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New Signs that Home Prices May Be Stabilizing

CNBC.com

| 21 Apr 2010 | 12:47 PM ET

A new sign that home prices may be stabilizing—fewer sellers are slashing prices while their homes are on the market.

Twenty percent of sellers slashed prices by an average 10 percent in April, and while that may sound like a lot, it’s a good deal less than the 27 percent who did so in April of 2009, all according to real estate website Trulia.com.

Granted, sellers still slashed a collective $23 billion dollars from their original expectations, but at least the numbers are headed in the right direction.

“Market stabilization is helping to define fair market value, and this helps agents and consumer price better,” says Trulia’s Ken Shuman.

The big question is what will happen when federal stimulus finally exits the housing market, as the home buyer tax credit expires April 30. Increases in foreclosures are already beginning to weigh on home prices, as distressed sales now dominate the market.

Going locally, some of the hardest hit metropolitan markets are now seeing some of the biggest decreases in seller concessions. In Las Vegas, just 13 percent of sellers on the market have slashed prices, compared to 28 percent a year ago. San Diego and San Francisco are seeing comparable trends. On the flip side, Seattle and Denver, which were late to boom and later to bust are still seeing an increase in price reductions.

The average price reduction, again 10 percent nationally, is also changing depending on the market. San Francisco sellers are lowering prices by about 8 percent compared to 13 percent a year ago. But Phoenix, with its huge rate of foreclosure, is seeing prices slashed 13 percent compared to 12 percent last year.

In addition to market stabilization in some metros, the fact also is that sellers, inundated with news of the troubled housing market, are simply more realistic than ever before. Realtors report that more of their clients realize that underpricing will generate more offers faster. Also, those sellers demanding prices of yesterday, are taking their homes off the market to wait out the recovery.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor is Proud to Share this Important Information with YOU!!!

If you live in Atlanta…you already knew it…

Atlanta Among Top 10 Happiest Places to Live

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com 

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor is Proud to Share this Important Information with YOU!!!

Make your own scarecrow, visit city’s Scarecrows on the Square
8/20/2009

Show your group, business or school’s creativity and personality by making a scarecrow as part of the fourth annual Scarecrows on the Square contest, September 26-November 3. To get ideas for your scarecrow, visit the city’s scarecrow “Parks,” who will arrive on the Square August 31 at the Glover Park Concert Series.

Public scarecrow contest

The public is invited to make scarecrows, which will be judged on originality, construction and presentation. Creators are urged to use a theme and name that showcases your business or group’s personality or celebrates Marietta’s 175th anniversary with a historic figure.

A $25 entry fee will be charged for each scarecrow, which should be set up by September 30 for judging October 8.

School scarecrow contest

City and county schools and school organizations are invited to make their scarecrow. Entries will be judged on originality, construction and presentation, and schools are urged to use a theme and name that showcases your school or group’s personality or celebrates Marietta’s 175th anniversary with a historic figure.

No entry fee will be charged for school scarecrows, which should be set up by September 25. The school division will be judged during the Marietta Reads kickoff September 26.

Winners of both contests will be announced and prizes awarded at the Halloween Happenings Costume Contest on the Square October 17 at 1:45 p.m. Scarecrows will need to be removed by November 2.

Scarecrows on the Square is held annually, in conjunction with the Harvest Square Arts and Crafts Festival and Halloween Happenings, which takes place October 17.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, North Metro Atlanta Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia. CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor is Proud to Share this Important Information with YOU!!!

Eliminated state grant increases homeowners’ property tax bills 8/21/2009

Marietta homeowners will soon begin receiving their 2009 property tax bills and may realize an increase as a result of the Georgia General Assembly not funding the Homeowner’s Tax Relief Grant in the 2009 state budget. This amount was paid previously on the property owner’s behalf by the state and is not a city of Marietta tax increase.

The increases will range between $22.93 for properties that have the school tax exemption and $166.69 for properties that have a regular homestead exemption. “Taxes are due 60 days after they are mailed,” Tax manager Marsha Beard said.

If your taxes are paid from an escrow account through your mortgage lender, you may want to notify them so the escrow payment amount can be adjusted accordingly.

In 1999, the governor and General Assembly appropriated the grant to counties, cities and schools, giving tax relief to homeowners in the form of a tax bill credit.  According to legislation passed this year (House Bill 143), the grant will only be made available in the future if state revenues grow at least 3 percent plus the rate of inflation.

For more information, call Marietta’s Tax Division at 770-794-5680.
Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Marietta Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.
CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL jodismith@kw.com

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor is Proud to Share this Important Information with YOU!!!

Residents who chain or tether dogs to fixed objects while they are unattended must find an alternative means of restraining their pets beginning September 4, 2009. In March, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to ban the practice of chaining or tethering dogs. District 2, At-Large Commissioner Robb Pitts sponsored the resolution.

The introduction of the amendment attracted dozens of animal advocates who supported the ban. According to the Humane Society, “A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic unhappy, anxious and often aggressive.”

Additionally, the Humane Society warns that tethering is dangerous to dogs because they become targets for other animals, humans and biting insects. Tethers can become entangled with other objects, which can choke or strangle dogs. Tethers can also cause dogs necks to become raw and covered with sores because of poorly fitted collars along with the animal straining against the collar in constant attempts to escape Collars can also become embedded in a dog’s neck without proper care and fitting.

Under the amended ordinance, dogs cannot be tethered to a fixed object unless held by an attendant or by the owner.

Options for properly restraining dogs include dog runs, mesh fencing and chain link fences. Chain link fences are stronger and more durable; however, residents of cities and unincorporated areas within Fulton are urged to check with their local governments for any required fencing permits and homeowners associations to determine the appropriate types of fencing before purchasing fencing or fence construction supplies.

For additional suggestions or supplies, owners should visit their local hardware or home improvement stores. Additionally, Barking Hound Village, the County’s Animal Services provider, has instructions for constructing appropriate fencing. Call 404-794-0358 or visit www.bhvf.org.

For more information on the dog-tethering ban in Fulton County, contact the Department of Environment and Community Development’s Code Enforcement Division at 404-612-2723.
 

Facts about Dog Tethering

Dog Tethering is inhumane.

The practice can lead to injuries and psychological damage. A dog that is kept chained or tethered in one spot for days and months at a time can become anxious and aggressive. Their necks can also be injured from straining to escape their tethers or chains. Some dogs develop sores around their necks or strangle themselves because of poor care. Others can become entangled with objects or suffer neglect while tethered to fixed objects.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture and animal advocates such as the Humane Society warn of the dangers and cruelty of restricting a dog’s movements through tethering.

Tethered dogs are often victims of neglect.

Tethered dogs are left frequently without enough water, placed in locations that do not protect them from the sun on hot summer days or from the winter cold. They often do not receive affection although many dogs are often highly social animals when given proper care and attention.

Tethered dogs can be dangerous to people.

Dogs that are constantly tethered for days and months at a time are often highly aggressive and territorial. Documented reports indicate that their victims are often people, particularly children, who wander into their vicinity without realizing the danger.

Tethered dogs are dangerous to other animals

Unfamiliar animals also face potential attack. Animals at risk include smaller dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets who may unknowingly wander into a tethered dog’s space.
 

Tethering Prohibited in Fulton County

Section 34-205(b) of the Fulton County Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to add the following new subparagraphs:

(5) It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian, or harborer of any dog to restrain or anchor such animal by means of a tether. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, a dog may be temporarily restrained by means of a tether while the dog is attended by its owner, custodian, or harborer.

(6) Any tether used to temporarily confine a dog while attended by its owner, custodian, or harborer as provided in subsection (5′), above, must be attached to a properly fitted collar or harness and shall not be wrapped directly around the dog’s neck. Such tethers shall not be excessively heavy or weighted to inhibit the dog’s movement.

Healthy Alternatives to Tethering
(From Fulton County Animal Services)

Bring your dog inside.

This is the ideal situation for your dog to become part of the family. Fulton County Animal Services along with Dogs Deserve Better will be glad to teach you how to walk him, help you housetrain, and show you how to teach him what is okay and is not okay to chew on. A well-trained dog is a loyal friend for life.

Spay and neuter.

Fulton County Animal Services is glad to fix your pets for free! A neutered male is less likely to try to escape a fence or ‘mark’ in the home. A spayed female dog will not go into heat so she will not roam looking for a mate. In addition, spaying reduces unwanted litters of puppies- helping to decrease the number of strays in our communities.

Install a fence.

A secure fence, at the appropriate height, gives your dog limited freedom and makes house training easier with quick access to the outdoors. Fencing can be cheap and easy to put up. We are glad to provide information on organizations that will help you build or improve fences and dog runs in your yard.

For further information, contact Fulton County Animal Services at 404-794-0358 www.FultonAnimalServices.Com or Dogs Deserve Better at: 1-877-636-1408 www.DogsDeserveBetter.org.