Summer is almost here and Lake Martin is as busy as ever.  The lake level is high and holding steady;  plenty of property is for sale and quite a few places are selling.  Now might be the right time to make your move if you ever wanted to buy that get-away on the lake, purchase a second home, or nail down your future retirement spot.

While you’re here for the 2009 AquaPalooza signature event during the last weekend in July, call me!  Coach Tuberville’s beautiful lake home is still available and so are several others.  Visit my website to see lake homes in every price range.  Lake Martin has something for everyone.

Lake Martin is full and open for business as the official summer season begins this weekend.  Road traffic is heavy, stores are busy, boat ramps are in use, and marinas are selling lots of stuff from gas to potato chips!  While many family gatherings have been dampened a bit with frequent rain showers, folks are still on the water having a good time.  After all, if you’re swimming , skiing, tubing, fishing, or otherwise playing in the water –a little rain can’t hurt!  People at the lake always make the best of it when a holiday weekend comes around. 
 

If you’re here, enjoy!  If not, come on down.

DO NOT look back and say, “Why didn’t I buy that place at the lake when I had the chance?”  Timing is everything and now may be the best time in years to purchase property at Lake Martin.  There are lots of properties to choose from, sellers seem to be negotiating, interest rates are really low, and mortgage money is available.

It is hard to move forward when all the news we hear and see is bad.  But some folks are braving the bad news and are buying lake property right now.  Last week, I worked with two different buyers who each obtained 4.5% financing from different lenders.  They both purchased condos.  By the end of this month, two more families are purchasing homes in the area, one is on the lake and one has lake access.  One of these is a second home and one will be a primary residence and each one got a great interest rate.

Many sellers are asking reasonable prices for their lake places and they are open to offers.  So, if you’re looking in a certain price range, look at prices a little higher than your upper limit.  And for goodness sake, hire a REALTOR® to help you find the best place at the best price on Lake Martin!
Whether you want a cabin…

Or a castle…

Just a minute (or two) of your time is all it takes to comment about the lake level at Lake Martin!  Following the worst drought in recent memory, our lake level was high all during 2008 because Alabama Power Company requested and received a variance from FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.)  Once again, the power company is requesting a variance.  A variance means filling the lake sooner and keeping the level higher longer. 

Public comments may be made to FERC regarding this variance request.  Please add your comments in support of this variance request so we can all enjoy another great year at Lake Martin!  Here’s how:

Click on this link:  https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx         

Fill in the blanks with your name, email address and phone

You will receive an email with the link for a Quick Comment

Click on the Quick Entry and add the docket number  P-349-160

Type in your comments and submit! This is easy and worthwhile!

  Every year, there seems to be a “popular” price range when buyers are looking for property at Lake Martin.  In 2008, the magic number averaged between $300K and $400K.  Often that price range was not realistic for buyers’ needs and wants – and they spent more.  It will be interesting to see what price ranges folks shop for in 2009.  In the meantime, here are some statistics from the Lake Martin Area Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service:
 

In 2008, 131 waterfront homes sold on Lake Martin:
Under $500K – 65 sales
$500K to $1M – 36 sales
Over $1M – 24 sales
** 6 sales did not publish the price
 

Today, 382 waterfront homes are for sale on Lake Martin:
 Under $500K – 188
$500K to $1M – 135
Over $1M – 59
 

For those thinking of purchasing waterfront property at Lake Martin, things couldn’t be much better.  There are many places to choose from, interest rates are really low, and sellers are a bit more likely to negotiate.  If you don’t have a REALTOR®, find one!  Don’t miss out on a terrific opportunity to own a little piece of heaven at Lake Martin.

The holidays are upon us and the shoreline at Lake Martin is beginning to show.  Those who love this lake are especially thankful for the high water levels throughout the spring, summer and fall.  Alabama Power Company has done a great job of managing and maintaining the lake level this year and their efforts are appreciated.

According to news reports, the folks at Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona and Lake Hartwell will suffer extremely low water levels for years to come as the City of Atlanta continues to draw from these reservoirs.  When added to the drought conditions in the southeast, this is going to be a bad situation for the foreseeable future.

Lake Martin will continue to be the area of choice for the residents of Georgia whether for a short vacation, a second home, or retirement – just as it was for me.  We have 700+ miles of shoreline –much of it is undeveloped; the water is clean and deep, people are friendly in this “small-town” atmosphere, and it just feels like home.

So – enjoy your turkey and football games – then Come on Down! 

Be sure to take a look at the August issue of Lake Martin Living for a great article on one of my listings (page 13). The article features a great story about the owners and fabulous pictures taken by Matt & Sol of del Sol Photography.

You also need to see the August issue of LAKE Magazine featuring my listing in The Preserve at Stoney Ridge with more photos by Matt & Sol of del Sol Photography! Both of these magazine issues are available online. Living at Lake Martin is wonderful - and in homes like these - it’s awesome!

Lake Martin is all about families. We were lucky enough to have both of our children and their spouses here for a few days last weekend. What a pleasure to see them all enjoying the lake as much as they did as kids. There was plenty of time for swimming, skiing, digging for fishing worms, catching fish, getting some sun, and cooking out.

Speaking of lucky enough…we were fortunate to find our place at Lake Martin when our kids were young. We came every weekend winter and summer and we spent hours fixing up our old cabin. Anyone with a second home knows that one requirement is having 2 of everything (tools, groceries, and more) – one for the lake and one for the primary residence. Of course, we usually managed to have both hammers and bottles of ketchup at the same house!

The kids did help with all our projects – but they also had time for fun. Fishing, swimming, building forts on an island, building a raft out of old styrofoam and deck boards, learning to ski, and more. They also learned boating safety, good lake manners, to wave at other boaters, and always to stop and help folks with a problem.

We retold lots of stories and laughed a lot! Memories are as good as the real thing!

A recent article in a Real Estate magazine really said it all – paraphrased: …we feel younger than our age; we weigh less than the scales indicate (if we ever got on them); we feel fine – so there’s no need to go to the doctor…In terms of real estate prices in the Lake Martin area, we may all need a reality check!

Sellers naturally believe their property is valuable. Here’s the bad news - it’s only worth what a buyer will pay. In 2007, sales at Lake Martin were not as brisk as in previous years and many blamed that on the low water levels. However, in 2008 the lake is nearly full, potential buyers are coming to the lake, but sales are still not as brisk as in the past.

In my opinion, buyers are shopping but they are “kicking the tires” and looking for “a steal.” Everyone wants that! Some prices have adjusted downwards, but we’re not seeing any “fire sales” and foreclosures are pretty rare here.

If you’re a seller, consider dropping your price by as much as 5%. If the buyers are looking for a “buyer’s market” why not give it to them? Otherwise, recognize that your home may stay on the market a little longer. If you’re a buyer, make an offer – it might just be accepted!

Most Important – buyers and sellers need to consult with their Realtor®. Both sides need to make sure their expectations are realistic! In the Lake Martin Real Estate market, we need to remember:

Buyers don’t have to buy and Sellers don’t have to sell.
               

Have you noticed letters behind the names of some real estate agents? These 3 and 4 letter codes represent various designations and certifications earned by a REALTOR®. They also signify a substantial amount of time, effort and expense on the part of the individual who attained these letters. Here are some that you may have seen:

ABR Accredited Buyer Representative

CRS Certified Residential Specialist

GRI Graduate Realtor Institute

One of the newest certifications is RSPS – Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, this is a course designed especially for the resort, retirement and second-home professional who understands the unique needs of this market. Today, 1 out of 3 homes sold is a second-home in vacation, recreation or investment markets. If you’re searching for an agent to assist you in buying or selling property at Lake Martin, check out the letters behind his or her name!