Fun Things Going on - Seafood Festival

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Real Estate

 

Good news,  John was able to help Mom get an insurance inspector out to the house (and get a report) which he was able to give to the Insurance Adjuster and then to the Fema Adjuster.  He also get the City out to view her collapsing seawall.  It's starting to eat at her sprinkler system.  He even got a roofer out for a quote.  He got home at almost midnight last and and is wrung out.  James was doing the bulk of the clean up and hauling duties and is in about the same shape.  At least mom is mostly organized and has all the basics to run the house.  Prayers to all those who are struggling after this terrible storm.

On a side note, I have attached an interesting article at the end of the email regarding the Real Estate market shift from a Seller's market to a Buyer's market in case you are interested.

I hope you were able to get to some of the excellent events last weekend.  Not to worry, if you didn't there are lots more going on this week.

Hay Days

Tue Oct 11th, Wed Oct 12th,Thur Oct 13th, Fri Oct 14th, Sat Oct 15th, Sun Oct 16th
 
St. Marys Welcome Center400 Osborne St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

hay days 3

Hay Days begin in St. Marys with scarecrows and fall decorations taking over the historic downtown district for this annual event. Located just minutes east of Kingsland, event activities include: Build-A-Scarecrow Event, where participants come out and build their own scarecrow to take home or display downtown; The Scarecrow Stroll includes a family evening downtown visiting merchants who provide treats, activities and free hayrides down the main street.

Great activities for kids of all ages! For more information contact the St. Marys Welcome Center at 912-882-4000.

Sat Oct 15th 9:00am - 6:00pm
 
Saint Marys StreetSt Marys St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

st. marys seafood

 
Come on down for the St. Marys Seafood Festival & Cumberland Island National Seashore 5oth Anniversary Commemoration Kick-Off Event!!! The October 15th "St. Marys Seafood Festival" brings a full day of family fun in St. Marys, including a 5K and 10K run, a themed 10:00 a.m. parade featuring floats, fire trucks, tractors, and golf carts, and, of course, seafood concessionaires. You’ll also find entertainment, demonstrations, arts & crafts vendors, and more. Cumberland Island National Seashore Commemorates 50 Years this month! Check out some of the NPS activities taking place during the Cumberland Island National Seashore 5oth Anniversary Kick-off Event during the Seafood Festival.
 
 
A favorite part of the day will be the food! The restaurants will be offering seafood festival specials and there will be food trucks and vendors with sensational seafood fare. The Kiwanis Club will have a booth with several seafood choices.
 
 
The festival is on the waterfront in St. Marys historic district and offers visitors a relaxing small-town feel. *All times and activities are subject to change. The festival schedule is tentatively as follows:
7:00 a.m. ~ 5K / 10K Run Start
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ~ Vendors
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ~ NPS Colonial Encampment at St. Marys Waterfront Park
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ~ Activities & Demonstrations on the NPS Visitor Center Lawn
10:00 a.m. ~ Parade Begins with Grand Marshal NPS Superintendent Gary Ingram
11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ~ Piper Band at St. Marys Waterfront Park for NPS Program Welcome
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ~ NPS Program on the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of Cumberland Island National Seashore with Colors and national anthem by CCHS NJROTC & Volume One Choir, Welcome from Superintendent Gary Ingram, and Presentations by Dignitaries
12:30 p.m. ~ Geechee Gullah Shouters at the Amphitheatre
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ~ Musket Firing/ Black Powder Demonstrations at the St. Marys Waterfront Park
11:15 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ~ Various Community Entertainment
 
 
If you’re planning on attending, advance registration is encouraged for the 5K/10K runs and is mandatory for vendors and parade entrants.
The St. Marys Seafood Festival is organized by the Kiwanis Club of St. Marys and has formerly been known as the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival. The festival is supported by the City of St. Marys and area sponsors. Festival proceeds are spent locally to fund Kiwanis youth programs in Camden County.
 
For more information on the festival, visit smkiwanis.com.

Cumberland Island National Seashore 50th Anniversary Kick-off

Sat Oct 15th 10:00am
 
101 Wheeler St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

cumberland

Join Cumberland Island National Seashore as they kick-off a year-long series of events commemorating their 50th anniversary as a park!
 
The NPS will kick-off their celebration with the 10:00 a.m. St. Marys Seafood Festival parade, where Gary Ingram, Superintendent, will serve as Grand Marshal. Following the parade, you are welcome to immerse yourself in Cumberland Island related demonstrations and activities on the lawn of the NPS Visitor Center.
 
Mark your calendar to join the next commemoration event on October 23rd with a 2:00 p.m. presentation by Lary Dilsaver at the College of Coastal Georgia, Camden Center.
 
For more information: (912) 882-4336 or www.nps.gov/cuis

Incacheetoo Petting Zoo Fall Family Fun

Sat Oct 15th 11:00am - 6:00pm, Sun Oct 16
 
Incacheetoo Petting Zoo161 Boston Way W, Waverly, GA 31565, USA map 

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It’s that time again and we are so excited! Incacheetoo Petting Zoo will open for the Fall season on September 24th weekend!

Hours: 11am-6pm on Saturdays, and 1pm-6pm on Sundays!
What’s new? We are excited to announce that they have added a Parakeet Retreat, a kids archery and axe throwing area, and gem stone mining. Camel rides will be set for designated times this year. Camel rides on Saturdays will begin at 12:30pm and end at approximately 4:30pm. On Sundays, Camel rides will be from 1pm-4:30pm.
Visit https://loom.ly/FYkD3KU for updates and information.

 

Low County Boil and Fish Fry Fundraiser at VFW Post 8385

Sat Oct 15th 5:00pm
 
150 Camden Woods Pkwy, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map 

low country

Join Patsey and Patricia at the VFW Post 8385, as they host a Low County Boil and Fish Fry to support Female Veteran Programs in the state of Georgia. Come out for a wonderful evening of food and fellowship. Music will be provided.

For more information: (912) 729-7933

Music in the Park - Roger Hurricane Wilson & the Cumberland Sound Effect

Sat Oct 15th 6:00pm - 8:00pm
 
Howard Gilman Waterfront Park200 St Marys St W, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

music in the park hurricane

This is the last concert of the 2022 Music in the Park series and is a rebook of the canceled June concert! We are glad to welcome back 2015 Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Roger “Hurricane” Wilson & the Cumberland Sound Effect, with Jerry Lee and Jeff Malone for the 6-8pm performance at the St. Marys Waterfront Park. Music in the Park is always a free event.
 
“Hurricane” is a well-known Atlanta based blues guitarist with over 20 CDs to his credit. Together with St. Marys’ own Jerry Lee and Fernandina’s Jeff Malone you’ll hear a variety of blues favorites throughout the event.
 
You’ll want to bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for a relaxing evening. We invite you to visit downtown for an early dinner or to bring a picnic to enjoy.
 
For more information go to VisitStMarys.com or call the St. Marys Welcome Center at 912-882-4000.
 

Kingsland Station Comedy with Comic Nathan Wallace & Friends

Sat Oct 15th 8:00pm
 
440 S Lee St, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map 

ks comedy

Join us for an evening of fun and laughter at Kingsland Station, the Royal District's newest entertainment venue. Enjoy some of your favorite libations from the bar as we laugh along with Nathan Wallace & Friends.

 

Weekly List of Live Music & DJ's

Sun Oct 9th - Sat 15th
 
 

1009 - 1015  live music & dj's

Here's what's happening in the music scene this week around our area.

Join us for great local talent, as well as a very active night life.

Come on out for a good time and some great music!

 

Weekly List of Trivia & Bingo

Sun Oct 9th - Sat 15th
 
 

_1009 - 1015 - Trivia & Bingo

Here's a list of where to go for Trivia & Bingo this week in our area.

Come out for a good time and some great fun!

 

Camden PSA Ballroom Dance Classes - Country 2-Step Classes

Wed Oct 12th 5:30pm - 6:30pm
 
 

psa dance classes

Ballroom dance classes are back at Camden PSA starting August 8!!
 
Some of you have been anxiously awaiting the fall series where you can learn the Waltz, Bachata, and the Country 2-Step from your favorite ballroom instructors from Ballroom On Amelia.
 
The series will kick off on August 8 with an extended “date night” including a dessert bar and preview of all three dances. The series will end with a masquerade ball, a night of dancing and hors d’oeuvres, on October 29 just in time for Halloween.
 
Details:
August 8-31 - Waltz
September 5-28 - Bachata
October 3-26 - Country 2-Step
 
Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30-6:30pm in the Camden PSA Communtiy Room.
PSA Members: $80/month
Non-members: $100/month
Drop-in: $20/class
Each month (8 classes) will focus on one dance style.
The masquerade ball is FREE if you join the full 12 week/3 month series!
 
Email ahensley@camdenpsa.com or call 912.729.5600 for more information.
Sign up at the Camden PSA front desk!
 

Pool Tournament at Cumberland Breeze Bar & Bites

Wed Oct 12th 7:30pm - 11:00pm
 
Cumberland Breeze Bar and Bites2710 Osborne Rd, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

pool tourn

Pool Tournament tonight! $10 buy in, with the cash prize based on the pot! Registration starts at 7:30pm.
 
Cumberland Breeze offers the biggest bar in Saint Marys! Featuring live music, djs, dancing, karaoke, ladies night, pool tournaments, bites and more, so be sure to check it out!
No smoking is allowed in the main bar. You must be 21+ to enter.
 
Come enjoy the Breeze! You'll be glad you did!

Big Splash Gala 2022 - Crooked River State Park

Fri Oct 14th 6:00pm - 10:00pm
 
Crooked River State Park6222 Charlie Smith Sr Hwy, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

big splash

This is our biggest fundraising event of the year to help support our advocacy, outreach, and citizen science programs. Join us at 6:00pm for live music from Firewater Tent Revival, an outstanding silent auction and raffle, a delicious lowcountry boil, door prize, and MORE all to celebrate the St. Marys River and support St. Marys Riverkeeper.

As development explodes throughout the St. Marys River watershed, the need to regularly test the water quality grows in urgency. Without the support of our members and sponsors, our beautiful black water river would be vulnerable to pollution and degradation. Don’t miss this opportunity to TOAST to the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and celebrate our successes to ensure we all have a healthy and thriving St. Marys River. We look forward to seeing all of our friends there!

all of the Swamp - Live Theatre

Fri Oct 14th 7:00pm
 
Theatre by the Trax1000 Osborne St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

 

call of.webpThis original musical dramedy takes you back to the late 50s when swamp dwellers were asked to relocate in order for the government to expand the wildlife refuge. Nadine Mooney, whose family were original swamp settlers, doesn't take kindly to the government's efforts. The show opens with Nadine sitting on her shack porch with her shotgun cocked and aimed at Feds. From there, the roller coaster ride begins with mystery, intrigue, laughter and history woven together to deliver a rich tapestry of great entertainment. In addition to Mooney and her wannabe sweetheart, Tommy Lee, you've got your red neck sheriff, a swamp witch, some moonshiners, and dancing alligators--anything can happen at St. Marys Little Theatre and Theatre by the Trax!

For more information: 954-290-9873

Walking Tour: The St. Marys River and Its Tumultuous Past

Sat Oct 15th
 
209 Osborne St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map 

tour

Smugglers. Pirates. Invaders...
 
While the lifeblood of the town, the St. Marys River has also been the scene of much violence and lawlessness. On this 45-minute walking tour, discover the tumultuous relationship between St. Marys and its river, as well as the history of local shrimping and the St. Marys Seafood Festival!
 
Duration: 45 minutes
 
Tour Times: 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
 
Price: $10 per adult
$5 per child
(Buy online or pay cash at the door)
 
• Gain exclusive access to the historic Goodbread House to discover its original owner's connection to the river.
• Take in the beautiful St. Marys River and learn who traveled this waterway, from enemy soldiers to smugglers and more.
• Stroll the Waterfront Park and learn how this peaceful spot was not so peaceful in centuries past!
• Finish with a view and discussion of St. Marys' picturesque marsh!
 

Wild West Train Ride

Sat Oct 15th
 
Georgia Coastal Railway440 S Lee St, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map 

wild west

Turning back the hands of time, journey to the old West in open-air rail cars where you're put you in the middle of an old-fashioned six gun shootout.

Fun for the entire family.

Choose from three boarding times: 12:00pm, 2:15pm, or 4:30pm

For more information: (904) 370-3744 or https://TheGeorgiaTrain.

Meet the Monsters Train Ride

Sat Oct 15th
 
Georgia Coastal Railway440 S Lee St, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map 

monsters

Gather up the kids and board the train to “Meet the Monsters” in this family friendly, interactive train ride. They’ll see that not all monsters are bad guys, some just want to be your friend.
 
Join us on a fun-filled 75-minute train ride on our open-air cars, and have a blast doing the Monster Mash with happy monsters ready to sing, dance, and share some candy.
 
Make sure to wear a COSTUME!
 
Note: This excursion is suitable for “children” aged 0 – 1000 years old and friendly monsters only!
 
Choice of two boarding times: 2:00pm or 4:00pm.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuyers Suddenly Calling the Shots

Prepare for a buyer’s market? In many areas of the U.S., it’s already here. Contingencies are not only back, more buyers seem to cancel deals for fairly thin reasons.

NEW YORK – Real estate agent Shay Stein remembers not too long ago when buyers pledged to name their firstborn after homeowners to get to the closing table.

Now, buyers are increasingly asking for closing costs, repairs or, in some cases, insist on the availability of street parking or they’ll walk, Stein and other agents say.

“Last year, they were making offers within two hours of the house being listed, and now they’re visiting the home multiple times and asking for all kinds of things,” says Stein, a Las Vegas real estate agent. “It’s like whiplash.”

It’s a change for buyers – and a rude awakening for some sellers – prompted by a slowing real estate market where available houses sit longer and sellers cut prices as interest rates rise.

Nationwide, roughly 64,000 home purchase agreements fell through in August, equal to 15.2% of homes that went under contract that month. The percentage has now hovered around 15% for the past three months, according to a recently released Redfin report.

Existing home sales fell 0.4% in August, marking the seventh straight month of declines and sliding 20% from the same month a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Meanwhile, the median home price, while still rising 7.7% in August on a year-over-year basis, fell 6% in the past two months.

“The pendulum has swung the other way,” Stein says. “Now the buyers want all of the reassurances and contingencies.”

Why are buyers backing out?

Rising mortgage rates are the biggest reason, experts say. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 6.07% for the week ending Sept. 29, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. This time last year, the rate stood at 3.01%.

According to the report, homebuyers were most likely to back out of deals in Sun Belt cities that surged in popularity and price during the pandemic, such as Phoenix, Tampa, and Las Vegas.

In the past few months, Stein says, she has heard every excuse.

“They’ll say, ‘I checked the school district, I don’t like them anymore. I didn’t realize that this room was so small,” she says. “Or they back out because the home is old.”

Las Vegas agents Michele Dugan and Trish Morgan-Tilley say would-be out-of-town buyers scoop up multiple properties sight unseen and “choose or lose” when they arrive. They estimate that 20% to 30% of buyers now exercise contingency options.

“They pick one property and reject the others, baling on the littlest things, like if something isn’t fixed,” Dugan says.

Morgan-Tilley says one buyer backed out after learning the garbage disposal had a small leak, an easy fix. But the buyer “made a mountain out of a molehill.” And the buyer didn’t offer the seller a chance to fix it.

And, of course, some buyers give the all-too-common big one, she says: “I just really don’t like it.”

Chasing ‘the bigger, better deal’

Shauna Pendleton, a Realtor in Boise, Idaho, saw her client’s contract fall apart when the buyer insisted on getting a credit of $7,000 on the agreed-upon purchase price to do some repairs themselves.

The buyer cited a leaky AC condenser and some floor damage.

The sellers disagreed with the buyer’s assessment of the repairs and dug in their heels.

“The buyer walked away,” she says. “Every single house that I’ve closed in the last few months have asked for inspections, and there are anywhere from 10 to as much as like 20 items that the buyer wanted fixed. And they’re little things like teeny tiny little things that don’t affect living in the house.”

Morgan-Tilley says one buyer in Vegas fled after seeing a homeowners association rule about parking.

“He said: ‘Oh, but I have to park on the street. It’s a must,’” Morgan-Tilley says, laughing at the recollection.

It’s not uncommon for a buyer to be at an inspection and see that three new homes at better price points have popped up, Stein says. “There’s also the bigger, better deal mentality,” Stein says. “I think buyers are driven by fear and uncertainty, and the inspection is just the easiest thing to use.”

Pendleton says one prospective buyer insisted that the seller replace a light bulb in the bathroom inside the master bedroom. Another demanded the dusty and slightly grimy glass panel covering a gas fireplace be replaced or cleaned so that it was “crystal clear.”

“If you’ve been under contract for two weeks, given how quickly the market changes, the seller doesn’t want to go back on the market,” she says. “So the buyer knows that they can get away with asking for these things.”

What does waiving a contingency mean?

The recent ultra-competitive housing market forced buyers to waive inspection or financing contingencies – conditions required to be met before the home is purchased – and make decisions that may not have been in their best interest.

An in-person housing inspection may be a lifesaver for buyers, said Suzi Dailey, a real estate agent based in Southern California. She said her clients, a couple with three kids who recently sold their $2 million home to buy a bigger house at a similar price range. They were in escrow but backed out of a deal in August after an inspection revealed a neighbor’s shed and fence were 15 to 20 feet over on their would-be property.

“That’s a substantial amount,” Dailey said. “So we asked the seller, ‘Can you work this out for us?’ Because as a buyer, you don’t want to get into any legal problems.”

Dailey said her clients wanted the seller to get it taken care of either through an easement (permitted use of someone’s property) that would slightly reduce the selling price, create a redrawn property line, or move the fence and shed back.

“The seller refused to make any changes, so my clients walked away. The seller was astonished,” Dailey says, adding that her client is living in a rental home as they continue looking. “Making fixes can make a huge difference – in some cases, a multimillion dollar difference.”

What’s a seller to do?

Sellers can help get buyers (and themselves) to the closing table. Get a pre-inspection prior to listing and complete needed repairs and service HVAC systems, Pendleton says.

“Sellers should expect a buyer to ask for repairs, even if minor, and be willing to make the requested repairs as buyers are not negotiating inspection items right now,” Pendleton says. “They want it all done.”

Be flexible when it comes to buyers’ requests during an inspection or appraisal, Stein says. “Not taking it personally and understanding the buyer’s perspective helps cooler heads prevail – leading to more successful closings.”

Some sellers may just have to wait it out. Dugan recalls a client who took his downtown Vegas condo off the market after going through four failed deals – all because buyers kept exercising their contingency option.

“He fell victim over, over and over again, just as we were getting close,” Dugan says. “Finally, he said ‘Let’s just wait a while.’”

Copyright 2022, USATODAY.com, USA TODAY

October 2022
REAL ESTATE NEWS
Brought to you by Cathy Holman
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Feeling Left Out? How to Save For Your First Home
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When the Federal Reserve dropped interest rates in 2020, the real estate market became flooded with new buyers looking to take advantage of low rates to lock in a mortgage. While interest rates have increased since that time, a large number of buyers still enter the market on a daily basis. If you're feeling left out and believe that buying a home is right for you, your main goal should be to increase your savings to the point you can afford your first home. Here are some tips on how to save for your first home.

Identify Your Budget
Before you start saving money, you should first identify your budget. Knowing the amount of money you must save may give you the structure you need to set aside a certain amount in savings every month. Determine how much you're able to afford when buying a home, which can be done with a mortgage affordability calculator.

Identify Your Budget

While a down payment of 20% will allow you to avoid private mortgage insurance, it's possible to purchase a home with a down payment of as little as 3-5%. Every lender and lending program has different requirements. You should also take closing costs and moving costs into account when calculating your budget.

Reduce Your Expenses
Once you've set a budget, you can then work on reducing your monthly expenses. Let's say that you currently have three subscriptions to services like Netflix and HBO Max. If you can excise two of these subscriptions, you'll start saving a small amount of money every month. To effectively reduce expenses, list every expense you currently have. Anything you don't need at the moment could be removed from your monthly expenses.

Pay Down Remaining Debt
Along with reducing your expenses, it's also highly recommended that you take steps to pay down any remaining debt you have. While it might seem unwise to spend your money to pay down debt, doing so will improve your credit score, which should help you net a lower mortgage interest rate. It might also allow you to get rid of expenses if you currently pay bills on a monthly basis for some of this debt.

Pick Up a Side Job
In the current economy, getting a side job is easier than it's ever been. Some common side jobs include:
  • Freelance work as a musician, writer, artist, or photographer
  • Drive for Lyft or Uber
  • Test websites and apps for usability issues
  • Walk pets
Automate Savings
One way to control your monthly spending is by automating your savings. You can call your bank and ask them to set an automatic withdrawal that goes from your main account to a savings account. If managing your money is sometimes challenging for you, this option can be highly effective.

Saving for your first home might feel like an arduous and impossible task. However, all it requires is for you to take some small yet effective steps to build your savings. Once you've set a budget, you can get started on reducing your expenses, paying down debt, and even picking up a side job.
Five Secrets to Successful House Flipping
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If you're looking to invest in real estate as a house flipper, you have the potential to earn high returns on your investment. However, successfully flipping homes is challenging. When you don't have experience with this type of investment, there's a good chance that you'll make mistakes. Here are five secret skills and tips that should allow you to reduce your mistakes and successfully flip homes.

Be Careful When Completing a Sizable Remodel
Taking on a sizable project can be an appealing opportunity. However, large projects also have more points of failure that could lead to substantial losses. Large remodels invariably take up a considerable amount of resources and time. Your contractors may also become frustrated with working on this type of project. Always be careful with sizable remodels. Try to plan everything out before making the investment to reduce the potential for costly mistakes.

Make Sure You Have Enough Funds
If you need to take out a loan to invest in a home, you'll need around 20-25% of the home's value for the down payment. Costs can add up quickly when repairing and upgrading a home, so make sure you have a contingency fund on hand to handle unexpected costs.

Search for Discounted Properties
While you can certainly find homes to purchase from standard real estate listings, these listings mainly consist of livable homes that are already in good condition. If you want to find discounted properties that can be remodeled and flipped for a decent profit, consider focusing on:
  • Local auctions
  • Wholesalers
  • Foreclosure listings
Contact a Professional When Needed
Many house flippers will attempt to perform renovations and repairs on their own to keep costs down. Doing so, however, may result in you cutting corners. The types of projects that you might be able to perform include replacing existing carpet, installing drywall, painting walls, and removing wallpaper.
Know when to call in the pros
If you find that you're taking on a repair or renovation that's too complicated for you, don't hesitate to get in touch with a contractor. This option should be less expensive and time-consuming than attempting the renovations on your own.

Prioritize the Most Important Improvements
It's highly recommended that you prioritize the most important improvements when flipping a home. First, focus on essential repairs. If you miss out on repairing a malfunctioning HVAC system or other appliances, you could lose a sale.

You should also consider performing renovations that match the latest trends, which could involve installing an energy-efficient appliance or outfitting the home with a smart home system. The right changes can add a considerable amount of value to the property.

Flipping a home is never easy. These tips and suggestions should give you the skills you require to turn an old and worn-down property into a beautiful home that earns you high profits.
QUESTIONS? VISIT HolmanSellHomes.com