June 2009

Corndogorama – 2009

This weekend - Saturday & Sunday - in the East Atlanta Village is the 11th annual Corndogorama Indie - Rock Extravaganza!   There will be music on 2 stages, street performers, art, pie cook off, eating contest and corndogs! Festival starts noon and runs until 11pm both Saturday & Sunday and is located this year in the heart of East Atlanta Village.  Tickets are $20 at Festival.  More information  - including schedule of bands - can be found on the Corndogorama's website.

Apple Raisin French Toast Casserole

I have made Apple - Raisin French Toast Casserole twice now.   It is EASY and a hit for any crowd. If you are serving a buffet - it holds up well and is even delicious the next day.  I love that it is assembled the night before and just needs to be cooked the day you are ready to serve.  APPLE MIXTURE: 1 c. brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, melted 3 to 4 apples - peeled, cored & sliced (I leave them chunky & use Braeburn Apples) 1/2 cup raisins (good without too) 1 lbs of PepperRidge Farms Cinnamon or Cinnamon raisin bread.  Cut into cubes. EGG MIXTURE: 6 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk (2% or whole is fine) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ~grease 9"x13" baking dish.  In a large bowl - mix in the apples,  raisins, brown sugar & 1 teaspoon cinnamon.  Mix in the melted butter until coated.  Pour onto the greased baking dish in an even layer.  Next arrange the bread cubes in an even layer over the apple mixture. ~Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla & 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.  Pour over the bread and make sure every slice is fully soaked.  You may need to slightly press down with a spatula to make sure the bread is soaked.  Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. When you are ready to cook it - pull out the casserole while preheating the oven to 375 degrees.  Bake covered for 40 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additionally 5 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

The Numbers – April 2009

There was an increase in the number of sales in the intown markets from March 2009 to April 2009.     In single family houses - there were 23 more closings and in increase in sales volume of $16,631,268.   April 2009 Numbers: Homes:

Area	# of Sales	Total Sales Volume	Avg Sale Price	Average Original List Price	Sales Price to Final List Price	Average Total Days on the Market
21	43	$              8,645,504	$             201,058	$             221,666	94.7%	120.8
23	47	$           11,501,906	$             244,721	$             268,637	97.0%	155.4
24	1	$                 190,000	$             190,000	$             210,000	95.2%	25
52	23	$              3,867,405	$             168,148	$             182,914	95.0%	120.4
TOTALS	114	$           24,204,815

Condos & Townhomes:

Area	# of Sales	Total Sales Volume	Avg Sale Price	Average Original List Price	Sales Price to Final List Price	Average Total Days on the Market
21	43	$              8,645,504	$             201,058	$             221,666	94.7%	120.8
23	47	$           11,501,906	$             244,721	$             268,637	97.0%	155.4
24	1	$                 190,000	$             190,000	$             210,000	95.2%	25
52	23	$              3,867,405	$             168,148	$             182,914	95.0%	120.4
TOTALS	114	$           24,204,815

  Key to the Areas is here.   March 2009 numbers are here and February 2009 numbers are here.  Here are the national housing indicators for the April: Existing-Home Sales          4.68 million units* Existing-Home Median Price        $170,200 Housing Starts      458,000* New Home Sales         352,000 units* *seasonally adjusted annual rate

Kirkwood Bungalow – For Sale

KIRKWOOD  -SOLD in 21 DAYS!!!!!    327 Sisson Avenue - $209,000.  All Brick bungalow with great floorplan - 2 beds/1 bath.   Hardwoods throughout - smooth ceilings & crown molding.  Permanent stairs to the attic - great for storage or finish for me space.  Home is in great condition and move in ready!  Click here for the virtual tour.

Pending Homes Sales – April 2009

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April 2009, rose 6.7 % to 90.3 from a reading of 84.6 in March 2009, and is 3.2%. when it was 87.5. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says buyers are responding to very favorable market conditions.   "Housing affordability conditions have been at historic highs, but now the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit is beginning to impact the market," he says. "Since first-time buyers must finalize their purchase by November 30 (2009) to get the credit, we expect greater activity in the months ahead, and that should spark more sales by repeat buyers." Geographical Breakdown of Pending Home Sales Index Northeast: The index shot up 32.6 % to 78.9 in April and is 0.8 % above a year ago. Midwest: The index rose 9.8 % to 90.4 and is 11.1 % above April 2008. South: The index slipped 0.2% to 93 in April but is 3.5% higher than a year ago. West: The index rose 1.8 % to 94.8 but is 2.9 % below April 2008.

Va-Highland Summerfest 2009

It's time for the 26th annual Va-Highland Festival!  The Festival begins on Friday, June 5th  with the community & festival activities.  The festival official opens to the public on Saturday, June 6th and runs through Sunday.  There will be an artist market, live music, and lots of beer & food.  The festival is in the heart of Virginia Highlands.  Details:   Saturday, June 6, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Artist Market closes at 6:30 p.m.) Sunday, June 7, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free Admission, Donations Greatly Appreciated For More Information.