Jasper, GA

All Mountain Realty works in the gated communities of Big Canoe Talking Rock Creek Benttree and Lake Arrow Head. This is not to say we do not work else where. I am writing this blog for folks who are looking for homes or property ,or agents who have clients looking for proerty in these communities.

It is important to know that you do not have automatic access to these communities. So if you are thinking about driving up and looking around you may have to think again. In some cases you will be refused entry. In other cases you will be directed to the developers real estate company. Either way your choice is made for you. Why not work with a company like ours and see these communities. We pride ousrselves on knowing about them. We will show you the community and listings of all agents in them. You make the choice. Don't have it made for you. For more information visit us on line at www.georgiasno1agent or www.allmtnrealty.com

Dogwood Trace in Jasper Georgia is one of several subdivisions offering new homes in the $300,000+ price range (sales data). A pleasant wooded setting on acre-plus lots, and a convenient South Pickens County location, just off Highway 108 (Waleska Hwy) and close to Hwy 515, makes Dogwood Trace a suitable option for buyers in both Pickens and Cherokee County: less than ten miles to Jasper, eighteen to canton, and approximately seven to Waleska.

Homes for sale in Dogwood Trace were built in at least 2007 or later, based on one of six basic floorplans (at least for now). Home styles are similar to those seen in many homes within this price range of home -- heavily gabled rooflines and front porches on traditional or slight Cape Cod influence homes, constructed over a basement. Most Dogwood Trace houses for sale combine exteriors of concrete siding in muted colors, with stone or brick accents, while interiors include an upgraded trim package, vaulted / treyed and/or coffered ceilings, granite or other solid surface countertops, hardwood floors in living areas, tile in bathrooms, and wall-to-wall carpet in the bedrooms. Standard on pretty much all homes are two-car garages, full laundry rooms, one or more fireplaces, deck(s) and/or screened porches;

Lot sizes are all one-acre plus, with old growth trees and some mountain views -- even a few creek lots -- to offer a picturesque and semi-private neighborhood environment. Sodded, level to gently sloped front yards allow for outdoor activity, gardening and basic aesthetic appeal.

Underground utilities offered are fairly standard for the area, with public water, septic tanks, hi-speed Internet access, phone, cable, electric, etc. As with most newer subdivisions, Dogwood Trace is bound by protective covenants, with annual association dues currently set at $150 per year. Community amenities include sidewalks and streetlights, but no swim, tennis, or other recreational facilities.

Dogwood Trace consists of three cul-de-sac / dead-end streets, and only 43 platted lots currently slated for development -- providing for a quiet, medium-sized neighborhood and little through traffic. Only a handful of the lots as of this writing have been developed and/or sold, so still some opportunities to get in on some of the better available land or home choices in this promising neighborhood.

For a complete email list of homes for sale in Dogwood Trace, more information on anyhomes or land for sale in Pickens County, GA, or daily email updates of price changes, foreclosures, and homes new to the market in Dogwood Trace, just send Send Us An Email with your request. You can also use the Property Search feature to search all Jasper Georgia homes for sale by neighborhood.

UPDATED 08/15/08: IT APPEARS THAT SEVERAL OF THE HOMES FOR SALE IN DOGWOOD TRACE ARE FACING FORECLOSURE, BANKRUPTCY SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION . . . PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Yes it is the end of Feb and we have one more month of winter to go. But spring comes early to the North Georgia Mountains. This is a spring, almost, picture. This is also why the North Georgia Mountains are such a great place to be.

If you are in the mountains anywhere here is the big gardening tip of the day. Deer do not eat daffodils. They eat a whole bunch of other stuff including plants you spray with that awful smelling Deer spray. I think they have learned to associate that smell with something good to eat. So they just put their hoofs over their noses and munch away. But daffodils ahhhh. They hate them. So plant away and enjoy the first green of late winter.

The other green you see in the picture is Mountain Laurel. As long as you do not fertilize it the deer do not seem to like it either.

Bethany Moorings in Jasper Georgia is a fairly strong selling Pickens County subdivision of newer homes with an average sale price under $180,000. Conveniently located in South Pickens County GA (approximately 7-8 miles from Jasper / shopping), just off Highway 108 / Waleska Hwy, and not far from the Cherokee County line, Bethany Moorings provides a good selection for buyers looking for affordable new or newer homes north of Atlanta.

Houses for sale in Bethany Moorings are all spec built homes, starting with resales dating back to 2004, all the way to new homes still under construction going into 2008. Virtuallly all Bethany Moorings houses for sale have full or partial basements, with no more than a handful built on a slab or crawlspace. Floor-plans and styles are fairly standard for the area and contemporary builder / buyer preferences -- some variation of ranch, split-level, or other gabled multi-level design.

Most homes have vinyl siding exteriors, with occasional stone or brick accents on higher-priced homes. Interiors are generally some combination of carpet, laminate (wood), or vinyl floors, and laminate counter-tops. Some resale houses or higher priced new construction offer concrete siding, hardwood floors, solid surface counters and other upgrades.

Lot sizes on the 200 or so platted lots run from around 3/4 acre to one-acre plus, with yards ranging from level to gently or steeply sloped. Landscaping varies between homes, but generally front yards are grassy, with few trees, while many back yards are partially wooded and some even offer small creeks and mountain views.

Bethany Moorings is one of the few communities outside of the main city of Jasper area to be served by a sewer system, rather than the septic tanks more commonly found out in the county. It also has public water and the standard utilities one would expect -- hi-speed Internet access, phone, cable, electric. There are no swim, tennis, sidewalks, playgrounds or other community amenities, however there are also no annual association dues.

With quick access to Highway 515, a price point below the county average, and a selection of newer homes to choose from offering wide appeal to a number of home buyers, Bethany Moorings strong sales history is likely to continue.

For a complete email list of homes for sale in Bethany Moorings, more information on any homes or land for sale in Pickens County, GA, or daily email updates of price changes, foreclosures, and homes new to the market in Bethany Moorings, just send Send Us An Email with your request. You can also use the Property Search feature to search all Jasper Georgia homes for sale by neighborhood.

Jasper Georgia's, Arbor Hills neighborhood, which has been around since 1999, actually saw an increase in home sales last year over the prior two years -- moving against the general Pickens County home sales trend. Last year's 12 homes sold is a 50% improvement over 2006 (8), and a 20% improvement over 2005 (10), however there was very slight price softening over prior years (approximately 1%).

The 14 active listings of homes for sale in Arbor Hills as of this writing presents slightly better inventory numbers than the rest of the county, although still not what would be considered "optimal' for a balanced market. The expectation that some foreclosure properties are likely to enter the market in the near future requires keeping an eye on both listing activity and sales prices, to see what impact, if any, this might have.

While sales seem to be holding up, the wide variety in age and finishes of homes need to be kept in mind by home buyers and sellers when considering fair market value, and adjusted for accordingly.

For the latest data on market conditions and homes available in Arbor Hills in Jasper, Georgia, contact Trent Cluley -- Keller Williams Realty.

* MLS Data used here does is for informational purposes, does not reflect private sales of properties not listed in real estate, and is not warranted.