Some Good News

Sales of existing homes posted an unexpected increase last month, closing out the worst year for the U.S. real estate market in more than a decade.The National Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of existing homes rose 6.5% to an annual rate of 4.74 million in December, from a downwardly revised pace of 4.45 million in November.

The results were better than expected. December's sales had been forecasted to fall to a pace of 4.4 million units, according to Thomson Reuters.Buyers were taking advantage of dramatically lower prices, especially in distressed markets like California, Florida and Nevada, where foreclosures have swamped the market.The nationwide median sales price plunged to $175,400, down 15.3%pe from $207,000 a year ago. That was the lowest price since May 2003 and the biggest year-over-year drop on records going back to 1968.

"The economy just simply cannot recover as long as home prices continue to decline," said Lawrence Yun, the trade group's chief economist, who called on lawmakers to include tax credits for home buyers in the economic recovery package being considered by Congress.For all of 2008, there were 4.9 million existing home sales, down more than 13% from a year earlier, and the lowest total since 1997.

And another encouraging sign -- the number of unsold homes on the market in last month fell nearly 12% to 3.7 million. At the current sales pace, it would take 9.3 months to sell all the properties, down from 11.2 months in November.

-Wall Street Journal

Bloom Where You Are Planted

This is the statement I read: “Bloom where you are planted.”

There are many choices you get to make in life, and a whole lot more you don’t get to choose.

The plant in this picture did not get to choose where it was planted…but it sure made the best out of it, and is apparently THRIVING where nobody would have reasoned it could!

You are planted…you are in North Atlanta…you are in Real Estate…whether you like it or not, you are planted!

Now, what are you going to do about it?

Think about our smart, and tougher-than-nails plant.

Are you a Knower or a Learner? This is going to be the question that when answered will determine who will be blooming, and who will not stand a chance in 2009.

The Knower would assume that there is no logical way that a plant could exist in such a dry, sloped, rocky area…they would not adapt, and would fade away, never seeing a chance, so why try?

The Learner (our little plant friend) researched with passion, and found the one spot that could possibly work…they owned the area, and had determination to make it the absolute best they could…they paid no attention to the knower and the negative remarks…

Do you see any other plants standing tall around our friend?

You will not be able to get me down about the market conditions, and what the future may hold…I know a lot in the game of real estate, but I constantly seek ways to improve my game today and for the challenges that are ahead…I AM planted…I AM a leaner…I AM blooming…Right here in the Real Estate Arena of North Atlanta!