Just 6 More Days Roswell!
April 13, 2012 by Pam Salls
That’s right, just 6 more days until the first Alive After 5 celebration of 2012. Thursday, April 19th to be exact, Historic Roswell’s famed street party kicks off its 6th year. April’s calendar of festivities includes 3 complimentary bands, trolley, balloons, late hours by retailers/galleries, and fun on the streets. Whether you live in Roswell or not, come enjoy the charm of this special town.
This month’s featured bands and their venue is as follows:
Mike Watson Band at Plus Tree Village
Backtrax at Roswell Park
South Side of the Tracks at Galerie Boutique
Buying a Short Sale? Your Top 3 Questions Answered
April 9, 2012 by Pam Salls
Many people in the market today are first-time home buyers who would not have been able to buy when home prices were higher. Enticed both by lower prices and bank promotions, there are some eager hopefuls looking to take advantage of a short sale. Below are the top 3 questions concerning short sales compiled by Trulia:
1. How long does it take for a bank to approve a short sale?
Roswell’s Spring Ramble
April 3, 2012 by Pam Salls
It’s April and lots of good things are happening in Roswell this month. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, Roswell Historical Society and Roswell Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are partnering to put on the Roswell Spring Ramble. A Ramble is a weekend long tour of historical sites and private homes that is in a different town each year. Around 250 attendees will visit Roswell from all over the state.
The Top 5 Foreclosure Myths of 2012
April 1, 2012 by Pam Salls
Beginning in 2007, foreclosures rocked the real estate world. Myths and rumors began spreading like wildfire as consumers struggled to understand the new reality. Although many misconceptions have come and gone, Trulia lists the top 5 foreclosure myths agent’s encounter on a regular basis:
1. There is going to be a flood of new foreclosures to the market.
This rumor has appeared every year since 2008 and has been routinely proven untrue. However, recent announcements that the Feds reached a settlement over the robo-signing scandal have reignited speculation.
Banks have learned that if they control inventory, they can affect local prices. By releasing homes in measured amounts, they realize higher prices than if they released a glut of homes. In addition, they’ve learned that if they can mitigate their losses by agreeing to a short sale, everyone wins.
More Good News Roswell!
March 24, 2012 by Pam Salls
Capital Economics, one of the leading independent macro economic research consultants in the world, expects the housing crisis to end this year. One of the reasons: loosening credit.
The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is consistent with requirements one year ago.
Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters. However, other market indicators point not just to a stabilization of mortgage lending standards, but also a loosening of credit availability. Banks are now lending amounts up to 3.5 times borrower earnings. This is up from a low during the crisis of 3.2 times borrower earnings.
Good News Indeed: Chase Donates Inventory Homes to Wounded Vets
February 22, 2012 by Pam Salls
According to MarketWatch, JP Morgan Chase has announced it will donate at least 100 homes it owns to wounded military veterans as part of a program operated by a national nonprofit group known as Operation Homefront.
Eligible military families must be on active duty, not currently own a home, and be financially capable of taking on home ownership. Spouses of military members killed in action will also be considered for the program.
Military families can apply for the Homes on the Homefront program at www.OperationHomefront.net/HomesOnTheHomefront.
A Penny Saved
February 20, 2012 by Pam Salls
Coming up with the cash for a down payment on a new home can seem daunting, but according to CBS Money Watch, saving money for such a major investment can be easier than anticipated. Here are a few easy strategies that can add up fast.
Make it automatic. Create a savings account specifically for the down payment and commit to devoting a comfortable amount out of your paycheck to it every pay period. Whether its $20 or $50 on a regular basis, every bit helps. Talk to your employer about setting up an automatic payment that goes directly to that separate account.
Historic Roswell Goes Green for Arbor Day
February 6, 2012 by Pam Salls
Trees Across Roswell is a project of the Roswell Rotary Club. A coordinated effort to plant 2,500 trees in Roswell will take place on Saturday, February 18th. This is the first project of its kind to celebrate Georgia’s Arbor Day.
The event will begin with a kickoff February 17th at 6 p.m. at the nature center, 9135 Willeo Road. Several Federal, State and local officials will be there as well as Roswell community leaders. At the kick off, over 300 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and their parents will pick up the seedlings purchased by the Roswell Rotary Club along with planting instructions and maps of the Roswell areas that will have trees planted.
Historic Roswell’s Ora Coleman
January 31, 2012 by Pam Salls
Sadly, the namesake of Roswell’s Coleman Road has passed away. I became endeared to him and his love of animals and children when I wrote a blog post about him in November 2008. Ora Coleman was a farmer, master craftsman, bricklayer, woodworker, and animal lover. Friendly, helpful and compassionate to all, he sometimes took his animals to show kids at his church & kindergartens. He lived on his farm for over 60 years. Invited all to come to his farm to pet his animals, see his plants & flowers, & have good conversation about the good old days.
Roswell’s Roundabouts
January 28, 2012 by Pam Salls
Hey Roswell! While traveling on Warsaw yesterday headed towards Canton Street, I was pleased to see that the idea of the roundabout at Warsaw and Grimes Bridge has finally caught on. Seems as though travelers have been ‘gun shy’ about the concept but it is certainly more time efficient to not have to sit at this once accident prone intersection. Now there seems to be a steady flow through the intersection and it has been accident free since it opened last year.
Pam Salls
