ellijay homes: What's Really Important !
- 08/04/08 12:52 AM
There have been a ton of blogs about the new housing bill. After all there should be as this is a real estate oriented network. There are volumes of blogs about government bail outs taxers etc etc. Basically I read a bunch of stuff that is anti- bailout. I am generally anti- Bail out too. But there is one bail out NO ONE IS BLOGGING ABOUT. On Feb 9 2009 all of us will convert to digital TV. If you do not have digital TV you need a box. You can get a coupon and a bail out for the box. … (6 comments)
ellijay homes: Showing land in the mountains
- 07/29/08 12:45 PM
I have written a lot of blogs about land and the mountains. Today highlighted a point that sellers need to consider. We all know about staging a home. But what about staging land ? Aside from the obvious make sure there is no trash on the property observe the following; The picture above is taken from a pretty wooded lot. You can see through the trees that there are mountains out there. The lot should have a pretty good view
This is THE SAME LOT with Vista pruning. Which do you think is easier to sell ? Vista pruning is to … (6 comments)
ellijay homes: Big Canoe Update: New Sconti opens
- 07/15/08 12:59 AM
With much fanfare and not a little controversy the new club house is open. The reviews, despite the Pollyanna proclaimations of Smoke Signals, are mixed. I have eaten there once. I have found the food to be good. The staff to be friendly and trying hard. The value to be good. Having said that. I have also been turned away when there were obvious seats available. The menu selection is limited and the staff needs more training. Which all leads us to ask the question why didn't we contract the job out to a company that knew what they were doing?. … (2 comments)
ellijay homes: Independence Day. What does it mean ?
- 07/04/08 03:25 AM
In a strictly political sense we are talking about a bunch of guys who said, What do we need your British for? But that is only the start of the story. We are very dependent. My main PC is on a work bench right now, talk about realizing how dependent we are !!! We are dependent on the power company water company etc etc . So what does it mean to be independent and what are we celebrating. We are celebrating the ability to think and have independent thought. We are celebrating the right to speak and act on more of … (5 comments)
ellijay homes: North Georgia Communitie Update
- 05/07/08 01:41 AM
Many folks come to us from other states. Many from Florida. One of the things that are issues for buyers are location. Usually buyers are coming from crowded locations. They are looking for wide open spaces for their primary or secondary home. Or are they ? This first Picture is in the gated community of Big Canoe. Now saying gated community to these folks is like giving garlic to Dracula. But this is what one of North Georgias' premier communities look like. Those mountains in the back ground are Big Canoe as well.
This second shot is in the gated community of Benttree. … (3 comments)
ellijay homes: Real Estate Big Canoe Proposed Fee update
- 05/04/08 02:28 AM
The 1 percent fee for new home owners as a fee taken at closing for Big Canoe is not quite yet proposed. There are many pros and cons to this fee. I live in Big Canoe and have owned property in Big Canoe for almost 11 years. All Mountain Realty provides services to Mountain Buyers though out the North Georgia Mountains. So while I live in Big Canoe I do work and our team works in the North Georgia mountains. The fee proposed is to be used for capital improvements. Big Canoe is is amenity rich and a great place to live. … (3 comments)
ellijay homes: The New Start (Spring)
- 03/24/08 03:58 AM
It is Spring (officially) in the mountains. Friday we had 70 degree temperature. Today looking out my window we have snow flurries. If that isn't Spring I don't know what is. But this leads me to write a bit about the North Georgia Mountains. The common misconceptions about Georgia are, It is flat , and it is hot. This is because many experience Atlanta in the summer, or drive through Georgia on I 95. In both cases it is hot and on I-95 really flat. But there are mountains in Georgia.. I am at 2500 feet. You can be as high as … (2 comments)
ellijay homes: The Active Season
- 03/20/08 12:09 AM
Just as every area is different in terms of Market conditions I think every area is different in terms of when things get active. This ideas was brought home to me via a comment to one of my posts. I nice Rainer from New Hampshire told me they had 110 inches of snow this year. Hard to be active selling and showing property in those conditions I thought. Now it is true that some times winter is active but for us here in the mountains things should start to get more active after Easter this week. I am curious to know … (0 comments)
ellijay homes: This week
- 03/19/08 12:05 AM
This is a very important week for many people of different faiths. So if you are a religious person, or even if you are not, take a moment this week to stop and reflect. Since none of us have moments I suggest friday 9 am you stop and reflect. Even if your market is slow stop and say thank you for your life. Say thank you for your family. Say thank you for your health. If you are in crisis say thank you for the patience you have been blessed with to , "weather the storm". So stop and say thank … (6 comments)
ellijay homes: Today in our Market
- 03/18/08 10:06 AM
It can be really tough today in our market. Buyers are thinking, Hey prices are good but they are going to get better. Buyers are thinking rates are good but they are going to get better. Buyers are thinking the economy stinks and it is going to get worse. So there is a lot of fence sitting. We have responded to this by changing some of our marketing focus to first time buyers. For the first time buyer it is great to get into this market. We are stressing the good prices and available loans. Especially FHA. This strategy is helping. For sellers … (4 comments)
ellijay homes: The Mountain Market
- 03/15/08 03:20 AM
I posted today on the Atlanta Market . But let's look at the North Georgia Market. Land prices in the mountain counties against last year Jan and Feb are up 3 percent. Housing prices are flat. (Up 1/2 percent. Sales of homes are down 9 percent and lots are off 15 percent. The market is being fueled at the moment by first time buyers who can now afford to get in and retirees. In addition the mountains attract folks that can telecommute and want a simpler life. So again the bottom line is if you want to buy now is the time to buy. … (2 comments)
ellijay homes: The Greater Atlanta housing Market
- 03/15/08 03:14 AM
Some numbers are in for the Greater Atlanta area. While the mountains are stronger , for sure the Atlanta market effects us. The housing market dipped 3 percent in price in 2008 so far against the same period in 2007. There is a 38 percent decline in home sales. This percent has not been seen since 2001. The current inventory is about 11 months to clear The condo and town home market is even worse . The dipped 49 percent against last year. This is a record . prices have dropped 6.5 percent. The inventory exceeds 16 months. The only silver lining … (1 comments)
ellijay homes: North Georgia Real Estate today
- 03/09/08 03:36 AM
If you have client's looking in the mountains this is an update on the North Georgia Market. We are really well priced. In fact the New York Times did a piece on us interviewing one of my brethren Realtors here. Since mountain property is the number 2 destination for retirees this blog may have relevance in your area. Most people labor under the misconception that Georgia is flat. Their experience is either driving down I 95 on their way to Florida or a brief stop over in Atlanta changing planes. There are great mountain destinations in Georgia. The Appalachian trail starts in Georgia. Elevations are … (2 comments)
ellijay homes: Back from the Show
- 03/03/08 08:45 AM
Today I returned from the Mountain expo in Ft Lauderdale. I have been blogging about it. Let me say it was great. We made 1 sale at the show and numerous invaluable contacts. We also have buyers coming to visit us. So it was a gamble and a success. That I guess is the message. In this market you have to be out of the box in your thinking to survive. I did meet a lot of agents who want to work with us on referrals which is another great source of income. And I met an Active Rain Agent ! How … (4 comments)
ellijay homes: Almost Showtime
- 02/27/08 07:15 AM
Tomorrow we leave for the Mountain Expo Show in Ft. Lauderdale. We at All Mountain Realty are very excited about this show. For one we are advertising it here as our way of bringing the mountains to the buyers. We will be in great company with other exhibitors from all over the Mountains. If you are in Ft Lauderdale this weekend and want to stop by. The show is at the airport Sheraton. This is one way we make a difference for our clients. … (3 comments)
ellijay homes: The Right to Complain
- 02/04/08 11:13 PM
Today is one of the most important days of the year for many. It is Called the right to complain day. We all like to complain and voice our opinions so today is very important. How do I earn the right to complain you ask?? You earn it by going out and voting. Not only are there candidates for President to vote for but many other local issues that effect you may be on your state ballots. I don't know about you but I cherish my right to complain about the folks in Washington. So I am going out today to … (8 comments)
ellijay homes: What do you know about your buyers ?
- 12/23/07 02:34 AM
What do you know about your buyers ? If you have been in this business for more than 1 day you probably can say; 1 I know what they can afford and are approved for. 2 I know whether they have to sell to buy. 3 I know what they are looking for , and 4 I know there time frame. If you do not know these 4 things when working with a buyer then you need remedial real estate sales 099. However there is one other thing you should know. You should know your buyer. When your buyer asks you," if I see a FSBO … (5 comments)
ellijay homes: Happy Thanksgiving
- 11/21/07 01:32 AM
Wishing all a happy Thanksgiving. We have so many things to be thankful for. We are in a great business. We are helping people achieve the American dream. And we are the largest advocacy group for the rights of private property owners. So we should be thankful for our profession and our blessings. I was going to work this weekend but you know what. I am taking Friday and Saturday off. You have to charge the batteries. Maybe I will go fishing with my son , weather permitting. Or maybe hike with the family in the mountains. A couple of days of … (3 comments)
There have been a ton of blogs about the new housing bill. After all there should be as this is a real estate oriented network. There are volumes of blogs about government bail outs taxers etc etc. Basically I read a bunch of stuff that is anti- bailout. I am generally anti- Bail out too. But there is one bail out NO ONE IS BLOGGING ABOUT.
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