GayRealEstate USA

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Georgia

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Georgia is in the southeastern region of the United States and has an established population of 9,544,750 residents as of the 1st of July. Tourism, apparel, textiles and industrial products make up the bulk of this states economy.

This state has an income tax with 6 brackets, ranging from 1-6%, and a sales tax of 6%. Each county in this state sets its own property tax based on its own millage rates, and if you own and occupy your house as a primary residence you may apply for up to a $2,000 tax exemption.

Decatur

There are currently more sellers than buyers in this region and homes are typically sitting on the market for 90-120 days. The median price of homes is hovering around the $200-$225,000 mark and first time buyers are representing the area of greatest activity. Homes in all prices are in good supply and buyers are getting 95-100% of their asking price.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are some 19,288 same-sex couples residing in this region , making it the 7th gayest state in the U.S.A. The gayest zip codes in this area are 30306 Old Fourth Ward/ Virginia Highland, 30324 Ansley Park, 30329 Emory, and 30033 Decatur. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: georgiahomes.com and developingatlanta.com 

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Midtown Movers

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Value Buying

'The slacking economy and shrinking national housing market' may be a sign of movement for those within the LGBT community that have wanted to live in Midtown, but could never really afford anything larger than a 'postage stamp' before.

According to many Realtors, the current market represents an excellent opportunity for buyers to find that 'dream apartment or condo in the heart of the city on a budget'. 

Brady Miner, director of community and marketing for the Georgia Association of Realtors believes 'interest rates and inventory levels could mean a window of opportunity.'

'I think it is a great time to move to Midtown,' Miner said. 'Interest rates are at a historic low and home prices are holding steady, and those things almost historically never happen at the same time.'

For sale signs are lingering that much longer in the sought after Midtown, in the heart of Atlanta, giving many a chance to break into the market.

Real Estate Fact: While Midtown saw a 4% rise in prices last year there are bargains available if you look. For example -- a studio apartment in West High-rise listed at $165,900 but no genuine interest was noted. This property is now listed at $99,900. A condo in Peachtree Battle sold in January of 2007 for $107,000 this year, after 176 days on the market the property's price was decreased to $87,500 and it sold for $85,000. --www.sovo.com

Source: Schafer, Matt (2008) Time to Move to Midtown; available online at http://www.sovo.com

Image Source: http://www.cityimage.com

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'Free' LGBT Financial Planning Seminar

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Special Events and Promotions

First Metropolitan Community Church, in Atlanta Georgia, will host a 'free' financial planning seminar on Sunday the 6th of January 2008, in order to assist the LGBT community address their unique financial and family issues.

Director of compassionate ministries for First MCC, Cerise Hall, said watching others lose partners was tragic but it was far worse seeing these incidences amplified because of the lack of foresight.

'I've found through my experience that when disaster comes we are often not prepared,' Hall said.

Financial consultant of 36 years, Dennis Scully, and attorney Jane Morrison will look at ways to help members of the LGBT community create and/or dissolve joint ownership agreements, how to use and implement estate planning tools and how to invest based on their personal values.

'These are topics that typically don't get brought up, especially in relationships where one partner is blessed with wealth and the other is not', Scully said.

Scully who has worked with the Cathedral of St. Philip AIDS Ministry for over 15 years suggested having the seminar to Ms. Hall who jumped at the opportunity.

Morrison who works with many LGBT couples thinks it is vital to plan ahead.

'I especially think it is important if people are living together, if they are buying property together, such as real estate or vehicles,' she said.

The financial planning seminar will be held at the First Metropolitan Community Church at 1379 Tullie Road at 1 pm on Sunday the 6th of January 2008. Please register your interest by the 2nd of January (Today) on 404-325-4143 or visit www.firstmcc.com

Source: Schafer, M (2007) Church to Hold Free Gay Financial Planning Seminar; available online at www.sovo.com/2007/12-28/news/localnews/7914.cfm

Image Source: www.gayfinances.com and www.moneycentral.msn.com

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By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Special Events and Promotions

First Metropolitan Community Church, in Atlanta Georgia, will host a 'free' financial planning seminar on Sunday the 6th of January 2008, in order to assist the LGBT community address their unique financial and family issues.

Director of compassionate ministries for First MCC, Cerise Hall, said watching others lose partners was tragic but it was far worse seeing these incidences amplified because of the lack of foresight.

'I've found through my experience that when disaster comes we are often not prepared,' Hall said.

Financial consultant of 36 years, Dennis Scully, and attorney Jane Morrison will look at ways to help members of the LGBT community create and/or dissolve joint ownership agreements, how to use and implement estate planning tools and how to invest based on their personal values.

'These are topics that typically don't get brought up, especially in relationships where one partner is blessed with wealth and the other is not', Scully said.

Scully who has worked with the Cathedral of St. Philip AIDS Ministry for over 15 years suggested having the seminar to Ms. Hall who jumped at the opportunity.

Morrison who works with many LGBT couples thinks it is vital to plan ahead.

'I especially think it is important if people are living together, if they are buying property together, such as real estate or vehicles,' she said.

The financial planning seminar will be held at the First Metropolitan Community Church at 1379 Tullie Road at 1 pm on Sunday the 6th of January 2008. Please register your interest by the 2nd of January (Today) on 404-325-4143 or visit www.firstmcc.com

Source: Schafer, M (2007) Church to Hold Free Gay Financial Planning Seminar; available online at www.sovo.com/2007/12-28/news/localnews/7914.cfm

Image Source: www.gayfinances.com and www.moneycentral.msn.com

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The Silver Grill is Back!

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Businesses

The Atlanta gayborhood welcomes back an all time favorite, the Silver Grill, a 1945 LGBT landmark that closed over 12 months ago, which was sadly missed by many and re-opened on November the 13th.

Realtor, Stephan Barrai and co-owner Sam Scott originally thought the old Silver Grill premises would make an excellent restaurant, but they had no interest in re-instating the Silver Grill to its former glory.

As the Gay and Lesbian Parade unfolded in Atlanta the pair viewed the premises and this is when Michael Thomason, a gay regular of the old restaurant saw the duo in the Silver Grill. Thomason's curiosity got the better of him and he inquired as to Barrani and Scott's intentions. One thing led to another and before you could say 'Silver Grill' the building was upgraded, and old staff were re-instated along with a nostalgic history.

"Michael told me all about the old restaurant, what a landmark place in the community it was, the whole history and everything,' Barrani said. "He told me how much it was missed, and he helped me contact the old crew, and we invited them and met with them about re-opening it. Before that, we were just thinking about opening a different kind of restaurant and scouting locations.'

The old Silver Grill cost $125,000 to renovate, which saw the old 1945 diner brought up to the fire and health department codes.

"It's just incredible seeing that neon lit up again,' Thomason said.

It just goes to show what nostalgia can re-create!

Source: Flemming, M (2007) Silver Grill is Back; available online at www.sovo.com

Image Source: www.sovo.com

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LGBT Numbers Growing

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Population and Growth

Gay enclaves may be declining in major cities, but the upside is that elsewhere new meccas are being created as the high cost of living and the city lifestyle force many within the LGBT community to search for alternatives.

Savannah Realtor, Richard Gourley, who once resided in New York feels 'the coastal cities such as Savannah will benefit as gay baby boomer's look for a place to launch new businesses or retire.'

'They want a gay community and they want to live where there's a large gay population, but they're not necessarily looking for bars and loud music...,' he said. " They just want to know they're in an environment that's accepting.'

According to the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy located at the UCLA School of Law the number of same-sex couples in the United States has risen to 780,000 nationally.

Larry Hodges, an entrepreneur in Savannah anticipates market growth in the LGBT community and can see a same-sex marketing trend emerging in local business.

Hodges recently launched http://www.gaysavannah.com, a guide for gay friendly and gay-owned and operated business in the local area.

'People want to know where can I get a gay friendly Realtor, where to stay and where to eat,' Hodges said.

Savannah has an extremely strong gay community and there are many gay-owned businesses that are established or just beginning, all of which show signs of further growth.

For more information on gay Savannah please visit http://firstcitynetwork.org/

Source: Felty, D.C (2007) More Businesses Marketing to gay and Lesbian Consumers; available online at http://www.savannahnow.com

Image Source: www.savannahnow and http://firstcitynetwork.org/

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Atlanta's Gay Bonuses

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Gay Meccas

The undisputed gay mecca of the South is Atlanta, as it has much to offer the LGBT community. This is despite the fact that they 'are still fighting to pass a gay inclusive hate-crime law.'

As a member of the LGBT community here are but some of the bonuses Atlanta can offer you:

33 Gay Bars  -- whatever your niche, there is bound to be a bar in Atlanta that caters to your night life needs -- from the loud and proud to the quiet and intimate.

10 Outed Gay Elected Officials -- the November vote saw gay and lesbian officials' in Georgia reach nine and Riverdale City Councilmember, Michele Bruce, a transgendered office holder made it ten.

2 Festivals and a Multitude of Events -- celebrating diversity and commemorating gay history. Atlanta Pride; Black Gay Pride; Mondottomo Queer Arts Fest; Southern Comfort; Out on Film Fest and much, much more.

3 Groups for Gay Families -- MEGA Family Project; Gay Fathers of Atlanta and Colage offer the LGBT family a like-minded social scene where they can enjoy and share their family life.

A Plethora of Gay-centric Neighborhoods -- most of which were rescued from certain death by dilapidation. These areas include, but are not limited to: Midtown; Grant Park; East Atlanta Village; Kirkwood; East Point; Castleberry Park; Glenwood Park and many more.

Source: Brown, Douglas (2007) Counting Our Blessings; available online at http://www.sovo.com/2007/11-16/news/localnews/7708.cfm

Image Source: www.atlanta.com and www.atlantarealestate.com

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Coweta County Conservation Subdivisions

By Jeff Adolph

New Developments

Land owned by timber company Temple-Inland near Tommy Lee Cook and Jim Starr roads in Coweta County, Georgia will become the newest conservation subdivision for the area.

The subdivision, which is approximately 721.46 acres is named Genesse and will include a school and 338 homes.

The project will contain one acre and 1/2 acre allotments and is being developed under the county's Rural Conservation option.

Teresa Crow, development review planner said, 'Though the lots can be as small as a half-acre, the lots in the southerly portion of the development will be more like three-quarters of an acre.'

The subdivision will be divided into almost two by a natural wetland (Line Creek Wetlands pictured left as an example), Crow is hopeful will become a maze of boardwalks in the future and link the two sides together harmoniously.

Evidentially Genesse is one of six proposed subdivisions, all of which include primary conservation areas and large allotments.

Source: Campbell, S.F (2007) Genesse to Add 388 Homes in Coweta; available online at http://content.times-herald.com/297291843632465.bsp

Image Source: www.sctlandtrust.org and www.coweta.ga.us

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Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

In a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

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South of Interstate 20 along Moreland Avenue

By Jeff Adolph

Housing Market

The 10-year old effort to revitalize - though some would say gentrify - the once ailing neighborhoods South of Interstate 20 along Morland Avenue' - has proven significant to the mingling of a racial, ethnic, and sexually diverse crowd, all of which exist harmoniously.

Susan Musselwhite, a lesbian bar owner once situated in Decatur felt the East Atlanta Village represented a unified area that promoted the heart and soul of the LGBT community. Hence, the move of her bar, 'My Sister's Room', which will open later this month.

As Ms. Musselwhite said of the area, 'It's so diverse, and it's so welcoming to just about anyone. The neighborhood association has been very welcoming to us, and I love that.'

However, the rejuvenation process of East Atlanta has been challenging, not because of resistance from the existing residents but because many within the gay community felt that the Atlanta city limits ended at Ponce de Leon.

As gay resident, Glen Paul Freedman said of his move announcement to friends and family in 1995, 'People told us, oh why would you move to East Atlanta? It's not gay like Midtown.'

Freedman also added, 'I didn't know any gay people living down here, and there were very few rainbow flags flying up and down the streets when we looked. So one day I put out a rainbow flag.'

This it seemed was where change stemmed from as Freedman and other gay residents then set about changing 'the face of the neighborhood.' And, East Atlanta began to gain a new reputation.

Michael Knight, another resident, first moved into the neighborhood in 1996 with his partner Shawn Ergle, and bought their first home for $100,000.

While the median price for homes has since risen it is still very reasonable compared to Midtown. As the median price hovers around the mid to high $200,000 range it proves to be a very strong draw crowd for many within the LGBT community looking to buy and become homeowners.

Source: Hudson, Z (2007) East  Atlanta Village People; available online at http://www.southernvoice.com/2007/4-13/feature/6816.cfm

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By Jeff Adolph

Housing Market

The 10-year old effort to revitalize - though some would say gentrify - the once ailing neighborhoods South of Interstate 20 along Morland Avenue' - has proven significant to the mingling of a racial, ethnic, and sexually diverse crowd, all of which exist harmoniously.

Susan Musselwhite, a lesbian bar owner once situated in Decatur felt the East Atlanta Village represented a unified area that promoted the heart and soul of the LGBT community. Hence, the move of her bar, 'My Sister's Room', which will open later this month.

As Ms. Musselwhite said of the area, 'It's so diverse, and it's so welcoming to just about anyone. The neighborhood association has been very welcoming to us, and I love that.'

However, the rejuvenation process of East Atlanta has been challenging, not because of resistance from the existing residents but because many within the gay community felt that the Atlanta city limits ended at Ponce de Leon.

As gay resident, Glen Paul Freedman said of his move announcement to friends and family in 1995, 'People told us, oh why would you move to East Atlanta? It's not gay like Midtown.'

Freedman also added, 'I didn't know any gay people living down here, and there were very few rainbow flags flying up and down the streets when we looked. So one day I put out a rainbow flag.'

This it seemed was where change stemmed from as Freedman and other gay residents then set about changing 'the face of the neighborhood.' And, East Atlanta began to gain a new reputation.

Michael Knight, another resident, first moved into the neighborhood in 1996 with his partner Shawn Ergle, and bought their first home for $100,000.

While the median price for homes has since risen it is still very reasonable compared to Midtown. As the median price hovers around the mid to high $200,000 range it proves to be a very strong draw crowd for many within the LGBT community looking to buy and become homeowners.

Source: Hudson, Z (2007) East  Atlanta Village People; available online at http://www.southernvoice.com/2007/4-13/feature/6816.cfm

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By Jeff Adolph

Housing Market

The 10-year old effort to revitalize - though some would say gentrify - the once ailing neighborhoods South of Interstate 20 along Morland Avenue' - has proven significant to the mingling of a racial, ethnic, and sexually diverse crowd, all of which exist harmoniously.

Susan Musselwhite, a lesbian bar owner once situated in Decatur felt the East Atlanta Village represented a unified area that promoted the heart and soul of the LGBT community. Hence, the move of her bar, 'My Sister's Room', which will open later this month.

As Ms. Musselwhite said of the area, 'It's so diverse, and it's so welcoming to just about anyone. The neighborhood association has been very welcoming to us, and I love that.'

However, the rejuvenation process of East Atlanta has been challenging, not because of resistance from the existing residents but because many within the gay community felt that the Atlanta city limits ended at Ponce de Leon.

As gay resident, Glen Paul Freedman said of his move announcement to friends and family in 1995, 'People told us, oh why would you move to East Atlanta? It's not gay like Midtown.'

Freedman also added, 'I didn't know any gay people living down here, and there were very few rainbow flags flying up and down the streets when we looked. So one day I put out a rainbow flag.'

This it seemed was where change stemmed from as Freedman and other gay residents then set about changing 'the face of the neighborhood.' And, East Atlanta began to gain a new reputation.

Michael Knight, another resident, first moved into the neighborhood in 1996 with his partner Shawn Ergle, and bought their first home for $100,000.

While the median price for homes has since risen it is still very reasonable compared to Midtown. As the median price hovers around the mid to high $200,000 range it proves to be a very strong draw crowd for many within the LGBT community looking to buy and become homeowners.

Source: Hudson, Z (2007) East  Atlanta Village People; available online at http://www.southernvoice.com/2007/4-13/feature/6816.cfm

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Sign Says Over 100,000 Homes For Sale

By Jeff Adolph

Housing Trends

Interstate 75 sports a sign that declares rather boldly how many homes are for sale in metro Atlanta, thought no-one is certain how these figures are estimated they still change daily; one week it stated 100,000 and the following Sunday 100,223.

Dottie Wise, a realtor in the area was clearly excited by sales, as she said, 'I've been selling real estate in Henry County 20 years and this is the largest inventory I've ever seen.'

Experts believe that the housing magnitude is caused by new construction and what some refer to as a 'mobile society' coming and going in the district. They also feel that the glut of homes represents a buyers market and is not telling a foreboding tale of property prices plummeting.

As Jeff Humphreys, director of economic forecasting at UGA said, 'the trend is a sign that builders were ahead of Atlanta's growth curve, but not necessarily a sign of a housing downturn. More a case of supply got ahead of demand.'

Of course, this has meant older homes have been harder to shift and at times stay on the market for extended periods. Though, when Atlanta is expected to reach a population of 6 million by 2030 they just could fill these homes and possibly many more...

Source and Images: Davis, M and Leo, J (2007) Experts: Record Housing Inventory Temporary, Not sign of Impending Slump; available online at http://www.news-daily.com

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Housing Trends

Interstate 75 sports a sign that declares rather boldly how many homes are for sale in metro Atlanta, thought no-one is certain how these figures are estimated they still change daily; one week it stated 100,000 and the following Sunday 100,223.

Dottie Wise, a realtor in the area was clearly excited by sales, as she said, 'I've been selling real estate in Henry County 20 years and this is the largest inventory I've ever seen.'

Experts believe that the housing magnitude is caused by new construction and what some refer to as a 'mobile society' coming and going in the district. They also feel that the glut of homes represents a buyers market and is not telling a foreboding tale of property prices plummeting.

As Jeff Humphreys, director of economic forecasting at UGA said, 'the trend is a sign that builders were ahead of Atlanta's growth curve, but not necessarily a sign of a housing downturn. More a case of supply got ahead of demand.'

Of course, this has meant older homes have been harder to shift and at times stay on the market for extended periods. Though, when Atlanta is expected to reach a population of 6 million by 2030 they just could fill these homes and possibly many more...

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