A little bit less activity on all fronts this week over last week's Pickens County, Georgia, home listing and sales activity. With fewer new active listings coming on market, than seen in previous weeks overall inventory actually declined for the week.
New Listing and Pending Sales Activity for 03/01/08 - 03/07/08
End of Week Totals - 03/07/08
Neighborhoods with New Listings
Neighborhoods with New Pending Sales
NOTE: "Homes sold" usually involves a time delay in reporting, therefore sales shown for a given week are likely to not have occurred in that week, but are merely reported in that week. Data is gathered from FMLS listing service, is for informational purposes only and is not warranted. For sale by owner residences and private sales are not included.
For more detailed information about North Georgia real estate market trends; email lists of homes for sale or recently sold anywhere in Pickens County GA; or, daily email updates of price changes, foreclosures, and homes new to the market in any Jasper GA neighborhood, just send Send Us An Email with your request. You can also use the Property Search feature to search North Georgia homes for sale by neighborhood.
I think the city of Ball Ground, GA, is often overlooked as a "small" rural community, removed from the bustle of the more southerly portions of Cherokee County. I have encountered online discussions that comment on the lack of "shopping" and "entertainment", and distance from main hubs of activity (including somewhat disparaging remarks), that imply it's not worth considering as a place to live.
And to a degree, some of the statements are true. Ball Ground has no mall or megaplex theater or Wal-Mart. But then again, not everyone needs those things on their doorstep -- many in fact would prefer not to have them. What I feel many are missing when they exclude homes for sale in Ball Ground from their search criteria, is the breadth of the area and properties contained within the search term "Ball Ground", and the future potential of this quiet community.
Without going into great detail about demographics or history (which information is readily available on the Internet), I would like to point out some of the features that I feel make Ball Ground real estate of particular appeal to the right buyer.
In my opinion, Ball Ground's position between the fast growing towns of Canton and Jasper (and to an extent Cumming), make its long term growth inevitable. Residents meanwhile are able to avail themselves of the medical, retail, service, dining and entertainment industries of these surrounding cities, mere minutes away, without the crowding or congestion. There is the sense of being away from it all, yet commutes are very reasonable for those working further afield. A best of both worlds scenario.
Progress is being made on some local commercial development, including a new Publix store, which will provide for more immediate needs, and the city has raised $1.3 million for a streetscape project that will improve on existing pedestrian infrastructure. A new city hall and post office, and fairly new library, are already in place. All important factors that play into my main point . . .
While the Ball Ground of today has the appearance of a one street town, occupied mostly by the late Oscar Robertson's collection of rock-filled storefronts, all the signs are in place for change on the horizon . . . but, Ball Ground real estate prices right now are still at a very reasonable level!
What many buyers considering Ball Ground homes for sale perhaps overlook is that of the more than 200-homes available in the area, many are newer, on larger acreage, or actually closer to conveniences than first thought. For example, some of the listings of houses for sale are actually in Pickens County, in the Yellow Creek / Four Mile Church Rd area (such as The Oaks at Yellow Creek), while still others are further east, all the way over in Forsyth County along Highway 369 (Matt Highway), such as homes found in The Preserve at Etowah, Poole's Mill, or River Hill . . . all still considered to be part of the Ball Ground area.
Even within Cherokee County, homes or land designated as having a "Ball Ground" address can be found as far from the actual city limits as west of Highway 515, extending from Bethany Road up to the Pickens County line -- Rock Chimneys, Bethany Manor and Stonewood Farms are examples of developments in this portion. Heading south, Ball Ground homes for sale can be found along East Cherokee and Coker's Chapel all the way down to busy Highway 20, including the neighborhoods of Creekside Estates and Smithwick Crossing.
As mentioned, many homes offer large acreage or other features not readily found in more built up areas, particularly the great many houses that do not fall within any clearly defined subdivision. Prices vary greatly, everything from the mid-$100's to low-$200's found in Bethany Manor, Olde Mill, River Brooke, Lantern Walk, Smithwick Crossing and Mountain Brooke, to the high-$200's and $300's found in Creekside Estates, Maple Valley, Rock Chimneys, Stonewood Farms, and Oaks at Yellow Creek. There are even the $1-million plus neighborhoods of Hawk's Ridge and Woodhaven Bend for the higher-end buyer.
Aside from the improvements taking place within the city itself, one of the important elements I see is that a number of these newer, affordable neighborhoods are located within, or close to, the city limits, on small level lots, making maintenance easy, and walking to at least some conveniences possible. (Mountain Brooke North, Olde Mill, Lantern Walk, Maple Valley). Styles are generally some combination of Craftsmen / traditional, and often are slab or one-level living, for a consistent appearance and possible suitability to retirement or senior living, as much as starter or family homes. One community (Lantern Walk) even bills itself as an "Active Adult" community. If this trend continues, Ball Ground may be able to offer a truly "community" feel for the great number of people who would like to see a return to this type of lifestyle. And to me that's a huge selling point.
(For those who prefer to "keep their distance", The Oaks at Yellow Creek offers 3+ acre wooded lots and Creekside Estates 2+ acres, so again, plenty of choice for all home buyers).
Overall, Ball Ground has too much to offer from location, convenience, affordability and charm to remain a secret forever, and I don't expect it to stay that way. The opportunity to get in on the ground floor is likely now, while prices are reasonable . . . probably won't be the case a few years from now.
For questions about Ball Ground or any of the communities mentioned here, please feel free to contact me, or post a comment below.
Another positive move for Jasper GA pending home sales week-on-week, pushing the total number of houses under contract to a promising total of 47. New listings on market also up, but a slight drop in overall inventory of homes for sale in Pickens County, due to expired and withdrawn listings. Hopefully a trend that can hold . . .
New Listing and Pending Sales Activity for 02/23/08 - 02/29/08
End of Week Totals - 2/29/08
Neighborhoods with New Listings
Neighborhoods with New Pending Sales
NOTE: "Homes sold" usually involves a time delay in reporting, therefore sales shown for a given week are likely to not have occurred in that week, but are merely reported in that week. Data is gathered from FMLS listing service, is for informational purposes only and is not warranted. For sale by owner residences and private sales are not included.
For more detailed information about North Georgia real estate market trends; email lists of homes for sale or recently sold anywhere in Pickens County GA; or, daily email updates of price changes, foreclosures, and homes new to the market in any Jasper GA neighborhood, just send Send Us An Email with your request. You can also use the Property Search feature to search North Georgia homes for sale by neighborhood.
I have debated a fair amount on this post. Without a doubt it has the markings of controversy (not of my making), but nevertheless, a topic which bears some discussion.
On one of of my other North Georgia real estate blogs, I published a post with the adversarial title, "Big Canoe® v. Bent Tree, GA: Which is Better?". This was intended as an even-handed look at our two largest gated-communities in Pickens County GA, and what they offered to residents by comparison, and not as an endorsement or disparagement of one over the other. However, as so frequently occurs with blog posts (and one of the reasons I love blogging), this post drew the attention of the community and reader comments led us in an unexpected direction . . . raising some rather interesting issues with regard to the community of Big Canoe®.
So, I thought I would take those comments and develop them into a post all its own here on ActiveRain, as I know there are other REALTORS®, Big Canoe® residents, and readers familiar with this community who are active in this forum, and thought I might broaden the conversation a little to gather more insight (and let the chips fall where they may).
I won't publish all 17 comments here, but will include a couple that most vociferously express the feeling of their authors. In summary, the issues alleged revolve mostly around fees, the governance of Big Canoe®, and resident involvement (or lack thereof) in decision-making. Specifically:
Below is one of the comments on the subject that seems to best capture the general tone:
"In my case, I see a new impact fee as making it harder to sell my house this year; especially, since Dawson County is considering its own impact fee this year.
My friends and I want to leave Big Canoe because of its long-term financial health seems to be getting worst [sic] with each passing year.
Why is it getting worst? After living here 10 years and getting to know its governing structure, it is clear that property owners lack control of their current and future community expenses.
The POA Board Directors are not elected but are appointed by one large block of votes, not by the majority of property owners. The final decisions on how to spend very large sums of money, like whether or not to build a new $10,000,000 Sconti restaurant, are decided by the same block of votes.
Unlike other gated communities, Big Canoe property owners have no financial control of the community or its future."
In a separate comment, the author of the above comment mentioned another blog addressing these issues, including specific reference to the applicable sections of the by-laws:
Big Canoe, GA - 2007 Election for POA Board Director
So, it seems safe to say, based on this website and the comments on my blog, that there is at least some perception of a need for change within Big Canoe®. How widespread the sentiment is, I cannot say. It appears block vote impact could be minimized if this was a concern of ALL residents, so have to assume for some (many?), it is a non-issue, but clearly for some, it is a very big issue.
Would love some feedback on the subject. It seems one of considerable importance for not just current residents, or those looking to buy or sell a home in Big Canoe, but also to those of us who work in the real estate arena.
What are the opposing viewpoints? Any thoughts from POA board members; Big Canoe, LLC; residents; REALTORS®?
Are there others who share the concerns and can expand on them?
NOTE: I have watched Big Canoe® grow over a period of twenty years, which includes a lot of great memories for me, so I have nothing against the community and don't want this to turn into a "Big Canoe®" bashing forum. I think Big Canoe® is a great development, with a lot to offer, and don't want to pass on the wrong message to those not familiar with it. The issues raised here may matter to some more than others. Intelligent and informed discussion is welcome, as I feel it essential to make this type of information available to those trying to decide on a place to buy a home or land, provided that all representations / statements are true and well-intentioned, not simply a blind attack (inappropriate comments will be deleted!).
Thanks for your thoughts!
This week's real estate activity in Pickens County GA again saw a very slight uptick in the number of pending Jasper GA home sales over the previous week's numbers, while the number of new listings of homes for sale coming on market dropped slightly. Nevertheless total listing inventory inched upward for the week, ending at 589 homes for sale in the Jasper, Georgia, area.
New Listing and Pending Sales Activity for 02/16/08 - 02/22/08
End of Week Totals - 2/22/08
Neighborhoods with New Listings
Neighborhoods with New Pending Sales
There appears to be a definite increase in market activity as more buyers make their move. Rising interest rates, speculation as to a "bottom" in sight, moderate weather conditions, and traditional seasonal buying patterns are all likely factors. Will continue to monitor this improvement, which will hopefully hold.
NOTE: "Homes sold" usually involves a time delay in reporting, therefore sales shown for a given week are likely to not have occurred in that week, but are merely reported in that week. Data is gathered from FMLS listing service, is for informational purposes only and is not warranted. For sale by owner residences and private sales are not included.
For more detailed information about North Georgia real estate market trends; email lists of homes for sale or recently sold anywhere in Pickens County GA; or, daily email updates of price changes, foreclosures, and homes new to the market in any Jasper GA neighborhood, just send Send Us An Email with your request. You can also use the Property Search feature to search North Georgia homes for sale by neighborhood.
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Real Estate sales, marketing and consulting services for North Cherokee and Pickens County, Georgia, (Jasper, Tate, Ball Ground, Bent Tree, Big Canoe & Talking Rock GA).
Trent has lived and worked in North Georgia for more than twenty years and has a strong knowledge of the area. His real estate experience lies in both the sales and administrative sides, including working with buyers and sellers of homes, investment properties, residential lots and land tracts, mainly in Jasper and Pickens County, GA, but in also in surrounding areas such as Gilmer, Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth Counties as well.
Trent understands the importance of ongoing education and market insight to further the interests of his clients, and in his more than eight years as a Georgia real estate licensee has worked to constantly stay abreast of developments in the real estate industry, real estate law, technology and local markets, and currently holds a real estate broker's license.
In line with this effort to stay current and be a source of information, aside from his personal real estate website, www.PickensGeorgiaRealEstate.com, Trent also posts regularly to his Georgia and real estate related blogs: www.CurbviewJasper.com, www.GeorgiaLotandLand.com, and of course, http://activerain.com/blogs/dunsandal
Trent believes real estate is evolving into a more complex, yet efficient, process, in which technology will play an increasingly significant role. His focus is on adapting these new technologies and innovations, and moving away from many of the traditional methods and philosophies of real estate, embracing a new way of interacting with consumers and transacting business . . . even if that means going against the grain.
Trent's primary specialty is geographic. His knowledge of Pickens County makes it a natural focus for his business, along with some closely adjoining areas that he works on a more limited basis, such as North Cherokee County, West Dawson County, and North Forsyth County.
Cities covered in Trent's area of specialization include: Jasper, Tate, Talking Rock, Nelson, Ranger, Ludville, Marblehill, Ball Ground, and North Canton.
Neighborhoods include: Bent Tree, The Preserve at Sharp Mountain, Jordan's Crossing, Wild Timber, Hunter's Ridge, Arbor Hills, Madison Ridge, The Village at Oak Creek, Dogwood Trace, Grandview Cove, Hickory Cove, Bethany Moorings, Henderson Woods, Saddle Ridge, Winchester Oaks, Little Creek Farms, The Outback, The Meadowlands, Greystone, Georgian Highlands, Salacoa Highlands, Mount Sequoyah, Monument Falls, Big Canoe, and more . . .
Within this geographic specialty, Trent has a range of experience in the purchase and sale of many types of property including: residential, investment, foreclosure (REO), developed lots, undeveloped land, and real estate auctions (both live and online), having successfully engaged in transactions of each sort, and continuing his education to that end. Part of this ongoing education included completing the course work for the "Commercial Real Estate Professional" designation with the intent of strengthening his business in this arena to incorporate more commercial and development land transactions.
Do you have any good testimonials that clients have provided you in the past? Be sure to add them here.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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