Wayne Long's Blog: All Categories

      Since launching our first website for the Columbus Ga Real Estate Market in 2002 we have been searching for the best system available for our clients.   The most important feature on our website to our clients has always been the ability to use our system to search and find homes.  

     Real Estate Webmasters has recently created a system for us that is head and shoulders above anything available in our area to search the Columbus Ga MLS.  It includes a google mapping system which pinpoints homes in the area and has a thumbnail sketch of the home pop up next to the pin.   The advancement in technology has been tremendous and it is our goal to provide our clients with the best system possible! 

    We have combined the search and mapping system…

Families were seeing their soldiers off as the last of the 3rd brigade deployed today for the buildup in Iraq.  Most of them expect to be gone from 6 months to one year depending on their mission.   It is always a nervous time for families and the soldiers as they begin their mission.  We will miss them in Columbus as always and will keep them in our prayers as they risk their lives for our freedoms and for those around the world!  Read Full Post

The Fort Benning Infantry Museum is almost 3/4 of the way to raising the $85 million needed to finish the museum at the "Home of the Infantry".   AFLAC pledged $1 million to the cause.  This follows Samsung's announcement that it was increasing it's pledge from $500,000 to $1 million.  The Korean  based company is sponsoring the museum because of the Infantry's key role in preserving liberty for South Korea.   The museum will be located at the southern most part of Columbus GA just before the entrance to  Fort Benning. 

I was shopping mortgage rates for a client today and received back quotes of 6% and below!  Combined with the fact that sellers are willing to give great concessions - it seems like a perfect storm of buying opportunity has been created.  

Sellers are willing to pay most or all of closing costs right now.  Some builders are even throwing in extra amenities for free on new construciton in addition to closing costs.   These "extras" combined with the great mortgage rates available should make buyers willing to capitilize on some great deals for them.  I don't know when they will see this kind of opportunity again.  In addition there are a lot of homes to choose from right now. which makes finding the perfect home much easier.   … Read Full Post

One of the different things about GMAC Real Estate companies is that they have a truly independent company survey clients to get feedback on service from our company and agents within our company.  If a client buys or sells a home with us they get a survey about a month later to use for rating us and commenting on our service.  

Shepherd Brokers.com in Columbus GA and Phenix City AL now has a 98% customer satisfaction rating.   This is above the excellent rating that the entire GMAC Real Estate company has of 94%.   We believe that to build a long term client base - excellent customer service is vital!  You can view my personal GMAC Profile here. 

Shepherd Brokers.com has just been awarded the right to Market the Yorktown Subdivision!

Shepherd Brokers.com is the largest and most active Real Estate company in the Phenix City area.   This week they were awarded the marketing rights for Yorktown Subdivision in the Phenix City - Ladonia area.  

Yorktown Subdivision has homes priced in the $164,000 to $219,000 price range with very nice amenities including homes with granite countertops, specialty ceilings, jetted tubs, etc.   Yorktown is located in Lee County and homeowners will have access to the popular Lee county school district.   These homes are really above average for this price range in quality and amenities.   Additionally at this time the builders are willing to pay closing costs or add…

One Reason for attending a National Convention like the GMAC convention in Hollywood FL is for the inspiration.  I was not disappointed as Ronan Tynan was one of the opening day speakers and this guy is incredible. 

 Many would call him disabled.  I would call him enabled!

Ronan is best known as one of the "Irish Tenors" - he is that and much more.   He was born with a lower leg disabilities.  At the age of 20 he made the decision to have both lower limbs amputated.   With in a year he was competing in the paralympics and over a 9 yr period he won 18 gold medals and set 14 world records.    He also decided he wanted to be a physician - so he became one and opened his own practice.    He then decided to compete in a show properly titled "Go For It" and…

Land in around the Columbus GA area is becoming more valuable every day.   In Muscogee Co. land for development is bringing a huge premium and for this reason we are experiencing sprawl.    Harris Co. - just to the north of Columbus - has limited development in several ways including requirements for 2 acre lots in all new subdivisions.   The 2 acre lots almost assure larger homes as the cost per lot is increased.   

For those who enjoy a more rural setting - good deals can be found in the surrounding counties like Marion, Chattahoochee, Talbot, and Taylor.  There is also still a lot of good hunting and fishing in these wooded properties.  A good example is this 1800 acre tract in rural Taylor Co.   It is great timber land and it's proximity to Hwy 19…