Showing mixed signs, the Atlanta, Georgia housing market is slowly sputtering back to life, say local Realtors.

"Atlanta is the 'Big Peach of the South!'" exclaim Realtors Jim and Ellen Crawford. "Hartsfield airport and telecommunications have replaced the railroads in importance from Atlanta's early days (known as "Terminus" and "Marthasville.") and has become a hub for transportation, a gateway to the south, and information technology. Atlanta is a new young, and vibrant city with loads of great shopping, a MARTA system, fine dining, affordable housing, and great nightlife."

They explain, "There are almost 50,000 active listings in all classes of our primary MLS service (FMLS). These are all highs in listing inventory that haven't been seen since the early 1990's. However, this remains our best year ever in the market! We credit that to interest rates at 40-year lows, it's a great time to buy or sell before rates move higher. Homes, pricing, and times on market will vary from price, location, and condition of the home. It is definitely a buyer's market due to large volumes of inventory. Sales of existing inventory, and new sales vary by price range and location. However, the lower rates are keeping some momentum in the market in moderate price ranges, and on brick homes, keeping listing prices firm. Sellers have started to reflect price changes on their properties, and the relocation market is off. Sales of existing inventory and new sales vary by price range and location. However, the lower rates are keeping some momentum in the market in moderate price ranges, and on brick homes, keeping listing prices firm. In this market, we are finding some flexibility in the seller's terms more so in the higher priced homes and in moderate ranges the sellers are paying some buyer closing costs, repairs etc."

"Now thanks to a 40-year fixed rate mortgage," says Realtor Fran M.Walker, "first-time homebuyers (available to others but most advantageous to first timers) will be able to buy a home with a lower payment and the security of a fixed rate. The payments may not be much lower but the danger of no interest rate increase is a safeguard that can't be overlooked. The interest rate on the 40-year is actually higher but with the amortization period is longer with lower monthly payments. If economic good times continue, buyers should focus on prepaying as much as possible toward the principle. The potential interest rate volatility is one reason the 40-year mortgages could make an attractive alternative to interest-only loans and the payments are about the same."

"Overall market conditions for Atlanta remain strong and vibrant for several different sectors including first-time homebuyers, buyers "moving-up" to the $200-$350K price range, and investors seeking to capitalize on historically low interest rates," says Realtor Mardell Culley. "With the current popularity of interest-only loans and competition among lenders, low mortgage rates continue to fuel the housing market and mutually beneficial deals are being negotiated for both buyers and sellers. There is plenty of evidence that our leaders and citizens will rise to the challenge of welcoming new residents while maintaining and improving our quality of life."

Published: September 8, 2004

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. 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. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.