Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair Real Estate

Annual Study Ranks RE/MAX as No. 1 Real Estate Franchise

2009-01-02T10:50:00.001-05:00

RE/MAX is the United State's No. 1 real estate franchise - and the nation's No. 44 franchise overall - according to Entrepreneur magazine's 30th Annual Franchise 500 survey.

The survey appears on the magazine's Web site and in its January 2009 issue.
Subway bested McDonald's to capture the top position overall. Behind No. 2 McDonald's came Liberty Tax Service at No. 3.

Among real estate franchises, RE/MAX ranks No. 1 for the ninth time in the past nine years. The closest competitor - Keller Williams -came in at a distant No. 71.

RE/MAX ranks No. 10 overall in the Low-Cost Franchises category. It finished No. 1 last year.

Additionally, RE/MAX tops all real estate competitors at No. 38 on the Global Franchises list.

RE/MAX has a long, successful history in the survey. It ranked No. 10 overall a year ago, No. 11 in 2007, No. 8 in 2006, and No. 10 in 2005.

All companies in the rankings are judged by the same criteria, the most important being financial strength and stability, size and growth rate. Also considered: number of years in business, length of time franchising, start-up costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and financing options.
The factors are plugged into a Franchise 500 formula, with each eligible company receiving a cumulative score.

Copyright 2008 RE/MAX International Inc. 12/30/08

Fed Expected to Cut Key Interest Rate Tuesday

2008-12-15T16:28:00.000-05:00

The Federal Reserve begins a two- day meeting today where it is expected to cut it's key interest rate, perhaps to an all-time low.

The Fed will likely announce Tuesday that it is cutting its key rate in half to just 0.50 percent. However, a few economists predict the Fed will go even further and cut the rate to one-quarter of a percentage point. If that happens, it will be the lowest rate on record going back to 1954, when records tracking the monthly rates were first kept.

However deeply the Fed decides to cut rates, the prime rate for many consumer and small-business loans would drop by a corresponding amount. The prime lending rate, currently at 4 percent, is used to determine rates on home equity loans, certain credit cards, and certain consumer loans, the Associated Press reports.

"It is not so much going to give the economy a big push forward. It's more a case of trying to help the economy from being pushed further backward by all these negative events," said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group.

Source: The Associated Press (12/14/12008)

Interest Rate Buy-Down is Major Element of NAR Housing Stimulus Plan

2008-12-15T09:15:00.002-05:00

At their recent meeting in Orlando, Florida, directors of the National Association of Realtors gave formal approval to NAR's Housing Stimulus Plan. The plan, to be submitted to Congress in its lame-duck session, is designed to end the free-fall of values in the housing market. It aims to do this by providing sufficient incentives to get potential buyers "off the fence." The plan has four points.
(1) Make the current $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit available to all homebuyers and eliminate its repayment provisions.

(2) Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent. Currently, those limits have been raised to $729,750, but those are due to be reduced to $625,000 in 2009.

(3) Use funds from the $700 billion rescue plan to institute a temporary (probably two-year) federal mortgage interest buy-down program to lower rates to 4.5% or lower for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. This would apply to homebuyers purchasing new or existing homes up to $1 million in price.

(4) Permanently ban banks from engaging in real estate brokerage and management.
The support for this plan did not come without some controversy and the offering of alternative programs. Most of this centered around the third point, the interest rate buy-down proposal. There were those who urged that the target rate be more like 3% rather than the "4.5% or lower". It was argued that this lower number reflected what would actually be needed to stimulate buyer activity in a meaningful way. Moreover, it was pointed out that it would be easier to start with a lower number and compromise upward, if necessary.

Others argued that a government-backed interest rate buy-down program should extend to all residential mortgage borrowing (e.g. refinances) and not just be applicable to purchase mortgage originations. Advocates of this point argued that, although the proposed NAR plan would certainly stimulate home buying, it did nothing to help those who were currently having serious difficulty making their present mortgage payments. They felt that any stimulus program also needed to help prevent foreclosures.

As proposed, NAR estimates that the stimulus plan would cost approximately $100 billion per year, "a small price to pay" said Dale Stinton, CEO of the organization, "to stop the hemorrhaging." However, if the interest buy-down provision were extended to refinancing existing troubled mortgages, that cost could reach numbers in the trillions of dollars.

Charles McMillan, newly inducted 2009 President of NAR, has already met with senior U.S. Treasury officials to discuss the four-point plan. According to an NAR news release, the plan was received positively. However, Treasury representatives said "their authority under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) to use rescue funds for that type of market intervention is unclear."

The news release went on, "To move its proposal forward, NAR committed itself to communicating the value of the buydown to members of Congress and asking lawmakers to clarify through legislation or other appropriate means. Treasury's authority for the intervention on interest rates."

The effort has already begun. On November 13, NAR issued a "call to action" to its million-plus members asking them to contact their federal representatives in support of the plan. By now, thousands have responded.

NAR members who are unclear about how to contact their legislators and/or what to say to them should contact their local association of Realtors for assistance. Non-Realtor citizens should weigh in on this as well. The depressed housing market is a central element of our current financial debacle. Things aren't going to be fixed until the housing market stabilizes. NAR's four-point program gives some promise of accomplishing that.

Copyright 2008 Realty Times. All rights reserved. 12/4/08Used by permission.

Remodeling Projects With the Highest Returns

2008-12-09T12:23:00.004-05:00

Daily Real Estate News December 2008

For the second year in a row, REALTORS report that exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost, as detailed in the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.

On a national level, wood deck additions and all types of siding replacements-upscale fiber cement, midrange vinyl, and upscale foam-backed vinyl-returned more than 80 percent of project costs upon resale. Of these, the most profitable project was upscale fiber cement siding, which recouped 86.7 percent of costs, followed by wood decks at 81.8 percent, midrange vinyl siding at 80.7 percent, and upscale foam-backed vinyl siding at 80.4 percent.

The 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 30 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 79 markets across the country, expanding from 60 markets last year.

Projects With Highest, Lowest Returns

In addition to wood decks and siding, window replacements and kitchen remodels also returned a relatively high percentage of remodeling costs on a national basis.

All types of window replacements-upscale and midrange wood and upscale and midscale vinyl-returned more than 76 percent of costs. A major midrange kitchen remodel returned 76 percent of project costs, while a minor midrange kitchen remodel returned 79.5 percent of costs.

On a national level, bathroom remodels, while still a relatively good investment, do not return as high a percentage as in previous years. A midrange bathroom remodel was estimated to return 74.4 percent on resale, comparable to a midrange attic-to-bedroom conversion, at 73.6 percent of costs recouped, and a midrange basement remodel, at 72.7 percent of costs recouped.

As in last year's report, the least profitable remodeling projects in terms of resale value were home office remodels, sunroom additions, and back-up power generators, returning only 54.4 percent, 56.6 percent, and 57.1 percent, respectively, of project costs.

National Association of Realtors President Charles McMillan says the resale value of any given remodeling project depends on a variety of factors.

"A home's overall condition, availability and condition of surrounding properties, location, and regional economic climate are all factors that will influence the value of any remodeling project," he says.

Results of the report are summarized in the December 2008 issue of REALTOR Magazine. The issue also includes examples of actual remodeling projects that were less expensive than many of the report's cost estimates.

Full project descriptions, as well as national, regional and local project data for the 79 cities covered by the report will be posted at http://www.costvsvalue.com/ by Dec. 5.

This is the 11th consecutive year that the report, which is produced by Hanley Wood, LLC, was completed in cooperation with REALTOR Magazine. For the report, Realtors provided their insight into local markets and buyer home preferences.

Source: NAR

RE/MAX Christmas Open House a Hit!

2008-12-05T12:36:00.003-05:00

On December 2nd RE/MAX Lake Oconee hosted it's 5th annual Christmas Open House. Over 500 members of the community came out in the 30 degree weather to celebrate the season! The pictures say it all:

An empty tent waiting for the guests to arrive

A few RE/MAX Lake Oconee agents, Left- Cynthia Strother and husband Jim
Right- Glenn Rivers and fiance Tammy Paradise

(L-R) RE/MAX agents Carol Walker, Tim Rogers, and Lyn Smith

A few guests mingle with Ann Foster (far right) broker/owner.

Owner Kay Stevens & Agent Mary Lenett

What's a party without a little music?

Agent Harold Michaelis and a few guests enjoying the Christmas spirit!

A big thank you to "At Your Service Catering" for all the delicious food and for "Tent-Sational Events" for the beautiful tent (and heaters to keep us warm!) It was a wonderful evening! We hope to see all of you back next year!

2008 Cost vs. Value Report: Still Many Happy Returns for Home Rehabs

2008-12-03T09:54:00.002-05:00

By G.M. Filisko December 2008

Despite home price drops in many cities, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for owners to add value.

Many people are wondering where their money will be safest during these uncertain economic times. When home owners turn to you for your expert advice, counsel them that some things never change: Investing in their home still pays off.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS statistics show that home prices have fallen by an average of 7 percent nationally in the past year. But the value of home owners’ investment in remodeling projects has declined only 3.86 percent on average between 2007 and 2008, according to Remodeling's 2008–2009 Cost vs. Value Report.

Remodeling produces the Cost vs. Value Report each year in cooperation with REALTOR magazine. REALTORS responding to a survey in midsummer said home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 67.3 percent of their investment in 30 different home improvement projects. At the height of the housing boom in 2005, home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 86.7 percent on projects.

Remodeling remains hot in 10 cities, where on at least some projects. home owners can recover 100 percent of their costs. In Charlotte, N.C., for example, decks, midrange kitchen remodels, vinyl siding, and window-replacement projects all would net more than they cost, in respondents' estimation. High rates of recovery were seen in both strong real estate markets and weak ones.

Many cities with the highest rates of recovery were smaller—Jackson, Miss., and Billings, Mont., for example—which may point to lower labor and materials costs that are easier to recoup.

Seattle also made the list of cities with a cost recovery of more than 100 percent on decks and minor kitchen remodels. In fact, Pacific Coast cities recorded the best payback on remodeling by a wide margin as they did in 2007. Although construction costs on the Pacific Coast are nearly 17 percent higher than national averages, the value of renovations at resale more than makes up for those higher prices.

The result is an average cost-recouped percentage that's 14.8 percent higher than in the rest of the country. The toughest place to get your money back: Midwestern cities such as Chicago Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee.

Mortgage Rates Fall for Second Straight Week, Now Below 6.00%

2008-11-26T10:56:00.002-05:00

RISMEDIA, Nov. 26, 2008-Mortgage rates fell last week, with rates for 30-year fixed mortgages declining to 5.92%, down from 6.03% the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by real estate website Zillow.com(R). Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages decreased to 5.69%, down from 5.76% and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages rose to 5.87% from 5.85%.

Please click on link below for complete article.

Nov._Mortgage_Rates.pdf

FEMA Rolls Out New Flood Maps

2008-11-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released digitized flood insurance rate maps of more areas of the country. The maps were initially rolled out in some areas in 2003.

This fall, they have been distributed in 100 communities in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

By 2010, about 92 percent of the U.S. population and 65 percent of the land will be covered by the maps, FEMA says.

Home owners in affected areas should check the new maps, which revise flood zones significantly. Some home owners who never needed flood insurance will need to buy it. Other homes will no longer be in flood zones, relieving their owners of the obligation to buy the insurance.

"In the past, we did not have as precise information and so, with the digital products, in some areas the special flood-hazard area has gotten smaller. In other areas it has grown," says Roy Wright, deputy director of the risk analysis division for FEMA.

Source: USA Today, Jennie Coughlin and Jessica Durando (11/11/08)

This Story Has No Tips or Advice; Just One Brave Little Boy

2008-11-13T11:04:00.003-05:00

In a recent letter to the RE/MAX Times Online, Marilyn Guty fondly talks about her 4-year-old grandson, Fletcher Guty, who is a passionate fan of the RE/MAX Balloon.
In fact, Fletcher - who is recovering from a debilitating treatment for severe epilepsy - loves the RE/MAX Balloon so much he donned a homemade version of it as a Halloween costume. He even went trick-or-treating in it.
Here's what the Broker/Manager of RE/MAX Metro-City Realty in Ottawa writes in her letter:

This is a photo of my grandson Fletcher. He has been very ill for the past three years with a severe form of epilepsy. But thanks to a special diet from Johns Hopkins University Hospital, he is now free of the debilitating drugs that were required to keep the seizures under control.

He has long been fascinated with my business cards with the RE/MAX balloon on them, and requested to dress as a RE/MAX Balloon for Halloween. He can't eat candy, but his mother purchased small toys for the neighbours to give out to Fletcher. He had a ball!

I realize that we took liberties with your proprietary rights with regard to his mother's interpretation of the RE/MAX Balloon, but I wanted you to see what a happy, healthy 4-year-old boy he is now.

He constantly has his parents making chase when he sees the RE/MAX Balloon in Calgary, Alberta, where he lives. Thank you.

RE/MAX GLOBAL NETWORK KEEPS GROWING

2008-10-31T13:33:00.002-04:00

Third Quarter Franchise Sales Show Significant Gains Around the World
(October 2008 Denver, CO) - RE/MAX International Inc., one of the leading real estate brands in the world, announced today that it has added more than 500 new franchises to its global network in the first three quarters of 2008. RE/MAX is represented in 69 countries with over 105,000 Sales Associates and is also aggressively working on expansions in new countries such as Brazil, India, Uruguay, and Egypt.

Notwithstanding the current economic conditions, RE/MAX continues to sell franchises and expand in the U.S. and Canada with over 200 new franchises sold to date. Many of the sales were made to existing offices converting to the RE/MAX Network.

"New franchisees are joining RE/MAX because of our worldwide brand recognition, cost effective training, outstanding web presence and excellent lead generation for agents, free of charge," Said Peter Gilmour, Senior Vice President, Franchise Sales & Brokerage Operations at RE/MAX International. "What sets us apart from our competition is our unique value proposition designed to help Sales Associates and Broker/Owners succeed in the current market."

In the most recent Entrepreneur Franchise 500 survey, RE/MAX is among the Top 10 franchise organizations in four different categories, and has been the highest ranked real estate franchisor for eight of the last ten years.

RE/MAX International expects continued franchise sales success through the end of 2008. For information on joining the RE/MAX organization visit www.remax.com or call 800-525-7452.

Who Do You Suppose This Associate Is Voting For?

2008-10-24T14:16:00.002-04:00

Doug Palin has seen many things during his 41-year real estate career. And now he has the chance to watch his nephew's wife vie for one of the most prestigious titles in America.

Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican John McCain's vice presidential running mate, is married to Doug's nephew, Todd. Doug, a Sales Associate with RE/MAX Equity Group in Vancouver, Wash., says it's surreal, but very exciting, to see Sarah in the national spotlight.

"The whole family is very proud of her," says Doug, who first met Sarah 20 years ago.

Doug last saw Todd and Sarah at a family gathering he hosted at his house in Washington. Because Gov. Palin and her family live in Alaska, Doug says they don't see each other that often.
Many people in Doug's area know of his connection to Sarah, who might become the country's first female vice president. Strangers often make the connection and ask if he's related to her.

"It's exciting to see people respond to Sarah," he says. "She's a really cool lady. I think she's a great asset to the Republican party."

RE/MAX is Passionately Pink!

2008-10-17T15:40:00.002-04:00

RE/MAX Lake Oconee agents donned their very finest pink outfits this week in support of the Susan G. Komen Cause for the Cure.

RE/MAX offices all over the United States showed their support for the Susan. G. Komen Foundation October 15th by wearing pink and making an individual donation of $5 or more. RE/MAX Lake Oconee made a difference by donating $140 in support of the Passionately Pink for the Cure program.

RE/MAX International is proud to be a co-sponsor of the National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program at Komen Race for the Cure events, the world's largest series of 5K runs and fitness walks. RE/MAX also launched a unique program early in 2007 exclusive to RE/MAX Sales Associates that allows agents to designate homes as Sold for the Cure properties in support of Komen for the Cure.

For RE/MAX Lake Oconee agents, wearing pink and donating money is just a tangible way to show commitment to giving back to causes such as Susan G. Komen Cause for the Cure that give so much to others.

Realtors Praise Senate Action to Provide Financial Stability

2008-10-03T15:36:00.004-04:00

WASHINGTON, October 02, 2008

The National Association of Realtors commends the U.S. Senate for passing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The Senate's bold action will help the country emerge from the current credit crisis and put the economy back on its way to improved financial and housing stability.

"This far-reaching and meaningful legislation would go a long way in helping restore confidence in the nation's financial system," said NAR President Richard F. Gaylord. "Provisions in the bill would directly benefit Main Street by making financing more available.

The legislation would not only help make home mortgages more available, which would help stabilize home sales and prices, but also help families who are trying to secure a car loan or borrow money to send their children to college. It would help protect Americans' retirement savings and small businesses across the country."

The act would require financial institutions to work with lenders and mortgage servicers to find ways to avoid foreclosures. It would also create a Troubled Asset Relief Program to purchase and guarantee the troubled assets from financial institutions that hold mortgages or mortgage-backed securities.

"If done right, the cost of such a plan will possibly be below the figures that have been widely reported,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "In fact there is a very good chance that taxpayers will reap a positive return on this investment over the long term."

"By unclogging the financial pipeline, liquidity will be greatly improved and mortgages will become more accessible and affordable, allowing families who dream of owning a home to do so and at the same time help current owners keep the home they have," Gaylord said.

"There will not be an economic recovery without a housing recovery, and this ambitious legislation is what our economy needs. We will work hard with the House of Representatives and the administration to ensure a quick and smooth enactment and implementation," said Gaylord.

Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS

5 Tips for Homebuyers

2008-09-26T14:46:00.004-04:00

It's no lie: The real-estate and financial markets are a mess right now. But that doesn't mean there aren't people looking to buy and sell homes. If you're one of them, here are tips to help you weather current conditions.

1. Amass a decent down payment, but not at the cost of your emergency fund

After the excesses of the past few years, brokers say, you will need a substantial down payment to get good financing. The no-money-down era of lending is gone, and most buyers should expect to put anywhere from 5% to 20% down, unless they qualify for an FHA loan, which requires 3% down (3.5% as of Oct. 1.)

2. Choose a loan originator wisely

Selecting a good mortgage broker or lender is one of the most critical and difficult tasks for buyers, since there are currently no national licensing standards in place. Rhonda Porter, a certified mortgage planner, recommends that buyers start out the old-fashioned way, by taking referrals from friends and colleagues. Buyers should ask how long a broker has been in business, do Internet searches to see if his or her name is mentioned in unflattering or criminal ways and check his or her record with state regulatory agencies.

3. Get pre-qualified as early as possible

There are a couple of reasons for this, brokers and agents say. First, buyers need to know how much house they can afford and what kind of money they will need for down payment and closing costs, says Miami real-estate agent Sandra Fernandez of Realty World International Gateway. "I tell my clients, 'Let's do this right from the beginning. Let's make sure you qualify, and make sure you know what amount you qualify for,'" she says.

4. Reduce your exposure to risk

Once you have selected a mortgage broker or lender, it's time to start checking out houses. In addition to analyzing trends in value, agents should be scanning foreclosure data (from notice of default to bank repossessions) to make sure they know where the deals are, and whether or not there are so many foreclosures in the neighborhood that they'll pose a threat to home values in the years ahead.

5. Get a rate lock-- with a key

The turmoil in the financial markets has had rates really fluctuating, making it difficult to know when to lock in a rate. Your best strategy is to work with a lender who offers a float down. This is a chance to renegotiate your rate if it drops substantially ---by a quarter-point or more, Porter says. So, before you settle on a lender, ask if it provides this kind of flexibility to borrowers. That said, Porter adds, you still need to lock in a rate within 30 days of closing.

___________________________________________________________________________

If we, at RE/MAX Lake Oconee can help you with any of these issues, please let us know! We are happy to assist you, in any way!

*All information obtained from msn.com.

Online Searchers Use 'RE/MAX' More Often Than 'Real Estate'

2008-09-15T12:23:00.003-04:00

RE/MAX Lake Oconee & Lake Country continue to benefit from the power of the RE/MAX brand:

The word "remax" continues to be the second most frequently used search term driving traffic to real estate sites - doubling the use of "real estate" itself - according to the July report by Internet traffic analysts Hitwise.

And in a separate Hitwise study, remax.com ranks as the industry's No. 4 Web site in terms of traffic.

Hitwise, a subsidiary of Experian, has been collecting and analyzing data directly from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) since 1997.

The search terms in the latest results were ranked by volume of searches that successfully drove traffic to Web sites in the Hitwise Business and Finance - Real Estate category for the four weeks ending July 26, based on U.S. Internet usage.

Hitwise Real Estate Search Term Rankings
1. realtor.com - 1.8 percent
2. remax - .81 percent
3. zillow.com - .45 percent
4. zillow - .43 percent
5. real estate - .40 percent
6. apartments - .33 percent
7. realtor - .30 percent
8. coldwell banker .29 percent
9. century 21 - .29 percent
10. for sale by owner - .27 percent

Hitwise Most Visited Real Estate Web Site Rankings
1. Realtor.com - 7.33 percent
2. Yahoo Real Estate - 3.06 percent
3. Zillow - 2.35 percent
4. RE/MAX - 2.30 percent
5. ZipRealty - 2.21 percent
6. Rent.com - 2.09 percent
7. ServiceMagic - 1.70 percent
8. Homegain - 1.59 percent
9. Apartments.com - 1.49 percent
10. Trulia.com - 1.47 percent

New & Improved Name for Sinclair Branch!

2008-09-05T13:28:00.002-04:00

RE/MAX Lake Oconee on Lake Sinclair now has a new and improved name!

Same great company, same outstanding agents, new and improved name! After much discussion, we, as a company, decided to change our Sinclair Office's name to RE/MAX Lake Country. Don't worry, it is a not a new company and is synonymous with RE/MAX Lake Oconee. And we are still here to help you will all your Lake Oconee Real Estate and Lake Sinclair Real Estate needs.

Our name says it all: We are proud to be serving all of Georgia's Lake Country!

Stop by today for a free copy of our Lake & Golf publication. Or give us a call at 706-485-7400 and let us tell you how we can help you with all your real estate needs!

Sincerely,

Your RE/MAX Lake Country REALTORS.

RE/MAX Out in Front

2008-08-08T11:33:00.002-04:00

We know that all you're hearing on the news is that the economy is bad, and getting worse. But here at RE/MAX, we like to keep things positive. We just thought we'd share with you some of the ways RE/MAX continues to expand their advertising dollars, offering only the best to buyers and sellers, dominating the real estate market.

National Advertising

The latest 2008 data shows RE/MAX with more than 50 percent share of voice in the U.S. national TV advertising.
In national radio, RE/MAX purchases more than 80 percent of the total buys among all major real estate brands.
On national TV, RE/MAX ads appear more than all the other competitions' combined.

RE/MAX is also a sponsor of Westwood One radio broadcasts of the 2008 Olympics, which begins today!

RE/MAX never stops working for you. With over 1.9 billion TV impressions and 62 million radio impressions in the 2nd quarter of 2008 alone, it's no wonder that

Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

Give us a call today and allow us to help you with all your Lake Oconee & Lake Sinclair real estate needs.

Lake Oconee's Fresh Market

2008-07-25T16:28:00.002-04:00

Did you know Lake Oconee has it's very own Georgia Farmer's Fresh Market?

Well, we do! And it's happening this Saturday as well as every Saturday from 8:30 am -12 noon!

Vendors from all over the area participate in this market including Sparta, Buckhead, Rutledge, Macon, Madison, Eatonton, & Greensboro.

Where else can you find a plethora of farm fresh produce without making the trek to a big city? Right here on Lake Oconee we have Organic fresh foods, home grown honey, home-baked treats, fruit preserves, freshe eggs, soaps, bird houses, candles, herbs and much much more!

This is just one of the many things Lake Oconee has to offer. Want a farmer's market every Saturday? We've got it! Let us tell you what else...you know who to call!

For all your Lake Oconee Real Estate Needs:

Greensboro: 706-453-9400

Eatonton: 706-485-5700

Sinclair: 705-485-7400

RE/MAX Stays in Top Notch Position!

2008-07-17T16:29:00.001-04:00

Remax" Ranks Second Among Real Estate Search Terms

According to the Hitwise Internet usage statistics for June, "remax" holds steady as the No. 2 real estate search term and remax.com ranks No. 4 for real estate Web sites.
Hitwise, a subsidiary of Experian, has been collecting and analyzing data directly from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) since 1997.

The search terms in the latest results were ranked by volume of searches that successfully drove traffic to Web sites in the Hitwise Business and Finance - Real Estate category for the four weeks ending June 28, based on U.S. Internet usage.

Hitwise Real Estate Search Term Rankings
1. realtor.com - 1.64 percent
2. remax - .81 percent
3. zillow.com - .56 percent
4. zillow - .39 percent
5. real estate - .38 percent
6. apartments - .37 percent
7. century 21 - .33 percent
8. realtor - .31 percent
9. homes for sale - .30 percent
10. www.realtor.com - .29 percent

In addition, Hitwise confirmed that remax.com was No. 4 among the most popular real estate sites in June.

Hitwise Most Visited Real Estate Web Site Rankings
1. realtor.com - 4.46 percent
2. Yahoo Real Estate - 2.70 percent
3. ZipRealty - 2.65 percent
4. RE/MAX - 2.47 percent
5. Rent.com - 2.36 percent
6. Zillow - 2.30 percent
7. Homegain - 1.77 percent
8. ServiceMagic - 1.69 percent
9. Trulia.com - 1.63 percent
10. Apartments.com - 1.62 percent

Visit the RE/MAX Times Online every week to read new feature articles, top-producer profiles, stories about valuable resources and more.

Copyright © 2008 RE/MAX International Inc. 7/14/08

Staging your home: Before & After

2008-07-08T13:41:00.004-04:00

Before: Where are the counters?

After: A sense of spaciousness

Before: Chaos reigns

After: Clean and bright

Before: Dark and distracting

After: Brightened and simplified

Before: Gaudy, awful

After: A $3500 face-lift

Before: Crammed Full

After: Room to breathe

Before: A Dining Room in Hiding

After: A dining room in all its glory

Look what a difference staging can make! As always, your team at RE/MAX is ready to help you with all your real estate needs on Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair! Please do not hesitate to e-mail us, give us a call or stop by! We'd be happy to talk about staging or anything else for that matter.

We hope this post gave you some good ideas. Have ideas yourself? E-mail us at remax@plantationcable.com or just hit the "comment" button at the bottom of this post.

Photos and captions from realestate.msn.com.

Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX!

2008-07-03T10:43:00.003-04:00

remax.com coldwellbanker.com kw.com century21.com

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of remax.com in all years.

It's no wonder nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

Good News!

2008-07-01T10:58:00.003-04:00

Good news? We always try to keep it positive here on Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair when it comes to real estate, but helps when the media backs us up!

Here’s something we found from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

May Existing-Home Sales Show Modest Gain

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008

Existing-home sales increased in May with buyers responding to lower home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Existing-home sales -- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops --increased 2.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate 1 of 4.99 million units in May from a level of 4.89 million in April, but are 15.9 percent below the 5.93 million-unit pace in May 2007.
NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said buyers are seeing value in the current housing market. "Home buyers are starting to get off the fence and into the market, drawn by drops in home prices in many areas and armed with greater access to affordable mortgages," he said. "Today's buyer plans to stay in a home for 10 years, which is a good strategy for building long-term wealth."

© Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®

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Real Estate Bloopers

2008-06-17T10:05:00.002-04:00

You've replaced the light bulbs, scrubbed the floors and touched up the walls in preparation for selling your house. If you think you've got everything under control, think again. When sellers put their homes on the market, they often make mistakes that can become serious obstacles to a sale. Make sure you don't fall into any of these traps!

Not hiring an agent. People who sell by owner think they're saving money, but in the long run, owners who let their homes linger on the market for months or even years- are wasting time and losing money.
Not recognizing a good offer. You may have heard an agent say, "The first offer is the best offer." But often sellers want to hold out for bigger and better. So they pass on the first offer and then, down the road, when bigger and better doesn't come, they regret passing the first offer. So the rule is, if the offer is close to or above your minimum price, do your best to seal the deal!
Not leaving your home during a showing. No prospective buyer wants the seller looming over his shoulder as he tries to imagine himself in someone else's house. So go see a movie, shop with friends- anything but hang around the house.
Not deodorizing a home that smells. After living in a home for years, you may not notice subtle (or sometimes not so subtle) smells that cling to carpets, curtains and furniture. Invite a trusted friend over to tell you if there are any odors and make sure to eliminate any before you open your house.
Not making your last mortgage payment before closing. Even if you're closing on the second day of the month and your mortgage is due on the first, you must send in your payment. Sometimes sellers think they can skip the last payment, but if you do, you may incur late fees and it could negatively affect your credit. Don't worry about losing money for the weeks you're not living in the house. When the escrow officer or attorney prepares the closing documents, the numbers will be calculated based on the payments that have been received by the lender.

And don't forget, RE/MAX Lake Oconee & RE/MAX Lake Oconee on Lake Sinclair are always here to answer any questions and help you with any of your Lake Oconee Real Estate and Lake Sinclair Real Estate needs!

Sincerely,

Your team at RE/MAX Lake Oconee & Lake Sinclair

Home Sales May Rise Modestly Before Broader Upturn in Second Half Of 2008

2008-06-10T12:57:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON, June 09, 2008
A modest gain in the level of home sales is possible over the next couple months, and an improvement is forecast for the second half of this year as more buyers are able to access affordable mortgages, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.3 percent to 88.2 from a reading of 83.0 in March. It's the highest index since last October, but remains 13.1 percent lower than April 2007 when it stood at 101.5.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said pending sales contracts have picked up notably in areas undergoing significant price drops. "Bargain hunters have entered the market en masse, especially in areas that have experienced double-digit price declines, but it's unclear if they are investors or owner-occupants," he said. "Sharp price reductions are leading to a quicker discovery of price equilibrium points. The West is already seeing year-over-year gains in pending contracts."
The PHSI in the West rose 8.3 percent to 98.8 in April and is 4.0 percent higher than April 2007. In the Midwest, the index jumped 13.0 percent to 83.7 in April but remains 13.1 percent below a year ago. The index in the South increased 4.6 percent to 88.8 but is 22.5 percent below April 2007. In the Northeast, the index declined 1.9 percent in April to 79.3 and is 12.2 percent below a year ago.
NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif,. said the market may be breaking its holding pattern. "It appears that more buyers are realizing they can take advantage of a favorable combination of mortgage interest rates, home prices and family income," he said. "Overall affordability conditions are the best we've seen since the middle of the housing boom in 2004, but with far more choices and much less pressure than buyers experienced four years ago to make an investment in their future. Recent declines in mortgage rates on conforming jumbo loans and a return to sound but not overly stringent underwriting standards will permit more people to qualify for a loan."
NAR's housing affordability index has been trending up this year and is projected to rise 15 percentage points to 128.0 for all of 2008.
"Although mortgage interest rates will remain historically favorable, they will start to steadily inch up," Yun said. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage should rise gradually to 6.3 percent by the end of this year, and then hold at that level for most of 2009.
Yun said the underlying fundamentals point to a pent-up demand. "Home sales are at about the same level as they were 10 years ago, yet the population has grown by 25 million people and we have over 10 million more jobs," he said. "The housing market has been underperforming by historical standards, partly because buyers were hampered by mortgage availability issues, but that's improved and an upturn is more likely. On the other hand, it's unclear what role consumer confidence will play in the coming months."
Existing-home sales should increase from an annual pace of 5.05 million in the second quarter to 5.83 million in the fourth quarter. For all of this year, existing-home sales are expected to total 5.40 million, and then rise 6.3 percent to 5.74 million in 2009. "Sales gains will be greatest in areas that underwent sharp price declines," Yun said.
After unprecedented home price declines in the first half of the year, many markets can anticipate stabilizing price trends in the second half. The aggregate median existing-home price is likely to decline 8.4 percent in the first half of this year, and then begin to stabilize in the second half before rising 4.4 percent next year to $213,900. "Policymakers need to be attentive to the fact that many homeowners have seen a reduction in housing equity, or are in an 'underwater' situation. More needs to be done on the policy front to alleviate hardships and bring fence-sitters back into the marketplace," Yun said.
A great mix of conditions continues around the country. "We're seeing healthy price gains in moderately priced areas like Erie, Pa., and Corpus Christi, Texas, and double-digit gains in others," Yun said. "Our most recent data shows sales rising strongly from a year ago in some areas that experienced sharp price drops, including Detroit and Las Vegas."
New-home sales will probably fall 31.7 percent to 529,000 in 2008 before rising 12.5 percent to 595,000 next year. Housing starts, including multifamily units, are projected to drop 27.2 percent to 987,000 this year, and then slip 0.6 percent to 980,000 in 2009.
"Rising construction costs will provide less room for price cuts on new homes," Yun said. The median new-home price is forecast to decline 3.1 percent to $239,500 in 2008, and then rise 5.4 percent next year to $252,400.
Yun sees an improving economy. Growth in the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) should be 1.7 percent in 2008 and 2.0 percent next year. The unemployment rate is estimated to average 5.3 percent this year and 5.6 percent in 2009.
Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is expected to be 3.6 percent this year and 2.4 percent in 2009. Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income should grow 1.4 percent in 2008 and 2.5 percent next year.
The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
# # #
*The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.
The index is based on a large national sample, typically representing about 20 percent of transactions for existing-home sales. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity from 2001 through 2004 parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months. There is a closer relationship between annual index changes (from the same month a year earlier) and year-ago changes in sales performance than with month-to-month comparisons.
An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined as well as the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales. View
Existing-home sales for May will be released June 26; the next Forecast / Pending Home Sales Index will be released July 8.

Copyright National Association of REALTORS ®, Reprinted from REALTOR.org with permission."

Putnam County Dairy Festival

2008-06-06T15:29:00.003-04:00

Putnam County is celebrating the 49th anniversary of it's Dairy Festival this weekend. If you're from around the area, we need not explain ourselves, but if you're not here are some facts.

Putnam County is the Dairy Capital of the world. In honor of this, the Pilot Club of Eatonton sponsors the Dairy Festival each year on the first Saturday in June.

The Dairy Festival kicks off with the annual 10K Torture Trail at 8 am.

Vendor Booths open at 9 am including arts and crafts, food, dairy exhibits, and various forms of entertainment. The parade kicks off at 10 am.

So what's all the fuss about dairy farmers?

They made Putnam county one of the largest dairying counties in Georgia

They help us get yummy things like ice cream, milk, chocolate milk, cheese, ect.

Come check it out yourself and celebrate Dairy Farming at its finest with us this Saturday in downtown Eatonton.

Thank you and congratulations to all the Putnam County dairy farmers.

Love,

Your team at RE/MAX Lake Oconee