I have to confess I'm not speaking from personal experience here.  My idea of "roughing it" includes unlimited hot water at the holiday inn and a mint on my pillow when I head to bed.  I'm very spoiled by my tempuredic mattress and camping is NOT my thing.  My parents took me a few times when I was a kid and counting bug bites and whining was how I spent a lot of my time. And if I want to eat fish, well Red Lobster always comes to mind. My daughter, husband, brother, step-sons and my parents on the other hand LOVE the outdoors and camping and fishing.  My parents actually go camping right here in the county we live in.  They have done it for years. They generally come home will a lot of fish and end up having a fish fry and inviting lots of folks.  As a child one of my best friends and ... 06/18/2012

I remember a time when I heard my mother say something about it making her feel "old" when all the baseball players were younger than her.  It was a while ago, because now they are all younger than me.  And When I look at his young man who was born March 19, 1989 which was after my daughter I can't help but think of him as a kid.  But he is not. Vincent Hancock is a Olympian.  But he was also a Soldier.  When he competed and won gold in 2008 is when I began to read about this boy from Eatonton, GA who was just a child.  He was recruited to join the Army as a 16 year old.  He completed basic training between his junior and senior year of high school.  Winning 7 international shooting competitions apparently gets their attention. In the article I love the admiration on the face of man in ... 06/15/2012

The faces, no make that voices of Georgia Power at Lake Sinclair.  I have been thinking about the businesses I want to feature for this months' Localism posts and when this morning I had to answer a question for a buyer that showed the 350 contour in two different places on a plat I couldn't answer that question without the help of "one of the Georgia Power ladies".  With many of the properties in our area being Georgia Power lease lots, strip leases or residential access leases time and time again I have to call either Judy Crawford or Alisa Crudup and get answers.  You would think that listing agents would do their job and get the facts of the property accurate, but that's not always the case.  Recently a listing that one of my agents wrote an offer on was listed in the MLS as fee sim... 06/11/2012

When driving around Putnam County and looking out the window the view is as likely as not to look like this photo.  Of course more times than not the cows are black and white, not black or white.  Putnam County just happens to be the Dairy Capitol of Georgia.  So when you are drinking that next glass of milk any where in our state... I might have the cow it came from in my lifetime.  In fact, it could be one of the cows that have been paraded through the streets of downtown Eatoton.  Cows paraded in the street you say?  Yes.  Once a year on the first Saturday of June we celebrate our Dairy industry, it's called the Dairy Festival.  We have a Dairy Family, we have a annual Diary Queen (and I don't mean that place that sells blizzards, although we have one of those too) There's a road rac... 05/31/2012

I recently got an email from a Senior Cititzen thinking of moving to Lake Sinclair.  The usual questions about hospitals and doctors offices and transporation was not at all what I got from this senior.  He said " My wife and I are very active, is there plenty of stuff going on at Lake Sinclair to keep us out of trouble?"  First I laughed a bit and then I started thinking about not only things my retired parents do, but many of their friends too.  I sent him a long list of groups and activities: But there's so much for retirees to do in this area.  One of the many great opportunties is the Learning in Retirement program of Georgia College and State University in Millegeville.  They offer so many wonderful things.  They plan short trips to area landmarks, they tour local businesses they ... 05/28/2012

  Tammy Lankford is just as I pictured she would be! Tammy Lankford in Eatonton, Georgia is a “must see” on any AR member’s vacation if you get near her area. I can’t promise that she’ll lay out the same buffet she prepared for my mother and me but I think I can guarantee a snack and beverage of some sort plus lively conversation. Tammy’s office, Lane Realty is just off 441 and is exactly the kind of office I’d want to find my REALTOR in if I was looking for property. There’s a nice wide covered porch in front and a comfy screened in porch in the back where all the “important” decisions are made. If I worked for Tammy, I’d have to insist on a desk located on that back porch where I could hear the creek and watch the woods. When I first joined AR, someone had posted a “congratulations fo... 05/22/2012

Our normal weekday hours are of course 9 to 5.  But in the making of progress sometimes comes a little problem here and there.  The power company stopped by and let us know that in moving some lines on the road construction project our office will be without power for a few hours in the morning.  So we are closing the office for a few hours instead of sitting there in the dark. We will still be available by phone at 706-485-9668 and email at lanerealty@bellsouth.net   But we'll only be in the office after the power is restored.  We're not sure exactly what time that will be, but we'll be checking often to make sure.  They said likey between 11 a.m. and noon.    Thanks for your patience and understanding.  We will be in the office in the afternoon. We're all looking forward to completion... 05/15/2012

I said this so many times in years past that one of my former agents did it in needle point and framed it for the wall.  It now sits right in the reception area where buyers can't miss it. Today I had a buyer call that looked at a home several weeks ago.  They went home to think about it.  When they called today to tell me they are ready to put in an offer on it I informed them that I'd have to check with the new owners to see if they were interested in selling.  That house sold.  I told those buyer it was an excellent price and in good condition.  April of 2011 brought 14 sales on Lake Sinclair with an average sales price of $271,542. April of 2012 brought 18 sales on Lake Sinclair with an average sales price of $208,992. Another 12 homes went pending on Lake Sinclair in April that are... 05/08/2012

Many times we get that question when people begin their Lake Sinclair property search and explain there are different types of overship found around our lake.  * FULLY OWNED - (Also known as fee or fee simple) The property owner owns all of the land down to the lake. You may often hear us refer to this as "down to the 340", with the 340 foot elevation being full elevation of Lake Sinclair. Georgia Power maintains flood rights to the 350 elevation on this property and residents need a license agreement with Georgia Power for building or maintaining any seawalls or docks on the lake. License agreements are free and simply give us the necessary control of issues as aesthetics and the environment.* FULL LEASE - The property owner actually owns all of the improvements (house, dock, etc.) but... 04/29/2012

The price difference of living on Lake Sinclair vs. living in a Community at Lake Sinclair is huge.  Many neighborhoods at Lake Sinclair offer deeded Lake access to Lake Sinclair right in your community.  You might ask what is deeded lake access?  Well I'll explain.  When for example you buy an off water lot or home in Possum Point Subdivision you deed gives you an undivided interest in a community lake access lot.  These lots vary from community to community, all have boat ramps, some have docks and some even have picnic tables.  So if you want to enjoy Lake Sinclair, but buying waterfront property just isn't in your budget, you may not be completely out of luck.  You may need to consider buying a property that comes with deeded lake acess to Lake Sinclair.If you don't find a home that... 04/20/2012

I got a call today for doing a CMA and when I tried to make the appointment for Saturday they said that is a "no go" because they are going to be fishing in the Walmart Bass fishing tournament on Lake Sinclair this weekend.  And yes they are biting.  One of my agents told me she had Lake Sinclair fish for dinner last night.  If you already have plans for this weekend here's a post a link to the full schedule for 2012. And if you love to fish and would like your own Lake Sinclair home to fish then perhaps you might like: 149 Little Riverview $179,000.  it's an approved short sale and cute as a button.  Has a single boathouse with a lift and 7 feet of water depth.  It's a fee simple lot... see more photos and details at our Lake-Sinclair.com site. And if that isn't the house for you, we c... 04/18/2012

Well on the last day of the Quarter I'm looking at the numbers and I have to say that I'm a little disappointed.  The market feels better than what the numbers are showing. And when you dig a little deeper maybe it is better. 28 Total Lake Sinclair homes sold in the 1st Quarter of 2012 compared to 21 in 2011 The average sales price is down from $230,985 (2011)  to $209,770. (2012) The average DAYS ON MARKET is also down from 233 in 2011 to 181 in 2012.   So it's only taking about 6 months to sell this year as opposed to almost 8 months for the same period last year.  But of course averages don't always tell the whole story.  Last years data shows the least days on market for a sale in the first quarter was 72 and only 2 sales were under 90 days on market.  In 2012 there were 7 sales wit... 03/31/2012

 Working with a recent buyer I realized that while most people familiar with Lake Sinclair have heard of "lease" lots they may not exactly know what they are or about the ability to financing them.  Even if a buyer is paying cash they should realize it also can affect resale value if the property can be conventionally financed or NOT.   * FULLY OWNED - (Also known as fee or fee simple) The property owner owns all of the land down to the lake.  You may often hear us refer to this as "down to the 340", with the 340 foot elevation being full elevation of Lake Sinclair.  Georgia Power maintains flood rights to the 350 elevation on this property and residents need a license agreement with Georgia Power for building or maintaining any seawalls or docks on the lake.  License agreements are fre... 03/24/2012

Crooked Creek Community on Lake SinclairWhen choosing an area of Lake Sinclair there are many things to consider not the least of which is if you own the lot or lease it from Georgia Power Companuy.  The Crooked Creek Community on Lake Sinclair is an area of fee simple lots.  You own the dirt from the road right down to the shoreline. Crooked Creek Cove on Lake Sinclair is the largest cove on the lake.  The bridge, which was constructed in the 1980's, replaced the last covered bridge in Putnam County. While I miss the old bridge, which was beautiful, the new bridge allows for boats to easily pass under the bridge into Crooked Creek Cove.  The roadways in this community are Crooked Creek Road, North Steel Bridge Road, Pinewood Drive, Crooked Creek Bay, Bay Court, Wood haven Drive, Quail ... 03/19/2012

Swamp Stomp 5K For Kaye- Eatonton, Georgia. The past two days I’ve been walking for the first time since September. A few weeks before I got married I got bronchitis and as a result lost some weight. My tailor told me I couldn’t lose any more or my dress would be too big. I took that comment and ran with it. Straight to the nearest Mexican restaurant. I haven’t looked back since. With the amazing weather it’s felt so incredible to get outside and be active again after my five month hiatus. If you’re like me then sometimes you might need a little inspiration to get up and get moving. The Swamp Stomp 5K For Kaye being held this Sunday at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton is all the inspiration you need! Kaye Gregory Cheshire, formerly of Eatonton, who attended Gatewood Schools, passed away in ... 03/14/2012

I'm an avid reader and mystery is my genre of choice.  So when I found out that the Putnam Alliance of Performing Arts (PAPA) is also doing a play that's a who done it around my birthday I now feel a little torn about what to see.  Both perhaps. After all this production will be at the Plaza and it holds sentimental memories for me too.  I was so excited when I found out that the grammar school auditorium where I performed on stage was being turned into a theater for the Plaza.  In fact the teacher I credit the most for my love of books taught me 3rd grade here and read the class the adventures of Pippi Longstocking.  I think I've always had my next book ready to read since then. Of course some of you local folks may not know that the First Baptist Church sanctuary was burned in 1978 an... 03/11/2012

Things to do around Lake Sinclair- Photography Exhibition If you live at Lake Sinclair you can always find something to do.  This spring is no exception.  I read about this show and exhibition a little late to consider an entry myself.  But maybe next year.  After all I do love to go around Putnam County with my camera snapping photos everywhere. The Plaza Arts Center is the place where the entries can be viewed for the 2012 contest.  The public exhibition will be open from March 17 until March 25, 2012.  And if you too are interested in participating next year, you can check back on the link above for information about the contest for 2013. I love events at the Plaza.  It's a special place in our town and in my heart.  I went to school there.  It was my grammar school back in the early... 03/04/2012

Ladybug, Ladybug Fly Away....Wait, Where Is Home? Earlier today I noticed the little fella in the picture on my windsheild as I was pulling out of my driveway on my way to a meeting. Call it curiosity or perhaps a bit of boredom but I decided to see just how long he hung on for the ride. I reset my mileage gauge and off we went. 7.8 miles. Not that far right? Well, if you're the size of a ladybug that's a LONG way. Perhaps like me moving from Atlanta to Lake Oconee (approximately 75 miles), maybe? Figured he might be a little confused and need a little guidance on where to go and what to do. In this guys case he went from living in Greene County to Putnam County so his little ones will need to switch from Lake Oconee Academy to Gatewood Schools. He'll probably want to continue to suppor... 02/28/2012

Growing family and need more room?  Empty nester and need less room?  Want a boathouse and dock?  Sunporch?  Whatever your housing need I can help.  Spring is just around the corner (typing that made me feel better, it's cold today) and that's the start of the hot selling season on Lake Sinclair.  I listed a new cute 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath ranch on the water in Baldwin County today.  I'll post that house tomorrow and let you see the details.  I also got details on a new listing I'll try to "sneak preview" for you in the next few days.  It's HUGE, two master suites, and in total 4 Bedrooms and 3.5 baths.  Great location, water, view and virtually all new including new windows, flooring, paint, tile, hardwoods, carpet, appliances, cabinets and deck.  If you know what kind of Lake house you are... 02/08/2012

I have to confess I'm not speaking from personal experience here.  My idea of "roughing it" includes unlimited hot water at the holiday inn and a mint on my pillow when I head to bed.  I'm very spoiled by my tempuredic mattress and camping is NOT my thing.  My parents took me a few times when I was a kid and counting bug bites and whining was how I spent a lot of my time. And if I want to eat fish, well Red Lobster always comes to mind. My daughter, husband, brother, step-sons and my parents on the other hand LOVE the outdoors and camping and fishing.  My parents actually go camping right here in the county we live in.  They have done it for years. They camp and fish.  And with spring around the corner the reservations may begin to fill up fast.  Call the places below to find your sprin... 01/30/2012