What the agents say: 2010 thoughts

As we’re wrapping up the last week of the year, we checked in with some of the city’s busy agents for their thoughts about how they and Atlanta’s housing market will fare in 2010.

What are they doing and recommending that their clients do in the coming year?

Wesley R. Vawter III, founding partner, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty:

“Appraisal guidelines changed in our industry in 2009. I am recommending all sellers have their homes professionally appraised early in 2010 so they price them correctly for the spring 2010 market. I think having homes priced right is crucial to a housing market rebound. Some sellers cannot accept the fact that prices have come down. If they do not like the appraisal they may decide it is not the time to market their home. I am offering to reimburse my clients for 50 percent of the appraisal cost at closing. I am doing this for all sellers just to be proactive in pricing the properties right.”

What is one thing that needs to happen for Atlanta’s housing market to rebound?

Al Floda, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta:

“Until the unemployment rate drops well below its current 10 percent and the percentage of short sale/foreclosure business in this market drops below its current third or more of total sales to maybe 20 percent or less, I don’t see prospects for a major improvement in prices.”

More comments are coming in so check back in later this week for more agents’ thoughts, and add yours below.