Zoning Debate in Forsyth County

Read an article in the Jan 30th AJC concerning Forsyth County and a debate on zoning.

Forsyth County reflects what many counties in Georgia, and nationwide, will be up against when they look at ways to bring in business to help their tax base. Many counties in North Georgia rely on residential for the majority of their property taxes. Forsyth County has quite a few businesses that add money to the tax rolls. However the county experienced a large influx of money as a result of the housing boom.

Now that new housing construction in Forsyth County, as well as, the entire Atlanta area continues to be flat Forsyth County is looking for commercial opportunities to contribute to the tax rolls.

The dilemma they find themselves in, according to the article, is whether to give variations to attract business investment.

According to the development watchdog group. Smart Growth Forsyth the answer is no. They worry that the county will increase the amount of zoning variations requested. That would lead to a further erosion of zoning standards.

This debate will take place in all of our counties. Stay informed, and involved, in your county. Eventually decisions like these could directly affect you, your quality of life, and potentially your home value

The AJC: A Thing of the Past

Like many of you I am an “addicted internet browser”. The internet has become my sources of knowledge and I know I am not the only one.

Last week my neighbor gave me her Sunday Atlanta Journal and Constitution. It took me a while to realize that it was a newspaper that you read. (It has been a while). I enjoyed the sounds of the paper crumbling as I turned pages, the feel of the paper in my hands, and the fact I could read it without being in a WiFi hotspot!

In the past the AJC Homefinder section was your source for all the Atlanta area real estate news. Homes for sale, mortgage data, open houses, vacation properties, all in one spot.

6 Pages! The entire section was down to 6 pages! At least I knew I would finish the entire section!

I am not picking on our local newspaper. The size of this once coveted section reinforces the fact that the internet is taking over more and more every day. I see it statistically by the number of “hits” I receive on various real estate websites including our own www.randywellsteam.com site.

One day in the very near future I will fondly tell my son about the “old days” when we use to read something called a newspaper. I am going to miss the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the news press. Time to make new memories with my laptop!

Do You Need a Termite Inspection in Georgia?

What is the word on a termite inspection in Georgia?

Everytime I attend a company real estate meeting I wonder why I am wasting my time. However my broker manages to surprise me each time by bringing in relevant speakers. This meeting was no exception.

We had a representative from Coppermine Pest Control who is also a member of GPCA (Georgia pest Control Authority). He talked to us on changes to the 2011 GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement with its references to a pest inspection.

According to 2005
• In 2005 HUD issued guidelines that said termite inspections were not required. Previous to that lenders required termite inspections in order to secure a loan.
• The HUD guideline was issued for every state in the country.
• Atlanta, and the state of Georgia, are each #2 for termites in the country!
• GPCA worked with the Georgia Legislature, and GAR, to have wording placed on Georgia Real Estate contracts.

Here are the results:

In the Purchase and Sale Agreement there is an option of providing the buyer with a GAR F13 entitled "Protect Yourself when Buying a Home”. It was produced by GAR to help buyers with the home buying process. One of the suggestions is to “Have the home inspected for termites and other wood destroying organisms and obtain an official Georgia Wood Infestation Report that can only be prepared by a licensed pest control company”.


The bottom line is this: It is not a requirement to have a home inspected for termites but it is strongly suggested. When you are #2 in the country for termites I think that makes your decision easier.

Highlights of the 2011 Norton Agency Annual Forecast

The 2011 Norton Annual Forecast marked the 24th year of this successful presentation. We had a full house at The Georgia Mountain Center where Frank Norton Jr. shared the 2011 trends.

They are:

1.Headed to Evolution not Recovery
2.Mythical Multiple Bottoms
3.The First Law of Cash
4.A Paradox of Ownership
5.The Million Dollar Dilemma
6.Medical Overtakes Poultry as #1 Industry
7.Out of the Ashes Rises the Phoenix
8.Phantom Real Estate
9.Our Holographic Government Collapses
10.To The Survivors Belong the Spoils
If you would like to read the details about these 10 trends along with an in depth summary of The Norton Georgia region let us know. We can email you a copy of the 2011 Norton Native Intelligence. Just go to our website wwww.randywellsteam.com and send us an email.

Barb and I are very proud to be associated with The Norton Agency. The information provided by Frank Norton Jr. strengthens our knowledge which in turn allows us to better serve our clients.

Check out The Wells Team of The Norton Agency at www.randywellsteam.com

Does a Georgia Real Estate Agent Have to Follow the Code of Ethics?

The Georgia Association of Realtors (GAR) has made some changes to our 2011 real estate contracts. One change I think is very interesting is the acknowledgement of being a local real estate board member.

I want to point this out to my friends, clients, and sphere who are not real estate agents.

On the bottom of our Purchase and Sale Agreement there is a blank to fill in your board membership. If you are not a member of a local Georgia board of realtors you leave the space blank.

What does that mean to you?

If an agent is not a member of a local Georgia Board of Realtors then they are also not a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Can they still practice real estate in Georgia if they are not board members? Yes they can. The state of Georgia does not require an agent to belong to a Georgia member board of realtors in order to practice their profession. They have to have a state of Georgia real estate license.

What does this mean to you?

If an agent does not belong to a board of realtors then they are not obligated to follow the Naitonal Association/Georgia Assocaiton of Realtors Code of Ethics.

The code of ethics gives us guidelines on how we represent our clients, how we interact with fellow realtors, and how we should conduct our business. My partner Barb and I make every effort to abide by these rules.

Unfortunately we have had issues with other agents who are not obligated to follow our code of ethics. Without getting into detail there was a noticeable difference in the lack of professionalism.

The next time you select an agent to help you buy or sell a home ask them if they are a member of a board of realtors.

Here is the link to the Georgia Association Board of Realtors Code of Ethics

http://www.garealtor.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RoNuhd4TAtY%3d&tabid=192

New Listing in a Great Atlanta School District!

Take a look at this newly renovated home by clicking on the virtual tour link


http://homesite.obeo.com/637714

The Norton Agency Annual Forecast is January 20th !

Please look at the invitation below. This is a great opportunity to see Frank Norton Jr. speak. Frank will give his insight on residential and commercial real estate, population growth, business growth, water issues, transportation issues, and other factors that will affect the North Georgia area.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Barb 404-642-1968 or Randy 770-313-5792.

To see our listings check out our website at www.randywellsteam.com

See you Thursday!