The first half of the Atlanta 2023 housing market shared many similarities with the first half of the 2022 real estate market. Despite continuous caterwauling from the MSM about a crash, home prices around greater Atlanta haven't really moved from a year ago. In fact, some market are ahead of those record highs of '22. Clearly it's not the same market, but the interest rate shock seems to be accounted for.

Owners Love Low Mortgages

Pretty simple. During the pandemic, the government bought mortgage backed securities and artificially maintained those historically low interest rates. Working at home became "a thing" and people spent a lot more time in and around their homes. Many leveraged those low rates and refinanced, taking money out and completing…

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No investor is immune, every one has dealt with additional costs due to unexpected repairs in a flip home. Hours of research, project expenses and potential profit, getting contractors and permits lined up and trying to hold onto the wallet. Rookie investors make rookie mistakes; overpaying, underestimating repairs, poor project management, overestimating finished market value and a thousand other things. But even experienced flippers get surprised from time to time.

Here's an example. The residents of this town home ignored routine maintenance for years, it needed extensive renovation. Several neighbors mentioned the residents were hoarders and the prospect of the home being completely renovated was welcomed news.

The preliminary inspection…

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Technology continues to transform marketing, real estate in particular. Accuracy in real estate listings is more concerning than ever, how a home is represented and described may not always be what a buyer sees. Advertising, especially in real estate, always pushes the boundaries, but there is an expectation that the information presented is factually accurate.

Accuracy in Real Estate Listings Matters:

  • Legal Implications:  Providing inaccurate information could lead to legal issues. Misrepresentation of a property can result in lawsuits and fines. Real estate laws vary by state but there is the expectation of full disclosure of all material facts about a property. Seller disclosures are completed and assumed to be truthful but that’s not always…

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The Atlanta housing market enjoyed a relatively strong first few months of 2023. Despite the hysterical click bait headlines from the national media, this market is not crashing and there is no reason to expect it will. A May 2022 to May 2023 look at key Atlanta housing market indicators demonstrates what we professionals saw; an adjustment to rising rates followed by a recovery.

Recovery in the sense of acclimation to the rate change and continued inflation. The interest rate bumps clearly reduced overall numbers but the remaining buyers tend to be more seasoned and appear to have adjusted. Sellers, while still in control, cannot simply put a price on a home and expect multiple offers. Competition remains in areas but sellers must be more accurate or…

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Moving out of a home can be an emotional experience. When a seller develops a fondness for certain things defined as real estate fixtures, things can get sticky. Maybe they love the special features like the glass kitchen cabinet doors, custom lighting fixtures, high tech thermostats or even a favorite miniature Japanese Maple tree. Traditionally, these items remain in the home for the next owner to appreciate. However, some sellers have a deeper attachment to certain items, going as far as removing them prior to closing.

Talk to agents and stories will flow; the seller who was determined to take his outdoor plants after selling. The seller that removed the rain shower heads from all of the bathrooms in the home. The seller that took the high-tech,…

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landscape swaleWater is not a home owner's friend, it is constantly looking for ways to cause trouble. But it's predictable, we know it flows downhill and that is the key to successful water control. The short clips below are a great example of proper surface water control. This builder, unlike most, did a great job in setting a predictable pattern to control surface water runoff. This is a big plus, most builders could not care less about things like this; get in and get out as fast as possible and when problems develop just say "the county approved it so...". Salute to this builder.

Swales Provide Surface Water Control

A swale is a shallow, gently sloping depression or channel in the landscape designed to collect and redirect surface water runoff. It is…

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Georgia is a buyer beware state, so does a seller have to disclose repaired defects? Home sellers in Georgia must disclose known latent or hidden defects, things that might not be discovered during a reasonable inspection of the home. A defect that’s been properly repaired is no longer a defect so technically, the home seller has no obligation to disclose it. That doesn't mean it's not a good idea to anyway.

Latent Defects Must be Disclosed

A latent defect is an issue with the property known to the seller but that might not be discovered during a reasonable inspection of the property. Examples of a latent defect might be a mold situation or sporadic water problem in areas not easily accessed. Problems with plumbing or electrical systems,…

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As the spring 2023 housing market around greater Atlanta picks up steam, in many areas it feels like deja vu all over again. The last two years were a ride for Atlanta area home buyers. Although low-interest rates were advantageous, a limited housing supply led to a grueling home buying experience. Atlanta area home sellers on the other hand, enjoyed historical sway and leverage. They could effectively name their price and state the conditions; buyers were willing to comply. Things changed fast, midway through ’22 rampant inflation and the Fed slammed on the brakes. Things quieted and the stage was set for the spring 2023 housing market in Atlanta.

Entering Q2 of 2023, there is no impending crash and many markets remain tight. While the larger market…

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Selling your home by owner, also known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), is appealing to some in this exceptionally robust market. Not dealing with agents is nice, but can money be saved selling a home by owner? About 7% of homes nationally sold without a listing agent, of those over half were between parties that already had the transaction arranged.  Data shows that around 25% of FSBOs don't sell; and for those that do, they sell between 6%-26% less than agent assisted homes. Consider…

Buyer Agent Interaction

Some buyers' agents may be less inclined to show FSBO properties to their clients, knowing they will be doing double work, may receive a below average commission or even no commission. This might limit the pool of potential buyers for the…

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Let's take a southern home tour! Whether it is a historic home or new build, we love the architecture of the south. Our team member and resident photographer, Mary Miller, fills her Instagram (@glimpsesofthesouth) with beautiful southern homes that highlight their architectural details, gardens, and holiday style. She features Historic Marietta homes, Charleston homes, Downtown Woodstock homes include farmhouse style homes, cottage style and old southern mansions - we love them all!

Southern Home Tour ... 

Southern Home Historic Marietta home 

We start our southern home tour in beautiful Marietta, GA.  Like many Marietta homes the Historic James T. Anderson House goes all out for the 4th! We love the classical details on this home - ionic columns, dental molding and that gorgeous…

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