Wow!!  Is Summer almost over already?  The kids are back in school, the ball teams have all kicked up and started practicing and playing games and the real estate market is finally...finally...improving in Cumming, GA.  As you know real estate is a very localized thing and this year to date the market has been flat...In the last few weeks, we've seen lots of new activity on our listings and things seem to be coming around a bit.  We think this is due to  many first time home buyers taking advantages of all the programs out there for them as well as many of the home sellers being educated about the market and being more realistic in their pricing of properties.  Because their listings are priced better, they are getting more activity and we are getting more offers.  We are also seeing alot of sellers doing short sales (this is where the home sells for less than is owed on the mortgage and this has to be negotiated with the bank(s) that hold the mortgage(s). )  These deals can take anywhere from 3-9 months to close but if it works out, it's normally worth the wait.  These deals are not for the impatient...sometimes the bank can come back after months of waiting and simply say "no" to the deal.  We are also seeing alot of the foreclosure inventory being absorbed which is great--as soon as the numbers for these distressed properties starts to go down, the recovery of home values can begin.  This also means the great deals will be less and less as the number of distressed homes go down...so investors-- now is the time.  In fact, for anyone thinking of purchasing--rates are still low and inventory is good, even though we do feel like that situation is changing. 

It may be time to get off the fence if you've been waiting for things to "bottom out."  Especially for us here in North Atlanta, it seems things are improving--and we hope it continues!

Jamie & Lori Chapman, Kim Lee

The Chapman Group

678-341-7477