Accounting News and Notes

Looking ahead I would anticipate that the recent downturn in the housing/real estate market to continue on into 2008. Real estate has always been a lagging economic indicator and continues to be so for many years to come. Being well armed with information during this time is now more important than ever as you strive to make wise and judicial use of your housing dollar. For most all of us buying a home is the single largest financial decision we will ever make and the constant growing price of home ownership has no end in sight. Location still is the driving force in most of our buying decisions while striving to strike a balance between quality of life issues, proximity, and the strength of the local school system. To find the highest median home prices by zip code please visithttp://www.ajc.com/homefinder/content/homefinder/homesales/2007/06/22/prices.html

If however you are initially more concerned with the sales prices on your street or subdivision and as to what you present home might be worth you can locate recent sales information at

http://homesales.ajchomefinder.com/homesales/homesales_quicksearch/  On the AJC web-site you can also search for varying housing information regarding pricing by county, those areas with the most growth, and prices of starter homes by area.

Today’s housing market mandates that you be a wise and judicial steward of your family’s housing dollar and being aware of all the information available will greatly assist you in the buying and selling process. The listing price continues to be a key determinant in how long a house might be listed. Credit challenges as well are helping to contribute to a slow market and knowing your credit scores and financing options will be a key component to limiting both your exposure and cash outlay.