Saturday Stories - Marietta’s Big Chicken
May 24, 2008
Many of our readers are relocating to Atlanta. Looking at houses and researching school statistics is such a small piece of deciding where to live.
Let me tell you a story about living in Atlanta. We want you to see Atlanta the way we see Atlanta - with our hearts, memories, and stories.
The Big Chicken
I moved to the Atlanta area in 1981. My job was in Cobb County, so Marietta seemed the most convenient location to live.
Very quickly I learned the Big Chicken was critical for driving directions. “We’re above the Big Chicken.” “If you get to the chicken, you’ve gone too far.”
My husband loves telling a story about his trip to the Big Chicken with our daughter in 1993.
Over the years, the structure had deteriorated. Public outcry forced Kentucky Fried Chicken to rethink their decision to tear down the infamous landmark.
During final stages of construction, the chicken was shrouded from view.
Rick and Jessica planned for weeks to be on site for the much acclaimed unveiling - and free fried chicken.
Imagine the delight of an 8 year old when yards of canvas fell away to reveal bright yellow beaks, and a black round eye that moved.
What are your stories?
Do you have a favorite story about the Big Chicken? Add a Comment here.
We want to share your stories.
- Why did you move to Atlanta?
- Do you remember when an Atlanta Braves baseball game only cost a dollar?
- What do you like most about the Georgia Aquarium?
Tell us what you like - or don’t like - about living in Atlanta.
Median Prices in North Atlanta
April 20, 2008
Median Prices - Comparison Charts for North Atlanta
Here are some charts for homes in various areas of North Atlanta: Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Suwanee, and Cumming.
Are we there yet? Has the market hit bottom?
What do you think? Add your comments, thoughts, and interpretations.
Buying Homes in East Cobb - A Learning Experience
April 14, 2008
Buying a home in East Cobb using online home search tools has always been a learning experience for the homebuyer.
Once upon a time, when sales were brisk and inventory levels low, we - Atlanta home buyers and Atlanta real estate agents - had confidence in the listed sales price. Now, searching for 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath homes in the Dickerson school district is a learning experience for us all.
It has always been our practice to design a personal website for our buyers. This site allows buyer clients real time access to our mls with email listing alerts updated daily.
This past week my buyer and I went out to view the houses she saved in her MLS Gateway. Let me share what we learned about some of the 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath houses priced $225,000-$260,000. 
Located in the Wheeler school district, 13 Weatherstone Parkway is a foreclosure priced at $259,900. The house sits atop a hill on a corner lot and features an in-ground pool.
My client learned that foreclosures are a lot more, a lot less, not always what they seem. The inground pool is empty, the liner torn, and more closely resembles a terrarium.
The private backyard is certainly private with months of overgrown neglect.
What I learned: the bank foreclosed in November 2007 for $238,000 and listed the property for sale at $299,900 - market value for move-in condition. Huh?
The next house on our list was 451 Springs End Lane. It is smaller than the foreclosure and has a “drive-under” garage. (A drive under garage is a garage in the basement level with additional room for storage or living space.)
One of the many features of this home is the exterior living space - a screened porch off the family room and adjoining deck. Every room was prepared for showing with lights on and no distracting clutter.
My client learned her emotional response to a well maintained house (set within the first 10 seconds of entering) prompted serious purchase consideration.
My experience was affirming. Listing agents who know how to get houses sold in a tough market counsel sellers on target pricing ($225,000) and staging.
A candidate for Bad MLS Photo? Sure. But the listing agent for 4415 Kings Way deserves a great deal of credit for capturing a picture that doesn’t scream this house sits below street level.
Priced at $259,900, this seems like a good deal for a house in the Sope Creek, Dickerson, Walton school district. My buyer learned - even before we got out of the car - that preventive maintenance had been long deferred.
Wood rot is evident at the door frame, fascia, siding and window trim. The interior is dated (1980). Every room demands updating, which is reflected in the price.
The space over the garage (which adjoins the master suite) has been finished out with a stairway down to the garage. It’s unclear what function this space would serve in the future.
At the end of the day we had seen 12 houses for sale. Only 4 of them were inviting and priced to sell in today’s tough real estate market.
So, what did you learn today? Marianne was shuffling the data listing sheets of the houses we viewed as we drove back to her house.
I learned what I could get for my money. And, I learned that foreclosures are not discount prices. Marianne handed the listing sheets to me. No need to hang on to these.
I threw the sheets in the backseat (the mobile round file). Did you learn whether you still want to sell your house? I didn’t see anything that makes me believe this is the right decision for you now.
With that, my client relaxed and went inside. I expect she’ll live there a few more years before we get around to listing her house for sale.
294 Granville Court, Marietta GA Listed for Sale
April 5, 2008
Nestled away in the heart of West Cobb (zip 30064) is a 4-bedroom 3-bath house listed for sale at $237,500 $229,900 $224,900.
Located in the West Carrington subdivision, this feature home is conveniently located near shopping, restaurants, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta Square, Town Center Mall, and so much more.
Leave the hustle and bustle behind as you relax on the custom built deck overlooking your private Field of Dreams.
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