Recommended Real Estate Agent in Ft Stewart Area? (Savannah, Fort Stewart: appointed, sale)

[monarchs_joy]

My husband and I are PCS'ing to the Ft Stewart area in April and are looking for a good real estate agent. We define "good" as an agent that 1) returns phone calls and emails, 2) will take some time to educate us about the local area, and 3) does more than just send us runs of the MLS on a daily basis. We are not first time home buyers. We are looking for a property that we will live in for the few years that we're at Ft. Stewart and that will become a rental afterward. We're looking in the $140 - 160k range, but will go higher if we need to and can ensure a good rental at a future date that doesn't restrict the tenant pool too much.

So far, we've been referred to 2 agents and spoke with a 3rd. None have shown much interest in selling a house, fail to return phone calls or emails, and don't seem to share much knowledge about the local market.

What gives? Are agents moving so many houses in the area that 1 more sale isn't that big of a deal?

Can anyone recommend a good real estate agent that 1) you have worked with in the past, 2) has good knowledge of the Ft Stewart surrounding area in terms of cities, school districts, and future rental prospects, and 3) is "eager" enough to want to make a sale?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[bellhead]

No most of the real estate agents are now working 2nd jobs. As the housing market around Fort Stewart went into the tank. As for a rental in that area after you are done with your tour there good luck. What happened was the base was promised a combat brigade I think the 55th. The area spent over 400 million in infrastructure and a lot of people speculated on the housing, new homes + apartments. Well the budget crunch came, no combat brigade they stopped at 54, the housing market already in the toilet from the recession really went into the toilet in that area and now there is more inventory than people that want to live in that area.

Richmond Hill is doing ok, but is 25 miles to the post. You may want to look there.

[mike052082]

My wife and I want to live closer to my parents so bad that we were going to move to Hinnesville. I am down there for a week at a time for about 6-7 times a year. Long story short, we are going to buy a home for them up here in NC b/c Hinnesville just sucks that bad. The military is the only job down there.

If you are looking at property values and such, I would look into seeing if the commute from Richmond Hill isn't that bad. I have been all over Hinnesville and can say that I don't know of any good areas there that I would want to move.

My wife and I joke all the time that "there are just no pretty people here" lol. My parents actually moved about 10 minutes away to a small town called Ludowici. Not for me either but at least it isn't Hinnesville (Ft. Stewart).

You may be able to sell you home to an incoming soilder or rent it to them though so that could be the good side.

[JoyCA]

We just moved from CA in Dec. Our agent was FANTASTIC. I was a realtor in Southern CA so my standards are very high. She works out of Richmond Hill, has lived in Savannah her whole life so is familiar with everywhere. She took us all around Richmond Hill, Pooler and Savannah. She even suggested places we hadn't planned on looking, so she could've saved a full day and lots of gas, but she wanted to be sure we saw everything. I am sure you would not be disappointed with her. She is the co-owner/broker so is very knowledgeable. Her name is Alice Steyaart (912) 658-5348. Good luck! We looked at about 70 homes...this area is beautiful!