Central Gwinnett High School was honored by the Mayor and City Council of Lawrenceville for achieving the status of"Top 1000 Schools" from Newsweek magazine. Mayor Rex Millsaps called Central "The Pride of Lawrenceville since 1957" He recognized that the school has excelled in both academics and athletics. Central has produced many of the current business, community and political leaders of the city. Dr. Valerie Clark, Principal of Central Gwinnett High School, was recognized for continuing to open doors of opportunity for the students of Lawrenceville. The mayor presented a key to the City in honor of the recognition and proclaimed 02/09/2008

The median single family home price in Lawrenceville Georgia this week is $204,900.  The 2,342 homes have been on the market for an average of 113 days.The LAWRENCEVILLE Georgia real estate market is currently quite strongly in the Buyers Market zone (below 30). The 90-day Market Action Index stands at 6.  Buyers should find ample choice with several months of inventory available at the current sales rate. Click Here to download a full report of the past weeks real estate activity in LAWRENCEVILLE, GA.  Includes charts showing prices, average days on market, inventory levels and more.Visit http://www.luciabrooks.com/ to see over 100,000 North Metro Atlanta real estate listings for sale.  Each listing includes multiple photos, maps and neighborhood info. 02/05/2008

 The LAWRENCEVILLE market is currently quite strongly in the Buyers Market zone (below 30). The 90-day Market Action Index stands at 5. With several months of inventory available at the current sales rate, buyers should find ample choice. While prices have been at a plateau for a number of weeks, this is a Buyer’s market and the supply of homes listed has started growing relative to demand. This indicates that prices could easily resume a downward trend in conjunction with the MAI. Prices are unlikely to move significantly higher until there is a persistent upward shift in the MAI.Click Here to download a full report of the past weeks real estate activity in Lawrenceville, GA.  Includes charts showing prices, days on market, inventory levels and more.Visit www.luciabrooks.com to see ove... 01/29/2008

Affiliated Publishing is set to launch it's new Lawrenceville Online City Guide on January 15th called DiscoverLawrenceville.com. The site is geared to become a major source of information for residents and a significant tool for businesses. "I felt that this would be a great opportunity to be a service to the community," said AP/Administrator. "The site is full of valuable resources for every age group, and it is a great platform for citizens to interact and let their voices be heard," added AP/Administrator.Members of DiscoverLawrenceville.com will be able to post classified ads, articles and add Metro Atlanta events to the calendar for free. Visitors can find employment, garage, auto, real estate and business listings. It's a source for news, local weather, games, recipes, forums and... 01/13/2008

Happy New Years to everyone in North Metro Atlanta!  Just wanted to give you a brief update:The median single family home price in LAWRENCEVILLE, GA this week is $209900. The 2351 homes have been on the market for an average of 110 days.Click on this link to download Lucia Brooks' FREE real estate Market Update for Lawrenceville, GA week ending 12/30/2007!FREE Real-time Market Data!In the market to buy a home? Thinking of selling? Ask yourself this: How's the market in my neighborhood? We've all heard about the Bubble. But is it popping? Wouldn't you like to know before you buy? Ask yourself another question: What kind of home can you afford in the town you want to be in? What's it like? How big is it? How old is it? How will you know a good deal when you find it?These are the types of ... 01/01/2008

Keller Williams Realty was recently honored with a Stevie Award in the Best Run Sales Organization category as the Real Estate Sales Organization of the Year at the second annual Selling Power Sales Excellence Awards in Las Vegas, Nev.The awards were jointly presented by Selling Power magazine, the leading sales management publication with 145,000 subscribers in 67 countries, and The Stevie® Awards, which have been hailed as "the business world's own Oscars" (the New York Post, April 27, 2005).More than 400 entries from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories this year.  Find out more about the Stevie Awards by clicking here.I'm noticing a strong shift in the market place with more and more agents turning "red." ... 12/16/2007

As I awaited the reply from the REA for the Lawrenceville house I staged regarding whether or not the homeowner wanted to proceed with my contract month to month, I got great news!  Her news wasn't that the homeowner was going to proceed month to month, it was that the house went under contract, with the closing scheduled for December 21, so she was going to schedule the destaging!Here's the quick story because when I first heard the house was under contract I was puzzled as to why she didn't contact me earlier!  I'd been in contact with her since I had staged to check on the status of the house and no word of anything!  Well, I gave my standard two week 'notice' to let the homeowner's know that their contract is due to expire and that they have to make a decision to either continue mon... 12/11/2007

If you're a member of the National Association of Realtors you should have gotten your issue already.  Every month this thing comes in my mailbox and I used to really think it was a waste.  Most of the time it was just a pep-rally session for other Realtors or hashed and rehashed strategies.  Well, I'm not really sure when they started doing this or if I was oblivious before, but there's a small economic section in this magazine, that's well worth the price of the paper. It's actually called "Front Lines" which is an oxymoron, but that's another article for another day. Obviously, this month's issue is always a winner with the Cost vs. Value report, however, there's a lot of nuggets in these Realtor Magazines.  Here's what I found, feel free to add your own in the comments section. * An... 12/07/2007

I got a call during Turkey week from George Chidi doing an article about the market for the Atlanta Journal Consitution.  He went down a list at Active Rain and I was one of the few agents who had buyers actually buying. He went on to feature a choice couple, Grant & Jenny Shaw.  A great first time home buying couple.   Originally, he said it was just a piece about the market, but it's skewed to make it look like Gwinnett is in a slump.  It may very well be slower, but you can still sell your home for top dollar, you just need the right mix of condition and price. The article can be found here, but I love the line:"The Seller is down to his bottomline, PLUS closing costs."Here's the article with some explanations by myself in the brackets.THE BUYERS: Jenny and Grant Shaw of Lawrencevill... 12/03/2007

Hi!My name is Mercedes(wich means kindness) and I am a Realtor in Gwinnett County. I'm looking for some great people who  want to be assisted in locating your next or first home with  "Top of The Line" service and care. I am not just an agent but a carring proffessional that will meet all your needs in the search of that place you have been dreaming of!Make it a great day and call me soon, 770-778-1849ciao,Mercedes 10/23/2007

The first time I went to tour this house in Lawrenceville, GA I was not only meeting the homeowner for the first time, but the real estate agent as well.  The REA was the one that had made the inquiry about staging this home.  She had never used a stager before but was sure this house could benefit from it. Being the smart lady that she is, she's waited to list it until the staging is complete.  It actually won't be photographed and listed until the home owners complete the landscaping and clean out the garage.Boy, was she right!  For the record, the home owners were in the process of moving out however based upon the condition of the house, the disarray didn't stem from moving!  I not only provided them with an estimate for staging services, I also provided them with a list of things t... 10/18/2007

Gwinnett County Real Estate more than anything else is driven by Schools.  In particular, High Schools, have the greatest impact on an area.  I'm not looking forward to the outrage when kids in Brookwood High School get redistricted to Berkmar High School.  Mill Creek to Dacula, North Gwinnett to Central and so on and so on.  There's going to be a lot of battles.In the same way a messy divorce can be a "good" thing to a Realtor, this will certainly stir people to move to get into or out of school districts. It's never a happy thing, but it will definitely stir the economy. ****15 new schools and create three clusters of elementary, middle and high schools. The new schools will open in 2008 and 2009. "This will be one of the largest redistricting efforts the district has ever undertaken,... 10/12/2007

 Gwinnett County is known for Schools, Parks and Malls, so it will likely be a steady area for growth for some time. Currently there are over 10,100 Homes for sale in Gwinnett County with an average price of $314K.  These homes feature four bedrooms, three and one half baths and are roughly 2200 to 3000 Square Feet.  Many of these homes are new constructionThere are 1,220 homes currently pending that are far below that average price for homes for sale.  At just under $250K, these homes got contracts.  They are a little bit smaller, but more importantly they are older than their "CURRENT ACTIVE" counterpart (as in the homes under contract are older than the average home for sale in Gwinnett).Finally, an abysmal 627 homes sold last month in Gwinnett with them going in roughly 90 days.  A ... 09/11/2007

Melissa Data helps answer questions Realtors Can't AND gives great information about lookups.I'm always getting the questions, whether it's Politically Correct or not, it's the same thing, what's this neighborhood "like." I'd almost rather you just blurt out racial slurs so I know where you stand.   I have had a few people actually ask me about illegals in an area.  Excuse me, but isn't that kind of the point.  I mean, they are illegal, so how does anyone quantify them? I suppose it is a good question, just one that I don't think I can answer.  People from all walks ask these questions, it's not just one group.  Their perceptions of the area are often a result of sterotypes as well.  The saying goes that in Georgia, you can't have a conversation for more than 30 minutes without discussi... 09/05/2007

September 2007: Lawrenceville Homes For Sale and Real Estate Market ReportLawrenceville, being the county seat of Gwinnett county is possibly the most diverse market as well as one of the most populated. It's therefore a great test market to see what types of homes are selling in Gwinnett County.There are currently 2,762 Homes For Sale in Lawrenceville with an average price of $238,000.  An average home for sale in Lawrenceville will likely have four bedrooms and two and half baths. The Lawrenceville Real Estate market has slightly picked up in that 341 homes for sale are now under contract. These homes for sale average around $205K.For the month of August, 153 Home For Sale in Lawrenceville, SOLD with an average real estate price of $205K.  In addition, Homes For Sale in Lawrenceville,... 09/05/2007

Dear home ownerHave you had enough with this period in the market, where it seems that re-sale of homes is just standing still. I hear you, and I know of your frustration. That is why I'm reaching out to you. I have tips that will aid and guide you on the sale of your home. Don't get discouraged, and don't think it may be your  home. Please call me any time at 770-778-1849 or at 770-939-7575 and ask for Mercedes. I am top Real Estate Agent in my area and the friendliest of them all. Of course it is important to me to be able to have the opportunity to market your home and sell it, but many times it has given me more joy to walk out with just a great chat and new friend 08/24/2007

Hi!People used to think Lawrenceville was a city "far, far away". Not anymore! Lawrenceville has never been far, but the opposite. It has the right distance from the city and the best place to get dollar for dollar when you purchase a home. So if you are thinking that it is time for change, consider Lawrenceville. Be part of this growing city and make it your new home. And if you need more facts, just call me 770-778-1849. I love this place! You can also browse in our web site for more information on Lawrenceville www.todaysrealtyllc.com or email me at mercedes@todaysrealtyllc.net    08/19/2007

Dear Buyers:My name is Mercedes and you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to meet you. But for some reason every time I say the word "Buyers Agency" you run!!! I just want to protect both of us and give you all the benefits buyers agency has to offer. Believe me, If you are in this Buyers Market, you do not want to be unrepresented. It would be like walking into a trial without a lawyer. Call me, 770-778-1849 Do not be another moment without representation!ciao Mercedes Valladares 08/18/2007

If you are from Puerto Rico and you are searching for more Puertoricans, come to our meetup group. We have just established it and soon we will have our first meetup. Don't let them tell you about it and be part of it yourself. We will be waiting, so bring a friend or a few! We will have open discusions and talk about evrything from family, culture, careers, cusine and moreciao, group organizerMercedes  08/17/2007

Were you looking for your peeps or to meet peeps from Puerto Rico? Well we have just established th First Puertorican meetup group here in Lawrenceville. Come for the people, come for the friends from your island or simply come for the delicious cusine, because when "Boricuas" gather, one of our main subject is the food!Go to meetup.com and click under First Puertorican meetup group. We are in the process of setting our first meetup reunion, so come on and be the pioneer of the group.ciao,Mercedes 08/17/2007