The Gurley Team

The numbers in the article are national numbers.  All four regions posted double digit gains in October.  The south was 28.2%, the Midwest at 28.2% , Northeast was 19.2% and the West was last with only a 15.2% gain. New home sales see biggest monthly gain since 1980 by Ryan Smith | Dec 04, 2013 Sales of new single-family homes saw the biggest month-over-month increase since May of 1980, according to data released today by the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.New single-family home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 444,000 in October, according to a report by the Census Bureau and HUD. That’s 25.4% above the revised September rate of 354,000 and 21.6% above October 2012’s rate of 365,000.The October rate is also considerably higher than the 425,000 projected by economists, according to a USA Today report. However, new home construction is still less than half what it was at its pre-recession peak.The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale in October was 183,000, according to the Census Bureau. At the current sales rate, that equates to a supply of 4.9 months. The median sales price of new houses in October was $245,800. The average sales price was $321,000.

Are we facing another Housing Bubble? Or, is this just the "NEW" Market Correction? North Metro Atlanta started a downward decline in housing prices around 2007. Foreclosures and Short Sales started becoming the norm in 2008 & 2009 and by 2010, we were in a full blown housing market crash.  By 2011 and 2012  many home owners were facing value declines as much as 25% and housing prices were at a 10 year low in North Metro. Thus, investors of all sorts (individuals, large corporations, foreign and all...) saw great opportunity at this time and the buying frenzy began! Bank owned properties that had been sitting vacant and cold started landing multiple offers.  REO agents were excited but overwhelmed with the large numbers of offers they were receiving.  Rules had to be invoked by the Federal Government to keep the investors at bay so owner occupants could have a fighting chance. CASH being KING created an opportunity for home sale prices to finally begin increasing, as appraisals weren't necessary for these hungry investors.  Today, competition has become so fierce that even auction sites have taken off in popularity.  Buyers are bidding, sight unseen, far above current market values, in an effort to "win" the bid and get their slice of Real Estate.  Investors today aren't paying market value for real estate, they are paying future assumed market values.... in other words, I believe we are in the beginning stages of an inflated housing market for North Metro Atlanta. The question or concern I have is this...are we witnessing another bubble bound to bust and send our market crashing once again or is this simply a market correction to repair the damaged prices caused by the last 7 years? Let's look at the current conditions: Investors who are paying cash are leading the charge to increasing our home sale prices and they are buying in ALL categories...all types of homes, all price points and in all conditions.  This in turn has paved the way for owner occupants to obtain loans as they are now having no trouble getting the home to appraise.  This is a far cry from what we've been dealing with the past 5+ years.   At the rate we are going,  I believe we may have inflated prices by 2015, as we will recover all the losses incurred in the last 7 years by the end 2014 and we may possibly see an additional gain of 10% - 15% by 2015.  Right now, auction sites and Multiple Listing sites are full of high bidding, cash buying investors, anxious to get their hands on as much real estate as they can.  Can our market sustain this type of demand and growth, this fast? I suppose only time will tell.   Here's my recommendation to Buyers and Sellers right now .... If you've been wanting to sell your home and turn around and buy another, don't wait any longer.  If you've been wanting to buy a home and haven't made the proper steps to do so, you best do it now! And lastly, if you are an investor be careful... Do not to get too far ahead of the prices. It is easy to get caught up in the feeding frenzy! To learn more, contact Melanie Gurley. She'll help you navigate through this exciting, ever changing Real Estate Market! Melanie@TheGurleyTeam.com       Direct: 770-596-5965 www.TheGurleyTeam.com             www.MelanieGurley.com Solid Source Realty GA

Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home newly renovated in Norcross, GA.  Practically everything is brand new and finished in the highest quality.  Here are some of the new or replaced items: New exterior 6 foot privacy fence New Hardwoods, tile and carpet throughout New Satin Nickel lightfixtures and hardware New Deck New Granite counters and stainless appliances New HVAC system New Toilets! And more!!! Come tour this great new renovation by The Gurley Team.  You'll be glad you did.  Priced for immediate sale!!

Another great listing located in Berkeley Lake, Gwinnett.  A three sided brick beauty awaits you! 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 1 half bath on 1.49 Acres a gorgeous land!  Nothing behind you but beautiful pastoral land.  This home offers tremendous square footage with a huge upstairs loft plus a partially finished basement and more unfinished space.   There is also a three car side entrance garage! Call Melanie Gurley at 770-596-5695 to schedule a tour.  This home is located in the prestigious Berkeley Walk Subdivision!

This home will knock your socks off!  Designer Home with a finished basement that is incredible! Check out the home theater below: There's more! The basement also has a gorgeous custom tiled full bathroom, custom finished 2nd large family room and a craft/game room. The home has all the latest and greatest features such as granite counters, stainless appliances, gorgeous hard wood floors throughout, 6 spacious bedrooms and 5 full baths!  The sellers are taking a huge loss but it's time to move on.  So take advantage of this great opportunity to buy low and enjoy all the extras this home has to offer.  We should also mention it has a new screened in porch, a lake view and a fenced in backyard!  This home is more than move in ready... it's incredibly ready for a new lucky family! Call Melanie Gurley to schedule a tour! Don't delay as this one is sure to draw a crowd.  770-596-5965

Picturesque 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath, traditional home in Georgia! Three sides brick home on over 1/2 acre in a culdesac.  Beautiful swim/tennis community ~ NORTHERN OAKS SUBDIVSION ~.  Top schools and one of the best areas of Forsyth County! The home offers spacious bedrooms, formal dining room, formal living room, fireside family room, rear stair case, open bright kitchen with separate breakfast area, 5th guest bedroom on main with custom cabinetry and built-ins, back deck overlook creep and private wooded oasis!  Home has a full daylight basement, partially finished and completed bathroom.  Professional landscape and irrigation system keep this home picture perfect! Priced incredibly well and decorated beautifully.  Call Melanie Gurley to schedule a tour.  Hurry! This one is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  770-596-5965 5

The power of patience in Feng Shui. I particularly like the statement this blogger made "When I allowed myself to stop expecting the changes to occur in a certain way, my perspective changed and that is when I say my intentions become a reality." Very nice blog and well written. The Power of Patience in Feng Shui: The Deeper Meaning by Feng Shui New York Consultant courtesy of www.quranandscience.com Feng Shui can be a tricky concept at times, especially if you are just starting to learn the process. There are so many levels to address, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  It requires dedication, focus, determination for your life goals and Patience. A common question before and after completing a Feng Shui Consultation is "How long will it be before the changes take affect"? This is a great question and the answer is...it always depends on that persons given situation, current lifestyle and perspective on life.  Typically, changes can accrue within 2 weeks and for some it may be even sooner.  We have had clients notice shifts in energy the very next day or a few days after.  For others, it's a much longer process because they need to address more of the spiritual and emotional aspects in their life with Feng Shui. Remember, Feng Shui is not a "cure" to all of life's problems, it is a way to enhance your lifestyle. You are responsible for helping to shift the energy as well. Any Master in Spiritually will tell you the same. Courtesy of www.testmeat.co.uk After making the changes you need to act on them. Many times those who are new to Feng Shui will make the changes but, show concern that nothing is happening.  If this is the case you need to ask yourself: I made changes in my home but did I translate them to the outside world as well? Am I being honest with myself about specific issues I may have to address in order to move forward? Am I being patient and allowing the process time to manifest my intentions? Being patient, is key.  I know personally when I first started learning about Feng Shui, I would ask the same question.  When I allowed myself to stop expecting the changes to occur in a certian way, my perspective changed and that is when I say my intentions become a reality.  Then, I understood the process.  Feng Shui is like a garden...you are creating a "life garden."  You know what you want to grow, so you plant the seeds. You feed them, nourish them, and watch them mature...you are patient with the process because you know it takes time. When changes occur, they may not always come in the way you expect but, in any matter they are always for the positive. Feng Shui reveals the truth and the universe provides you with what you need to help reach your destination. Feng Shui LI in New York *Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since graduating from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Carole provides on site Feng Shui Consultations Long Island NY, Queens New York and New York City -Hamptons NY. New York City Feng Shui Manhattan New York Feng Shui Manhattan New York City Manhattan NYC Consultant Laura Cerrano is a Second Generation Certified Feng Shui Consultant who has trained with Feng Shui Long Island and Masters from across the Country including Shamans to incorporate Native American beliefs and Space Clearings into her Feng Shui Consulting Firm, Feng Shui Manhattan New York City NY. After co-consulting on site for many years Laura began her own business in 2000 and has a strong client base in New York City, New York, Long Island NY, Queens, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the rest of the New York Tri-State area. Copyright © 2011 Feng Shui LI and Feng Shui Manhattan, All Rights Reserved.

This is a great advice for preparing to make a home purchase after the new year.  Or, if you are planning to refinance don't put too much on those credit cards!  I especially love the last section regarding finding a good Realtor.  The GURLEY Team is here for you.  Please call us if you are planning to purchase a home here or out of state. We can help!!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE. BUYER LISTEN UP We are getting ready to enter a new year.  No looking back, just straight ahead.  It is time to focus and prepare for the purchase of that new home.  Here are a few tips for making a positive splash into the joy of home ownership. Put the brakes on the Christmas spending.  Hold on to your cash; don’t run up those credit cards.  Start a Home savings account just for the down payment and closing costs.  A good rule of thumb would be to have 6.5% to 7% of the sales price saved.  FHA allows for seller contributions, but you still need to be prepared.    Get a fresh credit report, one from each reporting agency. Equifax, Experian and Transunion.  A good place to go Annual Credit Report.  Review the detailed reports for accuracy.  (Late payments come off after 7 years, Bankruptcy after 10)  Be aggressive in your pursuit of correcting errors and the removal of items that should have fallen off. Find yourself a good Mortgage Broker.  Someone you trust, get a referral from family or friends, research on line.  Once you find this person gather all your credit reports, W-2s, and any other documents you may need.  Set an appointment and get a review of your credit and ability to buy. This is the time where you will find out the price range you can purchase in, and get a “Pre-Approval Letter.”  If you have some credit to repair, your Broker can give you some direction. Now is the fun part…. Start driving neighborhood(s) where you think you may like to buy.  Research these areas on line, talk to the neighbors, drive the areas at different times of the day. Locate a REALTOR® or agent.  Visit (Interview) several and decide which one you feel most comfortable with. This is a very important step in the buying process; get someone that you ‘mesh’ with. This person has your best interest in mind and is going to become a very close confidant to you. SO stick with this agent!!!                                                                  Employee this person to work for you~ BE FAITHFUL!!!                 

It's easy to see in this blog below how incredibly helpful staging homes can be in getting a home sold quicker and usually for a higher price!  I love the side by side photos to really show what a difference furniture and nice decorating can do for a home! This house in Redding, CT was occupied, but un-staged, in the very beginning when it was put on the market. Therefore, the online photos showed the house furnished. I have to say it looked quite spacious online. Shortly thereafter the home sellers moved out and the house was now vacant. After the house had not sold for quite some time, the real estate agent suggested to the home sellers to have it staged. When I came to the house and saw the empty house, it looked small. How would home buyers be able to see fitting their furniture in here? I am sure this was the reason why this property had not sold after 101 days yet. After we had it staged, it again looked very spacious, warm and welcoming. This proves how deceiving vacant rooms are as there is no point of reference in the room. After the house was staged, it SOLD within 32 days! This example shows again, how important it is to have a vacant house staged if the goal is to sell fast and at the top dollar. After all, home buyers buy homes not houses.         and then this small room, which nobody could even imagine to be able to fit a bed. We staged it with a bed and a dresser and there was still enough space for a kid playing in this room and a small desk.   Birgit Anich Home Stager & Redesigner   I   HSR, RESA-PRO, RESA, ASHSR - Fairfield County CT Chapter President Fairfield county, CT   I    www.redesignyourspace.com   I Click here to join the new REALTORS & HOME STAGERS INFORMATION EXCHANGE group