I jog several times a week, and therefore, have a lot of opportunity to look at real estate within Statesboro's city limits. This past Saturday as I was "cruising" by property "for sale" signs, a thought occurred to me.
      I began to wonder what is the best "bang for the buck" in our local real estate market right now? Where would you find the best buys? I asked three local realtors to give me their opinion, and here is what they had to say.
      Pat Hirsch of ERA Landmark Realty said she has seen three trends in the marketplace.
      "First, I am seeing a lot of people buying for investment portfolios in the $100,000 to $130,000 range," she said. "They are looking at increasing the number of rental properties that they own. First time home buying has been up with the tax credit. And then, we have had a number of people transferring to Statesboro that are buying in the $180,000 to $250,000 range."
      "Those three areas are where the market is the strongest from a selling standpoint," she said. "The best buys that I see are with homes in which people are having to leave the area, being transferred somewhere else. Those are usually in that $190,000 to $250,000 range. In that range you have motivated sellers and buyers."
      Todd Manack of Manack Signature Properties has a number of commercial and residential listings. "The first time home buyer tax credit has had a very positive effect on the market with homes in the $80,000 to $140,000 range," he said. "In my opinion, the most stagnant market has been the $200,000 and over, so therefore, it is probably the most buyer friendly."
      Manack said one of the problems for sellers in that segment of the market is the number of foreclosed properties in that range that are being held for sale by banks. "There are a lot of discounted properties out there," he said. "A buyer who has cash and is not scared can get some deals right now."
      Manack said that the commercial market is just as troubled as the residential side. "The commercial market continues to get tighter and tighter, and we have seen some devaluation there," he said. "The banks are receiving mixed signals regarding lending in that arena, and until they get a clearer picture regarding commercial lending, I imagine the market will remain that way."
      Manack said the difficulty on the residential sales side has translated into an increase in demand in his company's rental department. "People want to rent a house until they have a very good sense that the market has bottomed out," he said. "Also, we have had a significant increase in the number of people looking for a 'lease-to-purchase' home option. Those opportunities are pretty scarce right now, but they do exist."
       Hazel Hendrix of Century 21 - The Hunter Group said she feels the best buys are probably in the residential segment of $400,000 and up. "I continue to think that we have a great market," she said. "Because of that, I think you would have to go to the top end of the market to get the best deal, but that is my opinion only. We have motivated buyers and sellers, and our market is still busy."

   So, until next Tuesday, I bid you au revoir.
      Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or email her at jmoore@statesboroherald.com