2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

Did you know that even though one-third of all home buyers start their search for a home on the internet, approximately eight out of ten buyers eventually buy their home through a real estate agent or broker, and consider them a very important source of information? Nearly five out of ten buyers say the most important service their real estate agent can provide is guiding them to right home to purchase.

Home Sales

Pending Home Sales Down on Tight Credit and Economic Slowdown
Pending home sales fell on the heels of a strong gain a month earlier as credit tightened and economic conditions deteriorated, according to the latest survey. The Pending Home Sales Index declined 4.6 percent to 89.2 from an upwardly revised reading of 93.5 in August, but is 1.6 percent higher than September 2007 when it stood at 87.8. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said pending sales have been above year-ago levels for two months in a row. “The month-to-month weakening in pending home sales is understandable, but because the index remains above year-ago levels it means we’re still in a broad period of stabilization,” he said. “Conditions remain mixed around the country, but markets that are showing annual sales gains include Long Island, N.Y.; Boston; Minneapolis; Denver and Washington, D.C., in addition to consistent solid gains in California and Florida.”

Christmas in Georgia

The Atlanta area provides us with lots of local talent! Below are a few of the many events in which to participate this Christmas season. Get out and enjoy our great area.

http://www.metropolitanballet.org/performances/nutcracker.htm This local ballet company spends months preparing for their annual Christmas performance of the Nutcracker.

http://stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=42 Stone Mountain is magically transformed during the Christmas season. With more than two million lights, live entertainment and the arrival of Santa Claus nightly, your family will, for sure, have a wonderful time.

http://www.callawaygardens.com/callaway/info/accom.pkg.fil.aspx?gclid=CM77s4nhn5cCFQoHswodq22k_Q Enjoy the holiday magic of Callaway Gardens' spectacular outdoor light and sound show. The Gardens shine with more than 8 million lights and over a dozen, larger-than-life, scenes that surround you with festive color and music!


http://www.visitroswellga.com/christmas-in-roswell.html Experience the magic and wonder of the holiday season in Historic Roswell. Bulloch Hall, Barrington Hall and Smith Plantation Home can be seen in all its seasonal splendor and is open for tours.

http://www.centennialpark.com/events/ice.html From November 15th through the 4th of January, 2009, enjoy outdoor ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park.

http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=7015 The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Parade is one of the Southeast's premiere holiday parades!

http://www.lakelanierislands.com/mnol.php Lake Lanier's Magical Night of Lights is known as the world's largest light extravaganza.

4.5% interest Rates?

While the federal government has little control over mortgage rates, a proposal floated yesterday might help. Financial industry lobbyists want the U.S. to buy mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, projecting that it could lower the 30-year mortgage rate to at least 4.5 percent and jumpstart home sales.