Thanks Taylor for posting in the blog!  Now I know that people are reading this!  So look forward to more postings!

Here we go….my personal favorite loft buildings.  I'll start it off with my #1 choice, which is Glen Iris Lofts in Poncey-Highland!  I love this building!!  This is only a 3 year old building but the developer did a fantastic job by adding features to make it look authentic.  Exposed brick, open air ducts, polished cement floors and partial hardwood floors are some of the features.  Plus, they have a variety of floorplans to choose from(if available), so you can usually find a floorplan that is to your liking.  Plus it is soundproof so you can't hear people above or below you.  You can tell that the building was built with quality!  They also have a swimming pool, covered parking and low HOA fees. You can usually find a 2 bedroom around the $290k-$300k range and 1 bedrooms range from $169,900 - $225,000.

If you can afford paying higher property taxes and higher HOA fees, Mathieson Exchange lofts in Buckhead is my next favorite.  Very similiar to Glen Iris with the features, another well built building.  Plus they have a 24 hour concierge, a rooftop deck to die for, swimming pool, fitness center and extra storage.  2 Bedrooms range from $300k and up and 1 bedrooms around $240k and up.

Castleberry Hill area also has alot of cool authentic lofts.  There are just too many loft buildings over there to even narrow it done.  Most of the lofts have unique features and sometime you can even find a loft that has a private roof top deck, which alot of owners really do some neat stuff to.  If you like the Castleberry Hill area, it sometimes takes a bit to find the right one, they tend to sell pretty quickly over there, so keep an eye on new listings.  Right now, there are not that many for sale.  Prices vary at these buildings.  Typically you can find a really nice 2 bedroom around 300k range and 1 bedrooms range anywhere from $160k and up.

Favorites for less than 200k.  Couer D'Allene lofts.  They are building 6 more units because the 1st phase sold out.  They also raised the prices but they still have a couple at $199,900 and then $219,900.  The location…..ehhhhh….not the greatest, at least it is sort of tucked away in the neighborhood that is located in and it is still only a few minutes to get over to Midtown and Downtown.    Still it is a great deal because it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a 2 bedroom anywhere for less than 200k.

Back Street Lofts in East Point - approximately 950 sq. ft. which is nice for only a 1 bedroom.  There are 4 units that sit on top of retail.  Plus it is cheap! - $135,000.  Pretty good deal! East Point is really becoming a hot area to get into.  Plus, it still isn't that far away from Downtown/Midtown.

There you have it!  There are other lofts that I really like as well, but  Glen Iris and Mathieson Exchange are my top favorites.  I have been the buyers agent for quite a few people who have purchased in these buildings and so far not one of them has had any complaints!  Anytime you need a briefing on one of the buildings please feel free to give me a call and I will give you my honest opinion!  - Nesa Kleinheksel

The answer is NO. Unless you are dealing with a FOR SALE BY OWNER.  To understand the commission structure for real estate agents please let me explain. When a seller decides to put their home on the market and have decided to list it with a agent, the seller and the agent will sit down and negotiate the commission that seller will pay for having a agent.  Typically the commission is 6%.  Then the seller and the agent will discuss what amount out of that 6% they will give to the agent who represents the buyer.  Typically it will be half or 3%.  HERE IS WHAT MOST BUYERS DON'T KNOW - The seller will also sign an agreement with their agent that states if the buyer has no agent than the full commission will be paid to their agent!!!  The reason why their agent will get that full commission is because he/she will be doing all of the work instead of having another agent handle half of the responsibilities. 

So, there is absolutely no benefit for you if you decide to buy a home without an agent.  Having a agent that represents you, the buyer, is always a good idea.  You want to have someone that is looking out for your best interest and can help you with the process of buying a place. If you ever have any questions about the process of buying or selling  feel free to give me a call discuss! - Nesa Kleinheksel

If you are looking to purchase a loft in one of the intown neighborhoods but can't quite afford it, you may want to check out Highland School Lofts.  They currently have a property tax abatement until 2010.  This means that for the next 6 years you taxes will be only $1000 a year instead of $4000.  This can save you approximately $200 a month on your payment.  So you could afford a more expensive loft at that building and pay about the same as what you would if you bought a less expensive loft with no property tax abatement. 

Another area that also have the tax abatements is the Castleberry Hill area, the tax abatement is coming to an end in the year 2007 but you still have a couple of more years left to take advantage of it!! - Nesa Kleinheksel

I thought as my first post in the blog, I would introduce myself and to give you information on my background.  My name is Nesa Kleinheksel and I am a real estate agent with 9 Mile Trolley Realty located in Virginia Highlands.  I have been in the real estate business for about 4 years now.  I am originally from Holland, Michigan and have lived in Atlanta for the past 7 years. 

I am primarily a buyers agent, but I also am a listing agent as well.  My area of specialty is lofts as well as condos in the metro Atlanta area.  I am frequently asked why I chose to specialize in Lofts and the main reason is because I believe lofts can offer a buyer such a unique living experience compared to a house or a condo and I believe that lofts are truly a great investment (not all, but most of them).  I am the type of person that I have to be passionate about what I am selling and have to believe in the product to sell it.

I also chose lofts as my specialty because I think it very important for the purchaser to have an agent who is familiar with the loft buildings and can tell you what is a good deal and a bad deal.  I know if someone called me up asking about homes in the Roswell area that I wouldn't be able to provide as much details as an agent who works in the Roswell area. 

Plus, I can save you a lot of time of searching around on your own or with an agent that isn't familiar with the loft buildings in Atlanta because I have seen almost every building in the metro Atlanta area and I know the features and amenities of each one and I can tell you which lofts would fit into what you are looking for and what ones do not.

Later this week, I will post what buildings are my personal favorites and the reasons why.  Also, the tour of lofts are going on downtown this weekend, check it out if you can, they have some really cool lofts to view. - Nesa Kleinheksel

Thanks for visiting Greatatlantalofts.com Web Blog!  I am very excited to get this up and running and can't wait to start posting information that is relevant to Lofts of Atlanta!  Every week I will be posting information on new loft developments, foreclosures, information on the buying process, lofts that are good investments and general information to help you, the buyer or seller of a loft, make a informed decision on buying a new loft.

I welcome you to post your own comments and/or questions as well!  This will be your one stop source for information on Atlanta Lofts!

Happy Blogging!

Nesa Kleinheksel