The Elegant Augusta Real Estate Blog

Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate October 24th, 2008

This morning, I took a look through the Augusta MLS to see the number of residential listings for sale today.  Then I compared the numbers to my last Augusta real estate market report, which was on April 7th.

Richmond County: 1641, 1591, 3% less homes
Columbia County: 1464, 1568, 6% more homes

Aiken County: 534, 493, 8% decrease in homes for sale
Edgefield County: 68, 67, slight decrease

Augusta, Georgia: 1273, 1240,  2.6% fewer homes
Evans, Georgia: 601, 604, slight increase

North Augusta, SC: 316,  301, 5% less homes for sale
Aiken, SC: 125, 115, 8.7% less homes for sale

[First # is the number of homes for sale on April 7th, 2nd number is homes for sale today, followed by % change.]

The inventory is static or decreasing throughout our area.  But one of the most desirable areas that I cover, that being Evans / Columbia County, shows increasing inventory.  This is a trend we’ve seen for a while now.

In Augusta there has been an influx of large companies coming into the area over the last year, with hundreds of new jobs being created.  That certainly helps explain the decreasing inventory in that area and North Augusta.

Decreasing inventory is great for home owners & sellers, as home values start to rise.  Less inventory is bad for buyers and of course your humble real estate professionals, who fight for a smaller slice of the pie.  But hey, the cream always rises to the top, does it not?  I welcome competition .

One thing I have seen is that the rental market is staying strong.  While I don’t handle rentals, it’s not unusual to get several queries a week about them.  Despite interest rates being low, and the housing market offering lots of inventory at great pricing levels, many people still choose to rent.  It’s a perfect storm for landlords- being able to increase their number of units at low pricing levels with strategic buys, and keep them occupied.  I work with several high volume landlords, and they are certainly taking advantage of great interest rates to increase their holdings.

As always – when selling anything in a highly competitive market – marketing and pricing mean everything.

Promotion of my listings over a number of websites is one thing I do, along with a competitive market analysis to make sure I set the price right.  I make up fancy flyers to distribute around the area & make available for web users to download.  Often times I’ll even go door-knocking around the neighborhood to see if the neighbors have any friends looking to relocate.  I also send out an email to the thousands of registrants to www.NorthoftheSavannah.com.  Usually within 24 hours of promoting a property online, I can get several hundred interested buyers looking at it, resulting in several in-person showings during the next few days.

I also have a fine-tuned network of fellow Realtors that I leverage in my seller’s favor.  For my recent listing on Barbara Lane, I managed to show the home to over 40 real estate agents on the first day of listing.  I’d say that’s EXPOSURE!

If you want to list a home in the area, please give me a call at 803-270-5005 or contact me for a listing presentation.  You can also contact my buyer’s agent, Susan MacEwen, at  706-294-6795.  Either of us would be glad to answer questions or help you with your real estate needs.

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate October 14th, 2008

The news has been bombarded with information on how the economy is falling apart.  With the crumbling economy the news media claims there are no loans out there – even for qualified buyers – to purchase a car, house, or charge anything on your credit card.

Well, I am unable to tell you anything about cars, credit cards, and what in the world the government and Wall Street are doing.  But I can tell you about getting a loan and buying a house.

Local experts support what we here at the Elegant Augusta Real Estate Blog have been saying for a while now.  Last Tuesday night, local news station WJBF Channel 6 held a live local forum speaking with experts in the area… including Patrick G. Blanchard, Vice Chairman of the Board of First Bank of Georgia and Tommy Blanchard, President of Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Company.  Mr. Blanchard of First Bank said there were plenty of loans available to purchase a home.  Of course qualifying will be necessary (i.e. have a job and decent credit), but local banks like First Bank, Queensboro, and GB&T still have the same investors and are still working to make sure that you can get a loan on your new home.  Mr. Blanchard of Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Co. is saying that it is a great time to buy.  With extra inventory, historically low interest rates, and stable home values, the Augusta area real estate market is perfect for buyers.

Does this mean that it is a bad time for sellers?  No!  If you get a real estate professional’s help, make sure that the home is as “salable” as possible (looks good, smells good, and is in good repair), and price it right, then selling your home is very possible in our area.

My bailout plan for home buyers:

1.  Turn off the Television, put the remote down, and slowly back away!  With all seriousness, you are hearing from politicians and news broadcasters that have absolutely no expertise in real estate much less real estate in our area.  The broadcasters need and want you to watch and so the more dramatic the better.  Politicians need you to feel good about spending your tax dollars and get you to vote for them again.  So they might not be they best people to listen to for your real estate needs.  With all that being said, each market is distinct and different and the problems that are affecting California and the Midwest are not the same issues that we face here in the CSRA.

2.  Let me get you in touch with one of our fantastic lenders at a local bank.  They will be able to ease your lending fears, give you some great advice on lending programs available, and help you get pre-approved to buy your new home.

3.  Susan MacEwen (my buyer’s agent), or I can help you sift through the hundreds of homes available to find one that fits your needs and budget best.

4.  Once you find the home you desire, we will put together a competitive market analysis to let you know what the home is really worth vs. what the home is listed for.

5.  We will help you put together a comprehensive plan on making a fair (not overpriced) offer to the seller.  And, if you are interested in several homes equally, we can put together a multi-tiered plan together.  Then use that for submitting multiple offers to use that as leverage to get a good deal for you on one home.

6.  Lastly, we will help you through the phases of the home buying process from home inspections to closing day!

My bailout plan for home sellers:

1. You too, please walk away from the television.  You are not doomed to foreclosure and your home value is not tanking overnight.  My own home has increased $17,000 in value in two and a half years.  Your CSRA home likely also has increasing value and we can sell it before you reach the road to foreclosure.

2.  I have unprecedented internet marketing capabilities in the CSRA.  I can contact not only local buyers but buyers across the U.S. and the world!  Finding a buyer usually is not a problem.

3.  I will put together a Competitive Market Analysis to make sure that you are competing fairly in the market.  Proper pricing is fundamental to selling your home.

4.  I will give you tips and suggestions on how to get your home as “salable” as possible.  The goal is to make the property look, smell, and be in the best condition possible.

5.  Give you the best professional service and communication I can.

Life does not stand still and there are tons of reasons why you may be in a position to sell or buy now instead of later.  Do not fear, there are ways to do this without financial ruin.  Real estate is not rocket science, it is about knowing the market and implementing the best techniques to get the job done.  I will be happy to help you with any of your home buying or selling needs.  Please call me at 803-270-5005 or Susan at 706-294-6795.     

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Caroline Ashe Your Source in Augusta, GA Real Estate October 13th, 2008

As my middle section swells with the impending birth of my first child, so has my business swelled this year.  I’ve doubled my revenue from last year, and 2009 is shaping up to be very good.  Despite what you may have seen on the national news, the local Augusta real estate market has increased this year from 2007.

A few months ago I decided it was time to start forming a Team to handle the load.  So I recruited a buyer’s agent to assist me in my real estate endeavors.  Susan MacEwen is a mother of three (2 girls and 1 boy).  She is originally from the upstate of South Carolina, and a graduate of the University of South Carolina in Business and English.  She has a long history working with Cemex (a concrete company) which gave her a first taste of real estate by being a member of the Home Builders Association.  Actively working with home builders spurred her to become involved in real estate.

Susan has been working with me since September, so I can share my impressions… Wow what a help she has been!  I was not sure that I could release my steely grip of control, but it has freed up my life so much I am wondering why I did not pursue this earlier!  It has helped me to focus on some of my high volume investors and work on pursuing more new business.  She shares in the workload and allows us to take on even MORE business!  I think she’s written 8 or 9 contracts for us since she started, if that gives you any idea of the volume we work.  Her quality of work is very high, and she is focused on giving you the same standard of service that I pride myself on.  She also is licensed in South Carolina & Georgia.  Susan can be reached at 706-294-6795, and she is always happy to help!

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