5 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

4834 Elkhorn Hill Drive

Suwanee, GA 30024

$3950000
Welcome Home to your Elegant Rustic Style Lodge with unique custom finishes and high quality Craftsmanship throughout the home. A splendid setting where elegance meets nature. This 5BD/6.3 BA home (2 of the BD's are master Suites)has private view of the Greg Norman Golf Course, a pond and mature woods. Backyard features pool w/hot tub,waterfall and Firepit for your everyday enjoyment. 2 Cooks kitchens, 6 FP's,Spa area on terrace level w/Sauna,Steam shower,massage room, work out room & Aerobic room.3 Laundry rooms, Elevator, Wide plank hand scraped walnut floors.

Summary

MLS #5650314
Price3950000
Bedrooms5
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage10185
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

7 Bed / 7 Bath Home in THE RIVER CLUB

4745 Cuyahoga Cove

Suwanee, GA 30024

$3790000
ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE FRENCH PROVINCIAL ESTATES TO REACH MARKET IN N. ATLANTA, BOASTING UNPRECEDENTED DETAIL & ARCHITECTURAL CUSTOM CRAFTSMANSHIP.... SITTING ON A LEVEL CUL-DE-SAC LOT YET PERCHED TALL ABOVE THE GREG NORMAL GOLF COURSE, WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS AND 380 FT OF LAKE FRONTAGE, THIS HOME TOOK ALMOST $1 MILLION IN HAND-CUT TENNESSEE STONEWORK ALONE. ENJOY WIDE-PLANK HEART OF PINE FLOORING, LARGE AND ENTERTAINING OPEN FLOOR PLAN. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING GOURMET CHEF'S KITCHEN WITH DOUBLE SUB ZEROS- AND VIRTUALLY EVERY CONCEIVABLE OPTION. 4 FIREPLACES. 5-CAR

Summary

MLS #5718436
Price3790000
Bedrooms7
Bathrooms (Full)7
Square Footage11738
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

4914 Kettle River Point

Suwanee, GA 30024

$2599000
Welcome home to this Impeccable Family Retreat - you'll never have to go on vacation again! Stunning brick & stone estate situated on almost an acre of pure luxury overlooking the 4th hole. No detail has been spared inside and out with superb craftmanship on all 3 levels. Perfect home for entertaining or everyday family living. Outdoor amenities are unparalleled w/ pool, hot tub, firepit, putting green, poolside cabana w/ swim up bar. Elan system for whole house entertainment w/ control 4 for media. Master on main with Jr masters on the upper and terrace floors.

Summary

MLS #5664792
Price2599000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage10597
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

4695 Whitestone Way

Suwanee, GA 30024

$2599000
Custom Home in The River Club. 6 Bedroom 6.5 Ba on double lot backing golf course. 1st floor features large 2 story foyer overlooking LR with handsome study and large entertaining DR. Gourmet kitchen overlooks oversized Family Room and covered porch. Master on main and 2nd bedroom on main. Upstairs features 3 bedrooms all with private baths and large dressing area. Terrace level features bedroom and bath, Bar area, game room and theatre.

Summary

MLS #5751567
Price2599000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage8412
Square Footage SourceAppraisal
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

4605 Whitestone Way

Suwanee, GA 30024

$2500000
Exquisite estate home with the finest attention to detail throughout. Overlooking 4th green, home features marble inlayed foyer, Liv Rm, Office w/FP, opulent Great Rm w/FP, state of the art Kitchen, Stunning Keeping Rm w/beamed ceiling & FP, Romantic Master on main, elevator, World class terrace Lvl w/Rec Rm w/FP, Bar, Billiards Rm w/FP, Humidor, Home Theater(all equipment stays!), 2nd master suite & most beautiful finish work in the River Club. Pool & spa w/stone surround, stunning outdoor living areas. WOW!

Summary

MLS #5722910
Price2500000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage9476
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

869 Big Horn Hollow

Suwanee, GA 30024

$2450000
Welcome home...you've earned this! Enter an innovative floor plan built for entertaining & family enjoyment. Delight in vaulted wood beamed ceilings throughout, wood, brick & travertine floors, wide baseboards, stained doors throughout. The chef of the family will revel in the showcase kitchen of granite and brick. Master on main, separate his & hers baths/closets with car wash shower for both to enjoy. Terrace level is filled with customized features including media room with built in show cases for memorabilia, bar, wine cellar, game room, cozy rec room with fireplace

Summary

MLS #5713023
Price2450000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage9663
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

912 Little Darby Lane

Suwanee, GA 30024

$2099000
Old world European inspired master piece, indescribable detail thruout,in private setting, 2 story grand foyer w/spiral staircase, pecky cypress paneled study, gourmet kitchen views to fireside keep rm ,Private master suite on main level w/spa like master bath, his/hers closets w/custom built-ins, whole house audio system ,cover porch w/outdoor fireplace/Terrace level features: Pub style bar,w/1800 bottle wine cellar, theater seats 8 features concession stand, billiard rm,card rm,spa rm w/sauna, salt water pool & spa w/cascading waterfalls & outdoor fire pit.

Summary

MLS #5693604
Price2099000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage9755
Square Footage SourceBuilder
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

962 Little Darby Lane

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1849999
Exquisite details with superb finishing mark this amazing River Club home! Formal DR w pecky cypress walls, rustic aged exposed beams, handkerchief ceiling in foyer w built in bookcases. Kitchen built for 2 chefs w island feat all Viking appl & custom inlay cabinetry. Owners suite on main. Barn door leads to pool bath, mud rm w laundry & hammered copper sink. Junior master w spa bath. Finished terrace level& outdoor living at its finest. Complete w private 1 Bdrm Guest House w kitchenette & screened porch overlooking saltwater pool w spa.

Summary

MLS #5645985
Price1849999
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage7603
Square Footage SourceBuilder
StatusActive

Features

5 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

878 Crescent River Pass

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1799999
Stunning Brick & Stone Manor home w good golf course views. Outdoor living rooms on multi levels w fireplace overlooking pool & waterfall spa. Chefs kitchen w mixed woods. Working island w veggie sink, warming drawer, Wolf gas coooktop, dual dishwashers, subzero and wine chiller. Main floor boasts study w fireplace, living room w fireplace & stone walls, formal dining room, & owners suite on main. 3 generous ensuite bedrooms upstairs. Terrace level finished w media, billiards area, custom bar, wine, office, & guest bedroom w full bath.

Summary

MLS #5758623
Price1799999
Bedrooms5
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage7316
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

5212 Boulder Bluff Way

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1789900
A cul-de-sac lot, this 6 bed home offers an abundance of outdoor living spaces,spa pool & fire pit backing up to natural woods. Foyer flanked w/a large DR & study.The kitchen has it all: island w/serving bar,walk-in pantry & counter space for the home chef.The vaulted kitchen-family room is accented w/ truss beams. Main floor master has spacious his/her walk in closets. A finished terrace w/ theater, family/billiards & game rooms,full kitchen, weight room, guest suite & BA completes this home.

Summary

MLS #5687744
Price1789900
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage7553
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in None

2915 Southers Circle

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1680000
Peaceful estate with all the amenities-an entertainer's delight! Enter through the iron gate & follow the drive through the trees to your new dream home. A must see with no detail forgotten! Gorgeous Chef's kitchen open to keeping room & breakfast area. Master on main. Finished basement w/full kitchen, custom walnut bar, theater room & more. Saltwater pool/spa with auto cover & outdoor fireplace. HUGE shop w/14' RV door & second 12' door, foam insulation, wired 220 w/gas lines run. Enjoy the convenience of the Chattahoochee Recreation Area out your back door.

Summary

MLS #5740199
Price1680000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage5385
Square Footage SourceAppraisal
StatusActive

Features

4 Bed / 4 Bath Home in The River Club

4870 Hanalei Hollow

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1599990
Home must be sold with a 18-24 month lease back. Fabulous Arthur Rutenberg Custom Home siutated in the River Valley at The River Club. This stunning home features an open floor plan for entertaining, gourmet chef's kitchen and owners suite on the main floor. Upstairs are 3 additional on suite bedrooms and a bonus room. Home has amazing view of 16th fairway and is walking distance to the club. This home is sold furnished.

Summary

MLS #5765916
Price1599990
Bedrooms4
Bathrooms (Full)4
Square Footage4333
Square Footage SourceBuilder
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in THE RIVER CLUB

4732 Blackwater Way

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1599900
Sitting beautifully on the 6th hole, this home has all the extensive trim/finishes any discriminating buyer will appreciate! Filled w natural light w features to include solid teak flooring, true hand crafted masonry frpl, planked walls in FR, waterworks faucets throughout, custom interior trim & built ins, calcutta gold marble counter tops, & custom hardware. Home is accented w hand baked brick, stone foundation & slate roof for welcoming appeal. Owner suite up w frpl & bath w waterworks tub, steam shower & bidet. Terr lvl w kitchen/bar & bath. 4 car garage too!

Summary

MLS #5566477
Price1599900
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage7800
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

7 Bed / 8 Bath Home in Belmore Estates

4994 Price Drive

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1599000
Stunning brick & stone estate on over 1 acre in private gated community. Resort style pool featuring waterfall,slide,hot tub, & fire pit plus covered porch w fireplace.4car garage, 8 fireplaces, 3 laundry rooms. Huge owner's suite w private balcony, spacious secondary bedrooms & lofts. Gourmet kitchen well-equipped w high-end appliances opens to spacious keeping room & breakfast room overlooking pool.Terrace level has 2nd kitchen/bar, theater, fitness, steam sauna, game room, den, & guest suite. MANY details and UPGRADES! Luxurious Lifestyle!

Summary

MLS #5765505
Price1599000
Bedrooms7
Bathrooms (Full)8
Square Footage11592
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

6 Bed / 6 Bath Home in The River Club

4505 Whitestone Way

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1550000
Tuscan columns and a wrought iron railing greet you at the covered porch of this brick & stone estate, inviting you to step inside. The gracious interior includes 12' ceilings, panelled study, sunny solarium with brick walls & soaring arched windows, a chef's dream kitchen w/ honed granite counter tops, soapstone apron sink, top of the line appliances. Tremendous entertaining space with covered outdoor living space including an outdoor dining porch. Guest suite on main lined by leaded glass windows w/ access to the covered porch.

Summary

MLS #5634131
Price1550000
Bedrooms6
Bathrooms (Full)6
Square Footage8187
Square Footage SourceAppraisal
StatusActive

Features

4 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

878 Big Horn Hollow

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1499999
Superb craftsmanship reflect in the River Club brick/stone home. Welcoming foyer feat inlaid floors & flanked by gentleman's Study w custom builtins & formal DR. Natural light fills the GR w fireplace & wet bar. Gourmet Kit feat dual Dishwashers, Subzero, Thermador 6 burner cooktop & dual convection ovens, large island & 2 pantries! Main level owner ste w sitting area & spa bath. Stained Canadian Maple hardwood flooring, 2 ensuite bdrms up & junior owner ste w jetted tub & dual vanities. Fin terr includes billiards/game room & gym w rubber flooring w full bath.

Summary

MLS #5758524
Price1499999
Bedrooms4
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage7133
Square Footage SourceAppraisal
StatusActive

Features

5 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

932 Chattooga Trace

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1490000
Modern Day CHIC nestled in the ultra exclusive River Club. Every detail was carefully selected and quality crafted; Reclaimed wood beams & finishes, shiplap & birch walls, Luster Stone walls & ceilings, rich moldings. Master suite on main offers serenity & privacy. Open 2 story family room w/ stone fireplace & T&G ceiling adjacent to the modern renovated chef's kitchen. Enjoy alfresco dining on the covered porch or enjoy smores by the fire on the amazing renovated Trex deck that overlooks the pristine gardens. Full daylight terrace level awaits your finishes.

Summary

MLS #5760185
Price1490000
Bedrooms5
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage5780
Square Footage SourceAppraisal
StatusActive

Features

5 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

5108 Coosa Court

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1475000
Located in a Private setting,home has been meticulously maintained paneled study, gourmet kitchen views to fireside vaulted keep rm,hardwood flooring throughout,master suite on main level w/spa like master bath, his/hers closets w/custom built-ins,second master suite upstairs,large secondary bedrooms w/private baths & great closet space,laundry on main & upstairs cover screen porch w/outdoor fireplace amazing backyard w/stone paver patio that views cascading waterfall & outdoor fire pit.Home backs up to nature preserve,prefect lot for pool walk out from your main floor

Summary

MLS #5765721
Price1475000
Bedrooms5
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage6603
Square Footage SourceTax Record
StatusActive

Features

5 Bed / 4 Bath Home in The River Club

4971 Roaring Fork Pass

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1444800
Stunning J. Patrick O'Donnell brick & stone masterpiece brimming with character in The River Club. Situated on wide lot with preserved forest area, this 5BR, 4 and 2 half BA home is loaded with high-end features, including custom closet system in elegant master retreat on main. Chef's kitchen with pot filler, beverage refrigerator, warming drawer, farm sink, sliding barn door and Wolf range opens up to vaulted, beamed ceilings in family room and screened porch with fireplace. Perfect for entertaining! Full daylight lower level is framed, roughed in for lg in-law suite.

Summary

MLS #5706779
Price1444800
Bedrooms5
Bathrooms (Full)4
Square Footage5000
Square Footage SourceBuilder
StatusActive

Features

5 Bed / 5 Bath Home in The River Club

5192 Boulder Bluff Way

Suwanee, GA 30024

$1425000
Fabulous build opportunity with builder Pat O'Donnell. Lot is nestled in quiet cul de sac close to The River Club amenity area. 5 bed/5.1 bath home. Master suite on main with spa like bath and his/her closet. Formal dining room/study, gourmet cook's kitchen over looking the great room and outside covered veranda with fireplace. Four additional bdrms upstairs all with private baths. Live in a community that meets expectations.

Summary

MLS #5741679
Price1425000
Bedrooms5
Bathrooms (Full)5
Square Footage4571
Square Footage SourceBuilder
StatusActive

Features

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Category Archives: real estate

Sellers, protect yourselves

There are a couple of stories in the last few days that have hit the same sour note.  And, if you are selling your home (with or without representation), you need to be aware of this situation.

Loan fraud is still rearing its ugly head.  Speaking at the Mortgage Brokers Association fraud conference:

Merle D. Sharick, vice president of sales for MARI, stated that Suspicious Activity Reports received by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network from federally regulated banks jumped 139 percent between 2006 and 2007. The jump in fraud will spell record losses for lenders, easily topping $1 billion, says the report. 

Georgia ranked 6th in mortgage fraud last year.  Most common types of fraud are still generally on the buyer side, things like mis-stated income, assets or debts.  However, that isn’t all.  The FBI is looking at mortgage fraud on several levels.

The FBI has assigned 100 agents to investigate corporate fraud aspects of the housing crisis, including subprime lending and insider trading. Another 150 are looking at related securities fraud, and 153 are looking at loan originations, says Neil Power, economic crimes unit chief of the FBI’s financial crimes section.

To break it right down to an individual level:

A Las Vegas couple is accused of orchestrating more than 400 sham real estate deals and cashing in on millions of dollars through a mortgage fraud scheme that involved inflated house values and straw buyers.

Eve Mazzarella, ABR®, GRI, broker and owner of Distinctive Real Estate & Investments in Las Vegas, and her husband, Steven Grimm, were indicted last Wednesday and charged with bank fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.

If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each of the six bank fraud charges. They could also face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering charge, according to the U.S. Attorney.

The couple operated numerous limited-liability companies and allegedly used them to engage in 432 straw buyer transactions and obtain control over about 227 properties at inflated values. The total purchase price of the properties was more than $100 million.

The couple defaulted on mortgage payments on many of the loans, which caused at least half of the properties to go into foreclosure, according to officials. The foreclosed properties have caused losses to the banks of more than $15 million. 

This is a little different from the buyer overstating their qualifications on a mortgage application.  It is also the type of fraud that sellers need to be tuned in to.  

One more than a couple of listings I have had offers presented that could be fraud.  Often, the other agent didn’t know that what they were asking for was fraud.  The offer would typically look like this:

  • List price of $300,000
  • Offer of $375,000
  • Seller to rebate the buyer $60,000
  • Preparation of two contracts
    • First contract to govern the deal between buyer and seller
    • Second contract to be submitted to the mortgage lender
  • In some cases instead of a rebate, the seller would pay a large amount to a contractor for renovation.  The contractor would be involved with the buyer.

As a seller, being involved in this type of transaction can land you in deep water.  Just as with the agents, appraiser and buyer (possibly the mortgage broker and closing attorney as well) there is a possibility of criminal charges for the seller.  Jail time.

So, the bottom line is that sellers need to make sure that they don’t fall into one of these schemes.  The offer might start out sounding normal, and then there is a call to change some of the terms.  Obviously, I would say that having a good agent is one way to stay out of this type of trouble.   You need to know and trust the person you are working with.  If in doubt, contact an outside party to see what they think.

Crazy Idea? Brilliant Marketing Tool?

I am kicking around an idea.  Shocker, huh?

I was sitting in the living room of one of my sellers.  We were talking about his condo which I have had listed.  An idea just fell out of my mouth.  And then it just kind of stuck to me…

I have written different types of copy for this property.  We have had descriptions of the property.  We have tried lifestyle marketing.  There are lots of great pictures (if I say so myself…).  In each stage, I have gone to my “usual suspects” and asked them about the copy.  Each time they have thought that the place sounded great…

But they aren’t active buyers.

And that is the problem.  I need to spend some time with real, active, in the market buyers… that aren’t currently my clients.

What I am thinking about is doing a panel.  Providing drinks and snacks, and some other inducements in order to sit down a panel of buyers and talk to them about their motivations.  To get it straight from the real buyers.  What is exciting?  What would drive them to see a listing?  Contact a certain agent?

Honestly, the NAR does this every couple of years… but their results aren’t local.  I want to hear from people in THIS market.  Buyers in LA or NYC aren’t buyers in Gwinnett County.

So, two questions:

As a buyer, what would get you interested in participating?

Do you think a round-table discussion or survey would be more conducive to open transfer of information?

I am pretty sure I could get some input from a mortgage guru so that the information transfer wouldn’t be just one way or just about the sales part of the equation for buyers.

What if I didn’t say it?

It may seem a little self serving.  It doesn’t take much surfing on the RE.net (real estate blogdom) to find a real estate agent saying that there are good deals to be had, and those that wait may well lose out.  In all honesty, there are a couple of reasons (I’ll be frank with you):

  • We need buyers to buy in order to make money… but that isn’t all of it.
  • Many of us have seen these types of markets before… perhaps as an agent, or investor or just as a bystander.
  • We know that the only way we can see the turn of the market is looking back.
  • We are looking at the market every single day and we see the bargains.
  • We are looking at the market every single day and we see the bargains going away.
  • We need buyers to buy in order to make money.

I told you I would be honest…  But, let me cover each of these a little more.  I’m going to skip the first and last one, since it is pretty obvious…

  • Many of us have seen these types of markets before…  perhaps as an agent, or investor or just as a bystander.

Here is an excerpt from Dick Gaylord, President of the NAR:

“The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline.”
– Time Magazine, 1947

“Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is around $8,000 – out of the reach for two-thirds of all buyers.”
– Science Digest, 1948

“The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans. The typical new house today costs about $28,000.”
– Business Week, 1969

“You might well be suspicious of ‘common wisdom’ that tells you, ‘Don’t wait, buy now… continuing inflation will force home prices and rents higher and higher.'”
– NEA Journal, 1970

“The median price of a home today is approaching $50,000… Housing experts predict price rises in the future won’t be that great.”
– Nations Business, 1977

“The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close.”
– Money Magazine, 1981

“The golden-age of risk-free run-ups in home prices is gone.”
– Money Magazine, 1985

“Most economists agree…. [a home] will become little more than a roof and a tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative investment it was through much of the 1980’s.”
– Money Magazine, 1986

“Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment.”
– Kiplinger’s Personal Financial Magazine, 1993

“A home is where the bad investment is.”
– San Francisco Examiner, 1996

And yes, this is the same Dick Gaylord I took to task over this very same post on 3/5/08.  But, as I said in the blog, the media is giving us the short stick right now…  So, look at the stock market.  Crash… and then opportunity.

Another interesting post I came across today was from Seth Godin.  Seth is a marketing GENIUS.  Seth mentioned on his blog:

Change (and the fortunes that go with it) is almost always made during the down part of the cycle. It might not be fun, but it’s exciting…  The opportunity is to find substantial opportunities (in any field) that deliver real value and have a future. Those jobs/investments/companies/ideas are undervalued right now, but not for long.

And then comes:

  •  We know that the only way we can see the turn of the market is looking back.

Right now, the most recent solid stats I can pull from my MLS are almost 6 weeks old.  I won’t have a good idea about February until April.  And, we can’t tell a trend until it has showed itself over several months.  So, if the market turned today, I wouldn’t really be able to show the stats that prove it until July or August… June at the soonest.  And, in that time 2,000 of the best deals in Gwinnett County could be sold.

  • We are looking at the market every single day and we see the bargains.
  • We are looking at the market every single day and we see the bargains going away.

As a full-time professional real estate agent, I look at the market each day.  I don’t see bargains every day, but I do see bargains.  I also see those properties sell.  Sure, the average Days on Market are currently about 100 days, but there are properties that sell in less than 10.  Because they are good deals.  There are other deals that never make it to the MLS.  But, every day there is another great opportunity that goes away.  before long, there won’t be a full boat of opportunities.  There won’t be anything left but the picked over properties.  This is also a good primer for bargain shopping

So, what it comes down to is that there are some good buys out there right now.  They won’t be there forever.  The first movers will have the best selection of deals.  When the pent-up demand is unleashed, the market will turn.  Finally, if you are planning on buying a house to own for 7-10 years, this is a great time.  If your horizon is shorter, it might be more risky, but could still work out.  If your timeline is longer… you are pretty safe.  Of course, remember that the location is important.  Some markets might still have a while to fall.  Others haven’t really slowed and still look under-valued.  I’m writing for Gwinnett County.
If you are looking in or around Gwinnett County, give me a call.  I spend time at Lake Lanier, too… I know of an incredible property that could be had for a pretty good discount (still knocking on $2m, though).

If you are looking elsewhere, I’d be happy to refer you to an agent I trust.  I have a pretty good network of agents around the country that I know and respect.

The case to buy now…

This is not meant for everyone. But, for the right people, this should be a must read. Those people are:

  • First time buyers
  • People that aren’t selling a property to buy another
  • Those living in a high demand area and looking to move to a lower demand area
  • Long term investors

If you are in one of these groups, I would recommend looking around and thinking about the future. We know that the real estate market downturn will go away. We know that values will begin to rise. What we don’t know is exactly when… or if there is much more to fall.

Honestly, looking for the bottom of the market is somewhat of a fruitless search. At its base, “the market” is made of individual sales. And EVERY individual sale has to find its own bottom… and that bottom is only found when a buyer gets an offer accepted. As we have seen in the recent past, that property might change hands and make a new bottom, but I also think it would be fair to say that there isn’t a lot of fat built into the current pricing.

Here is an example:

I know of several similar properties that the owner is thinking of selling*. These are 4plex units. They currently bring in roughly $3500/month in rent, and have longer term renters. The seller is thinking of a price in the range of $450,000/4plex. With a 10% down payment, a buyer could be looking at a P&I of around $2600/month. Even with taxes and insurance, these would be providing positive cash flow from day one. At least a couple hundred dollars a month… and then when we start adding in depreciation…

Of course, the real magic is when we start looking at appreciation. Over the course of 30 years of ownership, one of these properties would provide over $500,000 in income, as well as appreciate to over $1,000,000 in value… while others pay the mortgage. So, one of these properties could net the owner $1.5M.

In this case, the sellers are retiring. Comfortably. And they have moved out of the area.

But, there are a lot of instances where there are great deals on properties. And, one of the things I have learned from investing is that the noise of the market is well behind the curve. When people are talking about the upside… the upside is slowing. When people are looking at the downside… the downside is slowing.

The more I see on the news and the more I hear about how bad the real estate market looks, the more I know that the deals are there and the turn is coming.

Need a little more proof? Look back at the top of the housing bubble. Or the top of the tech bubble. Or the bottom of the last real estate meltdown.

So, if you are thinking of being a buyer, and you have good credit, this might be a good time to do it. I would counsel that you get together with a local real estate agent (like me) and also talk with a good mortgage broker (I have a couple that I can recommend). Look at the options. It might not be the time for YOU… or it might.

*I do not have these properties listed and would likely be serving as a Buyer’s Agent on the purchase of one of these properties.

REtechSouth coming to Atlanta

I got a call this afternoon from Matt Fagioli with Diamond Dwellings. His brokerage is a presenting sponsor of the REtech South Conference which is coming to Atlanta on March 27th, 2008.

REtechSouth Logo(ok, ok, this is an industry event… but I have some local industry readers…)

Basically, it is a

Read more ...

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