Introducing Red Robin Group, LLC - Atlanta's Newest Real Estate Brokerage

After three years under the leadership and guidance of Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta, Melissa Wakamo and Rob Smith have taken their team to the next level. On Tuesday, July 28, 2010, Red Robin Group, LLC became the newest independent real estate brokerage in Georgia.

"We are excited to announce that we will be starting our own brokerage this week," said Rob Smith in a statement to the leadership and associates of Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta. "After spending three years as a team at Keller Williams, we feel compelled to try it on our own for a while. We've enjoyed our time at Keller Williams, and our decision to leave is in no way a reflection on the company. In fact, this was a really tough decision because of the tremendous value, support and structure that Keller Williams has provided over the years."

"I’m happy for their opportunity to grow with new experiences, but also sad that we’ll see less of them," said Rick Hale, operating partner and managing broker at Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta. "They are great folks, have contributed generously while here, and I wish them the best as they embark on their next endeavor. And in my book, once KW family, always KW family."

"We're very excited about this transition," said Melissa Wakamo. "To me, this is just the next logical step in our real estate careers. And we're already busy putting enhanced systems, tools and resources in place so that our team can better serve our clients in the months and years ahead."

Red Robin Group is already looking forward to quite a few other endeavors on the immediate horizon, such as:

• A stronger commitment to becoming more involved in charitable, non-profit and volunteer programs in the neighborhoods where they serve


• Smarter marketing tactics for their seller clients, including the latest and greatest lead-capture systems


• An enhanced, specialized team focused on better serving their buyer clients


• A commitment to being a more eco-friendly company by becoming totally paperless by January 2012
  

Please Welcome Our Newest Team Member, Chelsea Sommers

Hi Everyone!

Chelsea Sommers here, and I’m very excited to be joining the Red Robin Group team as the new Marketing & Administrative Coordinator.

I’m here to help with all the online, email, onsite and event marketing as well as provide listing marketing support.

Please feel free to contact me with any needs/questions you may have!

Email: mailto:chelsea@redrobingroup.com
Phone: 404-254-5206 x8

Quick Bio: I moved to Atlanta in January of 2009 from Ohio. I had a few other things happen in 2009 as well… I got married, bought my first home (in Ormewood Park!) and adopted a dog.

Life is good!

Hot Loans Being Offered Right Now!

There are some great deals being offered in the financial loan world right now. Here are two offers that are hot, hot, hot:

1. Community Loan Program – 2% Down, No PMI - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

The Community Loan Program allows a home buyer to get a 30 year fixed rate loan with a 2% down payment and no mortgage insurance. This loan is unique to Wells Fargo - because Wells Fargo & Wachovia are a bank as well as a mortgage company they have a commitment to be an asset to the communities in which they have a banking presence. Offering these special loans (which mainly appeal to 1st time or moderate income homebuyers) is one way they try to give back to the community.
Highlights/Guidelines:

• The maximum loan amount under this program is $250,000 and the customer and property would still have to meet regular loan qualification criteria (good credit, income, appraisal, etc.).
• The home needs to lie in a census tract which is considered low or moderate income (the vast majority of the census tracts in East Atlanta, East Lake , Kirkwood, Oakhurst, Ormewood).

2. HomeStyle Renovation Program – Combine Home Purchase w/Reno Costs - Loan South Mortgage

The Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation program allows borrowers to combine the purchase or refinance of a home with the costs to renovate or extensively remodel the property. At closing all funds for renovation will be escrowed in an interest earning account. After all renovation work is complete, any remaining funds in the renovation escrow account will be used to pay down the principal balance of the mortgage.
Highlights/Guidelines:

• If it is for the purchase or refinance of your primary residence you may be able to put as little as 5% down with a minimum credit score requirement of 700.
• Investor loans are allowed with a minimum down payment of 25% and a minimum credit score of 740.

Wells Fargo Contact: Mark Stedina (404) 966-4355 Mark.C.Stedina@wellsfargo.com

LoanSouth Contact: Brandon Byrd (404) 915-8252 BByrd@loansouth.com

Miss Out on the Homebyer Tax Credit?

It's unfortunate when a great deal passes you by, especially when that deal involves one of the most important purchases you will ever make in your life. Well how about turning that frown upside down and looking towards the other potentially fantastic deals on the home-buying horizon. There are many invaluable reasons why now is still a great time to be a first-time homeowner. For example:

• Houses are currently aggressively priced. As we have all been witness to over the past couple of years, the real estate market can be a fickle thing which is why you need to take advantage of the ultimate buyers market while it lasts. America's gradual economic recovery will eventually decrease the opportunity for a "great buy" - a deal that is more possible in a market such as we are seeing today.

• The gap between renting and buying is narrowing. A national study for the Associated Press, conducted by Marcus and Millchap Real Estate Investment Services, reports that the difference between monthly rents and mortgage payments is at a median gap of only $256, with some parts of the country only seeing a difference of $100. Now that's a powerful reason to get out of renting and put your money towards something you can call your own.

• Historically, there is no better long-term investment than a home. As President of the National Association of Realtors, Vicki Cox Golder, states simply, "housing is shelter that provides social benefits and is also a good long-term investment." Why wait to change your life for the better?

It's important to keep these facts in mind when considering whether or not to participate in the home buying process right now, especially as a first time buyer.

Sign up for Red Robin Group's FREE First Time Home Buyer's Seminar

Red Robin Group Gives Stony Point Park a Bird-Friendly Facelift

Last summer, Red Robin Group adopted Stony Point Park at the corner of Woodland and Confederate Avenues here in Ormewood Park as an opportunity to give back to the neighborhood.

Our last clean-up date on Sunday, July 25, included some much needed additions to the park in the form of colorful birdhouses and birdfeeders. Red Robin Group partnered with the folks at the East Atlanta Kids Club on a birdhouse- and birdfeeder-painting evening for the young people in the summer program there. Now when you drive by the park, maybe you'll see a few more of our fine-feathered friends enjoying their newly renovated (and some newly constructed) homes.

Red Robin Group tears into the park at least once a quarter for a good, thorough clean-up. Right now, we're looking for a few more resources and volunteers who can help us keep it looking a little more spiffy year 'round -- especially in the spring and summer months. So if you find you've got a few extra plants, mulch or other gardening items left over after a weekend spending craze at the garden store -- or perhaps a dependant or two with a few extra hours on their hands on any given Saturday -- we'd love all the help we could get.

For more information about our next big cleanup, or to volunteer, contact Chelsea at 404-254-5206 x8.

To learn more about adopting a park in your neighborhood, visit http://www.parkpride.org.

And for more information about how you can help enrich the lives of the young people in our community through programs that enhance their education, creativity and social skills, please visit http://www.eastatlantakids.org.



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Have Birdhouse, Will Paint

On Thursday, July 22, 2010, Red Robin Group helped out with the East Atlanta Kids Club Birdhouse Project.

Plenty of birdhouse and bird feeder kits were on hand -- along with lots of paint and brushes -- for each and every kid to make their own unique work of art. See more pictures.

Red Robin Group will hang the final pieces in Stony Point Park this Sunday, July 25 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm during our regular quarterly park cleanup.

To learn more about how you can make a difference in a young person's life in East Atlanta, visit http://www.eatatlantakids.org.

For more information on park adoption in the greater Atlanta area, visit http://www.parkpride.org.