Atlanta Condos For Sale

Reasons to Consider Condos in Your Home Search

by

Reasons To Consider Condos in Your Home Search

Reasons to Consider Condos in Your Home Search
Are you having trouble finding a home that fits your needs and your budget? If so, you should know there’s an option worth considering – condominiums, also known as condos. I have been selling condos since I first became licensed as a real estate agent back in 2004. I’ve seen most of the current condo inventory in the metro Atlanta area be built. And I have owned a few of them as well. There certainly are benefits to condo living. And price can be a big factor, depending on what you are looking for and in what part of the city. Here are some other reasons to consider condos in your home search.

According to Bankrate:

“A condo can be a more affordable entry point to homeownership than a single-family home. And as a homeowner, you’ll build equity over time and have access to tax benefits that a renter wouldn’t.”

That’s why expanding your search to include additional housing types, like condominiums, could help you accomplish your homeownership goals this spring, especially if you can be flexible about the space you need. Condos are typically smaller than a single-family home, but that’s part of what can make them more budget-friendly (see graph below):

There is one important part of condo ownership you have to keep in mind, and that is the monthly HOA (homeowners association) fee you have to pay. This fee covers a variety of things, and can vary from building to building as to exactly what is covered in that fee. Normal items include exterior maintenance, fire and liability insurance, and some type of security, depending on the design of the community. When you are looking at overall affordability, and your mortgage payment, you (and your lender) need to consider how much the monthly HOA fee is. As part of your loan pre-approval, have your lender figure how much you can have in a monthly HOA fee…and this will also help me as we search for potential condos and knowing where we need to be with that fee.

In addition to providing more options in your home search and possibly your price point, there are several other benefits to condo living. They tend to require less upkeep and lower maintenance – and that can give you more time to spend doing the things you enjoy. Plus, since many condos are in or near city centers, they offer the added benefit of being in close proximity to work and leisure. Sometimes you will hear the phrase, “lock and leave” meaning that it is very convenient to just lock the door and take a trip…no need to have anyone water the lawn or mow the grass!!

Remember, your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home. The important thing is to get your foot in the door as a homeowner so you can start building wealth in the form of home equity. In time, the equity you develop can fuel a future purchase if your needs change.

Ultimately, owning and living in a condo can be a lifestyle choice. And if that appeals to you, they could provide the added options you need in today’s market.

Bottom Line

It could make a lot of sense to add condos to your home search. Let’s connect today if you’re ready to check out the options in our area.

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know

by

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know | MyKCM

One of the first steps in your homebuying journey is getting pre-approved.  To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to understand what pre-approval is and what it does for you. Business Insider explains:

“In a preapproval [sic], the lender tells you which types of loans you may be eligible to take out, how much you may be approved to borrow, and what your rate could be.”

Basically, pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand your options and what you may be able to borrow.

How does it work? As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will look at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow. That can make it easier when you set out to search for homes because you’ll know your overall numbers. And with higher mortgage rates impacting affordability for many buyers today, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more important.

Pre-Approval Helps Show You’re a Serious Buyer

Another added benefit is pre-approval can help a seller feel more confident in your offer because it shows you’re serious about buying their house. A recent article from Forbes notes:

“From the seller’s perspective, a preapproval [sic] letter from a reputable local lender often can make the difference between accepting and rejecting an offer.”

This goes to show, even though you may not face the intense bidding wars you saw if you tried to buy during the pandemic, pre-approval is still an important part of making a strong offer. In fact, Christy Bieber, Personal Finance Writer at The Motley Fool explains it may be the most important part of making an offer:

“Pre-approval maximizes the chances you’ll be able to actually close the deal – and sellers want to see that.

The fact that a pre-approval gives you a better chance of getting your offer accepted is undoubtedly the most important reason to complete this step . . .”

Bottom Line

Getting pre-approved is an important first step towards buying a home. It lets you know what you can borrow, shows sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home, and last but not least, it helps ME know what to be looking for as we search for a home.  We have a great team of Lenders to help you get that important pre-approval! Check them out at YOUR TEAM Page here on the site.

Don’t Be Afraid of Today’s Housing Market

by

Don’t be afraid of Today’s housing market! Just think, there is a good potential that interest rates may go even higher than they currently are! So buying now, you could lock in a lower rate than might be around in say, 3 or 4 months. And with the equity that you have in buying a home (let’s make sure you don’t overpay…and that market has cooled enough to help us with THAT goal) you can look to refinance your mortgage when interest rates come down in the future. 

Of course, every person’s situation is different. We might even tell you that it does not make sense for you to buy a home right now. But, let’s sit down and talk and see what your options may be!!

 

 

If you would like to know more about the home buying process ….perhaps you are new to Georgia and the real estate buying process DOES differ from state to state …. check out our Atlanta Real Estate Buyers Guide. And if you still have questions….well that’s what we are here for! 

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation?

by

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation?

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation? | MyKCM

While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession.

You’re likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as you watch the cost of goods and services climb. The pinch it’s creating on your wallet and the looming economic uncertainty may leave you wondering: “should I still buy a home right now?” If that question is top of mind for you, here’s what you need to know.

Homeownership Is Historically a Great Hedge Against Inflation

In an inflationary economy, prices rise across the board. Historically, homeownership is a great hedge against those rising costs because you can lock in what’s likely your largest monthly payment (your mortgage) for the duration of your loan. That helps stabilize some of your monthly expenses. James Royal, Senior Wealth Management Reporter at Bankrate, explains:

“A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to maintain the biggest portion of housing expenses at the same payment. Sure, property taxes will rise and other expenses may creep up, but your monthly housing payment remains the same.”

And with rents being as high as they are, the ability to stabilize your monthly payments and protect yourself from future rent hikes may be even more important. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains what happened to rents in the latest inflation report:

“Inflation refuses to budge. In September, consumer prices rose by 8.2%. Rents rose by 7.2%, the highest pace in 40 years.”

When you rent, your monthly payment is determined by your lease, which typically renews on an annual basis. With inflation high, your landlord may be more likely to increase your payments to offset the impact of inflation. That may be part of the reason why a survey from realtor.com shows 72% of landlords said they plan to raise the rent on one or more of their properties in the next year.

Becoming a homeowner, if you’re ready and able to do so, can provide lasting stability and a reliable shelter in times of economic uncertainty.

If you are new to the home buying process, check out our Intown Atlanta Real Estate Buyers Guide!

Bottom Line

The best hedge against inflation is a fixed housing cost. If you’re ready to learn more and start your journey to homeownership, let’s connect.

Buyers: You May Face Less Competition as Bidding Wars Ease

by

Buyers: You May Face Less Competition as Bidding Wars Ease

Buyers: You May Face Less Competition as Bidding Wars Ease | MyKCM

Buyers, you may face less competition as bidding wars ease, and we also see an increase in inventory in various locations in Atlanta! One of the top stories in recent real estate headlines was the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. With so many buyers looking to purchase a home and so few of them available for sale, fiercely competitive bidding wars became the norm during the pandemic – and it drove home prices up. If you tried to buy a house over the past two years, you probably experienced this firsthand and may have been outbid on several homes along the way.

But here’s the news you’ve been waiting for: data shows clear signs bidding wars are easing this year.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average number of offers on recently sold homes has declined considerably over the past few months (see graph below):

Buyers: You May Face Less Competition as Bidding Wars Ease | MyKCM

The graph shows homes were seeing a high of around five offers earlier this year. But the latest data shows that average was down to just shy of three offers per recently sold home. This shift is happening largely because rising mortgage rates moderated buyer demand and slowed home sales, resulting in a growing supply of homes on the market. Essentially, more choices for buyers. These stats are on a national level…locally in Atlanta, we are still seeing multiple offers on choice properties, but we are also seeing the return of financing contingencies, due diligence periods and even Seller paid closing costs. 

What This Means for You

If you put your home search on pause because you were outbid last year or because you didn’t want to deal with the peak intensity of bidding wars, you can breathe a welcome sigh of relief. While it’s still a sellers’ market, an uptick in inventory gives you a window of opportunity to jump back in. You may still be competing with some buyers, but it likely won’t be anything like it was just a few short months ago.

Bottom Line

If you put your plans on pause because of intense bidding wars in recent years (or months), it may be time to kick off your home search. Today, bidding wars are easing and that may mean less competition for you as a buyer. If you’re serious about buying a home or making a move, let’s connect to get started today.

If you are a first-time home buyer, we are ready to help you! Check out our Buyer’s Guide…a series of articles that will walk you through the home buying process. And of course, we will be there every step of the way with you! Give us a call and let’s talk about your home buying needs! 

What’s Causing Ongoing Home Price Appreciation?

by

What’s Causing Ongoing Home Price Appreciation?

What’s Causing Ongoing Home Price Appreciation? | MyKCM

If you’re thinking about making a move, you probably want to know what’s going to happen to home prices for the rest of the year. While experts say price growth will moderate due to the shifting market, ongoing appreciation is expected. That means home prices won’t fall. Here’s a look at two key reasons experts forecast continued price growth: supply and demand.  

While Growing, Housing Supply Is Still Low

Even though inventory is increasing this year as the market moderates, supply is still low. The graph below helps tell the story of why there still aren’t enough homes on the market today. It uses data from the Census to show the number of single-family homes that were built in this country going all the way back to the 1970s.

What’s Causing Ongoing Home Price Appreciation? | MyKCM

The blue bars represent the years leading up to the housing crisis in 2008. As the graph shows, right before the crash, homebuilding increased significantly. That’s because buyer demand was so high due to loose lending standards that enabled more people to qualify for a home loan.

The resulting oversupply of homes for sale led to prices dropping during the crash and some builders leaving the industry or closing their businesses – and that led to a long period of underbuilding of new homes. And even as more new homes are constructed this year and in the years ahead, this isn’t something that can be resolved overnight. It’ll take time to build enough homes to meet the deficit of underbuilding that took place over the past 14 years.

Millennials Will Create Sustained Buyer Demand Moving Forward

The frenzy the market saw during the pandemic is because there was more demand than homes for sale. That drove home prices up as buyers competed with one another for available homes. And while buyer demand has moderated today in response to higher mortgage rates, data tells us demand will continue to be driven by the large generation of millennials aging into their peak homebuying years (see graph below):

What’s Causing Ongoing Home Price Appreciation? | MyKCM

Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, explains:

 “. . . millennials continue to transition to their prime home-buying age and will remain the driving force in potential homeownership demand in the years ahead.”

That combination of millennial demand and low housing supply continues to put upward pressure on home prices. As Bankrate says:

“After all, supplies of homes for sale remain near record lows. And while a jump in mortgage rates has dampened demand somewhat, demand still outpaces supply, thanks to a combination of little new construction and strong household formation by large numbers of millennials.”

What This Means for Home Prices

If you’re worried home values will fall, rest assured that experts forecast ongoing home price appreciation thanks to the lingering imbalance of supply and demand. That means home prices won’t decline.

Atlanta Market Update

Some of this information comes at a more National level look, and we all know that real estate is local, and all about location, location, location! 

Key housing metrics, including the median sales price, swung to negative territory in Atlanta on a month-over-month basis in June, Georgia MLS reported, citing its 12-county Housing Market Snapshot. 

The median price for a home in Atlanta’s core market fell 2.1% to $403,169 from $412,000 in June. Year over year, the median price was up 15.5%. 

Atlanta-area home sales by dollar volume fell in July, dropping 18.9% month over month and 15% year over year to $2.84 billion.   

The number of houses sold in July was 5,918, down 16.9% from June and 27% from July 2021.   

New listings in July totaled 9,268, a 14.1% decrease from June and a 5.3% increase from last July, while active listings jumped 15.9% month over month and 57.1% year over year to 11,970.   

Georgia MLS’ 12-county report includes Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties. 

Bottom Line

Based on today’s factors driving supply and demand, experts project home price appreciation will continue. It’ll just happen at a more moderate pace as the housing market continues its shift back toward pre-pandemic levels.

Thom Abbott

Associate Broker, REALTOR(R)
905 Juniper Street, NE Suite 110
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
770.713.1505 Direct
404.876.4901 Office

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HomeSmart