Top 10 New Home Builders in Augusta GA

New Homes in Augusta GA accounted for 36% of the market share for residential sales during 2011.  There were 426 new homes in Augusta during the last quarter of 2011.  The majority of new homes are being built in Columbia County GA, especially in the Grovetown area.

The top 10 Augusta New Home Builders for October 2011 – December 2011 for the number of homes sold:

1. Crown Communities by Pillon
2. Bill Beazley Homes
3. JR Homes
4. Keystone Homes & Wilson Parker (Tie)
5. Ivey Residential
6. Winchester Homes Builders
7. Faircloth Homes
8. North Star Homes Builders
9. Pierwood Construction
10. R.L. Hayes & Raven Homes Builders

Crown or Pillon can be found in these subdivisions: Allen Farms, Crawford Creek, Granite Hill, Grove Landing, Hawks Ridge, Magnolia Station, Richmond Estates, Sage Creek – The Ridge, Spirit Pointe, Walton Farms and of course Willhaven Estates.  If you would like to see homes for sale in any of these neighborhoods, please search by subdivision on my Augusta Homes Search Page.

Bill Beazley Homes is considered to be a local builder since they are located in Evans, GA but is in no way a small builder.  Beazley has been building homes and developing subdivisions for 35 years in the Augusta area.  Bill Beazley Homes are found in these subdivisions: Bergen Place West, Creek Bend, Gregg’s Mill, Highgrove, Manchester at Diamond Lakes, Southampton, Summerlin, The Retreat at Storm Branch, The Summit at Horse Creek, Willow Oak Village, and Woodlief.  (Beazley is planning the new neighborhood of Hayne’s Station across from Fort Gordon on Gordon Highway.)

JR Homes along with Winchester Home Builders and Ivey Residential continue to expand in Canterbury Farms in Grovetown, GA.   JR Homes is building larger, estate style homes while both Winchester and Ivey are building more moderate-sized and moderate-priced homes.  I would have to say that even these moderate-sized homes are still larger than the standard was considered a few years ago!  JR Homes are found in these subdivisions: Reynolds Pond, Indian Springs, The Ridge at Chukker Creek, and the Durham section of Canterbury Farms.  Winchester‘s homes can be found in these communities: Canterbury Farms in the Bridgewater section and the Brentford section, Berkley Hills, Somerset at Williamsburg, Cornerstone, Graylyn Lakes, Powderhouse Landing and Midland Pines.  Ivey‘s homes are found in these subdivisions: Canterbury Farms, Sumter Landing, Amberley, Riverwood Plantation, River Island, Bartram Trail, Trolley Run Station and Rhodes Farm.

If you are interested in new homes in Augusta by any of these Augusta Builders, please contact me.  Me or my team of real estate professional are happy to assist you in buying your new Augusta home!

Beautiful Mount Vintage Plantation Home for Sale at 110 Marbury Ln

Come home to Luxury at 110 Marbury Lane in North Augusta’s premier neighborhood of Mount Vintage Plantation!  Enjoy the breath-taking views of the 8th green from your porches on this two-story home or enjoy a Saturday night game of cards in the media/game room on the lower level that is perfect for entertaining – complete with a keg of beer on tap.  After a night of entertaining  relax in the large master suite after washing your worries away in the very large shower that is big enough for 4 people!

110 Marbury Lane:

• Balcony Over looks the 8th Fairway of Mount Vintage Plantation’s Golf course
• 3 Car Side Entry Garage
• Large 4-Person Shower in Master Bath
• Enjoy Golf, Tennis, Swimming, Horseback Riding
• Only 20 Minutes from Augusta

Mount Vintage Plantation offers a 27-hole championship golf course, tennis complex, salt-water swimming pool, athletic club & town center, equestrian center and miles of trails.   Enjoy all that life has to offer at Mount Vintage – North Augusta SC!

View Homes on Marbury Lane in Mount Vintage Plantation | View Mount Vintage Plantation Homes for Sale

For more information on 110 Marbury Lane or any other Mount Vintage Plantation homes, please call or contact Susan MacEwen at 706-294-6795.

AUGUSTA Real Estate Agent SUSAN MacEWEN Awarded Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

AUGUSTA, GA (December 22, 2011) –SUSAN MACEWEN, a leading real estate professional with Keller Williams Realty in Augusta, GA, has been awarded the Internet Marketing Specialist designation for her proficiency in using Internet marketing strategies to help her customers market their properties throughout the Web.

Susan MacEwen is now completely trained in marketing real estate across the Internet, including on all the major search engines, social media channels, CraigsList and more – with proven strategies that drive the maximum traffic and inquiry volume to help homes get sold fast and for the highest price possible.

“The most important attribute in choosing a real estate agent today is mastery of the Web as a marketing tool for your home or property,” said Ben Kinney, founder of the Internet Marketing Specialist Designation.  “Susan has mastered the Web marketing best practices I actively use in my practice, and has differentiated herself among other real estate professionals in the market with these skills.”

About SUSAN MacEWEN

Susan MacEwen manages a top producing Augusta Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Realty Augusta Partners on Wheeler Road.  As Augusta Residential Real Estate Specialists, Susan and her team focus on military relocations and residential real estate in Georgia.

Announcing 153 Greenwood Drive in Martinez, GA 30907!

153 Greenwood Drive, Martinez GA

This lovely ranch home is located in Woodland Park subdivision in Martinez, GA is now available for sale.  This four bedroom, two bath home is located at then end of the cul-de-sac on Greenwood Drive.  This property features a fenced-in backyard that is large enough for a Saturday afternoon football game.  The interior has been recently painted and features new energy-efficient windows and beautiful frieze carpet in the family and bedrooms.

153 Greenwood Drive, Martinez GA:

• Convenient to Shopping & Dining
• Columbia County Schools
• All Brick & 1 Level
• Cul-de-sac location
• Fenced Yard

For more information on 153 Greenwood Dr or any other Martinez GA homes, please call or contact Susan MacEwen.

View Woodland Park Homes for Sale | See Martinez Real Estate

While we are all celebrating the start to a new year and looking forward to all the opportunities that it will bring, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the Augusta Real Estate Market for 2011.  The housing market continues to be in the news and on the top of people’s minds for the past couple of years and 2011 was no different.

I’m afraid to have to report that housing prices continued to decline slightly during 2011 which was expected as foreclosures continue to affect the housing market.  The biggest portion of the housing market affected here in Augusta is what we call traditional equity resale homes – which normally is someone who is selling their home and they expect to get a check at the closing for the equity they earned while owning the home.  I have to say that I saw more sellers having to come to closing with a check to write to the attorney just to get their home sold.  And that just plain stinks!  Below are the numbers for 2011.

Augusta Residential Housing Market Stats for the Year of 2011:

• 4,888 Single Family Homes Sold during 2011
• Average Days on Market was 165 days
• Longest days on Market was 1,506 days
• Median Sold Prices were 1.67% Less than Asking List Price
• Median Selling Price of a Home was $142,825

Augusta Residential Housing Market Stats for 2010:

• 4,954 Single Family Homes Sold during 2010
• Average Days on Market was 156 days
• Longest days on Market was 3,389 days (Wow!)
• Average Sold Prices were .81% Less than Asking List Price
• Median Selling Price of a Home was $145,000

Total sales for 2011 were down 1% from 2010 and with home prices also down a little over 1% from last year.  I attribute the decline in prices to the amount of foreclosures currently on the market in the Augusta market.  I also attribute the decline in Augusta home sales to changes in the mortgage industry especially with FHA loans.

The bright spot is the amount of cash purchases for 2011, which points to an increase of investors in our housing market.  Once again, more homes (2,134 total) in the $100,000 to $199,999 price range were sold in the Augusta Area which repeats the trend from 2010.  The next largest price range of homes sold in Augusta was under $100,000 (1,501 total).

For Buyers:  As you can see, the Augusta Real Estate market is still a strong buyers market.  Lots of inventory remains and interest rates continue to be at all time lows, making this a great time buy a home whether it’s for an investment or a personal residence.

For Sellers: We are still in a strong buyers market, so hold onto your home or property for at least the next year.  If you must sell, then make sure your home or property is in the best condition possible.  This market is a price war and beauty contest all at the same time!

If you need a current Market Analysis for your home or property, please give me a call or just go to What’s My Home Worth and fill in the basic information.

National Hills, An Augusta Neighborhood

National Hills Neighborhood in Augusta, GA is near the Augusta National Golf Club – home of the Masters Golf Tournament.  Homes in National Hills vary by price and design.  National Hills is within walking distance of Augusta National Golf Club making this area desirable for rental homes especially during the Masters Golf Tournament when the world comes to Augusta!

View current Homes for Sale in National Hills, Augusta GA below:

For more information about purchasing a home in National Hills, please give Susan a call at 706-294-6795.

Larkspur Landing at Lake Thurmond home sites available now!

If you are looking for Lake Thurmond Real Estate, there are 2 affordable Home Sites for Sale in Larkspur Landing on Lake Thurmond.  Spend lazy afternoons boating or fishing on the lake, exploring its forested 1,200 mile shoreline, hidden coves and over 100 islands. This remarkable lakeside lifestyle is located just 35 minutes from Augusta, Georgia’s second largest city, and an easy two-hour drive from Atlanta.

Larkspur Landing is new lakefront subdivision near the entrance to the Thomson Boat Club in Lincolnton, GA.

• Lot 12 Larkspur Lane – This is a Lake Front lot that is dock-able!  It is almost 3 full acres and has access to Clarks Hill Lake better known as Lake Thurmond.  Subdivision has underground utilities & street lights.

• Lot 13 Larkspur Lane – Enjoy over 3 acres of Lake Front property on Lake Thurmond!  This lot is Lake Front and will have dock access.  The Army Corp’s Amity Recreation Center is just around the corner with year round boat ramp.

Clarks Hill Lake, also known as Lake Strom Thurmond, is a haven for birds and wildlife– including bald eagles– home to a number of varieties of bass, crappie and bluegill.  Bring your Builder and the plan of your choice to build your Georgia Lake Home on Lake Thurmond!

For more information about Larkspur Landing or Lake Thurmond Real Estate, please contact Susan MacEwen at 706-294-6795.

Hugo Diaz, owner of De La Fuente Construction arrested

One of the biggest events for New Homes in Augusta this year was the arrest of Hugo Diaz De La Fuente and his wife Blance Miranda De Diaz for harboring and using illegal immigrants for business purposes and personal gain.  Hugo Diaz was the owner of De La Fuente Construction.  The Diaz’s along with seven other individuals, were arrested at their Jones Creek home located in Evans, GA on November 4, 2011.

The Diaz’s property, including the Jones Creek Home located on Grace Avenue, located in Evans, Augusta GA and North Augusta, SC will be forfeited and seized by the government.

This arrest has left many Augusta Home Builders and residents asking lots of questions and speculation about business practices in Augusta New Home Construction.  Over the past couple of years, new home prices have dropped significantly which many local builders claim they could not compete with prices quoted by De La Fuente Construction.

Now that De La Fuente Construction is out of business and won’t be competing for any Augusta New Home Construction projects, will this mean construction prices of new homes in Augusta will increase?  Will their be other arrests on other construction crews in the area?  We won’t know the answers to these questions right away.  You can be sure that I will be watching the pricing of New Augusta Homes.

Our market for new homes in Augusta is still very affordable and plentiful.  Home buyers still have a great selection to choose from in all styles and types of homes – from smaller, cozier homes to large, estate style homes.  There really is something for everyone when looking at new homes in Augusta, GA.

If you are considering buying a new home in Augusta or in the Augusta Area, please give Susan MacEwen a call at 706-294-6795,

Available Augusta Foreclosures

Lately we hear about Foreclosures in the news almost every day and how this is affecting the housing market nation wide.  Augusta Foreclosures are no exception and they are affecting our local Augusta real estate market.  While this situation can be bad news for those looking to sell their Augusta Home, foreclosures are good news for those looking to buy a home at a historically low price.

There are foreclosed homes in Augusta in all price ranges and neighborhoods.  Even some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Augusta – like West Lake, Jones Creek and Summerville are affected by foreclosures.

Please look through the foreclosed properties in Augusta below.  To see detailed information about a foreclosed home, just “click” on the picture.

For more information about purchasing a foreclosed home in Augusta, please give Susan a call at 706-294-6795.

Shop with a purpose at The Holiday Market in Augusta, GA!

The Holiday Market by The Junior League of Augusta kicks off today, November 18, 2011.  This Holiday shopping event will run through the weekend and features over 40 Specialty Gift Vendors and Boutiques.  This is the place to find that unique gift for those special people on your holiday shopping list!

When: November 18, 19 & 20

Where: Convention Center at the Augusta Marriott

Time: Friday – Noon to 6:00 PM, Saturday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sunday – Noon to 5:00 PM

Cost: $7.00 for All Three Days!

Other events at the Junior League of Augusta’s Holiday Market include:

Ladies Night Out!: This fun evening event is for all the ladies in the CSRA and includes live music, hors d’oeuvres provided by top restaurants and caterers in the Augusta area, beverages, and exclusive shopping at the Holiday Market!   Friday, November 18 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.  Cost is $30 in advance or $35 at the door.

Photos with Santa: Bring your little ones for a photo with Santa in his workshop beautifully decorated by Cudos! The photo session includes a CD with several photos for your next Christmas card or family photo album.  Reservations are encouraged.  November 19 from 11 am to 3 pm.  Cost is $15 in advance.

*Feel great about the gifts you share this holiday season knowing that a portion of that gift is making a difference in the life of someone in the Augusta community. Every ticket purchased promotes the Junior League of Augusta, Georgia’s mission to support the community by improving the lives of women and children.  So come on out and Support Your Community and Shop at the Holiday Market!