I was pulling some reports off of the MLS the other day.  I compared prices of homes sold in the last six months to the asking price of expired listings of similar homes. 

I guess there should be no surprise that the homes that did not sell are priced higher than those that did.  However, I was surprised that the difference in those that sold and those that did not was almost 30%! 

In the past six months, in my area, 40% of the unsold listings expired.  We can tell our clients and customers that homes are not selling because of the bad market caused by a particular political party, the price of gas, the mortgage "crisis," the economy or whatever excuse we decide is the flavor of the day.  Or, we could tell them the truth...that their house is priced too high.  What would you do?  

I guess as a male I don't consider myself as much at risk as female agents, but when you read stories like this it certainly makes you think about the situations you have been in or may confront in the future.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

What do you do to protect yourself?  Always let someone know when you will return?  Leave details as to what homes you are showing?  Leave the name of the person you are showing homes to? Carry mace?  Carry a firearm?  Carry an alarm?  Please, provide suggestions for others.  It may make the difference.

Here is the link 

Stop by and see this completely remodeled home in Downtown LaGrange. Enjoy the historic character with ALL the modern upgrades.

• Stunning hardwood floors throughout
• new custom cabinets
• Brazilian granite countertops
• stainless appliances
• wine fridge
• built-in safe
• built-in book cases
• 2 person shower in the master bath
• double vanity
• whirlpool bath
• beautiful fireplace in the master bedroom
• soaring 11 foot ceilings
• secluded slate patio outside, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. 

This is a ONE of a kind home!

 Open House this Sunday, March 9, 2008, 2 PM - 4 PM

602 Virginia Avenue, LaGrange, Georgia 30240
Listed Price of only $238,000
Brokered by FLI Properties

  Directional signs will be posted from Vernon Road and Broad Street, to Springdale to Virginia Avenue. Call Calvin at 706-957-0870 for any questions about this property.

See you there!

In March of 2006 Kia Motors Corporation made an announcement that was great news to Troup County and the state of Georgia.  The Korean automaker announced plans to build a $1.2 billion automotive assembly and manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia.  The facility will be the automobile manufacturer's first plant built in the United States.  Production from this newest facility is expected in 2009. 

The anticipation, talk and excitement around town hasn't stopped since that announcement.  Just last month Kia began accepting applications for approximately 2,500 job openings.  Along with the Kia plant comes numerous other vendors that will provide support for this large industry. 

New industries announced in 2007:

• Feb. 2007                      Engineering World will employ 10 (manufacture racks)
• Sept. 2007                    DaeLim will employ 75 (plastic parts)
• Sept. 2007                    Pretty Products will employ 175 (floor mats)
• Oct. 2007                      Gardens of Nectar will employ 10 (water bottling operation)
• Nov. 2007                      Sejong will employ 250 (produce mufflers for KIA)
• Dec. 2007                     Sewon will employ 550 (metal stamping for KIA)

                  Total of 1,070 new manufacturing jobs announced

The local residents are excited about the new businesses and opportunities that Kia is bringing to Troup County.  Sure, there are some concerns that come along with the growth we are about to experience.  Fortunately, our county and city officials are aware of these issues and working diligently to prevent any problems. 

The Troup County population is currently 63,245.  That breaks down to LaGrange, Hogansville and West Point with 32,145.  The unincorporated area is home to 31,091.  These figures represent a 7.6% gain since the 2000 census.  We have over 5,000 new homes approved for construction in LaGrange and Troup County over the next few years.  With all the new jobs and development the growth in our area will rise significantly. 

Where will the people come from?  Based on the calls to our office I would say from all over the United States.  I look forward to the changes, the growth, and the opportunities, just not the traffic!  LaGrange is moving on up, so we might as well look forward to it and embrace the changes.    

Reading through many blogs and comments on the internet I was tempted not to bother with holding an open house.  After all, it is "traditional" marketing that just does not work anymore, right?  Since I didn't sell the house that I was holding open I guess you could say that it didn't work.  However, I did meet several potential customers and got a chance to talk about the local market with possible buyers.

The home, built in 1906, was completely remodeled including new plumbing, new wiring, stainless appliances, a wine cooler, Brazilian granite counter tops, Italian travertine tile floors in the bathrooms, a custom two person shower, beautifully refinished original hardwood floors, 9 foot plus ceilings throughout and a fireplace in the master bedroom. In the backyard is a secluded slate patio that adds a nice, finishing touch to the exterior.  It is in a great neighborhood in downtown LaGrange, Georgia. 

Back to my open house - There were two signs at nearby major intersections since Friday advertising the date and time of the open house, Sunday, 2-4 PM.  After church on Sunday I stopped by a local store to pick up a helium tank with balloons.  It took more time than I expected putting out more signs and adding balloons but I was still able to get everything set up by 1:30 PM.  I got to the home, opened all the blinds, turned on all the lights and tuned the stereo to an easy listening station for background noise.  The only thing I didn't do was start a fire in the fireplace.  It didn't look like it was used very often so I left the screen covering it.  Then I waited....

Ten minutes after two and the first car pulls up.  Shortly after that another couple walks in.  I explain to each what work was completed on the home and let them walk around and explore on their own.  After they walked through they came back to the kitchen where we talked about the house, what they were looking for and their thoughts on this property.  Several stayed and talked for 20-30 minutes.  In the two hours of the open house three couples and two individuals came through.  Not a lot, but better than I expected based on comments from others in the area and their experiences with open houses. 

The good news is that one of the couples that visited called me twice yesterday about other homes in the area.  They are relocated from out of state and will be purchasing a home here soon.  One lady that stopped by must sell her home first.  She and her husband are in the process of rezoning their current home to commercial and will need to sell it.  We talked at length about the process of selling it as commercial. 

Now, I may not earn any income from those that I spoke to yesterday.   Still, as a new agent the experience gained in just getting out and talking to customers is well worth the time spent holding the open house.  Do you find any worth in holding open houses in your market?  Have a great day!       

The U.S. economy is going to get a "shot in the arm" with your tax money weather it needs it or not.  Congress is working hard to pass legislation that will pay each single person $600 and each couple $1200.  Additionally, they are planning on paying each person $300 per child.  WHAT???

What will this accomplish?  A family vacation?  Maybe a big screen TV that the family really needs?  A couple of extra nights going to the movies?  Ok, maybe some will use the money for something more important.  Possibly some will use it to open a savings account or as a down payment for a home, start a college savings plan for their child, or other types of investments that benefit themselves or their families.  I just don't see this solving the record number of foreclosures or any other issue the United States faces. 

The total cost to our country for this "stimulation" of our economy is not known.  Will it work?  I doubt it.  I hope so.  Checks will be mailed in June.  To me this sounds like a great way to buy votes in a presidential election year.  Since both parties seem to agree this is a good plan I guess they all will take credit for the check you get.  And for the record: YES, I will cash mine.  I have been looking at this 42" flat screen tv....

I have a pet peeve.  Ok, I have several, but I have acknowledged that which is the first step in eliminating them.  Driving to my in-laws this weekend for an early Christmas get together I had the opportunity to see, what I consider, several inconsiderate drivers.  You may have come across the same ones.  Here are some of my observations from that drive:  car in front of me is turning right, but first comes to a complete stop and then swings so wide left they cross the center line causing on coming traffic to stop; driver traveling 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit with 12 cars lined up behind them (I was number 3) trying to pass with little to no safe passing areas; sitting at a red light, traffic is backed up, driver pulls out blocking the intersection and my light changes to green.  As I sat through the green light I began to wonder if the driver intentionally blocked me in (and the other cars behind me) or did he just not have a clue?   Was he so focused on himself that he didn't realize how his actions affected others? 

As a real estate agent my responsibility is to provide timely and quality service to my customers and clients.  However, we can't let that focus become so consuming that others in our lives see us as thoughtless or uncaring.  A wise man once told me that "Perception is reality."  So, if people think you are being inconsiderate, you are.  I have to remind myself of that daily.  Now, you can't please everyone all the time, but you should be aware of how your actions may be perceived by others.  I don't want a loan officer, a closing attorney, another agent, client or customer to see me as the driver that is blocking their intersection.    

Maybe the "inconsiderate" drivers will help me remember to return phone calls and answer emails promptly, always be on time to my scheduled appointments, double check to confirm everything is set for the closing, etc.  What about you?  What actions have others done that you would consider as "blocking your intersection?"  Have you been the one "blocking the intersection?"

After the intersection cleared and I was on my way again I took a deep breath and relaxed.  After all, it is Christmas. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I just attended our quarterly county realtors luncheon.  In talking with several of the agents it seems that many choose to relax during the Christmas and New Year holidays.  Comments such as "Houses don't sell at this time of year," and  "No one is looking to buy and deal with moving during the holidays," were heard.  Several mentioned they will get back into prospecting after the beginning of the new year. 

As a new agent, it seems like now is the perfect time to contact FSBO.  If they are willing to continue to show their home through the holidays, they must really need to move!   What are your thoughts on the opportunities found during this time of year?  Do you take off the months of November and December? 

Look forward to hearing your take on this.  Merry Christmas!

As a kid I remember my mom working as the administrative assistant in a real estate office in Albany, Georgia.  Hearing her talk about the clients searching for their dream home and the work the agents did to find it for them was exciting.  At the time I never imaged I would be one of those agents assisting clients in fullfilling their dream.

It was almost 20 years later that my interest in real estate led me to take the real estate course.  I really enjoyed the course and the instructor and studied hard for the state and national exam.  The final test was much easier than I expected and I passed easily.  However, like many others, I took the course, but did nothing with it.  I was in the military at the time and was reassigned from Fort Rucker, Alabama to Fort Wainwright, Alaska.  I let the license expire, never even earning a referral fee.

Fast forward 16 years (not that you have to fast forward - time goes much faster you as you get older!) and I am a licensed real estate agent again.  My years of experience in the military and corporate America provided me with a vast background of knowledge and experiences.  Having served as a training specialist, human resources director, operations manager and marketing coordinator I see where all these skills will benefit myself, my clients and customers in the business of real estate.

This is the beginning.  In my other careers many things could hinder or enhance your growth.  In this business the only limiting factor is ME.  I eagerly accept and look forward to the challenge. 

Merry Christmas!