Saturday, October 29, 2011

Metro Atlanta GA Condos and Townhomes For Sale

In this blog post I'll give you current details, as of now, regarding Condos and Townhomes for sale in Georgia.

This information is from our GAMLS database. You can click on each county name to go directly to the mls listings from both databases on my real estate website.

In Carroll County GA there are currently 22 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $17,000-$155,000.

In Cherokee County GA there are currently 88 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $40,000-$699,000.

In Clayton County GA there are currently 128 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $10,000-$114,900.

Cobb County had too many results so I had to list them separately, there are 60 new listings for condos and townhomes priced from $14,900-$465,000; there are 15 listings that have had price reductions; there are 6 listings that have been extended; there are 5 listings that are back on the market; there are 613 listings that are active, but do not include those listed above.

Dekalb County had to be narrowed down as well, there are 97 new listings priced from $9,900-$315,000; there are 20 listings that have had price reductions; there are 2 listings that have been extended; there are 6 listings that are back on the market; there are 729 listings that are active, but do not include those listed above.

In Douglas County GA there are currently 30 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $24,900-$199,900.

Fulton County GA has 221 new listings; 18 listings that have had a price increase; 28 listings that have had a price reduction; 13 listings that have been extended; 11 listings that are back on the market; 1,704 listings that are active and do not include those listed above.

In Gwinnett County GA there are currently 419 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $15,000-$339,900.

In Henry County GA there are currently 47 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $18,500-$899,000.

In Newton County GA there are currently 11 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $32,500-$199,500.

In Paulding County GA there are currently 6 active listings for condos and townhomes priced from $46,000-$100,000.

As always feel free to contact me with questions regarding buying or selling any real estate in Georgia.

Priscilla Hammond

404.503.6562

Sunday, October 23, 2011

JUST SOLD! in Kennesaw GA Stilesboro/Mars Hill Area

This is a market trends report from one of my recent home sales.

The home has 4 bedrooms 3 full and 1 half baths with a full finished basement in the area of Mars Hill/Stilesboro Rd in Kennesaw GA 30152. It has a 2 car garage and sits on a 2 acre lot. Original list price was 214K and I negotiated my clients a deal for 179K. Market value at time of purchase was 220K in June 2011

As of August 2011, the median home value for the county (Cobb) is 179K and for the  zip code (30152) is 208K.

The median list price as of September 2011 is 130K for the zip code, 129K for the county and 124K for the city.

The median sales price for September 2011 is 242K for the county, 125K for the city and 130K for the zip.

The recorded sales for September were 17 in the zip code, 46 in the county and 47 in the city.

The median price per square foot in September was $62 per sq ft for the county, $51 per sq ft for the city and $52 per sq ft for the zip code.

The number of foreclosures in September 2011, including pre-foreclosures, REO and auction sales was 149 for the zip and 330 for the city.

The number of households in 2008 was 2,051 the projected number of households for 2013 is 2,461. Actual growth in the last 10 years is 61.88%.

The median home value for the area is $212K, 12% of the homes value 100-150K, 30% of the homes value 150-200K, 44% of the homes value 200-300K, 14% of the homes value 300-500K.

Owner occupancy is showing 100%.

I hope this information may be helpful for current homeowners residing in the area and home buyers seeking to buy in the area.

Feel free to contact me with any questions
Priscilla Hammond

404.503.6562 Call/text

and browse the home listings for sale in Kennesaw GA here












Monday, October 17, 2011

The New Home Buying Process for 2011/2012

My main reason for writing this post is because I'm organized and I like to arrange things to prevent delays, obstacles, frustration, errors, disappointment, etc.

It took a few prospect calls to prompt me to write this to inform home buyers about how the home buying process works in the current market.

Before I begin with the breakdown of what you should do if you want a relatively easy home buying transaction, I have to clarify some myths in the metro Atlanta Georgia home buying market.
  1. You and your Agent can tour a neighborhood and just stop at any home that has a "FOR SALE" sign in the yard. That is a myth, you cannot just stop at any home and see the inside. It could be "under contract or pending sale", occupied, have a security system, withdrawn from the market, disqualified for your loan type, have pets inside the house, not in your price range, etc. As your Agent I will call and get all pertinent information on the homes you like from the listings I emailed you and schedule an appointment with you to see the ones that are available for us to see.
  2. People aren't buying houses right now. That is the other myth, people are definitely buying houses now. In the last 2 weeks over 418 contracts for just single family residences closed in the immediate metro Atlanta buying area.
  3. Homes are over-priced. That's the other myth. So if you see a home listed at $120,000 don't automatically think you should offer $60,000 and win the bid. I know you want a good deal, but these days a lot of the homes are priced below market value to get a quick sale. As your Agent I will run a report to see what the comparables have sold for recently.
  4. Don't use a Buyer's Agent because they will manipulate you to spend more money so they can make more commission. That's another myth. If you sign a "Brokerage Agreement" with us, we're legally obligated to act on behalf of your best interests as our client, not our pay. As your Agent all of the duties I perform on your behalf will be in your best interests.
To Simplify Your Home Buying Process
  1. Choose an Agent you trust and feel comfortable enough to ask any questions you may have.
  2. Get your payment method together, if you have to save up for your down payment, your Agent should have the patience to work with you until you're ready.
  3. Based on your pre-qualified price range, choose an area and communicate all other important criteria to your Agent.
  4. Choose some homes you like from the listings your Agent has emailed you as well as any you may find on your own.
  5. Communicate with your Agent about the homes you'd like to see the inside of so your Agent can coordinate with you to schedule a showing appointment of the homes that are available.
  6. If the exterior of the home will be a major factor in your decision, it may be beneficial for you to do a drive-by of the area and see the exterior of the home before your showing appointment, you can begin to eliminate the ones you don't like.
  7. You've found one you'd like to place an offer on. Your Agent should get any information that's available to help you decide on how much to offer, as well as any disclosures, covenants, HOA rules, fees, taxes, etc. You should begin to gather the documentation your lender will require for your mortgage loan application and give an earnest money deposit to submit with your offer. Your Agent should ensure that your deposit is returned if the sale does not go through, if it does go through, the deposit is subtracted from your costs at closing.
  8. Your offer will be accepted, rejected or countered.
    If it's accepted your Agent will begin the inspections process and you should promptly give your lender anything they ask for. If it's rejected-move on to the next home. If it's countered, negotiate until all parties can agree on the terms of the contract.
  9. Once your sales contract is signed by all parties, it's official and the deadlines begin. All parties should promptly do their part to comply with the terms of the contract. This is when the teamwork kicks in and if everyone works together with little resistance, the transaction should proceed smoothly.
  10. Do not, I repeat, do not change your credit or financial status whatsoever from the time your lender approved you. Don't make any large withdrawals other than your normal household expenses, nor any large deposits or large purchases. Wait until after you have the keys to your new home to buy new furniture, appliances, etc.
  11. In most cases you're responsible for paying for the appraisal and inspections so ensure you've saved enough for that as well.
  12. Order homeowner's insurance.
  13. Your Agent will submit any amendments to the contract if the appraisal comes back low or the inspection reveals additional things that need repaired or replaced.
  14. If there are contingencies, such as due diligence, appraisal, finance, etc. your Agent will remove them as they're satisfied.
  15. The closing attorney or title company will run a title check and issue title insurance.
  16. The final walk-thru of your home, I like to schedule it as close as possible to the closing date and time, usually on the way to the closing if our schedules allow and if not, then the day prior to closing. To make sure the home is in the same condition and hasn't been vandalized.
  17. At the closing, you will sign the loan documents and settlement statement in exchange for the keys to your new home.
Congratulations, you've made what could have a been a stressful, frustrating experience a pleasant one for you and your family!
Call me to help make it smooth and easy for you! View homes for sale with no registration required here
Priscilla Hammond

404.503.6562

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