Shelly Fisher-Property Specialist Lake Burton Club, Rabun County

I 've been saying that everyone enjoys the budding trees in spring and the warm months in summer but winter is the best time to look at Real Estate. Below was written by a company that we partner with to expose our Mountian, Lake and Golf community . I believe it hits on all the positive reasons why now is the best time to buy Mountain Real Estate.

Shelly Fisher-Property Specialist

Lake Burton Club

www.lakeburtonclub.com

Looking for Second Home Property in the Winter

December 1st 2010

by Michael Posey

One of the common misconceptions that folks have who may be looking for a second home/vacation home/retirement home in the mountains is that the spring and autumn seasons are the best times to look for properties. Though it is certainly true that mountain properties may be the most beautiful to view at those times, the truth is that the winter months offer the very best opportunity to ascertain the most important characterisitcs of a mountain home site. November 15th to March 15th, the seasonal span when deciduous trees remain predominately defoliated, is the best time to really assess properties for what matters most, topography and views. Topography, both within the home site itself and the topography immediately adjacent to and surrounding it, affects so many aspects of the design of the desired home on a given home site including: 1) foundation type, 2)orientation of the home, 3) privacy, 4) driveway access, 5) tree removal, 6) exposure to sunlight, 7) retention walls, 8) drain field and well locations. That said, it is fair to say that the topographic characteristics of the home site will dictate many of the final design elements of the home. Here's why:

1. Foundation type: slab-on-grade? shallow crawl space? deep crawl space? partial basement? full basement? pedestal foundation? Unless you want to bear the cost of inordinate earthwork expenses, you'll let the existing topography define the most appropriate foundation. Oftentimes, the winter months will allow you to locate the perfect portion of the topography of a given lot to place the home in order to have the desired foundation type.

2. Orientation of the home: You probably picked this lot, in part, because of its view, perhaps its long range, layered view of a wide arc of Blue Ridge mountian peaks and Smoky Mountain ranges. You need to decide what are the most important rooms to orient towards these views and where should the majority of the exterior deck space be to take full advantage of the views. Give these primary view spaces considerable weight in the design of the home. Again, the optimal views from the home site are the easiest to observe in the wintertime.

3. Privacy: If you are buying within a community of master planned, platted home sites, chances are, you will have some neighbors within view. A summertime tour will give you a great indication of the privacy you might enjoy during that time of the year but the winter months will reveal the other extreme, that is, any lack of privacy you may have between fall and spring. The topography of the lot can have a significant impact on that privacy. Rising (or falling) elevations, ridgelines, rock outcroppings and tree densities (even without leaves) can all do wonders to ensure the privacy that most buyers covet in their dream homes.

4. Driveway access: Do you want the driveway to access the house from above? Probably, because that's where the entry foyer is as well as the secondary entrance thru the mudroom to the kitchen. But that's the longest route and the slope is pretty steep above the house; and there are some great grantite outcroppings along that path that you don't want to disturb. Do you want the driveway to be below the house potentially between you and your view? Probably not, but maybe that's the least expensive place to put it and the slope is gentler there. You see the difficulties and the competing goals here? Topography has a great impact on final design because it has everything to do with the flow in and out of the home. You can best understand that topography when you can clearly see it, in the winter.

5. Tree Removal: I don't know anyone who truly wants to remove a beautiful, old-growth hardwood. Many home site buyers will agonize over tree removal decisions that are prompted by the location of the home, the location of the driveway, the location of the septic field and the desire for views. All of these decisions - dilemmas as to optimal locations on the one hand vs the removal of valuable native habitat on the other - can all be addressed through proper understanding of the topography and how to balance the competing interests. That analysis is best acomplished from mid-November to mid-March.

6. Exposure to sunlight: Do you want a garden in the backyard? Do you want to sit on your back porch and view the Sunset each night? Do you want to get a tan on the back porch during the summer months? Do you want to the sun to warm the house in the wintertime? All such questions, when considering the design of your home, are partially dictated by the topography of the home site and the topography of the surrounding land.

7. Retention Walls: Some of the most aesthetically pleasing site "hardscaping" that one can do in the mountains is to create retention walls using boulders and heavy rock, particularly if they can be found in abundance right on the property. Such walls serve the dual purpose of retaining earth that would otherwise erode over time as well as creating a very attractive site element that if done correctly, can appear almost as though it occurred naturally. The topography of the land which is in close proximity to the home and/or the driveway will dictate whether a boulder wall might be necessary to retain the immediatley adjacent earth.

In summary, if you have an interest in acquiring a home site in the North Georgia Mountains , I strongly recommend that you visit those potential communities in which you have an interest during the winter months. If you are from the "flat-lands" - Florida, Texas, the coast, the midwest, etc. - you are starting off at a distinct disadvantage by not having the experience and familiarity with the topography here to know how it can impact virtually every aspect of the design of your dream home. Be smart, ask lots of questions and if you can, try to meet on the home site of your choice with the developer, architect, builder and site contractor prior to making a final decision.

To learn more about retirement, vacation and second home properties in Western North Carolina call one of our community advisors at Private Mountain Communities at 888-517-3322.

Private Mountain Communities offers a real estate advisory service and cost free buyers resource center that showcases Georgia and West Carolina communities and real estate offerings. You can visit us at our Discovery Showroom, the regions most comprehensive preview center located in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville NC or log onto our website and search for properties that are a match for you using our online Community Finder Lifestyle Survey

Oh Spring, I think more than most we are all looking forward to some Spring weather, thawing out and getting back outside. Well here are some great events to place on your calender and come visit the area.

Celebrate Clayton is a large event that gets bigger every year. It now held for two days , April 24th and 25th. This is an Arts and Music festival. They block off all of downtown Clayton, GA were booths are set up with local artists and artists for around the United States. There is live music, food and more entertainment. There is also a 5K & 1Mile Run held on the 24th by the local group of Jr. Woman's club. All the money for registration goes for local girls and scholarships. You can check it all at www.celebrateclayton.com.

Then on May the 22nd and the 23rd our County is hosting it's first ever "Warrior Dash" 5K Run. This is going to be one for the records. This race is a 5K with obstacles for the runners to jump, climb a swim around. We are expecting over 10,000 people per day of the event. My husband and myself will be running so come for that amusement. This will be a great time had by all. If you want to race just go to www.warriordash.com or if you just want to come watch it is free for spectators.

So get the rest of that frozen snow of the porch, forget the Spring cleaning and come enjoy the North Georgia Mountains and all they have to offer!

Spring cleaning has always struck me as odd. I understand that burst of energy you receive when the warm sun returns. And I understand the winter blahs but now is really the time to start the projects you've been putting off. I want my projects done in the winter so when the warm air returns I can be outside.

Some sellers tell me they want to place their home on the market but they want to wait till Spring.

I always tell sellers that if you want to sell it needs to be on the market now.

Not when you get the garage cleaned out or not when you get the baseboards clean but NOW!

Especially in our market where we have so many 'out of the area' buyers. We also still have great tax incentives for a lot of buyers. I had some buyers lately who have looked in our area and could not find what they where looking for so they have bought in other counties. What if your house was the one they would have bought?

I have spoken back and forth with buyers long distance for months till they are able to visit the area. Now you add that potential to all the agents in this town and you just never know when a buyer will be in town.

So take it from me or the agent of your choice. If you are thinking of selling do it NOW!

Call your agent and make an appointment and ask the questions you have about the market today.

Good selling!

Shelly

Are you out there hoping to find that steal on a property? If so here are some helpful tips that might save you some frustration.

1. You need to know the area well enough to make a quick decision.

2. Keep a real estate agent as your guide to keep you informed about new listings, and

foreclosures in the area.

3. Already have a name of your home inspector, terminate inspector, and maybe the contractor

that you want doing any work.(Real estate agents also keep a list of these types of people.)

4. If you need financing go ahead to the bank first. Then you know what you can get and

when dealing with some properties( HUD for EX.) they want a letter of approval from the bank sent in

with your offer.

5. If you are looking to make an offer on a bank owned property you must keep your patience.

Most to not keep within any certain time frame to give you an answer.

6. Be aware that if it's a great deal you may not be the only one looking at the property.

SO MAKE YOUR OFFER COUNT! Sometimes on these HUD , foreclosures, or even sellers

there may be more than one offer coming through on the same day. You may not get a second bid.

There are some great buys out there right now. So pick an agent you trust and let them

help you along the way. Happy buying!!!

I am blessed to be in a unique market. Most markets it's about getting in the right area for work or school or to be near family. Most of the time when people buy in Rabun County it's because they WANT to be here not because they have to be here.

There is more oppourtunity to really let customers find what they have always been dreaming about. Maybe it's the cabin in the woods or the mansion with the big view. Here they are allowed to explore all of our surrounding areas. I service, Clayton, Lakemont, Tiger, Mountain City, Rabun Gap, Dillard and more of the surrounding counties.

For that reason it sometimes takes a lot more work in order to find that perfect home or land. You cannot just go to the neighborhood of your choice. Although Rabun is 70% National Forest there is still a lot of area to cover. I usually suggest starting in some price range then we will talk about the different areas of the county and what each has to offer. Is being on the lake , or near the lake important to you? Or is have some elevation your cup of tea? There is something for all.

So I hope you can come and look for your dream in the mountains of Rabun County.

Buying a dream is fun!