Selling an Atlanta Home in this spring market can feel like a challenge, especially with all of the competition out there. However, beyond the obvious advantages that the tax credit brought with it, and despite its passing on, there are still many other GREAT reasons that make this a good time for your client to post a For-Sale sign:

Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, whatever a seller may lose on the sell side, they can EASILY make up for on the buy side. Remember, you don't make money when you SELL a home, you make money when you BUY one.

Down-payment help is widely available. While no-doc and no-money-down loans have disappeared, it is pretty easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income, first-time home buyers and participants eligible for grants. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for "down-payment assistance programs" and the name of your region.

Turn Your Improvements into CASH: Yes, we know that the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit are now gone. However, there is still a wide array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.

Great help is available: Truly talented real estate practitioners like the One Winter Team, contractors, and designers, lenders, etc. are prepared, available and ready for business. You'll be sure to have everyone working in your court to make things happen.

Source: NAR Online, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)

REMEMBER SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND ITS PRIME TIME BUYING SEASON IN ATLANTA, GA!             

  Quick Stats:                                      
2009 Home Buyers

 Length of Active Home Search:

.·         Number of weeks searched: 10

.·         Number of homes seen: 10

First-Time vs. Repeat Buyers:

.·         First-time buyers: 41%

.·         Repeat buyers: 59%

.·         Median age of first-time buyers: 30

.·         Median age of repeat buyers: 47

Buyers who definitely would use same agent again: 70%

Actions taken as result of Internet home search: 

.·         Drove by/viewed a home: 77%

.·         Walked through a home viewed online: 63%

.·         Found a new agent to help them search/buy home: 27%

Information sources used in home search: 

.·         Internet: 87%

.·         Real estate agent: 85%

.·         Yard sign: 62%

.·         Open house: 48%

.·         Newspaper ad: 47%

.·         Home book or magazine: 30%