By Patti Harris Ayers
President of the Fayette County Board of Realtors

The famous philosopher Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” This time of year is all about appreciating your many loved ones and countless blessings. At this time of year, it is good to reflect on what we have, fully expressing this gratitude to everyone around us.

At the Fayette County Board of Realtors I am very thankful for the countless hours and initiative of the staff, the volunteers, the Board Officers and Directors. The past year has seen many achievements by your Realtors such as:

In January, we began the year by purchasing a piece of property in Tyrone for a new Board office. We are constantly growing and our education classes need more room.

In March, we held our Spring Ball at the fabulous Georgia Aquarium, celebrating all of our 950 members, and recognizing our Circle of Achievement Club members.

In May, our efforts concentrated on our annual GARPAC auction, raising money to support our lobbyist and their efforts on the national level to protect not only Realtors but you, the Public.

And in November, we held our 13th annual Noel November, raising money in support of seven local organizations: Fayette Youth Protection Home, Fayette Senior Services, the Joseph Sams School, Fayette Family YMCA, Fayette County Special Olympics and Promise Place. This is supported by the Realtors, local businesses and the general public, and we can’t thank all of you enough.
On the business side, for buyers, sellers, and REALTORS this has been a year of challenges, but more importantly, this has been a year of opportunities! First, don’t listen to all of the negative press! Here in Fayette County, we are selling real estate, every day. Buyers haven’t stopped buying, and sellers haven’t stopped selling. The trends are changing, but real estate sales are still happening.

So far in 2007, 1580 homes have sold, with the selling price averaging 97% of the listed price, and with market time being approximately 97 days. What does that mean if you’re buying or selling a home? Well, if you’re a seller, listing your home at the right price is key in selling your home. There are 1338 homes on the market today, so you will always be competing against other sellers. Approximately 130 homes per month are selling in Fayette County, and if you’re on the market, you must be priced competitively. These statistics show that the homes that sold were within 97% of the selling price, and they sold in less than 4 months. Not what you’ve been hearing in the press! And, if you’re a buyer, this is a great time to buy!

It’s been an honor to serve as the 2007 President of the Fayette County Board of REALTORS, and what a year this has been! I am personally thankful for all of the support of my friends, clients and colleagues during this past year.

The Fayette County Board of REALTORS continues to be a strong organization. We are a group of professional, educated, and dedicated agents who know how to market and sell homes, even in a challenging market. If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, call a REALTOR!

The Fayette County Board of Realtors is one of more than 1,800 local boards and associations nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. As "The Voice for Real Estate," NAR is the nation's largest professional association, representing 750,000 members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.

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