The housing market has exceeded expectations so far in 2021 so everyone is asking us at Robb Realty Group, "will the 2022 housing market continue to follow the same path or are we facing a possible market downturn?" This is what the real estate experts are predicting for the remainder of 2021 and what to expect in 2022.

Housing Market Forecast

In 2021 interest rates are projected to stay low. One of the big factors why the 2021 real estate market has been booming is because of the record-low mortgage rates. Affordability soared to one of its highest levels in 30 years creating a surge in buyers who are in the market to purchase a home. The forecast continues to be good with experts predicting that mortgage rates will continue to remain low for the foreseeable future.

Although home sales have slightly started to slow down, it definitely doesn’t indicate that the market is slow. Instead, we’re returning to a more balanced market than we’ve witnessed in the past few years.

High buyer demand and low inventory in 2021 created a big surge in home values that created anxiety about the market with consumers wondering if we’re headed for another housing bubble. This year’s home price escalation was a result of simple economics – high buyer demand coupled with extremely low supply. As inventory increases, experts anticipate price appreciation will slow down.

Escalating housing prices leads to the question, “is this leading to a housing market crash by the end of 2021”. Top real estate experts clearly state that the answer is NO! The reason being that market and mortgage conditions are nothing compared to when the crash occurred in 2008. Yes, there is a small percentage of people who have faced forbearance however, the forbearance situation is balanced out by the large amount of equity buyers.

Buyers and sellers still seem to be motivated in this market and experts are saying that sentiment should continue in the coming months. Both sides of the real estate transaction stand to benefit due to interest rates remaining low – buyers can buy more and in most cases have instant equity and sellers are receiving multiple due to low inventory however, buyers are buying during this time because of low interest rates. 

What Does All of this Mean for the 2022 Housing Market

Experts project that housing inventory should improve this coming year with more people putting their homes on the market for sale. This will result in stabilizing price appreciation throughout the nation. This does not mean that home prices will depreciate it just means that industry experts are predicting a more modest appreciation of 5.82% in the next 12 months vs 11.74% average that we saw in 2021.

The Past Year Saw Mortgage Rates Reach the Lowest Rates in History

This is an important fact because if a buyer is waiting for those low rates to come back or go down further they may be waiting a long time. While homes right now may be less affordable, they’re still extremely affordable.

Interest Rates by Decade based on a 30-year mortgage by Freddie Mac:

• 1970s: 8.86%
• 1980s: 12.7%
• 1990s: 8.12%
• 2000s: 6.29%
• 2010s: 4.09%

Experts are not predicting mortgage rates to increase by large percentages, but any increase will result in higher mortgage payments. An increase of a few decimal points could literally make or break someone’s ability to qualify for a loan or the home they want.

So, if you’re a buyer and you’re playing the waiting game, the best advice is to let you know that a rise in mortgage rates coupled with continued home price appreciation only means one thing: you will be paying more for the same house then you would if you bought it right now.

Inventory of Houses

• Buyer fatigue is largely due to the lack of inventory. Is that going to change in 2022? Many factors lead industry experts to expect an increase in homes for sale due to the following:
• As COVID numbers drop homeowners are more confident to put their homes on the market.
• New home construction has increased adding new inventory

With forbearance coming to an end, we should see a wave of new inventory coming on the market. Experts do not expect these homes to be foreclosures because of the built-up equity most homeowners have, which gives them the opportunity to sell instead.

More inventory will take a bit of the edge off of today’s competitive market, however it’s important to remember that it doesn’t mean prices will fall or homes will become more affordable. There will just be more available homes for sale to choose from.

Bottom Line

There’s no way to predict the future but we can make educated projections and experts are not expecting the 2022 housing market to be as crazy as 2020 or 2021. The best way to stay on top of it is to be up on the latest industry information, stats, s,and ales in your area and to know your individual homes value. Robb Realty Group can provide all the industry information you need to know what’s going on with the housing market.

Check event websites for details & updates

Trunk or Treat at Brook Run Park Celebrate Halloween with a live performance from an Elton John tribute band, food trucks, candy and costumes. Oct. 28.

Supernatural Science Fest at Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Celebrate Halloween ghostly figures, engaging activities exploring iconic scary characters, twilight tours, treats and more. Halloween fun all month long. Check out their website to purchase tickets.

Boo at the Zoo at Zoo Atlanta
Wear your costume to sample treats throughout the Zoo, enjoy the whimsical Zoo Boo Town, and see more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Oct. 23, 24, 30 & 31.

Halloween Hikes at Chattahoochee Nature Center
Go on a hike to meet costumed nature characters and learn about their lives in the wild. Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30.

Decatur Ghost Tours
Come meet some of Decatur’s ghosts on this historical, paranormal walking tour of downtown Decatur. Reservations required. Through the month of October. Advanced Reservations Required.

Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in Concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Atlanta Symphony Hall Watch this story of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s beloved Pumpkin King, set to live music. Oct. 29-30.

Halloween at Halcyon
Enjoy trick-or-treating, crafts, entertainment, a costume parade, petting farm and more. Oct. 30.

Trick or Treat at Buford Village
Dress in costume to trick-or-treat with Buford Village merchants, take photos in the fall photo booth, meet Spiderman, get your face painted, make crafts and more. Oct. 30.

Howl-o-ween at the Farm at The Art Barn
Celebrate with us on Halloween for an afternoon of farm fun and meet our special guests Elsa and Anna from Frozen! The Art Barn Crew will all be wearing costumes...including the animals! Come in costume or as you are. Oct. 31.

Lawrenceville Ghost Tours at Aurora Theatre
Listen to vivid stories of the strange and supernatural as guides lead groups on a 90-minute adventure around the square. Through Oct. 31.

13 Stories Haunted House in Newnan
Brave your way through the different areas of this scary haunted house with “Extreme” haunts. Through Oct 31.

The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Silly Hollow at Center for Puppetry Arts Schoolteacher Ichabod Crane helps the Headless Horseman find a new head and a spookier image in this comedic puppet play. Oct. 29-Nov. 7.

HALLOWFEST at Six Flags
Enjoy family-friendly fall activities during the day, and at night, the amusement park transforms into a ghoulish place with ghosts and goblins and haunted attractions. Through Nov. 1.

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Wear your Halloween costume to enjoy Monster Dance Parties, find spooky scenes in MINILAND, snap fun photos and more. Oct. 30-31.

Netherworld Haunted House in Stone Mountain
Take on “Halloween Nightmares,” based on classic harvest and horror themes, and find out if you can survive the “Cyborg Shock.” Through Nov. 13.

Folklore Haunted House in Acworth
Folklore Haunted House has two haunted experiences, and you can test your skills at the Midway of Mayhem. Through Nov. 7.

Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park Play on family-friendly park attractions, enjoy special fall entertainment, watch a Nighttime Parade, see glowing experiences and more. Through Oct. 31.

Yule Forest Pumpkin Patch Pick pumpkins, walk through a garden of sunflowers and zinnias, get lost in a corn maze, go on a hayride, see farm animals, and more. Each Saturday, listen to live music with the Fall Concert Series. Through Oct. 31.

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours at Oakland Cemetery Listen to the stories of the cemetery’s notable and notorious residents come to life as you walk through the cemetery’s beautifully lit Victorian Gardens. Through Oct. 31.

Ghosts of Marietta in Marietta
Tour guides tell stories based on documented sightings, firsthand experiences and history. Fri.-Sun year round.

Thirty miles north of the city of Atlanta lies a relatively new planned community that has been dubbed one of the best places to live in Georgia. Peachtree Corners is a 17 square mile suburb in Gwinnett County that is home to around 42,000 residents.

With the famous Chattahoochee River on the western border, Peachtree Corners is also bordered by the towns of Dunwoody, Doraville, Sandy Springs, Norcross, Roswell, John's Creek, Berkeley Lake, and Duluth.  Families, millennials, and professionals all make their home here.

It's ideally located near highways I-85, I-285, and GA 400; it's a quick 21 miles to downtown Atlanta or an excursion to peach orchards in the Georgia countryside.

Peachtree Corners is an innovative community where residents can work, live, and play all within its borders.  It is business-friendly, family-friendly, and attractive for younger professionals all at the same time.

When buying a home you’ve heard that you will need to Pre-Qualify or be Pre-Approved for a mortgage. These are two very important steps in the mortgage application process and although the terms are used interchangeably there are important differences that buyers should know. One of our experienced Robb Realty Group agents can sit down with you and guide you through the home buying process.

The first step in the mortgage application process is to get Pre-qualified, which gives an idea of how large of a loan the buyer qualifies for. The second step in the process is Pre-Approval, which is a conditional commitment that the lender provides before they grant the mortgage.

The pre-qualification process is based on data provided by the buyer while Pre-Approval is verified consumer data such as a credit check.

Important Factors:

• Pre-qualification is based on data the borrower submits to the lender. This data is analyzed by the lender and then he is able to provide a ballpark estimate as to how much they can borrow.
• A Pre-qualification is not a sure thing and is based on unverified information that the buyer provides.
• Once they’ve been Pre-Approved, the borrower will receive a conditional commitment in writing for an exact loan amount.

A Pre-Qualification is quick and is based on the buyers overall financial picture including debt to income and assets. The lender reviews what the buyer submits and provides an estimate of how much the borrower can receive. This is a quick and dirty assessment and can usually be done over the phone at no cost. However, because it is a quick assessment it does not include in-depth information and there has not been a credit check which are factors that will greatly contribute to a borrower’s ability to purchase a home. The Pre-Qualification is not a sure thing and is only based on information the buyer has provided so a Pre-Qualified buyer doesn’t carry the same weight as a Pre-Approved buyer who has had his assets thoroughly investigated.

Pre-Approval

A Pre-Qualification is a good indication of the ability to borrow, however a Pre-Approval is the next step where the borrower must complete an official mortgage application with all of the necessary documentation. The Pre-Approval results in the lender providing a specified purchase amount for the buyer and the lender will provide a conditional commitment in writing. Being Pre-Approved puts the borrower at an advantage to the seller because they’re one step closer to getting an actual mortgage.

It’s been a hot market with sellers experiencing bidding wars and getting multiple offers on their property, so sellers have not had to put in much effort to prep their home for sale. However, with the market starting to cool off a bit, it’s important for sellers to put in the work and do these 10 crucial steps to get the best return on their investment. Regardless of the market, Robb Realty Group recommends sellers use these tips and tricks to showcase their house in the best light possible Instant Home Valuation Tool will give you current information on the price of your home.

Paint

A Fresh Coat of Paint will make the home look cleaner and brighter. We recommend a nice neutral color because it will appeal to more buyers and allow them to picture themselves in the space. A neutral color is a great back backdrop for just about any décor and is very inviting to buyers when purchasing a home.

Landscaping

Spruce up the outside of your home to add to the curb appeal. If the home is inviting on the outside buyers will want to step inside to see the beautiful inside. Trim bushes, add a pop of color with flowers or fresh plantings, new mulch as well as a fresh coat of paint for the front porch and front door. Most buyers begin their search online and a nicely manicured lawn and inviting entry will be their first impression. Nowadays with drone footage a well-maintained exterior/lawn goes a long way and will entice buyers to schedule an appointment to see the home.

Updated Appliances

Supply chain slowdowns are commonplace right now so having nice, newer, shiny appliances in place that convey with the home is a huge bonus to the buyer. New appliances modernize a space and add a lot of bang for the buck! Plus, it takes away a huge burden from the buyers which is another selling perk. 

New countertops and updated sink

If you’re looking for a relatively easy and inexpensive fix to freshen up your kitchen when preparing it to sell, then plan to update the counters and the sink. These two items alone will showcase the home better.

Flooring

Worn carpet is a big stopper for a buyer. Sellers should consider replacing carpets or installing luxury vinyl or engineered hardwood prior to listing the home. New flooring goes a long way with buyers because the hassle and expense is a turn off for a buyer.

Roof

It’s quite costly to repair a roof and the sale of your home will go much more smoothly if you have maintained the quality of your roof. If your roof has needed repairs or replacement, it’s best to have taken care of that prior to listing. An older roof is worrisome to buyers and a turnoff when it comes to buying a home.

Heating & Air Conditioning

Prior to listing your home for sale sellers should have their HVAC serviced and cleaned. Old air-conditioning systems can make a buyer hesitant about buying a home because of the expense associated with replacing it. However, if the seller is proactive and has the system serviced prior to listing it will alleviate a lot of uncertainty for the buyer.

Handyman 

Doing things like updating fixtures in bathrooms or kitchens, changing lighting or bulbs can help to update a home and give it a fresh look. Sellers should pay attention to caulk and grout and update as needed. 

Deep cleaning, decluttering, and organizing

No matter what the market is like sellers should take these steps to present the home in its best light. Don’t overlook the outside – pressure washing the exterior will give the house a clean and bright look. Decluttering and organizing is essential to open up the interior spaces and make the home very welcoming.

Windows

Sellers should clean windows both inside and out, including cleaning the tracks. Having the windows professionally cleaned is a great investment and the home will look great in the professional pictures. 

Presenting your home properly when selling instils trust and confidence in buyers and results in a successful transaction. Robb Realty Group will partner with you and provide you with our VIP Sellers Program to ensure success.

If you have living in Georgia on your mind, you might want to check out Milton, GA, a small suburb just outside of Atlanta with rural roots and easy access to the big city. The website 24/7 Wall Street ranked Milton in 2019 as the best place to live in Georgia. Milton also regularly ranks as one of Georgia's safest cities, according to numerous reports.

The recent pandemic has made thousands of people re-think where they want to call home and what is important to them in their neighborhood.  Milton boasts some of the best schools in the state, lots of restaurants and coffee shops, great outdoor living space as well as affordable residential communities.  

Deep in the South, to the North of Atlanta, Georgia is a charming suburb of the metropolitan area called Alpharetta.  Dating back to 1858, the founders put some thought into its name, which translates literally into “first town” – Alpha means first and Retta means town.  This southern city has a storied history of cotton production, that is until a combination of the Great Depression and the destructive Boll Weevil wiped out the cotton crops.  With a resilient spirit, it was revived during World War 2 into a livestock farming area.  Over the years, Alpharetta has become a technology hub with information-age companies gravitating here over the past couple of decades. 

What is a Home Appraisal?

An appraisal provides an unbiased opinion of the market value at a specific point in time, meaning what is the most probable price a willing buyer would pay for a specific property. Appraisal values are based on an analysis of the property’s condition and takes in to account similar home sales. The appraisal is ordered by the buyer’s lender and is one of the first steps toward closing the sale of the home. Robb Realty Group can help you with your home search with our VIP Buyers Program.

The appraiser bases the estimated value of the home on in-depth research and comparison to other similar properties considering amenities, features, condition, etc.

What is the cost of an Appraisal?

The appraisal is ordered by the lender and the buyer pays for it. It is usually a few hundred dollars. The appraiser should be licensed, certified and qualified as well as familiar with the surrounding area. Regulated by law, Appraisers are required to be impartial, unbiased and compliant with Fair Housing Laws.

What do home appraisers look for?


Your appraiser’s report will include a detailed description of several factors about the property from interior and exterior condition to improvements and renovations as well as beds, baths and square footage to name a few.

After a thorough review the Appraiser will determine the value of the home and whether the listed price for the home is appropriate. If the appraised value comes back less than the listed price there are several options on how to move forward with the transaction or cancel depending on how the purchase contract is written. Often-times the sale can be renegotiated or in the current seller’s market its not unusual for the buyer to make up the difference with money out of pocket from the appraised value to the sale price. 

In conclusion

An essential part of the mortgage process, the appraisal ensures the amount being paid by the borrower and lender is true to the value of the home.

Robb Realty Group partners with you when you're buying a home to provide valuable resources including Mortgage Lenders for you to interview and choose as your lender.

It's hard to believe that summer is over but as the kids head back to school and start classes they'll be needing school and art supplies. We have gathered the best deals and insider tips for back to school shopping in and around Johns Creek. 

Tip #1 Utilize The Dollar Store for Savings on Specific Items

The Dollar Store is the perfect place to purchase basic calculators, clipboards, planners and combination locks since you likely won’t find these items for cheaper at any major retailer. The Dollar Tree closest to Johns Creek is located at 5805 State Bridge Rd #300 in Duluth.

Tip #2 Buy Markers and Paint Supplies at Michaels or Jo-Ann’s

Michaels and Jo-Ann’s both have mobile apps that offer weekly coupons ranging from 25% off your entire purchase or 40% off one regular-priced item. Coupons are also available for download on the websites for both stores. According to Krazy Coupon Lady.com, both stores also allow multiple coupons per transaction as long as they’re different types of coupons. For example, you can stack dollar-off coupons with a percentage off coupons from a different source (mobile app or hard copy coupon). The closest Michaels is located at 3630 Peachtree Pkwy Ste 400 in Suwanee and Jo-Ann’s is located at 965 North Point Drive in Alpharetta.

Tip #3 Shop at Target or Walmart for One-Stop Shopping Savings

The best place for one-stop school shopping is you guessed it - either Target or Walmart. Target’s Up and Up brand has crayons, glue, washable markers, two-packs of glue sticks and much more at discounted prices. Don’t forget to download the Target app to check for even more savings. Target is located at 5950 State Bridge Rd in Duluth.

Walmart offers backpacks for a great price they've even been known to sell them for $2.77- yes you read that right, $2.77. Additional rollback Walmart savings include Cra-Z-Art Washable Watercolors, Schoolworks Kids Scissors, Cra-Z-Art Super Washable Markers, Papermate Pens and pocket folders for deeply discounted prices. Walmart is located at 5200 Windward Pkwy in Alpharetta.

Johns Creek, Georgia, is one of the most sought-after places to live in the country and has become an incredibly popular destination for permanent residence. This charming little area offers a wide array of beautiful homes, schools, and amenities. If you ever wanted to live in a place where the people are friendly, the homes are amazing, and the amenities will keep you happy, Johns Creek is your answer.

So why exactly is this place ranked so highly as one of the top places to live? Read on to find out why Johns Creek is one of the best suburbs of Atlanta!