I wanted to bring to everyone's attention that reads The Komar Team's Blog a potentially dangerous pattern of behavior that is happening in our suburbs. We all know that there are bad people in this world, here is an example:

There have been recent reports in Gwinnett County and Hall County of a young women that goes door to door in neighborhoods trying to gain entry into homes. She poses as a either a door-to-door salesman or as a neighborhood welcoming committee. She is unassuming but normally carries a can of air freshener that she says is a "gift." To those unaware, air fresheners and other household items can and are used in a way similar to mace and pepper spray.

These predators patrol our neighborhoods and look for homes where they believe only a women and children will be home, and specifically look for cars in the driveways with handicap tags on them.

The young lady that approaches the door will try to talk her way into your home, meanwhile her very large male friends stay in the van. There have been reports of up to 7 men waiting in the van and one police officer described them as, "very hostile."

Please be aware of this and share it with your friends and family. If someone approaches your home that you do not know, do not open the door. Tell them to leave, and call the police. Even tell them to leave and that you have called the police, it may make them leave faster. Keep your home locked at all times, even the door in from the garage.

Take care, and Merry Christmas!

Steven Komar

Why is government bailing out Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac? Are banks freezing their lending? Is there any money to lend to home buyers? These questions and others are being asked across the media outlets and potential home buyers nationwide. What is reality for someone who needs a mortgage loan to purchase a home?

Answer...YES...there is money available for home buyers - who can meet certain criteria! You must have satisfactory credit, verifiable income, and some cash reserves for a down payment. Assuming "Joe Homebuyer" meets these criteria, then loans are available from HUD, the Veteran's Administration, Fannie, Freddie, and banks.

Let me clarify what's happening since the media has done a great job confusing the public. Due to many bad real estate loans, banks are over exposed and have incurred write offs or losses in the past 12 months. Home values are dropping. Some people are over extended on their credit. As a result, banks are doing fewer car loans, extending fewer credit card approvals, reducing the number of equity lines, and doing fewer lot loans. Mortgage loans have continued for customers that qualify. So, other than for residential lending, banks are pulling back. The media issues blanket statements that gives the perception to the public that there is no money!

I service buyer leads from The Komar Team and other Keller Williams agents. The reality - rates are low, home prices are discounted, and money is available to qualified buyers! Feel free to contact me about financing a home, or Cindy Komar about purchasing one.

Gary Welch
Countrywide Home Loan Consultant
Financing Available in all 50 States
770.888.2232
gary@garywelchhomeloans.com

Prior to 2008 it was common for homes and properties to appraise at sales price or marginally above. But since the real estate market shift in late 2007 and 2008, new lending practices are scrutinizing appraisers and the appraisal process. And it's justified and long overdue - given the foreclosure frenzy. So how does this impact appraisers, buyers, and sellers?

Appraisers are now asked to go back only 3-6 months to find comparable properties. These comps may even include foreclosures and distressed properties! Geography has tightened - comps are to come from the same neighborhood if possible - this can be a challenge due to fewer home sales. Drive-by appraisals are almost non-existent; often appraisers are required to visit and evaluate a home multiple times. These are just a few of the changes!

The Komar Team counsels buyers and sellers about these changes, and their implications when buying or selling a home. For instance, when representing a buyer, the purchase should always be contingent upon the home appraising at sales price. On the other hand, sellers must understand that there is now another potential negotiation step when there's a contract on their home - the appraisal!

All this said, in the past year and over 40 Komar Team transactions, we've only had two where there was a potential problem with the appraisal. BUT - in today's market, sellers need to more mindful than ever before of current comps relative to the list and sales price of their home.

Cindy Komar
Associate Broker, ABR
The Komar Team
www.thekomarteam.com
770.235.9032

This past weekend, I walked in the Metro Atlanta Heart Walk with the Fox 5 News Team. It was great to see all of my friends at Fox again! Gene McHugh, General Manager, asked me to be a part of the team again next year because I "am a blessing and an inspiration to the team". Several members of the team said they enjoyed watching my donations rise, and they sent well wishes to my Mom.

The enthusiasm for the cause was truly sensational! Some teams had over 800 members, and one person named Doug raised $40,615 on his own! WOW! Everyone who raised over $1,000 was called on stage for a billboard picture that will advertise next year's Heart Walk. I was blown away by the large number of participants on stage!

Despite the huge turnout and the large number of donations, the American Heart Association fell short of its goal of $2,447,500. So far, the walk raised $1,513,288. People can still give to the Heart Walk at www.metroatlantaheartwalk.kintera.org. Please come out in 2009 - what a wonderful event!


The above article is from Penny Garner Fauscett, wife of Casey Fauscett, who is a real estate agent for The Komar Team. Visit our web site at www.thekomarteam.com to view our client-focused approach and the Team's capabilities.

Our Keller Williams office recently hosted an executive from Countrywide as a guest speaker. If you think that 2008 is the worst doom and gloom market, you need to continue reading this article. Here are some interesting facts and perspectives from his presentation:

• 2008 will have more home sales than any single year in the 1990's
• Real estate always leads us into a recession, and normally leads us back out
• Nearly 40% of buyers in Atlanta are first time home buyers (2008)
• FHA will probably offer 100% loans in the future (again)
• Home values have fallen more than 17% in 2008
• But - terrific time to buy with lower rates and lower home prices (especially lake homes)
• Atlanta market may take up to 4 years to be at 2007 levels
• But - historically, when markets shift downward, the bounce back is stronger

About a week ago a major national business publication predicted the Atlanta market would rebound and gain +32% in 2009. Unrealistic and overly aggressive? No doubt. However, the fact that there's a major gain forecasted supports most expert's thinking that 2009 will start a positive trend in home sales and prices.

www.thekomarteam.com