R.E. Real Estate Magazine Winter 2011

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Publisher Lawrence A. Cohen publisher@remagazines.com Editorial Consultant Karon Warren editor@remagazines.com

Database Administrator Lynn Paul circulation@remagazines.com Graphic Design/Production Felicia Kahn feliciakm@gmail.com Contributing Writers Jessica Arledge Todd Lemoine 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 soy-based inks and biodegradable coatings. Subscriptions are free for Realtor® Board or Association members in Metro Atlanta. Allow 6-8 weeks for new subscriptions. www.remagazines.com/atlantasubscribe POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: R.E. Magazine, 3036 Leafwood Drive SE., Marietta, GA 30067

Alpharetta-based real estate agency Eleven Realty has partnered with Atlanta-based PalmerHouse Properties under the name PalmerHouse Properties North. Together, the company will have a total of 522 agents and brokers marketing under the PalmerHouse Properties brand in the metro Atlanta market. Joe Ruggles, founder and president of Eleven Realty, will serve as president of PalmerHouse Properties North. Cheryl Ruggles, currently qualifying broker of Eleven Realty, will serve as vice president of operations of PalmerHouse Properties North.

BHGRE Metro Brokers Becomes First Local Referral Partner for ZipRealty

r.e. news

Photographer David Martinez www.davemphotography.com

Eleven Realty Joins PalmerHouse Properties as PalmerHouse Properties North

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers announced it has signed an agreement to become ZipRealty Inc.’s first local referral partner. Under the agreement, residential real estate sales leads coming through the ZipRealty site for Greater Atlanta and the North Georgia region will be assigned to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, whose agents will now work directly with those prospective home buyers and sellers. In addition, with the closing of ZipRealty’s Atlanta operations, BHGRE Metro Brokers has hired ZipRealty’s agents in the Atlanta area, who have transitioned to become part of Metro Brokers’ dedicated Internet Response Team.

Meredith Shearer merges firm with Shafritz & Dean Well-known Cobb County closing attorney Meredith Shearer has recently merged her 10-year-old company, Meredith Shearer and Associates, with Shafritz & Dean, LLC, a leading residential and small commercial real estate law firm. Shearer & Associates’ two Cobb offices will change their names to Shafritz & Dean, where Shearer and her staff will continue to serve their regular clients. Shafritz & Dean will now have 7 offices serving metro Atlanta. Meredith Shearer and Ben Wachstein “Meredith brings a wealth of industry knowledge, relationships, and success to our firm which very few solo practitioners could match,” said S & D partner Richard Shafritz. “She brings skills and experience that will heighten our management team and allow us to provide even better customer service.” Also joining the firm from Shearer & Associates is attorney Ben Wachstein, who in addition to real estate, bring his practice of estate planning and consumer bankruptcy to the company, which will now offer these additional legal services. continued on page 15

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contents WINTER 2011

VOLUME 9

NUMBER 1

Cover Story

Tamra Wade

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An unwaveringly positive attitude and “blonde ambition� determination has helped agent lead her real estate team to “Olympian� heights.

R.E. News

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Inspection Section

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R.E. People

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Realtor Resource Directory

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

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Cover photo by David Martinez

CONGRATULATIONS

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people

On Jan. 18, William L. Rogers Jr. was sworn in as the new real estate commissioner for the state of Georgia. In this position, he will serve as the executive officer for the Georgia Real Estate William L. Rogers Jr. Commission and the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. His administrative responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the state agency responsible for implementing the license law regulating Georgia’s more than 90,000 real estate brokers and salespersons and the law regulating Georgia’s 5,000 real estate appraisers. A native of Gainesville, Rogers was a partner at Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker LLP in Gainesville practicing real estate and banking law before joining the Real Estate Commission. He served as a past president of the United Way of Hall County as well as past president of the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors at Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia.

The Atlanta Board of Realtors® named Mitch Kaminer as president-elect for 2011, and he will assume the presidency of the organization in 2012. An associate broker and agent with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta, Kaminer has been Mitch Kaminer involved with the ABR since 2002, and he has chaired various committees during this time. A RE/MAX Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement winner, he began his career in real estate with RE/MAX in 1995, shortly after moving to Atlanta. An Air Force and Desert Storm veteran, Kaminer and his wife Jackie have three children. The Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of Realtors® installed its 2011 officers during its annual Holiday Breakfast at Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth. Jana Waycaster is the president for 2011. Currently associated with Prudential Georgia in Hoschton, she also received the President’s Award, which honors the person who the president feels has made the most contributions to the president and the association.

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > WINTER 2011

Tamra Wade

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Outstanding Transaction Cited in Award During its Annual Business Meeting, the Atlanta Board of Realtors® named Suzanne Close of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty as its 2010 Mrs. Harry Norman Sr. Award recipient. This award recognizes the most outstanding residential transaction of the year and, for 2010, focused on a transaction that was a win-win for the agent, the buyer and the environment. Close, who was the listing agent on the property, was working closely with a potential buyer, and discovered that the riverfront portion of the property was eligible for conservation easement tax credits valued at $10 million. In addition, Suzanne Close after learning the buyer wanted to turn the onsite golf course into an organic farm with plans to give away the food to the homeless and the hungry, Close found out there were tax credits available for organic farming. As a result, these combined tax credits amounted to more than what the buyer paid for the property. This due diligence led the buyer to close the sale. Close’s dedication to this sale is further evidence of a successful career. Before joining Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, she was the No. 1 listing agent in her Jenny Pruitt & Associates office from 2003 to 2007. Close also remains very active in her community, where she is a member of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, president of the City of Mountain Park Civic Club and a member of the Michael O’Neil Summer Singers. continued on next page

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The 2011 treasurer is Christy Sparkman, a member of the real estate industry for more than 20 years. Working for Prudential Georgia Realty in Snellville, Sparkman has earned a number of industry designations, including ABR®, CRS, e-PRO®, Certified Skilled Negotiator, Certified Corporate Relocation Specialist and Fine Homes Specialist. Irma Terry joined Chapman Hall, Realtors, bringing more than 25 years of real estate experience with her. During that time, Terry has received numerous recognitions for her work in the real estate industry, including the RE/MAX International Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Irma Terry Board of Realtors® Captain of Industry award, the Mrs. Harry Norman award, and the President’s award. In addition, she is a lifetime member of the ABR Multimillion Dollar Club, and a Phoenix Award recipient. Currently, Terry serves as a director at the ABR and is the vice president of the Executive Board for Art Partners, a patron group of the High Museum of Art, where she is in charge of programs and special events. Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta welcomed Jayne

Knotts to its Sandy Springs office. A licensed real estate professional since 1987, Knotts went on to earn her associate broker’s license and open her own brokerage in 2000. Along the way, she earned numerous designations, including the National Association of Home Jayne Knotts Builders Certified Sales Professional and Certified Marketing Professional. In addition, she was honored with the Bronze and Silver Awards in recognition of outstanding achievement by NAHB’s Sales & Marketing Council. A member of both the West Georgia Board of Realtors® and the Women’s Council of Realtors®, Knotts currently chairs the Communications & Public Relations Committee for the Georgia Association of Realtors®. PalmerHouse Properties announced that Carrie Shoults Carrie Shoults John Porter (R.E. Real Estate Magazine cover story July 2003) and John Porter have joined the company, where they will maintain a strong

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > WINTER 2011


focus with DeKalb’s Smoke Rise Community. With many years of experience on her rĂŠsumĂŠ, Shoults was named the DeKalb Association of RealtorsÂŽ Sales Agent of the Month 15 times. In addition, she was recognized as one of the DeKalb Association’s Top 5 sales agent for 2001, 2002 and 2007. During her tenure with a nationally franchised company’s local ofďŹ ce, Shoults was named agent of the year from 1995 to 2007. Deborah Knowles and Jennifer Dilbeck both recently joined Keller Williams Realty in the Roswell Market Center. Deborah Knowles Jennifer Dilbeck Under the team name of Atlanta Sold Sisters LLC, the duo will feature a turnkey, concierge-style service. Knowles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table as a buyer’s agent. Dilbeck has accumulated more than 15 years of experience as a contractor for large production builders such as Beazer Homes, Pulte Homes and Centex, among others, and her company was selected as a contractor for the 2005 “Extreme Home Makeoverâ€? in Atlanta.

The Property Shop welcomed Shelly Stevens and Daniel Clotfelter to its Canton ofďŹ ce. Stevens embarked on a career in real estate in 1999 after attending the Atlanta Real Estate School. In 2001, she started full-time work with the Donna Tidwell and the Home Team Daniel Clotfelter of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty in McDonough, before relocating to the northside. With nine years of experience under his belt, Clotfelter earned a Bachelor of Business in Real Estate & Marketing. During the annual school meeting held in Athens in December, the Georgia Real Estate Educators Association named Tripp Anderson as its Educator of the Year for 2010. Since the 1980s, Anderson has been a part of real estate education, teaching pre-license (both salesperson Tripp Anderson and broker), post-license, continuing education, and designation programs. In addition, Anderson is an active agent with Keller Williams Realty of Buckhead, where he specializes in helping people with ďŹ nancially distressed properties. continued on page 15

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cover story

Like many successful agents, real estate was not Tamra’s first career. Spurred by a life-long fascination with new homes and decorating, Wade first became interested in pursuing a career in real estate in 1999 after the birth of her second son. “My mom and I were in a Traton Homes subdivision looking at homes and I asked the listing agent if they needed a hostess to cover her days off so I could see if this was an industry I would like,” Wade recalls about how she secured her first job in real estate. “After I began, difficult houses that had been sitting for a long time started selling. I think the buyers were picking up on my excitement about the homes and the community. My sales manager, Christine Cunningham, was a fabulous mentor and she saw the drive and excitement I had and went to the owners and asked them to pay for me to get my license.” The return on Traton’s investment in Wade was quickly realized as she soon became one of their top sales agents. Wade’s stellar reputation and rapid success also attracted the attention of a competing builder. Bowen Builders Group (later to become Bowen Family Homes) was in the process of taking over a subdivision Tamra had been managing for Traton when one of their sales managers, Eric Drooker, was sent to the community to observe current operations. After seeing Wade’s drive and commitment he recruited her to join their team. Wade stayed with Bowen for the next 9 years. Wade recalls the good times she had with the builder. “In 2005 I worked at Stonehaven Pointe and we sold 69 homes the first weekend! We had people in RV’s waiting overnight in line – it was fun. In 2006 I was pregnant with my third son and they promoted me to management.” Wade stayed in management with Bowen Family Homes through 2007. As the market began to slow in 2008, Wade decided to return to the field as a sales agent. “When I am telling people what to do from a management standpoint, I want them to know I’m not saying it because I think it, I’m saying it because I know it,” Wade states emphatically. “When things got slow I went back into sales so I could feel the market with my agents and help them through things while understanding what the buyers were like and what their concerns were in a down market.” By the first quarter of 2009, Wade had sold herself out of the neighborhood she was working in. She had sold everything on the ground and there was nothing left to sell because the builders weren’t building any more spec homes. 10

r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > WINTER 2011

Tam An unwave ambition” d her real est

Photo by David Martinez

I

t is not often that you hear the words sweet and ambitious in the same sentence, but those two expressions come up repeatedly when friends, clients and co-workers describe mega-agent Tamra Wade with RE/MAX Center in Suwanee. While some leaders rely on intimidation and fear to inspire success, Wade has proven that quiet determination and positive thinking can move mountains. In Tamra’s case, it can also move homes – lots of them! Wade has continued to progress throughout her real estate career, each move taking on a bit more responsibility and leaving a bigger mark on the real estate landscape. While reserved about ringing her own bell, her success has not gone entirely unnoticed. Wade was five times named to the prestigious Communities 100, has been an eight-time member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors® Million Dollar Club, and in 2010, Wade was the team leader of the No. 6 team for RE/MAX in the state of Georgia.

Every Monday morning, Tamra conducts ongo economy is to stay one step ahead of everyone else,”


mra Wade

ringly positive attitude and “blonde e termination has helped agent lead ate team to “Olympian” heights. By Jessica Arledge

ing training classes with Team Olympian, on everything from sales skills to market updates to goal setting. “The only way to be successful in today’s explains Tamra. “That means constantly learning, improving and mastering one’s craft.” r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > WINTER 2011

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With new construction at a standstill, Wade decided that it was time to make the transition from new construction to general real estate and joined Page Plager’s team at RE/MAX Center. Always one to capitalize her resources, Wade openly discussed the transition with Bowen and presented them with a proposal to continue their relationship. “Bowen Family Homes had communities where they weren’t building anymore but they did have left over inventory so I said, ‘Let me take your inventory and market those homes through RE/MAX because in a down market you need to have very strong marketing and a company with substance working for you.’ And they gave me a shot!” Wade was so successful for her former company that in December of 2009, Bowen put Wade in charge of their entire real estate division.

I

Photo by David Martinez

n 2010 Wade put together her own real estate group, Tamra Wade and Partners, with RE/MAX Center. Currently being rebranded as Team Olympian, she has 15 agents working with her, including her husband Randy, a licensed Georgia builder. Last year Tamra’s

team closed 170 transactions and they currently have over 80 listings on the market. Included in those listings are 6 of 9 communities currently being developed by Home South Communities, a new builder in the Atlanta market. According to Steve Palmer, CFO of Home South, Wade was a natural choice for the job of marketing their homes. “I got to know Tamra through Bowen Family Homes and she is one of the hardest working, most dedicated real estate professionals that I have ever come in contact with,” Palmer insists. “Tamra has one phone number and has her phone with her 24 hours a day. She is constantly seeking additional knowledge about the industry.” Not only is Wade dedicated to growing her personal business, according to Melissa Reed, Director of Sales and Marketing for Team Olympian, she is equally dedicated to ensuring the success of her team members and her clients. “She tries really hard to make sure that everyone on the team is happy, not just making money. She is a very positive person, and very sweet,” reports Reed. “She is

Formerly Tamra Wade and Partners, the ensemble cast has recently been rebranded as Team Olympian. “Once we started to truly operate as a team, I realized that the emphasis should no longer be on me,” says Tamra of the name change. “We have some real team spirit now, and that includes some of our vendor partners who have really become integral parts of our success!”

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Photo by David Martinez

just as happy selling a starter home as she is selling an eight-hundred thousand dollar house. Even when she is on vacation, which is almost never, she brings her phone and her laptop. She is just non-stop!” Wade’s clients are quick to agree. Christopher Davis was feeling more than a little anxious when he realized that he was going to have to sell his home in the middle of a depressed market. One of his friends had recently used Wade as a buyer’s agent to purchase her first home, and raved about her professionalism and patience in answering questions. Davis remembers his concerns about selling his home as a short sale – a process he knew very little about. Tamra took the time to explain everything step-by-step, and gave Davis the confidence he needed Wade and Team Olympian have been chosen as the marketing and sales arm for to put his home on the market. He Home South Communities. Shown here with CFO Steve Palmer, Tamra remarks had recently lost his job, and was “I’m excited to be working with a new company with such a strong and experienced management team. Home South is certain to become one of the leaders in the metro afraid that the only alternative was Atlanta homebuilding community! going to be foreclosure. “I think it was less than 30 days before we got a couple “We did buy a short-sale. With Tamra, if you have of bids,” reports Davis, who had previously bought questions you can call her and ask, and even if it seems and sold 5 homes and had never had such quick stupid to you, she doesn’t mind. She is a people person response. After a successful sale, he now keeps Tamra’s and a great real estate agent.” phone number programmed into his cell phone, Wade claims to have inherited her strong work ethic and often refers her to friends and colleagues. “I felt like and positive attitude from her father, who she describes

“She brings a tremendous amount of positive energy to the real estate industry at a time when people feel very challenged. There is nothing that she is not willing to jump in and do. She doesn’t delegate the hard tasks.” she really cared about me,” he says. “It was a small sale, but she treated it like it was a huge sale.” Carrie Hiller and her husband worked with Wade as both a listing agent and a buyer’s agent, and have since referred her to several of their co-workers. “She helped us stage our home and made sure that it would show well,” Hiller explains. “On the buy side, we were looking at a lot of foreclosures and short sales, and she answered all of our questions about everything that can happen when you buy one of these homes.

as very big on being independent and not being reliant on other people to make his way through life. “He is probably one of the biggest reasons why I am here today doing what I’m doing,” explains Wade. “He taught me that failure is not an option. When he promises to do something or makes commitments he sticks to them.” As the mother of three sons and three step-daughters (think Carol Brady of the Brady Bunch), Wade has given a lot of thought to these values and what they mean to r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > WINTER 2011

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Photo by David Martinez

With such a busy schedule, family time is especially treasured, says Tamra, shown here with sons Jake, 11, Josh, 14, and Nicholas, 4. “Randy is absolutely my strength and backbone,” she says of her husband of 5 years. “I couldn’t do any of this without his support, his understanding, and most importantly, his love.”

her both professionally and personally. It is this neversay-die attitude that helped her have her two best years of her real estate career in 2009 and 2010. “The values we have at work are the same values I try to instill in our children.” Wade stresses. “There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it and you’re willing to work hard for it. Even in a bad market, you can do well if you are willing to reinvent or diversify yourself. I got my Certified Distressed Property Expert designation so I could help sellers avoid foreclosure and the damage it does to their credit over the longterm.” It is no coincidence that these are the values Wade is most praised for by her current employer, RE/MAX Center Broker /Owner Patrick Finnick. “She brings a tremendous amount of positive energy to the real estate industry at a time when people feel very challenged,” Finnick says. “There is nothing that she is not willing to jump in and do. She doesn’t delegate the hard tasks.” Tamra Wade is not the most boisterous real estate

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agent in the industry, but her actions speak volumes. With an unyielding work ethic, business savvy and an innate understanding of the industry, one can only image where Wade’s business will lead her as the market continues to improve. One thing is for certain – Team Olympian with RE/MAX Center is unquestionably living up to their name.

Jessica Arledge is a freelance writer and real estate agent based in Savannah, GA. Her work has been published in newspapers, magazines and literary journals. She can be reached at (912) 247-6449 or jesstomarledge@earthlink.net.

1-855-770-HOME www.teamolympian.com


continued from page 9

Donna Lehr joined Skyline Pest Solutions & Home Inspections on its Real Estate Marketing Team, where she will focus on real estate agents in the Cobb, Cherokee, Gwinnett, Intown, Midtown and Northwest Perimeter offices. Bringing 15 years of experience with her, Lehr previously worked in the home Donna Lehr warranty industry. As an active member of the Cobb and Cherokee Associations of Realtors® along with the Cobb Women’s Council of Realtors®, she received the prestigious Affiliate of the Year award from all three organizations, as well as the President’s Award from the Cobb WCR. Other involvements include the North Atlanta Metro Association of Realtors® as well as the Atlanta, Cherokee and Gwinnett WCR.

Linda Kennedy

AmericaHomeKey welcomed three new associates to its Acworth office. Serving as branch manager, Linda Kennedy has more than 19 years of experience in Dave Fuchs the mortgage business. Kennedy will work with Dave Fuchs and Gerard Dickson, who join the team as senior mortgage loan officers. Fuchs brings a wealth of experience in the mortgage and marketing industry, while Dickson seeks to establish long-term relationships with both agents and customers.

Gerard Dickson

Randy Jones was recently promoted to the position of Director of Realtor® Services for Team Pest USA, where he will be responsible for working directly with real estate agents and brokers to help them with their clients’ termite letters and ongoing pest control needs. Jones, a 20-year veteran of Randy Jones the pest control industry, is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Certified Pest Control Operators Salesperson of the Year in 2006.

Designations Molly McGrory of RE/MAX Town & Country earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation from the Distressed Property Institute after completing extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.

Antoine Appointed by NAR The National Association of Realtors® recently appointed Ennis Antoine (R.E. Real Estate Magazine Cover Story January 2007) of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers as NAR’s Federal Political Coordinator Ennis Antoine with U.S. Congressman David Scott (FPC) for U.S. Congressman David Scott in the 112th Congress. In this important role, Antoine will work closely with Scott and his staff to educate them on NAR’s positions on issues that impact the real estate industry. Additionally, Antoine’s responsibilities will include responding to all NAR Calls for Action, being an advocate on behalf of all Realtors and the Realtor party, and participating in ongoing special training in Washington, D.C. Antoine has been an active member of both NAR and the Realtors Political Action Committee for years, as well as being active on the Atlanta Board of Realtors®, where he has served as chairman of the Political Action committee, as was named Realtor® of the Year in 2008. He is also a real estate pre and post license instructor with Metro Brokers Academy, and associate broker at BHGRE Metro Brokers.

continued from page 3

Southeastern Realty Group Becomes Real Estate Brokerage The Southeastern Home Team, formerly a real estate team with Solid Source Realty since 2002, announced its transition to the Southeastern Realty Group, a full-service real estate brokerage versed in Atlanta short sales, foreclosures, avoiding foreclosure and loss mitigation, as well as traditional real estate transactions. Founded in 2002 as the Southeastern Home Team by Amy Ransdell, the company is based in Woodstock, but will serve buyers and sellers throughout metro Atlanta. Mary Colson serves as broker in charge.

Kane, Thomas and Brown LLC Undergoes Name Change

Molly McGrory

Effective Jan. 1, Kane, Thomas and Brown LLC changed its name to Thomas and Brown LLC after the departure of Myles Kane. The firm will continue to operate out of its Marietta offices with the current staff and attorneys.

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.

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.


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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > WINTER 2011

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High Radon Reading Not a Deal Killer By Tony Cook, guest columnist

A variety of methods can be used to reduce radon in homes. While the sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction, the EPA does not recommend the use of sealing alone to limit radon entering the home, as this has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently. In most cases, a system with a vent pipe(s) and fan(s) is used to reduce radon. These “sub-slab depressurization systems” do not require major changes to your home. Similar systems can also be installed in homes with crawl spaces. These systems prevent radon gas from entering the home from below the concrete floor and from outside the foundation. Radon mitigation contractors may use other methods that will also work in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors. If the system is being installed as part of a real estate transaction, you will need to allow 5 to 6 days for a radon mitigation contractor to install a system, retest the house for radon, and have the results on the final radon test. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your closing dates. Finally, there is a big misconception that homes where radon problems have been discovered are more difficult to sell. Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked. In fact, the added protection is often a good selling point. The seller will need to provide documentation showing the system had been tested within two years and if the test was done by the homeowner or a qualified tester.

i n s p e c t o r ’s r e p o r t

A

s you know, too many times homeowners learn about radon for the first time during the home buying process. As a real estate professional, you are in a unique position to help them understand the real health risks of radon and encourage your clients to always test for this silent killer. Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Here is some information you need to make sure this does not become a real estate deal breaker. When testing a home for radon, please make sure the radon tester is certified and listed with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). If a tester is not employing EPA protocols, the test and its results might be inaccurate. Remember, sales have been killed because of bogus radon test results. Also, be aware that the EPA recommends that a home be tested every two years. This includes homes with existing radon systems. For a real estate transaction, a radon tester will do a 48 hour short-term test. Short-term tests can be used to decide whether to reduce the home’s high radon levels. However, the closer the short-term test results are to 4pCi/L, the less certainty there is about whether the home’s year-round average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that radon levels below 4pCi/L still pose some risk and that radon levels can be reduced to 2pCi/L or below in most homes. EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home’s indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4pCi/L or higher. If elevated levels are found during the real estate transaction, the buyer and seller should discuss the timing and costs of radon reduction. Radon reduction systems are very effective in reducing radon and are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you have lived with an elevated radon level for a long time.

Tony Cook is president of Cook’s Construction Group, a certified radon testing and mitigation company. Tony has over 26 years of radon mitigation experience and is certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program, a division of NEHA. For a free Realtor® Radon Kit, including information for both home buyers and sellers, call 770-652-1101, or visit their website at www.cooksconstructiongroup.com.

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resource directory

resource directory

Realtor® resource directory advertising

Meyer Closings, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-257-0330

The Real Estate Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-910-0347 www.realestatebook.com

Morris|Hardwick|Schneider . . . . . . . . . . 678-298-2100 Exceeding Expectations. One Closing at a Time www.closingsource.net O’Kelley & Sorohan, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-497-1880 18 offices across Georgia for your convenience www.okelleyandsorohan.com

aerial photography Kenneco Aerial Photography . . . . . . . . . 770-262-0641 Low Altitude, High-Resolution Aerial Photos www.kennecoaerialphotos.com

associations

home inspection services Atlanta Property Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . 770-932-8634

Thomas & Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-591-5200 East Cobb Office 678-337-3223 www.proclosers.com

IHI Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-788-2581 (see banner ad page 16)

Weissman, Nowack, Curry and Wilco, PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-926-4500

basements and waterproofing

Atlanta Board of Realtors® . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-250-0051

Flesher’s Hardwood Flooring . . . . . . . . . 678-469-2964 Quality Wood Floor Installation & Refinishing www.flesherflooring.com

Shafritz & Dean, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-255-8183 Now 7 offices for your clients’ convenience www.shafritz-dean.com

alarm systems Ackerman Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-552-1111 residential, small business, commercial www.ackermansecurity.com

hardwood flooring

DRC Inspections and Consulting. . . . . . . . 770-794-1494 (see banner ad page 16)

ProTech Home & Property Inspections . . . . 770-277-5655 (see display ad page 8) RIA Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-476-4963 (see banner ad page 16) Skyline Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-432-5464 (see banner ad page 16)

Aquaguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-419-9111

Cherokee Association of Realtors® . . . . . . 770-591-0004 Cobb Association of Realtors®. . . . . . . . . . 770-422-3900

builders/developers

home staging

HomeSouth Communities . . . . . . . . .1-855-770-HOME Featuring 7 New Communities in Atlanta www.homesouthcommunities.com (see display ad page 5)

Duda Designs………… . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-434-7503

DeKalb Association of Realtors® . . . . . . . . 770-493-6100 Empire Board of Realtists® . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-755-5575 Metro South Assoc. of Realtors® . . . . . . . . 770-477-7579 Northeast Atlanta Metro Assoc. of Realtors® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-495-7300

insurance financial services Groundbreakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-268-3330

attorneys

Don Johnson State Farm Insurance . . . 770-973-8545 E Cobb Good Neighbor Insurance & Financial Svc www.donjohnsoninsurance.com

Carol Clark Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-250-3300 Dickenson Gilroy, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-518-5515 experience. service. excellence. www.dickensongilroy.com (see display ad page 20) Law Offices of Sam Maguire Jr., PC . . . 404-257-8885 Where Real Estate Meets Real People www.sammaguire.com

franchise opportunities RE/MAX Regional Services . . . . . . . . . . 678-802-5728 Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results. www.remax.com (see display ad page 2)

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

management companies graphic design

Murphy & Shank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-517-9300

Sunergeo Creative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-452-8954

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

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

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resource directory

resource directory

Realtor® resource directory mortgage companies

pest control

roof repairs

AmericaHomeKey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-325-2622 (see display ad page 6)

All Exterminating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-887-2571

Peachtree Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-579-7663

Skyline Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-432-5464

photography moving and storage

David M Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-432-1517 Portraits, headshots, family & yearbook www.davemphotography.com

Atlanta Peach Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-270-5586 Buckhead Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-603-0234

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

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

utility protection radon testing and mitigation Cooks Construction Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-652-1101 (see banner ad page 16)

Georgia 811 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811 Know before you dig – Call 811 www.georgia811.com (see display ad page 4 )

real estate companies video productions

Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta . . . . . . 404-531-5700

multiple listing services Georgia MLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-493-9000 “More Prices, More Places, More Possibilities” www.gamls.com (see display ads pages 7 & 9)

Weichert Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-872-7653 Marietta, Buford, Decatur and Woodstock www.weichert.com

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

virtual tours renovation and new construction

Glide Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-560-9658 HomeScenes Virtual Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-594-1193

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

painting & drywall

security systems

window services

M & M Painting and Drywall . . . . . . . . . . . 770-527-7335 (see display ad page 6)

Ackerman Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-552-1111 residential, small business, commercial www.ackermansecurity.com

Sunshine Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-422-8105

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