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

Wow, I won my first award in Real Estate today. I didn't even know there were such things, but it makes sense... what with everything having it's own subculture, why not Real Estate. Being relatively new to the business, I had no expectations, which made being an awards recipient all that much more fun. I knew I was nominated, and that alone was a thrill, but I really couldn't imagine my actually winning anything so soon.

My fellow associates were really good at keeping a secret, because apparently, many knew about my getting the Circle of Excellence Award for 2008 Rookie Of The Year, from the North East Georgia Board of Realtors weeks ago. When they announced my name at the awards banquet today, I was really shocked, but very pleased to be recognized in any outside way for what I do, and how hard I go at it.

Mostly, I just have to express my gratitude for my teachers and mentors in this business, who all happen to reside in my office. They are generous spirits who share all they have learned and more. The support and commaraderrie I receive from my officemates makes my job a joy for me.

It's so much more than work, and even more than real estate, if you can believe there is such a thing, but as corny as it sounds, it's makes us feel like a family. A sometimes disfunctional family, with all the other junk that goes along with being a family, but mostly, a loving, caring family that makes you feel like, rookie or not, you belong.

Blue Ridge, Georgia draws people to it, like a magnet. It’s a special place, almost like stepping back into a simpler time, to when life was slower paced and people waved to you as you passed by. But, the transition to the simple life’s not so simple for many transplants who come from more contemporary urban cultures.

I see so many people who move to Blue Ridge from more modern settings struggle with the cultural differences they encounter once theyt live here. The very things that first attract folks to the area, later appear to be obstacles to be overcome.

It’s the old adage of “Wherever we go, we bring ourselves with us”, but in this case, we bring our old cultural conditioning with us. Moving to this community requires stepping back and making a conscious decision to leave behind the fast paced, high-pressure, go-go conditioning, and embrace the simpler, slower pace that beckoned you to the area.

Time management here, means taking the time to have a casual conversation with a neighbor, just for the sake of listening, and making a connection. It means putting relationships with your community members above your daily objectives. No timetable is more valuable than the time it takes to be courteous to a friend or ever better, a stranger.

So be careful what you wish for. When you come to Blue Ridge, bring your sense of adventure, your appreciation for nature and your need for peace... but leave your high stress drive and the daily pressures of city living behind you, and just enjoy life for the sake of living…enjoy Blue Ridge.

I never cease to marvel at the talented array of people who are drawn to our little hometown community of Blue Ridge Georgia. Take, for instance, Ann Blonder, the owner of one of downtown Blue Ridge’s premier dining facilities, REPAZ ON MAIN.

Originally from Buckhead, Ann owned a home on Lake Blue Ridge for years before she finally opened REPAZ, at the urging of her children. After years of watching their mother host events and cook amazing meals, it seemed to them the logical next step. In fact, it was the names of her 3 children, REbecca, PAige & Zachary, that inspired the name she eventually chose for her fine establishment.

Dining at REPAZ is not just eating: it is an occasion. Where the rustic charm and elegant atmosphere leave off, the amazing, ever- changing menu and exquisitely prepared dishes take over, to give you a 5-star dining event. Everything served is fresh and full of flavor; you don’t want to miss it.

One of my clients, and new friends to the area, Lynn Haber, had this to say about her REPAZ experience.

While visiting Blue Ridge, dining at REPAZ is a must! The food is amazing!

The sandwiches include such masterpieces as the "Black and Blue" and The best Reuben I have ever had.

Order the "Tasting" and it will offer you a bit of everything, from great tossed salads, to creamy Tomato Basil and other soups, on to supreme entrees and then to delectable deserts. By the time you are done, you will feel like you've traveled the world.

The chef at REPAZ, Adam Daniel (shown in the photo), will amaze you with big town taste wrapped up in a cozy Mountain Chateau Hideaway. Every time I eat there, which is most days they are open, I can not believe such a great restaurant is hiding out in downtown Blue Ridge. How lucky am I.

Just in case you were wondering, I am in not way related to or affiliated with the REPAZ. I am just a customer who is continuously blown away by their amazing food. Please dine there while you’re in town. I want to see them succeed. You have to eat anyway. You may as well eat great food.... but, save a seat for me!

My new nick-name at REPAZ is “Reuben!” My real name is Lynn Haber. I own a cabin in Blue Ridge, I am a Home Inspector, and I live in the Texas Hill County, where I assure you, we know good food when we taste it! ENJOY!


The staff at REPAZ ON MAIN promises that you will always receive a warm welcome when you come in. 
The same goes for any questions, comments or suggestions you may have. If you are planning to be in town with a large party and need special accommodations, let them know. If you need information about hosting a private dining event, or, you simply want to make lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch reservations, they would be delighted to hear from — and see — you.

Repaz On Main is located at 
576 East Main Street
, in the historic downtown Blue Ridge district. To reach them by phone, call (706) 946-6912.

They serve LUNCH: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
 and are open for DINNER: Thursday - Saturday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm with a 
Sunday BRUNCH offered from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

I have good news and bad news. First, the good news; the Real Estate business is definitely picking back up. My phone is ringing, ringing, ringing with leads, listings and buyers ready to make a move. The bad news is, I've lost my time to Blog.

I feared this would happen. I hear it all the time. Blogs bring success…success leaves little time to Blog. I am just taking some time before I slam into my busy day to report that although my blogging has been a little lax, the reason is good for us all.


Everyone has been waiting for the “bottom” of the real estate market, and I think that this new flurry of activity is a sign that people believe the bottom is here. This is very important, because in sales, as in life, perception creates reality, in real estate especially. Of course there is no actual “bottom” to hit. The declining market will simply slow down and waver at a low point before gradually returning on its pendulum swing in an upward direction, but… and this is the remarkable thing…the public will ultimately control the market with their actions.


In other words, if people decide to listen to the horror stories and stay inactive, paralyzed with fear, the market will continue to slump. However, if, as we have seen this past month, people get out there and start to make purchases, reducing the inventory and eliminating the surplus properties, the market will begin to follow and move in a positive direction.


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 bottom, perhaps you should reevaluate. What are you waiting for? I say, Help yourself...Help the economy…Buy a new home.

Moving from the city to the country has put me at a definite disadvantage when it comes to insights into my relationship with my wife. The way a woman’s mind works has always been hard to keep up with, keeping track of their ever-changing wants and needs, but now that we live on 50 acres in Blue Ridge, Georgia…forget about it.

Valentines Day came and went this year, and I gave my wife a beautiful, multi-strand sterling necklace with 3 gemstone pendants that can hang from it interchangeably. I mean, come on, it’s jewelry. Don’t all women like jewelry? She liked it all right.

On my way home from a walk-through Saturday, I stopped by the flea market to say hello to some friends of mine, and I saw some old chicken roosts for sale. I inquired as to the price, and decided to come back on Sunday and buy a couple dozen…that means they were cheap-cheap.

I got my son to help me put them up in my wife’s newer chicken coop, so when she’d return home from her trip, she’d be pleasantly surprised. I‘ve heard her mention wanting some new roosts for a while, and the price was right, so what the heck.

Well, you’d have thought I’d given her a fistful of diamonds from her reaction. She was completely thrilled, and she called me throughout the next 2 days to gush about how thrilled she was.

So you can be married to a woman for decades, and still not know the way to win her heart. It's hard to tell which gifts will thrill and which will lay an egg. It's obviously not how one might imagine, in this case. Lucky for me I am lucky in love, and lucky for her, the way to a man’s heart is consistently through his stomach.