I just got back from a meeting with a local mortgage broker, Ken Cook. He let me know about a great sounding program to remedy the situation when you want to move and can’t find that perfect house… with the perfect garage. If you can find the house, he can do a loan that folds in the improvement to the garage (or renovation of the house).
Author Archives: Lane Bailey
Has your listing expired?
- Tuesday, 15 January 2008 11:38
- Written by Lane Bailey
- 0 Comments
I have just put up a survey for sellers that have had their listing expire. I want to know why you, as a seller, think your home didn’t sell.
If you are in the Gwinnett County or surrounding area, and you are a seller that has had a listing expire, I’d love for you to take a moment to give me your thoughts. The survey is here.
I will keep you posted with the results of the survey.
If it ain’t broke… fix it anyway!
- Monday, 14 January 2008 22:09
- Written by Lane Bailey
- 0 Comments
We all know the old saying… If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But really… is that how we need to approach things? 
I don’t think so. I think that we (that’s spelled M-E) need to look over our systems and their implementation from time to time. While it is fun for the Jeep, it is crucial for the real estate business. On the Jeep, I took a perfectly good ’92 Wrangler and tore it apart so that I could build this crazy ’71 Jeepster/Commando.
I took a website that was just fine… if a bit boring… and turned it into this blog. I decided that my “real” website needed to be GarageHomesUSA, and instead of making another lame HTML site, I decided that I needed to make a dynamic Joomla based CMS (content management system) site.
I have a very good record with my past clients for service and results, but I have decided that I needed to step it up and take it to another level. I want to make sure that buyers and sellers that I work with have service that is second to none.
The place for complacency is real estate. There are simply more and better tools now than there were even just a few years ago. I have started to implement a paperless transaction system, which last year wasn’t possible. There are websites that are a “requirement” if one is going to effectively market a property that didn’t exist five years ago.
There are a lot of agents that serve the Gwinnett County and Atlanta area real estate markets in Georgia. Being good by the measures of last year, or three years ago isn’t enough. Now, to be effective, we have to push farther.
When you are ready for an agent that is ready for you… call me. I specialize in properties for auto enthusiasts. I understand garages and the automotive lifestyle. I also work with lake properties on Lanier.
It’s Sunday… must be time for some videos
- Sunday, 13 January 2008 15:19
- Written by Lane Bailey
- 9 Comments
Since it is the weekend. I figured I’d take it easy and toss up a couple more videos. These are both recreational 4wheeling pictures featuring Jeepsters and Commandos.
Some of you may know that I am in the (entirely too slow) process of building a 71 Kaiser Jeepster Commando. It will be seriously modified from anything even resembling stock. Specs (subject to change):
- 71 Kaiser Jeepster Commando
- 92 Jeep YJ front clip
- 92 Jeep 4.0HO engine
- Dodge NV4500 5 speed with GM 6.34:1 first gear
- Jeep NP231 T-case converted with a Mad Rooster kit to aux underdrive
- STaK flipped Dana 300 T-case with 4:1 low range
- Front and rear Dana 60 axles with 5.36 gears and Eaton E-lockers
- Custom built frame
- 4 link coil suspension front and rear
- TSL 38.5×12.50 16.5s on Hummer double beadlock wheels.
I’m kicking around an adjustable air suspension idea as well. It would still allow the coils, but I would be able to raise or lower the vehicle from the cab. However, if I lost the air system, the vehicle would still be driveable.
It will have a full cage, and seating for 4. All seating positions will have full 4 or 5 point harnesses for off-road use. Of course, it will have A/C, and other comfort features… although, the goal is to leave the top off and just run a custom bikini top as much as possible.
If there are any equipment sponsors that want to have me test their gear… you know where to find me. 🙂
Sell your Gwinnett Co., GA home fast
- Saturday, 12 January 2008 15:38
- Written by Lane Bailey
- 3 Comments
That is the goal if you are a seller.
Yesterday, in the REALTOR® Magazine Daily Briefing there was a short report on the findings of a story in Baltimore. It seems that getting a house to sell fast in even a tough market (and Baltimore is a tough market) takes the same things it does at any other time.