Warren Buffett wrote an article on Friday in the New York Times. It’s very simple, direct, and to the point which is typical of his style for sure. Here’s a quote from the article that gets to the heart of it…

A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. And most certainly, fear is now widespread, gripping even seasoned investors. To be sure, investors are right to be wary of highly leveraged entities or businesses in weak competitive positions. But fears regarding the long-term prosperity of the nation’s many sound companies make no sense.

He makes his point using examples from history including the depression of the 1930s. During that season, “the bottom” of the market happened 9 to 12 months BEFORE most people actually “felt good” about it. The market had risen over 30% before most investors re-entered the market.

Buffett’s article was focused on stock investments in US companies, but the same logic clearly applies to real estate investments as well. This is one of the most difficult times in the last 100 years of US history, BUT you can make huge gains in this market if you make your wise investments now.

Hamilton Mill & Gwinnett County are no exceptions. If you look forward 5 t 7 years from now, home values in Gwinnett will have likely doubled from their current levels. If you are in a position to look at the long term at all, a huge gain awaits.

Here’s a link to the entire Warren Buffett Article.

Huntington West Ranch

If you’re interested in investing in Gwinnett County real estate, there are really some great opportunities out there right now.

I’ve been spending LOTS of time evaluating property for investors & other bargain shopping home buyers these days.  It seems that much of the product that is actually moving in this crazy market is priced below $200k and then it’s priced WELL below it’s true market value.

Today I found this 3 bedroom 2 bath ranch in Huntington West — right around the corner from Hamilton Mill.  It’s on an awesome wooded lot with huge potential.  The interior needs a good bit of work, but that’s very appropriately presented in the $140k listing price – well below the $180ish average in the neighborhood.

We talk to buyers and renters all the time who really want to stay in Mill Creek High School district or more specifically, they will often ask for either Puckett’s Mill Elementary or Duncan Creek Elementary School.

This home would also likely qualify for the FHA “fix-er-up” programs that allow you to build repairs and improvements right into the loan.  These programs are really great for getting a deal like this done and creating a decent move-in condition for the buyer or investor (and subsequent renter).

This listing is still active and I’m happy to share additional insight as needed.

Every now and then a home comes to the market with so much to offer and a price that is hard to beat. 2158 Town Manor Circle in the Town Manor section of Hamilton Mill is one of those homes that has recently been reduced and is priced to sell.

This home is situated on the 7th tee of the Fred Couples designed Hamilton Mill golf course and is located on a perfectly flat cul de sac with a large flat front and rear yard which is perfect for a pool. The home features a chef’s kitchen with a large island, granite counter tops, a keeping room and so much more. The main level boasts a large Master suite, dining room, family room and living room.

Upstairs there are three additional spacious bedrooms and to complete the home there is a huge finished terrace level with an additional bedroom, pool room, entertainment room and a full home theater.

The price has just been reduced to $645,000 and is ready for any size family. If you are even considering Hamilton Mill, then this home has to be on your “Must See” list.

For more information on this or any other home in Hamilton Mill please give us a call at 678-279-4717 or email us at mhermes@diamonddwellings.com.

The Atlanta FMLS listing system (some data may also be from Georgia MLS) reports this data for Hamilton Mill as of July 2, 2008. These are the current active and sales data for the month of June 2008.

Recap: June actually turned out to be a pretty decent month for sales and pending sales after a slow first 5 months of 2008. We are starting to see a improvement in showing activity as well as the number of homes under contract and closed transactions. Sellers are starting to see the fact that pricing your home aggressively can and will drive traffic. We are still in a VERY competitive market and pricing, incentives and flexibility are key factors in getting homes sold.

Current Homes listed for sale in Hamilton Mill: 128

Highest Price Home: $1,250,000 / 2048 Bakers Mill Road (New Construction)

Lowest Price Home: $219,900 / 1490 Ridgemill Circle

Average List Price: $411,067

June 2008 Hamilton Mill Real Estate Sales: 5 (same as May 2008)

Diamond Dwellings Realty Participated in 30% of these closed sales. Market leader in this area again for the THIRD month in a row.

Highest Price Home: Sale Price: $460,000 / 2601 Floral Valley (Short Sale)
Lowest Price Home: Sale Price: $379,900 / 3398 Ridgemill Circle

Current Pending Hamilton Mill Real Estate Sales: 13

While the June sales are not what we’d hoped for in Hamilton Mill — Or all of Gwinnett County, the activity level has picked up as compared to Q1′08 and we have seen an improvement in the “pending/under contract” homes that are scheduled to sell. If you or someone you know is waiting for the market to level out to find that “deal” now is probably the time to take a hard look at your purchase opportunities. Do not wait and miss the bottom.

If you would like additional listing information on any home in Hamilton Mill email us at mhermes@diamonddwellings.com or call me at 678-279-4717. We will be happy to email a list of available homes for your review.

Hamilton Mill residents, do you have a need for a good, reliable, well priced plumber? For the past two + years I have had the pleasure of recommending Marco Tavares, with Tavares Plumbing for all of my personal and referral needs.

When we first moved into our most recent Hamilton Mill home, we had a plumbing issue the first day and contacted Marco to come address the issue. Marco showed up at the exact time he indicated he would be there, and then did an amazing thing, he insisted that he take his shoes off prior to coming into the house. I was immediately impressed with his respect for my home as well as the personal touch with which he took care of my plumbing issue.

What was interesting was that at the time he had no idea that I was a local Realtor and worked in the Hamilton Mill area. After he diagnosed and fixed the problem we had, which he went overboard and looked at a couple of other issues that he did not even charge me for, I then let him know that I was a Realtor and wanted to refer business to him.

Since that initial meeting, he is my “Main Man” and will continue to refer his services to anyone who asks. I have no idea as to how many people have used him through my referrals both personally or through the www.Hmill.com website but I know it is extensive and I have NEVER gotten a negative response from anyone.

If you are in need of any type of plumbing needs, I would highly recommend Marco Tavares with Tavares Plumbing. Give him a call at 678-467-9271 or 770-881-7176.

The Dacula city planner, Joey Murphy stated recently that the planning department in Dacula issued more commercial development permits during the last week of April than Gwinnett County did for the entire month. “We’re getting a good balance of commercial and residential development in the city now,” Murphy was quoted as saying.

This record is indicative of recent growth seen in and around the city, including the Town Center development and other areas in the Hamilton Mill area as well.

The increase in permits shows that while the country may be in a downturn in the residential and commercial market, that real estate is a local product and some areas are actually seeing increases rather than decreases in sales and building.

For more information regarding any of these projects or if you are considering opening a business in the coming year, we are here to help you find your required space needs. Call us at 678-279-4717 or email mhermes@diamonddwellings.com

The Atlanta FMLS listing system (some data may also be from Georgia MLS) reports this data for Hamilton Mill as of May 7, 2008. These are the current active and sales data for the month of April 2008.

Current Homes listed for sale in Hamilton Mill: 129

Highest Price Home: $899,000 / 1998 Regalview Landing

Lowest Price Home: $225,000 / 3398 Ridgemill Circle

Average List Price: $418,246

April 2008 Hamilton Mill Real Estate Sales: 4

Highest Price Home: Sale Price: $575,000 / 2890 Millwater Crossing / Original List Price: $749,800

Lowest Price Home: Sale Price: $265,000 / 1704 Lake Heights Circle / Original List Price: $279,900

Other Sales:

4015 Greenside Court: Sale Price: $498,900

1630 Treybyrne Court: Sale Price: $311,200

Current Pending Hamilton Mill Real Estate Sales: 10

(Diamond Dwellings generated 20% of these pending sales)

While the April sales are not what we’d hoped for in Hamilton Mill — Or all of Gwinnett County, the activity level has picked up as compared to Q108. If you or someone you know is waiting for the market to level out to find that “deal” now is probably the time to take a hard look at your purchase opportunities. Do not wait and miss the bottom.

If you would like additional listing information on any home in Hamilton Mill email us at mhermes@diamonddwellings.com We will be happy to email a list of available homes for your review.

You can also call Diamond Dwellings anytime at 678-279-4717.

Hamilton Mill continues to be a place that more and more people are coming to call home, and we feel it important to provide you with the current market conditions as it pertains to current listings and sales in Hamilton Mill.

As we quickly head into the Spring season we are very encouraged by the market and remember the real estate market is “local”. We have all heard of the current state of housing throughout the country but we have not and will continue to be a growing area.

Hamilton Mill Home Stats as compiled from the FMLS listing service as of 2/25/2008.

Current Inventory: 117 Active Homes for sale

Highest List Price: $895,800

Lowest List Price: $234,900

Average Initial List Price: $430,071

Current Average List Price: $422,412

Current Homes Under Contract: 5 (Diamond Dwellings has put two of these homes under contract)

Homes Sold in January 2008: 4 (Diamond Dwellings Sold One of These Homes)

Homes Sold in February as of 2/25/2008: 0 (Diamond Dwellings has one home scheduled to close on Feb.29th. Both listing and buyers side)

As the best choice for all of your Hamilton Mill real estate needs, please give us a call or email us if we can be of further assistance. Remember, we can show you any home currently on the market in Hamilton Mill and have the neighborhood insight to help you guide you through the purchase and sales process.

678-279-4717 or mhermes@diamonddwellings.com

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Everybody wants a “deal”, right? This foreclosure in Coventry is a really great opportunity. We’ve been showing it quite a lot lately. Most buyers won’t care for the white stucco accents on this exterior. In fact, I think that is the biggest reason it’s not selling. The good news is that it’s a sweet value — currently priced at $679k.

It also definitely needs some interior updates. But if you want to be in Coventry, it won’t ever get cheaper than this!

Call us for details.