Vol. 1 | Issue 2  | January 2019

Here we are, just weeks away from Super Bowl LIII. Whether you are a die-hard NFL fan or currently call Atlanta home you probably have heard about all the festivities that are going on for the Super Bowl. This may be a great guide for you to partake in the festivities or maybe this can be a roadmap on how to navigate the city the week leading up to the big game.

​Centennial Park 
Super Bowl live sponsored by Verizon with be providing free entertainment from January 26 through February 2 in Centennial Park. You can check out more information on that here: ATL Super Bowl

Atlantic Station
On Saturday, February 2nd, Atlantic Station will be hosting the DirectTV Super Saturday Night Concert Series featuring Foo Fighters.

The Battery / Suntrust Stadium
Shaquille O’Neal, an Atlanta resident, is hosting a music festival and carnival the Friday before kickoff called Shaq’s fun house. This will be at the Atlanta Braves Stadium / Battery.
 
State Farm Arena
Bud Light Festival Schedule:
Thursday Jan. 31st: Ludacris and Migos
Friday Feb. 1st: Aerosmith and Post Malone
Saturday Feb. 2nd: Bruno Mars and Cardi B
Click here for more info on the Bud Light Festival
 
Airbnb and Traffic Updates
Thinking of Renting your house or Townhome? Check out this free event from Airbnb on how to rent and market your property during the Super Bowl.
 
Airbnb Host Event Before the Big Game
 The Gathering Spot
100, 384 Northyards Boulevard Northwest Atlanta GA 30313
January 16, 2019
6:00pm EST
More info Here

Road Closure info:
Click here for the Road Closures

I'm always here if you have any questions about Real Estate, the value of your home, or even if you just need help with Trades and Vendors. 

Vol. 1 | Issue 1 | January 2019
Robert Heltzel
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On the surface, it may seem that the economy is going downhill quick, but if you dig a little bit deeper, look at the nonfarm payroll and listen to the rhetoric of current Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, you will find that we are still sitting on solid ground. 

The current Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell was in Atlanta today. His words, "I am pleased to say that our economy is now close to both of those objectives. The unemployment rate is 3.7 percent, a 49-year low, and many other measures of labor market strength are at or near historic bests. Inflation is near our 2 percent target. The economy is growing at an annual rate of about 3 percent, well above most estimates of its longer-run trend" This was right after nonfarm payroll shattered estimates and surged to 312,000 in December. ​

Let’s look a few numbers to get a snapshot of the current state of our economy:

• Nonfarm payrolls surged by 312,000 in December. Economists were expecting 176,000.
• Wages jumped 3.2 percent from a year ago and 0.4 percent over the previous month. The year-over-year increase is tied with October for the best since April 2009.
• ISM Manufacturing Index: for December 54.1% vs Estimated 57% (Number over 50 shows growth)
• Interest Rates on mortgages have dropped to a low not seen since March of 2018. Wells Fargo current daily rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is at 4.48% APR

What about Atlanta Real Estate:

• Months supply of homes: Months on market have dropped to 2.7 Months Supply from November three months supply. (Entire MLS | Note: Healthy Market typically has a 6-month supply)
• Price Per Square Foot: Increased from $114 in November to $115 in December (Entire FMLS) 
• December Median prices is up at $242,000 from $240,000 in November (Entire FMLS) ​
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​What do these numbers mean? 
The greater Atlanta market is sitting on a supply of homes that is less than three months due to the increase in demand from buyers and overall lack of supply. If you are selling that means you will typically have the opportunity to sell your home quickly based on supply in the market. (Reach out directly to me for more information based on your neighborhood / City) What I’m personally seeing is areas that historically have had a low transaction price are lifting, a trend which is still set to continue; this is putting upward pressure on the median home prices.
 
Buyers, don’t get discouraged. Interest rates have dropped nearly a half percent in a period of less than three months. This is great news, there is plenty of inventory, and we are seeing fewer bidding wars which allows you to negotiate based on your terms.

Here is an example to show you how much purchasing power you have gained in a three-month period.
 
$1,800 Payment (20% down) Loan amount is $356,000

Three months ago, that would get you a home worth $420,000 at 5%. Now you can purchase a home that is $445,000 at 4.5%, that’s an increase in purchasing power of 5.95% in less than 3 months; you are getting in at a great time with the ability to have more control over price and terms.
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