Suwanee, GA

I was at a seminar recently. Among many topics, was of course, the subject of market conditions for Atlanta in 2010. And, as you can imagine, the opinions were mixed. Opinions ranged from a 50/50 chance the recession will turn around (safe bet!) to the possibility of a double dip recession.

Other projections included:

• Interest rates will remain level but rise slightly by the end of 2010
• Home prices will remain flat
• The sweet spot for home sales: $400,000 and under
• Condo inventory will finally become depleted but at the expense of price slashing
• S-L-O-W new home starts.

Here are the current stats for September 2009 vs. September 2008

Foreclosures in our Atlanta market still tend to capitalize our market; but, short sales seem to be making a strong showing. Unfortunately, due to the unregulated handling of short sales, they still tend to be a lot of work and require an enormous amount of patience - with no guarantee.

For more market reports for our Atlanta market, please visit my webiste: MySuwaneeHome.com and click on "Janice's Blog".

Come to my house:
MySuwaneeHome.com

The $8000 Tax Credit was set to expire on December 1st 2009. We are happy to announce that both the Senate and House have passed an extension and expansion of the Home Buyer Tax Credit. The bill is now signed by the President and is official! This is great news for buyers and sellers of real estate in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

Overview Of The New Home Buyer Tax Credits:

• The $8,000 1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Is Extended. Binding contracts must be executed by 4/30/2010 and closed by 6/30/2010.
• New $6,500 Tax Credit Is Expanded For Trade-In Or Move-Up Buyers. The Buyer must have lived in their current residence for 5 of the past 8 years and must live in their new residence for a minimum of 3 years after the purchase.
• Income Limits Are Raised To $125,000 ($225,000 Joint). There are phased out credits for incomes up to $20,000 in excess of these limits.
• Eligible Home Purchase Prices Are Limited To $800,000. This is a new addition to the previous bill.
• 2010 Purchases Could Apply For 2009 Tax Returns.
• No Repayment If Home Is Main Residence For 36 Months.
• The 36-Month Provision Waived For Active Military Moves.
• The IRS Will Impose New Anti-Fraud Oversight.

The new trade-in or move-up tax credit is estimated to apply to over 70% of real estate buyers. There is no requirement to sell your current home - just to make the new home your principal residence for 3 years. That allows current homeowners to rent their former residence and buy while prices are still low. It also allows buyers to purchase a pre-sale if it can be completed and closed before June 30th 2010. These are just a few of the new possibilities that are now available for buyers in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

• These low prices and mortgage rates will not last forever!
• Are you ready to "move up" to the home of your dreams?
• Are you ready to simplify and "trade in" your current property for a lower maintenance lifestyle?

Please Contact Me To Understand The Opportunities Today!

Information deemed to be accurate but not warranted. If your home is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

Come to my house:
MySuwaneeHome.com

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Town Center Park, Suwanee GA

Attended by over 6,000 festival-goers, families and food connoisseurs, Taste of Suwanee is now an annual tradition in the City of Suwanee, voted in the top ten cities in the nation. Over 30 restaurants participate in an afternoon of sampling appetizers, entrees and desserts from their menus.

This year culinary demonstrations are offered by the infamous Chef John of Kroger Cooking School. Dish Network will air college games live for the football fanatics. The event will also offer entertainment to please every palette, including a concert stage with live music and performances.

The Kids Zone will return with new and improved inflatable activities, rides and games. After dining, festival-goers can meet Community Partners and stroll through the Artist Market for arts and crafts from local artists.

The North Gwinnett Tip-Off Club invites you to be a part of this incredible community event.

Admission is Free!

• Tickets to sample food and enjoy the activities in the Kid Zone are 50 cents each.
• Each food sample or activity is between 1-6 tickets.

The Town Center Park is located on the corner of Buford Highway and Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd.

• Free Parking at the Town Center Park, City of Suwanee Library and Shadowbrook
  Baptist Church.
  Free shuttles running from 11:30-5:30 between park, Library and Church.

Come to my house:
MySuwaneeHome.com

Mark your calendars!

Suwanee's Toast at Town Center

DATE: November 5th and December 3rd
TIME: 5 pm - 10 pm


This will the first time the City of Suwanee has changed the alcohol ordinance to allow an event which will allow beer and wine ONLY to be bought and carried out of the restaurants.

There will not be entertainment or vendors in the park. The idea is to keep people in front of the businesses and to create a social atmosphere in which people will enjoy music provided by the merchants, shop, and stroll along Town Center Avenue.

Depending on the success and participation will determine if "Taste at Town Center" will become an annual event.

Come to my house:
MySuwaneeHome.com

That's right.  There are only two weeks left before Social Media Breakfast Atlanta returns to Gwinnett County. 

Get together with other Atlanta area business owners, entreprenuers and social networkers to talk about ways to more effectively leverage social media for business... over breakfast. 

We will be meeting at the Suwanee location of the Atlanta Bread Company at 8:00am on October 29th.  The address is:

Atlanta Bread Company
3320 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd NE
Suwanee, GA

It is at the corner of Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd and Satellite Blvd.  And of course they have some great rolls to kick off the morning with... 

We'd LOVE for you to join us if you are in the area.  We'll have a few minutes of networking before we start the discussion at 8:30 or so.  And there will be some more time to network after the discussion.