Learning the Ropes March 2006

By Kelly Caldwell

Things have been pretty interesting in my life lately. This time a year ago I was a news hound for the Alexander City Outlook. Newspapers have been my life for a long time, I started taking pictures for The Randolph Leader when I was a senior at Handley High School. Now, 10 years later, I am no longer a journalist.

I have traded in my handy-dandy reporters notebook and the craziness of being a journalist for real estate contracts and the craziness of being an agent.

For those that have worked with Advantage Realty in the past, you may notice a similarity in the brokers last name and my own. Thats right, Leisel Caldwell and I are mother and daughter. I know, big shocker. But, you see since before I could walk, my mom has been in real estate in Randolph County, and now I have convinced myself (somewhat) that I want to follow in her footsteps.

I left my comfort zone of newspapers in November even though I had begun to make a name for myself. I had covered murder trials, hostage situations and even interviewed a celebrity or two.

I guess the biggest question some of you may be wondering is why the switch. Well to be honest, I havent quite figured it out myself. I do know that newspaper life is not as glamorous as one might think, and I was beginning to get bored with the day to day stuff. (Its not every day a hostage situation happens.) I have been watching my mom for all these years selling real estate and decided, what the heck, it might be fun.

Well, I can tell you this much so far… I am not bored with the day to day stuff. It is definitely challenging, and I love the fact that it is a little bit like newspapers. I am still writing (youre reading exhibit A), I get to meet people from all walks of life and my schedule can change with one phone call.

So regardless of the perceived excitement I left behind, change is good for everyone and this is one change that has surprises around every corner.  I guess we will have to wait and see what comes next.

Kelly Caldwell joined Advantage Realty in November 2005 and became an agent in January.

The Market...As I see it! March 2006

By Leisel Caldwell

March 2006

With the reported sales of January and February, 2006 is to be a banner year for real estate in Randolph County. From discussions with area agents, everyone is busy. All seem to have many good buyer leads, showing properties, writing offers and closing deals. The diverse Randolph County market includes the small towns of Roanoke, Wedowee, Wadley and Woodland, the rural land market and the dynamic Lake Wedowee market.

Roanoke and the other small towns in the county offer some of the best housing bargains in the state. With the low prices and excellent loan programs for home buyers, buyers are allowed to purchase a  home with very low down payments and  low monthly payments, making home ownership obtainable for most everyone. The downside for the small (in) town markets is seeing little or no growth and very little appreciation in values.

The rural market for homes with land and vacant land in Randolph County is growing. We have seen many sales and a good appreciation of values in the last several years. This market is being driven by Georgia buyers who are crossing the state line. They are seeking refuge from the rapid growth in Georgia, high taxes and high land prices.

The Lake Wedowee market with its limited supply of listings is commanding higher and higher prices. Good buildable lake lots are at a premium. Re-sales are at an all time high with several houses selling in excess of $500,000 in the last 90 days. Many sellers, developers, builders and agents are testing the market. They are putting properties on the market way above market value by standard pricing practices. Is this a bad thing? It depends. A property is worth no more than a buyer is willing to pay for it. Are there enough buyers in the Lake Wedowee market willing to pay these increased values? Only time will tell.

Leisel Caldwell has more than 25 years experience in real estate in Randolph County.