Headlines about the fiscal cliff may lead you to think that housing transactions are tapering off, yet according to the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey for November, that simply is not the case. In fact, Americans are displaying more confidence in the housing market and economy than previously shown, which is good news for your Cobb County home!

Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist of Fannie Mae stressed in a recent report that, “Consumer attitudes toward both the economy and the housing market continue to gather momentum, with many of our 11 key National Housing Survey indicators at or near their two-and-a-half-year highs.” He continued by concluding that “attitudes about the current selling environment continue to improve, with a significant increase in those saying it would be a good time to sell.”

Five percent more of the November survey respondents believe now is a good time to sell a home (shown at 23%) as compared to October, recording the highest percentage in over 17 months. Nearly 41 percent of those surveyed felt that mortgage rates will be increasing soon and 14 percent believed home prices will decrease in the next twelve months, while 37 percent believed home prices would increase. Respondents are confident on the ability to get a mortgage, with 51 percent believing in the possibility.

Forty-eight percent of those surveyed predicted increases in rental prices and 67 percent reported that they would purchase a home if the need to move arose, giving you more options should you decide it is time to sell your home. Click here to access the Fannie Mae November survey data and graphs.

You may have been talking with a neighbor or simply heard a snippet on the radio or television, but suddenly you are aware that right now is a “seller’s market.” Thoughts of an instant million dollar sale of your home or timing the selling of your home may be coursing through your brain and if so, you should consult with a knowledgable real estate agent to get the inside scoop. The Cobb County area is experiencing low home volume and high demand which could place your home for sale in prime position {see Coffee with Connie video – Supply of Homes Shrinking in Atlanta for more details).

As a home owner, you may not understand the technicalities behind multiple offers and so working with a local real estate agent can provide you with the much needed guidance you’ll require to navigate your home sale. There are some simple steps that can aid you in getting multiple offers and the basics are outlined below.

Sell Your Home For More Money

• Stage Your Home for Sale – In a “seller’s market,” potential buyers know they need to act fast to put in an offer on the house (or houses) they like. Make sure yours is on that list by tending to every detail.  At the Connie Carlson Team we feel strongly about not putting your home on the MLS until the staging is completed and professional photographs have been taken and edited.  In most cases, we recommend that you have a COMPLIMENTARY staging consultation with our stager, Pat Shankle of Georgia Home Staging.
• Spread the Word – From hosting a Broker’s Preview to the open house and other advertising, make sure that your home for sale is being properly promoted. Attention must be drawn to your home in order for it to be seen and offers to be submitted. Give your home the promotion it needs by choosing an agent who knows How Buyers Found the Home They Purchased and utilizes the most up-to-date technology to reach the largest audience of buyers.
• Ask for a Lockbox – To have multiple offers, multiple people need to view your home (in staged condition) at all times. Realize that getting your home sold quickly will likely mean a bit of inconvenience for you in the short term. The sooner you accept an offer, however, the less time you’ll need to spend adjusting your lifestyle.

If you need more advice or simply want a real estate agent you can trust with your home, please don’t hesitate to call.  I’d love to get you multiple offers!

BUYERS – If you fall in love with a Cobb County home that is receiving multiple offers make sure you have an experienced agent working for you that knows how to negotiate the deal so you end up on top.  Watch How to Win A Multiple Offer video for tips and tricks that we use on the Connie Carlson Team.

Each day I scour the MLS to find the homes that have posted the biggest price reduction.  Check out what I found today.  Find something that looks interesting?  Call me at 678-631-1812

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 3. See more Big Reductions This Week in Cobb Co..
(all data current as of 5/18/2013)

1. $250,000 : 3203 Lakeridge Drive SE, Marietta
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,652 sq ft

   Year built: 1984

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
2. $189,900 : 1096 Allgood Road, Marietta
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,304 sq ft

   Year built: 1950

   Parking spots: 2

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
3. $400,000 : 1515 Lost Mountain Road, Powder Springs
   
   3 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1950

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Meet Kayla and Brandon.  They just purchased their first home in Marietta, GA.  In this video they share their experience working with Lori Pugh, Buyer Specialist with the Connie Carlson Team.  Druing their home search they ran into some obstacles.  Take a look and see how Lori helped Kayla and Brandon overcome the home buying obstacles of today’s real estate market.

Fernando Perez, WR Starkey

 WR Starkey Mortgage

Fernando Perez

fperez@wrstarkey.com
404-625-0522

Apply online for Loan PreApproval with WR Starkey, Fernando Perez

When the #1 Real Estate office in West Cobb County needed another lender the agents at Keller Williams Realty decided that they would only settle for the best in the business.  After numerous interviews with some of the top loan officers in the area, we decided that Fernando Perez was the guy!  I asked Fernando to give me 5 Reasons why YOU should choose him to help you with your next home loan.  Here is what Fernando had to say:

1.  Compassionate and caring Service
2. A variety of products(every homeowner is different)
3. State of the art technology(to streamline the process)
4. Competitive rates
5. Knowing that your loan is in the hands of someone who really cares.

I think everyone of these reasons sets Fernando and WR Starkey apart.  AND, today I received the following email from Fernando.  With the increasingly complex financial environment, it is a comfort to know that Fernando and WR Starkey are getting it done!

Hello KW Agents,

Are you getting your HUD’s 2 – 4 days before closing?  Are your client’s appraisals coming back within 7 – 10 days?  Is your client’s loan being underwritten in 24 – 48 hours from the date of submission?  If you answered no to any of these questions then we ask WHY NOT?

Most loan issues arise because a lender does not have a processing platform that allows them to move quickly.  If a lender is continuously missing deadlines (Due Diligence, Appraisal Contingency, Financing Contingency) it puts your client in jeopardy of losing their earnest money.  One of our advantages is that we fly through the processing and underwriting phase of the loan.  Our benchmarks are 7 – 10 days for an appraisal, 24 -48 hours for loan approval, and a HUD 2 – 4 days prior to closing. If you have not had a chance to experience this, give us a shot.  You will not be disappointed.