MARKET TRENDS IN METRO ATLANTA
Metro Atlanta housing market has experienced a smooth recovery by far. The unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage to 3.5 percent while unemployed Georgians decrease to pre-pandemic levels according to the Georgia Department of Labor. Home prices were through the roof in 2020 and the pace of appreciation seems to continue in 2021. The median price of a home sold in September 2021 was $344,000. Months of Inventory, based on closed sales, is 1.2 months. A slight drop from 1.1 from the previous month, sold properties were down 11.2%, and pending home sales were down 7.8%.
AS LEAVES FALL, SO DO HOME PRICES
By Jesse Williams, RISMedia's associate online editor
Apple picking, Halloween, pumpkin spice lattes, and home-buying are, in fact, all things that go very well together, according to a new report from ATTOM® Data Solutions, which found that October is the best month to get a good deal on a home as buyers paid significantly less than those who bought in the summer.
Analyzing data over a seven-year period from 2013 to 2020, the report found that in October, people paid an average of 2.9% over the median automated appraisal price of a given home. That pales in comparison to May, the most expensive month when buyers paid an average of 11.5% over the computer-determined appraisal.
Generally, data supported the conventional wisdom, showing that colder months are better for buyers—with December and November averaging under 4% higher purchase price compared to the computer-generated appraisal—with spring and summer the ideal time for sellers, as April through July all topped 7% over valuation.
The takeaway:
Total home sales followed the same pattern as price, according to the report, with colder months seeing more than a 30% drop compared to summer months. February had the least number of sales, averaging below 2 million, with July seeing the most sales at just over 3.3 million. Sales began to decline in September before rebounding in March, the report showed.
The report also broke down data by region, as well as individual days. Unsurprisingly, colder climates saw a much larger seasonal drop in price, as Delaware, Tennessee, New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio saw homes sell for between 4.8% and 7.9% less than the computer valuation model during the winter.
Nationally, the best day to buy a home is Dec. 5, according to the report—a date where buyers only paid 1.6% above the appraisal. The most expensive days are May 23 and 27, both of which saw buyers pay 17.4% more than the home's value.
THESE 3 THINGS MAKE YOUR HOME IRRESISTIBLE TO BUYERS
No matter how hot the market is for sellers, there are always things you can do (and not do) to make your home ready for the sale.
What not to do? Well, don’t start breaking down walls to create an “open floor plan” or paint your kitchen an evergreen shade of green because it’s the color of the year.
1. Staging.
It’s not just about adding a few accent pillows or a new vase. Staging can completely transform a home, and it’s a subtle yet important art that helps buyers visualize themselves turning your house into their home. Professional stagers understand angles and dimensions, they know where the sunlight pours in and how to showcase that backsplash on the wall. Staging a house is the difference between asking price and over asking price; in the National Association of Realtors 2021 Profile of Home Staging, 23% of sellers reported a 1% to 5% of the dollar value offered by buyers, in comparison to similar homes.
2. Clean Walls.
It’s not just about adding a few accent pillows or a new vase. Staging can completely transform a home, and it’s a subtle yet important art that helps buyers visualize themselves turning your house into their home. Professional stagers understand angles and dimensions, they know where the sunlight pours in and how to showcase that backsplash on the wall. Staging a house is the difference between asking price and over asking price; in the National Association of Realtors 2021 Profile of Home Staging, 23% of sellers reported a 1% to 5% of the dollar value offered by buyers, in comparison to similar homes.
3. Light fixtures.
If there’s anything that can dramatically shift the vibe of the room, it’s a well-selected light fixture. Bold and modern, big and traditional, just like staging can magically revamp a room, light fixtures make a huge difference. This can also include small table lamps, adding dimmers to overhead lights and placing floor lamps in a room to showcase its beautiful features.
PATRICK MALLOY COMMUNITIES
Local builder, Patrick Malloy Communities, continues to set record sales in popular locations across metro Atlanta. Early 2021 saw the close out of Soleil Laurel Canyon, Canton’s award-winning active adult master planned community. This success story is continuing with the release of Soleil Belmont Park. Located in Canton, this active adult neighborhood is priced from the $400s and features breathtaking homes on large homesites, resort level amenities and is conveniently located close to Milton, Canton, and Alpharetta.
Patrick Malloy Communities offers five additional neighborhoods in Atlanta. In West Cobb, award-winning Community of the Year Kyle Farm, is fast approaching close-out. Priced from the $500s, Kyle Farm features a variety of home designs and a state-of-the art clubhouse and amenities. In North Atlanta, Charleston inspired Hillandale is priced from the $900s and is located just minutes from the heart of historic Roswell. Currently, there are several homes under construction for fall move-in. Homeowners at Hillandale enjoy a convenient location just minutes from downtown Roswell. Popular Wescott, located in South Forsyth from the $900’s, is a gated community featuring state-of-the-art amenities and is located across from highly acclaimed Lambert High School. Only one homesite remains.
For more details on these new home communities and others, visit
www.PMCommunities.com Patrick Malloy Communities is represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Homes Division. An Equal Housing Opportunity.
SIMPLE STORAGE IDEAS TO USE AROUND THE HOUSE
Home storage solutions don’t have to be complicated, cumbersome, or expensive. Some of the best storage ideas are quite simple in concept and execution.
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here to read more.
FALL EVENTS AROUND ATLANTA
Find out what events are happening in and around Atlanta, Georgia this fall season.
October 2021 November 2021 
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Still Family Farm Fall Fun open Saturdays and SundaysBring your family, friends, and neighbors to get outside and create some memories! Still Family Farm opens its gates on the weekends each fall to showcase a portion of the family's 128 acres just west of Atlanta in Cobb County.
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 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. He has over nineteen years 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 www.LakeSidneyLanierHomes.com or 770-844-8484 or email us at Arthur.Prescott@BHHSGeorgia.com.
