Atlanta Real Estate Market Update

March 17, 2009

There is an Atlanta real estate market graph on my Facebook page.

Today I noticed a slight uptick in the median price for Atlanta homes.

Have we reached bottom in the Atlanta real estate market?

Each week we take a snapshot of the Atlanta real estate market.

I quit posting updates in November. The market was flat.

Today, I decided to update the reports — primarily to  answer a question for someone.

March November
Median Price 284,800 289,500
Days on Market 167 134
Houses for Sale 1819 2163


Bottom line? It’s a great time to buy property if you don’t have to sell first.

Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Market Reports | Leave a Comment 

Cobb Board of Education Newsletter

March 6, 2009

The Cobb Board of Education has requested three new calendar options for the 2009-10 school year. The school board instructed Superintendent Fred Sanderson to prepare the new options for review at the March 11 work session. The board specified that the new options should each include a start date of August 17 or later, and at least one of the options should end first semester after the winter holiday break.

The currently approved 2009-2010 school calendar begins school on August 10.

Read the current Cobb Board of Education Newsletter here.

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Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Atlanta Relocation | Leave a Comment 

President Obama’s Strategy for Economic Recovery

March 5, 2009

The President’s strategy for economic recovery is a stool with several legs, as he’s said, and one of them is solving the foreclosure crisis.

“We must stem the spread of foreclosures and falling home values for all Americans, and do everything we can to help responsible homeowners stay in their homes,” Obama said as he signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.

We’re sure you have a lot of questions, like, Am I eligible for assistance? Might I be able to modify my loan? When do I apply? We’ve put together an example sheet that will show you what options might be available to you, depending on the circumstances of your mortgage, as well as answers to some common questions.

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Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Market Reports | Leave a Comment 

Cobb County School Enrollment and Immunization Requirements

March 5, 2009

Enrollment and Immunization Requirements

The Cobb County School District shall admit into its schools any individual between the ages of five (5), by September 1, and seventeen (17), who resides with an adult, whether a parent or guardian, within the Cobb County School District (Administrative Rule JF).

To help ensure that the enrollment process for your child goes as smoothly as possible, please read carefully the following guidelines:

What School Will My Child Attend?
You can easily find out what schools serve your home or potential home by using our convenient online Bus Route Finder. Just enter your complete street address to determine the correct elementary, middle and high school. If you have further questions or need more clarification, call the Cobb County School District Transportation Office at (678) 594-8000.

Questions About Cobb Pre-K Program
Information about pre-kindergarten programs offered in Cobb County can be found here.

Enrolling your child in Kindergarten?
Georgia law requires that kindergarten students be five years old on or before Sept. 1 and first grade students be six years old on or before Sept. 1 to be registered.

State of Georgia Immunization requirements: In English En Espanol

What Will The School Need To Enroll My Child?
Georgia law 20-2-690.1, requires any person, whether or not a parent or legal guardian, who has, “control or charge of any child between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays,” to enroll and send the child to a public school, private school, or home study program.

The following is a brief summary of documentation needed by any parent/legal guardian (granted through the court system), or non-parent seeking to enroll a student in the Cobb County School District (District). If the person enrolling the student is not the student’s parent/legal guardian, the school will require the enrolling person to fully complete Form JF-11 (Non-Parental Affidavit), as implemented by the State July 1, 2007, to be considered by the principal for approval.

There are FIVE (5) main documents required of ALL students prior to being enrolled in the District. This includes transfers from one county school to another within the District (Choice receiving schools are an exception). To help ensure that the enrollment process for your child goes as smoothly as possible, please refer to the following items:

1. CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION as required by Georgia Law 20-2-771:

  • Georgia Form 3231 for all kindergarten and sixth grade students, all students new to Georgia and students coming from any private school must have the form signed by a licensed health-care provider or the county health department. To be enrolled in the District, ALL certificates of immunization must be marked “Complete for Attendance” OR have a future expiration date. Expired certificates will not be accepted for enrollment.

Click here for New State of Georgia Immunization requirements
— In English
— En Español

  • Form JLC-4 (Waiver of Immunization Requirements Due to Conflict of Religious Beliefs)
  • Medical Waivers/Exemptions are a part of Georgia Form 3231 and are reviewed annually.

2. HEARING, DENTAL AND VISION SCREENING CERTIFICATE as required by Georgia Law 20-2-770 (Georgia Form 3300) for all kindergarten and new first grade students, all students new to Georgia and any child enrolling from a private school dated within 12 months prior to the day of enrollment. However, if a student is enrolling from another Georgia public school, a completed 3300 Form will be accepted by any District school.

3. PROOF OF BIRTH DATE for students enrolling in kindergarten (the age of five by Sept. 1) or first grade (the age of six by Sept 1), students new to Georgia or coming from a private school. The school will accept evidence in the order set forth below that show the student’s date of birth. Refer to Section B of Administrative Rule JF (Admissions/Withdrawals) for additional entrance age requirements.

  • Birth Certificate
  • Military ID
  • Driver’s License
  • Passport
  • Adoption Record
  • A religious record authorized by a religious official
  • An official school transcript
  • Affidavit of age

4. PROOF OF RESIDENCY: Residency as defined by the Georgia Board of Education rule 160-5-1-.28 shall mean the place where the student lives with a parent, guardian, or other person, (refer to Form JF-11) unless the student is an emancipated minor. The student must be an occupant of a dwelling located within the school system boundaries. Proof of residence in the attendance zone in which the school is located shall be required when a student enrolls in a school and whenever a change of residence occurs, unless the student is homeless. Individuals not legally admitted into the country cannot be denied a free public education.

Any Two items from the list below are required by the person(s) enrolling a child in the District.

  • home ownership title
  • lease or rental agreement
  • current utility monthly statement
  • current Georgia driver’s license
  • Georgia identification card
  • current bank, credit union, or other financial institution documentation
  • mail delivered by the United States Postal Service
  • employer documentation
  • a Cobb County property tax statement
  • voter registration documentation from Cobb County
  • a current motor vehicle registration (tag receipt)
  • Form JF-2 (Statement of Legal Residence).

5. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: According to Georgia Law 20-2-150d; An official copy of the student’s Social Security card/number is required for enrollment. However,  no student may be denied enrollment for failing to provide his/her Social Security number. Any parent/legal guardian who objects to the incorporation of the Social Security number into the child’s school records may have the requirement waived by signing a statement objecting to the requirement Form JF-4 (Statement of Objection to the Use of Social Security Number for Student Identification). However, a Social Security Number will be required by the State for a student applying for the HOPE scholarship.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED RULES:

  • Homeless children (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) Any parent/guardian who may be living in a homeless situation should complete Form JFABD-1 (Student Residency Statement) and contact the Homeless Education Program at 678-503-0173 for information/interview.
  • International Students (International Welcome Center) All International Students, grades 6-12, who are planning to enroll in Cobb County School District should contact the IWC at 770-819-2383 for language testing and/or review of transcripts/records for appropriate placement. Elementary International Students are processed at their local schools.
  • Choice Receiving Schools (NCLB): Regulations for these transfer students are dictated by Federal guidelines and are different than District rules.

OTHER DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR ENROLLMENT

6. A valid transcript and a withdrawal form from the student’s previous school is essential for appropriate academic placement. Parents who can not provide a valid transcript and a withdrawal form from the previous school must fill out Form JF-8 (Authorization to Release Records) to enroll their student on a conditional basis. Any student who is enrolling in the District for the first time in grades seven or higher must provide a discipline record from the school previously attended in order to be granted full admission status. Refer to Form JF-9 (Disclosures Required for Conditional Admission). Form JF-9 must be completed at the time of enrollment.

7. For those students enrolling in the Special Education Program, the parent/guardian may provide a copy of the student’s latest IEP.

8. Custodial Documents: The District may request proof of custody in situations involving multiple adults claiming control of the same student.

A complete explanation of enrollment requirements and documentation may be found in District Administrative Rule JF (Admissions/Withdrawals).

Additional Information:

The School May Also:
• request proof of custody or custody documentation; or
• suggest that the adult with whom the student lives obtain legal guardianship.

  • request proof of age and name verification; and

• other information the school deems necessary for proper placement.


Provide the names and phone numbers of persons who may pick up your child if you
cannot be reached, and the name and phone number of your child’s doctor.

See CCSD Administrative Rule JF (Admissions/Withdrawals) for additional details on Admissions.

TIPS: To expedite enrollment and placement for transfer students:
• Form JF-7: “Student Enrollment Checklist” is available for your convenience.
(Click here to download Form JF-7)
• Parents/guardians should complete Form JF-5: “Student Enrollment Form”  and bring it
with them to the school at the time of enrollment. (Click here to download Form JF-5)
• Parents/guardians should bring progress reports, most recent report card, test information,
and any information on special services your child may have received.


No habla inglés? Necesita ayuda?
Si los padres/tutores no hablan inglés y necesitan ayuda con el proceso de matriculación de sus hijos en la escuela pueden llamar al Centro Internacional de Bienvenida al (770) 819-2383.

Note: Non-English speaking families in need of assistance with registration in the ESOL Program may call the International Welcome Center at (770) 819-2383.

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Posted by Kathy Drewien | Filed Under Atlanta Relocation | Leave a Comment 

Atlanta Real Estate Market Data

March 3, 2009

The following market report for real estate in Atlanta represents year-end data gathered from 36 areas in the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS).  The data reflects Single Family Detached Residences primarily with a few statistics representing the Condo/Townhouse market.

The areas include most of the following counties: Cherokee, Forsyth, East Cobb, N. Fulton, Gwinnett, Paulding, West Cobb, Inside Perimeter, Dekalb and Douglas.

  1. Median sales price for re-sales declined more than new construction prices.
  2. Median days on market 3 times longer when sellers overprice and have to reduce price to sell.
  3. Sellers who had to reduce prices averaged 87% of listing price vs. 96.5% of listing price with no price reduction.
  4. Median sales price in 4th Qtr 2008 lower than any period since 2003.  Median price is $170,000.
  5. Gap in List Price to Sales Price in 4th Qtr 2008 vs. 2007 greatest under $200,000 (17.8%) and above $750,000 (9.4%).
  6. Percentage of transactions requiring price reduction in 2008 grew to 50%.
  7. Months supply of listing inventory slightly decreased monthly in 2008 since July. Inventory in July was 13 months;  December declined to 10 months of inventory.
  8. Foreclosed property sales in 2008 represented 23.6%  of total sales.  In the <$100K price range, 42.8% of sales were foreclosures.  This range is where most of the foreclosures are.
  9. Percentage of properties requiring price reductions in 2008 greatest in the $100K – $299K range (54.9%) and the $500K – $749K price range (51.3%).
  10. Condo/Townhouse sales in 2008 down 29% vs. 2007.
  11. Median number of days on market (DOM) for Condo/Townhouse increased every quarter of 2008 except the 4th Qtr where DOM decreased compared to 2007.  Ninety-Four DOM average in 2008 – 20% down in the 4th Qtr.
  12. Condo/Townhouse Sales Price as % of List Price increased in the $750K+ price range.
  13. New Construction sales down 3.4%. Re-sales down 12.4%.
  14. National Association of Realtors reports 41% of sales across the country were first time home buyers.
  15. Residential 2008 Sales in 36 FMLS areas: 33,856 -  down 22% from 2007.  Condo/Townhome 2008 Sales is 7,056 — down 29% from 2007.
  16. Georgia Real Estate Commission reports 2008 vs. 2007 – Agent License Renewal down by 8,080. Firm Renewals down 1,460 2008 vs. 2007.  New License issued in 2007 – 10,290.  New Licenses issued in 2008 – 5,655.

The data was compiled by Chuck Carr of Chartmaster Services, LLC.  It is believed to be accurate but not warranted.

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Posted by Vivian Lacy | Filed Under Market Reports | Leave a Comment 

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