Tis The Season For Yard Sales -- And Downsizing!

For as long as I can remember, I have been targeted by the media to buy this or that gadget to make my life, well, seemingly "better". I suspect you have felt the push too for the latest and greatest gizmo's. The new and improved laptop, microwave, toothbrush, car, lawnmower, whatever. Heck... even pharmaceutical companies want us to ask our Doctors, if a pill -- a mighty pill is somehow "right for us"! Really? All the hype for the "stuff" in life makes you feel like you need it. Truth is, we don't need anything! I have always done my best to turn the other way and refuse to act on the hype. I think I do pretty well avoiding the pressure as I have never been an "early adaptor" or someone who needs to acquire a lot of stuff.

Over the weekend, I happened to be driving by a neighborhood where some homes were participating in a yard sale. No! I was not looking to purchase an old book from a yard sale. Rather, over the years, I have come to realize that sometimes when you see a yard sale in progress, that is a sure sign that someone will soon be looking for a Realtor to list their home for sale.

As I sifted through a pile of old (and I mean old) books, I asked what the motivation was for the yard sale. Much to my amazement and surprise, no one on the block was planning to move. Rather, they were downsizing! Yup! Downsizing. You know. Going Green. Purging stuff. Home owner's told me that downsizing has benefits beyond the environmental, from practical, like making housecleaning easier, to psychological -- being literally less anchored to material goods is freeing to the spirit. They told me, their motivation to downsize is a combination of reducing carbon footprints, saving money, feeling more organized and passing on these simple core values to their kids. (Meanwhile, their kids were down at the corner selling lemonade and crackers).

This reminded me of something I read recently. According to the 2010 Study of the American Dream by Metlife, Generation Y is more into making friends than acquiring objects. Nearly 40% of millenials (people born in the 1980s and early 90s) say they already have what they need, up from 26% in 2008. And the number of them who feel growing pressure to buy more and better material goods has dropped almost 20 percentage points since 2006, from 66% to 47%. Young adults aren't the only ones changing and revising their priorities. The same study found that 77% of all ages surveyed now see improving quality of life as being less about money than about improving personal relationships. In addition, 58% say they define the American Dream as family and children, up from 42% in 2006. Couple this with the fact that most Americans still believe the family home is an important financial investment and a huge part of the American Dream. In the past, Atlantan's have lived in their home approximately 5 to 8 years before moving up or down for their lifestyle needs. With the economic situation as it is, we may find Atlantan's purchasing their home with growth in mind and moving less often.

A few suggestions from the sidelines on how to simplify and begin to downsize your life -- and "stuff" -- whether you are planning a move or just want to get in touch with your "green side". In her workshop boot camp, "Overstuffed", Nicole Lynskey suggests that you follow these guidelines:

1. Assess the impact your clutter or your consumption has on you. Think of the size of your home, how much you spend on new stuff, the energy put into acquiring, maintaining and storing your stuff, the time you spend searching for things.

2. Get in touch with what you really long for in life. Do you really want to work part-time? Would changing your purchase habits or moving into a smaller space make these things possible for you?

3. Start with small areas. The more you declutter, the more momentum you will get and the more you will notice things you don't really need.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying/selling process. Sara can be reached at 770-399-8108 or 404-843-2500. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

If It's Wednesday, It Must Must Be Market Condition's Wednesday!

The spotlight today is on the city of TUCKER, GA.

Another Market Condition's Wednesday report for another popular city location in the Atlanta metro area -- TUCKER.

Tucker is located in Dekalb County, Georgia approximately 15 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. After the 2000 Census the city boasted a population of 26,532. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker" is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated. Municipal services such as fire, police, water and schools are provided by Dekalb County. If incorporated, Tucker would be the second largest city in the county after Dunwoody. An exploratory committee formed by the Tucker Civic Association researched the possibilities of incorporating Tucker as a new city in 1996 and 1997. The community has maintained a distinctive identity, centered on its public high school, churches, and locally owned and operated businesses such as the Cofer Brothers building supply business, Matthews Cafeteria, Tucker Concrete Company and the Tucker Federal Savings and Loan Association recently merged with RBC Central. Tucker's zip code is 30084.

In 2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission issues Tucker a grant to develop a Livable Cities Initiative (LCI). The LCI study, published in December 2005, will look to reestablish Main Street in Tucker as a central point for the greater Tucker community. The study will help other modes of transportation to and around the commercial core.

It might interest you to know that according to the First Multiple Listing Service, there is a total of 63,653 homes on the market in the entire Atlanta metro area today.

Likewise, according to the FMLS, there are 184 active single family homes available in Tucker today. Also according to the latest FMLS data, there is a total of 75 condo or town home properties available in Tucker today.

Actively Listed Single Family Homes
This week, actively listed single family homes in Tucker range in price from $40,000 for a 4 bedroom/2 full bathroom "fixer-upper" 1966 vintage property to $949,000 for a luxurious palatial home with 6 bedrooms/6 full and 3 half bathrooms in this estate offering stunning architecture, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, custom gourmet chef's kitchen and much more.

Actively Listed Condo / Town Home Properties
Currently there is a total of 75 condo / town-homes on the market in Tucker. Prices range from $25,000 for an apartment style condo with 2 bedrooms/2 full bathrooms bank-owned property in Bentley Place to $285,000 for a 3 bedroom/3.5 bathroom town home in Avery Hills. Built in 2005, this town home offers granite, hardwoods, stainless appliances and tons of upgrades and amenities too numerous to mention.

Believe it or not homes are selling in TUCKER!

PENDING SALE
Today there are 52 single family homes and 21 town-homes/condos Pending Sale in Tucker, Georgia.

SOLD Properties -- Single Family Homes
From February 1st 2011 to today, there have been 30 single family homes sold and closed in Tucker. Prices have ranged from $27,000 to $380,000.

SOLD Properties -- Condo / Town Homes
From February 1st through today, there have been a total of 7 condo / town homes properties SOLD and closed in Tucker.

As you can clearly see, homes are selling in TUCKER, GA. Call me for a tour of a Tucker home or questions regarding the Tucker and Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the pre-approval/buying/selling/relocation process.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the State of Georgia and works in the Atlanta metro area. Call Sara with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Sara Hibbard looks forward to assisting all your real estate needs when the time is right for you. Sara can be reached any time by calling 770-399-8108 or e-mail at sara@sarahibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

Mortgage Applications on the Rise

Mortgage applications increased 2.7 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 18, 2011. The Market Composite Index -- a measure of mortgage loan application volume -- increased 2.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the index increased 2.8 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 2.7 percent from the previous week while the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 2.7 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index increased 3.0 percent compared with the previous week and was 15.3 percent lower than the same week one year ago.

The four week moving average for the seasonally adjusted Market Index is up 2.5 percent. The four week moving average is up 1.0 percent for the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index, while this average is up 3.3 percent for the Refinance Index.

The refinance share of mortgage activity remained constant at 66.4 percent of total applications, and the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 5.9 percent from 5.6 percent of total applications.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4.80 percent from 4.79 percent, with points decreasing to 0.96 from 1.07 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ratio loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.02 percent from 4.03 percent, with points increasing to 0.90 from 0.85 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind! Call Sara with all your questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling / relocation and pre-approval process. Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions and assisting you further when the time is right for you. Sara Hibbard can be easily reached at 770-399-8108.

Yes! You Need An Inspection!

Regardless of whether you are the Buyer or the Seller, if you are my client, I encourage you to have the house inspected.

A home inspection often means the difference between a purchase or no purchase. If you are a home buyer, I will insist that you have the home of your dreams inspected. First of all you need to learn all you can about the house you are about to purchase. With so many homes for sale, inspections have become a huge tool and bargaining chip for further negotiations over price or for the buyer to walk-away from the deal if the house turns out to be a lemon. After a satisfactory inspection, and assuming the buyer still wants to consummate the deal, the inspection also provides a good education for the buyer to learn about the house he is about to purchase. Where the shut-off valves are, how to run the sprinkler system and much more.

Sometimes there are issues with the property. The Buyer's goal is to get the Seller to pay for the repairs OR cut the price of the property to reflect the cost of repairs the buyer will need to do once he gains possession. Often the result of this negotiation depends on the Seller's ability to pay for repairs and the comfort zone of the buyer.

Likewise, if I am representing a Seller, I often recommend that before we even put the property on the market, we have the house inspected. If an inspector finds anything that could be a potential problem down the road, we can be pro-active and hopefully repair the problem windows or wood rot before a prospective buyer comes knocking. This can help to ensure no surprises that could ultimately stand in the way of a prospective buyer. Often times, I find that if we are pro-active and provide the Inspection Report, many buyers decide not to have their own inspection done.

A standard inspection report covers the condition of the heating system, central air-conditioning, internal plumbing, electrical systems, roof, attic, construction, insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, appliances, foundation and structural components. I have seen good concise, detailed reports and I have seen some really poor reports that detail hardly anything. I am proud to say that I have several Inspectors that I work with on a regular basis. Inspectors whose opinions and professional integrity I value greatly. Many inspectors don't walk the roof, however, the Inspectors I use, do walk the roof and provide the client an extremely detailed and thorough report. Additionally, the inspectors I recommend are willing to be a resource for the buyer as long as they own the house. This is valuable to a buyer on the day of inspection and for many years to come. As a Realtor I learn something new every time I am with an Inspector.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions about choosing an inspector or questions regarding the Atlanta real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Call Sara at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

Atlanta Metro Residents Rejoicing in the Streets!

Hey!

Did you hear the GREAT news?

It seems that overnight, more than 65,000 homes went under contract and are under Binding Agreements today! A potential 65,791 closings are scheduled to occur within the next 3 to 7 months. Although this is wonderful and certainly unprecedented news for the Atlanta real estate market, this development will lead to a new set of challenges in the local housing industry. Real Estate professionals in California, New York and other states are stunned by the news from Atlanta. With a significant lack of supply of homes available, builders will not be able to build homes or develop new neighborhoods fast enough to satisfy buyer demand which in turn will significantly increase the price of housing. Potential seller's who have been holding out putting there homes up for sale, pointed out, that the tide has now turned and Seller's will finally be able to charge whatever they want for their homes and accept only the highest and best offer presented. Think of it!

If you believe that scenario, better check your calendar! I have a few 10 foot square lots at the top of a rock in the mountains, I'd love to unload on you!

Seriously, the above analogy makes current market conditions seem like a piece of cake! In all truthfulness, most agents I talk to these days are very busy. Me included! I feel as though the market is picking up. My phone is ringing constantly. Statistics prove that people are buying homes in the Atlanta metro area. Right now in the Atlanta metro area there is a total of 64,823 homes on the market and showing up as Active listings on April 1st -- no kidding. Likewise, as I write this, there is a total of 9,888 homes that are currently Pending Sale. From January 1st through April 1st, a total of 7,920 homes have SOLD and closed in the Atlanta metro area.

It is a great time to buy a house. Interest rates are still hovering at records lows. Home prices in all price ranges are at record lows to ensure a speedy sale. Buyers still hold all the cards in this market. If you would like the specific statistics for your neighborhood, zip code, school district or street, please feel free to call me. I will be happy to answer all your questions and assist you throughout the process.

In the meantime, Happy April Fools Day! Don't get fooled again!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and focuses on the north Atlanta metro area. Sara is available to answer your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Or, call Sara if you see a home or homes that interest you sufficiently to schedule a visit and tour. Sara is easily reached at 770-399-8108 or sara@sarahibbard.com or sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com.