In this episode of Georgia Living, Chris Evans takes the mic solo as Céline is away 🤗. He dives into several key topics relevant to homeowners 🏡, real estate agents, and the Metro Atlanta community. The main focus is on the growing issue of land fraud, with tips on how to protect your property 🛡️. Chris also shares a September market update, reviewing the latest data for Cobb County and surrounding areas 📈.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Local Community Events 🎉:
- Acworth Farmers Market: October 4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth, GA.
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Octoberfest: October 4, 2292 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA.
- Smith Gilbert Gardens Imagination Stations: Kennesaw, GA, ongoing through the week.
- Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance Cleanup: October 4, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA.
- First Friday Concert Series: October 4, downtown Kennesaw, GA.
- Movie in the Park - East Cobb Park: October 4, 7–9 p.m., featuring Kung Fu Panda 4 🐼🥋.
- Taste of Acworth: October 12, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., downtown Acworth, GA.
2. Land Fraud in Real Estate 🏠⚠️:
- Chris talks about the rise in fraudulent land sales in Metro Atlanta 🚨, explaining how scammers are pretending to be property owners to sell land without the real owner's knowledge.
- Helpful tips include setting up Google alerts for your property 🖥️🔔 and registering with GSCCCA to receive notifications if any legal documents are filed in your name 📝.
3. Disaster Relief for Georgia Real Estate Agents 🌀:
- Support for agents affected by Hurricane Helene. Chris highlights grants available through the Georgia Association of Realtors 🌟.
4. September Market Update 📊:
- New data for September 2024 shows a 3.5% increase in median home sales prices 🏡💰.
- Chris breaks down inventory levels 📦, marketing times ⏳, and the impact of interest rates 📉.
- Cobb County’s market is outperforming the rest of Metro Atlanta, with rising prices and more homes available 🚀.
5. Practical Advice for Homeowners & Buyers 💡:
- With fraud on the rise, Chris advises property owners, especially those with paid-off land, to take steps to protect their assets 🏞️🔐.
- He also talks about how the new compensation rules in real estate will affect both buyers and sellers, urging transparency and smart negotiations 🤝.
6. Shout-Outs & Community Support 🙌:
Memorable Quotes:
- "Georgia is huge when it comes to real estate fraud. We are a fast-growing market, which means we are a target market 🎯."
- "If you're a seller thinking you can skip paying a commission, remember: everything is up for negotiation 💼."
Upcoming Events & Sneak Peek 👀:
- Tune in next week as Céline returns to the podcast 🎙️. Chris teases a fun segment where Céline shares her apple pie-making adventure 🍏🥧 after picking Granny Smith apples in Ellijay.
Links & Resources 🔗:
- GSCCCA (Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority) website: gsccca.org
- More about local events: sellectrealty.com
- NAR’s 2023 Vacant Land Scams Tips for Real Estate Agents: Link (PDF available in show notes)
Be sure to subscribe ✨, share 📢, and stay tuned for more real estate insights and community updates here on Georgia Living! 😊
