I just listed a Corner Unit of Office Space for lease in Roswell Ga.  It it in the office Condo park of Corporate Woods and is 2052 sq. ft, an end unit that gets lots of natural light and has drive up parking.  It has 9 total offices on 2 floors w/ an oversized offive w/ a private bathroom.  Offered at $1,250 per month plus the $175 per month HOA fee.

I closed a short sale transaction last week in Alpharetta last week and my Buyers got a great deal on a home that sold for $382K in 2006 and my Buyers paid a net of $216K - they are very pleased.  It needs some cosmetic work like paint and carpet as well as work done on the Furnace but it looks like a great value.

My Buyer wrote this review after working with me: "I found John on the internet and he has been a pleasure to work with.  John is a professional and knowledgeable realtor who was dedicated to making our transition to Atlanta the best it could be.  After extensive looking, we decided to put an offer on a short sale.  John took the time to answer our questions and helped to guide us through the process.  A mere 8 weeks after our initial offer, we are in our beautiful new home.  I highly recommend working with John Foster"

I am a short sale specialist and work Primarily in Alpharetta, Cumming and Suwanee.  If you are considering foreclosure and live in any of those towns please call me - I will review what options you have a available to you including the short sale option.  I am a CDPE (Certified Distress Property Expert) and a SFR (Short Sale Foreclosure Resource) which means I have been trained extensively in the options available to families facing foreclosure.

Visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com or email me at JohnFoster@Remax.net or call me at 770 722-7010.

Alpharetta Short Sale Specialist

Cumming Short Sale Specialist

Suwanee Short Sale Specialist

At the end of December there was a six month supply of homes for sale in Cumming.  That amount of inventory is a market in equilibrium - it will be interesting to watch over the next 3 months as the inventory level rises.  I have two homes I am getting ready to list.  As long as sales increase the anticipated 4-5% and the amount of foreclosures on the market does not increase significantly I think 2012 will be a good year.

If you want to buy or sell a home in Cumming, call John Foster with Remax All Properties at 770 722-7010 or visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com

In looking at the Cumming Real Estate Stats - here are a few items that jump out at me.  First, note I am looking at all of Forsyth County Data:

• Average Sales Price in 2011                                           $256,372  (A)
• Average List price when solds went under contract              272,657  (B)
• Average Sales price to list price when went U/C                         94% (A)/(B)
• Average Original List Price                                                290,808   (C)
• Avg. Original List Price to Sales price                                        88%  (A)/(C)

From the stats it looks like on average home owners go through an average of two price adjustments before getting their home priced right.  What happens if they do not get their homes priced right - they expire and there were a lot of expired listings.  2,595 homes sold in Cumming (Forsyth County) in 2011 - if you need to sale make sure you talk to John Foster with Remax All properties at 770 722-7010.  I know the Cumming market and will be direct and honest with you so you can make the best decision for you and your family based on straight answers. 

Visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com to search the MLS.

I am boxing up last years files and ran accross a listing appointment I went on in June.  During my listing presentation the Seller said they were going to list with me once they did some work on the home.  I was surprised when the next week their home was listed with a different agent.  I called the seller and asked (very nicely) why they listed with that agent.  They said he told them he could get them more money than I said I could get them.  I asked them if he had different comps than me and the seller said no, but the other listing agent knew he could get more than the $410K to 415K I had told them I thought their home would sell for.  They paid $477K for the home.  The husband was starting work in Utah and the wife really wanted the home sold quickly but even with that they listed the home at a much higher price.  I just looked up what the home sold for and it sold on 12/22 for $405K.  If that seller had listed with me their home would have sold for a min. 5K more (if not 10K) and it would have sold much quicker. 

When you sell a home the value of the home is not dependent on what you paid for it, what you are paying for your next home nor how much "you have to get out of it".  Your home will sell for the market value and the market value goes down the longer the home sits on the market because it becomes a "stale" listing after sitting on the market.  When selecting a Realtor to list your home do not select them based on what they think they can get you for your home.  Select a professional agent that has comps to support their price, one that is honest, one that is an effective negotiator and one that knows your market.

If you are considering selling your home - call John Foster with Remax All Properties at 770 722-7010.  I know the Alpharetta market.  If you are facing foreclosure - call me - I am also a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) and can help you evaulate options available to you - including a short sale.

STOP Foreclosure - If you are upside down in your mortgage and feeling like a foreclosure is your only option, John Foster with Remax All properties.  I am an CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert).  I will be happy to review with you what options you have available - including doing a short sale.  There are several benefits of doing a short sale verses foreclosure such as in some cases people that do short sale can purchase another home in as little as 2 years.

Call me and I will be happy to review the options you have a available.  Call today because if you are already late the clock is ticking.  Call John Foster at 770 722-7010 or visit www.FosterHomeInfo.com

John Foster with Remax All Properties is a Certified Distressed Property Expert and a Short Sale/Foreclosure resource and works Primarily in Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Suwanee Ga.  Call him today

I was just looking at real estate stats for 2011 for Cumming (all of Forsyth County) and noticed the following:

Homes closed in 2009 was 2098, homes closed in 2010 was 2209 (5% growth rate) and homes closed in 2011 were 2590 (for a 17% growth rate).

Next I looked at the number of distressed sale, these are foreclosures, short sales etc, that took place during these years and this is what I found.  In 2009 21% of the closings were distressed, in 2010 25% of the sales were distressed and in 2011 33% of the sales were distressed.  I think a lot of the increases relate to the FMLS starting to track short sales etc - but that gives you the breakdown for homes sold in Cumming.

I expect 2012 to be similar to 2011 in about 1/3 of all sales will be foreclosures and short sales.  In some communities, like Chadbourne, only 15% of the homes sold were distressed.  That is a large difference and just goes to show you how important location is when buying a home - I think Chadbourne being close to Windward parkway has helped homes sell and kept the percentage of distressed sales down.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate, or know someone who is, please email me at JohnFoster@remax.net or call me at 770 722-7010.  I am always looking for Buyers and people that are trying to sell their home.  Also, visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com to search the MLS.

FOR RENT in Roswell - 2052 sq. ft. of office space located in Corporate Woods Office Park.  This office space is offered at a great rate - a little over $7.00 per sq. ft. and offers drive up parking.  With a two story reception area, this end unit has 3 additional offices upstairs with two bathrooms plus 4 offices downstairs plus a break room.  If you are looking for space at a great rate call John Foster with Remax All Properties at 770 722-7010.  See more color photos at www.FosterHomeInfo.com

I am a firm believer that the real estate market is nothing more than supply and demand.  When the demand for homes goes down because buyers can not get financing, then the the months supply of homes goes up because less people can purchase the homes on the market.  I just checked the Alpharetta months supply of homes on the market at the end of January (primarily North Fulton areas 13 & 14) and the months supply of homes is at 6 months - around 5 - 6 months is considered a stable market.  I think once the supply of homes stabilizes then we will start to get price appreciate instead of the price decreases.  I also think a key element in the return of the real estate market is the unemployment rate - which decreased considerably in December.  I think as long as the unemployment rate improves then consumer confidence will improve and then we will have more demand for homes - I still think we are 2-3 years away from getting back to a "normal" market -

If you need to buy or sell real estate, or know someone that does, please call me at 770 722-7010 - I am always looking for homes to sell and buyers to work with.  Visit my website at www.FosterHomeInfo.com for more information.

Today, Case Shiller, who tracks real estate activity accross the USA, reported a second consecutive month of increase in prices for the 10- and 20-City Composites.  I believe the Atlanta market will improve as the US market improves so I am glad to see this.  For the Atlanta market to improve the #1 issue at this time is jobs - and getting the state and Atlanta's unemployment rate down.  Once that happens consumer confidence will rise and people will buy homes.

That said, I am seeing pretty strong sales activity compared to last year right now.  Yesterday I tried to set up showings for 10 homes in the 175-200K price range and 4 were under contract -

If you are considering buying a home and want an agent that will represent you - call me at 770 722-7010 - I know the Atlanta market.  Also, please visit www.FosterHomeinfo.com for information on homes for Sale in Cumming Alpharetta and Suwanee.