About Floyd County, GA

For those of you who watch the news always looking to hear answers to your questions about the housing market, well today was a good day to listen. The national statistics came out and some good and some bad news. Home sales were up last month over 2 % , the price of homes were down over 15 %. Now those of you looking to purchase a home in Rome Georgia will find that the housing market is changing in our area as well.

The number of homes for sale in Rome Ga is actually going down. Yes , I said down. In May 2009, there were only 159 new listings put on the market in our area. This is down over last year which there were 225 new listings in May 2008. This is showing what we call a shift in the market. Homes that are priced to sell are getting multiple offers which is great for a seller, they get a better offer on their home.

Buyers who are sitting on the fence wondering if they are going to get the better deal had better jump off that fence and jump on the buying side now. The number of home sales in Rome Georgia for May 2009 is 66 verses May 2008 showing 107. Yes sales are down but, the number of actually homes being sold is looking better for the deals are still out there however, you must not be hesitant in your decision to purchase. If your truly pre-approved and you do find that home, don't waste time . Get your Realtor to help you get the great deal your looking for. That's their job as your Buyer's Agent. That's why you hire a Realtor to help you in the largest investment you will make. Maybe not your last.

Most of the time your not going to find everything in your home, the only way that is going to happen is if you decide to build a new home. New home construction is still a great option . It never hurts to check with different builders to see what you can get in new construction. Explore all avenues available in your home search.

Many people search the Internet for their home. I know that homes located in Rome Georgia, based on who they are listed with will be put on all the major search engines to showcase that home. Some will even include virtual tours of the house that is for sale. Never be hesitant in your search. Find out what features are most important to you.

Currently in our area there aer 1177 active listing or homes for sale in Rome Ga. Yes that may sound like alot of homes but still that number is going down every month. Which like I said before is great for a seller. They are going to get the better deal with mulitple offers.

Get off the fence , look no more the time to buy is NOW. Interest rates are slowing going up. Lenders are tightening up on credit scores. Find the best loan option for you. If you should have any questions, don't hesitate to give me a call.

I will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have without any obligations. Or for more information check out my website. sharoncollins.yourkwagent.com

Sharon Collins

Keller Williams Realty Select Professional

sharoncollins@kw.com

Homebuyers looking for answers to their questions but not really knowing where to start try contacting your Local Housing Authority. I attended a first time home buyers seminar this week. A Realtor in our office was actually doing the presentation to the people in attendance. She explained the buying process, how to interview a Realtor, questions to ask. The importance of a home inspection, the importance of having a lender to work with, the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved.

The questions these potential homebuyers had were as we say off the chain. I was amazed at how inquisitive they were and the depth of their questions.

1. The importance of a good Lender....if you have a great lender they will be there to guide you thru the loan process, answer all questions, help you get the best loan program and interest rate. If issues do arise, be able to communicate with you and help make sure you make it to the closing table. Alot of deals do fall apart at the closing table...so work with a great Lender.

2. The importance of a Great Realtor....you want to interview many people. Find a Realtor you are comfortable with. You will be sharing personal information with them, so you want to be able to trust them and have a great relationship and COMMUNICATE. Remember , when you call that number on the sign, the Realtor is representing the seller. And their interests are in helping the seller to get the best deal when selling. Yes, they can give you information about the house. However, if you want someone to negotiate the best deal for you, then get you a Buyer's Agent. This is a Realtor who will represent your interests in purchasing a house. Ask questions, remember this is the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime. Do worry , there are no dumb questions ,so Ask!

3. If you are worried about finding the best deal out there and you pass on the home because your waiting on a better deal. DONT WAIT! Homes that are the best deal are priced to sell, getting multiple offers and going under contract faster than you can say...sign the dotted line..Your Realtor will make sure your getting the best deal. Mortgage companies or even banks, do not want this inventory.....so get our there and if you know this is the house you want, dont get scared thinking something better is going to come along, chances are they are not going to come along in time for you.

These seminars have Lenders, Insurance Agents, Appraisers, and yes Realtors to help educate you in the buying process, what to expect and hopefully you will make a GREAT decision when you make your purchase.

Home buyers seminars are one of the most helpful events you can attend at a future buyer.

Many of you have heard the term "Staying ahead of the market". A phrase my broker has repeated to me on many occasions. I actually got to put this into action for a second time and the results were great.

This past week I took a listing for a short sale. The seller was put in this situation due to job loss and the economy. After depleting their funds and not being able to recoup from job loss , he was forced to put his home up for short sale. Meeting with my seller and contacting the mortgage company, I put the home on the market on Thursday. Now the area the home is located is one of the much sought after areas in our County. I received a call on Friday morning at 8:30 from an agent wanting to show the house to her buyers that she has been working with for three years. Finding a home in this desirable area with all the requirements the buyers were looking for in a home is not easy considering the price range they were seeking. I told her the seller wasn't completely moved out and the house was not show ready, however, she did not mind as long as she could show the property.

I priced the home way ahead of the market for this area. The last home I had listed in this area was under contract in 10 days and closed in 30 . And this house was not a short sale, they were ready to sell and priced accordingly. My broker believes in helping agents to stay ahead of the market ,training us to get there . In getting us there, it is up to us as agents to convey this to the sellers.

My seller was anxious to sell , the mortgage company does not want to have empty property and the buyer has found their home.

Today was Red Day for all Keller Williams Realty Offices across the nation. This is an annual event. Today from our local office we came out in full force dressed in our Red t-shirts raring to go.

This year we choose to help out in one of our local schools Southeast Elementary School(see pics below) First we was greeted by 6th graders who was assigned to give us a tour and showed us to the class room we were assigned to.

My 1st class was a 3rd grade class and they put on a cute puppet show for me, and then I read to them, then I went over to a 2nd grade class and read a couple of books to them. It is amazing how far school has progress in their teachings and how smart these chidren are:

Here a few of the pics

This one below is some of us with our helpers from the 6th grade

The one below is the 3rd graders with their puppets

The next one is the second grade class they were adorable

Here is another one of our agents with his class in the lunch room

These are just a few of the pictures, it was a very uplifting experience, I was having such a great time, all of the sudden I heard my name being broadcast all over the school Darlene Wurth please come to the office, kids giggled and said are you in trouble??? I look forward to our next Red Day.

The school counslor said we could come back anytime, they are in need of mentors for the children, Do I hear the school bear ringing ?

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY SELECT PROFESSIONALS ROCKS!!

Last night while on Facebook, just doing my thing, playing the games..sending it to all my friends, well, I had someone to send me an IM. It was an old work buddy, who I had seen recently. Catching up I told her I was now in Real Estate, which I love. Of course first question to me , so how is the market..lol...I know thats probably the first question most agents do hear. However, in our area, market sales were actually up last month, which is totally awesome. Anyway , gave her 2 of my business cards. I told her to keep one for herself and if she knew someone who might need my services in the future, to just pass it along.

Well last night, I got the IM from my buddy. Asking me questions about properties in her area. When I asked her what she was looking for she gave me a dollar amount, bedrooms and bath. So instead of trying to have the conversation thru instant messenger, I just called her. Its amazing how much first time home buyers DO NOT know about purchasing a home.

We talked for an hour, she was full of questions which I gladly answered. Working for a while as a loan processor, I had some knowlegde of what she would would need to apply for a loan, and the different loan programs available. Being a sales consultant is a powerful thing when you have educated yourself thru the programs offered in the community to help you keep your knowledge current..

So social networking does work, whether thru a computer, talking to someone in line.

I actually had my name tag on while I had to make a quick stop at my daughter's school. When I walked out there was a gentleman, who had waited to speak to me since he seen my Keller Williams license plate, and not to mention my magnets on the side of my car doing free advertising.

Well after a lenghty conversation and getting his info, I now have 2 leads. He wants to sell to buy and thats awesome