Mark Hendry : Blue Ridge Real Estate Pro in the North Georgia Mountains

I’m very excited to announce that I am part of a new Real Estate team that is representing our area’s first “Certified Green” development. At the beginning of this year, my self and two of m y co-workers decided to enroll in the real estate classes to receive our National Association of Realtors GREEN designation. We now, unoriginally, call ourselves “The Green Team.”

We did not get this designation just because we had an interest in the new eco-friendly trends that are influencing builders these days, though we do, but we were spurred on because we were trying to secure the listings of a new developer who is "Green" through and though. We have succeeded, and now are the proud representatives of Toccoa Camp in beautiful Blue Ridge Georgia .

This gated, six homesite community features homes that are not only certified at the highest level by EarthCraft, but also by Energy Star. Even the land, which is fronted on the Toccoa River, has special rainwater drainage filtration to insure that the run off is cleaned before it reenters the river.

There are only 2 building lots still available. There are also two spectacular waterfront homes for sale. The first Home is a Nantucket-style Lodge with all the “Green” bells and whistles, and boasts 4 Large Master Suites and 4 acres with frontage on a USFS stocked Trout Stream. The second is an enormous, sprawling Rustic Ranch retreat with soaring 18 foot ceilings and flanked by rushing riverfront rapids on 2 sides of its park-like stetting.

I am very proud to be a part of this project, because there is no place that needs “Green” more than Blue Ridge Georgia. Our county is surrounded by pristine National Forest and Wildlife Management areas, so keeping the landscape in tune with nature and preserving the natural beauty of our region is a major concern of the entire community. I hope this is just the first of many “Green” projects to come.

BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR JUNE 2009

June 1 – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park
Thursdays at Downtown Ellijay/Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass, country, Gospel and rock-n-Roll 6pm – dark. Free Family Fun! All are Welcome! (706) 635-5961 wilmar225@yahoo.com

June 4 – Aug. 27 / BINGO
Kiwanis Fairgrounds 124 Jones St. in Blue Ridge. Grand prize: $500 Gas Card! Doors open MONDAYS @ 6pm and THURSDAYS @ 7pm. Adults and Children &10 per card. All proceeds go to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. www.blueridgekiwanis.org

June 4 – 6 / Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race
Helen, GA. 36th annual Balloon Race begins at 7am on June 4th. Tethered rides and activities June 5th & 6th. (706) 878-2271

June 5 – 7 / Roots & Music Festival
Hwy 76, Hiawassee. Traditional Country, Bluegrass, Americana & Folk Music. Anderson Music Hall. Bring your instruments and join in! Arts & Crafts booths and tasty cuisine as well! (706) 896-4191 www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

June 5 / Senior Fishing Rodeo
Chattahoochee Natl. Fish Hatchery. Adults ages 55 & older – great fishing! Participants must bring their own fishing gear & bait. Free lunch provided. 9am – 12pm (706) 838-4723

June 6 / Family Fishing Festival
9am – 12pm. Chattahoochee Natl. fish hatchery. Children 16 and under fish free! Learn about environmental conservation, trout fishing and USDA. T-shirts and great food! (706) 838-4723

June 6 / Blue Ridge Story Tellers
7pm at the Blue Ridge Community Theatre, 11 Mountain St in Blue Ridge. Music and Storytelling and an evening of family fun! Tickets $5. Benefits the Sunny D Children’s Theatre scholarship fund. (706) 374-5616 www.blueridgecommunitytheatre.com

June 8 – 12 / Family Camp
Unicoi State Park, Helen, GA. 9am – 12pm. Make your family vacation memorable by attending fun classes and workshops with your family. Activities include, canoeing, archery, stream studies, wilderness survival and more! No age limit. (706) 878-2201 ext. 305. (706) 878-2201 www.gastateparks.org

June 15 – 28 / Sunny D. Children’s Camp
9am – 2pm This years theme: “Sunny D. Remembers When,” A tribute to the early days of radio, television and film. Campers will be divided into 3 age groups and a will participate in a production at the end of Camp for friends and family. (706) 632-9223 www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com

June 19 – 20 / Music & Comedy Fest
Jonica Gap Campground. 1412 Haygood rd. in Mineral Bluff. Celebrating women in music, comedy and the arts. Camping recommended but daily passes are also available for $15. Passes good from 10am-11pm “Fighting cancer one song and one laugh at a time.” (706) 374-5465 www.jonicagapcampground.com

June 20 / Lewis Grizzard- In His Own Words
Performing Arts Center by Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge. Actor Steve Cool brings Lewis Grizzard to life in this hilarious “fun” raiser. Tickets $15 to benefit the Blue Ridge Community Theatre. (706) 632-9223 www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com

I love being part of a small town community because the members of this township are not so great in number and so extremely busy that they don’t know or notice their neighbors. The way this community cares for those less fortunate is what really stands out in this dog-eat-dog busy world we so often find ourselves living in.

This season ground was broken for the first component of a new program being developed here in Blue Ridge. "Feed Fannin" is a volunteer group with the mission to eliminate hunger and help feed the less fortunate in our area with fresh grown food.

All produce grown will be donated to feed the people at the homeless shelter in Fannin County’s Family Connections Resource Center.


“Feed Fannin” is modeled off of the Cartecay community garden in Gilmer County. That group began 5 years ago on a small donated plot, and they managed to produce over 700 lbs of vegetables in its first year. Only five years later, their goal is is up to 22,000 lbs in their now 45,000 sq ft garden.

Over 50 volunteers, many senior citizens, are in the process of fertilizing, planting and hoping to encourage residents to donate manure for the strictly organic garden. The organization even received a brand new Kubota tractor, donated by “Mason Equipment Rental & Tire Center. Everyone in the community is invited to participate.

Those that don’t have money to give can still contribute by donating their time to the garden to help those who are less fortunate. If you don’t have the time, but would like to make a financial donation, your money will be used to buy seed and fertilizer and nothing will go to waste in this eco-friendly endeavor.

To volunteer or for more information on this program, call (706) 632-6063. Just one more reason Blue Ridge is “Good For The Soul”. I love this community!

I have good news and bad news. First, the good news; the Real Estate business is activity; the bad news is ACTIVTY DOESN’T ALWAYS = CONTRACTS. My phone is ringing off the hook with leads, listings and showings; even Buyers, but noone seems in a hurry to make a move. There’s more bad news.

All this activity keeps me busy, but I have no time left to Blog. I feared this would happen, and I hear it all the time. Blogs bring success…success leaves little time to Blog. I am just taking some time tonight to report that although my blogging has been a little lax, I am going to utilize my time in the airport waiting for my flight to rectify this situation.

Everyone was waiting for the “bottom” of the real estate market to hit. Of course there is no absolute “bottom” to hit, but most market reports suggest the “bottom” has come and gone. The reaction in the market is a flurry of activity, but there is an understandable hesitancy to today’s Buyer.

In other words, a year of people listening to the horror stories and staying inactive, paralyzed with fear is not shaken off over night. However, we have seen this past month, people get out there and start to make purchases, reducing the inventory and eliminating the surplus properties, so eventually, the market will begin to follow and move in a positive direction, but as predicted, it’s not gonna happen with any speed, despite the need.

I believe this is one of the best times in the history of our country to buy real estate. The low rates and low prices are some of the best we have ever had available, and it is not a mistake to make a move and buy now if you have the means. There are enough great opportunities for everyone to get an amazing deal in the current market, but if you are just waiting for the dust to settle, perhaps you should reevaluate. What are you waiting for? Help yourself, help the economy…buy a new home.

This weekend is one of my favorite events in Blue Ridge Georgia; Arts In The Park.

This festival brings all types of artists together in outdoor diplays throughout the downtown Blue Ridge green. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, individial artists submit their works for approval to be on diplay in what has become one of the largest arts festivals in the Tri-State area. The genres used by the artists range from wood and natural materials, to photographers, painters, sculptors and a plethora of unique offerings.

Of course, you'll find food vendors there, so you can make it through a full day of art viewing and shopping without having to take a break. My favorite vendor at the event is the homemade soda pop stand, with Sasparilla, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Cherry Wine, and other old fashioned concoctions you’ve only heard tell of in old stories.

The combination of May’s breath-taking weather, the eye-catching displays, and the leisurely pace of strolling through the park and gravitating towards whatever catches your eye makes for a most enjoyable day that leads to a deeper understanding of why "Art" is considered good for the soul.

Blue Ridge is less than 90 minutes from Atlanta, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee, so get creative and take a day trip to the mountains. "Arts In The Park" will be held Memorial Day weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 23rd & 24th. Admission is usually free, but due to budget cuts for the arts, a 3 dollar donation is suggested to help the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association.