Savannah Real Estate

Please take a minute to look at this podcast from WTOC News.  These are good friends and very special people.  If you have seen them or heard anything that might help investigators find them … please contact the Beaufort County Police Department immediately.If you have any information about what happened to John and Elizabeth Calvert, call the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at 843.842.4111 ext. 258 or Beaufort County Dispatch at 843.524.2777 or your local police.

March is a busy time in Savannah, Georgia. Not only are the flowers blooming and the weather warming, but this is the time we begin to prepare for the festivities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. One of this country’s largest parades, Savannah hosts a celebration to rival all others. This year’s parade in Savannah is the 184th parade of Irish Tradition to honor the patron Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick for whom this holiday was established, felt that he had a calling to convert pagans to Christianity. He was eventually appointed as second bishop to Ireland and was successful in winning converts despite being enslaved several times. He traveled all over Ireland setting up monasteries, schools and churches to support his work converting pagans. He died on March 17, in AD 461. From that point forward, the day was commemorated for St. Patrick. For Savannah, the celebration started in 1824 when the president of the local Hibernian Society called all local Irishmen to a mass and then invited them to parade down the streets of Savannah. A parade flourished from that first Hibernian invitation. In 1870, the first grand marshal (also a Hibernian president) was elected and bands were invited to join the procession. The party has grown ever since. The traditional events of this day in Savannah include Mass at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, pancake breakfasts, lots of drinking and plenty of visitors. We expect close to 400,000 visitors to the area this year. It is a spectacular sight when you walk all over the historic district in a sea of people and no one needs a car. The cars are parked outside of the historic district in every imaginable nook and cranny. The parade route is well established and families have for generations plotted their spot for the festivities. In the past, Savannahians and visitors would camp over night in the squares on the parade route to ensure the best front row spot. One of my favorite things to do is walk around downtown with my Bloddy Mary at 7 AM the morning of the parade and see all the people setting up lawn chairs, tables, coolers and blankets to enjoy the day. It is truly a spectacular time to be in Savannah.

If you have ever considered visiting Savannah to investigate retirement property or investment property this is the time of year to visit. You will not be disappointed in the weather, the flowers, the festivities or the hospitality. So, make plans to visit if not this year, next year but be sure to make hotel reservations early or find a friend with a home where you can be Irish for a day!

Location, Location, Location … that has always been a catchphrase in real estate and it holds a great truth. I have just returned from the island of Grand Cayman … can we talk about location? There are few bad locations on this rather small island (22 miles in length and roughly 8 miles wide and occupies 76 square feet). One of the most amazing lessons I gleaned as we wandered through paradise, was seeing how little real estate you really need to have everything at your finger tips. There are bars and restaurants in the downtown area with as little as a step ladder access to an incredible underwater world of creatures & corral. Most bars and restaurants boast 8 or 9 tables … what more do they need? A few customers, some good food and cold drinks with a built in view. There is very little need for more. Maybe it is the concept that the ocean lends itself to vast openness and extreme fresh air. Maybe it’s the constant breeze and crashing waves or the cold drinks and easy way of being on the island. There is no where to get in a hurry to go… no one wants to be in a hurry.

With the exception of some waterfront properties with hurricane shutters, three car garages and large swimming pools over looking the bay, the residential areas in the interior of the island are very humble. The homes are ranch style and appear to have two to three bedrooms with possibly two full bathrooms. Most homes have a small porch or portico with windows open and very few hvac units were spotted. Several have clotheslines with the day’s laundry strewn about to dry and roosters pecking the ground. The houses are not very well organized but sort of randomly situated around the interior. There are few street signs and several round abouts. No need for a map … you can probably cover the island by car in an hour or two and that is with traffic.

When we talk about waterfront property and being on deep water in Savannah, we are hoping for access to the open seas and a place to dip our crab lines. Location matters where ever you decide to plant roots, be it island roots or city roots. Location is everything … decide what you require around you, what would appeal for resell and what your family needs … that determines the value of your location but keep in mind a little blue water never hurts!

Even though I grew up in the coastal area I only considered waterfront property as just another living option until I began to sell and buy property. Come to find out … there are several types of waterfront property. When you are looking for real estate in Savannah, you have some things to consider if you are a river rat. The types of waterfront property range depending on the way you want to spend time on the water. Are you a swimmer? A boater? A sunset watcher? All of these questions need to be considered while you are looking at waterfront property. It matters a great deal if you want water 24 hours a day or you are partial to low tides. I remember going to Hilton Head for summer vacation and we stayed in a condo on a tidal creek. We would go down to the little dock hoping the tide was low so we could watch the fiddler crabs and snails. But when the tide was coming in we would throw in our chicken meat on a string to catch blue crabs. We thought this was the best of both. It matters what you are looking for in your experience with waterfront. In Savannah, you can live on the beach, on deep water or on a tidal creek. Your view can include low tide fiddler crabs or water 24 hours a day with your boat always ready for spin around Georgia’s beautiful coast.  As you begin your search for the perfect water spot for you and your family, ask yourself questions about how you hope to enjoy the water in your new home. And visit these listings during low and high tides to understand what kind of water access you will have and how your view might change.

I have a friend who lives in Richmond Hill Georgia, just 45 miles south of our fair city. She travels into Savannah to shop, eat out, see movies and more; but usually during the holiday season she is busy traveling to Florida to visit her family or Australia to visit her husband’s family.
This year was a different story …This year she announced that she and her husband were not traveling to visit family for the holidays. This year they decided they were going to leave Richmond Hill and pick a holiday destination where they have been meaning to vacation … they chose Downtown Savannah. The historic district was their destination. Why would someone who lives so close to Savannah and has access to the city all year round make it their destination for the holidays? Savannah is beautiful during the holidays! The temperature ranges from 35 degrees to 75 degrees. We have sun and warmth, we have holiday trimmings, we have it all. Except snow!

There are bed and breakfast locations all over the city, fabulous eateries including the world famous Lady and Sons. Broughton Street, downtown’s host to large chain retailers like Banana Republic and Gap and host to local small businesses like Leopold’s Ice Cream, Gaucho, Globe Shoes and The Paris Market.
While on Broughton Street, my friends visited the Savannah College of Art and Design’s magnificent theater that hosts the Savannah Film Festival every Fall and the art galleries.

They enjoyed leisurely walks through the squares and stops into such pubs as Six Pence and Pinky Masters. There are so many reasons to visit Savannah Georgia. For those of us who live close by it is still a destination of choice. So when you are planning a search for the perfect southern spot to settle down … plan to see Savannah … even locals spend vacation time here.

A huge part of being a successful real estate agent has to do with getting yourself out there. There are many ways agents do this … pictures on billboards, on park benches, on business cards, on refrigerator calendars, postcards, etc… Those are a few literal ways to get your face into the community but one of the most important pieces of networking for a successful agent comes in the form of a thank you. Make your clients remember you so any time a conversation comes around to real estate they automatically mention your name in a positive way. Client begets client … when you express your appreciation to a client after a closing, they are going to talk about you. How do you add more ideas to your arsenal of wine basket and hand towel thank you gifts? Check out these ideas …

1. Grocery run … contact the ladies who own Grocery Grabbers and purchase the staples for your client. You can have their fridge filled with very little effort and a fat return on the gesture!
2. Take stock … investigate the cost of having an inventory created for your client’s new home. There is a local home inventory company you can call and discuss services. They have many options and what a great gift for hurricane country!
3. Cookies for the kids … have the ladies at Two Smart Cookies put together a box of treats for your clients with kids. Everyone loves cookies and their cookies are the best!
4. Smoke Detector Details … contact the fire department serving their neighborhood and arrange for smoke detectors to be installed at no cost. It’s true … the fire fighters will come out to your home and install smoke detectors for free. What a nice way to say you want your clients to be safe in their new home.
5. New Address … one of my favorite things include pencil and paper so don’t be surprised when I suggest some new stationery or notepads with the client’s new address. A neat twist on the note card idea is a phone pad with the address printed on the bottom. You can also get return address stickers printed for them to go with the stationery. Great gift!

Add these fresh ideas to your thank you gift grab bag and be sure your clients are talking about you… now and in the months to come. They will always appreciate you remembering their transition into a new home.

Owning a home requires lists. I like lists so that’s how this post is organized: by lists. If you are a new home owner, grab a pencil and pad of paper and take notes so you too can be a yellow-sheet loving list maker! There are several things your home, your largest investment, will need to have done monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. It is probably easiest to pull out your calendar and mark specific days with meaning (like daylight savings or family birthdays) and make sure you remember to do these easy but very important things to keep your house in the best shape possible.

Let’s start with monthly …

• check your air filters and change if necessary … keeps the dust down and the air conditioner happy!

Something quarterly …

• clean out the gutters … make sure no leaves and twigs are blocking the way for water to drain from the roof … sitting water is bad

• check windows and doors for proper sealing … this measure can save money in upcoming heating costs
• deep clean your fridge and your oven … keep the kitchen fresh

How about twice a year …

• check those fire detectors … change batteries whether you need to or not

• check the fire extinguishers … if they need to be replaced or recharged do it now
• check the roof for any missing shingles or tears in the surface … it is also a good practice to check the attic for leaks while you are at it

And then once a year …

• have the chimney swept
• check the garage door for wear and tear and give it a little extra lube job while you are looking at it
• have your heating and air conditioning unit properly serviced to avoid any major unit disasters on the coldest night of the year or the hottest summer day because that’s when they break down
• checks door and window joints if they need a little WD-40 or parts replaced

The same way you should be have your teeth cleaned and go in for routine physical check ups … your house needs some attention too. Keeping this list organized and handy may help you avoid costly and disastrous home repairs down the road. Happy House Grooming!

I know that you can trick or treat in apartment complexes and condos but owning a home is a different Halloween experience. It occurs to me when we are out every year on this festive holiday to dress up and ring doorbells for free candy, how important this sense of community has become to my children. They insist we visit certain neighbors, “mom, we can’t skip Mr. Bernie’s house!” The neighbors wait for my girls to show up … why? Because we have so few children in our cul-de-sac and surrounding houses. My children are adopted grandchildren and nieces for some of our neighbors. You can have this sense of community in an apartment complex surely; however, there is something about sitting on your front porch next to your jack-o-lantern and planning your trick-or-treat adventure in the neighborhood where you always celebrate this spooky holiday. My girls will grow up with a sense of permanence in this house. It will be a place where they know they can always return. You can’t do that in an apartment because apartments might sell or the rent may get too high or the landlord might throw you out! The investment in a house can settle even the spookiest creatures. It is more than financially fixing yourself to establish equity in property … sometimes it is about Mr. Bernie who saves a little extra candy for those little monsters in his life. And for those little monsters who one day can look back and remember fondly the years they went trick-or-treating in their neighborhood.

One of the great things about Savannah is the coastline. I love driving over the Turner’s Creek bridge onto Wilmington and Talahi islands and seeing the view … marsh, sprawling homes, great docks, boats, dolphins. The view winds around to finally end on Tybee Island, Savannah’s beach. These communities are great for raising children, vacationing or spending your golden years. You can drive over the bridge on a Friday afternoon and not leave the island until Monday morning heading back into work and school. There are lots of great things to do and see especially with children. Wilmington Island has several family friendly restaurants to choose from … there is Greek with great pizza at Basil’s or cold beer and delicious wings at Beef O’Brady’s and old faithful … Mexican cuisine at Cancun. Basil’s has a playroom complete with a flat screen tv and monitors so you can keep an eye on your little one while you enjoy your dinner. Beef O’Brady’s has a Tuesday night kids eat free special and sometimes at Cancun there are live mariachi players serenading your table. Beyond the eateries … the islands have great family fun spots. You can visit Fort Pulaski to see the old cannons, view the fort living areas and even treat your pooch to a visit because dogs are allowed on the fort grounds. Another favorite spot for everybody to visit is Oatland Island. You can go for as little as a few dollars a head and hike through beautiful marsh areas to view bison, black bears, wolves, deer, alligators, owls, hawks and even a small farm complete with donkey and cow. The Islands YMCA has a great walking track that is open to the public. Be sure to pack the jogging stroller and a bottle of water for fresh air and exercise.

It’s not all about the kids … island living offers adults many options to enjoy some down time. One neighborhood has streets lined with overhanging trees so all during the year you can jog or walk in the shade. There are a few marinas offering services including dock slips, seafood, local cruises and more if you are a boater. There is always the well kept secret of Dewey’s with spectacular pastas, a fat view and decent wine list. If you golf we have courses, if you play tennis we have courts… there is just about everything you need to relax and enjoy life on the islands of Savannah. At the end of the day you can ride down to Tybee and enjoy the beach at sunset or stroll to the pier and visit Tradewinds for a delicious night cap of homemade ice cream. Savannah is a special place with a great deal to offer it’s residents. These islands are just one area to choose from when you are shopping for area real estate. Keep it in mind the next time you visit … call me and I can show you and your family a few island highlights!

Famous Victory Drive has always been touted as the street to cruise when you visit Savannah. With its stately mansions lining the four lanes of road, draped with Spanish moss and low hanging oak tree limbs … completed by the palm trees lining the median. No better combination of the old plantation south and coastal ambiance stretching all the way to Tybee Island. Now Victory Drive is not the only must see street in Savannah … check out Bull Street. Bull Street cuts through Savannah’s Historic District wrapping around Johnson Square better known as the bank square because of each corner housing a different bank; Wright Square with the burial site of Tomochichi; Chippewa Square which houses a monument to James Oglethorpe: Savannah’s founder; Madison and Monterey Squares. When you cruise south down Bull Street, you will get one of the best views of the fountain in Forsyth Park. This is a stunning view of the oak trees, wide walkway and sparkling fountain everyone loves to visit.

Past Forsyth Park, on Bull you will come into one of Savannah’s trendier neighborhoods: the Starland District. Popping up are newly developed condos, refurbished cottages with a free dog park and outstanding bakery all in walking distance of each other. Bull Street has always been a major street for Savannah as it serves to split street’s east from west ends but now it is more. Now we have tourists visit Bull Street and make a day of walking through what it has to offer. Another reason to make Savannah your home … when you visit to look for your first home or retirement condo, call me and let me show you Savannah’s famous Bull Street.