Real Estate Information Archive

I’m getting a lot of inquiries about Real Estate Activity for waterfront homes on Lake Hartwell and how it stacks up to last year. As you can see below, Lake Hartwell Homes are still Selling. Homes that have sold and current activity are exceeding last years pace, but the average price per sale has dropped significantly (from approximately $391K to $324K). That’s great news for Buyers, but Sellers are being forced to give huge discounts if they want to sell. Surprisingly, there are very few Foreclosures and Short Sales on the Lake. Overall, there are 435 Active Waterfront Lake Homes on the market, which is an increase of about 36% since the first of the year. Now, is definitely the time to buy with the best Interest Rates in nearly 50 years.  

Homes Sold -                                      47

            Average Days on Market                    188

            Average Sale Price                       $324,082

            Current Active Listings                    435

            Current Homes Pending or UC            23

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ACTUAL LISTINGS THAT MAKE UP THIS REPORT

                                (This link expires in 30 days)

Note: This list does not include condos and townhomes (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings).

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net , 770-757-2799 .

Big Reduction in Price for this Lake Hartwell Waterfront Home at 250 Harbor Heights Circle in Lavonia, Georgia.

Here it is – at only $400,000, A Beautiful Lake Hartwell Waterfront 5 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Home with over 3 acres (3 lots) , 400 feet of Waterfront, Single Slip Dock in Place in Great Water, An Open Floor Plan with Nice Lake Views from most Rooms, Circular Driveway and Cement Path to Lake. What more could you want? Well, add a Master Bedroom and Bath Suite on the Main, Wide Plank Pine Hardwood Floors, Fireplace in the Great Room and Terrace Level, Terrace Level Bar and Entertainment Area, Screened-In Patio, and a Mother-In-Law Suite that includes its own Private Entrance, Kitchen, Bedroom, Bath, Family Room Area, and HVAC unit.  And, you’re just a minute off I-85 and the Harbor Light Marina. It’s being sold “Furnished” so - if you're looking for Lake Hartwell Real Estate, "You don’t want to miss this one"! 

Check out the VIRTUAL Tour.

MLS #20110005

Contact Jay Hufnagel, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com, Keller Williams Realty, sayjay@bellsouth.net , 770-757-2799 .

Are you curious what has been selling on Lake Lanier?  So far this year, 36 waterfront homes have sold, and 22 are currently under contract (out of 458 homes active on the market). As you can see by the link below, the majority of the activity is below $450,000, with some great deals around $300,000. It’s interesting to compare the “original” list price to the actual “sale” price. As you can see, there’s quite a difference.

2010 Lake Lanier Real Estate (Waterfront Home Sales)

Buyer Full Report
       CMA Buyer

How has Lake Lanier waterfront lots fared? 2 waterfront lots have sold and 4 are under contract (out of 130 lots active on the market). Buyers are finding that they can get such a great deal on resale homes right now with great interest rates, that buying a lot doesn’t make that much sense to them, unless they’re getting a great deal or want to build right away.

2010 Lake Lanier Real Estate (Waterfront Lot Sales)

Buyer Full Report
       CMA Buyer

Whether you’re buying a home or lot, “now” is a wonderful time to buy. Either way, please let me know how I can help. 

Note:  Source is FMLS. The statistics above do not reflect For Sale by Owner (FSBO) activity or non FMLS listings.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty Atl Prtnrs, Lake and Home Group, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com  , 770-757-2799.

Wow! It looks like the year is starting off pretty good for Lake Hartwell Real Estate (source: SC Western Upstate MLS). So far (as of 4-8-2010) 26 waterfront homes have sold in 2010 and 18 are currently under contract (out of 397 homes active on the market). As you can see by the link below, the majority of the activity is below $350,000 with some great deals under $200,000.  From experience and knowing what has been on the market in earlier years, some of these Lake Hartwell Homes have sold for half of what they were on the market less then 2 years ago. Click on the link below to see the actual "sold" listings.

2010 Lake Hartwell Waterfront Home Sales

Note: The above link has been updated to 6-12-2010. Currently there are over 440 Active Lake Hartwell Waterfront Homes for sale.

Lake Hartwell Waterfront lake lots haven’t had the success that homes have had. Only 2 waterfront lots have sold and 3 are under contract (out of 340 lots active on the market). Buyers are finding that they can get such a great deal on resale homes right now with great interest rates, that buying a lot doesn’t make that much sense to them, unless they’re getting a huge discount.

2010 Lake Hartwell Waterfront Lot Sales

Whether you’re buying a home or lot, “now” is a wonderful time to buy.

Note: The statistics above do not reflect For Sale by Owner (FSBO) activity or non SC Western Upstate MLS listings.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty Atl Prtnrs, Lake and Home Group, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com  , 770-757-2799.

103 Foothills Dr, Hartwell, GA - Here's your chance! Buy a Lake Home and Earn Income while you Enjoy it. This Charming 4BR, 3.5BA, “Cottage Style” Waterfront Home is nestled in a Quiet Cove very close to Hartwell Marina. You’ll love the Character and Charm of this Home that includes a Carriage House, Single Slip Coved Dock, close Corps line, 150’ of waterfront,  Screened-in Porch with great Lake Views, large Family Room with Fireplace and Sunroom. Home is being sold mostly Furnished and has been used as a Vacation Rental Home (Hartwell Heaven & Surf Shack). This property is so Unique – you have to see it. Just bring your Towels!

Virtual Tour of this Fantastic Home

Highlights include: a Fire Pit near the Lake, a Fantastic lot with Shade Trees, Large Fig Tree, Pear Tree and two Pecan Trees and many Flowers and Perennials. The Detached Carriage House has a Game Room, “Tiki” Bar, and a Large Bedroom and Full Bath upstairs. Cement Drive has ample Parking and includes a large Pad for Turning and Guest parking. If you’re looking for a true Lake Home that you have the option of Earning Income, Relaxing in a Hammock, Read a Book, Swim, Boat, Fish, Entertain, and just “Enjoy Life”, this is where you’ll want to be.

Contact Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net , 770-757-2799.

1109 BAY DR, FAIR PLAY, SC - WOW!  Nothing quite like this… a 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, Ranch Style, 3000+ Square Foot, Home in a Lake Hartwell Community with “Nothing to Spare”. Where they could have spent a Nickel, they spent a Dime. Quality and Upgrades throughout including: Four sided Brick with Hardy Plank Trim, Three Car Attached Garage with room for Storage, Circular Cement Driveway that goes through a Detached 19’X 45’ Insulated Garage so you can store your Boat or Storage, Huge Gourmet Kitchen with Granite Countertops, Master Bedroom and Bath Suite on Main with Sun Room, Great Room with Fireplace, 56” Built in TV, and Double Trey Ceilings in Great Room and Master Bedroom - All of this and only 2 minutes from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Glenn Ferry, Lake Hartwell Boat Landing and Community Dock and Exit #4 off I-85.

Other Key Features and Upgrades include: All Garages and Interior Walls in the Home  are Insulated, Upgraded Crown Molding throughout, Rocking Chair Covered Front Porch, Covered Back Porch and Patio, Home is wired for Sound System, all Windows are Energy Efficient, Buried 1000 Gal Propane Tank, 2 Renai Tankless Water Heaters, Central Vacuum System, Irrigation System, Kitchenaid Architech Series Appliances, Convection Oven, Upgraded Gas Stovetop with Warming Drawer, Medallion Cabinetry in Kitchen and Bathrooms, Oversize Shower Entrance with Double Shower Heads in Master Bath Suite, His and Hers Walk-in Closets, Plantation Shutters, and 400 Amp Electric Service for Home. So, if you're looking for Lake Hartwell Real Estate, this Home definitely has a “WOW” factor.

Virtual Tour of this Beautiful Lake Hartwell Home

Contact Jay Hufnagel, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , Keller Williams Realty, sayjay@bellsouth.net , 864-287-7530 for this property or other Lake Hartwell Homes for Sale.

This Gorgeous Lake Lanier 4 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath Home at 7475 Kingfisher Lane in Dawsonville, Georgia is located in Lakes Edge Subdivision. Located just minutes from Hwy 400, this beautiful Lake Lanier Home has everything you’re looking for - Huge Great Room with Fireplace, Formal Dining Room, Huge Kitchen with Breakfast Bar and Area, and a Keeping Room with Stone Fireplace. You’ll love the large Master Bedroom (on the Main Floor) with Sitting Area that overlooks the big Private Back Yard that borders the US Army Corps of Engineers property of Lake Lanier. The Master Bath Suite includes a Double Vanity, Garden Tub and Separate Walk-in Marble Shower. The unfinished Basement is huge and just waiting to be transformed into a Showcase Terrace Level with two more Bedrooms, Full Bath, Media Room, Bonus Room and Entertainment Area.

All of this and you’re just a 2 minute walk to a Community Multi-Slip, Party Deck, Dock in Deep Water of Lake Lanier. Invite your Family and Friends to enjoy your Beautiful Home and the Quality of Lake Living.

Other Key Features and Upgrades in this Beautiful Lake Lanier Home include: Room for Large Swimming Pool in Backyard, 13 feet Ceilings in Basement, Upgraded Marble Baths throughout home, Granite Countertops in Kitchen and Baths, Extended Wrap around Deck, Fireplaces have Floor to Ceiling Stone Treatment, Hardwood Floors throughout Home (Upstairs and Downstairs), Tank less Water Heater, Gourmet Kitchen with Stainless Steel Commercial Appliances, Wolf six (6) Burner Stove, Bosch Front Load Laundry Appliances, Extra Windows in Keeping Room, Wall of Windows in Great Room, Granite Buffet Shelf in Dining Room, Iron Railings and Cat Walk, Iron Railings on Deck and Decorative Columns, Extra Canned Lights, Stone Steps to Backyard, Surround Sound Wiring and Custom Walk-in California Closets.

              Virtual Tour of this Beautiful Lake Lanier Home

If you're looking for Lake Lanier Real Estate don't miss seeing this home.

Contact Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net , 770-757-2799.

First, I’ll try to explain what a short sale is. A short sale happens when the net proceeds from the sale of a property are not enough to cover a seller’s mortgage and closing costs (such as real estate commissions, property and misc. taxes, etc.). Plus the seller is unable or unwilling to cover the difference. In many cases, the lender agrees to accept less than the total amount due and will release or satisfy the mortgage and the note. The words Preforeclosure or Pre-Foreclosure sales are sometimes used in place of a short sale.  

The cause for a short sale can be due to a variety of reasons. Property owners (Mortgagors) may be in default on their mortgage due to employment issues, divorce, medical challenges, death, unexpected debt and other hardships. Some may have bought at the top of the real estate market and now find themselves “upside down” on their mortgage. Others may have drained equity out of their property through refinancing. In any case, they find themselves unable to make their payments and faced potential foreclosure. 

One of the key requirements in buying a short sale is having patience. Many potential home buyers find that short sale listings take forever and never close. Many Real Estate Agents, experienced in listing or assisting in the buying of short sales, question whether it’s really worth the time. That may change.

Recently, there was a great article in the January 31, 2010, AJC homefinder section of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) by John Adams, “Big News on Short Sales”. John talks about a new rule that is going into effect in April that will force many of the big lenders to respond to short sales within 10 business days of getting an offer. This new rule will solve one of the biggest challenges that face buyers wanting to buy a short sale. Today, many buyers wait weeks and months to hear back whether a loan servicer (lender) has accepted or countered their offer. It also affects the property owner which in many cases face foreclosure before the deal is accepted.

Shown below is a great video talking about Short Sales and explaining the new rules going into effect in April, 2010.

   WILL FEDERAL GUIDELINES SPEED SHORT SALES?

                                   Realtor TV

So, expect to see big changes in the amount of interest in buying short sales this year. At a recent seminar by the Law Firm of O’Kelley & Sorohan, Joe O’Kelley Jr stated that we can expect the distressed property challenge to continue for at least another two years. Currently, close to 50% of homes sold are distressed. That’s bad news for many home owners, but great news for home buyers and investors.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, sayjay@bellsouth.net , 770-757-2799, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com

Did you buy or sell Real Estate in 2009? If you did, or planning to buy or sell in 2010 you may want to read Grant Ballew’s message below and his "10 Big Deductions too many people miss" article (email me sayjay@bellsouth.net  to receive a copy of this). Grant is a Senior Mortgage Consultant from WR Starkey Mortgage. Here’s a note that I received from him this afternoon.

I hope this email finds you doing well. I can’t believe that we are already in February. I am fortunate to be in the business I am, I love what I do! Please take a couple minutes to read this email.

Most people have heard about the $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers, but did you know you may qualify for an extra tax deduction after your refinance? People who refinanced in 2009 may qualify for a special deduction of thousands of dollars.

If you do your own taxes, you may want to review IRS Publication 936. Or ask your tax person about prepaid finance charge deductions. To calculate this deduction you will need the HUD and the Truth In Lending Statement from the loan we paid off at your closing, so bring those documents with you to meet with your tax professional.

Another important deduction to keep in mind is the federal deduction you get for paying state and local taxes. For many borrowers, this can include the intangible tax you paid on your recent mortgage, last year’s state income tax, and the ad valorem tax you paid for your automobile.

Your financial well being is important to me, so always seek personal tax advice from a professional.　

Grant Ballew

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , 770-757-2799

Real Estate activity with waterfront Lake Hartwell homes have started to warm up. Now if we can get the weather to warm a little, things would be really great. As you know, the lake level has come up with all the rain we’ve been getting. Plus, with the Stock Market and Consumer Confidence growing it’s just a matter of time before lake property and second homes become a priority again. I’m averaging about four showings a week with potential lake property buyers that want to take advantage of the “great deals”.

Lake Hartwell Home sales improved 15% over 2008. That’s a strong indicator that we’re moving in the right direction. Average Sale prices have decreased by 22% with most buyers looking in the $200,000 to $350,000 range.

Unfortunately, lake lots have not had the success that homes have had. Lenders have not been willing to open up the way that they used to for lot purchases. Plus, buyers that may have wanted to build, are now finding that they can buy a resale much cheaper then spending the money to build. Many lake lot owners wanting to sell are willing to take big losses just to move their property.

Here are statistics for the 2009 “waterfront” Real Estate activity on Lake Hartwell. This list does not include condos and townhomes (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings):

                                                                        2009           

Homes  Sold -                          65

            Average Days on the Market –                       161                 

            Average List Price -                                   $404,822            

            Average Sale Price -                                    359,514             

            Sale vs. List Price –                                         88.8%             

 Note: List Price is the last price reflected in the MLS listing and may not be the Original List price. Also, some properties may have been listed multiple times.   

            Current Active Listings -                                 278                

            Current Homes Pending (under contract) -           13

Waterfront Lots Sold -            15                  

            Average Days on the Market –                        205                

            Average List Price –                                  $160,753        

            Average Sale Price -                                   140,946          

            Sale vs. List Price –                                      87.8%             

            Current Active Listings -                                221

            Current Lots Pending (under contract) -            0

If you’d like to receive an actual list of the homes/lots that have sold in 2008, please click on the link below or email Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, at sayjay@bellsouth.net.

Homes Sold

 Click Here for Homes Sold or Under Contract

Lots Sold

 Click Here for Lake Lots Sold or Under Contract

The time to buy lake property is now ….”they’re not making any more of it”.   

By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate