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John Foster

Cumming Real Estate Update by John Foster, Remax Greater Atlanta

08-05-09
John Foster

One way to judge how the market is performing is to look at the number of homes under contract at the end of the month in relation to the inventory levels - the higher the percentage the quicker the inventory is turning over. The chart below shows Cumming (areas 221,222,& 223 in the FMLS) or Forsyth County Ga.

In 2007 you will see between 15-18% of the homes were under contract for the first half of the year, then the second half of the year it drops to 8% - that was the beginning of the real estate issues. In 2008 we see a range of 7% to 12%, but each lower than the prior year. The good news is in April the pending homes % was higher than the year before and has stayed higher since that time. That shows the market is strengthening from a resale standpoint.

Pending Homes Sales Percentage

From the buyers point of view - remember real estate is all supply and demand. When supply exceed demand the prices go down. When demand exceeds supply prices go up. In todays market the low interest rates and the tax incentives are causing the inventory to come off the market and we are seeing more strength and this charts reflects that.

If you are interested in knowing how a certain neighborhood is performing, such as Three Chimneys or Windermere or Chadbourne, or any other subdivision in Cumming Ga - let me know and I am happy to share you with the stats on specific communities.

If you want to buy a home in Cumming, or are interested in discuss Cumming Real Estate - email me at johnfoster@remax.net or call me at 770 722-7010 - I would love to interview for the job of helping you find your next home.

Alpharetta & Cumming Real Estate Status

08-04-09
John Foster

The A/P reported today that the Pending Homes Sales index increased for the 5th consecutive month - this is a very good sign on a national level. The last time the index increased for 5 consecutive months was in 2003. Now I will talk about what I see as an agent as I show homes for sale in Alpharetta, Cumming and Suwanee Ga.

This past weekend I had 3 buyer groups in town, one from Co (home is under contract in Co- good sign), one from Mo. and one is a local move - currently renting.

Three times on Saturday as I approached homes to show them we had to wait because other agents were in the house - I have not had that happen in a very long time (it maybe a couple years). On Friday one of my buyers decided to make an offer on a home we saw in Wednesday but when I called on Friday the home went under contract. Another buyer saw a home on Sunday and wanted to see it again this weekend but it went under contract this week also. From my level the market seems to be improving. It may be that school starts next week but whatever the reason there is more activity.

A coulple other items on a very local level are the following:

The number of homes in Alpharetta under contract for May and June of 2009 is higher than May and June of 2008. That is a sign I hope shows we have bottomed out and are starting to go up.

The number of homes in Cumming under contract in June of 2009 just crossed over the June 2008 number - again a very positive sign.

What does this mean to me - I think there are a lot of people that would like to move but do not because they can not sale their home for what they owe on it. Real estate is nothing more than Supply vs. Demand and as the supply of homes decrease then the prices of homes will stablize and increase. At the end of June the number of homes for sale in Alpharetta and Cumming is lower in 2009 than in 2008 - the market is moving in the right direction. Once the buyers that are sitting on the fence start to see home prices increase I think the buyers will become more motivated and start buying more homes.

If you are considering buying or selling a home, or know someone that is considering moving, please call me at 770 722-7010 - I work with both buyers and sellers and know the market. Visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com for more information.

Alpharertta Real Estate Report and Cumming Real Estate report is prepared by John Foster with Remax Greater Atlanta -

Cumming Real Estate Update

07-25-09
John Foster

Today I showed 15 homes to 3 separate buyers - on top of that I had four sign calls - today was a very good day. The national Association of Realtors reported this week that we had a 3 month in a row of increased sales activity & increases in the average sales prices and I am thinking that is bringing some of the buyers back out.

Of the 15 homes I showed 7 were vacant - that number is lower than it has been - and the number of foreclosures and short sales were down to 3 - that is a big drop off.

The Cumming & Alpharetta real estate seems to be heading up - why do I say that - in the metro Atlanta Real Estate market, and the Cumming real estate market as well as the Alpharetta real estate market, will lead Atlanta's rebound (in my opinion). Why do I say that - well here are some stats I use to judge the market:

Homes Under Contract - June 2008 - 7,248 compared to June 2009 8,001 - that is a great sign - year over year improvement. That said the weakness in the economy is still a big concern.

In Alpharetta (areas 13 & 14 in the FMLS) - Homes under contract 06/08 - 299 compared to 06/09 349

In Cumming (areas 221 & 222 in the FMLS) - Homes under contract 06/08 - 259 compared to 06/09 261

Looks like Alpharetta's homes under contract have increased considerably while Cummings has increased just a little - both are stats I am excited about.

If you want to buy a home in Alpharetta or Cumming - please call me - it is a great time to buy. Visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com or call me at 770 722-7010.

South Forsyth High School in Newsweeks top 400 High Schools

07-24-09
John Foster

For the forth year in a row South Forsyth High School has been included in Newsweeks top 1500 Top of the Class - The list of America's Top Public schools. In 2009 South Forsyth High School ranked 337 - here are the prior years rankings:

2009 337

2008 371

2007 328

Many great communities feed students into South Forsyth High School such as Creekstone Estates, Windermere, Longlake and Chattachoochee River club. Some communities like Laurel Springs, Olde Atlanta Club, Glenmoor, Bridle Ridge and Three Chimneys went to South Forsyth High last year, but will attend the new Lambert High School next year. If you would like buy a house in South Forsyth or in the Lambert High School district, call me at 770 722-7010. I live in that area and feel it is a great area to live. Call me at 770 722-7010 or visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com.

To see the Newsweek report see http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160/?q=2009/rank/1

One Reason I love living in Cumming Ga

07-23-09
John Foster

In Cumming there are lots of things to do - particularly if you like being outdoors. Today, I went to my garden and picked 19 tomatoes, 4 squash, about 20 okra, one bell pepper and two zucinni (both were to large so I had to put them in the compost) - this time of the year when we get rain I really like having fresh vegetable in the home. The tomatoes at dinner time are amazing and having a bell pepper fresh off the bush and into an omelet is a great taste.

As an agent, I also really like giving away fresh vegetables to friends and clients - it is amazing to see how they appreciate them. A couple of years ago I gave away fresh figs as a closing gift to a client - now I get an email towards the end of summer to find out if we had a good fig year or not.

I would love to hear about what else you grow. If you would like a home in order to have a garden in the Atlanta area - call me. I have a garden and know what to look for. Visit my website a www.FosterHomeInfo.com.

Garden at the Fosters

Todays Harvest

Here are some neighborhoods where I have seen beautiful gardens:

Creekstone Estates Homes For Sale, Longlake Homes for Sale, Three Chimmeys Homes for Sale and Windermere Homes for sale, and Chadbourne Homes for sale.

One item that any buyer needs to be concerned with is covenants from the HOA - each community I listed above has covenants but I am not aware of anyone running into trouble with them due to a garden - just keep them small and pretty.