Gainesville, GA

I recently have started to do business here in the lovely state of Georgia. I have such an optimistic attitude about the market here. I have heard many great things about many of the areas that I plan to try to look in to, to do business in. I just got one client here in Gainesville city, Hall county, Georgia!

Hi everyone. I hope the week has treated you all well. The fly bug has hit my house. My wife has been in the bed for 2 days. I just hope and pray it won’t spread.

I wanted to pass along a question that I’ve been getting from buyers lately.

Q: I have been hearing that there are several homes that have been selling for 50 cents on the dollar. If I find a house that I like, what should I offer?

A: Well, I can tell you that I personally have not seen a house sell for 50 cents on the dollar in the past four years. That doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened, but I haven’t seen it. Homes are still holding their value in the North Georgia area. There are several reason for that. Our economy is still good, unemployment is still down and we live in a desirable area. We are a, “Move to” destination. Homes are on the market a little longer than in the recent past, but one reason for that is, there are a lot of homes on the market now, but that is leveling off. Just this past Monday I was traveling down I-85 in Atlanta and the big Metro Brokers sign that shows the number of homes on the market in Georgia is now at 94,000 as opposed to 110,000 in December. A few months ago when we were in a, “Seller’s Market”, it was around 60,000. With a large inventory of homes, buyers are looking at more homes before making their decision, and wisely so. Because a home is on the market for several months does not mean the owners are desperate to sell at any price offered them. The one thing the sellers have going for them is…they have a house; they may not have to move. These days are different though, and I have seen and made some ridicules offers before getting a deal together. Since November, I have only been involved in one really, really low ball deal. We are seeing lower and lower offers, but deals are still coming together that’s fair for everyone. It just means we agents are making more and more counter offers before getting a binding agreement. Sure there are some, “Tire Kickers” out there just trying to get that special deal and there’s nothing wrong with that. My advice to buyers is, decide how much you want the house you’re making an offer on and make a fair offer. You can ask for anything in real estate and sellers are willing to make some concessions such as paying part or all of the closing costs on behalf of the buyer, or leaving the pool table and refrigerator. Its okay to make a lower offer, but if this is the house you truly want, be careful not to insult the owners.

Thanks for your time! Please email me and let me know what you’d like for me to write about or questions to answer.

Have a great week! God Bless.

Kim Craft is a professional REALTOR in the Gainesville/Hall, White, Habersham, Lumpkin, Dawson, Jackson and Gwinnett county areas.

He can be reached at:

Cell: 770-654-6656

Email: kim.craft@coldwellbanker.com

Website: www.kimcraft.net

Kim's Listing of the week 2888 Florence Drive Gainesville, Ga 2 bedroom 1.5 bath condo in the city $97,000

Hi everyone. I wanted to let you all know that I will be writing a weekly blog with information about our LOCAL real estate market.

I hope you'll find it informative, entertaining and useful. I promise to keep it short and to the point. I will feature answers to questions that are asked of me and other agents that I work closely with. I want this to be interactive so if you have a question, or a topic that you'd like for me to address, call me, 770-654-6656, or email me at kim.craft@coldwellbanker.com.

I'll start this week with a question that is by far the most asked of myself and my colleagues lately.

Q: So, how's your business?

A: My business is great. 2007 was a record year for me with over $6 million in total property closed. 2008 is starting off great as well. There are currently a lot of homes on the market and some great values out there right now. I tell people nearly everyday that if you're even thinking of buying a home, moving up to a larger home or downsizing, DO IT NOW! Interest rates are at nearly 5.5% (Check back with me next week.) Lenders are still loaning money to qualified buyers and there are still several programs for qualified first time home buyers with little or no money down.

Q: How can I sell my home in a reasonable amount of time in this market.

A: Hire a FULL TIME, aggressive marketing, professional REALTOR. (I just happen to know one if you need a recommendation.) When I'm on a listing appointment with a potential client, I tell them, first of all, you have to price your home competitively. Have your REALTOR provide you with an in depth competitive market analysis, (CMA), that will show homes that are similar to yours in your area that are currently on the market. Look closely at the ones that are the most similar to yours and MAKE YOURS STAND OUT. The best way to do this is price it a little lower than the rest, or at least toward the lower end. Other ways to make your home stand out is to offer incentives like paying closing costs, leaving the riding mower or flat screen or offer a gift card at closing. This is where your aggressive marketing REALTOR comes in. We can offer suggestions on how to make your home stand above the rest. Remember, buyers are very savvy now days and they are looking longer and at more homes before deciding on the one they want to make an offer on. Always keep your home in, "Showing condition" as well. (More on this in a future blog.)

Well that's it for this week. I promised to keep it short so you'll want to keep coming back.

Remember, call me if you have any questions.

Thanks for your time!

Kim Craft is a professional REALTOR in the Gainesville/Hall, White, Habersham, Lumpkin, Dawson, Jackson and Gwinnett county areas.

He can be reached at:

Cell: 770-654-6656

Email: kim.craft@coldwellbanker.com

Website: www.kimcraft.net

Kim's listing of the week. 890 Longstreet Circle in Longstreet Hills Gainesville, Ga. 30501

This is a video tour of 5996 Wellington Avenue in Gainesville, GA. The home sits on acreage with waterfront property on Lake Lanier. With 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, a full finished basement and over three acres, this home is spacious. Obviously, the main attraction is the lake view and the 2 boat slips. Deep water all year around on this home.

Since this is my first video, please feel free to critique it and let me know how to improve! (be kind).  I posted an unbranded version of this in Realtor.com.

The movie was made with a Flip! Video camera ($130) and Windows Movie Maker (which is free).  I look forward to doing more of this! If you have been making movies for e-mail video or video tours, let me know.