Powered by RealTown Blogs

Can We Talk? Welcome to our blog, Lake Wedowee Neighbors. We created this blog to share news, ideas, upcoming events and photos associated with the Lake Wedowee and the Randolph County Alabama areas. We would like to hear from you so please feel free to make comments and suggestions.

Home | Profile | Archives | Blog Manager



Recent Posts

"Trying" To Sell Lake Wedowee Real Estate
Lake Wedowee Real Estate Agents say the Darnedest Things!
What kind of market is Lake Wedowee, Ala.?
Best Time To Buy
Lake Wedowee Life


RSS Blog Feed

Categories

RE Market Updates
May We Recommend
Real Estate 101
Lake Wedowee Neighbors
Upcoming Events
Fact or Fiction
We are in the news!
What's Happining
Just For Fun
LocalHistory
The Community Board
Holidays


Favorite Links

Advantage Realty
Randolph County Chamber
Lake Wedowee Life
Alabama Power - Shoreline Newsletter
Sign up for Lake Wedowee News and Views


Brought to you by...

Posted at 9:17 AM, Jun. 18, 2007

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter

Click to sign up for e-newsletter

Lake Wedowee News and Views

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

"Trying" To Sell Lake Wedowee Real Estate

Posted at 10:13 AM, Jun. 19, 2008

by: Kelly Caldwell

Have you looked at real estate in Wedowee lately? Well, let me tell you there is a lot to choose from. I looked on www.ezmls.com today and there are more than 600 listings being advertised for sale in Wedowee. I would be willing to bet more than 95 percent of those are considered lake property in some shape, form or fashion.

It seems like everyone is "trying" to sell their lake property. Now, granted some of those listings are off-water properties in waterfront areas, but good gracious that's a lot.

"Trying" is failing with honor according to a real estate guru I met at a conference in Las Vegas last year and that is exactly what is going on here. People are trying to sell property, but the prices are so high buyers aren't looking.

This isn't the fast and furious market of three years ago when seller's could name their price and a bidding war would happen. THIS IS A BUYER'S MARKET PEOPLE!!!!! Which means, if you want to sell you have to price accordingly. Most of the properties have been listed for more than a year (some two or three) and nine times out of 10 the list price hasn't adjusted.

What does this tell me? Somebody is stubborn... Not sure if its the agent, the seller or a combination of both, but one things is for sure, someone is going to get real if they want to sell any REAL ESTATE on Lake Wedowee.

While I was on the website, I looked up sold listings. The thing that amazed me was there were only 19 properties to sell this year compared to 74 properties for the same time frame a year ago. Every day a comparable sale expires and proving the worth will continue to get harder. Banks are tightening their purse strings and appraisals are getting the fine-tooth comb treatment.

So, I am sure the buyers out there are wondering what all this means to you. Well, to be honest, this lake is yours for the taking. It is time to hook up with a great "Buyer's" agent and challenge these prices. If you are ready, willing and able you might just find a great deal.

A buyer's agent is an agent that represents YOU. She is your advocate in the transaction and will fight for you every step of the way. She will also be knowledgeable about the listings on the market as well as what has sold. She will also keep you up to date on the market conditions as they change.

One thing my mom and I are going to start is the "Leisel and Kelly Hot Properties List" which can be emailed directly to you. It will contain the properties we think are the best deals currently on the market and properties that may be worth challenging.

Click here to sign up and receive Leisel & Kelly's Hot Property List


Lake Wedowee Real Estate Agents say the Darnedest Things!

Posted at 1:30 PM, Apr. 28, 2008

 When you are showing property you never know what the potential buyer will remember...

This weekend I was negotiating a contract at Sunset Point on Lake Wedowee when the buyer started talking about another agent she had called in this area a few weeks ago. According to this source, the agent proceeded to tell her it was stupid for her to buy at Sunset Point because of how fast things depreciate. She went on to say he told her it may look great now but wait 10 years and it will make your head spin as to the condition those "trailers" are in.

Well, to be perfectly honest, the conversation took me by surprise. Especially when she went on to say, the agent proceeded to "pester" (her word, not mine) her to see one of his listings that happened to also be a trailer. She did not like his arrogance in the matter and she said he did not seem helpful.

To be honest I am not sure if I wanted to laugh or cry after this revelation. On the one hand, this agent, because of his arrogance,  handed us a sale he could have had for himself (which is not the first time), but what he and a lot of other agents are doing is wrong and unethical. It is unethical to "steer" a person from one property to another for their own personal gain.  It's kind of like the television show Charmed, the witches couldn't use their powers for personal gain without consequense. In this case, he lost the commission because he tried to use his unsolicited influence over the buyer for personal gain. We could file an ethics complaint because he violated many of the Realtors Code of Ethics but we hope the lesson will be learned by loosing the customer and the commission.  Yes, we were upset with his remarks and it hurt our feelings but at the end of the day we made a sale and  a new friend.   We are thankful and appreciative.

Sunset Point on Lake Wedowee has been around for close to five years, (1/2 way to the head spinning 10 year mark for those keeping score) and it's never looked better. The homeowners take pride in the development and work together to make it great!

Sunset Point has evolved into this quaint little neighborhood where the families care about one another. They have get-togethers numerous times a year and it really is the neighborhood of old where children play without parents worrying about their safety as well as the community coming together for block parties, pig roasts or card games.

The owners at Sunset Point are very protective of their properties, and love the simplicity of their way of living on the lake. It is not uncommon to have pajama day at the Point or a neighbor helping another put their boat away.

Sunset Point was designed with the moderate income family in mind. Not everyone can afford to pay upwards of $500,000 for a lake house and Sunset Point is a perfect alternative for people who want to enjoy lake living in an affordable way.  

What is sad for that agent is that he only thought of what was best for himself instead of what was best for the buyer. If more real estate agents would take a step back and think of something other than the commission, we might be able to help more people find what they want and change the impression of real estate agents at the same time.

What do you think?

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: , ,

What kind of market is Lake Wedowee, Ala.?

Posted at 1:17 PM, Apr. 28, 2008

Many are wondering what is wrong with our Market...

Everyone who knows anything about real estate will tell you real estate is “local”. Just exactly what does that mean? It means what is being bought and sold in New York City, New Orleans or Miami has no impact on what is being bought and sold in Wedowee, Alabama.

Okay, what does influence the local market? The two most important factors are:

#1 The number of homes for sale (inventory) and the number of buyers currently looking at those homes

#2 The price buyers are willing to pay or can get financed

Comparable sales for the last 6 to 12 months is the best indicator of what buyers are willing to pay. Please know we are not talking about the list (asking) price but the sold price! Comparable sales of like kind properties help us to know what a buyer is willing to pay for a typical size and style house or lot located in our current local market. An appraiser will use comparable sales to arrive at an educated opinion of market value for a property being sold or financed. A lending institution or an astute buyer does not want to pay or finance a property for more than what it can be sold for in the current market.

When we have more buyers than we have homes for sale it is called a “sellers market” if we have more homes for sale than we have buyers it is called a “buyers market”. With a seller's market, prices are increasing and good listings sell quickly. In a buyer's market prices are subject to decrease and the days on the market are for longer periods of time. We are currently in a buyer's market on Lake Wedowee in most price ranges.

Just a few years ago it was possible to purchase a nice cabin or home with what we considered “good water” for under $250,000. We had an abundance of buyers looking for lake lots from $75,000 to $200,000 and lake homes in the $200,000 to $400,000 price range. It was a seller's market for those price ranges. So what happened? People got greedy. Sellers got greedy, developers got greedy, agents got greedy and the prices were pushed.  And, then pushed some more where now they are right out of the typical buyer's reach.


There are other factors stalling our market too:

Poor construction – no building inspection or building code

Lack of planning for quality growth

Real estate agents competing with buyers and flipping properties

Lack of quality subcontractors and service providers

Bad business practices - lack of ethics - distrust

Lack of hospitality and cooperation

It was fast and furious for a while and the buying was easy. I think in many cases too easy. Our market is now in a time of adjustment, even the good properties are slower to sell.

However, the good news is there will always be those who need or want to sell and those who need or want to buy. The most important person in today's market is the Realtor who knows their market, is honest, trustworthy, loyal, listens and has a true desire to help their customers and clients.

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: , ,

Best Time To Buy

Posted at 1:47 PM, Mar. 2, 2008

by...Leisel Caldwell

Prospective buyers ask me all the time, "When is the best time of the year to buy a home on Lake Wedowee?" The answer becomes obvious when considering supply and demand. A limited number of lake-front properties are available or will ever become available. Of those for sale and an even more limited number meet the needs of the prospective buyer. When is the right time to buy? As soon as you find the home you desire. The one that fits your lifestyle may come along only once in a lifetime

The Media's focus on nation-wide foreclosure rates and tightening mortgage requirements has lead to some prospective buyers hesitancy to buy because of what they refer to as "current market conditions." Some are less confident in their ability to get financing on second homes and lake lots. Contrary to common perception, many buyers are enjoying better mortgage options and rates than ever before, and they have more properties to choose from. The national downturn and the hesitancy for some prospective buyers, presents a perfect buying opportunity for smart investors.

Lower pool offers buyers greater insight

While some buyers may complain about low lake levels, it is really good to see lake homes and lots when the lake is down. It provides buyers with an unrestricted view of the property and the lay of the lake. Is a dock placed far enough out in the water? Is a quiet and peaceful cove affected by drought? Is the new beach, revealed by the low water level, gently sloped, perfect for children? How does the lake front compare community by community? Observing property at lower water levels provides purchasers with an exceptional opportunity to see what is otherwise easily overlooked in a quick tour of the lake and home.

I cannot remember a better time to buy real estate on Lake Wedowee, taking advantage of choice, opportunity,and special insight, during this prime real estate buying time. If you are currently looking for Lake Wedowee real estate please give Kelly or me a call. We will work very hard to find you the perfect lake front property.


Lake Wedowee Life

Posted at 12:54 PM, Mar. 1, 2008

Lake Wedowee Life Magazine

 
Premier Issue - Lake Wedowee Life Lake Wedowee Life hit the streets as the first publication dedicated to the people and culture that make Lake Wedowee so unique on Feb 1, 2008. For years, people have fallen in love with Lake Wedowee and as it continues to grow in popularity the demand for information about the area grows too.
The magazine features stunning photography and intriguing stories which will shine a light on the beauty that is Lake Wedowee. To be published six times a year, Lake Wedowee Life, a free publication, is available throughout the local area or by mail for a nominal fee of $12 per year.

Lasting Impressions...

Posted at 6:57 AM, Nov. 20, 2007

Growing up, we loved to wake up early to find out what Santa Claus had brought to our house. It was not uncommon for us to wake up at 2 in the morning (even as teenagers). Well the first year we lived in Quail Run, our neighbors were not the early risers we were. We had finished playing with all our new "stuff" before the sun came up and the neighbors were still not awake. We didn't let this stop us from enjoying their Christmas Day Fun. It was time for a Caldwell Wake Up Call (Complete with my older sister singing and video taping it). We always make a lasting impression where ever we live.

Kelly Caldwell, Advantage Realty

leisel_Christmas_2006_luke.jpg

I wonder if the early morning Christmas tradition will continue with my nephew Luke...

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

El Jalapeno opens in Wedowee

Posted at 12:46 PM, Oct. 18, 2007

There is a new restuarant in Wedowee and I tried it out for the first time today. El Jalapeno (located on U.S. 431 North) did not disappoint. First off, I do have to say I LOVE Mexican Food. I love the cheese dip, salsa (even though I don't like tomatoes) and the chips.

I got take out for my mom and I this afternoon and love the abundant choices available. My mom chose the mushroom quesadilla while I got the fajita nachos. They were great!! When I picked up the order, I noticed the decor which features brightly painted walls and enough tables to handle a big crowd.

The restaurant has only been open for almost 2 weeks and the masses seem to be giving the new restaurant a shot.

When I try more things on the menu, I will let you know!!

Have a great day!

Kelly

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: , ,

From a whisper to a scream

Posted at 8:01 AM, Sep. 27, 2007

From a whisper to a scream - September Market Update

By: Kelly Caldwell

We have talked about how things are changing on Lake Wedowee and the changes are becoming more evident. There are two dozen homes currently listed that have been reduced in price recently. Some have been drastic reductions (as much as 17 percent) while others have been a gradual decrease.

These numbers are screaming one thing at me and whispering another. On first look you would think prices are adjusting because they were too high in the first place (scream), then one could think all these people are beginning to realize their properties are not attractive to buyers (whisper).

In reality it is a mixture of both. Half of the homes have been sitting on the market for more than five months and have not been sold. Houses have been selling during this time frame, matter in fact 27 homes have sold since April 1. The kicker is the average sell price for those 27 homes is $385,266 and the current average price for the homes that have been reduced is $512,675. Again there is a scream and a whisper. The average buyer is not interested in $400,000 plus lake homes (scream), but many sellers and agents continue to list properties with over inflated prices in a market that won't support their asking prices. (whisper but becoming louder everyday).

There are many homes on this lake for sale worth more than $400,000 but the majority of the buyers are looking for less than $400,000. Actually only nine homes have sold for more than $400,000 this year compared to the 30 homes that have sold for less.

The real estate market is changing nationally and Lake Wedowee is not immune to it. The real estate frenzy of the last few years has softened. In 2005, the seller could set the price and even entertain multiple offers before it sold. That's not the case now. Homes are now sitting on the market for a longer period of time and their is a large increase in the number of homes for sale. The average number of sales (buyers) has stayed the same but we now have more builders, more developers, more agents and more sellers competing for these buyers .

Lake Wedowee has experienced a boom like other areas in the county in the last few years, many have profited over the tremendous increased values of the last few years but the past is in the past. On the national level home sale prices were down 4.3 percent in August and the home inventory is at an 18-year high. We have now hit a plateau and prices have stabilized. No more flipping properties for 50% to 100% profits but stable pricing with a slight increase in the average sales price from 2006. It is a more balanced market for buyers and sellers alike.

To sell a house in today's market, hope is not lost. Like we have said before a house is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. This summer has been an interesting one in that more new homes have sold than existing. Why is this? Builders negotiate, offer buyer incentives stage the house to look its best and do whatever it takes to get it sold. Those who want or need to sell their primary home or second home need to sit up and take notice of what is selling and why. Do not leave it to chance, do your homework. You must price competitively, prepare your home for the market (make it look its best) and enlist the help of a good agent to market your property aggressively to buyers and other agents.


You need an ALL STAR when moving these days

Posted at 7:33 AM, Sep. 27, 2007

Recommendation by: Ron Winslett

We have recommended many goods and services in the Lake Wedowee area over the last year and we always love to hear from you. A past client (Mr. Ron Winslett) came to us with the idea of recommending a mover, we jumped on the idea as long as Mr. Winslett gave us his personal account of the services he received from All Star Movers. We hope you find the information useful. Also if you have any future ideas for our "May We Recommend" section, please let us know.

It is not too often we step out on limbs and make recommendations on Service Companies, but in the case of "All Star Movers", Winston, Georgia (also licensed in Alabama), and Mr. Ron Motes, this is the exception.

Unfortunately over the span of my 36 year career, I had to move my household far too many times. And, in each of those times, there was always some negative experience. Whether it be major or small, there is no doubt something bad is going to happen. However, in the case with our last (and final move of our lives), we contracted All-Star Moving, Mr. Ron Motes, and Company to move our household from Lake Wedowee to our new home in Carrollton, GA.

Simply put, from beginning to end; from the initial visit and estimates which Mr. Motes accomplished personally, until the last box was removed from his high image trucks, this move was flawless.

With some much interest in homes and in Real Estate in general between Randolph County and Carroll County, GA, there is no doubt, in our minds, "All-Star" should be your first call. Extremely courteous loaders and the crews which handled our household goods and may have been the "Best" your moving dollar can buy. "All-Star's" motto is "22 Years of Reliable and Dependable Service. This certainly was our experience.

For further information or to possibly contact their Company, please call: Mr. Ron Motes General Manager All-Star Movers Winston, GA (770) 577-2142 or Ron's Cell: (770) 316-2340


Word On The Street

Posted at 8:22 AM, Sep. 26, 2007

The Word On The Street...

It is a Done Deal!

by: Leisel Caldwell


If you have been following our story on the "Big" Developer coming to Lake Wedowee you will be interested to know the word on the street is... it is a done deal. We have been told by more than one source Alabama Power and "Mr. Big" have come to terms and to expect an announcement by the end of the year.


So, what does this mean for our area? If true, "Big" things are sure to come, but we all must realize the process of any major development takes time (years). Just the sheer excitement of any such announcement will have many expecting the prices to sky-rocket. I feel those who want or need to sell in the next 2 years may be disappointed with this assumption. The real estate market is driven by what the buyers are willing to pay for the available properties for sale, supply and demand. See Kelly's Market Update for more information on what the average lake buyer is currently willing to pay.


We are currently in a stabilizing market with property values holding their own, inventory of available properties climbing and the number of buyers entering our market staying at about the same number as we have seen in years past. The major jump in values we saw from 2003 - 2006 in real estate sales is not going on in the 2007 market. Yes, listing prices are continuing to escalate without rhyme or reason, but the properties that are selling are holding their own with the 2006 sales price averages.

The impact of a major multi-use development in our community will first be felt by the influx of a large number of contractors and construction workers. Rental properties will be in high demand. Sub-contractors and construction workers will have employment opportunities. More sales for restaurants, fuel providers, construction material suppliers, etc. and more sales tax will provide an economic boost for Randolph and Clay Counties. As the development progresses there will be many full time employment opportunities.


In my opinion, once the anticipated announcement is made, it will have an immediate influence on bringing more buyers to our market. Once "Mr Big" has something to sale and they begin their marketing efforts we will see major increases in the number of buyers in this market. Again, with the supply and demand, we will see large increases in values on prime waterfront property. Please note, I do not see major price changes for low and mediocre water front quality properties. They will continue to see increases but only moderately.



Our area will have a great opportunity to prosper in many ways and with such a development we should expect many changes. This developer is likely to become the largest employer for the county. Our local leaders need to embrace this new development. They need to offer a helpful hand and be open to new ideas. They also need to have a watchful eye to protect us and our assets.


We all get excited about the prospect of recruiting major industry, well folks, this is major industry.







The plot thickens on Lake Wedowee

Posted at 8:40 AM, Aug. 20, 2007

THE

PLOT

THICKENS...

I guess someone with "Linger Longer" connections received our little email. 

All the links mentioned www.LingerLongerLakeWedowee.com, www.ReynoldsLakeWedowee.com,www.LakeWedoweeGolf.com are no longer showing the blond girl with those important key words.  Now it shows "This page can not be displayed."

With this new development, some people may question my credibility, for those that do, I understand.  It could be a big misunderstanding, but odds are strong I am on to something.  You can still discover the website addresses above have been bought if you go to www.GoDaddy.com and type in one of the above mentioned sites.  It will say it is already taken.  You can also see when it was purchased (July 7 through 9 of this year depending on the website), but the buyer has asked to remain private.  Those sites also still appear in Google search results.  You just have to dig a little deeper to find them.  So the top 10 reasons still hold true. 

We are constantly searching for information about Lake Wedowee so we can keep our customers and clients informed.   We are very excited about the possibility of such a major player coming to our market and what it could mean for Lake Wedowee. 

If you know any scoop on this matter, let's linger on it a little longer together.  You can email me directly, or you can put your comments on our blog at  www.LakeWedoweeNeighbors.com.

We know that this may have been forwarded to you by a friend, so if you would like to directly receive our e-newsletter "Lake Wedowee News & Views click here to sign up.  Please be assured your email address will not be shared with any other parties.


Is Lake Wedowee about to boom?

Posted at 1:19 PM, Aug. 13, 2007

Big Time Player positioning itself on Lake Wedowee
Is Reynolds Plantation gearing up for a Lake Wedowee announcement?
by KELLY CALDWELL
Well let’s see…

1. Alabama Power bought 80 acres on Lake Wedowee in the summer of 2006.

2. Alabama Power had a road closed County Road 90 behind D and S Marine in 2006.

3. Agents from one local company have spread the rumor that it is happening and have used it to capitalize on sales.

4. Highway 48 is being resurfaced.

5. Traffic counters are currently on Alabama 48 and U.S. 431.

6. The wet/dry referendum is being talked about for the Feb. primary ballot.

7. Boat Ban Legislation banning boats of a certain size on Lake Wedowee signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley.

8. People in high places are calling asking about a Ritz Carlton coming to Lake Wedowee.

9. Ad on Craigslist describing future plans of a marina, golf course and more by Reynolds Plantation.

10.   Website addresses have been bought connecting “Linger Longer” and “Reynolds” to Lake Wedowee in the last month.

Taken one at the time, these items could be dismissed as a coincidence, but if you think of all 10 items collectively it presents a pretty strong case. While searching Lake Wedowee on Google Monday, I found several interesting addresses which have not been advertised before. The first one getting my attention was www.LakeWedoweeGolf.com. There is only one golf course in Randolph County, and it’s not advertising the Roanoke Country Club’s 9 hole course. It’s actually not advertising anything at the moment. The site shows a picture of a girl with keywords down the side like Lake Wedowee and Wedowee. This doesn’t mean much, but the exact same screen displays if you go to www.LingerLongerLakeWedowee.com; www.ReynoldsLakeWedowee.com and www.ReynoldsWedowee.com.

So if you buy into the hype, this is one more fact to feed the speculation which has enveloped Lake Wedowee for the past two years.
To explain a little more of how Linger Longer connects to the Reynolds of Oconee, you just need to visit the website. Linger Longer was the name of the family land generations of Reynolds family used. Linger Longer Development Company was created to develop Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee. Linger Longer Road is one of the main roads at Reynolds Plantation, and www.LingerLongerCommunities.com is a website dedicated to development of the Reynolds family. A Reynolds Plantation quarterly publication is also called Linger Longer.
Linger Longer has a big significance for Reynolds Plantation and it’s more than a coincidence www.LingerLongerLakeWedowee.com has been purchased for future use.  
Lake Wedowee definitely has an exciting future ahead with such clean water, unspoiled land, rural setting and wonderful people. It’s just a matter of time before we attract the “Big Fish.”
From our research, we know the Reynolds family would be a great friend and corporate partner for Lake Wedowee, someone we believe would protect what we hold so dear… our home.
I guess you could say we will “Linger Longer” on this subject once again, and we would love to hear what you have to say on the matter.
If you would like to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter Lake Wedowee News and Views, click here.
{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: , , ,

Lake Wedowee Market Update

Posted at 7:09 AM, Jul. 26, 2007

New Construction is where it’s at!!

The good news… There have been more lakefront home sales so far in 2007 than for the same period in 2006. Since May 1, 17 lakefront homes have sold on Lake Wedowee compared to 11 in 2006. However, there has been a shift in the market.

More than half of the lakefront homes sold this year have been new construction with nine selling in the last 60 days. 

The not so good news… With all the new construction, existing homes sales has plummeted in the last 60 days. Since June 1, only one existing lakefront home has sold and only four are currently under contract. 

It is hard for individuals to compete with builders. Usually the builder has more than one home under construction and therefore can “wheel and deal” a little bit more than the average home seller. Plus, home buyers typically prefer new.

However, there are ways for the individual home seller to compete with the builders. Price, of course, is the best way to compete, but there are other methods.

We are seeing more and more homes sell furnished or with other incentives such as painting allowances and dock allowances.

The bottom line is to make your property more attractive than its competition. As of July 25, there are 93 listings for lake property on www.ezMLS.com, more than half are less than two years old, 20 have been built this year. For the lake as a whole, this is a great news, new construction is good for the economy, but it gets tricky for the existing home sellers who need to sell.

A REALTOR® can help you decide the best plan for you, if you are an existing home seller. There are a variety of ways to make your home stand out not only to prospective buyers, but area real estate agents as well.

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

$5,000 off Through Labor Day

Posted at 9:53 AM, Jul. 19, 2007

Living on the lake has never been easier when you call Sunset Point home.

The development, located on the wide water of the Little Tallapoosa River on Lake Wedowee offers more than low maintenance living on the lake. It gives you a true home away from home.

“Sunset Point provides a close-knit atmosphere among property owners that you might not find elsewhere,” Sunset Point owner, Richard Carter, said. “It's a great place to share friendships, have fun, and enjoy outstanding recreation on the lake.”

Sunset Point consists of “Park Model Homes,” which gained popularity through the RV industry, and are roughly 400 square feet in heated space.

“I can't imagine having a huge house to clean with another yard to maintain at the lake,” Collin Cash, homeowner, said. “We spend so much time on our porch that I rarely have to do any actual housework.”

While the interior living space is small, it is more than made up for by the sizable porches.

“My grandson calls these porch houses,” Owner/developer Leisel Caldwell said. “There are 1200 square foot porches attached to some of these houses.”

Only three waterfront homes are still available at Sunset Point and all are priced under $140,000.

“Sunset Point is the best personal investment we have ever made,” Tammy Sweet said. “It’s affordable, neighborly and definitely family oriented.”

The development has an eight-foot wide boardwalk surrounding the 1,100 feet of shoreline which is used as private docks for the waterfront owners.

The off-water owners also have access to the lake through three community docks.

“Sunset Point offers an affordable solution for those who might not be able to afford typical lake front property without sacrificing access to the water,” Carter, an off-water owner, said.

There are currently four off-water cottages available all priced under $100,000.

“The community atmosphere is what is so neat about Sunset Point,” Caldwell said. “It is very reminiscent of neighborhoods when I was a child. There is always something going on around here. We have had street parties, game nights, and we always see children  riding their bicycles with their neighbors.”

Sunset Point is one the most affordable developments on Lake Wedowee  and in most instances, you can buy at Sunset Point for less money than you can buy a waterfront lot.

“ We had originally planned to buy a lot, put a camper on it and build over the next couple of years,” Cash said. “After looking around, we found that buying at Sunset Point would enable us to start using our lake property immediately. - no dock to build, no utilities to run.  For the price, we just knew that Sunset Point was the best choice for us.”

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

Full House for 1st Lake Wedowee Poker Run

Posted at 11:30 AM, Jul. 11, 2007

 
The luckiest day of the century, July 7, 2007, turned out to be just that for Jane Patterson of Wedowee.
In front of a full house at the Chow House, Patterson won the grand prize of $777 with a full house in the first-ever Lake Wedowee Poker Run Open House.
“I had a lot of fun with it,” Patterson said. “I have been here for a while, but I didn’t know a lot about the lake. I thought this would be a fun way to learn what Lake Wedowee has to offer.”
To have the winning hand, Patterson visited seven homes on Lake Wedowee which are currently for sale. Four real estate companies joined forces to make this event a success.
“There is no local board of REALTORS in Randolph County and when my daughter and I were at a real estate conference in Las Vegas earlier this year, we came up with this idea as a way to get some area companies to work together in a fun atmosphere,” Leisel Caldwell, broker of Advantage Realty, said. “It took a lot of work, but the full house that we saw Saturday made it worth it. 
The Poker Run began at Chimney Cove’s new Club House where people received a map showcasing the seven homes on the tour.
“I was really excited to have a lot of visitors coming to Lake Wedowee from all over,” Eddie Duffey of Chimney Cove / Duffey Realty, said. “We, in particular, were very happy to introduce Chimney Cove’s new club house to the pubic through this event.”
More than 70 people toured the homes gathering playing cards along the way.
“We had a great turn out, a lot of fun and most importantly a lot of exposure for Lake Wedowee real estate,” Laurie Bloomfield, broker for ReMax Lakefront, said.
The players ended the tour at the Chow House where Roger Hammett, David Johnson and Mark Lyle played for the crowd. More than 50 door prizes were given away including tickets to a Braves game, gift certificates to local businesses and lake oriented gifts.
Advantage Realty, Duffey Realty, Home Town Realty at Lake Wedowee and ReMax Lakefront organized the event and asked more than 20 other area businesses to help sponsor or donate door prizes for this one-of-a-kind open house.
“We appreciated the sponsors who helped with this event,” Dawn Floyd, broker of Home Town Realty at Lake Wedowee, said. “Without them, this would not have been possible. Not only did we promote our lake homes and real estate companies working together, we also gave back a portion of what we have been blessed with. It seemed that everyone had a great time and we look forward to having it again next year!”
The monetary sponsors other than the four real estate companies, which made the event possible, included:
Aliant Bank, Lake Wedowee Find A Home, Bank of Wedowee, Small Town Bank, Detailed Property Inspections, Docks By Katelin, PIB Mortgage, State Farm Insurance, Chad Lee Attorney at Law, Randolph County Concrete, Cheaha View Marine and Main Street Coffee House.
 

Lake Wedowee Poker Run

Posted at 6:47 AM, Jun. 25, 2007

 

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?               

1ST ANNUAL                             

 LAKE WEDOWEE POKER RUN.

By: Leisel Caldwell

Have you heard the latest? Four local real estate companies are mixing real estate and fun together. What a concept! On July 7, 2007, Advantage Realty, Duffey Realty (Chimney Cove), Home Town Realty, and ReMax Lakefront are hosting the 1st Annual Lake Wedowee Poker Run. The poker run consists of a tour of 7 beautiful lake homes currently for sale by the participating real estate companies, a poker game where the best hand wins $777, entertainment, food and other great prizes given away during the event.

The Poker Run idea came together on a recent trip Kelly and I took to Las Vegas. It was a business trip where we attended the Mastery Summit on Real Estate presented by 3 of the top national real estate trainers in the business. Really, it was a business trip! Okay I admit it, we did mix a little business with pleasure. By the way, some of us were luckier than others in Las Vegas. Me ... not so lucky. Kelly, that is another story.

Once we got back to Wedowee, we put some ideas together. We soon realized this could become a big event and we needed help. We called Home Town Realty and set up a meeting with Dawn Fold and several of her agents. Home Town Realty loved the idea. Together we decided we needed 2 more real estate companies to participate. We then invited Laurie Bloomfield broker for ReMax Lake Front and Eddie Duffey to our next meeting. Again, they loved the idea and jumped on board. With the real estate companies in place we then starting working on obtaining sponsors, putting together a website, selecting the homes for the open house tour, game rules, etc. To keep us legal, we also cleared the event with local law enforcement and the Alabama Real Estate Commission. Wow! it has now become the event of the season.

Be sure to mark your calendar to attend July 7, 2007 (07-07-07). The festivities begin at the Beautiful Chimney Cove Clubhouse and will end with you playing your poker hand at the Chow House at Foster's Bridge at 3:00 pm. Entertainment by Roger Hammett, food prepared by the Chow House, fun games and valuable prizes.

Do you feel lucky? Well them, we would like to invite you to pre-register as a guest of Advantage Realty. The first 100 to pre-register will receive a free Lake Wedowee Poker Run t-shirt the day of the event. To pre-register and learn more about the event visit www.LakeWedoweePokerRun.com

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

Lake Wedowee Market Update

Posted at 6:45 AM, Jun. 25, 2007

While lower lake levels may be putting a damper on fun this summer, it hasn’t hurt the inventory of homes for sale on Lake Wedowee.

As of June 21, the official first day of summer, there are 93 lake homes on the market. Considering only eight homes sold in May, we have almost a year’s worth of inventory. What does this mean? Well it depends which side of the closing table you will be sitting.

If you are a buyer, this could be a good time to do just that. More inventory means more options for you. We are hearing of all kinds of incentives being done right now. One house that is under contract, we have heard the seller is throwing in a floating dock and in the second home market it is not uncommon to purchase a home partially or fully furnished.

We have also seen houses sell for much less than asking price. In April and May, we saw two homes sell for 77 percent of the list price. However, just like the $1.25 million sale, those examples are not the norm around here. In fact, the average sale price is 94 percent of the final list price. Keep in mind those averages do not take into account price reductions.

What these numbers mean in simple terms, is that Lake Wedowee is becoming a buyer’s market instead of a seller’s market like it has been for the past few years.

If you are in the process of selling your house or are thinking of putting your home on the market, do not fear. We are actually ahead of the game if you look at last year’s numbers. Twenty lake homes sold through June 21, 2006 with a median sale price of $285,000 while this year 25 lake homes have sold in the same time frame with a median price of $304,000. The meat of the market is in the “under $500,000 price range” (60 of 93 listings and 22 of 25 sales) and that doesn’t look like it is going to change regardless of what homes are listed for.

Adjustments to price have already started on this lake, and as the season progresses, and sellers get more anxious to see results, the market will continue to fix itself.

I mentioned earlier about seller’s giving incentives to buyers some of those include: paying closing costs, leaving furniture, giving a dock allowance and even selling the boat or jet skis along with the property. Sellers are getting more and more creative these days to get the end result they desire and as your REALTOR®, it’s my job to guide you through the process from start to finish.

It takes more than putting a sign in the yard to get things sold these days, but... Hey, that conversation is for another day.

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

Fireworks use cautioned during Fourth of July

Posted at 8:55 AM, Jun. 22, 2007

 

We had a good day of rain Tuesday but it was not enough to lift a no burn order for 33 counties in Alabama which includes the Lake Wedowee area. The no burn order, however, was amended this week.

In its original form, the order put a ban on personal fireworks of any kind. State Forester Linda Casey signed an order Wednesday clarifying the use of fireworks in the counties affected by the no burn order.

The new regulation allows ground level fireworks such as sparklers, poppers and basic firecrackers. However, aerial fireworks such as Bottle Rockets, Sky Rockets, Roman Candles and any other launchable fireworks are PROHIBITED unless it is over open water.

If found guilty of violating this order, you could face fines up to $500 and a sentence up to 6 months in the county jail.

Commercial or Municipal fireworks displays do not fall under this category and are permissible based on a permit from the state forester.

 

 

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: , , , ,

Drought not helping lake levels

Posted at 10:19 AM, Jun. 12, 2007

Recent thunderstorms aren't going to be enough to help Lake Wedowee's water level. Alabama Power Company announced Monday, to expect Lake Wedowee (also known as Lake Harris) to drop to 789.5 by June 26, which means at that time, Lake Wedowee will be 3.5 feet below full pool.

Lake property owners and boaters should use caution on the lake as water levels continue to drop. Avoid going into shallow areas and be cautious of "stickups" (trees and stumps underwater). If you don’t visit Lake Wedowee regularly, you might want to take your boat out of the water. If the level changes drastically, boats could easily be beached.

The majority of the lakes in Alabama have felt the strains of this drought. Lake Martin (Our sister lake to the south) is down more than seven feet and could drop another foot by June 26. If that occurs, Martin could be at winter water level by July 4.

 

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: , ,

Sunset Point 3 Night Giveaway

Posted at 7:16 AM, Jun. 11, 2007

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Roger Ottinger!

Roger & Denise Ottinger, of Douglasville, Georgia visited Sunset Point on Lake Wedowee and registered to win our free 3 night stay at Sunset Point.  Drawing was held and the Ottinger's name was drawn.  Mr. & Mrs. Ottinger has won a complimentary 3 night stay at Sunset Point from Advantage Realty.

Sunset Point holds open houses every Saturday until the end of June from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Sunset Point has monthly drawings each month for a free 3 night stay.  Come and enjoy yourself at Sunset Point with Advantage Realty.

{ 0 comments } { add comment } { Permanent Link }
View more entries tagged with: None

Community Board

Posted at 1:46 PM, Aug. 20, 2006

 

Just click on the Community Board picture or the link below to be directed to the 

Randolph County Community Board. 

 

It is easy to post items you want to sale or give-a-way.  Check out the FSBOs, Lake Wedowee Rentals, Classified Ads, Local Area Photos, Adopt-a-pet, etc. 

Best of all it is Free!

A community service provided by Advantage Realty.



{ Last Page } { Next Page }