First Quarter Hall County Real Estate Analysis.

The first quarter of 2011 is now over.  The Hall County Real Estate market is doing very well for the year so far.  According to GAMLS statistics the number of single family home sales in Hall County for the first quarter of 2011 increased 4.8% over the same time period in 2010 (in 2010 we had the advantage of the Federal Home Buying Tax Credit).  To be beating the sales numbers from last year proves our real estate market is gaining more strength and stability.

How does Hall County's home sale numbers look compared to other years? 

2011's First Quarter beat 2010 by 4.8%.

2011's First Quarter beat 2009 by 35%.

2011's First Quarter beat 2008 by 20.4%.

Jim Woods wrote an article earlier this year for The Wall Street Journal's Digital Network where he stated:  "If you're a long term investor looking to put money to work, now is really not the time to get into stocks, precious metals, or agricultural commodities.  However, with home sales starting to improve, and with prices now possibly forming a bottom, real estate could well be the asset class that represents the best low-risk buying opportunity out there today....Yes, mortgage rates still are near historical lows, but if we see these rates rise, then the cost of a new home could climb significantly. So, now could really be the best time to pull the trigger on that home purchase - and it could also be your best investment right now."

Shawn Tully, Senior Editor for Fortune, wrote this in an article last week:  "After four years of plunging home prices, the most attractive asset class in America is housing.  Let's state it simply and forcibly:  Housing is back.  Two basic factors are laying the foundation for dramatic recovery in residential real estate.  The first is the historic drop in new construction...The second is a steep decline in prices, on the order of 30% nationwide since 2006, and as much as 55% in the hardest-hit markets.  The story of this downturn has been an astonishing flight from the tradtional American approach of buying new houses to an embrace of renting.  But the new affordability will gradually lure Americans back to buying homes.  And the return of the homeowner will start raising prices in many markets this year."

Things are getting better in Real Estate, especially here in Hall County.  We are even seeing good rates and terms for jumbo mortgage lending.  Call us anytime.  We are here to help you.

R. Brad Abernathy

Abernathy Cochran Group

2011 Real Estate Analysis of Hall County, So Far...

Our 2011 Real Estate Analysis, so far….

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The number of Hall County home sales (units) for January 1 to February 28, 2011, increased by 13.4% over the same time period in 2010.  This is terrific news for our market that continues to gain momentum.  During the same time period all home sales in Georgia (listed through FMLS) declined by 6%.
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While the actual number of home sales continues to increase the average home sales price has been trending downward for some time.  The average home sales price in Hall County for January 1 to February 28, 2008, was $241,775; for the same time period in 2009, it was $207,750 (a 16% decline year-over-year);  for the same time period in 2010, it was $166,975 (a 20% decline year-over-year); and finally, for the same time period in 2011, it was $155,030 (a 7% decline year-over-year).  This “average home sales price” mentioned above is overall.  Several price range segments have already leveled off.

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Last year, in 2010, Hall County had a greater percentage increase in home sales over the previous year than any other metro Atlanta County, the State of Georgia as a whole, and the Nation.  Now we are seeing a 13.4% increase in home sales so far this year over the same time period of 2010.  That is especially excellent news considering that home sales last year were escalated due to the federal home buying tax incentives that ended in April of 2010. 

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Even though this news seems mixed, we believe this will be a good year for real estate, and therefore a good economic year for business in Hall County.  Home sales continue to increase in Hall County and it looks like the average home sales price is leveling off for the entire market.

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If you are looking for homes for sale in Gainesville, Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Hall County, or on Lake Lanier, in GA, call our group.  We specialize in Real Estate Buying, Selling, and Consultation Services.

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R. Brad Abernathy
Abernathy Cochran Group
The Norton Agency
770-540-1548

Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia Home Sales Lead the Region & State

The light at the end of the tunnel may not be a train, after all.  While real estate has had a rough few years and we now realize how much it is intertwined into our national economy, the three most important words in real estate are still true:  Location, Location, Location.  Our Location is wonderful. 

GOOD NEWS - PART ONE

GAINESVILLE & HALL COUNTY real estate was great in 2010 compared to our neighbors and is predicted to get even better.  Hall County outperformed the U.S., Georgia, and all of our neighbors in the percentage increase in the number of single family home sales from 2009 to 2010.  The following data was retrieved from GAMLS, FMLS, and NAR.  When researching the actual number of single family home sales in 2009 and in 2010 we found that the following areas saw declines:  The United States declined 6.4%; Georgia declined 8%; the northern Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, Dekalb, Barrow, Jackson, Cobb, and Cherokee all saw declines ranging from .5% to 15.4%.  The great news is that 4 northern Atlanta counties saw increases in the number of single family home sales:  North Fulton increased 3.3%; Dawson County increased 3.9%; Forsyth County increased 4.5%; and, the brightest spot of all--Hall County-- increased 9.7%.

GOOD NEWS - PART TWO

An article published on February 10, 2011, by CBSMONEYWATCH.com contains even more good news for our area.  This article lists the biggest year-over-year winners and losers in real estate in the United States for 2010.  The data they used was from Zillow and included the percentage gain or loss in home values for the fourth quarter 2010 versus fourth quarter 2009.

This article is quoted as saying, “Despite the tough economy and struggling housing market, these cities managed to increase their home values. Travel and population hotspots like New York, California and Hawaii predictably did well, but there are quite a few surprising cities on the list.” 

The Biggest Winners with the Highest Year-Over-Year Home Value Gain are:

1. Ann Arbor, MI (Gain: 11.3%); 2. Gainesville, GA (Gain: 8.4%); 3. Honolulu, HI (Gain: 4.0%); 4. Madera, CA (Gain: 3.8%); 5. Merced, CA (Gain: 2.6%); 6. Cape Cod, MA (Gain: 1.9%); 7. Cedar Rapids, IA (Gain: 1.0%); 8. Binghamton, NY (Gain: 1.0%); 9. Utica, NY (Gain: 0.7%); 10. Virginia Beach, VA (Gain: 0.6%).

The Biggest Losers: with the Highest Year-Over-Year Home Value Loss are:

1. Pueblo, CO (Loss: -23.7%); 2. Mobile, AL (Loss: -18.5%); 3. Ocala, FL (Loss: -18.2%); 4. Detroit, MI (Loss: -17.4%); 5. Lansing, MI (Loss: -16.6%); 6. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL (Loss: -15.4%); 7. Atlanta, GA (Loss: -15.3%); 8. Lakeland, FL (Loss: -14.8%); 9. Flagstaff, AZ (Loss: -14.7%); 10. Melbourne, FL (Loss: -14.5%).

Our Location is the home for our Governor, Lt Governor, and Chair of the GA Chamber of Commerce.  Our location is now the real estate leader for our region, our state, and our nation.  The best Location is here.  Things are getting better.  Spread the good news. 

R. Brad Abernathy

Abernathy Cochran Group

The Norton Agency

Searching for Homes For Sale in Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia.

In July of 2010, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) did a study of 111,004 home buyers and sellers that either bought or sold their home between July 2009 and June 2010.  This study generated 8,449 usable responses to an 8 page survey.  We thought we would share the following trends and statistics from the study:

     

·         Buyers use a variety of resources in searching for a home:  89% searched internet; 88% used Realtors; 57% searched by yard signs; 36% searched print advertising.  Although they used a variety of resources, they generally started the process online and then contacted their Realtor.

·         When asked how they first learned about the home they ultimately purchased:  38% said internet; 37% said Realtor; 11% said a yard sign; 6% said from a friend, neighbor, or relative; 4% said the home builder; 2% said a newspaper ad; 1% said from home book or magazine.

If you are a buyer for homes for sale in Gainesville, GA (or in Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Braselton, Buford, Hall County, Lake Lanier, GA) we can help you by setting up a custom website, called The Client Gateway, that will alert you every time a new listing hits the market.  This website also alerts you by email every time a listing changes price or changes its status.  Our customizable website will allow you to set up a search for foreclosure homes for sale, bank owned homes for sale, short sale homes, lease purchase homes, land, farms, lots, condominiums for sale, etc.  As a Buyers Broker we will assist you in your purchase and we are paid by the Seller of the property you purchase.  By working with The Abernathy Cochran Group you get the best Real Estate representation and consultation for your purchase.  Call or email us anytime.  http://www.abernathycochran.com/

Real Estate in North Georgia

The Norton Agency presented our 24th Annual Economic Forecast this past Thursday evening.  Information is Knowledge and Knowledge is Power. 

For information regarding Real Estate for sale, Houses for sale, Farms and Land for sale, Acreage for sale in Gainesville, GA, Flowery Branch, GA, Oakwood, GA, Hall County, GA, Lake Lanier houses, etc. contact Brad Abernathy and Regina Cochran with the Abernathy Cochran Group of The Norton Agency.

The Norton Agency is your Real Estate Experts in North Georgia & The ABERNATHY COCHRAN GROUP is the #1 Sales Group of The Norton Agency.

The entire 2011 NORTON FORECAST can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

2011 NORTON FORECAST   |   ABERNATHY COCHRAN GROUP

Gainesville / Hall County Real Estate Tops Neighbors, State, and Nation in 2010.

Gainesville / Hall County Real Estate Tops Neighbors, State, and Nation in 2010.

A few years ago when one part of the real estate market started to fall, the talk of the nation was whether the subprime mortgage disaster will affect other parts of the real estate business.  Well, it affected all parts of the real estate business.  Then, when the real estate industry as a whole started its fall, the talk of the nation was whether other parts of our enormous economy will be affected.  It ultimately affected everything.  Our country and the world found out how much real estate is intertwined into just about everything!

I went to the Georgia Mountains Center once when I was a kid with my parents.  We went to the arena to watch a unbelievable display of dominoes.  One fell over, then a line of them, and then lines started splintering off in all directions.  Over the last 3 to 4 years our economy looked the same way in slow motion. 

In 2010, things in HALL COUNTY were great compared to our neighbors and are predicted to get even better!  The National Association of Realtors is predicting that the number of home sales in the U.S. will increase by 7.1% in 2011.  This is terrific news for our local economy.  In 2010, Hall County outperformed the U.S., Georgia, and all of our neighbors (See Chart).  We are very excited about 2011!  

   

This Chart Shows the Percentage Increase or Decrease in Single Family
Home Sales (Units) from 2009 to 2010.  Data Sources: National (NAR);
State (GAMLS); Cities and Counties (FMLS).

Buyers will start buying again because of these favorable signs:

(1)  Mortgage interest rates have bottomed and are starting to inch upward;

(2)  The federal spending spree should stop now that the elections are complete;

(3)  It looks like unemployment rates are stabilizing which should create more confidence;

(4)  Many, many houses have been selling for less than it would cost to build them, and that just cannot continue indefinitely;

(5)  Consumer confidence is finally better than it has been.

If you are planning to buy or sell real estate call The Abernathy Cochran Real Estate Group to assist you. 

2011: The Year a House Again Becomes a Home

2011: The Year a House Again Becomes a Home

Demand for Housing Will Increase in 2011

KCM Blog's Demand for Housing Will Increase in 2011

The Downtown Gainesville, Georgia Square is beautifully decorated for Christmas. What a great place to shop and have a wonderful lunch or dinner.

Pictures sell! According to a recent study, over 80% of homebuyers viewed the home they purchased online before they actually walked through it or drove by it.

This picture was taken of the bay at Thompson Bridge. The homes shown are located on Pointe Drive in the Chattahoochee Country Club. The boat made this picture great. We arent sure who that was.