Blairsville, GA

In dealing with a recent transaction, I have become very aware of the dangers involved with Radon Gases in North Georgia. Radon causes Lung Cancer and kills thousands of Americans every year, in Non-Smokers and Smokers alike. As a matter of fact, Radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Unfortunately I know this to be true, I lost my Mother-In-Law to lung cancer very sudden in the Spring of 2007. She never smoked a day in her life.

What Is Radon Gas And Where Does It Come From?

You can’t see Radon, nor can you smell or taste it. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up from the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can then build up. Any home may have a problem with Radon. This means new homes as well as older homes, well sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. To the right is an illustration showing the State of Georgia and the levels of Radon that have been detected through tests results taken by the EPA. Red indicates Higher potential results of indoor Radon screening. Orange, which the North Georgia Mountain Region falls under, indicates a Moderate potential screening level of 2 and 4 pCi/L. The test results of the recent transaction taking by Ron Gill with Pillar To Post home Inspections that I mentioned earlier, was higher than 6 pCi/L. Anything over a 4 pCi/L is an unacceptable level. Yellow indicates the Lowest potential indoor Radon screening.

If you would like to have your home tested for Radon, here is my recommendation. Ron Gill with Pillar To Post Home Inspections can conduct a Test for you using the lastest technology. The Radon Test will cost $200 without a Home Inspection, and $175 while performing a Home Inpection.

A must read is the The United States Environmental Protection Agency “Home Buyer’s and Sellers Guide to Radon.” This guide gives great tips on Why you should test, How to test, and What To Do if you get higher than average results of Radon Gas in your home. Read the rest of this entry »

On my way into the office one morning back in the early part of December, I noticed the low lying clouds that surrounded me. It was the perfect time to catch a picture at the Top of The Summit, a Residential Development in the Beautiful North Georgia Mountains located just outside of Blairsville Georgia.

There is currently one Home For Sale within The Summit, and 18 Residential Lots For Sale. The views are Spectacular not only at the top, but from virtually anywhere within the development.

If you would like for Me to provide you with additional information about the North Georgia Mountains, or more particularly The Summit in Blairsville, GA., I would be grateful for the opportunity to assist you with any Real Estate need you may have and answer any question you may have. I have recently posted a Union County Residential Market Report that you might find interesting as well.

You can Contact Me or you can give me a call on this gadget that is attached to my hip 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That number is 706.633.8186. I absolutely love my job, and I would love to help you in anyway. I hope you enjoy the Pictures, I thought they turned out pretty good.

Make it an Awesome Weekend!

I want to go ahead and apologize a little bit in advance because you are going to think that I have absolutely lost my mind as you continue to read through this post. I am going to be jumping all over the place as I report to you exactly where we were as far back as 4 years ago when I got into Real Estate, where we are now, and of course where I think we are going.

As you can see from this first Graph, we have seen a very sharp decline in sales here in Union County progressively over the course of the past 4 years. However, as you will see in later posts, that it is not just Union County that has been seeing numbers like this. Over in Blue Ridge Georgia, and Ellijay Georgia, Mountain Homes For Sale there have also been on the rise because of a decrease in Homes being Sold. I have to say that it is very hard for me to get my head around the fact that there were only 8 Residential Sales in Union County this past December. There are over 200 Licensed Realtors in Blairsville according to our Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, so let’s say 6 different Realtors sold a Mountain Home or Cabin last month, that means that over 184 Realtors in Union County worked for Free!

So what is going on with the North Georgia Mountain Home Pricing in Union County?

If you have read any of my previous North Georgia Market Reports, then you know it is my first time to took a good hard look at Price Distribution. What is Price Distribution? Good Question, and when you find out please leave me a comment and let me know would you? Actually, Price Distribution is nothing more than taking the number of Homes Listed, the Number of Homes Sold, and the number of Homes For Sale, all within a given period of time at certain price points. These price points are usually within $25,000 to $50,000 in increments, and each increment is then given a number based upon the data in each classifications above. Now you may want to know what the difference is between number of Home Listed and Number of Homes For Sale. Simple, Homes Listed is all the Homes that have been for sale or listed in a given period of time, and Homes For Sale are only those Homes that are currently on the Multiple Listing Service at that time. This is a Great Tool to use while helping a Client Sell their Mountain Home in this Shifting Market. It is an outstanding strategy tool that if used properly can give you things such as a safe but aggressive pricing strategy, it can help you to know exactly where the competition is and where you need to be. Right now the highest concentrated Homes that are being Sold in Union County is in the $160,000 to $180,000 price range.

Read the rest of this entry »

In an attempt to Reduce Emergency Response Time in Union County, residents may have to put up with a little aggravation. There will be more than 13,000 marker signs put in place throughout Blairsville and all of Union County. This means that your current address may change. “Boy, I am glad I didn’t spend the money for that new Address Sign Engraved with our Family name on it!” I am sure that this is going to inconvenience a lot of folks out there, but an aggravation that could even save their Mountain Home or even their own lives.

There are 2 Very Important things to know if you are a Primary Resident or even if you own a Second Home, or Vacation Home in Union County.

Do NOT move the Markers once they have been put in place

Do NOT use the New Address until officially notified by Union County.

If you are affected by the change, and there is a very good chance you will, then there is some Good News. You will have 6 Months to notify everyone of your New Address. During this time, the Post Office will deliver your mail to both your Old and New Address.

With this New Addressing Method in place, Union County should never have to re-address again. Commissioner Paris was quoted in The North Georgia News as saying “Our current numbering system is seriously outdated which could hamper response time in an emergency situation.” He did also go on to say “Most street and road names will remain the same, with only house numbers changing. However, there may be some road name changes but only when necessary to clear up confusing situations.”

I know that this will be such an aggravation, but I understand why the County is making the change. Please keep in mind that this is being done primarily for the safety of everyone in Union County. A little inconvenience now could save a lifetime of memories down the road. If you have any questions for the Commissioner, you can call him at 706.439.6000, or email at Union County Government.

If you don’t have an Address in the Blue Ridge, or Blairsville Georgia area and would like one, I am Your Man! I would be grateful for the opportunity to work with you for all of your Real Estate needs in the Beautiful North Georgia Mountains. You can Contact Me or pick up that phone and give me a call Right Now at 706.633.8186. I would really appreciate it.

Make it a Great Day!