The North Georgia Cabin Guide

OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN

2010-04-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Georgia Board of REALTORS is sponsoring a Statewide open house this weekend. It's great opportunity for you to get out and see that the market has to offer for you.

I will be holding an open house this weekend in Ellijay GA in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Saturday from 12- 5 and Sunday from 10-3 I will be at 34 Goblet Court in Coosawattee River Resort from 10:30am until 3pm. If you want on a cabin ON THE RIVER, this is it. Visit www.RandRRiverRetreat.com for information.

PLEASE CALL ME FOR DIRECTIONS AND GATE ACCESS, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN UNLESS YOU CALL ME.

Of course you can call me anytime for directions or any questions. I hope to see you this weekend!

Blair Smith
ERA The Real Estate Connection

678-557-0246

Blair.Smith@att.net

Vacation Home Sales are UP

2010-04-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

Vacation homes sales are up from 2008 According to the National Association of REALTRORS. While Investment Home sales dropped, Vacation Homes rose, and half
of all Vacation Homes were sold in the South.

If you are waiting for the prices to go as low as they are going to go, we are there. It's a
great time to come on up the North Georgia Mountains and find YOUR PLACE.

Call me today and let's get started.

Blair Smith
ERA The Real Estate Connection
678-557-0246

www.BlairCSmith.com

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010033101?OpenDocument

The Georiga Statewide Open House

2010-04-06T04:32:00.000-07:00

The Georgia Board of REALTORS is sponsering a Statewide open house this weekend. It's great opportunity for you to get out and see that the market has to offer for you.

I will be holding two open houses this weekend in Ellijay GA in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Saturday from 12 - 5 I will have 15 Misty Hollow Road in the Blackberry Mountain development on the Catrecay River just off Highway 52 open. Visit www.15MistyHollow.com for directions.

Sunday I will be at 34 Goblet Court in Coosawattee River Resort from 10:30am until 3pm. If you want on a cabin ON THE RIVER, this is it. Visit www.RandRRiverRetreat.com for directions.

Of course you can call me anytime for directions or any questions. I hope to see you this weekend!

Blair Smith
ERA The Real Estate Connection

678-557-0246

Blair.Smith@att.net

It's getting better!!

2010-04-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

There are more signs that things are getting better, I have found a few sources for mortgages for a 2nd home that will do 85% and 90% mortgages. Now keep in mind that you have to have great credit and the property has to qualify for Mortgage Insurance, but it can happen!!

Call me today to get started looking for your cabin today!!

Blair Smith
678-557-0246

The 2010 Fannin County Guide

2010-03-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Coming to Blue Ridge and not sure what to do? Here is the new Fannin County Guide

www.southwindstechnologies.com/FanninCounty/

Enjoy your Trip!!!

The 2010 Census

2010-03-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

We found our 2010 Census form attached to our door last weekend at our cabin in Ellijay. I must admit the Census workers there are on top of things because we have yet to receive our form at our primary residence.

The questions that I, and I am sure that many of you have, is why did I get this here and what do I do with it? From what I could find on the internet is any home gets one, regardless. Ok, that’s good, now what do we do so we do not get counted twice? Back to the internet I go and from what I found, you answer it with a zero, which is accurate since you are to be counted at your primary residence.

So that’s how we are going to proceeded, and I am willing to bet that we will get a phone call wanting to know how no one lives there. I will keep you posted.

If you have more information on this that I did not find, PLEASE post if for everyone.

Blair

15 Misty Hollow Road - Ellijay GA

2010-03-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

15 Misty Hollow Road is located in the gated community of Blackberry Mountain in Ellijay GA. This cabin is a perfect location for people who love the great outdoors just as much spending time inside with friend’s and family. Blackberry Mountain is located just minutes from the Rich Mountain Wildlife Management area that offers 22,000 acres of hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking along with picnicking, bird watching and horseback riding.. You are also close to shops and restaurants of Ellijay and Blue Ridge so you will never run out of great things to do.

The Main Level

15 Misty Hollow is a 4 bedroom 3 bath cabin that has the rustic charm that you are looking for in a cabin. Yet, it also has features you would expect to see in your full time residence; making this not only a great weekend getaway but also a great full time residence or retirement home. As you drive up the driveway, you are greeted by a 2 car carport, so no more having to unload the car in the rain (or snow). Enter the kitchen through a screened porch that has room to sit and relax in the evenings.

The kitchen has plenty of counter space to create great meals. It also has plenty of cabinets including two with glass fronts. The kitchen also features a large built in pantry cupboard.

The living room has a stone front fireplace and plenty of room to enjoy a roaring fire on a cold evening. The rest of the main level has a full bathroom, two over sized bedrooms so you have plenty of room for friends and relatives to come enjoy the mountains with you.

The Loft Level

The loft landing offers a great place for a mini home office or a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy a good book. From the loft you enter your master bedroom. This bedroom is very large and is furnished with a king size bed . The master bath features a separate shower and a jetted tub to enjoy a relaxing soak after a day of enjoying the outdoors. This master bedroom also features a large walk in closet - providing you with plenty of room to keep clothes for all seasons on hand. You can also enjoy your morning coffee on the upper deck accessible only from the master bedroom.

The Basement

Step downstairs and discover additional living space along with room to store your mountain toys. . The finished area features another bedroom large enough for king size bed. The bathroom is a full bathroom and this is also where you will find the laundry area with enough room for a full size washer and dryer - not the small stackable ones you find so often in a cabin. There is also plenty of room for a Media area or a game table. This is a great place to let the kids go make all the noise they want to while you relax upstairs. The unfinished area is great for storage and features a garage style door for easy access to your mountain toys like a canoe, motorcycle or ATV. In many cabins storage is a premium, but not at 15 Misty Hollow.

The best feature of this cabin is its price at just $189,900. You will have a hard time finding this much space in this price range. Along with this great price you get the security of a gated community and along with paved roads throughout the complex so you will not need to go buy a 4 wheel drive vehicle just to get to your cabin.

Does this sound like what you have been looking for? Then call me today and let’s go see how well this cabin can fit into your lifestyle and your budget.

The R & R River Retreat

2010-03-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

The R and R River Retreat is located on the Coosawattee River in the Coosawattee River Resort. This gated community has many amenities, including a conference center, a recreation center that has an indoor and a outdoor swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, miniature golf, walking trails, fishing ponds and of course access to the Coosawattee River. Your family and friends will never run out of things to do inside this resort. Venture outside this resort and you are at the door step of the Blue Ridge Mountains with all it has to offer. Hiking, fishing, tubing, kayaking, hunting, biking, antiquing, great restaurants, and the list goes on.

Drive up to the R and R River Retreat, and you are greeted to the sounds and a wonder view of the Coosawattee River. The R and R River Retreat is a 2 story cabin with a loft and a fully finished basement. The cabin is available completely furnished, or you can start over and furnish it to your own personal tastes. There is also a vacant lot next door that is also available if you would like to keep the natural space alongside your cabin. See the link on The Lot for more information and pricing.

You enter the cabin into the the living room. Here you will find a full height stone front fire place for those cold mountain nights when you want to relax with a roaring fire. This area has a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood for that classic cabin feel. All the floors on the Main and Loft Level are wood, as they should be in a cabin. There are double doors that open on to the deck that wraps around the cabin with wonderful views of the Coosawattee River. There is a large sleeper sofa for when you have a few extra guests and a comfortable chair begging you to come sit and watch the game or read a book. A TV with satellite dish is already installed and ready to go. This is a large room so even with the big comfortable furniture, you will have plenty of room to move about.

The kitchen has modern appliances and plenty of cabinet and counter space for making a big meal for your family or a gourmet meal for just you the two of you. There is a rustic table and chairs to provide plenty of room for your whole family around the table, unless of course you decide to dine on the deck and enjoy the view of the river. The Kitchen is complete with a dishwasher, over the stove microwave oven, stove and a refrigerator.

In the back of the main level you will find a stacked washer and dryer in a closet so you do not have to see them when they are not in use. There are two main level bedrooms. The back bedroom has a full sized bed, dresser and a closet, perfect for you overnight guests. The front bedroom is a real treat for your guests. It's larger and has a King Size Bed, a dressed and a closet. This room also has double doors that open onto the main level deck. You will have plenty of room for your family and friends.

Take the stairs up to the Loft Level and you will an open loft that overlooks the living room. This would be an excellent location for a office or a library, or just for your special chair to find a quiet moment. The Loft is also where you will find the Master Bedroom. This is a very large Master Bedroom that has double doors that open onto your Private Deck. Enjoy your morning coffee while the kids sleep in or relax with a glass of wine in the evenings while everyone else is elsewhere in the cabin. The Master Bath has a large closet so you will be able to have all the things you need all the time and not have to bring them back and forth depending on the time of year.

The Lower Level is a Recreation Room for both kids and adults. There is a fourth bedroom that has bunk beds and a futon for the kids to have their own place to hang out and make noise without disturbing you. There is also a foosball table for evening tournaments and plenty of room to play board games. There is a wet bar and a full bath downstairs for when you really have a cabin full of family and friends.

Your friends will think they are at a spa retreat when they find a sauna in the bathroom big enough for several people to relax and enjoy. After you get out of the sauna, what cabin experience would be compete without a trip to the private outdoor hot tub on the lower deck? There is also a large storage room in he lower level for your toys. This room is also lockable so if you decide to continue to rent the cabin, you can keep your toys for yourself and not let the renters have access to them.

Outside you have a gas grill, and enough furniture to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort. There are decks on all 3 levels and the main level has direct access the the lower level deck. The lower level deck has stairs that take you safely down to the Coosawattee River bank. From here you you can launch you canoe or kayak, go fishing, or just sit and watch and listen to the river. There is plenty of level ground here for chair or a picnic table. You can also go for a walk along the river and see the beauty the Coosawattee River has to offer you.

Want to see more? Follow the links to see a photo tour of this cabin and also look at floor plans of the cabin. Ready to see it in person? Go to my contact link and you can call or email me. If you already have an agent you are working with, there are the North Georgia MLS and the FMLS numbers

Call me today and find out why the R and R River Retreat is the cabin you need to make you personal Retreat. I will be happy to personally continue the tour of this great cabin. One other unique feature this cabin has, since its on a rental program, you can rent it and "Try it Before You Buy" it. See my Information link to contact the Rental Company.

Tax Advantages of a Second Home

2009-02-14T13:15:00.000-08:00

By now you have received all your forms from your employer, account and other investments so you can file your personal income tax. I hope it was good year for you. The only problem is if it was s good year for you, it will be a better year for the IRS. The more you make, the more you owe.

Paying taxes is something we all must do, but a good tax strategy will help you keep a larger portion of the money you have worked so hard for. There are many great investments that are tax-deferred such as your 401k or IRA, and you should take full advantage of these. The problem is sometimes it’s just not enough, you need more tax benefits. One great way to do this is a second home.

When you buy a second home, you get two great financial benefits, first, you can deduct the interest you pay, just like your primary home, and you know how much of a difference that can make. Second you get the appreciation of value that comes with real estate ownership.

Real Estate has one other benefit over traditional investments; it’s something you can use and enjoy. Stocks and Mutual Funds are great investments, I have them myself, but all you have is a statement in a drawer, how boring. When you invest in a second home, you have something you can use and enjoy with you family and friends. Bring them to your second home for the weekend, and they will thank you. Try inviting them over to look at your investment statements, they will ask you if you are feeling ok or if maybe you need to go see your doctor.

Two things you need to do before you jump up and go buy a second home, first talk to your account or read the IRS publication on Home Mortgage Interest Deduction and see how much this will help you. Second, you are probably looking in an area you do not know that well, so you need a good real estate agent who not only knows the area, but also knows what you need to know about buying a second home.

The Log Home Show in Atlanta

2009-01-25T17:51:00.000-08:00

The Log Home Show was in Atlanta this past weekend and this was the first year my wife and I did not attend the show in several years. It was not because we didn’t enjoy the show, it has always been very informative, but because this year, instead of dreaming about our log cabin in the North Georgia mountains, we were in the North Georgia mountains enjoying our log home. We made our dream a reality last year and have enjoyed every moment of it; maybe it’s time for you to do the same.

My name is Blair Smith and I am a new agent with ERA The Real Estate Connection in Blue Ridge GA. While I may be a new agent in the North Georgia Mountains, I am not new to the real estate industry. I have been a licensed agent in Georgia since 1985, and I have completed my Bachelors Degree in Real Estate from Georgia State University. My new endeavor in real estate is to help people like you find a place in the mountains to call their own.

We have found out that being a “Weekend” cabin owner comes with new things to consider you would never have to think when buying a home in the Atlanta area. Are you willing to drive 10 miles to go to the grocery store? Do you want a cabin on a paved road or do you already have a 4x4 to get to the one with the great views? By moving my affiliation to a company in the area, I have access to the most current information about what is available in the area, something I did not have myself when we started looking for ours. I want to help you find the cabin you want, and I feel that by being and agent in the mountains, and a weekend cabin owner also, I have the professional resources and the personal experience to help you.

Another benefit of working with me is, like you, I am in the metro Atlanta area during the week, and like you want to be, in the mountains on the weekends. This means I am available to meet with you on the weekend and help you find the cabin you want. Then during the week, I am in Atlanta to meet with you to negotiate a fair price and get your cabin to the closing table. Having to make a quick decision about your purchase on Sunday afternoon so you can sign the contact before you go home or only being able to talk to your agent buy phone or fax is not a good way to conduct a real estate transaction. I can give you personal attention you want and need throughout the whole process.

Thinking about buying a rental cabin? I can help. Instead of an agent saying, “Sure, I bet you can rent that and make a profit” I actually prepare an Investment Analysis on the property you are looking at with realistic projections of what you can expect to earn. Buying a rental is a great way to invest in real estate without a lot of the hassles you get with traditional residential real estate (Did someone say section 8?). Renting is also another great way to buy a cabin for the future, but having help paying for it today.

Please call me at 678-557-0246 or email me at Blair.Smith@att.net if you would like to discuss your situation more.

Blair