Home Sweet Home Meets 21st-Century Design Trends

According to a recent Houzz survey, in which 1,700 people shared their home decorating dreams, desires, and intentions, home decorating decisions are now driven by age and gender. Here are a couple of salient survey results:

Seventeen percent of respondents under 35 expressed a preference for wallpaper, compared to only 3 percent of people over 65.

A quarter of the men surveyed said that trends influence their decorating decisions; and, maybe surprisingly, only 14 percent of women admit to being “trendistas.”

But there’s a disconnect here: Houzz editorial staff writer Mitchell Parker suggests that men aren’t trend followers because they want to be fashionable; more likely, they’re thinking about their home’s future resale value. Of survey respondents who plan on hiring an interior designer or home decorator, roughly 12 percent said they would use online e-design services rather than consult a professional directly.

The Houzz survey also revealed a clear trend toward loungier bedrooms, with 60 percent of respondents indicating that they plan to add seating in their “master suite,” 52 percent are looking to add a TV, and 8 percent are considering adding luxuries such as a fireplace or even a mini fridge.

In fact, TVs have become necessities just about everywhere; many people consider them essential in guest rooms, kids’ bedrooms, and even in formal dining rooms too. The exception is younger homeowners, who are ditching the traditional TV to watch programs on their devices.

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February 2015

WONDER WHAT

YOUR HOME IS

WORTH

Pricing is

crucial

How has the price of

your home changed

in today’s real estate

market?

Wonder what homes

are selling for in

your neighborhood?

Call or email me. I

will be happy to

provide you with

current market

information with no

obligation.

Units closed during December 2014 rounded out at 4,515

Average Sales price: $255,643 vs $237,827 one year ago

Average List price: $264,821 vs $246,372 December 2013

Average price per square foot (based on sales price: $97.10 compared to $93.90 one year ago

Sold price vs ORIGINAL list price: 94% (94% for 2013/no change)

Total days on market (TDOM): 87 up a bit from 77 days in 2013

INVENTORY ANALYSIS

(Rounding out the top three by price ranges)

1. $200,000 - $249,999 accounted for 12.78% of December sales

2. $300,000 - $399,999 accounted for 12.27% of December sales

3. $250,000 - $299,999 accounted for 9.09% of December sales

METRO ATLANTA MARKET REPORT DETACHED ONLY—DECEMBER 2014

Data courtesy of FMLS – First Multiple Listing Service

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BY THE NUMBERS DECEMBER 2014

BRASELTON GEORGIA

December, 2014 closed 30 units compared to 25 units closed December, 2013 - ꜛ20%

Average sales price $264,468 compared to $236,773 in December, 2013 - ꜛ12%

Days on Market: 89 Avg DOM (December, 2014) vs 76 DOM (December, 2013) - ꜛ17%

BUFORD GEORGIA

December, 2014 closed 77 units compared to 80 units closed in December, 2013 - ꜜ4%

Average sales price $231,045 compared to $222,845 December, 2013 - ꜛ4%

Days on Market: 93 Avg DOM (December, 2014) vs 88 Avg DOM (December, 2013) - ꜛ5%

HOSCHTON GEORGIA

December, 2014 closed 19 units compared to 21 units closed in December, 2013 - ꜜ11%

Average sales price $237,967 compared to $275,789 in December, 2013 - ꜜ14%

Days on Market: 65 Avg DOM (December, 2014) vs 111 Avg DOM (December, 2013) - ꜜ41%

SUWANEE GEORGIA

December, 2014 closed 101 units compared to 65 units closed in December, 2013 - ꜛ55%

Average sales price $336,877 compared to $317,628 in December, 2013 - ꜛ6%

Days on Market: 82 Avg DOM (December, 2014) vs 76 DOM (December, 2013) - ꜛ8%

ON THE NATIONAL FRONT

December 30, 2014 (Data from BHHS GA Properties Daily E*News - Powered by RisMedia

Median home prices for 2014 rose to their highest level since 2007, but total sales fell 3.1 percent from 2013.

From a year ago, December sales were higher by 3.5 percent and are now above year-over-year levels for the third

straight month.

For all of 2014, there were 4.93 million sales, a 3.1 percent decline from 2013 (5.09 million).

The national median existing-home price was $208,500, the highest since 2007 ($219,000) and a 5.8 percent increase

from 2013 ($197,100).

Total housing inventory at the end of December dropped 11.1 percent to 1.85 million existing homes available for sale,

which represents a 4.4-month supply at the current sales pace – down from 5.1 months in November. Unsold inventory is

now 0.5 percent lower than a year ago (1.86 million).

The percent share of first-time buyers was 29 percent in December, down from 31 percent in November but up from a

year ago (27 percent). First-time buyers in 2014 represented an average of 29 percent for the second straight year.

Eight percent of December sales were foreclosures and 3 percent were short sales.

Regional Breakdown

December existing-home sales in the Northeast declined 2.9 percent to an annual rate of 660,000, but are 3.1 percent above

a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $246,600, which is 3.2 percent above a year ago.

In the Midwest, existing-home sales fell 3.5 percent to an annual level of 1.09 million in December, and are now 2.7 percent

below December 2013. The median price in the Midwest was $159,100, up 5.3 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the South climbed 3.8 percent to an annual rate of 2.17 million in December, and are 7.4 percent

above December 2013. The median price in the South was $184,100, up 6.6 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the West jumped 9.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.12 million in December, and are 2.8 percent above

a year ago. The median price in the West was $299,600, which is 5.6 percent above December 2013.

It’s renovation time, and, as part of your preparations, think about the last time you hired someone to rebuild or remodel your home.

There was probably an initial phone conversation, followed by a site visit where you were probably given a quote for the project and a discussion of a timeline. Then, they showed up to start the job.

You may have asked them for testimonials or photos of previous work. But did you ask if they had their own insurance?

According to experts, it’s essential that hired contractors and subcontractors are adequately insured. (Some experts suggest they should carry $1 million liability

Page 3

at minimum.)

If they’re not insured, the work they do for you comes at a high price. If they are injured, or if there is damage to your property because of their actions, you could be the one to take the financial hit. Your homeowners insurance may have to pay if the contractor doesn’t have a liability policy.

To avoid liability, it’s always wise to vet contractors at the beginning. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, and check out the candidates through your local Better Business Bureau. If you’re unsure about what credentials your contractor should have, contact the national contractors association.

Ask what insurance the contractor has before you hire. Then ask to see the insurance certificate as proof that the contractor’s policy is in place. There have been incidences of forged certificates, so be wary.

Also, check the date to ensure it will remain valid throughout the entire period he or she will be working on your project.

Finally, be sure you can work with the contractor. Whatever the project, you must have a high level of confidence in your contractor; inevitably, things will go wrong on the job, and you need to be able to work closely with him or her to help solve problems.

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before You Hire

Ask the Agent: This Month’s Question

What can I do now to prepare for spring buying season?

Spring is the best time to sell a home. After a dark winter season, spring is a breath of fresh air – literally. Here are some tips on readying your home to prepare for the upcoming spring buying season.

Conduct an early home inspection. Check inside for places where leaks, insects, and rodents can get in. Walk around your home and look for cracks, peeling, and chipped bricks.

Prepare for rain – spring is the wettest season. Ensure your entrance or mudroom is ready for wet shoes.

Paint. Nicer days are coming. Open the windows and enjoy an afternoon of painting.

De-clutter. Spring clean before spring arrives. Early buyers will appreciate a clutter-free, sparkling-clean home.

Boost curb appeal. February isn’t great for landscaping, but you can still spruce up your exterior. A tidy yard is a harbinger of spring.

You Can Stop Time from Flying By … When we were kids, time seemed to crawl. The months between seasons, holidays, and birthdays just dragged and dragged. But in adulthood, time seems to fly by. And apparently, it’s not just our imagination.

One of the explanations for “time flying” is Habituation Hypothesis – a psychologists’ term that explains the differentiating details we don’t tend to notice when we go about our lives on autopilot. According to psychologists, we tend to notice fewer and fewer of the details that make each day unique; time seems to pass more quickly. Children, however, are always having new experiences and so notice more.

Dopamine may also affect how we experience time. According to an article in the New York Times, the neurotransmitter, when stimulated by ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, increases its function in the brain and seems to speed up the perception of time. Those drugs that block dopamine receptors slow the perception of time.

As for you … if you want to stop time from flying, skip the drugs and start noticing those details that make your day special.

Let’s be honest, houseguests can be a bore. They interrupt your favorite TV show, throw you off your game in the kitchen, drink too much, and step on Fluffy. So, how do you get them to go?

Writer Jennifer Grudziecki may have the solution: In Sparknotes.com she recommends avoiding having houseguests “like a severely communicable disease.” If that fails, employ the well-tested passive/

February’s Smile: Houseguests Who Won’t Go

aggressive “Cold War” technique: Don’t engage with them. Ignore them,

and maybe they’ll go away. No? Well,

try this: “Go out without them, be

socially unacceptable, and make awful

food.”

For the bozos who still don’t get it, it’s

time for the direct approach. Just say:

“It’s time for you to go home.” Walk

them to the open door, help them

through, and wave goodbye.

REAL ESTATE GAB

Janice Slaven REALTOR®, ABR Active Phoenix Member

This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as

legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to

ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or

omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use.

Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. This

newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.

Sudoku instructions: Complete the 9x9 grid so that each row,

each column, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains the digits

1 through 9. Contact me for the solution!

Real Estate Gab is brought to you by Janice Slaven, REALTOR Berkshire Hathawy Home Services, GA Prop 310 Town Center Avenue Suwanee GA 30024 770-814-2300 (Mobile) JaniceSlavenATL@gmail.com License #171603

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES, GEORGIA PROPERTIES 310 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee GA 30024

Inside the Newsletter!

What Me Worry? Are We a Society of Big Chickens?

Home Sweet Home Meets 21st-Century Design Trends

Take a New Look at Love This Valentine’s Day

And….

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before You Hire