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Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate

ATLANTA GA - JUNE 2009 in REVIEW

Anyone who lives in the Atlanta area can tell you that the housing market has definitely been affected by the new homes bubble, the large number of short sales and foreclosures as well as a reduction in buyers. Atlanta was one of the top markets in the nation for new home construction until 2006. Currently new homes sales are down 80 percent from peak levels.

Georgia currently ranks #7 in the nation for foreclosures. More short sales and foreclosures are expected. For 2009 over 50% of sales are short sales, foreclosures, corporate owned or bank owned properties.

Current inventory levels are approximately 16,000 less than previous years. Home pricing has dropped due to foreclosures, short sales, aggressive new home prices and home owners becoming more aggressive in their pricing in order to compete. According to Case-Shiller average home values have dropped 23.14% from the peak of July, 2007.

As of the end of June, 2009 inventory supplies stand as follows:

  • 16.7 months for ATTACHED
  • 12.0 months for DETACHED

Source:
Dan Forsman/President & CEO Prudential GA Realty

For more information: Atlanta Real Estate Market - Summer 2009 Edition

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ATLANTA, GA - May 2009 vs. May 2008

Atlanta currently ranks in the top 10 nationally for foreclosures. And that statistic is glaring when you start to break down what the numbers actually represent.

DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

  • May, 2009 3,614 DETACHED single family houses sold in the metro Atlanta area. Of these 1,620 properties were corporate owned or foreclosures - 44.8% of all DETACHED single family houses sold were distressed properties.
  • Compare this to May, 2008 with 4,526 DETACHED single family houses selling with 1,384 properties being corporate owned or foreclosures - 30.57% of all DETACHED single family houses sold in '08 were distress properties.
  • Foreclosure and/or corporate owned DETACHED properties sold is UP 14.5% compared to one year ago same time.

ATTACHED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

  • May, 2009 551 ATTACHED single family houses sold in the metro Atlanta area. Of these, 227 properties were corporate owned or foreclosures - 41.2% of all ATTACHED single family houses sold were distressed properties.
  • Compare this to May, 2008 with 792 ATTACHED single family houses selling with only 186 being corporate owned or foreclosures - 23.45% of all ATTACHED single family houses were distressed properties.
  • Foreclosure and/or corporate owned ATTACHED single family properties sold is UP 18% compared to one year ago same time.

According to Steve Palm/Smart Numbers, inventory levels dropped in May 2009 reflecting 16,000 less listings compared to one year ago. I believe it is indicative of most home owners sitting on the side lines choosing not to compete against the foreclosure market.

The lower interest rates along with the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and Georgia's Home Buyer Tax Credit do seem to keep the Atlanta real estate market alive. However, it's my opinion that consumer confidence could really take a nose dive to the point nothing sells if the Federal deficit continues to climb as the House and Senate work diligently to pass the Cap and Trade bill along with the Health Care Reform Bill.


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My Suwanee Home.com

IS IT POSSIBLE TO SELL IN TODAY"S MARKET?

It seems like a daunting task to many home owners toying with the idea of whether to sell their home now or to sit tight until they see improvement in the current real estate market.

As a Realtor® for over 14 years, this indeed is the most challenging time in our industry that I have seen. However, it is safe to say that homes are selling that are NOT foreclosed or distressed properties. But to be amongst the success stories instead of just reading about them, it takes planning, a dose of reality and commitment to the process.

During the first four months of 2009, 11,144 homes sold in the greater metro Atlanta area.

  • Of the 11,144 homes sold, 6,060 of them were
    foreclosed/corporate owned properties.
  • Leaving 5,084 homes selling that were NOT among the
    banked owned properties. How do you become one of them?
  1. Prepare your home inside and out. My recommendation
    to homeowners is to pretend you are buying your house
    all over again. As you walk through the house - and around
    the outside of the house - using the eyes of a Buyer
    (with a paper and pencil in hand), list every item that you
    would notice and want repaired.
  2. FIX the items on your list BEFORE you list.
  3. Associate yourself with a reputable agent who is familiar
    with your market area, who is a FULL TIME Realtor®,
    and can provide you aggressive (out of the norm) marketing.
  4. Price your home competitively to compete with the foreclosed
    properties. What you may loose on the sale, you should be
    able to recapture when you purchase.
  5. Know the rules of the game: There are plenty of choices
    available to the buyer. They are not "falling in love" with the
    house they decide to make an offer on. Most are looking
    for "the deal." You need to be willing to deal! What you "NEED"
    out of your house doesn't factor into what a buyer is willing
    to pay.
  6. Most buyers are not countering multiple times as in previous
    years. It is not uncommon for you (as the Seller) to get one
    chance to make an offer work. If you can....make it work!
  7. The good news is buyers are being qualified more stringently
    than in years past. The guidelines have really tightened up!
    And, buyers are now required to invest "some skin in the game."
    As a seller, you should be able to feel a bit more at ease that
    you are dealing with a qualified buyer.

In the end, even with the challenges facing us today in the real estate market, the enticing interest rates and the decline of property values it is still a GREAT time to buy and SELL real estate.


Come to My House:
My Suwanee Home.com

SUWANEE GA - COMMUNITY GARDEN JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

How Does Your Garden Grow.....

Staying true to form, the City of Suwanee has started the process of
sowing seeds for a community garden. The 7-acre site is located near historic
Old Town Suwanee at Buford Hwy near White Street and the location of a former
farm.


The City of Suwanee is steeped in agricultural history
so the community
garden seems completely appropriate and won voters approval
as part
of Suwanee's open space program. The newly created community garden
and historic barn, which still stands, will pay homage to the City of
Suwanee's
beginnings.

The barn will be renovated and made accessible to the public for work on
the property. In addition to the community garden, the 7-acre site will
include walking trails, seating and will also serve as the back drop for
horticultural and ecological education.
Current plans have the City of Suwanee owning and maintaining the
property. The long-range hope is for an appointed citizen board to
oversee the day-to-day operations of the garden.

Three public meetings are scheduled to discuss the plans for the
garden:

  • June 10
  • June 24
  • July 22

Dates are tentative so check www.suwanee.com for more details
and location.


Come to My House:
MySuwaneeHome.com

Georgia Department of Transportation Awards Gateway Grants:




Chuck Warbington
Executive Director
Gwinnett Village Improvement District

Gwinnett Village CID, Gwinnett Place CID and City of Suwanee Receive Grants to Fund Revitalization Efforts

Norcross, GA (March 30, 2009) --- The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently awarded $150,000 in grants to aid three Gwinnett County groups in their revitalization efforts. Grants were awarded to the City of Suwanee, Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District (CID) and Gwinnett Place CID. All three grants will be used for improvements surrounding active Interstate-85 interchanges with redevelopment potential.

"These three projects were selected to receive Georgia Department of Transportation Roadside Enhancement and Beautification GATEway Grants based on review and recommendation of our Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council members," said Davie Biagi, landscape architect for the Georgia Department of Transportation. " A primary goal of the GATEway Grant program is to fund enduring enhancement of the roadsides for the traveling public, so evidence the groups have solid plans for quality maintenance of their beautification projects was key. The Georgia DOT appreciates the fine examples and enthusiastic participation of these local government entities in beautifying Georgia's public rights of way. "

The Gwinnett Place CID project centers around continued landscape improvements at the Interstate-85, Pleasant Hill Road interchange and includes enhanced landscaping for the northeast and southeast quadrants of that exit. The CID has already undertaken and completed a similar project for the Steve Reynolds Boulevard interchange and part of the Pleasant Hill Road exits.

"These interchanges serve as a welcome mat for Gwinnett County," said Joe Allen, executive director for Gwinnett Place CID. "The investments made set the standard and send a message that these areas remain successful and are poised to continue thriving in the future. Landscaping is just one step in promoting quality redevelopment throughout the area."

The $50,000 grant that Suwanee received will be used for landscape enhancements around the GA-317 (Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road), Interstate-85 interchange. The beautification project is part of the City's overall redevelopment plan that includes infrastructure, streetscape and transportation improvements as well as marketing and branding for the area. The landscaping improvements that will be partially funded through the grant are an integral part of the overall plan for the area.

"Suwanee Gateway is in good company with the CID areas," said Denise Brinson, director of economic and community development for the City of Suwanee. "The fact that so many communities are working to redevelop and make these types of improvements does nothing but cement the notion that great things are happening in Gwinnett."

Gwinnett Village CID will be using their grant to help fund a $125,000 aesthetic improvement project centering around the southwest corner of Interstate-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard. The newly landscaped plot will serve as an extension of the previous $825,000 beautification project that the CID has undertaken including the landscaping of the interchanges at Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Indian Trail Road and Beaver Ruin Road. Similar to these previous projects, the Jimmy Carter Boulevard, I-85 Gateway project will utilize an undulating pattern of primarily native and drought resistant plant materials.

"It's more than just landscaping, the aesthetic improvements promote a sense of security, pride and community," said Chuck Warbington, executive director for Gwinnett Village CID. "It helps create an environment that is appealing to residents and businesses in the district."

  • This article is being posted with the express consent of the author, Chuck Warbington


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