They say that Laughter is the BEST Medicine... Here's to your Health!
This a fun video by Paul Harvey that pays homage to all of the Realtors who put their hearts and souls into helping their clients, customers and friends (even those who don’t always fully appreciate them).
Please feel free to call or text me at 706-455-0180 (or drop me an email) if I can provide you with more information about this article, or if I can assist you with buying or selling your South Forsyth County real estate.
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office: 770-844-8484 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
Author: Gayle Barton
Blog Topics: Paul Harvey, Paul Harvey Video, God made a Realtor, Funny Video, Humor,
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
You Could Lose THOUSANDS So Choose Your Real Estate Agent Wisely
Prudential Georgia Realty Ranked #1
Residential Real Estate Company By The Atlanta Business Chronicle
The following press release explains why choosing a PRUDENTIAL GEORGIA REALTY agent makes sense:
Atlanta, GA (March 18, 2013) Prudential Georgia Realty was ranked the #1 residential real estate company in Metro Atlanta for 2012 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The rankings were published in the Home Quarterly: Million Dollar Agents supplement for the March 15-21, 2013 edition. The rankings displayed the top 25 residential real estate companies by gross residential sales volume. Prudential Georgia Realty was also the #1 company in homes sold. This makes the third year in a row that Prudential Georgia Realty was ranked #1 in sales volume and homes sold.
Click here to view a PDF of the rankings.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have achieved the #1 ranking for the third year in a row, said Dan Forsman, President & CEO of Prudential Georgia Realty. Our associates and employees have worked very hard to deliver exceptional services to our clients and customers. I want to thank and congratulate our entire team for another outstanding performance in 2012. We recently celebrated our 50th anniversary as a company and are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
SmartNumbers, Trendgraphix and RealValuator and have consistently ranked Prudential Georgia Realty #1 in transactions, listing sales, buyer sales and current inventory for Atlanta real estate. REALTrends recently released a study that recognized Prudential Georgia Realty as one of the top 17 companies in the nation based upon performance over the past 10 years.
About Prudential Georgia Realty:
Prudential Georgia Realty is a diversified real estate brokerage with major operations in new homes, residential resale, corporate relocation, property management, REO Services and commercial real estate. The company has 22 locations and over 1,000 Realtors across Metro Atlanta and has been serving clients in Metro Atlanta for 50 years. Prudential Georgia Realty is an independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates, LLC. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are registered service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential. Equal Housing Opportunity. See Atlanta real estate, Atlanta new homes, search by neighborhood, search by school district, search rentals and much more at PrudentialGA.com.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456- 8066 ~ Email: gbarton@prudentialga.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission. Gayle Barton
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Do The Quality of Local Schools Determine where You Buy?
Are you in the market to purchase a new home? How will you determine WHERE to buy?
In real estate we have all heard that the key factor for most home buyers in determining which home to buy is “location, location, location”. While this is usually true, what makes one location better than another? A short commute time… area attractions… close to family or friends… all legitimate reasons a buyer might be attracted to a certain area.
However, for a family with school-aged children, their idea of a prime location is usually determined by the quality of the area schools.
I represent both buyers and sellers in many neighborhoods in and around Cumming, GA and schools are almost always at the top of the list for my buyers. There are many award winning public schools in the South Forsyth County school system, a fact which proves to be a major draw for families buying in this area.
I have had the opportunity to work with both local buyers as well as those transferring in from other areas within the United States and abroad and it seems that, consistently, one of the most critical factors in determining whether to move to a specific area is schools.
In fact, I have recently written several blog articles about the Forsyth County GA schools:
So, where do schools rank on your decision to move to an area? What websites do you use to obtain school information? Need more information about local Cumming GA schools, ? Just give me call and I'll be happy to help you with that!
Will The Quality of the Local Schools Determine if You will Buy in Cumming GA?
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
In real estate we have all heard that the key factor for most home buyers in determining which home to buy is “location, location, location”. While this is usually true, what makes one location better than another? A short commute time… area attractions… close to family or friends… all legitimate reasons a buyer might be attracted to a certain area.However, for a family with school-aged children, their idea of a prime location is usually determined by the quality of the area schools.
I represent both buyers and sellers in many neighborhoods in and around Cumming, GA and schools are almost always at the top of the list for my buyers. There are many award winning public schools in the South Forsyth County school system, a fact which proves to be a major draw for families buying in this area.
I have had the opportunity to work with both local buyers as well as those transferring in from other areas within the United States and abroad and it seems that, consistently, one of the most critical factors in determining whether to move to a specific area is schools.
In fact, I have recently written several blog articles about the Forsyth County GA schools:
- Forsyth County School District Ranked #2 in the State
- South Forsyth High Made List of Top 500 High Schools in the Country
- Four Forsyth County Elementary Schools Rank in Top 10
- Forsyth County School System Set to Add New Elementary School in 2012
So, where do schools rank on your decision to move to an area? What websites do you use to obtain school information? Need more information about local Cumming GA schools, ? Just give me call and I'll be happy to help you with that!
Will The Quality of the Local Schools Determine if You will Buy in Cumming GA?
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
Monday, December 26, 2011
A Guide for Families Seeking Quality Day Care in Cumming, GA
I would like to introduce guest writer Dan Gilbert, of Primrose Schools. Dan has written an excellent article designed to assist families currently living in Cumming, GA, as well as those searching for a new home in this area, in their search for premium child care services. Primrose schools, whose innovative day care centers are committed to making a difference in children’s lives, is an education partner our family has used, personally, and one that I know to be extremely popular with discriminating parents in this area. Dan has written a number of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the importance of volunteering.
The most important part of a child’s life often occurs during the infant years, and on through the age of five. During this time, a child’s brain is undergoing development, and research tells us these formative years are very crucial to future success. To properly nurture a child during this period, there must be constructive experiences that engage the child on a consistent basis. Most would agree that researching, and deciding upon the most apt form of child care to encourage child development, is the most important decision that can be made.
The best place to start, is to find out what’s available to you in your area. Check with people around you to find out what they know. Chances are they will have done a lot of the work for you. See what your peers think of institutions in your area. Inquire directly at local educational facilities, and visit them online for further information. Be sure to get a first-hand look and schedule a tour with facilities that might meet your standards.
Upon visiting, don’t simply pay attention to what you are being told; there are many other factors that you should be able to sense indirectly. How is your child greeted? How does it feel? Your senses will tell you many things, but what it all amounts to, is does the facility have the right feel for you and your family. Remember that these initial impressions may continue to plague you if you choose to ignore them.
While at the facility, get to know the staff that will be looking after your child. Try and get a sense if they truly want to aid your child in their development, as these people will be your partners in providing solid cognitive experiences in your child’s life.
After you’ve established what your instincts tell you about the institution, it’s time burrow in further and inquire about crucial topics like teacher accreditation, institutional policy and their approach to education in general. To help you ascertain if it’s a good match, here are some guidelines for you to follow.
1. Principles and educational instruction: What principles does the school employ to guide its educational instruction, choice of materials, and methodology? Do the school’s principles mirror those you have for your child? Will your child be prepared for elevation to elementary school, and has the school researched this thoroughly?
2. Teacher and institutional qualifications: What kinds of qualifications has the facility achieved, and are there measurable standards in place to ensure these qualifications are met? If the school has proper accreditation, not only will the governing body have a system in place to make sure their standards are met, these standards will also ensure the school evolves along with the growing research of the governing body.
Likewise, do the instructors also have adequate certifications? How about CPR and First Aid? Are they undergoing continual education to keep up with the times?
3. Educational atmosphere: Upon your visit, make sure to observe what’s going on around you. What is the learning environment like? Is it positive, with teachers interacting with, and engaging children? Are the children being spoken to, or spoken at? Get a copy of the schedule before you leave, and check and see where this schedule is posted around the classroom.
4. Policies of the facility: Be sure to inquire about some basic policies, such as those related to the safety of your child, how they communicate with you, the parent, if they comply with state regulations, and lastly what payment options are available.
The bottom line is that these years are integral to your child’s developmental success. Take the time to do the proper research, examine all your options, and make an educated choice that’s best for you and your family.
A guide to finding the best daycare in Cumming, GA
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
If you found this post to be helpful or entertaining, please click the +1 button below to score it!
The most important part of a child’s life often occurs during the infant years, and on through the age of five. During this time, a child’s brain is undergoing development, and research tells us these formative years are very crucial to future success. To properly nurture a child during this period, there must be constructive experiences that engage the child on a consistent basis. Most would agree that researching, and deciding upon the most apt form of child care to encourage child development, is the most important decision that can be made.The best place to start, is to find out what’s available to you in your area. Check with people around you to find out what they know. Chances are they will have done a lot of the work for you. See what your peers think of institutions in your area. Inquire directly at local educational facilities, and visit them online for further information. Be sure to get a first-hand look and schedule a tour with facilities that might meet your standards.
Upon visiting, don’t simply pay attention to what you are being told; there are many other factors that you should be able to sense indirectly. How is your child greeted? How does it feel? Your senses will tell you many things, but what it all amounts to, is does the facility have the right feel for you and your family. Remember that these initial impressions may continue to plague you if you choose to ignore them.
While at the facility, get to know the staff that will be looking after your child. Try and get a sense if they truly want to aid your child in their development, as these people will be your partners in providing solid cognitive experiences in your child’s life.
After you’ve established what your instincts tell you about the institution, it’s time burrow in further and inquire about crucial topics like teacher accreditation, institutional policy and their approach to education in general. To help you ascertain if it’s a good match, here are some guidelines for you to follow.
1. Principles and educational instruction: What principles does the school employ to guide its educational instruction, choice of materials, and methodology? Do the school’s principles mirror those you have for your child? Will your child be prepared for elevation to elementary school, and has the school researched this thoroughly?
2. Teacher and institutional qualifications: What kinds of qualifications has the facility achieved, and are there measurable standards in place to ensure these qualifications are met? If the school has proper accreditation, not only will the governing body have a system in place to make sure their standards are met, these standards will also ensure the school evolves along with the growing research of the governing body.
Likewise, do the instructors also have adequate certifications? How about CPR and First Aid? Are they undergoing continual education to keep up with the times?
3. Educational atmosphere: Upon your visit, make sure to observe what’s going on around you. What is the learning environment like? Is it positive, with teachers interacting with, and engaging children? Are the children being spoken to, or spoken at? Get a copy of the schedule before you leave, and check and see where this schedule is posted around the classroom.
4. Policies of the facility: Be sure to inquire about some basic policies, such as those related to the safety of your child, how they communicate with you, the parent, if they comply with state regulations, and lastly what payment options are available.
The bottom line is that these years are integral to your child’s developmental success. Take the time to do the proper research, examine all your options, and make an educated choice that’s best for you and your family.
A guide to finding the best daycare in Cumming, GA
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
If you found this post to be helpful or entertaining, please click the +1 button below to score it!
Friday, December 9, 2011
I Just Know My Real Estate Agent Under Priced My House
Do you believe that your Cumming GA real estate agent under priced your home?
Interestingly enough, 68% of the buyers involved in the survey were certain that those same agents had overpriced the listings by as much as 10%.
Who’s right? Everyone!
Why? Because they all determine “value” in very different ways.
Virtually every seller I’ve worked with in the last two years has honestly believed, deep in their heart, that their home was worth much more than the price at which I (CMA in hand), the multiple real estate agents they interviewed before me, the buyers and the bank appraiser ultimately valued it. And, to a point, I understand. These sellers loved their homes and love is blind.
Have you ever looked at a friend’s husband and wondered just exactly what it is that she sees in him?? In your eyes, he’s too tall, too short, too chubby, too skinny, talks too much is or is just too quiet for your taste… Yet, in her eyes he is the perfect man and the best husband on the planet. It’s the same with houses!
When you have lived comfortably in a home, raised children in a home and made happy memories in a home, you feel that it is a warm, special place full of love that must be evident to all who enter (not so true!). Sellers don’t always smell the litter box or see the tattered, outdated wallpaper or that notice the fact that virtually every surface in the house needs to be de-cluttered because they are looking at their home through the eyes of love. They’ve been happy there for years, why wouldn’t evreyone else love it too?
When you add to that the fact that the seller remembers EVERY PENNY that has been invested in the property (yep, even ugly carpet costs money…) they place a value on their home that reflects their “total investment” both financial and emotional.
Because of this, I never argue with a seller about the “worth” of their home. I simply say: “I’m not telling you that your home is not worth that amount. What I am saying is that the current market simply won’t support that price (black & white numbers of a CMA don’t lie) nor will it appraise for that amount. This is a function of the current market, not a statement about your home!”
Like the end of any love affair it is a tough step to take, but if a seller can get past the emotional arguments and allow themselves to understand that the buyers who view their home will not be “in love” with their house, and will be seeing it as it truly is (warts and all), they are one step closer to getting their property sold and moving on.
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
If you found this post to be helpful or entertaining, please click the +1 button below to score it!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
BEWARE: All Home Improvement Projects Are NOT Created Equal
Not All Home Improvement Projects Will Benefit You in the Sale of Your Cumming GA Real Estate
If you are currently updating your Cumming GA home for sale, BEWARE… In today’s market many of the tried and true upgrades are failing to boost your property’s market value as they have in the past.
We’ve all heard it said that kitchens and baths sell homes, and that still holds true today. In the past, quality updates to those rooms generally provided a very high rate of return on your investment however, in today’s topsy turvy South Forsyth County real estate market, that rule is no longer a certainty.
If you are planning to upgrade your Cumming GA real estate in the near future, you might be interested to know that the installation of steel entry doors may recoup as much as 102% of your investment vs only a 60% return on the installation of fiberglass replacement doors based on data provided by Remodeling magazine.
In a recent article, Forbes Magazine listed 10 of the worst home improvements for the money. If you are planning a remodel you’ll certainly want to read the full article as it is a certainty that, in the current market climate, not all home improvement projects are created equal
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
If you found this post to be helpful or entertaining, please click the +1 button below to score it!
We’ve all heard it said that kitchens and baths sell homes, and that still holds true today. In the past, quality updates to those rooms generally provided a very high rate of return on your investment however, in today’s topsy turvy South Forsyth County real estate market, that rule is no longer a certainty.
If you are planning to upgrade your Cumming GA real estate in the near future, you might be interested to know that the installation of steel entry doors may recoup as much as 102% of your investment vs only a 60% return on the installation of fiberglass replacement doors based on data provided by Remodeling magazine.
In a recent article, Forbes Magazine listed 10 of the worst home improvements for the money. If you are planning a remodel you’ll certainly want to read the full article as it is a certainty that, in the current market climate, not all home improvement projects are created equal
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of ERA - The Real Estate Connection.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
If you found this post to be helpful or entertaining, please click the +1 button below to score it!
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Right Price is the Key to Getting Your Home Sold
A recent MSN real estate article explored just how far is too far when it comes to home sale incentives – Read the full story here>>
Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this blog post or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.
Cell: (706) 455-0180 ~ Office (678) 456-8066 ~ Email: gaylebarton@inbox.com
If you found this post to be helpful or entertaining, please click the +1 button below to score it!
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