We still have some hills to climb before we see a better, more "real" market, so all the more reason to do your homework on home buying and selling....and all the more reason to be frugal in saving, spending and shopping, be it for a new home or car. As with a 401k, look for long-term benefit, such as essential repairs to the home as you live in it, not leaving until it is time to sell and then costs you a bundle! Enjoy your home until it is time to market it! Choose & develop a relationship with your Real Estate Professional weeks before you are ready. Then the house will be in the best selling shape it can be!As I mentioned, the Atlanta area still has about an average ten-month inventory of homes to sell, so STAND OUT in the crowd! Buyers can pick and choose! Assess your home and garden; prioritize what needs repair or a fresh “face” to present it in the best light. Ask a Real Estate Professional what is hot on the market as far as features and go for it. ESPECIALLY in this slower Seller's market, a Real Estate Professional knows what’s selling and how to get the biggest bang for your buck! I know you have heard the phrase: "location, location, location". Well, for those of us that are slightly lacking in that department, I have another: " Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal"! It never hurts to give a great first impression right from the street into the door!
It is not a pretty housing market unless you are a well-qualified buyer, but the stimulus plan will yield results.
THE STATS:The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of single-family homes and condominiums were down by 15+ percent, from last year the biggest drop since a 17.7 percent plunge in 1982. The South is leading the downturn with a -15%+- growth. There is still a ten-plus month supply of homes on the books and that is yp over 8% from last year, indicating a buyer's market. Median price for a single-family home averaged $220,400 in the South($203k nationwide), down 3.4 per cent from last year. Don't despair! Well- priced homes and well-prepared sellers are having success. Again, don't despair, but don't be unrealistic about your sales price!
Want to do some updating before you sell? See what the National Association of Realtors says home buyers want:
TOP 10 PICKS ON FEATURES DESIRED BY HOME BUYERS
- Central Air Conditioning
- Garage (2 or more spaces)
- Walk-in closet in master bedroom
- Backyard/play area
- Cable/Satellite TV-ready
- High-speed Internet Access
- Separate shower enclosure in master/main bath
- Patio
- Fencing
- Home less than 10 years old ( but this trend is changing!)
Make time to participate in the Georgia State Park’s schedule of events and classes. Holiday activities are in full force, so enjoy the beautiful Winter at our majestic and affordable state parks. An annual Park Pass is a great and inexpensive family gift and you can designate which favorite park gets the benefit of your purchase!!!
PLEASE...be sure to help keep our parks (and everyday environment) clean by respecting trail rules and "LEAVE NO TRACE" by taking out what you bring in.
All State parks are offering family fun programs from camping to fishing and crafts to creepy crawlies! Many great family outings are only an hour or two away from Atlanta. Go leaf "peeping", bird watching or just enjoy the scenery! Check it out: http://www.gastateparks.org/
In the Garden ...
We are trying to climb out of an historic drought, so please review your county laws! We have saving rains over the months, but still, think of other ways to save water; going forward... such as rain barrels...an alternative that can save hundreds of gallons (and dollars!) in the long run when watering your flowers and veggies.Besides, the garden much prefers rainwater to chlorinated tap water.Rain barrels are a great family project, can be used with drip irrigation systems and are very tech-friendly! I just installed another one at my house and have reduced my overall water bill by TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT!! I have containers for my air conditioner water and dehumidifier water...you would not believe how much water they produce!
Even though our drought-limiting water guidlines have been lifted , be very aware of your installed irrigation system usage. Have a rain sensor in place so you aren't paying for and wasting water while it's raining! Now that we can water again, if necessary, reduce your watering times and days only if you have planted winter rye over your dormant grass( one-inch of water about twice a week will work fine), and most of all, water early mornings so you get the least transpiration water loss from sunlight... and the grass and plants can dry during the day to hinder the growth of fungus. PLEASE remember, just because you use a well to water your lawn, this still affects the overall water table. Do you really need all that green grass all year long?
Think about a different path in the garden, think NATIVES! Plants native to your region provide food and shelter to wildlife, as well as reduce your water usage! Look for notices of budding native plant sales to be cropping up around Georgia: Chattahoochee Nature Center, Dunwoody Nature Center, Georgia Native Plant Society, and many more.
COOL WEBSITE ALERT!
http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/index.html-Gotta love a chicken...brrrk!
http://www.meetup.com/chickens/members/7098800/-For Atlantans and lovers of chickens everywhere!
http://freerice.com/index.php A terrific and challenging ( and addictive!) word game that donates food to the hunger with your correct answers! Getthe kids involved!
http://www.cyber-rain.com/default.aspx-Work Work with your PC to digitally adjust your sprinkler system per the weather!
http://wallpaperyourworld.com/info/about.html Designer Jack Poles' Eco-friendly wallpaper store, and more!
http://www.schoolmatch.com/ Research your schools.
www.calltorecycle.org It can't hurt...and it will help!
http://www.georgiaorganics.org Great resource for sustainable, locally grown foods.Become a member and support sustainable farms!
http://www.biblio.com/ecosend Excellent site for books of all kinds!
http://www.gnps.org/index.html Georgia Native Plant Society promotes just that, plants native to this area!
Forget the Gym........Really????
Maybe.What about circuit training in the garden? I have cast out the electric hedge shears and bounced the leaf blowers for the old-fashioned route. No cords to string out forever to reach the mailbox shrubbery, and it is a GREAT workout with and average 306 calories/ hour burned! Raking the lawn? Do you know how many calories an hour this aerobic workout burns? 292 cal/hr! Here are a few more to consider: Planting seedlings /shrubs-306 cal/hr; Weeding-306 cal/hr; Harvesting fruits and veggies-204 cal/hr; Digging and composting-340 cal/hr; Cutting the lawn (walking power mower)-374 cal/hr; Tilling or cutting wood-408 cal/hr; Wheelbarrow work-340 cal/hr; Hand-splitting wood-340 cal/hr; …or just the constant motion of general gardening burns 272 calories per hour — that’s a Grande Mocha Latte! Not to mention that gardening is good for the soul!