New Signs that Home Prices May Be Stabilizing

CNBC.com

| 21 Apr 2010 | 12:47 PM ET

A new sign that home prices may be stabilizing—fewer sellers are slashing prices while their homes are on the market.

Twenty percent of sellers slashed prices by an average 10 percent in April, and while that may sound like a lot, it’s a good deal less than the 27 percent who did so in April of 2009, all according to real estate website Trulia.com.

Granted, sellers still slashed a collective $23 billion dollars from their original expectations, but at least the numbers are headed in the right direction.

“Market stabilization is helping to define fair market value, and this helps agents and consumer price better,” says Trulia’s Ken Shuman.

The big question is what will happen when federal stimulus finally exits the housing market, as the home buyer tax credit expires April 30. Increases in foreclosures are already beginning to weigh on home prices, as distressed sales now dominate the market.

Going locally, some of the hardest hit metropolitan markets are now seeing some of the biggest decreases in seller concessions. In Las Vegas, just 13 percent of sellers on the market have slashed prices, compared to 28 percent a year ago. San Diego and San Francisco are seeing comparable trends. On the flip side, Seattle and Denver, which were late to boom and later to bust are still seeing an increase in price reductions.

The average price reduction, again 10 percent nationally, is also changing depending on the market. San Francisco sellers are lowering prices by about 8 percent compared to 13 percent a year ago. But Phoenix, with its huge rate of foreclosure, is seeing prices slashed 13 percent compared to 12 percent last year.

In addition to market stabilization in some metros, the fact also is that sellers, inundated with news of the troubled housing market, are simply more realistic than ever before. Realtors report that more of their clients realize that underpricing will generate more offers faster. Also, those sellers demanding prices of yesterday, are taking their homes off the market to wait out the recovery.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU! 

	Wednesday, August 19, 2009
	Seven Fulton County high schools are among the state’s leaders in ACT performance, according to information released today by the Georgia Department of Education and the ACT organization. During the 2009 testing cycle, 2,520 Fulton County students took the test – an increase of 267 students, or nearly 12 percent, from the previous year. While some schools saw changes in their performance, the overall Fulton County composite score remained constant at 22.2 and is the highest of the large metro Atlanta school systems. The state and national composite scores also stayed the same at 20.6 and 21.1, respectively. Scores range from 0 to 36. Click here to view school-by-school scores and comparisons between the 2008 and 2009 testing cycles.   In its release of information, the state Department of Education listed Chattahoochee High School (25.2 composite score) as Georgia’s top performing school. Riverwood International Charter School (25.0) also was noted, as was Milton High School (24.6), Northview High School (24.6), Alpharetta High School (23.9), Roswell High School (23.7) and Centennial High School (23.4). Riverwood also was highlighted as one of the state’s most improved schools in ACT performance.   “I’m pleased to see an increase of students taking the ACT. The test is an excellent predictor of how successful our students will be in a college environment,” said Superintendent Cindy Loe, Ph.D. “I’m proud that our students continue to do so well on this test and are outperforming their state and national peers.”   Similar to the SAT, the ACT is commonly used for college admission and placement. According to the organization, the test is taken by more than 50 percent of high school students in 27 states and is increasingly becoming the preferred admission test by four-year colleges. The test measures English, math, reading and science proficiency, with an optional writing section, whereas the SAT measures only math, reading and writing. Testing is voluntary and occurs throughout the year, and students are able to take the test more than once to improve their performance.   ACT originally stood for American College Testing but in 1996 the organization’s name was shortened to simply “ACT.” The organization was founded in 1959 and celebrates 50 years of college entrance testing this year.   Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cobb ACT Scores Rise In All Subjects
Fifth consecutive year of improvement; top state & national averages

For the fifth consecutive year Cobb County’s college-bound seniors have improved the school district’s composite score on the ACT college-preparation test. Recently released scores show Cobb students increased their average score in every subject area of the test. Cobb students also topped state and national averages in all four subject areas, as well as in the composite average, just as they did in 2008, and even widened the margin of performance in 2009.

ACT scores for the class of 2009 indicate that Cobb graduates are well prepared for success in their first year of college. The 2009 seniors posted an average composite score of 22.1 (out of a possible 36), slightly higher than last year’s score of 22.0. The composite average was 1.5 points higher than the state average, and 1.0 points higher than the national average. Across the subject areas tested, Cobb students topped the national averages in English (+1.2), Math (+1.2), Reading (+1.1), and Science Reasoning (+0.6). The ACT assessment measures high school students’ overall educational development and their readiness for the challenge of core college classes. Cobb seniors’ composite average has topped the state and national average for 13 consecutive years.

“The ACT is valued more and more in college admissions, and these results show colleges and universities that Cobb County students are prepared for the rigors of college course work,” said Superintendent Fred Sanderson. “I’m very proud of the fact that we continue to show improvement, and our students are widening the gap between Cobb’s average and the national average in every subject.”

Students taking more rigorous classes in science or math tended to have higher ACT scores, promoting the value of enrollment in more advanced classes at the high school level. For example, Cobb students who participated in a high school math course sequence that included Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus, had scores more than eight points higher than students with less than three years of math coursework. Similarly, students taking advanced science classes that included General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics scored almost four points higher than those taking less than three years of science.

Results reflect the performance of 2,748 Cobb high school seniors (38 percent of all graduating seniors). Scores are for 2008-2009 seniors who took the ACT voluntarily in either their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school.

Scores for individual Cobb high schools are available on the District Web site.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

 BUSINESSES IN MARIETTA ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT FUNDING

8/06/09

If you own a small business and are looking to move to Marietta or expand your existing small business in an area of the city that is undergoing redevelopment, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Marietta Growth Fund as part of a small-business grant program.

Businesses must be located within the city limits of Marietta to receive the funding, Marietta Economic Development manager Beth Sessoms said. “The grant program is geared toward job creation for low- to moderate-income individuals.” Businesses must pay salaries higher than the minimum wage to be eligible to receive funding, she said.

Business owners need to have an investment of their own in the program, Sessoms said. “We provide a gap financing tool for businesses through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

About the Marietta Growth Fund

The Marietta Growth Fund provides assistance to qualified Marietta businesses, by supplementing traditional commercial loans or other financial resources with additional funds for new business or expansion.

The Fund provides a mechanism to “close the deal” when traditional commercial loans and other financial resources are insufficient to capitalize the business. The Fund encourages business revitalization and employment opportunities for low-to-moderate income individuals who live in the city limits of Marietta.

Marietta Growth Fund Brochure

Marietta’s dedication to redevelopment in the city is a goal City Council established as part of the city’s vision statement.

For more information, e-mail Marietta’s Economic Development manager Beth Sessoms at bsessoms@mariettaga.gov.

Source: http://www.mariettaga.gov/default.aspx

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Council approves bike trails and dog park
8/12/2009

 Marietta City Council at their August 12 meeting approved creating hiking and family-friendly mountain-biking trails at Wildwood and Burruss parks off South Cobb Drive and Cobb Parkway.

To help prevent injuries on the trails and ensure long-term trail sustainability, directional signs will be posted to let bicyclists and pedestrians know which way to go.

Trails will be opened to the public August 24, Marietta Parks and Recreation director Rich Buss said.

DOG PARK APPROVED

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Council also approved a dog park at Wildwood Park, which Buss expects to open before the end of the year if funding is secured. To prepare the park for residents and their four-legged friends, workers have to cut down trees, clear brush, install fencing and level the ground, Buss said. Residents will be able to bring a limited number of breeds and dogs when they visit the park when it opens.

Encouraging revitalization of current parks, establishing new parks for active and passive use and rejuvenating park and green space for the community are goals City Council established as part of Marietta’s vision statement.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Your East Cobb Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU!

Many people think that Atlanta Georgia was born before many of the suburban areas that make up the greater Atlanta area. However, that is not true. Before there was Atlanta and even before there was Chattanooga, there was Marietta Georgia. As far back as 1824, there were clusters of homes that made up the small area. In 1832 Cobb County was formerly named after Thomas Willis Cobb, U.S. Representative, US Senator and Supreme Court Judge.

For those of you that do not know, Marietta is located about 15 miles Northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. It is easy to get to as all you need to do is take I75 to exit 265 and then head east for about 1.7 miles and you have arrived to the wonderful city of Marietta.

Marietta serves as the Hub to Cobb County. If you like, you can read the entire history of Marietta in this article. The population of Marietta is in the range of 61,000 people. While researching the information for this wonderful city, there was no concrete information to support the actual population.

As for what you can do in Marietta, lets take a look at some of the attractions that you might find in this wonderful place. From Parks to museums to Golf to shopping to dining, there is plenty to do in Marietta. Academic and places to worship are vast as well. One of the most recognizable names of high schools in the area would be that of Lassiter High School. In 1992, 1998, and 2008, this school was awarded the Georgia Public School of Excellence award.

One of the things that I like about Marietta is all of the parks. The Marietta Parks, Recreation and Facilities has 18 parks to choose from that have a variety of amenities. you can choose from the largest park, Laurel Park, which is a 25 acre park, to the tiny Monarch Park’s butterfly garden. There really is something for all the family. If you would like to obtain more information on the parks, just click here.

As for restaurants and shopping, please check out my other reviews that I have written that detail these in a broader view. We have everything from mom and pop to big box retail and the same goes with the dining. With that said, the attractions that lend you some playtime are vast. Though White Water might be the biggest attraction in the area, you can also find Six Flags, Atlanta Braves Baseball, Atlanta Falcons Football, Atlanta Thrashers Hockey, and the Atlanta Hawks Basketball all in the area. All of these are within driving range of Marietta. However, if sports is not your thing, you can find the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, The Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square, Turn of the Century Town Square, and the Theater in the Square just to name a few.

All in all, Marietta has a lot to offer each and everyone of it’s residents. So, in closing, if you are looking for someone that can be your Marietta real estate agent, then give me a call today.

Jodi Smith
678-763-6025

Your Atlanta Real Estate Agent would like to share this important information with YOU!

Dear Parents:

Most likely you have heard news reports about the influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1 flu), also known as “Swine Flu” making its way into the United States. Confirmed cases continue to grow throughout the country and have been found in many summer schools and camps across the nation.

We want to share some basic information with you about H1N1 flu, how the Cobb County School District is preparing and responding and what you can do to protect your family’s health.

The most up-to-date information about H1N1 flu is available on the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/. Locally, the District works closely with Cobb & Douglas Public Health, a division of the sate public health department. CDPH provides locally relevant information online at http://cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org/News/swineflu.php.

What is H1N1 flu?
H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) is a respiratory illness that is caused by a Type A influenza virus. H1N1 is a new strain of flu that is a mix of swine, human and bird viruses. You cannot get H1N1 flu from eating pork or pork products.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu?
The signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to regular flu. Symptoms appear quickly, likely including dry cough, fever (sometimes over 102 degrees), stuffy nose, chills, extreme tiredness and body aches. Some people have reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with H1N1 flu, which are not common symptoms of more common influenza.

What should I do if my child has signs or symptoms of influenza?
If your child gets a fever or flu-like symptoms, it is important that he/she stays home, rests and drinks plenty of fluids. Please do not give give children fever-reducing medication and send them to school. The medication wears off and fevers and aches return. Never give aspirin to children or teens that have fever and/or flu-like symptoms because this can cause a rare, serious illness called Reye syndrome. Thorough hand washing with soap and water is the best prevention, in addition to the flu vaccine.

What are Cobb County Schools doing to prevent the spread of influenza?
The District is encouraging staff and students to practice good hygiene, including proper hand washing techniques. We encourage students to use hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol content in situations where hand washing facilities are not immediately available. The CDC also provides information on how to get immunization against influenza and H1N1 flu.

The Cobb County School District will continue to make families aware of the impact of influenza on our school environments. Awareness and prevention are the best means of helping our community stay healthy.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com 

CCSD Transportation Department

NEWEST INFORMATION!!!

All CCSD Bus Routes Finalized
All changes to Cobb County Shcool District bus routes and stops have been completed, based on input received from parents. The updated routes are available for viewing on our WebQuery system by clicking here. These stops will be in place for the first day of school Monday, August 10th.

Ongoing evaluation of all routes and pickup points will continue by Transportation staff. Parents with questions or concerns should contact Transportation at 678-594-8000.

Thank you for your patience and support throughout this process.

Please call 678-594-8000 for assistance with bus routes.
Because the school bus is an extension of the classroom, we are an integral part of the education of all students within our school district. Safety is high priority and a group effort. Students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and drivers are all assigned responsibility. We value each and every student and will emphasize that by treating each student with dignity and respect. We are committed to providing the safest, consistent, reliable transportation possible and will strive to continually upgrade our service to students and parents as it becomes possible.

Bus Route Information
The CCSD Bus Route WebQuery System helps you determine the schools a student is eligible to attend and the available bus stops. WebQuery also provides a helpful street map. Click here to enter the WebQuery System.

Bus Route Questions & Answers
Information for parents regarding changes to bus routes and pickup points

What is happening?
The school district is consolidating many of its bus stops in an effort to reduce transportation costs. For instance, subdivisions that previously had 15-20 stops may now have just two or three pickup points where students will gather and board the bus as a group. The district currently has more than 50,000 bus stops countywide. This plan would reduce those stops by about 20 percent.

Why?
The school district is in the midst of a financial crisis due to cuts in state funding. The recently approved Fiscal Year 2010 budget addressed a $58 million deficit with substantial cuts across all departments, including Transportation. Just this week the Governor announced reductions in funding that will result in an additional $10 million cut for Cobb County schools. The plan to consolidate bus stops will save approximately $1 million.

Are there any alternatives for substantial cost savings in Transportation?
One idea given consideration was to expand the current pickup radius to one mile (currently .5 mile) for elementary students, and to 1.5 miles (currently one mile) for middle and high school students.  The state requires districts to provide transportation only to students who live outside a 1.5 mile-radius of their school. Cobb has been well below that standard for years.  Expanding the pickup radius would have saved the district more money, but would have eliminated bus service to thousands of students. Therefore an alternative plan was developed.

How far will students have to walk to get to the new bus stops?
In most cases, no more than one half mile.

Will students be safe?
Yes, the safety of students is the district’s highest priority and was the top consideration in developing the plan to consolidate bus stops. Every effort has been made to ensure safe walking routes to bus stops. Students will not be required to cross busy two- and four-lane roads. And by gathering in groups at bus stops, students will be in a safer environment than they would waiting alone. Parental assistance and supervision with walking routes and bus stops, as always, will be an important part of ensuring safe transportation to and from school. Parents with legitimate safety concerns regarding the new stops may contact the Transportation Department at 678-594-8000.

Are there other benefits of consolidating bus stops?
Yes, with greatly improved efficiency in the routes of nearly 1,000 buses on the road each morning and afternoon, traffic flow throughout the county will improve. Additionally, the district anticipates fewer bus accidents with more than 1,400 back-ups and turnarounds eliminated from routes.

Call or Email me today for all of our Real Estate needs.  Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in beautiful Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

http://www.cobbk12.org/generalinfo/calendars/2009-10/2009-10SchoolYearCalendar.pdf

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com