Downtown is also home to Atlanta’s professional sports, including Atlanta Hawks basketball and Thrashers hockey, which can both be experienced at the Philips Arena. The downtown skyline is dominated by major hotels and office buildings including the headquarters of The Coca-Cola Co. Downtown/Midtown and major shopping districts such as Buckhead can also get crowded on weekends. Most restaurants and shops in the area offer complimentary or low-cost valet services ($1-3 tip expected) and on the rare occasion where parking is scarce, public lots are usually found nearby for a fee.

Midtown is the heart of the arts with the High Museum, Alliance Theatre and Fox Theatre, plus dining and nightlife that’s all the rage. Midtown Atlanta has all these things–and much more. Midtown contains Piedmont Park which hosts many festivals and cultural events. Little Five Points is known for its eclectic shops and merchandise, and its range of cultural people who line the street. Midtown is known by many residents as the “Heart of the Arts”. The High is currently collaborating with the Louvre to house a temporary collection of masterpieces from the famous Paris museum.

Midtown is on the way to becoming a walking neighborhood but with the amount of newly constructed hi-rise buildings that are so similar to one another it is becoming more difficult to gain instant equity. It is suggested that if you buy in Midtown you better hold onto that property for at least 5 years until the building of new condo hi-rises slow down.

East Cobb is a vibrant residential and commercial community. The communities within East Cobb are affluent and the residents are well educated. East Atlanta is one of in-town’s hottest real estate markets and was called “the best kept secret in Atlanta.” Featuring Victorians, craftsman’s, post-war homes, and new construction, it is only about three miles from Downtown Atlanta (on 1-20).

Decatur was incorporated in 1822, making this the oldest city in DeKalb County. Older brick homes, smaller bungalows and cottage homes are abundant types of Real Estate available in the Decatur area. Decatur has been one of metro Atlanta’s most popular cities for years, appealing to both traditional families and bohemian singles, and it’s easy to see why. Downtown Decatur is surrounded by beautiful, historic neighborhoods reflecting a variety of architectural styles. The tree-lined streets, strong sense of community and nationally recognized public school system continue to draw young families to this part of the city.

On the downside, Atlanta and Georgia continue to rank amongst the worst cities and states with foreclosure problems. Decades of neighborhood revitalization has been washed away with the events of the past year. Atlanta is now experiencing exponential growth as new residents flock from sprawling suburbs to urban properties in midtown Atlanta which is a sign of hope, but recovery will take some time.

Real estate has helped make people very rich. So why shouldn’t everyone get in the on the game and earn some passive income in this manner? Real estate investors typically perform an extensive analysis of each Atlanta investment property they consider adding to their portfolio. This tedious task usually involves spending significant time to research the rental rates and comparable property sales in the area, along with number crunching with multiple calculators in order to calculate potential return on investment.

Mortgages for investment properties can take the form of a second mortgage or a mortgage in the local currency. Equity release or a second mortgage may seem like a cheap option at the moment but remember that one or both homes could be lost if a purchaser fell behind on mortgage payments. Mortgage refinance can be a costly, disastrous decision if it is done incorrectly. However, there are many benefits that can be had.

Housing was identified as an asset class worth shoring up against the type of deleveraging seen in the stock market. To this end, the government increased assistance given to first home buyers as part of its “multibillion dollar sandbag against the rising global tide of fear and loathing,” or its $10.4 billion Economic Security Strategy. House sales volumes have bounced strongly in March and April of this year and prices appear to have bottomed, for now at least.

Interest rates are always changing – sometimes they go through a ‘high phase’ – this is usually a good time to have money on fixed term deposit. Interest rates will never increase to the levels that will seriously affect home owners, otherwise the country will be in the same position that it is now.

Investors can also get Atlanta property investment loans and attain about 106% of the purchase price. However, to qualify for such loans, your financial conditions must be able to sustain your current liabilities as well as the investment home loans.

Sellers want a fast closing with little hassle. Sellers also want to pay as little taxes as possible on the gains incurred. Sellers are anxious to sell; and in a sluggish real estate market, owner-financing is an attractive alternative to losing money while properties sit vacant. Otherwise, homes can remain on the market for years with owners either making mortgage payments out of pocket or renting. Sellers may consider 100% owner financing or partnering with the right buyer of Atlanta investment property for a win/win outcome.

Seller financing can give sellers the advantage they need to overcome a key purchasing hurdle, opening their property up to more potential buyers. Sellers and their agents often express the attitude that the Buyer’s financing is the Buyer’s problem, not theirs. Perhaps, but facilitating Buyer’s financing should certainly be of interest to Sellers. Sellers can also contribute up to 6% of the sales price to help cover closing costs. This allows many 1st time home buyers (or seasoned investors) to purchase a home with little or no money down.

Seller financing presents very little, if any, problems. The seller doesn’t have to pass the rigors of a lending institution, nor does the buyer. Sellers will typically finance 50 to 60 percent – or more – of the selling price, with an interest rate below current bank rates and with a far longer amortization. The terms will usually have scheduled payments similar to conventional loans. Sellers must know when they list their property for sale that the master association for their property must also qualify in order for a buyer to be able to get a loan. The Rules and Regulations, By-Laws, budgets, insurance policies, everything, are subject to review by lending underwriters, so be aware of conditions while exploring investment property.

Seller financing is a loan in which the buyer assumes the seller’s mortgage while the loan stays in the seller’s name. The buyer becomes the owner of the Atlanta investment property when the seller signs the grant bargain, sale deed, or other specific device to transfer the property. Sellers that have built up equity in their home usually don’t feel like waiting around 30 years to see a return on their money come out of the investment property. For these situations the interest is often set up on a balloon payment. Sellers also want to pay as little taxes as possible on the gains incurred. In numerous cases, the seller can have most of his needs satisfied by an installment sale rather than a conventional cash sale.