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Remembering Traci Braxton

Remembering Traci Braxton

by | Feb 1, 2023 | Atlanta Ga Real Estate

Remebering Traci Braxton 

It’s been 1 year since the death of Traci Braxton. I remember meeting her like it was yesterday.

WETV contacted my company to film Season 5 of Braxton Family Values in one of our luxury listings. Traci Braxton was so upbeat & happy. She was like the sun shining in the house.

She spoke so highly of her sisters throughout the show. In that filming, I was able to connect a family to another family and they became family. There are so many moving parts in real estate that it’s easy to forget this is really what it’s all about. The show ended abruptly and Traci Braxton was soon diagnosed with a terminal illness.

One of the lessons I learned from Traci Braxton is to always smile because you never know when the place you call home could be a memory. The other lesson or confirmation is to live your highest and best life by doing what you know you came here to do. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to connect people, places & businesses for over 20 years as a single woman, unapologetically educated, gifted & black.

Heavy on the gifted. Imagine the world we’d live in if we all took the time to optimize our gifts.

Rest in paradise Traci Braxton.

 

Choosing a Luxury REALTOR

Choosing a Luxury REALTOR

by | Oct 28, 2020 | Atlanta Ga Real Estate

Choosing a Luxury REALTOR for your next home

 

One of the first things you’ll need to do when you’re considering selling your luxury home, is find an experienced Luxury Real Estate Professional. Whether you’re selling in one of the most proftable markets in the world, or you might need a little extra support to get the price you think your property deserves, a REALTOR® can be the key to your success.

 

Since moving to a new home can often be a complicated time, it makes sense to put extra effort into finding someone who can show you the ropes. Here are just three steps you’ll need to keep in mind when selecting a REALTOR® for your upcoming home move.

Step 1: Research REALTORS®

 

Choosing a REALTOR® to help you sell your home for the best possible price can be complex. Some professionals will try to win your custom with an incredibly high property valuation or super low fees, but these things can sometimes be a red flag. Also note, all Real Estate Agents are not REALTORS®. They are both licensed to sell real estate. However, REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who choose to adopt NAR’s code of ethics as a national standard in their real estate practice. Take the time to carefully research the difference.

 

After all, you’ll feel better about understanding the difference and it can help you evaluate your real estate professional of choice. Your favorite Boutique Real Estate Agency are licensed REALTORS® & Brokers in multiple states.

Step 2: Choosing the Best Real Estate Professionals

 

Once you’ve done plenty of homework, you can always shortlist 3 possible real estate professionals, then invite them to provide you with a property valuation. While it’s fair to say that getting the best sales price will often be the item at the top of your list, don’t automatically choose the Agent or REALTOR® that provides the highest valuation, as some people will simply over-value your property to win your business.

 

Find out which services each Agent offers, for example:

  •         What kind of marketing materials will they prepare for you? (photographs, signage, 3D Tours, online tours, marketing plan, etc)
  •         Will they conduct viewings with buyers on your behalf, or will you have to?
  •         How much experience do they have as a real estate professional?
  •         Does their marketing plan include digital marketing, traditional or both?

Step 3: Pricing to Sell

 

Part of your real estate professional’s job is to help you get the best price for your home, so that they can market it properly to buyers. If the price provided seems excessive, then it’s important to get a second opinion. Remember, Agents know that one of the main reasons people choose them, is that they are hoping to sell their home for the highest price possible. A true real estate professional will be upfront with you about the value of your home even if it’s not the value you want to hear.

 

Do some research into how you can add value to your own home. Your real estate professional will generally provide you with plenty of evidence on locally sold prices so that they can support their own valuation. It’s important to understand that appraisers do not always visit the inside of your property to obtain their professional opinion of your property. They often only look at recent nearby comparables that mimick your square footage so don’t spend too much on upgrades & improvements before selling. Consult with your REALTOR first to get the highest & best value from your property.

 

If you are thinking of selling your home, then talk to your favorite boutique real estate agency to book a listing appointment.

 

Atlanta’s Top Selling Counties

Atlanta’s Top Selling Counties

by | Jan 12, 2020 | Atlanta Ga Real Estate, Atlanta Luxury Real Estate

According to research from GAMLS,

Fulton County is the Top selling county in Metro Atlanta and has been for years.

The average sales price in Fulton county as of April 2023 is $634,418.

which is an approx $200,000 increase since 2019.

The average sales price in Fulton county through the end of 2019 was $433,492

and only $331,305 in 2016. Real estate is still a great long term investment in the right market.

 

Download a Detailed Report of Atlanta’s Housing Market (local)

 

County Units Sold Avg Sales Price Inventory (Months Supply)
Fulton 894 $634,418 less than 60 days
Gwinnett 900 $459,708 less than 60 days
Cobb 736 $506,419 less than 60 days
DeKalb 651 $484,240 less than 60 days
Henry 415 $364,280 less than 60 days
Cherokee 306 $574,361 less than 60 days
Forsyth 288 $668,121 less than 60 days
Paulding 310 $366,152 less than 60 days
Coweta 244 $453,576 less than 60 days
Fayette 152 $569,506 less than 60 days

In short, there is barely a 2 month supply of inventory that averages 28 days on the market (ex, Fulton County) before it’s reported under contract in the MLS, so the actual average days on market are much less than that. If the property is priced to sell, property owners are receiving multiple offers the day the property is listed for sale. Also if you’re an Atlanta buyer purchasing property much less than the average sales price, now you can see why every property you’ve called about is already under contract, pending or sold.

As a buyer in the Atlanta market or any market that has low inventory, being ready will help you compete with other active buyers that have their proof of funds in hand to submit a written offer on a property.

 

Find out what your home is worth.

Staging Properties to Sell

Staging Properties to Sell

by | Oct 5, 2019 | Angel Knight, Atlanta Ga Real Estate, Atlanta Luxury Real Estate, Atlanta Sports & Entertainment Real Estate

Property Staging Concierge

When selling your home, you have to convince buyers to believe in more than the property itself. Details like square footage or number of bathrooms might be on a buyer’s checklist, but these details can’t shine if you never capture the buyer’s imagination. Potential buyers need the chance to dream about how life in your house might look and feel for them.

The best way to get into a buyer’s head is great home staging. If your house makes the right impression in photos and viewings, there’s a chance to set yourself up for a quick sale.

Pack Away Clutter

Ideally, you want a staged home to look livable, but not lived-in. The best way to do this is to pack up as much of your stuff as possible. This cuts down on clutter and makes the space look less like it’s already occupied. It may seem like a silly step to take—after all, surely buyers understand people often sell homes they currently live in—but it can make a big difference. In fact, too many of your personal belongings, like distinctive decorations, can kill a buyer’s interest in your home. Aim for a look that is classic and neutral so house hunters’ imaginations can run wild!

Neutralize Colors

The most important part of making updates to your home is ensuring that they’re as classic and neutral as possible. Everyone has their own sense of style, which can wind up hurting you when you’re selling a house. If your unique flair clashes with a buyer’s, that might be all they think about when they’re viewing your home. It all comes back to that imagination factor; it’s harder to project your image of a house onto a house that already has a strong image of its own.

Improve the First Impression

When neutralizing the paint isn’t possible, professional staging is the next best option to distract buyers from the elephant in the room from their eyes. Remember, you want to help the potential buyer see themselves living in your home in the way they would.

Ultimately, anything you do that makes your house look like the kind of space anyone could live in will make a big difference. You want it to be clean, bright, and appealing so that buyers will be interested, and simple enough that they can picture themselves there. Get them dreaming about your home, and they’re much more likely to make an offer. 

As shown in the articles featured photos, we provide our clients with professional staging for residential & commercial property owners as needed to achieve the highest & best return on their investment.

Contact us for details.

Top 25 Women of Atlanta

Top 25 Women of Atlanta

by | Aug 16, 2017 | Angel Knight, Atlanta Ga Real Estate, Atlanta Sports & Entertainment Real Estate

 

(Article Brief on RollingOut.com)

What is your role at said organization/company? 

I’m Founder of Diamond Realty Brokers, a residential & commercial real estate agency based in Atlanta, Ga & licensed throughout the southeast.

In addition to residential sales, my Firm has consulted & managed over 4100 Real Property Assets totaling nearly $300 Million from Multi Family, Senior Housing, LIHTC Properties, Single Family Corporate Portfolios, REIT’s & Commercial Real Estate.

Educational Background: I studied at Tennessee State University & obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology at Georgia State University.

I also hold multiple real estate brokerage licenses in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina & South Carolina.

What qualifications prepared me for this job?

A combination of qualifications prepared me for this job in addition to obtaining multiple real estate licenses. Before I received my real estate license, I was a Large Enterprise Consultant with IBM Corporation in the late 90’s. The business development & technology skills I gained were very essential to my sustainability in the real estate industry. It prepared me for this digital age. Our team consulted Fortune 500 companies on technology solutions, which at the time was innovative e-commerce technology so I am able to understand the value technology brings to my real estate business. Instead of resisting technological changes, I welcome it. Being found online by millions of people doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by target marketing & not being afraid of technological advances. Those qualifications help my firm to be the #1 searched real estate firm in a number of markets. When real estate meets technology it creates a significant more affordable platform for scalability versus other marketing & advertising platforms.

What are your thoughts on being a powerful woman?

We have philosophical, human & intellectual stake in power. We give birth to power so we may as well own it. Harriet Tubman said she could have freed more slaves if they knew they were slaves. I believe successful women can empower other women if women truly know they are powerful.

What are the three most important factors of being a successful woman?

Having defined principles for your faith, family & finances.

What works for your family dynamics may not work for someone else. You have to find that rhythm that works for you. Move in that direction & stay the course. When the rhythm changes, find the notes that fit that workflow so that your family life will have harmonic balance.

I do believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Exercising your faith muscle is key for spiritual & financial growth. Which leads to my third principle. Having defined principles for your finances is an important factor for being a successful woman.

Only you know where you want to be financially. Create a 1,3 & 5 year blue print of what financial success looks like to you not someone else. Articulate that to a financial advisor or your banker & commit to the work that will allow your financial vision to manifest.

6. How can women increase their income?

Invest in yourself & your brand. Develop a blue print for where you want to be & set goals over a timeline so that you can hold yourself accountable. Do your own research & don’t be afraid to ask others that have been where you want to be. Discover how you can monetize what you love to do. Learn how to keep your overhead & risks low so that your return can be maximized. Consider hiring a business consultant that can help you learn how to be a sustainable successful business owner. Women can find out more about how to increase their income on my website at http://angelknightceo.com 

Who or what motivates you & why?

My faith motivates me to inspire aspiring female entrepreneurs. The 9 to 5 life does not always align with every family dynamic. Many women & mothers are settling for a life that is less than what they had hoped. Staring my own real estate agency over a decade ago was a result of not wanting to settle even as a single mom. Apart of my life’s mission is to leave a stable financial legacy for not just my son by for his children’s children, that motivates me. The real estate industry was the hardest hit industry during the economic recession & my real estate agency survived when less that 2% of Real Estate Agency’s are minority & women owned according to the National Association of Realtors. Victories don’t happen by accident. I believe victories happen so that you can help someone else become victorious. I basically grew up as a fatherless daughter, yet my childhood mentor was Vernon Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey’s father. I don’t believe that happened by chance but by faith.

What advice do you wish to offer women that are seeking a similar career path?

After obtaining a real estate license, create a business plan for business development, marketing & transaction management. Incorporate real estate technology into simplifying your day to tasks. Time is money so go paperless. You’ll make a return on your time by going paperless with e-signing documents & using secure cloud based systems for internal processes. Utilizing cloud based technology allows you to work from anywhere in the world so your not tied down to an office. This will allow you to build a business around the lifestyle you desire instead of building a life around your business. In other words, my family life is the central hub without that principle, your chakras won’t be balanced & you’ll be constantly trying to balance life, work & play.

Invest a portion of your time in various continuing education courses for real estate to become an expert in your market. Obtaining a real estate license only gives you the right to practice real estate it doesn’t teach you how to develop business, market or even sell real estate. There are enough people with a real estate license but not enough professionals that invest time in becoming an expert. Know that no one is going to build your business but you. Brokers may give you the tools & training resources that you need but you have to use the tools & be coachable to get trained. You have to be self motivated to be self employed no matter what industry. If you treat your profession like a business, you’ll be at the beginning of a sustainable real estate career.

Words of wisdom or favorite quote?

Have enough faith to take your journey to financial freedom even if you have to build your wings on the way down  ~ Angel Knight

See Article Brief on Rolling Out.com