Jasper, GA

Jasper Georgia's, Wild Timber neighborhood has experienced fairly strong home sales over the past year. Although not quite as high as the sales numbers for it's lead "competitor", Jordan's Crossing, for Wild Timber to be a new neighborhood at a higher average sale price, to have only one less home sale (with thirteen) is in my opinion pretty good.

Having no prior year sales records with which to compare, only time will tell how well these numbers will continue to hold under current market conditions in Pickens County, GA, but for right now inventory is quite manageable at a little over a year's worth of new homes for sale in Wild Timber (fifteen). With the neighborhood's consistency in home styles and pricing, values are likely to hold fairly well, especially since as of this writing there were no foreclosure homes to possibly affect housing values for the subdivision in the near term. It may be a year or two before resale houses start to appear in any number and increase inventory, which is another upside.

Overall, short some significant change, Wild Timber appears to present a solid opportunity for both home buyers and sellers.

For the latest data on market conditions and homes available in Wild Timber 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.

Wild Timber subdivision in Jasper Georgia is one of Pickens County's newer neighborhoods -- a community of 55 or so acre-plus homesites, south of town, close to the city of Tate, GA. All homes for sale in Wild Timber are new construction, built in 2007 or later, with home prices starting in the low $300's;

Developed by THW Development, LLC, Wild Timber's initial building lots are mostly divided among a handful of builders for spec homes or held on to by the developer, rather than listed and sold to the general public for custom home building. Despite the variety of builders however, styles generally follow the same popular multi-gabled, ranch / traditional look found in most new developments.

Exterior finishes are generally concrete siding, with stone or brick facing and accents, in muted, earthy tones, while interiors have vaulted and treyed ceilings, mantled fireplaces, columns (in some homes) and quality finishes that include crown molding, hardwood floors, tile, carpet, granite, tumbled marble, and more. All houses in Wild Timber are built over a basement and have some combination of porches, patios, decks or screened porches.

Lots in Wild Timber are all on an acre or more, with terrain that is mostly sloped, but can range anywhere from level to steep. Front yards are sodded and landscaped, and many homes offer partially wooded back yards. Residences are situated fairly close together, but some level of privacy is often afforded behind the homes.

Utilities are all underground and pretty standard for the area, with public water, septic tanks, phone, cable, electric, and natural gas . . . with one exception. Wild Timber has fiber optic lines installed for hi-speed Internet access -- something not found in most other communities. Neighborhood amenities include sidewalks and street lights, but Wild Timber offers no swim, tennis, playgrounds, or other activities for residents. A comprehensive set of deeded covenants and restrictions, and a community homeowner's association ($150 annual fee), ensure certain standards are maintained.

Wild Timber is ideally located in South Pickens County, close to Tate, Highway 515, and Cherokee County, but still only five miles from Jasper, and just minutes from schools . . . Harmony Elementary, Pickens County Middle and Pickens High.

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

UPDATED 08/15/08: IT APPEARS THAT, AS WITH MANY NEIGHBORHOODS, SEVERAL OF THE HOMES FOR SALE IN WILD TIMBER ARE FACING FORECLOSURE, BANKRUPTCY SALE, OR OTHER DISPOSITION . . . PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Updated 9/22/08: The developer recently mentioned to me that the association dues are now $175, not the $150 previously reported.

Hunter's Ridge in Jasper, Georgia, has shown relative strength in home sales in the past year, particularly when compared to many other neighborhoods that have faced abrupt declines. This fact is particularly surprising in that the average sale price in Hunters Ridge of $320,000 is a price point facinga lot of competition and high inventory levels in Pickens County (due in part to the recent influx of new home subdivisions targeting the $300,000+ bracket).

While the number of homes sold dipped to seven (from eight the previous year), this was an improvement over the only six houses that sold in 2005. The average list and sale price has likewise continued to show strength, and has in fact gained year-over-year. There are two other factors which reflect positively on the neighborhood.

One is the low number of homes sales in proportion to the actual number of residences in the community -- especially since a couple of sales were new construction homes, not resales. While not a definitive marker of a neighborhood's character, low house turnover can suggest stability and satisfaction.

The other indicator of solidity is the low incidence of foreclosed homes in Hunter's Ridge. While foreclosures are certainly not a reflection on the residents or their character, they do unfortunately often impact resale values. Both in the extra inventory and the lower than market prices accepted by banks, bank-owned homes can have a negative side-effect, which Hunter's Ridge seems to have thus far escaped.

Overall, market conditions for Hunter's Ridge as a neighborhood seem fairly positive (if not "great"). The absorption rate of active listings as of this writing suggested an inventory level of around 13-months -- better than the 17-18 months faced by Pickens County GA as a whole -- and prices are holding. A lower absorption / inventory would be preferable for home sellers, but again, better than average in a tough market. For buyers. this is a development worth keeping in mind, based on its strong fundamentals.

For the latest data on market conditions and homes available in Hunter's Ridge in Jasper, Georgia, contact Trent Cluley -- Keller Williams Realty.

Sales Data for Houses Sold in Hunters Ridge: 2007

Hunter's Ridge in Pickens County, Georgia, just north of of the city of Jasper, is one of the older and more "established" definable Pickens County subdivisions, dating back more than 25-years, and still growing.

Built on a ridgeline just north of town, Hunters Ridge affords pleasant views to both sides of the ridge, and is close enough to town to be convenient -- approximately three-miles -- without being subject to crowding and congestion. Currently there are over two-hundred homesites platted, with lot sizes ranging in size from less than an acre to more than three-acres, and home prices that range from the low $200's to the mid $400's, with an average sale price of around $320,000.

Homes for sale in Hunters Ridge range in age from houses built in 1992, to new homes presently under construction in 2008, with a broad array of styles and interior finishes available -- everything from vinyl siding and stone accents, to brick, stucco, and concrete siding -- reflecting the time period over which the homes have been constructed. Interior finishes likewise cover the spectrum: carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, granite and other solid surface . . . something for every taste!

While many of the newer homes are spec homes, a substantial number of houses were custom built by their owners, and are therefore truly unique, adding to this community's blend of home ages, styles and finishes. Full or partial basements are the general rule, there are however a handful of exceptions built on a slab or crawlspace.

Like the homes, the lots also offer some variety. Aside from the 1-3+ acre size variation, there are those (particularly along Hunter's Ridge itself) that have outstanding views, while others overlook small lakes (ponds really) or creeks, with a topography that is mostly gently sloped, but can also range from level to steep. Most are nicely landscaped, with lawns, shrubbery, and flowers in front, and partially wooded areas in the back.

Utilities are pretty standard for the area: public water, septic tanks, hi-speed Internet access, phone, cable, GA Power electric, with power and phone lines underground rather than above ground. Unfortunately, the community offers no swim, tennis, sidewalks, or playgrounds, however there are street lights and a couple of small water features (as mentioned above). An upside to this is that there are no required association dues.

Overall, Hunters Ridge is an established, quiet neighborhood, with neat, well-maintained homes and yards. With convenient access off either Burnt Mountain Road (main entrance) or Lumber Company Road (back entrance), close to Jasper, it is well worth a look for anyone in the market for a unique home in a slightly more eclectic neighborhood than is the norm.

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

Home sales in Philadelphia Heights neighborhood in Jasper Georgia showed a decline in 2007 from previous years, with only 3 sales reported. Two of these sales were bank owned foreclosure homes, which sold for well below their ask price / market value, which distorts the 12-month average sale price so much as to make it unusable.

A look at 36-month sales data however, gives us 17 sales, at an average sale price between $170,000 and $180,000 (depending on how the foreclosure data is accounted for). Currently there are 9 homes listed in real estate, with a few more for sale by owner (FSBO), so plenty of choice, from a very high inventory level that will take time to liquidate if the previous year's sales numbers are used as a guide.

And inventory is exactly part of the problem. With Pickens County GA home sales off by at least 25% in 2007, the number of homes available for sale has grown considerably, particularly in this price range, leaving many sellers holding the bag.

With interest rates as low as they are as of this writing, there is hope that some buyers on the sidelines may step in, but it may still take something of a reality check on pricing for many sellers in Philadelphia Heights to become competitive in this sluggish market -- especially those that don't have upgrades or top-rate home maintenance to offer as incentives to buyers.

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

Sales Data for Houses Sold in Philadelphia Heights: 2005-2007

** This sale price of $110,000 is a foreclosure, sold well below market value. When adjusted for two low-priced foreclosed homes in Philadelphia Heights, average sale price increases to around $177,000.