I am representing a buyer looking at a house with  7 bats in the attic.    Does anyone have a suggestion for removing them without harming them? 08/09/2008

Thank you for checking out my blog.  I am a Realtor in Athens, GA with Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty, the #1 Real Estate Firm in town! Specializing in residential real estate, I am here to help buyers find new homes and property and sellers by listing their property in the following counties in Northeast Georgia:  Clarke County Oconee County Oglethorpe County Madison County Jackson County I have lived in Athens, Georgia for over 30 years and would like to share my expertise and enthusiasm for this area. As a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors and the Athens Area Association of Realtors, I am committed to maintaining the highest level of professional standards. My motto is:  "Honesty...Integrity...Service".       08/08/2008

For More Posts Like This, Extensive Links, and Other Helpful Information, please visit Classic City Guide, your home for Athens Georgia Real Estate and Culture. The University Makes this Town Great and So Do Holidays and Summers When the School is Closed or on an Off-Season Schedule. Traffic basically disappears, and parking spaces reappear. No waiting at restaurants, gyms, etc. Yes, the restaurants adults frequent are also frequented by college students, and here's why: Many Students at UGA are from Affluent Families. The HOPE scholarship surely adds to the disposable income of students, but something else is going on here. These days, half the folks who went through UGA fifteen years ago probably wouldn't be accepted today. HOPE has added to the number of applicants at UGA and competi... 08/07/2008

Botanical Garden Entrance on South Milledge In 1968 the University of Georgia set aside 313 acres of land as  a living laboratory for the study and enjoyment of plants and nature. This laboratory became the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The visitors center, as well as providing an information center for visitors, also has a cafe and gift shop, offices and classrooms, and, a conservatory of tropical plants. Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center 5 miles of walking trails let you explore the various "gardens" housed within the complex. There is an international garden with fauna from around the world, a native garden filled with southern plants, a shade garden where you can find some cool respite from the summers heat. Pools, fountains, statues and other interesting items are found as y... 08/05/2008

Downtown Athens, GA - it's all about arts, music and fun!   In the spring and early summer, you can enjoy the Athens Humans Rights Festival and AthFest, street festivals full of music, information and crafts!   Athens, GA is also home to the famous Twilight Criterium - "professional cycling event and festival fun for fans, families, and racers". According to organizers, the Criterium is "second only to football games, it is the largest event in Athens and is the highest income-producing weekend of the year for downtown retailers". Coming up on September 20, 2008 is the Athens Folk Music Festival at Sandy Creek, just a few miles from downtown features "Folk music, arts, craft demonstrations and music workshops and jams".     Take a look below at some of the awesome fun being had at the ... 08/04/2008

This is Part II of what I guess is going to now be longer than two parts about thing to know about ATH. Again, I welcome your comments by clicking the comments button at the end of this post. And again, Things to know about Oconee County is coming soon. JP We are a Town of Subdivisions. Once you get out of the downtown area (called In-Town here), you are in the land of many subdivisions. The tell-tale bricked and landscaped entry way will alert you to the fact that down that seemingly small side street might lay 200 or more single family homes built somewhere between the 1950's and the present. As you get farther away from town, the entry ways get more grandiose. I don't care how long you live here, you will always be discovering a new subdivision that has been here longer than you. Fo... 08/04/2008

Just a short ride from Athens you will find Hearthstone, a neighborhood of luxurious but affordable crafstman style homes.You can bring your own plans or select from one of the four models, each with granite or marble countertops, hardwood and tiel floors, 9 ft ceilings, sprinkler systems, bonus rooms and more. Place your home on one the large wooded lots that range from 1/2 to over 2 acres. Home prices, with lots, start in the mid $200,000's. A sidewalk neighborhood, Hearthstone will soon have a community pool and park.   The four standard models are: The Gillespie   The Longleaf   The Wilshire   The Porterfield   To get to Hearthstone from Athens take either the Atlanta Highway or University Parkway (Hwy 316) to Hwy 211. Turn right on 211 and follow that to Hearthstone and turn right... 08/03/2008

But the news is mixed. In Athens-Clarke County the sliding 12 month sales figures have shown a steady decrease in the number of homes sold in the area. In the year ending Jan. 1, 2008 the total home sold was 1664. In the 12 months from Aug. 1, 2007 to Aug. 1, 2008 the total number sold was 1229. That is a decrease of over 26%. At the same time D.O.M. had a 3% increase from 167 to 173 days. On the other hand both the 12 month sliding median and average sales prices have gone up significantly. There was an almost 7% increase in median price from $139,900 to $149,625 and a 6.5% increase in average price from $164,445 to $175,821. The following chart shows the sliding 12 month figures: Date D.O.M # SoldMedian PriceAverage Price 1/1/2008 167 1664 $139,900.00 $164,445.00 2/1/2008 167 1632 $13... 08/01/2008

If you like this post, please see the rest at Classic City Guide, the home of Athens, Georgia real estate and culture.   I started to think of all the kinds of things I end up telling clients when I am driving them around ATH for a first time tour.  It is the same stuff I end up talking about to friends when they come to visit.  I started to make a list and it just keeps getting longer and longer.  Here is Part I, and I will continue posting subsequent parts over the course of the next week or two.  The first posts will deal mostly with Athens, and I am working on stuff you need to know about moving to Oconee County since the O.C. is increasingly becoming it’s own place, a place independent of ATH and one where the residents can live well while rarely getting into ATH if they don’t want... 07/31/2008

Part of my lead generation is talking with FSBO's (For Sale By Owners).  I have been doing this regularly for sometime but I still get responses that amaze me, regardless how many times I have heard them before. I just got off the phone with a woman who is selling her own house. She does not want to deal with an agent, does not want to offer a co-op. She doesn't want to pay someone else for something she can do herself. That's fine. I do a lot of things myself, also. But I know what I am doing (ok, my wife might sometimes have a different opinion), usually. But this woman does not really understand. Her house (vacant, not where she lives) is an expired listing. It did not sell in 6 months on the market. It was overpriced. Based on comparables, overpriced by about 10% - 15%. I don't know... 07/23/2008

What has: 2 crust choices, 8 sauce choices, 8 cheese choices, tons of free veggie choices, and premium toppings galore? "Your Pie"  custom pizza is now available in Athens!  Your own personal pizza with whatever, however you want it, baked in a brick oven. We had heard great things from some friends, so Friday night we decided to head for town and try it out.  I love pizza, but am not a huge fan of red sauces, so this is the perfect pizza place for me with to die for Whole Wheat Crust, Roasted Garlic Olive Oil sauce, fresh mozzarella, fresh spinach, Italian sausage, red onions, and more fresh roasted garlic on my very only "Your Pie" - I ate it all and could barely walk out.  My darling husband, David and son, Chris are much less adventurous and had a more traditional pairing.  Megan go... 07/22/2008

"The expression of gratitude is but a paltry acknowledgment of our debt to those who have served our nation with honor both at home and abroad, the debt continues to mount." Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis. After nearly ten years of herculean efforts, amidst scandal and scrambling for donations, on July 4th, this year, the Oconee County Veteran's Memorial was dedicated. Hundreds of Oconee County residents, veterans and their families attended the emotional and solemn ceremony. The memorial is a 13 feet tall and 23 feet long monument of marble with the seals of the 5 branches of the military - Army - Navy - Air Force - Marines - Coast Guard - prominently embedded. It is fronted by a small fountain in a courtyard bordered with flowers. The flags of the 5 services, as well a... 07/17/2008

With school starting soon at UGA, it's not too late to purchase a condo, townhome or house for your student.  We have a great one listed or there are many others available. Please e-mail or give us a call for more information!   Diane@BoykinTeam.com or 706-296-7507. 07/14/2008

Security Tips, Forewarned is Fore-armed!   You are setting off on an adventure. You are going to sell your home, and you want to do it yourself, or with the help of a limited-service agency. You have just studied up on all the wonderful information I provided on pricing and marketing. Now you are ready to stick out that sign, put ads in the paper and sit back and wait for the calls. But what do you do when you receive that call? How do you make sure that the person calling really wants to look at your home as a prospective buyer and not for something a little less benign? You don't, but you can take some steps to increase your safety and security and that of your family and your possessions. The following is a list of precautions to take before allowing strangers into your home: For you... 07/12/2008

Athens - Growth Abounds According to the U.S. Census Bureau Athens, GA and the surrounding counties are growing at a significantly higher rate than most of Georgia. With the University of Georgia and it's music scene the Athens area is seen as a desirable community with a high quality of life. Athens is often found on "best" lists such as: green cities, places to retire and the best cities for small business.  State of the art concert halls that attract top name entertainers, a new museum, the UGA Botanical garden and the variety of restaurants and clubs downtown all add to the attractiveness of Athens and the surrounding communities. Coupled with a shortage of traffic hassles (except on the days of Dawg home games) and the feel of small town living, the Athens area has become a region ... 07/11/2008

Five Points, Athens, Georgia has historically been one of the most desired neighborhoods where charm & convenience meet.  Five Points is know to be a "walking community" convenient to shopping, restaurants, entertainment and historically appealing homes.  The community of Five Points borders the south & southwest sides of The University of Georgia and is home to many student rentals and many single family residences.  The Friends of Five Points is a association of homeowners from the area whose mission is "... to further the safety and quality of life in the Five Points area". If you are looking for a fabulous dining experience, check out the Five and Ten in Five Points!   Hugh Acheson is Athens Georgia's celebrity chef and designated as one of America's Best New Chefs 2002.  My persona... 07/08/2008

There's plenty of room for your pooch to play in Athens, GA!  Although I have an acre of fenced yard for my 5 canine family members to play in, they often want a change of scenery and someone new to play with and well...I love talking to other humans about their darling dogs too.  Those days we head to one of the many pooch party fields in and around Athens. Samson, the white Boxer is especially social and really enjoys playing with his friends at off dog leash, fenced areas at Wiggly Field, located off Whit Davis Road in East Athens.  Wiggly Field has a small dog field, a large dog field and an agility course.     Take a look at the rest of Samson the White Boxer's adventure below:   The Univeristy of Georgia Intramural Fields off College Station Road in Athens, GA also has a several o... 07/08/2008

The answer to that question is a YES! Rates are still low and property prices have been reduced. Which means you have a better chance of creating home equity faster, because you decided to buy when the market was down for the count. Despite what the news may say, the market will rebound and property prices will increase steadily. Owning a home has always been a long term investment, why not start today! If you are in the market to buy a home, then stop procrastinating, find a Realtor (Buyers Agent) ( If you do not know one, I would be more then welcome to introduce you to several well known Realtors ) and then call me for financing. It is that simple. What are you waiting for? If you might be concerned with your ability to obtain financing, please call me for a FREE confidential credit ... 06/24/2008

  Greenbrier - A Quiet and Affordable Gem of a Neighborhood Located on the eastside of Athens, just 7 minutes away from downtown and the University of Georgia is a small subdivision named Greenbrier. Mature trees and landscaping provide the setting for homes located on lots approximately 2/3 acre in size. The few streets within this subdivision are all cul de sacs, no through traffic. The homes are all about 1500 to 2000 sq. feet and the price range is from the $140,000's to the $170,000's with the recent average selling price of $159,000.00. Only a few hundred yards from the entrance is Wiggly Field Dog Park. It is a fenced in park that permits off-leash dog activities, including a "doggie" obstacle course. There are actually two fenced in areas, one for small dogs and one for larger b... 06/16/2008

If you like REM & the B-52’s, stop by Athens, GA between June 18 and June 22 for this years AthFest – the annual Music and Art Festival in downtown Athens featuring local artists and musicians. No, REM & the B-52’s aren’t listed on this year’s schedule. However, they did get their starts here in Athens. AthFest was founded in 1997 as a non-profit festival to promote the locally grown music and art of Athens and the surrounding areas. Much of the festival is free. There are wristbands that can be purchased that provide admission or cover charge discounts for certain special events, such as the annual Club Crawl – going to each of the 18 participating clubs and seeing all the entertainment at each (or, at least making the attempt). AthFest’s mission is to educate the public about music an... 06/13/2008