Real estate market trends are hard to keep up with. It is difficult even for those of us who work in the industry to grasp exactly what to believe and not to believe unless we do the research for ourselves. Recent reports indicate there are major cities around the nation who are beginning to see property value increases! That is great news. I can’t say that we are having that experience in our metro Atlanta market; however, there are pockets of areas where property values are on the upswing. With that being said, here is some news you may really like if you are a seller who has been sitting on the sidelines the past few years. Have you been maintaining your home over the years? Have you kept it updated? Do you have some equity in the house despite the depreciation we have seen over the past 4-5 years? Do you think your house is a diamond in the rough compared to the short sales and foreclosures that have dominated our market? Well hang on to your hat!!! NOW may be the best time to put that for sale sign in your yard. Inventory levels are at an all-time low. As a result, if you are the seller who is not a short sale and your home is priced correctly and shows well…..YOU are getting multiple offers. We are seeing it over and over again and it is only MAY! So…..Mr. and Mrs. Seller if you have been waiting – WAIT NO MORE! Not only is this a GREAT time to sell your house but you will enjoy the unbelievable, ridiculously low interest rates and still enjoy the value of the buy on the other side. Wait no more!!!! CALL! And, get that for sale sign in the yard. Believe me when I say, “My husband and I are heeding the market and put a sign in our yard just last week.” Run don’t walk to that phone….CALL ME NOW!!!!!
Perspectives on whether the SPLOST tax for the schools should be extended vary. With the economy struggling and Atlanta's unemployment over 9%, some wonder how you can continue to squeeze blood out of a turnip. However, to maintain the quality school system that Gwinnett County currently is recognized for how can you put an end to the tax? Those questions were put to rest as voters went to the polls on Tuesday. The extension of the SPLOST tax won by 60%. With about 14% of registered voters going to the polls, a total of 30,955 people voted "yes" while 20,277 people voted against it. The extension of the tax is projected to bring approximately $876 million dollars to the school system for technology, building of schools as well as make renovations over the next five years.
When visiting Atlanta, it is suprising to visitors to see that beer and wine is not sold in stores on Sunday. A law that has kept alcohol sales from being sold here in the Gwubbett County came to an end on Tuesday - for the individual cities. Thirteen (13) cities had the beer, wine referendum on the ballot. As the title read on the front page of the Gwinnett Daily Post Wednesday morning, "SUNDAY SALES SAILS". Suwanee voters sent a resounding message to have Sunday sales of beer and wine by a vote of 1023 (yes); and, 341 (no). With the exception of Lilburn, most of the other cities adopted ordinances when they placed the measure on the ballots. In these cities, you can expect to pick up your favorite bottle of wine or your six pack of beer within a week and a half. For those living in unincorporated Gwinnett County you may have the option to have your voice heard in March, 2012.
A recent article out by Rismedia indicates there are a few indicators showing there is some improvement in our housing market - although regionally.
Realty Trac released new reports week-ending October 15
