Looking Past COVID-19: Ramping Up for What’s Next

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we understand the challenges that are presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. No one could have known that this virus would bring the world to a screeching halt, and we could not have known that 2020 would see a great stock market, good job reports, and growth all stop in a few short months. Even so, we are dedicated to making our clients’ home buying and selling needs our top priority as well as making the process as safe as possible.

There are a few tips here that explain what the road back should look like, and you can even begin to look for new properties, sell with confidence, and work remotely with a Realtor® right now. As the top-rated Dunwoody agents, our team has the expertise to assist our buyers and sellers with everything related to Dunwoody and Sandy Springs real estate including other surrounding locations in North Atlanta.

How Has the Housing Market Changed?

Luckily for the team here at Karen Cannon, Realtors, our hard work and expertise allowed us to remain consistent during the first month of COVID-19 and actually see similar numbers to the same time last year. April and May were also great months for us as everyone kept busy, but we knew that we needed to do something to accommodate all our clients who wanted to buy and sell homes.

We also know that June, July, and August can be busy months in our industry. Some of our clients may be nervous as they look for Dunwoody and Sandy Springs homes, or simply want to search all of North Atlanta. This is why our top-rated Dunwoody agents will offer more than ever to help our clients.

How Have We Improved Virtual Services?

We have expanded our virtual offerings to make sure that every client feels as safe and as comfortable as possible throughout the home buying and selling process. Our team uses specialized tools, technology, and practices to help keep our clients and team members safe during COVID-19.

First, we are always available to meet with each of our clients virtually. Whether it be on Facetime or Zoom, our clients’ comfort and safety will always be our first priority. Next, we offer expanded digital offerings for our listings. Strengthening the digital presence of listed homes through photography, video home tours, 3D virtual tours, aerial photography, floorplans, and virtual staging allows more people to view their dream home from the comfort of their current one.

Interest Rates Are Dropping

Interest rates have been dropping and that makes it even easier to work with one of our professional Realtors®. We can show you how to choose the most appropriate home and help you find financing. We have established relationships with many local and trusted providers and would be more than happy to connect you with the financing provider that best fits your needs. When you work with us, we help you through the entire process, making it as stress-free and seamless as possible.

People Are Already Shopping for Homes

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we know that many people have already been shopping for their next home. Many have been using this time at home to start looking for something that will help them move to the next phase of their life. We understand and are ready to help our clients make the best choice for them.

Are Sandy Springs & Dunwoody Homes Selling?

Dunwoody and Sandy Springs are affluent areas in Northern Atlanta that attract those craving a traditional suburban lifestyle but with close proximity to corporate businesses and commerce. This area is filled with older homes that have the charm you are looking for, planned developments that you will love, and even new construction.

While we may have seen a slight decrease in activity at the initiation of COVID-19, the months of April and May were consistently busy. Now that June has started with the same level of demand, we anticipate that to continue along the same trend.

Reach Out to Karen Cannon, Realtors Today

The housing market is rebounding and we have been extremely active during the pandemic. We are an “essential business” that has been safely operating as people look to sell their homes. We also help first-time home-buyers and people relocating to Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. We ensure that each home closes successfully and we will be with you long after you close on your home. Explore Dunwoody homes for sale and Sandy Springs home for sale today!

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Why Professional Photography Is Important When Selling A Home

We’ve all heard the old saying “A picture is worth a thousand words.” And, in real estate, pictures make a huge difference in how quickly you sell your home. Now, thanks to the continued advancement of technology, buyers can have an intimate look into your home they are interested in without ever leaving their couch. And buyers are doing their research, more now than ever before. They are filtering through sites based on location, prices, school districts, square footage, etc. Once they have narrowed down their search to their liking, they are immediately flipping through photos.

Often, the photos are what’s piquing a buyer’s interest in your home and prompting them to take the next step in contacting their real estate agent. That is why it is important to work with a real estate agent in getting professional photography done before putting your home on the market. Your agent should have the expert knowledge and connections to professional photographers to produce images that resonate and appeal to sellers. And the more photos the better, so choosing one or two won’t do the trick! At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we work with the best real estate photographers that have an eye for the right angles, best lighting and provide high-quality photos to capture the best features of your home.

Homes with more photos sell faster, which makes sense because buyers are doing more research than ever before. The more buyers can find ahead of time, the better your chances of getting your home sold quickly. According to the National Association of Realtors 2017 study, Homes with one photo spent an average of 70 days on the market, but a home with 20 photos spent 32 days on the market. Not only do professional photographs help you sell your home quickly, but it can also help you get a better deal, too. For homes in the $200,000-$1 million range, those that include high-quality photography in their listings sell for $3,000-$11,000 more.

And we’re putting an emphasis on the words professional photography because you need high-quality photos. While there are plenty of great HGTV shows with useful information out there, nothing can replace the quality and direction of an agent and a professional real estate photographer. It is often the first impression that buyers have of your home before stepping foot onto the actual property. In fact, 89% of buyers who used the internet to aid their home search found the photos to be very useful. Your agent will have referrals to photographers that specialize in real estate that they have worked with personally.

As time goes on and technology continues to advance, online platforms and visual tools become more robust allowing home buyers more and more insight into a home before ever connecting with the seller or agent. At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we stay on top of the latest trends and constantly look for innovative marketing techniques to help sell our clients home quickly. We take it to the next level with 3D Virtual Tours to let a buyer walk through your home no matter their location.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our clients know about homes coming on the market before anyone else. And our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about selling your home, or are interested in moving into Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or the surrounding areas, call us at 770-352-9658.

Should I List Now Or Wait Until Spring?

It’s that time of year and we know what you’re thinking: is it worth it to list now or wait for spring? While the spring may bring a surplus of buyers, quality is better than quantity. Here’s why we recommend sellers list now.

There’s Less Inventory

We understand that listing your home in the winter may sound unorthodox but it can be done successfully. The winter months are a great time to sell because fewer listings are on the market and there is less inventory for buyers to choose from. Most sellers are waiting until spring and summer, which can create a great opportunity for you!

“Many sellers are hesitant because their yard and trees are not green and nothing is blooming – but that is the case with everyone else – selling or not selling. But it’s best to get out sooner, beat the competition, and potentially have your home stand out to more buyers,” Karen Cannon explains.

Concerned about moving before the school year ends? We’ve been able to help our clients negotiate terms to accommodate their schedules while capitalizing on the time of year and reduced inventory.

More Motivated Buyers

If a buyer is house hunting in the winter, they could be more motivated to purchase. Many winter buyers are comprised of empty nesters looking for a change, millennials who’ve been waiting for the right time, and corporate workers transferring into the city for a new job. In fact, January is the most popular month for corporate transfers.

“We have helped many sellers sell in January/February by helping them prep in December/January. Last year, we sold more homes in Q1 than we had in previous years by helping our clients get a head start in prepping and we’re doing the same thing now,” says Cannon.

If you are looking to sell and buy, it’s ideal to sell now so that when you’re ready to buy you can make a more compelling offer. After the closing, many of our clients have rented their home back from the new owner, allowing them more time to find their next home. We create a win/win situation for both buyers and sellers to save our clients from having to make a double move.

If you’re looking to get ahead of the competition and list your home in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Roswell, and the surrounding Atlanta area, give us a call at 770-352-9658 or send us an email at info@KarenCannon.com. You can check out our current listings here.

3 Reasons to Buy in the Fall and Winter

Despite the misconception that the fall or winter months aren’t prime times for buying a home, buyers can save a lot of money and even reap some tax benefits. Here are a few reasons why you should buy your home before the new year.

Less Buyer Competition

While many buyers have already rushed to buy their home in the spring and summer, coasting into the market during the fall and winter months allows you to appeal to more sellers since they aren’t getting as many offers. Your offer will be among the few that sellers will have to choose from, which can give you an edge. Lenders, appraisers, and inspectors also have more availability after the spring and summer rush, ultimately getting you closer to closing.

More Motivated Sellers

You’ll find that sellers can be more motivated during the fall and winter because their home either has been sitting on the market for months with no luck or they’ve made a sudden decision to sell and need to sell quickly. At the end of the year, many sellers are feeling the pressure of selling their home since most buyers have put their home search on hold until the beginning of the year.

End-of-Year Tax Benefits

Some of the greatest perks about year-end home buying are the tax benefits. Closing on your home by December 31st allows for some sweet mortgage-related deductions. Home loan interest, property taxes, and interest costs can be used as deductible items when filing your taxes and save you hundreds of dollars. While access to these benefits doesn’t disappear on January 1st, but if you want to claim these deductibles as soon as possible it’s best to buy before the new year. According to the National Association of Realtors, new homeowners can deduct a percentage of purchasing expenses in the tax year when the home was purchased.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are a team of experts who can help you find your dream home even during the holidays. If you’re looking for a home in Roswell, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, , and the surrounding Atlanta area, give us a call at 770-352-9658 or send us an email at Info@KarenCannon.com. You can check out our current listings here.

5 Reasons You Should Sell Your Home During the Holidays

Just after reading the title of this blog, you might be thinking something along the lines of “no way, I’ve always heard that spring is the best time to put my house on the market.” Let us be the first to tell you that is no longer the case.

Here’s why putting your home up for sale during the holidays can be a smart move:

Low Supply, High Demand

One of the greatest benefits of having your house on the market during the winter is simply the fact that not many people will be doing the same. The majority of homeowners still believe that spring and summer are the best times to sell their home. With greater demand than supply in the colder months, you’ll have less competition and a greater chance of selling your home.

Top Agents Know How to Maximize This Time of Year

Expert Realtors understand the advantage of selling a home this time of year and have unique plans and resources to attract the best buyers. Whether buyers are relocating for a job or transferring into a new school, a knowledgeable agent will be able to market to the right buyers and agents.

People are Ready to Move

If people are actively looking for homes during the holidays, there’s a good chance they need to move quickly. Therefore, they are more serious about buying a home. Most of the time, people only want to spend their holidays house hunting if they really need to move. If that’s the case, your odds of being able to sell your home quickly are looking “merry and bright.”

Decorated Neighborhood

Last but not least, remember the appearance of your neighborhood. Any potential buyer will be paying attention to the area around the home they’re interested in. With the holidays just around the corner, your neighbors will likely adorn their homes and yards with holiday decorations. The festive decor and hanging lights will have most potential buyers feeling welcome in the neighborhood before they even view your home. If you decorate your listed property, keep a tasteful and simple aesthetic in mind. Overdecorating can make your property feel crowded and unappealing. We recommend adding just a few warm touches to make the home feel cozy.

Expedited Transaction Process

There are typically fewer transactions, loan applications, and home inspections around the holidays. Selling your home this time of year creates the potential for an expedited transaction process. That means a faster turn-around once you have found a committed buyer and a less stressful holiday season for you!

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or the North Atlanta area, we can help. Give us a call us at 770-352-9658 or email info@KarenCannon.com. You can also check out our current listings here.