The housing bust helped throw the U.S. economy into the worst downturn since the Great Depression and continues to weigh on its recovery, though prices have fallen to the point that savvy investors should be out looking now.

“There are a lot of great deals out there, and I tell people who ask me ‘what should I invest in?’ I say go buy a house because the fact is it’s a great time to buy and I believe, strongly, prices are going to be going up,” Trump told CNBC.

Home prices nationwide crept up in the second quarter of this year from last year, the first such gain since 2007, according to a new report by real-estate firm Zillow Inc.

“They were a little up, but I really believe they are going to be going up very substantially over a period of time,” he added.

Markets in New York and Miami are doing especially well, Trump said.

While financing may not be available to everyone, for those who can get it, terms are very attractive right now.

The Zillow report showed that home values for the April-June quarter rose 0.2 percent from the same period in 2011.

Other industry metrics have shown month-on-month gains in home prices, though Zillow is the first to report an on-year quarterly gain involving comparable home prices in the same communities, which would suggest the housing sector is finally showing signs of life, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“It seems clear that the country has hit a bottom in home values,” said Stan Humphries, Zillow’s chief economist.

The fact that the gains came during a period in which the economy was not very strong suggests there is some fundamental organic strength to the housing market, Humphries added.

Trump: “Low Home Prices Poised for Gains, Buy Now”

A Beautiful Day and a "Fun-derful" Experience!

Wheee! This Festival is a Blast for Kids Too!

All Dolled Up with Festitval Hair Painting!

Our New Rescue Dog Greets New Friend!

Greensboro Ga welcomed thousands of eager guests to the Lake Oconee Southland Jubilee festival ready to participate in the variety of entertainment, delectable foods and specialty arts and crafts that were offered at Greensboro’s annual heritage arts festival. In the past, Southland Jubilee has proven to have had a significant impact on Greensboro, which is surely expected to increase due to regional advertising and Greene County’s residential and commercial growth. We feel lucky to have this wonderful, “fun-derful” event to draw more visitors to our unique Lake Oconee area each year!

Lake Oconee Cruisers Definitely a Crowd Pleaser!

Georgia Classic Cruisers Rolled into town for another exciting Southland Jubilee in Historic Greensboro Ga .  They, once again, entertained the car enthusiasts with a variety of hot rods, classics, antiques and trucks on April 21st at the fourteenth annual Lake Oconee Southland Jubilee.

The car show located on the Main Street in Greensboro Ga displayed some 100 specialty vehicles from Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Athens and surrounding areas. There were an abundance of 60’s and 70’s “muscle cars” including GTOs, Corvettes, Chevelles, and Camaros. Ford Mustangs and Chrysler products including Barracudas, Belvederes and Road Runners. Georgia Classic Cruisers also maintain an active philanthropic presence in the Greene County community, as the group donated over $1500 to local charities in 2011.

Without the support and sponsorship of local businesses, Southland Jubilee could not be successful. “Southland Jubilee is made possible by the tremendous support that the festival receives from the area’s business community,” says Greensboro Better Hometown Manager Cail Hammons.  ”Greensboro is fortunate that our local businesses choose to give back in a way that promotes our town and its heritage.”

As active realtors and 25 year “Lake Oconee Dwellers” we are always excited about this event in our Lake Oconee community. We encourage our customers to see all this area has to offer as they search for their own eventual retirement or vacation property here on beautiful Lake Oconee.  Be sure to join us next year for this engaging event as Lake Oconee’s Southland Jubilee “Rises” again in Historic Greensboro, Ga. For more information on properties in the Lake Oconee Area. And as Always, Let Us Be Your 1st Connection for Lake Oconee Real Estate!

Submitted by:

Pat and Ed "Lake Oconee Dwellers"

Pat & Ed Okenica
RE/MAX at Lake Oconee
Pat: 706-817-9314 Ed: 706-817-9313
email: Pat@LakeOconee.com
email: Ed@LakeOconee.com

Fireworks at the Ritz On Lake Oconee  Watch the Fireworks by boat on New Year’s  Eve.

Happy New Year from RE/MAX Agents

Realty on Lake Oconee.

May you have a Wonderful and

Prosperous New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE/MAX Agents  Realty – Lake Oconee
706-453-0110

We trust Santa’s Lake Oconee Boat will deliver all your Christmas wishes wherever you are.It’s been a pleasure working with you and hope you have found our Lake Oconee Website LakeOconee.com useful this past year…We wish you & your families the Peace, Hope & Love of Christmas…and

Happy New Year from your Lake Oconee Friends at RE/MAX Agents Realty!

RE/MAX Agents  Realty – Lake Oconee
706-453-0110

Lake Oconee Kiss Fishing with Grandkids is not about “kissing” fish! Go ahead, ask the question, “What does “KISS” mean???” KISS is an acronym for Keep It Simple Stupid! The last post I did was based around Lake Oconee fishing from your dock. A relatively simple way to get friends and family involved in the fishing experience without ever leaving your property.  However,  should you desire to get out on the lake and try some fishing from the boat this article explains one of the simplest ways to do it. We call it Lake Oconee KISS Fishing. We started doing this with our kids when they were small and now we are fishing with the Grandkids.

Fish 'em & Kiss 'em!

Lake Oconee Grandkids Ready to KISS Fish!

So the first thing to find is a bait that resembles the shad.  There are all kinds that will work, but don’t forget this is the Lake Oconee KISS method of catching fish on Lake Oconee.  Think SILVER for Lake Oconee striped fish!!  Silver Crank Baits will work for KISS fishing.  There are better baits and rigs for certain conditions, but don’t forget this is Lake Oconee KISS fishing.

On this trip we used the silver shad rap with the black back and the chrome rattle trap with a blue back.  Both traditional catchers on Lake Oconee.  In fact if I had to pick one lure to use forever on Lake Oconee it would be the shad rap.  Over the years I have caught everything in the lake with it. The rest of the fishing gear is all traditional bass gear. Medium action spinning outfit or bait caster with 12 lb test will do fine.

Stripers & Hybrids & Bass, Oh BOY!

Girls Can KISS Fish Too!

 

Swivels are a must as Lake Oconee KISS  Fishing involves trolling to locate the fish.  I will usually throw a spinning outfit with a Flexi Spoon or silver Cast Master tied on into the boat in case “I” get a chance to fish. Throwing this lure into a school of striped fish can be some real action. When the sun is on the tree tops this method of fishng works best.

Grandkids Love KISS Fishing!

Lake Oconee RE/MAX Realtors Pat and Ed are the First to Use QR Codes to Sell their Properties. QR codes (quick response) are an innovative, Smartphone accessible tool, which can enhance the exposure of Sellers listings.   QR codes are a way to send information to mobile devices, such as a smartphone, using its camera to take a picture (scan) of the code.

Pat and Ed at Lake Oconee RE/MAX are savvy users of technology and will invest the time to provide the optimum exposure for their Seller’s properties. Posting these QR codes on their signage, flyers, online marketing, Pat & Ed offer Sellers the cutting edge of technology to reach more Buyers in the marketplace.

How Do QR Codes Work?

Much has changed in the world of real estate in recent years. The influence of Internet technologies has given buyers and sellers new ways to come together. If you’ve been through the home selling process before, it’s more important than ever to pick the right real estate professional.

In the present “down” real estate market, you want an agent who will use the Internet to your advantage. As action-oriented Lake Oconee real estate agents, Pat & Ed fully understand how today’s technology can help Sell your property in the most optimum timeframe. Our Lake Oconee Website allows Buyers to easily search thousands of current listings to locate the properties that best fit their needs. It’s a great tool for home buying, and free to use.

Call Pat & Ed Today and find out how QR Codes can work to Sell your property! Let Us Be Your 1st Connection for Lake Oconee Real Estate!

Submitted by:

Pat and Ed Okenica
Email: PatorEd@LakeOconee.com

RE/MAX Agents  Realty – Lake Oconee
706-817-9314 or 706-817-9313
wp.LakeOconee.com

Lake Oconee entertainment, dining and shopping tops the charts in one convenient location at Lake Oconee Village. I can tell you from first hand experience that it is quite a delight to have more of these amenities available. When we first started coming here in 1980, the lake was THE only attraction. Endless, winding, curvy dirt roads  finally leading to the lake. From Stone Mountain Ga, we loaded up our truck,  the kids, the dog the cat and, of course, groceries and headed to Lake Oconee.  It was definitely a group effort getting it all together, (yea, like a team of one…me!)

So, like the Beverly Hillbillies, we “trucked on down the road”, singing, chattering and anticipating the gorgeous serenity that soon would be ours. Away from the rat race and spending quality family time together was our goal. Quickly we figured out that serenity and quietude was the name of the game. There wasn’t anything or anyone else!  Our house was the first to be constructed in our lakefront location. You could hear the tree frogs, crickets, night owls,whippoorwills, and any night critter howling at the moon. All was right with the world!

Long story short….there were no grocery stores except a little local establishment, which carried a limited supply of most utilitarian items. Of course, it was 14 miles away. In other words, you had better bring everything you could think of that you wanted to eat for the weekend. Of course there was always that all important ingredient that we forgot to bring that absolutely had to be a part of the recipe, like the milk for the homemade ice cream!! So, off to the “town” someone (me) would go.

Oh, did I forget to tell you that we didn’t have cell phones then? So, of course, the other item we forgot to bring, (like the hot dog buns), had to be forgotten or, yes you guessed it, another trip to the gro store! Now, driving 14 miles doesn’t seem like much when you come from the big city of Atlanta…except when you only have two days to spend at the lake. Then driving 28 miles round trip more than once kinda cuts into your play time.

Now we have everything we need to prepare our meals and get on with the business of having fun, right? Outside to water ski, swim, boat, and basically enjoy life. Sounds good, huh?  Yep, it was all good. But, we’re getting hungry now and it’s time to prepare the meal. Holy smokes!  Who forgot the charcoal??? Our stove hadn’t arrived yet so we cooked all our meals on the charcoal grill then. Grrrr! Nothing to do but to go out and eat.

WHAT, no restaurants??

Fast forward to Today (2011)…we have Publix and an Ingles grocery stores, we have tons of restaurant options, we have a Home Depot, we even have an 8-plex movie theatre for goodness sake!  And, we have a stove!  All is Right with the world!

Lake Oconee Village Spotlight Theater

8-Plex Movie Theater at Lake Oconee Village. Concierge level with full bar and restaurant. Meeting facilities also available.

Lake Oconee Villages Amici's Italian Restaurant

Amici’s offers gourmet pizza, pasta dishes, subs, salads, wings and full bar.

Lake Oconee Waterfront Restaurant and Marina

Lake Oconee Marina with Docks and Gas Pumps

Granite Shoals Marina & Restaurant with boat docking and gas pump facilities. The restaurant fare is seafood, sandwiches, salads, and sports bar.

Home Depot at Lake Oconee

Lake Oconee’s  Home Depot is conveniently located right off of I-20 and Exit 130.

Lake Oconee Village Publix

Publix located 8 miles south of I-20 and Exit 130 in the Lake Oconee Village Shopping Center, where there is also a Subway, liquor store, Post Net store, Verizon store, hair salon and nail salon.

As you can readily see, Lake Oconee’s entertainment, dining & shopping options have certainly improved from “the old days”!  I hope you will have the opportunity to come and see what Lake Oconee has to offer soon!

We have seen it all happen and know the ropes! What better way to search for Properties on Lake Oconee than with the “lake dwellers”, Pat and Ed who have lived and breathed it for 25 years!! Give Us a Call Today and get your “starter kit” for Lake Oconee!

Submitted by:

Pat and Ed Okenica
Let Us Be Your 1st Connection for Lake Oconee Real Estate!
Email: PatorEd@LakeOconee.com

RE/MAX Agents  Realty – Lake Oconee
706-817-9314 or 706-817-9313
wp.LakeOconee.com

We have a bunch of Lake Oconee Richland property listings we can show you that are not turkeys!!

View this Lake Oconee Home For Sale

Call Us For Appointment to See All Lake Oconee Waterfront Properties (and Turkeys)!

Submitted by:

Pat and Ed Okenica
Let Us Be Your 1st Connection for Lake Oconee Real Estate!

RE/MAX Agents Realty – Lake Oconee
Pat, 706-817-9314 or Ed, 706-817-9313
Email: PatorEd@LakeOconee.com
wp.LakeOconee.com

Lake Oconee Ga attracts fish and grandchildren to its friendly waters! Every year we get to “host” our G-children for a week. It’s a very rewarding (albeit exhausting) experience on all levels. Below are thirteen reasons for grandchildren to visit Lake Oconee:

#1. Grandparents’ Hugs and TLC

#2. Fishing with Grandparents (grandpa baiting hooks and untangling lines, ouch!)

#11. Picnics by boat (P’Nut butter/jelly sandwiches, boiled p’nuts and cookies!!).

#12. Bonfires lakeside at days end with Hot Dogs & marshmallows.

I’m sure you will agree, and as you can see, we are in love with our grandchildren who bring us great joy during their trips to visit us at beautiful Lake Oconee.

If you want to share these wonderful times with your grandchildren, give Pat or Ed a shout! We are experts at every facet of the living experience on Lake Oconee. We welcome the opportunity to introduce you to the peace and serenity of living and “playing” here. Let Us and Lake Oconee help attract fish and grandchildren for YOU!

Submitted by:

Pat and Ed Okenica
RE/MAX Agents Realty – Lake Oconee
706-817-9314
Email: PatorEd@LakeOconee.com
wp.LakeOconee.com

A Perfect Place - Come for the Day and Stay for a Lifetime!

Lake Oconee is the perfect place to really relax and escape from the day’s worries.  Spend the day leisurely fishing the banks and crooks of the lake, or try some night strolling in the moonlight. Or maybe you’d enjoy a day of boating and skiing in the cool, crisp water. Take a sightseeing tour of the lake and view some of the magnificent homes of Lake Oconee. Or simply sit back and watch the sun dip into the lapping waves as chirping crickets announce the coming of nighttime.

Call Us Today to Plan  for Your Perfect Day on the Lake!

RE/MAX Agents Realty Lake Oconee

CALL US TODAY!

(706)-453-0110