SUWANEE TALK!: March 2008

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Sunbelt is seeing the fastest growth compared to other parts of the country. What is the attraction? Economic stablity and affordable housing. Here is how the cities rank:

10 BIGGEST GAINERS:

1. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
2. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
3. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
4. Houston-Sugar Land, Baytown TX
5. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
6. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
7. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL -IN -WI
8. Austin-Round Rock, TX
9. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
10. San Antonio, TX

10 FASTEST GROWING METRO AREAS:

1. Palm Coast, FL
2. St. George, UT
3. Raleigh-Cary, NC
4. Gainesville, GA
5. Austin-Round Rock, TX
6. Myrtle Beach-Conway, NC -Myrtla Beach, SC
7. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC
8. New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA
9. Grand Junction, CO
10. Clarksville, TN -KY

Information courtesy: Realtor Weekly Real Estate News (NAR)

As a resident of Suwanee for....20 years, I have seen a lot of changes. The good news is the city officials have listened to their citizens and have created a very desireable live, work and play environment. With plenty of green space, three city parks (so far), beautiful trails winding along the Suwanee Creek it is no wonder it has been ranked as the #10 best place to live by Money Magazine.

As an avid visitor to the Suwanee Creek Park, I can attest to the fact it is a tranquil get-away where you can enjoy the wonderful sounds of nature, listen to birds sing, the look of a deer as it scrambles for cover back into the woods. You can't help but chuckle as the chipmunks and squirrels scurry for their next meal never pausing as you wander by. It is proof they have become accustomed to our intrusion.  The Suwanee Creek Park is a place where parents bring kids to ride bikes, where pet owners enjoy a stroll with their dogs, where joggers smile as they pass you buy and many who enjoy a good stroll are daily visitors.

And, the children haven't been forgotten. They have their very own park! Playtown Suwanee - where kids can be kids. Totally dedicated to the enjoyment of children. Nestled in the trees, the park provides hours of enjoyment! Jungle gyms, slides, swings etc. You name it, it is there for them to climb on, slide down or scurry through. A pedestrian walk-way will be completed this spring providing a walk-way under the railroad tracks creating a pathway from the park and the historic area of Suwanee to Suwanee Town Center.

DeVry Nature Park is "under construction". But is sure to be just one more great park for the citizens of Suwanee to enjoy. Suwanee Town Center is the hub. Greenspace (the park) is the focal point. The ampitheater, situated on the edge of the park, is the attraction during the summer for all to come out on a warm summer's eve to enjoy FREE concerts. Jazz concerts can be enjoyed once a month on Friday nights. Specialty concerts are held throughout the summer; last year the park hosted a wonderful concert by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra which drew thousands. A fountain in the middle of the park is the main attraction for kids to cool off during hot summer days. Along the outer perimeter of the park are store fronts and restaurants for your enjoyment.  A throw-back to yester-year, you will find high-end resdential loft condos atop the restaurants and retail shops.  The condo balconies provide great seats when concerts are in full swing. On the outer edge of Suwanee Town Center is a residential development, Shadowbrook, which features craftsman  style homes. Residents are within walking distance of all the activities at Suwanee Town Center, the restaurants andspecialty shops.

Suwanee has grown alot in 20 years. But I take my hat off to the efforts of our city! For me and my family it has been a job well done. Included in this article is a small video I put together to give you just a snapshot of what our small city looks like. Hope you enjoy it.

                                                              Click on image to view video

Want to know more about Suwanee, come to my house: MYSUWANEEHOME.com

Even in a wonderful city like Suwanee, we can see the real estate market has changed a lot from what we have experienced in the past. Like other parts of metro Atlanta, Suwanee homeowners are all trying to find "it" which will provide you the leading edge over your competition. With so much inventory to choose from how can you, as a Suwanee homeowner wanting to sell your home, differentiate yourself from the pact? How about a pre-listing inspection, pre-listing appraisal (and...even a home warranty)?  You won't hear too many real estate companies and/or agents even suggest any of this.  Many of you are already finding that the equity in your home wasn't what you had hoped. So when you do decide to sell, the idea of asking you to do a few things which may incur additional cost can sometimes be a bit chancie; and, sometimes costly! But in the Suwanee market (as well as the Atlanta market as a whole) there is one company leading the charge with their RIGHTChoice Program - Prudential GA Realty to help you beat out your competition.

Think about it this way. When you go to the car dealership to buy a car, you may not plan on buying a NEW car but it will be "new" to you. How do you choose? Many of us look to the "certified pre-owned" automobile, right? Why? Because we are trusting the dealer has done their job and really performed a thorough inspection of the car to classify it as "Certified Pre-Owned". Most dealers even provide an extended warranty. Come full circle. Why not use that same premise when it comes time to sell your home? In today's real estate market , with thousands of homes for sale, as the seller you want a valuable, competitive advantage to make your home stand out above the rest!

By doing a pre-listing inspection, you become aware of problems that could complicate (or potentially terminate) your sale.  You are able to remedy the potential problems in a time frame less hectic than when problems arise out of a buyer's inspection thus making the home more desireable and attractive.  As well, the pre-listing inspection will improve your buyer's impression of your home when comparing you to the competition. Additionally, when you, as the homeowner, provide inspection reports to your potential buyer before the offer is made, it creates an atmosphere  of honesty and trust  decreasing the chance the deal will fall through after the buyer's inspection. 

What about benefits of a pre-appraisal? By doing an appraisal ahead of time, in today's confusing market with short sales and foreclsoures, the pre-appraisal will:

1. Establishes objective value  
2. Establishes basis for comparison
3. Validates list price

What about home warranties? I am a BIG fan of home warranties I don't care what side of the transaction I am on. I know as a homeowner you do not want to make a committment to offer a warranty because of the additional cost. But the physical cost of the warranty may be a whole lot cheaper in the long run.  According to National Home Warranty Association, homes which offer a warranty sell 60% faster.

Finally, what about staging? That is a new buzz word in our market. More and more agents are turning to professional stagers to help your market your home making it showcase ready. Do a little or a lot. But in the long run if it gives your property the running edge, it may be worth it.

This concept is proving successful with many of our agents....and their sellers. An innovative idea for real estate but old hat to other industries. Try it out! 

There is all kinds of news out there about the real estate market. Most of what you hear is bad. But is it accurate?  There is A LOT of good reasons why you want to buy now! There is a lot of good reasons why you wan to sell now. Preview this video about the Atlanta market. Up to date information.