Walton High School SAT scores

Walton High School East Cobb GA

Walton High School SAT scores were the highest in Cobb County! The Cobb County School District released 2019 Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores on Tuesday, and four East Cobb high schools lead the way.

Walton (1,288), Pope (1,220) and Lassiter (1,212) had average class wide scores exceeding 1,200, while Wheeler (1,196) came close. While Walton High School SAT scores are the highest, two other sought-after East Cobb high schools are very close – Pope and Lassiter High, with Wheeler High not far behind in fourth place. While all these schools are excellent, it is important to check into a schools programs and not just focus on the highest test scores (especially when they are so close) to assure a good fit for your student as each school will differ somewhat in educational style and special programs offered.

Wheeler’s jump of 49 points was the highest of the 16 high schools in the Cobb County School District.

“Wheeler continues to focus on providing the best overall learning experience for ALL students,” Wheeler Principal Paul Gillihan said in a statement issued by the school district.

“We strongly believe that SAT scores do not define our students nor our school but only provide evidence of the work that is being done daily to prepare our students for college and careers.”

Walton’s score is up 20 points from 2018. Full district scores and details can be found here.

Read more

Looking for more info about East Cobb schools, lifestyles, or homes – reach out to East Cobb resident and veteran East Cobb Realtor and Broker/Owner Robert Whitfield here, or text Robert at 404-561-7546.

Buyers – Smile You’re On Camera!

Buyers – Sellers may well be Recording You – Video Surveillance in Real Estate!

Video Surveillance of BuyersVideo surveillance in real estate is an issue to be aware of when you’re the buyer. I recently showed a home to buyer clients in N Atlanta and encountered a “webcam mounted on a flat screen TV” in the great room – which I thought was odd – then again I am not a gamer and I only Skype in my office. The TV was off but a tiny blue light on the web cam was on – I am sure it was video taping our visit – and we conducted ourselves accordingly. My buyers had already been prepped and reminded not to make comments that in any way indicated they were smitten with the home or felt it was high on their list, etc – those are private discussions for us to have off site.

I first experienced being monitored via an open laptop with glowing webcam over ten years ago and learned to be more aware of this when previewing homes. Security and safety are hot topics at the moment and things hardware-wise have gotten a lot more sophisticated now. I recently read in a tech magazine about software plugin that will allow web cams to sense motion and begin recording with their light off so they don’t appear active.

Live Stream Video to Smartphone These days, it is safe (and smart) to assume when you’re previewing homes – the seller may well be previewing you too – either via LIVE Streaming video to a smart phone or recording your visit for later playback! Unsuspecting home buyers can be easily monitored via a variety of video surveillance equipment that has become more common in homes over the last 10 years. These systems include wireless security cameras, pet cams, nanny cams, and the new Ring doorbell and bookshelf cams to name a few. These devices may or may not be out in the open and obvious. Then there is a whole class of covert devices that I can only describe as actual SPY CAM’s. Note – according to attorneys I have spoken with, GA law generally prohibits recording someone without their knowledge in private non public areas, even inside your own home, except where no expectation of privacy exists. While the legality of using these special spy cam devices in ones own home could be a grey area depending on how and where the equipment is used, rest assured these devices are in use – and most are nearly impossible to spot. Spy Cam examples include common devices you would never expect to have video capability such as – smoke alarms, light fixtures, wall chargers, even fountain pens with built in HD cameras and recording capabilities.

Smoke Detector Nanny Cam

Many people will find it a little offensive or intrusive to think someone may be video taping them, but this new security trend is here to stay. The whole point of this post is not to judge video surveillance but to make you aware of this issue so you can maintain a level playing field – as the buyer, you must safeguard your information so you don’t get taken advantage of.

Buying a home is a major financial transaction and what you say can dramatically impact your negotiation position and cost a lot of money if the seller gets wind of it. As I have cautioned my buyer clients for years, even if the sellers is not home, the best practice is don’t say (or do) anything that you would not say or do if the seller were present – and you should keep your guard up both inside and outside the home. If the sellers can get audio or video of you saying something like, “wow, this kitchen is stunning” , “this basement is perfect for our in-laws” or “this is the one – and Todd will be all set to attend Walton High School” – that information can be costly and will be used against you as the sellers are now in great position to control the negotiations.

Just as what a seller inadvertently discloses while chatting with a skilled buyer’s agent can hurt them, buyers need to be cautious for the same reasons, and keep all discussions with sellers, or seller/builder listing agents who may be present, on a superficial level, and to a minimum. Sharing seemingly innocuous facts about your job relocation, your house being under contract, or your desire or timeline to be in a home/certain school, etc. may seem harmless, but giving the seller or their agent that kind of insight can work against you – best to keep your personal circumstances to yourself. Video surveillance in public areas has been around for many years – only in the last 10 years has it become a very common fixture in people’s homes, and newer options hit the market each year.

Just one of the many things that most buyers (and for that matter most agents) never imagined could impact them – as a wise person once said – you can’t prepare for something if you don’t even know it exists!

Robert Whitfield is the Broker/Owner of Advantage Realtors, and has over 35 years of multifaceted experience in the Atlanta Real Estate Brokerage, Building Inspection, and New Home Construction Markets.

2018 Walton High School Home Inventory Very Low

2018 Walton High School Home Inventory Very Low

As we approach the first day of Spring (March 20) and the upcoming HOT spring and summer markets, availability of homes in certain price ranges of the 2018 Walton High School Home Inventory is very low!  This low supply makes it difficult for buyers especially if they are not well prepared and working with an East Cobb market expert, and it has also caused prices to steadily increase to 6% above 2017 prices. Call us or click for a free market analysis if you’re planning to sell your home in 2018, and learn about our outstanding marketing plan and exceptional seller results in East Cobb – a 96% list to sell ratio, while setting many top 5 and neighborhood price records. Through a combination of creativity, superior marketing, and advanced qualifications versus the typical agent, we have bested small and large brokerages alike, in both good and bad markets, and our proven track record of getting home sold, and sold for more money, is consistent over an amazing 18 year period!

We need new listings, especially in the following price ranges:

Walton High School District:

$350k-$399k – 3 Mo Supply  (Sellers Market)

$400k-$449k  – 1 Mo Supply! (Strong Sellers Market)

$450k-$499k  – 5 Mo Supply -will quickly lower as market heats up – (Slight Sellers Market)

$500k -$549k – 2 Mo Supply (Strong Sellers Market)

$600k-$699k -6 Mo Balanced Market – But too few options

$800k-$899 – 7 Mo Balanced Market – But too few options

*Many Other Price Ranges Are Strong Buyers Markets – Call Us If You’re A Buyer!

Robert A Whitfield,
Founder, Broker/Owner – REALTOR
Advantage Realtors
678-585-9691
ICC Code Certified Building Inspector
New Home Construction Expert
East Cobb Resident Since 1996

The Escalation Clause: One Option to use in a Bidding War.

escalator clause

If you’re considering buying a house in an area where homes are flying off the market and bidding wars are common, (such as we have had a few time in Atlanta over the last few years) a well crafted escalation clause in your offer can be an important strategy to use in multiple-offer situations.

An escalation clause allows your offer to automatically increase by a certain amount in response to a competing buyer’s higher bid, with a maximum offer price stated in the contract.

Here’s an example of how this strategy works: Say you offer $250,000 for a house. In your escalation clause, you specify your bid can automatically go up by $2,000, with a maximum offer of $268,000 for example. When another buyer bids $252,000, your lower offer doesn’t lose out right away as it normally would, because the clause automatically escalates it to $254,000.

Of course there are several important considerations to make before using an escalation clause. Will the house still be a good deal at the maximum price, and will it appraise in case your offer escalates to the maximum price in your clause? Will the seller/bank accept your offer with an escalation clause?

Above all, you’ll need to ensure your mortgage approval/pre-approval amount covers the maximum price increase listed in the clause. It’s imperative to talk this strategy over with a knowledgeable agent to make sure it is a viable option for the home in question, your situation, and the market, and then run this plan by your lender before deciding to use an escalation clause.

The Bottom Line: a lot of buyers miss out in competitive low inventory markets and trying to submit an ordinary offer in a bidding war situation is one of the ways that happens. But with the right strategy and one that makes financial sense, you may be able to win an offer on a home you really like – even in this kind of environment. The right options and strategies can give you an edge in any market – the key is having an agent who understands strategies like the escalator clause.

Contact Robert Whitfield 678-585-9691 with questions or to discuss his elite level Buyer Representation Services.

Atlanta and US Home Prices Rebound

North Atlanta Pix

Atlanta Home Price Rebound Percentage Not Too Shabby at 94.86%!

According to Homes.com, about 55 percent of the top 300 housing markets in the US have now fully recovered lost values since the housing crash of 2007-2012. And as you will see below, Atlanta has recouped almost 95% of its post crash high home price levels – even more equity recoup has occurred with the right homes in the right areas!

Homes.com®, released its July 2015 Local Market Index, a price performance summary of repeat sales in the top 100 markets, and the companion Midsize Markets Report for the next 200 largest markets. Among the nation’s top 300 markets, 166 or 55 percent have now achieved full price recovery — 24 more than the 142 markets reported in June.

We’ve reached an important benchmark in the U.S. housing market with the majority of the nation’s top 300 markets recovering at least their peak prices. Most homeowners in these markets have now regained lost equity from the housing crash, and we’re seeing good progress toward restoring equity to the remainder of the nation,” said David Mele, president of Homes.com.

Southern Markets Lead Recovery; West Remains Dominant in Annual Gains

As of July, 50 out of the top 100 markets had shown a complete price recovery. Richmond, VA rebounded at 100.18 and became the 50th market among the top 100 to achieve that status.
The South continued to dominate recovery among the top 100 markets in July, with 23 markets recovered, followed by the Midwest with 11 markets fully recovered. Both the West and South had eight markets each that have achieved rebound status.
ATLANTA HOME PRICE REBOUND STATS as of July 2015 – Excellent!

The Atlanta market (known as the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell MSA in this report) is the 9th largest housing market in the United States by population, and its rebound (recovery) details are:

Peak Housing Values Date – April 2007, Peak Trough (low value) Date – March 2012, Peak-to-Trough Decline – 41%, Year over Year Value Change as of July 2015 – 5.56%, Percent Market Value Recovery: 94.86%!

That is very good performance for such a large area and with such a diversity of markets which span from those with very good value retention trends, to those that are not so great. Of course when looking at stats for very broad areas, like the entire Atlanta MSA, such reports factor in everything – the good performing market areas to the not so good. When you drill down, you can find micro markets with the potential to exceed even 100 percent recovery – especially when a property is in top condition, located in top school systems, and has superior marketing and an agent with strong negotiation skills.
It is all about knowing how the find and interpret the data.

These broad recovery percentage figures are good news for the Atlanta market, but they must be used with caution. For example, it would be a mistake for a seller to use this report and make the assumption that their home may sell for 94% of its all time 2007 high value. It may not sell for nearly that figure, or it may well exceed it. There are many variables to consider – some the seller can control, some the seller has no control of at all. For example, the property location, the current market trends, and performance of the micro market, are all completely out of the sellers control. The seller does have control of two critical things however – the overall condition of the property and how well it shows, and choosing the right agent – the agent with the best overall skills, abilities, marketing plan, and track record.

The abilities of the agent to give the owner correct advice, to market and position the property effectively are paramount to help a seller net the most money possible, just as the degree of experience the agent has (or doesn’t have) to preserve the price – to effectively deal with a host of issues that will come up such as inspections, appraisals and other issues. In the end, the advice, skills, and negotiation abilities of the agent you hire will affect the results you get and success or failure of your transaction.

By way of example, during 2013 and 2014 (when the recovery percentage was not nearly so high) I know of some East Cobb and North Fulton homes that sold for a price that was100% (or more), of their all time 2007 high values – I know because I sold some of them, and others were certain special properties that I previewed for and with buyer clients who chose another home.

For more information about the market, or an experienced assessment of your homes selling potential, contact Robert Whitfield – 678-585-9691

Walton High Gets Winning Kentucky Football Coach

Bill Letton New Coach Walton HS

Bill Letton latest LexCath coach to move to Georgia

Courtesy MIKE FIELDS, Lexington Herald-Leader

Bill Letton is the latest Lexington Catholic football coach to relocate to Georgia.

Letton, who resigned as the Knights’ head coach last December, is the new associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Walton High School in Marietta, Ga.

Mo Dixon, a former head coach at Hazard and assistant at Lexington Catholic, is Walton’s head coach.

“We’re glad to have Bill, and we’re looking forward to getting that Lexington Catholic connection back together,” Dixon said.

Letton joined Bob Sphire’s staff at Lexington Catholic in 2003. After Sphire guided the Knights to a state title in 2005, he left for a coaching job in Georgia, and Letton took over the reins. Letton, who led Prestonsburg to a state runner-up finish in 1993, led Lexington Catholic to a state title in 2007. He was 78-30 in eight years with the Knights.

Dixon not only added Letton to his staff, he added a Division I prospect to his roster. Sam Letton, Bill’s son, is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior tight end who has a scholarship offer from Kentucky. He had 51 catches for 958 yards and 13 touchdowns for Lexington Catholic last season.

Bill Letton is the seventh Lexington Catholic-connected coach to move to Georgia.

Read more… http://www.kentucky.com/2014/07/28/3355867/letton-latest-lexcath-coach-to.html

Mt Bethel School Seeks Zoning

Mt Bethel Christian Academy East Cobb

The Mt. Bethel School filed an application to rezone the property on
Post Oak Tritt at the Blumenthal Jewish Center. The zoning case is scheduled to
be heard Tuesday, Nov. 5 by Planning Commission and Tuesday, Nov. 19 by Board
of Commissioners.  Both meetings start at 9 a.m. and will be held at 100
Cherokee Street in the Board of Commissioners meeting room. The link to the Mt.
Bethel School zoning application (SLUP-11) is online at http://1.usa.gov/1ea1el0.

Mt Bethel is a fully accredited private Christian school in East Cobb which serves about 500 families in grades K-8. The school has sought to add classes for grades 9-12 and this zoning will allow the school to complete acquisition of the Blumenthal property for its high school classes.

East Cobb Park 10th Anniversary

East Cobb Park 2013 Join Friends of East Cobb Park from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, July 13, to celebrate the park’s 10th anniversary.

There will be food, refreshments, bounce houses, guest speakers, a disc jockey and entertainment. The founders of the park and the East Cobb Civitan Club will also be honored.

The park is located at 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta. For more, visit www.eastcobbpark.org

Paper Mill Bridge at Soap Creek Closed June 8!

As if house hunting wasn’t enough fun with the low inventory, be prepared to detour around the Soap Creek Bridge starting tomorrow Sat June 8, until the new bridge is finished on or about October 25th!

The good thing – there will be a new 6 foot sidewalk on the south side so pedestrians  will have easy and safe access to the National Park paths. The historic Soap Creek ruins are very attractive – worth seeing if you haven’t seen them.

2013 East Cobb Housing Trends

East Cobb Mortgage RatesI just got this email a few minutes ago – astonishing rates all accross the board – especially for Jumbo loans.

Every indicator is that we in the real estate world are going to have a good 2013. Home prices in the East Cobb area housing market are on the increase and inventory is lower than anytime in the last few years.

New construction activity has been the big change over the last year or so – we are seeing more now home construction activity than any time since 2006.

This is still a sensational time to buy new or existing homes, however, to avoid price increases, the sooner you can act the better. You can reach me at 678-585-9691. Robert Whitfield