About Rabun County, GA

It has been over a year since the last time I was able to help negotiate a purchase and sale. Our local market is largely a secondary home market and my focus is not only secondary homes, but luxury secondary homes....sounded like a great idea three years ago when I opened my new company here in the beautiful north Georgia mountain lakes region! LOL

Things went very well for the first 18 months ...then, nothing...nada. Not that I would wish no sales on anyone else, but it was the entire area...not just me. Ever optimistic, I had a feeling there were buyers who were sophisticated enough to realize the beginning of the end of the downward spiral and that we might see some offers soon.

Happily and gratefully, I am able to report to all of my Active Rain friends and colleagues that things have indeed turned the corner and my last week has been spend negotiating not one, but two - YES, FRIENDS, TWO contract offers. Both are my listings.

Color me excited! And, it is not just the possibility of finally getting a paycheck...although I must admit that IS pretty exciting! You know what has amazed me? The thrill and the 'rush' that comes with the negotiation and helping the two sides reach a meeting of the minds. It helps, of course, that the agents for the buyers are professionals and easy to work with, but WOW!..is it thrilling to see these contracts coming closer and closer to finalization.

I hate to admit, I had forgotten how good it feels.

My prayer today is that every one of you has the opportunity to feel that 'rush' sometime soon!

Have a great Labor Day. I'll be laboring and happy to do so!

Wondering what is going on in Rabun County and what there is to do in the mountains of North East Georgia this late August and September?

Here are some dates and events to write on your calendar.

Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant was recently listed on the National Geographic Traveler Magazine's Top Stay List 2009. ( If you haven't had dinner at their restaurant, you have missed a prime dining experience. The food is amazing!!)

Lazy Bear Furniture (rustic and cottage furniture, accessories, lamps, and art) in Dillard now has a wine tasting room and is offering free wine tastings. They serve and sell wine only from The Georgia Winery, the oldest winery in the state of Georgia. For additional information, call 706-746-2168.

Persimmon Creek Vineyards recently had a birth of a new lamb named Daisy who joins their East Friesian sheep herd.

The North Georgia Community Players will be presenting their 7^th annual all children's production (musical) of "The Magical Land of Oz." Performances will be October 17, 23, & 24 at 7:00 p.m. and October 18 and 25 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber, both Rabun County Banks, Regions Bank, Stephens Federal Bank, Community Bank & Trust, Mountain Heritage Bank, and United Community Bank. For information call 706-212-2500.

Tiger Mountain Orchards in Tiger has raspberries at $2.00 per pint (u-pick). Picking is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Call 706-782-3290 for additional information.

Calendar of Events

August 27 - Mountain Physical Therapy will host a Wellness meeting on August 27 at 4:00 p.m. at their location, 1218 N. Main Street in Clayton. The guest speaker will be Mike Addington from Clayton Pharmacy. There is no cost for this event, and it is open to the community.

August 29 - David Phelps (Christian singer and songwriter) at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (SMCPA) in Franklin, NC. For concert information, call 828-524-1598 or 866-273-4615 or visit their website at www.greatmountainmusic.com.

August 30 - Emile Pandolfi concert at the Rearden Theatre (RGNS). Ticket price is $15.00. For more information, contact the Rabun County Music Festival Association at 706-746-6226 or visit www.rabunmusicfestival.com.

September 1 - Mountain Lakes Medical Center's volunteers are having a jewelry sale fundraiser featuring quality, stylish costume jewelry and accessories on Tuesday, September 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the hospital's main lobby. All jewelry is $5.00. The fundraiser will help raise funds to purchase needed equipment and other necessities for the hospital. For additional information, call 706-782-3100. If you wish to become a volunteer for the hospital, please call 706-212-0230.

September 4 - Carl Hurley and Jeanne Robertson (humorists) at SMCPA.

September 5 - Chonda Pierce (comedian) at SMCPA.

September 12 - The Isaacs (singing group) at SMCPA.

September 12 - Dr. Guy Gober, The Tiger Clinic, is co-sponsoring a PCAR Golf Tournament on September 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost is $45.00 per person or $90.00 for a 2-man team. This tournament is to promote September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The proceeds fund local scholarships. For additional information, call 706-782-3572.

September 13 - Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra at the Rearden Theatre (RGNS).

September 18 - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (musical group) at SMCPA.

September 19th - Tiger Mountain Vineyards will celebrate its 10^th anniversary with a spectacular Harvest Party to honor wine club members and guests. Grape picking begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a picnic, live music at 12:00 p.m., a visiting chef, and more. Check www.tigerwine.com or call 706-782-4777 and find out how to join the wine club and be included! Look for another fall celebration, of the winery's 10^th birthday, on October 17^th which is open to the public--Old Highway 441 Rabun Red Bash.

September 19 - Marie Dunkle, with her Celtic band named Caledonia Swing, will be performing at lunch time on September 19^th at the Mountaineer Festival.

September 22-24 - The Jungle Book at SMCPA.

September 24 - Mountain Lakes Medical Center, in conjunction with Merck Pharmaceuticals, will be holding a free Diabetes Education Class. The class date is September 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The class will be held in the cafeteria at the hospital. If interested, please contact your local physician or Melessa Alley at 706-782-0439 for registration information.

September 26 - Greater Vision (musical group) at SMCPA.

Park Model featuring: two bedrooms with loft, 14 x 13 living room with sofa couch, 10 x 13 Dining Room, and large screen in deck. Includes Most furniture – Master Bedroom includes Queen Size Bedroom set, 2nd bedroom and loft each furnished with 2 twin beds. Sleeps 8 comfortably. In resort community that features in door whirl pool, outdoor pool, hot tub, playground, pavilion, clubhouse, fire pit, and work out room. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/georgia-buy-log-cabin-home-home-11647121.html

Some of my all time fondest memories are family times spent on Lake Burton. This lake is truly my personal favorite. The only word that adequately describes Lake Burton for me is "magical". If you have ever been on this lake, you know what I mean; you can just feel the magic, it's always there no matter how many years go by. I was very blessed to be able to spend summers and holiday breaks with my family at my grandparent's cabin in Murray Cove. My great grandfather helped build the Lake Burton Dam.

Today, there are stunning multi million dollar homes on this lake which have mostly replaced the old, rustic, modest cabins of the past. The magic is still there though. Personally, I'll take my grandparent's old rustic cabin anyday but it's no longer there. That old cabin was part of the wonderful experience of living and playing on this beautiful lake. Below is a picture of Lake Burton back in the day! Ok, back in the 1950s. There, I said it.

Picture taken in 1950s from my grandparents back porch

Family Fun with brothers and cousins - "Those were the days, my friend"

Lake Burton, owned and operated by Georgia Power is the largest lake in North Georgia consisting of 2,775 acres of pure natural beauty.

Located in Rabun County in the northeastern corner of Georgia. Lake Burton was the first lake out of five called the Tallulah River Watershed which follows the natural course of the Tallulah River. Lake Seed, Lake Rabun, Lake Talluah Falls, Lake Tugalo and Lake Burton form the Chattoga River. Back in the day, these lakes were the largest producers of hydroelectric energy in Georgia providing electricity to Georgia's largest city, Atlanta.

Lake Burton's 62 mile shoreline makes this lake suitable for boating, camping, picnicking, swimming and fishing. Swim and picnic at Timpson Cove Beach with its white sand. There are two marinas on this lake and LaPrades, an old favorite has gone under new ownership and is being revitalized. LaPrades is the only full service marina on the lake. Lake Burton is listed as one of the top ten most pristine lakes in the United States due to it's cool, clear water. It remains full pool throughout the boating season.

LaPrades

Sits on 12 acres and has 1,950 feet of frontage along Lake Burton, with the remaining 30 +/- acreage located directly across Highway 197. LaPrades started out as a fish camp in 1925 and the operation was managed by the Laprades family until 1972. They made LaPrades an all time favorite for locals and visitors alike with their family style restaurant and rustic rental cabins. When the LaPrades family sold to the Nichols famiy in 1972, the Nichols then ran the camp and marina for 30 more years. In 2002, LaPrade's investors and developers bought the old famous fish camp. Unfortunately, and very sadly to many of us who hold a special place in our heart for LaPrades, the old restaurant that drew thousands through the years, suffered a loss in a mysterious fire which destroyed it in 2005. The property was later purchased by VMG in March 2006 who has now transformed the old favorite marina and brought a new and exciting energy to the property.

That was then and this is now... Currently LaPrade's Marina consists of a newly completed Adirondack style 2 story building built by Anthony McCracken Construction Company in the unique round log timber framed style. You will find the Lakeside Grill and Bar, Water's Edge Restaurant and the Marina Store in the main building. Also, there are boat slips available for rent, two fuel docks, a boat showroom and facilities for boat repairs and service.

FISHING ON LAKE BURTON

Home to several species of fish, such as Spotted Bass, Walleye, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish and White Catfish. Moccasin Creek State Park and Lake Burton Fish Hatchery are located on the western side of the lake.

Lake Burton Fishing Report

Lake Burton Fish Hatchery

Lake Burton's Game and Fish

Moccasin Creek State Park

LaPrade's Guided Fishing Trips

RAFTING

Chatooga River

Donna Yates, Realtor
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
706-632-7311 office
706-633-0644 cell
www.move2northgeorgia.net
donna@ellijay.com

Are you out there hoping to find that steal on a property? If so here are some helpful tips that might save you some frustration.

1. You need to know the area well enough to make a quick decision.

2. Keep a real estate agent as your guide to keep you informed about new listings, and

foreclosures in the area.

3. Already have a name of your home inspector, terminate inspector, and maybe the contractor

that you want doing any work.(Real estate agents also keep a list of these types of people.)

4. If you need financing go ahead to the bank first. Then you know what you can get and

when dealing with some properties( HUD for EX.) they want a letter of approval from the bank sent in

with your offer.

5. If you are looking to make an offer on a bank owned property you must keep your patience.

Most to not keep within any certain time frame to give you an answer.

6. Be aware that if it's a great deal you may not be the only one looking at the property.

SO MAKE YOUR OFFER COUNT! Sometimes on these HUD , foreclosures, or even sellers

there may be more than one offer coming through on the same day. You may not get a second bid.

There are some great buys out there right now. So pick an agent you trust and let them

help you along the way. Happy buying!!!