The Grinch sez "Nice shirt" (long story). Do you have your Christmas shopping finished yet? Stop "Bah humbugging" and get shopping! The entire US Economy is depending on YOU!
The funny thing about being a real estate attorney? Your friends totally forget what you do for a living! I have to grouse about a friend I caught up with last week. They were all chatty about their refinance closed earlier in the month with someone else. HELLO!?! I AM A CLOSING ATTORNEY TOO! My point is this--if you have ANY kind of real estate concerns or issues, don't forget that I am your best resource. Even if you are buying new construction and are stuck with their attorney, feel free to call me with Q's. We normally represent the lender BUT it helps to have a friendly face at the table. If you are clueless about the process, call me. Contract Q's? Call me. If you need help finding an agent or loan officer, call me. If you need wine tips (or want to break into your 1997 Cabernet in the cellar) CALL ME. Getting the picture? ☺ Remember this last thought-YOU as a consumer have the right to choose your attorney. Choose someone that will keep an eye out for your interests and help explain what you're signing. Someone like.... BO! ☺
Thank God for the rain!
Click on the "MORE" link for "an oldie but goodie" email. Yes, it's real and you may have seen it before-but I defy you to not smile at least once during the "performance". For more info go to Snopes.com and type in "Christmas in Lights".
Wine for the holidays? Go for bubbly!
Champagne is a versatile wine and it more or less 'goes with anything'. Too often it is relegated to "celebration only" status, but it's that time of year! Vintage Dom Perignon for $123 may be too much but there are plenty of quality wines out there from Spain, California and even some bargains FROM Champagne (i.e. the Champagne region of France). I hit Sam's and Costco over the weekend and found some great pricing and options for you. Costco had the better deal on Veuve Clicqout (look for the famous yellow label) as it was $42 (Sam's $45) and Perrier Jouet Brut for $29 (vs. Sam's @ $35). Sam's had a few that Costco didn't, such as Roderer Estate (a CA wine from the makers of $250 Cristal) for $19 and a really fun Cava (sparkling wine made like Champagne, but from Spain) called Cordoniu for $10 (don't be afraid that it's a Rosé-it's very dry). For a sweet dessert bubbly get the Rosa Regale from Italy for $17. One of my favorites at Costco is the Piper Heidsick Rosé for $30, or Costco's own Kirkland Rosé (also a true French Champagne) for the same price. A big surprise was seeing 90 points for Kirkland's $23 Brut (a "Top 100" wine from Wine Spectator as well!). Always popular Möet et Chandon "White Star" is about $36 (Chandon's CA version is only $15). Rounding out "the cheapies", go for Cristalino for under $6 (always a top seller) or Gloria Ferrer (CA, 90pts???) for $14. Final shot? Look for Segura Viudas from Spain for around $7. I LOVE that one! Happy New Year to us!
Economic Ramblings
Foreclosures are still in the news, but some positive signs for Nov. US figures-we are up 68% from 2006, but down 10% from October. As for GA, we are now #7 in the US, dropping 21% from Oct (up "only" 27% from 2006, stats from realtytrac.com). What's this mean? BUY A HOUSE! Why do we still have so many fence-sitters? No clue as we have low rates, high inventory, motivated sellers, so go figure? I still think the media needs to shut-up and let some positive vibes flow! Reports? The Fed did drop rates a quarter but the R word still threatens. The Fed also dumped some $ into the system so that banks have more money to lend. This is important so that banks can obtain $ w/o looking 'weak' (which would further damage consumer confidence). Retail sales have been 'okay' but people keep waiting for 'the big sale', though I think we've seen the best pricing. Perhaps sales will be down and there will be 'fire sales' before year-end so you can spring for a larger TV... The National Association of Realtors thinks that existing home sales will rise in 2008, but new homes won't see much recovery until '09. I actually think new home sales will start to rise in '08, but the bad news lies in the fact that builders still have excess inventory & homes will continue to sit until Summer. Rates should still remain under 7% which blows my mind (remember the Carter era?) but the key thing to remember is that we live in GA, our prices are reasonable, living costs low, & living standards great! New regs? See this:
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