BUT ATLANTA IS SO FAR AWAY!

But North Georgia is so far away from Atlanta!

If we had a dollar for every time we heard this comment we would not be in the real estate business.

Barb and I made the move from to North Georgia, from Metro Atlanta, 9 years ago. A big move for both of us but we have never looked back!

For all of you folks who are looking at relocating to Atlanta a little geography lesson. "North Georgia", as defined by The Wells Team, is the area where the Appalachian Mountains start to become part of the landscape.

More than geography North Georgia represents a lifestyle. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail, savoring the locally produced wines, boating or fishing on Lake Lanier, kayaking, canoeing, bluegrass music, local artist, and hometown charm.

I would like to live there but it is so far away from Atlanta!

We are located:

One hour from the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International

One hour from the Atlanta Braves, Falcons, Hawks, or Thrashers

45 minutes from the largest mall in Georgia

35 minutes from the newly built Verizon Amphitheatre, site of top ranked concerts

One hour from the Georgia Aquarium

One hour from Broadway shows

15 minutes from the North Georgia Premium Outlet Malls.They attract over 2.5 million visitors a year.

You can have it all.

Let Barb and I introduce you to the North Georgia lifestyle. We can assure you that it will be a decision that you will not regret!

If you would like to see our listings in North Georgia, and other Atlanta Metro locations please go to our website: http://www.randywellsteam.com/

THE WELLS TEAM FEATURED IN TOP AGENT MAGAZINE!

We are proud to be featured in the latest edition of Top Agent magazine. This magazine highlights top real estate agents in the Atlanta and Los Angeles area.

The Wells Team has been very successful the last five years. We owe our success to our clients who have place their trust and confidence in us.

Enjoy the article.

(We are page 26)

http://www.topagentmagazine.com/TopAgentATVol6.pdf

WHY BUY IT WHEN YOU CAN BORROW IT!

Why buy it when you can borrow it?

How many of us feel inclined to ask our friends and neighbors for help? Can you help me move a piece of furniture, pick up my kid after school, or pick up my mail while I am out of town? The majority of us would say that we would ask for help and would also help if asked.

What is the limit? Would you help me paint my house, build a wireless network in my home, build a deck, or watch my kid for a weekend? That could be pushing.

Your neighbor is a doctor, lawyer, or CPA. Do you constantly seek professional advice without compensating them?

How do you treat your neighbor the realtor?

Barb and I of The Wells Team are faced with this on an ongoing basis.

The opinions that we receive from some strengthen a stereotype about realtors: “All you do is show a couple of houses and receive a commission!”

We would like to dispel a couple of myths:

• We work hard! We are 24/7 constantly marketing, making contact with clients, doing research, and sending information.
• We give up time with our families to accommodate buyers and sellers
• We are continually taking classes to better serve our clients
• Being a realtor cost money! Marketing, technology, insurance, and gas are not free.
• This is our job. We are doing this to provide for our families!

Despite this many people feel inclined to ask us for our time, our knowledge, and our resources only to take advantage of us in the end!

Remember this fact: A commission is placed on a home. The majority of the time that commission will go to the buyers and sellers agent equally. However if you decide to purchase a home without using an agent the selling agent will collect the entire commission. Sales agents from various communities address our real estate agent meetings. They emphasize the same point: Their homes will sell at a set price regardless of the number of agents involved. They want, and encourage, agents to represent you the buyer.

After four successful years we at The Wells Team are proud of the job we have done. If you every need assistance we are only too anxious to help. However before you contact us or any agent please remember that this is how we make a living.

Please check out our website: www.randywellsteam.com

Why move to the Chestatee Neighborhood in Dawson County Georgia?

Why would you buy a house in the Chestatee Neighborhood, Dawson County Georgia?

The Wells Team, all Chestatee residents, asked ourselves the same question.
LIFESTYLE!

This neighborhood presents a total change of pace from your typical suburban neighborhood.
18 hole golf course designed by Dennis Griffith
Community Marina on Lake Lanier. Take the boat out to ski or fish!
Large Pavilion with stone fireplace where we have hot dog cookouts
Olympic size Swimming Pool with plenty of room for the neighborhood
Playground for the kids and grandkids
4 lit tennis courts. One resident is a tennis instructor
Nature Trail
Garden club, Southern Living group, Women's Bible Study, and other groups

A quieter slower paced lifestyle for all age groups. We have couples with young kids mixed in with our empty nesters and residents with grandchildren.

How about the location of the Chestatee neighborhood?
Far enough away from the congestion but accesible to Atlanta.

4 vineyards, with wine tasting, just to the north in Dahlonega
20 minutes from Amlicalola Falls and the start of the Appalaichan Trail
5 minutes from The Norton Georgia Premium Outlets
Close to Helen GA, a beautiful German town
10 minutes from the quaint town of Dahlonega
10 minutes from North Georgia State University. Plenty of continuing ed classes!
10 minutes from Rock Creek Park, Dawson County. Great sports programs for the kids.

But I still need my "city fix"

One hour from Braves stadium, the Georgia Aquarium, and The Atlanta Zoo
35 minutes from Verizon Ampitheatre. This new venue has had the Eagles and Boston perform this year.
35 minutes from Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta

After 8 years of "country living" I can honestly say that my family has truly found a home here. Our involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club has helped us give something back to this community. The locals and new residents are friendly and reflect the slower lifestyle.

The Wells Team is proud to be the #1 resale agents of homes in Chestatee. We currently have 10 homes listed for sale. THE OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WILL NEVER BE GREATER!

Come up and see us. It would be our pleasure to show you around and introduce you to the lifestyle that you deserve.

See all of our Chestatee listings at www.randywellsteam.com

Has the North Georgia real estate market hit bottom?

I realize that nothing but bad news is being said about the real estate market. The Wells Team supplies its clients statistics on our local market. At the end of the day that is the information that is most important.

We had a very informative monthly meeting at our company The Norton Agency. Here are few facts and opinions that we given at the meeting.

In the last 12 months, Atlanta was number 7 in job growth nationwide.

Nationwide the housing market has been in a down cycle for 2.5 months. Historically down cycles have not lasted longer than 36 months

Home inventory is down 25% from its peak

The top 10 builders are down to a 4 month supply of new homes

5 states make up 57% of all foreclosures nationwide (CA,FL,OH,AR,MI)

The number of foreclosures in Georgia have declined 2.61% 2Q08 vs 1Q08

In July 08 The Norton Agency had a 27% increase in sales over June 08

Dawson County has a 17.6 mo supply of homes

Forsyth County has a 8.9 mo supply of homes

Opinions:

Frank K Norton Jr, the President of The Norton Agency expresses the following in our Mid Year 2008 Market Report and Forecast. "Norton Native Intelligence sees the bottom and in fact believes we've been bouncing up and down on bottom for several months now".

If you would like to read the rest of the summary and the rest of the Mid Year 2008 Market Report, let us know. I will be more than happy to supply you with a copy.

Another opinion was given by a local real estate attorney who spoke. He says the time to buy is now. His concern is the interest rates. In his opinion interest rates will probably go up after the Presidential election. The result? That house payment will be higher every month.

Summary:

Throughout the last six months we have discussed the market with all of our clients. This includes buyers and sellers.

If you are a seller we told you that price, condition, and location matter with an emphasis on price. If the market has hit bottom then you need to ask yourself this question: Should I be aggresive on my pricing, take a slight hit on the sale of my house, and make up for it on the other end? If prices start to go back up or interest rates go up slightly did I do better by getting a little bit more for my house but missing out on a lower price on the other end and a better interest rate?

If you are a buyer ask yourself this: What am I waiting for? Are the prices decreasing further? Are the "bargains" still there? If interest rates go up then all of that waiting for a lower price will be lost with the higher rate.

Recovery will happen not if but when. If you reference the data then this is the time to buy. Do not use the news as your sole source of information on the real estate market. ALL MARKETS ARE LOCAL! We have consistently said this to all of you. That is why The Wells Team and The Norton Agency can help you. We know this area.