101 Cars I Must Drive... It's a wrap... - 09/27/09 09:52 PM
I just completed a 101 post series.  In fact, I wrapped it up just about an hour ago.  I have been working on it for almost a year...  When I started, I was going to "dribble" the posts at random times, but I figured out after a few weeks that I needed to schedule the posts.  After that, they were mostly posted on Wednesdays and Sundays.  In fact, for the last nine months or so, I have been posting these on LaneBailey.com every Wednesday and Sunday... I haven't had to think very hard about what to post on those days, because … (7 comments)

Have you read? - 09/26/09 10:14 PM
Chris Brogan? 
He was just the keynote speaker yesterday at the New Media Atlanta event here in Atlanta.  Honestly, I knew from the bio that Matt Fagioli sent out (excitedly) that Chris co-wrote Trust Agents... but I hadn't heard of the book, and I didn't know he was "significant". 
So shoot me...
I volunteered to help out with the conference... Matt knows I am a sucker for helping out like that... and after helping with registration, I got to spend a little time doing other things.  One of the other things was hanging out in the "Rockstar" Lounge... the VIP area … (7 comments)

First Time Home Buyers... I just found a REAL bargain... - 09/24/09 10:22 PM
The October issue of Realtor Magazine (our industry magazine) had an interesting article about dispelling myths while educating first time home buyers.  The third point was about the realities of "bargains".
There are absolutely some bargains in the market...  But, often those properties that are the real bargains are NOT the ones that have rock-bottom prices. 
The HECK you say...
Really...  I have been in some pretty cheap properties in the last few months.  It seems that a house priced at $25,000 in a neighborhood or $150,000 homes would be a slam-dunk, right?  That deal starts to look WAY less … (7 comments)

Are you going to New Media Atlanta? - 09/24/09 08:12 PM
Tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 25th) is the day...  There are still a few tickets available for purchase at the event... and there is even a little time to grab a ticket online. 
So, are you going to New Media Atlanta?
If you have been to REtechSouth, you have an idea of what New Media Atlanta is going to be like.. but just an idea.  Instead of concentrating on the real estate industry, this is about making the business case for Social Network Marketing. 
The speaker list is impressive!  And, for those that get the "Rockstar Pass"... you will have unprecedented access to … (2 comments)

First Time Home Buyers... I need to see all of the options. - 09/24/09 05:27 PM
The October issue of Realtor Magazine (our industry magazine) had an interesting article about dispelling myths while educating first time home buyers.  The second point was about excessive caution, and buyer, especially new buyers, wanting to see "everything on the market".
I have to admit... the writer at Realtor Magazine got another solid base hit.  I have worked with buyers that wanted to see a LOT of houses... even houses that really didn't suit their purposes... even houses that they KNEW didn't suit their purposes prior to wanting to see them.  And there are a LOT of houses on the … (2 comments)

First Time Home Buyers... Is the market weak? - 09/23/09 11:42 PM
The October issue of Realtor Magazine (our industry magazine) had an interesting article about dispelling myths while educating first time home buyers.  The first point was about the weakness of the housing market. 
They are absolutely correct that we can't flip on the TV, radio or computer, nor pick up a newspaper or magazine... or even sit in a restaurant without hearing about the tremendous "Buyer's Market" taking place right now.  Quickly, the common wisdom is that since there are few buyers in the market, the ones that are there can beat sellers into incredible deals... 
Of course, there is some … (0 comments)

Water, Water, Everywhere... DANGER WILL ROBINSON... - 09/21/09 11:35 PM
I wrote a post not long ago about how water (uncontrolled) can destroy your house, and how simple things like gutters and paint can protect your investment. 
But this isn't abut anything so trivial... 
If you haven't been paying attention to the news... or you aren't reading this post in mid to late September (2009), we are having some serious water issues here in Atlanta.  The words 100 year flood are making the rounds... and I have NO reason to not believe that.  I have been here 20 years and have never seen anything like this. 
While out and about … (7 comments)

Starting a Blog? Need something to write about? - 09/20/09 10:46 PM
Start a series... 
I think that having a series is one of the greates things you can do in order to spur your creative blogging juices... as well as establish a regular blogging schedule. 
New blogs, as well as blogs that have been around for a while, need fresh content... new posts... regularly in order to gain readership.  For new bloggers, building that fresh content is one of the biggest challenges.  I often hear "but what can I write about?"  And honestly, the options are limitless... 
As real estate professionals, we answer scores of questions... and we all have those … (16 comments)

Do you have a renovation/improvement/maintenance plan? You should... - 09/20/09 06:15 PM
Yep... another plan. 
But, as a home owner, there are a lot of things to keep up with.  Air filter changes, painting and gutter cleaning.  Those are just some of the tasks that we need to schedule... and then there is caulking, raking, trimming shrubs and fertilizing the lawn.  That isn't even including things like updating the amenities inyour home... 
Sure, every once in a while we think it might be nice to redo the kitchen or the bathroom.  Maybe there is a thought about expanding the garage, building a deck or opening up a wall.  It could be adding a … (4 comments)

Are YOU going to reBarCamp Lynchburg? - 09/18/09 02:59 PM
It is coming up fast... 
Kathy Drewein, Patty Keller and I are trying to put together a small group of people to come up from the Atlanta area.  I'm still not 100% cleared for the event, but I'm working on it.  It should be about a 7 hour drive from Atlanta (including numerous and luxurious stops for meals... if you consider Sonic and McDonalds to be luxurious... and think twice is numerous) 
What we are talking about is heading out of the northern burbs of Atlanta EARLY in the morning on Wednesday, October 7th... again, EARLY (like 9:30).  Depending on who … (8 comments)

Water, Water, Everywhere... Trashing the House... - 09/17/09 08:40 PM
Water is essential for life.  Without it, everything dies.  But... sometimes it can be a pain in the butt... like when it is in the wrong place in the house... or outside of the house...
I have a buyer that is under contract on a beautiful home... or more accurately, a home that could be beautiful.  But it has problems.  Water. 
The biggest issue is one that people usually don't think of...
Gutters
There are several damaged gutters around the house, and some that we suspect are clogged.  Furthermore, the downspouts are in less than great condition... blocked, broken or poorly … (6 comments)

Some Upcoming Lilburn Events... - 09/15/09 10:08 PM
There are always great things happening in Lilburn...
September 19th, 2009 - Community Garage Sale in the Overflow Parking Lot across from the Lilburn City Park - 9am to 2pm October 10th, 2009 - Lilburn DazeFestival in the Lilburn City Park - 9am to 5pm October 12th, 2009 - City Council Meeting in the Auditorium at Lilburn City Hall - 7:30pm October 17th, 2009 - Community Garage Sale in the Overflow Parking Lot across from the Lilburn City Park - 9am to 2pm October 24th, 2009 - Get Fit Lilburn in Old Town Lilburn and at Lilburn City Park - 4:30pm … (0 comments)

The Press is on... - 09/15/09 12:07 PM
I have recieved emails this morning from the NAR and from my local association regarding the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.  There is a full court press from the National Association of Realtors as well as the local associations to not only continue, but expand this program.  And there is NO doubt that the program has been effective, especially in the last few weeks.  Entry level home sales are up. 
But, honestly... it needs to end as scheduled. 
But it is helping my business...
I can hear some of my real estate agent friends saying that very thing.  That … (30 comments)

Repair or Retreat Bond... Which one is better? - 09/14/09 08:43 PM
I'm not a "Bug Guy" and I don't play one on TV.  But, as a real estate agent, I get asked about bugs a lot.  More specifically, I get asked about termites... ok, actually about termite damage and termite bonds. 
We joke (ok, actually the Bug Guys joke) that here in the south there are homes that have been infested and homes that will be infested.  There are NO homes that won't get a termite visit.  And I can say from experience that they might be right... 
And of course, as soon as my buyer finds a house and we start … (3 comments)

Minor Tweaks... For Now... - 09/13/09 11:04 PM
A few days ago I wrote about my overwhelming desire to mess with my blog.  I get this from time to time... I just can't help it. 
As a hot rodder, I like to tweak things.  When my wife sees a nice car, truck or Jeep, I see a platform to make something cooler.  When she sees a pile of junk, I still see a platform to make something cooler.  No matter what... it is a platform to make something cooler... 
My blog is the same.  I like it.  It is functional.  It looks good (I think).  It does most of … (4 comments)

101 Cars, Part 97 - 09/13/09 10:43 PM

Image by vheilman via Flickr I can't believe there is a late model Cadillac on the list...  After all of the wallowing piles of mush from the 70s , the fact that this company built a car that could beat AMG Mercedes and M series BMWs around the Nurburgring is shocking.
American cars have come a long way.  I have posted a few of the later examples of American performance on the list, but this is even a step beyond.
The Nurburgring is a "track" in Germany that many companies have used as a yardstick of performance.  The track, about … (0 comments)

Is this the time to buy your first house? - 09/12/09 04:50 PM
Maybe...  Maybe not... 
Make no mistake, there are some deals in the market.  And combined with the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit (FTHBTC), this can be a great time to buy a first home.  Interest rates have remained low... despite a LOT of predictions to the contrary.  In fact, with a projected deficit THIS year of $1.8T for the federal government, there is still an expectation that rates will have to rise because of the pressure on the available investors. 
In fact, that would be the case laid out by those that say THIS is the time.  The FTHBTC … (5 comments)

Deal or No Deal... - 09/10/09 10:30 PM
It isn't just a TV show with Howie Mandel and a bunch of hotties holding briefcases.  It is daily life in real estate... 
And one of the issues that buyers face is the Deal or No Deal mindset.  It boils down to this... 
Do you want a deal?
Many buyers see the news or listen to reports about how much of a buyer's market we are in.  They hear radio ads about being able to buy wonderful homes in great neighborhoods for "pennies on the dollar"... and one goes so far as to say "and she bought this beautiful home for … (2 comments)

It's that time of year again... Let's Tweak my Blog... - 09/08/09 10:32 PM
I can't help it.  Each year, as summer wanes towards fall, I get the itch to mess with my blog.  I don't know why... I just can't help it.  I like it.  I think it is pretty cool, but I just want to mix it up again. 
So, because I know that I am really bad at avoiding the compulsion, I know that I have to start looking around at WordPress themes for LaneBailey.com.  There are tons of cool themes that are free...
Of course, the other problem is that I also want to make some structural changes to GarageHomesUSA.com.  That … (7 comments)

101 Cars, Part 95... - 09/06/09 11:10 PM
Many purists car these car heretical. They were front engined and water-cooled. Not only that, but they weren't even concieved as pure sports cars, but rather as Grand Touring cars.
The 924 preceded it by a couple of years, but the Porsche 928 was different... There would be no 928 Carrera...
I guess one of the reasons I've always liked these is a guy in the Porsche Club, when I first started Autocrossing, had a 928 with a killer exhaust. That car made the most glorious sound. The crowd would almost hush to listen to him run. It wasn't … (2 comments)

Let's just call it an occupational hazard... - 09/06/09 10:02 PM
No, we don't need to call OSHA...  But there IS a danger we real estate agents face almost every day... a hidden danger that can wreak havoc in our regular lives. 
I held an open house at one of my listings today, 590 Baltimore Ave in Lilburn, GA.  And while rushing out of the house for the 7 minute drive, I forgot to grab some reference paperwork.  As soon as I arrived and began unpacking by laptop and setting up my office for the afternoon, I realized that I hadn't grabbed the needed papers.  I called the lovely and talented Mrs. … (5 comments)

Over-Updated, Under-Updated... - 09/05/09 10:55 PM
I visited a home recently that had an interesting mix of over and under updated features.
Overall, the home was quite beautiful.  The finishes were well done and attractive.  Honestly, it showed better than the photos... and that is a good thing, the photos weren't bad.
The yard was amazing.  The only issue I could find is that it would require too much care for MY lifestyle, but it was wonderful to walk around the paths and see the ponds, gardens and various areas.
But then there was the kitchen...  1990 called and they want their kitchen back...  It didn't live … (4 comments)

Mold, not just for bread and cheese anymore… - 09/04/09 02:27 PM
Image via Wikipedia Ok, mold has NEVER just been for bread and cheese.  and while it can be useful stuff… when it is penicillin… the rest of the time, it is NOT something we want in our bodies.
So, Mold and Real Estate? I’m seeing it more and more.  Actually, it started a few years ago, but as more foreclosures come on the market, mold gets to be a bigger issue.
In some homes it is a minor issue… a little musty smell that can be handled with a couple of filter changes in the HVAC and a good cleaning.  There … (4 comments)

Deals in Bankrupt Subdivisions? - 09/03/09 11:49 AM
I recently took some buyers out looking at houses in an area with a lot of bankrupt subdivisions.  The houses were, in many cases, quite attractive and priced very competitively.
But there are a lot of considerations that buyers need to weigh before buying a home in a subdivision where the developer has gone out of business...
We'll start with the dangers... The amenities may not be complete... and they may NEVER be complete.  If you are buying a property because of the pool or tennis facilities, and those items aren't there, they might never be built. There is NO telling … (8 comments)

Strange People... muttering... muttering... - 09/01/09 10:52 PM
Have you ever hung out around the County Courthouse on the first Tuesday of the month? 
The County Courts CAN make for some great people watching on any day of the month (ok, any weekday...), but the first Tuesday on the month here in Georgia is a little more special.  There are deals to be had...  property deals. 
OK, maybe there are deals to be had.  Honestly, there wasn't much action on the foreclosure auction front... but I'm getting ahead of myself. 
The the tax record on the County's website said that the sale would take place at 8:30am...
First up … (0 comments)

 
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Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy

Suwanee, GA

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Century 21 Results Realty

Address: 2209 Sharon Rd, Suite 250, Cumming, GA, 30041

Office Phone: (678) 679-1393

Cell Phone: (678) 200-5895

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