Marketing Homes Downtown

ImagineImagineImagineImagine---- TomorrowTomorrowTomorrowTomorrow’’’’s Lifestyles in Yesterdays Lifestyles in Yesterdays Lifestyles in Yesterdays Lifestyles in Yesterday’’’’s Placess Placess Placess Places

P.O. BOX 13358 MACON, GA 31208 PH: 478.742.5084 FAX:478.742.2008 WWW.HISTORICMACON.ORG

About UsAbout UsAbout UsAbout Us

• Historic Preservation/ Revitalization Non-profit• 40 years of preservation and education experience• 350 tax certifications successfully completed• 130 properties bought, rehabilitated and sold with

protective covenants• National expert in neighborhood revitalization:

• Homeownership rates triple• Home values increase 10 fold• Crime drops by 50%-80%• Tax base increases exponentially• 19,500 TONS of debris kept out of the landfill

• Started Middle Georgia Archives• Own and operate the Sidney Lanier Cottage house

museum and rental facility


1211 Ross St.1211 Ross St.1211 Ross St.1211 Ross St.---- BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore


1211 Ross St.1211 Ross St.1211 Ross St.1211 Ross St.---- AfterAfterAfterAfter


Why People Buy Downtown/Why People Buy Downtown/Why People Buy Downtown/Why People Buy Downtown/IntownIntownIntownIntown

• The number one reason that people buy downtown is walkability– Walk to work- 45,000 people are employed downtown– Walk to entertainment- Bars, music, movies and

restaurants all in walking distance– Walk to culture- Symphony, theatre, sports, Mercer– Walk to school- Macon’s best schools are intown– Walk to the park- 15 parks including the Ocmulgee

Heritage Trail (river trail)– Walk to Church


Misconceptions about DowntownMisconceptions about DowntownMisconceptions about DowntownMisconceptions about Downtown

• Downtown is the safest precinct in the City of Macon• Rehabilitated downtown homes are as efficient as newer

homes • The city has very few restrictions on what you do with

your home (you can paint whatever color you want, for instance)

• Being on the National Register does NOT restrict your property rights

• Houses downtown sell for more money per square foot than any other place in Macon


Other BenefitsOther BenefitsOther BenefitsOther Benefits

• Property values increase (even in the recession) • Neighbors know each other and community events are

frequent • The streets have sidewalks, street trees and street lights• Many buyers drop to one car within the family• Many buyers seek a diverse community• Commute times and gas consumption drops significantly• Physical activity increases• Single-stream recycling is available for free


Buyer ProfileBuyer ProfileBuyer ProfileBuyer Profile

• 72% of potential buyers are Millenials (20-29 year old) singles and couples without children

• 17% are Empty nesters and retirees (50-59 years old)• 68% of buyers are from outside Macon/Bibb County

(they have no prejudices or preconceptions)• 1,380 households per year are likely to consider

downtown if Realtors suggest it• ONLY 14.3% of buyers in our region are married couples

with children

*Statistics from Zimmerman/Volk & Associates


IncentivesIncentivesIncentivesIncentives

1) Property Tax Freeze for 8.5 years

2) Rebate on State Taxes of at least $30,000

3) Down payment assistance of $20,000 to $40,000 from Mercer University and/or the City of Macon


1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.---- BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore


1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.

• 1870s Victorian Cottage on the National Register of Historic Places

• All new electrical, double-paned windows, drywall, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, refinished heart-pine floors, 12ft ceilings, granite counters, Stainless appliances

• 3 br, 3 ba, 2,160 sf• Walking distance to Mercer and Mercer Village• SOLD for $175,000 in December 2009


1295 Ross St1295 Ross St1295 Ross St1295 Ross St

True Cost$1,219.00$541.00

Monthly

10-year Total$0.00$90,000.00

You Save

Property Taxes Frozen (8.5 yrs.)-$2,940.00-$960.00

Your Taxes Decrease

Don't Pay State Tax (10 yrs.)$0.00$5,250.00

You Get a Raise

Mercer/ City Pays It!-$6,125.00$20,000.00

No Down Payment

$175,000.00$175,000.00Price

Any Other Home1295 Ross St.

VS.


1295 Ross St1295 Ross St1295 Ross St1295 Ross St

True Cost$1,219.00$617.00

Monthly

10-year Total$0.00$70,000.00

You Save


Your Taxes Decrease


You Get a Raise

3.5% FHA-$6,125.00-$6,125.00

Down Payment

$175,000.00$175,000.00Price

Any Other Home1295 Ross St.

VS.


1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.1295 Ross St.---- AfterAfterAfterAfter


1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.---- BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore


• 1910 Craftsman Bungalow on the National Register of Historic Places

• All new electrical, drywall, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, refinished oak and heart-pine floors, 10ft ceilings, granite counters, Stainless appliances

• 2 br, 2 ba, 1,510 sf• Walking distance to Mercer and Mercer Village• SOLD for $130,000 in January 2010

1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.




1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.1525 Coleman Ave.---- AfterAfterAfterAfter


















VS.


True Cost$1,155.00$507.00

Monthly

10-year Total$0.00$35,000.00

You Save


Your Taxes Decrease


You Get a Raise

Mercer/City Pays It!-$4,550.00$20,000.00

No Down Payment

$130,000.00$130,000.00Price

Any Other Home1525 Coleman


VS.


True Cost$1,155.00$590.00

Monthly

10-year Total$0.00$35,000.00

You Save


Your Taxes Decrease


You Get a Raise

Mercer/City Pays It!-$4,550.00-$4,550.00

No Down Payment

$130,000.00$130,000.00Price

Any Other Home1525 Coleman






WebsiteWebsiteWebsiteWebsite

Josh Rogers, Executive [email protected]

phone 478-742-5084 • fax 478-742-2008email [email protected] • site www.historicmacon.org

ImagineImagineImagineImagine---- TomorrowTomorrowTomorrowTomorrow’’’’s Lifestyles in Yesterdays Lifestyles in Yesterdays Lifestyles in Yesterdays Lifestyles in Yesterday’’’’s Placess Placess Placess Places

Documents

Marketing Homes Downtown