Your Distressed Property Team
Jim Thompson, Mary Lenett, Reba Phelps & Vicki Zimmerman

One of the Oconee Area’s most Experienced Real Estate Teams now Specializes in Foreclosures and Short Sales.

Few real estate organizations can boast the skill, experience and training that RE/MAX Lake Oconee can, especially now that a group of its top agents has completed the CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert Program. The intensive two-day course, combined with years of hands-on real estate experience, has prepared this group to assist area homeowners who are struggling with the trials of home ownership in a very slow economy.

The team is specifically prepared to help those who may lose their homes thru foreclosure within a short timeframe unless new ownership strategies are enforced. Some of the solutions may include refinancing of the homeowner’s mortgage, modification of payments, working with appraisers and lenders… and in many cases, finding a buyer for the home and taking the burden of a potential foreclosure away from the credit history of the seller.

The goal is to negotiate with lenders to get them to accept less than the actual payoff on the mortgage; commonly called a “short sale,” without the seller owing any additional monies. Short sales can be blessings for those who have lost their jobs or who have transferred to other areas without being able to sell their homes locally.

If you know if anyone who might need the services of this new team, we are here to help… we are Your Distressed Property Team. If you simply want to discuss the buying and selling of property in the Oconee Area, please give one of the professional Realtors® below a call. All now hold the CDPE designation, as members of the Lake Country Board of Realtors®, and the Georgia and National Association of Realtors®. 
Contact us today to learn how we can help.

Jim Thompson, Associate Broker
GA Licensed Appraiser, CDPE
Selling Lake Sinclair and Oconee Area for more than 30 years

Mary Lenett, Associate Broker
GRI, ABR, CDPE, e-Pro
Selling Lakes Oconee and Sinclair for more than 20 years

Office: 706-485-5700
Jim’s Cell: 706-473-0570
Mary’s Cell: 706-473-0978
Fax: 866-354-2634
Email: JimThompson@Remax.com  
Websites: www.LakeOconeeRealEstateOnline.com  
www.YourLakeOconeeTeam.com  
www.JimAndMarySellLakeOconee.com  
Blog: www.LakeOconeeRealEstateOnline.com/blog.asp  

The Lake Oconee Area Association of Realtors® has awarded its highest honor to both Jim and Mary. Only five Realtors® in the history of the Association have been inducted into the Hall of Fame; they are two of them. This designation recognizes exceptional service, spirit and leadership, as well as ethics and character. With over 50 years of combined experience in the Real Estate industry, no Lake Country REALTORS® have more knowledge and experience than Mary and Jim. They are committed to serve you better, whether you are selling property or you want a lakefront cottage for weekend or vacation use, a fabulous home in one of Oconee's premier Golf communities, a few acres of "dirt" to kick around on, your own private hunting preserve, a home or business in one of the local communities, or one of the area's incredible investment properties.

Professional Designations:
Both – Associate Broker
Jim – Licensed Appraiser, CDPE
Mary – GRI, ABR, e-Pro, CDPE
Both Jim and Mary regularly attend accredited continuing education courses to keep up with all the latest developments in the industry.

Education:
Jim – Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Resources from UGA, 1967; Masters in Forest Recreation from UGA, 1969
Mary – Attended Agnes Scott College

Awards:
Both – Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society 1997-99; RE/MAX Resident’s Club 2003; RE/MAX Executive Club 2004; Active Life Members of Million Dollar Club.
Mary – Realtor of the Year 1992, 94; President’s Award 1997; Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle 2000; Phoenix Award for 10 Years in Million Dollar Club 2004.

Service:
Jim – Association Vice President 1986; State Director 1988-98; Awards Committee 1995-2001; Grievance & Professional Standards Committees – various years; Program Committee 2004.
Mary – Association Secretary 1991; Vice President 1992; President-Elect 1993; President 1994; committees include Program, Membership, Education, Awards, MLS, Grievance & Professional Standards, Nominating

Reba Phelps, Realtor®
GRI, CDPE, Lifelong resident of Oconee Area
Office: 706-485-5700
Cell: 706-474-0022
Fax: 706-485-9700
Email: RHPhelps@BellSouth.net  
Website: www.RebaPhelpsLakeCountry.com  

Reba is a life-long resident of Morgan County and the Lake Oconee Area. Whether you are looking for that peaceful secluded piece of property or your lakeside dream home, Reba can help you. Reba and her husband Don have owned a business for 30 years in Madison, GA. They bought their first property on Lake Oconee in 1981. In 1993, they made the lake their full-time residence. The tremendous growth this area is seeing provides excellent recreational and investment opportunities and Reba has witnessed it all. She is a member of the Lake Country Board of Realtors®, Georgia Association of Realtors®, National Association of Realtors®, in a Million Dollar Producer, and serves on the Executive Board and Awards Committee for the Lake Country Board of Realtors®. Reba has earned the prestigious GRI and recently has become a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE). Reba said, “Customer satisfaction is my #1 goal. As your Realtor®, I believe in providing an exceptional level of service to all my clients from searching for a property to negotiating a closing.” Buying or selling, let Reba put her vast knowledge of the area to work for you.

Vicki Ricks Zimmerman, Realtor®
CDPE, Area resident since 1993
Office: 706-453-9400
Cell: 706-816-9042
Fax: 706-453-9987
Email: VickiZ@Remax.net  
Website: www.VickiZ.Remax.com

Vicki moved to the Lake Oconee/Lake Sinclair area in 1993 and has enjoyed seeing the immense growth and development in the surrounds. She joined RE/MAX Lake Oconee and brought with her management and marketing skills developed from years of working in the interior design field in New York City. Representing both buyers and sellers, Vicki is committed to serving those who are selling their beloved home or land, those dreaming of a first cottage or fabulous lakefront property in one of the golfing communities, or those taking advantage of an investment opportunity. She makes every client a top priority providing professional service, hard work and integrity. Community involvement is important to Vicki. She is an active member of her church serving on the Staff Parish Relations and Bereavement Committees. She is a supporter of Athens Academy participating in the school’s Habitat for Humanity and Service Day projects. Vicki also serves organizations outside her local area such as LD Access, which benefits children with learning disabilities, Bailey House, a charitable organization to provide housing to families with members having HIV/AIDS, and she contributes to the Children’s Miracle Network, among others. Vicki is a member of the National Association of Realtors®, Georgia Association of Realtors®, Lake Country Board of Realtors® and Multiple Listing Service, Milledgeville Multiple Listing Service and the Georgia Multiple Listing Service.