Contact me for information on ALL Short Sales in Sugarloaf Country Club, The River Club and ALL other luxury communities in North Metro Atlanta.   Short sales may be great buying opportunities but can be complicated. I am a Short Sale Specialist and can assist you though the process.

1.  I've always been a pleaser, but the older I get the more I understand that everyone cannot be pleased at the same time, therefore I'm wasting my time a lot.

2.  I will buy anything that a child is selling on a street corner.  Who can pass up a child selling lemonade or cookies?

3.  Everyone does not understand the quote "Treat people the way you want to be treated".  Why do I always expect this out of people?

4.  I'm from Albany, Georgia -- Yes, a native Georgian.  I love to travel, but never move anywhere north of Atlanta.

5.  I'm an avid reader.  I'll read anything that's not too deep or depressing.  I'm addicted to my kindle now.  With the electronic book, I've convinced myself that I am doing a favor for the environment!?

6.  I pretty much drink only water and wine.  No sodas -- Oops maybe a little coffee too..

7.  I'm more of an introvert -- dreamer and a thinker.  I've always had these traits.  I seem to be drawn to people louder and more vocal than me.  I enjoy their company immensely.  Most of my friends would be considered the "life of the party".

8.  I LOVE goat cheese.  I'll order anything on a menu if goat cheese is an ingredient.

9.  My favorite thing about being a real estate agent.  Representing Buyer: the challenge of finding the perfect home!  Representing Sellers: partnering with them to find creative ways to market and sell their home, a close 2nd is negotiating a sell -- I LOVE that too!

10.  I believe we were put here to lead our lives with a purpose.  When we find that purpose, we are to use our God given talents with passion to better the world.  I believe I have found mine.

11.  One of my favorite places on earth is Disney World.  It reminds me of my mother -- singing "It's a small world after all".

12. The older I get the more I defend my values and morales.  I will take a stand now more than in my past. 

13. I wish I knew at 16 what I know now, but I realize that who I am now is due to my experiences in my past.

14. I love to dance and karaoke, but am a horrible dancer and can't hold a tune.

15. I'd like to think I would do well on the reality show "Survivor", but my husband and I agree, that I would quit at the first sighting of a snake or if I got really hungry, or too many bug bites...

16. I am who I am, I can't change it, and I'm finally comfortable in the fact that everyone doesn't like me.

17. I believe we are manipulated by the media everyday and it bugs me.

18. My favorite singers are Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Sadie, and The Eagles.  My favorite movie is Jaws.  One of my favorite TV shows is Top Chef. 

19. I'm not a good organizer of my time.  I will often stop one task and start another.  Example:  Gathering research for a property, then check email and trouble shoot a problem, then realize I need to finish the research etc....  Any one else have this problem?

20. I believe in the power of WOMEN.  There is NOTHING a group of passionate women can't do.  Just look at The Sport of Giving!  Women are the BEST multi taskers!

21. I love to play spades, but nobody knows how!  Where did all the spade players go?

22. In another life, I was definately a "hippie".  I love most everything about the 70's.  The hair, peace & love signs, music ... Everything!

23. Being a parent is the hardest job I've ever had and I feel like a failure often.  I keep reminding myself that my desire is to raise God fearing, productive, and philanthropic young adults... No matter how much they hate me know and say I am the strictest parent alive (Except my husband who is stricter than me).

24. I'm not a perfectionist, but I am a little obsessive and think I may have adult onset add.  If I get something on my mind, I won't let it go until it's done, but on the other side my mind continually changes topics.  This takes me back to my time management problem but I am a good delegator.

25. I'm lazy at heart.  I can watch movies or read for hours!  I've been known to watch a weekend of "America's Next Top Model" with my daughter!  I love movies and get wrapped up in the story-- thus get emotional and my family has to laugh and throw in the "It's only a movie" ribbing.

Sugarloaf Country Club gets more distinguished honors

Gwinnett Magazine readers have voted Sugarloaf Country Club best neighborhood in

Gwinnett County for 2008.  The neighborhood also received the distinction of being names

"Best Golf Course" for 2008.Each year Gwinnett Magazine has a

"Best of Gwinnett" issue and pays homeage to many area businesses for

outstanding service during the year.  To see the complete list, go to Gwinnett Magazine for

the online list.  As of yet, the winners are not posted, just the nominees.  Have no fear

Gwinnett Magazine will post the winners of each catagory very soon

Congratulation Sugarloaf Country Club!

My Hometown Atlanta

Top 5 Seller Real Estate Myths as discussed on The Today Show on Monday 1/26/09 with Barbara Corcoran.  I will also expand on each topic with my own opinion and experience in my community.

Myth #1:  Now is the absolute worst time to sell your home.

They note that it really depends upon where you live because the worst hit markets are beginning to turn around.  Also, if you are planning to buy a bigger/more expensive home, the loss you'll take on your currenthome will be more than offset by the bargain price you'll be getting on your next purchase

Myth #2:  Never respond to a low ball bid.

Since most buyers today feel obligated to put in low-ball offers, we must deal with these offers.  You should come back with a reasonable counter offer.  If the buyer is serious, the will probably come up close to your price to close the deal.

Myth #3:  The First offer is never the best offer.

Four times out of Five, the first offer is the best you'll ever see.  Most of the sellers have convinced themselves to never take the first offer, especially if it is too low for their liking. 

Myth #4:  I can always reduce my price later.

In the past, sellers (as well as real estate agents) have priced homes high for a few weeks to "test the market".  Since buyers search for homes by price brackets, you may loose some traffice.  You can also be helping sell someone else's home -- You say how?  Well, if a buyer is searching in a particular price range and they see yours (which is overpriced) and they see another home that is superior to yours (larger, more updates, etc...) this just shows the buyer the real value in the other home.  Ultimately you will be "Chasing" the market with price reductions.

Myth #5:  Before you refinance, shop around.

Usually your best deal will come from your current lender because they want to keep your business.  PLUS, the closing cost are generally much lower when you refinance with the same lender.  Lastly, you may be spending a lot of precious time researching other lenders.

The public is invited to see and comment on the initial downtown master plan on February 10, 2009 at the Suwanee Crossroads center at 6:30.

This will be the first public glimpse of the new streets, greenways, open space, and future mixed uses proposed through the ongoing Downtown Master Plan. Interactive stations will be set up to allow participants to provide feedback on various segments of the plan. This feedback will be used to shape the final Downtown Master Plan, which will be presented in April.

A 14-member citizen-based steering committee and other interested residents who've attended previous meetings have worked with a planning consultant team led by Ecos Environmental Design of Atlanta to shape Suwanee's new Downtown Master Plan. This plan will be an update of the 2001 Old Town Master Plan.

The Suwanee downtown area is coming into focus beautifully.  The Suwanne Town Center is thriving with it's much used open areas and new retail businesses.  The area just keeps growing and the town is loving what they are seeing.  With restaurants like Old Town Taverne, Ippolitos and Five Guys Burgers, there is something for everyone in the family.  Prudential Georgia Realty has been the latest business to open at the Suwanee Town Center.  The City Hall is expected to open in the very near future -- more information to follow on this wonderful city achievement.

 My Hometown Atlanta

Greater Atlanta Christian School's NEW Forum is slated to open at the end of January 2009.

A grand opening is scheduled for January 30th for the students, parents and faculty.  The keynote speaker will be University of Georgia Head Coach, Mark Richt.  It is sure to be an energizing and inspiring day as GACS meets this much awaited milestone.  A much deserved tribute will be paid to Chancellor and founder, Jesse Long and his wife Marilyn.  This is a truly devoted couple that started the school many, many years ago.  The forum will have the distinguised name of The Long Forum in tribute to them both.

THE RIVER CLUB, SUWANEE, GA. 30024

The River Club located in Suwanee, Georgia is a gated, nature reserve commmunity strategically situated along the historic Chattahoochee River.  One of the main items the members / residents come here is for the unspoiled natural environment, and the respect for the land,  that Crescent Resources has achieved.  Upon entering the natural wooden gates a certain calm settles in. 

The Lodge, River Club's Main Clubhouse was finished at the end of May, 2008.  It is very much like a mountain-resort in architecture.  Not only does the club offer 3 dining facilities inside, it has a tremendous amount of outdoor living space for members to enjoy.  The picturesque sunsets over the golf course can be seen from all dining areas.  The club offers everything from dining, to golf to massage therapy.

The Golf Course is a signature Greg Norman course.  The course was voted a top 30 New Course in America and a Residential Course of Distinction by Golf Week Magazine.  Georgia Fairways rated the course as the "Best New Private Course in Georgia" in 2005.

The Lakeside Sports Center, houses many activities and facilities for every one in the family. 

• The aquatics complex boasts junior olympic pool, water slide and zero entry pool.  There are wonderful outdoor areas for relaxing or visiting with friends.  There's even a fireside pavillion!
• The state of the art fitness facility houses many different stationary machines (ellipticals, treadmeals, recombant bikes, and stair masters).  There are also many weight machines to round out your workout!
• Fitness classes, taught by certified fitness trainers, take place through out the week and are geared for total body fitness.  You may see core fitness, yoga, circuit training or bootcamp on the fitness menu at any time.
• The Tennis facility is constantly striving to be the best facility in Georgia.  There are 2 USPTA professionals on site for all the members needs.  There are 8 lighted hardcourts and ample room for spectators.  The tennis program at River Club is constantly evolving and involves all members both young, (and not so young).

Sheila Stevens is a 10-year resident and real estate specialist for Sugarloaf Country Club.  Contact Sheila at 404-406-6739 or sstevens@prudentialgeorgia.com for your tour today.  Visit www.atlestatehomes.com - the leading real estate website for Sugarloaf Country Club.  You can enjoy browsing these neighborhood homes from the privacy and convenience of your own home.  My site even has Google Maps search and Microsoft Virtual Earth images to see exactly where the homes are located.  You can count on the experience of Sheila Steven, SG Stevens Properties, in this ever changing market.

Sheila Stevens:  #1 Agent in the Prudential Georgia Duluth Office

#1 Prudential Agent for Sugarloaf Country Club

#1 Prudential Agent for Sister Community:  The River Club

REALTOR^Ò FROM SUWANEE WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR SUPPORTING BREAST HEALTH

CHICAGO (October 23, 2008) - Realtor^Ò Sheila Stevens, a sales associate with Prudential Georgia Realty in Albany, Ga., is one of five winners chosen by the National Association of Realtors^Ò to receive REALTOR^Ò Magazine's 2008 Good Neighbor Award. Stevens was selected for founding The Sport of Giving Inc., a community nonprofit that funds breast cancer treatment and prevention activities.

 "Realtors^Ò play an important leadership role in building strong communities," said NAR President Dick Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif. "These five Good Neighbor Awards winners exemplify the compassion and commitment of thousands of other Realtors^Ò who volunteer in their communities and help so many others. I'm pleased to honor these exceptional professionals."

As founder and president of the Sport of Giving Inc., Stevens combined her self-identified spiritual gifts of leadership, giving, and empathy with deep affection for her late mother, who died of colon cancer at age 54.

Over five months of intense work, Stevens organized the first two-day Volley for a Cure women's tennis tournament in Duluth, Ga. The May 2001 event included 56 women and raised $22,000 for the DeKalb Medical Hospital Breast Cancer Research Fund.

"Initially, it was hard for me to ask people for help, but what made it easier was that it wasn't for me but for a greater cause," said Stevens. "While my mother died of colon cancer, I thought a related cause that affected a large number of women would be equally as meaningful. Almost every woman knows someone who has had breast cancer." 

Stevens found the first effort so fulfilling that she was determined to bring the tournament to other neighborhoods and wanted all the funds to be donated locally. "I wanted to keep the money they raised in their own neighborhoods so people could see tangible results," she said.

Stevens' skill at pairing the right person with the right task is a major reason for her organization's success. "Sheila sees in individuals what they can best contribute," says board member Kristen Sapp.

The Sport of Giving has consistently exceeded its yearly fundraising goals, raising more than $1 million through annual tennis and golf tournaments, running events and other fundraisers. This spring's fundraiser at 10 Atlanta-area sites raised a record $250,000 with over 650 men, women and children participating.

The program supports a variety of local breast cancer initiatives, from a providing a diagnostic mammography center and a mobile mammography van to purchasing treatment handbooks for patients and reaching out to women in the community who would not otherwise have access to a mammogram.

Stevens' efforts have help fill troubling health care gaps in the community. Funds from The Sport of Giving have been used to help renovate and expand the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation's diagnostic center in Lawrence, Ga. "It would have been years before the hospital system could have come up with the money," says Ginger Powell, director of development at the foundation.

Success has propelled Stevens to work even harder. Between January 2007 and May 2008, she volunteered almost 1,500 hours and contributed $7,000 in personal funds. She's now focused on adding more sports venues, sponsors, a monthly e-mail newsletter, a fashion fundraiser, and information about cancer prevention on the organization's Web site.

"Everybody has a purpose," said Stevens. "I'm doing this for my mother, the women it helps, and to maybe fulfill why God put me here."

Stevens and the other four Good Neighbor Award winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their charity, a $2,000 Lowe's gift card and will be profiled in the November issue of REALTOR^Ò  Magazine, www.realtor.org/realtormag. Winners also receive a crystal trophy and the right to use the Good Neighbor Awards logo on their Web site and in promotional materials. The recipients will be presented with their awards at the 2008 REALTORS^Ò Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla., in November; 25,000 Realtors^Ò and guests are expected to attend the conference.

"The 2008 REALTOR^Ò Magazine Good Neighbor Awards winners epitomize everything a volunteer should be - dedicated, generous, and passionate about their cause," said NAR Vice President of Publications Pamela Geurds Kabati, REALTOR^® Magazine's editorial director. "We hope these Realtors^Ò inspire others around the country to give back to their communities."

REALTOR^Ò Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by eNeighborhoods, which has supported the program since its inception in 2000, as well as Homes.com, Lowe's and LandAmerica. A contribution also was made by Phil McGinnis, McGinnis Commercial Real Estate, Dover, Del.

Sugarloaf Country Club is one of the Atlanta area's most successful luxury home community.  Sugarloaf Country Club homeowners enjoy the privacy of a guard-gated golf community among some of the most traditionally built southern homes available.  Upon entering the gates you can feel the quality that encompasses the neighborhood on many levels. Homeowners have the opportunity to join the Tournament  Players Club (TPC) at Sugarloaf.  Memberships  are sold separately. Amenities of the membership include:

The Main Clubhouse, offers 3 dining rooms, Golf Shop, locker rooms and open air dining options.  Wednesday "Family Night" buffet has been a hit for many years with the entire family.  Sugarloaf boasts many different size business meeting facilities for its members use.  It also houses many charity functions, weddings, and parties throughout the year.

The Golf Course, is a 27- hold Greg Norman designed masterpiece that has been the home of the AT&T / Bellsouth Classic for many years.  They hope to be getting a "Champions Tour" Event for 2009.  This is a challenging course and has active membership from Juniors,  to Ladies, to Men.  The club is constantly hosting events for the members enjoyment.

The Sports Center, boasts a fantastic aquatics complex featuring junior size olympic pool, water slide, zero entry pool and other water features.  Fun for the entire family can be found here!  The newly designed playground is just steps away!

• Fitness Center has many cardio machines (everything from treadmills, stationary bikes, to elliptical).  There is also ample free weights and machines to complete your workout.
• The Tennis Facility has enormous membership activity.  With 14 lighted tennis courts and 5 USPTA Professionals, this facility is for true tennis lovers.  The professionals strive daily to bring the best possible program to its members.
• Kids Korral has been designed for members to bring their pride and joy for a couple of hours while mom or dad is enjoying another on premises activity.  They have their own play area designed for your little ones.
• The Activities program always has something for the children.  They host many camps during the year for all age groups.

Sheila Stevens is a 10-year resident and real estate specialist for Sugarloaf Country Club and all other luxury communities in Atlanta.  Contact Sheila at 404-406-6739 or sstevens@prudentialgeorgia.com for you private tour today.  Visit Sugarloaf Homes - to check out all listed homes in Sugarloaf Country Club.  My website has powerful Google Maps search and Microsoft Virtual Earth images to see exactly where the homes are located.  You can count on the experience of Sheila Steven, SG Stevens Properties.

Sheila Stevens:  #1 Agent in the Prudential Georgia Duluth Office

#1 Prudential Agent for Sugarloaf Country Club

#1 Prudential Agent for Sister Community:  The River Club