RE/MAX is #1 again! (a.k.a. Why it is imperative to work with an experienced agent in this market)

Who’s the best in real estate? Based on recently released results, it's me, your friendly RE/MAX agent. =)

Year-end sales data for 2010 are in: For the 13th consecutive year, RE/MAX sold more real estate than any competitor. And RE/MAX agents average more transaction sides than agents with any other national brand ... in most cases twice as many.

Why is this important? Because we get the job done, better than anyone else. And in this market, you need the best on your side.

It’s what matters most to buyers and sellers in today’s real estate market – working with a professional real estate agent who has the experience to get the job done. And statistics show, that is a RE/MAX agent. For the 13th consecutive year, nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

And, RE/MAX agents continue to be the most productive sales force in real estate with the highest average transaction sides of the national brands. According to statistics reported by the major national brands cited in the 2011 RE/MAX versus the Industry report, RE/MAX agents in the U.S. averaged 13.1 transaction sides last year, nearly two times the next closest competitor, Coldwell Banker at 7.1

“Our focus is on being the best sales force, not the biggest, and we continue to hit that mark,” said RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger. “What we are is the home of top producers – experienced professionals with a deep belief in themselves, a higher level of training, an unmatched work ethic, and a serious approach to their careers. That’s our competitive advantage, and our agents have kept RE/MAX on top, in the ways that matter most, and that’s why more consumers have turned to RE/MAX for more than a decade.”

New Loans Could Raise The Price Of Homeownership

Buyers on the fence:

This could have dramatic implications for you!

Lock in your rate in the next two months!

FROM NPR: Since the housing bubble collapsed, it's been harder for many Americans to qualify for a home loan. But soon, it might get even more difficult.

The government is reshaping the mortgage market. And right now there is strong political support for requiring much bigger down payments for most home loans. Powerful congressional Democrats and Republicans support the move, as does the Obama administration.

In a matter of weeks, federal regulators are expected to unveil new rules for home loans. The buzz is that the rules could translate into mandatory 10 percent or even 20 percent down payments for most new loans in the U.S., which would be a significant change.

A Mandatory Down Payment

For the average-priced home that would mean saving $18,000 to $36,000 for a down payment. Some experts think that's a good idea.

"We put too many people into houses they weren't qualified to buy, they didn't have income [and] they didn't have skin in the game," says Edward Pinto, a fellow with the American Enterprise Institute.

Read the full article here.

Atlanta Ranked #1 City for Home Buyers!

Rent as % of after tax mortgage payment: 151.2%

Median home price change, 2006-2010: -33.2%

Many of the cities on this list now have the most affordable housing simply because their real estate crashes were so much more pronounced than elsewhere in the nation. The farther the prices fall, the sooner it inevitably becomes more affordable to buy than rent.

Atlanta is no exception. It tops the list with average monthly rent of about 50% more than the average after-tax mortgage payment. The metropolitan area had the dubious distinction of leading the nation in home construction during most of the decade before the bubble burst. Despite the fact that it now has the most affordable homes in the nation, however, prices continue to slide in Atlanta -- down nearly 14% year-over-year in February. When will those Atlanta renters recognize the clearance sale going on all around them?

Read the entire article here.

Spring Home Maintenance

Mother Nature put on quite a show this winter and some homes took a beating. Here are some things to look for this Spring and assess what damage may have been caused by the wind, rain and snow.

Curb Appeal. Check steps, decks and porches for wood rot and peeling paint. If the house is vacant, you may want to use some elbow grease or invest in fresh paint on the porch and a power wash to get rid of the winter grime and dust.

Leak Alert. Check beneath the house to see if there is any accumulated water. Even if it is raining outside, it should be dry underneath the home. If not, first eliminate the possibility of leaks originating from inside the house by checking the underside of the floor for dripping water or water stains.

If an inside leak is not to blame, look next for seepage from outside the house. Determine the source to prevent any future damage.

Foundation for the future. Inspect the area where the home’s foundation meets the ground for spots where the earth slopes toward the house. Fix any sloping earth so that it directs water away from the house.

Trim trees and shrubs to keep them from touching the house and channeling water down the walls. Also, remove ladders, wheelbarrows and other equipment stacked against the outside of the home. Install extensions on gutter downspouts to keep water far from the structure.