For the same reason it was a major target of the Union army during the Civil War, Atlanta remains a desirable Southern strategic location today. A major airport, ground transportation and cultural hub, Atlanta offers tropical warmth, room for growth, and a romantic star-crossed history. It is one of the most important relocation destinations in the country, with over 4.1 million residents in the metro area. But, as in other fast-growing technology hubs, the inner city is going through a homebuying slump following the dot-com fallout.

Despite that, Realtors expect a busy buying season due to continuing low interest rates, and the fact that the homebuying market has been slightly depressed long enough for buyers to be drawn in by the inner city's values.

"In the intown market in particular," says Realtor Chuck Cook, "I have noticed that listings are staying on the market a little longer and selling near the same price or slightly lower than this time last year. This is especially true with higher dollar homes."

However, with continuing low interest rates, buyers are starting to show more interest. "Buyers, don't wait for the interest rates to go any lower," advises Cook. "I don't see that happening. Sellers, as long as you price your home right and provide some value for the prospective home buyer, you will have no problem selling your home."

Adds Realtor Cathy Wilson, "Metro Atlanta is still a buyer's market! Inventory is very good at present with many relocating families buying homes this time of year to assure kids being settled into their new neighborhoods, meeting friends and preparing for a new school in the fall."

Particularly desirable are new intown homes which are being built, say Realtors Janie Gray and Benita Carswell. "A new subdivision development of bungalow homes in the historic Kirkwood neighborhood offers homebuyers the opportunity to live in one of Atlanta's most dynamic intown neighborhoods in a home with all the charm of 1920s Craftsman architecture and all the conveniences of the 21st century.

"The homes have been designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. Fifty homes will be built in 8 different styles based on Craftsman architecture from the 1920s - the predominant style of Atlanta's intown neighborhoods. The development will have sidewalks and street lights to complement the adjoining streetscape. A one-third mile greenway walking trail will also be developed as an additional amenity."

Suggests Realtor Donald Bell, "Many new community sales offices selling homes in the $400,000 to $700,000 price ranges are reporting very high sales and are running out of standing inventory."

Will Atlanta rebound? Some Realtors suggest that it already is. "The last three weeks have seen a dramatic turnaround in real estate market conditions. The climate has changed from a mild buyer's market to a fairly brisk seller's market, particularly in the price range of less than $350,000. A number of homes that I have personal knowledge of, which were listed as recently as three days ago, have gone under contract at full list price."

"Atlanta has experienced explosive growth over the last 30 years due primarily to its central location and lack of geographic boundaries," says Realtor Warren Owen. "The availability of developable land enables home buyers to find virtually any kind and price of housing they desire."

Published: May 17, 2002

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.