This Month in Real Estate - October 2018

Chattanooga (November 21, 2018) - If the last few months are an indication of the temperature of housing markets across the country, a period of relative calm can be expected during the last three months of the year. A trend of market balance is emerging as we approach the end of 2018. Prices are still rising in most areas, and the number of homes for sale is still low, but there is a general shrinking of year-over-year percentage change gaps in sales, inventory and prices. More.

NATIONAL HOME SALES - OCTOBER 2018

Existing-Home Sales Increase for the First Time in Six Months
WASHINGTON (November 21 19, 2018) – Existing-home sales increased in October after six straight months of decreases, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Three of four major U.S. regions saw gains in sales activity last month.

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says increasing housing inventory has brought more buyers to the market. “After six consecutive months of decline, buyers are finally stepping back into the housing market,” he said. “Gains in the Northeast, South and West – a reversal from last month’s steep decline or plateau in all regions – helped overall sales activity rise for the first time since March 2018.” Click here for Fuqua Group’s National Housing Statistics Report for October 2018.

Looking to buy or sell a home in the Chattanooga or north Georgia area? We can help. Call today for more information on the home buying process or for a free right-price analysis of your home. No obligations. We’d love to hear from you.

Cheryl Fuqua, ABR, CRS
(423) 505-4880

Brad Fuqua, Broker
(423) 605-5167

This Month in Real Estate - September 2018

CHATTANOOGA HOME SALES - SEPTEMBER 2018

Chattanooga (October 17, 2018) - Some economy observers are pointing to 2018 as the final period in a long string of sentences touting several happy years of buyer demand and sales excitement for the housing industry. Although residential real estate should continue along a mostly positive line for the rest of the year, rising prices and interest rates coupled with salary stagnation and a generational trend toward home purchase delay or even disinterest could create an environment of declining sales. More.

NATIONAL HOME SALES - September 2018

Existing-Home Sales Decline Across the Country in September
WASHINGTON (October 19, 2018) – Existing-home sales declined in September after a month of stagnation in August, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four major regions saw no gain in sales activity last month.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says rising interest rates have led to a decline in sales across all regions of the country. “This is the lowest existing home sales level since November 2015,” he said. “A decade’s high mortgage rates are preventing consumers from making quick decisions on home purchases. All the while, affordable home listings remain low, continuing to spur underperforming sales activity across the country.” More in-depth details here.

If you’re looking for a home, check out our FEATURED PROPERTIES. Have a great week!

—Cheryl

Making a Move - Without Losing Your Mind

Moving. Everybody hates doing it. And they often forget how bad it is from one time to the next! But I’ve learned a few tips through the years to help people make the most of their move – and not lose their minds in the process. Some of these are overall guidelines, and some are practical tips. I hope something here will make the act of moving a little faster and a little better so you can get on to enjoying your new home!

These are my best moving tips to help you streamline the process!

Break it down into manageable tasks. 
Create a list of every task that must be done before the move. Check off items as they’re completed, and pack room by room. Crossing items off your list and packing one room at a time can make the feat seem manageable.

Declutter as you go.
That shirt you haven’t worn in two years? Gone. The nail polish that’s a little thick but you might wear it again? Gone. Old sheets and ragged towels? Gone. Remember that space in your attic or basement that you haven’t been into for months (or years)? You can pack these items first because they’ll likely not be missed for a few weeks.

 The more you declutter before you move – or better yet, when you put your house on the market to sell – the easier it will be put everything into its new place. A garage sale or trip to Goodwill can also make a move much easier. If your family has a hard time deciding what stays, have each person choose a certain number of items that must be left behind. You’ll thank yourself when you’re starting fresh and trying to get organized.  

Prep a survival kit.
Put your essentials into a small suitcase to get you from point A to point B – including cleaning supplies, box cutters, first aid kit, toilet paper – anything you want to keep on hand. This is also a good place to keep valuables like laptops, jewelry and important paperwork. Because it’s hard on kids during a move, have them pack a small bag with their favorite toys and books.

Pack the right way.
How you load the truck can impact how quickly you can get things set up and working properly. Begin by writing the contents of each box on the side, not the top. This will make it easier to identify where boxes need to go. Load the truck in this order: furniture other than beds, boxes heaviest to lightest, kitchen items, mattresses and bed rails.

Set up the bed first.
You’ll be glad you did when it’s time to crash after a long day. Then focus on your kitchen – the hub of activity and normalcy for most families. After that, work from room to room instead doing everything at once. This will keep the chaos contained to a few areas.  

Don’t expect it to be stress free!
Uprooting your life and touching every belonging you have is going to bring up some feelings, some good and some bad. That’s why it’s important to keep your sleep routine going, keep healthy snacks for the family on hand, and ask your friends and family to help pitch in during the move. You can return the favor when you’re settled in your new place. And remember, some of the best family memories come when you all work together to get a job done. Happy moving!

For the best places to buy moving supplies, visit realsimple.com/moving.

If you’re thinking about a move, would you consider letting us help you? We work hard for our clients, and we will work hard for you. Please let us know if there’s any way we can help you.

Cheryl

Another Home Sold by Fuqua Group!

It was so great helping Derrick & Kourtney Smith sell their home and move on to their next adventure. It's really fun to house hunt with couples who know their style and want something unique. Your new home really is out of this world! We can't wait to see how you make it your own. Congratulations!

#sellwithCheryl #buywithBrad
#goodtimeswitholdfriends #newbeginnings #newconstruction 
#modernhomes #chattanoogarealestate

Home Conditioning Checklist

The flowers are blooming and sky is finally blue! If you're like me, these are my signals for a top to bottom cleaning and organizing session. If you're thinking about selling your home in the coming months - or even if you're not - this checklist can help you get your home clean and ready for the year ahead! 

Exterior
Trim lawn, shrubs, trees, and around sidewalks
Put away bikes, toys, tools
Clean or paint front door
Place a pot of flowers next to the door
Fix the doorbell
Keep walks clear of ice, snow, leaves
Replace burnt out light bulbs

Throughout the House
Shampoo carpets, wax floors
Wash windows, clean blinds
Create space. Scale down collectibles and family photos
Organize closets and cupboards
Pack and store unused items
Remove bugs and cobwebs from light fixtures and corners of rooms
Wash and touch up paint as needed on doors and walls, particularly knobs and switches

Kitchen
Keep countertops clear
Polish appliances, do not use refrigerator as a bulletin board
Clean the oven and degrease the fan hood
Clean and organize cabinets
Keep the sink and faucet shining

Basement
Brighten the walls and floors with paint
Clean the outside of the water heater and furnace, replace furnace filter
Put in bright overhead lights

Make Repairs
Replace washers on leaky faucets
Oil squeaky hinges, nail down squeaky floor boards and steps
Wax sticky drawers
Put sliding doors on track
Replace broken windows
Replace torn screens

Living Areas
Keep drapes and blinds open
Arrange furniture to maximize space and flow of traffic
Hang a mirror where it will reflect outdoor light to add dimension
Remove ashes from the fireplace; set logs in the winter, place green or flowering plant on the hearth in the summer

Bathrooms
Polish fixtures and mirrors
Wash the shower curtain
Repair, caulk, and clean grout
Hang towels neatly
Put away cosmetics and hair appliances
Keep the toilet clean and the lid down

Garage
Sweep the floor, clean oil stains left from cars
Remove cobwebs
Hang tools or place them on shelves
Replace bulbs, make sure electronic garage door opener works