Upside down?

The real estate market has turned around. At least that is what the media keeps telling us. But we all know that real estate is about location, location, location...oh, and when we want to sell, it is also about how much we owe, condition of the home and what else is available in our market.

Yes, prices have gone up, but they have not recovered to the prices we saw just a few years ago. Just ask someone who bought at the peak of the market and has tried to sell since then.

I may have a solution for those who would like to sell their house and move on with their life but can't because they have negative or no equity. This program is not for everyone, but it may be perfect for you or someone you know who has tried to sell and found they couldn't even afford to pay the real estate commission. Give me a call and let's see if I can help you. I do not want to list your house or charge you a commission. I want to buy your house, today! Let's talk and see if we can get you right side up! 

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

The end of DPA?

With all of the news surrounding the end of down payment assistance programs, there still is a way for someone who has good credit and income to get 100% financing. And isn't that really the key? We want people who can afford a home to get one. We should do all that we can to help those who have the means and the desire to purchase a home be able to do so. After all, home ownership reflects a long term commitment to a piece of land at a specific place. When we have people committed to maintaining and improving a piece of property, it is good for our communities.

If you have decent credit and good prospects for a stable income, then you can still buy a home with little cash up front. There are several programs available today that can help you realize your dream of home ownership. Call me today and let me show you what your options are. There are limits and requirements but anything worthwhile takes effort. Let's work together to fill empty homes with people who will take care of them and be an asset to our communities.

Michael Bradford
Associate Broker
Southern Prime Realty
770-862-8002

Demand For Mortgages Rise.

According to REALTOR.org and this article, demand for mortgages rose even though rates have crept up slightly. The demand is primarily an increase in purchases and not refinancing activity.

This is good news. It seems like most of what we hear is mixed blessing. Rates are up but prices are down. All I know is that my phone has been ringing a lot more lately and several of my properties have gone under contract at very close to the listing price. Spring is here in Cherokee County and now is a great time to get your house ready to sell. If you have been waiting till spring to sell, now is the time to act.

Give me a call and I would consider it an honor to help you get your home sold.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

Atlanta, #2

Last week I focused on Cherokee County's growth. The news today is about the Atlanta region. According to the US Census Bureau and this article from REALTOR.com, the Atlanta Metro Area grew by 151,063 people between July, 2006 and July, 2007. This make us the second fastest metro area behind the Dallas, Ft. Worth Texas area.

Not to take away from the folks in Texas, but I been to there and Georgia is a much better place to live. I know the people of Texas are great and friendly and all, but Atlanta is such a prettier place and the people are just as friendly and nice. I believe our economy is much more broad based which will fair better during any downturn and will recover faster than a market which is more narrow in focus.

As I wrote about last week, the current buyer's market will end sooner here than most areas and we are already seeing trends that point to a recovery. Don't let this market turn before you take advantage of it. Call me today and let's find the home of your dreams before we wake up and find it's a sellers market again.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

Here we grow again!

Georgia had 18 counties in the top 100 in population growth. According to U.S. Census Bureau reported by the AJC here, Forsyth County ranked No. 8 in the nation, increasing its population by 7.2%. It was the fastest-growing Georgia county. Cherokee County was ranked 6th in the state, 18th in the nation and grew by 5.3%.

It is easy to see why Georgia has the most counties in the top 100. While we have had problems keeping up with the growth, like water management, urban sprawl, and congested roads, for the most part Cherokee County has done an excellent job with the resources given to them. Our schools are doing great, unemployment has remained low and housing has remained affordable.

The current buyers market in Cherokee county will change sooner than other areas of the country. We need to keep in mind that we live in an area that is going to continue to grow and be prepared for the thousands of new comers looking for a better life.

If you are thinking about buying a house in Cherokee County anytime in the near future, I would recommend that you take advantage of the current market before it changes. I can help you find a great deal and would consider it a privilege to assist you.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

The End Of The Buyers Market?

We all know that it has been a buyers market for a couple of years now. Human nature always wants to resit change and we are usually surprised when it happens. Are we going to be caught off guard when the market changes back to a buyers market? You and I both know it will eventually happen. Is there any way to predict when?

What we can see from current trends is that new housing starts are much lower than ever before and applications for new developments have almost stopped completely. It can take 2-5 years before a new project is proposed and when new homes are ready to be occupied. We live in an area that will continue to see economic growth. I believe we are going to be caught unprepared with not enough housing units in the pipeline or available for the demand that will continue to grow. It takes time to ramp up new construction and because not much is happening now, a lot of builders are closing up shop and moving into other lines of work.

After the current overstock of housing inventory is depleted, where will the new home buyers of tomorrow find a place to live? Wherever it will be, the prices will go up because as always demand sets price. Those who bought when supply was plentiful and demand low will be looking at a day when they can sell high. The problem will then be where are they going to go. They will have a hard time replacing the home they have with something comparable. What can you do to take advantage of the current buyers market?

The best thing would be to buy rental properties and hold on to them for a couple of years. Demand will continue to rise so prices will also rise. You are not trying to replace your primary residence but selling an investment, which as we all know you should do when prices are high. I know lots of people who bought low in 2001-2002 and sold high in 2005-2006. You can time this market but you won't do it by following the crowd. You have to buy when everyone else is selling and you have to sell when everyone else is buying. It is simple logic.

If you need help finding great investment properties, give me a call. I can help you meet your goals of buying low and selling high. Real estate is still one of the best and safest investments you can make if you do your homework. Start your education today.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

The Tax Man Cometh!

It's that time of year when accountants and CPA's get very busy. For those who do their own taxes, or for those of us who have a lot of preparation to do before the accountants even get the information, it can be a daunting task. I am all for the Fair Tax and wish it was a reality now. We have a lot of work ahead of us to change the current system, and until then we will have to work with what we have.

What we have is a system that rewards debt on most real estate. The tax code also rewards appreciation or capital gains on your primary residence, up to a limit, depending on your marital status, and if you have owned your home long enough. Here is a good article from REALTOR.com that gives great reasons for home ownership from a tax standpoint. With all of the negative reporting on what is happening in the real estate market, we must remember that owning your own home it is still one of the best ways to accumulate wealth and save on your taxes.

Most people think the day you sell your house is when you make money on it, but in reality it is when you buy your house that most of your profits are made. Sure, you can time the market somewhat when you sell to maximize your gains, but in the end if you paid too much in the first place, it will reduce your profits later when you sell. Time can dig you out of a bad purchase, but don't let that happen to you.

Everyone knows when investing you should buy low and sell high, right? Well, now is an excellent time to buy low! Don't miss the bottom of the market! On Thursday, I will talk about how the buyers market we are seeing in Atlanta will be back to a sellers market before the rest of the country, and that it will be here faster than you think. Interest rates are great, prices are low, and supply is plentiful. Now is the time to buy low, and start looking for the day you can sell high, and avoid the tax man all the way to the bank.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

Ignore The Headlines!

It has been a tough year to decide what to do if you want to buy or sell a home. This Time article make some great points as to why you should buy a home now. But for every positive article like this, you have more negative ones like this one at Yahoo.com telling you why renting a home instead of buying might be better. If you need to sell a house right now, you do need to realize that prices are flat and you will need to price it realistically for it to sell today.

What is a realistic price? A good indicator would be to go back 5 to 7 years, find the value then and increase it by 2-3% a year. While this is a very simplistic and often times the wrong approach, it can help us see the long-term, steady increase the house would achieve without the wild run-up of prices we saw a couple of years ago.

If you are renting and have stable income, even just OK credit and a little cash, now is a great time to buy. What is keeping a lot of people on the sidelines are the headlines about record foreclosures, people losing their homes and the sub-prime loan meltdown. All of these thing, while significant, should not keep qualified buyers from possibly the best buyers market we have seen in years.

Let me help you determine if now is the best time to enter the home ownership market. I can help you find a great lender and a great home.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

Housing Prices Falling?

We have all heard the news. Doom and gloom for everyone who owns a home, right? Not so fast! Everyone should know that real estate is all about location, location, location. So how is Cherokee County doing? Are we seeing the drop in prices that other markets are seeing? Well, the answer is yes and no.

Some segments of the market are declining slightly while others are holding their own. So it depends on which part of the market (price range) you are looking at. According to the graph here on yahoo.com, the average home price rose over the last year. We have seen a slight decline in the last couple of weeks though.

If you are concerned about your home's value today, there are several places you can go to get an idea of value. The best place to start is with a local REALTOR. If I can help you determine your home's value in today's market, please give me a call. I can access the latest data available to give you the best picture of your home and neighborhoods current value.

If you are considering selling your home soon, let me arm you with all you need to make your decision to sell now or wait until later.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

The Paperless Office

Today marks the first time I have used a new service that I will be offering my clients, the paperless real estate sale! Up until now, getting signatures from everyone involved in the sale of real estate has been one of the most time consuming and in-efficient parts of the process. DocuSign has changed all of that.

Thanks to the internet and electronic signature, I can now send documents to anyone with an e-mail address and internet connection for you to review, sign and return from the comfort of your computer. No more having to take a contract to one person for their signature, fax it to another for them to approve, sign and countersign and then return to the original sender. With this new service, you will get an e-mail notifying you that a document needs your review and approval. You then click on the link in the e-mail, sign in to a secure web site, review the document and then electronically sign it.

Now don't panic! If you want to print out a paper copy for your files, you can. You can also save the document to your own hard drive in the form of a pdf (portable document format) document for review later or just for your records.

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to call me with any questions, concerns or comments. This is just one more way I am committed to helping you buy or sell your next home in as quick and easy way as possible.

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

Interest Rates Climb!

According to Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft and this article from REALTOR.com, interest rates for 30 year fixed loans climbed this week due to several factors. Mr Nothaft said on Friday, "economic uncertainty is responsible for the movement in mortgage rates". He also noted that some borrowers are finding it difficult to obtain mortgages due to stricter credit standards.

If you have wanted to buy a home and found it difficult to get financed, you are not alone. If you truly want to take advantage of the current low rates (before they go up again) and excellent deals available, please call me. I have several techniques that can help you obtain the financing you need to buy your first home. I can help you find a home that will meet your needs and one that also has instant equity. This is very important because when a loan officer looks at the property, you will start out from a very strong position before he even looks at your credit.

Call me today and let's find a home that will put you on the road to financial freedom and also to own your part of the American Dream!

Michael Bradford
770-862-8002

Preparing your House For the Market

I get a LOT of calls from people who are contemplating selling their home. They almost all ask the same thing: what are the main things that I can do to prepare my house for the market. I'm so glad they ask because this is a very competitive market and it takes some time to get your house in top shape. Here are some ideas for what you can do to prepare your house for the market:

1. Paint! If you can do nothing else, paint your walls. A fresh coat of paint covers a multitude of sins. Be sure to use only one neutral color of flat (such as antique white or eggshell) and a high gloss pure white for your trim. Keep it simple and keep it neutral.

2. Be sure to remove any wallpaper - most potential buyers will not want wallpaper and they especially won't want yours. When people see wallpaper, they immediately think of the work that will be involved in removing it (not much if you do it correctly) and it detracts from the house in their mind.

3. PURGE! Yes, get rid of the clutter and get those closets organized. This is very important because it allows the buyers to see the space that your house has to offer. It is very difficult for people to visualize the space looking different when they'll own it so you need to make it look great when they see it. If you could use the services of a personal organizer, please call me and I will be happy to recommend one to you.

4. Stage the house! Get rid (now) of furniture you don't think you'll take with you when you move so you'll have more space to stage the furniture that you do have to give your house an open floorplan feel. If you would like to use the services of a professional stager, please call me for a recommendation.

5. Window Treatments. First, make sure that the blinds that you have are clean. Dusty or dirty blinds are not only unsightly, but they retain odors. To clean them, remove them and soak them in your bathtub for 10 minutes. The water shold contain 3 parts water to 1 part ammonia. Use a scrub brush for blinds that have grease (from the kitchen). Lay them out on a flat surface like a driveway to dry out before rehanging them. Wash fabric window treatments.

6. Speaking of windows, while you have the blinds soaking, clean the windows themselves. Have a clean & clear view for your potential buyers. Use a good streak-free window cleaner.

7. If you can, replace the carpet (be sure you paint first!). This will give the house a nearly brand new feel when combines with the paint. If you really want to sell it and add value to the house, replace the carpet with hardwood floors. Buyers like this because it's healthier (especially for those with allergies) and easier to keep clean than carpet.

8. Perform a spring cleaning! For a light clean, go through and declutter, dust, clean and check all light fixtures for working bulbs. Check your smoke alarm, too. If you really want to deep clean and go over it with a fine-tooth comb, visit this site and get a print out of the most serious spring cleaning plan that I've ever seen: THE GRAND PLAN

9. Upgrade! Kitchens and bathrooms are the 2 rooms where you should focus your energy and your dollars. Replace the old fixtures with new ones. (faucets, lights, towel racks, drawer/cabinet hardware). Be sure that drains are not slow while you're working in there.

10. Landscape. At the bare minimum, your yard should be raked, clean and have a trimmed lawn. You can also trim your hedges, spread some mulch and plant some flowers that require little water. Be sure to remove any junk, toys or yard debris.

11. Look at your mailbox. Is it a rust bucket? Does it look battered? Consider replacing it. It will be one of the first things people see when they come to look at your house. If you don't have the funds to replace it, at least paint it so that it looks new. A small can of spray paint for metal would work well. Be sure to paint the post as well. The mailbox is also a great place to plant some flowers.

12. Odors - get rid of them. Clean every surface that you possibly can. If you smoke, be sure to wipe everything down from the walls to the doors to the ceilings and ceiling fans. If you want to use an air freshener, use the kind that plug in and have a liquid base. Method has some great scents as well as other great home cleaning products. Using matching scents can go a long way in removing odors as you clean.

For more ideas about preparing to sell your home or to find out what it may be worth in today's market, please give me a call at 770-862-8002.

-Michael Bradford
Southern Prime Realty

Winter Gardening: Preparing For Spring

Do It Herself Workshops

The Home Depot is a great store for teaching average people how to make improvements on their homes. One of their more popular workshops is the "Do It Herself" workshops. These workshops are specifically geared for women. Not only do they offer topics that women would find helpful and interesting, but they also offer 10% off coupons to attendees. The next "Do It Herself" workshop will be "The Smarter, Warmer, Eco-Friendly Bathroom". It will be held at your local Home Depot on Monday, Feb. 25th from 7 - 8:30pm. To register, CLICK HERE.

Don't miss the bottom!

Interest rates went up this week. REALTOR.com reports (click here for the article): "Following four consecutive weekly declines, Freddie Mac reports a jump in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 5.68 percent during the week ended Jan. 31 from 5.48 percent the prior week."



Usually when the Federal Reserve Board meets and lowers the rate they charge banks, interest rates eventually will fall. Due to the high demand for refinances, this time rates have actually risen.



Will they continue to rise or will the demand for mortgages easy allowing the rates to fall again? That is the million dollar question. I think we are at or very near the bottom for now.



Today is a great time to lock in a low interest rate for your new home. Great inventory and low rates together make now one of the best times to buy your new home. Call me today and let's find YOUR dream home!



Michael Bradford

770-862-8002

Atlanta: Growth Still Steady

I was reading THIS ARTICLE on Frobes about the number of growing southern cities. One of the reasons that Forbes identifies Atlanta's strong and steady growth is because of our tech industries. It also cites close proximity to universities (Kennesaw State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, etc,.) and an increase in population. We have seen a steady increase in population and suburban growth for over a hundred years now. Our unemployment rate is low and our cost of living is good.

Housing, as with the rest of the nation, is a market on the decline now. Many experts feel that the market will take an upturn in the spring. The interest rates are at an all-time low now so if you are interested in positioning yourself for a sale of your current home or the purchase of a new one, let me tell you some things that you can do to make that successful. Give me a call at 770-862-8002 and we can discuss your needs.

-Michael Bradford

Southern Prime Realty

Lowering Energy Costs

When it gets cold out and you are cranking up the thermostat, stoking the fireplace, increasing your gas usage and still feeling chilly, it's time to evaluate what you might be able to do to help your home retain heat and your wallet retain money.

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Energy Star, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's brainchild, is equipped to help every American consumer of energy to learn how they can use less. THIS SITE is an awesome little interactive place where you (and your whole family) can see what you can do to improve your quality of life and use less of our natural resources.

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Besides the money and energy you will save, another benefit is that if and when you decide to sell your home, you can show the potential buyers how inexpensive their monthly bills will be. If you would like more information on how to conserve energy, insulating your house or preparing it for the market, please call me today at 770-862-8002.

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Michael Bradford

Southern Prime Realty

Considering a Transfer? Employers Will Help...

Many employers are recognizing the need to give their employess extra help when it comes to job transfers. Because the housing slump is fairly widespread throughout the nation, employers are stepping up their game to meet the needs of employees reluctant to accept job transfers because they fear they will lose money on the sale of their homes.

In THIS USA Today article by Stephanie Armour, Sally Stetson, co-founder of Salveson Stetson Group, a Philadelphia executive search firm, says "What's going on in the housing market is causing an increasing reluctance for candidates to consider relocating. Employers are much more willing to extend corporate housing on a month-to-month basis."

What employers are willing to do:

•Employers are extending temporary housing allowances from two to three months to up to eight months, an indicator of how hard it is today for relocating employees to sell their homes.
•Larger companies in some cases will buy the new employee's home as a buyer of last resort. Home Depot (HD), for example, will buy a relocating employee's residence once it's been on the market for 90 days.
•Some companies will let a new hire or employee who can't relocate work remotely, or let them commute long distances, going to the main office less frequently.

If you are considering a job transfer, let's talk about how you might be able to negotiate with your employer to get some help with the sale of your home. Call me today at 770-862-8002.

Michael Bradford
Southern Prime Realty

Support For Homeschooled Students in Cherokee County

Canton is getting enrichment classes for homeschooled students!

The Cherokee County Arts Center is hosting a new series of enrichment classes for homeschooled students who live in the northern part of the county and beyond. Tisha Gotte, the director, expects to attract students from Dahlonega, Jasper and Ellijay.

There will be 3 sessions this school year. Session 1 runs from Jan. 7 to Feb. 16. Session 2 will run from Feb. 25 to April 5 and the third session will run from April 14 to May 24. You can get more info about these classes by clicking HERE or by calling the Cherokee County Arts Center at 770-704-6244.

Classes include:
1. Creative Movement/Dance
2. Art in Nature
3. Concoctions & Contraptions
4. Drawing
5. Piano
6. Multimedia Art
7. Public Speaking/Debate
8. Pastels
9. Drama/Theatre
10. Creative Writing
11. Anime/Cartooning
12. Rock-n-Roll Chorus
13. Sculpting with Sculpey
14. Simple Machines
15. Robotics I

Merry Christmas

We just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas today.

-The Michael Bradford Family