• Home
• Featured Properties
• Home Search
• Your Homes Value
• About Me
• Contact Me

January 29th, 2010Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Reporting on a two-month lag, the government said home values rose 0.7 percent in November. 

National home prices are at their highest point since February 2009.

But before we look too much into the FHFA’s Home Price Index, it’s important that we’re cognizant of its shortcomings; the most important of which is its lack of real-time reporting.

According to the National Association of Realtors™, 80% of purchases close within 60 days. As a result, because of its two-month delay, the Home Price Index report actually trails today’s market data by an entire sales cycle.

This is one reason why home values appear to be rising even while new data shows that both Existing Home Sales and New Home Sales fell flat last month.  The home valuation report is using data from November; the sales reports are using data from December.

The Home Price Index is a trailing indicator and next month, as the Spring Market gets underway, the government will be reporting data from the holidays.

The same is true for the Case-Shiller Index. It, too, operates on a 2-month lag.

All of that said, however, long-term trends do matter in housing and the Home Price Index has shown consistent improvement over the last 10 months.  In many markets, home sales are up, home supplies are down, and values have increased.  This trend should continue into the early part of 2010, at least.

If you’re wondering whether now is a good time to Buy a Home in Blairsville, or Buy a Cabin in Blue Ridge, GA., consider low prices, cheap mortgages and an available tax credit as three good incentives.  By May, none of them will likely be available. If you have any questions or concerns, please Contact Me, or give me a call at 706.994.8686.

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Case-Shiller, Home Price Index, Home Values, HPI, North Georgia, Real Estate

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

January 22nd, 2010Categories: Georgia Mountain Slang

While out previewing a Great Development with new incredible prices in the Lower Trackrock Area of Blairsville Georgia, an associate that I was with just happened to notice this sign…..

….now I should explain that the restaurant also offers gasoline for purchase! You understand I had to take the picture. Oh, you can also play there as well.  By the way, if you are curious about the any of those lots with great prices with views of Brasstown Bald, you can Contact Me or call me at 706.994.8686.

Make it a Great Day!

Tags: Blairsville, Georgia, Restaurant, Sign

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

January 19th, 2010Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

The next time you think you’ve outgrown your home, imagine what life would be like in New York City’s “skinniest home”. It’s barely wider than your wingspan.

In Greenwich Village, there’s a single-family, 3-story residence in which the interior living space width measures just 8 1/2-feet. By way of reference, that’s 4 inches more narrow than the Smart Fortwo electric automobile.

Even the home’s USPS street address hints at its size.  Built on an alleyway, nestled between 75 Bedford Street and 77 Bedford Street, the diminutive home is officially known as 75 1/2 Bedford.

It just sold for $2.1 million.

Meanwhile, big price tags for little homes is nothing new. In 2008, the “Little House” in Toronto sold for the equivalent of $511 per square foot.

It is a good thing that Homes For Sale in Blairsville, GA. are not selling for an average of $512 per square foot. If so, my children would never eat!

(Image courtesy: Wikipedia)

Tags: Add new tag, Blairsville, Greenwich Village, Homes For Sale, House, New York City, Skinny Home

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

January 15th, 2010Categories: Georgia Mountain Market reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Like real estate, it appears that foreclosure activity is a local phenomenon, too.

As reported by RealtyTrac.com, more than half of all foreclosure-related activity in 2009 came from just 4 states:

1. California

2. Florida

3. Arizona

4. Illinois

More than 1.4 million filings made in 2009 are attributed to the above states. Furthermore, each ranks in the Top 10 for 2009 Foreclosures Per Capita.

The other states are Nevada, Utah, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan and Colorado.

Versus 2008, foreclosures are up 21 percent nationwide and that’s a big number, but a deeper look at RealtyTrac’s annual reports reveals a more positive undertone on the housing market.

1. 40 states fell below the national Foreclosures Per Capita average in 2009

2. Foreclosure activity fell on an annual basis in 10 states as compared to 2008

Foreclosures are still prevalent, though, and buying homes in foreclosure in Blairsville, Blue Ridge, and Ellijay Georgia continues to be big business.  First-time buyers, move-up buyers, and real estate investors each are bidding aggressively.

Distressed homes account for one-third of home resale activity, according to an industry trade group.

That said, buying foreclosures can be tricky.

First, properties are often sold “as-is” and the cost of repairs may unwind the home’s status as a “value buy”.  Furthermore, a lender may require specific fixes to be made prior to closing and that, too, costs money.

Second, buying a foreclosed home in Georgia isn’t as streamlined as buying a “normal” home. Closing on a foreclosure can be a 120-day process or longer. A 4-month time-frame may not fit your schedule.

And, third, finding foreclosures can be difficult. Despite the growth in foreclosure search engines, it still takes a good real estate agent to uncover the best homes at the best prices.

Read the complete foreclosure report and take a peek at RealtyTrac’s foreclosure heat maps.  If you like what you see, Contact Me or give me a call at 706.994.8686.

There’s still good deals in the foreclosure market — you just have to know where to find them

Tags: Agent, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Business, Chad Lariscy, Ellijay, Foreclosure, Foreclosures, Georgia, Investing, Real Estate, RealtyTrac

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

December 16th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Foreclosure Activity Falls For The 4th Straight Month

Since peaking in July 2009, national foreclosure activity has dropped through 4 consecutive months.

On a month-to-month basis, November’s foreclosure activity fell another 8 percent.

However, national foreclosure activity continues to be dominated by a minority of states.

As reported by RealtyTrac.com, more than half of November’s foreclosure-related activity sourced from just 4 states:

1. California

2. Florida

3. Illinois

4. Michigan

These are the same 4 states that topped October’s foreclosure activity despite three of them posting month-to-month declines last month.

The remaining Top 10 states in terms of total foreclosure activity include Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Nevada and New Jersey.

If you’ve been actively looking at REO lately, you’ve likely noticed that true bargains are harder to find.  This is because buyers of all types — first-timers, move-ups, and investors — are purchasing bank-owned homes aggressively and getting better at identifying the “best ones”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Foreclosure, Foreclosures, GA, Georgia, Hiawassee, Home Sales, North Georgia Mountains, Real Estate, Real estate owned

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

November 3rd, 2009Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Community reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Golf & Resort reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

On Thursday of last week, United Community Bank and the Owen Glen Sales Team announced a limited time opportunity to reserve up to 2 lots from a selected few at drastically reduced pricing. Owen Glen, an affordable Mountain Golf Community currently has lots available from $30,000. In addition to the low prices comes low financing rates. For a limited time, United Community Bank will be offering special financing of 2.99% on a 15 year Amortization with a 3 Year Call with 20% Down.

Owen Glen is located in the Beautiful North Georgia Mountains just minutes north of Blairsville, GA. It is a 350 Acre Gated Master-Planned Community. There will be Architectural Guidelines as well as protective Covenants and Restrictions. As of now those guidelines and covenants have not been finalized. They did mention that the Architectural Guidelines would favor “Mountain Traditional”  but not leading to anything definite in plans. Home sites will be from 0.75 acres to larger 5 acres lots with golf, wooded and mountains views.

There are plans for several amenities for Owen Glen. The biggest of course is the Old Union Golf Course. This is a Denis Griffiths designed course, who by the way is the only American to design a golf course in St. Andrews Scotland. It opened in Summer of 2009 and I have had the opportunity to play Old Union and I can honestly say that it has the potential of being my absolute favorite course to play in all of North Georgia. It is a 7,667 yard championship length course, Par 72 with 5 sets of tees. There will be a practice facility with double tiered 400 yard grass range, two separate short game target greens, as well as a full putting green. The Golf Shop has plans to open by the end of 2009, but they are currently working out of a temporary trailer. There will be PGA Golf Professionals  on hand to offer lessons and clinics.

Other amenities include miles and miles of walking and biking trails, trout fishing in Ivy Creek, and future plans of a picnic area complete with playground, pavilion, Owen Glen Community House, as well as tennis courts and a pool. Nearby you can enjoy Lake Nottely, Lake Chatuge, and Lake Blue Ridge. The North Georgia Mountains are full of hiking and mountain biking trails, charming historic towns filled with unique dining and shopping experiences, mountain streams and rivers for rafting and fishing, festivals and the list just goes on and on.

If you would like more information on Owen Glen, or I have already peaked your interest enough to want to look into a Weekend Discovery Package, please Contact Me, or give me a call at 706.994.8686. This is a Bank Owned Property and I would greatly appreciate it if you would allow me to offer you the information on Owen Glen, but only if you first learned of Owen Glen from this website. A quick registration and you will be on your way to finding out all there is to know about this great Mountain Community. I promise you, my family and I will be grateful that you did.

Thank You so much for taking the time to learn a little more about this great new community in our North Georgia Mountains. Please come back and visit me on “The Porch” anytime that you see fit. You are always welcome.

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: Blairsville, Gated community, Golf, Golf course, North Georgia Mountains, Old Union, Owen Glen

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

October 31st, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Hope everyone has a very Happy and Safe Halloween. Remember, if you are in the North Georgia Mountains, we have the Halloween Safe Zone in Blue Ridge, GA. and Halloween On The Square in Blairsville, GA. These are really great events for Halloween here in our North Georgia Mountains.

Trick Or Treat!

Tags: Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge Ga, Halloween, Halloween On The Square, Halloween Safe Zone, mountains, North Georgia

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

October 30th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Got-To-Do reVIEWS

2009 Hometown Halloween On The Square in Blairsville, GA.

When: Halloween Saturday October 31st

5:30 – 7:30 P.M.

Where: On the Square in Downtown Blairsville Georgia

If you have never participated in Blairsville’s Halloween on the Square, you have to come out this year and experience it. It is nothing like you have ever seen before!

Trick or Treat on the Square with over 80 businesses, churches, and community organizations gathered around the Old Courthouse in downtown Blairsville.

There will be costume contests with “Secret Judges”, and a Food Bank Drive with prizes for people making a 6 or more can donation to the Union County Food Bank. “Haunting on the Square’” Food, Games, and lots of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t miss it!

2008 Halloween on the Square Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE4_SpgkdNQ[/youtube]

Tags: Blairsville, Costume, Festival, Food bank, Halloween, North Georgia, Trick-or-treating

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: 1 Comment »

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

October 29th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Blairsville Realty has a quarterly listing brochure that we distribute all throughout the North Georgia Mountains. This brochure features listings from all of our agents within the office.  Among the listings within the brochure you will find Homes for Sale in Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Hiawassee, Ellijay and many other North Georgia Mountain, Tennessee, and North Carolina Communities. You will find  listed in our brochure many Vacant Lots, Developments and Commercial Properties.  Also we are pleased that you will see many  local advertisements from supporters such as United Community Bank, Kenya Patton Attorney at Law, Jimmy Carter’s Inspect-A-Home….(No not President Carter) and Blue Ridge Mountain Surveying, Inc. who we owe a lot of thanks to for helping make this brochure . Thank You.

If you have any questions or concerns after viewing the 2009 Fall Brochure, please call me at 706-994-8686 or you can simply Contact Me through this post. Sometimes the listing information can be hard to read, so if you find that to be the case, just let me know and I will be more than happy to forward to you a Full MLS Data Sheet.

As always, Thanks for visiting me on “The Porch!”

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: Blairsville, Blairsville Realty, Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge Mountains, Hiawassee, Listings, North Carolina, North Georgia, North Georgia Mountain, Real Estate, Tennessee

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert

August 25th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Community reVIEWS, Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS, Mortgage & Finance reVIEWS

Today I have the pleasure of introducing both my Broker Robert Rogers, and our first newsletter written by him. Often times our customers and clients are just simply wanting to know what is going on in the North Georgia Real Estate Market. Robert is very experienced in the Real Estate Industry here in the North Georgia Mountains, but especially in the Blairsville area here in Union County. Robert was born and raised here in Blairsville, and has been in the Real Estate business in some form or fashion all of his adult life.  He has a sincere and genuine concern for our customers and clients. I feel it is good for you to hear from his own words, What is Going On In The Market. So I introduce to you Blairsville Realty’s first Real Estate Report, written by Robert Rogers.

Blairsville Realty Newsletter      Summer 2009     Volume 1; Issue 1

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Tags: Blairsville, Market Report, Newsletter, North Georgia Mountains, Real Estate, Robert Rogers, Union County

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

Subscribe to Blog Contact Me Search for Homes Daily List Alert