\”REAL\” Real Estate

There are currently 81 bank-owned properties listed in MLS that are located Clarke County, GA. Below is a direct link to all 81 (copy and paste into your browser if not a live link):

http://www.navica2.net/displays/?n=281&i=395450&k=l3hpAED

Please let me know if you see anything on this list that you™re interested in finding out more about, or if you™d like me to email you a similar list for a surrounding county.

Each week, I™ll post an update to this list showing the latest bank-owned and foreclosure listings for Athens, GA. Check back frequently to find out first about the best deals.

As a residential Realtor in Athens, I often hear clients speak of school systems as their primary reason for moving. But, it seems that rumors and hearsay are more prevalent than facts when it comes to which schools in the area excel and which fail. To help with this determination, I™ve prepared a spreadsheet showing all elementary, middle and high schools in Clarke and all the surrounding counties. For each, I™ve noted whether or not they meet the state-implemented guidelines, and the # of years they™ve consecutively done so.In addition to the categories here, I™ve also compiled enrollment figures, student-to-teacher ratios, and other important figures for each. While there™s not enough room to list them all here, I™d be happy to email you a full report on the schools of interest to you.

The number of first-half residential sales in Athens, GA increased compared to the previous year for the first time since 2005-2006.   As you’ll see from the chart below, the increases are minimal, but it ends a 3-year downward spiral.   433 residential homes were sold in Athens from 01/01/10 – 06/30/10, slightly more than the 397 units from the same period in 2009.   However, even with the gain, the total # of sales is still less than half of the total at the peak of the market in 2006/2007.

To some people, statistics are just confusing. To others, it™s a way of life.

While I fall somewhere in-between, it is mportant for me to keep track of who™s buying and who™s selling so I know where to focus my time and resources. It™s also interesting information, even for the casual reader with an interest in the local real estate market.

Below are the recent homebuyer trends, as reported by Realtor.com.

• Average homebuyer searches 12 weeks and looks at 12 homes before making a decision.

• 47% of recent purchases were by 1st-time homebuyers, with 53% being from repeat buyers.

• 90% of homebuyers used internet to search for homes, often times even driving by selected properties, before contacting a professional to help.

If you™re currently shopping for homes online, please continue to visit our Athens, GA real estate site. There™s a link to ALL the homes currently on the market in the Athens-area, and tons of other valuable resources for buyers.

In the past year, I’ve had the privelage to market two great homes for sale in Oak Grove subdivision. And, recently, I interviewed with another couple there about the possibility of selling their home. After spending many hours studying the statistics, meeting lots of neighbors and touring multiple homes there, I’ve come to the conclusion that Oak Grove neighborhood is one of the most thoughtfully-designed and charming subdivisions I’ve seen constructed in recent years.
Situated just off Hwy 129 in western Clarke County, this community features homes, townhomes and condos with turn-of-the-century architecture and modern amenities. The attention to detail is unlike any new construction locally that’s comparable in price, and the feeling of community is evident as soon as you pull in.
There are currently 26 properties for sale in Oak Grove, including one of mine at 84 Charter Oak. If you’d like a complete list of the current inventory, or would like to schedule a private tour to experience this great neighborhood for yourself, please call or email me anytime.

In the past couple of months, I™ve found myself representing multiple buyers looking for homes in Madison County for their first home purchase. And, there are some great deals out there!
Multiple new neighborhoods have builder foreclosures, and many short-sale opportunities are available as well. The $100-150k price range has multiple options, both new and resale.
If you™re a first-time buyer considering the purchase of a home in Madison County, please call or email me today for a complete list of all available properties.

After almost 10 years of marketing Athens, GA real estate, I™m still learning something new almost every day.

The latest eye-opener has come from marketing my own personal home for sale in Athens.

I™ve logged thousands of hours negotiating on behalf of sellers, but I™ve never put myself in their shoes as seller. I™ve received feedback calls from sellers saying œwe need more flyers, but I™ve just recently had to experience the frustration of seeing my own flyer box empty. When agents show one of my listings, I always try to get feedback on what they and their buyer thought of the home. But, just last week have I realized what it feels like to be an anxious seller waiting to know what they thought about my home.

This experience has been great for me, as I now know what it™s like being on œthe other side of my brokerage engagements. It™s given me an increased sense of responsibility as agent, which will help me in the future when it comes to providing A+ service to my clients.

The following is taken from a letter that I recently received from the Tax Commissioners office about tax bills for real estate in Athens, GA. I thought it was worth sharing:

œSince 1999, the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor have provided a credit on homeowner™s property tax bills called the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG). However, state funding for the program was not approved for the 2009 property tax billing cycle and as a result has caused much confusion over the benefit of homestead exemption. Many citizens believe homestead exemption was eliminated when HTRG funding was not approved; but that was not the case.

The HTRG credit only applied to homesteaded properties, so it™s easy to understand why people are confused. From 1999-2008, the State of Georgia paid part of the property tax bill for every homesteaded property in the state, by way of a credit to the property owner. The credit was reflected on the property tax bill and ultimately reduced the owner™s out of pocket expense.

When revenue shortfalls hit the state government last year, the Governor and General Assembly needed to find ways to reduce costs of running the state government and HTRG was one of the casualties. This change did not eliminate the homestead exemption, as some think, but rather reduced its tax savings benefit. Homestead exemption in Athens-Clarke County still saves taxpayers over $330 annually in property taxes. When the program was funded, Athens-Clarke County homeowner™s personal tax liability was reduced by an additional $265.

Homestead exemption is still one of the most fundamental ways to reduce a property tax bill, so encourage your clients to take advantage by filing their application before the March 1 deadline. The only document required when applying is a copy of the recorded deed. For Athens-Clarke County property owners, applications are accepted Monday “ Friday, 8am “ 5pm in room 250 of the county courthouse on East Washington Street.”

According to a recent survey by Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, which conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences, homebuyers most frequently noted these must-haves in new homes:

• Large kitchens with islands
• Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
• Home offices
• Main-floor master suite
• Outdoor living space
• Ceiling fans
• Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
• Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
• Community walking paths and playgrounds
• Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable

While this is a national survey, I™ve seen much of the same in Athens, GA real estate searches. A few other attributes that I™ve seen locally that were not mentioned in the above survey are: 1) location in proximity to UGA 2) quality public school systems ¦ Oconee County and Jefferson City schools are requested most often 3) fireplaces 4) open floorplans and 5) GOOD DEALS!

What other home attributes would you define as must-haves if you were considering a purchase in 2010?

I’ve learned not to do New-Years resolutions. In the past, my grand plans for change as midnight approaches on December 31st usually fizzle out by about noon on January 1st.  
This year I decided not to even make any promises to myself.   I didn’t say I was going to start running.   My diet probably won’t change much either.   In fact, there’s a good chance that I won’t start saving more, either.   However, I did make one business promise to myself that I intend to follow closely in 2010.  
You see, for 10 years now, my business focus has been devoted to attracting new clients and customers to build my database.   And, it’s worked.   I’ve sold over 300 homes, and I’ve added over 2500 names and numbers to my “sphere of influence”.  
But, my ongoing desire to attract new customers has caused to me neglect follow-up with my alrady establised client base.   I spend hundreds, thousands, on Googe advertising campaigns, Craigslist, mailouts to strangers … but, I rarely take time to make a free phone call to the clients from my 10-year career that have already trusted me with their real estate decisions.   My goal for 2010 is to re-establish contact with those people, and spend more time devoted to revisiting their real estate needs.
My existing client base is the foundation of my business, and referrals from this group still make up the primary source of income for my family.  
This new year, my resolution is to adjust my business plan to make follow up, not new lead generation, the focus of my efforts.