I got a post card in the mail last week from an out of area real estate agent.  He was so proud that his listing sold on my street.  It sold for $175,000 (ish) and the CMA was about $200,000.  I wonder where this NOT in the local MLS agent pulled comps to put a price on this home when he listed it.  And he was so proud it sold in just 6 days.  Well duh.  Oh and he was bragging about selling it himself too. So how did that really work out for the seller?  About $25,000 under market value in my opinion. Was the seller a friend?  A relative?  I don't know the answer to that.   But what I do know is that I had buyers who were willing to pay more for that property.  And while I can't speak to the relationship or even the agents motives for under pricing a Lake Sinclair property, I can tell y... 06/11/2013

The Pilot Club of Eatonton uses this as their annual fundraiser.  And as a former member I can say without doubt they help a lot of people through the year with the fund: The 54th Annual Putnam County Dairy Festival. The Pilot Club of Eatonton projects primarily focus on local community service projects to support activities in the Eatonton and Putnam County Area with some funding going to projects of the parent organization.  You really should check out the Pilot Club of Eatonton's website that lists their local projects.  They focus on brain injuries and related issues as well as offer several scholarships and they work VERY hard to make this fund raiser a wonderful event to honor our county's dairy industry.      The day is filled with awesome events: 8:00 a.m. Road Races 9:00 a.m. B... 05/23/2013

I remember being so happy to hear that the Plaza was going to save my childhood grammar school.   My mom attended school there too and my Abigail went to pre-k there.  Then in the late 70s and early 80s when an arsonist burned my church So to find out a few years ago that the chamber was moving there and they were going to do a classroom museum and restoring the theater, I was totally thrilled.  They have all sorts of events there as well several outdoor events.  The summer concert series are among the outdoor events. The Grains of Sand Saturday, June 22 7:30 PM With more than half a century of combined playing experience, the band is comprised of eight of the finest musicians in the country.  These are true artists, players who have performed with artists like Marvin Gaye, The Platters... 05/23/2013

Putnam General Hospital will be hosting its annual health fair tomorrow April 27, 2013 between 8 a.m. and noon.  It's co-sponsored by The People's Bank and will have over 30 booths providing a wealth of complimentary health information.  In addition to the information there will be free screenings and tips from health care providers.  Local non-profits will be on site to inform you about available services within our community.  Additional health screenings including full blood workups are also available at deep discounted prices.  If you will be wanting any blood work or additional screenings please do not eat for 8 hours prior to your visit. Lots of other great services happen at PGH on a ongoing basis like: 1st Tuesday of each month is the Pray Hope Love Women's Cancer support group ... 04/26/2013

While the numbers are not what I had hoped for in March, they are slightly still up over same period last year, but down from February.  Down from February to March is add for our market.  But since I am involved with a couple of deals that should have closed in March, but have complications beyond the control of buyers and sellers that have been pushed to April.... maybe April will have really good numbers. It has been increasingly difficult to go from contract to close lately.  But over all I will still take stead improvment over 2012 (which was a pretty good year).  The worst of the news is we're back up to 25 months of inventory.  Which of course is good news for buyers.  In other good news, there are 15 pendings. Again, the average sales price is slightly down from last month, but... 04/08/2013

Well as a matter of fact I can!  I just have a wonderful couple that we searched through the fall months to find just the right property.  The first house they made an offer on at Lake Sinclair we just couldn't come to terms on, so we moved on and I found one that seemed to fit most of my buyers needs.  I previewed, sent them some additional photos and they drove down to see.  They loved the location and most things about the house.  We got an accepted offer and with a little elbow grease got to closing. (ie please please us a loan officer from my preferred list) While I buyers loved loved the yard, the location, the boathouse and the layout there were some things about the house they wanted to change so they emailed and asked me to recommend a contractor.  N&J Lake Properties LLC got m... 03/20/2013

When we sell a home we give buyers a list a few days before closing that has many helpful local numbers including all the utilities to call and transfer. Sometimes that list isn't enough and we get get calls before their new phone book arrives.  So I can now send this list righ to their cell phone or print it out for them if they stop by the office.  We even sometimes still have a few extra phone books while people are waiting for their internet services to begin so they can "google it".  We're always glad to help new folks in town, even those who didn't purchase with Lane Realty.  We love our community and we hope it shows. Local Government City of Eatonton City Hall City of Eatonton, office of Mayor John Reid 201 N. Jefferson Ave. Eatonton, GA 31024 (706) 485-3311 http://www.eatontong... 03/19/2013

NUMBER SOLD Purple is my old/new favorite color.  It was my "favorite" when I was a girl, then it became green, but with these numbers I just switched back to purple.  I am super excited over this latest data from my MLS.  It's AWESOME.  I just hope it's the new "new" normal and not a fluke.  But as you can see things are selling on Lake Sinclair again.  It's been a long while since we had 16 sales in February.  Same Period last year was only 9.  Last month we only had 11 and there seems to be new Lake Sinclair pendings every single day.  At the current rate that's just over 18 months worth of inventory.  That's the first time we've had less than 2 years worth of inventory in the past 4 years.  That's GREAT news for our sellers.  So buyers, if you've been waiting for the bottom and sitt... 03/07/2013

Not only do I get this question from people looking to buy on Lake Sinclair, it's one I've gotten several times from past buyers who live and own lake homes on Sinclair.  About a year ago Georgia power held a meeting with the local brokerages and have assured us that levels will continue to be maintained. Plant Branch will close in April of 2015. You see, not only did Georgia Power produce from their coal fired Plant Branch, but also at Sinclair Dam and Wallace Dam (that backs up Lake Oconee) and in order to continue to pump water back and forth from Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair the level of Lake Sinclair will need to be maintained as not pull silt from the bottom of Lake Sinclair through the pumping system.  So don't fear, we're still going to have Lake Sinclair, your lake property is... 03/06/2013

Well with the last week of the month left to go we are closing in on meeting the number sold in February last year.  Average sales prices are up both over same period last year and last month currently too.  Right now it stands with the averaage at $245,257.    The lowest price Lake Sinclair sale this February thus far has been $120,000.  The high was $332,000.  With 24 Lake Sinclair pending contracts we may see two or more close in the next 5 days to push our number on up there.  About a week into March you can look for the full February 2013 market report.  There are still some great deals out there right now.  Call me 706-485-9668 or email me at tammy@lake-sinclair.com to let me set you up on a MLS search so you can see what's out there in your price range and new to the market.  Lo... 02/23/2013

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... 02/19/2013

NUMBER SOLD 11 Lake Sinclair homes sold in January.  As you can see from the now 4 year history it was a good January for numbers.  And activity is keeping up with the flurry we had in December as well. As of today there are also 27 Contingent and pending contracts as well.  I expect to see better numbers in February over last year also.  My office is expecting three additional closings this month on Lake Sinclair and we have a couple scheduled for March already too.  The inventory is down to 24 months worth... which is way better than the 33 months worth we had on the market last month.  I certainly am seeing prices creep up as well. AVERAGE PRICE While the average price is down from January last year it is slightly up from December.  I expect that sellers will be getting closer to the... 02/10/2013

I recently had some one stop by my office to inquire about Lake Sinclair property.  When I told him what was available he frowned his face and said that ALL of it was outside of his budget.  I asked him had he considered off water living in an area that provides public access or deeded lake acess?  He perked up and asked what do you mean deeded lake access?   So I will answer the question here and then you too can know what your options are if your budget doesn't allow for owning waterfront property. First of all, there are free access areas a couple of places around the lake, one in the photo above, provided by Georgia Power.  There are also several paid places where you can launch your boat.  So there is access to the lake within our community for no additional or low cost.  But there... 02/02/2013

I recently have talked with two potential buyers of Lake Sinclair properties... both noticed that I called Lake Sinclair "my lake" and  commented about both my knowlege and love for the lake.  Lake Sinclair is a beautiful place.   Over 15,000 acres of fabulous water ways filled with fresh water fish including some incredible bass. And I love this lake and love to share information about my lake with potential buyers.  I am glad they can tell from my blog, my website and my voice on the phone that I really LOVE Lake Sinclair. It is used for all types of recreation, people swim, boat, ski, jet ski, fish, picnic, sunbath on some of the beach areas.  But the primary purpose for the Lake Sinclair is to provide cooling water for Plant Branch located on Hwy. 441 where the waters of Little Rive... 02/01/2013

  The  average temperatures for Macon Georgia which is just over a half hour away from us are 58 for the high January and only 34 for the average low.  We do have cold snaps, generally  not lasting for more than a few days.  By February our average low rises to 37 and to 43 by March.  This Saturday we're expecting a typical January warm up to 77.  And having a day warm up to 70 makes it  bearable to have have a few colder days here and there as long as they don't last too long. I love that I live in the south where I don't have to get cabin fever staying inside.  I have a sister in law in Minot, ND  Her high temperature expected on Saturday is 0.  Nope that's not a typo.  They haven't even been above freezing for days.  I want to go and visit, but in the summer only.  And if you would l... 01/09/2013

Lake Sinclair, Georgia's best kept secret, with the exception of planned draw downs by Georgia Power that occur every few years for shoreline maintenance and dam re-certificiation stays at or near full pool.  Many of Georgia's lakes are more than 10 feet below level.  That means many of Georgia's lakes have docks that are out of the water.Of course you don't have to just take my word for it, there is an offical site that posts the levels daily.  The National weather service service maintains this information on their site and it is generally posted for each lake in Georgia by 10 a.m. The last draw down was October of 2011 and one is not currently announced, but they generally come in the middle of winter and last for about 30 days.  When you own Lake Sinclair property you get a quarterl... 01/02/2013

There are lots of lots available on Lake Sinclair right now at some amazing prices.  A few years ago it was difficult to come by a lot because builders were fighting over them as soon as one would hit the market.  Not a lot of building happening around here yet.  Certainly not any spec houses.  So there is finally a good amount of inventory at great prices. Lane Realty's Lake Listings All the MLS in Putnam County All the MLS in Baldwin County We even have some amazing deals where the value is in the lot, but it has a home that could be used for weekends now and then built a dream retirement home on later.  This is that list. Now doesn't that photo look like just what you'd love to see when you looked out your window first thing in the morning?  I can tell you from experience that at the... 12/20/2012

I'll get to "the best" reason to buy on Lake Sinclair in a minute.  Right now I'd like to talk about one of the other VERY GOOD reasons to buy here and now.  Inventory.  We have a ton of it and because of that prices are being held low and there is a LOT to choose from out there. BALDWIN COUNTY HAS 85 Lake Sinclair homes currently on the market.  Prices range from $95,000 to $1,375,000. PUTNAM COUNTY HAS 103 Lake Sinclair homes currently on the market.  Prices range from $27,000 to $649,000. HANCOCK COUNTY HAS 80 Lake Sinclair homes on the market currently.  Prices range from $69,900 to $635,000. That's 268 homes.  There are also many lots available as well.  Great inventory and some great prices.  Interest rates are low still and it's a great time to buy a home that could make a wonder... 12/10/2012

AVERAGE PRICE While the average price dropped slightly for November, I would still consider it steady.  The great news for price is that for the 5th time in 2012 a home listed for over $500,000 sold.  That means some luxury buyers are back in the market looking and that's certainly good news for many sellers out there with larger homes on the market that have been sitting for months on end and even years in some cases.  Homes that are listed well within what it would appraise for, but have had no buyers even looking in those ranges.  In ALL of 2011 only one home sold that was listed for over $500,000.  So I'll take a 500% increase in that market any day.  I'm also happy to say one of those sales was my buyer so I got to see the inventory in that price range and know where the best buys ... 12/07/2012

Christmas on the Avenue Choir Event I love when our choir at my church joins forces with the other choirs on Madison Avenue.  The event will be awesome.  The First Baptist Church Choir, The United Methodist Church Choir and the Presbyterian Church Choir will join their voices and praise God for the gift of Jesus.  The event will be at the Plaza, also on Madison Avenue on Sunday December 9th at 4 and again at 7 pm It's FREE, yes FREE, but you will need to call and reserve a seat.  706-485-3331 And if you can't make this, perhaps you can join Max Noah singers from GCSU that will be hosted at First Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m on Friday December 7th. I'm already listening to Christmas Carols and am always sad when they are over for another year.  I hope I can attend both events. 12/02/2012