It can be very confusing these days to filter through all the news about the housing market. The sensationalist national headlines may sell advertising but are often wrong or misleading for Metro Atlanta or your local market. To further complicate matters, the typical metrics used to track real estate trends do not tell the accurate story in the current market. Did you know that over 50% of all transactions in 2011 have been under $125,000? That has historically been around 10-15% of the market. Did you know that approximately 60% of all transactions are foreclosures or short sales? That is also normally 10-15% of the market. Did you know that many bank-owned properties are selling above their list prices? These changing trends make the traditional metrics for real estate unreliable... 10/26/2011

A recent article out by Rismedia indicates there are a few indicators showing there is some improvement in our housing market - although regionally. 15% increase in September housing starts Increase in mortgage applications I think it would be safe to say, with regards to our local Metro Atlanta market, housing prices are beginning to stabilize thus taking us out of the "declining market" status.  Additionally, in some metro counties, we are beginning to see a gradual increase in new housing starts from some of the nationally recognized builders like Ryland Homes and Beazer Homes.  The markets that continue to struggle, according to the article by Rismedia, is Oregon, Washington and California.Want to read more?Housing Starts Rise in September MBA Shows Mortgage Applications Increase  S... 10/25/2011

  Realty Trac released new reports week-ending October 15. Their current report shows Georgia fourth in the nation for foreclosures. Their numbers include default notices, auctions and bank repossessions. Notably, due to missteps by lenders, foreclosure filings have been artificially down during 2011. However, lenders have worked to correct their processing of potential mortgage defaults; and as a result, it is likely we will see an uptick in foreclosures nationwide in coming months. Currently one in every 121 homes shows a foreclosure filing in Georgia; with one in 89 homes in Metro Atlanta showing a foreclosure filing. Foreclosure notices for October is up  16% compared to September. As a non-judicial state, homes are sold on the court house steps in Georgia the first Tuesday of each ... 10/19/2011

REAL ESTATE GAB - Keeping up on today's real estate market isn't easy. However, monthly MySUWANEEHome, provides updated information in multiple medias to help keep you informed. Real Estate Gab is a monthly real estate newsletter with market statistics for the Metro Atlanta area; plus articles to help you be an informed buyer or seller. Hope you will enjoy this month's issue of Real Estate Gab. Please feel to email me with comments and/or ideas of what you would like to see in feature issues:  Email Janice            Looking for more real estate market information? Click on the map or link below      REAL  ESTATE  NEWSLETTER  &  MORTGAGE  CENTER 10/17/2011

  A recent report out by Rismedia shows the U.S. economy added more new jobs than was expected. Despite the 9.1 percent unemployment rate, the unexpected news coupled with the uptick in corrected employment gain numbers for the previous two months caused the mortgage rates to tip the mortage rate ladder back up over 4 percent after buyers enjoyed mortgage rates of 3.94% the first week of October.The most recent unemployment numbers for the Metro Atlanta area, however, remain higher than the national average at 10.4 percent. The struggling employment market in the metro area is having a profound effect on our real estate market as well. The most recent housing numbers for Metro Atlanta (August, 2011) show closed units up with a total of 4,725 total single family homes closed. This is up ... 10/12/2011

October foreclosures for Metro Atlanta is up 16% over September 2011. A total of 8,845 foreclosure notices went out compared to 7,634 notices sent out in September. Gwinnett County once again leads the area counties with the most foreclosure notices sent with a total of 1,889 notices. According to an article by Christopher Quinn (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) approximately 70 percent of the notices sent out in October had "run in a prior period."To read more:  Metro Atlanta Foreclosures Rise Again   Come to my house:MySUWANEEHome.com 10/11/2011

REAL ESTATE GAB - Keeping up with today's Metro Atlanta real estate market, as well as the surrounding areas, like Suwanee, isn't easy. However, my monthly issue of  Real Estate Gab provides updated statistical market  information about Metro Atlanta and the counties of: Gwinnett, Forsyth, Fulton and Hall; plus articles  to help you be an informed buyer or seller. Hope you will enjoy this month's issue of Real Estate Gab. Please feel to email me with comments and/or ideas of what you would like to see in feature issues:         Contact Janice     Looking for more real estate market information? Click on the map or link below    REAL  ESTATE  NEWSLETTER  &  MORTGAGE  CENTER       Come to my house:MySUWANEEHome.com 09/17/2011

Suwanee Home For Sale - 3870 Seaton Drive Hits The Market... AgainWe thought we had sold this home in 2 weeks but since it's a short sale, you never know when or if it will close when you have to depend on the buyer's patience.If you're looking in the South Forsyth school district then this is the home for you.  The photos are all on the website.In addition to relisting this home we've also are trying out our newest feature on our Website for HD Homes, please head over there and tell us what you'd like to see more of!   09/08/2011

Suwanee GA Real Estate Market Report for July 2011 Active Listings:  389 homes are available for sale in Suwanee GA priced from $59,900 to $6,950,000.Pending Sales:  94 homes are in escrow priced from $59,400 to $899,877.July Sales:  59 homes sold in July 2011. 37 homes were non-distressed 22 homes were a foreclosure or short sale, or 37% of total July sales In July, 59 homes closed in Suwanee Georgia.  This is an increase of 14 units, as there were 45 homes that closed in July 2010.The average list price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for July 2010 was $310,431.The average list price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for July 2011 was $246,597.The average sales price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for July 2010 was $293,536.The average sales price for the homes that clo... 09/08/2011

Suwanee GA Real Estate Market Report for June 2011 Active Listings:  386 homes are available for sale in Suwanee GA priced from $79,200 to $6,950,000.Pending Sales:  89 homes are in escrow priced from $52,900 to $600,000.June Sales:  63 homes sold in June 2011. 36 homes were non-distressed 27 homes were a foreclosure or short sale, or 43% of total June sales In June, 63 homes closed in Suwanee Georgia.  This is an increase of 1 units, as there were 62 homes that closed in June2010.The average list price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for June 2010 was $250,047.The average list price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for June 2011 was $266,231.The average sales price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for June 2010 was $238,060The average sales price for the homes that closed... 09/08/2011

  Clark Howard recently stated that we are now seeing the lowest mortgage rates that we will ever see in our lifetime! And he is right. In August, mortgage rates dropped below the lows of  November 2010. On Tuesday, August 23, The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported that the 30-year fixed rate averaged 4.15% which was down from the previous week average of 4.32%. On August 9, the Fed also announced that the federal funds rate would remain near zero through at least the middle of 2013. That is the rate that banks use to borrow funds which helps ensure that general lending rates will remain low for an extended period. But remember, that the federal funds rate and mortgage rates are different. Yes, this will help have influence on keeping mortgage rates low. But there are ... 08/26/2011

METRO ATLANTA VALUES PEAKED IN JULY 2007CURRENT VALUES DOWN 27.93%  It can be very confusing these days with lots of real estate news on television, in the local papers and posted online. So how do you determine what your home is really worth or a home you are considering purchasing? The traditional metrics that track the real estate market include things like “average sale price” or the “median price” which is the price in the middle of the group. These are good reflections of what is being sold but often poor reflections of the values for homes. In 2011, SmartNumbers reports that almost 50% of properties sold are under $100,000. The normal distribution of homes in this price range is around 10-15%. This abnormal distribution skews the average prices and median prices much lower. Anoth... 08/25/2011

ATLANTA REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT (JUNE 2011) Despite what you may be feeling, economists are beginning to paint a rosey picture for the housing market. Freddie Mac expects housing sales to out pace 2010 homes sales by 3 to 5%. I would say sales the first half of 2011 do appear to be steady, but  when you start looking at the average sales price.....ah! Not so much to get excited about. Gwinnett County average sales price was down 21% from one year ago while  neighboring Fulton County was up 7%. Home sales are predicted to continue on the up tick through 2012 although mortgage rates will continue to keep the pace a bit shaky rising to a projected 5.5% by the end of 2011 and 6% in 2012. Source: "Housing and Economic Forecast Points to Rising Activity" Realtor.org (May, 2011 by Walter Mo... 07/20/2011

Clear Capital Home Data Index came out this month ranking the best performing major cities in the housing market. And, no surprise to see that Atlanta did not make the list.  Here is how they lined up:        TOP PERFORMING MAJOR CITIES FOR THE FIRST HALF of 2011   Washington, DC - Arlington, VA New York,- Long Island, NY -No. New Jersey, NJ Orlando, FL Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington, TX San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA Honolulu, HI San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA Rochester, NY Memphis, TN CITIES PROJECTED to SHOW HOME PRICE GAINS SECOND HALF 2011 Washington, DC New York  Orlando, FL Dallas, TX San Francisco, CA The report  further indicates that although most cities will still post losses for 2011, by all indications prices have begun to level off and there i... 07/14/2011

Most people realize the necessity of hiring a real estate agent to sell a home, but they often take an entirely different approach and opt to go it alone when it comes to buying. But what do buyers need to know when it comes to navigating today’s real estate market - particularly with the increased number of short sale properties?Before you venture into the home buying process, particularly if you are considering a short sale property as an option, take time to consider the benefits derived from working with a knowledgeable real estate agent. The following are some things to think about: Advanced Listings The short-sale market has heated up and so has the competition.... With a real estate agent assisting you, who specializes in short sales, you should be able to get advanced listings s... 07/08/2011

THE AMERICAN DREAM MAY BE OUT REACH! We have heard the rumors but can it really happen? At one point the theory was everyonedeserved to own a home.  And, accordingly, loan underwriting guidelines were written tomake that possible. And what happened?  Look where the housing market is today?Typical knee jerk reaction. Now let's punish those who have acted responsibly. As it turnsout Congress is indeed discussing proposed revised legislation which will require 20% down  payment  by future potential home owners. Of the 20% down, the lenders will berequired to hold 5% of the value of the loans they generate if the loans will be sold toinvestors. And most loans are sold. What is the theory behind the legislation? It is to prevent lenders from approving risky loans. If the loan goes into defa... 06/13/2011

According to the 2010 National Citizen Survey® (a nationally valid survey of resident opinions), 96% of  Suwanee residents would recommend Suwanee as a great place to live if someone asked them.  Why is it that Suwanee residents continue to rank their city the best place to live in the nation?Here is a quick glance at the key contributing elements that made them rank their city so high? Overall quality of life Availability of walking trails Cleanliness Preservation of natural areas Suwanee government encouraging and engaging citizen involvement.  Through the survey, Suwanee was rated above the national benchmark in 63 areas. In two of the areas, preservation of natural areas; and satisfaction with the job performance of theSuwanee government put Suwanee in the #1 position nationally.To... 06/13/2011

  Atlanta home property values now projected to be at 1999 levels! The Case-Shiller Index just out shows  - at the national level - an approximate decrease in overall property values of 4%. So...where is the bottom?  I don't think we are there quite yet. The first quarter of this year started out pretty fiesty! Homes were selling and real estate agents were busy - at least some of us. So what happened? Now we have the housing activity back to a tortoise pace. The upside is the interest rates. They still remain low; so the theory remains: If you do decide to sell your house in the current housing market environment, you will loose equity gained when the housing market was good. However, when you become the buyer, you should benefit from lower housing prices thus making up for the loss of... 06/02/2011

Suwanee GA Subdivisions Suwanee GA subdivisions. Find homes for sale in Suwanee GA by subdivisions, new homes developments, and community names. Subdivision searches for Suwanee GA homes for sale. [ Buying A Home ] [ Selling A Home ] [ Contact Us ] Suwanee GA Subdivisions and Communities Aberdeen Hillside Trace St Marks Arbour Trace Hunters Run Stonebridge Ascot Landings at Suwanee Creek Stonecypher Ashleigh Walk Lansdowne Stoneridge Ashley Woods Lansfaire Summerwind Ashton Laurel Springs Country Club Suwanee Cove Autumn Ridge Magnolia Walk Suwanee Creek Park Avonlea Maple Ridge Suwanee Farms Avonlea Crossing Martins Farm Suwanee Lake Estates Barrington Mcginnis Reserve Suwanee Place Baxley Point Meadow Brook Suwanee Terrace Baxley Ridge Miller Brook Taylor Woods Bayswater Common Mornin... 04/19/2011

Suwanee GA Real Estate Market Report for February 2011   Active listings: 547 homes are available for sale in Suwanee GA priced from $72,500 to $6,500,000. Pending sales: 118 homes are in escrow priced from $59,900 to $2,495,000. February sales: 51 homes sold in February 2011.  27 homes were non-distressed 24 homes were a foreclosure or short sale, or 47% of total February sales   In February, 51 homes closed in Suwanee Georgia. This is a increase of 2 units, as there were 49 homes that closed in February of 2010. The Average list price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for February 2010 was $283,558. The Average list price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for February 2011 was $265,096. The Average sales price for the homes that closed in Suwanee for February 2010 was $270,409. ... 03/22/2011