Ep. 3: Georgia Land Fraud & September Market Update

In this episode of Georgia Living, Chris Evans takes the mic solo as Céline is away 🤗. He dives into several key topics relevant to homeowners 🏡, real estate agents, and the Metro Atlanta community. The main focus is on the growing issue of land fraud, with tips on how to protect your property 🛡️. Chris also shares a September market update, reviewing the latest data for Cobb County and surrounding areas 📈. Key Topics Covered: 1. Local Community Events 🎉: Acworth Farmers Market: October 4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth, GA. Holy Trinity Lutheran Octoberfest: October 4, 2292 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA. Smith Gilbert Gardens Imagination Stations: Kennesaw, GA, ongoing through the week. Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance Cleanup: October 4, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA. First Friday Concert Series: October 4, downtown Kennesaw, GA. Movie in the Park - East Cobb Park: October 4, 7–9 p.m., featuring Kung Fu Panda 4 🐼🥋. Taste of Acworth: October 12, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., downtown Acworth, GA. 2. Land Fraud in Real Estate 🏠⚠️: Chris talks about the rise in fraudulent land sales in Metro Atlanta 🚨, explaining how scammers are pretending to be property owners to sell land without the real owner's knowledge. Helpful tips include setting up Google alerts for your property 🖥️🔔 and registering with GSCCCA to receive notifications if any legal documents are filed in your name 📝. 3. Disaster Relief for Georgia Real Estate Agents 🌀: Support for agents affected by Hurricane Helene. Chris highlights grants available through the Georgia Association of Realtors 🌟. 4. September Market Update 📊: New data for September 2024 shows a 3.5% increase in median home sales prices 🏡💰. Chris breaks down inventory levels 📦, marketing times ⏳, and the impact of interest rates 📉. Cobb County's market is outperforming the rest of Metro Atlanta, with rising prices and more homes available 🚀. 5. Practical Advice for Homeowners & Buyers 💡: With fraud on the rise, Chris advises property owners, especially those with paid-off land, to take steps to protect their assets 🏞️🔐. He also talks about how the new compensation rules in real estate will affect both buyers and sellers, urging transparency and smart negotiations 🤝. 6. Shout-Outs & Community Support 🙌: Special shout-out to Ryan Swails from Country Financial for organizing a supply drive for hurricane-affected areas 🛒🌀. Memorable Quotes: "Georgia is huge when it comes to real estate fraud. We are a fast-growing market, which means we are a target market 🎯." "If you're a seller thinking you can skip paying a commission, remember: everything is up for negotiation 💼." Upcoming Events & Sneak Peek 👀: Tune in next week as Céline returns to the podcast 🎙️. Chris teases a fun segment where Céline shares her apple pie-making adventure 🍏🥧 after picking Granny Smith apples in Ellijay. Links & Resources 🔗: GSCCCA (Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority) website: gsccca.org More about local events: sellectrealty.com NAR's 2023 Vacant Land Scams Tips for Real Estate Agents: Link (PDF available in show notes) Be sure to subscribe ✨, share 📢, and stay tuned for more real estate insights and community updates here on Georgia Living! 😊