Covington Living Today

Top 5 Covington Real Estate Trends

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:04:17 -0700

Top 5 Trends In Real Estate For October, 2012

Here are the Top 5 Topics and Trends shaping the Covington Real Estate market during October.

Mortgage Rates Lower Than Ever: Mortgage rates have dipped lower than they've ever been. Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages averaged 3.40 percent with an average 0.6 points at the end of last week. 15-year rates, popular for refinancing, averaged 2.73 with 0.6 average points.
Demand For Loans Is Up: Demand for mortgage loans is up 5% over a year ago due to lower mortgage interest rates and pent-up consumer demand. However, fewer first-time home buyers are not buying right now to a normal extent because it's extremely hard for them to get loans. First-time buyers usually make up about 40% of the market. Banks are still not wanting to turn loose of all the excess funds they've accumulated. Maybe that will change after the November election.
Inventory Is Very Low: A "good, normal" real estate market will usually have a six-month supply of homes listed and available. In Covington, we now have less than a four-month supply. The number of new listings on the market in Covington has decreased every month this year aas compared to 2011. And in September, the number of foreclosures hitting the Covington market was almost 46% below that of the same month last year.
Kitchen Designs Changing: Home designers are getting away from the work triangle design for kitchens. The growing emphasis now is on islands incorporating cook-tops, prep sinks, or other elements that make it easier for two cooks to work at once. Maybe more cooks don't spoil the broth after all! Islands are also becoming more popular as eating space as well. But designers are changing their thoughts on seating - moving away from the "picnic bench" style, with all seating in a row, and toward 90-degree seating with stools along two or three edges of the island to enhance conversation and interaction.
Best Places To Live: CNN Money magazine just published the top 100 best towns to live in in America. These "best" small cities were chosen based on their offering strong job opportunities, great schools, low crime, quality healthcare, and plenty to do. Covington didn't make the cut, but seven out of the top 25 were in the South - 12 or the top 25 if you count Texas. The seven southern towns were: Rogers, Arkansas; Auburn, Alabama; Reston, Virginia; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Riverview and Weston, Florida.

Check back often to keep up with all the community news, events, and real estate information for Covington and the surrounding area. You can also search for homes, leave me a comment, ask any questions you might have about the area.

Be sure to visit my website at www.BlairOnTheSquare.com

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Home For Sale in Social Circle, Georgia - Surrey Chase

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:16:04 -0700

Home For Sale in Social Circle, Georgia - Surrey Chase GAMLS# 3232160 Reduced to $284,900

For more information, call or text my mobile phone (770) 337-5262, or visit my website

www.BlairOnTheSquare.com

Home For Sale in Social Circle, Georgial - Surrey Chase - 3 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths

Ever wished you were on vacation year-round? Now you can be, living in this elegant, yet comfortable, secluded, lakeside Home For Sale. And it's a great value at its just-reduced price of $284,900!

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Conyers Home For Sale

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:13:45 -0700

Value, Comfort & Convenience

2505 Country Club Drive, Conyers, GA 30013 View Map

You can't beat the value, comfort & convenience of this 4/3 split-level on beautifully lanscaped corner lot in established neighborhood. Convenient to shopping and amenities in both Covington and Conyers, thi home is loaded with special features. in addition to the 4/3, the home has formal living and dining rooms, kitchen with breakfast area and bay window, wood paneled family room with masonry fireplace, separate laundry room, study with built-in shelves and desks, and floored attic storage. The home features all solid wood interior doors, new kitchen flooring, a moveable kitchen island, surface cooktop and self-cleaning wall oven, garbage disposal, his & hers closets in master, dual vanity, alarm system, new HVAC system and a new electrical panel. Outside, the home has a new roof, exterior painted in 2006, new gutter guards,new wooden privacy fence, 16 X 32 in-ground pool, pool house for equipment swtorage, new garage door, and 220 outlets in the garage to service RV parking. With all these features and it's great location, this home offers a tremendous value for your family.

Details

Asking Price:

$124,900

MLS:

03190653

Sq. Feet:

1725

Lot Size:

.51 Acre

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

# of Floors:

Garage Size:

2-car

Subdivision:

Fieldstone

Year Built:

1972

Contact Info

Bill Blair
GRI, ePro

Main 770-787-8400
Dir 770-337-5262
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

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Your comments and questions are always welcome

Newton County Moment In Time: C&O Street Railway

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:18:40 -0700

The Covington and Oxford Street Railway

In April 1873 a group of leading citizens of Newton County applied to the Georgia General Assembly for a charter to build a street railway, or trolley line, connecting Covington and Oxford. The street railroad was designed to be an efficient, inexpensive form of transportation, and give Covington and Oxford residents an easy way to reach the Georgia Railroad depot located between the two towns.

The General Assembly granted the charter and right-of-way, but the first attempt at building the line failed. The idea of the trolley, however, did not. Fifteen years later, “The Covington Star” newspaper reported that a movement was again underway to build the railway, and announced that $8300 had already been subscribed to the project.

Ground was broken in April, 1888, and crews began laying track. Byt the end of May, track was completed from the depot to the Covington square. Track was completed to the Methodist Church in Oxford by Late October. The first passenger car, powered by a pair of mules, was put into operation in July, and the mule-drawn cars became a very familiar sight along the streets.

The Covington and Oxford Street Railway was a real boon to communities on both sides of the Georgia Railroad tracks. The line flourished until service was halted in 1917 when the C&O became one of the two last mule car lines operating in the U.S.

Ground was broken for the Covington and Oxford Street Railway on April 2, 1888. Today – a Newton County Moment in Time.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Commercial Site For Sale In Covington, Georgia

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:45:39 -0800

Commercial Site for Sale in Covington, Georgia Near Bypass GAMLS# 3179453 $385,000

For more information, call or text my mobile phone 770.337.5262, or visit my website www.BlairOnTheSquare.com

Zoned “highway commercial,” this Commercial Site for Sale in Covington is ideally situated .9 miles from the historic Square on Highway 36 (Jackson Highway) Very near the Covington Bypass. The Commercial Site for Sale sits on 1.38 acres, and includes an old residential house, sold “as is,” which could be renovated or torn down. The possibility of adjacent properties as an assemblage could bring the total site size of this Commercial Site for Sale to between 3.5 and 5 acres.

Just past the Covington Bypass, the Commercial Site for Sale includes 154 feet of frontage on the south-bound side of Georgia Highway 36, with an excellent traffic count. Other businesses in the immediate area include several gas stations and convenience stores, a Waffle House, McDonald’s, CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General store, and a city Fire Station.

This Commercial Site for Sale was, at one time, planned as part of a proposed “big box” shopping center located in the corner of Georgia Highway 36 and the Covington Bypass. The property is currently estate-owned. Contact me for copies of plat and more information.

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Real Value in Covington

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:58:11 -0800

Unbelievable Value!

30 Rosewood Circle, Covington, GA 30016 View Map

Perfect home for the growing family, this 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath sits on a level wooded lot in an established swim/tennis neighborhood. Convenient to both Covington and Conyers, you're close to schools, churches and shopping. The home has a new roof, and has recently been repainted inside and out. In addition to the 4/3.5, the home also features formal living and dining rooms, a fireside family room, an eat-in kitchen with lots of stained cabinets and counter space, laundry room, and bonus room. This is not a foreclosure or a short sale. It's just priced like one for quick sale. Don't miss this great value! It's ready for your family right now!

Details

Asking Price:

$119,900.

MLS:

3189740

Sq. Feet:

2220

Lot Size:

.28 acre

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

3.5

# of Floors:

HOA/Maintenance Fees:

$20.00

Garage Size:

2-car

Subdivision:

Woodstone

Year Built:

1990

Contact Info

Bill Blair
GRI, ePro

Main 770-787-8400
Dir 770-337-5262
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome

It All Comes Down To Price!

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:01:16 -0700

It All Comes Down To Price…

so make sure your home is priced right at the beginning!

Is you home in poor condition? Fix it… or lower the price! Is your home in a bad location? Move it… or lower the price! Has you home not sold because of poor exposure and marketing? Look, there are 2 million real estate agents in the U.S.; 1 million members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR); 40,000 licensed agents in Georgia. So simply getting your home in the MLS and having a yard sign will ensure that it sells…IF it’s priced correctly!

That may sound a bit cynical – or silly, even. But it’s true that, if your home is priced correctly when you initially list it, it will sell. It all comes back to price… listing your home at fair market value

The prime marketing time occurs during the first few weeks your home is on the market. A brand new listing is exciting, it’s shown more, and generally, it sells for a higher price than older listings.

The longer your home is on the market – fair or not – agents and prospective buyers begin to wonder why it hasn’t already sold. It’s a fact! Properly priced homes sell faster and for money during the first few weeks of the listing.. So don’t miss the prime marketing period by setting a price higher than is justified by current market conditions and a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA). You risk the possibility of selling for even less later!

Experience in local markets varies widely. However, in a national study by NAR, the difference between Asking Priceand Selling Price over time varied like this: A home on the market over 1 month might sell for 3% less than the asking price; 2-3 months, 5.1% less; 4-6 months, 6.7% less; and over 6 months, 15.2% less! That’s why it all comes down to price!

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Home For Sale in Covington, Georgia

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:55:06 -0700

Home For Sale in Covington, Georgia - GAMLS# 03020120 $89,900

For more information, call my mobile phone (770) 337-5262, or visit my website www.BlairOnTheSquare.com

Home For Sale in Covington, Georgia - 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths

This lovely Home For Sale in Covington is beautifully maintained and move-in ready. There's no repair or renovation required on this cute traditional ranch-style cottage Home For Sale. Just bring your furniture and groceries and move in.

Located in a quiet neighborhood convenient to Covington, this cute Home For Sale sits on a large, level cul-de-sac lot. The large, secluded backyard is perfect for kids and pets.

This single-level Home For Sale features a nice fireside Great Room adjacent to the large, open kitchen and dining area. You'll love the loads of counter and cabinet space and the convenient breakfast bar spearating the areas. Down the hall is the large Master Suite featuring the large, comfortable bedroom with walk-in closet and Master Bath with it's garden tub and separate shower.

Two other spacious bedrooms and a convenient hall bath and laundry area complete the interior of this cute Home For Sale. But don't miss the lovely deck overlooking the large, secluded backyard. It's perfect for entertaining or just relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.

Fresh paint, new fixtures, designer colors, total electric central heat and air, dual-pane windows, storm doors, carpet, double attached garage, fireplace in the Great Room, .8 acre lot, beautifully landscaped and maintained... this home has all that and more.

But the best thing about this Home For Sale in Covington is the great value for the buyer. This Home For Sale is not a foreclosure. It's just priced like one! Offered at only $89,900, you'll have to search long and hard to find another Home For Sale in Covington that offers so much at such a reasonable price.

View the location of this Covington Home For Sale on the map below. And be sure to watch the virtual tour located just below the map.

View Larger Map

For more information regarding this property, call my mobile phone at (770) 337-5262. For information on other Homes For Sale in Covington and the surrounding areas, visit my website at www.BlairOnTheSquare.com. And to keep up with what's happening in Covington community news, events and real estate market, visit my blog at www.CovingtonLivingToday.com.

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome

New Taxes on Home Sales

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:47:56 -0800

For several months, since ObamaCare was approved, there has been a lot of information spinning around online about the legislation, most of which is -at least - partially wrong. I got another such email from a friend today, so I wanted to let him and all the others who read my blog know the true information as I understand it concerning future taxation of earnings from the sale of a private residence - your home in Covington.

The email my friend was distributing said that as of January 1, 2013, if you sold your home, there would be a 3.8% tax on the amount you sold for to support Medicare. If you sold your home for $420,000, you would owe $15,960 in taxes on the sale. Partially true.... the date is correct, the 3.8% is correct... the rest is crap! (Of course not many of us would have to worry because by 2013, there won't be many homes around here worth $420,000!) But here's how the National Association of Realtors has determined that the new tax really works:

The new Medicare tax applies only to a gain you realize from the sale of your home that is more than the $250K / $500K existing primary home exclusion (known as the "taxable gain"), and only if you, as the seller, have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) above the $200K / $250K (single / married) AGI threshold.

For example, if you sell your home and make $30,000 on the sale, and your a married couple with an AGI (including the $30,000 taxable gain) of %180,000, the 3.8% tax would not even apply because your AGI is less than $250,000. However, if your AGI was $290,000, then the application of the 3.8% tax would be subject to a formula that specifies that you pay on the lesser of the capital gain or the difference between your AGI and the standard exclusion. Thus, the $30,000 capital gain on the sale is less than the $40,000 excess above $250,000 AGI, so the $30,000 gain would be subject to the 3.8% tax.

Of course all this is moot point if ObamaCare is repealed or goes unfunded. One can only hope.....

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November Market Report

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:18:36 -0800

Real Estate Market Report for November 2010

Although this is historically the slowest time of the year, as far as real estate sales, market statistics nevertheless seemed to get even worse in this down market during the past month. Here are the results:

NEWTON COUNTY

145 days on market - this is 16 days longer than in October
Sellers received, on average, 91.1% of their list price when the home sold - down from 92.3% in October
There is 11.1 months of inventory currently on the market (6 months inventory is considered "normal")
83 homes sold in November 2010 - this is 27 fewer than sold in October
The most popular price range was $0 - $100,000 (59 of the 83 sales)
The average sale price was $70,513 - compared to $84,812 in October
There were 72 new foreclosures -17 more than November 2009

ROCKDALE COUNTY

158 days on market - this is 28 days longer than in October
Sellers received 92.0% of their list price when the home sold - down from 95.2% in October
There is a 12 month inventory of homes currently on the market (6 months is considered "normal")
54 homes sold in October - 7 fewer than in October
The most popular price range was $0 - $100,000 (29 of 54 sales)
The average sale price was $102,611- compared to $114,950 in October
There were 32 new foreclosures - 7 less than October 2009

If you have questions or comments about the real estate market in Newton or Rockdale Counties, please leave me a message or give me a call... 770-337-5262

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome

October Market Report

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:12:58 -0800

Real Estate Market Report for October 2010

NEWTON COUNTY

129 days on market - this is 3 days longer than in September
Sellers received, on average, 92.3% of their list price when the home sold - down from 94.0% in September
There is 8.7 months of inventory currently on the market (6 months inventory is considered "normal")
110 homes sold in October 2010 - this is 1 fewer than sold in September
The most popular price range was $0 - $100,000
The average sale price was $84,812 - compared to $94,789 in September
There were 46 new foreclosures - 28 fewer than October 2009

ROCKDALE COUNTY

130 days on market - this is 25 fewer than in September
Sellers received 95.2% of their list price when the home sold - up from 93.5% in September
There is a 10.7 month inventory of homes currently on the market (6 months is considered "normal")
61 homes sold in October - 6 more than in September
The most popular price range was $0 - $100,000
The average sale price was $114,950 - compared to $126,333 in September
There were 37 new foreclosures - 23 less than October 2009

If you have questions or comments about the real estate market in Newton or Rockdale Counties, please leave me a message or give me a call... 770-337-5262

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome

September Market Report

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:46:58 -0700

Real Estate Market Report for September 2010

NEWTON COUNTY

126 days on market - this is 2 days longer than in August
Sellers received, on average, 94.0% of their list price when the home sold - down from 95.7% in August
There is 8.0 months of inventory currently on the market (6 months inventory is considered "normal")
83 homes sold in September 2010 - this is 28 fewer than sold in August
The most popular price range was $0 - $100,000
The average sale price was $94,789 - compared to $102,962 in August
There were 65 new foreclosures - 18 more than September 2009

ROCKDALE COUNTY

155 days on market - this is 42 more than in August
Sellers received 93.5% of their list price when the home sold - down from 96.5% in August
There is an 11.3 month inventory of homes currently on the market (6 months is considered "normal")
55 homes sold in September - 5 less than in August
The most popular price range was $0 - $100,000
The average sale price was $126,333 - compared to $106,843 in August
There were 30 new foreclosures - 4 less than September 2009

If you have questions or comments about the real estate market in Newton or Rockdale Counties, please leave me a message or give me a call... 770-337-5262

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome

August Market Report

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:06:13 -0700

Real Estate Market Report for August, 2010

NEWTON COUNTY:

124 days on market – this is 14 days less than in August 2009
Sellers received, on average, 95.7% of their list price when the home sold
There is 8.8 months of inventory currently on the market (6 months inventory is considered “normal”)
111 homes sold in August 2010 – this is 6 less that August 2009
The most popular price range was $0 – $100,000
The average sales price was $102,962, compared to $108,580 in August 2009
There were 51 foreclosures – this is 3 less than August 2009

ROCKDALE COUNTY:

113 days on market – this is 24 days less than in August 2009
Sellers received, on average, 96.5% of their list price when the home sold
There is an 11.5 months inventory on the market (6 months inventory is considered “normal”)
60 homes sold in August 2010 – this is 15 less than in August 2009
The most popular price range was $0 – $100,000
The average sales price was $106,843, compared to $142,271 in August 2009
There were 34 foreclosures – this is 9 more than August 2009

If you have questions or comments about the real estate market in Newton or Rockdale Counties, please leave me a message or give me a call… 770-337-5262

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome

Real Estate Terrorists

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:29:25 -0700

Al Qaida... Hamas... Taliban... Hezbollah... No, it's none of those, but there is a real estate terrorists cell operating in Newton County and several other counties in Georgia, according to the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution."

Cells of the domestic terrorist group "sovereign citizens" (listed on the FBI's domestic terrorist list) are "stealing" homes across the U.S. Locally, investigators have tied them to at least 19 property thefts in Newton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Spalding and Richmond counties.

The "sovereign citizens" group believe they are immune to state and federal laws, and assert -among other things - that banks can't own land and that any home owned by a bank - including hundreds in Newton County, and thousands across Georgia - is free for the taking. So they simply forge a bogus quitclaim deed, have a locksmith change locks on the foreclosed home of their choice, and move in.

Banks that own the foreclosed homes being usurped by the "sovereign citizens" are unaware of the deed changes. Generally, they have so many foreclosed properties, it's hard to keep track of all of them.

The FBI says the "sovereign citizens" is a sect of anti-government extremists involved in various criminal behavior, but whose crime of choice is paper terrorism and attempting to disrupt the U.S. economy. They create their own drivers' licenses, have multiple identities, don't pay taxes, file lawsuits and liens against police, government officials, and anyone else who questions them. They don't believe in the U.S. or our laws... until they're arrested. "Then they want a lawyer," says Lt. Joe Fagan, commander of DeKalb Police's North Precinct.

According to the "AJC," the FBI says the national "sovereign citizens" movement has been around for decades, and has ties to the Nuwaubians, a black supremacist group that started near Augusta. Nationally, "sovereign citizens," which originated as a white supremacist group, have been connected to multiple insurance fraud and tax evasions scams, and some violent crimes, including the shooting deaths of two police officers this past May in Arkansas.

The investigation of the "sovereign citizen" terrorist group stealing homes started in May when a DeKalb County real estate agent called local police to report that someone was having the locks changed on a $1 million home he was selling on Windsor Parkway in Atlanta.

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Motivated Seller and a Great Reduction!

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:33:14 -0700

Motivated Seller - Big Reduction!

2805 Owens Road, Conyers, GA 30094 View Map

If you're looking for convenience, quiet, comfort, ease of maintenance, great value, and the perfect home for your family, this lovely home offers all that and much more! AND... it's just been reduced by $37,000! This custom-built all-brick ranch is situated on a quiet, wooded cul-de-sac convenient to Heritage High School and Conyers' shopping. Enjoy your wooded 2-acre lot while entertaining on your private, rear, covered patio, or relax with your family in the fireside Great Room. The open floor plan flows from the Great room into the Kitchen with its breakfast bar and island with corian counter-tops. Dine in the Breakfast area or separate formal Dining Room. The lovely Master Suite and two other Bedrooms are on the main level, with a huge Rec Room / Studio just up the back stairs which might also serve as the fourth Bedroom. The home is completed with 3 1/2 Baths, dual hot water heaters, hardwood floors, ceramic tile, wall-to-wall carpet, lovely crown moldings and extra trim and touches throughout. Don't miss out on this perfect property for your family. Call about it today!

Details

Asking Price:

$195,000

MLS:

02911487

Sq. Feet:

2283

Lot Size:

2 Acres

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

3 1/2

# of Floors:

1 1/2

Garage Size:

2-Car

Subdivision:

none

Year Built:

1997

Property Amenities

Contact Info

Bill Blair
GRI, ePro

Main 770-787-7777 Ext. 455
Dir 770-337-5262
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

And, feel free to connect with me on these great Social Networks:

Your comments and questions are always welcome