As a whole, Atlanta is still a buyer’s market. Prices are down significantly from their 2007 highs, but things are changing, especially in the under-$200,000 in-town market.  Inventory is down over 40% from the start of 2011 and, statistically, under $200,000 is no longer a buyer’s market with only a six-month supply of listings.

This rare, newer home is in one of Atlanta’s older neighborhoods, and it features modern touches like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

To read more about how much home $200,000 will buy, click here:  http://realestate.msn.com/how-much-house-does-200k-buy-2012#9

Justin Landis – 404-803-0471

http://www.richhomesatlanta.com/2012/02/updates-and-space-galore-in-grant-park/

934 Park Avenue

934 Park Avenue, Atlanta 30315 has so many updates and so much space in Grant Park! This expanded brick ranch with 3 bedrooms plus an office has been completely updated. It boasts a new kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous hardwood floors, and a master bath you can usually only dream about in Grant Park. You will spend more time than ever outdoors thanks to a stone patio, fire pit, huge yard, great neighbors, and Grant Park only a block away. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better fenced in yard in town.

You’ll be amazed that you can get all of this in such a great location!

Justin Landis – 404-803-0471

934 Park Avenue

934 Park Avenue, Atlanta 30315 has so many updates and so much space in Grant Park!  This expanded brick ranch with 3 bedrooms plus an office has been completely updated.  It boasts a new kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous hardwood floors, and a master bath you can usually only dream about in Grant Park.  You will spend more time than ever outdoors thanks to a stone patio, fire pit, huge yard, great neighbors, and Grant Park only a block away.  You’ll be hard pressed to find a better fenced in yard in town.

You’ll be amazed that you can get all of this in such a great location!

Justin Landis – 404-803-0471

If you’re thinking about selling your home this spring, give us a call.  We would love to help you get your home ready to sell.

We are so thankful to have the opportunity to work with the great clients who made this possible.  Nearly 100% of our business is referral based, so we literally couldn’t have done it without our clients, friends, and family.  We appreciate the trust so many of you placed in us, and once again, we say Thank You!

We are excited to partner with new and old clients in 2012.  The Atlanta real estate market is ever changing, and we are here to help you make the most of it.

Rich, Justin, Jarrod, Randy, Terri, and Diane

Georgia homeowners can claim a Homestead Exemption if they occupied the home on or before January 1, 2012.  To claim the benefit, you MUST file for Homestead Exemption with the tax office of the county where you reside.  However, the deadlines and filing requirements vary by county, so you need to check with the county where you purchased your home.  You only need to file once; the benefit remains with you, the property owner, as long as the property is your primary residence. We have included links to area county websites, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

We wish you a happy and prosperous 2012!

245 N. Highland Avenue

235 N. Highland Avenue, #303, Atlanta, GA 30307 overlooks your Inman Park Playground – Parish, Fritti, and Barcelona Wine Bar are just steps away.   Walk to great restaurants, boutique shops, the Freedom Park trail, and the Atlanta BeltLine’s eastside trail. Want to cook in your kitchen that features new stainless steel appliancess and granite countertops? All you have to do is drop into Savi Urban Market for your supplies.  This trendy loft features concrete ceilings and floors and a private balcony.  The community offers all the conveniences you want and need – fitness center on site, covered secure parking, sleek club room, outdoor green space and a rooftop deck with skyline views.  This home is in perfect condition.  It includes a generous sized bedroom, large closet, updated bath, laundry, open kitchen / living area, and space for a small office.

Living in one of Atlanta’s hotspots doesn’t get any easier or less expensive than this!

Justin Landis – 404-803-0471

This article in the Wall Street Journal does a great job of highlighting some of the newer trends in home design. For example, formal living rooms & dining rooms and grand foyers are ‘out’ while open family rooms and drop zones are ‘in’.

These changes are not strictly for new construction homes either. In Atlanta particularly, many people are using these ideas to remodel older homes so they can maximize living space while living in established neighborhoods with great locations. Above is a picture of a  home we sold just this month that is a perfect example of this – you wouldn’t know it from looking at it, but it is a 1950s brick ranch!

Need help with anything real estate related? We’re here to help. And with our list of trusted resources, we’ll be able to connect you with the right person no matter what it is!

Mortgage applications increased 10.3% this past week as more homeowners refinanced existing mortgages or took advantage of lower interest rates to buy homes.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its market composite index – a measure of loan application volume – increased 10.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis from a week earlier.

On an unadjusted basis, the index grew 9.9% from the previous week. Meanwhile, refinancing activity soared with the index that measures refinance loans jumping 12.1% from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted purchase index also rose 4.8%

“Treasury rates dropped last week, as renewed turmoil in Europe once again led to a flight to quality, and 30-year mortgage rates dropped to their second lowest level of the year,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s vice president of research and economics. “Refinance applications jumped more than 12 percent to their highest level in a month and some lenders experienced even larger increases. As has been the case all year, many refinance applicants are opting to deleverage by choosing 15-year mortgages.”

Refinancing activity made up 78.6% of all mortgage applications, up from 77.1% a week earlier.

Meanwhile, the average interest rate for a 30-year, FRM with conforming loan limits of $417,500 or less fell to 4.22% from 4.31% a week earlier. In addition, the average rate on a 30-year, FRM with a jumbo balance of $417,500 or greater fell to 4.57% from 4.69%. The rate for a 30-year mortgage backed by FHA fell to 4.02% from 4.09% last week.

The average rate on a 15-year, FRM fell to 3.54% from 3.63%, while the interest rate on a 5/1 ARM fell to 3.01% from 3.09%.

Mortgage applications increased 10.3% this past week as more homeowners refinanced existing mortgages or took advantage of lower interest rates to buy homes.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its market composite index – a measure of loan application volume – increased 10.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis from a week earlier.

On an unadjusted basis, the index grew 9.9% from the previous week. Meanwhile, refinancing activity soared with the index that measures refinance loans jumping 12.1% from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted purchase index also rose 4.8%

“Treasury rates dropped last week, as renewed turmoil in Europe once again led to a flight to quality, and 30-year mortgage rates dropped to their second lowest level of the year,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s vice president of research and economics. “Refinance applications jumped more than 12 percent to their highest level in a month and some lenders experienced even larger increases. As has been the case all year, many refinance applicants are opting to deleverage by choosing 15-year mortgages.”

Refinancing activity made up 78.6% of all mortgage applications, up from 77.1% a week earlier.

Meanwhile, the average interest rate for a 30-year, FRM with conforming loan limits of $417,500 or less fell to 4.22% from 4.31% a week earlier. In addition, the average rate on a 30-year, FRM with a jumbo balance of $417,500 or greater fell to 4.57% from 4.69%. The rate for a 30-year mortgage backed by FHA fell to 4.02% from 4.09% last week.

The average rate on a 15-year, FRM fell to 3.54% from 3.63%, while the interest rate on a 5/1 ARM fell to 3.01% from 3.09%.

2222 Leafmore

What a great house in this top notch Decatur neighborhood!

2222 Leafmore, Decatur, GA 30033 has the yard and curb appeal that everyone looks for in a home.  You will know you are home as soon as you walk into the huge light filled living room & see the gleaming hardwoods. Cook dinner in a knock out kitchen – new cabinets w/ soft close drawers, granite countertops, & stainless appliances. All of the work is done for you – each bath is updated, the whole house is painted, & huge yard has decades of mature landscaping. This house is bigger than you think. Also, this is the best lot, so let the kids & dogs play!

This one will go fast, so give me a call to set up a time to see it.

Justin Landis – 404-803-0471