Panel Discussion Advises Atlanta’s Seniors to Have Confidence

“Behind The Headlines: The Economy and Your Future” was a panel discussion held last week focusing on the housing market challenges for the 70+ age group. Delivered to a crowded room of anxious seniors, many of whom are struggling with the decision to put their home on the market, the discussion focused on current housing market conditions on both the local and national level, the outlook and options for retirees looking to sell their homes and home values in today’s marketplace. Attendees were encouraged to create a change in the real estate industry by reevaluating their perceptions of their homes as investments and to expect the approaching market rebound to be gradual.

Panelists included U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.; David Haddow, president and founder of Haddow and Company; Jim Ware, managing broker of the Buckhead office of Coldwell Banker and James Frazier, Jr., founding partner of Frazier and Deeter.

“The pendulum always swings back in the other direction,” said Isakson. “A floor on which we can build upon and accelerate out of will return to the housing market and unlike other recessions, which we came out of with a tremendous oversupply of homes, Georgia is positioned in this recession to see the market return in an orderly fashion. It likely will not be fast, but it will be soon.”

The overall theme of the discussion centered on restoring confidence in Americans. Senator Isakson’s comments on restoring confidence were returned with enthusiastic applause from the attendees. “As difficult as things are, look at where we have come.” He described the advancement of the United States from the Civil War to electing the nation’s first black President, Barack Obama, last November, this month’s Iraq-led provincial elections and last month’s miraculous safe landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. “Anything is possible in this great nation. We have to believe we can do it.”

The Behind the Headlines event was the first in a three-part series, hosted by Peachtree Hills Place, a residential community offering a continuum of care in Buckhead for people ages 55 and older, that will discuss the issues directly affecting this demographic.

The March panel discussion will focus on financial management and retirement in today’s economy and the April discussion will focus on the health risks seniors face and how to manage the cost associated with future health care. For more information, or to register, call 404-467-4900.