In April 1873 a group of leading citizens of Newton County applied to the Georgia General Assembly for a charter to build a street railway, or trolley line, connecting Covington and Oxford. The street railroad was designed to be an efficient, inexpensive form of transportation, and give Covington and Oxford residents an easy way to reach the Georgia Railroad depot located between the two towns. The General Assembly granted the charter and right-of-way, but the first attempt at building the line failed. The idea of the trolley, however, did not. Fifteen years … (1 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: It All Comes Down To Price!
- 04/12/11 08:01 AM
It All Comes Down To Price… so make sure your home is priced right at the beginning! Is you home in poor condition? Fix it… or lower the price! Is your home in a bad location? Move it… or lower the price! Has you home not sold because of poor exposure and marketing? Look, there are 2 million real estate agents in the U.S.; 1 million members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR); 40,000 licensed agents in Georgia. So simply getting your home in the MLS and having a yard sign will ensure that it sells…IF it’s priced correctly! … (3 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Real Estate Terrorists
- 08/30/10 09:29 AM
Al Qaida... Hamas... Taliban... Hezbollah... No, it's none of those, but there is a real estate terrorists cell operating in Newton County and several other counties in Georgia, according to the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution." Cells of the domestic terrorist group "sovereign citizens" (listed on the FBI's domestic terrorist list) are "stealing" homes across the U.S. Locally, investigators have tied them to at least 19 property thefts in Newton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Spalding and Richmond counties. The "sovereign citizens" group believe they are immune to state and federal laws, and assert -among other things - that banks can't own land and that … (0 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Bite Into Your "15 Minutes of Fame!"
- 01/21/10 04:33 AM
Now you can bite into your 15 minutes of fame! The CW Network's "Vampire Diaries" TV show has put out a call for paid extras as they continue to film the popular series in Covington. The show held an open casting call last July in Covington, but is still looking for extras of all types and ages. To bite into this opportunity, all you have to do is send an email to the extras casting director at vampirediariescasting@gmail.com. Send along a recent photo, along with your name, age, height, weight, clothing size, and phone number The pay?... $7.25 per hour, plus … (2 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Roll Me Over In The Clover
- 01/19/10 04:06 AM
Roll Me Over In The Clover... words to an old ditty I was reminded of when I read the latest FHA rules waiver. On January 15, the Federal Housing Commissioner signed a waiver of Section 203-37a(b)(2) of FHA regulations which essentially state that you cannot get an FHA loan for a property which has been purchased by the seller within the past 90 days. The waiver takes effect on February 1, and will be in effect for one year from that date. What does this mean? The FHA decided that waiving the 90-day sale rule will offer a multitude of advantages … (0 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: "Political Correctness" Defined
- 01/12/10 08:28 AM
Ron Brown, a loan specialist from Puyallup, Washington wrote a great blog today titled "Are these words "offensive?" It's about two things... (1) What we can and can't say in real estate advertising to avoid Fair Housing Law violations, and (2) the condition and requirement that has sneaked into our society of being "PC," politically correct. It seems that, at the beginning of every new year, Ron's local Multiple Listing Service board sends out a list of words to be avoided in real estate advertising by all their members because they may be found "offensive." The list is long, and … (2 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: The Only Thing That Stays The Same Is... CHANGE!
- 01/07/10 07:52 AM
This month we leave behind a decade characterized by unprecedented change in our real estate industry and the world.During the past ten years we saw our industry boom, lead the national economy, and then implode.Today we look outward on a nation whose economic system is near collapse, an unemployment rate hovering around 10 percent, banks collapsing, huge companies being taken over by the government, and security systems that don't work.Technology, with the emergence of flat-screen, high-definition digital-broadcast television, the IPod, Social Networks, smart telephones, advanced, inexpensive digital cameras, ultra high-speed Internet connections - all these changes within the last ten years. … (2 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: A Boondoggle of Olympic Proportions
- 09/28/09 11:35 AM
Valerie Jarrett, one of the president’s senior advisers told major media outlets this morning that President Obama will travel to Denmark to support Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. He will leave this Thursday and join his wife Michelle in Copenhagen where they, along with a packed contingent from Chicago’s bid committee and the world of celebrity, will lobby the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the international event. The IOC will decide the host city on Friday from among the final contenders, Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.
What’s wrong with this picture? I see two … (0 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Walk Through History
- 09/28/09 05:03 AM
If you enjoy history or want to learn more about Covington's history and that of the people who have lived here, here's something you won't want to miss. On Thursday evening, October 15, the Tourism Division of the Covington/Newton County Chamber of commerce is sponsoring a guided walking tour of the historic Covington City Cemetery. The cemetery is located off Conyers and Church Streets just a couple of blocks off the historic square. The tour will be conducted by people in period costumes representing several "residents" of the cemetery who will provide graveside commentary about their lives and history of Covington … (0 comments)
The pathways through Colonel Cob’s 7-acre cornfield this year is in the shape of a giant pirate ship. You should be able to navigate your way through the ship and safely back to the dock in about 30 minutes. But for the “directionally challenged,” it could take much longer. Co-owners Tommy and Emy Mitcham have also placed water-related trivia clues throughout the maze to help you navigate. If you answer the trivia questions about uses of … (2 comments)
This morning, I saw the first flock of geese flying south over my house, foretelling a change of seasons for Covington. Autumn is my favorite time of year, bringing clean, crisp air, beautiful colored leaves against the backdrop of white antebellum columns, SEC football, and vampires. Vampires?!?!
Covington has again been chosen as the perfect site for the filming of a new television series, The Vampire Diaries. When writers and location managers visited Covington and saw the historic square, it was exactly what they had in mind for the fictitious town of “Mystic Falls, Va,.” setting fo the … (9 comments)
Grilled chicken breast slathered in my own secret recipe, home-made BBQ sauce Baked potato dripping rich butter and chives Sweet corn directly from my garden Topped off with a crisp tossed salad full of my juicy, red, home-grown tomatoes And garnished with herbs from my kitchen herb garden
Now, that's so good, it'll make you slap your Mama!
A lady in Coweta County received a letter in the mail soliciting her participation as a “Mystery Shopper.” All she had to do was cash the enclosed check and complete a paid shopping and evaluation assignment within a week of her acceptance.
Now, this ain’t rocket science, people. I know a couple of real “mystery shoppers,” and it’s an easy, legal way to pick up some extra pocket change… especially if you … (9 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: I've Ceased to be Amazed
- 08/04/09 12:18 PM
In today’s Covington real estate market, I’ve ceased being amazed at the attitude of the FDIC, some of our large banks, and alleged premiere mortgage companies. They are continuing to do more to hamper a rapid recovery of our housing industry than they are to facilitate it. And, they don’t really seem to care.
There are exceptions, naturally. But, they are few.
Several of our “local” banks, strapped with significant numbers of foreclosures, are making genuine efforts to reduce their inventory and bring things back to a more normalized market. They have assigned special management teams to … (3 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Psst... Hey You... Wanna Buy A "Money Machine?"
- 03/07/09 05:15 AM
Think that cute little 3BR/2BA brick and siding foreclosure across town might be a good rental property? Itmay be… Home prices are at a real low. The supply seems almost unlimited. Interest rates are the lowestin years, and more and more people are looking for rentals every day. Even today – with the stock market down over 52% from its record high in October 2007 - a home is still asafe and highly leveraged asset with an ability to generate wealth which is second to none. But before youcash out your mutual funds or dig up that coffee can full of … (6 comments)
Our U.S. House of Representatives and Senate reached a “closed door” agreement last night on a tentative $789 billion “stimulus” bill meant to send signals to the American consumer that our economic woes will soon improve and instill confidence in a brighter future. So, what’s so stimulating in the agreement?
$90 billion in increased federal matching funds to states to help pay for Medicaid, along with an additional $54 billion that could be used to build and repair schools and colleges. $11.5 billion supporting the IDEA program for special … (3 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Curses On You, Girl Scout !
- 02/06/09 08:15 AM
I don't make New Years' resolutions. Never have. Never will. I believe they're only made to be broken. In fact, I don't know a single person who has ever kept a New Years' resolution! But, I did decide a couple of weeks ago that I would loose some weight. As long as my desire to loose weight was not a “resolution,” but just something that I thought I should do for my own health and comfort, I figured I was much more likely to be successful and not so prone to disappointment and abject guilt trips. And so I began. I … (5 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: You Have To Believe It To See It!
- 01/21/09 06:20 AM
I'm a Republican. I've never been, nor will I ever be a Democrat. To my daughters' chagrin, I'm much too conservative. But - politics aside - what happened in this country yesterday with the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States cannot help but cause a sense of pride, inspiration, and hope for our nation. The special thing that happened yesterday was not that the first black president was inaugurated, not that his speech was great (or not), not that Michelle's outfit was lovely (or not), or that Aretha's hat was tacky (it was!). The special thing … (2 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Newton County BOE Rushes Boldly Into 20th Century!
- 01/09/09 07:16 AM
Finally! After prolonged, consistent "lobbying" efforts by a small group of parents and citizens concerned with the education of their children and grandchildren in Covington and Newton County, the county Board of Education is establishing two theme schools for next school year. Finally, our school system is moving out of the educational Dark Ages. An elementary theme school will open next year at Fairview Elementary. Clements Middle School is being turned into a theme school for middle school students. Meetings are scheduled all during the month of January to provide more information to the public on the schools and their curriculums. … (3 comments)
misc ramblings from the covington real estate guy: Covington Restaurants... Smiley's
- 12/23/08 07:58 AM
I grew up in the South eating home-cooked Southern food. My Mom was a great cook, as is my wife. But Mom always cooked in ways that we've come to realize weren't so good for you. Her biscuits were made with lard. Chicken, or pork chops or steak was fried. Most veggies were cooked with fat back. And the cornbread was always slathered with butter. The result... yummy food, bouts with being overweight, and cholesterol pills. Now, I'm not sure they cook like Mom did, but you can still get that great Southern home-style food at Smiley's in Porterdale. No white … (0 comments)
The Covington and Oxford Street Railway
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