Matt Hermes

I have been thinking a lot lately about the current state of the real estate market and the number of good people that have lost their homes, incomes, marriages and even lives with the "collapse" of our local real estate market.

In Georgia we have been somewhat fortunate that we have not seen the huge upward and downwards swings in the real estate market but boy are we being impacted.

A few months ago I went to preview some homes in a subdivision within a few miles of my home and it was so incredibly depressing to see the impact that this market has had on so many people.

I decided to take some photos of a few neighborhoods in the local area that have been devistated by the market.

Take a look

Good luck to all of you and I pray we all make it through these difficult times.

Anyone that lives in Gwinnett County has seen, heard or has had to deal with the recent gas shortage we have experienced over the past four weeks and I am tired of it. Since this all started I have reassured my wife that there will be gas and that there is no need to fill up our gas tank whenever we see a station that actually has gas.

Well, maybe I was wrong. Yesterday I needed to drive to a meet with a client who is going to be selling their home and I left my office with a little more than 70 miles in the tank. I figured I would l find somewhere to fill up and have no issues. Well, I was wrong. All the way down to the appt. which is about 45 miles from my office there were no gas stations pumping anything but air out of the tanks.

Get the math issue above (70 miles in the tank, 45 miles one way = 0 gas).

As I was searching for a gas station that had gas I got to thinking about the last time we as a Country had a situation like this. Back in 1973, and living in Fairfield Connecticut, we had a similar issue. Gas prices shot up from $.38.5 to $.55.1 cents per gallon. I remember this vividly because my friends and I would buy as many morning newspapers as we could and walk up and down the line of cars waiting for gas and sell our newspapers.

The following excerpt is taken from our friends at Wikipedia:

Thankfully, my gas gauge was kind to me and I pulled into my home with 4 miles left in the tank. This morning, the gas station up the street did have gas and my wife called me to let me know about it. After putting in 15 gallons at $3.97 each I was miffed. What is going on that a year or so ago we were paying around $2.50 per gallon and now we are paying $4.00 and having to “search” for gas.

I do not know who to blame or why but I do know I am tired of this and ready for a change.

In my business (Real Estate), I travel constantly in my car and paying the amount we have to is not making me very happy.

Maybe I need to fix my bike that is collecting dust in the garage. Here’s an idea. I will buy three or four bikes and take my clients on a bike ride to show them local properties. I can get a child seat or two and attach it to the back of one or two of the bikes so if my clients have small children we can just strap them in.

I will need to buy a few mike helmets to go along with the bikes so if someone falls or gets hit by a car they have a chance of survival. Wait a minute, I will also need to get one of those fancy bike jerseys and some tight pants so I can be more aerodynamic. What else do I need. That is at least a $1000 investment. Wonder if I can write that off on my business tax return?

Here is a fantastic new home that is dramatically reduced and the Builder needs an offer. Please take a minute to view this video and give me your thoughts. The video is pretty raw, and taken with my new Flip Video camera, so excuse the sloppiness. Any help is welcome on how to best use the Flip Video Camera.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/mattsells/videos/1/

Original Post: http://hermes.diamonddwellings.net/2008/09/16/new-construction-in-princeton-pointe-hamilton-mill-area/

All of us in Gwinnett County have probably heard of Meredith Emerson and her kidnapping and death just over a year ago. Meredith was hiking alone on Blood Mountain and was abducted and unfortunately killed doing what she loved. Walking her dog in the mountains of North Georgia.

Right to Hike, a nonprofit established in the memory of slain Buford outdoor enthusiast Meredith Emerson, will host a 5K and fun run Oct. 25 at the Gwinnett Environmental Heritage Center in Buford. I know our family will plan on being there with our three Standard Poodles, Emma, Jake and Stitch. The event, which starts at 8 a.m., will feature a partially paved trail with several hills. Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs in honor of Ella, Emerson's dog that she was known to hike and run with.

Donations for participation are as follows:

Early registration for 5K - $25

Day of registration for 5K - $30

Fun Run registration - $10

Family Run registration (party of four) - $30

Awards will be given to the top finishers. In addition, each dog that participates will receive a special gift from Right to Hike Inc. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Potential sponsors and volunteers are asked to e-mail info@righttohikeinc.com. For more information visit www.righttohikeinc.com Let's make this tragic situation turn into a huge event that all Gwinnett families come to support.

One of the things I love about the South is that we are if nothing else, we are creative. My wife Carmen and I have lived in Dacula, Georgia and we love living in our community of Hamilton Mill . The South has a slower pace of life than any other area of the country I have lived in and I have spent time in most of them during my Professional Golf days. From Palm Springs, Phoenix, Denver, Michigan, New Hampshire and many others, there is nothing like living in the South.

For those that may not be aware, we do have all the wonderful living arrangements as the rest of the country. Electricity is readily available as is indoor plumbing and we even have a few stop lights. Heck we even have restaurants that we can drive our Ford or Chevy pick up trucks to and eat which brings me to why I am writing.

Waffle House is a staple of Southern Living. If you have never had a waffle with some scattered and covered hash-browns you are really missing something. Next time you drive down the dirt roads in the South and see that Yellow Waffle House, drop in and getcha some hash-browns and a waffle. Do not worry about bringing your cash, they recently have started accepting debit and credit cards.

What recently took place at a Waffle House within 10 minutes of my home may go down in the history of the South as the most sought after Southern internet story of our time. You see, George "Bubba" Mathis and his co-worker/fiance, Pamela Christian decided to get married at the Waffle House. Here is a link to more of the wedding photos. It is priceless,

"I don't know, it's something different," Mathis said while fixing his tie prior to the ceremony.For years, the couple tried to marry on their Independence Day anniversary. But the bride was always scheduled to work. Instead of waiting any longer - she got the day off at the last minute; Mathis had to report for the morning shift - the couple of nine years decided to seal the deal at work.

"It's been crazy, madness," the bride said. "Finally, everything worked out."

Standing nearby, the father of the newly minted Mrs. Pamela Mathis, William Christopher, wondered if anyone had videotaped the ceremony. He wants to send it in to CMT. See, I told you we were creative, he should also send it to TMZ

The couple plans to honeymoon Monday and Tuesday, but then it's back to work.

The destination?

"I don't know yet," Mathis said

That is so typical Southern. We do not plan ahead or worry about where we are goin'.

Man I love the South and glad to be living in Georgia. Make it a great day folks, ya'll come back now ya hear.