A low-maintenance active adult neighborhood, The Oaks is located five minutes from downtown Blue Ridge Georgia and is walking distance to Tammen Park and the Toccoa River. The nature trail invites bike riders and strollers alike. Paved roads, city water and sewer. It's all here at The Oaks.The Oaks at Blue Ridge is a 55 and over gated community. There are 24 homes planned for Phase One with 60 total at completion. Lake Blue Ridge is close-by, as well as theRiverstone Medical Campus and Fannin Regional Hospital is less than 5 miles. At The Oaks, we've focused on feature and paid attention to detail to make living here a pleasure. From the front gate to your front door, this over 55 active adult retirement community creates a beautiful setting to come home to. Outside your home, will be a... 04/04/2008

The Cadence Equestrian Community is situated on over 510 acres of rolling meadows, wooded mountain slopes and wetlands. Development of 150 homesites has been thoughtfully planned to preserve over 100 acres of open space, and protect wildlife and other natural treasures.In addition to the Equestrian Center, amenities include a Lodge with swimming pool, clubhouse & exercise room. The master plan integrates the equestrian lifestyle into everyday life and connects family, friends and nature through the extensive network of riding and hiking trails.Whether seeking solitude or company, residents will find intimate and imaginative destinations such as a ridge-top pavilion with covered fireplace, a hitching post at a favorite fishing hole, and a bird watching blind at the wetlands boardwalk. An... 04/02/2008

  April 01, 2008Blue Mountain Jam at Kiwanis Fairgrounds   Kiwanis Fairgrounds  From April 01, 2008Calling all Artists "Rare Talent" Variety Show ToApril 03, 2008Blue Ridge Community Theater   April 03, 2008Winter Pickin Enjoy Acoustic Musicians at Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association   Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association  From April 04, 2008Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ToApril 06, 2008Blue Ridge Community Theater   April 05, 2008Horse Show & BBQ   Ducktown   April 08, 2008Blue Mountain Jam at Kiwanis Fairgrounds   Kiwanis Fairgrounds   April 09, 2008Russian Choir to Visit Blue Ridge   St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Blue Ridge, GA   April 10, 2008Winter Pickin Enjoy Acoustic Musicians at Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association   Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association   April 12, 2008Sto... 04/01/2008

Why buy now?  The economy seems headed for a recession, cost of living is rising, and even here in Blue Ridge, Georgia, some real estate veterans are shaking in their boots.  True, these trying market conditions are tough on real estate pros, but they're ideal for most buyers.  In fact, if you have good credit, are prepared for the responsibility of owning a home, and won't be moving for five years, then really the question is "Why not buy now?"*Though you may be scared to take on a new mortgage now, you might never get a better deal on your North Georgia Mountain dream home.  Since buyers aren't so numerous, sellers here have lowered prices and must negotiate more effectively.  And once you and the seller have reached an agreement, then the now rock bottom interest rates will sweeten y... 03/31/2008

Finally some good news for housing, according to news reports last week sales of existing homes posted a slight increase for the first time in 6 months. Last months gains were driven by more aggressive price cutting by sellers in many parts of the country.  In the South, existing-home sales increased 2.1 percent to an annual rate of 1.99 million in February but are 22.0 percent below February 2007. The median price in the South was $163,400, down 8.6 percent from a year ago.The National Association of Realtors said that sales of existing homes rose by 2.9 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.03 million units. Many economists were predicting a small decline and were caught by surprise with the largest increase in the past 12 months. The NAR reported that the medi... 03/31/2008

Two thousand years ago, so the Cherokee legend of Fairy Crosses begins, the "Yunwi Tsunsdi," or Little People, lived in the beautiful mountains of what is now North Georgia and Western North Carolina.  Shy and elusive creatures, the Little People were revered throughout the Cherokee Nation for their ability to find people lost in the thickly forested mountains of the region. One evening, while the Little People were enjoying an enchanted celebration of dance, music and song, a foreign messenger arrived bearing the sad news of the Crucifixion of the Son of the Great Creator.  So moved were the Little People upon hearing the news of the loss of one so great, that they were moved to tears.  As their tears fell to the ground, they turned into Fairy Crosses, where they can be found to this d... 03/30/2008

Take a short 60 second tour of the magnifincent North Georgia Mountains this past fall. It was MAGNIFICENT!!:For more information on the area visit The Blue Ridge Mountain Team 03/27/2008

With the number of foreclosures jumping 60% over the past year, the question often arises....are foreclosures truly good deals?In reality, a small percentage of foreclosures are, indeed, worth your time.  However, there are a couple of major issues that affect this opportunity to get a great home at a great price.  For instance, struggling homeowners often pull all equity out of their homes in a last ditch effort to avoid foreclosure.  Mortgage companies allow this to happen because they want homeowners to keep their homes as well. (Mortgage companies want to make loans, not sell real estate.)  Once all equity is pulled out in a declining market, then the home is no longer worth the payoff. A second issue to consider when looking at foreclosures is the condition of these homes once home... 03/26/2008

The Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure RaceBlue Ridge, GeorgiaSite of the 2008 USARA National ChampionshipIn the spring of 1998, the first Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race started as Georgia's first adventure race.  Nine years later the race continues to be a favorite of racers throughout the southeast.  Teams look forward to a new adventure welcoming spring to Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains.  Organizers of the Tenth Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race on April 12, 2008, promise a challenging contest with lots of surprises and some of the most stunning scenery anywhere - plus the famous Blue Ridge hospitality racers have come to expect and enjoy. So get your team ready to run, paddle, mountain bike and navigate in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.  Up to 100 co-ed teams of three... 03/25/2008

"Welcome to Waffle House!!" That's what the combined chorus of voices greets you with as you walk through the door of what may be the most iconic restaurant in the South. The Waffle House chain began its storied journey in 1955 when the first restaurant opened in Avondale Estates, a suburb of Atlanta. Since then, the chain has grown to over 1,500 restaurants in 25 states (pity the other 25 states!). Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the restaurant has served presidents, celebrities and "common folk" alike. It was even the site of a much publicized dust-up Kid Rock had at a Waffle House in Atlanta recently! According to the Waffle House Website, http://www.wafflehouse.com/funfacts.asp, during the last 53 years, the chain has served over: 495,264,367 Waffles957,041,599 Cups of Coffee1... 03/24/2008

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE RACEApril 12, 2008 -- 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.Running, biking and paddling for 35 miles is definitely NOT my idea of a good time! Yet, for some hardy souls, the Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race is an event that draws them back to the North Georgia mountains year after year.  I would, however, LOVE to come up with a team name!  Here are some that others have used in years past that are hilarious:3 Jews in a BoatCoach Says it's Okay to Bleed from the EarsTwo Bitches & One Lucky DogFor Those About to Bonk, We Salute YouNo, Really, We're OK Slower Than We LookOnce, Twice, Three Times a LoserHope We Live to Regret This4 Balls and a ChainAre they not GREAT??!!!   The inaugural race was held in 1998 and each year since then the course and the challenges of the event have... 03/16/2008

Towards the middle of Spring, the mountains of North Georgia are positively boisterous--awash in a riot of color and sound.  This is the Spring that gets all the attention, that garners all the accolades.  Yet, for me, it is early Spring that I find most beautiful.  The daffodils--those early risers--are in bloom, but most of the other flowers and blooming trees are still asleep, still getting their beauty rest.  It is now that the trees covering the mountain sides begin their journey from barren boughs to life-filled branches.  They begin to take on almost imperceptible hues of reds and greens. Each passing day brings an ever-so-slightly heightened intensity of color. On certain mornings, just as the sun is coming up, the mountain sides--with their shy splashes of color set against sob... 03/13/2008

Fannin Tobacco and Candy CompanyVisitors strolling down the charming main street of downtown Blue Ridge will encounter a red brick building that would have been far more at home in the 1930's or 1940's. Most of the buildings in downtown Blue Ridge are equally as old and equally as quaint.  What makes this particular building so unique are the Red Man tobacco murals plastered on either side of the building and the King Edward Cigar sign just under the name of the company that still operates a business here: Fannin Tob. & Candy Co.The building, and the business itself, seem to have stepped out of a dog-eared sepia-toned photograph, the kind you would have found stuffed in an old trunk up in Granny Black Stock's attic. A sign on the front door reads "This is not an antique shop. It is a wh... 03/09/2008

It has been a while since we have heard from one of my associates, Byron Wyndham. This is not at all his fault, I have to take most, if not all of the blame. He actually sent me the article for this post several weeks ago. Byron is a Real Estate attorney here in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Should you have any legal questions pertaining to North Georgia Real Estate, you should give the good folks at J. Byron Wyndham & Associates a call. Their number is 706.258.6222. I've been trying to point out how buying property in the  North Georgia Mountains can be different that just purchasing in a metropolitan area, especially in the Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Blairsville markets. There was a previous discussion of water and the issues that are involved in getting water to your property.  I would now like... 03/07/2008

Keller Williams Realty International came out with a great article this week concerning Buyers, and why most are just not willing to pull the trigger on buying a home in today's market. I know that activity has made a positve move over the past several weeks. Emails are coming in and the phones are beginning to ring again. Boy....is it a good thing to hear those phones ringing again! This is great information that I wanted to get out to North Georgia Mountain Real Estate Buyer's and Investors. Whether you are looking to buy in Blue Ridge, Blairsville or Ellijay, I hope that you find this information very useful.It's time to get potential home-owners to go ahead and buy in this so-called "buyer's market" While today's market plays to their advantage, buyers, who should be swooping in to ... 03/04/2008

Gilmer County had a substantial difference of volume over Fannin and Union Counties mostly due in part to a large parcel of land that sold for $2.2 Million. Read the rest of this entry » 03/04/2008

Lake Blue RidgeThe crystal clear aquamarine waters of Lake Blue Ridge make it one of Georgia's most picturesque mountain lakes. The 3,290-acre lake and surrounding area boast over 90 national forest campsites, several boat ramps, a full-service marina and public swimming and picnic areas. 80 percent of the shoreline on Lake Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, managed by the USDA Forest Service.Morganton Point Campground, in Morganton, features a public swimming area, along with 43 campsites, picnic tables and pavilion and a boat ramp. Another boat ramp is available at Lakewood Landing near Morganton. The Lake Blue Ridge Marina offers boat ramp access on a fee basis, along with pontoon rentals. The lake is home to bass, bream, catfish, perch and crappie, which make the ar... 03/04/2008

 Add Adventure Trail Rides To:  Del.icio.us  Digg  Google  Spurl  Blink  Furl  Simpy  Y! MyWeb    Adventure Trail RidesAbout North Georgia by Randy Goldenexclusively for About North Georgia Synopsis -- Deep in the heart of Fannin County, Georgia, north of Blue Ridge, a new challenge -- horseback riding with Adventure Trail Rides. Following a combination of old logging roads and backcountry paths, Pam and Randy Golden circle beautiful Cashes Valley on a cool autumn day. Kids love horse ridesRachel CallihanAlong the trailRunning through the field Granny Callihan would be pleased if she could see Rachel Callihan today. Part businesswoman, part guide, and a horse lover through and through, Rachel is carving a niche for herself in the mountains of north Georgia just as Granny did more than ... 02/29/2008

We all know someone who is having trouble keeping up with their mortgage, it might even be you. We need to let them know that there is help. I was reading an article in National Association of Realtors monthly publication titled Help Troubled Borrowers. If you have talked with these people, then they have probably mentioned that there are a lot of people out there that are calling and offering help. Please advise these folks to call 1.888.995.4673, (1.888.995.HOPE).President George W. Bush announced sometime in the middle of December that he was going to help people in these defaulting sub-prime mortgages. Here is what you need to know to help anyone you know that is having trouble with paying their mortgages on time, or has experienced a rate increase that has made it near impossible f... 02/25/2008

I would like to introduce a very good friend of mine that I have known for quiet some time. Tracie Griffith, is a loan officer and branch manager of All Source Mortgage here in Blue Ridge, Ga. Tracie provides excellent customer service and she knows and values the the lending business. Tracie has taken such good care of my clients, and I too value her business and I am proud to have her as part of such an awesome team of professionals that provide first class services and products to my clients.I have asked Tracie to provide some weekly tips that I hope you will find very helpful in your search not only your next North Georgia Mountain Home or Cabin, but any and all of your lending needs.Here are the Interest Rates and Programs that are available to you for as of Friday February 22, 200... 02/23/2008