tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176807482014-10-01T03:38:06.824-04:00Reflections on life and real estate in Pickens County Georgia. A roadside look at Jasper GA, news, views, people and places, real estate and local politics--anything and everything that informs, educates or entertains on the ups, downs and inside track of our small world, and the world around. Because real estate is more than bricks and sticks . . . it's people and community, friends and family. And that's something worth writing about . . .Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-41437884963912834482010-10-12T11:56:00.028-04:002010-10-17T12:12:30.329-04:00

While foreclosures in the headlines are nothing new--it seems this has been a favorite topic for traditional news media and bloggers alike (myself included), for the past couple of years--the latest headlines have spurred a whole new level of not just discussion, but possibly action as well. In brief, the latest issue involves the improper handling of foreclosure and loan documents by several of

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-61733249675037199252010-07-25T16:50:00.007-04:002010-07-25T22:42:31.011-04:00

NOTE: I am not an attorney, and this is personal opinion based on my real estate experiences over the years, not legal advice. For specific questions, concerns, or contractual guidance, please consult with legal counsel.My previous post identified personal property as an area of real estate transactions that can lead to disagreement (and unpleasantness), between buyers, sellers and their

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-31743044589688588832010-06-29T11:24:00.008-04:002010-06-29T22:53:28.806-04:00

There are several problem areas that can upset the apple cart in a real estate transaction, most notably buyer financing and inspection issues, but personal property is one often overlooked area that can cause considerable unpleasantness and/or confusion for both buyers and sellers.While financing and inspections are generally handled during the due diligence phase of the agreement, and are

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-62530834142551269312010-04-29T10:50:00.019-04:002012-01-07T06:05:09.415-05:00

A review of sales data for homes listed in real estate in Pickens County GA over the past 3-years, shows an apparent decline in overall home sales of roughly 37% since 2007. The number of homes sold in the Jasper area that weren't some form of foreclosure, short sale, or other corporate-owned property however, actually showed a more significant drop -- around 54% fewer sales over the 3-year

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-40469096277237398682010-03-07T15:26:00.006-05:002010-03-07T17:01:25.196-05:00

Foreclosures and Short Sales in Jasper GA Spreading to Land & Lots . . .There has been plenty of discussion already about the decline in the sales volume and prices of homes for sale in Pickens County GA, and the rest of the country. And lately, the subject has been turning more to the possibility of a significant downturn in the commercial real estate sector. Less has been said however, about a

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-8015394287111481472010-01-22T13:39:00.004-05:002010-01-25T13:35:12.671-05:00

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) just announced some significant changes to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan program for borrowers seeking FHA insured home mortgages.More detail about the program(s) can be found on the HUD website, but the most noteworthy proposed changes are synopsized as follows:The up-front Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) will be raised

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-40497759478358855302009-12-09T11:37:00.010-05:002009-12-20T23:42:07.880-05:00

Wrapping up my thoughts on the reported potential of a large "shadow inventory" of home listings entering the local real estate market, and whether now is a "good time to buy or sell", this final post of three explores the more important aspect of motivation for buying or selling a home.As covered previously, it is perhaps wise to view the purchase or sale of a house in much the same way as any

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-67288387902165430492009-10-21T21:30:00.013-04:002009-11-09T16:38:04.608-05:00

In my previous post I discussed a backlog of foreclosure properties, coupled with a growing pool of homeowners needing to sell, potentially creating a surge in the number of homes for sale in Pickens County GA, and other parts of the country.I have since read further "dire predictions" about the next wave of foreclosures and the potential for additional price drops in a majority of the markets

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-50912623031452328062009-09-13T10:16:00.008-04:002009-09-13T22:11:58.613-04:00

A big issue currently being debated in economic and real estate circles is the question of a "shadow inventory" of homes that could hamper any recovery effort.This shadow inventory arises from two sources. One is the supposedly growing number of potential homesellers who have taken to the sidelines to await a more stable market and stronger prices, and who are likely to emerge at the first solid

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-24442243029069811722009-08-09T12:18:00.016-04:002009-08-10T22:35:06.633-04:00

Despite an attractive mountain setting and numerous small lakes and creeks, Pickens County GA unfortunately has no larger lakes, parks or recreational areas of any size, or any with particularly noteworthy features. Unlike our neighbors, who have Lake Allatoona, Lake Lanier, Carter's Lake, the Etowah River, Amicalola Falls, etc., as a recreational backdrop, our parks are somewhat limited in size

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-74932235255924278042009-07-13T15:10:00.003-04:002009-07-13T17:47:07.627-04:00

My last quarterly report for real estate activity in the Jasper GA area, first quarter, 2009, suggested that some early signs of an easing to the downward trend in home sales might be in the works (at least in sales volume, not necessarily price). Thankfully, data for second quarter 2009 lends weight to this suggestion . . .Seventy-two homes were placed under contract in the April - June period,

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-31143285426735538142009-07-05T22:01:00.006-04:002009-08-17T22:41:03.370-04:00

While the days of 100% lot and land loans in North Georgia may have been short-lived -- where they were available at all -- there is still at least one place at which pretty favorable loan terms are said to be available for buildable residential lots . . . 95% land financing for eligible borrowers!At this time, I am only aware of this particular 95% land loan program being available for -- and

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-67186995839025058062009-05-31T12:11:00.010-04:002009-06-02T07:09:21.573-04:00

In communities across Georgia, it seems there is a rising tide of disagreement between residents and their tax assessor's office, as tax records fail to keep pace with the decline in home values. And, it wouldn't be surprising to see that trend head this way. In fact, in Pickens County the office of the tax commissioner and tax assessor already seem to have been in the news a fair amount lately,

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-2356248281576063542009-05-18T22:26:00.005-04:002009-05-18T23:19:45.759-04:00

On May 11, 2009, Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law House Bill 261. HB261 is the tax credit for home buyers who buy a house or condo in Georgia within the next six-months, which I covered in a previous post on the subject.Since that post was written however, the final version of the bill changed. It was amended prior to signing to reduce the tax credit from $3,600 to $1,800, or 1.2% of the

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-60770805210260395342009-05-03T16:00:00.005-04:002012-01-07T06:07:17.429-05:00

Looking at the home sales figures for Pickens County Georgia real estate, first quarter 2009, the most positive spin I can put on it is that hopefully the numbers can't get a whole lot worse . . . With only 40 homes under contract or sold in the January through March period, this represents an almost 50% decline in house sales from the same period last year (already a slow time in local and

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-80256035105745965862009-04-12T21:37:00.014-04:002009-04-13T08:45:16.994-04:00

With recent reports of the "possibility" of public sewer being available in the Marblehill area within 3-years, and in light of the impact this would have, I thought it worthwhile taking a look at what is going on in this relatively small area of Pickens County GA.For those not familiar with the area, Marblehill is a community in southeast corner of Pickens County, close to the Cherokee and

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-39040898492018688472009-03-28T13:05:00.010-04:002009-05-18T22:25:08.438-04:00

On March 26, 2009, the Senate approved H.B. 261 (as amended), providing up to a $3,600 tax credit for home buyers who purchase a home in Georgia within six-months of the date from which the bill becomes effective.Unlike the Federal tax credit, which only applies to first time home buyers, the Georgia tax credit is pretty broad in applying to any home buyer, including investors! The credit is

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-4329858996503111302009-02-28T15:33:00.008-05:002009-05-28T16:07:15.067-04:00

With the number of foreclosed homes (and increasingly lots and land) that are now lender "Real Estate Owned" (REO) properties, many buyers are focusing their search on these distress sale houses as real estate bargains. But, targeting these bank owned properties specifically in online home and land searches from the convenience of your home or office has always been difficult . . . if not

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-36885197881650553532009-02-21T14:21:00.012-05:002009-02-22T11:39:27.273-05:00

Many times when listing homes for sale in Jasper and surrounding parts of Pickens County GA, I'm faced with a seller handing me an appraisal (or saying they have one, but never producing it), that runs contrary to what I would suggest as a list price.It's a tough spot to be in. Two different knowledgeable professionals. Two completely different numbers, (often considerably so.) Which to use?

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-7264375278314778052009-02-08T12:47:00.006-05:002012-01-07T06:07:50.533-05:00

A look at home sales in Pickens County GA for the past year offers few surprises to anyone who has access to a radio, TV, newspaper or Internet . . . With only 250 homes sold in the entire county for all of 2008, the decline in sales is obvious from prior years. Even when compared against 2007 and 2006, years in which the real estate slide had already begun, the numbers are lackluster . . . to

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-82454961120098660572008-12-11T13:45:00.010-05:002008-12-11T23:13:41.924-05:00

New construction seems to be topping the list in foreclosure notices for Pickens County GA this month . . .While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- who together account for roughly 20% of all delinquent loans -- have granted temporary relief to homeowners over the holidays, the published number of "Notices of Sale Under Power" hasn't declined. In fact, it has still increased over prior month numbers,

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-30364764834160066522008-12-07T15:09:00.007-05:002008-12-07T16:41:12.798-05:00

A New York Times article published yesterday raises a question that I'm sure is being asked by first time home buyers in Pickens County GA and around the country . . .Is now the right time to be buying a home?In fact, this is an issue for not just first time buyers, but probably in the minds of ALL who are considering purchasing a home in this uncertain real estate environment.As the Times

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-11164695747753520632008-11-23T21:18:00.013-05:002008-12-07T12:08:52.958-05:00

[Not intended as legal or financial advice. Check with your attorney, cpa, financial advisor or other relevant consultant to determine the best course of action in any given circumstance...]This is the third of three posts on delaying or avoiding home foreclosure in North Georgia. Where the first two dealt with trying to work things out with the lender directly and trying to sell the home,

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-33368829860537475052008-11-19T09:40:00.022-05:002008-11-19T14:17:03.364-05:00

One of North Georgia's many treasures is the vibrant display of color that cloaks the hills each fall -- a rich tapestry of ambers, golds, reds, and yellows.While these brilliant leaf colors can be admired from almost any vantage point and on any scale throughout the North GA area, for those in Pickens County GA, one particular sightseeing adventure that may be worthwhile, is a trip to Amicalola

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17680748.post-57121049680440205632008-10-05T20:55:00.007-04:002012-01-07T06:08:55.980-05:00

Something of a mixed bag for Jasper, Georgia, real estate sales for third quarter 2008, versus the two prior quarters. Seventy-three homes were placed under contract during this period. Better than 2nd quarter 2008, but still lower than the 1st quarter. Compared with 2007 numbers (3rd quarter), this reflects a 23% decline in sales, and is 52% lower than the same period for 2006. Of those placed

Trent Cluleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521473592181126974noreply@blogger.com0