The "Sweeties" Of McLeRoy Realty Assoc.

Pike County

Chamber of Commerce

Business Expo

2010

Back Row (l-r): Staci Robinson, Amy Harris, Lisa Wofford, Alicia Gibson, Cathy Nichols

Front Row (l-r): Sky LaPrade, Sheri Akin, Renee Goodman

The Chamber hosted their 2nd Annual Business Expo this past Thursday, August 19th, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. This year they used "It's a 50's Theme" and it was so much fun seeing all the different ideas people came up with to decorate their booth space.

McLeRoy Realty Associates came up with having "McLeRoy's Soda Shop" and we served Coca-Cola or A&W Rootbeer Floats. We went "ALL OUT" even had whipped cream and cherries! Needless to say, when it came to the refreshments, we were the "hit" of the EXPO!

Check out the following link to view upcoming events with the

Pike County Chamber of Commerce www.pikecountygachamber.com

A GREAT Time To Refinance!

While working my office duty I usually try to either do some blogging or read other blogs if I'm not swamped. Having a little "down time" today (which I am welcoming) I decided to check out todays interest rates.

Last time rates were this low, I personally refinanced and went from a 30 Year Fixed Rate to a 15 Year Fixed Rate and lowered my monthly payments by $200.00 a month! I locked in at 5.25 % then and rates are even BETTER now!

Mortgage Rates 30 Year Fixed: 4.49%

15 Year Fixed: 3.95%

1 Year Adj: 3.55%

(U.S. Weekly Averages)

As a Realtor we tend to concentrate on our Buyers & Sellers of the present. What about our former clients? Now would be a GREAT time to communicate to them about todays interest rates.

Going Cold Turkey...

My "cold turkey" was not from nicotine but from "communication". When I first signed up to go on this Jamaican missionary trip with my church, I had no idea what to expect. I have been a REALTOR 11 years now and my cellphone has ALWAYS been a part of me. I'm serious! I don't even go to the restroom without carrying it with me...lol.


So, the thought of no cellphone, laptop or communication with my clients for 8 WHOLE days just seemed unheard of. Guess what? I did it! And, I survived! Reflecting back...it was actually a "break" from the stress. We were so busy those days that the time just flew by! I even put my phone on silent once I got home Saturday so I could "crash" without the ringing or hum of the vibration. I also survived that! ;-)


Please...don't think I just left my clients high & dry while I was gone. I left a "detailed" list with names, contact numbers and the status of each transaction with my broker. Anything that came up was handled by her and I am thankful for a broker that was willing to deal with my "hurdles" while I was away.

Family, Fun & Fireworks

http://www.therockranch.com/http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Ftherockranch&h=3f7a90v_f9vF93_5hCl7NLnNGzQ

Oh When The Ants Come Marching In.....

This is a new twist to killing fire ant colonies.

For those not familiar with Walter Reeves, he is from the University of Georgia Agriculture Department, specializing in home gardening. His television show, 'Gardening in Georgia ', is on each Saturday. Check out his website: http://www.walterreeves.com/

I know fire ants are picky eaters and any type poison that is effective takes seven feeding steps before the queen receives it. Plus, if the bait is stored in close proximity to any petroleum or fertilizer products they won't touch it. Contact poisons that are on the market just cause the colony to move away.

A well developed colony can be as deep as 30 feet and spread out some 20 to 50 feet from the mound center...

This was documented by studies done in the early 60's when they were first sited in South Alabama . An environmentally friendly cure for fire ants has been announced by Walter Reeves on his Georgia Gardener radio program. Testimonials that it REALLY WORKS are coming in. Simply pour two cups of CLUB SODA (carbonated water) directly in the center of a fire ant mound. The carbon dioxide in the water is heavier than air and displaces the oxygen which suffocates the queen and the other ants. The whole colony will be dead within about two days.

Besides eliminating the ants, club soda leaves no poisonous residue, does not contaminate the ground water, and does not indiscriminately kill other insects. It is not harmful to your pets, soaks into the ground. Each mound must be treated individually and a one liter bottle of club soda will kill 2 to 3 mounds. Spread the word.

If this does not work, give me a call and I will be glad to give you a deal...LOL!

I am a licensed REALTOR® from Pike County located about 45 miles south of Atlanta and considered MetroAtlanta. I assist buyers/sellers and strive to make the transaction as smooth as can be. I believe that it is a TEAM EFFORT with buyer/seller, lender, attorney and myself. Communication is the key!
Alicia Gibson, REALTOR®,
McLeRoy Realty, Inc. 8945 US Hwy 19 Zebulon, GA 30295
770.584.1854 Cell - 770.567.3300 Fax
http://www.aliciagibsonsells.com/

What's HOT In Georgia?

Seems like the two of the HOTTEST topics in our area are the weather & short sales.

Both look like they are going to be around for awhile and in no hurry to leave! One thing I have learned about short sales is NOTHING is short about a short sale! The media seems to relay to John Q. Public that there are so many wonderful deals out there but do not prepare them for delays in acquiring them. Hearing ALOT of talk from other agents on this subject and have yet to hear the positive. I believe in two sides to every story so PLEASE let me hear from you if you have experienced a good short sale transaction...I WELCOME it!

Through it all, I STILL PRAISE HIS NAME! Hope you enjoy the video and keep COOL!

http://

Summertime Traveling Tips...

Summer is officially here now that Memorial Day has come & gone. We just got back from Jax Beach and had the best laid back days ever! We stayed at the Quality Suite http://www.qualitysuitesjacksonvillebeach.com/ and found

this place just about accomodated all our needs. Now that our mini-vacation has ended there were a few things that stood out and I would like to pass on:

Summer Travel Tip #1: Don't STRESS about getting there, while you're there and when you are heading home. Try to take on the attitude, "in a year from now will this really matter?"

Summer Travel Tip #2: One thing they had in the rooms was a combination safe which we used. I recommend when booking a place to see if this is an amenity they offer.

Summer Travel Tip #3: Remove your room key from anything that has the room # on it. Ask the front desk if you can leave it with them while out OR if in your possession & NEVER say the room # outloud where someone can overhear.

Summer Travel Tip #4: Call ahead to the restaurant & make sure they accept debit/credit cards. I KNOW this sounds lame however we went to a restaurant in Flagler Beach that did not accept anything but CASH. Lucky for us, I had put some cash in my wallet. We walked away with a dollar to spare and very satisfied bellies! Here are a couple sites to check out where we ate & found to be extremely good! http://www.snackjacks.com/ & http://http//www.cantinalaredo.com/

Summer Travel Tip #5: Splurge on a cooler to carry with you while traveling and at the beach. It saved us $ at both and that hot summer sun can easily dehydrate you if not careful!

Summer Travel Tip #6: Speaking of that hot summer sun, use lotions with a HIGH SPF #. I have an olive complexion and for the last 2 years I have used these lotions because I would have burnt. I grew up on the beach and that ol' sun is not what it use to be! Just remember...that gorgeous tan you are "baking" to acquire is tomorrows skin cancer OR leathery/weathered skin down the road.

Summer Travel Tip #7: To some this may not be an issue but I did not take my personal pillow and wished that I had. We had a king size bed but lil bitty pillows, like the ones that go on a couch!

Main thing to remember is todays moments ARE tomorrows memories so make the most of them! Happy Vacationing!