February Marks the End of the Slow Winter Season - What Can We Expect Now?

Do you think the market is hot or cold?Traditionally, February in Atlanta (right after the Super Bowl) is the beginning of the end for the slow winter season in the real estate market. After 2008, most experts now at least see the light at the end of the tunnel. Prices have come down and inventories have been decreasing for the last 5 months. What this means going forward is a beginning of the end for further price declines and summer should bring back some balance to the overall real estate market in Atlanta.

Of course, this change will come slowly and it's possible for certain segments of the market to continue price declines for several more months. Most areas north of I-20 should begin to see a leveling off before many of the areas south of I-20. Some segments of the market are already nearing more "normal" levels of inventory as it relates to sales volume. For example, housing starts have come to a complete halt and inventories of existing finished new homes are dropping faster than any other segment due to the lack of new starts. At the current rate of sales, new construction will be at seller's market inventory levels by the end of the summer.

New Construction Market

What this means for you if you have been waiting for the time to buy is that it is here now. In fact, many of the best deals on new construction are already gone. There are sure to be more discounts on certain properties, but, choices are becoming more limited. The time to act in this market really is right now. For example, Gramercy Park in Alpharetta sold the first 2 homes for $730,000 and $740,000 in June and August. Today, similar floorplans are priced below those sales prices with the remaining homes listed from $639,000 to about $720,000. Basically, we have reached the point of zero sum profits and many losses for builders on this type of property. You can view homes for sale in Gramercy park here.

Foreclosure and Short Sale Market

First, you should know that this is the best place to search foreclosures and the only place to search short sales as a consumer. You can read the announcement about the short sale search here. To search short sales and foreclosures, just use our Atlanta home search and scroll towards the bottom. Check the box for short sales and/or foreclosures and you are on your way. Name and save that search and we will automatically send you all new listings that meet your criteria as soon as they are listed to help give you a leg up on getting in an early offer prior to the rest of the vultures like yourself getting an opportunity to see the house.

This is far and away the most important segment of homes in today's market. To put it in perspective, foreclosures make up about 5% of the market and 30% of the sales. Much of this is due to the media and here is where they are right; if you are diligent, there are real deals. Just a word of caution, please call us before you start looking at these properties. I'm hearing some real horror stories about people biting off more than they can chew. This foreclosure boom has created great opportunities, but, it is also creating many headaches for buyers going it alone. These sales are often quite different than a typical resale and the potential pitfalls increase dramatically with them.

So, Where is the Bottom?

The million dollar question, right? The answer is to stop thinking about it in these terms. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, the bottom is anywhere from December 31st, 2008 to Summer of 2010 depending on where and what you are buying or selling. What we can say and what we do know for sure is that Atlanta never spiked in home values, didn't fall like other markets and should return to balanced more quickly than other areas. A hyper-local look at your individual situation is the only way to know for sure. In a previous post, I gave you the year end statistics from the FMLS. They provide broad generalities that we as agents must understand to have a clue about your local market. If you are in Alpharetta, it's different than Sandy Springs, but, they are both going to be somewhat governed by the Metro market. There is no way around it.

So, if your curious, pick up the phone and call. Don't be bashful. We don't bite.

Discussion

#1 By David Phillips at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Well I certainly look forward to February then! January really took off for us for real estate inquiries.

#2 By Ryan Ward at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Hi David, It's nice to hear from you and I'm glad to hear things are picking up. We are having the same experience as are others that I've talked with. We have got to get used to the "new normal" (which is really closer to the old normal) and I think those of us who make it through on the upswing stand to have tremendous success in the years that will follow.

#3 By Rodger at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Hi. As a buyer, I have found that foreclosure properties are not a walk in the park. On one property in mid-town Atlanta, I made in offer and all of a sudden the listing agents states that they received multiple offers. Yet, no contract. I saw the price go down and made another offer and then the same response "multiple offers" but no contract on the property. What's really going on?

#4 By Ryan Ward at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Hi Rodger, What you are saying is pretty typical on a foreclosure or short sale listing and demonstrates serious frustration for myself and any other agent trying to properly represent their clients on a foreclosure right now. What's really going on is hard to say - each one really is a little bit different. Before we make an offer, we always try to ascertain whether there are any current offers on the home, figure out who owns the proeprty and what their reputation is for a quick turnaround and answer (all banks are not created equally her) and a number of additional things before we go through and determine what we feel is a realistic price for the house and make an offer. Sometimes, there are legitimate scenarios with multiple offers. Other times, I have heard of more nefarious activities on the part of banks or agents, but, with no proof and little if any way to actually prove that something isn't right, there just really isn't much you can do other than to watch and see what it actually sells for.

Where is the house? I'll look it up for you. Fill out the contact form at the top of the page if you don't want to leave an answer publically.

#5 By David Phillips at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Rodger, not to be a "shill" for Ryan but he knows what he is talking about. Also, there may be another VERY simple explanation. Most real estate agents are in over their heads when it comes to short sales or foreclosures. Pick your representation carefully. Obviously, Ryan has my vote.

#6 By Ryan Ward at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Wow. Thank you David.

#7 By Susan Zanzonico at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

I'm glad to hear you don't bite! On the topic its much the same here. Inquiries are high and I have many scheduled appointments. The market has changed, yes and it varies town to town, but bottom line is buyers are realizing that its a good time to buy with low mortgage rates, lower prices and, depending on the town, high inventory. I am optimistic for a great real estate year.

#8 By Kent Aabye at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

For us "Atlanta movers" our season usually starts to warm up in April (which goes along with you as Real estate professionals see demand increase in March as we usually see your customers 14 to 30 days after they buy a home from you) with about a 50% increase in volume over the winter months (Jan, Feb, March are usually about the same) and continuing to clime month over month through July (usually one month will dip but it is an uphill climb in volume April-July). We are all waiting with baited breadth to see what happens this year...

#9 By Scottsdale Real Estate - Jeff at 6/22/2017 4:12 AM

Your winters are slow...

Our Arizona summers are slow...

Best of luck to you.

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