Case Study: Why You Should Choose Atlanta, GA For Your Next Investment Property!

Click here to see why you should consider Atlanta, GA for your next investment.

Atlanta's Housing Market: What's Next & New?

Atlanta's housing market is strong and is only getting stronger for months now being one of only five American cities to have home prices increase by 2% back in April and the numbers were even higher in May. Because of this, Atlanta has become somewhat of a poster child for the rest of the nation who have also demonstrated similar growth, for the housing market recovery. They are watching how realtors, home builders, and first time homebuyers in Atlanta will perform in the coming months. As Atlanta’s housing market continues to thrive, the question most people are asking is: What’s next for the ninth largest metropolitan area in America?

Atlanta's WalkUP Regions

Atlanta has produced fewer and fewer new homes in recent years to be a suburban type of city. Part of this is due to many new homebuyers wanting to live where housing and businesses are close enough together to foster walkable neighborhoods and  cut out 2 hour long commutes. Another factor is the economy, when the recession hit, new construction pretty much stopped. Inventory which was already high increased even more when foreclosed and short-sell properties entered the market. With few new homes built in recent years, paired with a stronger Atlanta economy, demand has outpaced supply, which is good news for builders. Analyst predict new construction will increase anywhere from 9-30% by the end of 2014, and more Atlanta residents are wanting new properties—and not just first time homebuyers, who have traditionally dominated the market.

Assisted Living Housing Trends for Retirees

Traditionally, homebuyers of retirement age bought into neighborhoods that housed other aging homeowners. This trend is changing in Atlanta. First time homebuyers only account for 20% of the housing market and they are starting to wait longer to buy their first homes so more and more Atlanta homes are being purchased by people coming from other areas—including older residents looking to live closer to children and grandchildren. More than half of these homebuyers over 55 are buying new properties and in newer and younger neighborhoods as opposed to the more established age restricted areas. It’s likely this growing demographic is looking to live closer to family, but not so close that they’re under the same roof.

Homes Sales and Values Increased

With more buyers moving to the Atlanta metro area and entering the market, home prices and sales have both increased significantly: month-over-month and, more significantly, year-over-year. According to local stats, existing home sales increased 4.9% in May, new home sales increased 19%, and pending sales jumped 6.1%, the largest increase since April 2010. Similarly home prices were up 6% for the month and 13% when compared to May 2013. Even as supply increases to meet demand, gains in home values are continuing, which is good news for Atlanta homeowners looking to enter the market.

If you’re interested in purchasing or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response Form or give House 4 Cash Buyer’s a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fundamental Checklist to Help You Find The Best Neighborhood to Move Into!

There are numerous things to consider when buying a new home, and choosing the right neighborhood for you and your family is very crucial. The infographic gaits you through the distinctions of appraising your future potential neighborhood and provides you with the proper resources you need to determine if the neighborhood you’re considering is right for you. Have a look and share this with your friends who are also in search of a new home!

If you’re interested in purchasing  or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Atlanta's BeltLine Project To Be Expanded This Fall!

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine artist Nick Kahler's sculpture on the Westside Trail. Photo: Christopher T. Martin

Progress to the BeltLines Eastside and Westside Trails

Ethan Davidson, the BeltLine spokesman, has stated on Thursday that sometime in the Fall they will begin work on the Westside Trail which, will extend from Washington Park to Adair Park for 3 miles, and work will continue on the Eastside Trail to extend it from Irwin St. through Reynoldstown. A 222-unit apartment building, adjacent to the Edgewood Avenue Bridge-which was mostly responsible for the delay of expanding the Eastside Trail southward, is currently under-construction by Trammel Crow Residential on Krog St.  

Patience BeltLiners, even though progress is slow, it is being made! The Eastside Trail Gateway will connect the Edgewood Avenue Bridge to Old Fourth Ward Park and is scheduled for an opening this summer. It was announced last week that the BeltLine has received a $5,000,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation for the Westside Trail. Get ready walkers, runners, and bikers in and around the A, more BeltLine is just around the corner, one of these days! 

Yes, We Buy Houses and & have homes available near the BeltLine! We Buy Houses in Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, East Atlanta, Grant Park, Kirkwood, Candler Park, Ormewood, Lake Claire, Oakhurst, Druid Hills, & Brookhaven!

If you’re interested in purchasing  or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you! 

How to Overcome Roadblocks When Investing in Real Estate.

Written By Russ Hiner

Getting Back Up: Making Failure into Success

It is as easy to succeed as it is to fail. Why does this sound untrue? Because most of us forget that we have a choice: we can enjoy the good and overcome the negative. What we must remember is that when we encounter something that we initially see as negative, we have a choice about how to react.

Did you know that Harland David Sanders, the famous KFC "Colonel”, couldn't sell his chicken? More than 1,000 restaurants rejected him. 

Or that Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas"?

Or that Henry Ford's first auto company went out of business?

What made these people successful after so many “failures”? They knew that there are no failures, only ways to see set-backs as ways to improve. They had persistence—a desire to continue with their lives—a desire to overcome. They knew that they had the power of choice, that they could find success.

So why is it so difficult for many of us in business to pick ourselves up after we fall?

Because many of us don’t have a plan. Yes, we say we are ready for success--but what about when the success does not come when or where we want it?

Two Essentials to Overcoming Adversity: Evaluation and Action

THE PLAN: Use this process to succeed in business and frame all adversity in a positive light.

1. EVALUATE:

Consider these questions when something unexpected happens:

1. What is the event?
2. What went very well with this event? What did you like best?
3. What areas of this event can you improve?
4. What can you learn from this event?

2. TAKE ACTION:

Do more of what went very well, and make changes that will allow you to improve and have a higher rate of success.

Scenario 1: Recently, a person I was coaching was disappointed because his deal fell apart. The buyer backed out of the transaction.

On the surface, this looks like a buyer problem. It's not. This is a classic management problem. Because this wholesaler did not qualify the buyers well enough to find out the restraints they had--their cash, their weaknesses, or their aversion to risk--he lost the deal. Had he done more investigating, he may have closed the deal.

Of course, you're not going to have 100% control. But asking the above questions, the wholesaler saw that he should have better evaluated what the buyer needed.

Evaluation and information gathering give you more control over a done deal—more control over your success.

Scenario 2: I had a transaction that was ready to go, but my seller disappeared. After being upset, I picked myself up and evaluated.

Here is what I learned: I hadn’t given the seller something that they wanted, expected, or needed. It was difficult to realize that I may have caused the seller to end the deal. I could have blamed the Seller and been negative about the lost deal, but that would have done me no good. Instead, I got up, evaluated, and decided that I needed to adjust my approach.

Everyone has shortcomings and strengths. Realizing both is essential. This system of evaluation and action will allow you to succeed much more consistently.

It is crucial to evaluate and adjust so that you grow and enjoy your business. The process takes only 15 minutes, and eventually, you will do it naturally because it is a tool that guarantees success.

Evaluation and Action are two essential tools. Simply reflecting on your set-backs will guarantee you improvement at a low cost and with low risk. It will allow you to look at set-backs as a way to learn—as a way to get back up and do it again—but better.

If you doubt what I am saying, think about Colonel Sanders, Walt Disney, and Henry Ford. They were normal people just like you and me, and they succeeded too.

At this point, I am sure you are excited about the prospects of this process. You are asking yourself--How can I learn this process quickly and successfully?

You can do this by joining me and other successful investors at my Creative Deal Structuring Subgroup. Let me coach you to learn the market and find your niche!

I can’t wait to meet you at the White Hall Grill, Atlanta, Georgia on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm.

I am looking forward to meeting you and supporting you on your way to a successful 2014!

http://www.meetup.com/creative-financing-4-RE/events/94737542/

Please contact me for affordable, 1 hour on-line coaching sessions twice a month at low cost of $49 per month. www.ibuyga.com

Written By Russ Hiner

If you’re interested in purchasing your next rental property or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Much Does A House Cost in Atlanta's Market Today!

Average home prices are steadily growing in today's Atlanta's market. As stated by a reliable market analysis released last month, the average price in April 2014 was $19,500, up 12.9% from a year ago and below the national average of $207,500. The report also found that Atlanta has one of the largest real estate inventories in the country for potential homebuyers. We have projected what you can expect to pay and what type of house you can get in the Atlanta area.

Atlanta’s Housing Market

Atlanta has a lot of homes to offer potential homebuyers with so many homes up for sale now.  Just in February, homes listed ranged from $10,000 for distressed real estate to million dollar mansions that would rival some nice foreign estates. House hunters can expect that half of the homes for sale will be above the median at $197,500, while the other half will be below that. Luckily the homes in the middle are more appealing to most house hunters, very few people can actually afford the super lavish homes, and very few people would want to take on the responsibility of fixing up the lower costly ones. Many homes near the middle can be found in beautiful neighborhoods, located in great school districts and just as many can accommodate large families as well as singles or young couples.

Homes Listed at Median Value

Homes listed at $200,000 will show you what you can expect to find on average in Atlanta's market. Most neighborhoods contain properties at this price point, including, Grant Park, Cabbage Town, Ormewood, and East Atlanta. Most of these listings are detached single family homes with 2-3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms or more and are new, newly renovated, or well maintained. The closer you get to downtown and midtown, a few condos and townhouses are in the $200,000 range as well. The typical square footage at this price point can range from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. .

The Best Values in Atlanta

Even though the average cost of a home in Atlanta is $200,000, you can still find thousands of homes, with great potential, in nice neighborhoods, that are priced below the median. If you are up for doing some renovations like replacing appliances, flooring, or lighting, then you should buy in a area where you will enjoy living- preferably, near Atlanta's BeltLine and buy below the top of your price range and budget in the cost for home repairs. This is the best way to find a great home at a even greater price. 

If you’re interested in purchasing your next rental property or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

Top 3 Must-Have Apps for Landlords in 2014!

In this day and age there really is a app for everything and they are designed to make our lives easier. Some people like to stick to the old way of doing things and hey, if its not broke don't fix it but, for those of you who embrace modern technology and what it brings to the table then we have listed the top 3 apps that every landlord must have to make your job much easier. 

1. AroundMe

Any good real estate investor is going to constantly be looking for deals and the issue with this is sometimes you can end up in unfamiliar territory or even another city or state. AroundMe allows you to quickly find out information about your surroundings including but not limited to banks, gas stations, businesses, hospitals, hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, and supermarkets. It lets you know the distance, phone numbers, directions, and turn-by-turn GPS navigation. This app has a really cool feature that allows you to see a real-world view of your surroundings called "Augmented Reality". The cost of this app is FREE!

2. DocuSign 

This app is awesome because it allows you and your tenants to sign documents electronically and get signatures easily from your smart phone, or tablet. They eliminate printers, paper, fax machines, and the old “scan and email” technique by using e-signatures for your real estate services, and any other business you may have. No worries, e-signatures are completely legal and enforceable in court, even the IRS utilizes them. DocuSign lets you guide your signers by placing "sign here" tags and fields that show precisely where to sign, initial or add information.  DocuSign is easy to use, and you can upload your documents from PDF, Microsoft documents, and more. You can send and receive documents by email. The best part is all documents are stored on your device and you also have the choice of storing them in your iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, Box, Egnyte or Salesforce account. There is a free, but limited, version, if you request more than 5 signatures, you will need to upgrade to the $15/mo plan. Your tenants or contractors may sign unlimited documents using the app at no charge to them. 

3. Cozy

Cozy is not yet an app but it is an awesome online software (www.cozy.co) that allows you to screen tenants, perform credit checks, and collect rent online.  This software is free for the tenant but $9/mo per unit for landlords. This software is great for seasoned landlords and landlords with multiple units, as it is a great solution for bringing the landlord/tenant relationship into the 21st century. 

If you’re interested in purchasing your next rental property or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!