4TH Quarter Stats #2

For single family detached homes:

• Total sales in 2008 were down -22% compared to 2007
• Each month sales were lower compared to 2007, except for September.

GW

4TH Quarter Stats #1

So, I got out of the stat presentation last night a little down about what I saw, but hopeful that our market will be better soon. There is a great deal of information that Chuck Carr at ChartMaster Services, LLC found, and I will give you a some of these stats in the next few weeks. If you would like more information including the graphs, please just contact me. Here we go!

• Keller Williams Realty ranks #2 in Atlanta in total sales of Condos, Townhomes, and Single Family Detached Residences.

• Keller Williams also has maintained or increased its Atlanta markets share every year since 2003.

For me, I am very proud of my company and this just shows you that we are definitely doing something right. I think I will end on this good note, and bring you the negatives later.

GW

Atlanta 4th Quarter Housing Figures Coming Soon!!

I am about to head into the boss man's 4th quarter stat meeting. This is a meeting that an agent like me should never miss. Shawn Rawls gives a perfect presentation about the real estate market here in Atlanta and how we are fairing in all areas. I will drop some knowledge on you after the presentation.

Grant

It's like "Pulling Teeth" to get Sellers to Price Correctly

Below there is a great article about sellers and their unwillingness to see the reality of the housing market. Real Estate agents are constantly battling with their clients about the correct price of their home, but now is not the time to price incorrectly. I always like the quote " Your home is worth only what the buyer is willing to pay for it". So please talk to me or your agent about what your home should be listed at.

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27648884/

U.S Takes Over Mortgage Giants

With the government taking over Fannie mae and Freddie mac, I only see goods things coming from this. This will beneifit lenders, which benefits real estate agents, which in turn benifits the most important person: you, The Consumer! Good Stuff! Some additional articles are listed below.





More Articles:

• Experts: Fannie, Freddie takeover helps in limited way - AJC.com
• U.S. bails out Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, ousts CEOs - ABC
• MCCAIN: FOCUSING ON FREDDIE/FANNIE - MSNBC.com

Grant

Pending Home Sales Increase

According to the National Association of Realtors, the pending home sales increased 5.3% from May to June. Pending Home Sales are a leading indicator of future housing market activity, so the next Existing and New Home Sales reports may show increases as well. It seems that buyers, especially first time home buyers, are taking advantage of this market. Good to see!

More on Pending Home Sales Increase

- Atlanta Business Chronicle

- msnbc.com

- USATODAY.com

Grant

Atlanta Family Selling Their Home To Help Hunger

The Salwen Family here in Atlanta is selling their home and donating half the price to The Hunger Project. The 5 bedroom home is listed at $1.8 million and has been on the market for almost a year. This idea was started by 15-year-old Hannah Salwen, and if you want more information on their project, click here.



If the video doesn't work, here is the link to it.


Grant

More Help for Homebuyers

Next week the Fed will set up new rules aimed at protecting homebuyers from the shady lending practices we have had in the past. This current mortgage meltdown was caused by lenders giving loans to people who weren't the best candidates for a loan. Negative amortization loans, no documentation loans, and loans given to people with poor credit are all things of the past. The rules include getting rid of the prepayment penalties for paying a loan off early, requiring borrows to set aside money for taxes and insurance, and having the lender see proof of income from all borrowers. This is a good move, and it should help homebuyers get themselves in a better situation when dealing with the financial obligations of owning a home. For more on this, Yahoo! News has an article.

Grant

More On Mortgage Rates

The Today Show once again has a great segment about the tips and strategies buyers and sellers should take when finding a mortgage.



Here Here!


Grant

Atlanta's Real Estate Market is Doing Better

According to an Erin Moriarty article of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta's real estate market is fairing better than 20 major cities across the county. Our home prices aren't declining as fast as the west and sales are starting to pick up. High end property, homes around the city, and first time home purchases are all doing well. When we hear about the "real estate crisis" , just remember that your market might not be as bad when compared to the county as a whole. Just know that Atlanta's good, and we shouldn't hold back from taking advantage of the market we are currently in.

Grant

Georgia's Drought Still Not Getting Any Better

I woke up this morning thinking it was going to rain, but once again, the sun is out and the temperature is climbing. So I thought I might put a little information about the drought we are in. Stacy Shelton of the AJC reports that conditions are much worse than they were last year. She explains that last year Lake Lanier was 5.4 feet below and now it is 14.4 feet below. So follow your local water restrictions and conserve the best you can.

Grant

More on Mortgage Rates

In this video, Bill Liss of 11Alive discusses the rise of mortgage rates we've had the past few months. Good news is we are still below the national average.




Grant

Three Month Rate Increase

The last post I told you how rates are increasing, and I thought I might show you a graph of this. Robert Gilbreath in my office came up with this. The graph shows the change between April 15 to June 16.


Grant

Mortgage Rates Increasing

After months of rate cuts, interest rates have been slowly increasing. In a Freddie Mac survey, rates are at the highest they have been in eight months. But the good news is that rates are still low, and there is such an opportunity for you buyers out there. So take advantage of it while you still can.

Grant

Stats Looking Good For Vinings

As someone who grew up in the Vinings area, it is good to see the market not negatively affecting its housing numbers. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, prices jumped 57%, and the number of units sold increased 21.5% from a year ago. Vinings has a great old town feel that is only miles from downtown Atlanta. I believe this reason and the location, being on the corner of I-75 and I-285, have driven people to become interested in living there. Some places to check out if you are in the Vinings area include:

• Canoe - The wonderful restaurant hugging the Chattahoochee River.
• Vinings Jubilee - A development of shops and restaurants in the heart of Vinings.
• Garrison's - Very nice restaurant in the Vinings Jubilee shopping center.
• And many more you can find from the Vining's website.

If you are interested in the Vinings area, please contact me or click here to view current listings.

Grant