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    Here’s where you can go to celebrate the 4th of July in the Lake Lanier and surrounding area

    INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
    Courtesy of Lakeside on Lanier News

    Communities in and around Lake Lanier celebrate Independence Day with hometown fun that shows off their heritage. From greased pole climbing to running 5Ks, vintage music to patriotic pops, tractor parades to boat parades, the shorelines and headwater towns burst with an array of festivities. Here’s a look:
    Blairsville

    • July 4 – Old Fashioned Celebration, Blairsville – 7 a.m. 5K/1-mile fun run, 9:30 a.m. flag raising ceremony, followed by bicycle parade, pedal boat races, greased pole climbing, watermelon eating contest and other family activities at one of the nation’s oldest state parks, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. 5K /fun run $20, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706 745-2628.
    • July 4 – Red, White & Blairsville – Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m., Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane. www.visitblairsvillega.com.
      Braselton
    • July 4 – Celebrate the 4th, Braselton – Food, music, parade, fireworks; food trucks/family activities, 5 p.m., parade on Ga. 53 begins at 6 p.m., live music 6:30-9:30 p.m.; fireworks between 9-9:30 p.m., Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
      Buford
    • Margaritaville Lanier Islands, Buford – Water park, live music, fireworks, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. See website for details. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
    • Mall of Georgia Family Fun Day, Buford – Village Amphitheatre, 4345 Buford Dr. Details: www.mallofgeorgia.com, 678 482-8788.
      Cumming
    • July 4 – 67th annual Thomas Mashburn Steam Engine Parade/Independence Day Celebration, Cumming – Parade with sports teams, dance academies, antique cars, tractors and steam engines on Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to Cumming Fairgrounds. 10 a.m.-noon. Independence Day Celebration with children’s activities, food, vendors, live music, adult beverages, and more 4-10 p.m., fireworks 9:30 p.m. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. www.cummingfair.net. 
    • July 4 – Run, White & Blue 10K/Fun Run/5K, Cumming – 7:45/8/8:30 a.m., Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way. $25-$45. www.runnersfit.com.
      Dahlonega
    • July 4 – Parade and Celebration, Dahlonega – Firecracker 5K, car show, patriotic parade, free concerts in Hancock Park, food trucks, reading of Declaration of Independence, DJ and fireworks show on University of North Georgia drill field at dusk, For schedule see www.dahlonegadda.org.
      Gainesville
    •  July 3- Patriotic Pops Concert, Gainesville – Northwind Symphonic Band performs annual patriotic concert on the lawn, gates open 7 p.m., music starts 8 p.m., Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Sprint St. SW. Bring lawn chairs, picnic; food truck available. $25 individual, $35 per ticket reserve table for 8. www.theartscouncil.net.
    • July 4 – Laurel Park Celebration, Gainesville – American Legion – Paul E. Bolding Post 7 presents an all-day Fourth of July celebration. Gates open at 9 a.m. with food vendors, kid’s activities, music, splash pad, and more; fireworks at dark visible from numerous points around the north end of Lake Lanier, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $ 10 per car. Rain date Aug. 3.
    • July 6 – Red, White & Boat, Gainesville – Celebration at marina for tenants only, July 6; 9 p.m. fireworks visible from various points on the lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
      Helen
    • July 4- Annual Fireworks at Dusk, Helen – Bring lawn chairs and blankets, view fireworks from Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Arrive before 9 p.m., 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. 706 878-2181, www.helenga.org.
      Hiawassee
    • July 4 – Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee – Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with live 60s-70s music with Vintage Vixens, 6-8 p.m., fireworks 9:45 p.m. July 4, 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
      Mountain City
    • July 6 – July Evening of Fun, Mountain City – Line dancing, snacks & old fashioned games to celebrate Independence Day, 4-6 p.m., Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. 706-745-2141, www.gastateparks.org.

    Sheila Davis Group Lake Lanier Realtors, See our featured listings here. Give us a call for help with buying or selling a Lake Lanier area home 770-235-6907

    Posted in: Entertainment & The Arts, Featured Posts, Our Blog Tagged: 4th of July, entertainment, Lake Lanier

    These Top Cities Show Home Prices Are Still Climbing

    If you’re considering buying a home or selling your current one to find something that better suits your needs, you may have questions about what’s happening with home prices today. Here’s what you need to know.

    There’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation out there. So, no matter what you may have heard, the national data shows they’ve actually been climbing again (see graphs below):

    As you can see, in the first half of 2022, home prices went way up. Those increases were dramatic and unsustainable. So, in the second half of 2022, prices adjusted. Those dips were small and didn’t last very long. Still, the news made a big deal about these slight declines, which may have made you worry.

    But what’s important to know is that, in 2023, prices are going up again, and this time it’s at a more normal pace. The fact that all three reports now show more typical price increases this year is good news for the housing market.

    Home Prices Are Rising Across the Top Cities in the U.S.

    After seeing steady home price growth at the national level for the last several months, you may wonder if prices are going up in your local area, too. Know this: while this will vary from one area to the next, home prices are appreciating in these top cities Case-Shiller reports on in their monthly price index (see chart below):

    That’s why so many experts are able to forecast home prices will end the year in the positive and continue going up in 2024.

    Here’s How This Affects You

    • For Buyers: If you’ve been waiting to buy a home because you were concerned it might lose value, the fact that home prices are going up should ease your worries. Buying a home before prices climb higher can be a smart move since home values typically appreciate over time.
    • For Sellers: If you’ve been postponing selling your house because you were worried about how changing home prices would affect its value, now might be a good time to work with a real estate agent to put your house on the market. You don’t have to wait any longer because the data shows home prices are in your favor.

    Bottom Line

    If you delayed moving because you were concerned home prices would drop, don’t worry – the numbers show they’re going up nationally. To better understand how home prices are changing in your local area, give us a call, Sheila Davis 770-235-6907 Contact Us

    Posted in: Buying a home, Buying a Lake home, Featured Posts, Media, Media Sheila Davis Group, Our Blog, Selling your home

    Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New Year

    Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New YearAs the year winds down, you may have decided it’s time to make a move and put your house on the market. But should you sell now or wait until January? While it may be tempting to hold off until after the holidays, here are three reasons to make your move before the new year.

    Get One Step Ahead of Other Sellers

    Typically, in the residential real estate market, homeowners are less likely to list their houses toward the end of the year. That’s because people get busy around the holidays and sometimes deprioritize selling their house until the start of the new year when their schedules and social calendars calm down. But that gives you an opportunity to get one step ahead.

    Selling now, while other homeowners may hold off until after the holidays, can help you get a leg up on your competition. Start the process with a real estate agent today so you can get your house on the market before your neighbors do.

    Get Your House in Front of Eager Buyers

    Even though the supply of homes for sale did grow compared to last year, it’s still low. That means there aren’t enough homes on the market today. While some buyers may also delay their plans to move until January, others will still need to move for personal reasons or because something in their life has changed.

    Those buyers are still going to be active later this year and will be seriously motivated to make their move happen because they need to. Unfortunately, the challenge they’ll face is a shortage of available inventory to meet their needs. A recent article from Investopedia says:

    “. . . if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy. Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.”

    Use Your Equity To Fuel Your Move

    Keep in mind that homeowners today have record amounts of equity. According to CoreLogic, the average amount of equity per mortgage holder has climbed to almost $290,000. That means the equity you have in your house right now could cover some, if not all, of a down payment on the home of your dreams.

    And as you weigh the reasons to sell before year-end, it’s important to remember the reasons that sparked your desire to move in the first place. Maybe it’s time for a new home in a location that suits you better, one that offers the perfect space for you and your loved ones, or maybe your needs have evolved over time. A local real estate agent can help you determine how much home equity you have and how you can use it to achieve your goal of making a move.

    Listing your home before the new year can offer unique benefits. Less competition, motivated buyers, and your equity gains can all play to your advantage. Reach out, and let’s achieve your goals before winter sets in.

    Give us a call today for a free no-obligation market analysis and planning for the successful sale of your home! Sheila Davis 770-235-6907 or contact us here Contact Us Form

    Posted in: Featured Posts, Our Blog, Selling your home Tagged: For Sellers, Holidays, Listing your home, selling myths, selling your home

    Why Home Prices Keep Going Up

    If you’ve ever dreamed of buying your own place, or selling your current house to upgrade, you’re no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions changing home prices can stir up. It’s a tale of financial goals, doubts, and a dash of anxiety that many have been through.

    But if you put off moving because you’re worried home prices might drop, make no mistake, they’re not going down. In fact, it’s just the opposite. National data from several sources says they’ve been going up consistently this year (see graph below):

     

    Here’s what this graph shows. In the first half of 2022, home prices rose significantly (the green bars on the left side of the graphs above). Those increases were dramatic and unsustainable.

    So, in the second half of the year, prices went through a correction and started dipping a bit (shown in red). But those slight declines were shallow and short-lived. Still, the media really focused on those drops in their headlines – and that created a lot of fear and uncertainty among consumers.

    But here’s what hasn’t been covered fully. So far in 2023, prices are going up once more, but this time at a more normal pace (the green bars on the right side of the graphs above). And after price gains that were too high and then the corrections that followed in 2022, the fact that all three reports show more normal or typical price appreciation this year is good news for the housing market.

    Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow, explains changing home prices over the past 12 months this way:

    “The U.S. housing market has surged over the past year after a temporary hiccup from July 2022-January 2023. . . . That downturn has proven to be short lived as housing has rebounded impressively so far in 2023. . .”

    Looking ahead, home price appreciation typically starts to ease up this time of year. As that happens, there’s some risk the media will confuse slowing price growth (deceleration of appreciation) with home prices falling (depreciation). Don’t be fooled. Slower price growth is still growth.

    Why Are Home Prices Increasing Now?
    One reason why home prices are going back up is because there still aren’t enough homes for sale for all the people who want to buy them.

    Even though higher mortgage rates cause buyer demand to moderate, they also cause the supply of available homes to go down. That’s because of the mortgage rate lock-in effect. When rates rise, some homeowners are reluctant to sell and lose their current low mortgage rate just to take on a higher one for their next home.

    So, with higher mortgage rates impacting both buyers and sellers, the supply and demand equation of the housing market has been affected. But since there are still more people who want to purchase homes than there are homes available to buy, prices continue to rise. As Freddie Mac states:

    “While rising interest rates have reduced affordability—and therefore demand—they have also reduced supply through the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Overall, it appears the reduction in supply has outweighed the decrease in demand, thus house prices have started to increase . . .”

    Here’s How This Impacts You

    Buyers: If you’ve been waiting to buy a home because you were afraid its value might drop, knowing that home prices have gone back up should make you feel better. Buying a home gives you a chance to own something that usually becomes more valuable over time.

    Sellers: If you’ve been holding off on selling your house because you were worried about how changing home prices would impact its value, it could be a smart move to work with a real estate agent and put your house on the market. You don’t have to wait any longer because the most recent data indicates home prices have turned in your favor.

    Bottom Line: If you put off moving because you were worried that home prices might go down, data shows they’re increasing across the country. Let’s connect so you can understand how home prices are changing in our local area. Sheila Davis 770-235-6907

    Posted in: Buying a home, Buying a Lake home, Featured Posts, Media Sheila Davis Group, Our Blog, Selling your home Tagged: 2023, Buying Myths, first time home buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Housing Myths, RE Market, Real Estate, selling myths

    The Risks of Selling Your House on Your Own

    Are you thinking about selling your house as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO)? If so, know there’s a whole lot more time and expertise needed in that process than you might think. While the idea of doing it all by yourself might seem tempting, it’s important to recognize the challenges you may face if you take it on all by yourself. As a recent article from Bankrate explains:

    “Choosing the right price, crafting a compelling listing, marketing to potential buyers, coordinating showings, preparing paperwork: All of these are tasks that, in the absence of a real estate agent, you will have to do yourself.”

    Here’s a bit more information on just a few of those things and how you may miss out if you don’t use an agent.

    You May Not Price it Right

    Pricing your house right is key to a successful sale. Real estate agents have experience navigating this housing market and understand the art of pricing a home to sell today. Unfortunately, homeowners who sell on their own often lack this all-important experience. That can lead to two common consequences: overpricing or underpricing the house.

    An article from Nerd Wallet offers this advice:

    “If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing. . . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying problems with the house.”

    Don’t run this risk. Instead, partner with an agent to make sure your house is priced at current market value, so it catches the eyes of eager buyers. This will put your house in a position to make the best first impression possible.

    You Don’t Have as Much Experience in Marketing a House

    In this digital age, online marketing has become a real game-changer, especially when it comes to selling your house. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

    “Among all generations of home buyers, the first step taken in the home search process was to look online for properties.”

    When you partner with a real estate agent who knows how to take advantage of online marketing tools and resources, you’ll be able to get in front of these tech-savvy house hunters, boosting your chances of a successful sale. But, if you’re attempting to sell your house on your own, you might find yourself missing out on the full power of online and social media strategies.

    You May Not Be Comfortable Handling All the Back-and-Forth

    When you decide to sell your house, you’re not just on a quest to find a buyer; you’re also stepping into a world of negotiations. You’ll have to coordinate with a bunch of people, including the buyer, the buyer’s agent, the inspection company, the appraiser, and more. It’s a dance where every move counts, and the expertise of a real estate agent can make a world of difference in keeping these negotiations on track and sealing the deal.

    As NerdWallet says:

    “Your listing agent will also, of course, be on your side throughout negotiations. They’ll double-check paperwork that comes through, communicate with the buyer’s agent and other parties to the sale, and generally stay on top of things through to closing day.”

    Bottom Line

    If you’re thinking about selling your house and the idea of going it alone has crossed your mind, be sure to think through that decision carefully. Give us a call and we can discuss how how our years of  experience can take all that stress off your plate. Sheila Davis – The Sheila Davis Group 770-235-6907

    Posted in: Featured Posts, Just Sold Sheila Davis Group, Our Blog, Selling your home Tagged: For Sale by Owner, FSBO, Sell home by owner, Sell with a realtor or myself

    How Buying a Multi-Generational Home Helps with Affordability Today

    In today’s world of rising housing costs, many buyers are looking for ways to still be able to buy a home. Some of them have found a solution in multi-generational living.

    Multi-generational living is when two or more adult generations live together under one roof. This includes siblings, parents, or even grandparents. Here’s an in-depth look at why more buyers are choosing this option today, so you can see if it may be right for you too.

    Reasons To Buy a Multi-Generational Home

    According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the top two reasons people are opting for multi-generational homes today have to do with affordability (see graph below):

    Cost Savings: About 28% of first-time buyers and 11% of repeat buyers are deciding on a multi-generational home to save on costs. By pooling their resources, households can share the financial responsibilities like mortgage payments, utilities, property taxes, and maintenance, to make homeownership more affordable. This is especially helpful for first-time homebuyers who may be finding it tough to afford a home on their own in today’s market.

    More Space: Another 28% of first-time buyers and 18% of repeat buyers are doing it because they want a larger home they couldn’t afford on their own. For some of the repeat buyers who listed this as a main motivator, it could be because they find themselves taking care of older parents while also welcoming back young adults who’ve returned to the nest. With everyone chipping in and combining their incomes, suddenly, that big dream home with more space is within reach. As the Triangle Business Journal explains:

    “Choosing multi-gen living allows people to purchase a home much larger than they could afford on their own by leveraging the combined income, credit and a down payment of those that they will be occupying the home with.”

    Lean on an Expert

    If you’re interested in this too, partner with a local real estate agent. Finding the perfect multi-generational home isn’t as simple as shopping for a regular house. That’s because there are more people with even more opinions and needs that should be considered.

    You’ve got to make sure everyone has their own space, find room for shared household time, and possibly even create adaptable areas for older relatives. It’s a puzzle, and the pieces need to fit just right. Your real estate agent has the expertise and local knowledge to help you find that home where everyone can be comfortable without breaking the bank. As MoneyGeek.com puts it:

    “Having a good multigenerational property can improve the prospects of success when living with loved ones. A multigenerational home should fit the specific needs of most family members regardless of age or health. Speaking to a real-estate agent can help you gain clarity and locate a fit.”

    Bottom Line: Buying a multi-generational home can be a smart way to tackle some of today’s affordability challenges. When you team up to share expenses, you can make your dream of homeownership more attainable. If this sounds like an option for you and your loved ones, let’s connect to help you find a home that’s the perfect fit. The Sheila Davis Group 770-235-6907

    Posted in: Buying a home, Buying a Lake home, Featured Posts, Our Blog Tagged: Demographics, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, multigenerational home, Rent vs. Buy

    Key Skills You Need Your Listing Agent To Have

    Selling your house is a big decision. And that can make it feel both exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking. But the key to a successful sale is finding the perfect listing agent to work with you throughout the process. A listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, helps market and sell your house while advocating for you every step of the way.

    But, how do you know you’ve found the perfect match in an agent? Here are three key skills you’ll want your listing agent to have.

    They Price Your House Based on the Latest Data

    While it may be tempting to pick the agent who suggests the highest asking price for your house, that strategy may cost you. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when you see a bigger number, but overpricing your house can have consequences. It could mean it’ll sit on the market longer because the higher price is actually deterring buyers.

    Instead, you want to pick an agent who’s going to have an open conversation about how they think you should price your house and why. A great agent will base their pricing strategy on solid data. They won’t throw out a number just to win your listing. Instead, they’ll show you the facts, explain their pricing strategy, and make sure you’re on the same page. As NerdWallet explains:

    “An agent who recommends the highest price isn’t always the best choice. Choose an agent who backs up the recommendation with market knowledge.”

    They’re a Great Negotiator

    The home-selling process can be emotional, especially if you’ve been in your house for a long time. You’re connected to it and have a lot of memories there. This can make the negotiation process harder. That’s where a trusted professional comes in.

    A skilled listing agent will be calm under pressure and will be your point-person in all of those conversations. Their experience in handling the back-and-forth gives you with the peace of mind that you’ve got someone on your side who’s got your best interests in mind throughout this journey.

    They’re a Skilled Problem Solver

    At the heart of it all, a listing agent’s main priority is to get your house sold. A great agent never loses sight of that goal and will help you prioritize your needs above all else. If they identify any necessary steps you need to take, they’ll be open with you about it. Their commitment to your success means they’ll work with you to address any potential roadblocks and find creative solutions to anything that pops up along the way.

    BankRate explains it like this:

    “Just as important as the knowledge and experience agents bring is their ability to guide you smoothly through the process. Above all, go with an agent you trust and will feel comfortable with. . .”

    Bottom Line

    Whether you’re a first-time seller or you’ve been through selling a house before, a great listing agent is the key to success. Let’s connect so you have a skilled local expert by your side to guide you through every step of the process. The Sheila Davis Group 770-235-6907

    Posted in: Featured Posts, Media Sheila Davis Group, Our Blog, Selling your home Tagged: Best Lake Lanier Realtors, Lake Lanier homes for sale, Lake Lanier Realtor, Top Realtor

    Home Prices Are Not Falling

    During the fourth quarter of last year, some housing experts projected home prices were going to crash in 2023. The media ran with those forecasts and put out headlines calling for doom and gloom in the housing market. All of this negative news coverage made a lot of people have doubts about the strength of the residential real estate market.

    If it made you question if you should delay your own plans to move, here’s what you really need to know.

    Home Prices Never Crashed

    Disregard what you saw in the headlines. The actual data shows home prices were remarkably resilient and performed far better than the media would have you believe (see graph below):

    This graph uses reports from three trusted sources to clearly illustrate prices have already rebounded after experiencing only slight declines nationally. That’s a far cry from the crash so many articles called for.

    The declines that did happen (shown in red), weren’t drastic but were short-lived. As Nicole Friedman, a reporter at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), says:

    “Home prices aren’t falling anymore. . . The surprisingly quick recovery suggests that the residential real-estate downturn is turning out to be shorter and shallower than many housing economists expected . . .”

    Even though some media coverage made a big deal about home prices pulling back, the slight correction that happened is already in the rearview mirror. Basically, this data shows you home prices aren’t falling anymore – they’re actually going back up.

    What’s Next for Home Prices?

    The consensus from experts is that home price growth will continue in the years ahead and is returning to normal levels for the market. That means we’ll still see home prices appreciating, just at a slower pace than the last few years – and that’s a good thing.

    Some news sources will see home price growth slowing and put out stories that make you think prices are falling again. The return of misleading headlines like those is already having an impact on how homebuyers are feeling again. You can see how this affects general opinion in the Consumer Confidence Survey from Fannie Mae (see graph below):

    While the percentage of Americans who think prices will fall has been slowly declining this year, the latest Consumer Confidence data indicates that’s ticked back up recently (shown in red). This change is surprising especially since the home price data shows prices are going up, not down. It tells you the impact the media still has on public opinion.

    Don’t fall for the negative headlines and become part of this statistic. Remember, data from a number of sources shows home prices aren’t falling anymore.

    Bottom Line:

    Even though the media may make things sound doom and gloom, the data shows home prices aren’t falling anymore. So, don’t let the headlines scare you or delay your plans. Let’s connect so you have a trusted resource to cut through the noise and tell you what’s really happening in our area. Give us a call today! 770-235-6907 Sheila Davis

    Sheila Davis 770-235-6907

     

    Posted in: Featured Posts, Media Sheila Davis Group, Our Blog, Selling your home

    Expert Home Price Forecasts Revised Up for 2023

    Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was going to be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the headlines got it wrong.

    While there was a slight home price correction after the sky-high price appreciation during the ‘unicorn’ years, nationally, home prices didn’t come crashing down. If anything, prices were a lot more resilient than many people expected.

    Let’s take a look at some of the expert forecasts from late last year stacked against their most recent forecasts to show that even the experts recognize they were overly pessimistic.

    Expert Home Price Forecasts: Then and Now

    This visual shows the 2023 home price forecasts from seven organizations. It provides the original 2023 forecasts (released in late 2022) for what would happen to home prices by the end of this year and their most recently revised 2023 forecasts (see chart below):

    As the red in the middle column shows, in all instances, their original forecast called for home prices to fall. But, if you look at the right column, you’ll see all experts have updated their projections for the year-end to show they expect prices to either be flat or have positive growth. That’s a significant change from the original negative numbers.

    There are a number of reasons why home prices are so resilient to falling. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says:

    “One thing is for sure, having long-term, fixed-rate debt in the U.S. protects homeowners from payment shock, acts as an inflation hedge – your primary household expense doesn’t change when inflation rises – and is a reason why home prices in the U.S. are downside sticky.”

    A Look Forward To Get Ahead of the Next Headlines

    For home prices, you’re going to continue to see misleading media coverage in the months ahead. That’s because there’s seasonality to home price appreciation and they’re going to misunderstand that. Here’s what you need to know to get ahead of the next round of negative headlines.

    As activity in the housing market slows at the end of this year (as it typically does each year), home price growth will slow too. But, this doesn’t mean prices are falling – it’s just that they’re not increasing as quickly as they were when the market was in the peak homebuying season.

    Basically, deceleration of appreciation is not the same thing as home prices depreciating.

    Bottom Line

    The headlines have an impact, even if they’re not true. While the media said home prices would fall significantly in their coverage at the end of last year, that didn’t happen. Let’s connect so you have a trusted resource to help you separate fact from fiction with reliable data. Give us a call today: The Sheila Davis Group 770-235-6907

    Posted in: Featured Posts, Our Blog, Selling your home Tagged: home selling, sell my home, selling your home

    Buyer Traffic Is Still Stronger 📈than the Norm

    🤔Are you putting off selling your house because you’re worried no one’s buying because of where mortgage rates are? If so, know this: the latest data shows plenty of buyers are still out there, and they’re purchasing homes today. Here’s the data to prove it.


    The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of buyers touring homes. The graph above uses the latest numbers available and compares them to the same month in the last normal years to show just how active today’s buyers still are: As you can see, when June 2023 numbers are stacked alongside what’s typical for the housing market at this time of year, it’s clear buyers are still active. And, they’re actually a lot more active than the norm.
     
    If you’re wondering how this could possibly be true, it’s because buyers are getting used to higher mortgage rates and accepting them as the new reality. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist, Realtor.com, explains:
     
    “Interest rate hikes continue to further cut into buyers’ purchasing power, although they appear to have adapted to the higher mortgage rate environment . . .”
    It’s simple. Buyers will always need to buy, and those who can afford to move at today’s rates are going to do so.
     
    🟢The Key Takeaway for You: While it’s true things have slowed down from the frenzy of the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean today’s market is at a standstill. The reality is: buyer traffic is still strong today. Even with today’s mortgage rates, plenty of buyers are still making their moves. So why delay your own move when there’s clearly a market for your house?
     
    🟢Bottom Line: Don’t put off your plans because you’re worried no one will buy your home. The opposite is true, and more buyers are more active than the norm. Let’s connect to get your house ready to sell, so it makes the best first impression possible on those eager buyers. Sheila Davis Group 📞770-235-6907

    Posted in: Featured Posts, Our Blog, Selling your home

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