More TAD's & Affordable Housing on the Horizan Inside the Loop of Atlanta

The city of Atlanta is making a large push to make more homes available in an affordable price range that will allow civil servants as well as first-time buyers the opportunity to purchase a home inside the loop of 285 in Atlanta. Preliminary word is that 6 more TAD developments are being approved in the Lakewood area, which is undergoing a major overhaul & revitalization. These Tax Abatement Developments will allow people who meet the city's requirements to qualify to purchase homes for $145,ooo or $155,000 depending on the size of the property. There are single-family homes (3 or 4 bedrooms with 2.5 baths & a garage) going up in the area for between $250,000-$325,000 which through the TAD program would become available for only $155,000. More news to come. Don't hesitate to call or email me with any questions.

Brookhaven on a Budget = EAV / Oakhurst

After viewing a number of homes on Caravan yesterday in the Brookhaven area, all of which were respectable & quality construction, I began to evaluate their price point. Each property was listed between 600K-750K. There were Earthcraft construction, great master baths, open main level floor plans, etc. But I couldn't help but think that you could get a similar home for only 375K -475K in East Atlanta Village or Oakhurst. The largest difference is proximity to malls & private schools that many people in the Brookhaven area utilize. I just couldn't help but think that a number of people would be happy purchasing a similar physical product in another stable neighborhood for approximately 60% the cost. -- Food for thought

Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?

When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?

But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.

The holidays are a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.

Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:

Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.

Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.

Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.

When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.

With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if you marketed your home during a busier time of the year.

If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.

Written by Blanche Evans