The Silberman Team

Dear Friends...

Happy New Year!!!

Well that’s another year in the books and a new one just beginning. Where does the time go?

I have to admit I’m a little sad that the holidays have passed. We had a great time visiting family and friends, many of whom live far away and whom we won’t get to see for another year. I get a little nostalgic as most of my family still lives in the northeast. I really enjoy watching Andrew and Kira play with their cousins for at least a little while and this year they had a big treat, playing in the snow after a major snow storm.

Like many of you, Lauren and I have made a number of resolutions for the new year. Some are easy to keep, like making sure we do a great job for the people you care about who are planning to buy or sell a home this year. Others will be a little more challenging for me, like cutting down on cheese cake and ice cream.

Of course, I am really excited about the year ahead. With the job market and the real estate market expected to improve by mid-year, things are looking up already.

Lauren and I continue to evaluate our business and how we can better serve our friends and clients and their much appreciated referrals. If you have any suggestions please let us know.

We wish you all the best for a great new year.

 

---

The Silberman Team Chooses a New Logo!

After several years of building their business, the Silberman Team knew it was time to focus on branding. “Keith and I had been discussing what we wanted our brand to look like forever” said Silberman Team co-founder Lauren Silberman.

After interviewing a number of designers and marketing companies the Silbermans finally decided to use an online community of graphic designers they found at www.CrowdSpring.com.

“We knew the message we wanted to convey, but we really didn’t have a handle on what the design should look like. This model seemed perfect for us,” commented Keith Silberman the other half of the extraordinary real estate duo. Buyers post a thorough description of their project along with an award for the winning design. The community of designers, called “creatives” then review the project and decide whether or not they would like to participate.

What the Silbermans didn’t realize was how many designs they would have to choose from. Shortly after the posting of their project the Silbermans had nearly 100 logo designs from more than 30 creatives. “It was amazing how varied the designs were for a real estate company. We would never have had such a wide array of designs from a single designer”, said Keith.

After narrowing the designs down to their top 10, the Silbermans would need some additional help deciding. “We decided to let the masses help make the selection”, said a much relieved Lauren upon thinking back on the situation.

That’s when they had the ingenious idea to have a contest. The two posted the contest to friends, clients, and several local groups of which the two are members. The result, a unique, classy logo that the two would never have dreamed up on their own.
 

Here's what the new logo looks like:

---

Economist Nouriel Roubini (Dr. Doom); Bullish on Real Estate?

Nouriel Roubini, dubbed Dr. Doom for his apocalyptic economic forecasts, recently purchased a $5.5 million triple penthouse in a posh downtown Manhattan neighborhood.

Roubini, who became famous for correctly anticipating the housing bubble, told The New York Times‘ deal book on December 6, that the U.S. “real estate market is double dipping.”
Following that prediction and perhaps second guessing himself, Roubini took out a five year adjustable rate mortgage (5–1 ARM) for $2.99 million; fixed rate of 3.625% and then adjustable on a yearly basis starting the beginning of 2016.

Using the NYT rent-vs-buy calculator for Roubini’s acquisition, it is actually cheaper to buy rather than rent if one assumes annual home prices and rental prices gain a mere 1% per year over the next 5 to 10 years.

Excerpt from blogs.Forbes.com:
http://blogs.forbes.com/afontevecchia/2010/12/17/dr-doom-bullish-on-housing-roubini-buys-a-5-5-million-manhattan-condo/

The signs seem to be pointing to one conclusion — NOW is the Best time to Buy!

---

Happy Birthday to You!

 

Bonnie Evans

Natia Esiashvili

Lauren Silberman

Hana Gragg

Jeff Worswick

Elise & Jacob Zdan

Michael Blumenthal

---

2011 has begun; Let’s Get Healthy Already!

The most popular New Year’s Resolution people make is to get healthy, but more than two thirds of people fail to achieve their goals. The number 1 reason people fail is because they don’t have plan. If you’ve made the decision to get healthy in 2011, here is the plan that will make you successful.

Michelle’s story:
In June of 2010 I decided that my time had come to get healthy. I thought I had tried every program, but then I heard about a program with which people I knew were having tremendous success. I thought, “What have I got to lose?” I decided to try it for one month. After 4 weeks I had lost exactly 15 pounds. The plan was so easy to follow that the entire third week I was on a car trip to Canada and I didn’t miss a beat. As of December 15, I have lost 50 pounds on the Take Shape for Life program.

Take Shape for Life is a comprehensive program designed to promote Optimal Health by combining the clinically proven Medifast Program with a time-tested, physician-directed support program featuring personal support from a Health Coach in the “Take Shape” Bio-Network.
People lose weight faster and more effectively than with traditional diets.

When you go on a weight loss program, you're positively setting your life in motion! With each pound you lose, your confidence grows. Now is the time to set your life in motion to achieve Optimal Health! It's easy, affordable and available from the comfort of your home.

Start the New Year off right! Michelle is here for you…

Create Health Already!
Special Bonus - $50 off your first month

Michelle Grey
Health Coach - Take Shape for Life
770-365-8169
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.michellegrey.tsfl.com
 

---

Protect Your Home From Frozen Pipes

Protect your home from frozen pipes during cold winters. Fortunately, while water will freeze at 32° F (0° C), normally the pressure required to burst water pipes doesn’t occur until the water temperature drops well below freezing for an extended period. However, appliance components, defective fittings, damaged valves, etc., are vulnerable to damage whenever water begins to freeze.
A burst water pipe can cause substantial damage. Check your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that you have adequate coverage for such a circumstance. Some insurance policies require homes that are unoccupied or vacant for an extended period of time to have the plumbing system winterized in order to maintain coverage.
Don’t let freezing pipes ruin your new year. Be proactive! Follow these 8 tips to help prevent water freeze problems:
1. Disconnect and drain all exterior hoses.
2. Shut off the interior supply line valves to exterior faucets and open and drain standard type exterior faucets.
3. Close and drain freeze-proof type exterior faucets. Confirm that the interior end of the supply line that may still contain water is in a heated area; otherwise, this line must be drained or be freeze-protected.
4. Winterize all exterior and seasonal fixtures and equipment.
5. Keep interior doors open to rooms with plumbing lines or fixtures in extreme cold weather.
6. If the crawlspace is dry and heated, it may be safe to close off crawlspace vents. However, check conditions regularly for any signs of moisture buildup.
7. Drain standing water in condensate pumping equipment (air conditioning) drain lines.
8. Let water "trickle” from faucets connected to lines that may be subject to freeze-up in extreme cold situations. Make sure the drain line is clear. Monitor conditions regularly.
 

Need A Plumber?
Do you need a recommendation for a Licensed Plumber or other vendor? Visit our website: http://www.silbermanteam.com/helpful-resources/vendors

---

3 Things You Must Know Before Starting A Workout Program (By David Nash)

1. Know What Program You Are Joining 

Make sure you are making an educated decision about your health. Visit various fitness facilities, talk to members and check for reviews online. Read articles written by the trainers and interview them personally. This is a great way to not only learn about the differences between each program offered, but also to determine if the trainers have the right personality to help you achieve your goals. I am always impressed when a prospective client is knowledgeable about our company. It lets me know that they are serious about their health.
2. Know That You Will Have Imbalances
A good training program should address, core strength, range of motion, joint stabilization, myofascial tissue integrity, and structural integrity. These “key areas” must be reviewed before moving forward in any type of resistance training. Many people suffer from injuries that could be avoided because their imbalances are not assessed. Make sure your program has integrated exercises for imbalances as well as a variety of other modalities of resistance training. At Pinnacle Fitness Boot Camp, addressing these areas of imbalance has not only helped to prevent injuries, but allows clients to build upon a stronger foundation.
3. Have clear and concise goals
There are 5 simple steps to reaching your fitness goals :

1. Put your goals in writing.
2. Outline the steps necessary to achieve your goals.
3. Take action.
4. Track your progress.
5. Review and reset your goals

Few people are able to follow all 5 steps on their own. Often people end up wasting time and money on the wrong fitness programs because they have not determined the specific criteria needed to reach their fitness goals.
A well qualified fitness instructor can help you with all 5 steps to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your fitness program.
This article was provided courtesy of David Nash. David Nash is the Director of Pinnacle Fitness Bootcamp in Decatur GA and a leader in the fitness community.

Free Trial Session! (When you mention this newsletter)
For more information about our Nutrition and Fitness programs, call: 770-367-2539 or visit us online at: PinnacleFitnessBootcamp.com

---

Purse Snatching Survival Strategies

Unfortunately, we live in a world where crime exists, and in challenging economic times, criminals are becoming even bolder.
Recently a local Atlanta woman’s purse was snatched from her car. She had just been to the ATM and withdrew $300 in cash. She believes that the perpetrator was watching her. When she parked her car near the grocery store in the same parking lot, she was approached by a clean cut and well dressed man. He told her that one of her rear tires was low. When she went to the back of the car to look, another man reached into the car and took her purse from the seat. She believes that the two men fled on foot as no car was seen. No one else in the vicinity witnessed anything that would be of help to the police. 

Follow these 10 tips to help stay safe:
1. Never let your purse out of your sight.
2. Hug your purse to your ribs with one arm – away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse snatching grabs.
3. Be aware of your surroundings.
4. Plan an escape route.
5. Never talk on the phone as you walk through a parking lot.
6. Put a dummy wallet with bogus credit cards and a wad of small bills in your purse. Then put your valuables in stash clothing such as a money belt.
7. Keep your keys and ID in a pocket.
8. Carry pepper spray in plain view in parking lots.
9. If a purse-snatcher grabs it, give it up, and then yell for help as you run to safety.
10. Never risk injury by fighting for your purse.

---

Caring For Your Roof!

Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t realize they have a roof problem until after a leak occurs. Doing a visual inspection at least twice per year can uncover obvious damage such as cracked, lifted or missing shingles; deteriorated flashings; excessive granule loss; and other visible signs of roof system problems. This inspection should also include checking indoors for stains, irregular or loose wall or ceiling finishes, peeling wallpaper or others signs of leakage, especially near chimneys or other roof penetrations.
Q: How long should my roof to last?
On average, a sloped roof system can be expected to last about 20 years, but the type and quality of the material, the method of installation, climatic factors, and degree of maintenance play a role. Manufacturer warranties give some clue as to the expected service life of a roof. Heavyweight asphalt shingles can last up to about 35 years; slate, tile, and metal roofs can last 40, 50 or more years; but the service life of wood shingles or shakes vary widely. Roofs exposed to above normal amounts of sun, heat, or severe weather will have a shorter life than mentioned here, as will roof materials on low slope or flat roofs.
Q: I have an asphalt shingle roof that is 20 years old and beginning to show signs of wear. What is involved with replacement?
There a two basic options for asphalt roofs:
A roof-over, which requires only the installation of new shingles over the existing ones. While it is typically considerably less expensive, this is not the recommended replacement method. Adding an additional layer of shingles to a roof does not conform to manufacturers specifications thus likely voiding the manufacturer’s warranty; on older homes the roof may not be structurally fit for the additional weight of an additional layer of shingles, it may cause inefficient cooling of the house during summer months resulting in higher electric bills; and the useful life of the roof will be drastically shortened.
The preferred method is a complete replacement of the roofing, involving a tear-off of your existing shingle and felt, and complete replacement of all materials.
Q: If my roof leaks, should I just go ahead and replace it rather than worry about whether a repair will hold up?
It depends. Leaks can be caused by localized shingle damage or loose or lifted roof flashings (the metal or other type waterproof membrane at chimneys, vents and other roof penetrations). In this case, a proper repair should eliminate the leakage. However, if the roof is old, or wear is wide spread, then regardless of the actual cause of the current leak, complete replacement may be the smart move.
A reputable professional roofing contractor will be able to provide you with a thorough inspection and educate you on options and upgrades.

**Free Estimates**
Call Villa Builders for all of Your Roofing Needs!

Randall Rutledge
Villa Builders, Inc.
770.265.5540
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

---

Dunwoody Bids for the Georgia Music Hall of Fame 

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame, currently located in Macon, preserves, promotes, and celebrates the state's rich musical heritage through programs of collection, exhibition, education and performance.
In recent years the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, has experienced major financial troubles. Its owner, Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority, has requested bids from other GA cities to relocate the attraction in an attempt to update the attraction with new technology and programs and a steady stream of visitors.
There is some stiff competition as business leaders and officials in Dunwoody, Athens, Dahlonega, Albany and Woodstock enter competing bids to become the attraction’s new home. In addition, Macon's city council has already voted to approve $500,000 in subsidies in order to retain the attraction.
A new non-profit organization, the Dunwoody Music Conservancy, is making their bid for relocation on behalf of Dunwoody. There is some disagreement among members of the Dunwoody city council about whether the Georgia Music Hall of Fame can be profitable in Dunwoody. The city voted to support housing the attraction, but the Hall of Fame will not receive any subsidies from the City. It must be able to function on its own. The Conservancy will be financially responsible for the venture.

---

Tucker Main St. Makeover

A $1.6 million project to completely over haul Main Street in downtown Tucker is underway. The plan, which has been in development for 10 years, includes wider sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping to create a pedestrian-friendly business district in downtown Tucker.

Many of the storefronts are empty, but the revitalization is expected to breathe new life into the area. “This is an opportunity to make this an area where people will window-shop,” said a local business owner.
The project was spearheaded by a nonprofit organization, “Main Street Tucker Alliance”. Businesses will remain open and two-way traffic flow and sidewalk access will be maintained for the duration of the project, which is scheduled to last until August.

---

2011: A hiring boom, even at 9% unemployment

This article is an excerpt from CNNMONEY.com

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- After three years of economic pain, a growing number of economists think 2011 will finally bring what everyone's been hoping for: More jobs and a self-sustaining recovery.
"We're looking at some leading indicators on employment, and they're all flashing green lights," said Bernard Baumohl of the Economic Outlook Group, a Princeton, N.J. research firm.
Though most economists still expect a painfully high unemployment rate of about 9% at the end of this year, some think that stat masks more important signs of strength.
Economists surveyed by CNNMoney are forecasting an average of 2.5 million jobs added to the U.S. economy this year, which would be the best one-year gain in hiring since the white-hot labor market of 1999.
Of the dozen economists who responded, several of the more bullish are predicting more than 3 million jobs added -- about 250,000 jobs a month. Even the most pessimistic of those surveyed, David Wyss of Standard & Poor's, expects 1.8 million jobs to be added this year, roughly double the pace of hiring in 2010.
That wouldn't be enough to climb out of the 8-million job crater created by the Great Recession and won't bring down the unemployment rate by a significant amount. An improved job market could even bring a short-term rise in the jobless rate, as those discouraged from job hunting resume looking for work and are once again counted as unemployed.
But the forecasted hiring boom could get the economy back into gear and provide real relief for many Americans.
Those projecting better hiring in 2011 point to a number of factors. Among them, job openings by employers rose 17% from June to October of last year, the most recent reading available from the Labor Department, and are up by about a third compared to a year earlier.
And there has been a downward trend in newly laid-off workers filing for initial jobless claims, which fell below 400,000 in the most recent reading for the first time since the summer of 2008. That might have been distorted by the holiday season and bad weather, but the four-week average is also at a two-plus year low.
On the business front, capital expenditures -- typically followed by expansion and hiring -- have been on the rise.
"Forecasters generally underestimate the strength of a recovery once it is underway," said Bill Cheney, chief economist for Manulife Asset Management.
Read more at CNNMoney.com
http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/03/news/economy/jobs_economy_recovery_2011/index.htm

---

January - Events to Enjoy this Month!

1/11: Views from the Top—Atlanta’s Premier Economic Forecast with Dr. Rajeev Dhawan (Phipps Tower, Buckhead)
1/11-1/17: Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday Celebration (Auburn Avenue Area)
1/15-1/16: Renoir-Matisse Exhibit (Wentworth Gallery, Dunwoody)
1/21: Friday Jazz with Ike Stubblefield (High Museum of Art)
1/21: Capitol Steps: Musical Political Satire (GSU Rialto Center)
1/22: Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Camp Expo (North Point Mall)
1/23—4/24: Zap! Pow! Bam! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950 (Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum)
1/27—1/29: Mommy and Me SINGLE DAY: Georgia Insects and Spiders (Zoo Atlanta)
1/29: Third Annual Emory Arts Showcase (Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory )
1/29-1/30: NBC's America's Got Talent Atlanta Auditions (AmericasMart Atlanta)

---

This newsletter is intended for entertainment purposes only. Credit is given to the authors of various articles that are reprinted when the original author is known. Any omission of credit to an author is purely unintentional and should not be construed as plagiarism or literary theft.
Copyright 2010 The Silberman Team. This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical, legal, financial or tax advice. Any and all decisions and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a qualified physician, attorney, financial advisor and/or CPA. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without proper medical, financial, legal or tax advice.