Hello from Ed and Louise,
This UPDATE Newsletter is issued periodically to give you timely and sometimes entertaining/informative news from Lake Oconee. In this issue, we have included some of our most recently listed properties to whet your appetite for beautiful, Lake Oconee.

What Buyers and Sellers Can Learn from Boy Scouts!
"Be Prepared", the Boy Scout Motto, is one of the key ingredients in buying and selling property. I heard that most people make up their minds about buying a home within 30 seconds of seeing it. Thirty seconds? This fact may not be science, but it is my own observation. I can't tell you how many homes I show where my clients step inside and say, "This is exactly what we're looking for." or as we drive up to the house say, "Let's not bother seeing this one." Thirty seconds may be a stretch, sometimes it's 10. The visual impact of a property may initially outweigh its strength.

We survive because we have instincts, think and rely on memory. Years of consciously and unconsciously evaluating everything in our environment gives us the ability to make quick and accurate decisions resulting in what is commonly referred to as confidence. When a customer says, "Let's not bother seeing this one.", they are confident they are making the right decision and very little additional input will change their mind.

Can we learn anything from this? Absolutely! Prepare, prepare, prepare.
(1) If you are going to purchase a property, get your financing in order.
(2) Research the internet in advance of visiting properties.
(3) Find a reputable realtor. Talk with them and use your instincts.
(4) Visit properties. Be thorough, lean on your realtor to help with discovery.
(5) Place thoughtful (not emotional) offers.

If you want to sell your property, prepare, prepare, prepare for the 30 second rule!
(1) Curb appeal. It's not just the name of a TV show.
(2) Foyer voyeurs. Sometimes you know what the rest of the house looks like once you've seen the entry.
(3) The house smells to high heaven or it smells heavenly. You choose.
(4) Did George Washington sleep here? Does it look like somebody did and forgot to tidy up?

Follow any realtor around for a day and you will learn what turns buyers on and what turns them off. In this market, there are so many properties to choose from, so understand there is competition out there and buyers have instincts, think and rely on memory.

If you need help staging your home, need input on improving your curb appeal or would like to have more ideas on what helps sell a property, just ask. I'm easy to reach and I'm a former Boy Scout.

Now enjoy these special properties!

JUST LISTED!
MLS #18602
Reynolds Plantation, Great Waters, Gingerbread cottage on #1 green. 3BR, 2 1/2BA. Beautiful exterior rock work and architectural touches with enticing floor plan flowing to the deck overlooking the green. The living area boasts a fireplace and an open floor plan, large main-level master with coved ceiling and jacuzzi tub. Second level has office area and two bedrooms/bath. Oversized 2-car garage. Reynolds Plantation Exchange Membership #39 is available. The complete, low maintenance, get-away home.

TOP

$549,000

JUST LISTED!
MLS #18118
Reynolds Plantation, Great Waters, 3BR, 3BA condominium in new Hopeton Village. This home has never been occupied and has beautiful cabinetry, granite countertops in kitchen. A combination LR/dining area with a fireplace. A patio area looks into a wooded area from the front entry. The spacious master and guest suite are on the main level with second master upstairs.

TOP

$449,000

JUST LISTED
MLS# 19378
Lake Sinclair waterfront home, 4BR, 3 1/2BA, with wide views, deep water and dock. Three stories with partial basement and custom woodwork. Watch the sun rise and set from this beauty!

TOP

$549,000