Good news from RealtyTrac (part of story below) for the 4th month in a row foreclosure activity has decreased. Not that we are out of the woods yet but a view of the clearing is pass the next tree. All the signs are there; we as home owners and industry professionals need to stay focused and continue our journey forward. Low inventory in the Atlanta market around 66,000 listings and the federal government’s extension of the first time/five year buyer credit can only help! Read the rest of this entry »

Below is a list of reasons why now is the time to list…. Don’t wait until spring.

*Sellers are dropping out of the market for holidays, less competition

*Buyers who are looking in the winter tend to be more serious buyers.

*Singles, couples, and empty nesters tend to wait while school is in session to buy, less competition for them.

*Interest rates are at an all time low
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As of the month of November, many properties that are NOT foreclosures or Short Sales, and are staged properly are selling within 30 days of listing. As inventory in Metro Atlanta gets lower and lower, buyers are becoming more serious about their offers to purchase Real Estate. Duffy Realty is seeing much stronger Pre-qualification letters as well as fewer contingencies or conditions on purchase.

How should you choose accessories for your room? Well, it comes down to remembering 4 simple rules for accessorising success.
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Imagine if half our 1.5 million hits on the website per month were buyers looking for homes. Our search tools allow buyers to fine tune their search to certain counties and even more specific neighborhoods. In the most widely used tool, buyers can search for houses in your neighborhood. The newest feature just released this week is now giving you a chance to showcase your neighborhood.
Each subdivision category allows a resident and buyer to leave their comment in regards to that specific community. Talk up your Amenities and the friendly neighbors. Point out the local attractions and other features that buyers are looking for.

By utilizing this feature tool, it adds more value to your subdivision and allows it to stand out when compared to others.

Most impressive search engines on most of the websites ask the buyer if they want to search for homes with a virtual tour first.

Order a virtual tour and benefit your listing.

We sell virtual tours that include still shots and panoramic scenes.
We use HomeScenes who also posts your home on their site.

Homescenes.com reports that about 300,000 visitors’ view their site monthly with an average of about 4,000 visitors daily.

I often hear the question, “But, Sue, how can I sell my house before I find a house to buy?”
Sellers fear that they will be out on the street … HOMELESS! … if they market their home and get a contract before they have identified the house to which they want to move.

Reasons it makes sense to SELL BEFORE YOU BUY: Read the rest of this entry »

When using a live Christmas Tree, pick out the freshes one you and your family can. After getting your tree home, at off at least 1″ off the trunk before placing your tree in the stand. You’ll want to use a tree stand, that can hold at least one gallon of water. Your tree will take up an amazing amount of water as the tree warms up in your home. Keep watering until the uptake of water stops.

Home Fire Safety For First Time Home Buyers Part 4 of 12 GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS, Always keep the base of your Christmas Tree in water, if the base of your tree dries out, and the air will seal it and your tree will not be able to absorb any water and the tree is going to dry out very quickly.

Keep your tree away from any heating vent and fireplace, if you have one. Having your tree near either one of them, will cause your tree to dry out. Be sure not to place your tree, where its blocking an exit. Turn off the tree lights when ever you go out, and when you and your family go to bed.

Be sure to discard any worn or defctive electrical cords and Christmas lights. Keep bulbs and flood lights away from all combustible materials indoors and outdoors. Instead of using extension cords, use power bars that hace breakers, when ever you can. If you do end up using extenion cords for some reason, do not run them under any rugs or staple them to walls or floors.

Home Fire Safety For First Time Home Buyers Part 4 of 12 GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS, If your going to be having a Christmas partie to show off your new home, be sure to provide plenty of large ashtrays with centre cigarette rests for your guests that smoke. Always empty ashtrays into a metal can or douse the ashtrays with water, when your cleaning up after the partie. If your going to be using a metal can, place it outdoors to cool.

Let’s have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season!

-Dale Baker