The Lake and Home Group Blog by Jay Hufnagel

Lake Hartwell 2008 First Quarter Real Estate Sales

Thanks to recent rain, the lake level is only about 9 feet down from full pool and rising. And, like the weather, lake property buyers are warming up and getting more serious about their search. This is welcome news and hopefully the start of a great trend. Here is the 2008 First Quarter “waterfront” Real Estate activity on Lake Hartwell (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings): Homes Sold (excludes Condos/Townhouses) – 16 Average Days on the Market – 139 Average List Price - $507,230 Average Sale Price - $475,406 Sale vs. List Price – 93.4% Current Homes ..(read more)

Are you ready to see some Lake Property? Here's some tips.

How should we prepare when we go out with our Real Estate Agent to look at Lake Properties? First of all, do your homework on what listings you’ve reviewed, prioritize them by your favorites, and send them to your Agent. This will allow him/her to prepare and make appointments prior to the date you go out. Usually, 4 – 6 listings are appropriate to visit in a 4 hour time frame depending on the distance between the homes or lots. Usually, I add other listings or non-listed homes to the list, if they’re in the vicinity and with similar criteria. The Agent should provide you with a package when you meet that will have various information on the lake and listings that you’ll be visiting. Consider taking the following items: a camera to film special aspects of the home or lot so you won’t forget what it looked ..(read more)

Are you ready for some Crappie?

As you can see by the picture of my 80 year old mother, it’s time to catch some Crappie. This picture was taken by our dock on Lake Hartwell, but the Crappie are biting on Lake Lanier as well. Most of the Crappie we caught we’re hitting on minnows and yellow/green jigs with a minnow hooked by it’s lips (“as if minnows have lips”, but you know what I mean). We had dropped a couple of Christmas trees off our dock earlier in the year and now they’re producing slab size fish in about seven (7) foot of water. My neighbor fishes on Lake Lanier and parts of the Chattahoochee River, and as you can see, he knows how to fish Crappie as well. What’s nice about fishing this time of the year for Crappie is that they are getting ready to spawn. They’re aggressive, and you can catch them in large numbers. And, they’re just starting. During the next two weeks the water will warm up to about 60 degrees and ..(read more)

Golf Home .....Where the Mountains Meet the Lake.....

Come see one of my latest listings (210 N Foxglove Rd, Westminster, SC). This immaculate Golf Course Home is in Prestigious Chickasaw Point Subdivision of Lake Hartwell. This home is loaded with Upgrades. Granite Countertops and High-End Appliances in the Gourmet Kitchen, Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floors, Double Sided Firplace between Greatroom and Master Bedroom Suite. Master Bedroom and Greatroom open up to a Huge Porch, Waterfall and Koi Pond overlooking the 15th Fairway of the Trails End Golf Course. This Beautiful Home is being offered at only $379,000. Picture yourself having coffee on your huge Covered Back Porch, playing 18 holes of Golf, Boating on Lake Hartwell in the afternoon, and then Relaxing with Friends in your quiet Garden Area near your Koi Pond. And ....being able to do this everyday. This isn't a dream. Make it a Reality today! Chickasaw Point is a Quiet and Private gated Community on the Shores of Beautiful Lake Hartwell nestled in the ..(read more)

The Bassmaster Classic and Lake Hartwell is where it's at

All it took was a major fishing tournament, a little rain, warm weather, and things have really heated up on Lake Hartwell…Real Estate that is. My phone was ringing off the hook this morning with lake property inquiries. Hopefully that’ll be just the start. Many potential buyers have had one eye on the economy and the other on lake levels. But today things were different. You could feel a little excitement in the air. Lake home owners, fishing tournament enthusiasts, and area visitors were all out to see what was happening on the lake. And, the fish are biting! After showing property this morning, I dropped by Portman Marina to see where all the action is happening. ESPN2 has a huge pavilion set up to broadcast the tournament over the next few days. Charlie Hartley, from Grove City, Ohio placed first on Friday with five fish and a total weigh in of over 21 lbs. The largest fish caught yesterday weighed in at over 6 lbs. Now that’s a ..(read more)

Lake Hartwell 38th Bassmaster Classic, February 22-24

Don’t forget – The 38th Bassmaster Classic kicks off this Friday on Lake Hartwell. Boats will launch at Portman Marina, off South Carolina, exit 14 (I-85). This event is more than bass fishing. Many of the national qualifiers consider this the grand championship of Bass Fishing. This year it’ll be a little more interesting with the lake down about 12 feet. Fishermen will have to be more creative on where to fish and what to use for bait. ESPN2 is suppose to provide daily coverage. You can bet, I’ll be down on my dock giving some tips to the fortunate sole that tries to catch “Bubba” that’s made his home under my ramp. By the way, the picture in this blog isn’t a Bassmaster Champion (in his dreams). It’s my brother-in-law, Todd, with a fish he caught near our home. By Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, just Say Jay for Real Estate

2008 Lake Lanier Waterfront Home and Lot Sales

Here’s some sale statistics for “dockable” waterfront Homes and Lots on Lake Lanier so far in 2008 (source: FMLS and does not include FSBO and non FMLS listed properties): Waterfront Homes Sold (does not include Condos/Townhouses) – 5 Average Days on the Market – 125 Average List Price - $923,960 Average Sale Price - $778,780 Sale Price vs. List Price – 84.3% Note: Most expensive Home sold for ..(read more)

Have you heard of Gold Star Referral Clubs?

Last week I was invited to 4 days of extensive training on how to maximize the power of referral relationships. Beth Davis, CEO and Founder of Gold Star Referral Clubs, invited me into their International Headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma to learn more about how building long-lasting reciprocal relationships can benefit your customers and business partners. It’s said that people interact and influence over 200 people on a regular basis. As a REALTOR, referring clients and customers to credible business sources (people that you “Know, Like and Trust”) is crucial to the future of your business. Gold Star Club members meet weekly for 60 minutes, make a short (60 second) presentation on their business and what a good referral would be, and then pass actual REFERRALS to other members. The Gold Star website states, “A good referral is not a TIP. The difference between a “tip” and a “referral” is that the person giving the ..(read more)

January Lake Hartwell Waterfront Real Estate Activity

If you haven’t checked out South Carolina’s new website about buying now in the Upstate it’s worth your time. Like I said before, if you’re considering buying lake property, don’t let this market slip away. Prices may be at the bottom, interest rates are low, and home and lot inventories are setting record highs. Here’s the last 30 days of “waterfront” activity on Lake Hartwell (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings): Homes Sold (includes SF, Condos/Townhouses) – 10 Average Days on the Market – 114 Average List Price - $406,070 Average Sale Price - $396,750 Sale vs. List Price – ..(read more)

Have we hit the bottom yet?

I’m getting more Buyers asking this question, “Have we hit the bottom yet in the housing market”? Personally, within the last three weeks, I’ve seen a tremendous increase in internet activity of potential lake home buyers looking for that “great deal”. Joe O’Kelley, Managing Partner of O’Kelley & Sorohan Attorneys at Law, LLC, spoke today at a Keller Williams Realty award ceremony. Joe stated that March will let us know what 2008 will be like in the housing industry. He also felt that “now’s the time to buy”. Interest rates are going down, the home inventory supply is at 10 months, and home prices may not go much lower. Compared to the rest of the Nation, Atlanta and the Southeast is in great shape. Joe made another interesting comment, “people need to go back to thinking like in the old days where you bought property and held on to it for a while”. Things have changed. Homes aren’t ..(read more)

I'm Taking a Day Off

What do Real Estate Agents do when they’re not showing property? Well as you can see, some of us take a Snow Day. Might as well have some fun, don’t you think? Over the last few years, agents have been working 24/7 non-stop. But today, things have changed. Many agents are leaving the Real Estate field because of the housing industry slow down and challenges. Yesterday, at one of my closings, another agent told me that their office had lost over half of their agents over the last few months. I can understand that, but I think those that survive the current market will come out stronger. Since the first of the year, I’ve seen a positive trend of activity. Hopefully with interest rates coming down, lakes filling up with water, and more optimism with the economy, the housing market will improve. In the meantime, maybe we should have a “Hug your Real Estate Agent” day”. Don’t you think? By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller ..(read more)

While the Lake is Down...Let's Cleanup the Ground

Keep America Beautiful (KAB) of Anderson County is sponsoring a Lake Hartwell shoreline cleanup event in preparation for the 2008 ESPN BASSMasters Classic to be held on the lake, February 22 – 24th. Interested participants are invited to contact the KAB and Anderson County Waste and Environmental Enforcement departments at 864-260-1003, and let them know of your interest. On February 25th they’re also inviting participants to a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at the Civic Center of Anderson, from 11:30am – 1:30pm. With the lake level down, it’s a wonderful opportunity to clean up the lake, and show all of the fishermen and the ESPN viewers what a beautiful lake we have. I hope to see ya’ll out there. By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Just “Say Jay” for Real Estate, 770-757-2799

Have you been to the Atlanta Boat Show?

If you haven’t been to the Atlanta Boat Show yet, it’s definitely worth the trip. I went Friday and was impressed by the number of people that were there. Attendees didn’t let lake water levels or the economy stand in their way of viewing the huge display of boats, dock equipment, jet skis, and other water toys. Also, there were various displays from Real Estate, such as Keller Williams Realty (Teresa Smith and the Living on Lake Lanier team), to Insurance, Fishing, Marinas, Resorts, and Sailing Schools. Even the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the DNR had booths and were handing out all kinds of goodies. Oh, and don’t forget to take the kids. They have a huge fish tank on display, and you can even try your hand at catching trout out of a small pond set up in the exhibit hall. Can’t make the Atlanta Show? There’s another boat show in Greenville, South Carolina January 24 to the 27th at the Carolina First Center. Go to ..(read more)

Lake Hartwell and Keowee Waterfront Home and Lot Sales in 2007

If you’re like me, seeing rain in the forecast, and hearing it fall on your roof, is much more satisfying these days then a forecast of mild temperatures and sunny skies. Slowly, the lakes are starting to rise, and if we continue to get a little rain each week, docks will start to float again and boating traffic will start to pick up. Since the 1st of the year, I’ve seen stronger interest in buyers looking for lake property. Most are looking for “good deals” and, I expect that will continue through 2008. Here are some statistics on Lake Hartwell and Keowee “dockable” waterfront activity for 2007 (source: SC Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non SC Upstate MLS listed properties): LAKE HARTWELL Waterfront Homes Sold (excludes Condos & Townhouses) – 164 Average Days on the Market – ..(read more)

Lake Lanier Waterfront Home and Lot sales in 2007

Happy New Year! Well, as you can see below, sales activity for Lake Lanier waterfront homes and lots have definitely been affected by the housing industry slow down and our Southeast drought. I expect we’ll see things picking up as the rain comes and the lake level increases. Doesn’t it make you wonder where all that rain water goes when it rains a bunch, but still the lake doesn’t go up? Here’s some statistics on Lake Lanier “dockable” waterfront activity for 2007 (source: FMLS and does not include FSBO and non FMLS listed properties): Waterfront Homes Sold (does not include Condos/Townhouses) – 134 Average Days on the Market – 105 Average List Price - $698,213 Average Sale Price - $636,038 Waterfront Lots ..(read more)