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Atlanta, Georgia figures to once again loom large when it comes to real estate for the new year.
The metro area is once again one of the top housing markets in the United States, according to new figures from the National Association of Realtors.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist and senior vice president of research, forecasts that Atlanta will be the nation’s top real estate market to watch in 2023 and beyond, an NAR news release says.
- Yun predicts that 4.78 million existing homes will be sold across America in 2023, with prices stabilizing.
- Home sales will drop by 6.8% compared to 2022.
- The median home price will hit $385,800, which constitutes a 0.3% hike compared to 2022.
Top 10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2023
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia
Raleigh, North Carolina
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas-Missouri
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, South Carolina
Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina
Huntsville, Alabama
Jacksonville, Florida
San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
Knoxville, Tennessee
Because of affordability issues, the Atlanta metro area is far down the list for 2023, says a recent Realtor.com report, as midsize markets with adequate housing rise to the top.
As home sales declined in the second half of 2022 with the rising of interest rates, real estate experts are hopeful that the new year brings home shoppers back to the market.
Are Home Sales Going To Rise?
The top markets are expected to see home sales increase 5.2% year-over-year in 2022. Additionally, average home prices in the top 10 markets are expected to jump 7.3% while the rest of the nation will only see a 5% bump.
How To Afford A Home Right Now
With so much economic pressure on Americans, it’s understandable that many would be concerned about affording a home right now. But the key is that you can get in the home you want and need for the most part.
One thing you’ll have to do is get pre-approved by a lender of your choice, who will consider the income you take in annually as well as your debt and credit.
You can gauge how much you can comfortably spend on a new mortgage in a really simple way. See our home affordability calculator.
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Zakia, a Lebanese restaurant, recently opened its doors in Buckhead. If you want to try some authentic dishes drenched in the flavors of the Mediterranean, Zakia is your place to dine.
Everything from the light, airy kitchen down to the drinks on the menu is influenced by Lebanese culture. The eatery is one of the very best Mediterranean restaurants in Atlanta.
Where To Eat Lebanese Food In Atlanta: Zakia
The eatery is a modern concept that emphasizes family, including the restaurant’s name: Zakia is inspired by the grandmother of Jonathan and Ryan Akly, the eatery’s owners.
Situated in Buckhead, Zakia boasts a 6,000-square-foot space that seats more than 200 guests in the dining room, bar/lounge, and private dining areas. There’s also a second-floor private room that accommodates up to 60 people.
Zakia will be open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
What is On Zakia’s Menu?
Zakia’s menu leans heavily on family recipes that the Akly brothers enjoyed while growing up. It also features a mix of classic and modern Lebanese and Middle Eastern mezze along with chargrilled meats and seafood as well as other healthy food.
Helming the kitchen is Executive Chef Ian Winslade, who will be accompanied by the Akly brothers and their fresh blend of Lebanese cuisine. Look for such standout dishes as:
- Stuffed Grape Leaves
- Grilled Quail
- Fried Kibbeh
- Labneh and a selection of kabobs
Where Is Zakia Located In Buckhead?
Zakia is located at at the Modera Prominence at 3699 Lenox Rd NE Ste 3, Atlanta, GA 30305. Here’s a map to help yo ufind it.
As for Zakia’s beverage program, guests can enjoy Lebanese Middle Eastern cocktails, traditional arak service, and a curated wine list. There’s also Arabic coffee to top off your meal.
Final Word
“I am really excited to dive back into the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean that I experienced early in my career and expand upon that while bringing out the deep, rich Lebanese culture and drawing inspiration from meals the Aklys’ grandmother made for them growing up that have been passed down from generation to generation,” Winslade said in a written statement.
If you want to check out some other food spots in the area, here are the best restaurants in Buckhead. Or you might like to read our Buckhead Steak Guide to find all the best eateries offering mouth-watering prime cuts.
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One of the coolest ways to make money in Atlanta is to put your home on the film location list. Not only is it passive income, but you can make that “movie money” over a week’s time or more.
Living in a large city like Atlanta, which is a movie mecca, makes it easy to earn cash for renting out your home.
This article will tell you what to know about renting out your place to a movie or TV production company. Netflix, Amazon and other studios are actively looking for filming locations.
How To List Your Home As A Film Location In Georgia
Big stars like Will Smith, Tom Cruise or Melissa McCarthy could be filming scenes in your living room. How cool is that?
Let’s go through the steps to get you set up. By the way, you can also list your business or property as a film location too. The most important thing is that you must be the owner and the home can’t be for sale.
1. Take Photos Of Your Home
The site requires that you show photos of your home from the street as well as the exterior and interior. Interior shots are mandatory, so don’t skimp on that.
These Are The Photo Requirements
- Photo size: 150 dpi or higher
- Recommended size: Between 1MB – 3 MB (maximum file size: 10MB)
- 1680 X 1054 resolution (or higher) for large size web browsing
- Physical photo size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Unique features of your home; cool amenities
- Also include any assets on the property, such as a barn or pool
- Shoot multiple photos that are wide and high-quality (from a camera phone is OK)
These Photos Won’t Be Accepted
- Those that are dark, narrow and low-resolution
- Any screenshots from videos
- No brochure photos
- None taken in inclement weather
2. Submit Your Photos Online
Next, you just have to upload your photos online. The site that you’ll need to do it on is Ga.Reel-Scout.com.
From there, your photos are reviewed to see if it meets all the requirements. If approved, your images are added to their library.
3. How You’re Notified
Once your photos are approved, they are included in a filming location database available to location professionals around the world looking for the perfect location for their projects.
If someone wants to use your location, you will be contacted by the Georgia Film Office to set up times and availability based on the production’s filming schedule.
4. Name Your Location Fee
From there, it’s between you and the specific film company to negotiate a rate to use your property.
The Georgia Film Office is not involved in the transaction. The way it works is that the production will make a specific offer based on their budget and shooting requirements.
As a warning, never give your bank account number to someone who wants to wire you money.
Final Thought
Making money from your home is one thing. Making money on your home is another. You can do it by renting your house out for a major movie or TV production.
You can make some good money by listing your home for Georgia’s movies and TV shows. If you’re looking for a way to make extra money, renting your home out to a major movie production is a great way to do it.
If you don’t want to list your home for a particular type of film and TV genre, content or budget,, just note it in the “usage restriction” field of the form you fill out.
Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.
With more than 700 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls
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A new film with the working title Holiday Road is currently holding casting calls in Atlanta, Georgia. The feature-length movie stars Mark Wahlberg and MIchelle Monaghan and has been filming in Atlanta for several weeks.
The production is one of many local productions hiring a bunch of actors and extras to appear in upcoming scenes. Keep reading to see the casting call details.
Holiday Road Casting Call In Atlanta
Work Date: Mon 12/12
(approx 7:00am start time and must be available the entire day- a normal film day goes for about 12 hrs)
Filming location: Georgia Tech
Types needed: REAL EXPERIENCE TRACK and FIELD
college age Students (18 and over)
– Pole Vaulters
– Hammer Throwers
– Discus Throwers
– High Jumpers
– Long Jumpers
– Hurdlers
– Sprinters
– Long Distance Runners
PAY RATES:
$125 with OT after 8 hrs
Covid Test Pay: $50 (we pay you )
HOW TO SUBMIT:
Email: extras@tscasting.com
Subject Line: TRACK SCENE
In the body of the email , include, in a list format:
First and Last Name
Phone Number
Email address
AGE
Height/Weight
Clothing Sizes
City/State where you live
AND
List your TRACK and FIELD experience in the above categories
(basically, which ones you are skilled at!)
List if you have/own the equipment (especially for Pole Vaulting, etc..)
PHOTOS TO ATTACH:
Attach to the email the following photos (no hats, sunglasses or other people in your photos):
– 1 Head Shot (a good clear photo of you from the chest up)
– 1 Full Length Photo (so we can see your physique)
– Include any other photos you would like to send, especially if it’s of you in action in any of the above cateogories!What Is Holiday Road About?
Holiday Road is about a father who has to run from trouble over the holidays with his family in tow when sinister people from his past catch up to him.
Because of the steady flow of movie and TV productions, Atlanta has been called the Hollywood of the South and it’s not just a label.. If you want to be an actor, the city has classes you can take as well as places that provide headshots and more. You can also audition at numerous casting calls to build your movie and TV reel.More AFrom AtlantaFi.com: -
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young recently got into it with a sports reporter during an interview due to his absence from the team bench lately.
The encounter comes amid a rough patch for the Hawks after they’ve not been able to close out some recent games, although they were able to beat the Denver Nuggets.
Trae Young And Reporter Get Into it (Video)
Another development that has people talking is a reported incident in which Hawks head coach Nate McMillan told Young to either come off the bench or not play at all.
Young has been nursing a shoulder injury and looked like he was determined to play against the Nuggets. McMillan shot it down, saying that he wanted Young to come off the bench or not to show up. Young chose not to show up at all.
After the media got wind of the story, Young finds himself just trying to put the incident behind him. “I’m just here to play basketball and win a championship and try to do my best,” he told reporters.
Young took umbrage with a reporter questioning his leadership.
See the exchange in this video:
Final Word
The Hawks are in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, but will need a healthy Young to do the job. Looks like they’re also determined to dump John Collins for a final missing piece to a championship run.
When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry. -
Isla & Co., an Australian-inspired restaurant, opened its doors in Buckhead on Thursday, December 8, 2022.
The eatery comes from Parched Hospitality Group, which previously opened restaurants in the Northeast. This time, PHG is betting on Aussie fare to lure Atlantans to the table.
Isla & Co. Opens First Of Two Atlanta Locations In Buckhead
The eatery is operated by Parched Hospitality Group, which is in the midst of expanding the Isla brand In Atlanta and other cities. A westside Atlanta location is also in the works, according to PHG Chief Strategy Officer Tom Rowse.
Isla & Co. is open Monday-Sunday and offers brunch, dinner and a 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour.
What’s On The Menu At Isla & Co.?
While Isla’s cuisine is a nod to Down Under, it’s menu is as varied as what you’d except from one of the great American dining capitals, thanks to executive chef Matt Foley, who helmed the kitchen at a Michelin-starred eatery in New York City.Some top menu options include: the Isla Burger, Spicy Shrimp Vodka Rigatoni, Fish and Chips, Braised Lamb Shoulder and a Half Chicken.
For dessert items like the Sticky Date Pudding (pictured) satisfy the most ardent sweet tooth.
As for the cocktails, expect a creative and flavorful mix like What the Buck,Where Is Isla & Co. Located In Buckhead?
Isla & Co. is located at 56 East Andrews Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. Here is a map to help you find it.
Isla & Co. locations are also in the following cities or will be there soon.
- Dallas, TX
- Brooklyn, NY
- Fairfield, CT
- Midtown, NY
- West Palm Beach (opening soon)
- Miami Beach (opening soon)
Final Word
Make sure you check out Isla & Co. in Buckhead when you’re in the area and in the mood for some Down Under-inspired wonder. While you’re in the vicinity, you may be interested in what our guide on what to see and do in Buckhead.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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The Georgia Bulldogs ran roughshod over the LSU Tigers 50-30 in a battle of heavyweights Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in the SEC Championship Game in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
Read about Georgia’s 2022 season to the SEC championship.
The Dawgs punted on their first drive, but ran a blocked punt back for a touchdown after catching the Tigers off guard. UGA never looked back after that.
Georgia SEC Champions After Beating LSU, 50-30
The win puts the Dawgs at 13-0 and secures their spot as the #1 seed in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Stetson Bennett waited until the SEC Championship Game to throw for a season-high four touchdown passes as the Dawgs put up 35 points in the first half.
LSU starting quarterback Jayden Daniels didn’t finish the game after he re-injured his leg in the first half. Backup Garrett Nussmeier came out slinging the ball, leading the Tigers (9-4, No. 14 CFP) to three second-half touchdowns.
LSU Coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers couldn’t overcome the early miscues and that the Georgia defense was too much.
““In its totality, you’re talking about five or six plays. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. The better team won. We were not clean enough in some of those areas against the No. 1 team in the country,” Kelly said.
Watch the press conference after the game:
How They Got Here: Georgia
The University of Georgia Bulldogs have not lost a game for the better part of two seasons. Coach Kirby Smart solved the Alabama curse — all the coaching assistants that Tide Coach Nick Saban has had lost to him — before anybody.
The UGA season started with a resounding 49-3 disposing of the Oregon Ducks in the Chick-fil-A Classic in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, site of the SEC Championship.
Their closest game of the season was Week 4. The Georgia Bulldogs came from behind to beat the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 in Athens. Even though the Dawgs won, the team dropped to No. 2 in the latest AP poll. Alabama was named No. 1.
Since then, big wins over the Vols and Ole Miss put the Dawgs in the driver’s seat. Many pundits said even with a loss to LSU, the Bulldogs would make the College Football Playoff. That conversation is irrelevant after the Dawgs dominated the Tigers in downtown Atlanta.
Read our guide on how Georgia won the SEC in 2022.
How They Got Here: LSU
LSU is bowl-eligible after two subpar years. The Tigers had a lot to prove this year with first-year coach Brian Kelly at the helm.
An opening loss to Florida State, where the Tigers missed the tying extra point and played a game filled with mistakes, including two muffed points, had many writing off the Bayou Bengals.
But the increased confidence of Arizona State transfer signal caller Jayden Daniels has allowed the Tigers to return to form rather quickly.
Methodical wins over Ole Miss, Florida and a dramatic one-point victory against Alabama in overtime served notice that the Tigers were back in a big way.
A bad loss to Texas A&M dashed their hopes for a College Football Playoff berth, but the Tigers have a lot of optimism about next season.
Final Word
When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry. -
Atlanta-based Krystal is back again with a new commercial about its Side Chik chicken sandwich.
After enlisting Atlanta rap royalty 2Chainz in one commercial and adding the talents of social media influencer Brittany Renner, Krystal has upped the ante this time by featuring TV host and radio personality Charlamagne Tha God.
Charlamagne’s ad spot was produced by Krystal’s own in-house Creative Marketing Director Ajona “Jax” Camile and debuts on December 5.
Watch the commercial here:
All About Krystal’s Side Chik Sandwiches
Krystal’s chicken sandwiches all are stacked with premium, white meat and come in three versions:
- BBQ Bacon Cheese with crispy smoked bacon and tangy BBQ
- Pimento Cheese
- Classic featuring a slather of Duke’s Mayo and pickle.
As far is breakfast is concerned, the Side Chik is available in Classic and Pimento Cheese on a biscuit.
Final Word
f you want to check out some other restaurants in Atlanta with kickin’ chicken sandwiches, these are hard to beat. But Atlanta also has trendy restaurants, pop-ups and time-tested landmarks that continue to draw big crowds.Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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More details have come to light about movie mogul Tyler Perry’s construction of his mega mansion outside Atlanta.
The property, which is located in Douglas County, Georgia encompasses more than 800 acres, making it one of the largest pieces of in-tact land available in all of metro Atlanta.
Tyler Perry’s New Mansion: Here’s What We Know
The Madea actor bought the acreage back in 2013 with plans to build on it at some point. I guess the time is now. The massive estate is currently under construction.
According to TMZ, Perry is investing a lot of planning into the property because he wants his young son to appreciate nature as well as animals, which the property will have plenty of.
This is the second Atlanta-area mansion Perry has lived in, if you remember Avec Chateau, which is located on Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead.
As you know by now, Perry is a billionaire. Most of his worth comes from the content he’s created over the years, particularly his movies. With the ascension of Tyler Perry Studios, Perry now reportedly generates a quarter of his worth from that property.
Here Is The Latest Picture Of The Tyler Perry Mansion
As you can see, landscaping is
Where Is Tyler Perry’s Mansion Located?
The palatial estate encompasses hundreds of acres surrounding a mansion located in Douglas County, which is about 20 minutes outside Atlanta.Some of the amenities that have been revealed to be in the mansion so far are:- Lap pool
- Helipad for a helicopter
- Jet runway
- Organic farm with horses
How Big Is Tyler Perry’s New Mansion And What’s It Worth?
According to media reports, Perry’s new mansion encompasses 40,000 square feet of space and is valued at $100 million. According to Douglas County real estate records, Perry was able to purchase the property in liquidation after plans for a subdivision feel through.
Here are some metrics we have learned about the property:
- 40,000 square-foot home
- 2,100 acres
- 8 bedrooms
- 12 bathrooms
Under Construction: Tyler Perry’s New Mansion (Pics)
Final Word
When it is built, Perry’s new mansion will be the most expensive in the Atlanta-area.
Like a good movie, the mansion is taking several years because Perry wants it done right. No doubt when the project is complete, pictures of the finished mansion will circulate on social media.
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Move over, Netflix and BET. Madea’s coming to Amazon Studios. Or at least, her creator, Tyler Perry is. The Atlanta-based filmmaker recently inked a four-picture agreement with the powerful company’s streaming and film production arm.
That means that in addition to holding casting calls, he’ll soon be hiring at his movie studio for Amazon Prime shows and movies.
“I’m excited and grateful to start working with Amazon Studios to bring movies to Prime Video,” said in a statement. “Jennifer Salke [Head of Amazon Studios] and the entire team have welcomed me with open arms. I’m looking forward to continuing telling unique stories and bringing my next projects to the global audiences that they reach.”
“Tyler Perry is undeniably one of the most prolific creators of our time. He is a true multihyphenate who has defined his own incredible brand of storytelling and inspired people all over the world with his series and films,” Amazon Studios head Salke was quoted as saying. “We are excited to collaborate with Tyler and his teams to bring even more of his fantastic signature films to our global audiences.”
Perry hopes to capitalize on his success with Netflix, where he brought A Fall From Grace and A Jazzman’s Blues to the streaming platform.
It’s been nothing short of a meteoric rise for Perry, who was born into poverty in New Orleans.
As a struggling playwright, Perry says he had to make his own path to stardom.
“You got to understand, I had no mentors,” Perry told Forbes. “My father doesn’t know anything about business, and my uncles and mother, they know nothing about this. I didn’t go to business school. Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned in progress.”
Perry says he was told that the audience he was catering to wouldn’t be able to support full-feature films.
From Chitlin Circuit To Media Mogul
“ ‘Black people who go to church don’t go to the movies,’ ” Perry told Forbes that he was told back then. “I came from a place where Black people had already embraced me and loved me. I was completely happy there, and still am.”
Perry joins an exclusive list when it comes to being one of the richest businessmen in the state. Here is Georgia’s billionaires club.Read more: Best work from home jobs in Atlanta, Georgia