Renters Now Rule in Region

Metro Atlanta: "For Rent"

That is the picture painted by new housing data released this week by the US Census Bureau. From 2000 to 2010 the supply of new housing units outpaced demand by 50 percent in the four largest counties.(Fulton, Gwinnett, Dekalb, and Cobb) The result: In those four counties alone more than 143,000 houses, condos, apartments and other units were vacant in 2010- and 67,000, or nearly half, were for rent. That's good news for renters and bad news for landlords and often for neighborhoods.

The recession also converted many owners to renters, often against their will. I have a rental property, which is now lived in by a man who can easily afford to buy his own house. However, due to the current market, he is scared to purchase a home he may be stuck with for years to come.  Owners still outnumber renters across the 28 county metro region, but the balance has shifted in the direction of rentals, according to the census data. A lot of landlords are having a hard time finding people willing to pay the same rate as their mortgage, because there is so much competition. I did not experience this problem; due to the fact my house is located near a college. So there is a higher demand for rental properties. The old adage location, location, location rings true.

Despite the grim census figures taken one year ago, housing experts say that Atlanta's rental market is looking up and will continue to improve in coming years. According to a real estate market analyst, there is a tremendous growth in home rentals in Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Total vacancies: Percent change from 2000 to 2010

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Georgia Lightning Awareness Week: June 19-25, 2011

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather deaths in the United States. From 1995 to 2010, lightning caused 26 deaths in Georgia. Most lightning deaths occur in the summer months - usually in the afternoon and evening hours. Also, most deaths occur when people are caught outside during a storm.

Lightning results from the buildup and release of electrical energy between positive and negative charges between the earth and a thunderstorm. A single lightning bolt can be as hot as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit - hotter even than the surface of the sun. This rapid heating and cooling of the air creates a shock wave which we hear as thunder. Lightning will usually strike the highest object in area. This includes trees, antennas, a boat on a lake, or a person standing in a field.

 So, what should you do to protect yourself?

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VACATION CHECKLIST: Things To Do Before You Leave

It's summertime and that means vacations for most families. Unfortunately, your vacation buzz can be lost too quickly when you get home and realize that you forgot to take care of a few essentials. Your vacation should be an enjoyable and relaxing time, so before you head out here are a few things to be sure to check off your list so that you can come back to your home in the safe condition you left it.

• Hold mail and newspapers.
• Pay bills that will be due while gone.
• Make arrangements for a neighbor or friend to have a key to your house or apartment - or at least know where one is. Give them a number where you can be reached.
  • Hold mail and newspapers.

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Hurricane Season Predictions 2011

Have you prepared an emergency plan for your family in case a natural disaster strikes your area. It's a fact that weather related disasters are on an increase in this country and throughout the world. The following is the current forecast for the upcoming hurricane season.

Weather forecasting teams are predicting an active hurricane season for 2011, calling for an above-average number of storms to form in the Atlantic Hurricane Basin.

Earth Networks’ WeatherBug meteorology team foresees a lower number of expected hurricanes in comparison to 2010, but its numbers are still trending above what is considered to be a normal tropical storm season.

Specifically, Earth Networks expects a total of 13-14 named storms to form, with 7-8 becoming hurricanes. Of those, it expects four will become strong enough to be classified at “intense” storms—Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

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Champion Is Now A Member of Certified Restoration Team!

Champion is excited to announce that we are now a member of Certified Restoration Team!

What Is Certified Restoration Team?

Certified Restoration Team is a group of contractors that have all been certified to properly restore properties after a water or fire loss.  Did you know that the vast majority of restoration contractors have never been certified and perform substandard work in homes and businesses around the country?  Unfortunately those property owners don’t realize until too late that they have gotten poor quality service.  This can lead to on-going damage, mold growth, bacterial amplification and a generally unhealthy structure.

You can do a lot to prevent these problems by hiring a certified firm.  All of the firms that are a part of Certified Restoration Team must prove their credentials and maintain their certification through Continuing Education.   You can choose a Certified Restoration Team member with confidence because they have the knowhow to fix your property right.

No Certified Restoration Team member pays to be a part of the team and they don’t pay for referrals.  We work cooperatively for the advancement of our industry and the betterment of our customers.  Please support our efforts by recommending CRT to your insurance agent or adjuster.  

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CERTIFIED RESTORATION TEAM

Be Flood Ready This Spring!

Here are some basic steps to take to prepare for spring rains:

• Contact the local county geologist or county planning department to find out if your business is located in a flash-flood-prone area or landslide-prone area.


• Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.


• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your employees. Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.

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Prepare For Flood Season

Educate Yourself

After getting flood insurance, there are several things you can do to minimize losses in your home and ensure your family's safety.

1. Safeguard your possessions.
Create a personal "flood file" containing information about all your possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have:

• A copy of your insurance policies with your agent's contact information.

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Winter Tips With Everyday Household Items

Here are some tips for ice and your car, which might be helpful with these messy storm coming.

Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity

Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing water from freezing!

Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray! Spritz cooking oil spray - PAM- on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a Paper towel . The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!

Larry Banach - Construction Manager

Be Prepared for Hailstorms

Hailstorms are frequent occurrences across the U.S. Most hailstorms occur during either the spring or fall months, are very localized events, and don't cause extensive property damage. However, occasionally hailstones can reach about 1.5 inches in diameter. When this occurs, they can cause significant property damage to cars, windows and siding. When hailstones reach three inches in diameter, they can cause major roof damage.

How to Stay Safe

• Listen to weather updates about hail activity.


• Seek shelter immediately if you are caught outdoors - preferably not under a tree.


• Close drapes, blinds or window shades for protection

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What to Do Before a Thunderstorm

Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.

If thunder roars, go indoors" because no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. We want everyone to stay indoors until 30 minutes have passed after they hear the last clap of thunder.

Summary of Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home

• Avoid contact with corded phone.
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.

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