I hope that you have had a wonderful summer so far! The real estate business in Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs is going strong and shows no signs of letting up. In fact, according to recent statistics that factor in incomes, sale prices of single-family homes, and composite interest rates, Atlanta was rated as having some of the most affordable housing among major cities in the U.S.! That is good news for you and I since we are able to buy much larger, more luxurious homes than people who have the same income in other parts of the country!

Atlanta’s low home prices create a stable environment for strong, steady growth in home values without any fear of the infamous “bubble” that plagues many overheated markets such as Miami and Los Angeles.

Not only is real estate without a doubt the best way to establish long-term wealth, it is also an investment that you can use while it is growing in value. When was the last time that owning stock in Coca-Cola kept you warm in the winter?

The current market conditions in the Atlanta area are working together to make it a “buyers” market. That means that there are enough homes for sale to provide for the buyers needs, and then still have a few homes left over. What does this mean to you? Well, buyers can be picky, so if your price is just a little to high or they do not like the color of your paint or the plastic penguins in the front lawn then they will take their money elsewhere.

In order to sell your home quickly and for top dollar you must first prepare your home carefully by painting, de-cluttering, and landscaping. I always do a walk-through with my sellers and create a check list of items that need to be taken care of to stage the home in the best possible light. After the preparation is done we are ready for showings, but to get buyers to look at your home in this competitive market, you must put an effective marketing plan into place. My marketing plan is tailored to each individual listing, but the core of the plan consists of common elements that I consider vital in each of my marketing campaigns. These efforts include using clear signage that promotes the property, hosting open houses, creating informative flyers, sending out targeted mailings of brochures on your home, and marketing to the public as well as to other real estate agents who may be working with buyers in your area. Nearly all prospective buyers look on the internet for their new home as a first step. That is why I make it a priority to have my homes highly visible on every website possible with photos and a description. I currently have all of my listings featured on over a dozen major websites and I am always adding to and improving my marketing through feedback I get from my clients.

When the selling your home in todays crowded field every detail shows and every effort matters. That is why I implement every piece of my marketing puzzle, because if you leave one stone unturned…that may have been where your buyer was hiding!

Ben Hirsh is a dedicated and successful real estate agent in the Atlanta area. He serves his clients in Cobb, Fulton, and Cherokee Counties. www.benhirsh.com

Ben Hirsh may be contacted at ben-atlantarealestate.com or ben@benhirsh.com