Marcus Patton / Northeast Atlanta Real Estate

05/26/2025

Have you ever wondered about the origin of Memorial Day - or as it used to be called - Decoration Day? I wrote the piece below several years ago, but I learned something new this year. The end of May was chosen because it was believed that was the time of year the flowers would be in full bloom.

Remembering the past is essential to a very human need to understand life’s meaning. To be sure, not all memory is deliberate, or makes us feel like we are closer to any kind of understanding. Some memories force themselves upon us. Traumatic events, sentimental moments, even random curiosities co...

03/11/2025

Working with first-time home buyers gives me the opportunity not only to be a facilitator of dreams, but also to be a teacher. I have lost count of the times I have heard "They should teach this in high school." This week, I will have the opportunity to do just that at Chamblee High School. I have prepared a 40-minute presentation on "How to Buy a House" for their senior career day. Anyone who is interested in having such a presentation at their school, place of worship, community center, or social gathering, please call me at 470-702-2655.

02/10/2025

12/21/2024

It has been a long year … although it also seemed at times the weeks flew by. Now we are in the dark months, and we know the short cold days will be here for a while. It’s a good time to enjoy the festivity of the holidays, friends and family, and express gratitude for the good things that have come our way and the new experiences that will greet us in the next year.

Today is the shortest day of the year – the official beginning of winter. Take heart, beginning with tomorrow’s dawn, the days will be a little longer and Spring’s warmth will be nearer.

Happy Holidays to all!

10/31/2024

Selling a home can be a nerve-wracking experience, with various uncertainties that can keep even the most confident sellers up at night. Here are some of the top fears that often haunt sellers–and ways you and your agent can confront them head-on.

1. Fear of Not Finding a Buyer
One of the biggest worries for sellers is that their home will sit on the market too long, scaring off future buyers or requiring a price reduction.

To tackle this, you should work closely with your agent to set a competitive price from the start, maintain the home in attractive showing condition so as to highlight the home’s best features, so that high-quality photos and marketing materials will attract interest quickly.

2. Low Offers and Negotiations
Sellers often fear receiving low offers or having to negotiate extensively, potentially selling their home for less than it’s worth.

To prepare, a good agent will research comparable properties in the area, and understand market conditions. You should be open to negotiation. Your agent can help you navigate offers and counteroffers, ensuring that you get the best possible deal.

3. The Appraisal Nightmare
If a buyer’s lender requires an appraisal, there’s always a chance that the appraisal could come in lower than the agreed-upon price. This could lead to the deal falling apart or the need for price adjustments.

You can mitigate this by preparing their homes thoroughly and keeping records of any renovations or upgrades that add value, so the appraiser has all the information needed to access the home accurately.

4. Inspection Issues
Sellers worry that an inspection will uncover issues that could turn buyers away or lead to costly repairs and concessions.

To minimize this risk, consider having a pre-listing inspection, which can help you address any significant issues before going on the market. It is also helpful to stay transparent about the property’s condition, so there are no unpleasant surprises later

5. The Fear of a Lengthy Process
Finally, many sellers dread a long, drawn-out selling process. The thought of multiple showings, open houses, and weeks of waiting can be stressful.

Communication is key – talk with your agent to set clear expectations. Stay flexible with showings, to make the experience more manageable.

Selling a home doesn’t have to be a scary experience. With preparation, transparency, and the right support, sellers can tackle these fears and move confidently through the real estate process, from listing to closing. After all, a little preparation goes a long way in keeping those real estate ghosts at bay! Happy Halloween!

10/26/2024

My Mock Trial Diary – entry no. 2 Every case produced by the Georgia Mock Trial Competition contains Easter eggs – references to previous cases, familiar names, inside jokes, and sly references that I can recognize after many years with the program as significant even if I don’t understand exactly what exactly mean. None of these hidden messages have to be understood for students to use the case materials successfully – they are just there for the amusement of long-time participants – especially the team of attorneys who write the case materials.

And sometimes they are there as a kind of nod in appreciation for individuals who have helped the program.

Two examples: The state coordinator for the competition for its first dozen years of its existence was a gentleman named Philip Newton. For about a decade after his departure to pursue another career, Philip’s name appeared in every case.

In more recent years, another name has become a fixture – Carley – in honor of the late Justice George Carley, the only person to have served as Chief Justice of both the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court, and a strong supporter of the Georgia Mock Trial Competition from its beginning. Both of these men were crucial to the program’s success.

It is worth noting in this context that Georgia has produced more National Mock Trial Tournament Champions than any other state.

But my very favorite recurring character in Georgia Mock Trial cases … can you guess? Stay tuned.

[photo: Justice Carley congratulating Courtroom Artist Contest 2002 State Champion Matt McCann]

10/20/2024

When I was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia many years ago, I was at a crossroads. While I appreciated what law school had given me in terms of knowledge and self-confidence, I knew that the predictable course of action - practicing law - was not for me. It has been an interesting journey that included nearly 20 years as a high school history teacher, almost a decade as a realtor, and the last 5 years as a real estate instructor, among many other fascinating pursuits.

But one constant has been the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition. Since 1995, I have served as a teacher-coach, an attorney coach, a scoring evaluator at tournaments, and even a presiding judge a time or two. I coached a team at Decatur High School for 12 years that made it to the State Finals Tournament 9 years in a row (and a 10th the year after I left). I have had the good fortune to attend two National Mock Trial Tournaments - one as a coach for a team in the tournament, the other as an evaluator.

Over the last decade or so, I have mostly participated as an evaluator, but I missed working directly with the kids. It is truly amazing to see what adolescent minds can do when they apply a disciplined approach to problem-solving, and how confidence combined with careful listening and analytical skills can produce a kind of performance art that would have terrified me as a shy teenager.

This year, I have the opportunity to help coach a team that is still finding its groove - in only its second year in the competition. This year's case was released late last week, and so now the real fun is about to begin. Stay tuned for updates.

10/03/2024

Register to Vote! Deadline for registration is Oct. 7. Verify your registration status and precinct. Do your research on down-ballot races - along with the presidential race and members of Congress, there will be a number of county-level officers and state legislators as well as two state constitutional amendments and a resolution on the ballot. Sample ballots for the general election are now available. Early voting is on Oct. 15 – Nov. 1. General election is November 5.
Check registration status: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/
Voter registration: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/voter-registration?IsRegisterNow=true

08/08/2024

Buyers face decisions affected by numerous factors in today's real estate market. Are D***s at a competitive advantage?

07/23/2024

We are in a fast-moving economy. Everyone complains about inflation in consumer prices, and prospective home buyers are frustrated by interest rates and low available inventory. But one upside is that homeowners are benefitting from the rapid growth of equity in their homes. Many families have built considerable wealth just by keeping up with their monthly mortgage payments.

05/27/2024

https://marcuspatton.sites.bhgrealestate.com/2024/05/26/memorial-days

Remembering the past is essential to a very human need to understand life’s meaning. To be sure, not all memory is deliberate, or makes us feel like we are closer to any kind of understanding. Some memories force themselves upon us. Traumatic events, sentimental moments, even random curiosities co...