Welcome!

I am an Atlanta native and made the decision in 2007 to leave my job as an architect/urban planner to get my real estate license. This was a difficult decision but has been great since my very first day in my new career and I am really enjoying it! It is so rewarding helping people find that perfect home, and it allows me to continue to satiate my love of good architecture and great neighborhoods!

I attended Georgia Tech (GO JACKETS!!!!) which is where I met my husband. For almost a decade we lived in one of Atlanta's fabulous in-town neighborhoods in a great 1920's Craftsman bungalow with our two dogs and two cats. Following the birth of our first child, we bought a foreclosure in the west Buckhead area and fully renovated it using an FHA 203k loan, which was a fun and sometimes daunting process. And just prior to the birth of our second child, we purchased and renovated a home in downtown Historic Roswell, completing our personal tour of some of Atlanta's best neighborhoods to live in!

I decided to create this blog in order to share useful information and resources about the real estate market and home buying process, as well as hopefully bring some humor and levity to what is often a complex and intimidating process. Enjoy!!!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Home Purchase Still Possible with a Foreclosure on Your Record

With the record numbers of foreclosures that have happened (and continue to happen), there are thousands of people who do not think home ownership is an option for them again anytime soon. The reason that many people who have a foreclosure on their record do not become repeat home buyers is because Fannie Mae guidelines have stated that you must wait at least 4 years before being able to qualify for a mortgage after foreclosure and 2 years after short selling your home.

But that all changed recently with an announcement by Fannie Mae that they would allow someone who had a foreclosure to qualify for a mortgage after only 2 years as long as they have put down 20 percent as a down payment. The change will go into effect for any loan application taken after June 30, 2010 and will be updated in the Fannie Mae desktop underwriter software.

Two years with 20% down. So to anyone who is currently going through foreclosure, save your money for the down payment on your next house, the American Dream is still within reach!
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Featured in Jezebel Magazine's 2010 "Who's Who of Atlanta Realtors" Issue!


My business partner Andrew & I were honored to be featured in Jezebel Magazine's 2010 "Who's Who of Atlanta Real Estate Professionals" issue! This prestigious Atlanta magazine only chose 8 agents/teams throughout the Metro Atlanta area to feature and we were thrilled to be one of them. You can find the feature in the April issue (which is also their annual "Best Of Atlanta" issue), but here is a sneak peek! Because it is also the Best Of Atlanta issue, the original article was cut down for space reasons. But never fear, you can read the full one below!

Atlanta’s “A Team” is comprised of Andrew Malone and Alix Nadi, two of Atlanta’s most successful young Realtors. Andrew and Alix have known each other for over a decade and worked together for the past three years, growing an incredibly successful business which is based on building client relationships that extend past closing. Andrew actually sold Alix her first home in 2003, a process through which they became good friends, and Andrew approaching Alix to join his team in 2007.

Both natives of Atlanta, Andrew grew up in Dunwoody and is a Cum Laude graduate from Georgia State University with a degree in Finance and Marketing. He joined RE/MAX directly after college and grew a thriving business on his own, selling over 200 homes and becoming the Top Agent in the office 4 years running. Alix also grew up in Atlanta and graduated with honors from Georgia Tech with a degree in architecture, a field in which she worked for 5 years after college. In 2007 Andrew approached Alix about switching careers, and the rest, as they say, is history! Alix finds that her architecture background has been incredibly helpful in this business. Working as an architect and urban planner in the Atlanta area for the ten years prior to coming to RE/MAX gave her invaluable knowledge and a deep understanding of the Atlanta market, and she enjoys putting her experience in that field to work for her clients now.

Since the birth of the A-Team, Andrew and Alix’s hard work immediately paid off and they have earned Top Sales Team honors the past 3 years, building their business entirely on referrals. “When Andrew first approached me about joining him, I told him that if I had to be a ‘salesman’ I wasn’t interested,” says Alix. “He told me not to worry and shared the secret to his success: working by referral. Rather than following the traditional real estate model of cold calling, chasing expired listings, and trying to convert For Sale By Owners, we base our business on relationships. We count on the assumption that if we provide the very best service possible to our clients, they will happily refer us to their friends & family...and we create lasting relationships along the way!”

Andrew and Alix are true partners and balance and reinforce each other’s strengths. Although they both work throughout metro-Atlanta, Andrew typically specializes in the northern suburbs, while Alix’s expertise is the in-town neighborhoods. They each work both sides of the transaction, but Andrew tends to focus more on the listing side while Alix loves to work on the buying side – particularly with first time buyers! This diverse knowledge base allows them to provide unparalleled service to their clients, working tirelessly with an energy and enthusiasm for the job they do. “Our goal is help guide our clients through what can be an intimidating and confusing process with the least amount of stress possible. We strive to eliminate confusion in the home buying or selling process and devote ourselves to serving the needs of our clients before, during, and after each transaction,” says Andrew.

Their results speak for themselves: over 90% of their business comes via referral and they have maintained close contact with all their past clients. “Most of my clients have become good friends. That, to me, is success,” says Alix.

Read more!

Monday, April 5, 2010

JUST LISTED! Huge 4/3.5 in Morningside, for sale or lease!


OFFERED FOR SALE FOR $700,000 OR LEASE FOR $3200/mo
FMLS#4045993, MLS#2848396

This large home is steps from Piedmont Park and in the fabulous Morningside Elementary School district! Due to the size and location, this home is ideal for a growing family or a group of young professionals.You will find gleaming hardwoods throughout the main floor and tons of natural light. The spacious kitchen has great cabinet and counter space, newer appliances, and is open to a lovely breakfast room with a bay window. The oversized dining room easily seats 12+, or use it as a pool room! The sunken living room has a gas fireplace and opens out to the back deck. The open, flowing floor plan is perfect for entertaining while lovely architectural details like arched doorways and custom trim add character.The huge master suite is on the main floor and boasts trey ceilings, a sitting area, large walk-in closet, and spa-like bath with marble tile, double vanities, whirlpool tub, and separate shower.Upstairs you will find two very good sized bedrooms which share an updated bath. In addition, there is an enormous bonus room with vaulted ceilings, fireplace, and plenty of space for an office and rec room!The fully finished daylight basement has a full apartment with kitchen. With both exterior and interior entry, this can be closed off as a separate unit if so desired. The apartment has a large bedroom, lovely bath, den/media room, office, game room, and storage.This home has an attached 2-car garage plus parking for 4 additional cars in the driveway, which is next to impossible to find in this neighborhood! Mature landscaping provides privacy from the street and the yard is very low-maintenance.This lovely home is in wonderful condition and the location truly cannot be beat. It is available to rent starting May 1st and is also available for purchase (contact agent for more details). Hurry, it won't last long at this price!!!

Click here for more info and photos!
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JUST LISTED! Fabulous 4/3 in amazing Decatur location steps from the square!


OFFERED AT $485,000 - FMLS#4046017, MLS#2848424

This spacious mid-century modern ranch is located just steps from all the Decatur Square has to offer! Located on a huge corner lot adjacent to Adair Park, this 4 bedroom / 3 bath home has fabulous period details like the corner windows and original hardwoods.
The bright and airy kitchen was recently remodeled and boasts tile floor, white cabinets, tons of counter space, vaulted ceilings, and a large breakfast bar. There is a separate oversized breakfast room with tile floor, built-in cabinetry, and a wet bar. The huge living/dining room combo has plenty of room to have the entire family over for Thanksgiving!
There are three spacious bedrooms on the main floor and two baths with original vintage tile. The absolutely enormous family room boasts cathedral ceilings, a wall of built-ins, and one of the two original fireplaces in the home. A wall of glass doors opens to a lovely private patio that is perfect for entertaining.
Above the 2-car garage you will find a 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment with full kitchen, gleaming hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, and tons of natural light. Rent this unit and help pay your mortgage!
Out back on the almost 1 acre lot is a beautiful in-ground pool and huge yard for the kids to play in! A separate pool house has a kitchenette, second laundry room, workshop and plenty of storage. This house has tons of space for your growing family!
Perhaps the best thing about this home is it's wonderful location. Located in the fabulous Oakhurst Elementary School district, you are literally steps from all the Decatur Square has to offer! Hurry, this wonderful home will not last long at this great price!

Click here for more information & photos!
Read more!