Voters who cast their ballots in the November 4, 2008 election can be good citizens in more ways than one.  The First Baptist Church of Decatur on Clairmont is organizing a "Vote for Hope" food drive to encourage citizens to contribute non-perishable food items when they go to the polls in Decatur, GA.

Other participating churches in the Vote for Hope food drive include:

• First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Decatur, on West Ponce de Leon Ave
• Hillside Presbyterian Church
• North Decatur United Methodist Church on Church St.
• Oakhurst Baptist Church on East Lake Drive
• St. Phillip AME on Candler Rd.
• Epworth United Methodist Church on McLendon Ave

In addition to the food drive on election day, participating churches will also collect food items from their congregation during their Sunday services on November 2, 2008.

"Vote for Hope" is an opportunity to channel the power of the ballot box to help people in our own neighborhood.  Donated items will be given to the Decatur Emergency Ministries and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. 

Donors can place items in specially marked bins at the entrance to the polls.  Accepted food drive items include: 

• items high in protein such as canned meats, beef stew, chili
• peanut butter
• canned vegetables & canned fruits,
• pasta & sauces
• cereal
• boxed meals
• soups
• dried peas/beans
• rice
• instant potatoes
• fruit juices
• bottled water
• toiletries
• baby products

No glass containers, perishable items or home canned foods, please.

For further information, please contact the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 404-373-1653.

With election day a couple of weeks away, we have plenty of time to go grocery shopping and pick up a few extra items.  Check out the Buy 1 Get 1 free items, that makes it easy.  Thank you for helping our local families in need.

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If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Decatur or metro Atlanta, GA, please call Jen Bowman, Realtor, Success Realty at 404-456-5024.  Visit on the web at www.JenBowman.com.

The Punchline is not the only place for Comedy in Atlanta. If you haven’t been to a Sketchworks Comedy Show in Decatur, GA yet, now is the time. Be forewarned, this comedy is not for the faint of heart. If you are easily offended, well you will be here. This show is not politically correct and doesn’t discriminate on who they offend. It is all original work and the show changes 4 times a year. Come prepared to laugh, a lot.

Come watch Atlanta's most outrageous actors and writers wreak havoc with all that is sacred. Masterminded in 2001, Sketchworks is an original, cutting-edge sketch comedy troupe featuring some of Atlanta's top working pros.

Sketchworks is part of yourACT, an acting studio with on camera classes for Adults and Children. They offer a variety of on-camera acting classes in Atlanta, as well as special workshops in Voice-Over, Teleprompter, Standup Comedy, Sketch Comedy with Atlanta's premiere Sketch Comedy troupe, Sketchworks, and more… Whether you are a beginner learning the basics, an aspiring actor improving your skills, or a professional working actor looking to stay sharp, yourACT has courses for all levels. For more info on yourACT contact DellaCole and Bob Harter. They can be reached at 404-499-9996.

Opening weekend for Sketchmania starts this Friday October 17.

Show dates are: Fridays &; Saturdays at 8 p.m. October 17 &; 18, October 24 &; 25, October 31 & November 1, November 7 & 8

If you can’t make it Friday, plan to come this Saturday after the Decatur Beer Fest.

There will also be a Sunday Matinee at 5 p.m. on November 2.

Tickets are just $10 Opening Weekend, For all other Shows $15 in advance and $17 at the Door.

Sketchworks is minutes from downtown Atlanta and Decatur!

They are on the Right just past the Kroger Shopping Center on North Decatur Rd going East. It’s in between Dekalb Industrial Way and Ponce de Leon Ave. If you get to Ponce de Leon Ave, you’ve gone too far.

They are located at 3041 N. Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30079. Phone: 404-499-8181

I've heard people say "Laughter is the best medicine". Come out and get yours!

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Jen Bowman is a Realtor with Success Realty serving the Real Estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta, GA.  She can be reached at 404-456-5024 or online at www.JenBowman.com

What's going on with real estate in Decatur, GA?  Well, the good news is that homes are still selling. Here is an analysis of single family homes in Decatur.  

 July 2008 Sold

Homes Sold 152

REO Properties 30

Average Days on Market 72

Original List Price $238,592

List Price $266,152

Sold Price $215,511

Range $26,100-$725,000                                                                        

August 2008 Sold                         

Homes Sold 164

REO properties 55

Average Days on Market 70

Original List Price $243,255

List Price $191,973

Sold Price $183,212

Range $22,500-$824,500

 September 2008 Sold

Homes Sold 85

REO properties 27

Average Days on Market 81

Original List Price $221,443

List Price $208,048

Sold Price $200,591

Range $22,500-$1,025,000

There are currently 1251 single family homes for sale in Decatur, GA which is in Dekalb County. 280 of them are REO or Real Estate Owned, bank owned foreclosures. There are also 314 homes that are pending sales, meaning they are under contract, but not yet closed. Available homes in Decatur range in price from $19,900 to $1,500,000.  Obviously, there is something for everyone from investment to starter homes to high end luxury homes. Now is a great time to buy.

For expert real estate advice and customized property searches in Decatur, GA please contact Jen Bowman, Success Realty at 404-456-5024. Visit online at JenBowman.com.

I recently listed a home in Dekalb County, GA where we have 143 schools and centers, that's not including colleges and universities. I wasn't sure of the particular school that new young residents of the home would go to. So, I did what most real estate agents do. I went to the Local Multiple Listing Service and looked at other listings in the subdivision. I was quite surprised that I found 5 different elementary schools listed for the subdivision. I knew that couldn't be right. So I went to the Dekalb County Schools website and looked it up by address of the home I was listing. The home owner didn't have children in school, so I didn't even ask if she knew the schools.

When you are purchasing a home, you need to know what school your children will attend. You'll need to go here: Dekalb County Schools

Do not just go by what the Listing tells you in regard to the school. 90% of the listings showed incorrect schools in the particular subdivision I was looking at. Yes, 18 out of 20 listings had inaccurate info. As a professional Realtor, I found this shocking. I realize that many homebuyers buy a home in a particular place because of the school. If one of the reasons you are buying a home is based on the school your child will attend, go the extra mile. Verify the school through the School District's website. Due diligence is critical. That is just another reason why a Home Buyer should have representation with a Buyers Agent who can watch out for these things.

Jen Bowman

Success Realty

www.JenBowman.com

404-456-5024 Realtor in Decatur, GA

People are always asking me "What's going on in the Real Estate market?" Well, in Dekalb County, GA there is quite a bit going on.  Spring is here and the real estate market knows it! 

In the month of March we had 1,446 new residential listings. By residential we are just talking about single family homes.  We had 419 new condos to hit the market.  We have a total of 4,913 Active residential listings and 1,875 active Condo listings as of this minute.  Obviously this number changes rapidly.  

Single Family Homes in Dekalb on the market today range from $61,900 to $2,650,000.  Condos today in Dekalb range from $18,900 to $1.5 million.  Average Days on Market is 94 for houses and 77 for condos. 

What does this mean to the Home Seller? It means your home must shine! For tips on getting your Home Ready to Sell, visit my website www.JenBowman.com .  Click on the Buyer/Sellers Link and go to the Tips on Getting Your Home Ready to Sell link.