Lake Sidney Lanier Homes Blog

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Lake Lanier Home For Sale At 3411 Sundance Drive! Reduced Pricing On This Lovely Home With Deep Water Cove And A Swimming Pool Too!

If you have spent any time looking for homes for sale on Lake Lanier, then you know how hard it can often be to find a luxurious, affordable well built home on deep water, with a boat dock and even a swimming pool! Well rest assured, you'll find all of this and more at 3411 Sundance Drive in Sundance Point. You'll even get two lots comprising about 1.74 acres. Square footage is large as well on this home. Think in the range of 4,200 square feet. We've just reduced the price of this gorgeous property to $575,000! Look at our newest photos of this property. You will love the backyard pool and patio. We've included a video and link to all of the property details. Give us a call to schedule your private tour!

Watch The YouTube Video 3411 Sundance Drive, Gainesville, GA.

Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at APrescott@PrudentialGeorgia.com.

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Lake Lanier Photos From Today's Boat Trip To War Hill Park In Dawsonville Along Thompson Creek!

What an absolutely gorgeous day to be on the water at Lake Lanier! We made a short boat ride over to War Hill Park on Lake Lanier along Thompson Creek in Dawsonville. With the Summer winding down and kids heading back to school this week, boat traffic was fairly tame. It was great to see campers at War Hill Park enjoying the weather this weekend. Sunny with low humidity! What's not to like?! Just a gorgeous Sunday at Lake Lanier with temps feeling like a breezy Fall day. Here are a few of our photos from today!

Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at APrescott@PrudentialGeorgia.com.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Metro Atlanta Case-Shiller Index For July 2013! See The Latest Real Estate Trends!

This real estate update is courtesy of our broker, Prudential Georgia Realty, and its blog at atlscoop.com!

The latest Case-Shiller Index was published on Tuesday, July 30th 2013. As always, the index reports on data 60 days in arrears. Therefore, the index reports Metro Atlanta home values for May 2013. So what does the latest index show and what does that mean for home values in Metro Atlanta? Home values continue to improve in our market. However, two important considerations must be taken into account. First, the Case-Shiller index of home values is very different from average sale prices or median homes prices. The Case-Shiller Index reports on repeat properties sold, which are generally better indicators of home values. Second, this index reflects average home values for all of Metro Atlanta. Remember, real estate is local and every market is different. Your local Prudential Georgia Realty agent can help you understand the specific metrics in your local market.

Now for the news…. Average home prices for the National 20-City Index increased by 2.4% compared to last month and increased 12.2% over the past year. The April index for Metro Atlanta shows a 3.43% (non-seasonally adjusted) increase in home values from March 2013 and a 20.1% increase over the last year. While these numbers are positive, we must bear in mind that home prices are still down 22.65% from the peak of July 2007. The May index for Atlanta is 105.56. Phoenix, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Atlanta were the four cities with the highest year-over-year price increases. New York, Cleveland, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Dallas and Boston showed the smallest year-over-year improvements.

The Metro Atlanta real estate market continues to show signs of improvement for sellers. Listing inventory is up 18% from the bottom of February 2013. But this is still down 19% from 2012 and down 48% from 2011. That represents around 3.8 months supply of inventory based upon the latest closed sales trend. Six months supply is considered normal. We have seen an extended period of low inventory since last year. Buyer activity remains strong led by baby boomers, first time buyers and investors. At the same time, the pace of pre-foreclosures (notices of default) and foreclosures has slowed. RealValuator reports that short sales and foreclosures were over 60% of the transactions sold in 2010 but are now down to under 30% in 2013. Market sales (resales, new homes) are outpacing bank-owned sales. New Homes are starting to make a comeback with Smart Numbers reporting a 55% increase in closed sales from the last quarter. In the next few years, new homes will become a more significant part of the inventory and closed sales. Your local PGR agent can show you the specific conditions in your market so you can make the best real estate decisions.

We have now seen positive results from the Case-Shiller Index for the last seven months and 13 of the last 14 months. Only October of 2012 was negative. What a change from a few years ago! As we see more summer results posted, we expect to see more positive results. As we move into the fall, we mat get mixed results. But the low inventory environment could break the normal pattern and drive prices higher. View the graph of the monthly Case-Shiller results from 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

If you look back further at home values (see chart below), you can see that we had a bubble in homes values. As with many cyclical markets, we have over-corrected with values that are below the normal trend line. Over time, we expect this pattern to normalize and values will return to this predictable track. That makes now a great time to buy or invest in real estate for Metro Atlanta – BUT don’t wait too long!

This chart shows the “months supply” based upon price ranges. As you can see, the supply is very low in the lower price ranges. Some of this is due to heavy investor activity under $200,000. As you get to the luxury market, there is more supply available based on the rate of closed sales. Contact your local PGR agent to see the latest trends in your specific area.

If you look at the average annual Case-Shiller index for each year, here is how homes purchased in recent years would compare to the current index:

Homes Bought in 2000 – Gain 2.26%
Homes Bought in 2001 – Loss of 3.17%
Homes Bought in 2002 – Loss of 6.76%
Homes Bought in 2003 – Loss of 9.70%
Homes Bought in 2004 – Loss of 12.77%
Homes Bought in 2005 – Loss of 16.95%
Homes Bought in 2006 – Loss of 20.74%
Homes Bought in 2007 – Loss of 21.26%
Homes Bought in 2008 – Loss of 13.93%
Homes Bought in 2009 – Loss of 2.62%
Homes Bought in 2010 – Loss of 0.20%
Homes Bought in 2011 – Gain of 7.32%
Homes Bought in 2012 – Gain of 16.36%

Yes, we are slowly climbing our way out of this unprecedented housing crisis – but we are not quite there yet. So where will home values go from here? The key factors that will impact our home values include the following:

Demand from Buyers: Demand is strong as buyers take advantage while prices remain below replacement costs and mortgage financing is historically low. Large investors are creating strong demand for rentable single family homes under $200,000. We will be watching that for a potential bubble. We continue to see significant pent-up demand for new household formation from first time buyers and a very active baby boomer market. We expect to see the return of the 1st and 2nd move-up buyer over the next few years. That will tell us that we have returned to a more normal demand cycle.

Mortgage Rates/ Credit Availability: Average mortgage rates in the past 50 years were 8%. Rates remain historically low but the long-term trend is higher. Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association predict mortgage rates to rise to the 5% range in 2014. In 3-5 years, we expect to see rates in the 6-8% range again.

Supply/ Inventory Levels: Most of our markets are showing inventory levels down significantly from the prior year levels. New homes will continue to grow but not fast enough to have a significant impact on inventory levels in the short-term. As values begin to rise, we expect “sideline sellers” to get back into the market. Overall, the “for sale” inventory will remain low compared to normal levels.

Competition from Short Sales/ Foreclosures: In 2010, RealValuator reports that short sales and foreclosures were over 60% of the transactions sold but have dropped to under 30% in 2013. We are now seeing resales and new homes outpace the sales of bank-owned properties.

New Homes Make A Comeback: New Home starts are rising and will slowly but surely become a major factor for Metro Atlanta real estate. In 3-5 years, we expect New Homes to return to just under 50% of the inventory and closed sales. For resale owners, your competition will shift from foreclosures & short sales to new homes.

It is clear that the housing market for the Greater Metro Atlanta area is improving. Right now, we still have low prices and incredible mortgage rates. But the trends for mortgage rates are upward and home prices are increasing. Many buyers and sellers need to act quickly before their buying power in impacted significantly. In 5 or 10 years, many will look back and regret not buying their dream home when they had the chance! The cost of waiting could be quite significant. Check back for our next posts with the latest facts and insight that can make you money!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Prudential Georgia Realty Real Estate Advisor August 2013! See The Latest Trends In This Metro Atlanta Real Estate Update!

Prudential Georgia Realty Real Estate Advisor August 2013

We are providing this monthly real estate advisor report to keep you informed about the latest trends and issues in the real estate market. If you know someone else who might be interested in receiving this report or who may benefit from our expertise, please let us know. Better information helps our clients make better real estate decisions!
Greater Metro Atlanta Real Estate Update

For the Greater Metro Atlanta area, listed inventory is up 18% from the lowest point in February 2013. But inventory remains down 19% compared to 2012 levels and down 48% from 2011. The limited availability of quality properties with reasonable value has turned many local areas into a seller’s market.
The available “months of supply” is 3.8 months based upon closed sales (6 months is considered normal).
There is a feeding frenzy for desirable properties where multiple offers are becoming the norm. Buyer demand is very strong and pendings are running ahead of last year. But actual closed transactions have been down every month this year when compared to 2012. That means the fallout rates are higher than normal.
The pace of short sales and foreclosures coming on the market has slowed considerably. In 2010, over 60% of sales were distressed properties but that is now down to 37%. Resales are the larger mix of sales.
New Homes are making a slow but sure comeback. New home closings are up 55% from last quarter. There are some wonderful new home communities coming online with the latest innovations in smart building that may be great options for buyers. Click here to view new home communities.
The Case-Shiller Index reports that Metro Atlanta home values have increased 21% in the last 12 months. But values remain down 25% from the peak of July 2007. Click here for the latest Case-Shiller report.
Home values will continue to rise in 2013 – especially in the lower price points driven by the very low levels of inventory and strong buyer demand.
Appraisals can be a problem. In areas where prices are rising, the appraiser may not be considering the latest comps or may not be able to use some comps that were done as private transactions. We can help provide information to the appraiser in the right formats that give you the best chance to get the highest value.
Click Here for a detailed set of slides that show the National Market, the Metro Atlanta Market, The New Homes Market and how our company is performing. There is a reason we are ranked #1 in Metro Atlanta.

This is an unprecedented opportunity to buy the home of your dreams while prices and financing are historically low. But these conditions will not last as the real estate market continues to recover.
Mortgage Rates Rising
Time To Make Your Move!

Mortgage rates are on the rise, but fell back slightly in recent weeks. Many buyers are realizing that the long-term trend is upward and home values are also rising. Now may be the time to make your move!

On July 23rd, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey(R) (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates easing along with market concerns over the Federal Reserve's bond purchase program.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.37 percent, down from the prior week when it averaged 4.51 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.53 percent.
15-year FRM averaged 3.41 percent, down from last week when it averaged 3.53 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.83 percent.
5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.17 percent, down from last week when it averaged 3.26 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.69 percent.
1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.66 percent this week, unchanged from last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.69 percent.
Fixed mortgage rates fell as Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Bernanke helped ease market concerns about the Fed reducing its bond purchases. During a question and answer session following a speech on July 10th, Chairman Bernanke indicated that a highly accommodative monetary policy is what's needed in the U.S. Economy.

Recent indications of a slowing economic recovery placed downward pressure on mortgage rates. Consumer sentiment fell to a three month low in July while retail sales in June grew by only 0.4 percent, which was half of the market consensus forecast. In addition, housing starts fell in June to the slowest pace since August 2012. These more pessimistic economic factors help keep rates lower for now. But the long-term trend for mortgage rates is higher. Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association both predict mortgage rates to be almost 5% by 2014.

If someone you know is interested in buying, we can help them act quickly before rising mortgage rates and increasing home values price their dream home out of reach!
It Is “Back To School” Time!

The Greater Metro Atlanta area is home to thousands of elementary, middle and high schools. Most of these will open for the 2013 -2014 school year during the first two weeks of August. The summer break is almost over, and with it the days of cruising down many streets unimpeded by school buses during the daily commute will be gone as well. Add at least a 20 minute buffer to your 7 – 9 am commute to arrive on time and keep yourself and others safe. Safe Kids USA offers the followingTop Back to School Safety Tips:

Reminders for Drivers:
Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones
Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and or curbs
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours
Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving

Reminders for Kids:
Kids should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old
Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks
Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars
Make sure kids always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them

Fall Is Just Around The Corner But Real Estate Is Still HOT! If You Know Someone Who Can Benefit From Our Real Estate Expertise, We Would Love To Help. Better Information Leads To Better Decisions!

Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at APrescott@PrudentialGeorgia.com.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Luxury Meets Affordability In This Fabulous Lake Lanier Home For Sale With Dock And Acreage!

We've blogged before about 3411 Sundance Drive on Lake Lanier, and today we have even more value to offer in this home as the price has now been reduced by $25,000 to an incredibly tempting price of $575,000! This property is situated on two lots comprising a total of 1.74 acres and an extraordinary 373 feet of estimated waterfront on Lake Lanier! Luxurious with four sides brick, in ground pool, large sun room, separate living and dining rooms, gorgeous open kitchen, keeping room, 2 fireplaces, master on main, enormous bedrooms, a full finished basement and a work shop!

With so much land around the home, the setting is really private! Behind the property, you'll find a quiet, scenic deep water cove on Lake Lanier that is close to Little Hall Park, boat launch and park amenities. The property includes a single slip covered dock with boat hoist and a wonderful lake setting. If you are currently shopping in the $500K-$600K price range, you need to take a look at this spectacular property! It is a screaming buy and represents affordable luxury with lots of privacy! Contact us immediately to arrange your private tour!

Property Listings

	3411 SUNDANCE Drive Gainesville, GA
	MLS Number: 5163852
	Listing Price: $575,000

	View Details

Monday, July 22, 2013

Lake Lanier Home Sales! We Close Another One In Dawsonville On Thompson Creek At Lake Lanier!

Whew! It's been a VERY busy July. We have been actively showing properties, doing inspections, and writing contracts every day lately. 2013 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Lake Lanier real estate!

Last Friday, we had another very smooth closing and one that occurred weeks ahead of schedule. I have to give thanks for a job well done on the mortgage financing which was done with Terry Palmer of Homestar Financial Corporation. Terry got all aspects of the loan process completed quickly and was responsive to everyone's needs. He really stayed on top of the entire process, rushed the system, and got everything done way ahead of schedule.

We represented our buyer clients on the purchase of the home listed for sale at 110 Silver Maple Way in Dawsonville. By water, the home is located along the scenic shores of Thompson Creek. This home was a great deal and a property with a tremendous amount of lake charm and a terrific setting. The property listing details and panorama can be viewed at the following links:

Property Listings

	110 Silver Maple Way Dawsonville, GA
	MLS Number: 5159501
	Listing Price: $323,750
	Status: Pending

View Details

Property Panorama

This home is set in the woods in a very private enclave of homes near Liberty Church Road in Dawsonville. It has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, a wonderfully large screened porch, hardwood floors, exposed beams and lots of history. It included a single slip covered dock with platform deck and a boat hoist. It was an impeccably maintained home and property! The home was listed as having 1,334 square feet and was listed and priced at $323,750. We know the new owners of this property will be thrilled with this excellent Lake Lanier getaway. Please contact us for more information on finding your Lake Lanier home, or for further details on this property and all of Lake Lanier's recent home sales!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Our Newest Lake Lanier Home For Sale! Another Cute Cottage On Lake Lanier's South End!

Yes, we are at it again! Another new listing, and it's another cute cottage, waterfront, lake views, and deep water on the south end of Lake Lanier in Cumming. This home has been renovated with fiber-cement siding and fresh paint on the outside, and a roof that is only three years old. Inside there are 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, hardwood floors, a remodeled kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, new bathroom fixtures and much more! Of course, it has a screened porch located off the great room on the back side of the home that will be a huge hit for enjoying the grassed backyard and view to the lake.

This Lake Lanier home is located at 4100 Merritt Drive in Cumming. It is very close to Bald Ridge Park, off of Sinclair Shores Road near Pilgrim Mill. It is a fabulous street of quaint, lake homes with many others dating back to the early 1960's just like this one! The cove location is on deep water and very near the big water, and the dock is a large, covered single slip with a spacious platform for lounging.

Our professional photography should be completed tomorrow. But for now, here are a few pics of the property that I took during my last visit!

Like what you see? Check out the full listing details, maps, photos, and pricing details by clicking on the link below.

Property Listings

	4100 MERRITT Drive Cumming, GA
	MLS Number: 5173899
	Listing Price: $335,000

	View Details

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Get To Know Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices! See The Latest News In This Detailed Video And Website!

Dan Forsman and Earl Lee introduce you to the latest details on the transition to our new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand. Click the link below to see the video!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Lake Lanier Home Sales For June 2013! We Take A Look At The Strong Numbers!

The sales data is in for June 2013 Lake Lanier home sales, and the numbers are strong! For the month of June, our data shows that 28 homes sold on Lake Lanier. The average home sold was a 4 bedroom, 3 and a half bath home, with an average sales price of $471,673. This sales price was the end result of an average original list price of $522,473. This sales price represents 92.02 % of the original list, and the average total days on market was a very reasonable 119. These numbers reflect good sales activity and continuing data that is evidence of our strengthening market. For the complete Comparative Market Analysis, please click the following link:

Lake Lanier Home Sales June 2013

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Ranked Highest For Customer Satisfaction!

Prudential Real Estate Ranked Highest for Customer Satisfaction in Three Segments of
J.D. Power and Associates 2013 Home Buyer/Seller Study

IRVINE, Calif. – Prudential Real Estate, an HSF Affiliates LLC company, today announced that
the Prudential Real Estate affiliate network ranked highest for customer satisfaction in three of
the four segments included in J.D. Power and Associates’ annual Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction
Study. The network scored highest in Repeat Home Buyer, First-Time Home Buyer, and First Time Home Seller categories. It ranked third in the Repeat Home Seller segment.

The sixth annual study measures customer satisfaction among the nation’s largest real estate
brokerage companies. Overall satisfaction is gauged across four factors of the home-buying
experience: agent/salesperson, real estate office, closing process, and variety of additional
services. Seller satisfaction is evaluated through the same four factors plus marketing.

Among repeat home buyers, Prudential Real Estate scored 829 on a 1,000-point scale,
performing particularly well in agent/sales person, variety of additional services and closing
process. The network tallied 811 points among first-time home buyers, showing strength in all
factors. Prudential Real Estate scored 809 points in the First-Time Home-Seller segment,
drawing strong marks for marketing and closing process. This represents the third time in six
years Prudential Real Estate ranked highest in seller satisfaction including recognition in 2008
and 2010.

“Prudential Real Estate stands for quality and consistency in neighborhoods across America,”
said Earl Lee, network president and CEO of HSF Affiliates LLC. “Buyers and sellers alike
appreciate our affiliates’ market leadership and our agents’ skill and innovation.”

Lee added that the Prudential Real Estate network enjoys one of the industry’s highest average
selling prices and that its agents stand out as local-market experts. “Affiliate to affiliate,
Prudential Real Estate sales professionals have a strong work ethic and drive for client
satisfaction. These prestigious awards further underscore our agents’ success and the quality of
our network.”

Among other survey findings:

• First-time home buyers and sellers are most influenced by a company’s good reputation
and the recommendations they receive from friends, family and colleagues.

• More than one-third (35%) of first-time home buyers and 27% of first-time sellers
indicate they selected their real estate company based on its reputation.

• 28% of first-time home buyers and 27% of first-time sellers selected their company based
on recommendations.

• Overall satisfaction with real estate companies is higher among repeat customers
compared to first-time buyers or sellers.

• Suggesting better times in residential real estate, the percentage of first-time home sellers
increased to 44% in 2013 from 30% in 2012.

• The percentage of first-time home buyers also increased significantly, 49% in 2013 vs.
40% a year ago.

The 2013 Home Buyer/Seller Study includes 4,371 evaluations from 3,930 respondents who
bought or sold a home between March 2012 and April 2013.

About Prudential Real Estate and HSF Affiliates LLC
Prudential Real Estate is a part of the HSF Affiliates LLC real estate brokerage family, which
includes Real Living Real Estate and the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand
available later in 2013. Prudential Real Estate franchisees are independently owned and operated.

HSF Affiliates LLC, based in Irvine, Calif., is a joint venture of HomeServices of America and
Brookfield Asset Management.

Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities and are used under
license with no other affiliation with Prudential.

About J.D. Power & Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing
information services company providing performance improvement, social media and customer
satisfaction insights and solutions. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are
based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews
and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit
jdpower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

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