SUWANEE TALK!

ATLANTA GA - The First Annual "Race For The Home" Is Coming!

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:51:27 -0400

Your Dream Home is Waiting!

...and it is your job to find it! The Atlanta Race For The Home is a city-wide race for your dream home brought to you by HomeFinder.com and Prudential Georgia Realty. In this high-tech race, all of the locations and challenges will be delivered via text message right to your cell phone. Any cell phone, any model, on any carrier can play. And playing is totally FREE! However, spots are limited and you must win a spot to participate, so read more and apply at RacefortheHome.com.

The big event starts at 9am on September 25th at Piedmont Park.

Any couple or team of two can participate. All ages 18 years or older are welcome. Register at RacefortheHome.com and tell us why you should be chosen to play!

The two-person teams will get final instructions at the kick-off event. Then, you will be unleashed on open houses across Metro Atlanta to play the game.

All locations and challenges will be delivered to and from your cell phone via text message. Any phone, any model on any carrier can play. As for transport, you'll want to drive, yet smarts will beat speed in this high-tech adventure!

The game is a scavenger hunt using your mobile phone. The game platform is powered by SCVNGR.com which is a new mobile gaming platform funded by Google.

The celebration event will be held at Max Lagers Grill and Brewery in downtown Atlanta.

There will be a series of prizes including the Grand Prize of a $20,000 down payment on the home of your dreams.

What better way to spend your Saturday than playing a really fun game with lots of cool people, visiting some awesome open houses and having a chance to win a $20,000 down payment on the home of your dreams! Remember, the game will be played at locations across Metro Atlanta so anyone from any area of town can play.

Come to my house
MySuwaneeHome.com

ATLANTA GA MARKET REPORT - JUNE 2010 vs JUNE 2009

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:03:53 -0400

The market continues to move along as "The Little Red Engine That Could"; "I think I can, I think I can." And in the end, I have total optimism that the Atlanta real estate market will recover and we will sing loud and clear, "I thought I could, I thought I could!"

But the jouney up the hill hasn't been easy. We are seeing more home owners leasing their homes because they have given up trying to sell; or the short fall is too great they have no other option. And in that same vain, more real estate agents are becoming leasing agents. It is a new era in real estate and if you are in the business, you better be willing to be flexiable.

According to Lawrence Yen, NAR chief economist comments, "Broadly speaking, sales closed after the home buyer tax credit will be significantly lower compared to the credit-induced spring surge. Only when jobs are created at a sufficient pace will home sales return to sustainable healthy levels." (Realtor® Magazine July 22, 2010). Let's only hope someone is listening to him. Many experts agree that until people become employed again and there is a sense of confidence in the economy as a whole, buyers will sit on the fence and wait! And, Atlanta's unemployment still teeters around 10% +/-. Additionally, in a report from Steve Palm/Smart Numbers (Report July 21, 2010) referencing homes going under contract for May and June, "2010 was our weakest year and the largest year-to-year percentage decline....It appears the economy is much worse than is reported."

So....as the hot summer days in Georgia come and go, each new day brings new opportunity. And although the real estate market is still struggling I do believe we will prevail. I just hope it is sooner rather than later.

Now a look at June, 2010 compared to June 2009 -

NOW YOU CAN SEARCH LIST A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:45:14 -0400

SEARCH LIKE A REAL ESTATE AGENT!!

Thinking about buying or selling? Or may be you are just trying to stay informed about the real estate market in your area....Now you can! With your FREE Listingbook account you stay informed!

WITH LISTINGBOOK YOU KNOW IT ALL!

Listingbook is your destination to obtaining accurate and up-to-the-minute information regarding listings in your local market including days on market, list price, price changes and sold prices (if available) and price reductions - all from the same source real estate agents use; the MLS.

Save favorites
Receive new listing alerts
Get notified of price reductions
Up-to-date sales and sold data

Get Neighborhood Information

Population demographics
Housing inventory
School profiles including test scores
Community characteristics
Education stats
Employment information
Interactive community comparison data
Interactive cost-of-living comparisons

All the information you need and have been wishing you could find all in one place....NOW YOU CAN!

Begin Searching Like a Pro!

ATLANTA GA - May 2010 vs. May 2009 MARKET REPORT

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:58:40 -0400

The results for the Atlanta real estate market were mixed for the month of May. The number of homes CLOSED were up; and the speculation, of course, is this is a result of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit coming to an end. And with the end of the tax credit we see PENDING sales are down. According to Steve Palm with Smart Numbers "under contracts for all single family declined almost 22% in May 2010 vs. May 2009." (June 20, 2010).

The Atlanta real estate market continues to struggle. However there is, as you will see, a substantial dip in the number of foreclosure sales both in detached and attached single family homes (21% and 27% respectively). I still hear the buzz that banks are holding back, working on loan modifications etc. We are seeing a definite increase in the OH SO FAMOUS - Short Sale. Not a road to travel down for the weary home buyer that is for sure.

Collectively in the real estate market, I think we are seeing more real estate agents scratching their heads wondering when will this ever end. Unemployment for Atlanta still remains high, new construction is still down providing less new home options to buyers. In fact, I had a buyer in town this past week looking for a home in the Suwanee area. Their preference was up to $260,000 "new construction." I had two neighborhoods to show him - that's it. Ryland Homes has, surprisingly, started a new development in Suwanee; but, I will be interested to see how many spec homes actually get started. Three Bridges is a gated mix community of manor homes and town homes. Because the builder has independent investors, they also continue to build - They build one; sell it; build another - one home at a time. Probably safest method until we begin to at least see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

But the sun will continue to come up and it is important to stay focused and positive. This business is not for the faint of heart that is for sure. And if you are a buyer or seller who has stepped out in the real estate arena: be informed, be patient and most of all be realistic in your expectations.

The good news is......interest rates are still great!!!

See! There is something to smile about!!!

Let's take a look at Atlanta's real estate market for 2010

Come to my house:
MySuwaneeHome.com

Statistical data in this report is provided by FMLS (First Multiple Listing Service).
Information is believed to be accurate at time of collecting but is not guaranteed.

4th of JULY - CELEBRATING AMERICA!!!!

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:36:31 -0400

These are are precarious times in our great country.
In my life time I don't know if I have seen such a
division as I witness today.

But I have faith in this - the greatest country in the
world AND the people who live here.

I believe we will move through these challenging
times and be stronger for it.

A great quote from Joseph Addison:

"Let freedom never perish in your hands."

GOD BLESS THESE

UNITED STATES AMERICA!!!

SUWANEE GA - WHITE STREET PARK GRAND OPENING (Harvest Garden)

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:06:25 -0400

I may be a bit delayed in sharing with you the the events that took place a couple weeks ago as Suwanee celebrated the opening of one more fabulous City park - White Street Park; but the excitement still lingers.

Unlike any other of its kind in the area, this is a community garden. Many of us came together back in April where we drilled holes in the pre-cut wood - which would become our garden boxes, assembled the planting boxes, dug holes in the dirt, set the planting boxes in the holes, spread rock, filled the boxes with quality planting soil. And when the labor of love was complete, the excitement rose to a whole new level as we began planting our flowers and vegetables.

In total construction of the community garden's 76 initial plots required:

more than 500 volunteer hours
3.5 days
2,940 linear feet of lumber
912 bolts
36 tons of slate chips
3 tandem loads of soil

You see White Street Park is an organic community garden and Georgia's largest organic community garden. There are approximately 76 garden plots and the premise is based on square foot gardening. You may be asking yourself what is square foot gardening and I must admit I had not a clue until I became involved. It is quite simple actually. Essentially you divide your planting area up into 12 inch plots and within each square you plant either flowers or vegetables. It has been quite a rewarding experience I must admit. And probably some of the most fun comes from visiting the garden throughout the week to see what is growing but also to see what new creative garden decor someone has added to their plot.

As the Grand Opening was upon us many of the plots were in full bloom and the plants were majestic! The day's event included walking through the newly created butterfly garden, face painting for young and old alike, kids making lady bugs from crafts, cook out and so much more.

Finishing touches continue at White Street Park. We anxiously await the arrival of our resident chicks. Our hen house will be cared for by the gardners on a weekly rotation. Eggs laid during "your watch" will be yours to take home and enjoy with your family. I understand there was a contest in naming the chicks during the Grand Opening but I haven't heard the results.

As much fun as this has been and I feel certain it will continue to be, as gardners at the White Street Park, we will have the honor of sharing our produce with the local food bank as part of our giving back to the City of Suwanee and the residents of Suwanee.

Slideshow: White St. Pk Grand Opening: Comm Gardens - Slideshow

Come to my house:
My Suwanee Home.com

SUWANEE GA - NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL MAKES NEWSWEEK'S BEST LIST

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:04:31 -0400

Suwanee GA's very own - North Gwinnett High School - made Newsweek Magazines's 2010 list of the nation's best high schools. The list is comprised of a total of 1600 schools - only 6% of all high school's made this year's prestigious list.

Congratulations NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL!!!!

Come to my house:
My Suwanee Home.com

ATLANTA GA - APRIL 2010 MARKET REPORT

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:25:31 -0400

Anyone involved in the real estate market in Atlanta had reason to smile as April 2010 closed out. While lag reporting is still coming in, the closings thus far in the month of April for the metro Atlanta market was sporting a year-to-year double digit increase at 12.2% for all single family closings (stats provided by SmartNumbers/Steve Palm).

So far it all looks good! And there are some making the prediction that Atlanta has seen the bottom. And, I surely hope that is true. However, one compelling factor remains - our unemployment remains at over 10%. That doesn't bode well, in my opinion, for our real estate market.

The First Time Home Buyer Credit has come to a close. So it has been no surprise to see the first quarter of this year......and, April begin to hit positive increases as everyone scrambled to the finish line. I speculate that the TRUE numbers will begin to show themselves throughout the second quarter and into the third. I, for one, truly hope those predicting better days ahead for the metro Atlanta housing market are right.

Here is April 2010 Market Report:

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My Suwanee Home.com

Gwinnett County - New Housing Stimulas Incentive

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:02:31 -0400

Gwinnett County currently has over 17,000 undeveloped residential lots sitting vacant.

Gwinnett County business and government leaders have put together a stimulus package offering up to $5,000 in down payment assistance plus extremely low mortgage rates. Funding for this program is made possible through federal, state and local tax funds issued through Gwinnett County Community Development.

For more infomation visit:

GWINNETT COUNTY OFFERS SWEET DEAL

ATLANTA GA REAL ESTATE - HOME VALUES HAVE BOTTOMED

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:06:08 -0400

Prudential Georgia Realty is pleased to announce that Metro Atlanta home values are officially past the bottom. Read the report to learn the facts that support our case. The report also includes an overview of the key drivers that impact future homes values with relevant facts about each category.

Learn the trends for short sales, foreclosures and bank-owned properties.
Get the facts about the shadow inventory being held by banks.
See the latest stats for new homes permits and trends for replacements costs.
Understand how increasing mortgage rates could reduce your buying power.

Home affordability remains exceptional with selling prices below replacement costs and historically low mortgage rates. But these conditions will not last!

Click Here To Download The Report

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My Suwanee Home.com

Report posted with permission of Prudential Georgia Realty

Suwanee GA - SUWANEE COMMUNITY GARDEN (White Street Park)

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:51:08 -0400

Webster defines community as: “a unified body of individuals” or “the people with common interests living in a particular area”; and, there is no better definition to exemplify Suwanee, GA.

This past week Suwanee citizens came together to provide muscle and sweat to prepare for the opening of one more of the many city parks that City officials had purchased -The theme for White Street Park is a community garden – specifically Square Foot Gardening. There are approximately 70 plots which have been rented by Suwanee residents, each ranging in dimensions of: 5x5, 5x12 and 5x14.

With the hot Southern sun beating down on us, we started Day 1 with a large group of residents gathered to assemble cedar boxes, dig holes, shovel rock and move dirt. It was hard work, but it was “fun” work with a vision in sight of the end result.

Day 2 consisted of more of the same. However, you could already see organization coming together on how everything would lay out once completed: As all the boxes were finally assembled, each was moved to their designated spot.

And, each box was assigned their own number – like a street address.

By Day 3 finishing touches were in place and the reality of what we had been working on for the past three days became real: Garden boxes were in place and the rock had been placed. If you are from Georgia, you know about the red Georgia clay. So some boxes opted to be tilled first while others moved forward with filling their claimed spot with quality, organic, beautiful black top soil.

By Day 4 we each were able to put our focus on our individual garden boxes. With about five of us up to the work, we met at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. .

We tilled our Georgia red clay
We saw that the beautiful black top soil which had been ordered by the City was now very limited but we managed to get what we needed to fill our box
We added all the nutrients that plants and vegetables thrive on
We measured off for our 12x12 squares within our box
We created our 12x12 squares with yellow nylon rope

And, like we knew what we were doing, we methodically placed seeds, flowers and vegi’s in their respective square. Not wanting our work undone, we then fenced our “sacred” ground to prevent the deer from undoing what we had just accomplished.

Finishing touches continue: A barn is being built to house the gardener’s tools, concrete will be laid to accommodate a grilling area and the park will be fenced. And when the City of Suwanee completes the park we will enjoy a butterfly and humming bird garden……..White Street Park will be breathtaking.

And, nothing will make it more worth it than we all begin to reap what we haved sowed and can share it with our family, friends and community.

Come to my house:
My Suwanee Home.com

ATLANTA GA - MARCH 2010 MARKET REPORT

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:26:37 -0400

The Atlanta real estate market continues to have twists and turns. With the end in sight for the housing tax credits, it was anticipated there would be a higher jump in activity as the clock clicks downward....not so much. Closings for all single family homes was up only 8% from one year ago.

According to Steve Palm with Smart Numbers:

There was a surge of homes going under contract for the month of March. So it seems reasonable to expect that closings, particularly for April will see an increase compared to April 2009.
Inventory levels also seem to be hitting more of a "seasonal" norm for the Atlanta market.
And, new construction seems to be on the rebound - Metro Atlanta permits are up almost 50% the first quarter of 2010 compared to first quarter 2009 - 1900 permits issued first quarter 2010 vs. 1270 permits first quarter 2009.

So after the last few years being in a tail spin it may be true what the experts are saying...."We have seen the bottom." How long it will take to see a full recovery - as in property values etc. only time will tell.

Here is a look at the numbers for metro Atlanta for March 2010:

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ATLANTA MARKET REPORT - February, 2010

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:37:16 -0400

The sun shined down on the metro Atlanta real estate market for February, 2010 with a positive year-to-year increase according to Steve Palm of Smart Numbers. Although the increase was slight, 1.6% ....the news is still promising.

Additionally, according to the Case Shiller Index, our metro Atlanta market hit "bottom" in March 2009. And since that time, Case Shiller is reporting metro atlanta home values have risen 5.8%. As for our new home inventory, it is at an all time low. And, although we are beginning to see a few (a very few) builders begin developing new subdivisions (at least in the gwinnett County/suwanee area) new construction inventory is not expected to return anytime soon; and as a result, this is helping to absorb our foreclosure, short sale and resale inventory.

What the future holds for metro Atlanta's real estate market is yet to be seen. Although in a recent blog post I wrote, I spoke to the predictions from the Census Bureau saying Atlanta will lead the nation in job growth and Fortune Magazine points to a substantial growth in our population. These are all good indicators for a strong housing market. However on the flipside as a result of excessive federal government spending and our high national debt we may be poised for potential inflation which in turn will result in higher interest rates.. And higher interest rates could potentially put the breaks on any housing recovery.

Here is what we do know: The First Time Homebuyer tax Credit and the Seller Tax Credit ends April 30, 2010. These will not be repeated and will not be extended. So the overall concensus for metro Atlanta's real estate market in March and April is that we will see an increase in demand and overall sales.

And, as you see February, 2010 ended up looking pretty good.

Come to my house:
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ATLANTA GA - FUTURE MARKET TRENDS

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:06:01 -0400

It's 2010 and Atlanta is still considered a declining
market. As a result, many potential home buyers have sat on the side
lines concerned with what their property investment will be worth over
time should they go ahead and take the plunge and buy now.

According to the Census Bureau, Atlanta will lead the
nation in producing 1.7 million jobs by 2025. The
engine behind this will be Fortune 500 companies.
1. The Delta/Northwest merger along with NCR mov-
  ing their headquarters to metro Atlanta are prime
  examples.
Fortune Magazine is predicting over 2 million more res-
idents for the Atlanta area by 2020.
An average of 100,00 new residents with an average of
60,00 jobs per year has been released in a report by
the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Although there is some variance in the numbers, there is still
no doubt that the concensus is that metro Atlanta will be a leader in new residents
and in job growth. This translates to good news for the future of our real estate market.

With prices low, inventory high, buyer tax credits in place
until April 30, 2010 and the projected forecast for Atlanta, NOW is the
time to buy.

Source: Future Home Value Trends for Metro Atlanta (Prudential Georgia Realty)


                                                           Come to my house:
                                                        MySuwaneeHome.com

ATLANTA REAL ESTATE - JANUARY 2010 in REVIEW

Janice Slaven, Suwanee Georgia Real Estate (Prudential Georgia Realty) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:26:01 -0500

We are off and running. January, 2010 is now just a distant memory. And, for the Atlanta real estate market, January, 2010 left behind the lowest number of closings in a month during the past nine (9) years (Steve Palm/Smart Numbers, Marietta GA January 2010 Agent Report).

And, the foreclosure market in Atlanta seems to be taking a break. We saw just over 8100 foreclosure filings for the month of January. Seems hard to imagine that we see that figure as good news. Gwinnett County came in second with 1,196 foreclosure fiillngs according to Realty Trac. And, according to Steve Palm with Smart Numbers we will see l00's of new construction foreclosed condos hitting the Atlanta market during 2010. Despite this news, the predictions are we are likely to see foreclosures take a back seat to short sales. It is a tedious and time consuming process when you make the choice to place an offer on a short sale property; however, we will see changes during the second quarter this year on how short sales are handled so with any luck the change will bring about a more expedient and stream lined process....we can only hope.

Here is a look at January, 2010

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SUWANEE TALK!

ATLANTA GA - The First Annual "Race For The Home" Is Coming!

Your Dream Home is Waiting!

ATLANTA GA MARKET REPORT - JUNE 2010 vs JUNE 2009

NOW YOU CAN SEARCH LIST A REAL ESTATE AGENT

SEARCH LIKE A REAL ESTATE AGENT!!

Get Neighborhood Information

ATLANTA GA - May 2010 vs. May 2009 MARKET REPORT

4th of JULY - CELEBRATING AMERICA!!!!

These are are precarious times in our great country. In my life time I don't know if I have seen such a division as I witness today.

But I have faith in this - the greatest country in the world AND the people who live here. I believe we will move through these challenging times and be stronger for it.

A great quote from Joseph Addison:

"Let freedom never perish in your hands."

GOD BLESS THESE

UNITED STATES AMERICA!!!

SUWANEE GA - WHITE STREET PARK GRAND OPENING (Harvest Garden)

SUWANEE GA - NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL MAKES NEWSWEEK'S BEST LIST

Suwanee GA's very own - North Gwinnett High School - made Newsweek Magazines's 2010 list of the nation's best high schools. The list is comprised of a total of 1600 schools - only 6% of all high school's made this year's prestigious list.

Congratulations NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL!!!!

ATLANTA GA - APRIL 2010 MARKET REPORT

Gwinnett County - New Housing Stimulas Incentive

ATLANTA GA REAL ESTATE - HOME VALUES HAVE BOTTOMED

Suwanee GA - SUWANEE COMMUNITY GARDEN (White Street Park)

ATLANTA GA - MARCH 2010 MARKET REPORT

ATLANTA MARKET REPORT - February, 2010

ATLANTA GA - FUTURE MARKET TRENDS

ATLANTA REAL ESTATE - JANUARY 2010 in REVIEW

These are are precarious times in our great country.
In my life time I don't know if I have seen such a
division as I witness today.

But I have faith in this - the greatest country in the
world AND the people who live here.

I believe we will move through these challenging
times and be stronger for it.