Summer View: Our Sights Are Set on Success

Summer Home-Buying is Heating Up

After the COVID-19 pandemic started to negatively affect the economy, we have to admit that the team here at Karen Cannon, Realtors got a little worried. We were very concerned about how the economy’s decline would affect the housing market, especially the housing market in the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody areas. Well, we are pleased and blessed to report that while we did see a slight dip in April, May started to pick back up and by June, we saw numbers that rivaled those of the previous year. In fact, our anticipated sales volume for July is already 42% higher than July of last year.

In addition to that, homes are selling quicker now than any other time in the past two years, according to a new analysis provided by Zillow. While we understand that the economy hasn’t fully recovered, we couldn’t feel more optimistic about the gradual recovery that we have seen in the housing market in our area. We are feeling very positive about how the industry is starting the summer buying season and we also can’t wait to be busy this summer as we anticipate that it’s going to be a big one!

Bouncing Back
It’s probably not a big surprise that there was a dip in the housing marketing at the start of the pandemic, but what’s also interesting is the market’s resilience, and home values are one of the most notable examples of that resilience. Data received from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), indicates that while sales numbers dipped in April, home prices have actually increased.

Not only have home values continued to increase but they have actually risen 4.3 percent year-over-year according to a report from Zillow. In that report, we also see that “the housing market has shown resilience during the coronavirus pandemic, slowing as stay-at-home orders were given across the country, but not screeching to a halt.”

At the start of the pandemic, the housing market saw both sellers and buyers shy away from buying and/or selling their homes. While that does seem like there was less housing demand at various times, there was also less supply. This resulted in a rising home value trajectory due to the supply and demand balance.

The stability of the marketing isn’t only seen in reference to home prices. Among other things, sales are bouncing back. With the trends that we are currently seeing, potential buyers must act quickly. While sellers have been delayed in making progress, they should keep in mind that buyers are wanting to press forward quickly and list their homes as quickly as possible. “Buyers shopping today might expect to be welcomed by desperate sellers, but they’ll instead discover houses selling like hotcakes in the speediest market in recent memory,” said Zillow Economist Jeff Tucker.

We Aren’t There Yet
As we all know, everything hasn’t quite returned to normal, even though there are signs of stabilization in the housing market. For now, though, the improving trajectory of many housing market metrics is something to keep at the top of mind. As we start the summer selling season, many things may still be uncertain but we are definitely moving in the right direction. In fact, as we see it now, our road to recovery looks incredibly bright. We have seen many of our sellers experience some competition starting to happen and even a few bidding wars.

We have a long road to economic stabilization and recovery but the future of the housing market is bright!

real estate, real estate photographer, real estate photography, photography

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.