Hamlin Company

Buy a Foreclosure or Traditional Sale?

J. Hamlin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:05:33 +0000

Foreclosures use to be the choice of investors, that is prior to the housing crash. Today it seems everyone is looking for a foreclosure. However, a foreclosure may not be the best deal on the market. There are some inherent risk associated with the purchase of a foreclosure. Foreclosed properties have typically been vacant for some time and may have been left in less than satisfactory condition. Standard components such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances are often found to be non-functional and/or non existent and often the require more than a lipstick and band-aid make over.

Utilities have been turned off and would typically be at the buyers expense to have turned on for an inspection. The property is purchased “As Is”. In most cases you will discover additional items in need of repair or replacement after the purchase.

Purchasing a home out of foreclosure is not the same process as purchasing a home from an individual. The negotiation period can be substantially longer. Responses from the Seller can take up to 3 weeks or more at times. There are often limits on fees, closing costs, and seller contributions not found in a traditional sale. There are Per Diem charges to the buyer in the event closing is delayed. Title is transferred by a limited special warranty deed meaning the bank only warrants (guarantees) clear title during their ownership.

So is it a foreclosure a great deal? It can be as long as you go into the transaction with a firm understanding of the risk associated with the purchase. Know your market. Establish a budget the includes contingencies for unexpected expenses (expect the unexpected). Be prepared for delays and understand all associated risks.

Ok but you can get them really cheap! Right? Sometimes, but you have to consider the additional time and cost associated with a foreclosure as compared to a traditional listing where the owner is not upside down and has maintained the property. Owners have been contending with this foreclosure market for several years now. It seems that most have a firm understanding of the market and are willing to competitively price their homes.

What does that mean for a buyer? It means you may actually be able to purchase a home that has been lived in and maintained for the same price or less than a foreclosure after factoring in all the additional expenses incurred with a foreclosed property.

If your considering a foreclosure make sure to take a good look around. Include all homes listed for sale meeting your criteria and calculate the total costs prior to making that decision. You’ll be glad you did.

If you would like additional information about foreclosures, short sales, or traditional sales…drop us a line. We’d be happy to help.

Driving a Nail in Spam

J. Hamlin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:04:40 +0000

Spam! This stuff drives me crazy! I get what seems to be several hundred emails a day that are nothing more than spam. It drives me loopie! Many places sell your email or pass it along to subsidiaries and viola you’ve got spam! Hamlin & Company, Inc. respects your privacy and does not sell or share your email with anyone outside H & C.

I have resisted using any form of spam blockers for many years due to the nature of our business (not wanting to prevent a new client form contacting us). However, the spam burden has become so great that I have had no other choice than to implement a filter. This was no small task as I had to spend a large amount of time adding all known contacts to my white list.

This means an extra step for any new contact as they will have to reply to my spam blocker in order to be added to the white list. I hope that any new contact will be understanding and take the time to reply to the verification message. Only time will tell. For now the spam has stopped and I am ecstatic!

So if you send us an email, please understand we are merely trying to reduce the amount of spam getting through. So take that extra step and we will respond quickly.

Thanks,

Hamlin & Company, Inc.

Happenings in Acworth This Weekend

J. Hamlin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:12:15 +0000

Homes in Acworth Homes in Ford Dist.

City of Acworth -

Meet Santa and watch the lighting of the tree!

Santa will be at the Depot in Downtown Acworth on Friday, December 2 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mayor Tommy Allegood will read The Night Before Christmas. Watch the lighting of the Tree on Main Street. Have pictures made with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. You’ll need to arrive early to schedule your picture. Scheduling starts at 5:15 with pictures begining at 6:45.

Ford Elementary Jingle Jog

Jingle Jog 5K/1K Family Fun Run is this Saturday, December 3rd.

Registration will also be open the morning of the race.

Homes in Acworth Homes in Ford Dist.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

J. Hamlin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:35:17 +0000

Well, we’re here. The closing of another year approaches. Whether you’re hustling about looking for that perfect gift, volunteering at local shelters, or donating services or products, many seem to overbook themselves this time of year. Remember to slow down, take a step back and remember what this time of year means to you.

If you like Christmas lights there are several great places to view them.

Callaway Gardens offers the Fantasy of Lights runs thru December 30

Stone Mountain Christmas runs thru January 1

Lights of Life University runs thru Dec 31

Magical Nights of Lights Lake Lanier Islands runs thru Dec 30

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Hamlin & Company !

Harrison High School Homecoming Parade 2011

J. Hamlin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:18:46 +0000

The Harrison High School Homecoming Parade was held on October 28, 2011. The parade ran from Old Mountain Road up to Midway. The court, band, and clubs all passed out candy and toys to the crowd as they played down the parade route. It was a great turn out! Harrison played McEachern on Friday night. It was an action packed game with the final score of 31-14 McEachern.

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Pictured above is the Sophmore Court. Below the Senior Court.

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Halloween Festivites in Acworth, Marietta, Woodstock, Cobb

J. Hamlin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:46:49 +0000

City of Acworth – 10/29/11

Halloween classic car cruise 4-10pm
Kids Trick or Treat Show with a costume contest 6-7pm
Historic Halloween Scavanger Hunt (you might win $100 of Downtown Dollars)
Mummy Monster Mash, Haunted Photo Booth, Thriller Dance off and more

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Marietta Square Zombie Walk – 10/29/11 begins at 5pm

People are asked to arrive dressed as zombies and make thier way around the square. The walk begins at Glover Park at 5 pm. It is requested that you bring canned food to donate. The Strand will be running an undead marathon of classic 50′s & 60′s Zombie Movies.

It is reported that there will be local make-up artist around offering their services to make you look like a Zombie!

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Cobb County Fall Festival at the Safety Village- 10/29/11 4 pm to 7pm

The village will be transformed forHalloween with games, art, costume contests, and candy. The event is free for the whole family. The village is located at 1220 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta, GA 30008.
Marietta, GA 30008

Woodstock Kids Fest – 10/31/11 3pm The Park at City Center

The city of Woodstock is putting on Kids Fest in the Park at City Center with trick or treating, face painting, DJ, games, pumpkin bowling and much more. The fun starts at 3pm.

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Hollywood Moves into Hiram

J. Hamlin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:00:19 +0000

The movie Neighborhood Watch, with Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, began shooting on location in three powder springs subdivisions and has now moved into Hiram. Oakleigh, Amberton, and Echo Mill have been used as “The Neighborhoods” in the movie. Today they were located on Hwy 92 in the old Regions Bank. For the movie, the bank will be the police station. If you look close you can see the police car says “Glenview Police”. Below is another picture of the set at the bank (The Glenview Police Station). The Base Camp Sign directs you the the ball fields where all the production staff and equipment are located. They are looking for extras so if you want to be in the movie you may want to stop by.

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Hollywood Renames Powder Springs

J. Hamlin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:40:46 +0000

Located at the intersection of Corner Road & Lost Mountain is the name of the movie city “Glenview” population 32,285. See Picture Below.

The movie Neighborhood Watch, with Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, is shooting on location in three powder springs subdivisions last week and finished up this week. Oakleigh, Amberton, and Echo Mill have been used as “The Neighborhoods” in the movie. Although the movie has wrapped up, there are still a few remnants of there visit.

Hollywood in Oakleigh, Amerton & Echo Mill

J. Hamlin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:26:36 +0000

The movie Neighborhood Watch, with Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, is shooting on location in three powder springs subdivisions this week. Oakleigh, Amberton, and Echo Mill have been used as “The Neighborhoods” in the movie. They have been shooting during the day up through Thursday and as we understand it will complete the shoots through the evenings begining Today. Below are some videos shot by locals.

Fall Festivals : Acworth, Kennesaw

J. Hamlin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:29:19 +0000

The Seventh Annual Taste of Acworth in the Historic District on Main Street,

Saturday, October 15th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Local restaurants offer food samples
Live entertainment
Dog show
Fashion Show
Kid zone with inflatables & games
Admission is free

City of Kennesaw

Villains Haunt the Southern Museum

”The Haunted Museum: Villains in History”

October 21 from 6 to 10 p.m.

October 22 from 5 to 10 p.m.

”classic horror film” characters

Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, Mummies

and a secret scare at the end of the tour

Prices: $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for children (ages 10 to 12).

Not recommended for children 9 and under.Attractions and entertainment outside the museum and near the Depot