Linda Carrig

The Summer of 2011 is FINALLY over, I say this because I am not a fan of high temperatures and no football!

Let's see how Big Canoe in the North Georgia Mountains is doing TODAY, September 8, 2011.

• 283 Homes are for sale today on FMLS
• 15 of those are either Foreclosures or short sales. A very modest 5%!
• 159 Homes sold in the last 12 months

27 sold in Foreclosure or short sale,

2 are pending that are in Foreclosure or Short Sale.

Of these distressed properties, the average list price was $384K; average sold price was $307K which is 83% of Original List price

Of the TOTAL 159 sold Homes, the average Original List Price was $453K; Average Sold Price was $361K or 83% very close to the Foreclosure numbers.

Foreclosures are going down in Big Canoe, but almost 50% and we have about a one year inventory today of homes. Those numbers are VERY healthy in today's challenging markets!

So Big Canoe can be thought as a bright spot for even more reasons than just gorgeous scenery, wonderful activities and friendly people!

The first question on everyone mind when you announce that you are running for an office is...
WHY???
Because everyone knows that it is extremely hard work and take an exorbitant amount of time...something we seem to have less of as we age.
Actually I was called by a Big Canoe Nominating Committee member and asked to run. Why they called I do not know. My first response was NO!!! I am not a captain of industry like so many of the past candidates were. I have no real experience in leading a community. The committee member said that they felt differently and would I consider the opportunity? After carefull consideration, I decided that in fact I did have something to offer Big Canoe.
First: A woman's perspective. Being a woman is just a fluke of nature, but having been in this female skin for so many years, it has taught me to look at life differently than how I see the men I know look at life. I often find myself seeing the humanity in a problem that is not especially "bottom line" important, but none the less very important. I am not going to expound a great deal about the importance of my gender, but everyone know very important women who have had huge impacts on their lives and that should be enough said on the subject.
Second: I am a business person. I have started a small business during very tough times and that business is still thriving, or at least has not gone under! Starting All Mountain Realty in an area that is already saturated with nationally known companies has been a rewarding challenge. I have learned, grown and had a terrific time while helping people fill their dream of either coming to or leaving this beautiful place in the North Georgia mountains.
Third: I am a part of an interesting, challenging family. I have moved over 10 times in my life and have enjoyed every place that I have lived. My parents had to overcome huge obstacles to acheive their prosperity and provide such a rich life to my siblings and me. I remember walking in on my dad, his head in his hands at 3 am, not being able to sleep wondering how he was going to pay for three girls in college. This was during the time that girls did not readily go to college, but of course HIS girls were going to go! Well, he found the way, albeit on a shoestring, but we all graduated from Ohio State University and went on to carreers not possible even a decade before. Financial planning, strict budgeting and big dollops of hope and love was what I was brought up on, and it didn't matter what part of the country we were living in...the family message was always the same. We made what we had go a little bit further and enjoyed life a little bit more doing so.

So I think that I am very capable of adding to Big Canoe's rich heritage of physical beauty, financial strenght and welcoming, active people.

It's finally here! Bears on the Square 2011! Dahlonega has that old time town square so prevalent in Georgia towns and it has not be obliterated by fast food or big box entities! The town is still charming, quaint and has wonderful, unique shopping and restaurants. Bears on the Square offers shopping from Kiosks and carnival type foods. Dahlonega's fabulous restaurants will be open for those of us preferring better cuisine, including the newly moved Back Porch Oyster Bar...which is no longer on the back porch but in a brand new building! I love the fresh fish available every day via Fed EX or the like!

What makes Bears on the Square stand out from all other faires is the music! The quality and quantity is amazing ang worth the sojourne up to the Georgia mountains! Below is the schedule for Saturday, April 16th venue. Please come and enjoy!