Real Estate Business Category
“It’s On” Gwinnett County – Southwest Airlines
June 10th, 2009 Categories: Gwinnett, Real Estate Business
Over the past week or so you may have seen Southwest Airlines new commercials with the theme “It’s On”. If you have not I have posted a link to one of the commercials picked up from You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnvOlI7sgdo
This is such a creative ad campaign and one that truly hit home for me. Yes it is “On” now is the time for each of us to drag ourselves up from our bootstraps and get out there and go. The economy is turning and will only move forward if each of us has the atttude that “It’s On”
I laid awake last night for over an hour thinking about that commercial because I was so pumped. I never thought a commercial could get me so fired up to get moving and change the direction we all have been dealing with. We all have been through some pretty rough times over the past couple of years. I do not know of anyone who has not had to deal with some type of hardship recently and now is the time to get moving forward.
So what are you doing to get “It On”?
We all need to change our own attitudes and patterns of the past couple of years and get this country moving in the right direction. No matter what your political or social views are, the fact remains that each of us will contribute to the rise of this country and we need to get “IT ON”.
| Currently No Comments »
Georgia Housing Tax Credit Bill
May 14th, 2009 Categories: Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Financing, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Hoschton, Lake Lanier, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Real Estate Business, Snellville, Sugar Hill
Today, House Bill 261 was signed by Governor Sonny Perdue. This bill provides an $1800 tax credit which would be taken over three years. This bill is immediately in effect and is meant to spur the housing market. The amount of the credit will either be $1800 or 1.2 percent of the purchase price (whichever is less).
If you are a first time home buyer, this tax credit would be in addition to the $8000 federal credit. Eligible properties include single family residences including condos, previously occupied homes that were listed for sale before May 11, 2009 and are still listed, and bank owned properties. The bill did not include investment properties.
The goal of this bill is obviously to provide an incentive to move current inventory and to get would be home buyers back in the game. If you, or anyone you know, are ready to purchase a home, Signature Lending Group would love an opportunity to earn your business and to help you take advantage of the new tax savings. We are more than willing to hold your hand throughout the entire process. Call us anytime at 678-387-5580.
| Currently No Comments »
Pending Home Sales Up Again – South Leads the Pack
May 4th, 2009 Categories: Hamilton Mill, Real Estate Business
Over the past several months, we at Diamond Dwellings have seen a large increase in the amount of pending home sales and along with that a large increase in showings and internet activity on our current inventory.
While this can be partially attributed to the Spring selling season, the number of Buyers that have come to market are now in a buying mode and are ready to buy properties. This is a welcome sign for anyone in the real estate industry and we hope all our local competitors and friends are seeing the same activity as we are.
Now is the time to sell if you are a homeowner that is looking to move up to a larger home. Will you take a “hit” on your current property? Yes, you will, but the savings and appreciation you gain in the new purchase will far outweigh the loss on your current home.
Recent figures from the National Association of Realtors shows continued signs that the current market has bottomed and good things are ahead. Do not miss the chance to get a great deal on a home.
The National Association of Realtors said pending home sales rose from February to March as buyers took advantage of deeply discounted prices and low interest rates.
In the home sales report, the NAR said its seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for previously occupied homes rose 3.2% to 84.6 in March. The index was 1.1% above last year’s levels and has risen two straight months after hitting a record low in January.
The index, which started in 2001, tracks signed contracts to buy previously owned homes. Typically there is a one- to two-month lag between a contract and a done deal, so the index is a barometer for future home sales.
“After nearly three years of freefall, housing activity may have found a floor,” wrote Paul Dales, U.S. economist with Capital Economics in Toronto.
Pending sales were up 8.5% in the South and nearly 4% in the West. They fell 5.7% in the Northeast and 1% in the Midwest.
| Currently No Comments »
Hamilton Mill Homes Sales Report For April 2009
April 24th, 2009 Categories: Hamilton Mill, Real Estate Business
While the current real estate market continues to struggle, we at Diamond Dwellings are starting to see a marked improvement in the local market and are optimistic that the upward trend in home sales, pending sales and pricing.
Over the past six weeks or so we have been EXTREMELY busy and buyers are out there, and they are making offers. Price and condition are key.
Overall, the state of Georgia is still struggling with one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country however, the market is turning and we will make it out of the current economic conditions.
Hamilton Mill is not immune to foreclosure and the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner website states there are currently 12 homes in pending foreclosure. I am sure there are more to come so hang on.
For the year 2009 there have been a total of 15 homes sold.
Same time period in 2008 there were 21 homes sold.
Current Pending Sales for 2009: 10
Highest Sale Price in 2009: $620,000 – Sold by Diamond Dwellings Realty.
Lowest Sale Price in 2009: $185,000
Current Inventory of Homes on market: 116
Highest Asking Price: 1,250,000
Lowest Asking Price: $140,000 Foreclosure
Median Asking Price: $387,904.00
Do you need additional information or want to get a free, no obligation as to the current market? Give me a call or drop me note. There has never been a better time to buy.
| Currently 1 Comment »
Window of Opportunity
April 22nd, 2009 Categories: Buford, Chateau Elan, Dacula, Duluth, Financing, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Hoschton, Lake Lanier, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Real Estate Business, Snellville, Sugar Hill
In recent months, I have been talking to you about the “window of opportunity” when it comes to mortgage lending. As I type this post, rates are within a half a point of the lowest rates in country’s history. If you have been sitting on the fence waiting for 4% interest rates, here are a few items to be mindful of:
1) I have reviewed key components of Obama’s Stimulus Package – and nothing in the plan guarantees 4% mortgage interest rates the media keeps talking about. In fact, as Fed Chairman Ben Bernacke alluded in his March 15th “60 Minutes” interview, the Fed’s long term plan is to raise rates as the economy shows signs of recovery.
2) Lenders are continuing to tighten guidelines, which means:
a) Credit scores needed to qualify have increased significantly in the last 30 days. I expect this trend to continue.
b) Many lenders are asking borrowers for larger down payments than in recent years. Fortunately, Signature Lending Group is still offering programs with as little as 3.5% down on FHA loans.
Again, my message here is that we are very likely entering the late stages of our “window of opportunity”. If you or someone you know are wondering if the time is right to purchase a new home or refinance an existing one, please call me immediately. I promise to give you the straight answers that will help you make the most of these chaotic economic times.
Chuck Walden, President
Signature Lending Group, Inc
678-387-5580
| Currently No Comments »
More Positive Economic News Gwinnett County and Beyond
February 12th, 2009 Categories: Financing, Real Estate Business
As I continue to monitor the economic news within the US and abroad, more positive signs came across my desk (computer) this morning that I wanted to share:
Retail Sales Rebound / Jobless Claims Fall – USA Today article:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-12-jobless-retail-sales_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Good News “Foreclosures Down 10%” – USA Today article:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-02-11-decline-housing-foreclosure_N.htm
Coca-Cola Shares Rise: Reuters article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE51B3EO20090212
Now go make a positive impact on the economy and let’s get this country rolling again! -
| Currently No Comments »
More Positive Economic News! Pending Homes Sales Increase Again.
February 3rd, 2009 Categories: Community, Real Estate Business
Pending home sales post increase of 6.3%
I noticed this article in today’s USA Today online edition. Of course it was buried in the bottom of the edition. Why would the media continue to downplay positive signs of potential economic recovery when they can sell more using all the bad news. Hmmm….
The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday its seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for preowned homes for December rose 6.3% to 87.7 from an upwardly revised November reading of 82.5. That’s better than the 82.3 reading economists expected, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.
The reading also was up 2.1% from December 2007.
“In an otherwise bleak landscape, this represents a ray of hope, as it’s a leading indicator for existing home sales. I’m sure it’s foreclosure-driven, so it could be a hollow number,” said Brian Dolan, chief currency strategist at Forex.com.
Data from the housing market, which is at the center of the worst financial and economic crisis in decades, has sent conflicting signals in recent days.
Last week, the NAR reported an unexpected rise in existing home sales in December, driven mainly by distressed sales, with prices falling from a year earlier by the biggest margin in over 40 years.
The NAR’s housing affordability index jumped 10.9% in December to 158.8, the highest since it began tracking records in 1970. The index rose on falling home prices and low mortgage rates.
But government data Thursday showed sales of new U.S. single-family homes dropped in December by their biggest margin since 1994.
Stability in the housing market is critical to the U.S. economy’s recovery. The economy slipped into recession in December 2007.
The pending sales index tracks signed contracts to purchase existing homes. Typically there is a one- to two-month lag between a contract and a done deal. Home sales that were pending in December are likely to be completed in the coming weeks.
| Currently 4 Comments »
Gwinnett County 2009 Market Forecast – Brief
January 6th, 2009 Categories: Dacula, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Real Estate Business
Another year has come and gone and to be brutally honest with you I am so glad to have 2008 behind us. The real estate market in Gwinnett County has been hit with a number of foreclsoures and with this has come a pretty large reduction in home values throughout the County.
However, looking towards the remaining balance of 2009 I personally am pretty optimistic. For the past week or two I am beginning to get more phone calls from other agents as well as new clients who are interested in a majority of homes we currently have on the market. We closed two sales last week and are expecting a few offers on other listings by the end of this week.
Am I being overly optimistic? I don’t think so. There are a number of factors working in our favor currently.
Low interest rates, a new President coming on board in a few weeks, stilulus packages, and most importantly low pricing on homes. Just think, if you were to buy a home in the next few months, the amount of equity you will have in five to seven years when you go to sell.
Goodbye 2008, hello 2009. Let’s get moving.
| Currently No Comments »
Relocating To Gwinnett County GA – City Information
December 17th, 2008 Categories: Gwinnett, Real Estate Business
Gwinnett County Georgia is a fantastic place to live and I continually get asked about some of the different areas and cities of Gwinnett and what they have to offer. So, I have put together a list of some of but not all of the wonderful places to call home and wanted to share some basic information.
Buford: www.CityofBuford.com
Dacula: www.daculaga.org
Duluth: www.duluthga.net
Grayson: www.cityofgrayson.org
Suwanee: www.suwanee.com
Norcross: www.norcrossga.net
Snellville: www.snellville.org
Additional Information that you will need:
Natural Gas: Buford Gas (770-945-6761), Lawrenceville Gas (770-963-2414), Sugar Hill Gas (770-945-6716)
Electricity: City of Buford (770-945-6761) City of Lawrenceville (770-963-2414), City of Norcross (770-448-2122), Georgia Power (888-660-5890), Jackson EMC (770-963-6166), Walton EMC (770-972-2917)
Telephone: AT&T (800-626-9149)
Water: Gwinnett County Public Utilities (678-376-6800)
Drivers License: Ga Department of Motor Vehicles – various locations (678-413-8400)
If you need any additional information on these services please feel free to contact us and we wil be happy to help you in any way we can.
| Currently No Comments »
Positive Action for Mortgage Rates
December 4th, 2008 Categories: Buford, Chateau Elan, Dacula, Duluth, Financing, Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, Hoschton, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Real Estate Business, Snellville, Sugar Hill
According to the Washington Post this morning, the Treasury Department is considering intervening into the mortgage market. This intervention would dramatically force down interest rates. They are actually talking about driving rates down to an interest rate of no more than 4.5%. The National Association of Realtors feels this would definitly boost the housing market. In the meantime, if you are considering refinancing your current residence, DO NOT wait for the rates to drop. You need to go ahead and get your application in and ready to go with a target in mind. Signature Lending Group has been ramping up thier staff for months in anticipation of the huge influx of applications. The time is now. Do not hesitate or you may miss the opportunity of a lifetime.
| Currently No Comments »
