Real Estate Blog for the Golden Isles of GA including St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick, GA.

• Jul. 1, 2009 - Movie Night Under the Stars on St. Simons Island

Looking for a FREE fun, family outing on St. Simons Island? In Neptune Park right at the Casino in the Village you can view on a 36 ft wide, 25 ft. high movie screen movies under the stars. All you need bring along is your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the movie while visiting and picnicking with your friends and family. The Park opens at 4 pm and the movie presentation begins at dusk.

JMM Productions is presenting Transformers on 7/3/09 and then on 7/19 Grease, 8/14’s selection is Harry Potter and then 9/6/09 is Star Wars, Return of the Jedi.

I went to this summer’s first movie selection and took my two grandchildren along and a great time was had by all. I don’t think I am alone in savoring a fun recreational opportunity at NO CHARGE!

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• Jun. 26, 2009 - It is time for Buyers to Dive In!

I know you may be rolling your eyes and saying “Here she goes again!” But I simply don’t want anyone who has been waiting for the “perfect” time to shoot the gun and buy that home they have been considering or needing to miss out on an ideal climate to buy more for less.

The economic news is coming in that home sales are on the upswing and also the mortgage rates are currently edging up along with them. In our local market we have been seeing an increase in pending sales as well as closed sales. I admit many of those closings were on distressed properties, i.e., foreclosures or bank owned. Nevertheless, real estate is starting to move and I predict that these great buys and opportunities will start evaporating.

If you would like for me to provide you a list of properties that would meet your criteria, please give me a call!

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• May. 22, 2009 - Make a Wish List and keep track of the properties you view

Before you first venture into the hunt for your home, make a list of ten priorities you want it to possess and also a list of ten things you do not want. Use your list to score each property you see to keep everything in perspective when you are viewing numerous homes. Make notes as soon as possible after viewing while it is fresh in your mind’s eye to enable you to differentiate each home at a later date.

Don’t forget the difference between Skin and Bones. Bones are things you cannot change such as location, view, size of lot, school district and the floor plan, etc. Skin is simply cosmetic finishes such as carpet, paint colors and surface finishes. Don’t be misled by a seller’s decorating skills as those touches will not remain. Look at each home as though it were vacant and ready to receive your personal effects.

With reduced pricing and lots of inventory to choose from along with low interest rates, buyers are in a great position today. I would encourage you to speak to your mortgage broker and not only get pre-approved, but get qualified. This pre-qualification process will speed along any negotiations as well as give your offer more validity.

Give me a call and let’s get moving on finding that home for you!

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• May. 13, 2009 - Postage Rates Increase

The price of a 1^st class stamp went up from 42¢ to 44¢ and a postcard from 27¢ to 28¢ effective 5/9/09. I personally didn’t realize it until Monday and wish I had a larger stash of the “Forever” stamps on hand.

Just out of curiosity, I searched on the internet to see what the postage rate for 1^st class letters and postcards was 10 years ago and found that a 1 oz. letter in 1999 cost 33¢ and a postcard cost 20¢. I wonder how much online bill pay systems factor into the need for the Postal Service raising the rates? I would speculate that the large number of us that pay our bills online and the ease of email versus postal delivery have to factor into less demand for the Post Office.

It will be interesting to watch if the Postal Service decides to only deliver 5 days weekly rather than 6 as they are currently considering. These times they are a-changing!

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• Apr. 13, 2009 - Statistics for end of 1st Quarter 2009 in Glynn County

Here we are at the end of our 1^st quarter 2009 and I want to compare the statistics available in our local MLS system for this quarter to both the 4^th quarter 2008 as well as to the statistical data for the 1^st quarter end of 2008. The statistics below reflect residential sales in Glynn County and do not include land/lots transactions and commercial sales.

1^st Quarter 2009 4^th Quarter 2008 1^st Quarter 2008

# of sales – 129 # of sales – 216 # of sales – 154

Avg. List - $244,751 Avg. List - $355,212 Avg. List - $389,496

Avg. Sold- $222,903 Avg. Sold -$327,318 Avg. Sold -$357,300

Avg. % to List – 91.0% Avg. % to List – 92.1% Avg. % to List – 91.7%

For the 1^st quarter 2009, the Glynn County area with the most transactions closed was North Glynn County with 38 closed sales and an average sold price of $194,885 for that area. The St. Simons area with the most transactions was the South end with 12 closed and an average sold price of $331,741.

For the 4^th quarter 2008, the most sold transactions were found again in North Glynn with 50 sales and an average sold price of $191,466. The St. Simons South end also had the most Island transactions number of 13 sales averaging $592,900.

At the end 1^st quarter 2008, North Glynn had the County’s most transactions at 60 sold with and average sold price of $197,411. The South end of St. Simons had 26 sales recorded with an average closed price of $748,519 for that area of the Island.

To compare the amount of inventory from 2008 to 2009 for residential Glynn County, at the end of 1^st quarter 2008, there were approx. 1762 properties on the market for sale. At the end of 1^st quarter 2009, we had 1919 properties for sale on the Mainland and the Islands. These figures should echo what every realtor breathing has been saying, “We are in a Buyer’s Market with great inventory to choose from and better prices.”

Add to generous inventory and great prices, there is the 1^st time homebuyer’s credit available that doesn’t have to be repaid as long as you stay in the home at least 3 years. If you are interested in more detailed information on any particular Glynn County area, please let me know and I will gladly provide. I hope if you have wanted to purchase a home or make a change in your current living arrangements, you will give Beachcomber an opportunity to assist you!

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