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The Numbers – May 2009

May 2009 Numbers: Condos/Townhomes:

Area	# of Sales	Total Sales Volume	Avg Sale Price	Average Original List Price	Sales Price to Final List Price	Average Total Days on the Market
21	51	$              9,505,160	$             186,370	$             199,370	93.5%	97.1
23	39	$              6,659,470	$             168,488	$             174,322	96.6%	98.9
24	5	$              1,171,500	$             234,300	$             236,380	99.1%	142.2
52	23	$              4,468,450	$             194,280	$             205,466	94.6%	163.6
TOTALS	118	$           21,804,580

  Homes:

Area	# of Sales	Total Sales Volume	Avg Sale Price	Average Original List Price	Sales Price to Final List Price	Average Total Days on the Market
21	41	$31,948,960	$             779,243	$             855,875	91.0%	161.3
23	32	$16,852,438	$             526,639	$             573,433	91.8%	103.2
24	43	$10,013,330	$             232,868	$             245,127	95.0%	92.5
31	148	$7,345,715	$               49,633	$               53,536	92.7%	106.6
32	55	$5,260,975	$               95,654	$             101,802	94.0%	71
52	135	$27,916,132	$             206,786	$             220,757	93.7%	88.7
TOTALS	454	$99,337,550

The area key is here.

Pending Homes Sales Record Fourth Straight Monthly Gain

The NAR - National Association of Realtors - announced the pending home sales show an uptrend for the past four consecutive months.  They attribute favorable housing affordability and 1st time buyer tax credits as boosting the latest survey.  The June Pending Homes Sales Index increased 0.1% to 90.7%.   The last time there were four consecutive monthly gains was in October 2004.    Closed existing-home sales are improving but they are coming in lower than expected because of delayed closings or falling through due to financing qualifications or road blocks with the new appraisal rules in place.   According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, "Rises in contract activity show buyers are becoming more active even as they face much more stringent loan underwriting standards.  Speedy clarification of the appraisal rules could smooth a housing market recovery and support the overall economy".

Corndogorama – 2009

This weekend - Saturday & Sunday - in the East Atlanta Village is the 11th annual Corndogorama Indie - Rock Extravaganza!   There will be music on 2 stages, street performers, art, pie cook off, eating contest and corndogs! Festival starts noon and runs until 11pm both Saturday & Sunday and is located this year in the heart of East Atlanta Village.  Tickets are $20 at Festival.  More information  - including schedule of bands - can be found on the Corndogorama's website.

Apple Raisin French Toast Casserole

I have made Apple - Raisin French Toast Casserole twice now.   It is EASY and a hit for any crowd. If you are serving a buffet - it holds up well and is even delicious the next day.  I love that it is assembled the night before and just needs to be cooked the day you are ready to serve.  APPLE MIXTURE: 1 c. brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, melted 3 to 4 apples - peeled, cored & sliced (I leave them chunky & use Braeburn Apples) 1/2 cup raisins (good without too) 1 lbs of PepperRidge Farms Cinnamon or Cinnamon raisin bread.  Cut into cubes. EGG MIXTURE: 6 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk (2% or whole is fine) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ~grease 9"x13" baking dish.  In a large bowl - mix in the apples,  raisins, brown sugar & 1 teaspoon cinnamon.  Mix in the melted butter until coated.  Pour onto the greased baking dish in an even layer.  Next arrange the bread cubes in an even layer over the apple mixture. ~Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla & 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.  Pour over the bread and make sure every slice is fully soaked.  You may need to slightly press down with a spatula to make sure the bread is soaked.  Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. When you are ready to cook it - pull out the casserole while preheating the oven to 375 degrees.  Bake covered for 40 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additionally 5 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

The Numbers – April 2009

There was an increase in the number of sales in the intown markets from March 2009 to April 2009.     In single family houses - there were 23 more closings and in increase in sales volume of $16,631,268.   April 2009 Numbers: Homes:

Area	# of Sales	Total Sales Volume	Avg Sale Price	Average Original List Price	Sales Price to Final List Price	Average Total Days on the Market
21	43	$              8,645,504	$             201,058	$             221,666	94.7%	120.8
23	47	$           11,501,906	$             244,721	$             268,637	97.0%	155.4
24	1	$                 190,000	$             190,000	$             210,000	95.2%	25
52	23	$              3,867,405	$             168,148	$             182,914	95.0%	120.4
TOTALS	114	$           24,204,815

Condos & Townhomes:

Area	# of Sales	Total Sales Volume	Avg Sale Price	Average Original List Price	Sales Price to Final List Price	Average Total Days on the Market
21	43	$              8,645,504	$             201,058	$             221,666	94.7%	120.8
23	47	$           11,501,906	$             244,721	$             268,637	97.0%	155.4
24	1	$                 190,000	$             190,000	$             210,000	95.2%	25
52	23	$              3,867,405	$             168,148	$             182,914	95.0%	120.4
TOTALS	114	$           24,204,815

  Key to the Areas is here.   March 2009 numbers are here and February 2009 numbers are here.  Here are the national housing indicators for the April: Existing-Home Sales          4.68 million units* Existing-Home Median Price        $170,200 Housing Starts      458,000* New Home Sales         352,000 units* *seasonally adjusted annual rate

Kirkwood Bungalow – For Sale

KIRKWOOD  -SOLD in 21 DAYS!!!!!    327 Sisson Avenue - $209,000.  All Brick bungalow with great floorplan - 2 beds/1 bath.   Hardwoods throughout - smooth ceilings & crown molding.  Permanent stairs to the attic - great for storage or finish for me space.  Home is in great condition and move in ready!  Click here for the virtual tour.

Va-Highland Summerfest 2009

It's time for the 26th annual Va-Highland Festival!  The Festival begins on Friday, June 5th  with the community & festival activities.  The festival official opens to the public on Saturday, June 6th and runs through Sunday.  There will be an artist market, live music, and lots of beer & food.  The festival is in the heart of Virginia Highlands.  Details:   Saturday, June 6, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Artist Market closes at 6:30 p.m.) Sunday, June 7, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free Admission, Donations Greatly Appreciated For More Information.

Rug Cleaning

If you are thinking of selling your home and you have animals - cleaning your rugs & carpet can make a huge difference.  Often you don't notice that odors are trapped in your rugs & carpet but prospective buyers - especially if they are sensitive to smells - will tell you differently.   In some cases it may be worthwhile to hire a professional to do it for you.  They are often able to remove smells and stains more efficiently and effectively than you can do with some of the home equipment. I have found great success with taking my rugs to Sharian.  Sharian has a pick up/drop off service if you need it or you can deliver to the Decatur store.  And maybe your dog has chewed on the fringe of your rug?  Well they can repair that as well.   Visit Sharian Rugs.   Be warned - they also sell rugs.  Even if you are not selling your house - consider having your rugs cleaned from time to time.  On most rugs regular and professional cleanings will extend their life.   Right now Sharian has a nice discount - 10% off of pickup/delivery orders or 20% off if you drop rugs off with them!   For you folks with carpet - Sharian also rents Host® Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaner equipment.   picture - July 2008 - Gus 4 months

Federal Energy Tax Credits

Today's post comes from my friends at Eric & Adam at  KronbergWall .  They are architects and fellow eco enthusiasts.  They can help you with your home designs and renovations.  The recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 makes federal energy efficiency tax credits available for your home renovations if you make them in 2009 and 2010. Specific types of high efficiency furnaces, air conditioners, and tankless gas water heaters qualify. Certain energy efficient doors, windows, roofing, and insulation also qualify. You are eligible to receive a credit for these upgrades if they are installed in existing homes that are primary residences. The tax credit has been raised to 30% of cost up to a total credit of $1500. There are even greater tax credit opportunities for solar water heaters, geothermal systems, and photovoltaic systems. You can receive a tax credit of up to 30% of the total cost of these systems, and it is not limited to the $1500 cap. In addition to existing primary residences, the credit is also available for vacation homes, rentals, and new construction. Eric Kronberg, AIA, LEED AP Adam Wall, AIA, LEED AP

Georgia Income Tax Credits – $1800 For Buying a House

Gov. Sonny Perdue signed on Monday Bill 261 into law.  The law offers a tax credit of 1.2 percent of the purchase price of a single-family home currently on the market.  The credit tops out at $1,800 and will be taken over three years.  Georgia taxpayers have six months starting now to qualify for up to $1,800 in income tax credits by buying a home. For first-time home buyers, the state credit would be in addition to a federal credit offered through the federal stimulus act.  That credit is worth up to $8,000.  The new state credit, however, applies to any home buyer, not just first-timers.  Read more about the $8,000 federal tax here.

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