Among Gray’s topics were potential problems that may be revealed by an accurate current survey, myths and common assumptions about boundary and property line locations, and things not to assume when purchasing a home or land.

The weekly business meetings often include presentations on the most up-to-date information relating to the real estate industry.

The event, sponsored by Bank of America Home Loans, will be Thursday, June 25 from 7-9 p.m. at The Home Source Realtors in Newnan. Refreshments will be served.

“An abundance of homes for sale, low mortgage interest rates, and special incentives for first-time home buyers make this an excellent time to buy a home,” said The Home Source Realtors Qualifying Broker Linda Huff. “The Homebuyer Workshop is a great opportunity to gain insight on the home buying process, learn details on creating a budget to make the down payment, and gather information about home loan options.”

Workshop topics include benefits of owning a home; determining how much home you can afford; understanding, establishing and repairing credit; steps to obtaining a mortgage; and varieties of affordable mortgage programs.
Call The Home Source Realtors at 770-251-8991 to reserve a seat. The Home Source Realtors Coweta office is located at 1201 Lower Fayetteville Road in Newnan. In Newnan, take Hwy. 34 East, turn right on Newnan Crossing Bypass, then Left on Lower Fayetteville Road to The Home Source Realtors on the right.

THE VILLAGE AT LEXINGTON CIRCLE

We have lived at the Village at Lexington for a year now. Located at the heart of Peachtree City, we’re within walking distance to the pharmacy, restaurants and coffee shops, grocery stores, schools, and our absolute favorite, the ice cream shop!
The town homes are very well built, using quality builder upgrades like granite, tile, hardwood floors, moldings and custom cabinetry. Deceiving from the exterior, the homes live large. The bedrooms are gracious in size and each is appointed with a private bath. The high ceilings and open flow floor plans allow natural light to pour in through the oversized windows.

The area is great for those who favor low maintenance, as the HOA maintains the grounds and exterior features of the homes. Townhouse living encourages interaction with neighbors, yet the area is so peaceful and quiet. All this makes our home such a great place to be and we are so grateful!
Regards,
Bhoke & Joshua
Roland Design Group
The Village at Lexington Circle
Town Home Owners

Although we are in a real estate “slump,” Peachtree City continues to thrive and provide home buyers many options that suit their needs. One of these options is The Village at Lexington Circle. The Village is a town home community with all of the conveniences of Peachtree City and I-85 access. As a current home owner in The Village for over a year, I can testify that it is a wonderful and quiet area to live in. My family has been very happy since moving into The Village. It is quiet, we have great neighbors, the school system is wonderful, and we are a quick 15 minutes to I-85. The landscape is well maintained. It is so nice not to have the added responsibilities of maintaining a yard and the upkeep of the exterior of the home. After a long day at work, it is so nice to spend the evening with my family and not have to worry about these additional responsibilities. The town homes are spacious with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. – Very comfortable living for busy lifestyles! I would recommend this area to anyone that desires the same! You will not be disappointed. Come see for yourself.
Karin Hopkins
The Village at Lexington Circle
Town Home Owner

I purchased a town home at Lexington Village last fall and I love it!! Jeff Van Pelt, the builder, built a beautiful home with upgrades and details that I didn’t find in any other home for the price. Yes, there are stairs, but it’s a 3 story town home!! Hardwood floors, tile, queens height counters in the bathrooms, granite counters in the kitchen, cherry cabinets, oiled bronze and brushed nickel hardware, stainless appliances, smooth ceilings, and a laundry room on the same level as the 2 master suites are just some of the reasons I bought at Lexington Village. For any of you who have not been inside one of the town homes or the Work/Live homes, do yourself a favor and take a look! Cecelia Hayes is the sales associate and she is happy to give you a tour! I have heard and read opinions from several people state that there are no amenities to speak of…I have lived in two subdivisions in PTC that had no amenities either. I could throw a rock and hit McIntosh High School, a pharmacy, a supermarket, a bank, department store and restaurants! A cart path is right outside my door. All PTC has to offer is right at my feet and I don’t have the worries of exterior maintenance.

The housing market is tough right now. Everyone is struggling. Just don’t judge until you’ve seen these beautiful homes for yourself!
Carol Graham
The Village at Lexington Circle
Town Home Owner

My husband and I had lived in Fayetteville several years ago and fell in love with the area of Peachtree City. Our subdivision was on a golf cart path, so access to PTC was easy. Last winter we met friends in PTC for a weekend. We happened on the Villages at Lexington Circle and we both ended up purchasing a townhouse there. The serene, safe, surrounding area was ideal. You have ‘close neighbors’ but yet you are separate.
Among the many fine schools nearby, the scenic routes driving through the golf cart paths, and wonderful stores, Peachtree City offers a variety of living styles but none compare to the relaxation and comfort when you live at the Village at Lexington Circle. Located near many fine shopping centers and having easy access to McIntosh high school, the Village is an appropriate setting to raise and care for a family. The Village also provides a safe scenic environment having golf cart paths that lead throughout the city for family outings or gatherings. We have a good feeling of community living in the Villages.
Paul & Barb Wroblewski
The Village at Lexington Circle
Town Home Owners

I was surprised to read the recent letter from a local realtor, attempting to explain
the layout of the Lexington Village town homes – has she not visited these
properties? Or the gentleman who criticized the floor plan saying the “staircase
intruding upon the living space at every level” was terrible. This floor plan is
indicative of most urban town homes and you will find this in most units in other
complexes throughout Atlanta and other major cities. That is just the way town homes are built, incorporating staircases to maximize vertical space.
But back to Lexington, the laundry room is conveniently located on the upper level, next to the bedrooms, not at “street level.” The properties are really beautiful featuring hardwood floors, granite countertops, brushed nickel fixtures and beautifully tiled bathrooms. I showed one of my clients, who was relocating from California, 20 homes during his 2-day visit in July. All properties that we viewed were single-family homes and this was the only town home on our list to visit. After two days of searching, he and his wife fell in love with the town home and ended up purchasing the property (we closed in August!). The home inspection went smoothly and the inspector kept commenting on how well-built the town homes were.
So, I really have to disagree with all of the negative comments I’ve read recently in The Citizen regarding the Lexington town homes. They must not know the town home industry and fail to know about basic, urban town home floor plans. It’s obvious to me that they have never visited an actual Lexington town home and they should, before passing judgment.
Realtor – Peachtree City

I hate to tell you this but there were two more “free speech” articles written by people who don’t know anything about the town homes, downgrading The Village at Lexington Circle. They are saying they should be demolished and a nice park planned there (like its City property), or destined to be low-income housing. I don’t understand some of these people thinking that a privately owned; privately financed development should be turned into a park or government housing What if someone didn’t like their home and stated nasty things in the paper. How would they feel? It’s a shame, that along with this unfortunate down turn in this market that those slanderous, baseless comments have been printed in the local paper. Don’t people realize this is damaging to the town homes progress and sales. If the people writing the comments are so opposed to the way it looks right now why do they continue to slander it and hurt possible sales to people who like the town homes, the area and care about it’s future and improving it? Once this commercial / residential concept is developed it will be beautiful, but unfortunately, the economy has played a huge part in this big picture. When this area has a chance to be completed, everyone will eat their words.
Realtor – Peachtree City

As the Builder Representative for The Village at Lexington Circle, I’d also like to contribute since I am one of those people qualified to tell you about The Village at Lexington Circle. I’ve been there for over a year and worked as the builder/seller representative and a buyer’s representative and helped sell 8 homes there. There are a total of 10 sold. I truly believe in the future of the Village at Lexington Circle and I hope this will help people understand.

First of all, a little history lesson: When the town homes & the loft project (1 & 2 bedroom lofts over retail properties that were planned for the lot across from the live/work town homes) were first started there were many accepted contracts on the town homes and almost all of the lofts had deposits on them for pre-sale. Everything was going great and as planned. And then the economy started to take a turn for the worse. Not just for Lexington, but for our country in general. The event that most affected the town homes happened a little over a year and half ago when Delta went through tough times and laid off a huge number of employees. Our local economy was dramatically affected at that time. Most of the people with contracts on the town homes were Delta employees. Many of these people lost their jobs or were relocated and of course were not financially able to honor their contracts. The loss of these contracts then affected the progress of the town homes and the Lofts. The mortgage crisis has compounded the problem, making it harder & harder for buyers to qualify for a loan and causing more foreclosures than our country has ever seen. It’s as simple as this “you can’t keep putting money out when money stops coming in. So, like the majority of builders around the country, they could not keep building. I know that the people who had deposits on the Lofts were extremely disappointed. For that we apologize. Please understand the builders were just as disappointed as you were that this has happened. This is their lively hood and their life-savings are invested in their company.

Please note, all deposits on the lofts were returned and I know for a fact that the builder since I have known him has never kept anyone’s earnest money on the town home contracts that could not move forward, even though he had a legal right to do so on many. Except in one case that was a short-term lease-purchase that was unable to close, and that person still owes the builder a large sum of money that he knows will probably never be recouped. “Why kick some one when they are down?” Please remember this phrase when you are writing and reading the negative comments about the Village at Lexington Circle.

These builders are good guys who just tried to bring a great new concept with a high quality product to Peachtree City. If you or any of your family or friends is in the developing/ building /construction/ real estate/ mortgage industry in any capacity, my heart goes out to you. I don’t know of many people in these businesses that are not suffering. If you read any news papers or listen to any news reports at all you have to be aware of the state of this market and our economy nationally. This is not just a local problem and Lexington Circle is not the only place experiencing hard times. Check your local papers and local government websites; there are foreclosures in almost every neighborhood in Fayette County, including Peachtree City. There are foreclosures through out Georgia and through out the country, and more to come. Please take the time to educate your self on this subject before you single out individuals.

I would also like to make it clear that not all of the town homes are being advertised as foreclosures, only the unfinished buildings and the empty lots, and there has been great interest in those from local builders and investors who plan on finishing and selling them. There are 12 homes still available for sale at great discounts.

Also, the land from Holy Trinity/McIntosh High School up to the town homes is owned by a different person than these builders. They can not be held responsible for the upkeep of the other land owner’s property.

The Builder’s original concept for The Village at Lexington Circle – Convenience with an exceptional home. In keeping with the convenience of the golf cart paths in PTC, even more convenience is wonderful. The idea is to be able to live in a beautiful home upstairs and work out of your office just steps away. Commute time 1 minute – which means more time to spend with the people you care about and more time to do the things you enjoy as opposed to sitting in a car for hours every day, spending your money on gas and car repairs. With more people telecommuting and people operating home based businesses this is the perfect fit. Thousands of dollars went into this specific “Limited Use Commercial” zoning so they could be used for this purpose. The space would be great for a 1- or 2-man office, such as an Attorney, CPA, Consultant, etc. It would also work for a 1 or 2 chair hair salon. There are so many great uses for this space. If you prefer not to operate a business, then it can be used as a home office, guest suite or a bonus room for arts & crafts, sewing, play room for the kids, computer & game room for the teens, or a pool table. In back are the residential-only town homes – attractive, quiet and private.

I have represented builders, buyers and sellers in the Fayette and Coweta area for several years and I must tell you these town homes are some of the highest quality homes I’ve seen. They are single family, fee simple, attached homes. They are built with brick & Hardi plank exteriors. The floor plans are open and spacious with lots of windows and lots of light. The standard features include: real hard wood flooring, ceramic tile in ALL of the bathrooms, travertine back splash, 42 in. solid wood custom cabinetry with crown molding, 9 ft. smooth ceilings with can lighting, Granite counter tops with extra deep, under mount stainless sinks, upgraded carpet with an 8 lb. pad (builder standard is usually 6 lb.), Craftsman Crown molding and 6 in. base boards in every room. Some of the name brand products include – Mid Continent Custom Cabinetry, Price Pfister, and Kenmore Stainless appliances. They all have a full 2 car garage with a spacious storage area. These features are a far cry from the usual builder standards, in fact they are generally considered “top of the line”. There is a Home Owners Association with covenants & restrictions that maintains the landscaping, water, garbage pick up, and future painting of the exteriors. Does this sound like low-income housing to you?

And what about the location? This location is one of the main attractions. You can walk to McIntosh High school, (one of the many award winning Fayette County Schools), CVS Pharmacy, Publix, Steinmart, Starbucks, Duncan Donuts, Katy’s, Auto repair and restaurants (by the way something new & exciting coming soon in the Buck Head Brewery building). You are about 15 minutes to the interstate, 30 minutes to the airport and about 45 minutes to Atlanta.

And Yes, there are stairs in the town homes, that’s why they are called town homes. Here is the definition. (No sarcasm intended, just education)
Main Entry: town house Function: noun Date: 1586
1: a house in town; specifically: the city residence of one having a country seat or having a chief residence elsewhere
2: a usually single-family house of two or sometimes three stories that is usually connected to a similar house by a common sidewall.

If you or a family member has problems walking the stairs, I can understand this might not be the home for you, but if you are a relatively healthy person, good news – A little exercise is beneficial. The stair ways are extra wide and can easily accommodate a mechanical stair-chair if necessary and there are units with elevators planned for the last 2 rows of buildings to try to accommodate everyone’s need.

The thoughtlessness and inconsideration of the people who are completely unknowledgeable about The Village at Lexington Circle to suggest their opinions on the concept, the floor plans, about what’s going on there, what’s going to happen and what should be done, with out having their facts straight has been incredible. And to read things like “hopefully they will be demolished” is utterly unbelievable. Did this person even know that people had bought homes and live there at all? Would you want to read such things in your local paper about your home?

I hope this has helped in some way, to let people know the truth about The Village at Lexington Circle. Also, please know that the people that live here love their new homes and their neighborhood and do not see it as a failure, but as a work in progress. We believe this area, like every other in Peachtree City, Fayette County and around the country will rebound when the economy and the market rebounds. And it will. It always does. So please take the time to get factual information before you make judgments and comments, better yet come out and see for your self.
Cecelia Hayes
The Village at Lexington Circle
Builder Representative
The Home Source Realtors
Peachtree City

~ Three generations may plan to live together in one home, therefore a bedroom on the main level may be necessary for the older generation.

~Because family value is very important, the entire family will want to view a property before a decision to purchase is made. Keep in mind that the Asian culture is very traditional in its gender roles.

~ The children’s education is the most important priority when choosing areas in which to live.

~Typically, new construction is preferred over what might be considered a “used” home.

~Fung Shei, meaning wind & water, is important in choosing a home. A cul-de-sac lot, which is often desireable to other cultures, is considered a dead end and means “no luck”.

~Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get them to express themselves about a property or show their feelings, even if they like a property. Emotions are hidden to protect the power to bargain. Negotiating and low-balling is definitely part of the process.

You need to know that building trust with your client is paramount to the transaction. Building a business relationship comes before building a friendship with this culture. The referrals will flow once you have the trust and respect of an Asian client.

You do not have to spend a lot of money unless homeowner’s maintenance was not on your list of things to do each year. The best way to spend your money is in landscaping and outside curb appeal. You have to be able to get the buyers out of their cars! Details, Details, Details they sell in this market! Buy some new flowering plants, put in some new pine straw, repaint the front door and shutter, and clean all the windows inside and out. Get them out of the car and into your home.

Remember when you bought your home. What did you look for as you toured each home and what turned you off? Remember cleaning your carpets and painting are two of the least expensive ways to welcome potential homebuyers. Realtors can a source of help during this difficult market. For more information on staging contact Cindy Barnard at cbarnard@thehomesourcerealtors.com. Send me some pictures of your home and I will give you some suggestions on how to improve your chances of selling your home during this buyers market!

• Someone who is dedicated to their profession
• Someone who takes the time to determine your needs
• Someone who listens – and responds to your requests
• Is familiar with the area in which you have an interest
• Is knowledgeable about the properties in your price range
• Is willing to work with you until your needs are fulfilled
• Professional designations (and what they mean to you)
• Strong references from previous home buyers

Questions to Ask a Prospective Real Estate Agent:

• How long have you been in real estate?
• Are you a full time agent?
• Are you familiar with this area?
• How many homes did you sell last year?
• How many were in this area?
• What was the average price?
• How many buyers are you currently working with?
• How many sellers are you currently working with?
• Where do you feel your strengths lie?
• Will you handle all aspects of my transaction or do you have assistants?
• Can you give me the names of three buyers with whom I can check your references?
• Do you have full access to the Multiple Listing Service?
• Do you know the most recent changes to the Georgia Real Estate Contract.

What you can expect from a Buyers Real Estate Agent:

• A market analysis of neighborhoods that shows whether the properties you’re considering are worth the price or will give you value.
• Time spent searching for and previewing properties that might interest you.
• An understanding of your needs by qualifying them and listening to you.
• A feel for what you’re looking for after three of four showings.
• Relationships and discounts offered to YOU with mortgage lenders, property inspectors, home warranty companies and possibly even services such as lawn maintenance.

How it Works:

Georgia Law requires you to sign a buyer-broker agreement – no cost is involved, but it defines the relationship, and allows the real estate agent to represent you in the transaction.  If your agent doesn’t go over this with you, ask them to explain it.  When you sign this agreement you are now able to have the benefit of their knowledge and experience.  Without it, they can not give you any advice or answer your questions about value or guide you when writing or negotiating a contract.  You become their CLIENT when you sign it and you are considered a CUSTOMER without it.  This agreement can be terminated by either party in writing to the broker.

TIP:  Meet with the real estate agent and ask these questions, determine their assertiveness, their experience and their knowledge of the area. Remember that REALTORS are trained professionals that make your home search easier and help negotiate the best price for you.  Let them do the work for you – the end result will be a benefit to you!

Mary Watts, Associate Broker, ABR,ASR,GRI,SRES

Director of Career Development

Here are some easy, practical and inexpensive energy-saving measures for your home, none requiring more than a few hours and some just a few minutes. If you have more easy ways to save, please post in a comment!

• Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water: Ninety percent of the energy used to wash clothes goes to heating the water, not to running the machine, so cold water washes reduce your costs and environmental impacts.
• Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: For each compact fluorescent you install, you’ll probably save between $3 and $15 per year. If you tried compact fluorescents ten years ago and weren’t satisfied, give them another shot, since they now have more appealing light quality and come in more shapes and light strengths.
• Use the Microwave : A microwave uses much less energy than a conventional oven.
• Weatherstrip and Caulk: Few people get excited by the prospect of spending a Saturday afternoon weatherstripping and caulking their home, but several hours devoted to this task will likely yield considerable energy savings.
• Pull the Plug: Even when they are not in use, many appliances like televisions continue to use small amounts of electricity for things like their clocks and instant-on features. If you have a rarely used appliance, such as a TV or clock radio in a guest room, pull its plug and then only plug it in on those rare occasions when it is going to be used.
• Switch the Showerhead: If you live in a household where four people each take a seven-minute daily shower, an old-fashioned showerhead that uses five gallons of water a minute will require 51,000 gallons of water each year. New showerheads use less than half as much water.
• Adjust the Thermostat: It makes good economic and environmental sense to try to keep your home slightly colder in winter and slightly warmer in summer. You may not even notice a small adjustment in your home’s temperature settings and the result is a more energy efficient home.
• Turn Off the Computer: Some people have gotten into the habit of leaving their computer and other home office equipment on all the time. This wastes energy and money.
• Choose Energy Efficient Appliances: If you need to buy a dishwasher, television, or other appliance, look for a highly-efficient one. As a minimum, you should always choose one with the federal government’s Energy Star label, which means it is significantly more efficient than minimum government standards.

Curb appeal makes the difference in whether a potential buyer will want to see the inside of your home.

To view my listings and learn more about me, go to my profile on TheHomeSourceRealtors.com or visit my property listings detail page on Realtor.com.