🧠 Term of the Week: "Days on Market (DOM)"

What it means: How long a home is listed before going under contract.

• "Days on Market" just means how many days a home has been sitting for sale.
• The longer it's listed, the more flexible the seller usually becomes.
• It's a key signal for when you, the buyer, can make a move on your terms.

🧱 BRIK Block: Think of it like shoes sitting on a store shelf. If they're still there after a couple weeks, you're probably catching a discount. Homes are the same right now — more time = more leverage.

📈 Georgia & Atlanta Market Snapshot

• Georgia Median Home Value: $329,110 (+0.3% YoY)
• Atlanta Median Sales Price: $407,000 (flat YoY)
• Median Days on Market: Georgia – 50 days | Atlanta – 47 days

Homes are taking longer to sell compared to 2023, giving buyers more time, flexibility, and negotiating power.

• More DOM means buyers don't have to rush.
• Sellers are more open to negotiations, credits, or repairs.
• You get time to think, compare, and make smarter decisions.

🧱 BRIK Block: Think of it like bidding solo at a car auction. You have more say in the outcome. You walk away with better terms.

💼 Financing Spotlight: Conventional ARMs

An Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a loan with a lower fixed interest rate for the first several years — currently 7 — before adjusting annually. ARMs are pricing about 0.5% lower than 30-year fixed loans.

• You get a lower payment for the first 7 years.
• After that, the rate adjusts with the market.
• Most people refinance or move before it ever changes.

🧱 BRIK Block: It's like getting a rent discount locked in for 7 years. You can renegotiate (refinance) before the rate changes. A smart strategy if you're not staying long-term.

🔨 Renovation Loans: Unlock More Inventory

Renovation loans allow you to finance both the purchase and the upgrades, giving you access to homes that may need work but offer real value.

• Fannie Mae Homestyle: 97% financing, fixed rate
• FHA 203(k): Lower credit score acceptance, more oversight
• Construction-Perm: Full creative control, higher down payment
• Invest Atlanta Renovation Advantage Loan: Down payment and renovation assistance for eligible City of Atlanta buyers
• Pair this with conventional loans and get support on both the home and the fix-up budget

• You can buy the house and finance the renovations — all in one mortgage.
• This opens up homes others overlook.
• It's your chance to design the future version of your home.

🧱 BRIK Block: It's like buying a used car and rolling the upgrades into the loan. You're not just buying what it looks like now — you're buying what it can become. This gives you more options in a competitive market.

Final Word from BRIK

We're in a rare window:

• ✔️ Homes are sitting longer
• ✔️ Sellers are more flexible
• ✔️ Financing is becoming more strategic

If you've been waiting for a sign — this is it. Let's talk strategy and find your next move — BRIK BY BRIK.