Atlanta Pocket Listings

There’s a new catch phrase being circulated in the real estate industry and it’s coming to a town near you. Pocket Listings, or hip pocket listings as they are popularly called, are real estate listings that have not fully hit the market, yet. They are not being advertised in the local multiple listing service (mls) and are usually hidden, secretive, or private offerings available to people in the know. You can almost equate them to an initial public offering (ipo) of stock, available at first, to a clientele and then to the general public once they are listed. Atlanta pocket listings are becoming more and more prevalent as the Atlanta real estate market heats up and we prepare for a recovery in 2014.

Why

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During the month of August 2013, Atlanta home sales prices for single family detached residences averaged $244,297 versus $186, 864 in August 2012. Additionally, during August 2013, Atlanta home sales prices for single family attached residences averaged $182,703 versus $143,216 in August 2012. Houses and condos showed significant gains of approximately 30% from the prior year, a very positive sign. Inventory levels for detached single family homes declined about 4% while inventory levels for attached single family homes declined a whopping 29%, year over year for August. See the Atlanta home sales statistical map that provides insight into which areas of Atlanta are selling the fastest and which areas of Atlanta are selling for the most money.

Atlanta home sales statistics

Having been licensed since 1994,

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The following is a guest blog from Jeffrey Heckman and Joanne Rotella with Shelter Mortgage Company and does not necessarily reflect the views of GeorgiaMoves.com

1. Of course, the big news last week was our country’s first partial government shutdown in 17 years! Surprisingly, though, the impact on the mortgage business has been minimal. The only big loss thus far has been the USDA rural housing program. Be aware that the longer the shutdown drags out, though, the more problems and delays will begin to occur.

2. The government shutdown’s impact on mortgage rates has also been minimal mostly because U.S. Government economic reports are not being released. The markets will be less volatile with less news being reported.

3. The first Friday of each month is usually notable for the reaction to the Employment report but, obviously, there was no report released on Friday. Investors were forced to adjust

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Georgia’s Most Expensive Homes for Sale

As of August 13 2013, there are over 1,000 active listings in metro Atlanta over $1,000,000 according to the First Multiple Listing Service. To preview the most expensive homes in the metro Atlanta area, click here.

FSBO vs Real Estate Agent

With metro Atlanta homes selling faster than Gladys Knight’s chicken and waffles, purchasers thinking of buying and more notably, owners thinking of selling, might be wondering if hiring a real estate agent is a necessity. Nowadays, home buyers can find homes on the internet, set up their own appointments to preview properties and submit pre-printed offers that can be obtained online or at the local office supply store. Likewise, sellers can get a for sale by owner sign, post their property on a number of FSBO marketing web sites and negotiate directly with interested parties. On the face of it, it seems that both parties may benefit by excluding third party interlopers from the

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