Real Estate Information

Don't Forget to Turn Off your Water

Saturday, July 26, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

I’ve been praying for rain and higher water levels. Maybe I should have been more specific. I should have added the location of where we needed the water.

Who would of thought that a little $3.00 pipe on the back of our upstairs toilet could cause the type of damage we experienced over the 4^th of July weekend. What was planned to be a beautiful escape to our lake cabin turned out to be a nightmare when we got home.

My brother Andy and I stayed at the lake on Monday to golf at the Chickasaw Point Trails Golf Course. On the 5^th hole, after hitting the best tee shot of my life, my cell phone rang. It was my wife Chris, out of breath, asking “how do you shut the water off”. She had just opened the door of our home back in Georgia and found that water and ceiling material was falling from everywhere. After a couple failed attempts to direct her to the water shut off, she called the fire department, and they eventually arrived and shut off the water and electricity.

Now, it’s a couple weeks later. We’ve had to move out of our home, most of the rooms in our house have been demolished, dryers are still running where tile had to be pulled up, and the prospects of moving back in is probably three months out.

Thank God for Orlando and Nelson Ojeda from Full Circle Restoration. They came in and provided a complete restoration plan that will have us back to normal (whatever that is) in a short amount of time.

So why am I telling you all this? Many of my loyal blog readers have similar life styles that we do. You work all week and then escape to your lake, mountain home or maybe the relatives. Here’s a suggestion that could save you thousands …… “turn off the water before you leave”. After talking to people that have experienced similar catastrophes, it’s surprising how many homeowners turn off their water (at the street) before they leave for extended periods of time. I wish we would have, and you can bet “we will in the future”.

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

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Lake Lanier Second Quarter and 2008 YTD Waterfront Real Estate Activity

Thursday, July 03, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

“Nobody’s buying lake property, the lake level is at record lows, the economy is terrible and will get worst, lending guidelines are too tight, we’re not at the bottom yet” …. these, and other statements, we’re hearing everyday. But, as you can see below, not everyone is listening. There are still deals to be had. Buyers are few and far between, but those that are realizing their dream of owning their own “little slice of heaven” are doing so at great prices.

Here are statistics of the Second Quarter and Year-to-date “waterfront” activity on Lake Lanier. This list does not include condos and townhouses. (source: FMLS and does not include FSBO and non FMLS listings):

2^nd Quarter Yr-to-Date

Homes Sold 29 55

Average Days on the Market 58 81

Average List Price $599,170 $666,147

Average Sale Price 555,434 603,416

Sale vs. List Price 92.7% 90.5%

Current Active Listings 428

Current Homes Pending (under contract) 13

Waterfront Lots Sold 1 2

Average Days on the Market – 24 101

Average List Price – $450,000 $350,000

Average Sale Price - 425,000 312,500

Sale vs. List Price – 94.4% 89.3%

Current Active Listings - 217

Current Lots Pending (under contract) - 0

If you’d like to receive an actual list of the homes/lots that have sold, please email Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, at sayjay@bellsouth.net.

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

By: Jay Hufnagel, 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate

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Lake Hartwell Second Quarter and 2008 (Yr-to-Date) Waterfront Real Estate Activity

Thursday, July 03, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

When you hear someone say “nobody’s buying lake property” that’s not quite true. As you can see by the figures below, there are still deals to be had. Buyers are few and far between, but those that are realizing their dream of owning their own “little slice of heaven” are doing so at great prices.

Here are statistics of the Second Quarter and Year-to-date “waterfront” activity on Lake Hartwell. Does not include condos or townhomes. (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings):

2^nd Quarter YTD

Homes Sold 20 35

Average Days on the Market 125 125

Average List Price $500,350 $476,362

Average Sale Price 457,841 443,237

Sale vs. List Price 91.5% 93.1%

Current Active Listings 322

Current Homes Pending (under contract) - 7

Waterfront Lots Sold * 8 19

Average Days on the Market 146 159

Average List Price $215,850 $264,984

Average Sale Price 199,937 239,236

Sale vs. List Price 92.6% 90.1%

Current Active Listings 240

Current Lots Pending (under contract) 0

* - one high priced multiple lot sale is excluded

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

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

By: Jay Hufnagel, 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate

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Lake Hartwell Chickasaw Point Community Open House

Monday, June 23, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

Have you ever been to the Chickasaw Point Community on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina? Well, you’re in luck. The gates will open this Sunday, June 29^th (1:00pm to 3:30pm) for a Community Open House. Many of the “Homes for Sale” in the neighborhood will be available to visit. Plus after the Open house Tour, you’ll be able to enjoy lunch, swimming or just relaxing at the Beach/Pavilion area on Chickasaw Drive.

If you haven’t been to Chickasaw Point before, here’s some info on the Community.

As the folks at Chickasaw Point call it …”Quiet Quality… Where the Mountains Meet the Lake…. Chickasaw point is a Private and Gated Community on the Beautiful Shores of Lake Hartwell. This Area of the Lake is located in the “Golden Corner” of Upstate South Carolina in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Originally developed as a Leisure and Vacation Community, Chickasaw Point has evolved into a year-round Residential Community with a multitude of Amenities. Those include: Manned Gated Entrance, Golf Course, Olympic Size Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Beach and Picnic Area with Pavilion, Club House, Playground, Outdoor Basketball Court, Library and Boat Ramp.

Take the time to visit this Wonderful Community. You’ll be drawn to everything it has to offer.

Click here for Chickasaw Point’s Website where you can find more Information and Directions.

Hope to see you this Sunday!

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, 770-757-2799 and sayjay@bellsouth.net

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Stunning Lake Hartwell Home for Sale

Sunday, June 22, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

Are you looking for the best in Waterfront Living?

This Stunning Lake Hartwell Waterfront Home is Nestled in a Quiet Neighborhood (419 Meldau Rd, Seneca, SC) and has 160 Feet of Water Frontage. Enjoy Beautiful Wide Open Views of the Water from Just about Every Room in the House. Entertain Guests on your Covered, Maximum Sized, Aluminum Dock with Boat and Jet Ski lifts. An Exceptional Design features over 3000 square feet of Outstanding Architectural Details with Upgrades and Highlights including, Two (Three Car) Garages, Three Bedrooms (with master on Main), 5 Baths, Unfinished Stubbed Basement to Expand, Solid Red Oak Hardwood Floors, Soaring Ceilings, 2 Stone Gas Log Fireplaces, Large Gourmet Kitchen with Custom Cabinets, GE Monogram Appliances. Private Master Suite on Main Floor has Huge Walk-In Closet with Built-Ins, Whirlpool Tub and Walk-In Shower. A Short and Gentle Walk to the Water’s Edge make this a truly Great Place to Call Your Lake Home.

And you can have all of this for just $760,000. Just “Say Jay” at Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, 770-757-2799, or sayjay@bellsouth.net .

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, Lake and Home Group, 770-757-2799. Just "Say Jay for Real Estate".

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Are Sellers "Chasing the Market"?

Friday, June 06, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

Within the last two days, I’ve received emails from potential Buyers saying that they thought prices were still too high. At the same time, Sellers feel they’ve reduced their prices to the lowest price that they can bare. So, how do I respond to those statements?

It’s the same answer I’ve always used….”Everything Sells, but it takes three things (Condition, Location and Price)”. Plus, I’ll add another piece to the puzzle … “Patience”.

Wednesday I attended a seminar by D. Scott Murphy, from D. Scott Murphy & Associates (Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants). Scott made an interesting statement concerning the Atlanta area market. He said, “homes being appraised are appraising at 2005 prices”. He also said many Sellers are “chasing the market”. An excerpt out of an article published by Scott in the Spring of 2008 (click here for the article), said the following, “ In today’s downturned market (I hesitate to truly call it a declining market, I would prefer it be called a correction), if the property is not priced at or slightly below the appraised value, you will end up chasing the market.”

Scott’s suggestion, (and in my opinion, a good one), is for Sellers to consider having a “pre-listing” appraisal completed by a highly skilled real estate Appraiser that understands the local market.

The truth of the matter is, it’s a tough market right now, and it’s not business as usual; Sellers need to “get real”, accept the reality of the market, and adjust their prices if they truly want to sell. As for Buyers, like Gary Keller (CEO of Keller Williams Realty International) said recently, “It’s always a good time to buy Real Estate”. But, he also added that you should be armed with solid information on what are the best buys and know your numbers.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate.

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Lake Lanier Waterfront Home and Lot Sales (5/15/08)

Thursday, May 15, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

Here’s some sale statistics for “dockable” waterfront Homes and Lots on Lake Lanier so far in 2008 (source: FMLS and does not include FSBO and non FMLS listed properties):

Waterfront Homes Sold (does not include Condos/Townhouses) – 42

Average Days on the Market – 100

Average List Price - $685,751

Average Sale Price - $609,952

Sale Price vs. List Price – 88.9%

Pending Sales - 17

Note: Most expensive Home sold for $1,650,000

Least expensive Home sold for $169,900

Waterfront Lots Sold – 1

Average Days on the Market – 177

Average List Price - $260,000

Average Sale Price - $200,000

Sale Price vs. List Price – 76.9%

Pending Sales - 1

Please email me at sayjay@bellsouth.net if you would like to see the actual properties that were sold.

It’s very apparent that Buyers are still watching the housing market and waiting to see where the bottom is. The good news for Buyers …. the lake level is rising, lake property inventory is climbing, interest rates are still low, and Sellers are starting to realize that if they want to sell then they need to be realistic on price. All we need now is three things ….. some more rain, rain and more rain.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, 770-757-2799

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Lake Hartwell 2008 First Quarter Real Estate Sales

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

Thanks to recent rain, the lake level is only about 9 feet down from full pool and rising. And, like the weather, lake property buyers are warming up and getting more serious about their search. This is welcome news and hopefully the start of a great trend.

Here is the 2008 First Quarter “waterfront” Real Estate activity on Lake Hartwell (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings):

Homes Sold (excludes Condos/Townhouses) – 16

Average Days on the Market – 139

Average List Price - $507,230

Average Sale Price - $475,406

Sale vs. List Price – 93.4%

Current Homes Active on the Market – 288

Current "Under Contract" - 7

Waterfront Lots Sold - 7

Average Days on the Market – 161

Average List Price – $327,128

Average Sale Price - $286,428

Sale vs. List Price – 87.6%

Current Lots Active on the Market – 170

Current "Under Contract" - 5

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

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Are you ready to see some Lake Property? Here's some tips.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

How should we prepare when we go out with our Real Estate Agent to look at lake properties?

First of all, do your homework on what listings you’ve reviewed, prioritize them by your favorites, and send them to your Agent. This will allow him/her to prepare and make appointments prior to the date you go out. Usually, 4 – 6 listings are appropriate to visit in a 4 hour time frame depending on the distance between the homes or lots. Usually, I add other listings or non-listed homes to the list, if they’re in the vicinity and with similar criteria.
The Agent should provide you with a package when you meet that will have various information on the lake and listings that you’ll be visiting.
Consider taking the following items: a camera to film special aspects of the home or lot so you won’t forget what it looked like, a notepad to jot down questions or notes that you want to discuss with your Agent, a compass to see what direction the sun sets, a measuring tape to check the depth of water at the dock, and your check book (for earnest money) if you think you’re at the point of making an offer.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You’ll be walking down to the lake where some paths may be slippery and steep.

For a copy of Q&As for Lake Property Buyers, please email Jay Hufnagel at

sayjay@bellsouth.net .

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, just "Say Jay" for Real Estate

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Are you ready for some Crappie?

Saturday, March 15, 2008

by Jay Hufnagel

As you can see by the picture of my 80 year old mother, it’s time to catch some Crappie. This picture was taken by our dock on Lake Hartwell, but the Crappie are biting on Lake Lanier as well. Most of the Crappie we caught we’re hitting on minnows and yellow/green jigs with a minnow hooked by it’s lips (“as if minnows have lips”, but you know what I mean). We had dropped a couple of Christmas trees off our dock earlier in the year and now they’re producing slab size fish in about seven (7) foot of water.

My neighbor fishes on Lake Lanier and parts of the Chattahoochee River, and as you can see, he knows how to fish Crappie as well. What’s nice about fishing this time of the year for Crappie is that they are getting ready to spawn. They’re aggressive, and you can catch them in large numbers. And, they’re just starting. During the next two weeks the water will warm up to about 60 degrees and full moon is scheduled for March 21^st. If you like to fish, don’t miss this exciting event.

Don’t forget to bring a net. Most of the Crappie we caught were slab size (1 to 2 lb). When they’re that big, you’ll have a hard time lifting them out of the water without tearing their lips and watching them swim away. Good Luck!

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate.

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