North Georgia Mountains | North Georgia Metro Atlanta | Paulding, Cobb and Douglas Counties
I'm sure it's been on the national news about all of the rain and flooding in Georgia just a few days ago. I am a Georgia native and grew up in the area where most of the flooding took place, Austell, Hiram and Powder Springs. I've seen Sweetwater Creek flood over the years and at times, thought it could not possilby ever flood any worse than what I saw back then. But, I have been proven wrong with this latest deluge.
A friend's brother shot this video of the flooding in the area that was once old stomping grounds for me. (Cobb, Douglas and Paulding Counties) which are all about 1 to 1.5 hours away from the Blue Ridge Mountains. I still have family and friends there. Of course we've had our share of rain here in the mountains too. Eight straight days had creeks and rivers rolling. But our neighbors to the south and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains suffered the most. I can't even begin to imagine the damage and destruction left behind once the waters recede. And the most tragic part of all is the loss of life.
Thank you S. Thrasher for the video.
Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
706-633-0644 cell
706-632-7311 x252 office
www.move2northgeorgia.net
donna@ellijay.com
North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains | Blairsville, Georgia | Union County | Fatz Cafe
Today, the sun came out and the skies were blue again after eight straight days of rain. Torrential 
downpours at times with Ellijay getting as much as 4 inches in just a few hours. The North Georgia Mountain creeks and rivers were rolling for sure but we were more fortunate than our neighbors to the south and west of us. Paulding County for example, got as much as 15 inches of rain on Sunday alone. Areas that have never flooded, areas designated as not being in a flood zone flooded. My son's house had a near miss but a long time friend's house wasn't as fortunate. Neither house is in a flood plain.
I took a short drive to revamp my spirit and headed to Blairsville for lunch at one of my favorite places, FATZ. I make this 20 mile trip from Blue Ridge about once a week for the sole purpose to have lunch at FATZ. The drive is beautiful and FATZ has great food, a wonderful menu selection, comfortable ambience and the service is great so it's a nice all around quick trip to enjoy a leisurely lunch.
I arrived and was greeted in their usual friendly manner. My server came over and said his name was Sam and he would be taking care of me. I didn't know Sam, had never seen Sam before. Talk about exceeding all expectations and providing excellent customer service! Sam was friendly but professional, attentive but not overbearing, and I could just tell it was as natural to him to be genuinely courteous and caring as it was to breathe. Sam had a large party to serve and several smaller parties but everyone in his section got his undivided attention. I complimented Sam for his excellent service and other diners sitting nearby echoed my praises.
Sam, should you see this blog, thank you again for your exceptional service today. You helped me slow down and appreciate a beautiful, sunshiny day and reminded me of my own personal goal to provide exceptional customer service. You inspired me and renewed my energy. It's easy to see why FATZ is so successful because employees like you are an integral part to their continued success.
So, anyone living or visiting in or around Blairsville, treat yourself to dining at FATZ and maybe you'll get really lucky to have Sam serve you.
FATZ
Party Tray Menu
Dine In Menu
Lunch Specials Menu
Tailgate Menu
Classic Tuesdays Menu
Kids Menu
Downhome Sunday
Find a FATZ Need driving directions? Click Here
Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
706-633-0644 cell
706-632-7311 x252 office
Move 2 North Georgia
donna@ellijay.com
Coldwell Banker earns the prestigious J. D. Powers Award for 2009
North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains | Blairsville, Georgia | Union County | The Sourghum Festival
It's almost that time of year again! My favorite time by far. I love autumn in the North Georgia Mountains. The air is fresh and crisp and leaves explode with vibrant color against the blue mountain ridges. For me, it's the most wonderful time of the year.
In the evening, enjoy a warm fire and end the day with a feeling of pure comfort and joy. 
Yes, I do love autumn in North Georgia, and with autumn comes great fall festivals. Soon, we will be celebrating
THE 40TH ANNUAL SORGHUM FESTIVAL
This is Blairsville's most famous event, taking place the 2nd and 3rd weekend in October. Locals and visitors come together to celebrate the rich mountain heritage of this quiet town. Sponsored by the Blairsville Jaycees, the admission and parking is free and will be held at Blairsville's Meeks Park starting at 9:00 a.m.
The Jaycees have sponsored this family friendly festival for 40 years. The Blairsville Jaycees are not a very large group but they certainly have accomplished by far the largest and one of the most popular festivals in North Georgia with strong support from many local businesses. For more information, contact:
Blairsville Jaycees
P.O. Box 701
Blairsville, GA 30514
(706) 745-4745
Also, one of the largest parades in the mountains takes place on October 10 at 11:00 a.m. (first Saturday of the festival). Marching bands and creative floats are sure to please the crowd.
The Parade Route
Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
706-633-0644 cell
706-632-7311 x252 office
donna@ellijay.com
Coldwell Banker earns the prestigious J. D. Powers Award for 2009
North Georgia Real Estate | Blue Ridge Mountain Luxury Log Cabins for Sale | Creekfront | Land
Below are featured mountain listings. Just click on the respective Heading for Virtual Tour and property detail. It may take a few seconds to load.
Foxfire
Luxury log cabin, absolutely picture perfect mountain views, fantastic sunsets
Greenridge
Adorable cedar and stone cabin, very private in Aska Adventure Area - Toccoa River, Lake Blue Ridge, Historic downtown Blue Ridge well under 5 minutes away
Rooster Branch
Rushing creekfront log cabin, all one level living, great yard in popular Cherry Log
Ridges Over the Lake (Lot 23)
Acreage! Long range views of Lake Blue Ridge, Prestigious Gated Community
Timberwalk Estates (Lot 1, 2 & 47)
Very nice gated community, well under 5 minutes to Ellijay's town square, restaurants, shopping
Lot 1 & 2 next to gated entrance; Lot 47 lakefront
Pleasant Hill
57.07 Acres!!! Great farm, or subdivide, could make a great location for a business, property has small creek, hardwoods, mountain views, mutliple building sites, one side fronts GA. Highway
Search Northeast Georgia Multiple Listings
Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
"Around the Mountains with Donna"
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
706-633-0644 cell 706-632-7311 x252 office
donna@ellijay.com
Coldwell Banker earns prestigious J. D. Power Award (2009)
FANNIN COUNTY, GEORGIA | BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS | GATEWAY TO THE MOUNTAINS
FANNIN COUNTY OVERVIEW
Fannin 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 Fannin 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.
Fannin County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on January 21, 1854. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,580. The county seat is Blue Ridge, Georgia (source: Wikipedia).
Nestled in the foothills of the Chattahoochee National Forest and Appalachian Mountains, Fannin is known
as the Gateway to the Mountains. Small town ambience, old fashioned blue grass concerts and gospel music jams, fishing, canoeing, boating, hiking, riding and shopping are just a few of the adventures that continue to draw more and more people to this area year after year. Don't forget to take a nostaglic ride on the Blue Ridge Scenice Railroad. Tourism is the county's largest revenue generator and real estate is another large industry in Fannin. Many second home buyers, vacationers and retirees come to Fannin for the beauty and laid back lifestyle. It feels as though one has stepped back to a simpler time. Beautiful rustic log cabins dot the county's landscape but over 42% of the county is protected forestry land. The creeks, rivers and lake hug the foothills of the Ancient Appalachian Mountains. Surrounded by beautiful nature everywhere you go, it's no wonder Fannin County/Blue Ridge is a very popular destination.
CITIES AND TOWNS IN FANNIN COUNTY ---> Click Here Virtual Tour
Blue Ridge, Zip 30513
Historic downtown with quaint gift and antique shopping, eateries, wonderful city park.
Morganton, Zip 30560
Great camping right on Lake Blue Ridge at Morganton
Point, boat launch, swimming facilities, picnic area.
Mineral Bluff, Zip 30559
Centrally located between Blue Ridge and Murphy, North Carolina. Nature and wildlife abounds with a harmonizing mix of log cabins, country rustic and farmlands with views of mountain ranges in Tennessee and North Carolina.
McCaysville, Zip 30555
Twin Cities, McCaysville GA and Copperhill Tennessee, an
old mining town divided only by the state line. Here you will find the old Cohutta Mountains and the much sought after Fightingtown Creek, a Georgia designated trout stream. Epworth is another small township with gorgeous mountains and streams bordering Blue Ridge and McCaysville
A River Runs Through It
All of these towns within Fannin County are uniquely distinctive in their own right but share a common thread that runs throughtout the county. Surrounded by layers of blue mountain ridges and the beautiful rushing waters of the Toccoa River, this beautiful North Georgia Mountain county is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty consisting of forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and streams. Lake Blue Ridge, over 3200 beautiful 
acres is the jewel of the county and more than half of the Lake is protected forestry land. Beautiful blue/green waters with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop. No wonder so many people from all over the nation and as far away as Europe, choose this area to relocate, retire or build their second, even third home here.
|
Population (2008) |
22,618 |
|
Households (2000) |
8369 |
|
Families |
6,694 |
|
Housing Units (2007) |
17,104 |
|
Racial / Ethnicity Makeup (2008) |
|
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White |
97.1% |
|
Black or African American |
1.1% |
|
American Indian or Alaska Native |
0.5% |
|
Asian |
0.4% |
|
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander |
Unknown |
|
|
|
|
Two or More Races |
1.0% |
|
Hispanic or Latino |
1.6% |
|
Gender |
|
|
Male |
48.3% |
|
Female |
51.7% |
|
Median Household Income (2007) |
$35,710 |
|
Georgia Household Income |
$49,080 |
|
Per Capita Personal Income (1999) |
$16,269 |
|
Georgia Per Capita Personal Income |
$21,154 |
Crime
Private Schools
Public Schools
Public Library
Places of Worship
AREA LINKS
ATTRACTIONS AND POINTS OF INTEREST
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DONNA'S FEATURED REAL ESTATE FOR SALE (Fannin and Gilmer Counties)
Ridges Over the Lake - Upscale, Gated Lake Blue Ridge
Rushing Creekfront Log Cabin - Cherry Log
Timberwalk Estates - Gated, Community Lake, Paved Road Lots 1 & 2 Lot 47 Lakefront
Foxfire Estates - Picture Postcard Views, Luxury Log Cabin
Prime Land - 57.07 Acres - Great Farm or Sub-divide
Aska Adventure Area - Ripshin and Greenridge Mountain
Cartecay Lakes - Gated Log Cabin Community and Lake
More Featured Properties for Sale
FANNIN COUNTY RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY MARKET UPDATE
Number of Residential Properties FOR SALE
|
|
ACTIVE |
CONTINGENT |
PENDING |
|
Sub Area 1 |
251 |
12 |
9 |
|
Sub Area 2 |
269 |
10 |
15 |
|
Sub Area 3 |
301 |
5 |
14 |
|
Total: |
821 |
27 |
38 |
Number of Residential Foreclosure Properties FOR SALE (as of September 19, 2009)
|
|
ACTIVE |
|
|
|
Sub Area 1 |
11 |
|
|
|
Sub Area 2 |
19 |
|
|
|
Sub Area 3 |
13 |
|
|
|
Total: |
43 |
|
|
| January 1 2009 to date |
SOLD |
|
|
|
Sub Area 1 |
78 |
|
|
|
Sub Area 2 |
81 |
|
|
|
Sub Area 3 |
84 |
|
|
|
Total: |
243 |
|
*Source: NorthEast Georgia Multiple Listing Data dated September 19, 2009
All information contained herein is deemed reiliable and accurate but is not guaranteed
Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
706-633-0644 cell
706-632-7311 x252 office
274 West Main Street
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
www.move2northgeorgia.net
http://www.cbhighcountry.com/re/donnayates
http://www.activerain.com/blueridgemountains
email: donna@ellijay.com
Coldwell Banker ranked as having the "Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms" by J.D. Power and Associates in 2009
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Georgia Realtor assisting home buyers and sellers with North Georgia Homes nationwide. Specializing in real estate in the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains.
Photos: Top left to right to bottom left to right: Lake Blue Ridge, Toccoa River, Toccoa River, Rusty Bridge near Horsehoe Bend Park, Blue Ridge Scenic Train, Steel Bridge in McCaysville/Copperhill North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, where you can experience a lifestyle of relaxation at your own leisurely pace when you live or vacation here. This will become your mountain paradise because of the natural beauty of the ancient Appalachian (Blue Ridge) Mountains. Flowing white water rivers and streams, dramatic waterfalls and serene crystal blue lakes combined with the friendliness and charm that comes with the essence of small towns will provide the escape you've been dreaming of. It's all about lifestyle! Welcome to the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains! Whether a visitor, resident or thinking about retiring to our mountains, take a trip with me by reading my blogs on Active Rain. Read about the latest local news and information, real estate market conditions and fun happenings and events throughout North Georgia. Find additional links and resources through my blogs and website: http://www.move2northgeorgia.net/ to help you plan your visit and/or "move 2 North Georgia". My primary market areas in which I am proud to serve: City Zip Code City Zip Code City Zip Code City Zip Code City Zip Code 30513 30536 30540 30512 30514 30582 30143 30560 30539 30546 30175 30559 30705 30541 30555 
Sellers in the North Georgia Mountains
Buyers in the North Georgia Mountains
About -----> Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
The North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains and real estate are my passion! I feel very fortunate to have both. I strive to be a reliable, hard-working Realtor® who is dedicated to the real estate profession full-time.
Brief resume: Mercer University, Early Childhood Education; BellSouth Telecommunications - career in management, retired; Fannin County School System -Technology. Member of: National Association of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors, Northeast Georgia Board.
My goal for both home buyers and home sellers in the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains is to build trusting relationships that will last far beyond closing. Real estate is a business, MY business and therefore, my clients and/or customers can be assured that they will be contacted in a timely manner and receive the utmost degree of integrity and ethics.
Respect for my clients and/or customers, their families, their hopes and dreams matter to me. Your real estate experience should be fair, honest and as smooth as possible because your satisfaction means much more to me than "just making the deal". I have a keen sense of responsibility and I am cautious - not to be mistaken for pessimism but instead positive thinking with a lot of reality checks!
This is a very competitive industry and you have many choices in real estate agents. Therefore, you have my personal commitment to earning your business through unremitting devotion and highly professional, personalized service to meet your needs. Please choose carefully.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. Winston Churchill
Thank you for your time and interest!
Testimonials: It occurred to me recently to scan actual handwritten cards I've received from my clients and also picture their North Georgia Mountain home if applicable. So this section is "still under construction". More to come very soon...
A follow up from the Pooles:
"Hello Donna:
We are all doing fine, and we're surely enjoying this new home. I know Joe is ever so eager to get to the outside work that desperately needs to be done, and that work will start in the spring. But the inside is pretty much settled in, and it is surely feeling like home. We would love to have you and your husband come by for a visit! We surely know who to recommend whenever they need a realtor. Jacqueline Poole"
Update: Since the note above, Lisa and Jordan referred a couple to me who want a mountain escape too.
Nothing is more rewarding to me in my profession than to help families realize their dreams by assisting them with finding their dream home. Mr. Carrillo was looking for vacant lots for him and his wife and other family members. They wanted to relocate to Georgia and build their dream homes in the near future. We found three great lots very close to town and close to each other which will be conducive to their personal needs and future venture of starting a family business . Mr. Carrillo's sister has recently had the construction of her dream home completed and is getting settled in. She is loving Georgia and her new home. I got the pleasure to preview her new home recently along with a darling couple whom Mr. Carrillo had referred to me. The home is beautiful and it was a great experience for me to see their dreams becoming reality. Mr. Carrillo has been very kind to send three referrals to me since our association and one turned into another successful closing. He was a super client and I feel I made wonderful friends in the process. I referred Mr. Carrillo to one of our own Active Rainers - James Coogan, Realtor to help him in his search for the ideal commercial property because I felt James could better serve Mr. Carrillo in the commercial arena.
"James, I have to tell you Donna went above and beyond her job description to help us out. I am not saying I expect that from you but it was really nice of her. She was able to help us out and for that reason I wanted to deal with her. ... she would try to recommend someone she felt was trust worthily. She picked you and I already feel she picked the right person. Let's hope we can get something started and start a great friend ship along the way. Thank you Franco Carrillo"
"...I'm still learning how to "blog". I checked out some of yours last nite and they are great! I was also pleasantly surprised to see the ones on God, the Bible and several others. It is always great to find another christian real estate agent! You sound like someone I would want to work with! Thanks Patty Ledford, Realtor and Active Rain Member
A nice note from past clients Jill and Noel. I sold them a lot in a beautiful resort community in late 2007. Jill was expecting her second child at the time. They are a darling couple that Mr. Carrillo referred to me along with two other referrals. Summer and John are also another couple who purchased a lot through me in the same resort and have since built their dream home. It's always such a kick for me to hear from past clients about what's happening in their lives. Jill and Noel's two boys pictured at the right.
Our new year started off great - the baby, Andrew, came two weeks early on the 29th, and New Year's Day we came home from the hospital. It has been a great year so far! I know that Summer and John are very happy there. ...we hope your holidays were quiet and peaceful and full of family and loved ones. We will definitely keep your number handy for our future in Blue Ridge/Gilmer, as well as let others know! We've already talked to some of our friends here about contacting you. Thanks again, and Happy New Year! Jill
I had the great pleasure of meeting many new clients in 2007 and making new friends as a result. Barry, Jackie and Joshua are an exceptional family and it was a sheer joy for me to get to know them. They bought their mountain home with plans to relocate in the near future. They were my first sale for 2007 ! What a joy it was to assist them with their real estate needs. I received a beautiful Christmas card from them with their photo. They write:
Praise God! His Son has come to save us! We'll be up for Christmas. Stop by if you're showing the blue roof house! We are so happy with our cabin and grateful for His blessings to us, including you. Love, Barry, Jackie, Joshua (Raisin and Percy say "hi")
Thanks donna, you seem to be able to look in our hearts and know what we want. thanks, eddie and linda
thanks denise...don't know if donna told you, but we are looking to retire up there soon...by the
way, donna is a super person. we plan to buy from her when the time is right. eddie and linda
A recent email from a current customer with whom I'm working. They have plans to relocate to North Georgia in the near future and I'm delighted to help them with their move 2 North Georgia.
hi Donna!!! you are doing great.. we love the attention that you are giving us. we are realizing that we do want to move up near you, and we are gonna make that happen... The Herrins
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