The historic Buckhead neighborhood of Peachtree Hills is in demand and Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road has been helping buyers and sellers navigate this competitive market! Emily is familiar with what sellers need to do in order to get top dollar in this neighborhood.  In fact, not using Emily could be a costly mistake.

It’s important to have an agent that not only understands the current market, but one that also personally knows your neighborhood. The real estate market is vastly different than it was just a few years ago. Inventory is tight, demand is strong, and buyers are especially interested in certain communities. A failure to understand the market trends in a particular neighborhood could cost a seller thousands of dollars. It is a mistake you can’t afford to make.

To get an idea of things have changed in a specific neighborhood, let’s take a look at Peachtree Hills. According to data retrieved from the First Multiple Listing Service, during the first quarter of 2014, the average selling price for a home in Peachtree Hills was $558,945, roughly 21 percent higher than the same period last year! From January to March 2013, the average selling price was $459,482.  This spike in price represents the strong demand for in-town living.

Homes are also selling quickly. For March 2014, the average Peachtree Hills home was on the market for just five days! This is an incredible pace! Homes in the same neighborhood were on the market for an average of 16 days in March 2013. This dramatic change means that sellers need to have the right agent who is an expert in the neighborhood.

Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road is the full-time agent you want on your side for a number of reasons. First of all, she was born and raised in Buckhead; she knows Atlanta.

Second, Emily has a proven track record in Peachtree Hills. Emily has listed five homes in Peachtree Hills just this year – four of them have already sold or are under contract.  This means Emily has listed about half of the homes that have sold in 2014! At the end of the first quarter of 2014, there were nine active homes for sale in Peachtree Hills, nine under contract and 11 homes sold since the beginning of the year.

Emily also regularly door knocks in the neighborhood, gaining a firsthand of what is happening in the community by talking with home owners. She has diligently worked to learn the market and understands how to price a home in Peachtree Hills.

If you would like to make Emily Freeman’s secrets to success your own, please contact her today to setup a listing consultation.

Emily Freeman
Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road
(c) 770-366-8876
(o) 404-419-3500
(f) 404-419-3501
emilyfreeman@kw.com
www.AtlantaRealty411.com

Whether you are a first time home buyer or looking to sell a home you bought a few years ago, right now is the time to act. While the metro Atlanta real estate market has made some big gains in the past two years, there are still opportunities on both sides of the closing table.

The Atlanta real estate market is stabilizing. According to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices in metro Atlanta increased 16.8 percent year-over-year in January, but decreased 0.1 percent from December to January.  Home prices marked big gains on an annual basis, but they are now virtually flat on a monthly basis.

Experts say this slowdown isn’t something to lose sleep over. Economists believe that home prices in Atlanta will still go up in 2014, just not as fast as previous years. Home prices increased rapidly over the past two years, and if they continued to appreciate at that same rate, they could create another bubble.

So, what’s with the slowdown? Economists say it’s for a number of reasons, but primarily because interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages have increased about one percentage point over the past year, which cut affordability and reduced demand. Because of this, home prices are showing more modest monthly increases.

According to S&P/Case Shiller Home Price Index, metro Atlanta home prices are at mid-2002 levels right now, still below their peak in late 2007. At the same time, home prices in the Atlanta region have made some tremendous gains since the bottom of the market. Nationally, housing prices are still about 20 percent below their June/July 2006 peak, but they are 23 percent above their March 2012 lows.

So what does this all mean for you? Well, it depends on whether you are selling or buying. Either way, here is a quick rundown:

Looking to sell your home? If you have been waiting for prices to stabilize before putting your home on the market, now is the time to take action. It is expected that home prices will hit somewhat of a plateau in 2014, with modest increases when compared to the last two.

Want to buy a home? While Home prices (and interest rates) have certainly increased over the last couple years, there are still some deals available. In fact, metro Atlanta homes prices are at a midway point between their record lows and their peak in 2008. Inventory is a little low but there are still some deals available to anyone who wants to buy a home.

As always, if you are interested in discussing real estate opportunities, or just have a question about your current home, please contact Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road.

Emily Freeman
Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road
(c) 770-366-8876
(o) 404-419-3500
(f) 404-419-3501
emilyfreeman@kw.com
www.AtlantaRealty411.com

Looking to move to Buckhead? Well, an immaculate, 2,327 square-foot ranch home located at 62 Mobile Avenue in Peachtree Hills just hit the market and it is waiting for you to come take a look. It’s a must-see, but hurry – it won’t be on the market long!

Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Rd, who has been listing an increasing number of homes in Peachtree Hills, has listed this 1 story, 3 bedroom/ 2 bath home that hosts many great features on the inside and out.

The home is located in the southwest corner of this historical neighborhood, near the intersection of Mobile Avenue and Fairhaven Circle. In fact, it’s very close to the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center and easily within walking distance to the Publix Super Market at Peachtree Battle and many great restaurants. See for yourself by checking out the Walkability Score!

Safety is a priority in Peachtree Hills.  Along with many other neighborhoods in metro Atlanta, the Peachtree Hills Civic Association pays off-duty Atlanta Police Department officers to do regular security patrols.  According to a recent report by the association, it recently spent 82 percent of its annual budget on security patrol.

If you want to learn more about crime in the area, please check out the Atlanta Police Department’s crime data webpage. In addition, APD’s weekly crime report is a helpful tool for finding recent and historical data. This home on Mobile Ave is located in Zone 2, so scroll down to page three in the weekly crime report to see data for Buckhead.

Now that we’ve covered the surrounding area, let’s get to the inside of this home. First of all, it will be great for entertaining, as it has lots of open space, with an expansive living room that will make perfect for hosting parties. At the same time, it has a separate dining room, which will allow for a more intimate and private setting.

While there is plenty of space for having fun, there is also a lot of storage space. This home is loaded with closets and places to put extra supplies, memorabilia – even holiday decorations. Bottom line – lack of storage is not an issue with this home. Best of all, there are no stairs – it’s all on one level!

Want to see some pictures? To experience an online walkthrough of this home, please check out the virtual tour. This presentation is the next-best thing to seeing the home in real life.

If you want to see this home for yourself, don’t hesitate to contact Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Rd today.

Emily Freeman
Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road
(c) 770-366-8876
(o) 404-419-3500
(f) 404-419-3501
emilyfreeman@kw.com
www.AtlantaRealty411.com

Whether you are aware or not, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. In fact, it is this Friday. No matter how on-the-ball you are, even the most diligent of us can forget to plan ahead sometimes. That’s ok! It happens. Unfortunately, many popular restaurants and venues are already booked up.

Not to worry, there are still many options available. Just try not to wait any longer!

Even though we are getting down to the wire, there still may be enough time to reserve a table at your favorite restaurant. In fact, OpenTable.com has a great rundown of restaurants in the Atlanta area that will offer special menu’s for Valentine’s Day. See the list for yourself right here: OpenTable.com

Downtown Atlanta now has its very own Ferris Wheel! It’s called SkyView and it towers over the South end of Centennial Park. If you haven’t seen it yet, this is an impressive attraction. It stands almost 20 stories high with 42 gondolas that can hold up to 6 people. Adult tickets are $13.50 plus tax. For more information, please visit SkyViewAtlanta.com. If you dropped the ball on planning something for Valentine’s Day, this should be a great last-minute option.

If you are looking for something more elegant, check out Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Piano Romance this Friday and Saturday evening at the Woodruff Arts Center. The night of romantic songs will feature pianist Rich Ridenour, award-winning Broadway vocalist Ashley Brown and the entertaining antics of Michael Krajewski – all in the name of Valentine’s Day. There are still a few tickets available for both nights, so quickly click here if you want to go.

You can always take your special someone to the High Museum of Art this Valentine’s Day. The museum has several exhibits, including Go West!, African Mask/Masquerade: More Than Meets the Eye, and Splendor: The Work of Jim Waters. Best of all, the museum still has tickets available for this Friday. All the details can be found here: High.org.

How about a museum and drinks? Well, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History will host its popular Martinis & IMAX this Friday.  Martinis & IMAX always includes a good time with live music, dancing, specialty drinks and an impressive IMAX film to top off the evening. This Valentine’s Day will actually feature a sneak preview of the new IMAX film, Whales: Giants of the Deep, at 7 pm.

Other films playing this weekend are Jerusalem and Journey to the South Pacific. Both look fascinating and certainly a kind of entertainment you won’t find at a regular movie theatre.  For more information, please visit FernbankMuseum.org.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is hosting a special event this Friday called Valentines in the Garden, where couples can enjoy a romantic stroll through their beautifully decorated gardens.  This special evening has something for everyone, with elegant music, dancing, cocktails, desserts and even a long stemmed rose, just for showing up. Please check out AtlantaBotanicalGarden.org for all the details.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town and they have circus events this Valentine’s Day. First, from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm, the circus will host an Elephant Love Lunch at Centennial Olympic Park.  The event is free and open to anyone who wants to come see the amazing elephants.

The circus will also be perform its “Built to Amaze” show at Philips Arena from February 12^th to the 17^th and will have two shows on Valentine’s Day, one at 10:30 am and the other at 7:30 pm.  For all the details, click here.

And if you really want to top things off, how about a hot air balloon ride? Well, that’s possible with Balloons Over Georgia. This company is located in Forsyth County and their balloons will float you high above Lake Lanier, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, the Atlanta skyline and the beginnings of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain ranges. The action only takes place on the weekends, so you won’t be able to do this on Valetine’s Day, but at last check, there was still some availability for this weekend. Check out the how to right here: BalloonsOverGeorgia.com.

Last but not least, Valentine’s Day is a great time to walk through a new neighborhood, look at the homes and talk about real estate. If you have been thinking about buying a home, it’s a great time to start talking about it.  In fact, right now is one of the best times in decades to purchase a home.

If you are interested in discussing these new real estate opportunities, please contact Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Rd.

Emily Freeman

Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road

(cell) 770-366-8876

(office) 404-419-3500

(fax) 404-419-3501

www.AtlantaRealty411.com

Buying or selling real estate is one of the most important financial actions in our life, so it is just as imperative to choose the right agent to help you through the process. Whether it is your first home or just another investment property, the right real estate agent can make all the difference.

Included below are the 10 things everyone should know before they buy or sell real estate:

1. It’s important to hire an experienced agent that can get you an accepted contract. What does this mean? Well, the limited inventory in today’s market has created a very competitive environment for buyers and multiple offer situations on a single home are now a normal part of real estate. You want to hire an agent that is experienced in these bidding wars so that your contract will be the one that gets accepted.

2. If you are looking to buy a home, get pre-approved for a mortgage before you look at any potential homes. This will give you a clear understanding of what you can afford and save you from the disappointment that comes with looking at a home that’s out of your price range. As well, your Realtor can recommend lenders that have a strong track record in providing excellent service and rates.

3. As a buyer, it’s a good idea to identify the top five features that matter most to you.  It could be where the home is located or the number of bedrooms – whatever they are – it’s good to know them before you start looking for a new home.

4. Your real estate agent is there to help you! So be open and honest with them about what you like and don’t like about the homes they show you. Whether it’s positive or negative feedback, the input helps the agent to more accurately find what you want to buy.

5. If you love it, chances are others buyers will too. This is especially true for nice homes that are priced to sell. If it’s priced right, then it’s going to be popular. There are a lot of buyers in the market right now, waiting to pounce on a good deal, so it’s important to be prepared to move quickly and make an offer right away.

6. If you are looking to sell your home, it’s important to hire an agent that knows how to negotiate a multiple offer situation. This is the part of the process where experience is essential, as your agent will help advise on the different aspects of each offer and how those affect your goals and bottom line.

7.  When selling your home, you need to hire an agent that will build a selling strategy around your particular goals. This could be a time frame (where you need to sell your home and buy another one at the same time) or a desire to wait until you find the right home.

8. Communication is a vital aspect in any relationship and it’s essential that your real estate agent is effective in this area. It’s important that your agent is available and responsive to your needs and that they provide frequent updates regarding feedback from showings, updates on potential buyers and market trends in your neighborhood.

9. While it’s a must for the buyer and/or seller to have a good relationship with their agent, it’s also important for your agent to have a good rapport with other agents in the community. This will ensure a smooth and successful closing for both parties.

10. Last but certainly not least, any prospective buyer or seller should hire an agent that works full-time, not part-time. Selling your home isn’t some sort of side job, it’s a big deal. Your real estate agent needs to be dedicated to seeing the process through.

Following these suggestions will better prepare you for buying or selling a home. If you are looking for a full-time, experienced and connected real estate agent, then Emily Freeman is ready to help you.

Emily Freeman
Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road

(cell) 770-366-8876

(office) 404-419-3500

(fax) 404-419-3501

emilyfreeman@kw.com
www.AtlantaRealty411.com

It’s an exciting time for many urban areas across the country. People of all ages are giving up on those long suburban commutes and moving into the city. It’s a reversal of a trend that held steady for generations.

Until 2011, suburban areas generally grew faster than their city centers. Between 2000 and 2010, many big cities barely grew or even lost population as residents decamped for growing smaller cities and suburbs. Things have changed today.

According to the report by the Brookings Institute, the city of Atlanta experienced a growth rate of 2.8 percent from 2011 to 2012, while suburban metro Atlanta grew at 1.4 percent. This means Atlanta grew 1.3 percent faster than its suburban counties, making it among the fastest growing cities in the report.
Atlanta isn’t alone in this new trend. Along with Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver and Washington, D.C. experienced a similar influx. Across the country, there is a new demand for living in, or close to, the city.

This new demand doesn’t necessarily pit communities against each other. The strong population growth in the cities is actually benefiting some closer-in suburbs. Communities that are close to urban areas and linked to the city through public transit or efficient roadways are experiencing similar growth, while outlying areas are experiencing a drop in demand. This is clearly the reserve of what was happening during the 2000s. It seems that suburban sprawl has reached its limit.

While people want to live in the city, they also want to walk. A 2013 report from George Washington University found that walkable urban communities are experiencing strong growth in Atlanta, primarily driven by young professionals who want to drive less than their parents or just walk to work.

This trend is definitely a new one. In the past, real estate developers weren’t interested in building many dense, walkable developments that included residential and commercial units. Between 1991 and 2000 these dense projects were only 15 percent of all development. This trend largely continued between 2001 and 2008, when they consisted of about 25 percent.

These figures have nearly flipped today. The total number of walkable developments now consists of 60 percent of all projects in metro Atlanta, with about 70 percent of them in the city of Atlanta.

What does this all mean for you? Well, we are clearly experiencing a transformation in how and where we live. Rather than focusing on the size of the house, many are now looking more to where the property is located. People of all ages, especially younger generations, are tired of long traffic delays and are opting for shorter commutes, or even walking if possible.

Whether you are a looking to buy a home or hoping to sell soon, it’s important to remember that demand will play a critical part in the value of your investment in the future.  Homes in or near city are likely to be much more in demand, than those in the far-fetched regions of the suburbs. These gains aren’t guaranteed (no one has a crystal ball) but it’s something to consider when making such an important decision.

While Atlanta home prices have seen some big gains in the last 18 months, it is still a great time to buy a home. In fact, right now is one of the best opportunities to buy a home in decades. Don’t miss out on these new communities!

If you are interested in discussing these new real estate opportunities, please contact Emily Freeman of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Rd.

Emily Freeman
Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road
(cell) 770-366-8876
(office) 404-419-3500
(fax) 404-419-3501
emilyfreeman@kw.com
www.AtlantaRealty411.com