Waleska, GA

Looking for a place, the right place, a place you’ll enjoy calling home? Come to Lake Arrowhead, Georgia, where you can have it all. Nestled in the mountains of north Georgia and just outside the small town of Waleska, visitors will discover a lifestyle unmatched by other neighborhoods. A gated community offering round the clock security, Lake Arrowhead allows you to feel both safe and relaxed in the peaceful environment offered by this lush woodland setting.

However, before I continue, I want to emphasize that my only interest in providing this information is to make others aware of this well-kept secret. I am neither a Realtor® nor a builder, and receive no financial benefit from home or lot sales in this, my community. I am a former home builder and eight year resident of Lake Arrowhead, and while I previously lived less than thirty miles from its beauty, I was unfamiliar with its magical environment; and I’m sure there are others who have yet to discover this local treasure.

The neighborhood is a serene setting that can soothe the nerves of the busiest of lifestyles. But it’s not just a pristine environment that beckons. Georgia’s Lake Arrowhead offers amenities for the most demanding home buyer. Within its more than 8,000 acres, residents can enjoy the new 18 hole Championship golf course, complete with a 7,000 sq. ft. clubhouse including a gourmet restaurant and pro shop.

There’s also tennis, swimming, and the Great Festival Park, a 40 acre complex offering basketball, volleyball, and an eco garden, and which is also the location of one of the neighborhood’s two pools.

Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the hiking trails where you can relax in the quiet of the forest, listen to the splashing of one of the many brooks and streams, or catch an occasional glimpse of the abundant wildlife, including deer, water fowl, as well as native and migratory birds. Those who enjoy boating can explore the community’s 540 acre private lake with its 11 miles of shoreline, and which has been proclaimed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, “one of the cleanest lakes in the state.” Boaters can tie up at the one of the two marinas offering both slip rental as well as dry storage. And for those who don’t yet own a boat, daily rentals are offered as well as regular classes in sailing. Avid fishermen will find the lake abundantly stocked with a variety of native species.

But Lake Arrowhead is much more than its peaceful environment. Located less than an hour from Atlanta; it’s an easy drive to entertainment and fine dining. And it isn’t necessary to drive into the city to find dining, cultural events, museums, or higher education. All are located in the town of Waleska or the nearby city of Canton, only a short drive from the front gate.

Waleska, one of the most affluent small towns in Georgia, is the home of Reinhardt College, a 125 year old, four year, liberal arts institution, offering a wide range of educational opportunities. The town, established in 1899 derives its name from a local Indian princess. Additionally, the college includes The Falany Performing Arts Center, a 360 seat auditorium with an annual program of concerts, plays, comedy, and other performances. Also on campus, The Funk Heritage Center, Georgia’s Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center includes a museum of the history of the Southeastern Native Americans, their artwork, and a reconstructed Appalachian settlement.

Those who would like more information on Lake Arrowhead Georgia can visit the community’s website: LakeArrowheadGa.com

If you would like to talk with a property owner, feel free to contact me through my website: TheHousingGuru.com or by phone at: 404/310-6015

The Housing Guru: The one source for all your housing questions

Anyone interested in mountain or lake front property should consider Lake Arrowhead, GA, an 8,000 acre preserve nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The lake, described by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as one of the cleanest lakes in Georgia, with water they describe as "drinkable," covers 540 acres.

A private, gated community and a great spot for fishing, boating, or relaxing, Lake Arrowhead, GA offers both new homes and resales. Those interested in golf will appreciate the newly rennovated course and new clubhouse. For nature enthusiasts, there are miles of hiking trails and an abundance of wildlife.

For more information about this beautiful and private community, contact john@TheHousingGuru.com.

For the latest information about buying or selling a home, visit: www.TheHousingGuru.com

Lake Arrowhead, in Waleska Georgia, has recently opened several miles of hiking trails for it's residents and property owners. I hope that if you are able to visit our gorgeous mountain community, that you will take the time to either walk along the new nature trail located in Phase II by the new swimming pool complex or at least stroll the almost level trail along the lake which was part of the original golf course and cart path. Whichever area you choose, you will be impressed with the absolute beauty that Lake Arrowhead has to offer.

Last week, I was pleasantly surprised as I parked my car at the new pool & mailbox complex, parking lot, and walked across the road, to hike on the newly opened nature trail. As I walked along the side of a grassy hill on a narrow and less than inviting path, I was pleasantly surprised as I entered the forest from this trail. I just couldn't beleive the beauty of this wooded sanctuary, complete, with Mountain Laurels, wild & exotic ferns, huge bolders, and a crystal clear mountain stream, of which you get the opportunity, to cross over at least 4 times. With dense evergreens including Hemlocks and Pines, and the changing leaves of the hardwood trees, I wanted to give up my very existence for the opportunity to live among this gorgeous piece of earth.

What a difference, a nature hike can make in our lives. I hope you will have the opportunity to experience why moving to the mountains, in a private gated community, with a pristine spring fed mountain lake, and nature trails......is allll about!

Visit my site for upcoming sites and sounds of our wonderful community at: www.jodipayne.com

Jodi Payne

Once the time has come to make an offer on a home, buyers must try to remain objective and remove their emotions from the process. The following tips may be helpful.

1. Don’t make an unreasonably low offer. The seller may be so turned off that they will refuse to negotiate. This doesn’t mean that you should not try to get the best deal possible. If you have educated yourself about pricing, you’ll know what the home is worth and should expect to pay somewhere in that neighborhood. Your offer should be below what you think the home worth, but not so much as to offend. Then, you can include additional concessions for the seller to make.

2. Don’t expect everything in your offer to be accepted. Sellers expect purchasers to ask for more than they are willing to accept. But, do ask for everything that is important to you and a few things that aren’t. You might, for instance, ask the seller to pay a portion or all of the closing costs or to make needed repairs.

3. Don’t say, “This is my final offer.” Even if it is, keep your cards close to your vest. You may change your mind, and reversing can be awkward and costly.

4. Don’t sign an offer unless it contains all the specifics you have agreed upon. Remember the two rules of verbal agreements. “They aren’t worth the paper their written on.” and, “If it isn’t in writing, it isn’t.”

When the offer process has begun, keep your cool. Don’t panic if a response doesn’t come as quickly as expected. The seller may be slow to respond because of an emotional attachment to their home. Don’t push them for an answer unless you are also pressed to finalize your decision. Respect the seller by being patient and polite.

Make sure your offer contains a contingency regarding financing, not just the standard one that says you must qualify for a loan, but that the interest rate will not be above your pre-determined maximum rate.

Finally, if there are serious differences between you and the seller, don’t be afraid to walk away. Not every deal is a great one, and not every offer will result in a signed contract. There is never only one home that is right for a purchaser. Buying a home is always a compromise. Be willing to do so and you’ll benefit in the end.

The new Lake Arrowhead Highlands Golf Course is OPEN! It is a beautiful course, with 18 championship holes meandering through the mountains and along beautiful creeks.

Boat rentals are now available: pontoons, sail boats, paddle boats and fishing boats!

The county and developer have signed a joint development agreement to build a new fire station inside Lake Arrowhead.

The Lake Arrowhead Chapel is a wonderful part of the community, supporting many worthwhile causes with their upcoming charity golf tournament, which I am proud to sponsor.

Several of the new Lake Arrowhead hiking trails are open and they are fantastic, like being in the Blue Ridge mountains, with mossy covered rocks, wide noisy creeks, mountain laurel, and ferns.

I recently partnered with McGarry & Spencer homes to sell their model home and spec homes INSIDE Lake Arrowhead. My team will have the model home open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Of course, we will help all buyers find just the right fit, showcasing All Becky's Listings (new & resale).