Most of us know about the Census Bureau (www.census.gov) which does a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years with 2010 being the next count. So in between the ten year counts, they make population projections which is what the below figure illustrates. From a real estate value perspective, I like the green areas best. And notice that the southern Blue Ridge Mountains are in the green or are growth areas. These include areas such as Atlanta, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Hiawassee, Murphy, Hayesville, and more!

So what about the future you ask? Well the Census Bureau forecasts a 43% population increase for the south from the years 2000 to 2030, which includes the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. What’s really interesting is when you look at the numbers. That is, the following Interim Population Projections provided by the Census Bureau for April 1, 2000 (actual) to July 1, 2030. In the Unites States, the overall population is expected to increase from 281,421,906 in 2000 to 308,935,581 in 2010 and to 335,804,546 in 2020. For Florida, the overall population is expected to increase from 15,982,378 in 2000 to 19,251,691 in 2010 and 23,406,525 in 2020. For Georgia, the overall population is expected to increase from 8,186,453 in 2000 to 9,589,080 in 2010 and to 10,843,753 in 2020. For North Carolina, the overall population is expected to increase from 8,049,313 in 2000 to 9,345,823 in 2010 and to 10,709,289 in 2020. For South Carolina, the overall population is expected to increase from 4,012,012 in 2000 to 4,446,704 in 2010 and 4,822,577 in 2020. For Tennessee, the overall population is expected to increase from 5,689,283 in 2000 to 6,230,852 in 2010 and 6,780,670 in 2020.

So here’s the logic, more people equals more demand for housing. More demand for housing means the housing slump will eventually improve for the north Georgia mountains area as well as many other areas. You see, it really is all about supply and demand. I believe things will get better when the demand has a chance to work through the supply. When will this happen? I really have no idea… However, my point is that I believe the demand for housing will increase which will help decrease the huge amount of supply.

By the way, where will all these people live?

With inventory of both improved and unimproved land for sale being so high these days, there is lots of company among sellers. I’m sure you have seen many writings lately giving advice to sellers on how they can stand out from the crowd. One infrequently mentioned tip involves owner financing. For Towns and Union Counties in Georgia and Clay County in western North Carolina, the ratio of owner finance to cash refinance active listings is very diverse. I can’t say that this really surprises me as sellers typically want to get their money and move on.

For those sellers in the position to offer owner financing, such as some developers, consider the recent (January 22, 2008) data below for Towns, Union, and Clay Counties.

Active Acreage and Vacant Lot Listings - Owner Finance
Towns County 27
Union County 65
Clay County 70
Active Acreage and Vacant Lot Listings - Cash Refinance
Towns County 973
Union County 1713
Clay County 1312
Active Residential Listings - Owner Finance
Towns County 2
Union County 12
Clay County 3
Active Residential Listings - Cash Refinance
Towns County 369
Union County 624
Clay County 304

As far as the owner financing terms, everything is negotiable including the down payment and loan term so don’t be too quick to dismiss this option. In this market, sellers need to dig deep in order to move their property.

It’s not easy being a for sale by owner (FSBO) seller and to be honest, it is much easier to hand the whole job over to a real estate agent.  However, for many sellers that is just not an option.  Maybe their equity is, or has already disappeared.  And for others, the potential cost savings are too great to pass up at least trying the FSBO way.

Well, if you own a lot or tract of land, a home, and even commercial property or other real estate in Young Harris, Hiawassee, Hayesville, Blairsville or another north Georgia or western North Carolina location, you’re in luck.   Mountain Land & Homes FSBO, LLC (www.mlh-fsbo.com) located in Young Harris, Georgia offers free services only to FSBO sellers.  Only FSBO sellers may have a free web page listing on our web site.  In addition to the free web page listing, we also upload your listing to Google Base, Zillow.com, and others to help you get your property seen.  By the way, our web site (www.mlh-fsbo.com) receives excellent page ranking from many of the popular search engines, such as Google and Yahoo. 

Given the fact that many buyers, some say as many as 80%, start their search on-line, we believe this service will really help FSBO sellers.  And if FSBO sellers need some additional help, we offer optional services, such as taking property pictures and providing yard and directional signs.  We even offer advertising on the local multiple listing service (MLS) and Realtor.com.

Visit www.mlh-fsbo.com and select “List My Property” and then ”Create an Account” to list your FSBO property today for Free!