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May 9th, 2010Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Market reVIEWS

Tags: Blairsville Georgia, Chad Lariscy, Contract, Homes For Sale, Market Report, mountains, Real Estate, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Sales

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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April 23rd, 2010Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Existing Home Sales rose in March, as expected. U.S. home buyers closed on 7 percent more homes as compared to February.

Furthermore, versus March 2009 — a month many people equate to the low point of the U.S. economy — sales volume was up 16 percent.

“Existing home sale” is the technical term for a home resale; a home previously inhabited by a person.  It’s the opposite of a “new home sale” which is a sale of a newly-constructed home.

Existing Homes Data is tracked by the National Association of Realtors® and a closer look at the March data reveals some other interesting notes:

1. Year-over-year sales are higher for the 9th straight month
2. Real estate investors represented 19 percent of all homes purchased
3. First-time home buyers account for 44 percent of all buyers

Also worth noting is that the supply of available homes is down on a broader basis.  At the current rate of sales, the existing home inventory will be exhausted in 8 months.

Despite banks releasing foreclosures and REO into the North Georgia Mountain market, that’s still one half-month less from February.

North Georgia Foreclosure Sales Percentages % YTD

• Fannin County – Blue Ridge, GA. 28.70% Homes SOLD 108 / Foreclosures 31
• Gilmer County – Ellijay, GA. 41.03% Homes SOLD  78 / Foreclosures 32
• Union County - Blairsville, GA. 37.04% Homes SOLD  81 / Foreclosures 30
• Towns County – Hiawassee, GA. 46.43% Homes SOLD  28 / Foreclosures 13

When supplies drops, home prices tend to rise. It suggests an underlying strength in housing that should support home prices through the next few months — especially as the home buyer tax credit finishes working its way through the system.

That said, real estate markets are local. You shouldn’t assume that what’s happening on the national level is also happening here at home.  Be sure to check with your real estate agent about local market conditions before making a decision to buy or sell.

Tags: Blairsville Georgia, Blue Ridge Georgia, Ellijay Georgia, Existing Home Sales, Foreclosures, Hiawassee Georgia, Home Supplies, North Georgia, REO, Tax Credit

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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March 28th, 2010Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Community reVIEWS

A great overlooked community near Blairsville in the North Georgia Mountains is Arden Acres.  Arden Acres is located conveniently between Blairsville and Blue Ridge, GA. less than a mile off of 515 the Appalachian Highway. Once an old Union County family farm, Arden Acres enjoys beautiful Mountain and Pasture Views surrounded by aged old Hardwood Trees, painting an absolute gorgeous Mountain Portrait.

Currently there are many Vacant Lots For Sale within Arden Acres.  At this time, there are not any Residential Listings within the development. There are a few Vacant Lots that are being offered as a re-sale. One of the most important restrictions that I should point out to you is that the minimum square footage for a home within Arden Acres is 1900 sq.ft. total heated space less patios, carport, basement, and garage.  In addition to that, 1700 sq.ft. has to be above ground. Other covenants and restrictions are some what common for our area, items such as no mobile homes, no businesses, no commercial styled signage, and many other items that need to be closely looked at.

If you have any questions or concerns about Arden Acres in Blairsville Georgia, please Contact Me, or give me a call at 706-994-8686. I would be grateful for the opportunity to answer any questions or concerns that you may have, as well as offer any additional information that might be made available to me.

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: Arden Acres, Blairsville Georgia, Blue Ridge Georgia, North Georgia Mountains, Real Estate, Vacant Lots For Sale

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March 5th, 2010Categories: Georgia Mountain Market reVIEWS

Fewer homes went under contract in January as the housing market continues to limp through the winter months.

According to the National Association of Realtors®, the Pending Home Sales Index fell to its lowest level in 3 quarters this January. By contrast, in October 2009, the index had touched a 3-year high.

The Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of homes that have gone under contract to sell, but have yet to close nationwide. It’s compiled using data from more than 100 regional listing services and 60-plus brokerages  — the sample set encompasses 20 percent of all home resales in a given month.

Economists have come to rely on the Pending Home Sales Index because of its high correlation to actual home sales. 80% of all home marked “pending” close within 60 days. Many of the rest close within 120.

Therefore, when we see Pending Home Sales show weakness like it did in January, we can infer that home resales will remain weak through the spring.

But will they really?

1. Fewer sales should drag down home prices, bringing more buyers into the market
2. Mortgage rates are still very low, but are poised to rise in just a few weeks
3. The home buyer tax credit requires buyers to be in contract by April 30, 2010

In other words, there’s a confluence of factors that could lead to a rush of sales in Blue Ridge and Blairsville and around the North Georgia Mountains over the next two months, reversing the housing market’s recent momentum.

Tags: Blairsville Georgia, Blue Ridge Ga, Homebuyer Tax Credit, National Association of Realtors, North Georgia Mountains, Pending Home Sales, Pending Home Sales Index, Real Estate

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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November 3rd, 2009Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Market reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Much like the Fannin County Residential Market Report, we have some positive news as well as some not so good news. I would like to begin with the not so good news and end this post on a positive note. Seller’s are continuing to be plagued with the Foreclosure and Short Sale Markets. The median Sold Price for Union County is down 25%. That is a change of almost $50,000 from October of 2008. Our average days on market for the Homes For Sale In Blairsville, GA. is up 35%. Since August of this year, we have seen a decrease each month in the number of days on market which is again mostly due in part to the number of Foreclosures and the aggressive pricing that the Banks are placing on their REO’s.

That’s all for the negative, isn’t that nice? Now for some good news. The number of Homes Sold in Blairsville Georgia continues to climb. Union County home sales are up 18%, which sounds a lot better than if I were to say 4 more than October of 2008. It is still positive news any way you slice it. The Residential Inventory in Union County is decreasing each month, down 15% or 137 fewer Homes For Sale this October. The number of Homes that are Under Contract or that have gone Pending is also up 7%, a change of 2 from last October. With new construction still very slow, our number of new properties listed are way down, 37% which is 40 less new listings than we had a year ago. This may not sound like good news, but I actually believe it is. We have  a lot of old inventory that we desperately need to get rid of so that more and more new construction can begin again. Finally, our Absorption Rate is down 17%. This tells us the number of months that it would take to sell all the Residential Inventory that we currently have at current market conditions. Right now that number is 23 months.

Thanks so much for coming up on “The Porch” for another North Georgia Mountain Market Report. I really appreciate it and hope that you do come back again real soon. If you know of someone looking to Buy or Sell North Georgia Mountain Real Estate, I would be grateful if you would pass along to them My Contact information. Even better, forward them this post or a link to The Front Porch View.

Tags: Blairsville Georgia, Days on market, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Listings, Market Report, Real Estate, Residential, Short Sale, Sold, Union County

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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October 7th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Got-To-Do reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Shopping reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Sightseeing

2009 Sorghum Festival at Meeks Park in Blairsville, GA.

When: Saturday and Sunday, October 10th – 11th 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10th Sorghum Parade @ 11:00 – Downtown Blairsville

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th Square Dance @ 8:00 – Downtown Blairsville

Saturday and Sunday, October 17th -18th 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17th Car Show @ 8:00 A.M – United Community Bank

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17th 40th Anniversary Square Dance of the Decade

Where: Sorghum Events @ Meeks Park

Celebrate the Art of Sorghum Syrup Making! Activities include Arts & Crafts, Syrup Making, Greased Pole Climbin’, Log Sawin’, “Baccor Spitin’, Rock Throwin’, Live Music, Face Painting, and so much more Family Fun!

View the 2008 Sorghum Festival

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfaJlW_ndbg[/youtube]

Tags: Arts, Blairsville Georgia, Car Show, Festival, Meeks Park, North Georgia Mountains, Parade, Performing Arts, Sorghum, Square Dancing

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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August 8th, 2009Categories: Featured Listing reVIEWS

This traditional mountain home is located just a few miles from Blairsville, GA. in the Gated Community of The Sanctuary at Lake Nottely. The community is conveniently located to Lake Nottely. You can access a nearby public boat ramp and dock with a comfortable walk through the United States Forestry Service that adjoins the community, or simply jump in the car and drive less than 2 miles away. Also located near The Sanctuary at Lake Nottely is great Golf! Blairsville’s newest Golf Course Old Union at Owen Glen is less than 5 miles away, and Butternut Creek is located just over 7 miles in the city limits of Blairsville.

This home is nestled on a 1.12 acre lot with end of the road privacy. Nicely landscaped sodded front yard with a nice wooded area in the back yard. This home has a easily accessible 2 Car Garage with plenty of room for turn around or additional parking. In addition to the 2 Car Garage, this home also features a 3rd  Garage Door in the Full Basement, great for boat storage or all your lawn and gardening storage needs. This home features vinyl siding, high efficiency vinyl clad windows with screens,  and asphalt shingles offering virtually maintenance free living.  You will also enjoy a covered front porch entry as well as a large open deck on the rear of the home. The home is heated and cooled by a Central Heat Pump.

Click Here For More Information

Stepping inside you will love the open and spacious feel of this ranch styled home. Just off of the foyer to the left you will find the Master Suite.  A very large bedroom, walk-in closet, and a master bath featuring double vanities, jetted tub, and separate shower. The Great Room features cathedral ceilings, a beautiful stoned wood Fireplace,  and is open to the Kitchen and Dining area. Just off of the Great Room are two additional Bedrooms, a Full Bath, as well as access to the Huge Bonus Room over the 2 Car Garage and additional storage with access to the attic. Down the hall behind the Kitchen you will find the Laundry/Mud Room with access to both the Full Finished Basement as well as inside entry from the 2 Car Garage. Downstairs in the Full Finished Basement you will have access to the Landing Foyer, Boat Garage, a spacious galley styled Kitchenette, as well as a very large Family Room as well as an additional roomy Bedroom with Private Full Bath making this Basement perfect for an In-Law Suite!

MLS# 180702     $199,900

This home is priced to sell!  If you have any questions or concerns or would like to have any additional information about this property or any other property located in the North Georgia Mountains, please call me at 706.994.8686, or you can simply Contact Me through this post.

Tags: Blairsville Georgia, Gated community, Golf course, Home For Sale, Lake Nottely, Real Estate, The Sanctuary

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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August 4th, 2009Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Blue Ridge Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Sightseeing, Hiawassee Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS

It was only a few short weeks ago that I was asked “Do you ever see any Bears?” My answer was simple, “…..not very often.” Boy was I wrong. I have seen more Bear in the North Georgia Mountains this year than I have seen in a lifetime almost.

Just last week I was on my way to a Home Retention Counceling meeting with a client near Helton Creek Falls  just past Vogel State Park  outside of Blairsville, GA. I had decided to take a short cut through Owl Town and stopped in to preview this listing in Chestnut Mountain and met a new friend right there in the front yard. The neighbor’s were outside next door and didn’t even know the bear was next door being nosey!

A few  weeks before that I was showing property with a client and we were looking at this cabin in Big Sky near the Cohutta Wilderness . As we were drving up the mountain we saw a Black Bear  take off through the woods that was sitting along the side of the road.

I also had a client that was meeting with Jim the Plumber at his new cabin in Hiawassee, GA .  near Lake Chatuge  just a couple of weeks ago. As they were discussing the final details of the job just outside the cabin on the drive-way, Jim asked the new owner to turn around slowly to see the Black Bear Cub that was walking down toward them out of the woods. He turned to see that there was not one, but two Bear Cubs. Now you know mama wasn’t too far away!

I came across a great article this morning titled Following In The Footsteps of Bears. Be sure to read it, it has some great tips should you see a Black Bear in the North Georgia Mountains . Please let us know if you have spotted any Black Bear during your visit or stay in the area. I would love to hear about them.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the Real Estate that you have seen in this article, or any other North Georgia Mountain property, please contact me. I would be grateful for the opportunity to answer any question or obtain any additional information that you may need. If you haven’t visited us here in the mountains, please come see us soon….you will absolutely love it!

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: American Black Bear, Big Sky, Blairsville Georgia, Chestnut Mountain, Cohutta Wilderness, Hiawassee, Lake Chatuge, North Georgia Mountain, Real Estate, Vogel State Park

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: 3 Comments »

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July 2nd, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Got-To-Do reVIEWS

 

Happy Birthday America!

When: Friday July 3, 2009 at 9:30

Where: Meeks Park in Blairsville, GA.

Don’t forget – The Blairsville Fireworks  Display sponsored by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce  will be held Friday, July 3rd at Meeks Park .  The show will begin at approximately 9:30pm. 

 As a special treat this year, we invite eveyone to tune in to Mountain Country 103.9 FM for a live broadcast from Meeks Park beginning at 8:30pm.  Listeners will enjoy an uninterrupted musical tribute to America’s Birthday! 

The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce and Everyone in Blairsville would really like to Thank the following contributors that together have made this Celebration possible:

United Community Bank

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC

Appalachian Community Bank

Nantahala Bank and Trust Loan Production Office

Re/Max Enotah Realty

The Cash Store

Blairsville Pets

Busy Bee Printing and Signs

Mountain Country 103.9

Union County Recreation Department

 

Tags: Banking Services, Banks and Institutions, Blairsville Georgia, Business, Chamber of Commerce, Counties, Financial Services, Fireworks, Fourth of July Celebration, Meeks Park, United States

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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June 29th, 2009Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Community reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Harbin Woods Subdivision is a rustic, gated development located in Union County, Georgia . It features 65-70 home sites with paved roads, underground utilities and gentle lots. Harbin Woods offers close and long-range mountain views. Also located on the property is a 1 +/- acre pond, of which all lots have access to.

Harbin Woods is conveniently located within a two hour drive from Atlanta, GA Chattanooga, TN and Asheville, NC. It is within driving distance to Lake Nottely , a beautiful 4,180 acre TVA lake; and the towns of Blue Ridge Georgia , Murphy North Carolina, and Blairsville, Georgia. Please visit our Location page for more detailed directions.

Harbin Woods subdivision offers lots ranging between .91 acres to 2.19 acres and will vary in price from $19K to $76K. Please view our Plat/Lot Info page for a layout of the subdivision and the lot prices.

If you’re looking for a private, quiet subdivision with mountain views, Harbin Woods is just the place for you!

At the present time, the Owners and Developers of Harbin Woods are offering for a limited time, Owner Financing on all remaining lots within the development. This is a huge incentive if the prices weren’t enough.

Currently there are 38 Vacant Lots For Sale and 3 Homes For Sale within Harbin Woods. Just within the past 60 days there has been 1 Residential Sale and 1 Lot sale.

If you would like an additional information on any of the listings that you have seen in this post, please feel free to call me at 706.994.8686, or you Contact Me.

 

Tags: Blairsville Georgia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Harbin Woods, Lake Nottely, Lots For Sale

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: 1 Comment »

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