Buford, GA, Market Report, July 2013

Market stats for Buford, GA, July, 2013 indicate that there were 332 properties on the market, an decrease of 7 from last month. Overall, there was about an 4.1 month supply of properties (Absorption Rate or A/R). There were 80 sales for July, up from 76 last month and down from the 84 sales last July12. It isn’t the strongest market in Gwinnett, but the A/R is nothing to sneeze at. It is still in Seller’s Market territory.

DSCN0574 (Photo credit: lane.bailey)

In the sub-$200k arena, there were 117 listings, with a 2.6 month supply. This was the largest price segment in this market area, so strength here usually equaled strength across the whole local market area. Sales were flat from last month 42 (v 42 last month), and well down compared to last year (53 sales in Jul12). But, the A/R is well under the 6 months that would be considered fairly balanced… pointing towards a solid seller’s market. This time of year we are usually seeing an increase is sales… and listings.

Between $200k and $400k, there were 145 listings for sale, and about 4.4 months of supply. The 31 sales recorded were down from the 32 last month and up from the 26 sales last year for July. This had been one of the weaker segments in the county, but had improved dramatically until a few months ago it was fairly balanced, though tilted towards buyers… now it is further into Seller’s Market territory.

From $400k to $600k, there were 46 homes on the market. The absorption rate is 17.3 Months. There have been 8 sales in the last 3 months (0 for May, 2 for June and 6 for July). When the market is rolling, there should be 5-7 sales a month during this part of the year. Just for comparison, there were 13 sales in the May-Jul period in 2012. This segment has been bouncing all over the place, though…

In the $600k to $800k arena, there were 9 listings. Absorption Rate is 27 months… but it jumps around a lot. Sales in this range are pretty sporadic, but steady when looking at the long-term. The drop in inventory over the last few months from 14 homes to 9 had made things look less slow… but they are back on the rise. There was 0 sales in July last year and 0 in June this year. There were 0 sales in July this year.

The range from $800k to $1m, there were 3 homes listed. Trends are hardly definable. Listings are down. February was the last recorded sale. There was 0 sales in July. So it now has a 18.0 month Absorption Rate. (the decrease in listings is what dropped the A/R)

Above $1m, there were 12 properties listed. There was sale in the segment in April… of 2009…and then May, 2011… and 2 sales in June, 2011… also 1 in July and September, 2012. There was 1 sale in July. So, we have 36 months of inventory. I hope, but am not expecting, sales to be more consistent.

Buford, GA is a suburb of Atlanta in Gwinnett and Hall Counties. The population is 2000 was 10,668, but that only included the area inside the city limits, and it had seen tremendous growth since that census. Buford is home to Lake Lanier, one of Georgia’s premiere recreational areas, and Lake Lanier Islands. Recently, the City of Buford has revamped their old town. It is also home to Buford (Buford City Schools aren’t a part of Gwinnett County Schools), Mill Creek, Mountain View and Lanier High School (Lanier opened for the 2010-11 school year).