New Signs that Home Prices May Be Stabilizing

CNBC.com

| 21 Apr 2010 | 12:47 PM ET

A new sign that home prices may be stabilizing—fewer sellers are slashing prices while their homes are on the market.

Twenty percent of sellers slashed prices by an average 10 percent in April, and while that may sound like a lot, it’s a good deal less than the 27 percent who did so in April of 2009, all according to real estate website Trulia.com.

Granted, sellers still slashed a collective $23 billion dollars from their original expectations, but at least the numbers are headed in the right direction.

“Market stabilization is helping to define fair market value, and this helps agents and consumer price better,” says Trulia’s Ken Shuman.

The big question is what will happen when federal stimulus finally exits the housing market, as the home buyer tax credit expires April 30. Increases in foreclosures are already beginning to weigh on home prices, as distressed sales now dominate the market.

Going locally, some of the hardest hit metropolitan markets are now seeing some of the biggest decreases in seller concessions. In Las Vegas, just 13 percent of sellers on the market have slashed prices, compared to 28 percent a year ago. San Diego and San Francisco are seeing comparable trends. On the flip side, Seattle and Denver, which were late to boom and later to bust are still seeing an increase in price reductions.

The average price reduction, again 10 percent nationally, is also changing depending on the market. San Francisco sellers are lowering prices by about 8 percent compared to 13 percent a year ago. But Phoenix, with its huge rate of foreclosure, is seeing prices slashed 13 percent compared to 12 percent last year.

In addition to market stabilization in some metros, the fact also is that sellers, inundated with news of the troubled housing market, are simply more realistic than ever before. Realtors report that more of their clients realize that underpricing will generate more offers faster. Also, those sellers demanding prices of yesterday, are taking their homes off the market to wait out the recovery.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Another Happy Couple just purchased a home in Westchester Subdivision in sought after East Cobb.

Here is what they said:

We had the good luck to find Jodi as our agent all the way from Texas.  My husband was being transferred to Atlanta and we really did not know much about the area.  We told Jodi what we were looking for in a house and Jodi went one step further to show us houses in neighborhoods and school districts we would find desirable.  We started off with the MLS searches from Texas and Jodi helped to preview homes and neighborhoods for us that we thought we might be interested in.  In the end, she helped us find a home in a good subdivision and excellent school district.  Jodi worked hard to protect us in our purchase negotiations and represent us while we were in another state.  I don’t know that other agents would have worked as hard as she did for us.  I would not hesitate to use Jodi again or recommend her to anyone for the purchase of a home.

The next one could be YOU!!!

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU! 

	Wednesday, August 19, 2009
	Seven Fulton County high schools are among the state’s leaders in ACT performance, according to information released today by the Georgia Department of Education and the ACT organization. During the 2009 testing cycle, 2,520 Fulton County students took the test – an increase of 267 students, or nearly 12 percent, from the previous year. While some schools saw changes in their performance, the overall Fulton County composite score remained constant at 22.2 and is the highest of the large metro Atlanta school systems. The state and national composite scores also stayed the same at 20.6 and 21.1, respectively. Scores range from 0 to 36. Click here to view school-by-school scores and comparisons between the 2008 and 2009 testing cycles.   In its release of information, the state Department of Education listed Chattahoochee High School (25.2 composite score) as Georgia’s top performing school. Riverwood International Charter School (25.0) also was noted, as was Milton High School (24.6), Northview High School (24.6), Alpharetta High School (23.9), Roswell High School (23.7) and Centennial High School (23.4). Riverwood also was highlighted as one of the state’s most improved schools in ACT performance.   “I’m pleased to see an increase of students taking the ACT. The test is an excellent predictor of how successful our students will be in a college environment,” said Superintendent Cindy Loe, Ph.D. “I’m proud that our students continue to do so well on this test and are outperforming their state and national peers.”   Similar to the SAT, the ACT is commonly used for college admission and placement. According to the organization, the test is taken by more than 50 percent of high school students in 27 states and is increasingly becoming the preferred admission test by four-year colleges. The test measures English, math, reading and science proficiency, with an optional writing section, whereas the SAT measures only math, reading and writing. Testing is voluntary and occurs throughout the year, and students are able to take the test more than once to improve their performance.   ACT originally stood for American College Testing but in 1996 the organization’s name was shortened to simply “ACT.” The organization was founded in 1959 and celebrates 50 years of college entrance testing this year.   Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cobb ACT Scores Rise In All Subjects
Fifth consecutive year of improvement; top state & national averages

For the fifth consecutive year Cobb County’s college-bound seniors have improved the school district’s composite score on the ACT college-preparation test. Recently released scores show Cobb students increased their average score in every subject area of the test. Cobb students also topped state and national averages in all four subject areas, as well as in the composite average, just as they did in 2008, and even widened the margin of performance in 2009.

ACT scores for the class of 2009 indicate that Cobb graduates are well prepared for success in their first year of college. The 2009 seniors posted an average composite score of 22.1 (out of a possible 36), slightly higher than last year’s score of 22.0. The composite average was 1.5 points higher than the state average, and 1.0 points higher than the national average. Across the subject areas tested, Cobb students topped the national averages in English (+1.2), Math (+1.2), Reading (+1.1), and Science Reasoning (+0.6). The ACT assessment measures high school students’ overall educational development and their readiness for the challenge of core college classes. Cobb seniors’ composite average has topped the state and national average for 13 consecutive years.

“The ACT is valued more and more in college admissions, and these results show colleges and universities that Cobb County students are prepared for the rigors of college course work,” said Superintendent Fred Sanderson. “I’m very proud of the fact that we continue to show improvement, and our students are widening the gap between Cobb’s average and the national average in every subject.”

Students taking more rigorous classes in science or math tended to have higher ACT scores, promoting the value of enrollment in more advanced classes at the high school level. For example, Cobb students who participated in a high school math course sequence that included Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus, had scores more than eight points higher than students with less than three years of math coursework. Similarly, students taking advanced science classes that included General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics scored almost four points higher than those taking less than three years of science.

Results reflect the performance of 2,748 Cobb high school seniors (38 percent of all graduating seniors). Scores are for 2008-2009 seniors who took the ACT voluntarily in either their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school.

Scores for individual Cobb high schools are available on the District Web site.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

ROSWELL AT A GLANCE 

Roswell is a family-friendly community where recreational activities are abundant with biking, boating, fishing, rafting, hiking, and a park system that is second to none in the state. It is rich in culture and history with a thriving historic district, museums, and its own Cultural Arts Center.

Money Magazine ranked the City of Roswell one of the top 20 best cities to live in the eastern United States. Whether your business is large or small, there is a place for you in Roswell. We have office, retail, and industrial space for lease and redevelopment opportunities throughout the City.

Roswell is a great place to live, a great place to work, and simply a great place to be!

Mission

Our mission is to retain Roswell’s existing business and recruit new businesses that contribute to Roswell’s goal of maintaining a healthy, balanced economy which provides quality jobs, goods, and services for Roswell’s citizens.

Contact
Bill Keir
Economic Development Manager
Email: commdevcustomerserviceteam@roswellgov.com

38 Hill St.
Suite G-30
Roswell, GA  30075

Ph: 770-641-3741
Fx: 770-641-3780

Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

 BUSINESSES IN MARIETTA ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT FUNDING

8/06/09

If you own a small business and are looking to move to Marietta or expand your existing small business in an area of the city that is undergoing redevelopment, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Marietta Growth Fund as part of a small-business grant program.

Businesses must be located within the city limits of Marietta to receive the funding, Marietta Economic Development manager Beth Sessoms said. “The grant program is geared toward job creation for low- to moderate-income individuals.” Businesses must pay salaries higher than the minimum wage to be eligible to receive funding, she said.

Business owners need to have an investment of their own in the program, Sessoms said. “We provide a gap financing tool for businesses through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

About the Marietta Growth Fund

The Marietta Growth Fund provides assistance to qualified Marietta businesses, by supplementing traditional commercial loans or other financial resources with additional funds for new business or expansion.

The Fund provides a mechanism to “close the deal” when traditional commercial loans and other financial resources are insufficient to capitalize the business. The Fund encourages business revitalization and employment opportunities for low-to-moderate income individuals who live in the city limits of Marietta.

Marietta Growth Fund Brochure

Marietta’s dedication to redevelopment in the city is a goal City Council established as part of the city’s vision statement.

For more information, e-mail Marietta’s Economic Development manager Beth Sessoms at bsessoms@mariettaga.gov.

Source: http://www.mariettaga.gov/default.aspx

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Roswell Receives WaterFirst® Community Designation

Released on: Friday, August 7, 2009 1:30 PM

The City of Roswell Mayor, Council, Department of Community Affairs and staff celebrated becoming a Georgia WaterFirst® Community at the Covered Bridge on Thursday, August 6. The WaterFirst® Community designation officially recognizes the commitment of communities to excellence in water resource management and stewardship.

“Roswell was founded and established because of our water resources and today we continue to conserve and protect this great amenity,” explains Mayor Jere Wood. “Becoming a WaterFirst® Community enhances our commitment.”

There are eight major components of the WaterFirst® Program, and the extent to which the participants will need to address each one is dependent on the size of the community and the water-related services that it provides. The components include:

• Watershed Assessment;

• Stormwater Master Planning;

• Water Supply Planning;

• Water Supply Protection;

• Water Conservation;

• Wastewater Treatment Systems and Management; – (N/A to Roswell)

• Residual Biosolids; – (N/A to Roswell)

• Water Reclamation and Reuse. – (N/A to Roswell)

Roswell was presented WaterFirst® road signs and a plaque recognizing the accomplishment during the ceremony.  Roswell will also become eligible for other benefits, including reduced GEFA interest rates on state loans for water related projects.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Council approves bike trails and dog park
8/12/2009

 Marietta City Council at their August 12 meeting approved creating hiking and family-friendly mountain-biking trails at Wildwood and Burruss parks off South Cobb Drive and Cobb Parkway.

To help prevent injuries on the trails and ensure long-term trail sustainability, directional signs will be posted to let bicyclists and pedestrians know which way to go.

Trails will be opened to the public August 24, Marietta Parks and Recreation director Rich Buss said.

DOG PARK APPROVED

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Council also approved a dog park at Wildwood Park, which Buss expects to open before the end of the year if funding is secured. To prepare the park for residents and their four-legged friends, workers have to cut down trees, clear brush, install fencing and level the ground, Buss said. Residents will be able to bring a limited number of breeds and dogs when they visit the park when it opens.

Encouraging revitalization of current parks, establishing new parks for active and passive use and rejuvenating park and green space for the community are goals City Council established as part of Marietta’s vision statement.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Your East Cobb Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU!

For the last few weeks I have been thinking of a new series to start on. And since I love Atlanta and all it has to offer, I thought that I would do a series on the Suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, specifically, the north suburbs, and all they have to offer. The first in this series will be the city in which I reside in, Roswell, Georgia.

Now, Roswell is about 5 miles outside of Atlanta, nestled along the Chattahoochee River. It is a truly beautiful suburban city. The easiest access to Roswell is through GA 400 which during rush hour can be a total nightmare. With that said, it usually is not that bad unless there has been a wreck on it. GA 400 is accessible inside the city of Atlanta from 185 Northbound just past the 75/85 North split or from 1285 which is the perimeter of Atlanta. You can also access it from several surface streets inside or outside the city. When traveling from inside the city, just make sure that you have the money to pay the toll as fines can be expensive.

Roswell has many great things to offer people from all walks of life. It is truly big city living in a suburban setting. Roswell has some of the best dining in all of the Greater Atlanta area in my opinion. If you click the picture to the left, it will take you to a guide of more restaurants than what we talk about here. Ray’s has three restaurants, and this is just one of them. if you click on the picture, it will take you to their website.

Another quaint restaurant that brings that personalized service that you expect is Peachtree Diner. We have only had breakfast at this restaurant, but let me tell you, it was to die for. The service was great, the food was excellent, and the company was second to none. Now the restaurants do not stop there, but if I do not, this post will go on and on. You can check out some more by reading Dining Out in East Cobb.

The school system in Roswell is vast as well. I do not have the time or space to detail all of them out. There is a great school called Centennial High School that is close to the Horseshoe Bend subdivision that is home to the Knights. The kids that attend this school take school spirit to another level. And the academics here is second to none.

If religion is what you seek, then you will feel right at home in Roswell, GA. There is a vast number of religious centers in the city of Roswell for you to choose from. Click on the picture to the left to be taken to a website listing some of the churches in the area.

As for the Parks and recreation in Roswell, you will be able to find an adequate number in the area.Azalea Park Playground is a big hit with all the kids and a must visit when you come here. Any given weekend you can find this park or any for that matter buzzing with the sounds of children, adults, and animals.

The area also sports a Historic District in Roswell. This is a great place for dining, shopping, or just talking a stroll. When you are in this particular area, you definitely get the feeling that you are in a community as opposed to living in a metropolis.

Last, but surely not least, are some of the companies that are headquartered in Roswell. We are home to Kimberly-Clark Health Care, Sipcam, and Kudzu Fabrics, Inc. just to name a few. Many of these employee a great number of the residents that live in the surrounding area. With that said, there are many jobs that are within a small commute that would fit into most people’s life styles.

All in all, we are a great little city to live in. And of course if there is ever a need to have to visit City Hall, as you can see from the picture, it is not a bad looking place. So, come for a visit or come to stay. Either is fine with us. And if you need a great Realtor in the area,  just call me and I will direct you to one of the best.