Sunday, April 13, 2014

April Real Estate Market Conditions Saint Simons & Brunswick Georgia

I would like to take a quick minute and give another market update on Brunswick and Saint Simons Island, Georgia.  The market is good for Seller’s right now.  Yes I know, not something you are used to hearing.  Sales have been brisk with 46 listings sold in the last 30 days.  There are also 121 new listings which is good news in that inventory has been very limited.  I am encouraging my fence sitting clients that it is now time to jump whether they are buying or selling.  My closing attorney is swamped with scheduled closings which is another sign that other Realtors are doing well too.  The first time home buyer price range from $140-$180 is very active right now and decent homes priced from $35-$79 are almost impossible to find. 
My personal experience has seen its ups and downs over the last 30 days.  I have several homes under contract for buyers and had a successful, yet difficult, foreclosure closing last week.  

Speaking of foreclosures, the steady torrent of foreclosures coming onto the market has drawn down to a trickle.  This means there are more folks out there interested in buying foreclosures than there are for sale.   I have had two clients, just last week, lose out on a foreclosure where there were multiple offers.  Friday, I had a client who upon their third visit to the home, discovered that it had gone under contract that morning at close to list price.  My point being that if you like the home and have the funds lined up with a pre-approval letter, you may miss out if you wait.  Something I really hate seeing is the disappointment on a young couple’s faces when I have to tell them their dream home is going to someone else.

I do have the inside track on a foreclosure coming onto the market in a couple of weeks on St. Simons Island and it should be priced in the mid $100’s.  I am sure it will go under contract within a couple of days of being listed for sale.  If you are looking for a foreclosure on Saint Simons, you should contact me as soon as possible.  I truly believe that if you are still fence sitting, you will pay more for less house at a higher interest rate.


Homes and condos on Saint Simons are still trending well especially anything under $225,000.  There has been a lot of pent up demand for island homes and they are now selling well.  It’s slowly become a Seller’s market in the Golden Isles of Georgia.


Jeff Williams  Realtor, RSPS
Resort & Second Home Markets Specialist
Coastal Georgia Real Estate Associates
405 Magnolia Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Ofc: 912-638-0006  Fax: 912-580-4130
Direct: 912-270-0032




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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Tips for fishing inshore coastal Georgia

There are a million places to fish down here in the coastal area of Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Brunswick.  A lot of times I see folks at the marina with brand new boats, brand new gear and no clue what to do.  Unlike the grizzled old veteran angler, I am always happy to help newbies with advice on where to go and what kind of gear to use.  I’ve even given out decent numbers on spots to go to.  That said, my Dad has asked me NOT to give out our favorite spot.  So if you are new to the coast, new to fishing or need some new gear, I’ve got some tips.  First off, here is a great article on spinning reels from Sportfishing Magazine.
http://www.sportfishingmag.com/gallery/gear/2014/03/how-choose-right-spinning-reel-17-tips?image=173710

I fish spinning reels almost exclusively down here in coastal waters.  Baitcaster and larger spinning reels for offshore fishing.  I love the Shimano reels but also fish a Quantum and a St. Croix reel.  I prefer to go ahead and pay for the saltwater versions of each reel.  Rinsing is a must after a day on the water down here though or your reels will turn green and corrode.  Fishing line has always been something of a mystery to me preferring to use mono or braid for many years.  But I have finally made the full switch to braid and am slowly getting used to it.  A good test pound down here for trout, redfish and all other inshore fish is going to be in the 30lb range.  Not because you need that much but because it is easier casting and doesn’t bunch up as much.

When choosing a rod, I go with a long light action rod at least 7’6” or better.  The reason is that you get much more casting distance with a longer rod.  That’s part of my strategy for catching fish. I like to be able to cast a good distance so as not to disturb the fish with sounds from the boat.  Boat noise will sink you every time.  Slamming livewell lids, dropping things on the deck or even too much noise with the anchor will scatter fish in every direction.  My favorite rod is from Bass Pro Shops and their Offshore Angler collection.  It is the Gold Cup Inshore.  It is a terrific rod, long and sturdy.  I’ve used it to catch redfish up to 20lbs and just about everything inbetween.

There are a lot of different methods to catching fish in coastal waters down here so I’ll give you my favorite.  I use Captain Mark Noble’s popping cork that he calls The Thunder Chicken.  I tie my braid to the top of the cork and then, depending on the depth I’m fishing at (12 inches or so), I tie leader line to the bottom of the cork and finish it off with a #4 to #6 Kahle hook.  I prefer them in gold.  On the hook goes a live shrimp.  Pretty simple but it works well for me and I catch all kinds of fish on this rigging.

The orange Thunder Chicken is visible down at the bottom.


Tides are also a big deal here.  I like to fish the rising tide but again, that’s just a personal preference.  My Dad likes to fish falling tides.  When I get to my spot, I like to cut the engine and drift into my spot, quietly anchor, and then toss my rig towards structure such as oyster beds and/or grassy areas.  The only thing left to do is make sure the cooler has ice for all the fish!  You don’t need a boat either, there are plenty of spots where you can fish this rig from the beaches, back rivers, docks and piers. 
There are a lot of popping corks on the market but I won't fish anything other than Capt. Mark's Thunder Chicken.  Mark is a lifelong fisherman here and charter captain.  His livelihood depends on inexperienced angers being able to catch fish.  He put some thought into what would work best and came up with his Thunder Chicken.  If you don't know, popping corks simulate the sound that a shrimp makes when it's in the water.  When the swim, they make a popping sound that draws in fish.  You give the rod a yank which causes the cork to slide up and down on a wire making a popping sound.  By having the live shrimp on a small hook, it is able to naturally swim around under the cork.  Fish come running when they hear the cork popping and then see a live swimming shrimp.  You'll catch them all day long!   Here is where you can contact Mark to get your hands on his Thunder Chicken  http://www.goldenislesfishing.com/tc.htm


St. Simons and the Golden Isles are becoming a well known fishing destination and was recently written up as one of the top 5 tarpon spots in the U.S.  I am happy to help you find a great second home or condo and you can enjoy fishing year round down here.  But there is also so much more to do on St. Simons Island.  Golf is big here as is the beach.  You'll love having a vacation spot here and I can show you how you can let other people pay for your second home!  Just shoot me an email.  AND if you have any fishing questions, I'm happy to help there too.


 A great spot on St. Simons to pick up some gear and tips is Kennedy Outfitters.  Kennedy Outfitters St. Simons


Jeff Williams  Realtor, RSPS
Resort & Second Home Markets Specialist
Coastal Georgia Real Estate Associates
405 Magnolia Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Ofc: 912-638-0006  Fax: 912-580-4130
Direct: 912-270-0032



  
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