Signs Indicate Housing Market Recovery – North Georgia Real Estate

Is the real estate market recovering? Here’s what’s happening nationally and in North Georgia’s local real estate market. Positive signs are being reported that the real estate pendulum is swinging upwards.

..”No one is anticipating that an upward path for housing will run in a straight-line trajectory. The economy is in an uneven recovery and we can expect some corresponding ups-and-downs in the housing market in the months ahead.

However, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) believes that on the whole, we can expect a slow and gradual recovery in housing starts, home sales and the overall housing market in 2012…” Read more: Source: Rismedia April 24, 2012

Have we hit bottom?  That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it! Who can say what’s really around the next turn but most leading indicators show that we may very well have. I’m, by no means an economist or fortune teller but I am a dedicated Realtor® who keeps informed of market conditions on a daily basis and I do know that we will shift into another business cycle and when we do, we will start the climb back up.  That shift may have already started.

Whether at the bottom or near bottom, now is the time to make some great investments and  get in position to ride the market back up.  I blogged in the beginning of the downturn (evident in 2007) that we were in a normal business cycle  (although, it didn’t feel all that normal and granted the ride down has been severe).  Now, I believe we are soon to make the shift into the next normal business cycle which is the ride back up.

Positive signs that real estate markets are improving – see housing market reports listed at the end of this post.

North Georgia Real Estate – Local  View
Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Blairsville, Hiawassee and surrounding towns

Total Active Homes – March Year over Year

MARCH	2011	2012
	9418	7743

Inventory is  low so we anticipate builders to gear up.

Total Closed Sales – March Year over Year

MARCH	2011	2012
Total	244	227
Fannin	74	42
Gilmer	54	58
Towns	23	22
Union	44	45

Sales down slightly overall.  The next few months will determine whether this is a trend or just a blip.  We saw a decline in sales in Fannin County compared to same time last year.  Gilmer and Union had increases and Towns is only off by one closed sale so overall, holding fairly steady.  There are 355 sales pending and 164 contingent sales. Some closings may not have been reported at the time this data was collected.

Average Sold Price: $124,57 (down from $138,938 in March 2011)
Foreclosures are down with 92 closed sales (down from 138 closed sales in March 2011)

For the most part, the local market is tracking as expected and the coming months will be important to watch to see what trends emerge.

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Source: Northeast Georgia Multiple Listing Service as reported on April 16, 2012 Counties include: Fannin, Gilmer, Towns, Union Georgia, Cherokee and Clay North Carolina and parts of Tennessee

Positive Housing Market Reports

Cape Coral Florida – Prices Up

Florida’s Market Shows Positive Trends

Las Vegas NV – Reports Improvements

Phoenix AZ – On the Mend

Atlanta GA – News not all bad just a slower recovery

For more information or assistance with selling or buying real estate in the North Georgia Mountains, please contact Donna today !

Donna Yates
Associate Broker, GRI
706-633-0644 Mobile
http://www.move2northgeorgia.net
http://www.blueridgemountains.activerain.com
email: donna@donnayates.com

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Real Property vs. Personal Property: Negotiating Tip for Buyers and Sellers

The real estate market in the Blue Ridge area of the North Georgia Mountains  is primarily a second home market consisting mostly of log cabin style homes used for vacation and/or retirement homes. Most of these cabins are furnished with beautiful, rustic décor.

Many times, a seller will not want to move or store the cabin furniture when their cabin sells and will be open to letting many items go with the real property.

If a respective buyer requires a mortgage, it is recommended for buyers and sellers to negotiate personal property outside of escrow since the purchase price is for real property; otherwise the furnishings will need to be appraised and the purchase price increased if personal property is included in the sale and will affect lending requirements.

When are you planning to make your next real estate move?
Call or text Donna today at 706-633-0644.    Email donna@donnayates.com

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Safety Tips for Sellers While Your Home is on the Market

Image via Wikipedia

 

Home sellers have to always be in a “show ready” mode when your home is actively on the market for sale.  Since potential buyers will be coming and going, it’s important for seller’s to consider safeguards to ensure that your belongings are protected.

Open houses, scheduled showing appointments and buyers who are just out driving and looking on their own mean many strangers will be entering a seller’s home.  A trusted real estate agent can aid in safeguarding your home by screening potential home buyers and placing an approved lockbox on your property which will keep a log of the name and time of an agent entering and leaving your property.  This not only allows the marketing agent to follow-up with selling agents for buyer feedback but helps track activity in the event the seller discovers a problem at the home.

Image via Wikipedia

Another simple solution is to remove anything of value such as, collectables, jewelry, artwork and store them in a safe place elsewhere.  Be sure to lock file cabinets which contain personal information such as social security numbers and account numbers.  Don’t forget to do the same for medicine cabinets.

Sellers should lock their doors and windows at all times and make sure they are locked when returning home after a showing.  A good marketing agent will make sure doors and windows are secure upon exiting the home after a showing.  My practice is to leave the home the way I find it; however, I won’t leave one unlocked without checking with the homeowner first.  If I see a problem upon entering, I contact the homeowner immediately to report the condition of the home and get direct instruction from the homeowner.  Just because an agent finds a home unlocked upon arriving doesn’t mean it should be locked upon leaving.  There may be a very good reason why the homeowner wants the home to remain unlocked but the agent should check with the homeowner in a situation like this or at the very least, leave a message letting the owner know. 

If the home being sold is a second home and only occupied occasionally, installing an alarm system, motion sensor lights that turn on automatically at night and putting lamps on automatic timers so lights turn on and off in different rooms at different times are smart safety measures.  Consider hiring a property manager to oversee and maintain the home during your absence.

One of the best ways for a seller to safeguard his/her home is utilizing a neighborhood watch.  Ask a neighbor to let you know if they see something suspicious and if possible, have your real estate agent and your neighbor meet each other.

These safety precautions can help keep your home safe while your home is actively on the market for sale.

When are you planning to make your next real estate move?
Call or text Donna today at 706-633-0644. Email donna@donnayates.com

Visit: Move 2 North Georgia

Search for an Affordable North Georgia Mountain Retreat made Super Easy

North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountain Real Estate

 

Browse through the digital color brochure courtesy of Coldwell Banker High Country Realty in Blue Ridge Georgia. We have a dynamic portfolio of mountain properties from simple log cabins to luxury lake and riverfront homes to fit any budget. Whether you are searching for a mountain retreat, new construction, commercial opportunity or a special piece of land to build your custom dream home, you are in the right place. Here you will find some of the best properties available for sale in North Georgia.

You have an open invitation to call, text or email me for assistance anytime. Use your smartphone to access a wide array of our properties by using the text code listed on each individual property and send to: 85377. For example: Text CB4574 To: 85377 and get full listing detail and pictures.

We’ve made your property search as easy and convenient as possible utilizing the latest techology innovations. Thank you for taking the time to browse. Come back often. 

Start you search now North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountain Properties 

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When are you planning to make your next real estate move?  Call or text Donna today at 706-633-0644.   Email donna@donnayates.com  for some really great deals !