Murphy, NC

Needless to say, I am sure we would all agree that purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments we will make. Buyers spend time (hopefully) looking for the perfect agent and even more time looking for just the right house. Next comes more time and money spent inspecting it from top to bottom to make sure everything works the way it should and is safe for you and your family to move in to.

Before you know it closing day comes, the papers are signed and the moving truck arrives at the door of your new home. The sweet little ol' lady next door comes over to welcome you to the neighborhood with a plate of brownies and casually mentions that she’s a little surprised to see a family with children moving in, after all . . .

Now is NOT the time to find out that there’s a registered sex-offender living on the block.

While you're checking everything else out, don’t forget to spend the time to make sure your MOST important possession, your children, are safe.

Here are two websites I find easy to navigate:

Family Watchdog and US Department of Justice.

Take a moment and check out your own neighborhood. I bet the results will surprise you!

Cyndi

On Sunday February 5th I arrived at Camp LeJuene NC to watch my son embark from a bus full of returning Marines...

You see my son was deployed on March 23, 2011 on the USS Mesa Verde and he was part of an historic 10 1/2 month deployment.

Emotions were high and Marines for the first time got to see their newborn sons and daughters...

I meet my Facebook Marine mom Luann after months of e-mails, Skype sessions and Facebook. Luann son Tyler and my son became the best of friends while aboard ship. I felt like I knew her for years...we supported each other while our sons were away. A friendship I will always treasurer...

It was quite an experience...one I will never forget!!!!!!

Thank you to all of our men and women who serve in our Military for your sacrifice and dedication....OOOOOH RAHHHHHH

Murphy NC is just minutes from trout streams, hiking trails, kayaking or white water rafting through the Nantahala Gorge and Ocoee. You can browse in one of many antique and craft shops or just enjoy the sunset on your own deck in peaceful solitude. You CAN have it all!!!!!

Only 2 hours from Atlanta, Chattanooga and Asheville, Murphy, NC feels like it's from a different time and place. A time when life moved at a slower pace and people savored the simple pleasures...

February 2nd is Groundhog Day - the day when Punxsutawney Phil will determine if Spring is on it’s way or if we’ll have another six weeks of winter. This is one of those crazy traditions that got me to wondering how in the world we let a large rodent-looking animal determine our fate.

Well it seems the Germans brought this tradition with them from “the old country” where it was actually a Hedgehog who did the deed. Finding no Hedgehogs in the good old US of A, they turned to his cousin the Groundhog. Legend says that if “Phil” sees his shadow then we are in for the second winter but, if there’s no shadow, then Spring is just around the corner.

Personally this makes no sense to me. You see, in order for the groundhog to see his shadow, the sun must be out. So it would seem like the sun would predict the upcoming weather to be better moreso than a cloudy day. But again, this is old German folklore AND a Groundhog for a weatherman.

Regardless of what happens on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania at 7:20 am tomorrow morning, I for one have been enjoying our unusually warm winter and hope that it continues right into Spring. Whenever that may be!

Cyndi

Coldwell Banker High Country Realty’s Numbers Soar in 2011. Coldwell Banker High Country Realty, sold 49 percent more properties in 2011 than the previous year. The MLS Service, owned by the Northeast Georgia Board of REALTORS®, had increases of 14 percent during the same time period. The Northeast Georgia Board of REALTORS® serves the counties of Fannin, Towns, Union, Gilmer and Pickens in Georgia; Clay and Cherokee in North Carolina; and Bradley, Monroe, and Polk in Tennessee.

CB High Country’s results were reviewed and certified by the firm of Jackie E. Seabolt, CPA, PC. Coldwell Banker has a regional footprint and serves the North Georgia, Southeast Tennessee, and Southwest North Carolina area.

“I knew this was going to be a better year for us. Our increases were even more dramatic than my goals were,” said June Slusser, broker/owner of the highly successful firm.
Slusser is no stranger to success. Since she purchased the firm in 2003, the company expanded its offices from Blue Ridge to three additional locations in Ellijay and Hiawassee, Georgia, and Murphy, North Carolina.

Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team are proud to be a part
of this phenominal Real Estate Firm. Visit us at www.MountainLivingTeam.com

A few days ago I was on my way to meet some buyer clients looking at homes in Hiawassee, Georgia. Of course, the camera is never out of reach when I’m riding (or driving) and I was able to get this beautiful shot of the fog that was covering the mountains like a cozy down blanket. You’ll be happy to know that I actually pulled off to the side of the road (WAY off) so that I could take my time and get a good shot.

If you've ever wondered why they call them the Blue Ridge Mountains, this should answer that for you. Although I’m still learning what all the buttons and adjustments are for I am totally enjoying my new camera . Thank you Santa!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Cyndi