Real Estate Blog

Monday, 16 November 2009

Press Release: Casino Night - Big Canoe Volunteer Fire Dept. Fundraiser a Success!

The Big Canoe Volunteer Fire Department sponsored their first “Black and Blue and Tennis Shoe Casino Night”, at The Clubhouse, At Lake Sconti on Friday, November the 6^th. The objective for this event was to fund the purchase of a “Gator”…an off-road vehicle helpful in fighting hard-to-reach forest fires and assists in difficult search and rescue missions.

The dress code for this Big Canoe event was Tuxedo jackets and jeans for the men, dressy sequined tops and jeans for the women. And of course tennis shoes for everyone.

A tremendous time was had by all, playing blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette. Professional dealers gave lessons to those who may have needed help spending their play money. You didn’t think we’d let you use real money did you? That’d be gambling.

As residents of Big Canoe we should be most proud of our Volunteer Fire Department. They are truly a group of men and women dedicated to serving our community. Tom and Kelly Beechler on behalf of Century 21 Best Mountain Properties and its Agent Partners were proud to support this great cause. We challenge all of our home owners/businesses to support this great cause now and in the future.

Because of the support given by those residents/friends and local businesses, we are most pleased to have heard that enough money was raised to buy the “Gator”. Let’s continue to “Help our Firefighters Help You”!

POSTED BY: AT 03:36 pm | Permalink | E-mail this

Monday, 16 November 2009

Help for Homeowners in Danger of Foreclosure

PRESS RELEASE: November 9, 2009

CENTURY 21 BEST MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES EARNS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION TO HELP HOMEOWNERS IN DANGER OF FORECLOSURE

Kelly Beechler, Tana Brewster, Amanda Ledford, Sandy Stephenson, and Lynn Weaver of Century 21, Best Mountain Properties with offices in Big Canoe and Jasper have earned the prestigious “ Certified Distressed Property Expert “ designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the homes sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In Big Canoe, Bent Tree, Jasper, Dawsonville and the surrounding area, many homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as they work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said the Century 21 CDPE Team.” It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors such as Kelly, Tana, Amanda, Sandy, and Lynn with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales. “Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible, “ Charfen said.

If you are someone you know is in need of this type of service, please call one of the designated agents listed above at 770-893-3700

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POSTED BY: Kelly Beechler AT 03:14 pm | Permalink | E-mail this

Monday, 16 November 2009

Sept. Market Trends Report for the Big Canoe Community

· Current Home Inventory in Big Canoe is now at 241 vs. 261 in August. Please note inventory numbers below.

· Days on market for August were 65 vs. 157 in August (Homes sold). 205 Days on market (Homes for sale).

· Big Canoe’s overall month’s supply of inventory is … 28.3 months vs. 32.8 last month.

· 58 homes have sold YTD vs. 55 homes YTD September 2008 vs. 76 homes YTD September 2007 vs. 115 homes YTD in September 2006 vs. 157 Homes YTD September 2005.

· The average sales price in September was $241,000 compared to $431,673 in August 2008.

Big Canoe Community Homes Sold YTD 2009:

Price Range

# of Homes Sold in Price Range

% Representing Homes Sold

Homes Listed

% Listed

Less than $200K

10

15%

15

6%

$201K - $250K

4

7%

15

6%

$251K - $300K

9

17%

22

9%

$301K - $350K

10

15%

22

9%

$351K - $400K

7

13%

37

15%

$401K - $450K

5

9%

15

6%

$451K - $500K

2

4%

27

11%

$501K - $550K

6

11%

14

6%

$551K - $600K

2

4%

14

6%

$601K - $700K

2

4%

22

9%

$701K - $800K

1

2%

14

6%

$801.0 >

0

0%

24

10%

TOTAL

58

100%

241

100%

Summary:

Overall volume (dollars) in The Community of Big Canoe is down 19.57% (-$5.6M) vs. YTD 2008.

Yes, we have now had another month show an increase in home sales for Big Canoe. Although we are happy to see this, we sure would love to see more activity in home sales above $450,000. This simply is a market condition that needs improvement.

Total homes listed dropped by 20. There was a decrease in every price point except $451k-500k, which increased by 3.

As REALTORS^® and you, our homeowners of Big Canoe, we must get the below message out to the world:

Home affordability, as defined by the National Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Index, stands near all-time highs, thanks to declining prices and historically low mortgage rates. Yet, while some consumers hold off on purchases as they attempt to catch the home-price bottom, they could miss the mortgage-financing opportunity of a lifetime.

Late last year, the Federal Reserve Bank stepped in with a promise to purchase $500 billion in Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities, and raised that figure to $1.25 trillion in March. The move, combined with loan-modification initiatives and other federal intervention, restored investor confidence in the secondary market and mortgage rates declined rapidly. This condition is certainly unique and, likely, short-lived. One thing is crystal clear: the odds that mortgage interest rates will rise are much greater than any continued mortgage-rate decline. And for most home buyers, the cost of mortgage financing can be as important as the price of the home itself. Customers waiting for the absolute lowest price on a house could miss a golden financing opportunity and the lowest overall cost of homeownership.

In closing, we are pleased to see home for sale inventory dropping in Big Canoe. This improves your odds of more showings and ultimately, hopefully a closing contract. With this in mind, work closely with your agent to make sure you are priced correctly. Then make sure your home shows at its “Best”!

And remember, we love referrals!

www.BestMountainProperties.com and www.TheBeechlerGroup.com (Still under construction) for all your real estate needs.

Until next time,

Tom and Kelly

Owner / Principal Broker

Century 21 Best Mountain Properties

Source: Broker Metrics / FMLS

POSTED BY: Kelly AT 03:06 pm | Permalink | E-mail this