Blue Ridge GA Real Estate Outlook - North Georgia Home Value in 2012
The value of homes in 2012 will be a hot issue throughout the nation, even more so here in North Georgia. As every New Year begins, people often wonder what home values will do for the 12 ensuing months. Given the recent trends in North Georgia real estate, there’s should be a reason to think 2012 could bring some value.
Since the economy was affected heavily a few years back, the housing market has certainly been hit nationally, as well as locally. Local values were dropped by a heavy percentage and while some have been in a better position, for the most part the area has seen decreasing value in the real estate market.
Luckily, there is a boon of good trends that point to what could be a strong year for the North Georgia real estate market. Apartment rental averages continue to climb all over the state of Georgia, from the top to bottom and that’s no different here locally. Apartment rental averages in North Georgia went up about six percent; compare that to Atlanta which went up six percent and Savannah apartments which went up nine percent. If these rates continue to grow, it would certainly swing potential buyers back on the market, climbing the property ladder.
Record low mortgage rates throughout the country and locally are another sign that buyers could have vested interest in 2012. Compared to the mortgage rates of 2010 and 2009, this year’s costs will be a quarter lower than those times. Experts expect more buyers to be out looking for houses, the key will be closing.
Nationally, real estate experts are expecting a slow climb throughout the 2012 year. Each month is expected to have a positive impact on the real estate market, up until the fourth quarter, which is usually a slow period for home sales because of holidays and vacations.
Certainly each area in North Georgia will have a separate fortune in 2012. Indicators and factors such as price averages, amount of listings and individual sales will continue to be the driving force if the market is to get some rejuvenation this year.
This Blue Ridge GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your Blue Ridge GA mountain home or property.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Technology for Real Estate
Jeff Norman is a writer based in New York City. He is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and writes on online colleges and universities for Guide to Online Schools.
Technology for Real Estate
When many people envision the idea of a career in real estate, they might foresee a broker or agent needing a skill set similar to that of an Avon Lady. A smile, perkiness, and a willingness to trek from door to door in pursuit of sales is definitely an admirable assemblage of assets. But to today's real estate community, a fresh and souped-up array of technologically savvy abilities in not only favorable—it's downright mandatory. The Internet and its myriad whiz-bang-glam features polarize those unfamiliar with the Web; like a powerful magnet, they can either attract your optimism, or repel you into an anti-tech stupor. Hopefully this article encourages you to lean toward the latter response and embrace how new technology can shore up your real estate repertoire.
First of all, you're strongly advised to get a Gmail account as your primary business e-mail. Yes, Gmail, not Yahoo or the like. Google's electronic messaging service stands out for its flexibility and diversity of assets, such as calendar and task functions. What is more, Gmail allows its users to ease the maintenance and accessing of their database of clientele. And every e-mail sent from Gmail includes the sent address as well as a customizable sign-off—the perfect way to sustain recognition of your personal brand and styling.
For pictures, there is really no better internet system right now than Picasa. Simply put, Picasa makes picture management (essential for anyone in the real estate industry looking to achieve expertise) fun and easy. It has never been simpler to create sophisticated albums that can be geotagged and coordinated with what's on your desktop. Want to beef up your real estate acumen? Consider Picasa obligatory.
Lastly, here are a few blogs that build off of the tips we've supplied to you here, and will keep your technological savvy well-spiced and up-to-date. Real Estate Technology features a consistent stream of quick yet cogent, counsel-filled postings that you can implement into your office right here, right now. And Geek Estate makes good on its promise to field relevant info for real estate people who want to harness technology's best.
We hope, after reading this, you're a member of that latter group!
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling Blue Ridge GA real estate.
Monday, November 8, 2010
WHY THE HOLIDAYS ARE A GREAT TIME TO SELL YOUR CABIN
Who says that the holidays are a bad time to sell your property??
NOT ME!
During Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks our town is bustling with happy families making happy family memories they wish would never end. And, many feel that the best way to keep those memories alive is to BUY their mountain cabin!
In an area where the mountain cabin or luxury log home can be used as a vacation rental to generate income when the owner is not staying in it, who wouldn’t want a home-away-from-home?
If you are thinking about selling your mountain cabin or luxury log home, but fear that it won’t sell just because we’re nearing the holidays, call me today and I’ll show how professional marketing can get the job done in any season!
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Making Your Home OPEN HOUSE Ready
My husband and I currently have our home in Blue Ridge, GA on the market and plan to move to an area about 75 miles south – closer to my husband’s office – when it sells. On a recent “scouting trip” to that area we noticed an OPEN HOUSE sign in one of our top choice neighborhoods and decided to stop in for a peak.
The front door was open when we arrived so we stepped into the foyer with a loud “Hello” to alert the agent on duty that someone was in the home only to find a woman in baggy sweats and a grungy t-shirt trying to wrangle a couple of screaming kids intent on trouncing us as they ran through the house and out the front door.
My first thought was that we must be there on the wrong day, but no, this was the real estate agent/owner and she was “happy that we had stopped by, but she needed to put her son down for a nap so we should feel free to just walk on through on our own”. (Now there’s a security breach if I’ve ever seen one!)
To say that we were shocked was a bit of an understatement. To find out that the home was owned by a licensed and ACTIVE real estate agent almost floored me as she was breaking EVERY open house rule in the book. It was then that it dawned on me that if an agent is confused about open house protocol than perhaps many “regular” homeowner/sellers may be making some of the same mistakes so I decide to write up a quick blog in an effort to “stop the madness”!
1) CLEAN the house: Dead bugs in the foyer and filthy, matted carpeting do not set the right tone with a buyer looking for a home in a $400K neighborhood. (No matter what the price point, there is no such thing as too clean when your home is on the market.)
2) NO KIDS: Leave the property to the professionals. Having your family at home during an open house (or any showing, for that matter) distracts potential buyers and makes them uncomfortable. This will only limit their ability to really look at the house as opening closets and cupboards seems very personal when the owner is just over your shoulder.
3) NO PETS: I love dogs, but many people have allergies and just seeing a pet, or pet paraphernalia, is enough to squash their interest in a property.
4) NO STRONG SMELLS: Do not cook a big bacon and onion filled breakfast just before an open house (maybe that’s why the front door was open…) People can be put off by strong odors, even non-offensive ones like perfume or room spray.
5) NEUTRALIZE YOUR PAINT COLORS: The pink and purple “princess room” was adorable, but I don’t have a little girl and it just looked like a great big project to me!
6) MOVE THE JUNK: If the basement (or attic) is unfinished, move the junk so a buyer can see where things are – this one was supposedly stubbed for a full bath ( a make or break item for us), but we couldn’t find the plumbing under all the junk.
7) MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION: If you want buyers walking through the front door your home must first impress them with its curb appeal. Landscaping should be clean and neat, paint should be fresh and toys should be put away.
Basically, what I’m saying is DON’T OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS when you’re trying to sell. Every minute you spend making your home “show ready” is worthwhile.
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Apple Picking at Mercier Orchards Blue Ridge, GA
Mercier Orchards, nestled in the quaint north Georgia mountain town of Blue Ridge, has been growing apples since 1943. This year they celebrate 67 years of business and their business has never been stronger!
I invite you to come experience "a taste of the mountains" at Mercier Orchards. The U-pick event is fun for the whole family. Enjoy lunch at the deli/bakery or a wonderful wagon ride through the orchards.
Apple picking is on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Mercier Orchards
1.5 miles north from 515 on Hwy 5
706-632-3411
Visit web site
Dates for this event
September 11, 2010- September 12, 2010
September 18, 2010- September 19, 2010
September 25, 2010- September 26, 2010
October 02, 2010- October 03, 2010
October 09, 2010- October 10, 2010
Hope to see you there!
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.
Friday, August 27, 2010
SIGN UP for my NEWSLETTER - Blue Ridge GA Real Estate
My September newsletter just went out.... Didn't get it??
I would like to offer you an opportunity to sign up for my FREE seasonal newsletter called
Blue Ridge, GA - What's New!
The newsletter is written to provide you with real estate related information as well as general information about our beautiful town and the surrounding North Georgia mountain communities.
As a subscriber, you will receive information about upcoming area events, new business openings and "special deals" - many offered exclusively to our clients. [See coupons for local businesses in each edition]
You may opt out of receiving the newsletter at any time by using the link at the bottom of the page.
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.
I would like to offer you an opportunity to sign up for my FREE seasonal newsletter called
Blue Ridge, GA - What's New!
The newsletter is written to provide you with real estate related information as well as general information about our beautiful town and the surrounding North Georgia mountain communities.
As a subscriber, you will receive information about upcoming area events, new business openings and "special deals" - many offered exclusively to our clients. [See coupons for local businesses in each edition]
You may opt out of receiving the newsletter at any time by using the link at the bottom of the page.
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
What Makes a Vacation Cabin a Successful Rental Investment?
I speak with clients daily who all seem to be searching for the same property: A luxury log cabin with a great mountain view which is suitable for use as both a private getaway as well as a lucrative rental investment.What Makes a Vacation Cabin a Successful Rental Investment?
For the most part, the North Georgia vacation rental market is glutted with "average" cabins. Buyers should be looking for a "special" property that will stand out from the crowd.
I suggest a cabin that is:
1) Within 10(+-) miles of town - The farther out you go, the more difficult it will be to find a property manager. It can also reduce your number of repeat & referral customers as it is inconvenient for them to get to stores and attractions.
2) Has either a beautful mountain view or is on good water (loud, visible and easily accessible) - A very secluded/private cabin is nice, but is not generally the first cabin requested.
3) A nice kitchen - As there are limited choices for eating out in most mountain areas, guests will use the kitchen quite heavily. If the cabin will sleep more than 4 guests, I would strongly suggest that you consider only cabins which offer a dishwasher.
4) Central heat & air is a must and paved roads are becoming a more frequently requested amenity.
The fact is that while many vacationers say they want to feel like they have experienced "roughing it in the mountains", they really do not want to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced at any time! In fact, our surveys showed that while on vacation paying guests expect their lodging accomodations to be "better than what they have at home".
Finding a cabin that meets your family's needs, but will also serve as a successful rental, can be tricky. Be sure that the agent you select to assist you has a FULL understanding of the vacation rental market in your area or your time and money can easily be wasted!
This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.
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