company, Eman as Executive Vice President and managing broker of their new Smyrna office, and the Browns continuing to work on technology and support.

President and Managing Broker Greg Martin felt the acquisition would help further several of the company’s key goals. “The integration of The Good Broker was a strategic fit to further our company’s expansion into Cobb County and position us well to further satisfy our service commitments on our relocation contract,” he explained.

“It will also increase the number of HUD sales that we can generate on the north side of Atlanta!”

Have a piece of real estate-related news? Send information to Editor, R.E. Magazine, 3036 Leafwood Drive S.E., Marietta, GA 30067, or e-mail to editor@remagazines.com.

M

(Photo by Lawrence Cohen)

avry Middle School student Daniel Mata is handed the $500 grand prize for his stunning operatic solo at Cherokee’s Got Talent by Emcee Jill Elliot, event chairperson Cassandra Bickel, and Habitat for Humanity’s Anita Arena. The September 11 fundraising event, put on by the Cherokee Association of Realtors and the Cherokee Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors, raised over $4500 for Habitat for Humanity and the Elm Street Cultural Arts Center with ticket sales and a silent auction. Twenty acts, ranging from 5 to “over 50” performed to a packed house, as well as an elite panel of judges, at the Woodstock Community Church. Brothers Lucas and Greyson Freeman took home a cash prize for the audience pick award for their “Dad’s Life” rap act.

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

19

Inspect the Uninspected!

Consider using a home inspector to keep roof contractors on top of things

By David Lelak, guest columnist

i n s p e c t o r ’s r e p o r t

ost people don’t believe that a

M

attic, especially if the owners have not properly vented

new home or new roof needs an

all the vents to the outdoors. We often find bathroom

inspection. Over the years, I have

fan vents and dryer vents vented directly into the attic

found during the home inspection process,

- both of which produce high amounts of moisture.

it does not matter if the roof is old or

Unchecked moisture can promote mold, mildew, and

brand new. Each and every one of them is

wood rot. Natural or static ventilation systems consist of

bound to have a few issues. I just recently

simple vents or covered openings in your attic. These

performed an inspection on a new home,

are typically ridge vents, gable, eave, or roof vents. Many

provided the report to the builders, and

ventilation experts agree that externally baffled ridge

then went back afterwards to perform a

vents, combined with vented soffits, are a very effective

follow-up inspection. The roof was in just

method for ventilating an attic.

about as bad of shape as the first time I went out to the home!

Recently I had two different clients want to make sure that the contractors they hired to repair their homes did

One of the things that I find on a regular

good jobs. In both instances, neither contractor did. One

basis is shingles not being installed

contractor had a few issues that needed to be addressed,

according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Most

but the other one did a less than satisfactory job - to the

manufacturers’ recommendations are to have four nails

point that he had to tear the roof off and redo parts of it. If

per shingle. I have found three or less nails on several

you know of someone who has experienced recent storm

occasions. During a heavy wind storm or tornado,

damage and had a contractor come out and do repairs,

those shingles that have less nails than recommended

have them find a good inspector to go over the work. A

invariably tear loose. You also want to make sure that you

nominal fee can save you thousands.

don’t have any nails showing. Anytime you have exposed

Thinking of getting your roof redone? You might also

nails, you have a potential leak, perhaps not over night,

want to consider getting a home inspector to come out

but over time the exposed nails can be a source for water

and provide the initial roof inspection. If you have a

penetration.

roofing contractor provide your estimate, he could say

Another issue that you want to pay close attention to is

that you need an entire new roof, when simply repairing

the flashing that is used – or not used in many instances.

the roof might prolong its life a few years. A third party

Flashing prevents water from getting in and causing wood

inspector has your best interest in mind and can possibly

rot and damage. Many roofs have multiple intersections,

save you money on future repairs/maintenance.

such as valleys, crickets and the roofing material butting up to adjacent wall. These areas can be prone to water leakage. Pre-formed components such as drip edge, step flashing, kick-out diverters, and specialty pipe/chimney

David Lelak, president of IHI Home Inspections LLC, is an Atlanta-based home inspector with over 20 years of experience in residential construction. He is a member of NACHI and the Atlanta Better Business Bureau. Specializing in both residential and

caps provide solutions that help eliminate the guess work

commercial inspections, Thermal Imaging and Radon Testing, Lelak

when preventing moisture intrusion.

has a particular obsession for proper roof repair and maintenance.

Proper ventilation is another reason for concern.

Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up in the 20

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

He can be reached at 404-788-2581, or via email at david@ ihihomeinspections.com.

r.e. inspection section

r.e. inspection section

r.e. inspection section

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www.CHIInspection.com

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

21

resource directory

resource directory

Realtor® resource directory alarm systems

Meredith Shearer and Associates……..678-560-5050

home inspection services

Murphy & Shank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-517-9300 Ackerman Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-552-1111 residential, small business, commercial www.ackermansecurity.com

associations

Meyer Closings, LLC…………………404-257-0330 Morris|Hardwick|Schneider . . . . . . . . . . 678-298-2100 Exceeding Expectations. One Closing at a Time www.closingsource.net

Atlanta Property Inspections . . . . . . . . . 770-932-8634 Working with Real Estate Agents for 18 Years! www.inspect-atlanta.com CHI Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-827-2200 (see banner ad page 21)

Atlanta Board of Realtors® . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-250-0051 Cherokee Association of Realtors® . . . . . . 770-591-0004

O’Kelley & Sorohan, LLC…………….770-497-1880 18 offices across Georgia for your convenience www.okelleyandsorohan.com

Empire Board of Realtists® . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-755-5575 Metro South Assoc. of Realtors® . . . . . . . . 770-477-7579

(see banner ad page 21) IHI Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-788-2581

Cobb Association of Realtors®. . . . . . . . . . 770-422-3900 DeKalb Association of Realtors® . . . . . . . . 770-493-6100

DRC Inspections and Consulting. . . . . . . . 770-794-1494

Shafritz & Dean, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-255-8183 5 offices for your clients’ convenience www.shafritz-dean.com Weissman, Nowack, Curry and Wilco, PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-926-4500

Northeast Atlanta Metro Assoc. of Realtors® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-495-7300

(see banner ad page 21) National Property Inspections . . . . . . . . . . 770-656-2209 (see banner ad page 21) RIA Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-476-4963 (see banner ad page 21) Skyline Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-432-5464 (see banner ad page 21)

basements and waterproofing advertising Aquaguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-419-9111 The Real Estate Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-910-0347 www.realestatebook.com (see display ad page 5)

home staging Duda Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-434-7503

financial services home warranty

attorneys

Groundbreakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-268-3330 First American Home Buyer’s Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-886-1661

Carol Clark Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-250-3300 Dickenson Gilroy, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-518-5515 www.dgllclaw.com (see display ad page 24)

Kane Thomas & Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-591-5200

(see display ad page 7)

franchise opportunities RE/MAX Regional Services . . . . . . . . . . 678-802-5728 Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results. www.remax.com (see display ad page 14)

East Cobb Office 678-337-3223 www.proclosers.com

graphic design

insurance Don Johnson State Farm Insurance . . . 770-973-8455 E Cobb Good Neighbor Insurance & Financial Svc www.donjohnsoninsurance.com

investment properties

Law Offices of Sam Maguire Jr., PC . . . 404-257-8885 Where Real Estate Meets Real People www.sammaguire.com

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

Felicia Kahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-436-3583

Bluefields Capital, LCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-502-5000

resource directory

resource directory

Realtor® resource directory management companies

photography

security systems

Ananchel Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-831-0078

Ackerman Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-552-1111

John Clemmer Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-428-1658

residential, small business, commercial www.ackermansecurity.com

PEMCO Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-995-7111

mortgage companies First Option Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-423-8291 “8-day closings” www.thepeopleyoucallfirst.com (see display ad page 6)

plumbing Plumbing Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-452-8636 Your Solution to Polybutylene Plumbing www.plumbing911.com

utility protection Utilities Protection Center, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811 Know before you dig – Call 811 www.georgia811.com (see display ad page 16)

moving and storage real estate companies Atlanta Peach Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-270-5586 Buckhead Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-603-0234 Best Move for your Bucks! www.buckheadmovers.com

Weichert Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-872-7653 Marietta, Buford, Decatur and Woodstock www.weichert.com (see display ad page 2)

video productions

Reel Productions TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-571-5728

renovation and new construction virtual tours

Glazer Design & Construction. . . . . . . . . . 404-683-9848

Glide Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-560-9658

roof repairs Peachtree Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-579-7663

window services

multiple listing services Georgia MLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-493-9000 “More Prices, More Places, More Possibilities” www.gamls.com (see display ads pages 15 & 17)

pest control All Exterminating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-887-2571

For advertising information, call Lawrence Cohen at 770-956-7100.

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

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