324 Brookwood Dr W, Dawsonville, GA - Waterfront Lake Lanier 3 BR, 2 BA Home with Open, Chalet Type Floor Plan, Wall of Windows, Screened-In Porch with Views of the Lake, Nice Great Room, Upgraded Kitchen,  Finished Terrace (Basement) Level, Close Corps Line to Waters Edge, and Dock on Great Cove of Lake Lanier. Seller is Licensed Georgia Real Estate Agent.

Feature items include: New Roof, New Septic System, Private In-Law Suite on Lower Level, Wonderful Views of the Lake from Screened-In Porch, Side Porch with Area for Entertaining and Relaxing, Upgraded Kitchen Appliances, Very Private Location with Almost an Acre of Land, Air Circulation System, and All of this for under $250K. This is a great piece of Lake Lanier Real Estate for the money. Don’t miss seeing This Property! 

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

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.

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.

Fantastic Price on these two Lake Hartwell Waterfront Lots at 261 Capps Rd, Fair Play, SC. Build one or two nice Lake Homes with walk-out basements and enjoy the water. Only minutes from I-85, a Marina and Boat Ramps. Compare these lots with other waterfront properties. Owner is willing to sell the lots individually for $54,900.00. 

WOW!  1109 BAY DR, Fair Play, SC - 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 a Lake Hartwell Courtesy Dock, Boat Landing and an Exit 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. This Home definitely has a “WOW” factor.

This Gorgeous 4 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath Home is located just off Lake Lanier in Lakes Edge Subdivision. Located just minutes from Hwy 400, this beautiful 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 include: Large, open Backyard with Room for Swimming Pool, 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.

Contact Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net or 770-757-2799.

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.

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

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

Beautiful Lake Hartwell Interior lot in "sought after" Stonehaven Subdivision. This Subdivision is nestled perfectly between Seneca and Clemson on Lake Hartwell. Lot 54 site sits on a level to sloping, wooded site, that's perfect to build your dream home. Potential Buyers should check out Boat Slip availability in the Stonehaven Community Dock and membership in the Yacht Club.

Contact Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net or 864-287-7530.

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

Fantastic opportunity to buy a Great Home at a tremendous price. This 3BR/3BA Ranch Style Home with Finished Basement is being offered as a Short Sale with Bank Approval. The home includes a Very Open Floor Plan with Fireplace in the Great Room, Master Bedroom on the Main with Large Master Bath, Garden Tub and Large Separate Shower. The Finished Basement is a "must see", enjoy the two Large Bonus Rooms and a huge Full Bath with Separate Shower and Garden Tub. Call today ...this should go fast.

Here's some great news! 2009 sales of Waterfront Lake Homes saw an increase of 12% over 2008 sales. That’s not much, but it signals things are improving. Plus, buyers are getting great bargains. Last year the average sale price was approximately 88% of the original list price. This year that figure has dropped to 80%.  Every lake home buyer that I talk to wants the same thing – “a great deal”.  As 2010 begins and the inventory improves, indicators show that buyers will get what they want. 

Here are statistics for 2009 “waterfront” Lake Lanier Real Estate. This list does not include condos and townhouses. (Based on information from the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) and does not include FSBO and non FMLS listings):

                                                                               2009           

 Homes Sold                                105                                                                                          

            Average Days on the Market                              160                  

            Original Average List Price                             $717,882             

            Average Sale Price                                         577,185             

            Sale vs. List Price                                            80%                

            Current Active Listings                                      475                

            Current Homes Pending (under contract)               19

Waterfront Lots Sold                                                    8                   

            Average Days on the Market –                          150                  

            Average List Price –                                     $355,462        

            Average Sale Price -                                      310,987          

            Sale vs. List Price –                                         87%             

            Current Active Listings -                                  111

            Current Lots Pending (under contract) -               5

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

Homes Sold

 Buyer Full Report
    CMA Buyer

 Lots Sold

Buyer Full Report
       CMA Buyer

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

By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate

PRICE REDUCED!! Fantastic buy on this Large and Very Clean 3 BR2BA Doublewide Manufactured Home in the Mountain Foothills. You'll enjoy lots of room with a Fireplace in the Living Room, Large Master Bedroom with Beautiful Master Bath with Garden Tub, 2 detached Car Carport, 14x24' Outbuilding workshop, Cement Driveway and a Rocking Chair Front Porch to Relax and Dream about all of the ways you can spend the money that you'll be saving by buying this great home.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.sayjaylakeandhome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net .

This is Country Living at its Best! An Enlarged Ranch Style 3 BR/2BA Home on 19 Acres with Full Basement, Vaulted Ceilings, 2 Fireplaces, Huge Master BR on Main, Living Room and Great Room, Formal Dining Room, 2 Car Attached Garage, Separate Storage Shed, Large Deck for Entertaining in Back and a Big Rocking Chair Front Porch. Come see this Home now and “Have it All”.

Owner will consider selling this home with 5 Acres for $245,000 (MLS# 02787260).

From Hartwell, Hwy 77 south for 4 miles, left onto Nancy Hart School Rd, Straight on Montevideo Rd. Go ½ mile, left on Windsong Rd. Property starts on Corner through the Pasture to Home on Left.    

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

 For example, three weeks ago I was asked by a lake lot owner (and seller) to do a comparative market analysis on this property and let him know if his taxes were similar to others that were on the market for the same price. Two years ago his lake lot was on the market for close to $260,000. Today, his lot is listed for less then $150,000 and still hasn’t sold. Here are two paragraphs from a letter that accompanied the analysis:

1.  When comparing this subdivision to others in the same price range, it appears taxes, appraisals and assessments are totally out of line. For example, your total tax appraisal (according to the CRS Property Report, through the MLS) is shown at $151,530. After pulling other similar “Active” listings in the same price range ($145-150k) the average total tax appraisal was approximately $108k. That’s a pretty significant difference, (and those are probably high for the existing housing market and economy).

2.  Values have clearly declined as seen in the last 11 months of Sales and Listing activity. As of today’s date, November 22, 2009, according to the SC Western Upstate MLS, only 9 lake lots have sold, out of 254 “Active” listings. When you compare the sale price to the list price, lots sold for just 62% of the “original” list price (this doesn’t reflect list prices, which could have been even higher, on earlier listings of those properties).  

This property owner was told by the Assessors office that if they went out and reassessed his lot it could come back even higher. It appears that this scare tactic is being used quite frequently. In his case, it’s not going to work …he’s determined to have his day in court.

I urge you to look up some old issues ( December 7 – 11, 2009) of the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). During this week the AJC ran a weeklong series on the “Property Tax Meltdown”. After each article they concluded with, “What you can do now – How to lower your tax bill – Returns and Appeals 101”. Following many of their tips could save you thousands of dollars.

Maybe you’ve already appealed your taxes. If so, I’d be interested in hearing your story.

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

Back in August I blogged about Keller Williams Realty (KW) planning an office in Anderson, South Carolina. It wasn’t too long after that blog, that the office became a reality. Tommy Stevenson, Operating Principle (OP), for the Market Center has hired Jan Rogers as Team Leader.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Tommy commented that “Things are going very well”.  They hoped to have over 82 Agents (Keller Williams and other realty company participants) attend a Lead Generation class that they were sponsoring at Tri-county Tech. Currently, they have 73 Agents working out of the Market Center (Anderson and Powdersville). Not bad for an office just a couple months old.

The main office location is at 4107 Liberty Highway, formerly Terri's Team Real Estate office. Terri is now with KW (still located at the Liberty Highway address) and a big part of their success.

It’s obvious that many Agents in the Lake Hartwell and Anderson areas are taking a look at what KW has to offer. Take a look at www.careersworthhaving.com . You’ll read about Keller Williams history, the philosophy of the company, training goals, opportunities, and why they’re growing so fast. For additional information on Keller Williams or the Anderson office, feel free to contact me at sayjay@bellsouth.com .

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.sayjaylakeandhome.com , just Say Jay for Real Estate, 864-287-7530.

First Time Home Buyers will receive up to an $8000 Tax Credit if they sign a Purchase Agreement by April 30, 2010 and Close by June 30, 2010, and Move-Up Buyers will qualify for up to $6500. Unfortunately, as nice as this is, Vacation Homes don’t qualify for the credit. Click here for Qualifications.

But, I expect when this is signed by President Obama, that this will “fire up” the housing market even more then what the "current" tax credit has done.

For those of you that haven’t taken advantage of this opportunity (and may qualify), now is the time to start looking. Click here for some more information from RIS Media (The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems).

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, www.sayjaylakeandhome.com .

Email Dated October 20, 2009

There is a Public Comment period open until October 31^st for a temporary provision to reduce the amount of water released this winter. These comments can be made via email, US mail, or fax.

 Send comments to:

 US Army Corps of Engineers

Savannah District, Savannah Planning Unit

ATTN: Mr. William Bailey

PO Box 889

Savannah, GA 31402-0889

Fax: 912 652 5787

william.g.bailey@usace.army.mil

Sample comment:  I am a member of the Lake Hartwell Association and a full time resident on the lake. I strongly urge the Corps to maintain reduced flow rates until the Upstate lakes have reached full pool levels or until there is clear evidence of adverse impacts to the basin (we have certainly experienced our share of clear and severe impacts to Lake Hartwell in recent years). The historic drought of recent years has taught us that we must take every measure to conserve the precious water resources of Hartwell Lake and the Savannah River Basin.

Email Dated October 12, 2009 

If you have not done so yet please send an email to Col. Kertis of the Corps immediately.  We need to get as many emails to him as possible before the deadline for public comment is over on October 30.  Tell him in your own words how you feel about the Corps continuing to ignore our economic and recreational losses around the lakes.  How you feel about them refusing to correct the drought plan so we don't have a repeat of the mess we had last year.  In your own words remind him how they almost lost control of the lakes completely in the last drought and Save Our Lakes Now proposal would prevent that happening in the future.  If you had a bad experience during the last drought such as being unable to use your dock, etc. you may want to throw in a comment or two about that.

The Colonel's email address is edward.kertis@usace.army.mil. 

Please Click here for Current Lake Level Information.

By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , 864-287-7530.

Homes on the lake are still selling, but Sellers are finding that Buyers want huge discounts. And, lake home owners are starting to get the message… if you really don’t have to sell or want to sell “real bad”, now may not be the best time to put it on the market. The days are gone (at least for a while) where overpriced homes are on the market, “just to see if someone will bite”. They’re not biting, and if they did, appraisals aren’t supporting prices that are above, hard to find, comparables. 

See for yourself! Listed below are links showing the actual waterfront homes sold and under contract since July 1, 2009.  Pay close attention to the difference from the Original List Price to the Actual Sales Price. What use to be 95 – 98%, is now 80 – 85%.  It’s definitely time to buy!

Lake Lanier (34 Homes Sold, 21 Pending or Under Contract, Avg. Sale Price $599,504)

  Buyer Full Page
       CMA Page

Lake Hartwell (27 Homes Sold, 8 Pending or Under Contract, Avg. Sale Price $356,922)

 Click Here to View Listings

Lake Keowee (19 Homes Sold, 13 Pending or Under Contract, Avg. Sale Price $650,936)

 Click Here to View Listings

Note: Source for Hartwell and Keowee is SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS properties.

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

By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , sayjay@bellsouth.net ,770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate

JUST REDUCED!! This Stunning Lakefront Home is all about the Water - Great Point Lot Sunset Views - Very close Corps Line - Single Slip Dock in Place that overlooks the Beautiful Water of the Tugaloo Channel of Lake Hartwell.  "Wall of Windows" - Enjoy Beautiful Wide Open Views from your Great Room, Entertain Guests on your Large Screened-in Porch overlooking the Lake. This Exceptional Design features over 1900 square feet of Outstanding Detail with Upgrades and Highlights including Hardwood Floors, Ceramic Tile, Vaulted Ceilings, Fireplace in Family Room, and Large Kitchen with Breakfast Area, Private Master Suite and Bath on Main Floor,  and a Short and Gentle Walk to the Water’s Edge.  These are only a few of the Highlights that make this “A Truly Great Place to Call Your Lake Home”.

If storage space is important to you, you’ll love the Three Car Detached Garage, with large Work Bench. Also, there’s a “first class” Storage Shed/Barn available to keep your Water Toys and Lawn Mower safe from the elements. A Tankless Water Heater, new Heat Pump/Furnace, Rear Decking and Front Steps have recently been Upgraded or Installed. The list, like the views, goes on and on.  Don’t miss seeing this one!