It's been a very busy week.  Inspection to schedule, just "one more thing" requests from a buyers agent all week which leads me to today's story.  I have a listing in a subdivision that has covenants that were recorded prior to when my county began to put deed records on the on line system.  So this morning I stopped by the office and picked up my copy of the deed and headed to the court house to photocopy those pages.  I never take much into the court house because of the metal detectors.  So I headed in with my keys, my deed and my turned on silent phone.  I got into the records room and pulled the first deed book and headed over to the copier and oops my pocket was empty.  I had put a ten and two ones from my desk drawer into my pocket (which is quite shallow in the slacks I'm wearin... 01/26/2012

SOLD This spring you can find yourself in this unique Lake Sinclair home for a steal.  Listed well below tax assessor amount and well below the last purchase price and below the most recent appraisal at only $429,000.  It's a beautiful log home that blends rustic and modern with an excellence like you've never seen.  The kitchen has nearly new, barely used stainless steel appliances and granite tile counter tops.  There's a covered porch on the north and south side and the greatroom faces east for some beautiful sunrise views.  The very level grounds are well manicured and filled with flowering shrubs and trees for not a tremendous amount of time on the lawn mower. You'll find an enclosed boathouse, dock and seawall on the east shore, but that's not all.  This property is situated on a... 01/03/2012

When a tournament is close all us locals can tell.  Little River Park fills up with trucks and trailers.  And tournament season is about to start. The first one is just a little more than a week away on January 7th Followed by the March 17th And April 28th That's just Berry's Fish Trails. Click on that link for registration and details. A full schedule of the tournaments Now personally I'm not much on fishing.  I just like to putz and peddle around the lake on my peddle boat mostly.  Occassionally a pontoon stroll is nice too.  I can take a book and the dogs and enjoy the day out on the lake when the weather is nice.  But for you folks that like fishing... I know someone who can help you find some good fishing spots. And I'd like to point out that the GA EPD report on Lake Sinclair has ... 12/30/2011

  I love Christmas and what a way to kick off the season with the arrival of none other than Santa at the Christmas Parade. Downtown Eatonton will be alive with lights and crafts and generally you will find someone selling hot coco. The court house tree lighting will take place and stay for the movie. The forecast looks great and I think it should be a great night for a family outing.   Christmas in the Briar Patch! Christmas Parade, Winter Wonderland "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", at 4 p.m. All floats will be decorated with snowy visions and who knows, we just might see some of the white stuff floating around! At the end of the parade, we will welcome Santa who will then light the Tree and be available for FREE pictures. Just make sure to bring you cameras! The Christmas Bazaar, ... 12/02/2011

If you are a parent you know that you count your blessings when your healthy baby arrives.  But many parents now know that ten fingers and ten toes when your baby arrives breathing well on their own isn't all that matters.  Many parents now know that later in life something can go wrong, something that will change your life as a parent and the life and quality of life for your child.  When you feel that your child has to "overcome" something nothing is more heartbreaking than not being able to fix it for them.  I know this heart break with my own children so I know from personal experience that when Nancy's son Ryan was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes it was heart breaking. Nancy didn't take it sitting down.  She became not only a working mom, but a woman on a mission.  Nancy organized a... 11/30/2011

Not far away from Highway 441 or Highway 212, yet far far away from the hustle and bustle of any city.  Just down the street you will fnd a marina and store for anything you might forget, but you won't want to leave at the end of the weekend. This 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home is wonderful.  Has large screened porch on main level, dining room with gas log ventless fireplace, freshly painted kithcen with breakfast bar, has patio off daylight basement for grilling and dining outdoors.  Basement also has large family room/den.  The fee simple (owned) lot is filled with beautiful hardwood trees that offer shade in summer and sunshine in winter months.  The lot is gentle sloping down to the water and dock.  Here you will find a seawall, dock, boathouse with lift that is nearly new.  And part of the... 11/12/2011

Today I spent part of the day on the phone and emailing sellers about winterizing my listings.  Tonight we have our first freeze warning.  It's early for that, but mother nature didn't really ask us, she just sent it.  And out in the rural area where I live many homes still have wells.  And your well house needs several things: Insulation Wrapped pipes that exposed A light bulb or spotlight I have also switched many homes from the A/C to the heat today.  Usually in a vacant home I just set it on about 58, that is enough to keep things from freezing.  And if you haven't had a chimney sweep, you should have that done before burning a fire.  And hopefully you have remembered to check your propane tank and make sure it's full and had your furnace checked out by a professional. And tonight, ... 11/10/2011

Well, one of our deals has hit a snag.  Surprise Surprise.  This time it's flood insurance.  I've been posting about this issue for a couple of years.  In 2008 FEMA mapped Putnam County.  The maps are perhaps (how can I say this nicely) a little LESS than accurate. It's a catch 22.  You can't avoid lender flood insurance without a LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) after you submit an Elevation Certificate to FEMA for review(this is a lengthy process).  You can't get flood insurance in the amount you need from your insurance company unless you provide an Elevation Certificate putting you in the flood zone.  So for a buyer it usually means delays in closing. And for those sellers out there who own their homes outright, no mortgage and don't have or have to have flood insurance, if you are th... 10/18/2011

Lane Realty, where it's not about volume, but quality. In looking through the Showcase of Land and Homes... A publication for my local MLS, I noted two ads that I wish to address.  Of course I won't be pointing fingers and naming names.The first ad from Brokerage XYZ (30 agents)  says "We're # 1" because look at our numbers, we sold the most houses.The second ad from Brokerage ABC ( 39 agents) says ""We're # 2 and we are closing the gap"  We sold only X houses less than Brokerage XYZ last year and we are only Y # of home sales behind them this year"  Soon we will be # 1.Now if you were car shopping volume might be important.  The more inventory a car dealer moves, the less profit he can afford to take per sale and still make money.  But when it comes to real estate is that the case?  Do... 09/30/2011

Recently I read a question on facebook about agency in antoher state that led me to write this post. I want to explain a little to you the buyer or you the seller who might be searching for the right brokerage firm on Lake Sinclair to list or assist you in finding a home.I will be the first to admit that when buyer's agency arrived on the scene I was one of the biggest skeptics around. When I entered the real estate profession, agents represented sellers and sellers only. After all, the seller was paying the commission so he seemed entitled to have the representation. There was agency and sub agency. And then the dual agency came into being and my first thought was... How can you be loyal to your "husband" and your "boyfriend" at the same time?But when buyers learned they could have rep... 09/27/2011

Last year I wrote a post with the video below of my walking my dogs.  I had a house in my subdivision listed.  I am happy to say that some sweet dog lovers purchased that house.  Well I have another home for sale in my subdivision now and I'm looking for more neighbors. It's a lovely 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath manfactured home with a large sun porch on the lake side.  It's on great water, lovely view, has a covered porch on the street side, dock, boat shelter, and it's on a beautiful nearly level shaded (hardwood trees) lot.  Just a few short minutes to 441.  Possum Point has a homeowners association, but if you are not a joiner.... we don't make you.  Located right inside our subdivision is a common lot owned by all property owners with a boat ramp for launching your boat with no fees.  The wat... 09/16/2011

In August of 2011 13 waterfront properties sold 9 of these were homes and 4 were lots.  The good news I can find in this month's Lake Sinclair market report is more lots selling.  In August of 2010 only 1 lot sold and the number of homes sold in August of 2010 was also 9. August 2011 : AVERAGE SOLD PRICE $206,333 (HOMES)                      SOLD TO LIST: 87.24%                      AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 117 August 2010  : AVERAGE SOLD PRICE $287,477  (HOMES)                      SOLD TO LIST: 93.04%                      AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 87 So back to the good news:  In all of 2010 only 10 lots on Lake Sinclair sold and thus far in 2011 13 lots have sold, The 2010 avearage price of lot was $70,745 and thus far in 2011 it is up to $81,600. 507 waterfront properties are listed curr... 09/15/2011

Not long ago I was eating somewhere that was NOT my favorite place and I was wishing for the great service I always get when I'm at Bone Island Grill at Crooked Creek Marina.  The food is always great, but I can guarantee you will get GREAT service at Bone Island Grill.  And it's also very likely that the owner will stop by and chat with you.  The long hot summer we've had kept me inside the dining room for most of it, but today the air was crisp and in the mid 70's and we sat out on the porch and enjoyed not only our dinner, but Conner Pledger was entertaining as well.  Who might be preforming if you eat at B.I. G toight? We even got to hear a couple of his original pieces over dinner.  It was a fantastic evening to have dinner on the porch.  I was a little jealous of the folks that ar... 09/08/2011

Forest Lake Village at Lake Sinclair is one of the few site built only neighborhoods on the lake.  With Lake Sinclair being nearly 60 years old much of the shoreline has been developed since before 1980.  There are lots of older fishing cabins and even travel trailers and many manufactured homes on Lake Sinclair.  Forest Lake Village on Lake Sinclair was one of the last huge developments in Putnam County and was developed and sold as a site built only neighborhood.  Forest Lake Village also is the only neighborhood that not only has private lake access, but interior lots have green ways that go to Lake Sinclair and some interior lots even offer nice lake views. There is currently a bit of a mess in getting into and out of the subdivision from Hwy. 441, but that's just some temporary gro... 09/07/2011

If you follow my blog you will know that the Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton Georgia is very special to me.  Two of the people I held most dear in my life worked there.  I loved both mother Norma Wiford and daughter Norma Watterson very much.  And last night when it rained over an inch at my house I couldn't help but think God and the Normas were crying because someone STOLE Brer Rabbit. I am heart broken, but also angry over it.  How dare someone.  I have wished many awful things (like home they drop it on their foot and break it). I admit I've also had some thoughts that I won't put into my blog. I'm just really sick over it.  The Board of Dirctors is working hard to see if the mold can be located and another one made.  Personally I'm hoping that Brer Rabbit can outsmart the theif and ... 08/10/2011

This morning when I arrived a truck was parked across the street from my office.  It wasn't marked, but because of a highway widening project the utility companies have been having workings in and out of the area for months.  I wasn't too bothered by them until they got really loud.  Thank goodness it only lasted a half hour. I have visited larger cities... I've been in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego.  I've had some fun and unique experiences in many of those cities, but as many times as I've visited a city today was an absolute first for.. me seeing someone use a jackhammer.  I started to cross the street to watch.  The funny thing is I though a jackhammer was for concrete, but they were digging in the dirt with a jackhammer.  Oh course it occ... 08/05/2011

Previously I laid out the 4 different types of property ownership on Lake Sinclair.  Georgia Power does own some of the land and lease it.  Some of those lease lots have homes for sale.  Today I had a call asking about one of those homes that is located on a Georgia Power lease lot.  Rates change from year to year, but below are the 2011 rates.  The information below was provided from the Georgia Land Managment office and subject to change.  You can always call them to verify the current information at 706-485-8704.   If you have questions about something on Lake Sinclair... call me or email me.  I'll be happy to tell you... or find out if I don't already know.  And you just might find your question on my blog in the future.  I like to have as much information available on line as I can... 08/04/2011

The Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton, Georgia is near and dear to my heart.   It's not just a place you should visit or a book you should read for me... for me... it's a personal journey.  You see... once upon a time I was a docent at the Uncle Remus Museum.  I started working with and for Mrs. Norma Wiliford when I was but a wee 12 years old.  It wasn't the first place I ever "worked" but I guess the convenience store across the street when I was 8 where I got paid a quarter and a coke to pick up trash from the parking lot and bag groceries doesn't REALLY count. Miss Norma was the first curator of the Museum, so I learned the stories from the best.  She once told me she was the first woman in Putnam County to register to vote.  I have a beautiful tea cup and saucer in my curio that she g... 07/19/2011

I sometimes pick up a couple of vegetables when I walk my dogs.  Noting like a fresh from the garden tomato between two slices of white bread slathered in Miracle Whip with a little sprinkle of salt lots of fresh ground black pepper.  Most years I am a porch container gardener.  I had my pots planted in spring and along came a tornado and blew the containers off my deck and spilled out my baby plants.  That morning I thought I would be trying to salvage them... that afternoon I was grieving the loss of my nephew and didn't so much care about my porch garden anymore.  But I've missed my fresh veggies.   So I have ventured over to my neighbor's neighborhood "farmers market" where he sells tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, corn, and even eggplant, oh and don't let me forget peppers of several v... 07/14/2011

New listing 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath manufactured home on Georgia Power lot with beautiful open deck overlooking lovely in ground pool and beautiful Lake Sinclair.  Home has slip bedroom design, large kitchen with breakfast area plus formal dining, greatroom with fireplace, large master suite with garden tub and shower, Bedrooms two and three are also roomy.  It features a covered porch on both the lake and street side as well. There's also a detached carport. Look how inviting that pool looks.  And just look at that view.  All for just $249,900.  And if you call me today, I will schedule a showing by tomorrow.  07/13/2011