Home prices in Atlanta continue the downward slide. At least that’s the way S&P Case-Shiller index of area home prices tells the story. The real story is far more complicated.

Certain neighborhoods are doing far better than others. Real estate is local and the index is not a real comfort when you’re buying just one home. The one home you want may not fit the average for the next 4,000 sales. Still the advice is the same as in stocks and blackjack. Don’t fight the trend.

Can The Bottom Be Much Further?

Buy a home. The agents really need the money!

Sales are better for some agents but that’s mostly because the banks have figured out how to process short sales faster and many agents have learned the new game too. New construction is gone like the Gold Club. Rumor is that some more hiring is going on but the best guess from those of us that that are grounded in reality is that 40% of the market is under employed.

Still, if you have a good job you’ve had for 1-2 years or more, and good stash of cash, and the stars are right, I say go for it and buy a home. Just know the profit in your ‘investment’ will be likely be very long in coming.

I had hoped Herman Cain would swoop in and save us. LOL.

Atlanta, is just worth less these days.

Keep Swimming.

This advice is for agents: know more about HUD sales and make more money. You’ll also be doing good, and making deserving folks succeed in their American dream of ownership. The best way to succeed at this is to work hard and learning to navigate you and your customers through the bureaucratic maze that only a government can produce. The challenge is daunting for many but a sharp 9th grade can likely handle it. It takes a bit of patience (not common in real estate sales) and constant attention to every detail.

Fortunately the resources get better and better and are laid right at your feet. Here below is one of the monthly videos provided by one of HUD’s asset managers, Pimco: The voice of the underwriter is here telling you step by step exactly how to handle a sale successfully, with you getting paid, even a bonus sometimes, and everybody winning. Fix America. Watch the video and then watch every month.

Video streaming by Ustream

PIMCO has a great Facebook page and does training all around the metro area. Get to know them and learn the drill. This is tough but rewarding in good karma and cold cash.

I do not sell HUD homes, but I know qualified agents that do. If you are a citizen with a job and a thousand bucks contact me and I’ll get you to the right person.

We will begin to share more numbers with you soon but for now take a look at this chat of Standard & Poors Case-Shiller Index. This is the be data available to get the general pulse of the market. For specific properties and neighborhoods you need to find a great agent. If you need a referral we’re glad to provide some names.

Case-Shiller Home Price Index

Hang on to your hats Atlanta. This market sucks and the light at the end of the tunnel is likely a locomotive.

Our advice is to find a relative and move in with them Your kids or parents gotta take you, right?

The silver lining of the market is for those few of you that have still got a good income and cash assets. Housing deals for sellers suck raw eggs but you have a chance to scoop up housing for huge discounts. Even sheltered IRA funds can be used for real estate investment.

Rentals are in huge demand once again and rents are rising in the best properties. The key here is to buy and hold. Some properties in decent areas are selling under 50k and rents average about $800 month. It is easier than ever to develop a positive cash flow in rental property.

Tick Tock.

These are in no particular order yet so plan to help by voting

Breakfast is the most important meal in Atlanta

Too many mornings begin with breakfast from a box. Cereals, cereal bars, PopT-arts, and even oatmeal. Enough already. I for one love the joy of too much sugar, fat, and protein. Atlanta is a great place to get out and start the day with an awesome belly-full. I’m here to help.

My “best breakfasts in Atlanta” may change from one week to the next but several places are constant and hopefully have long lives ahead. Waffle House seems to be the one that’s become too big to fail, and given their size and profile it is the obvious place to start.

Waffle House is one of America’s best love brands, even in areas where the closest restaurant is 4 states away! Frequently visitors to Atlanta make their first trip just to see what all the hubbub is about. Many have their fist encounter with grits, and that may be why grits aren’t very popular outside of The South

(note to self: Next time you write about Waffle House, you should mention the waffles.)

Waffle House is popular and loved for several reasons. It’s reliable, average, affordable, acceptably clean and safe, easy to find and they are always open. The fact that they great you with a smile and call you ‘honey’ and ‘sugar’ is their secret sauce. Meet me at the Waffle House.

Sometimes you need something more. There are many reason to have a special breakfast and plenty of good choices around Atlanta. One of the current favorites was born as a small independent and has grown considerably as a young franchise. The Flying Biscuit can still satisfy, and now has about a dozen locations. The original location in Candler Park is the classic rock star, but the new shiny models are just as tasty. The food is fresh, more health-focused, and includes just enough hippie-dippyness. Viva la Biscuit!

Biscuits are wonderful, but some people and some occasions call for pancakes. No pancake on Earth is more worthy than those at The Original Pancake House. The waiting line at the doors is no deterrent to those that are out for return visit. If you have relatives from out of town and want to treat them special this is the place. Fresh ingredients and huge portions will surely please. Service and style is pure 1969 Americana. Just go, and remember they close early, with breakfast and lunch only.

Time and money are in short supply around Atlanta, so special breakfasts aren’t for every day. When funds are low and you hear bellys growling head over to IKEA for my best kept secret breakfast deal in America, Their cafeteria style restaurant is the hands down winner for breakfast on the cheap. FOr 99 cents you get eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. Come in before the store opens at 10am and you get a free coffee to boot. My breakfast, documented with an iphone in the video, included all this for $1.07. If you can top that deal then I’ll pay for both of us next time!

If you have a visiting celeb, or boss to feed I’d say you’d better try Thumbs-Up. Maybe you just deserve it! Sweet! Take your hungriest foodie and enjoy a real taste of plenty. THe ingredients are always fresh and the atmosphere is pure American Diner. The breakfast searved in the cast-iron skillet will really impress any big appetite, and as you’r eleaving you’ll enjoy your great attitude. Atlanta and the world is your oyster today!

These five choices are surely enough to satisfy, for a while, but do not include the number one top choice for best breakfast in town. The next 5 will include my top choice, and then we can fight out the positions for the next 9. We may even need to change the lineup, but for this I’ll need your help. Please add your ideas and comments here so that very best breakfast list can get a little validation.

I’m starving. See you soon.

Atlanta’s Best Breakfast List: (So far)

• Waffle House
• Thumbs Up
• The Flying Biscuit
• IKEA
• The Original Pancake House

Make you plans to attend or avoid as the case may be