The good news:  Athens, Georgia's housing statistics for the 1st half of 2007 as compared with the 1st half of 2006 - show signs of being mostly stable in average sales price!  Six out of 13 areas show an increase in average sales price.Only two out of 13 areas compared show a significant decrease in average sales price.Five out of 13 areas show minimal change in average sales price.Great News:  Area 3 - Winterville, Area 6 - Five Points in Athens, and Area 13 - Oglethorpe County, have had an increased number of sales in the first half of the year. The not so great news:  The number of homes sold in the first half of the year 2007 versus the number of homes sold in the first half of 2006 has decreased in 10 out of 13 areas in and around Athens, GA.Six of the areas measured have had over... 07/16/2007

As regular readers will have noted by now, I like occasionally to spotlight some of the fabulous small cities and towns across America, places that offer all the conveniences for a modern lifestyle, but that haven't lost the small-town sense of community. Today's spotlight falls on Athens, Georgia, a small city of some 100,000 locatd about an hour from Atlanta, and home to the University of Georgia.  With a total of over 33,000 graduate and undergraduate students, the university insures that Athens has a thriving intellectual and cultural life. Rolling Stone magazine considers Athens to be the "#1 College Music Scene in America," and the New York Times named Athens "Live Music Central." Athfest, in late June, attracts over 100 bands that play on indoor and outdoor stages throughout the ... 07/16/2007

It's hot, it's really hot in Athens, Georgia this summer, so pack the kids in the car and head out for some great ice cream in and around town today!Welcome Water Wheel Ice Cream to Athens, GA.  Located on Highway 72, East (also known as Hull Road) this new addition to ice cream in Athens, GA features homemade ice cream that is slow churned by the turning water wheel outside!  Eddie Carroll of Royston is the owner and the phone number is (706) 369-5822.The peach ice cream with fresh fruit is fantastic and several of our kids have gone back for more Peanut Butter milk shakes.  The Water Wheel also serves specials that features hot dogs, chili dogs, homemade cole slaw, and baked beans.  The day we visited, they were extremely busy and trying to get organized, but everyone had a smile on t... 07/11/2007

Sometimes the scenery in Athens, Georgia is just a little surreal, but great times are had by all! It's the lake or bust!  Madison County, Georgia resident Jeff Faw decides that even if the truck isn't running quite right....he's going to the lake even if he has to drive the lawnmower to get there!    The Athens Georgia counter culture - underground is alive and well!  Here is just one of the rebel cars seen on the roads in downtown Athens, Georgia.  This group of University of Georgia students take functional art to new levels!  The owner of this car titled it "Heaven & Hell".       The new Chick Filet Restaraunt opened at Alp Road in Athens Georgia this week and the herd of cows was out to greet everyone!  Local resident, Matthew McFadden hangs out with the herd to get free breakfast ... 06/26/2007

Athens, Georgia is a vibrant and sophisticated small city awash in Southern charm and hospitality, and located just below the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This university town of just over 100,000 residents boasts strong Southern heritage and almost limitless contemporary entertainment. A stroll through the picturesque restored downtown, or along the historic districts full of ante-bellum and Victorian homes will thrill history buffs, while Broadway fans will enjoy the dramatic productions and world-renowned musc scene. Outdoor enthusiasts love the Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, the North Oconee River Greenway, and Sandy Creek Nature Center and Sandy Creek Park.   Athens is a truly affordable place to live, as well. While browsing Athens homes online, I discover... 06/22/2007

Athens GA Website Spotlight Submitted by: Kimberly Grant, Huntsville Real Estate Agent Huntsville Real Estate BlogI viewed another great website today.  Now, it is my pleasure to bring you another website spotlight.  This website belongs to Athens, Georgia Real Estate Broker, Michelle DeRepentigny.  She is also a licensed real estate appraiser and co-owner of a company with her husband.  She is a dynamic professional representing clients with over 12 years of real estate brokerage experience specializing in: New ConstructionRelocationAffordable HousingCommerical & Investment PropertiesAnyone looking for information on Athens, GA and surrounding areas will definitely want to check out her website at AllAboutAthensGA.com ASAP.  She is a native of the area and brings the love of her hometo... 06/19/2007

Today as I was searching for properties in North Georgia area I came across Success Realty, an informative and easy to navigate real estate website.If you're planning to sell your property, buy a home, purchase a residential income property, commercial property, or buy land in Athens Ga the realtors at Success Realty are the agents you have been looking for. The Realtors at Success Realty are led by their Broker Michelle DeRepentigny who is also a Georgia Certified Residential Appraiser (License #6547). Michelle has put together a Relocation Package that you can request by visiting the Success Realty website. Also, if you are planning on moving to Athens or surrounding areas this website is packed with local information.Michelle's seller's not only get the benefit of her services as an ... 06/05/2007

The Athens-Clarke board made it offical Monday regarding turning over the Navy Supply Corps School campus on Prince Avenue in Athens, Georiga to the University of Georgia.  The Navy School Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) voted unanimously to approve a plan to turn the Navy school into a medical campus. Several members accused UGA of secrecy and said they should be held accountable for what they build on the Prince Avenue base.  The agreement gives Athens-Clarke officials and neighborhood residents no power to approve of any changes UGA might make to its plans, UGA is only required to inform two Local Redevelopment Authority  members of any changes.Some citizens of Athens-Clarke County are upset about "giving" the Univeristy of Georgia even more of the land mass in Athens-Clarke Coun... 06/04/2007

  The most anticipated annual music event in Athens Georgia is AthFest and it open on June 20, 2007 in downtown Athens and runs through June 24, 2007.  Athens is the well known home to music groups REM, The B52's & Widespread Panic.  The Athens music scene has many  rising music stars who will participate in the AthFest!"AthFest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit annual music and arts festival in downtown Athens, Georgia that largely showcases the Athens area musical and artistic community. Much of AthFest is free while wristbands or cover charges are required for certain events. AthFest's mission is to educate citizens and visitors about music and arts in general, and about Athens music and arts in particular", according to the AthFest organizers.AthFest features musicans of all types from punk... 05/11/2007

Summer is coming and so are the days of wondering what to do with your family in Athens, Georgia!  The Athens Clarke County Leisure Services Department takes play very seriously and has activity, clubs and services for everyone.  Check them out at the link above and here are a few of my favorite for the upcoming summerACC Skate Park at SE Clarke Park:  The SPLOST 2000 funded skate park is designed to accommodate both skate boards and BMX bikes The park features two main components including a bowl ranging from five to ten feet in depth and approximately 4,500 square feet in size. The second component is a street course including ramps, grinding edges, and rails, steps, and other unique features. This skate park is constructed entirely of either poured in-place concrete or shotcrete and ... 05/01/2007

Planning a quick trip to Athens, Georgia or considering relocation?  Here is a list of links to make your visit even easier!The Flagpole's Restaurant Guide is one of the most all inclusive list with great reviews included.  Find all things food here!  Their main page will also lead you to tons of information on art and music events. Explore these before heading to Athens!  Visiting in June?  Don't miss AthFest, our "annual music and arts festival in downtown Athens, Georgia that largely showcases the Athens area musical and artistic community".The Athens Welcome Center has tons of brochures, including 5 self guided tours.  Alternatively you can join the Historic Tour which is a "90 minute guided tour of Athens that departs daily from the Welcome Center at 2:00. Your tour will begin in t... 04/22/2007

Neal Bloom's Man's best friend brought up a subject that is hard to discuss, that of euthanasia for sick pets and when it should take place and how to react after you make that decision.  I had to make that very difficult decision not once, but twice last year and am still grieving.Rosie was a Boxer mix who was rescued from the Augusta GA animal control facility after being used to hunt pigs (she was surrendered because she wasn't aggressive enough!) and was full grown when we got her.  She lived with us and blessed our lives for 16 years.  When they were younger and smaller my kids used Rosie to pull their wagon's around the farm.  She loved to swim in the creek and chased anything that moved.  Last summer she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.  After being on Lasix and sever... 04/22/2007

If you, like me, really dislike staying in a cold, impersonal hotel room and are feeling adventurous, you may want to explore the world of Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Locations in and around Athens, Georgia when you come to visit or shop for real estate in Athens, GA.Here are some of the Bed & Breakfast locations in and around Athens, Georgia:Grand Oaks Bed & Breakfast, formerly know as the Nicholson House is a an 1820's Historic Inn about 5 miles from downtown Athens, GA.  "Located on 34 splendid acres and well off the road, the rocking chairson the verandah beckon you to relax and unwind with the sights and sounds of nature. The grounds boast springs with a nature walk through the majestic forest, a secluded lake, and vast rolling fields. Congenial deer and wildlife abound. Don't miss the e... 04/15/2007

Signs of a state housing crisis:To pay fair market rent in the more rural areas of  Georgia, an individual must earn $8.35 per hour and work 40 hours a week. The 19 percent of Georgians in non-metro Georgia who work in retail or agriculture earn less on average.  Someone earning $30,000 a year can afford a home costing no more than $86,800. The average sale price of a new home in Georgia is $157,801. Georgia households with combined yearly incomes of less than $30,000 number 1.05 million.  About 86 percent of the employees surveyed had no knowledge of numerous programs for poor and first-time home buyers.  Source: UGA Housing and Demographics Research Center What to do about it in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia?   A study conducted by the Athens-Clarke County Department of Human and Econ... 04/12/2007

 "Athens-Clarke County had been named the second safest city in Georgia, behind only the metropolitan Atlanta community of Roswell, in the Kansas-based Morgan Quitno Press annual ranking. The ranking, based on FBI crime statistics, further noted that Athens-Clarke is the 136th safest city in the country, up significantly from last year's 158th-place showing."  Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 11/06/06 Georgia's Sex Offender Registry PageInformation on crime statistics in the Athens, GA metro including the counties of Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison & Oconee:  GBI Crime Statistics for Clarke County during 2005Number of crimes by offenseMonthMurderRapeRobberyAssaultBurglaryLarcenyVehicle TheftJanuary158159437727February 037166034525March 038175540031April 1310157440825May ... 04/07/2007

                              Consumer ResourcesThe Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (Department) is the state agency that regulates and examines state-chartered banks, state-chartered credit unions, and state-chartered trust companies. The Department also has regulatory and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers, lenders and processors, check cashers, sale of check companies, money transmitters, international banking organizations, and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia. This section of the Department's website is intended to provide various consumer-oriented information pertaining to the institutions and industries regulated by the Department.The subject of your inquiry page replaces consumer frequently asked questions and provides an index of various... 04/02/2007

                     Here is what you need to know about mortgage insurance tax deductibilityFirst, I am the owner of Classic City Mortgage in Athens, Georgia. I am not a tax advisor or an attorney.  Please consult them regarding your particular circumstance.  This is for informative purposes only. In December of 2006, the United States Congress voted to make private mortgage insurance(PMI) premiums tax deductible for the first time in 2007.  They were addressing the issue of housing affordability for home-buyers.  Affordable Housing is a continuing challenge in our country.  Currently, the median home price in the United States is $221,000.  This means that a down payment of more than $40,000 is needed to put down the traditional 20%.  Georgia'smedian home price is almost $154,000 whic... 03/30/2007

Five Points, Athens, Georgia has historically been one of the most desired neighborhoods where charm & convenience meet.  Five Points is know to be a "walking community" convenient to shopping, restaurants, entertainment and historically appealing homes.  The community of Five Points borders the south & southwest sides of The University of Georgia and is home to many student rentals and many single family residences.  The Friends of Five Points is a association of homeowners from the area whose mission is "... to further the safety and quality of life in the Five Points area".This community is home to one of Athens Georgia's premier shopping districts.  Visit Five Points to view an interactive map and learn more about some of the fanciful boutiques, exclusive interior appointments, grea... 03/28/2007

Georgia Museum of Art: On View in AprilLocation : Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., UGA Campus, Athens, GA The April 2007 Schedule:Modern Threads: Fashion and Art by Mariska KaraszThrough April 15The first exhibition in over 40 years to focus solely on this important fashion designer and artist.Wild Ride: Artistic Lessons of Nature by Eric Strauss Through April 22An outdoor exhibition of steel sculptures from found objects.Master of Fine Arts Degree Candidates ExhibitionApril 7 - May 6Works by students in the MFA program at UGA's Lamar Dodd School of Art.The Jackleg TestamentJay Bolotin's version of the creation story, told through multimedia.GALLERY HOURS: Tue., Thur., Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m. Closed Mon.  Admission is FREE!  No fees are cha... 03/26/2007

Abbey Road LiveWhen:  Friday, March 30, 2007Time of Event : Doors at 6PM Music at 8PM Location : The Melting Point 295 E. Dougherty St Athens, GA 30601 Advance Tickets $10 (conv fee $1.50) Day of show tickets $12 An Abbey Road LIVE! show generally consists of a rocking rendition of the late-period Beatles recording, along with a second set of rarely heard Beatles' gems. Pulling material from albums such as Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, and The White Album, the band always delights its audiences with selections from its repertoire of more than 80 Beatles tunes! Contact : 706-549-7020 http://tickets.meltingpointathens.com  "The Melting Point is an intimate concert venue located in the beautiful Foundry Park Inn & Spa in Athens, Ga - widely known as the live music capital of the South... 03/26/2007