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

• Jul. 13, 2009 - Federal Stimulus Monies being directed to Glynn County, GA

Georgia’s coast will soon have a public bus system thanks to $2.5 million in funding from the federal government. The Coastal Regional Careers plans to begin running weekday business hours by late summer, 2009. The fleet of busses will run through Glynn County and neighboring Camden, McIntosh, Long, Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty and Screven counties for only $3.00 for each county line crossed. Passengers will be able to call a dispatch center to schedule a trip anywhere within the nine counties. A fleet of 60 new vehicles has been ordered, a combo of vans and shuttle buses, all capable of transporting individuals in wheelchairs. If the program is popular enough, hours may be extended and could also run on weekends.

The bus service, a project of the Coastal Regional Commission, already runs a transportation service for patients on dialysis and the elderly. The new route will be an expansion of that program.

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• Jul. 10, 2009 - The Current Condo Market

The Condominium Lifestyle is tailor made for the individual or a family looking for little to no exterior maintenance and often the added community amenities condo living affords. But if you are in the market for a condo, there are a few fundamentals you should be aware of:

1. Get your financing in place FIRST, even before you make an offer.

2. Be aware that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have new and tighter restrictions on condo mortgages. Your REALTOR® will need to know how many of the units in the complex are for use as a rental and in new complexes, the required percentage of units that have sold is 70% or that are under contract.

3. The Condo association restrictions and rules are crucial to review. Also, if the current owner is in a distressed situation, he or she may not be current in the association dues. Fannie Mae even looks at the percentage of delinquent association dues and won’t handle mortgages with 15% or more over 30 days late.

4. Does the unit have the FHA seal of approval? If so, the down payment could be as low as 3 ½ % of the purchase price.

5. Buyers must inquire initially what the down payment requirement is to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

Sellers of a condo unit also have some preparation to handle prior to putting it on the market:

1. Pricing competitively is CRUCIAL! Be certain your REALTOR® does a thorough market analysis to have your unit at the top of comparable properties, but not above. In this market, it is imperative to not turn potential buyers away with an unrealistic asking price.

2. Don’t take personally an offer that is lower than you hoped for! Have your representative make a counter offer and be willing to negotiate to achieve your goals.

3. Be cognizant of closing costs and factor them into your bottom line.

I firmly believe if ever a REALTOR® was needed it is NOW and sellers are making a big mistake by going it alone to attempt to save paying real estate commissions. Real estate professionals can do the very necessary research in setting a price, give you the needed exposure you must have and be your advocate in the entire process from list date to closing.

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• Jul. 6, 2009 - Planning a trip to St. Simons Island? Traffic Pattern is now changed.

Effective 7/5/09, all traffic coming onto the Island will bear right on Kings Way and continue straight to the Village area. If you wish to go north, you will still come in on Kings Way and then take the first left turn on to Sea Island Road. This project they are calling the Gateway Project will ultimately be a loop among Kings Way, Sea Island and Demere Roads, much like a huge traffic circle.

The two round-abouts which were finished last year—the first at the north end close to the Sea Island Stables and Christ Church and the second one at the intersection of Demere and Frederica Roads, are in my opinion a successful tool to keep traffic moving.

If you have any questions about these changes or any questions about our area, please give me a call. I always welcome the opportunity to talk about my favorite place on earth!

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• 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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