Gayle's Blog

LOL well it's creeping up, as a matter oIf fact, i.e. may well crossover tonight!

Want  AM I talking about?  Why reaching 50,000 points on Active Rain of course!   I can't believe it, but, I probably will blog my way over the line tonight as I have put off blogging all week and I have several blogs in my head.

I have only been here since November and Lord knows I have had distractions, but, being here has become a part of my routine now and I have 50,000 points to show for it and #1 in my county and #10 in my state.  This doesn't of course count all of the new frienships that I have gained here.  So, I welcome this milestone and encourage others to just keep on keeping on!

This week on the Apprentice, the teams were required to produce a 10 minute spot to promote and sell a product on QVC.  They were assisted by an employee of QVC and a resident of Collegedale.  Collegedale is truly a gentrified community.  People come from all over the world to settle in Collegedale.  It is amazing to me how diverse this community really is.  Imagine my surprise when it was announced that the assistant came from Collegedale.  Are quaint little town produces another star!  It was a good episode and worth wtching on the re-run.  If you are looking for a safe in quiet little town in which to the live and work, check us out!Marinabroker@aol.com

We are a brokerage that specializes in marina sales on Norris Lake in eastern tennessee.  We currently have Whitman Hollow Marina available for $2.2M.  This includes approximately 110 boat slips, 50 houseboat moorings a newer house and approximately 6 acres; and  marin store and restaurant.  Conveniently located this is a prime investment opportunity on Norris Lake and the property is great for development of condos or cottages.

For more informtion on this Norris Lake opportunity please contact us.  marinabroker@aol.com

I have to remark that it seems as if lake buyers are coming out early this year.  If I didn't know better I would think that it was April..  It seems that during the last few weeks people have contacted me looking to buy property on Lake Norris earlier than usual.  Of course I am delighted and they are smart.  Even now when I have called about several prospective properties they have been under contract.  This is actually a great time for those who are thinking of selling to get their properties ready and on the market, especially at Norris Lake!  As the old saying goes, "the earlybird catches the worm".  Definitely seems true at Lake Norris in Tn.

marinabroker@aol.com If you have any desire to see a property of this type, please contact me and I will be happy to show you our lovely lake!  423-785-7768

"I Always Sell The Best Spot!"

Norris Lake in East Tennesse has a vast assortment of condominiums for sale to suit every taste.   These condos make a great investment as a rental unit, a vacation home, or both.  Living on the lake is a fabulous experience with boating, fishing an skiing.  The properties average approximaetly 11% rate of appreciation annually.  Properties tend to sell quickly at Norris Lake even in the down market.  There are 21 marinas at the lake and golf, and boat rentals available.  The price for condos at Norris Lake range from $200,000 for 2 BR units to $400,000 for 4-5 BR units.

Yacht Club Condos at Starust Marina

All 3 Bedroom units with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, gas fireplace, balcony and private boat dock for owners only.  Prices start at $339,000 and there is an elevator to all 4 floors.

Marina Ridge at Deerfield Resort

Affordable, 3 Bedroom log style Condo Townhouses with a view to die for in beautiful eerfield Resort with Golf Course, Airstrip, Marina and Tiki Bar.  Starting at $237,000

Deerfield Resort

2 Bedroom units start at around $200,000 while 3 Bedroom units start at $275,00-300,000 and 4-5 BR units begin at $350,000-400,000

In adition to those that I have discussed there is The Willows $325,000-$350,000 3 BR Log units and Shanghai Landing $275,000-$300,000.

Come see our beautiful lake and buy yourself a vacation investment!

Marinabroker@aol.com 423-785-7768

I thought that I would share the latest report for Hamilton County Tennessee on real estate sale for the 4th quarter of 2007.  Some of you may find it interesting that the report indicates strong sales.  Perhaphs this will encourage those of you who are in areas where that is not the case.  If you are looking to buy or sell in this area please contaact me.

4th Quarter

Regional Residential Market Conditions

Released February 14, 2008Chattanooga Association of REALTORS®

2963 Amnicola Highway • Chattanooga, TN 37406

(423) 698-8001 • www.ChattRealtors.com

Fourth Quarter Figures Follow End of Year Trends

The fourth quarter of 2007 helped establish the region's third best year for the local real estate

market. According to figures provided by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of the

Chattanooga Association of REALTORS®, the fourth quarter witnessed 1,150 sales, which is

slightly more than 20 percent of the 7,516 total number of residential sales in all of 2007.

In 2007, fourth quarter sales fell 20 percent from the third quarter and 18 percent from the same

quarter in the previous year. It is not uncommon for fourth quarter figures to represent any

particular year's weakest quarter. Since 2000, the third to fourth quarter change averages out to

a 14 percent annual decline. Conversely, the spring and summer months of the second and third

quarters have long been the area's most vibrant for real estate activity.

"Sales were down but that's expected in the last part of the year," said Pam Duffy, President of

the Chattanooga Association of REALTORS®. "Our local real estate market still performed

well. Even despite the onslaught of reports bemoaning a housing slump, the health of our local

market sustained. People are buying and people are selling."

"Local factors have a greater ramification on how any market functions and the greater

Chattanooga area continues to yield positive returns," adds Randy Durham, MLS President.

"We've been relatively insulated from the severe problems that plagued some of the worst hit

states. Places like California, Florida, Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, and Indiana are still seeing

problems, and the factors for their downturns even differ market to market with unsustainable

price increases, growing foreclosure woes, and massive job losses."

One of the biggest areas of concern has centered on affordability. As certain parts of the country

witnessed several years of robust sales, sellers were able to maintain dramatic price escalations.

Unsound price appreciation can never be prolonged as supply and demand factors become self

regulating. Fortunately real estate in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia never saw a

price run-up, instead it continues to be one of the most affordable in the South.

1,816

500

750

1,000

1,250

1,500

1,750

2,000

2,250

2007 1st Quarter 2007 2nd Quarter 2007 3rd Quarter 2007 4th Quarter

2007 Quarterly Comparison

Evidence to the health and affordability of the local real estate market can be found in the

median home price. The median figure represents the price at which half sold for more and half

sold for less and is a better indicator than average because it does not become skewed by extreme

highs and lows. For the fourth quarter, the median price in the greater Chattanooga area was

$135,000. This figure is considerably less than the national report of the country's $206,000*

median price released by the National Association of REALTORS®.

The fourth quarter median price shows a 4.25 percent decline from the year's third quarter and

less than 3 percent dip compared to 2006's fourth quarter. For the year, the median price ticked

in at $139,725, which represents a gain of more than 2 percent over all of 2006.

As the fourth quarter numbers are weighed against the backdrop of foreclosure concerns, the

credit crunch, economic stimulus plans, and housing slump headlines, buyers, sellers and

investors need to be particularly mindful of what is happening in their own community. Plus

financing is still available with interest rates remaining at near historic levels, especially when

compared to times of double digit levels seen in other decades. Real estate transactions are

poised to continue at a relatively upbeat level.

"While real estate saw a bit of a slow down our median price actually showed growth. That's a

good sign that points to the strength of the local market," contends Durham.

Says Duffy: "The national reports skew the reality of the local market and area consumers are

not seeing a true picture. If you do the homework and look at the local conditions you'll find a

housing market in good shape. First time buyers and fence sitters should ignore the hype and be

working with a Realtor to find some incredible deals."

1,909 Sold

500

700

900

1,100

1,300

1,500

1,700

1,900

2,100

2006 4th Quarter 2007 4th Quarter

2006 vs. 2007 4th Quarter Comparison

Homeownership remains at the cornerstone of the American Dream and its benefits are

widespread. Besides helping grow stronger neighborhoods and communities, homeownership is

a great way to build long term wealth. On average, homeowners find 60 percent of their wealth

is found in the equity of their home. And the net worth of an average homeowner is significantly

higher than a renter - 46 times greater according to Federal Reserve figures.

With over 1,900 local REALTORS® engaged in every aspect of the industry, consumers are

encouraged to work with a member of the Chattanooga Association of REALTORS® to better

understand their options in today's market. Only REALTORS® commit to a strict Code of

Ethics, which helps protect all those involved in any property transaction.

348 Sold

175

200

225

250

275

300

325

350

375

400

2007 1st Quarter 2007 2nd Quarter 2007 3rd Quarter 2007 4th Quarter

$116,900

$95,000

$100,000

$105,000

$110,000

$115,000

$120,000

$125,000

$130,000

$135,000

$140,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

North Georgia 2007 Quarterly Comparison

1 - Tiftonia - Lookout Valley - Elder Mountain 16 $350,000 141

2 - Downtown-St.Elmo-High Park-Avondale-Miss Ridge 152 $46,000 129

3 - City of East Ridge 57 $102,000 94

4 - Brainerd-East Brainerd 139 $140,100 110

5 - Hwy 58 - city - Eastdale/Dalewood/Tyner 66 $123,000 93

6 - N. Chatt-Mtn. Creek-Riverview-Rivermont 79 $139,750 85

7 - Red Bank City Limits 36 $115,000 88

8 - Hixson-Chattanooga City Limits 86 $157,500 107

9 - Signal Mtn-Walden-Suck Creek 36 $260,500 101

10 - Lookout Mountain 10 $395,000 185

11 - Catoosa County 138 $140,200 128

12 - Hwy 58/Harrison/Georgetown 51 $137,600 90

13 - N Ham Co/Soddy/Bakewell/Sale Cr/Middle Valley 145 $147,450 106

14 - Counties Other than Hamilton excluding GA 13 $92,000 87

15 - Volunteer Site to Hunter Road 15 $156,900 77

16 - E Brainerd county/Ooltewah 79 $221,250 165

17 - Ooltewah/Snow Hill 40 $220,000 144

18 - Collegedale Includes Apison 26 $264,000 100

19 - Walker County 110 $116,500 107

20 - Dade County 17 $97,500 128

21 - All Other Georgia Counties 4 $55,000 76

22 - Bradley County 81 $130,006 114

23 - McMinn County 10 $83,500 68

24 - Rhea County 38 $115,500 132

25 - Alabama 6 $105,000 90

26 - Whitfield 9 $89,800 85

27 - Chattooga 8 $93,000 101

28 - Sequatchie 32 $96,000 131

29 - Marion 30 $89,000 108

30 - Bledsoe 10 $90,000 56

31 - Meigs 6 $207,000 145

32 - Polk 5 $86,250 68

Total 1,550 $135,000 113

$29,999 or Under 49 19 4 4 0 0 76

$30,000 - $39,999 30 12 2 4 0 0 48

$40,000 - $49,999 17 27 3 3 8 0 58

$50,000 - $59,999 19 24 5 1 2 0 51

$60,000 - $69,999 14 36 2 4 1 0 57

$70,000 - $79,999 19 35 5 6 6 0 71

$80,000 - $89,999 20 46 4 7 0 0 77

$90,000 - $99,999 12 43 6 3 1 0 65

$100,000 - $119,999 16 115 19 5 6 0 161

$120,000 - $139,999 7 119 32 1 10 0 169

$140,000 - $159,999 4 119 23 1 21 0 168

$160,000 - $179,999 2 67 25 2 10 0 106

$180,000 - $199,999 4 58 22 0 4 0 88

$200,000 - $249,999 7 63 61 2 13 0 146

$250,000 - $299,999 0 38 34 0 8 1 81

$300,000 - $399,999 1 20 38 1 6 0 66

$400,000 - $499,999 1 4 19 0 1 0 25

$500,000 - $749,999 0 3 15 0 6 0 24

$750,000 - $999,999 0 2 8 0 0 0 10

$1,000,000 - $1,249,999 0 0 2 0 0 0 2

$1,250,000 - $1,149,999 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$1,500,000 - $1,999,999 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

$2,000,000 - $2,999,999 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$3,000,000 or Over 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Types 222 850 330 44 103 1 1550

350

425

500

575

650

725

800

875

950

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2007 Total Sales 2006 Total Sales

$137,500

$120,000

$124,000

$128,000

$132,000

$136,000

$140,000

$144,000

$148,000

$152,000

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2007 Median Price 2006 Median Price

2006 vs. 2007

UPDATE:  15" Beagle Ueno wins BIS at WKC!  Congratulations Ueno

Moving up on Best in Show, Kaz Hosaka has two Poodles a Mini of his own breeding out of Annie Clark's line, and a Toy, the number one dog in the country out of Japan, Ch. J.P.'s Smash Win a Victory or Vickie.  His is black and Vickie is white.  Chris Mineopoulas won group with Ch. Brighton Minimoto, Remy, a white standard and the number one Poodle in the country and the number three dog in the country.  Things are heating up in the Poodle world.  The working group is coming up and then BIS>  I will update this once BIS results are in for those of you that couldn't watch.  The odds are that the Beagle or one of the two white Poodles will win.  Go Poodles.  (I have to dmit that I like the Beagle, too)    Kay, Marilyn's handler showed in the sporting group but didn't make the cut.  Back to the T.V....BIS winner to be announced.

FROM 2007 FYI
Judging was halted for a moment of silence to honor the memory of one of America's most distinguished figures in the dog world - all-breed judge Anne Rogers Clark who passed away on Dec. 20, 2006. Mrs. Clark had been assigned to judge the Terrier Group. With her passing, Dr. Richard Meen of Canada was invited to step in

                                                                                             Ch. Brighton Minimoto and Chris