While the most significant increases are in areas where hurricanes are a risk, even homeowners in non-coastal areas are seeing increases in their home insurance rates. Here's a few tips on how you can save on your monthly premium:

• get a copy of your CLUE report - just like a credit report, this will give you a detailed list of every claim ever placed on your home. And, just like a credit report, this can contain errors. Insurers can justify increases based on your CLUE history, so it's worth checking it out.


• get a quote from several companies - most new homeowners just use "someone my family recommended". Sure, loyalty is honorable ... but, a 10-20% savings annually with another company would be worth a switch. If nothing else, a lower rate from a competitor will give you ammunition to ask your current company for a lower rate.


• make sure you're getting all discounts available - believe me, your insurer is not likely to remind you about these, but they can all save you big money on your annual premium ... install burglar and fire alarms ... combine home & auto policy ... install deadbolt locks ... update your plumbing & electrical ... these are just examples that you may already be doing, but your insurer needs to know!

If you'd like a recommendation on companies to compare your current rate with, please call or email me anytime - I have some great contacts in the industry.

Many of my local readers may not care, but housing sales are up in southern California by over 69% from this time last year. While it may seem insignificant to someone in north Georgia, I think otherwise.

You see, this is simple economics in action ... the median sales price for this area was down 39% from last year ... even though the # of sales were up. What this tells me is that there ARE still buyers out there, and they WILL buy once they feel the prices are reasonable.

What we experienced over the past few years was a bubble, no doubt. But, just like the case above, the # of sales will slowly come back around as buyers home prices adjust downward to correct the inflated values of a few years ago. The # of people interested in buying and selling real estate hasn't diminished ... we've just lost all the potential purchasers that were using real estate as a tool for big appreciation gains. Once investors and owner-occupied buyers alike get more realistic with their expectations of what a house will return (or lose), the market will rebound.

 In this ultra-competitive market, home sellers are constantly looking for that little something to give them an edge over their competition.  The curb appeal of your home ... it's "drive-by" appearance ... should be the first place you start.

For those of you that know me, you probably find that title a little surprising, coming from the guy that starts sending emails before the sun comes up and is still writing on his blog at 10:30 at night (like now) ... but, sometimes you have to put work down for awhile to keep from losing your mind.

Today, I had the pleasure of spending all day with Taylor, my 2-year old daughter, and I realized how little I miss work when I'm not there. After a breakfast trip to McDonalds, an hour at gymnastics and a walking through downtown on a beautiful Athens afternoon, I realized that there's a lot more to life than contracts and negotiating home sales.

If you're reading this, and I was supposed to be marketing your home or finding you a home today ... sorry! Believe me, I'm more energized now after a day off and will be much more productive than I would've been had I not taken a day. People think that Realtors are 24/7 on and never off, and that's sometimes true. But, in reality, we should all slow down and take time to enjoy life.

According to a recent NAR report, residential housing values in 31 of the 50 states have remained steady or have been positive in the past year. Have you heard that statistic in the news? Of course not.

Over 60% of the nation is stable, while a handful of states (California, Florida, Arizona, etc) have losses that are dragging down the market.

Part of the reason housing activity is down now is because of the public perception that it's not a good time to make a move, but in reality, real estate is regional ... and, unless your in the hardest-hit areas (and Athens, GA is not), now is as good a time as any.

It never fails ... every single day, someone will ask "where is the best place in Athens to invest?". Since we market our company as being Athens, GA investment property specialists, it's a question I've learned to be prepared for. But, the answer isn't simple.

If I knew what the future held, I wouldn't be working 10-12 hours per day selling real estate ... I'd be buying it all. But, my answer is always the same to these inquiries:

The old adage of "location, location, location" has proven itself over and over again, and I see no reason to stray from it when investing. Occasionally, real estate investments and developments off the beaten path are successful, but why take the risk when there's plenty of opportunities near already proven areas.

For example, the obvious attraction in this area is the University of Georgia. Reasonably priced real estate near campus is sure to maintain it's value, and will almost certainly appreciate over time. And, if you're willing to roll the dice just a little, look for areas where UGA is seeking expansion. For instance, the 58 acre Navy School Campus will be a UGA medical campus within the next 5-10 years ... think property values around that will go up? Of course they will.

In addition to location, it's important to match the real estate with the area. For instance, being near UGA does you no good if you develop a warehouse for industrial use ... just like putting a student-housing development in an industrial area would fail ... make sure your investments are oriented to your desired audience.

If you have questions about a specific property, or if you'd like advice on your next investment in this area, please let me know ... I'd love to help.

Having been in the business the past few years, I've heard first-hand numerous of why the real estate market is in a slump, as well as many suggestions for how to fix it.

There's no denying that foreclosures are at an all-time high, and the government, mortgage companies and individuals all share the blame. But, if we're serious about cleaning up this mess, my sales experience suggests that the mortgage companies should be more diligent in their efforts.

In all the foreclosure and short-sale transactions that I've worked on recently, the mortgage companies seem to lack a serious desire to get these repossessed properties off their books. The never-ending line of uninformed phone reps, inexperienced listing agents and out-of-town attorneys that one has to deal with to help these companies out of bad debt have no motivation to expedite the process. And, the "process" so is almost so tedious that it discourages owners from the process altogether.

I understand that these companies are overwhelmed with requests and bank-owned properties right now, but if they're serious about cleaning up, it would seem they would hire capable people to answer the phones, process the requests in a timely manner, and not make the same mistakes again.

Sure, we all know someone struggling to make their mortgage payments. It's affected all of us on some personal level. But, the effects of the recent government bailout of Freddie & Fannie backed loans has a much more far-reaching effect than just individual homeowners.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac owned or backed about half of all US mortgages, but investors worldwide, and especially Asian banks, were highly leveraged in their bonds. Stocks worldwide soared yesterday on the announcement of the government bailout, and the news seems to have provided some confidence to otherwise hesitant investors that viewed the US market as being too risky.

If you've read my blog in the past, you know how I feel about government interference with the private markets, but this is one scenario where the result might produce worthwhile results.

"NO!" says a recent study by the University of Akron, Ohio.

A recent New York times story "What's Lurking In Your Countertop?" highlighted one purchaser that ripped out her granite countertops because her inspector suggested the levels of uranium in it were too high for her pregnant daughters health. This story angered many in granite/marble industry, such as the Marble Institute of America, who say the story "follows the playbook used by two of the largest synthetic stone manufacturers who seek to increase their own sales by raising fears about natural stones".

The facts are this:

While granite is known to contain uranium (which can produce radon) and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.

The frenzy created by this NY Times story helped sell their paper and create a buzz, which is exactly what they wanted to do ... but, I'll trust the academic and health researchers over a journalist seeking a shock-factor article.

To spur activity in the real estate sales market, the federal government has once again stepped up to the plate ... and struck out, in my opinion.

In an attempt to help 1st-time homebuyers, the gov't is offering a $7500 tax credit for qualifying purchasers (call for details) ... it has to be paid back, so it's just a short-term loan of sorts ... but, given the state of our national debt, and the other more critical areas of need, is it really the government's responsibility to interject funds here?

We just don't get it, do we? One of the main reasons the housing market is slow now is due to the concept that everyone "deserves" to be a homeowner. Just a few years back, everyone with a heartbeat and a 500 credit score qualified to buy a home. Now, there are more foreclosures than ever. That very sense of entitlement is how we dug ourselves this hole to begin with ... and to fix it, the gov't has just picked up a larger shovel by throwing more money at the problem and encouraging more and more people to buy.

Now, don't get me wrong ... as a Realtor, I hope this program increases sales, and I would be happy to share the details of the program with anybody that has an interest ... but, as a tax-paying citizen with a sincere interest in the well-being of our economy as a whole, I just don't think this is the long-term answer.

The news is grim for the housing market ... I've remained positive throughout this slump, as you'll see in my other posts, but there are some statistics you just can't ignore ... For instance, over 1/2 of the major housing markets in the U.S. are in decline, with some expected to post double-digit losses over the next 5 years. And, even the National Association of Realtors (NAR), usually a glass-half-full type of organization, has predicted a nationwide drop in home prices (for the first time in the 4 decades they've been making these predictions).

While it's impossible to know exactly when the down-market will turn around, there are several key indicators to look for in your local market:

• inventory is declining - a good local broker should be able to tell you how many months worth of inventory is on the market in your area. As long as it's in the 6 month ballpark, you're probably okay. Between 6-9 months, prices should remain stable. Over 9-10 months, you'll see prices decline. At last check, there were approximately 12 months worth of inventory on the market in the Athens/Oconee market.
• realtor attitudes - a few years ago, everybody you knew had a real estate license or was thinking about getting one ... it was easy money right? Well, times have changed. In the past year, I've heard more people say "how do I get outta this business" than "how do I get in" ... there's just not enough business to go around. In this industry, and especially in down-times, the top 10% of salespeople do 90% of the business. And the remaining 90% of salespeople do the remaining 10% of the business. With sales slower, that 10% isn't enough to feed 90% of the agents, so we're seeing alot of agents find new careers.
• sellers act less desperate - if you read the home for sale ads in your local publications, you'll see offers for new cars ... $10,000-20,000 bonuses ... first 6 months free ... you name it - I'm sure it's been tried. In a more stable market, the supply & demand keeps the market active ... no need to lure clients with lucrative bonuses. As the market strengthens, you'll see less and less of this

In a college-town such as Athens, GA, condominiums and townhomes account for a large portion of the residential housing inventory. As a licensed agent specializing in sales such as this, I was somewhat embarrassed when an agent that I mentor recently asked me the difference between the two ... I didn’t have a good answer. I knew, but I couldn’t provide a clear answer - so, I decided to do a little research.
The word "condominium" is Latin, and means "common ownership". Owners of condos own the interior of their unit and own a percentage of the common elements surrounding their unit (grounds, pool, exterior walls, etc). Residents are members of a homeowners association, and typically pay dues for the maintenance of the common area.
Owners of townhomes actually own the ground beneath their unit and the roof above. Townhomes often times include garages, small yards, etc for which the owners are responsible. Townhomes often have common elements as well, but more of the ownership lies with the individual than in condo-ownership.
Horror stories frequently arise from poorly managed associations, but their are significant advantages ... a responsibly managed association serves as somewhat of an insurance policy for owners, helping to maintain property values and control unruly neighbors.

In this doom & gloom real estate era, it's easy for buyers & sellers to find reasons to complain ... not as easy is finding positive aspects of this soft market.

A co-worker of mine recently sent me the following tid-bits, providing a positive spin on the current state of the residential real estate market:

For Buyers:

• Right now, you have an unusually wide selection of properties to choose from, including those owned by people highly motivated to sell immediately.
• With so many potential buyers holding off, you have a much smaller number of people competing with you for the available properties. When the turnaround comes, those "waiters" will be your competitors, making your offer less attractive to those selling their homes.
• Financing is still available at historically low interest rates, but are sure to escalate when activity resumes at more normal levels.

For Sellers:

• If you sell for present market value, even though the price is less than it would have been in the past, you can reinvest at the same relatively lower range ... the home you buy with the proceeds will have gone down in price as well.
• If your present property has appreciated in value over the years, a reduced price affects only "paper" value, which you never actually realized.
• If you genuinely want to sell and have a good reason for doing so, there is little to be gained by waiting for "things to get better," especially if you'll be reinvesting in the same market.

I was sent this forward from a friend today, and while it has nothing to do with real estate, it was so powerful that I decided to post it here anyway. I have no desire to see this blog become a political forum, but regardless of party lines, this piece should make you think.

It's from Jay Leno ... that's right, Jay Leno ...

"'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Oceanwithout having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs , a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about 'how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way'...Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative. 'With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' Jay Leno, 2007

At some point, almost everyone will rent ... college? internship in new town? retirement community? ... these are some common scenarios when renting is the easy choice. But, even after the booming real estate years when everyone was encouraged to be a home, there are more times than you may think when renting would be more beneficial than owning.

The first thing you need to consider when making this rent vs. buy decision is "how long will I be living in this location". If you're going to stay less than 2 years, renting is probably a good idea. By the time you pay closing costs to buy and brokers fees to sell, you'll lose 5-10% of your homes value. Make sure the appreciation rate, when multiplied by the length of time you're staying, will make up that 5-10% loss, or you'll be upside down.

If you're staying longer than 2 years, the math isn't quite as easy. With rates as low as they are now, you can probably get a mortgage with a monthly payment at or below the rent rate on a similar property. However, you must also take into account utilities, taxes and insurance, which often times are covered by the landlord in a landlord-tenant relationship.

As a Realtor whose income is 100% dependant on people buying houses, it's sometimes difficult to tell people to rent ... but, having to explain to them that they're upside down on a house they need to sell after a couple of years is an even more difficult conversation.

If you think buying is for you, please CLICK HERE to learn more about the advantages of home ownership.