R.E. Real Estate Magazine Spring 2010

METRO ATLANTA EDITION > SEPTEMBER 2010

plusInspector’s Report

andRealtor Resource

Directory

RachelMooneyInspiring Success

r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010 3

Attitude is EverythingI 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 defi nitely 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 fi nd 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 profi table 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

PublisherLawrence A. [email protected]

Editorial ConsultantKaron [email protected]

PhotographerSundra Paulwww.ananchel.com

Database AdministratorLynn [email protected]

Graphic Design/ProductionFelicia [email protected]

Contributing WritersSarah Anne Gleim Greg HerderDavid Lelak

Board of AdvisorsJim CochranCarol FlammerDan ForsmanKevin LeventSandra McCraryJenny Pruitt Walter SanfordTom 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 printedby Executive Press, Richardson, TX, using earth-friendly printing techniques, including FSC-certifi ed paper, and soy-based inks and biodegradable coatings.

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4 r.e. REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE > SEPTEMBER 2010

Your Real Estate Website: 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’ fi rst 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, fl iers, 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 qualifi cation, 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 traffi c 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 benefi cial 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 de-sell yourself.

10. When Was Your Last Site Review? Updating your photos is the bare minimum, and you’ll likely fi nd 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 fi gures 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 [email protected].


contentsSEPTEMBER 2010 VOLUME 8 NUMBER 3

Cover Story

Rachel Mooney 8

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

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EEaassiieerr aanndd FFaasstteerrThousands of homelistings accross the

country and around the

world

Publisher’s Page 3Marketing Maverick 4R.E. People 6R.E. Calendar 13

R.E. News 18Inspection Section 20

Realtor® Resource Directory 22Cover photo by Sundra Paul

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


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

Peggy Mercer joined Soleil Laurel Canyon, a 330-acre active adult community in Canton, as its newest home sales consultant. For the last fi ve 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.

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

Victoria Brannon

Kathy Haddock

Ginny Bryant joined nationwide homebuilder Lennar as the company’s director of sales for the new Atlanta division. Bringing more than 10 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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of experience to her position as broker associate. A member of The Luxury Home Marketing Institute, Glover (R.E. Magazine cover story November 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 Societyof Colonial Wars Charleston, S.C., branch), The French Huguenot Society of South Carolina, First Families of South Carolina, The National Trust forHistoric Preservation, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and St. Jude’s Episcopal Church.

Dedicated to ongoing education, Wallace is a certifi ed 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 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.

Wes Vawter, the #1 agent company-wide of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Real Estate, announced the affi liation of James W. Brand as an agent of The Vawter Group, part of the Atlanta-based real estate fi rm. Most recently Sales 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 fi ve of its offi ces in the metro Atlanta area. John Giffer joined the Buckhead offi ce, bringing 10 years of experience with him from RE/MAX Greater Atlanta. To better serve

Jim Glover

Beth Wallace

Chuck Wood

Yetty Arp

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.

Jim Brand

John Giffer

continued on page 15

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

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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.”



her signifi cantthat has made

By Sarah Gleim

ey Rachel 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 fl air 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 headfi rst 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 ‘fi gure-it-out-on-your-own’ situation.”

Being the natural go-getter she is, Mooney persevered and took the sink-or-swim 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 fi rst 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.”

If 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 fi ve

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 fl exible 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 – fi ve 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.” in our meetings, the agents always walk away

Mooney and her team, “Call Rachel Mooney,” specialize in Cherokee, North Fulton and Forsyth counties, and use the latest high-

tech 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.”


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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“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.”

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.

“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 defi nitely been a major infl uence 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,’

One might think that starting a new business in these challenging economic times would be extremely diffi cult, 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


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 gratifi ed 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 committees over the last fi ve years, including vice president of membership in 2009 where she helped increase membership by more than 20 percent. And the chapter named her the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year, as well.

Kathy Delbridge, a loan offi cer at First Century Bank in Roswell, has worked with Mooney for several years in WCR. They have served on the board together and worked on both brainstorming sessions and real estate transactions. She says she’s thrilled about Mooney being elected as the incoming president.

“Rachel was a team leader at Keller Williams and I know she will be able to bring those leadership skills to the team,” Delbridge says. “But she will also bring a lot of excitement and follow-through skills and resources that will help the WCR.”

“Family time is one of the most important things in my life, which is one of the reasons 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! Maybe we’re starting a family dynasty!”

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Mooney also says she’s excited about the opportunity her title brings. “I’ve been part of the Cherokee Chapter for more than three years,” she says. “I can’t wait to be able to help continue to grow the chapter because it is a great organization that does great things.”

One of the things particularly close to Mooney’s heart is Cherokee’s Got Talent, an American Idol-style talent show held this past September 11 at Woodstock Community Church that the WCR helped sponsor alongside the Cherokee Association of Realtors®. “I’m one of the co-chairs and all of the proceeds benefi t Habitat for Humanity and the Elm Street Cultural Arts

Center,” she says. “It’s a great event.”


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 defi nitely 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

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.

678-283-0629www.callrachelmooney.com

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!”

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Calendar of Events October – November 2010October 8 11:00 – 1:00

DeKalb Association of Realtors® and DeKalb Chapter

Women’s Council of Realtors®

Joint Membership MeetingVote for 2011 Slate of Offi cers for Association and WCRSpeaker: DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis “The State of DeKalb County Real Estate:Cost: $25 MembersLocation: Druid Hills Golf Club,740 Clifton Rd NE, AtlantaWebsite 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

Benefi tting Children’s Miracle Network and Children’s Healthcare of AtlantaCost: $100 per personLocation: Chateau Elan Woodlands CourseOnline 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 MeetingPumpkin TossSpeaker: Gloria Richardson, Northwest ExterminatingCost: $15 member, $20 non-membersLocation: Pinetree Country Club, 3400 Mccollum Pkwy NW, KennesawTo Register: email [email protected] call: Claudie Biassou 678-522-4969

October 14, 8:00 a.m. SHARP seatingN.A.M.A.R. & Gwinnett Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors®

Breakfast with Senator Johnny IsaksonCost: $15 WCR Members, $20 Non-membersLocation: 1818 Club, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, DuluthWebsite 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 MeetingVoting for 2011 Slate of Offi cersCost: $20 Members, $25 Non-membersLocation: Marietta Conference Center, 500 Powder Springs Rd, MariettaWebsite registration: www.cobbrealtor.com or call 770-422-3900

October 20, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Atlanta Board of Realtors®Extreme NetworkingGuest Speaker, Steve Palm of Smart NumbersAlso, speed networking, door prizes, Hors d’ouevres and drinksCost: Free for Atlanta Board of Realtors® membersLocation: Atlanta Realtors® Center 5784 Lake Forrest Drive, AtlantaWebsite registration: www.abr.org

October 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Atlanta Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors®

Business Meeting and LuncheonBrandon Beach, president Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce“21st Century Leadership for 21st Century ChallengesCost: $25 WCR Members, $35 Non-membersLocation: Cherokee Town Club, 155 W. Paces Rd. AtlantaEmail reservation to Serena Henry [email protected]

October 24, 8:00 a.m.Gwinnett Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors®

“Hoofi n’ for Habitat” 5K Run to Benefi t Gwinnett Habitat for HumanityCost: $20 Pre-registration online or Mail by Oct. 15, $25 at raceLocation: Start and fi nish at Kurt’s Restaurant, 4225 Rivergreen Pkwy, DuluthOnline Registration. www.wcrgwinnett.org or callJoan 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 FundraiserTo benefi t Georgia Care and CounselingCost: $125 per personLocation: Cherokee Town & Country Club. 155 W. Paces Ferry, AtlantaFor info or to purchase tickets: www.atlwcrmurdermystery.comOr call Louri Kearns 678-778-7011 email [email protected]

November 18, 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - Atlanta Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors®

Business Meeting and LuncheonDeborah Gilmore, national WCR President and Offi cer installationsCost: $25 WCR Members, $35 Non-membersLocation: Piedmont Driving Club, 1215 Piedmont Ave NE, AtlantaEmail reservation: Serena Henry, [email protected]

November 5-8, NARdiGras National Association of Realtors® Annual TradeShow and ConventionMorial Convention Center, New Orleans, LAFor Information and Registration – www.realtor.org



continued from page 7

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 offi ce. He is a member of the

Cherokee Association of Realtors®.

The Northwest offi ce welcomed three

new members: Lawrence Forester,

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 certifi ed.

He is a member of the Cobb Association

of Realtors® and the Women’s Council

of Realtors®.

Bringing more than 25 years of real

estate experience with her from Crye-

Leike Realty, Lenney serves as a Georgia Association of

Realtors® director and serves as the statewide vice president

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

Francine Bethune and Kris Kolarich, a team specializing in the Atlanta foreclosure market, joined the Midtown offi ce after their previous company, Bo Bridgeport Brokers, merged with Prudential Georgia Realty. Specializing 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 offi ce, Lori Greenwald

brings four years of real estate experience plus her Accredited Buyer Represen-tative and Short Sales Foreclosure Resource designations to the team. Previously with Harry Norman, Realtors,

Lori Greenwald

Harold Smith

Francine Bethune

Providing Unmatched Coverage, Service and Value to Real Estate Professionals

Want to learn more about these valuable services?

Contact our Membership

Department today!

www.gamls.com • www.georgiamls.com • 770-493-9000

Georgia MLS knows that a successful real estate business requires access to industry-leading technology as well as cutting-edge products and services. Georgia MLS

members enjoy the benefits of new products like GeorgiaMLSPro.com and CRS® PowerTools, online GAR contract forms and transaction management, wireless cell phone access, a free website for every agent, team and office, top-notch technical training and more. Plus, Georgia MLS members have unlimited access to over 100,000 active listings in more than 125 Georgia counties...

…all for one low monthly fee!

Improve Your Business and Achieve Success

More homes sold through

Georgia MLS than any other

MLS in Georgia!

Lawrence Forester

continued on page 17



of the Women’s Council of Realtors®.

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

Designations

Julie Brittain of Keller Williams Realty® First Atlanta earned the EcoBroker®

Certifi ed designation after completing a training program on the energy and environmental issues affecting real estate transactions.

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 [email protected].

Greg Martin,

president and

m a n a g i n g

broker of ERA Sunrise

Realty, recently starting

hosting a weekly radio

show, House Talk, on

Newstalk1340 WGAU

in Athens, airing

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

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

past shows.

Janet Longmire

Julie Brittain

Cheryl Lenney


ABR Annual Trade Show a Great SuccessShowcase 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 benefi t the board’s annual

construction of a Habitat for Humanity home.

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

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Metro Brokers recently acquired Best Mountain

Properties, which serves Pickens and Dawson

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 fi ve

years. The fi rm will now operate under

the BHGRE Metro Brokers name, and

its 15 sales associates will join the Jasper

and Forsyth offi ces. 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

combined real estate experience with

them, and recently became lifetime members

of the Million Dollar Club at their local real

estate board.

President and CEO Kevin Levent welcomes Kelly and Tom Beechler to the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers family.

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Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Continues Growth Spurt

Blake Mowe and Renee Arnold of Plumbing Express show off their R.E.

Magazine “Partners’ Profi le” reprints at Showcase 2010 at the Cobb

Galleria Centre.


Mavry 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.

(Photo by Lawrence Cohen)

DeKalb Association of Realtors® Receives Grant for Workforce Housing Issues

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 qualifi ed 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 fi nancial 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.

ERA Sunrise Realty Acquires The Good Broker

ERA Sunrise Realty, a Canton-based real estate brokerage with 8 offi ces around metro Atlanta and north Georgia, recently acquired ERA The

Good Broker, an Atlanta-based fi rm with over 25 agents. The merger, completed in early summer, solidifi ed Sunrise Realty’s spot as one of the fastest growing real estate fi rms 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 affi liate 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 offi ce, 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 fi t 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 [email protected].


Most people don’t believe that a

new home or new roof needs an

inspection. Over the years, I have

found during the home inspection process,

it does not matter if the roof is old or

brand new. Each and every one of them is

bound to have a few issues. I just recently

performed an inspection on a new home,

provided the report to the builders, and

then went back afterwards to perform a

follow-up inspection. The roof was in just

about as bad of shape as the fi rst time I

went out to the home!

One of the things that I fi nd on a regular

basis is shingles not being installed

according to the manufacturer’s specifi cations. Most

manufacturers’ recommendations are to have four nails

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

occasions. During a heavy wind storm or tornado,

those shingles that have less nails than recommended

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

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

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

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

penetration.

Another issue that you want to pay close attention to is

the fl ashing that is used – or not used in many instances.

Flashing prevents water from getting in and causing wood

rot and damage. Many roofs have multiple intersections,

such as valleys, crickets and the roofi ng material butting

up to adjacent wall. These areas can be prone to water

leakage. Pre-formed components such as drip edge, step

fl ashing, kick-out diverters, and specialty pipe/chimney

caps provide solutions that help eliminate the guess work

when preventing moisture intrusion.

Proper ventilation is another reason for concern.

Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up in the

attic, especially if the owners have not properly vented

all the vents to the outdoors. We often fi nd bathroom

fan vents and dryer vents vented directly into the attic

- both of which produce high amounts of moisture.

Unchecked moisture can promote mold, mildew, and

wood rot. Natural or static ventilation systems consist of

simple vents or covered openings in your attic. These

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

ventilation experts agree that externally baffl ed ridge

vents, combined with vented soffi ts, are a very effective

method for ventilating an attic.

Recently I had two different clients want to make sure

that the contractors they hired to repair their homes did

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

contractor had a few issues that needed to be addressed,

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

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

you know of someone who has experienced recent storm

damage and had a contractor come out and do repairs,

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

nominal fee can save you thousands.

Thinking of getting your roof redone? You might also

want to consider getting a home inspector to come out

and provide the initial roof inspection. If you have a

roofi ng contractor provide your estimate, he could say

that you need an entire new roof, when simply repairing

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

inspector has your best interest in mind and can possibly

save you money on future repairs/maintenance.

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

commercial inspections, Thermal Imaging and Radon Testing, Lelak

has a particular obsession for proper roof repair and maintenance.

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

ihihomeinspections.com.

Inspect the Uninspected!Consider using a home inspector to keep roof contractors on top of thingsBy David Lelak, guest columnistin

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r.e. inspection sectionr.e. inspection sectionr.e. inspection section

• Residential and Commercial Inspections• Pre-closing & Pre-listing Inspections• FHA/HUD 203k Inspector/Consultant• Radon Gas Testing

Serving Midtown Atlanta and surrounding communities

Bob [email protected]

770-656-2209w w w. n p i w e b . c o m / b m c d

Have your clients mention R.E. Magazine and receive FREETermite Inspection and Letter through December2010!

• Residential & Commerial Inspections• Stucco Inspections• Thermal camera inspections for leak detection• ASHI, ICC, GAHI & Moisture Free-Certified Inspectors• Spanish-speaking inspectors and office personnel• Termite Letters at the same time as the inspection

www.theriaway. com

formerlyResidentialInspector of America 770.476.4963

Skyline Home Inspections, Inc.

FREE Termite Letter Inspection with eachCertified Home Inspection

Performed by Skyline Pest Solutions’ State Registered Inspectors

• E/O Insurance + Umbrella Protection• Onsite Computer-Generated Reports• E-Mail Reports Available• Lockbox Keyholder

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Serving All of Metro Atlanta& Surrounding Counties

www.skylinehomeservices.com

678-432-5464

home inspection“The Buyer’s Inspector”

770-827-2200

C.H.I.Serving the entire metro Atlanta area!

770-827-2200

www.CHIInspection.com

Environmental Testing Available:Mold, Radon, & VOC’s


alarm systems

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

residential, small business, commercialwww.ackermansecurity.com

associations

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

Cherokee Association of Realtors® . . . . . . 770-591-0004

Cobb Association of Realtors®. . . . . . . . . . 770-422-3900

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

advertising

The Real Estate Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-910-0347

www.realestatebook.com(see display ad page 5)

attorneys

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

East Cobb Offi ce 678-337-3223www.proclosers.com

Law Offi ces of Sam Maguire Jr., PC . . . 404-257-8885

Where Real Estate Meets Real Peoplewww.sammaguire.com

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

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

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

Morris|Hardwick|Schneider . . . . . . . . . . 678-298-2100Exceeding Expectations. One Closing at a Time

www.closingsource.net

O’Kelley & Sorohan, LLC…………….770-497-188018 offi ces across Georgia for your convenience

www.okelleyandsorohan.com

Shafritz & Dean, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-255-81835 offi ces for your clients’ convenience

www.shafritz-dean.com

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

basements and waterproofi ng

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

fi nancial services

Groundbreakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-268-3330

franchise opportunities

RE/MAX Regional Services . . . . . . . . . . 678-802-5728Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results.

www.remax.com (see display ad page 14)

graphic design

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

home inspection services

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)

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


IHI Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-788-2581


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)

home staging

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

home warranty

First American Home Buyer’s Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-886-1661

(see display ad page 7)

insurance

Don Johnson State Farm Insurance . . . 770-973-8455

E Cobb Good Neighbor Insurance & Financial Svcwww.donjohnsoninsurance.com

investment properties

Bluefi elds Capital, LCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678-502-5000

resource directoryresource directory Realtor® resource directory


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

resource directoryresource directory Realtor® resource directorymanagement companies

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

mortgage companies

First Option Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-423-8291“8-day closings”

www.thepeopleyoucallfi rst.com(see display ad page 6)

moving and storage

Atlanta Peach Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-270-5586

Buckhead Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-603-0234Best Move for your Bucks!

www.buckheadmovers.com

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

photography

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

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

plumbing

Plumbing Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-452-8636Your Solution to Polybutylene Plumbing

www.plumbing911.com

real estate companies

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

www.weichert.com(see display ad page 2)

renovation and new construction

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

roof repairs

Peachtree Roofi ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-579-7663

security systems

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

residential, small business, commercialwww.ackermansecurity.com

utility protection

Utilities Protection Center, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811Know before you dig – Call 811

www.georgia811.com(see display ad page 16)

video productions

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

virtual tours

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

window services