2018 Looking Forward

2018 LOOKING FORWARD OUTLOOK FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IN 2018

HOT AREAS There are three primary drivers for the most desirable places to live in the Atlanta area: Atlanta Beltline, Downtown Revivals, and Live/Work/Play Neighborhoods.

Bellwood Quarry Old 4th Ward

Piedmont Park

West End

Upper West Side

Sandy Springs Marietta Milton

Buckhead Woodstock Johns Creek Smyrna Avalon

Decatur Roswell

Ansley Park

ATLANTA BELTLNE

LIVE | WORK | PLAY

DOWNTOWN REVIVALS

OUTLOOK FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IN 2018 The approximately 5% increase in Atlanta region home prices is led by low inventory, low interest rates, and low unemployment. These factors will continue in 2018.* EMPLOYMENT: According to the

Economic Forecasting Center at Georgia State University, the Atlanta area is expected to add 51,800 jobs in 2018.

Approximately 13,100 of these will be premium jobs. Home sales and price increases are directly related to job growth, so this will have a positive impact on the residential real estate market.

INTEREST RATES: Interest rates

continue to remain at historic low levels.

However, there is a slow upward trend that will cause 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to hover around 4% by year end.

AFFORDABILITY: Among major U.S. cities, Atlanta remains one of the most affordable housing markets. Affordability is a measure of whether a typical household earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home. An increase in personal income was just slightly behind average home price increases in 2017 and is expected to be on par in 2018.

INVENTORY: A balanced market

generally has about six months of inventory.

The metro Atlanta area finished 2017 with approximately 3.5 months of inventory which indicates a seller’s market. We expect this trend to lessen in 2018, but the year will still end with less than 6 months of inventory.

TRENDS: There is clearly a trend toward

homes with high functionality, imbedded technology, and lower operating costs. The desire for community walkability has never been higher. Live/work/play developments and nearby neighborhoods are in the greatest demand.

* Variances exist by geography and price point

MAP OF AVERAGE YEAR-OVER-YEAR EQUITY GAIN PER BORROWER Source: CoreLogic “The MarketPulse December 2017”

VT, WV, ME, MS, and SD have insufficient equity data to report.

YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 was an exciting year for residential real estate in the Atlanta region. We finished the year with strong sales and remain the market leader in our core market of Buckhead. We are proud with the results of our major initiatives and community involvement.

MAJOR INITIATIVES: In addition to closing over 7,200 units and over $3.1 billion in home sales,

we completed an extensive refreshment of our branding in 2017. Our new look is sophisticated and contemporary, but our legacy of professional service remains intact. We started new initiatives to provide specialized services to the film, sports, and music industries. Our website remains a leader for unique visitors, time on site, and pages visited. The importance of social media increases each year and Harry Norman, REALTORS® remains the market leader across the Facebook and Instagram platforms.

HARRY NORMAN, REALTORS® 24,400 likes

HARRY NORMAN, REALTORS® 13,148 followers

HARRY NORMAN, REALTORS® 11,400 followers

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Since our founding in 1930, Harry Norman, REALTORS® has been committed to supporting the communities for which we serve. In 2017, we raised in excess of $62,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer and The Bowen Story Fund through a series of events culminating in a Casino Night held at the newly opened Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In addition, our sales associates and staff raised funds and gathered supplies for the victims of Hurricane Irma, raised money for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) by sponsoring and participating in the “Run Like MADD” 5k Fun Run. We also strengthened our relationship with The Atlanta History Center through various programs, and our offices supported many other community-based organizations with their contributions of time and gifts. We are proud to make a difference.

AWARDS: In 2017 we were proud to be recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the highest-ranking firms in the metro Atlanta region. In addition, we were honored to have received a QE (pronounce Quie) Award of Excellence from the Quality Service Certification (an organization that measures and independently verifies excellence in the delivery of the highest levels of customer satisfaction and service quality in real estate in North America) and the NEI Corporate Responsibility Award for outstanding philanthropic activities.

“Our number one goal remains to deliver a simple and pleasurable luxury experience to all of our clients.”

IMPACT OF TAX REFORM LEGISLATION ON HOME VALUES IMPACT OF TAX REFORM LEGISLATION ON HOME VALUES: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law at the end of 2017. The impact on residential real estate is uncertain, but it is our belief that it will be minimal. There are three principle components of the new tax code that will impact residential real estate: EXCLUSION OF GAIN ON SALE OF A PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE: There was no change in this important benefit of homeownership. Sellers will still be able to exclude $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) of any capital gain on their primary residence if they occupied the residence for two of the prior five years.

MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION: The new law allows the deduction of mortgage interest on loans up to $750,000 for loans issued after December 14, 2017. The previous maximum loan amount was $1 million. Loans issued prior to 12/14/17 are grandfathered. This provision will affect a small percentage of homeowners and is expected to be offset for many by adjustments in pass through taxes to business owners which will enhance purchasing power for those in higher income ranges.

STATE AND LOCAL TAXES (SALT): Starting in 2018, taxpayers who itemize will be able to deduct their state individual income, sales and property taxes up to a limit of $10,000. Filers will have to make a choice: either deduct individual income taxes or state taxes. You should consult your accountant or tax preparer for all of the details of the changes and how they will impact you personally.

ATLANTA NORTH 770-622-3081 ATLANTA PERIMETER 770-394-2131 BIG CANOE 770-893-2400 BLAIRSVILLE 706-745-3000 BLUE RIDGE 706-632-7211 BUCKHEAD 404-233-4142 BUCKHEAD CHASTAIN 404-233-1492 BUCKHEAD NORTH 404-814-9000 BUCKHEAD NORTH WEST 404-261-2700 COBB MARIETTA 770-422-6005 EAST COBB 770-977-9500 FORSYTH/LAKE LANIER 770-497-2000 HIAWASSEE 706-632-7211 INTOWN 404-897-5558 LUXURY LAKE & MOUNTAIN 706-212-0228 NORTH FULTON 678-461-8700 PEACHTREE CITY 770-632-8526 SANDY SPRINGS 404-250-9900 SAVANNAH 912-233-6609