A fellow agent e-mailed this to me today. The video, entitled "How to Buy a Bank Owned Home," is sure to bring a laugh -- perhaps a pained one -- but a laugh, nonetheless. I think we can all relate...no matter which "part" we play.   Enjoy!        10/13/2009

Home sales in Fannin County are mirroring the national trend -- sales are up, but prices are down. September 2009 saw 33 residential sales, with a median price of $206,000, compared to 27 residential sales and a median sale price of $245,000 in September of last year.Foreclosures account for about 20% of last month's sales. Since our local MLS didn't have a separate category for foreclosures last September,  it is difficult to ascertain what percentage of last year's sales were foreclosures. However, from personal observation, they are up this year over last year at this time. In my opinion, the increase in sales of foreclosures is part of what is driving prices down. Another major factor exerting downward pressure on prices is our existing inventory. There are 822 active residential li... 10/11/2009

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."-  Albert Camus The North Georgia mountains provide an ever-changing canvas upon which Mother Nature paints. Perhaps knowing the winter months will bring little opportunity for color, she pulls out all the stops and splashes the autumn canvas with a riot of reds, golds, yellows, and oranges. Fall is a spectacular time in the North Georgia mountains. The colors rival anything you will find in New England, and, because we don't get early frosts, the leaves -- in all their splendor -- stay on the trees much longer, stretching leaf-watching season through November. The days are usually sunny and bright, and the average temperatures in October are 69 degrees during the day, and 42 degrees at night. Because of the above-average rainfall ... 10/08/2009

OCTOBER 2009 Oct. 1 - 6 / Quilt Exhibit            Blue Ridge Mountains art Assn. Community Quilt exhibit (706) 632-2144 www.brmaa.com   Oct. 1  – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park            Downtown Ellijay/Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass, country, Gospel and rock-n-Roll 6pm – dark. Free Family Fun! All are Welcome! (706) 635-5961 wilmar225@yahoo.com   Oct. 1 - 10 / Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern            Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN. Fri & Sat nights opens after dark. Terror 206ft underground. www.hauntedcavern.com   Oct. 2 – 11 / Art            By Yasmina Reza. Blue Ridge Community Theatre. Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm.   A play augmenting what is trulyart and what is more personal than theoretical. A truthful comedy that explores modern friendships... 10/08/2009

From August 29, 2009 Quilt Exhibit / Blue Ridge Mountains Art Association To October 06, 2009 420 West Main Street (Old Courthouse in Blue Ridge) From September 10, 2009 Oktoberfest To October 31, 2009 Helen, GA From October 02, 2009 Flea Market / Air Conditioned To October 03, 2009 St. Anthony's Church From October 02, 2009 Art / Live Theater To October 04, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater From October 03, 2009 Fall Festival at John C. Campbell Folk School To October 04, 2009 John C. Campbell Folk School From October 03, 2009 Cherry Log Fall Festival To October 04, 2009 Cherry Log, Ga. October 03, 2009 Halloween Horror Putt-Putt Lilly Pad Village October 03, 2009 Copper Festival Downtown Ducktown October 03, 2009 Ride for Angels / Motorcycle Event United Community Bank Pavillion From... 09/29/2009

If you’re looking for a new way to get out and enjoy the beauty of the North Georgia mountains, look no further than Merciers Apple Orchards in Blue Ridge, Georgia. September is the month when, every year, Merciers opens their groves to the public. Every weekend for the entire month you can board the tram and venture out to the vast fields of apple trees and pick the fruits of your own labors.   Once you board the wagon and journey out to the fields of apple trees, you will find yourself surrounded by the most diverse selection of apple varieties to choose from, though you'll want to note that different varieties ripen throughout the month. Every row is clearly labeled, but the only way to truly know which flavors appeal to you the most is… you guessed it… eat your way through the orcha... 09/15/2009

L.&L. Beanery & Café in historic downtown Blue Ridge Georgia has done it again! Last year they expanded their unique coffee shop & bakery to include a very successful breakfast and luncheon café, and now, this: Great dining with fine food, libations and live music, set in an ambient atmosphere that reeks of high quality, but offers diners an affordable elegant evening.   We were seated right away. The accent lighting and live music created the perfect setting for a fine dining experience. It was a pleasure to finally be offered a wine list with dinner, as Blue Ridge is no longer a DRY county. By the bottle or by the glass, the prices were a pleasant surprise. We decided on a Riesling, and the entire bottle was $17.00. It was crisp and light, a great accompaniment to the vegetarian lasag... 09/10/2009

Lot 23 Lakeview Road, Ridges Over the Lake, Blue Ridge Georgia    USFS road meanders along Lake Blue Ridge through national forest as it makes its way to the gated entry of the presitigous Ridges Over the Lake, nestled off the beaten path in the ever popular Aska Adventure Area.  Private 2.2 acres with paved roads, underground utilities and community water ready to build your dream home in the North Georgia Mountains.  Feel like you are a million miles away from it all but only 8 miles to historic downtown Blue Ridge.  This upscale development is comprised of beautiful luxury log cabins and lodges, offering long range views of Lake Blue Ridge and layers of the famous "blue" mountain ridges.  Priced well below other tracts in this development.  Price: $135,000     MLS #: 191105     VIRTU... 09/08/2009

Early morning on Lake Blue Ridge Donna Yates, Georgia RealtorColdwell Banker High Country Realty706-633-0644 cell  706-632-7311 officeBlue Ridge, Georgia 30513www.move2northgeorgia.netdonna@ellijay.com   09/08/2009

SEPTEMBER 2009     Sept. 1  – Oct 6 / Quilt Exhibit            Blue Ridge Mountains art Assn. Community Quilt exhibit (706) 632-2144 www.brmaa.com Sept. 1  – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park           Downtown Ellijay/Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass, country, Gospel and rock-n-Roll 6pm – dark. Free Family Fun! All are Welcome! (706) 635-5961 wilmar225@yahoo.com Sept. 5 – 27 / Apple Picking            Mercier orchards. Growing apples since 1943, Mercier Orchards is celebrating 66 yrs. of business. Enjoy a wagon ride through the orchards and pick apples Sat & Sun from 10am – 5pm (706) 632-3411 www.mercier-orchards.com Sept. 20 & 21 / Wildlife Art Festival            Downtown city Park, Blue Ridge, GA. 10th annual festival. Showcasing works from ove... 08/31/2009

We're fortunate to live in Murphy, NC and be just minutes to the TN and GA state lines.One of our favorite stops to make over in the Blue Ridge, GA area is at the Mercier Orchards for their famous Fried Pies. Of course we usually leave with some Apple Bread and Cider too.         Mercier Orchards is a family owned and operated apple orchard. Started back in 1943 by Bill & Adele Mercier, Mercier Orchards is now celebrating 66 years of fruitful harvests. One stop at Mercier Orchards will send your senses into overdrive. Bushels of apples, fresh from the surrounding orchard, invite you to taste and there are plenty of samples to try. Bottles of fresh cider, jams, jellies and other gourmet treats are ready for you to take home or have shipped. Not only have the bakery, but you'll love the d... 08/23/2009

AUGUST 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA AND SURROINDING AREAS Aug 1 / Folk Life Traditions    Unicoi State park, Helen, GA. Demonstrations of everyday mountain-living skills. Includes candle dipping, cider making, folk toys and butter churning. Concert on Fri and a community dance on Sat. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305 www.gastateparks.org Aug. 1  – 22 / The Fantastiks    By Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt. Blue Ridge Community Theatre. Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm.  One of the longest running plays off Broadway, a famous story of “a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall.” An evening of theatrical magic. (706) 632-9223 www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com Aug. 1  – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park    Downtown Ellijay OR Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass,... 08/11/2009

  From June 20, 2009 Atlanta Collage Society Art Exhibit To August 01, 2009 The Art Center   From July 15, 2009 Harry Potter Movie / Swan Drive-in To August 04, 2009 The Swan Drive-in 651 Summit Street   From July 31, 2009 Classic Musical Comedy / The Fantasticks To August 02, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater     August 01, 2009 Blacksmith Demonstrations / Beatie Blacksmith Gallery     2076 Douthit Road   From August 01, 2009 The Art of Marsha Hamby Savage To August 23, 2009 The Art Center     August 01, 2009 Smokey Bear's Birthday Party     Ocoee Whitewater Center in Ducktown, TN     August 01, 2009 Farmers Market / Mountain Fresh Market     The Farm / Cohutta Pet & Feed     August 06, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun!     Kiwanis Fair Grounds     August 06, 2009 Pickin' in the Park     Ron H... 07/30/2009

I had some really good news from our company's mortgage specialist that I thought I'd share. There's been enough bad news passed around...I feel we are all overdue something positive. According to her industry sources, (from figures derived from area appraisals and AVMs) in our county and surrounding counties (according to zip code), we have moved from the soft (declining) market list to the stable market conditions list! It's official...things are looking up!   AMEN! I've been so ready to hear those words. In our office, it has felt like things have been picking up, but I didn't want to jump the gun and get my hopes up too high, but this confirms what I've been seeing... the market is like a patient on the mend, and has moved from intensive care to patient discharge.  Good health look... 06/20/2009

One of the things I absolutely love about living in Blue Ridge Georgia is that even though we are far removed from the hustle and bustle of the modern world in many ways, in just over an hour, we can be in one of the largest cities in the United States: Atlanta. Yesterday, we took the whole family to see “The Jersey Boys” a Broadway musical at the fabulous Fox Theater. This is not a review of the show, though it was fantastic…I’d recommend it to anyone, especially if you know anyone from Jersey. It’s just so great to be able to access that level of performance from where we live. Pablo Picasso said that Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life, and life in Blue Ridge can get pretty dusty. It is so refreshing to take a day trip down to the city and briefly experience the e... 06/08/2009

  Fannin Regional Hospital sponsors a Healthy Woman event occassionally and the latest one was a realtreat.  Chef Hans Rueffert, renowned Southern Chef, and Sara Auman, local gourmet aficionado teamed up to prepare some wonderful healthy dishes at the well appointed kitchen located in Town and Country Furniture  in Blue Ridge where cooking shows are occassionally videoed here.  This beautiful store offersquality rustic furniture and accessories for local log cabin owners.                  Menu  Red Bean and Chickpea SaladDried Fruit and Nut Salad with Minted Yogurt Rainbow Trout with Orange-Mustard Grenoble   Chef Hans Rueffert If you haven't heard of Chef Hans Rueffert, you are really missing out, not only on great cooking ideas and techniques but a truly moving story of his battle wit... 05/28/2009

THIS IS NOT THE MONEY YOU COULD HAVE SAVED WITH GEICO...IT'S BETTER!!! There is good news for Georgia home buyers and sellers! This month, in addition to the federal $8,000 tax credit, Georgia has an additional state tax credit for home buyers in 2009. The tax credit legislation was signed into law on May 11, 2009 by Governor Sonny Perdue, with the help of House Sponsor Ron Stephens (Savannah), House Ways and Means Chairman Larry O'Neal (Warner Robins) and Senate Chairman Chip Pearson (Dawsonville). The amount of the credit is 1.2% of the purchase price up to $1,800 non-repayable, to be spread equally annually, over the next three years. A great thing about the Georgia tax credit is that unlike the federal tax initiative, this money is not limited to just first-time homebuyers, but ALL ... 05/26/2009

I’m very excited to announce that I am part of a new Real Estate team that is representing our area’s first “Certified Green” development. At the beginning of this year, my self and two of m y co-workers decided to enroll in the real estate classes to receive our National Association of Realtors GREEN designation. We now, unoriginally, call ourselves “The Green Team.” We did not get this designation just because we had an interest in the new eco-friendly trends that are influencing builders these days, though we do, but we were spurred on because we were trying to secure the listings of a new developer who is "Green" through and though. We have succeeded, and now are the proud representatives of Toccoa Camp in beautiful Blue Ridge Georgia . This gated, six homesite community features h... 05/26/2009

BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR JUNE 2009   June 1 – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park    Thursdays at Downtown Ellijay/Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass, country, Gospel and rock-n-Roll 6pm – dark. Free Family Fun! All are Welcome! (706) 635-5961 wilmar225@yahoo.com June 4 – Aug. 27 / BINGO Kiwanis Fairgrounds 124 Jones St. in Blue Ridge. Grand prize: $500 Gas Card! Doors open MONDAYS @ 6pm and THURSDAYS @ 7pm. Adults and Children &10 per card. All proceeds go to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. www.blueridgekiwanis.org June 4 – 6 / Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race    Helen, GA. 36th annual Balloon Race begins at 7am on June 4th. Tethered rides and activities June 5th & 6th. (706) 878-2271 June 5 – 7 / Roots & Music Festival Hwy 76, Hi... 05/25/2009

I love being part of a small town community because the members of this township are not so great in number and so extremely busy that they don’t know or notice their neighbors. The way this community cares for those less fortunate is what really stands out in this dog-eat-dog busy world we so often find ourselves living in. This season ground was broken for the first component of a new program being developed here in Blue Ridge. "Feed Fannin" is a volunteer group with the mission to eliminate hunger and help feed the less fortunate in our area with fresh grown food. All produce grown will be donated to feed the people at the homeless shelter in Fannin County’s Family Connections Resource Center. “Feed Fannin” is modeled off of the Cartecay community garden in Gilmer County. That group ... 05/22/2009