Last year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under 4%, forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and the residential housing market had the strongest January and February activity in over a decade. Then came the announcement on March 11, 2020, from the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Two days later, the White House declared it a national emergency. Businesses and schools were forced to close, shelter-in-place mandates were … [Read more...]
March 10th, 2021 Newsletter
Here is our March 10th, 2021 Email Update about Real Estate in Northwest Atlanta (primarily Woodstock, Canton, Roswell, Acworth, Alpharetta and parts of Marietta.) Some of you have asked where you can learn more about adding to your portfolio, manage your rentals, and general property management issues. As always you can ask us any question and here are four Facebook Groups you may wish to look at: 1.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/467605980283965/ 2.) … [Read more...]
Is it a good time to sell my house?
Last year, many homeowners thought twice about selling their houses due to the onset of the health crisis. This year, however, homeowners are beginning to regain their confidence when it comes to selling safely. The latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae shows that 57% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell. Doug Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, explains: “Overall, the index’s monthly increase was driven largely by a substantial jump in … [Read more...]
What are the benefits of a 20% down payment?
If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you may be wondering how much money you need to come up with for your down payment. Many people may think it’s 20% of the loan to secure a mortgage. While there are plenty of lower down payment options available for qualified buyers who don’t want to put 20% down, it’s important to understand how a larger down payment can have great benefits too. The truth is, there are many programs available that allow you to put down as little as 3.5%, which … [Read more...]
“Just the Facts Ma’am” Home Prices: What Happened in 2020 and What Will Happen in 2021
The real estate market was on fire during the second half of 2020. Buyer demand was way up, and the supply of homes available for sale hit record lows. The price of anything is determined by the supply and demand ratio, so home prices skyrocketed last year. Dr. Lynn Fisher, Deputy Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Division of Research and Statistics, explains: “House prices nationwide recorded the largest annual and quarterly increase in the history of the FHFA Home Price … [Read more...]
