Now we come to the really busy time of year - The HOLIDAYS. For the next two months it seems a constant balancing act between work, family and fun. Fun, unfortunately, too often gets left off the list. John and I just finished a visit with Mom - who is doing incredibly well. Two weeks post surgery and she is driving (yes, I am scared to death, but at her age, she can make her own decisions). The In-Home therapist has cleared her to continue her therapy at the local YMCA (about two miles from her home). She still tires easily, but looks great.
So now we have stopped in at Universal for a belated birthday celebration. We had a very excellent first day ending up at the Portofino Spa for a treatment and some time in the Hot Tub. The bit fly in the ointment is it looks like Tropical Storm Nicole is heading our way and may kill the rest of the trip.:( Ever Onward.
For those of us home and looking for something fun to do, here is what is going on around town this weekend:
Thu Nov 10th 6:00pm - 7:15pm
400 Osborne St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map
What better way to feel Halloween chills than by strolling St. Marys to learn about REAL murder and mayhem?
On this one-hour walking tour, view beautiful historic buildings - such as Orange Hall and the First Presbyterian Church - connected with an assassination plot, a deadly cane fight, a gruesome theft, and more!
Then let's make our own mayhem at Seagle's Saloon, which will offer exclusively for our guests Happy Hour prices and spooky Halloween cocktails, such as “Lucifer’s Dream,” “Embalming Fluid,” and “Beetle Juice!”
Price: $10 per adult, $5 per child
Fri Nov 11th
200 E King Ave, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map
Save the date!!! On Friday, November 11, VFW will host their annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony in downtown Kingsland.
Veterans Day is an opportunity for individuals and organizations across the country to show their support and appreciation for veterans. Hope to see you there!
For more information: (912) 729-7933
Wed Nov 9th 7:30pm - 11:00pm
Cumberland Breeze Bar and Bites, 2710 Osborne Rd, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map
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!
Fri Nov 11th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Woodbine Opry, 205 Camden Ave, Woodbine, GA 31569, USA map
Enjoy live on-stage all acoustic Bluegrass, Gospel & Classic Country Music at the Woodbine Opry.
Come join the jam session every Frinday night starting at 7pm. Doors open at 6 pm, with an open mic at 8pm.
Grab your friends and family and head over for some free old-fashioned family friendly entertainme
Sat Nov 12th 7:00am
4159 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537, USA map
Venture out into Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on one of our 24 ft. Carolina Skiffs with an experienced Naturalist as you look for birds and learn birdwatching skills. Please bring binoculars if you have them (we may be able to provide binoculars but quantities are limited). These flat bottomed boats have canopies, bench seating with backs, and are comfortable, stable and safe!
You will travel along the historic Suwannee Canal through a tangled forest of bay, cypress, pine and shrubs, then out into the open expanse of Chesser Prairie. As you search for the birds that call the Okefenokee home, you will learn bird identification skills. The bird species present in the swamp vary depending on the season. Birds that may be encountered are herons, egrets, red-shouldered hawks, ibises, and various blackbird species. If we are lucky we may also see birds like swallow-tailed kites, sandhill cranes, and barred owls.
WHEN:
September 22, 2022 @ 7:30AM
October 8, 2022 @ 7:30AM
October 22, 2022 @ 7:45AM
November 12, 2022 @ 7:00AM
November 25, 2022 @ 8:00AM
WHERE: Okefenokee Adventures, 4159 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537
COST:
Adults: $45
Children Ages 4-11: $35
Infants ages 3 and under: free
REGISTER: CLICK HERE
Sat Nov 12th
Georgia Coastal Railway, 440 S Lee St, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map
PRP Wine International is hosting wine tasting trains on the Georgia Coastal Railway in their historic Silver Tureen Dining Car. Get your seat while you can. July is sold-out! New trains are now available for September 24th and November 12th.
Your ticket includes: train ride, wine samples and a charcuterie plate.
Choose from two boarding times: 3:30pm or 6:30pm.
Reserve your seat now at http://ezticketapp.com/?s=ez108378
For more information: (904) 370-3744 or https://TheGeorgiaTrain.com
Sat Nov 12th 9:00am - 2:00pm
2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537, USA map
During this 4-5 hour paddle tour you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the unique natural environments of the Okefenokee Swamp. Expert guides will help you explore the many channels and lakes, with stops to admire the plants and animals that call this ecosystem home.
A variety of sandwiches, chips, and dessert will be provided. Canoes and kayaks will also be provided. Please bring a good size water bottle. This trip is weather dependent and updates will be sent out as the date gets closer.
Cost: $50 Members - $55 Non-Members
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Girls Gone Pickin' & Friends Jingle Junk Market
Sat Nov 12th 9:00am - 3:00pm
Cottle and Gunn, 711 Osborne St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map
It's everyone's favorite vintage pop-up market, the holiday version! Complete with amazing vintage and handmade vendors, food trucks and more!
And for our Pickin' For a Purpose part of this event, we will be partnering with the St. Marys Food Bank.
Entry Fee: $5 donation at the gate, all proceeds goes to them and a matching grant to fill the Food Pantry!
https://cottlegunn
Sat Nov 12th 11:00am - 6:00pm
Incacheetoo Petting Zoo, 161 Boston Way W, Waverly, GA 31565, USA map
Come out and see us this weekend, or any weekend, through December 18th!
We have a beautiful pumpkin patch full of all sizes, colors, and varieties of pumpkins!
This will be a perfect Family Fun Day on the Farm! There will be hay rides, pony rides, parakeet encounters, kids archery and axe throwing, duck races, barrel train rides, a large playground with a Kangaroo Jumper, a large petting exhibit with, mini cows and fluffy Highland cows, a camel, and many other games and activities!
Bring your appetite too! Our Calf-A will also be serving some tasty food and cold drinks, while our Snack Shack will be serving Funnel Cakes, Slush Puppies, and Sno-Cones.
Hope to see everyone soon!
Sat Nov 12th 11:00am - 4:00pm
101 N Lee St, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map
The Kingsland Homegrown Market proudly features homegrown goods and crafts made by local artisans. This market is held on every second Saturday of the month, on the corner of W. Williams and S. Lee Street, from 11-4pm.
Fun for the entire family! So come join us as we celebrate community in Downtown Kingsland.
Don’t forget to stop in and visit the Downtown Merchants also.
THANK YOU CAMDEN for supporting local, and shopping small.
For more information: kingslanddma@gmail.com
Sat Nov 12th 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne St, St Marys, GA 31558, USA map
Peacocks Handmade's & More is hosting a holiday shopping and movie night at Theatre by the Trax! Special appearances by Santa and the Grinch.
For more information contact Jessica at 912-227-1789 or Jeanne at 404-273-5967.
Sun Nov 13th 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Unleashed Camden, 258 Haddock Rd, Kingsland, GA 31548, USA map
Do you like hanging out with your family?
We can help! Every Sunday from 12-4pm is Family Day at Unleashed!
Get a great rate on Axe Throwing, Rage Room & Paint Room and experience the hottest thing in Camden as a family.
Want to bring in your "Framily"? Absolutely! Grab your buddies and head on in!
Up to four people for Axe Throwing is only $49!
Up to two people in the Rage Room is only $49!
Paint Room is only $15 per person!
Sun Nov 6th - Sat 12th
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!
*Check back frequently for updates, as information is subject to change at any time.
Sun Nov 6th - Sat 12th
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!
*Check back frequently for updates as information is subject to change at any time.
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| Homebuyer Competition Is Easing |
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It's no secret that buyer demand has been extremely high ever since the Federal Reserve substantially reduced interest rates during the pandemic. In fact, the median value of a home grew by more than 17% in 2021, which was the result of exceedingly high demand and a relatively low housing supply.
When the market conditions heavily favor the seller, it's common for intense bidding wars to take place and home prices to be driven up as a result. While buyer competition is still high, there are signs that competition is easing.
Fewer Offers
According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors, the average number of offers made on sold homes has dropped by a considerable amount over the last few months.
The average number of offers per home reached a high of 5.5 in April 2022. Since then, the numbers have dropped steadily with each passing month. In May the average was around 4.0 offers, in June it fell to 3.3, and by July the average was just 2.5 offers per home. This number may drop even further in the months to come.
Higher Interest Rates
This decrease in offers can be attributed to two things. Number one, higher interest rates. Multiple Fed rate hikes this year have made it more expensive to buy a home and have caused some buyers to leave the market temporarily. Number two, a slightly higher inventory of homes on the market. Buyers have more options to choose from and may not be scrambling to put offers in. With lower buyer demand and more homes on the market, competition is effectively reduced.
What These Trends Mean for You
Even though there were a high number of buyers that were searching for homes in 2021, many potential buyers decided to stay out of the market because of the intense competition. Even if you were willing to offer more than asking price, there was a good chance that you would have been outbid throughout most of 2021.
What the last few months indicate is that buyer competition is easing, which significantly reduces the possibility that you'll need to manage a bidding war. Even though the market is still tilted towards sellers, a greater number of homes on the market means that potential buyers may be able to make an offer and purchase a home without too much hassle.
If you avoided buying a home over the past couple of years because of the high competition, now might be a great time to start searching for a new home. Even though buyer demand is still relatively high, it has dropped considerably over the past few months. If you're in the market for a new home, you should have less competition when making an offer. |
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| What to Inspect at an Open House |
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When a seller has listed their home on the market, they will sometimes host an open house or an open inspection. This means that the home will be available to tour and inspect at a specific time. As a buyer, this gives you the opportunity to look at every facet of the home before making an offer.
While there will likely be other potential buyers touring the home as well, you should still take this opportunity to inspect the aspects of the property that mean the most to you. Here are some key things to look out for.
 Noise and Traffic Levels
Make note of noises and traffic during the open house, but also try to visit the property on different days and various times of day. Drive by the property during evening rush hour or a weekend afternoon to see what it is like then. While traffic and noise levels could be low in the morning, they may be higher than you would like once evening rolls around.
Structural Issues
Significant structural issues can raise the costs of owning a home considerably, which is why these are among the most important issues you should look out for. Some of the most common structural issues to search for include:
- Bouncy or sloping floors
- Cracks above windows or doors
- Windows that don’t open easily
- Cracked walls
Water Issues
Water issues can cause major damage fast. Take a peek at exposed piping in basements or laundry rooms, and under sinks. Check for rust, water stains, or leaking. Also keep an eye out for:
- Damp walls or water stains on the ceiling
- Moldy walls and peeling paint
- Bubbles or blisters on the paint
- Musty odor (or excessive coverup odors)
Additional Areas of Focus
- Condition of floors/carpets
- Condition of appliances
- Location and number of electrical outlets
- Condition of landscaping
- Structural Integrity of garages and sheds
- Size and quality of windows
- Amount of storage space
Keep in mind, a home inspector is likely to catch any major issues down the line, but scanning for warning signs early in the process can ensure you don’t waste your time. With this checklist in hand, you should know exactly what to look for when attending an open house. |
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