HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! 2009 is the year that will shine. I'm telling you, I feel really good about it. If this week is any indication, 2009 is going to be one of my busiest years ever. I am so excited about the fabulous deals out there. If I didn't love my house and neighborhood so much I would be tempted to sell and buy something else.

My partner, Diana Stowe, found this awesome deal in Douglasville for only $99,900. Can you believe it? OMG. It is a craftsman style home, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Take a look at this.

This is why you want to buy now!

How Will You Know When We Hit Bottom?

So many people are sitting on the fence waiting for the bottom to fall out. The only problem with that is we don't know we hit bottom until our prices start going up.

Some experts are saying things will start improving in the Spring of 2009 and some experts say we should be back to some normalcy by 2010. That tells me, 2009 is the time to buy. Interest rates are at an all time low, there are a number of incentives for first time home buyers and we're even looking to changes (for the better) for investors.

This may not be the best time to put your house on the market, but if you can afford a small loss now, you can find great deals for an upgrade. You need to have some equity in your home if you don't want to come to closing with cash. If you wait until the market starts improving you might get more for the house you are selling, but you'll also pay more for that new home. Make sure you are upgrading not downsizing.

Great Time to Buy/ New Low Rates

When times are hard it is understandable that we are afraid to make any moves. My husband and I thought about moving closer to Atlanta because the cost of gas for my husband to commute was equal to about 1/2 our mortgage. The problem is, it isn't a good time to sell your home, and I need to sell my home before I buy a new one. There are many people in the same boat. But, it's still a great time to buy! So if you are in an apartment or you don't need to sell an existing home to buy, now is a great time to buy.

Some people are waiting for the bottom to fall out. The problem with that is how do we know when the bottom has fallen out? When the prices have already gone up. We can't predict when it will happen, but we will know when it is over. When do you want to buy? While the prices are going down or when the prices are going up?

I just received a message yesterday from a friend in the mortgage business that the interest rates have dropped to 5 1/2%. It's been a while since we've seen them that low. If you are thinking about buying a home, now is the time to buy. With great prices and low interest the timing couldn't be better. For more information on lending you can contact Tony Boothe with Metlife (First Horizon merged w/MetLife) at tboothe@metlifehomeloans.com.


If you are interested in a foreclosure there is a link on my website to search foreclosed homes. Go to www.marylesh.prudentialgeorgia.com

I would like to introduce to you my partner Diana Stowe. I worked with Diana in New Home Sales for years, and I am so excited she has moved her license to Prudential Georgia Realty to work with me.
Diana is a real people person and a true asset to the real estate industry. She treats everyone like family and she truly looks after their best interests. She has a passion for people and the real estate business. Who wouldn't want to work with her? Her positive attitude is infectious.
Stop by our office to meet Diana.
Prudential Georgia Realty
2750 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 1400
Douglasville, GA 30135

The Stove

Wow, we've come a long way.
Can you imagine using one of these old things? For those of you who don't know, it was fueled by wood or coal. That's right. The cook had to keep filling it's belly with wood or coal to keep things cooking. That was before the days of electric appliances such as mixers, blenders, and food processors. Lots of work.



Then along came this gas stove. It must have felt like heaven. By this time we had additional electrical appliances and life was good. (At one time I thought I could never use electric unless I was forced. Then I was forced into it and it wasn't too terribly bad.)





When electric arrived we thought life couldn't get better, until flat surface came about. I don't know about you all but I couldn't live without it.
I would love to have a flat surface cook top with built-in double ovens, but I don't have that in this house. I am trying to convince my husband I don't need the pantry, but that is an entirely different story.



I have a question for you all. If you had a choice what would your choice be?
Please tell me your choices and why? Include color and style if you like. I have seen so many neat colors and styles in the last few years and I change my mind with every different model and color. I look forward to your responses.

Buy Now!

With all the bad media hype about the real estate market it is no wonder sales have dropped. Today's market is not as bad as the news media is making it out to be. Remember the market is all relative to the area. The Georgia real estate market has not changed as drastically as the media would like us to think. The only thing that has changed is who has the upper hand. We have switched from a Seller's market to a Buyer's market. If you are thinking about buying a home, today is a great day to buy. Not only do you have nearly 100,000 homes on the market, interest rates are low and Seller's are giving away incentives that will make your mouth water. Remember a year ago when Builder's would not budge on price and every thing was an upgrade? They have turned the other cheek and will practically give the shirt off their backs to get you to buy their home.
Seller's if you don't need to sell, sit tight. Let the builder's sell their inventory. Let the foreclosures sell. Your turn will come back, but you need to be patient.
I plan to make improvements on my house so I will be ready when the market turns around. I may not get my money back, but I will enjoy the upgrades. When I am finally ready to sell, my house is going to shine. My return will show in a fast sale.