May 25, 2013

As an active and informed Atlanta real estate agent, I have to say that there has probably not been a better time to buy real estate in this city in the past 20 years.  I’ve been an Atlanta Realtor for 12  of those 20 years and I’ve seen the market change dramatically during that time.  Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

Throughout the past few years, home prices dropped to their lowest levels in recent history. Many of my sellers were trying to “move up” because of growing families and due to dropping prices,  they could now afford to live in better school districts in the Atlanta area.  However, the time to get the rock bottom prices is quickly passing, as we continue to see the prices of Atlanta real estate inching up.

A lot of people were able to take advantage of the tax credits from a few years ago, but even if you weren’t able to capitalize on them, this is still one of the best times to purchase your new home.  Prices are at their lowest in recent history and interest rates are at historical lows.

If you look at one of the major indices such as the Case-Schiller Home Price Index, you will notice that there has been very noticeable improvement in the overall Atlanta market.

Some of the highlights are:

• Total Inventory
  • January 2012 – there were 4215 homes on the market
  • January 2013 – there are currently around 2,450 homes on the market
• Distressed Homes
  • January 2012 – 8% of all homes on the market were “distressed”.  This refers to homes that were bank owned, in foreclosure, short sale, etc.
  • January 2013 – 5% of all homes on the market are “distressed”.
• Median Sales Price
  • January 2012 – the median sales price was $171,000.
  • January 2013 – the median sales price was increased to $210,000.
• Days on Market
  • January 2012 – the average time on the market was 87 days.
  • January 2013 – the average time on the market is 77 days.

As you can see from this data, there are less homes on the market than there were a year ago and the average prices are going up.  With less inventory, there will be more competition for the homes that are listed which will typically drives the prices higher.  I think one of the most interesting points in all this is that Distressed homes only account for about 5% of all homes on the market.  That’s much lower than expected.

Finally, mortgage interest rates have been at historic lows for a very long time. Just when we think they’re at their lowest, they drop again.  That’s great news for those looking to purchase or refinance.  An experience Atlanta real estate agent can put you in touch with a mortgage broker who has the perfect loan program for you.

Owning a home is still the American Dream and a wonderful way to build wealth. Now is the time to buy while there are still great deals in wonderful neighborhoods.  Working with an Atlanta real estate agent will be your best bet in buying the perfect home.

As a native of Atlanta and an experienced Atlanta real estate agent and Realtor of many years, I feel that I can help you get the house of your dreams at the best possible price. If you would like to contact me to discuss your options, please call me at 770-826-5907 or email me at tanderson@remax.net.

Using MLS to Locate Homes for Sale in Atlanta

As you are aware, there are tons of homes for sale in the Atlanta area, some at rock bottom prices.  You are welcome to search through the Atlanta MLS database for homes that you may be interested in.  If you have difficulties or if you find something that you’d like to see, I will be more than happy to assist you.

If you’re not familiar with the Atlanta area, it would be recommended to use an Atlanta real estate agent to help you sift through all the data and to ensure that you are getting the very best deal on the home of your choice.  As an experienced Metro Atlanta real estate agent, I can help you find a home that best suits your needs such as work commute, schools, places of worship, etc.   I can also give you a great overview of the areas you’re interested in.  I can show you the facts about what’s going in those areas as far as foreclosure rates, short sales, and current home values.

Search Here: Homes for Sale in Atlanta

Why Is Choosing an Atlanta Realtor ® Important?

Were you aware that not every Atlanta Real Estate Agent is the same?  Only those who belong to National Association of Realtors can call themselves Realtors.  You can tell a Realtor from the other agents by looking for the REALTOR “®” logo that is typically displayed on business cards and other marketing materials.

Realtors adhere to a very strict code of ethics and they are expected to obtain and maintain a more advanced level of knowledge pertaining to the real estate buying and selling process.  Realtors make a commitment to handle themselves with honesty and integrity.  In a recent survey conducted by an independent group, 84% of home buyers surveyed said they would choose the same Realtor in future transactions.

Purchasing a home is the most substantial financial investment that most of us make in our lifetime.  Today’s transactions typically are more than $100,000.  Think about it – if you needed help with an income tax problem of $100,000, don’t you think that hiring a CPA would be a wise move?  Or if you were faced with a $100,000 legal problem, you’d most likely get an attorney, right?  So considering the risk involved, it’s really foolish to forgo hiring an Atlanta real estate agent when buying or selling real estate.  After all, they are the experts.

Consider this…. What if you were wanting to purchase a home that would be almost impossible for you to sell if you decided to do so?  When we find the home of our dreams, we’re not thinking of resell value at the time.  But what if something happened in your life that caused you to have to move?  Are you 100% sure that your home is going to be attractive to other buyers, that they are going to be so enamored with your home that they overlook the same problems that you did?  If your home has issues that are expensive to fix such as a basement that floods or a foundation that needs repair, are you in a position to make these repairs in order to sell your home or are you willing to take less money?  An experienced  Atlanta Real estate agent is trained to know these things and to bring them to your attention when you’re looking to purchase a home.

An Atlanta real estate agent who has the Realtor designation is more likely to have the training and the education to help you make the best decisions.  They help you to take the emotion out of buying or selling a home and to add some valuable business sense to the equation.  After all, they are in the field and know what types of issues will tank a real estate deal.

And if that last paragraph wasn’t convincing enough, here’s 12 more reasons for hiring an Atlanta Real Estate Agent who belongs to the Board of Realtors….read more

Metro Atlanta Neighborhoods

Contact Information

Tracy Anderson and Associates, Remax
1189 S. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Ste. 101
Atlanta, GA 30306
(770) 826-5907