Monthly Market Report: September 2010

It's that time again! I've got the numbers for September, and I'm ready to...report.

In September 2010, Lowndes County saw just over at 18% decrease in combined dollar amount of units sold compared to that of August 2010. However, when compared to September 2009, the area saw about a 1% decrease of the same. In September 2010, only ONE unit less was sold in Lowndes County when compared to September 2009.

While we did see a decrease in number, 1% ain't too shabby. (if you'll allow my Southern expression) We expect a bit of decrease when we move to the cooler months. Folks get busy with homework, football games, PTO, and LIFE, and just find themselves a little too busy to worry about purchasing their next home. A large decrease between August and September is pretty regular and expected. The "Summer Selling Season" has officially ended, and the itch seems to subside for many people.

In Lowndes County last month, agents listed 5% more homes this year than last, but again, it's nothing to get your feathers ruffled over.

Now is the time to invest in real estate, now is the time to buy! House payments are cheaper than rent, and they make you money in the long run!

...Oh, and FYI: Lowest interest rate I've seen came to me this week:

                                    2.375%!

 Yes, that's right. Seriously, it's almost free!

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Monthly Market Report: August 2010

So, each month, I’d like to give a little update on what’s going on in our marketplace. I’m going to provide statistics and information using our South Georgia Multiple Listing Service. Hopefully, the information will help to provide insight into the real estate market in the Lowndes County and Valdosta, GA areas, and help give a clearer picture about home pricing and more.


When comparing to one year ago, August 2009, last month saw just over a 3% increase in number of residential units sold in Lowndes County alone. Compared to the month of July 2010, August 2010 saw just over a 16% increase in the number of residential units sold, again, in Lowndes County only. If nothing else, just this figure shows that we’re looking up!

According to the MLS, Lowndes County has seen an 11% decrease in August 2010, compared to August 2009, in the number of homes being newly listed for sale. This may be evidence of some stabilization.

The real estate market in Valdosta and Lowndes County, like much of the rest of the country, did not see the awful numbers being reported by our national news. Several factors help to keep our market “out of the woods” and fairly stable throughout the downturn. We were seeing such high and inflated home prices before the crash that our market has simply corrected through these times, not plummeted. Our values now are pretty accurate and straight forward. We have definitely seen a decrease, but again, now the values are probably what they should be, not at rock bottom.

All of these things considered, NOW is the time to buy real estate. Home prices are low, interest rates are at RECORD lows (I’ve seen 2.75%), and the economy will not suffer forever. I read today, where forecasters are predicting an increase in the interest rates in the next WEEK!! While nothing is a guarantee, do not be one of those people kicking themselves at the end of this for not taking advantage. Americans, and our economy, will get up, dust off their shoulders, become more confident, and, even if a little scarred, will MOVE ON and MOVE UP!

So, I, and EXIT, say: BUY REAL ESTATE NOW! Stop talking about how bad everything is and realize that things are only as bad as WE make them. Refuse to let the national news form your opinion! Look at the facts! The facts are that it’s not all that bad! Chin Up, Folks!

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