If you live at Lake Martin, you might be surprised to know that YESTERDAY was the first day of summer!  Boating activity on the lake has been busy for the past month.  In fact, it has looked like the 4th of July here for the past 2 weekends.  Folks have been coming on Thursday and leaving really late on Sunday - at least, that’s how we see it by observing boats being put in and taken out at a local public boat ramp.

According to the property management companies who handle rentals on Lake Martin, we’re seeing a large influx of people who normally go to the Gulf.  Sadly, the oil spill is sending people away from that beautiful area.  But - we welcome all newcomers to the “Crown Jewel of the South“.  The weather’s great, and the lake is full.  So, as they say on TV: Come on Down!

Springtime has come and gone…but real estate activity in the Lake Martin Area is strong!  Compared to this time last year, twice as many properties have sold; twenty percent more properties are under contract; and, there are not as many places for sale.  Here are some interesting numbers for waterfront property:

364 Homes for sale on Lake Martin
93  Condos for sale on Lake Martin
180  Lots for sale on Lake Martin

175 Homes priced under $500,000
189 Homes priced  over  $500,000

85 Condos priced under $500,000
8  Condos priced  over  $500,000

My mother will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously on March 10, 2010 in Washington D.C.  She, along with 1100 other women, were WASPs in World War II and they each will receive this commendation.  The Women Air Service Pilots were formed during WWII to assist in the war effort by filling in for male pilots who had been given assignments overseas.  The WASPs performed a variety of tasks including ferrying aircraft from one base to another, towing targets, testing repaired aircraft, and more.

If you read interviews of any of these women or read articles about them, the message is always the same:  all they ever wanted to do was fly!  My mom was raised on a farm in Iowa - and she knew from an early age that she wanted to fly.  When I was a child, she almost never talked about her service as a WASP.  In fact, she really only began discussing her time as a WASP in the early 1970’s when the WASPs were finally given Veteran’s benefits thanks to a bill backed by Senator Barry Goldwater.

Today, my family is so proud of my mother and her service in the WASPs .  We are especially honored to received this award on her behalf.  Our profound thanks to the following individuals who sponsored the bill to make the Congressional Gold Medal a reality for these women pioneers:

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (TX)
Senator Barbara Mikulski  (MD)
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen  (FL)
Representative Susan Davis  (CA)

In 2000, I retired from Delta and had no idea what the future held in store.  Now, 2010 approaches and 2000 seems as though it was yesterday.  Some things I remember:
2000:  Y2K and all the possible scenarios - we survived it!
2001:  September 11 happened while I was attending a funeral in Buffalo, Wyoming…it was a long drive back to Alabama.
2002:  My Dad passed away.
2003:  Starting to sell a little real estate at Lake Martin.
2004:  More real estate…is there a career after Delta?
2005:  More buyers than sellers at the lake - a tremendous year.
2006:  Our daughter was married.
2007:  Our son was married.
2008:  Recovery from the drought, the real estate bust, and economic worries.
2009:  Absolutely my best year ever in Real Estate AND our first Grandchild!
2010: …  I wonder what tomorrow holds?
I want to wish my family, friends, colleagues, and my customers the best and most prosperous New Year.

For several years, we were weekenders commuting from Atlanta as often as possible.  We usually managed to plan Thanksgiving at the lake - weather was never a factor - we just wanted to be here.  One Thanksgiving Day, we were all set to fry our turkey and realized we did not have enough peanut oil!  So, off we went to Piggly Wiggly in Dadeville to resupply.  Unfortunately, they were sold out of peanut oil - and it looked like our turkey dinner plans were in trouble - it was too late to start cooking a bird in the oven.  But wait!!  Piggly Wiggly had turkeys already cooked - with dressing and gravy - what a great solution - and the food was great!  Seems like the little things really remind you to count your blessings.  We do have so much to be thankful for - including some terrific Lake Martin memories.

Halloween is one of my husband’s favorite holidays.  It is a time to dress up in scary costumes, create haunted houses for the neighborhood children and pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters who come to call.  Since Lake Martin is a rural, second home/retirement community, there isn’t an abundance of children living around the lake.  Therefore we don’t have a lot of trick-or-treaters show up at our door.  Actually, we haven’t had any in several years.  This makes my husband sad.

So, my message to all you folks living on Lake Martin, invite your kids and grand-kids for Halloween this year.  Bring them to our house.  Make my husband happy, he’ll fill their bags with candy.

What a great night for folks who came to sample a taste of 16 area restaurants on Tuesday, August 11 at Camp Civitan!  The Taste of the Dadeville Area was sponsored by the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce to spotlight local restaurants and provide an entertaining evening for everyone.  Music by the Brown Derby Jazz Band added a nice touch for the more than 300 attendees.  Food and music were followed by a raffle for prizes and cash!

If you missed it, shame on you!  This was a terrific evening - stay tuned for future events.

Thanks to the Lake Martin Area Association of REALTORS® for naming me REALTOR® of the Year for 2009.  What a wonderful surprise and a great honor. 

http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/2009/jul/24/adcock-named-top-realtor/

I’ve learned some very valuable lessons from two women, Janie Merrifield and Lisa Hammond, who were previously named REALTOR® of the year:  1. No transaction is too small. 2.  It always helps to be helpful.  3. The old saying – “what goes around, comes around” is a sure thing in real estate.

Every year, buyers ask to see property on Lake Martin in a certain price range.  This year, the magic number is between $300,000 and $400,000.  There are several great buys that fit the bill and here are just a few.

   
Check my website for more information on these and other properties.