Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Georgia Properties
Real Estate Advisor - April 2014
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!
- Click here for a detailed market report for the Greater Metro Atlanta area.
- Once again, BHHS Georgia Properties was Number 1 in both homes sold and buyers represented for February 2014. We have been ranked #1 for 5 years in a row.
- Closings for Metro Atlanta in February were down 15% compared to last month and down 25% compared to the previous year.
- For the Greater Metro Atlanta area, listed inventory was down 1.9% from January 2014 and up 16% compared to February 2014 levels. The limited availability of quality properties has turned some local areas into a seller’s market.
- The available “months of supply” rose to 6.6 months which is similar to January 2014. The slower pace of sales and slightly higher inventory are creating a more normal market condition.
- The pace of short sales and foreclosures coming on the market has slowed considerably. In 2010, over 60% of sales were distressed properties but in February we only saw 134 foreclosures and 209 bank-owned sales. Resales and New Homes are the larger mix of sales.
- New Homes are making a slow but sure comeback. 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 37% from the bottom of March 2012. But values remain down 16.94% from the peak of July 2007. Click here for the latest report.
- The trend for mortgage rates is higher. The Mortgage Bankers Association and Freddie Mac predict 30-year mortgage rates to be over 5% in 2014. This could significantly reduce buying power for those that wait.
- Baby Boomers are the leading buyer segment followed by First Time Buyers. Move-Up Buyers are showing some signs of improved activity but remain well below historical levels.
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.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Ranked Brand Of The Year
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the new real estate brokerage network operated by HSF Affiliates LLC, today announced it was named “Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year” in the 26th annual Harris Poll EquiTrend® study. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices received the highest ranking in the Real Estate Agency category based on consumers’ perception of its brand familiarity, quality and purchasing consideration, among other qualifying elements. The study was based on opinions of more than 40,000 U.S. consumers surveyed online earlier this year.
“We are delighted to be recognized by consumers in the venerable Harris Poll EquiTrend ® study,” said Earl Lee, CEO of HSF Affiliates LLC, which operates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “This terrific honor by consumers is a tribute to our powerful brand – whose namesake is the world - renowned Berkshire Hathaway Inc. – and the top-quality affiliates and agents who represent it.” Added Stephen Phillips, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: “We are humbled by the honor, particularly since our brand was not even a year old at the time of the study. We look forward to a bright future as part of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.”
The brand received the highest numerical Equity Score among large real estate brands included in the 2014 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study, which measures and compares the brand health of more than 1,500 brands across 170 categories from airlines and apparel to retailers and real estate. Consumers responded with their brand perceptions, gauging their emotional connection to the brand, plus brand awareness, influence and familiarity. According to Harris, a brand is defined as a set of persuasive promises about a product, service or organization that differentiates it from others in a universally positive, contextually relevant or personally compelling way. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, which transitioned its first affiliates in September 2013, has grown exponentially with independently owned brokerages operating across America. The network is built on a foundation of quality with rigorous standards for affiliation.
Contact Us To Put The Power Of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices To Work For You!
Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter 2014!
Easter is a wonderful sign that spring is here. It is celebrated by people of many faiths. From Easter egg hunts, visits from the Easter Bunny and Easter brunches with great food – this is a popular time of year. It is also noted as the beginning of the social season in many circles.
For Christians, Easter is a religious feast and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day at Calvary as described in the New Testament. Easter is preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains MaundyThursday and the Last Supper, as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter is followed by a fifty-day period called Eastertide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.
We hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter. We are so happy that spring is finally here!
If You Know Someone Who Can Benefit From This Information Or Our Real Estate Expertise, We Would Love To Help Them.
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 Arthur.Prescott@BHHSGeorgia.com.
