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Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate

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Painfully Funny Video -- "How to Buy a Bank-Owned Home"

10-13-09
Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate
A fellow agent e-mailed this to me today. The video, entitled "How to Buy a Bank Owned Home," is sure to bring a laugh -- perhaps a pained one -- but a laugh, nonetheless. I think we can all relate...no matter which "part" we play.

Enjoy!



  
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Blue Ridge Market Report -- September 2009

10-11-09
Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate

Sales up-Prices downHome sales in Fannin County are mirroring the national trend -- sales are up, but prices are down. September 2009 saw 33 residential sales, with a median price of $206,000, compared to 27 residential sales and a median sale price of $245,000 in September of last year.

Foreclosures account for about 20% of last month's sales. Since our local MLS didn't have a separate category for foreclosures last September,  it is difficult to ascertain what percentage of last year's sales were foreclosures. However, from personal observation, they are up this year over last year at this time. In my opinion, the increase in sales of foreclosures is part of what is driving prices down.

Another major factor exerting downward pressure on prices is our existing inventory. There are 822 active residential listings on the market today. At current sales levels, it will take about two years for all the homes on the market in Fannin County to be absorbed.

One difference between our area and most others across the country is that our increase in sales is not being driven by first-time homebuyers looking to take advantage of the tax credit by November 30. Our market is overwhelmingly a second-home market, so our sales are not being artificially propped up by the tax incentive. Hopefully, that is a sign that our market truly on the upswing.

That said, our backlog of available inventory, combined with foreclosures continuing to hit the market, point to a buyer's market in Blue Ridge for the foreseeable future. 

September 2008 September 2009 Variation
Total Units Sold 27 33 20%
Average Days on Market 126 128 1%
Median Sale Price $245,000 $206,000 -16%

 

 


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Leaf Watching in the North Georgia Mountains

10-08-09
Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate

Autumn in the North Georgia Mountains"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
- Albert Camus

The North Georgia mountains provide an ever-changing canvas upon which Mother Nature paints. Perhaps knowing the winter months will bring little opportunity for color, she pulls out all the stops and splashes the autumn canvas with a riot of reds, golds, yellows, and oranges.

Fall is a spectacular time in the North Georgia mountains. The colors rival anything you will find in New England, and, because we don't get early frosts, the leaves -- in all their splendor -- stay on the trees much longer, stretching leaf-watching season through November. The days are usually sunny and bright, and the average temperatures in October are 69 degrees during the day, and 42 degrees at night.

Because of the above-average rainfall we've had this year, experts predict a particularly colorful and long leaf watching season. So, grab your camera and head for the hills!

Here are some great resources for leaf-watchers:

Fall color information for the Chattahoochee - Ocoee National Forests

Georgia Forestry Commission's Fall Color Report

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Fall Leaf Watch 2009

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North Georgia Mountains Calendar of Events -- October 2009

09-29-09
Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate

North Georgia Calendar of Events

From August 29, 2009 Quilt Exhibit / Blue Ridge Mountains Art Association
To October 06, 2009 420 West Main Street (Old Courthouse in Blue Ridge)
From September 10, 2009 Oktoberfest
To October 31, 2009 Helen, GA
From October 02, 2009 Flea Market / Air Conditioned
To October 03, 2009 St. Anthony's Church
From October 02, 2009 Art / Live Theater
To October 04, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater
From October 03, 2009 Fall Festival at John C. Campbell Folk School
To October 04, 2009 John C. Campbell Folk School
From October 03, 2009 Cherry Log Fall Festival
To October 04, 2009 Cherry Log, Ga.
October 03, 2009 Halloween Horror Putt-Putt
Lilly Pad Village
October 03, 2009 Copper Festival
Downtown Ducktown
October 03, 2009 Ride for Angels / Motorcycle Event
United Community Bank Pavillion
From October 03, 2009 Marble Festival
To October 04, 2009 Jasper, Ga.
From October 03, 2009 Indian Summer Festival
To October 04, 2009 Suches, Ga.
October 06, 2009 Winter Pickn'
Ann's Pickin Parlor 50 Kingstown Street
From October 09, 2009 Flea Market / Air Conditioned
To October 10, 2009 St. Anthony's Church
From October 09, 2009 Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
To October 18, 2009 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Hiawassee, Ga.
From October 09, 2009 Art / Live Theater
To October 11, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater
From October 10, 2009 Apple Festival
To October 11, 2009 Ellijay
From October 10, 2009 Cherry Log Fall Festival
To October 11, 2009 Cherry Log, Ga.
From October 10, 2009 Sorghum Festival
To October 11, 2009 Blairsville, Ga.
October 10, 2009 Antique Car Show
Ellijay
From October 10, 2009 Prater's Mill Country Fair
To October 11, 2009 Dalton, Ga.
October 10, 2009 Halloween Horror Putt-Putt
Lilly Pad Village
October 13, 2009 Winter Pickn'
Ann's Pickin Parlor 50 Kingstown Street
From October 16, 2009 Flea Market / Air Conditioned
To October 17, 2009 St. Anthony's Church
From October 16, 2009 Halloween Horror Putt-Putt
To October 17, 2009 Lilly Pad Village
From October 17, 2009 National Juried Art Show
To October 18, 2009 Blue Ridge Art Association
From October 17, 2009 Mountain Harvest Arts and Craft Sale
To October 18, 2009 Blue Ridge
From October 17, 2009 Gold Rush Days
To October 18, 2009 Dahlonega, Ga.
From October 17, 2009 Apple Festival
To October 18, 2009 Ellijay
From October 17, 2009 Cherry Log Fall Festival
To October 17, 2009 Cherry Log, Ga.
From October 17, 2009 Sorghum Festival
To October 18, 2009 Blairsville, Ga.
From October 17, 2009 Heritage Days
To October 18, 2009 Talking Rock, Ga.
October 17, 2009 Fall Hoedown
Blairsville
October 20, 2009 Winter Pickn'
Ann's Pickin Parlor 50 Kingstown Street
From October 23, 2009 Halloween Horror Putt-Putt
To October 24, 2009 Lilly Pad Village
October 24, 2009 Paws In The Park
Downtown Blue Ridge City Park
From October 24, 2009 Mountain Harvest Arts and Craft Sale
To October 25, 2009 Blue Ridge
October 24, 2009 Classic Cars "Cruise In"
Home Depot Parking Lot
October 24, 2009 TELLABRATION, Storytelling for all
Blue Ridge Community Theater
October 24, 2009 Annual Harvest Festival
Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris
October 25, 2009 Farmer Browns Pumpkin Ride on the Train
Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad
October 27, 2009 Winter Pickn'
Ann's Pickin Parlor 50 Kingstown Street
October 30, 2009 Halloween Horror Putt-Putt
Lilly Pad Village
October 31, 2009 Halloween Safe Zone / Nightmare on Main Street
Blue Ridge
October 31, 2009 Annual Copper Basin Halloween Costume Parade
Downtown McCaysville/Copperhill
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North Georgia Mountains Calendar of Events -- AUGUST 2009

07-30-09
Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate

North Georgia Mountains Calendar of Events -- August 2009

From June 20, 2009 Atlanta Collage Society Art Exhibit
To August 01, 2009 The Art Center
From July 15, 2009 Harry Potter Movie / Swan Drive-in
To August 04, 2009 The Swan Drive-in 651 Summit Street
From July 31, 2009 Classic Musical Comedy / The Fantasticks
To August 02, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater
August 01, 2009 Blacksmith Demonstrations / Beatie Blacksmith Gallery
2076 Douthit Road
From August 01, 2009 The Art of Marsha Hamby Savage
To August 23, 2009 The Art Center
August 01, 2009 Smokey Bear's Birthday Party
Ocoee Whitewater Center in Ducktown, TN
August 01, 2009 Farmers Market / Mountain Fresh Market
The Farm / Cohutta Pet & Feed
August 06, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun!
Kiwanis Fair Grounds
August 06, 2009 Pickin' in the Park
Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.
From August 07, 2009 Classic Musical Comedy / The Fantasticks
To August 09, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater
August 08, 2009 High Country Harmonizers / Let's Sing
Fannin County Performing Arts Center
August 13, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun!
Kiwanis Fair Grounds
August 13, 2009 Pickin' in the Park
Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.
From August 14, 2009 Classic Musical Comedy / The Fantasticks
To August 16, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater
August 15, 2009 Farmers Market / Mountain Fresh Market
The Farm / Cohutta Pet & Feed
August 20, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun!
Kiwanis Fair Grounds
August 20, 2009 Pickin' in the Park
Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.
From August 21, 2009 Rodeo
To August 22, 2009 Kiwanis Fairgrounds, Blue Ridge
August 22, 2009 Farmers Market / Mountain Fresh Market
The Farm / Cohutta Pet & Feed
August 22, 2009 Classic Cars "Cruise In"
Home Depot Parking Lot
August 27, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun!
Kiwanis Fair Grounds
August 27, 2009 Pickin' in the Park
Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.
From August 27, 2009 Hilarous Comedy / Greater Tuna
To August 29, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater
From August 29, 2009 Blue Ridge Mountains Festival of Arts
To August 30, 2009 Georgia Mountains Fairgrounds
From August 29, 2009 Quilt Exhibit / Blue Ridge Mountains Art Association
To October 06, 2009 420 West Main Street (Old Courthouse in Blue Ridge)

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