Trent Cluley -- Pickens County Georgia Real Estate

To put it bluntly, the number of available homes for sale in Jasper GA actually placed under contract in the month of February, pretty much sucked! No way to sugarcoat it . . .

Out of 500+ homes for sale in all of Pickens County, only eight were identified as pending sales! Of those eight, three were in Big Canoe. The remaining five were all priced below $200,000 (in fact, in each of the last two months, only ONE of the homes placed under contract in each month has been priced above $300,000, and both of those were in the Big Canoe community).

By contrast, February 2008 saw a total of 30 homes in the Jasper GA area go under contract of sale . . . which for 2009, reflects a very substantial decline of more than 72%!

The average list price of pending sales was $232,228, in a range from $59,900 to $599,900. Actual sale price will remain to be seen once the transactions close, at which time it can be compared to last year's average, which came in at around $199K

511 homes currently for sale puts inventory slightly higher than over the past few months, but still sitting well below peak levels. This is likely to change as we move into the spring selling season.

One consistent trend is the foreclosure levels that continue to climb. While unfortunately not all homes that are bank / lender owned are accurately designated as such in the MLS, at least 35 of available homes for sale were labeled as REO foreclosures or distress sales of some sort . . . A number inching up toward 7% of total inventory of houses for sale!

I don't usually cover residential lots and land in my monthly Pickens County market data reports, but thought it worth noting that there are an increasing number of land foreclosures hitting the market as well.

Obviously the tax incentives, stimulus package, low interest rate and low home prices haven't been sufficient to motivate home buyers to this point. A large percentage of the homes that are selling however, are to first time home buyers taking advantage of some of the great opportunities available. This may account for the reduced average sales prices we've been seeing, and is a trend likely to continue.

March has shown some heightened levels of activity thus far, but will wait until the end of the month to see how that plays out . . .

Some twenty years ago or so I had the opportunity to work in the kitchen of one of the most recognized, and popular, institutions in Jasper GA . . . The Woodbridge Inn.

Okay, so I only worked there for one night before deciding that cutting partially frozen chicken and stuffing escargot just wasn't my thing!!! :-) I may not have made it back for day two, but it was still an experience that has stuck with me to this day.

The reason I was there was that I had the good fortune to be in high school with the owner's son, Hans Rueffert. At a time when I was a newcomer to the community, and knew few people, Hans offered me this opportunity as a friend in passing. Though it didn't work out as a job, I had the opportunity to meet -- and engage in some very entertaining political discussion with -- Han's iconic father, Joe Rueffert . . . along with making contacts in that one night that led to long term friendships for me.

For me, Hans Rueffert's simple gesture actually had consequences beyond that one night, and today I would like to try to repay some of that.

The Woodbridge Inn -- a former hotel built in the 1800's -- has been owned and operated by the Rueffert family since 1976 (well before I even moved to the community). Their efforts turned a somewhat run down old building into the premier eating and lodging establishment in Pickens County GA, with a reputation for friendly service and great food that has made it a landmark in North Georgia.

Hans, and his sister, Sonja were raised in this environment, and in the process, Hans developed an affinity for food and cooking, and has gone on to prove himself a skilled chef. He was a finalist on the reality TV show, "Next Food Network Star", and along with his own local cable / PBS cooking show "Hans Cooks the South", he has recently published his own cookbook: Eat Like There's No Tomorrow.

Unfortunately, this tale has a downside. Not long after losing his sister, Sonja, to cancer, in 2005, Hans was diagnosed with level-3 cancer of the stomach and esophagus. He was able to fight back and continue his burgeoning career, but as I write this, Hans is undergoing intensive therapy at MD Anderson in Texas, for ten brain lesions that were just recently discovered. I can't, and won't, try to explore the discomfort to him and upheaval to his family, but obviously this is troubling news. He has done a masterful job of chronicling his own painful journey on his personal blog, with which I cannot begin to compete . . . reading it has made me so much more grateful for my own health and well-being.

Hans has been forced to cancel the promotional tour for the release of his book, including a scheduled appearance on the Today Show.

With a wife and two young children (6 & 9) counting on him, those that know this gentle and generous man are taking it upon themselves to try to assist in whatever way possible. It is my hope that in the absence of his own ability to market and promote his work, I can be one among the many who are taking over to spread the word virally about his book . . . the proceeds of which will go to assist Hans and his family to make it through this very trying time.

So here is my appeal to the AR community and anyone in the North GA area familiar with The Woodbridge Inn, Hans Rueffert, or the Rueffert family . . .

This is not a solicitation of "donations" or request for anything above and beyond the ordinary!!! I simply ask that the "cooks" among you, or those considering buying a new cookbook, or thinking of giving someone a book as a gift (in this case it would be two gifts for the price of one), or any other excuse you can think of for buying a wonderful book, at least include this one in your consideration. At the very least, check out the details about the book so that you can perhaps suggest it to others . . .

Thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing Eat Like There's No Tomorrow hit the bestseller lists!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

"Hans Cooks" Website

The often overlooked neighborhood of Salacoa Highlands in southern Pickens County GA, is an eclectic neighborhood likely to appeal to a wide variety of North Georgia buyers of homes and land.

Situated on several hundred wooded acres in the Henderson Mountain area, Salacoa Highlands is a long-standing community which blends a mix of the old and the new, the simple and the more elaborate. Homes range from log cabins and small mountain weekend getaways, to large permanent homes with concrete siding, granite counters, hardwood floors, and other popular contemporary features. Many of these houses were built within the last 10-years, but some homes that date back 20-years or more as well.

Lot sizes range from 1.5-acres to 10-acres or more, with natural features that include spectacular mountain views, old growth trees, interesting rock formations, creeks, springs, and even land with views of, or frontage on, the large spring-fed community lake. The lake is an ideal spot for picnics, fishing, swimming, boating (non gas-powered boats only), and is open to use by residents only.

While there are deeded covenants and restrictions to provide some control over activities and structures within the subdivision, and thereby protect use and enjoyment by all, as well as helping preserve property values, these CCR's are not overly restrictive. There appears no effort to create a cookie-cutter development with all homes and lots looking the same, or prevent personal creativity in home finishes, landscaping and use.

Homes for sale in Salacoa Highlands generally fall well under the $300,000, with an average sale price below $200,000. (Of the four homes sales recorded in the prior 12-months of this writing, all four were priced under $200,000, but the previous year saw some sales above $200,000.) Lots for sale in Salacoa Highlands are relatively inexpensive when compared with other developed residential land available in Pickens County, often selling for as low as $10,000-$15,000 per acre. Even lakefront property can sometimes be purchased for under $100,000 for a lot, which is considerably lower than lake front lots in other communities.

Annual association dues currently fall at less than $200 for a single lot, and with the lake serving as the only neighborhood "amenity" to speak of (no swim, tennis, golf, etc.), there are no additional "user" fees above the annual dues payed to the Salacoa Highlands Homeowner's Association (HOA).

The location of the development is relatively convenient, situated southwest of Jasper in southern Pickens County GA, fairly close to Cherokee County, Hwy 108 (Waleska Highway), and Hwy 515. However, as with many "mountain" communities, access roads can be winding and, in places, steep, slowing travel times somewhat. Main roads are generally paved, but some of the interior roads at higher elevations are still unpaved gravel / dirt roads. Likewise, some lots and homes are served by public water (mostly along Henderson Mt. Road), while those further in have, or will require, a well and septic tank (no public sewer available).

Overall, for anyone looking for something a little different, whether a second home in the mountains, a weekend cottage, an affordable home on acreage, or a laid-back community that allows for personal freedom in which to live, Salacoa Highlands in Jasper GA, presents such an opportunity.

For questions about this or other Jasper GA neighborhoods, or for a list of homes and land for sale in Salacoa Highlands and Pickens County GA, call or email Trent anytime.

An inauspicious start to the new year . . .

Eleven houses currently listed as "Pending" sales for the month of January 2009, with 2 others in some form of contingency contract status, and two sold. Assuming that all pending sales and contingency contracts actually close (a rarity), that would put the total number of sales at 15 for the month. Slightly better than December's numbers -- which is usually the case for January -- but still way off when compared to the same month in previous years.

January 2008 reflected 21 homes sold in the Jasper GA / Talking Rock / Big Canoe area . . . 29% higher than this year, while January 2007, with 34 sales, came in 56% higher! (Or, this year shows a 44% decline from 2007's already slowing sales.)

With only two closings, the actual average sale price is yet to be determined, but . . . the average list price of those under contract is only $130,718, and those closed averaged only $113,500! Safe to say that we will come in under January last year's average of $188,663. Tellingly, nine of the 15 homes were bank-owned foreclosures (60%!). . .

In each of the last two months, there has been only one home placed under contract in the above $300,000 price range (both in Big Canoe, which seems to be holding its own as a percentage of total sales). Not great for those with higher-priced properties to sell.

Days on Market (DOM) is still fairly good, coming in at 86 days for those homes that did find a buyer.

None of this does much to prop up my ongoing efforts to find positive news on which to report, but the year is still young and spring is around the corner. Who knows? . . .

View my market report on Jasper / Pickens County GA home sales for all 2008 here.

As anticipated, home sales in the Pickens County area dipped even lower during December 2008, as the effect of the holidays, weather, and economic uncertainty further inhibited already reduced sales activity.

Only 14 homes were placed under contract for the whole month, roughly half of which have yet to close, making any kind of conclusion about final sale prices or averages difficult. At this point, it appears average sale price will fall under $200,000, which is in keeping with last month's sales data, which put the average home sale price in Jasper at around $174,000 for November 2008 (at a list-to-sale ratio of only 92%). Three of the 14 homes sold (21%) were bank-owned foreclosures, while Big Canoe accounted for four (29%) of the sales.

In line with another trend reported on in prior months, inventory continued to decline significantly, dropping to only 500 homes for sale in Pickens County, GA, (about 14% lower than we were at the same time last year). I wouldn't be surprised to see this trend reverse slightly as we move back into spring -- I'm already seeing increased seller activity as the early birds are jumping in ahead of the competition.

Of the 500 available homes, 29were listed as lender-owned (REO), corporate-owned, bankruptcy, or short sale properties -- 5.8% of total inventory. Unfortunately, the number of distress sale properties on market will in all likelihood increase in weeks to come.

I will include a link to the year's sales data when I have it posted, but it is safe to say it won't be a very positive report. Here's to a much better 2009 . . .