Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy

Wow. I don't know what else to say, but... Wow.

Back around the end of June, I found out that the Fox 5 iTeam wanted to shoot a segment in one of my listings, 9010 Brixham Court in Suwanee. At first I only knew that it was about home managers and live in stagers. I found out that they wanted to shoot the positive side of a bad situation...

It was going to air in July, but didn't actually air until the last 10 days.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

And after seeing it, WOW. I am beside myself.

I am quite happy with the home stagers that we have in the property. They are doing a magnificent job of keeping the house ready at all times. They are flexible and responsible. Obviously it isn't that way for everyone.

I knew from the conversations at the house that there was another homeowner/seller, using a different company, that was having a terrible experience. I had NO idea it was going to go where it did.

As a side note, the owner of the other property got someone from Showhomes of Atlanta into her home as a home manager after this was shot. There is no doubt that this is a solid concept... and that I have a good company for my listing.

While it might seem that way, with the really cool play structures, slides, swings and climbing walls... it really isn't.  After all, big kids (spelled a-d-u-l-t-s) gat the band shell and the tennis courts.  And then there are the walking trails.  There is a trail that surrounds the park, and there is also the access to the new Camp Creek Greenway trail.  And it is only set to get better as Lilburn follows its long-term plan. 

The Camp Creek Greenway will connect the Lion's Club Park to City Park, and then continue to connect to the proposed Jackson Creek Greenway north of Olde Town.  In the future, there is a plan for these Greenways to interconnect and provide a scenic and safe walk alternative for a wide variety of destinations around Lilburn.  

But there IS a place for Kids...

So, the playground is a major draw, as is the big open space.  Kids can run and play, kick balls, toss frisbees and hang out during concerts. 

Don't forget the events...

• August 16th - Bike Parade, Safety Rodeo and BMX Stunt Show
• Sept. 6th - Music on Main
• Sept. 20th - Garage Sale - Overflow lot (the start of the Camp Creek Greenway Trail)
• Oct. 11th - Lilburn Daze - Craft Show and Downtown celebration

Parkview High School alum Eric Shanteau has made the US Olympic Swimming Team, competing in the 200 Meter Breast stroke. He finished 3rd in the 2004 Trials in both the 200m and 400m Individual Medleys, just barely missing the team.

That, in an of itself, would be an amazing accomplishment. His list of swimming accomplishments is long and illustrious. Parkview High School records, Georgia State High School records... Take a look here...

But, there is something else. Eric is fighting testicular cancer. At 24 years old. No whining. Instead, he is showing the same determination that has pushed him to acheive all that he has acheived. NBC published a story about him being inspirational. No doubt. He didn't tell anyone about it until after the Trials.

BTW, his older brother Ryan, one of my clients, was not a swimming slouch either, competing for GA Tech after setting records for Parkview.

So, if you don't get the chance to watch anything else during the Olympics, tune in and cheer on Eric in the 200 meter Breast stroke.

I'll post up video and results after the event. I'll also try to bug Ryan for some pictures after the event...

**From LaneBailey.com**

Freshly posted on LaneBailey.com... Complete with 20 photographs and an interactive panorama...

The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center opened not too long ago. And it is quietly a pretty cool place.

Here are a couple of highpoints from the post:

• The first LEED Gold Certified Green Building in Gwinnett County.
• The largest sloped vegetative roof in the US.
• A very cool interactive "Water Room" for kids... even big kids.
• Pervious pavement system to reduce stormwater runoff.
• 11 different trails ranging up to 2.4 miles, and from easy to strenuous.
• Facility rental for events.

This is a pretty cool place, offering multiple educational and recreational opportunities.

Here is a link to the full post.

While preparing for my new blog (snicker, snicker... teasing it now) I ran across an interesting PDF. 

Lilburn, GA commissioned a real estate analysis to look at ways to revitalize the city.  Some of the recommendations have already been undertaken.  In fact, the family went wandering on one of the new walking trails across from the recently upgraded park, playground and city complex. 

So, diving in to the plan (69 pages!) there are some pretty cool things to learn.  These would be especially good for entreprenuers and prospective shop owners, as well as developers and property investors.  While looking over the current business propfiles, RCLCO (the company that performed the study) also showed which types of businesses were needed or desired to best suit the direction the City of Lilburn wishes to go. 

Specifically, in downtown Lilburn (Old Town Lilburn) the city would like to keep going in the direction of the small shops and local services.  Currently there are several antique shops, and what seems to be missing is a local coffee house.  They also see a need for restaurants and perhaps a local pizza place. 

On a larger scale, there is a need for residential development and perhaps some more infill close to town (walking distance).  There is also the possibility of a rail station (if there is a link between Atlanta and Athens via light rail, look for a station in Lilburn... GREAT opportunity if that happens). 

For people considering a move to the area, it is nice to know the future plans of the city, and how those could affect property value and demographics.  Overall, I like the direction that the city wants to take.  Of course, the execution is the important part.  So far, I have been on one of the new greenways, the Camp Creek Greenway.  It is very nice.  I am going to have to check to see how the development of the other greenways is coming along.  Also, the city Park and recreation area is very nice. 

It is obvious that the City of Lilburn is taking these improvements very seriously.  That is a great sign... and clue that it might be a good time to look at Lilburn for a business or investment opportunity.