LAKE LANIER REAL ESTATE – We are the #1 Lake Lanier Realtors, 20 Years selling Lake Lanier Homes for Sale - We help both Buyers and Sellers, Call today for a no-obligation home consultation 770-235-6907. Top Lake Lanier Real Estate, LakeLaniersFinest.com, Leading Agents Lake Lanier
2020 Lake Sales Surge: 2019 was a banner year for Lake Lanier real estate, and 2020 rolled in with optimism. In March, the Pandemic hit and quieted the market for about six weeks. During that period, the online virtual showings were strong, and some onsite showings were happening under COVID-19 guidelines. In May the large pent-up demand created a flurry of showings and sales between May and December. Full price and over list multiple offers were flying for attractive homes on good lots. January of 2021 will begin with a historically low inventory of only 62 lake homes. 2019 began the year with 200 homes available, and that was a record low. The stage is set for another Seller’s Market in 2021, although Buyers are also winners gaining a spot at the lake!
510 lake homes with private docks or homes in neighborhoods with marina style dock access sold in 2020, a 40% increase over 2019. 401 lake homes with private docks closed vs 329 last year, a 22% increase.
Historic Active Listings 2015-2020
Closed Price and DOM 2020 10 years
The average sales price for a home with a private dock was $781,697, an increase of 21.7%. The average sales price of all Lake Lanier homes, including homes in neighborhoods with boat slips at neighborhood marinas, was $650,000, a 5% increase overall.
The average sales to list price was 96.2% and Days on Market was 75, compared to last year’s 95.7% and 108 Days on Market.
Luxury Lake Is Hot: Luxury lake sales really took off in 2020. 160 homes over $800,000 sold vs 88 in 2019. A record 90 homes over $1,000,000 sold vs only 26 in 2019! Days on market was just 97 days, and the list to sales price was 94.5%. Many homes sold at full price or more with multiple offers, predominately in the $800,000 to $1,200,000 range. Luxury homes made up 31% of lake homes sales against last year’s 17%. It was a seller’s market with on average only 40 homes available at a time. In years past there have been over 100 homes on the market for buyers to choose from. With demand high and supply low, sellers should not delay, and list first quarter of 2021.
Second Home Demand Increases in Pandemic: With “work at home” and “school at home” in 2020, it is not surprising Lake Lanier has seen many more buyers wanting a safe haven away from the cities. Lake Lanier never shut down and was a safe haven that enabled residents to enjoy outdoor recreation, while working and schooling from home. Many buyers are still chasing that elusive lake cottage under $500,000, IF they can find it. These properties are scooped up in a day or two and with multiple offers, so act fast when you see it.
Migration from Other States: Lake Lanier has seen increased migration from out of state buyers leaving pandemic locked down states for job opportunities, better quality of life and weather, with less restrictions and taxes. Our beautiful lake is attractive to those moving from other waterfront areas and Buyers see our prices as more appealing.
The Reserve Club & MarinaMulti-Slip Subdivisions Gain Popularity: New and existing lake neighborhoods with marina style docks were hot as builders’ spec homes, custom builds and resales hit the market, contributing to a 40% in increase in total lake homes sold. Subdivisions such as The Reserve at Lake Lanier, Hickory Lakeside, Dawson Pointe, Chestatee on Lake Lanier, Chestatee Cove on the west side of the lake and Marina Bay, Harbour Point, Summercrest and others, on mid and north lake, and Cresswind at Lake Lanier and Bay Point on the southeast side, have provided new home and resale options for buyers wanting a more traditional neighborhood feel and amenities.
Year of Rain Continues the Trend of High Lake Levels: A full lake is always good for lake recreation and home sales, although I must say a few more sunny weekends this year would be nice! Thanks to rain and good CORPS management, the lake levels have been high for over three years, and except for a few years it dropped just below 1065, it has been consistently high since 2011.
Boat Dock Upgrades, Safety and Maintenance: Boats are getting larger and making larger wakes due to the popularity of wake boarding and wake surfing. There are only about 30 days a year of big traffic days, but homeowners are seeing the need to maintenance and replace old docks to adapt to the increased lake activity and larger boats. Homes with newer docks with larger boat slips are in demand and well maintained and safe docks are better received by Buyers.
Lake Homes Trends: Updated kitchens and baths have been a top priority for lake buyers for years. With the pandemic, we are now seeing the resurgence of the home office(s) and zoom spaces as work and school at home have been in the spotlight. Buyers also are attracted to comfortable outdoor spaces such as covered decks and patios, pools, hot tubs, fireplaces and fire pit areas.
Sheila Davis 770-235-6907
Sheila Davis is the lead agent at LakeLaniersFinest.com, a VP and Partner at The Norton Agency in Gainesville, a LLA Board Member and a Lake Lanier resident for 26 years. The Sheila Davis Real Estate Group is #1 in Lake Lanier Sales and sold $70 over million in 2020, with the 89.62% in Lake sales.
Enjoy a wonderful afternoon at Lake Lanier Olympic Park to help Celebrate the Lake Lanier Association’s 30th Anniversary of Shore Sweep! This is a party to thank all our volunteers, our members and guests. Fly Betty Band, Tap It Beer & Wine Truck, Get Free food tickets for signing up for the Shore Sweep event 2018 on September 15th. Prizes for wearing one of your favorite Shore Sweep shirts from the past! Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the day overlooking beautiful Lake Lanier! Kona Ice and a water slide for the kids! LLA memberships also taken at the event!
Please join us for the Annual Lake Lanier Association Meeting tomorrow Saturday March 24th!⛵The Norton Agency is proud to be a sponsor of this event. Everyone is invited – Come hear the latest updates on Lake Lanier, join and enjoy some delicious food from our Lakeside Restaurants “A Taste of Lanier” !#LLA#cleanfullsafe#lakelanierassociation, http://lakelanier.org/
Security cameras will be allowed on private docks at Lake Lanier. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM
Security cameras will be allowed on private docks at Lake Lanier, the Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday.
“We asked, and you responded regarding the prohibition on security cameras on private docks at Lake Lanier,” the corps, which owns and manages the lake, said in a Facebook post.
Interested parties voted 257 for, seven opposed and five neutral during a 30-day comment period that ended June 16.
“As a result, Lake Sidney Lanier and the Mobile District have removed security cameras from the list of items prohibited on permitted private floating facilities at Lake Lanier,” the announcement read.
Dock Permit Holders on Lake Lanier: We asked, and you responded regarding the prohibition on security cameras on private docks at Lake Lanier. By a response margin of 257 to 7, you wished to have the Corps remove restrictions on security cameras. As a result, Lake Sidney Lanier and the Mobile District have removed security cameras from the list of items prohibited on permitted private floating facilities at Lake Lanier. Please read the following press release from Mobile District for the full report.
The new policy affects the 10,615 private docks at the lake, corps spokesman Tim Rainey told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It does not apply to public land at the lake.
There currently is no more land available for private docks, Rainey said. “I do not foresee that changing anytime soon.”
The Lake Lanier Association, which represents homeowners and businesses, wanted the ban to end, according to its Facebook page.
“The Corps of Engineers has stated that the policy was based out of concern for individual privacy while recreating on public land,” according to a Facebook post May 15. “We feel that, given the great majority of persons recreating on the lake in possession of a mobile device with photo and video capabilities, that concern is no longer applicable. We also feel that cameras would benefit public safety and be an aide to protecting personal property.”
Rainey said the push to change the policy came from U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, whose district includes Lake Lanier.
“We replied that we would review our policy,” Rainey said.
Come join us on May 13th from 4:00-9:00 pm as The Sheila Davis Group sponsors a Lake Lanier Association Summer Bash Lake Party at Fish Tales Lakeside Grille at Hideaway Bay Marina! Come by boat or by car. Enjoy great food, great company, as well as a Band and drawings for prizes an help in the Lake Lanier Association’s mission to Keep Lake Lanier CLEAN, FULL and SAFE!The address for Fish Tales Grill is 6330 Mitchell St, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Proshade Cantilever Umbrella Drawing Sponsored by The Sheila Davis Group
Lake Lanier Shore Sweep is this Saturday, September 24, 2016. Please join us in helping clean up Lake Lanier’s shoreline! The Sheila Davis Group, of the Norton Agency will be at the Gainesville Marina Location and is proud to be a sponsor of this very important event. Here’s how you can help and the details from The Lake Lanier Association:
SHORE SWEEP: The Big Clean Up!
Shore Sweep 2016 will take place on Saturday, September 24th starting at 8:00AM until 1:00PM. Hundreds of volunteers, just like YOU, come together for one BIG day of getting their hands dirty —literally. Lake Lanier Association organizes this annual event for the benefit of Lake Lanier and all that enjoy its beauty. With over 1,000 volunteers collecting trash along the shores of Lake Lanier, this program is an enormous success. Join the effort this year to break the record Captain Rick Marton set when he and his crew collected 9 tons of trash!
What Do I Need To Do?
If you ever dreamed of being a trash collector, this is your lucky day. As a Shore Sweep Volunteer the first thing you need is…you guessed it — trash bags! Volunteers may pick up trash bags to collect trash from the shoreline at the lake locations listed below. Trash may be taken to these locations, with the exception of Lake Lanier Islands, where volunteers may enter at no charge through the main gate to collect trash.
Trash Collection Sites
Dawson County
War Hill Park
Forsyth County
Bald Ridge Marina
Port Royale Marina
Gwinnett
Gwinnett Park
Hall County
Aqualand Marina
Balus Creek Boat Ramp
Big Creek Boat Ramp
Clarks Bridge Park
Don Carter State Park
Gainesville Marina
Lake Lanier Islands
Longwood Park
Not Available? Advance Trash Drop-Off Locations
In addition to our day-of-event locations, we also have eight advance drop-off locations around the lake. The advance locations are for 1 week prior to the BIG DAY. Please bring bagged trash or large items to one of these locations. Barges are scheduled to pick up at all these locations. Bringing items to the advance locations during the week prior to Shore Sweep is a great way to contribute to this event even if your schedule won’t allow you to be there on that day.
Below is the list of advance locations. The lake map coordinates are from the Atlantic Mapping Recreation and Fishing Guide for Lake Lanier.
Old beach at Shady Grove Park – Bald Ridge Marina area
Map coordinate J-7
Closet buoy marker 1SM
Boat accessible or vehicle accessible via public park
Beaver Ruin Road shoreline area – Bald Ridge Marina area
Map coordinate H-7
Closest buoy marker 4YD
Boat accessible only
Gwinnett Park
Map coordinate L-3
Closest buoy marker 2SC
Boat accessible only
Gaines Ferry Islands – Aqualand Marina area
Map coordinate N-9
Closest buoy marker 14
Boat accessible only
Keith’s Bridge Island – Port Royale Marina area
Map coordinate L-18
Closest buoy marker 33
Boat accessible only
Old Dawsonville Highway road bed near DNR regional office and Martin Docks – Gainesville Marina area
Map coordinate M-24
Closest buoy marker 49
Boat accessible or vehicle accessible via private drive
Unnamed island in Wahoo Creek/Clarks Bridge area
Map coordinate M-28
Closest buoy marker 2WC
Boat accessible only
Nix Island in War Hill Park area
Map coordinate D-21
Closest buoy marker 21C
Boat accessible only
NOTICE: ADVANCE LOCATIONS ONLY ACCEPT TRASH WHILE THE SHORE SWEEP SIGNS ARE IN PLACE. If you bring trash to any of these locations, please look for the signs posted and leave the debris close to the signs. Please DO NOT bring trash to these locations other times of the year.
Luxury Lake Is Hot: Luxury lake sales really took off in 2020. 160 homes over $800,000 sold vs 88 in 2019. A record 90 homes over $1,000,000 sold vs only 26 in 2019! Days on market was just 97 days, and the list to sales price was 94.5%. Many homes sold at full price or more with multiple offers, predominately in the $800,000 to $1,200,000 range. Luxury homes made up 31% of lake homes sales against last year’s 17%. It was a seller’s market with on average only 40 homes available at a time. In years past there have been over 100 homes on the market for buyers to choose from. With demand high and supply low, sellers should not delay, and list first quarter of 2021.
Second Home Demand Increases in Pandemic: With “work at home” and “school at home” in 2020, it is not surprising Lake Lanier has seen many more buyers wanting a safe haven away from the cities. Lake Lanier never shut down and was a safe haven that enabled residents to enjoy outdoor recreation, while working and schooling from home. Many buyers are still chasing that elusive lake cottage under $500,000, IF they can find it. These properties are scooped up in a day or two and with multiple offers, so act fast when you see it.
Year of Rain Continues the Trend of High Lake Levels: A full lake is always good for lake recreation and home sales, although I must say a few more sunny weekends this year would be nice! Thanks to rain and good CORPS management, the lake levels have been high for over three years, and except for a few years it dropped just below 1065, it has been consistently high since 2011.
