Monday, March 24, 2014

St. Simons Island Housing & Condo Market Update

I wanted to write a quick market update on conditions in the housing and condo market on St. Simons Island.  I am getting a lot of requests for information from my out of town clientele who are not aware of current price conditions.  In a word - HOT.

Housing prices are on a steady increase as inventory continues to shrink island wide.  As of this writing, there are 16 three bedroom two bath homes under $250,000 on the entire island.  Many of those are mentioning 'in need of work' or 'in need of updating'.  This price range has been very popular with younger families looking to take advantage of the 'island lifestyle' low crime and good schools.  The price range has also been very popular with retirees moving to the island and buying in for the first time.

Condo sales are definitely on the rebound too and have been brisk for the last 6 months.  As, average home prices on St. Simons have risen to a point where first time buyers, who would like to buy a home but are now priced out, are now being forced into the condo market which is making units under $200,000 very popular.  I am now seeing multiple offers and full price offers more and more as buyer's decide to fight for a particular home versus going to look for another.  I've seen several full price cash offers come up short in multiple offer situations.

If you are considering purchasing on St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island or even Sea Island and have been waiting until the market has changed, let me say loud and clear IT'S CHANGED!  The National Association of Realtors is forecasting that home prices in Georgia have an expected 2014 increase of 3%-5%.  http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2014/03/24/realtors-forecast-home-price-increases

I would expect that the Golden Isles being a resort area might see an increase of up to 10%.  On an island home priced at $250,000 with three bedrooms and two baths built in 1980, that could be an increase of up to $25,000.  That's a lot of money to wait on.

Give me a call today and we can start working on finding you the best island home for you at the best price.





Jeff Williams  RealtorRSPS
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



St Simons day on the Water in March!

We had a nice warm day, 70's, and some sunshine so there's no better way to nip that Spring fever than to drop the boat in the water.  So that's just what we did this weekend.  We headed over to Jekyll Island where I dropped the anchor and let the kids play on the beach while I relaxed with my feet up and my hat low on head.  It took the wake from a large passing freighter to wake me....up. 

One of the best aspects about living down here on the coast of Georgia is the abundance of water in which to play in.  Boating, skiing, tubing, fishing and touring around even just a short hop to one of the small islands for an anchor day is available to anyone with a boat or anyone with a friend who owns a boat.

I have an inexpensive membership at St. Simons Boating and Fishing Club, $60 per year, which allows me the easy opportunity to back my trailered boat into their launch bay where they strap my boat and lower it to the water.  If you can back a trailer up then it really doesn't get any easier.  From there the options are endless as to where to go and what to do.  I like to skim across the Sound to Jekyll, throw the anchor and let the kids play.  

St. Simons does have several places to launch boats from marinas to boat ramps along with Jekyll Island that has a great boat ramp too.  I've been launching my boat at SSI B&F Club for many years and enjoy the convenience.  I have launched at Hampton Point Marina on the North end and there is a boat ramp located on the Intracoastal just before you enter St. Simons.  All good options.  Morningstar Marina requires a membership to launch there also and is a top notch marina.

The days will get warmer along with the water and everyone is looking forward to the Summer at my house.  



Jekyll Island Fishing Pier

St. Simons Island Fishing Pier

St. Simons Lighthouse

Oceanfront homes on St. Simons Island, South End

Jekyll Island anchor spot for beach day

Morningstar Marina St. Simons Island



Jeff Williams  RealtorRSPS
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

Monday, March 10, 2014

My first Georgia Tarpon (Video)







Many people have no idea that one of the best gamefish species and most sought after can be found in abundance right here off the coast of St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island.  Tarpons are considered one of the great saltwater game fishes, not only because of the size they can reach and their accessible haunts, but because of their fighting spirit when hooked.  They are very strong and make spectacular leaps into the air.  Tarpons have been recorded at up to 8 ft in length and weighing up to 350 lb. I watched my Dad pull one in that was around 175lbs and I have seen numerous around the coast in the 100lb range.



Something that sets a tarpon apart from other gamefish is the ability to gulp air at the surface.  They seem to give up the fight, come to the boat, gulp some air and they are off on another line screaming run.  Tarpons are definitely one the most challenging fish I have ever caught.  These great fish are caught during the Summer months down here on the Coast.  Thankfully, the word has only gotten out to locals and a select few anglers about the numbers and sizes of tarpon that can be caught down here.  On a busy day you might see 10 boats out fishing for them in a 4-5 mile radius and that's considered crowded.  So if you come to St. Simons Island in the month of June or July, you can expect some awesome fishing and tarpon should definitely be on the list.



I'll never forget my first tarpon and thankfully it was caught on film!









Jeff Williams  RealtorRSPS
Resort & Second Home Markets Specialist
Coastal Georgia Real Estate Associates
405 Magnolia Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Direct: 912-270-0032

Friday, March 7, 2014

104 Sherwood Forest Circle Brunswick, GA 31525 $176,000

Priced REDUCED to $176,000

Large home located at 104 Sherwood Forest Circle Brunswick, GA 31525 for Sale less than 5 minutes to FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco) Home sits on .83 acre lot in Sherwood Forest subdivision off Hwy 17 only 2.2 miles from the FLETC gate.Close to local restaurants, shopping & beaches. Large premium lot w/mature landscaping. Separately fenced 33x17 ft in-ground pool with room to entertain. Expansive kitchen with island and vaulted ceiling with skylights really lighten up the area. Just off the kitchen is a separate dining room. Laundry room & single car garage located off the kitchen too. Kitchen also opens into the living room with fireplace. The stairs go up to the game room, a perfect place for the man cave & pool table stays! Separate room next to the front door that would be a perfect home office. Mostly wood flooring with the bedrooms carpeted. Recently renovated w/new carpet & paint. Offering $2500 allowance for new flooring.


STYLE: Ranch
APX HEATED SQFT: 2183
BEDROOMS: 3
FULL BATHS: 2
HALF BATHS: 0
TTL ROOMS: 10
# STORIES: 2
APX YEAR BUILT: 1986
PRE 1978: No
MAIN AREA: G1:Central Glynn County
SUBDIVISION: Sherwood
COUNTY: Glynn
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: C. B. Greer
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Needwood Middle
HIGH SCHOOL: Glynn Academy

















Jeff Williams  RealtorRSPS
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



Jeff Williams, Georgia Realtor. Home Inspection Tip





Why do I need a home inspection?

Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house, which will allow you to make decisions with confidence.

If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs.
If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

If you are in need of a good home inspector in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island or around Glynn County Georgia, I can recommend Al Quintiliano.  I have worked extensively with Al and put a lot of confidence in him to get the job done right
the first time.  

This is Al's contact information:
Al Quintiliano
Eagle Property Inspections, LLC
aquintiliano7@gmail.com
912 506 0966
http://www.homegauge.com/shgi/proprop/


Jeff Williams  RealtorRSPS
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