It seems like a daunting task to many home owners toying with the idea of whether to sell their home now or to sit tight until they see improvement in the current real estate market.

As a Realtor® for over 14 years, this indeed is the most challenging time in our industry that I have seen. However, it is safe to say that homes are selling that are NOT foreclosed or distressed properties. But to be amongst the success stories instead of just reading about them, it takes planning, a dose of reality and commitment to the process. 

During the first four months of 2009, 11,144 homes sold in  the greater metro Atlanta area.

• Of the 11,144 homes sold, 6,060 of them were
  foreclosed/corporate owned properties.  
• Leaving 5,084 homes selling that were NOT among the
  banked owned properties. How do you become one of them?

1. Prepare your home inside and out. My recommendation
   to homeowners is to pretend you are buying your house
   all over again. As you walk through the house - and around
   the outside of the house - using the eyes of a Buyer
   (with a paper and pencil in hand), list every item that you
   would notice and want repaired.
2. FIX the items on your list BEFORE you list.
3. Associate yourself with a reputable agent who is familiar
   with your market area, who is a FULL TIME Realtor®, 
   and can provide you aggressive (out of the norm) marketing.
4. Price your home competitively to compete with the foreclosed
   properties. What you may loose on the sale, you should be
   able to recapture when you purchase.
5. Know the rules of the game: There are plenty of choices
   available to the buyer. They are not "falling in love" with the
   house they decide to make an offer on. Most are looking
   for "the deal." You need to be willing to deal! What you "NEED"
   out of your house doesn't factor into what a buyer is willing
   to pay.
6. Most buyers are not countering multiple times as in previous
   years. It is not uncommon for you (as the Seller) to get one
   chance to make an offer work.  If you can....make it work!
   
7. The good news is buyers are being qualified more stringently
   than in years past. The guidelines have really tightened up!
   And, buyers are now required to invest "some skin in the game."  
   As a seller, you should be able to feel a bit more at ease that
   you are dealing with a qualified buyer.   

In the end, even with the challenges facing us today in the real estate market, the enticing interest rates and the decline of property values it is still a GREAT time to buy and SELL real estate.

Come to My House:
My Suwanee Home.com

How Does Your Garden Grow.....

Staying true to form, the City of Suwanee has started the process of
sowing seeds for a community garden.  The 7-acre site is located near historic
Old Town Suwanee at Buford Hwy near White Street and the location of a  former
farm.

The City of Suwanee is steeped in agricultural history
so the community garden seems completely appropriate and  won voters approval
as part of Suwanee's open space program. The newly created community garden
and historic barn, which still stands, will pay homage to the City of Suwanee's
beginnings.
The barn will be renovated and made accessible to the public for work on
the property.  In addition to the community garden, the 7-acre site will
include walking trails, seating and will also serve as the back drop for
horticultural and ecological education.
Current plans have the City of Suwanee owning and maintaining the
property. The long-range hope is for an appointed citizen board to
oversee the day-to-day operations of the garden.

Three public meetings are scheduled to discuss the plans for the
garden:

• June 10
• June 24
• July 22

Dates are tentative so check www.suwanee.com for more details
and location.

Come to My House:
MySuwaneeHome.com