Ep. 3: Georgia Land Fraud & September Market Update

In this episode of Georgia Living, Chris Evans takes the mic solo as Céline is away 🤗. He dives into several key topics relevant to homeowners 🏡, real estate agents, and the Metro Atlanta community. The main focus is on the growing issue of land fraud, with tips on how to protect your property 🛡️. Chris also shares a September market update, reviewing the latest data for Cobb County and surrounding areas 📈.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Local Community Events 🎉:

• Acworth Farmers Market: October 4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth, GA.
• Holy Trinity Lutheran Octoberfest: October 4, 2292 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA.
• Smith Gilbert Gardens Imagination Stations: Kennesaw, GA, ongoing through the week.
• Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance Cleanup: October 4, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA.
• First Friday Concert Series: October 4, downtown Kennesaw, GA.
• Movie in the Park - East Cobb Park: October 4, 7–9 p.m., featuring Kung Fu Panda 4 🐼🥋.
• Taste of Acworth: October 12, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., downtown Acworth, GA.

2. Land Fraud in Real Estate 🏠⚠️:

• Chris talks about the rise in fraudulent land sales in Metro Atlanta 🚨, explaining how scammers are pretending to be property owners to sell land without the real owner's knowledge.
• Helpful tips include setting up Google alerts for your property 🖥️🔔 and registering with GSCCCA to receive notifications if any legal documents are filed in your name 📝.

3. Disaster Relief for Georgia Real Estate Agents 🌀:

• Support for agents affected by Hurricane Helene. Chris highlights grants available through the Georgia Association of Realtors 🌟.

4. September Market Update 📊:

• New data for September 2024 shows a 3.5% increase in median home sales prices 🏡💰.
• Chris breaks down inventory levels 📦, marketing times ⏳, and the impact of interest rates 📉.
• Cobb County's market is outperforming the rest of Metro Atlanta, with rising prices and more homes available 🚀.

5. Practical Advice for Homeowners & Buyers 💡:

• With fraud on the rise, Chris advises property owners, especially those with paid-off land, to take steps to protect their assets 🏞️🔐.
• He also talks about how the new compensation rules in real estate will affect both buyers and sellers, urging transparency and smart negotiations 🤝.

6. Shout-Outs & Community Support 🙌:

• Special shout-out to Ryan Swails from Country Financial for organizing a supply drive for hurricane-affected areas 🛒🌀.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Georgia is huge when it comes to real estate fraud. We are a fast-growing market, which means we are a target market 🎯."
• "If you're a seller thinking you can skip paying a commission, remember: everything is up for negotiation 💼."

Upcoming Events & Sneak Peek 👀:

• Tune in next week as Céline returns to the podcast 🎙️. Chris teases a fun segment where Céline shares her apple pie-making adventure 🍏🥧 after picking Granny Smith apples in Ellijay.

Links & Resources 🔗:

• GSCCCA (Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority) website: gsccca.org
• More about local events: sellectrealty.com
• NAR's 2023 Vacant Land Scams Tips for Real Estate Agents: Link (PDF available in show notes)

Be sure to subscribe ✨, share 📢, and stay tuned for more real estate insights and community updates here on Georgia Living! 😊