Real Estate Stocking Stuffers

** Historically, homeownership has been considered a cornerstone of the American Dream. Today, about 65 percent of American households own a home, and roughly 5 percent own more than one.

** Roughly 74 percent of homeowners used a mortgage to finance their home.

** The word "mortgage" coms from medieval French meaning "death contract." However, mortgages have evolved to become a key part of home ownership today.

** About 88 percent of homeowners felt their home was a good investment.

** 50 percent of homeowners felt their home was a better investment than stocks.

** Experts recommend putting aside between 1% and 4% of the home's value for maintenance.

** The size of single-family homes has decreased from an average of 2,467 square feet in 2015 to 2,146 square feet in 2024.

Local: Smyrna Has Ambitious Plans

Smyrna -- the city where yours truly lives -- has an ambitious downtown redevelopment plan that would add 350 new homes to the area, a hotel, a food hall, a greatly expanded mixed-use space and a bike/foot path.

To create space for the project, Smyrna purchased a local church and parking lot for $16 million. The plans call for a "Jonquil Mile" -- a path/trail connecting all pieces of the development, a boutique hotel, and more.

But before you make permanent plans, shovel won't hit dirt for "2 to 3 years." And let's also remember the folks planning this are the same people who at one time wanted to construct a tourist attraction (water park) on an already crowded and narrow 2-lane road. So.... we shall see.

What Happened To The "Home Alone" House?

Regardless of whether you think the 1990 film "Home Alone" was a Christmas movie or not, you probably remember the house. The home, built in 1921, sits at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. The house hit the market in May, 2024 for a whopping $5.2 million. The home, listed by Coldwell Banker Realty, sold in January of this year for $5.5 million.

Former Clients Enjoying Their Home

I love this photo from earlier this year, and I love this family. Black and white is perfect as Lucky, the energetic Dalmatian, is helping his sister celebrate a birthday. Sean and Stephanie have been friends for years and it's so satisfying to see them enjoy their Roswell home.

Real Estate Tip: The Juggling Act Of Selling And Buying Simultaneously

Buying your next home while selling your current one can be a real juggling act. The goal is to land smoothly without feeling financially stressed. And of course this wouldn't be my newsletter if I didn't mention that a good realtor can make things go more smoothly.

So, what’s the best order: buy first, or sell first? The right choice depends on your finances, your comfort with risk, and the market conditions in your area.

If you have the ability to carry two mortgages for a short amount of time, you're in better shape than most. However, if you can't do that, you can explore a Heloc or a bridge loan, or make an offer contingent on your home selling. Contact me to discuss all the options.

A Tip From Wilma

Maybe you are thinking of putting up a privacy fence in your backyard -- you know, so that dogs like me can run and chase tennis balls without being on a leash. But, make sure you take the proper steps, like:

1) Get a land survey done (my dad can recommend someone). Don't rely on existing fences or assumptions.

2) Call 811 to make sure you don't dig on electrical or gas lines.

3) Talk to your neighbor as a courtesy.

4) Check local codes to make sure there aren't limits on fence heights or setback rules. See if a permit is required.

5) Run it past your HOA and make sure HOA-Karen doesn't have a problem.

6) Hire a licensed fence contractor. This is not a job for your brother-in-law.

7) Lastly, if you don't have a dog, go adopt (don't shop) one. That fenced-in yard is SO much better than a cold, loud kennel.

What Was Georgia's Most Expensive House In 2025?

A 12,586 square foot, ocean-front home in Sea Island (Ga.) sold earlier this month for $30 Million -- for a whopping $2,300 per square foot. It had been listed for $40M and was on the market for 289 days. Here's a link to the home in Zillow, and it's worth a look. Interesting that the seller also paid $300,000 of the buyer's closing costs (meanwhile I recently had a deal fall apart over a water heater).

Closing Story Of The Month: The Mann Family

This is the "How It Started vs How It's Going" photo of the Mann family. Stephen, who I've known since his days as a walk-on football player at Georgia Tech, definitely leveled up by meeting and marrying Sarah. And as you can see, the couple has two adorable little girls. Together, they closed on a beautiful home in Dallas, Ga., where we were able to go under list price and get a bunch of closing costs paid for by the seller. Really enjoyed working with them.

Vendor Of The Month: The Freedom Lawyers

Please folks, do not drink and drive this holiday season (or ever). But, if someone spikes your egg nog and you get pulled over by the police, you'll want to call The Freedom Lawyers, located in Marietta. Fortunately, I don't know first-hand that they are the best in these situations, but I do know Thomas Flugum and his staff are exceptional, tireless workers, and they believe that one mistake should not ruin someone's life forever. Check them out on social media @thefreedomlawyers or online at Freeomlawyers.com.