Athens-Clarke County Home Sales Bottomming?

While still a decline from last month, the number of homes sold in Athens-Clarke County is almost flat. The sliding 12 month sales figures indicate a decrease in sales volume of just over 1/2%. The average number of days the sold home is on the market is still increasing but overall it is only a 6-1/2% increase since the beginning of the year.

The median sales price has continued to rise, up just over 7% since Jan. 1. The average sales price is still trending up although just below the high of August this year.

The following chart shows the sliding 12 month figures:

Date	D.O.M	# Sold	Median Price	Average Price
1/1/2008	167	1664	$139,900.00	$164,445.00
2/1/2008	167	1632	$139,900.00	$164,857.00
3/1/2008	171	1579	$140,000.00	$166,204.00
4/1/2008	172	1516	$141,000.00	$165,930.00
5/1/2008	173	1484	$140,000.00	$166,500.00
6/1/2008	174	1382	$142,400.00	$168,257.00
7/1/2008	173	1321	$145,000.00	$171,767.00
8/1/2008	173	1229	$149,625.00	$175,821.00
9/1/2008	176	1190	$149,625.00	$173,195.00
10/1/2008	178	1182	$149,900.00	$174,139.00

For more information on buying or selling in Athens-Clarke County please contact me by phone or email.

Athens-Clarke County Home Sales Prices Up

Athens-Clarke County Home Sales Prices Up?

But the news is mixed.

In Athens-Clarke County the sliding 12 month sales figures have shown a steady decrease in the number of homes sold in the area. In the year ending Jan. 1, 2008 the total home sold was 1664. In the 12 months from Aug. 1, 2007 to Aug. 1, 2008 the total number sold was 1229. That is a decrease of over 26%. At the same time D.O.M. had a 3% increase from 167 to 173 days.

On the other hand both the 12 month sliding median and average sales prices have gone up significantly. There was an almost 7% increase in median price from $139,900 to $149,625 and a 6.5% increase in average price from $164,445 to $175,821.

The following chart shows the sliding 12 month figures:

Date	D.O.M	# Sold	Median Price	Average Price
1/1/2008	167	1664	$139,900.00	$164,445.00
2/1/2008	167	1632	$139,900.00	$164,857.00
3/1/2008	171	1579	$140,000.00	$166,204.00
4/1/2008	172	1516	$141,000.00	$165,930.00
5/1/2008	173	1484	$140,000.00	$166,500.00
6/1/2008	174	1382	$142,400.00	$168,257.00
7/1/2008	173	1321	$145,000.00	$171,767.00
8/1/2008	173	1229	$149,625.00	$175,821.00

For more information on buying or selling in Athens-Clarke County please contact me by phone or email.

Athens – Growth Abounds

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Athens, GA and the surrounding counties are growing at a significantly higher rate than most of Georgia. With the University of Georgia and it’s music scene the Athens area is seen as a desirable community with a high quality of life.

Atlanta is the only large city in Georgia that has seen a growth rate greater than that of Athens. However, many of the smaller towns nearby have seen even more stellar growth.

The following table, from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates illustrates the population growth during the first seven years of the current millennium:

City	2007 Population	2000 Population	% Growth
Atlanta	519,145	416,474	24.6
Athens	112,760	100,269	12.5
Braselton	3,072	1,206	154.7
Jefferson	7,513	3,825	96.4
Nicholson	1,913	1,247	53.4
Statham	2,820	2,040	38.2
Watkinsville	2,825	2,097	34.7
Winder	13,599	10,201	33.3

Athens Area Real Estate Market Picking Up?

Yep, that's so, at least according to the Athens Area Association of Realtors. The last month has shown a significant upturn in listing and buying activities. This mirrors what is happenning at the office I work out of, Keller Williams Realty of Greater Athens.

Athens has not suffered the same severe downturn in value that some of Georgia and other parts of the country have (yes, it's true, the news isn't all bad out there, no matter what you have read in the papers or seen on tv). Average home sales prices here have risen about 1%, or so, over the last year. Yes, volume has been down, average DOM (days on market) is still high, and, there have been more foreclosures than normal (for this area while not approaching the terrible problems of many areas), but, our home values have still risen.

Is this just a blip or is this an indication of better times might finally be here again? Too soon to tell for sure, but based upon the increasing levels of activity here, and some better news coming out regarding credit and the sub-prime issues, perhaps that just might be so.

Now, if we could just lower those gasoline prices somehow.