Real Insight - Real Estate Web Sites
by Craig Levine

Looking back on years past brings tears to my eyes. I envision my college days and all of the business reports I had to spend hours at the library researching. Jumping from catalogue to catalogue, section to section, microfiche to microfiche, I wore myself out. My only consolation was developing an outstanding relationship with this cute librarian. Don’t get me wrong, college was an enormously fun time and how well my body worked back then. I could go out on the town and drink beers all night long, wake up at 8am and do it all over again with no remorse. Times have changed, though, and so has my body. Since I’d rather not bore you with my aging biological onsets, I’ll chat with you this month about real estate web sites and how the Internet has super-charged research efficiency.

If I had a computer in my dorm room that could conduct a keyword search on elasticity (which has a lot to do with whether or not your home will sell) and come up with 10,456,382 links to stories on that topic, I would have had a lot information at my finger tips. I might not have met Tanya at the library, but I sure would have had a lot more free time. You see, the Internet has given all of us the ability to leverage our time and become more productive. Any topic that is of importance to us can be searched out in seconds with more resulting information than you could possibly hope for. I use the internet everyday, not only for email purposes, but to read daily real estate news (www.inman.com and www.ired.com), to check out area listings (www.atlantamls.com , www.treb.com , www.atlantahomenet.com , www.cyberhomes.com), or just to have fun (www.divein.com , www.creativeloafing.com , www.atlanta.yahoo.com ). I don’t need to pick up the paper to see what’s playing at the theatres, I just visit www.accessatlanta.com . When I need to conduct a school report for a client, www.com-stock.com/dave/school/alistk12.htm or www.schoolmatch.com is where I go.

The Internet is a tool that can make you a lean, mean, research machine. There are millions of web sites out there for you to browse and experiment with. Some will prove to be beneficial while others, you will never visit again. I’ve listed a couple more here that may help you in your real estate endeavors. Jump on board and start surfing.

www.craigsellshomes.com – A good starting point for real estate links, foreclosures, fixer-uppers, Atlanta sales statistics, mortgage calculators and net sheet calculators

www.target.com , www.acvb.com – great for relocation information about Atlanta

www.realtor.com – a myriad of information about real estate and realtors in your area

www.homedoctor.net – a fantastic site and newsgroup for home repair information

www.mapblast.com – great for planning trips or printing out local area maps

www.intellicast.com – National and local weather

www.interest.com , www.homeowners.com – two good sites for mortgage interest rates

www.jeacle.ie/mortgage – the best mortgage calculator available

www.stacks.ajc.com – the Atlanta Journal’s research facility

www.cobbcounty.com – Cobb’s web site in the works

www.itsmarta.com – Marta’s transportation web site

www.hud.com – HUD homes and news

www.eifsfacts.com – news about stucco materials and homes



Having been licensed since 1994, Craig Levine brings to your real estate deal a world of experience, cutting-edge technology, negotiating savvy, and exemplary service. With Century 21 in Atlanta, Craig was the #2 agent in the #1 office in Georgia in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001! He repeatedly received Century 21's highest honor, The Centurion Award, in each of these years. In 2002, Craig joined Re/Max Greater Atlanta, the Nation's #1 Re/Max office. Additionally, Craig got licensed in Florida to bring his arsenal of skills and resources into the Emerald Coast's 2nd Home and Investment market. Now, he wants to put his talents to work for you! Craig is an avid boater, golfer, traveler, biker, and reader. He has written for numerous print magazines including The Seasonal, The Gazette, Cobb Living, Cobbonline, The Cobb Times, Atlanta Nation, Cherokee Nation, North Fulton Nation, Gwinnett Nation, The Southeast Business Journal, Lake Lanier Herald, Revue and News, John's Creek Herald, Forsyth Herald, North Atlanta Business Post, as well as various online real estate related web sites. Craig is also frequently quoted in Georgia Realtor Magazine, Florida Realtor Magazine, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Please visit all of his award-winning web sites: CraigSellsHomes.com, MyDestinHome.com, AtlantaHomesAtlantaRealEstate.com, AtlantaForeclosures.net, EchoMill.com, and AtlantaMansions.net