Worried you’re not going to win the HGTV 2012 Dream Home? Why not build your own? We’ve got the ideal lots for you to choose from. With only four remaining lots, Myers Hill Estates is one of the premier residential communities within west Glynn County. Tucked away off Buckswamp Road yet conveniently located to the areas best shopping, dining and amenities, Myers Hill is ideal for families looking to be close to town yet desire a quiet and peaceful neighborhood in which to live. These lots are offered by Dean Ozanne of the Classic Coastal Homes Group at Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, St. Simons Island office. Contact him today via phone 912/222.2144 or via email dean@classiccoastalhomesgroup.com for more information. Your Brunswick Georgia Dream Home awaits you!

We’re excited to announce our own Classic Coastal Homes group member, Amy Mooney was recently featured in Homes and Land Magazine‘s Up Close and Personal section. In this question and answer style article, Amy talks about her life as a Realtor®, what brought her to the area, and her favorite parts of the job.  Check out the full article here. To learn more about St. Simons real estate agent, Amy Mooney, please feel free to browse the “About Us” section of this blog, or visit our website at www.classiccoastalhomesgroup.com.

As always, thanks for visiting! If you are considering the purchase or sale of real estate throughout Glynn County, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

One of the gems of the Golden Isles, the 2011 Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival is just around the corner. This year’s festival kicks off on Friday, September 16th and stretches through the weekend, ending on Sunday, September 18th.  A favorite among residents and visitors alike, the festival brings shrimp and grits enthusiasts from across the state to our beautiful Jekyll Island. Featuring both amateur and professional shrimp and grits cooking competitions, shrimp boat tours, cooking demonstrations, book signings, extensive arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and a kids-zone, there is truly something for everyone at the Georgia’s premier Shrimp and Grits Festival. Located at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel National Landmark Historic District, festival hours are as follows:

Friday, September 16: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, September: 17: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, September: 18: 11:00 AM – 4 PM

 Feel free to download a brochure from our friends at the Jekyll Island Authority by clicking here.

NEW this year, our friends at Coastal Kitchen are sponsoring a Brew Cruise. Catch a boat from Coastal Kitchen restaurant at the Golden Isles Marina straight to the festival! The boat ride is approximately 45 minutes and docks the Jekyll Island Historic Wharf, right on site at the festival. Tickets are $50 per person, per trip and include drinks on board the boat.

Friday the boat departs Golden Isles Marina at 5:00 PM / Departs Jekyll Island Historic Wharf at 9:15 PM. Saturday the boat departs Golden Isles Marina at 5:00 PM / Departs Jekyll Island Historic Wharf at 9:15 PM. And Sunday the boat departs Golden Isles Marina at 11:30 AM / Departs Jekyll Island Historic Wharf at 4:00 PM.

Additionally, the people at Beachview Tent Rentals, Coca-Cola, and DirectTV are sponsoring a VIP tent, also new this year. In between dining and shopping, the VIP tent will be available to enjoy comfortable shaded seating and satellite broadcast of your favorite weekend football games. VIP Guests also receive up-close parking at the Shrimp & Grits Festival, three Sample Passes for Friday Night’s $3 Sample Night, 1 Lunch/Dinner Pass for Saturday or Sunday, a Shrimp & Grits Festival Poster, 1 lb bag of stone ground grits from Logan Turnpike Mills, and other select gifts. Tickets are $55.

Cooking demonstrations, book signings, and appearances will be provided by Chef Gena Knox, Chef Joe Randall, and Chef Warren Caterson.

To learn more about shrimp boat tours aboard the Lady Jane, the Shrimp and Grits 3 Race Challenge, arts and crafts vendors, cooking competitions, extreme trampoline show, the birds of prey demonstration, and other activities throughout the weekend, please visit our friends and the Jekyll Island Authority.

Members of the Classic Coastal Homes group attended the festival last year and had a fantastic time. We recommend the Jekyll Island Club booth for their amazing shrimp and grits (be sure to pick up a copy of their recipe) and the “Birds of Prey” show. Here’s a little clip from last years festival. Enjoy! And, see you at the festival!

Stay on Track When Finding the Best St. Simons Island Home for Your Family

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard multiple times that today’s market trifecta of low prices, high inventory, and affordable interest rates is making this the best time to buy the St. Simons Island home you’ve always wanted.  It is important, however, to prioritize several important criteria in order to make the best choice for you and your family. Discussing these items with your family and real estate agent before you begin will help you stay focused and can shorten the length of your search.

Type of home: Single-family home or condo? One-story or two? How will paying HOA dues affect your overall buying power? What type of design elements do you look for in a St. Simons Island home? Discussing these items will keep you focused on the right properties during your search.

New or existing: Yes, there is still new construction available on St. Simons Island! A new home is shiny and clean, but often carries hefty initial costs such as landscaping and window treatments. However, if considering an existing home, you need to assess its general condition which will also impact your budget.

Features: This is where it is vitally important to weigh to cost vs. benefit. Gas or electric? Landscaping, fencing, etc.? How important is a fireplace? Does the home have enough bedrooms and bathrooms to support your growing family? Would a pool be a benefit or a hindrance?

Ease of maintenance: Always ask for for a Sellers Disclosure to learn the history of any St. Simons Island home. What is the condition of the roof? The appliances? The major systems? Will you have to paint the interior or exterior and/or replace the carpeting? Be sure to factor in such costs in your budget and your negotiations.

Location: Location and lifestyle is often the most important feature for many of today’s buyers. Do you want to be close to the Village and Pier? Do you mind the 8 minute drive to the north end of St. Simons Island? Looking for a location close to school or work? Do you prefer an ocean or marsh view? A gated neighborhood?

Property tax and flood insurance: Our general rule of thumb for St. Simons Island home taxes is roughly 1% of the purchase price. However, a member of the Classic Coastal Homes group can pull the tax information for the previous year to give you a better estimate of the taxes on any home. Additionally, nearly every home on St. Simons Island will require flood insurance, but there are a few areas on the Island that do not require it.

You’ve taken the first step by reading this blog and learning more about how you can streamline the process of finding the perfect St. Simons Island home for you and your family. Now, take the next step by contacting the Classic Coastal Homes group today to get started. Amy, Dean, Patrick and Nancy are always available via phone or email to speak with you regarding your housing needs.  And, please feel free to get a jump start by browsing available listings on our website: www.classiccoastalhomesgroup.com. Whether buying or selling, we stand ready to assist you and look forward to hearing from you soon!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

July 2011 Real Estate Statistics Across the Golden Isles of Georgia: Including Brunswick, GA and St. Simons Island Homes For Sale

It’s time to crunch some numbers. How does $17,477,612 sound? That’s the total dollar amount of Sea Island*, Jekyll Island, and St. Simons Island homes for sale recorded sold in the month of July 2011. Or, how about $5,770,990? That’s the total dollar amount of sold transactions for the Mainland of Brunswick, Georgia, also for July 2011.  Sound pretty good? Here’s a bit of an analysis for you …

On the Islands (St. Simons, Jekyll Island, and Sea Island*) we saw a total of 37 sold transactions recorded in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as of today’s blog post, 9 of which where foreclosures or potential short sales. Sales prices ranged from $95,000 for a condo in Barnes Plantation to $3.4Million for a property located on Sea Island. It is to be noted however, that the average sales price of $472,368 for these 37 sales is greatly skewed by two multi-million dollar sales which took place on Sea Island. Also skewed is the average days on market of 382, as both Sea Island sales where listed at 2,734 and 1,445 days on market, respectively.  The 37 residential sales we saw this month are on par with the 33 we saw last month, and are slightly ahead of the 21 sales we saw in July last year.  When comparing these numbers to previous years, it is important to remember that 2009 and 2010 where particularly slow years for real estate sales and any increases we are seeing are still far below the numbers we saw at the height of the market. Foreclosures, approximately 12% of our current inventory, continue to dictate  sales prices in our market. While sellers should only get into the market if they must sell, this is a great time for qualified buyers to take advantage of low prices, high inventory, and phenomenal interest rates. Please click here to view all July 2011 Island Sales {Link will expire in 30 days. Page will take some time to load & you will be redirected via a safe redirect page.}

Mainland statistics where a bit higher in total transactions with 49 recorded residential sales as of today’s blog post. Sales prices ranged from $3,900 for a distressed property in downtown Brunswick to $305,000 for a home in the Brunswick Pointe neighborhood.  On par with the 47 transactions closed last month, the average selling price of these homes was $117,775 with an average number of days on market of 196 days.  We did clear out some foreclosure inventory however, with 17 of these transactions listed as foreclosures or short sales at the time of their recording.  Total sales volume was just over $5.7Million which is very comparable to the $5.1Million done in the same month last year.  Again, these numbers, while increases, are still far below the sales figures we saw at the height of the real estate market. Please click here to view all July 2011 Mainland Sales {Link will expire in 30 days. Page will take some time to load & you will be redirected via a safe redirect page.}

It is important to remember that it is still a buyers market out there!!! If you are considering the purchase of St. Simons Island homes for sale or any property across the Golden Isles, there has never been a better time to get off the fence and get started! Potential buyers of all types are realizing the fantastic investment potential of our beautiful area. Whether you are a seasoned investor looking for an exceptional income-producing rental along the beach or a first-time home buyer who is ready to take advantage of this buyers market, the Golden Isles has something to offer you! Contact the Classic Coastal Homes Group today to get started in your search.  Amy, Dean, Patrick and Nancy are always available for consultation regarding Brunswick and St. Simons Island Homes For Sale and can be reached via email at info@classiccoastalhomesgroup.com or via phone at 912.222.2144.  To search listings, please visit our website: www.classiccoastalhomesgroup.com

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

*Sea Island data is not representative of ALL Sea Island activity.

For those of you who are interested in Glynn County real estate statistics, you’ve come to the right place. At the Classic Coastal Homes group, we are constantly staying abreast of St. Simons Island real estate and Brunswick, Georgia real estate trends to ensure our clients receive the most comprehensive information available.  Understanding market statistics is imperative for both buyers and sellers. Whether you are looking to price your home for sale or are laying out your negotiation strategy for a new home, sound real estate decisions are made using comparable data.  With that being said – Let’s talk about June 2011.

St. Simons Island saw 33 residential sales during the month of June 2011, down approximately 10 units from the same month in 2010. Included in these 33 sales where 13 foreclosures or short sales. Additionally, of these 33 sales, 6 where condominiums or townhomes. The average list price of these properties was $435,333 with an average selling price of $389,264. These numbers give us a 90.2% list to sold value, meaning sellers on average received 90.2% of their asking price.

The Mainland on the other hand saw 52 residential sales during June 2011 which is fairly comparable to June 2010.  The average list price of these properties was just over $121,000 with an average sales price of $114,195. Much like the Island, sellers saw (on average) 93% of their asking price and an average days on market number of 191 days.  Of these 52 properties, 15 where listed as foreclosures or possible short sales.

Totaling 85 residential units sold across Glynn County, June 2011 saw $20,665,694 in total transaction dollars. And, homes between $100,000 and $199,999 saw the most activity with 26 sales coming from this price range. While this total dollar number is down almost 16% from the same time in 2010, we are hopeful the increase of activity we saw from January to April of this year will return.  Click here to view all 85 transactions. {Link will expire in 30 days. Page will take some time to load & you will be redirected via a safe redirect page.}

You’ve taken the first step by searching for more information regarding the real estate market in our area. Now, take the next step towards your success! Whether you are considering the purchase or sale of Brunswick, Georgia or St. Simons Island real estate, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We stand ready to assist you and welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and business.  Learn more about the Classic Coastal Homes group on our website (Voted best local website 2011 by the readers of Elegant Island Living), or join in the conversation on our Facebook page.  Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

111 Palmetto Court, St. Simons

Just a few years ago, it would have been relatively unheard of for a single-family home on St. Simons Island to be listed under $200,000. Fortunately for buyers, today there is a handful of choice properties available for those with a budget under $200,000. These properties are a great opportunity for buyers of all types to realize home-ownership on St. Simons Island. Recently listed by the Classic Coastal Homes group, 111 Palmetto Court is a perfect example.  Located off Frederica Road in the manicured community of The Palmettos, 111 Palmetto Court features three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a bonus room – all on one level.  Listed at $189,000, this is the best price in the community today! You will find a spacious living room complete with vaulted ceiling and grand fireplace, a cheerful bonus room with built-ins and plenty of storage and a beautiful screened porch and open deck. Additionally, The Palmettos community is perfect for those seeking a low-to-no maintenance lifestyle, as monthly homeowners association dues cover yard maintenance. This home is move-in ready and comes with all appliances including the washer and dryer.  For more information on this property and others under $200K, please do not hesitate to contact the Classic Coastal Homes group.  Or, please feel free to use our detailed property search to view additional listings that fit your specific criteria.

The largest Beach Music Festival on the Georgia Coast and perhaps one of the most anticipated summer events in the Golden Isles, the Jekyll Island Beach Music Festival is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for the weekend of Thursday, August 11, 2011 – Saturday, August 13, 2011 as residents and visitors alike make their way to the beach for a weekend filled with beach music parties, dance lessons, and the popular beach concert! Hosted in conjunction with the the Golden Isles Shag Club, this years event celebrates 29 years of beach fun.
{Photo Credit: The Jekyll Island Authority}

Detailed Schedule of Events

This detailed schedule of events is provided via the Jekyll Island Beach Music Festival website:

Shag-A-Ganza Party
Date: Thursday, August 11, 2011
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Jekyll Island Convention Campus
Cost: $15. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Details: Start the weekend off with great music. Meet new friends and reconnect with old friends while dancing to music from top Beach Music DJ Murl Augustine. The Shag-A-Ganza Party is presented by the Golden Isles Shag Club.

Welcome to Weekend Party
Date: Friday, August 12, 2011
Time: 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: Jekyll Island Convention Campus
Cost: $15 on or before August 1. $20 after August 1.
Details: Mark Roberts & Breeze, Craig Woolard Band, DJ Murl Augustine. Say hello to a weekend of beach music with two great bands perform in Grand Oaks Hall in the Jekyll Island Convention Campus. No outside food or beverage allowed. Must present an ID to enter.
PURCHASE TICKETS »

Beach Blast Concert
Date: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Time: 12:00 Noon – 4:00pm
Location: Great Dunes Park
Cost: FREE. Information Below about the 2011 VIP Tent.
Details: Mark Roberts & Breeze, Second Chance, DJ Wayne Bennett. Bring your bathing suit, your beach blanket, and your sunglasses and come dance in the sand at the 29th annual Beach Blast Concert. Food vendors and craft vendors onsite for one fun-filled Saturday afternoon at the beach.

Fun Finale Party
Date: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Time: 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: Jekyll Island Convention Campus
Cost: $15 on or before August 1. $20 after August 1.
Details: Swingin’ Medallions, Classic Edition, DJs Wayne Bennett and Peter Carpenter. Keep the fun going for one last beach music party inside the Jekyll Island Convention Campus’s Grand Oaks Hall and Magnolia Hall. No outside food or beverage allowed. Must present an ID to enter.
PURCHASE TICKETS »

A Special Note From Jekyll Island: All indoor activities now take place at the Jekyll Island Convention Campus in the Jekyll Island Historic District and the Beach Blast Party is now at the new Great Dunes Park!

Beach Music Festival Golf Tournament Information

Beach Music Festival Golf Tournament
Date: Friday, August 12, 2011
Time: 9 AM - 11 AM
Location: Jekyll Island Golf Course
Cost: $55 (register by August 1). Includes greens fees, 1/2 cart rental, beverages, prizes, and two tickets the Friday night Welcome to the Weekend Party.
Details: Two person scramble. Tee off at your own pace. Call the Jekyll Island Golf Course Pro Shop to schedule a tee time. 912-635-2368. There will be a Gross and Net Division.
DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM »

For more information or to purchase a weekend VIP ticket, please visit the Jekyll Island, Georgia website. The Classic Coastal Homes group looks forward to seeing you at the Beach Festival! Be sure to share you photos and experience with members of the community on our Facebook Page. Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

St. Simons Island & Brunswick, GA 4th of July 2011 Activities

St. Simons Island:

The Golden Isles Track Club’s annual Sunshine Festival 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run take place bright and early in Mallery Park. Be there before registration opens at 7am if you haven’t registered yet. More than 800 runners are expected to participate.

In Neptune Park, there’s a 4th of July Patriotic Parade at 10am; live music by local bands from noon to 10:30 p.m., and, of course, the fireworks display at 9pm. Bring a chair, towel or blanket and enjoy a day of local entertainment, fun and celebration!

Brunswick:

Old-Fashioned 4th: This fun family event features old fashioned games and free watermelon slices; and culminates at dark with the fabulous fireworks display over the East River. 7 – 9 p.m. Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Downtown Brunswick. This event is free and open to the public. 912.265.4032 or visit www.goldenislesarts.org.

Jekyll Island:

The Jekyll Island Authority has decided not to produce a July 4th Fireworks display this year on Jekyll Island (2011) due to the ongoing construction and road detours on the island – specifically near the beach. They believe that the many local residents traveling to the island for this display in addition to the overnight hotel guests will cause major traffic safety issues.

The Classic Coastal Homes group wishes you and your family a relaxing and enjoyable holiday weekend. Please remember, the Lighthouse Trolley Company as well as local cab services are available to get you home safely.

With May on the books, it’s time to talk statistics. We can’t escape the question, “How’s the market?” and the best way to answer is with cold, hard facts. As real estate agents, it is our duty to supply our clients with the information needed to make sound and informed decisions as it relates to their real estate investments and the purchase or sale of their Golden Isles homes.  Please feel free to browse the following market analysis and contact us with any questions you may have.

Let’s talk the islands; St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Sea Island. Within this area, we saw 27 single-family residential sales. This figure does not include properties marketed by the Sea Island Company, as they are not currently a member of our Multiple Listing Service.  Of these 27 sales, the highest sale was a $1,000,000 condominium in the St. Simons Grand building on Ocean Blvd. Additionally, 9 of these sales where either foreclosures or listed a potential short sales when they where taken off the market.  Average sales price for the May 2011 sales was just over $320,000, while the average asking price was just over $364,000. This tells us that Sellers received nearly 91% of their asking price.  Generally speaking, these numbers are low compared to the steady increases we saw from January to April.

Moving to the mainland – Brunswick and Central, North and West Glynn County – we saw 55 single-family residential sales which was up significantly from the 41 sales we saw in April 2011 and the 45 sales we saw in May 2010.  Of these transactions, the highest sales price came from a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom home in the Good Place subdivision located in West Glynn County. Interestingly, 28 of these transactions where either foreclosures or listed as potential short sales at the time of their listing.  With an average sales price of $139,958 and an average asking price of $151,150, Sellers received on average 92% of their asking price.  Also of note is the average days on market which was 182 days.

This market snap-shot is intended to give you general statistics regarding the St. Simons Island and Brunswick, Georgia real estate markets. If you would like a more detailed look at the potential value of your home in today’s real estate market, please do not hesitate to email our team today! Or, if you’re a buyer or investor considering the St. Simons Island and Brunswick, Georgia areas, please feel free to browse our website and it’s detailed search option for browsing the local MLS inventory. Please feel free to give us a call at your convenience if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you and to earning your trust and business.