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Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor North Georgia Blue Ridge Real Estate

"Fall" for North Georgia - Places to Go, People to See, Things to Do - October 2008 Edited

(October 2008)

Winterize Your Home
Winter winds will soon blow

"Fall" for Food
Recipe for a great Autumn

Great Fall Festivals
Places to go, people to see...

Home Buyers
Buyer's Agency Representation

Home Sellers
What is your home worth?

Question of the Month
Appraisal vs. Assessment


Donna Yates
Georgia Realtor
Mountain Investments
of North Georgia
Mountain Spirit, LLC
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513

706-633-0644 (cell) direct

Websites:
www.move2northgeorgia.net
www.mynorthgeorgia.net
www.greatgeorgiahomes.net

Blogsite:
Around the Mountains with Donna

Email:
donna@ellijay.com




FEATURED HOMES FOR SALE
see video

More BLOGS
Creekside Chalet
The Great Escape
First Time Homebuyer
Toccoa River
Copperhead Lodge
Price Is Right
Earnest Money
Gilmer County

Posted: October 2, 2008
Dated Material

Please note this material is dated- post date of this blog is
October 2, 2008 and information contained herein is
as of October 2, 2008

Winterize Your Mountain Home
Many homeowners in North Georgia have a primary home elsewhere and need to winterize their mountain getaway. It won't be long and the winter winds will be blowing. Make sure your home is ready whether a second home or primary home, there are certain things that need to be done to prepare. Make your winter more comfortable and energy efficient by checking out these tips. Remember inspections of your furnace, fireplace and cleaning gutters need special attention.

"Fall" for Food
What a fun time of the year for great foods! With Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, this site offers the best recipe to make a great Autumn season.

Great Fall Festivals (2008)
Places to go, friendly folks to see, things to do throughout North Georgia. One of the best times to explore and journey through North Georgia while the leaves are changing. Mark your calendars for these events and visit local apple orchards that are packed with family fun, great food, friendly people and sure to send you home with cherished memories.

North Georgia Fall Festivals R&A Orchards

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival Hillcrest Orchards

Georgia Sorghum Festival B. J. Reece Apple House

Oktoberfest in Helen Red Barn of Ellijay

Georgia Apple Festival Panorama Apple House

A-Maize-Ing We Will Go Merciers Orchards

Gold Rush Days

Home Buyers
Buyer's Agency Representation is a benefit that cost the buyer nothing! Do you know that when a buyer contacts a Real Estate Professional that the agent you speak to represents the seller. Until you hire a brokerage firm and its agents to represent (you, the buyer) you should avoid saying anything to the seller's agent that you , the buyer would not want disclosed to the seller. Learn more at: Move 2 North Georgia

Home Sellers
What is your home worth these days? Short of getting an actual appraisal, a Real Estate Professional can assist you with a free Home Value Report. This report will help determine your home's projected value in the current marketplace. Read about strategies to increase your home's value. Can your house sell in this market - YES, It Can! but it must be priced right. Inventory is up, prices are down, and the competition is tough. Request a free analysis, have a question, need more information - contact donna@ellijay.com

Question of the Month
What is the difference between home appraisal vs. assessment?
In a nutshell, you, the homeowner or home buyer pays for an appraisal. The government performs an assessment for property tax purposes.

Appraisal is normally requested by a homeowner or a home buyer's mortgage company to confirm the value of a home matches the price on a mortgage application. Lenders do not want to grant a home loan if the sales price far exceeds the actual appraised value.

Assessment is when the city or county government assesses the value of a home to determine how much property tax will be paid. Assessments are based on property sales records, size, age, condition, location and other factors. Property taxes are based on an equation of the mileage rate multiplied by the government assessment. (The mileage rate is what you pay per $1000 of value). Be sure to check with your county tax assessor's office for expert advice and information. Click on County Link below.

Fannin County Gilmer County Union County Towns County

My North Georgia - Toccoa River (edited)

North Georgia's Toccoa River, where canoeing, kayaking and fly fishing are popular activities.

From its extreme headwaters located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in southwestern Union County Georgia, the Toccoa River stretches nearly 60 miles as it winds its way through the ancient Appalachian Mountains in Blue Ridge, northwestward into Tennessee. The stretch of river running from the United States Forest Service's Deep Hole Recreation area (near a small town called Margret) in Fannin County to Sandy Bottoms has Class l, ll, and lll rapids. Class lll rapids are found about midway. The Toccoa runs into Lake Blue Ridge before continuing its journey into Tennessee.

Once the river passes into Tennesee, it is called the Ocoee and continues its flow along the banks of the Copper Basin into the Ocoee River Gorge in Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest. Here river enthusiasts will find one of the best whitewater rivers (carrying the Olympic seal of approval) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Ocoee has miles of Class lll and lV rapids with over twenty continuous rapids dropping a heart pounding 260 feet along its run. Believe me, I know, I've done this !!! I have a tee-shirt to prove it. The shirt reads, "I Survived"! :-)

As for fishing, the Toccoa River is considered big water by trout stream standards. Here fishermen and women find some of the best trout fishing in Georgia. The tailwaters extend from Lake Blue Ridge Dam to approximately fourteen miles downstream to McCaysville/Copperhill Tennessee. The Toccoa is stocked annually with brown and rainbow trout. Lake Blue Ridge Dam is a bottom release dam which results in the tailwaters having more stable temperatures throughout the year which adds up to great trout fishing.

Sit along the banks of the Toccoa or find a great boulder and enjoy the sun and the sounds of nature as the river makes its run. A great place for quiet reflection and downtime. Surrounded by awesome natural beauty and wildlife, you are sure to emerge renewed and reenenergized .

Sit back and take in the sights and sounds through this video - Enjoy !

Donna Yates
Georgia Realtor
Mountain Investments of North Georgia

706-633-0644 Direct

Websites:
Move 2 North Georgia | My North Georgia | Great Georgia Homes

Blogs:
Around the Mountains with Donna | My North Georgia

Email:
donna@ellijay.com | donna@mynorthgeorgia.net

Donna Yates is a dedicated and motivated Realtor ready to assist home buyers nationwide by offering buyer representation through Buyer's Agency. She uses internet advertising extensively, offering video and virtual tours to showcase properties for sellers who choose to market with her.

Copperhead Lodge - Union County's Best Kept Secret

located only 1.5 hours from Atlanta at 171 Copperhead Parkway, Blairsville Georgia (706-745-8000) is a beautifully maintained resort with great mountain views. Mingles harmoniously in the North Georgia Mountains on 40 acres running along a flowing creek.

While visiting Copperhead Lodge recently, I met a fantastic young man named Judd from Fort Lauderdale Florida. Judd is living the dream and was kind enough to share his thoughts and experiences with me. He makes frequent visits to our area and enjoys riding his bike all over North Georgia. His log cabin escape in this resort affords him a charming and peaceful place to relax and unwind. Outdoor activities and festivities are literally minutes outside his door when he chooses to enjoy the amenities this resort has to offer, such as

Amphitheatre
Music jams
Outdoor movies
BBQs

UPCOMING EVENT: Don't Miss the one year anniversay celebration of local radio station 95.1 FM - "The Best Mix in the Stix" on Saturday, September 6, 2008.

Oversized Swimming Pool

Outside Bar
Covered Patio with fireplace
Pool Table

Inside Bar with fireplace
Multiple TVs for viewing sports and more

Expansive Dining Hall
Celebrate special events
Banquet Facilities and Catering for:

  • Holiday Parties
  • Birthdays
  • Anniversaries
  • Corporate Meetings
  • Wedding Parties
  • Family Reunions
  • and all celebrations and gatherings

View the Video and Meet Judd !

Copperhead Lodge caters to "bikers" but is NOT JUST FOR BIKERS! They can accommodate small to large gatherings and offer exceptional gourmet dining and superb service year round. They will gladly customize the banquet menu to suit your tastes. Copperhead Lodge is designed to host indoor and outdoor events. Offering "a la carte" events where you choose only the services you need. Services include:

  • Event Planning
  • Room Rental
  • Catering - call for pricing
  • Event Set Up
  • Bar Set Up
  • Decorations and Flowers
  • Wedding and Groom Cakes
  • Entertainment, Band or DJ
  • Photographer

Donna Yates
Georgia Realtor
Mountain Investments of North Georgia

706-633-0644 Direct

Websites:
Move 2 North Georgia | My North Georgia | Great Georgia Homes

Blogs:
Around the Mountains with Donna | My North Georgia

Email:
donna@ellijay.com | donna@mynorthgeorgia.net

Donna Yates is a dedicated and motivated Realtor ready to assist home buyers nationwide by offering buyer representation through Buyer's Agency. She uses internet advertising extensively, offering video and virtual tours to showcase properties for sellers who choose to market with her.

See Why You Should Spend a Day or Even a Lifetime in Gilmer County Georgia (LOCALISM FEATURED)

GILMER COUNTY OVERVIEW
Gilmer County is located in the northwest mountains of Georgia and is within an hour's drive to Atlanta or Chattanooga Tennessee. Highway 515 runs through Gilmer County and is a straight shot to Interstate 75 which makes for an easy commute. (I-75 provides the major link between the Great Lakes and the SouthEast to cities like Miami, Tampa, Naples, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Cincinnati, Toledo and Detroit.

Nestled in the foothills of the Chattahoochee National Forest and Appalachian Mountains, Gilmer is known as Georgia's Apple Capital. Small town ambience, old fashioned blue grass concerts or gospel music jams, fishing, canoeing, boating are just a few of the adventures that continue to draw more and more people to this area year after year.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains where pristine valleys are dotted with apple and peach orchards, dairy and chicken farms, Gilmer is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty of forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and streams. You will love to spend a day or even a lifetime here.

Pictured: Ellijay River

GILMER COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS

Gilmer County ranks 22 out of 159 Georgia counties in the fastest growing counties based
on population change from 2000 to 2003

Population

(Estimate Year 2004 increase of 14.06% from 2000 Census)

26,755

Households

9,071

Families

6,694

Housing Units

11,924

Racial / Ethnicity Makeup

White

93.6%

Black or African American

.3%

American Indian or Alaska Native

.5%

Asian

.2%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

.3%

Other Race

3.8%

Two or More Races

1.4%

Hispanic or Latino

7.7%

Gender

11,902

Male

11,902

Female

11,554

Median Household Income

$35,140

National Household Income

$41,994

Per Capita Personal Income (in 2002)

$21,166

National Per Capita Personal Income

$30,906

Crime: http://www.fedstats.gov/mapstats/crime/county/13123.html
Private Schools:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&State=13&County=Gilmer
Public Schools:
http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&State=13&County=Gilmer
Public Library:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch/library_list.asp?Search=1&State=13&County=Gilmer
Places of Worship:
http://www.gilmerchamber.com/members/religion.asp

*Source: Information based on 2000 Census U. S. Census Bureau unless noted otherwise
*www.epodunk.com

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE by Sub Area (Communities include: Cherry Log, East Ellijay, Ellijay)

Number of Residential Properties FOR SALE (as of July 20, 2008)

Total: 882

ACTIVE

CONTINGENT

PENDING

Sub Area 1

162

2

9

Sub Area 2

140

3

8

Sub Area 3

420

4

25

Sub Area 4

104

3

2

Residential Property Sales (as of July 18, 2008)

Have We Hit Bottom

*Source: NorthEast Georgia Multiple Listing Data (as of July 20, 2008)

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY
July 21 Arts ‘Round the Square
AUGUST
August 18 Arts ‘Round the Square
August 19 Kamikaze Paintball of Ellijay will be hosting the MSPA's (Mid-South Paintball Association) 6th tournament in the series. They may contact Christine Ashley at 706-698-5264 or kamikazepb@ellijay.com for information.
August (date not known) Appalachian Regional Fair Presented by Ellijay Lions Club-an Old Timey County Fair. Midway Rides, Food, Display Booths, Crafts, Flower Show, Livestock 706/635-7400 or 706/635-5715
SEPTEMBER
September 1 Southern Outdoor Cinema
September 15 Arts ‘Round the Square
September 15 Apple Pickin' Jubilee held on the last 3 weekends of September. U-pic apples, entertainment, wagon rides, cow milking, pig races, museums, great food, petting farm, pony rides, playground, picnic area, bakery, and farm market. Hillcrest Orchards, 9696 Hwy 52 East Ellijay, GA 30536, 706-273-3838 applelan@ellijay.com www.hillcrestorchards.net
OCTOBER
October 12 & 13 Friends of Library Book Sale Call 706/276-4528 for information
October 13-14, 20-21 Apple Arts on the Square Sponsored by DEMA 706/635-1826
37th Annual Georgia Apple Festival Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce And Ellijay Lions Club www.georgiaapplefestival.org
October 20 Apple Festival Parade
October (first three weekends) Community of Cherry Log celebrates the harvest with their Festival Music, food and crafts (706) 635-1933
October 26 7:00 - Musical Guest - Blue Ridge Grass/ 8:00 - Jeff Biggers will speak on Cottage Industries in Appalachia
October 27 10:00 - Painting of Quilt Trail Squares; 11:00 - Artist demonstrations; 1:15 - Musical guest Dean Phelps; 2:30 - Curator Anna Fariello will speak Location: Cherry Log Christian Church, 1149 Cherry Log Street, Cherry Log, Georgia Admission: The event is free of charge, For more info, call 706-632-1772 or web site.
October 31 Halloween Celebration, Trick or Treat on the Square
NOVEMBER
November 17 Arts ‘Round the Square, Christmas in Ellijay, Sponsored by DEMA
November 24 Light Up Ellijay Parade, Light Up Ellijay Fireworks
DECEMBER
December Festival of Trees held all month at Gilmer County Library. Local businesses and civic organizations provide and decorate theme trees for viewing by the public. 706/276-4528
December 15 Arts 'Round the Square, Meet Santa on the Roundabout

ATTRACTIONS AND POINTS OF INTEREST

Historic Sites:
Cheiftain's Trail - A tour of local Native american sites; Call Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce for information. Call:706-635-7400
Downtown Ellijay - The quaint square is lined with historic buildings, antique, craft, & gift shops, as well as eateries of all kinds. Don't miss the Hyatt Hotel, now the courthouse, the Perry House, the Tabor House, and the Dr. Watkins residence. Website!
Ellijay City Cemetary - Best Panoramic views of the city, valley and mountains; South of the square,
Fort Mountain - Prehistoric rock formations; Highway 52 West.
Gilmer County Courthouse - National Register of Historic Places, built around 1891 as Hyatt Hotel; On the square, Ellijay.
Kell Farm - Built in 1867 by James Kell, the farm is occupied by his descendants. A marker in the cemetary commemorates Kell's Revolutionary War exploits.
Old Cartecay United Methodist Church - est. 1834, oldest Methodist Church in North Georgia. Call to arrange a tour. Highway 52 East & Roy Road.Call:706-276-3703

Places to Visit:
Apple Orchard Alley - Eleven of the county's 18 orchards are spread across the picturesque valley along State Highway 52. Other orchards dot the county's valleys & hillside. Pick up a map at the Chamber Office.
Colonel Poole's Georgia Bar-B-Q, Inc. - A favorite stomping ground for local & national celebrities, the Pig Hill of Fame offers barbecue & a chance to immortalize your name on the fabeled hillside. Craig Street, East Ellijay. Oscar Poole Call:(706) 635-4100
Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary - Call for reservations! Craig Cylke Call:(706) 276-2980
Hillcrest Orchards - Baby animals. Janice Smith Call:(706) 273-3838 applelan@ellijay.com - Website!
Llamas - Off Highway 52 West. Call 706-276-3658 for reservations.
Pink Pig - Jimmy Carter's favorite barbecue place offers delicious food & unique atmosphere with photos of the famous & not-so-famous interspersed among pig memorabilia. Highway 515 North, Cherry Log.
Bud Holloway Call:(706) 276-3311
River Park - A picturesque recreation complex on the banks of the Coosawattee River, the park offers picnic areas, tennis courts, and a walking trail. Old Highway 5 South, along the Coosawattee River. South of the Dairy Queen.

RECREATION

Adventure Trail Rides· Misty Callihan, Call:(706) 258-2276 info@adventuretrailrides.com - Website!
Blanche Manor· Peggy Blanche, Owner Call:423-496-1060 - Website!
Cartecay Bike Shop· Mike Palmari, Owner Call:706-635-2453 mike@cartecaybikes.com - Website!
Carters Lake/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers· Lu Ann Lackey, Park Manager Call:(706) 334-2248 luanne.lackey@sam.usace.army.mil - Website!
Coosawattee River Tubing Company· , Call:706/635-1609 - Website!
Ellijay Outfitters· Anne Micallef, CEO Call:706-698-GEAR annemark@ellijay.com - Website!
FUNWORKZ· Anne or Larry Greeson, Owners Call:706-636-4469 Fax:706-636-4499 Anneinellijay@aol.com
Georgia Apple Festival · W. Scott Sharp, Call:706-636-4500 Fax:706-635-7410 gaapplefestival@ellijay.com - Website!
Grandpa Jones Corn Maze & Pumpkins· Scott & Jewell Jones, Owners Call:706-273-2306 scott-jewell@ellijay.com - Website!
Kamikaze Paintball of Ellijay, Inc.· Christine Ashley, President Call:706-698-5264 kamikazepb@ellijay.com - Website!
Licklog Creek Ranch· David & Robin Reece, Owners Call:706-276-3055 drreece@ellijay.com
Mountaintown Outdoor Expeditions· Jay Syrmansky, Call:(706) 635-2524
North Georgia Mountain Outfitters· Gil & Collin, Co-Owners Call:706-698-4453 info@hikenorthgeorgia.com - Website!
Ocoee Adventure Center· Larry Mashburn, Call:888-723-8622
Ocoee Rafting· Angie Arp, Call:800-251-4800 Fax:423-496-3389 info@ocoeerafting.com - Website!
Reece's Corn Maze· David & Robin Reece, Owners Call:706-276-3055 Fax:706-276-3055 drreece@ellijay.com - Website!
Rolling Thunder River Co.· Charles Miller, Call:800-408-7238 rafting@rollingthunderriverco.com - Website!
Ruby's Naturalist Corner· Ruby K. Mithcell, Naturalist Call:706-422-8753 parknature2006@yahoo.com - Website!
*Source: Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce

All information contained herein is deemed reiliable and accurate but is not guaranteed

Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
Mountain Investments of North Georgia
Ofc: 706-946-7111 Cell: 706-633-0644 (direct)
Primarily serving the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains
Fannin, Gilmer, Union and Towns Counties


Websites:
www.mynorthgeorgia.net
www.move2northgeorgia.net
www.greatgeorgiahomes.net

Email:
donna@mynorthgeorgia.net

Edited: August 3, 2008

Young Harris Student Making a Positive Difference in North Georgia

With the TV news media outlets always focusing on the negative and reporting the trouble our younger set causes, I ran across this article in The North Georgia News and thought it was very refreshing and positive in contrast to what we normally hear. I know there must be hundreds of stories that do not get reported of young people doing great things so here's one that I would like to pass along:

Grandson for rent

A young man by the name of Jackson Heaton, a student at Young Harris College recognized a need in our community and has now started a business. He calls it "Grandson for Rent". Jackson runs errands, grocery or pharmacy shops, carries people to appointments, cleans yards, garages and sheds, washes windows and screens, changes heating/cooling filters, cleans ceiling fans, programs cell phones, video players and will hook up DSL.

Jackson says "If you can't do it - call me and see if I can". He also provides breaks to caregivers. He calls it "Senior Sitting" and will play cards, checkers, listen to stories of yesteryear with a homebound senior giving a caregiver a much deserved break. (Jackson, take it from me, listen to those stories of yesteryear with great interest and keep a journal - it might be the makings of a great book some day).

Jackson plans on a career in sports broadcasting but in the meantime and I believe he has a great future ahead given his entreprenual spirit and his desire to meet customers' needs. He is available for rent in the Union and Towns county area and can be reached at 706-897-4687.

Isn't this a refreshing story of a young adult who has his priorities in order?! Thank you Jackson for contributing a valuable and much needed service to so many in our mountain community. Hey, Jackson if you expand your services into Fannin County, let me know. Keep up the good work!

Please see the local paper, The North Georgia News dated June 18, 2008, page 14B for more information and a picture of Jackson Heaton.

Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor primarily serving the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains located in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Donna is dedicated to the real estate profession full-time. Email: Donna@ellijay.com Call 706-633-0644 cell. Visit Donna's website to view great mountain properties: www.move2northgeorgia.net