Running With Real Estate

Earth From Space

2012-01-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Photo from Space!

EARTHDATE JANUARY 26, 2012

Earth FROM SPACE

Bless our beautiful blue planet.

A 'Blue Marble' image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA's most recently launched Earth-observing satellite - Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth's surface taken on January 4, 2012. The NPP satellite was renamed 'Suomi NPP' on January 24, 2012 to honor the late Verner E. Suomi of the University of Wisconsin.

Suomi NPP is NASA's next Earth-observing research satellite. It is the first of a new generation of satellites that will observe many facets of our changing Earth.

Suomi NPP is carrying five instruments on board. The biggest and most important instrument is The Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite or VIIRS.

2012-01-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

Color of the Year - 2012

Tangerine Tango

‘Dance into the New Year with this vivacious and appealing reddish orange.’

Pantone LLC announced recently that the Tangerine Tango had replaced Honeysuckle (2011) as the color of the year.

Verve, vigorous, and vivacious are words used to describe this color. It has radiant shades of the sunset which create spirited, sophisticated, sizzling accents in your interiors and fashions!

Read this and be tired

2012-01-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

Simple Holiday Indoor Garden Project

2011-12-04T08:36:00.001-08:00

Holiday Beauty

Glass Container

Gravel

Potting Soil

Paper White Bulbs

Ivy

More Potting Soil

Pretty Stones

Sphagnum Moss

Spanish Moss

Holiday Beauty

Magic

2011-10-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

Pitching Saint Louis

2011-10-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

With the World Series between Saint Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, much has been made of Saint Louis being 'baseball country'. As always, pitching is key in the series, and maintaining the needed perfection is quite a challenge for both teams. 'Pitching' that Saint Louis is a great place to live is a much easier challenge due to all the great things it has to offer.

The CCN 2011 Best 100 Places to Live (Small Towns for Families) includes Lake of Saint Louis, Webster Groves, and Ballwin. Saint Louis has five major universities and colleges. Saint Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri St. Louis, Fontbonne, Southern Illinois University and Maryville University are just a few to name, and the community colleges around the area give you plenty of opportunities for higher education. The medical facilities are numerous and high quality.

Along with strong civic pride, the cost of living is lower in Saint Louis than the U.S. Average, and the cost of housing is fairly low with a wide range of communities in both the city and county with a neighborhood to fit most anyone's preferences. Traffic is better than many urban areas and there is a fairly extensive light rail system and of course you can take Amtrak to Chicago and other neighboring cities.

Cultural and leisure attractions abound, many located in the large Forest Park and many (Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center, Missouri Botanical “Shaw’s” Garden, and most museums) are free. BTW - the Saint Louis Art Museum is is truly great and the Zoo and Saint Louis Symphony are considered among the best in the county! Many museum offerings for all interests are located in Saint Louis and cultural amenities abound, and with many good ethnic restaurants with unique specialties such as toasted ravioli and (very) thin crust pizza, you will never go hungry - in fact Saint Louis is a true 'foodie' city.

If you want a wilder park than the 1000 acre Forest Park, there are good state parks and lakes (Lake of the Ozarks, Mark Twain National Forest for example) 1-3 hours away.

Nightlife areas include Laclede’s Landing, Washington Ave, Soulard, CWE, the Loop, even Clayton and Brentwood.

Lots to do and see, and of course great sports teams and stadium/arenas! How's that for a pitch?

Steve Jobs - 1955-2011

2011-10-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

Rest In Peace

Always Room for Coffee

2011-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

I am going through many transitions, and wondering if we all come to a time in our life where most transitions seem inherently negative, after all, what is good about the insidious reduction of muscle tone, vigor, stamina, the slowly growing fat cells and health issues? Exactly what is good about growing older?

That reminded me of the story about The Jar & Coffee. When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, when you seem to be overcome by negative forces, remember the jar... and the coffee.

"A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes'.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things... your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions... things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else: the small stuff."

So when I am feeling a little tired and worn out, it is important to remember that there is a place for coffee, while reflecting on the truly important things in life.

Q&A on QR

2011-04-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

QR Code

Have you seen the black-and-white squares showing up in ads, in pages of magazines or on the signs for houses for sale? With thousands of consumer’s dependence on their Smartphones, you will.

QR codes are appearing everywhere: posters, storefront window displays, TV advertisements, business cards, websites and even on T-shirts. When accessed with your phone, a QR code takes you to a landing page where you'll usually find special promotional content.

A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data. Applications designed for smart phones such as the iphone and Blackberry can be used to ‘read’ the QR codes.

Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. QR is the abbreviation for Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

The technology has seen a large uptake in Japan and South Korea. However, in the West there has been a considerably slower adoption of QR Codes. You will see more and more of these on home signs as a way to quickly send prospective buyers to a web page with information and photographs of the property.

In order to access the QR information, download a QR scanning application for your Smartphone. When you see a QR code on a poster or billboard, open the scanning application and use the phone's camera to focus the code on your screen. The application will recognize the code and automatically open up the link, video or image in your phone's browser. You just need an internet connection to access the content.

Many QR scanning applications -- RedLaser is a popular one -- are available for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Symbian phones. Anyone can generate their own QR code for free. And you can link it to anything -- from URLs to contact information to your GPS location.

Brands and companies are increasingly taking advantage of this relatively low-cost marketing tool. Last year, the animated movie "9" was promoted with green posters containing only a large QR code that took users to a new trailer and special features. Wired magazine recently included a Tag Heuer advertisement that contained a QR code that took users to its latest collection of high-end watches and timepieces. New York City has launched a QR code campaign in Times Square that linked to Notify NYC, the city's official source of emergency events and services.

Will this be the wave of the future or another flash in the pan? According to a February survey of U.S. Smartphone users by MGH, a Baltimore social-media marketing company, 32% of respondents said they have scanned a QR code. What do you think? Will this have lasting impact or in the last act - end up another passé fad?

Inspiring Ideas in Real Estate

2011-03-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

The emergence of a butterfly from its chrysalis symbolizes transformation.

Butterflies are a symbol of change for obvious reasons, and their metamorphosis from egg, caterpillar, and chrysalis to their final emergence as a butterfly personifies beauty and freedom.

As a metaphor, it is not hard to see the connection between the startling changes in the life of a butterfly to the many changes a person encounters when they move, either near or far, as a first time home buyer or as a seasoned investor. As a Buyer or Seller you don’t need to feel unsettled as a butterfly looking here and there for the answers to the many questions about the home buying or selling process. Place this important transaction in the hands of an experienced REALTOR® and a beautiful result will be revealed to you.

Experience freedom from worry in the knowledge you have found the best. Just like the thousands of unique varieties of butterflies, I have first-hand experience with the varied challenges of buying and selling a home, and I begin every real estate relationship with my personal pledge to represent each client with conscientious attention to their unique needs.

Will the health insurance reform law impose a 3.8% tax on home sales?

2011-01-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

Chances are, you have received emails warning that the health insurance reform law contains a provision for a sales tax on home sales. Some versions cite an editorial column from the Spokesman-Review newspaper, while others link to one or more blog posts. The information contained in these emails is false. Below are the facts:

Beginning in 2013, the health insurance reform law will impose a 3.8 percent tax on unearned net investment income, which includes some (but not all) income from interest, dividends, rents (less expenses), and capital gains (less capital losses). The tax falls on only those individuals with an adjusted gross income above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for couples filing jointly.

The tax will not be imposed on all real estate transactions. Those who claim otherwise do not understand the interplay between the health insurance reform law and existing real estate tax law. The exemption for the first $500,000 of capital gain from the sale of a principal residence remains intact and is not impacted by the new law.

Because the tax is very complicated, the National Association of REALTORS® prepared an informational brochure outlining several scenarios that could be relevant to you and your clients. The brochure is available for download:
http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/aa91b2004493f31781a8c35d6aeab3b5/government_affairs_invest_inc_tax_broch.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=aa91b2004493f31781a8c35d6aeab3b5
You may also want to review NAR’s list of frequently asked questions about the health insurance reform law and the 3.8 percent tax on unearned investment income.

Treasury Issues New Guidance on Tax Credits for Small Business Health Coverage

2011-01-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Treasury Issues New Guidance on Tax Credits for Small Business Health Coverage

The Treasury Department released new guidance and forms for claiming 2010 tax credits to help small businesses provide health coverage for their employees. The new guidance and forms are available at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=231928,00.html.

The guidance clarifies the types of employers and contribution arrangements that will qualify for tax credits as well as methods of determining a business's number of employees. Generally, small employers (fewer than 25 full-time employees or equivalent, including part-time employee hours) paying an average wage below $50,000 could be eligible for tax credits to offset up to 35% of employee health insurance premiums paid in 2010. To qualify, an employer must pay an amount equal to at least 50% of the insurance premiums for employees at the single (employee-only) coverage rate. A range of methods for subsidizing employee health coverage can qualify for the tax credit, but only costs for benefits that consist of medical care offered by a state licensed health insurance issuer will qualify for the credit (as opposed to contributions for life insurance, disability, or other welfare benefits). The guidance gives a number of examples of various employer contribution arrangements that are helpful in determining eligibility for the tax credits.
These tax credits will remain in effect through 2013 and will increase in 2014, when the maximum credit will be 50% of employer contributions to employee health coverage.

Mortgage Calculator

2011-01-11T07:50:00.001-08:00

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NAR MYTH BUSTERS

2010-07-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

Two e-mail chains have circulated among members and are generating a lot of confusion in the REALTOR® ranks. Both are wrong.

Homeowners Listen Up” E-mail

Claim: Pending legislation in the Senate would require an energy license or retrofit for home sales.

This email is FALSE: There is no requirement in H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy & Security Act, that home sellers obtain either a license or energy audit or make energy retrofits before they can sell their home. The legislation, earlier passed by the House, is pending in the Senate.

FACTS:

Here are the two REAL provisions in the bill:

• Section 202 (Building Retrofit Program) would offer matching grants for home improvements. State government would administer the program, which is voluntary and available to all property owners.

• Section 204 (Building Energy Performance Labeling Program) would apply to new construction only and prohibit time-of-sale labeling. The original energy audit and MLS listing provisions were deleted as the result of NAR insistence; existing real estate was excluded from the bill’s requirements. NAR will work to ensure that these provisions are retained in the Senate version. We were also instrumental in eliminating time-of-sale energy efficiency requirements from the bill. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) are pursuing bipartisan support for an alternative to the House bill, and NAR will monitor that progress to ensure residential and commercial real estate are not adversely impacted. A packet of facts and FAQs NAR created after the House bill was passed last summer is available at www.realtor.org/government_affairs.

For more information on the energy bill, contact:
Austin Perez, 202-383-1046, aperez@realtors.org

“National Real Estate Transfer Tax” E-mail

Claim: The health care bill contains a 4.0 percent “transfer tax” on homes sales.

An opinion piece in the Spokane, Wash., Spokesman-Review last month FALSELY reported that the health care bill contained a provision for a 4.0 percent “sales tax” or "transfer tax" on the sale of a home.

FACTS:

This e-mail was circulated far and wide, and is inaccurate. We responded to questions from the media and members and continue to do so. This week we got a boost from an unexpected third-party, the Portland (Ore.) Oregonian. The Oregonian did some old-fashioned fact-checking, and reached correct conclusions published Tuesday, April 27.

Read the analysis by FACTCHECK.ORG,

SUMMARY:

THE CLAIM IS FALSE.

Let us sum up: The health bill included a provision that imposes a new 3.8 percent Medicare tax for some high-income households that have “net investment income.” Any revenue collected by the tax is dedicated to the Medicare hospital insurance program.

This new tax applies only to households with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of more than $200,000 for individuals or more than $250,000 for married couples. Since capital gains are included in the definition of net investment income, an additional tax obligation might result from the sale of real property.

Even if the AGI limits are met, the new tax would not be applied to capital gains that result from the sale of a home, since the existing home sale capital gains exclusion rule still applies – $250,000 (individual)/$500,000 (couple). So if the gain from the sale of the primary residence is below that amount, then NO Medicare tax will have to be paid on the gain. The new Medicare tax would apply only to a home sale gain realized in excess of the $250K/$500K that pushes the filer’s AGI over the $200K/$250K income limits.

Some other quick points:

• The new Medicare tax will take effect January 1, 2013.

• The legislation makes no changes to the mortgage interest deduction.

For more information on the tax provisions in the health care legislation, contact:

Linda Goold, 202-383-1083, lgoold@REALTORS.org

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins | A Peacock in the Land of Penguins

2010-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins

She doesn't get eaten by the eels at this time.

2010-01-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Grandpa: She doesn't get eaten by the eels at this time.

The Grandson: What?

Grandpa: The eel doesn't get her. I'm explaining to you because you look nervous.

We all are wondering what horrific scene is going to be narrated next, as was the grandson in the book "The Princess Bride", by William Goldman, who was literally poised to jump out of his skin before his grandpa utters those soothing words, "She doesn't get eaten by the eels at this time".

What with earthquakes, the economy, and ongoing environmental misfortunes, our world seems to be falling apart around our ears. Granted, people may be infamously fascinated by holocausts, hell holes, and HEALTH care plans, but to be fair, trouble seems to be abundant in our lives today. And although many people secretly love disasters (as can be witnessed by how many news services today picked up the rather bland story of the San Antonio sinkhole), we certainly cannot help but be worried and distressed about what on earth are we in store for next. But just as the grandfather assures his grandson in this fabulous film and even superior book, "She does not get eaten by the eels at this time." it helps to remember not to worry about what may happen or the money you don't have, worry about how much love you do have, that way you can spend your life happily.

The Home Buyer Tax Credit

2010-01-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

The Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended and expanded, but time is rapidly running out and the time for qualifying will not be extended again. Call me today to see how you can take advantage of your tax credit!

Melinda
(404) 218-8315

I need a REALTOR®

2010-01-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection's Holiday Gift Guide

2009-12-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season upon us, gift-giving is at the top of everyone's mind. If you are looking for a little inspiration, the Luxury Portfolio's annual holiday gift guide offers luxurious suggestions for everyone on your list at price points ranging from the extravagant to the economical.

Click here to see the LuxeTrends newsletter. On their website, you can also sign up to receive the LuxeTrends newsletter, search luxury homes, see luxury developments, browse luxury home markets and create your own luxury portfolio!

GREEN: A Recession-Proof Industry?

2009-02-13T10:44:00.001-08:00

If you flip through any of the broadcast news channels or publications these days, you undoubtedly will be greeted with a barrage of headlines surrounding the current state of the U.S. economy. "Stimulus package", "financial bailout," "recession," "inflation," and "the worst financial crisis since the great depression," do anything but conjure pleasant images in the minds of Americans and, unfortunately, they now dominate our daily news. But there is some good news for the home-building industry.

One bright spot in this dark time is the enduring stability of green building. Half of the respondents in a report issued last fall by McGraw-Hill Construction Research and Analytics suggested they were more interested in buying green homes than conventional ones in a down market. Perhaps the market meltdown is accelerating innovation. There are opportunities now because builders and decision-makers have more time to consider new ideas. There also is more competition for buyers among builders; so some will differentiate themselves by adopting green building products and practices. The firm anticipates green home-building to at least double by 2013 - making up 12 to 20 percent of all residential construction. Why? Features like triple-pane glass and on-demand water heaters can reduce a home's energy use by 60 percent. Greening saves greenbacks.

Pricing your home in today’s market

2009-02-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

We have all heard the saying, ‘Location is everything’, and the three principles of prime real estate property: ‘Location, location, location!’ We all know the desirability of a good location.

Although location has always been a huge factor in selling or buying a home, pricing your home competitively is equally important, and in today’s market pricing is an even greater concern.

To effectively price their home, today’s sellers can acquaint themselves with the differences in the types of value and the elements that create value, and in doing so better understand the differences between appraisal value / appraisal pricing, and market value / market pricing, although the basic elements that create value and the characteristics of land that affect market value, are similar for both.

While an appraisal is an ‘estimate of value’, it is not the same as a real estate agent giving you an estimate of market value and market price. Pricing is a ‘suitable price’, not an ‘estimate of value’. However, the same factors that affect the appraisal value and market value of a property also determine the appropriate price for a property.

When pricing your home for sale, recognize that your home is not a commodity with little or no fluctuation in value or price, in fact, the norm in the past was that home owners enjoyed regular upward fluctuation in value called appreciation. A commodity is anything for which there is demand, but which is supplied without qualitative differentiation across a market. Real property is the exact opposite of this. Because of this critical difference, it is important for REALTORS® to have considerable knowledge about the “principles of valuation” and make their sellers aware of them also. For instance, for a property to have value there must be demand for it. Someone has to have a desire to own or use the property and very importantly this desire must be accompanied by purchasing power. If someone desires a property but doesn’t have the financial ability to act on that desire, there is no effective demand for the property. You can quickly see how negative factors in today’s economy may have reduced the effective demand for real property in our area.

Utility, scarcity and transferability also effect value. Setting aside utility and transferability, scarcity is another consideration in today’s market. Value of property is a theoretical number which is affected by many factors. So let’s incorporate ‘location, location, location’ into our rationale. If the supply of land were unlimited, it would have less value, but even if your home is in a great and desired location, that alone will not sell your home. We can quickly understand the concept of scarcity, but the scarcity of land must be accompanied by some demand if the scarcity is to have an effect on the value of land. In today’s market, there is no scarcity of homes for sale; it is buyers that are scarce!

The simple concept of ‘scarcity’ is even better clarified when you recognize that the value of real property is affected by many other factors we call anticipation, substitution, highest and best use, competition, supply and demand, and conformity.

Of these factors, the value of real property in today’s market has been most dramatically affected by the principles of ‘substitution’’ and ‘supply and demand.

The Principle of Substitution states that the maximum value of a property is determined by what it would cost to buy a similar property that is equally desirable, since one property can be “substituted” for another. This theory means a lower priced home with a nearby ‘substitute’ will sell first. Since the two homes are “substitutable”, the lower priced one represents the same value for a lower price, and therefore, will likely sell first. With so many homes on the market, correct and competitive pricing is critical so buyers will not be drawn to one of the hundreds of other comparable homes.

We all understand the simple concept of supply and demand. This refers to the fact that the value and price of property are affected by:
Supply: the availability of property to be purchased.
Demand: the desire and ability of people to acquire property.
As the supply increases relative to demand, prices tend to decrease. We hear every day how many homes are on the market; therefore it should be easy to see the correlation in supply and demand and current home depreciation and the lack of scarcity. A buyer’s market is one in which there are not enough buyers to buy all the property offered by sellers. A seller’s market is one in which there are not enough sellers to meet the demand for property by buyers, and we are definitely in a buyer’s market.

Finally, when pricing your home for sale, also remember the principle of regression vs. progression.

Regression is a principle of appraisal that states that the value of a higher valued property is decreased if it is located among properties of lower value.
For instance a house that costs $150,000 to build will have a lower value in a neighborhood of $90,000 homes.

Progression states that the value of a lower valued property is increased if it is located among properties of a higher value.

If you are thinking that regression cannot affect the value of your home because you are in a subdivision of equally valued homes, think again, because the raising numbers of low sale prices on foreclosure and short sale properties have begun to effect the value of other homes neighboring them, even though the cost to replace the surrounding homes is the same or more.

If you are looking for a silver lining in this scenario, think of the great deals on homes in our market, and capitalize on them by purchasing a home now. Remember that if you price your home recognizing the general depreciation in our market and it sells quickly, you can make up for the perceived ‘loss” from the reduced sale price if you then purchase a home with a depreciated sale price, and be no worse off than if you sell at top dollar and then buy a home at top dollar. With today’s great rates on mortgages, you may be surprised by the monthly payment on your dream home. Remember, even a lower down payment, (considering lower equity from the sale of your home) will be off-set by the great low interest rates.

The Rewards of Running

2007-01-06T10:42:00.000-08:00

Melinda Johnson

It is January, and if you are like me you are paying for your sins. During the holidays, it's easy to overindulge. A cookie here, a bite of something yummy there, not to mention those enormous holiday dinners and party food, a little ugly weather and all the other demands of the season and work and it is easy to blow off our scheduled exercise. Now our clothes aren't fitting the way they used to. It is enough to make you want to run away from it all.

But running is one of the most practical and effective ways to exercise. Nearly anyone can benefit from it. Running burns calories and costs very little money. You can run almost anywhere and at any time. It has always been a practical way for me to keep fit. Plus, I actually enjoy running, but it hasn’t always been that way. Twenty seven years ago I couldn’t run around the block - but that is exactly how I started to run - by running and walking, running and walking, until I finally became fit. I would literally talk myself into running, to the next mailbox, light post or corner, just pushing myself until it became easier.

I admit my fitness level is not what it used to be, it has been a long time since I came in first in a race (I can’t bear to throw out those little medallions I got all those years ago) and my pace has slowed tremendously, but I still enjoy it. I never thought I would be one of those ten minute milers I buzzed by in the Fort Worth Texas Chisholm Trail run in 1985 when I won 1st place and received the coveted leather belt buckle. But now I am doing good to average that.
You don't need to train for a race to get into running, but having a goal is a great way to start. Perhaps your best goal is to forget dieting and start exercising. If you like the thought of eating without guilt, then running may be right for you. A 150-pound person can burn over 600 calories for each hour of running. All you need is a decent pair of running shoes.

The beauty of running is that you can do it almost anywhere. Put on your running shoes and run around the block a few times. If you enjoy nature find a nice trail. If you are hooked on a particular television show go to the gym and run on the treadmill! Don’t forget the track if you are close to a school, or the walking path at your city park.

The softer the road, the less wear and tear you will suffer on your body. Dirt trails are the best, and asphalt is softer than cement sidewalks. If you run on surface streets, be sure to run facing traffic, and try to find streets where traffic is lighter. If you have to run at night, be sure to wear a reflective vest. If you're planning on traveling, then by all means pack your running gear for the trip! You've just got to get out there and start running wherever you can. Don't wait. Don't make excuses. Make it a habit even if you are tired. Start your run really slowly, or even walk, and see how it goes. You might feel an energy surge. We are all too busy, so set your goals low if necessary, but starting is half of the battle.

Make a commitment! Find a local 5K race three months away. Look for a local fun or charity run and put it on your calendar and you will have another reason to train regularly. Find a local running group. Run at lunchtime. Make some running friends and make running a part of who you are.
Obviously if you are feeling puny, sometimes it's best that you don't run. Slow down or walk if you have a cold but if you have a more significant illness or a painful injury, you should think twice before trying to run. Also, it's a good idea to have a physical exam prior to engaging in a running program, especially if you or your family has a history of heart problems.

Walking is good too, maybe even better for some people. Some body types are less suited for running than others. Many of my friends simply hate running, have bad knees or bunions on their feet, but still enjoy walking. Walking, particularly when done on a consistent basis, is a viable alternative to running. It may not burn off the calories as quickly as running, but walking is a lot easier on your joints. So for those of you who either cannot or will not run, I'll be out there looking for you on a long, brisk walk, and make sure to get the best shoes you can afford.
While running may melt away the calories, you still need to eat a well-balanced diet. But this doesn't mean "dieting"! Nor does it mean you have to count calories or track your protein and carbohydrate intake. What it means is that you should eat a variety of healthy foods and use a little common sense. The good thing about running is, if you don't really need to lose weight in the first place, the extra calories burned will allow you to eat more of the foods you enjoy.

Running gets your heart going and makes you sweat, so be sure to drink enough water and other fluids throughout the day. Should runners drink beer and other alcoholic drinks? Remember the quote, “Moderation in all things.”

I may never be at the fitness level of my husband, who enjoys marathons, ultra-marathons and has even done days-long adventure races, but I can still remember those “early days” years ago when I would give him a ten-minute head start and still catch him at the end, in fact, those pleasant memories come back to me often as I am bounding along the hiking trails at the neighboring National Park.

Marietta Redevelopment Update

2007-01-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Hip to be Square!

Annette Lewis, Ward 1 Marietta City Council, reports that there will be a developers display at the Cobb County Main Library on Roswell Street on January 18th. Although the developers will not be presenting a program, they will be answering questions to give residents a better idea of the various redevelopment plans around the Marietta Square area. Annette hopes to have a walking model in the library to show geographical relationships. I will keep you informed on the finalized time.

Melinda Johnson, Realtor®
ABR, ARS, ASR®, CSP, e-PRO®

The best move you’ll ever make. ™

Cobb County Government Affairs Update on Land Use

2007-01-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Cobb County

Fire Sprinkler Ordinance Proposed in Annual Code Amendments
This week, Cobb County released its proposed code amendments for public review. Included is an ordinance that would require certain one- or two-family homes to have fire sprinklers. The exact language reads, “All one or two family homes that cannot be accessed by fire apparatus including but not limited to: access by a bridge with a prohibitive weight restriction, prohibitive access gate(s), built further than 150 feet from the roadway without 20 feet wide access road and a turn-around, and/or further than 500 feet from a fire hydrant, shall be protected throughout with an approved automatic fire protection system.” Additionally, structures that are built closer than 20 feet from any other structure or 10 feet from the property line would have to have either sprinklers installed or a one-hour fire rate wall, provided that emergency access and hydrant placement meet county standards.

The amendments also include a proposed blasting ordinance, a burning ban and amendments to the flood plain and open space conservation ordinances (as required by an audit with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division). Fire Sprinkler Ordinance Proposed in Annual Code Amendments

Public hearings on the code amendments will be Jan. 23 and Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Contact the HBA for a copy of the proposed amendments or more information.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map Proposal Released

The 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map were both recently released, and you are encouraged to comment on both. The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, and the board of commissioners will conduct a public hearing at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Both hearings are in the second floor of the Commission Meeting Room (100 Cherokee Street, Marietta). Following the second public hearing, the board may vote to adopt the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and the new Future Land Use Map.

The Community Assessment document was published and approved by the board of commissioners several months ago. It tells about the conditions that exist in the county at this date and identifies issues caused by changing population, economic development, housing, transportation, etc. It also discusses how to meet the objectives of quality growth and sets the stage for the recommendations in the Community Agenda document.

The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is not complete without a Future Land Use Map. The map is composed of two parts, the base map (from last year) and the Future Land Use Map amendments. The amendments show how the base map is changed because of zonings approved during the past year (49 amendments) and proposed amendments by commissioners for their district (15 amendments).

Hip to be Square

2006-11-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

Will You Dare to Move to the Square?

I dared! I moved to one of several new redevelopment areas close to Marietta Square, Marietta, Georgia. My house is across the street from Emerson Hill Townhouses. I truly love living in this place. Not only am I only a few blocks from our lovely Marietta Square, the proximity to Interstate 75 is a great asset. Traveling from Marietta Square you will find an ideal place to jump on the Interstate, as the trip to Buckhead / Downtown is only a twenty / thirty minute drive during relaxed driving times. I am anxious to see some building activity at Meeting Park, which broke ground at the former Clay Homes site on November 14, 2006. Developers, community leaders and city officials attended the groundbreaking of the new $112 million site.

Winter Properties President Bob Silverman promises to bring a vibrant new neighborhood. Considering the twelve acre site at Waddell and Waterman streets and south of Roswell Street once was the location of a 132-unit housing complex built in the 1940s for people who worked at the Bell Bomber plant during World War II, most likely he will fullfill that promise. I read somewhere that this was one of the oldest public housing developments in the country.

Winter Properties bought the Clay Homes site for $8.4 million from the Marietta Housing Authority last April. The former city property is being redeveloped without any city money or Tax Allocation District subsidies. Winter Properties has re-envisioned the site as a mixed-use development with 166 residential condominiums, 32 townhouses and nine single-family residences with an additional 78,000 square feet of retail and office space, a central park area and additional greenspace.

Word is the first resident would move into Meeting Park by next fall, with the first businesses and restaurants moving in soon thereafter. I am "psyched" about the new retail stores coming to this location, which is only a block from the Marietta Square. The first phase of construction at the corner of Wayland and Green streets will include 6,400 square feet of retail space and 32 townhouses. Marietta Housing Authority Executive Director Ray Buday said profits from the sale of the Clay Homes site would go toward the development of affordable housing for low-income families, usually houses priced below $250,000, in the surrounding area. Housing prices in Meeting Park are estimated to range from $200,000 to more than $600,000." The city council is certainly hoping that Meeting Park will bring a lot of people to Marietta. Buday said the site would appeal to young people because residents would be able to walk from their homes to stores and restaurants without needing a car. Mayor Bill Dunaway said Meeting Park would "raise the bar" for other redevelopments in Marietta. Housing authority member and former City Councilman Pete Waldrep said Winter Properties has demonstrated care and thought on the project." The city needs a rebirth," he said. "This will certainly be one."

Come back soon as I will keep you posted on the other developments around the Square