Don Gale Homes

Two customers this week have taken advantage of the lowered prices in Livingston Park and bought their dream homes.  In the next 90 days, many of the best homes will be bought before pricing and interest rates go up.

This is an opportune time to purchase the home you want.  Prices are down as well as interest rates.  Just like the stock market, when you read that it is time to buy, it is too late.

In the wall street journal, stocks are sold on yesterday's news.  When the average customer reads about stocks, he/she is reading on how the insiders made money on the stock increase or decline.  Home buyers work the same way, chasing the crowd after prices and rates begin to rise.  Remember, every spring, pricing and interest rates increase, just like gasoline in the summer.

4 Contracts in three weeks prove that there are those people that  recognize the best time to buy is now.  Economic opportunities exist now that will not in the future.  As soon as inventories lower somewhat and builder confidence is returned, pricing will return to normal levels.

Thankfully, the Atlanta market is not in the same condition as the rest of the country.  We seem to be experiencing somewhat of a spring market.  Demand is up, it's only a matter of time before inventory levels reduce. 

BEWARE THE DON'T WANTER!!! There are thousands of homes out there that are going be tough to sell, now or later.  Buy one of these at a deal and understand that you may live there forever.  Educated buyers look at what they are getting, and the best homes will sell first.

Matt O'Neal Senior Analyst Strategic Marketing Department noted that the billboards around Atlanta show Inventories of Homes for Sale are dropping.  The number is under 100K for the first time since 2006.

Kevin Levent, Owner Metro Brokers says homebuyers are gobbling up existing inventory much faster than it can be replaced, a trend which should continue throughout the year.  With permits near zero, little to no inventory is being replaced as the spring market is already showing signs of heating up.  Currently there are about 4 months home supply and at the current pace, equilibrium will be hit around the end of February.  When the builder's confidence returns, expect the end of the current incentives to buy.  No more 10K off, extra closing costs, big screens, etc.

With rates at an all time low, waiting is for the uninformed.   The best deals will be made early this year.  From now until the end of February is when the best deals of this decade will be made.

Many people I talk to regret their home purchase.  I ask them if they bought the home on it's merits or if they bought the advertising depicting the home. Marketing is by it's very nature "puffing" the goods.  The more aggressive the marketer, the more tangled web they weave.

Imagine how things are presented.  It's not a patio its a lanai.  We are now selling 55+ age restricted communities for the lifestyle of older adults.  Who wants to live with a bunch of old people?   Have you heard the one about 40% off.  In a market with 3-6% profit margins, how can you do it?  It's easy, mark it up 38-40%.  Some buyers are somewhat gullible.

Purchasing a new home is a tough decision.  This decision should be made with the pragmatic side of the brain.  Location, Neighborhood, Floorplan, Schools, Construction Quality, etc. are all legitimate factors.  When purchasing a new home, look at these details.

It is Spring in Atlanta and things are happening. There have been two new sales this week in Livingston Park.  Smart buyers are moving while things are good.  Pricing is down, interest rates are down and everything is guaranteed to move, one way, up.

It is an opportune time to Purchase a new home.  In an effort to stimulate the new home market, builders have had to reduce pricing to compete with existing home inventory.  There has been a slight surge in sales this week, don't hesitate.  Once the Spring Market is established, prices will go back up.

A good real estate agent will teach you how to stage your home for a quicker sale, especially in today's competitive marketplace.  Clutter must be removed, everyting must be extra clean and everything in it's place.  Sometimes rooms will look larger when full of furniture, other times it is better to minimize.

Your home must shine.  It cannot show wear and tear based upon it's age.  If you need help, seek a contractor to touch up the rough spots.  Nothing kills a sale like a home needing repair.   Repaint where needed, repair exterior elements damaged by weather, never let a leak go unrepaired.

Clean your concrete to make it look new.  Don't use too much muriatic acid, it will damage the finish.

"The bad taste that you get in your mouth because of poor quality lasts much longer than the good feeling you got from makin the  best deal."

Quoted from an ancient American philosopher.  Look at what you are buying prior to purchasing the best deal.  Many times homes are mass produced and will require lots of maintenance just to keep them in decent condeition.  When you try to resell your home, your neighborhood may affect you negatively.  Look closely at quality of construction and consider structural elements when you are purchasing.  Don't be afraid to ask a professional, but understand many times they feel the need to justify their existence.  No home is perfect, but compare apples to apples.

Once again, Atlanta was named as one of America's Top Ten cities for growth in the next decade.  Atlanta was  named as Number 2 for current growth and remains in the top of the heap.  As many major markets in the U.S. are suffering from this current slowdown, Atlanta shines as the market of the future.

Real Estate Values in Atlanta have allways been one of the most consistent across the nation and once again, the future of the city looks good.

As a good job market, many upscale professionals move to Atlanta for job growth, a better quality of life and brighter future.