Greg H.

Hey Michelle, I'm glad to help.

Regarding your questions:

Why has it been in transition for close to 10 years? I don't get that and I was hoping that the local realty pros here could help me understand. (GH) I would definitely recommend finding a professional realtor that has worked the area during at least the last eight years and can give you the straight goods. I've seen Ramiro Garcia http://www.dwellintown.com/ on here and he has made some comments indicating he knows the area pretty well. ERA Baker Group (East Point) also works the area. Another realtor that deals with a lot of REO homes is Rick Hale. My feeling is that the area was ripe for transition in the early 2000's when the real estate market was taking off. The speculators, flippers and fraudulant mortgage groups moved in and drove up the prices (and taxes) and the area was really starting to show signs of improvement. Alot of that ended with the subprime crisis. Now its difficult for people to get mortgages and buy homes as the 30310 zipcode is one of the worst for foreclosures and mortgage fraud in GA.

Also there don't seem to be any big box grocery stores, restaurants, or retail shops nearby...is this part of the reason? Is it because of the neighborhood's location around railway and other industry? (GH) Its all about demographics with these kinds of companies. My guess is that they just havent seen enough momentum/penetration in their target audiences to warrant investment. Chicken and Egg kind of thing. Its definitely one of the downsides to the area as there is no central retail district like East Point or College Park.


I'd really like to know what I'm missing so that I can make an informed decision. It seems that I don't have all the facts. (GH) I understand. It takes time. Find as many experts as possible and do alot of research. I really believe the area has tremendous potential if you can handle a few years wait to get a major payback.

One last point - I believe Capitol View has a neighborhood association that meets on a regular basis. It might be worth looking into. - Thu Jul 10 2008, 12:46

The Sylvan Hills/Capitol View areas are definitely transitioning..and the prices are beginning to reflect the status. Do your research on the crime etc - CIty of Atl, Trulia, Zillow. As with most of the "rough around the edges" areas, you should look street by street. Sylvan/Capitol View are in a great location with quick access to downtown, major interstates, technical colleges and the airport. My opinion is that the pricing is bottoming out now that most of the speculators and quick flippers are moving out of the market along with the current mortgage issues. There are some great homes, but you will have to have tolerance for the types of activities that can occur in such an area. I looked at Sylvan for a long time and found a neighborhood very close by called Capitol View Manor. (A separate entity from Capitol View) CVM is a real neighborhood with tudor and other style homes and it has limited entrance/exits, whereas Sylvan has main thoroughfares - i.e. Sylvan Road etc. For sure I am biased as I have a completely renovated home for sale in Capitol View Manor near Emma Millikan park. Please let me know if you are interested. - Thu Jul 10 2008, 11:11

Hi Lauren,

There are plenty of realtors to help you. I suggest that you do own your homework as College Park and other areas of Atlanta can change street by street. Are you sure you want a foreclosure? Just be prepared for all the potential issues and usually you will need to do at least minimal rehabbing. One neighborhood I really like is Capitol View Manor...ten minutes from downtown and its a separate neighborhood with no cross streets. - Thu Jun 12 2008, 08:14

Lee, I was speaking of the area Cecilia asked about - "right by Atlanta Medical Center and Boulevard."
Boulevard IS rough. People can have different opinions...that's what this forum is for. - Mon May 12 2008, 19:45

Yikes!!!! check with the Atlanta Police for the crime statistics..and then spend some time in the area. Old 4th ward is really trying to improve, but its still a rough area - Fri May 9 2008, 21:09

Hi Tess,

Are you looking to put your home up for rental or are you looking to rent?

Either way, you might want to talk to Justin at The Baker Group, based in East Point. They know that area very well. - Fri May 9 2008, 19:46

Hi Paula, East Point has both established and transitional areas.

I would recommend talking to a realtor in the area. One that I know from East Point is ........http://www.erathebakergroup.com/

Good Luck! - Fri May 9 2008, 19:07