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

This weekend is one of my favorite events in Blue Ridge Georgia; Arts In The Park. This festival brings all types of artists together in outdoor diplays throughout the downtown Blue Ridge green. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, individial artists submit their works for approval to be on diplay in what has become one of the largest arts festivals in the Tri-State area. The genres used by the artists range from wood and natural materials, to photographers, painters, sculptors and a plethora of unique offerings. Of course, you'll find food vendors there, so you can make it through a full day of art viewing and shopping without having to take a break. My favorite vendor at the event is the homemade soda pop stand, with Sasparilla, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Cherry Wine, an... 05/21/2009

Blue Ridge will host its 33rd annual Arts in the Park Festival this Memorial Day weekend. Now a premier event, drawing artists and craftspeople from around the country, the festival had humble roots.  The first festival, held in 1977, displayed local children's artwork hung on a clothes line. Sponsored each year by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, this year's Arts in the Park Festival is expected to bring over 15,000 visitors to this wonderful community nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With over 150 booths filled with a full spectrum of fine arts & crafts, a wide array of food available, and bluegrass and mountain music performances, there is something for everyone, from serious art lover to casual people-watcher.   Memorial Day Weekend - Rain or ShineSatur... 05/20/2009

This is a North Georgia Mountain Home of a good friend of mine. It is looking out over the Cohutta Wilderness in the Mount Pisgah Development just outside of Blue Ridge Georgia. 05/20/2009

Today, I got my son ready for his first Prom. It's a little different than when I helped my daughter get ready for her first prom. In both cases, my lovely wife was Missing In Action; off at a writer's convention both times, which shows how long she's been writing, and how old I'm getting. I can remember when I helped my daughter 5 years ago, I was in the middle of splattering 20 dancers in white unitards with several colors of dye, and then hosing each one down, in order to color the costumes, when my "little girl" pulled up in her prom gown and said, "I need you to do my hair, mom's gone and you have to do it"...of course I did. It was a skill of the trade. Today, I am in the middle of 7 real estate deals, between contracts and listings, and once again, Dad takes a break for Prom prep... 05/09/2009

May 07, 2009  Bingo Kiwanis Fair Grounds May 07, 2009 Pickin' in the Park Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA. May 08, 2009 Live Music / Acoustic Guitar by Rev. Eric Gant Lilly Pad Village From May 08, 2009 Comedy / Harvey To May 10, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater May 09, 2009 Live Music / McElvis Lilly Pad Village May 09, 2009 Tasting and Cooking Demo Out Of The Blue Gourmet Living May 09, 2009 Georgia Mountain Classic Car Show City Park in Blue Ridge May 14, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun! Kiwanis Fair Grounds May 14, 2009 Pickin' in the Park Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA. May 15, 2009 Live Music / Stay At Home Gypsies Lilly Pad Village From May 15, 2009 Comedy / Harvey To May 17, 2009 Blue Ridge Community Theater May 16, 2009 Smokie Mountain Melodies Show ... 05/06/2009

When you come to Blue Ridge Georgia, you won't find a lot of franchises crowding the streets. For coffee drinkers, this means NO Starbucks, but that isn't to say we don't have a fine coffee shop. L & L Beanery, located in historic downtown Blue Ridge, offers gourmet coffee drinks and a whole lot more. Built in the town's historic bank building, it's no surprise that in the original bank's walk-in safe you find an ample supply of their valuables: coffee. With a huge stone fireplace and hearth, high pressed tin ceilings and an eclectic mix of antique seating, L & L Beanery exudes an olde tyme charm that abounds in Blue Ridge, but they're not just serving coffee anymore. Now with a full service bistro serving breakfast and lunch, and an amazing in-house bakery, you will always find a delic... 04/28/2009

In the Leadership Fannin seminar I am currently participating in, our jolly group spent the day learning about tourism in the Fannin County area. Blue Ridge Georgia has a lot to offer, beyond the beautiful rivers, mountains and lakes that grace the surrounding landscape. The day began with area arts organizations giving lectures at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. We heard speakers from the Theater itself, as well as various arts organizations throughout the county. There are a lot of groups in this area, from the Sustainable Arts Society that houses artists with grant monies to encourage the development of artists in our country, to our very own Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, which is a very active regional arts group providing outlets, classes and events that promote the Arts ... 04/27/2009

For those that may have read my blog last month,you'll remeber that I sold a large historic homestead in Brasstown, North Carolina. Not only was it a large sale, but the seller was also a dear friend, and a renowned woodturning artist. Many of her works can be seen in galleries from Blue Ridge to Chattanooga. She is best known for the grand size of her bowls, which also command a sizable price. I own one of her small pieces, a silver maple vase, and I cherish it because it is probably the only Oland piece I would ever afford to own, that is until now. I have long been a great admirer of Lissi's style, and I love the massive size of her works, as well. I'm a big guy and I like big stuff, what can I say. One piece Lissi had recently been working on the lathe I had a particular penchant fo... 04/27/2009

May 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 May 1 / Culinary Art Celebration    The Martyn House. 912 Flat Branch Rd. Fri. Night culinary event featuring refreshments, appetizers and silent auction of registered and visiting artists. 7pm – 9pm  (706) 635 – 4759 www.themartynhouse.com May 8 – 31 / “Harvey” Blue Ridge Community Theater An eccentric comedy by Mary Chase involving a polite, cheerful main character, a hilarious cast and of course, a giant 6 ft tall while rabbit. (706) 632-9223 www.blueridgecommunitytheater.co   May 9 / Georgia Classic Car Show    Historic Downtown Blue Ridg... 04/23/2009

The area of the country I live in is, in my humble opinion, is one of the most beautiful areas of this great country. The Southern Appalanchians offer some of the most spectacular views and countryside you may have ever seen. Most people who come here make remarks like "it's like a postcard" or "It's like in a movie". Well that may very well be the case, as our own Fannin County has been the site of some movie filming this year. In McCaysville Georgia, producer Randi Johnson oversaw the shooting of a new film pilot, "Charlie". The plot boils down to a Grandfather/Grandson team-effort detective story. The setting for the film is the old train trestle crossing over the Toccoa River. The authentic boxcars and locomotive from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway were borrowed for the filming. Anot... 04/21/2009

      April 09, 2009 BINGO!   Kiwanis Fair Grounds     April 09, 2009 Winter Pickn'   The Pickin Coup     April 11, 2009 Community Easter Egg Hunt at St. Lukes   St. Luke;'s Episcopal Churchyard 7 Ewing Street     April 11, 2009 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny   Historic Downtown Area of Blue Ridge at the L&L Beanery, Sponsored by Light Up Blue Ridge     April 11, 2009 Easter Parade   Downtown Historic BlueRidge   From April 11, 2009 Easter Egg-spress To April 11, 2009 Blue Ridge Scenic Railway     April 16, 2009 BINGO / Lots of Fun!   Kiwanis Fair Grounds     April 16, 2009 Winter Pickn'   The Pickin Coup     April 18, 2009 Taste of Blue Ridge / Local Restaurants / Benefits Humane Society   Riverstone Medical Campus   From April 18, 2009 Blue Ridge Spring Fest To April 19, 2009 Blue Ri... 04/09/2009

So it never fails, I leave the office for a 2-day trip, and within hours of getting in the car and hitting the road, I get a call and I find I'm in negotiations for a big involved contract on one of my listings. Then, another deal I have put to bed until closing, opens itself up to some new dilemmas, and I am pulling off the road to the nearest Starbucks so I can get on the wireless network and start my email correspondence with all parties to remedy the situation. Now I swear, If I were in the office, nothing would be going on, but it's like a magic charm, if ever I go away from the office for any reason, WHAM, stuff happens. I'm beginning to think I need to go away more often... it's so good for business... but the stress would kill me. I am supposed to be leaving right after I get ba... 04/06/2009

I love good, brick-oven baked pizza. For me, there's nothing like it. There are several great pizzerias in Atlanta, but that's almost 2 hours from where we live up here in the North Georgia mountains, so I have been "jonesing" for a great pizza joint to come to this area. The Blue Ridge area has several franchise pizza joints, but if you are a "pizza snob", which I have found out recently, I AM, there is a taste of Italy right here in our own back yard. In Ellijay, Georgia, in a strip mall across from a Dominos Pizza, is a slice of Italy called Il Forno. The name means, brick-oven or fired oven, and there is one such firey pit right in the kitchen of this classic Italian restaraunt. As soon as you step through the front doors, you are transported from the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the It... 04/05/2009

The City of Blue Ridge, Georgia took it's first steps towards wetting it's whistle, when the city council of Blue Ridge, in a 3 to 2 vote, elected to enact an ordinance to offer pouring licenses within the city limits. Last fall, Fannin County passed the liquor license law, changing our county from high and dry to wet n' wild. Now, the same seems to be occurring in the city limits, and most would say, "it's long overdue." This is really great news for local restaurants who desperately need a boost to survive in this economy. The addition of liquor to the menu may prove to be the saving grace for many of our areas fine establishments. There is also the idea that allowing alcohol to be served within the city will bring more restaurants, creating more jobs, which we also need in these chal... 04/03/2009

Today I found out one more way that blogging can result in a real estate sale. I was finishing up my work on Sunday, after pulling a floor duty shift, and decided to knock out a blog post before calling it a day. An hour later, I was just finishing up adding some photos to the post, and at 6p.m. on Sunday night, in walk a young couple. They asked if the office was closed, and I explained, “Yes, but that’s no matter. I’m here. You’re here. That’s all you need.” They could not get over how affordable properties were here, and further explained what they were looking for. They had pulled a property from our listing board, and I offered to take them right out to see it, if they were interested, as I have shown that property often, and I knew right where it was...which was on my way home. We... 04/01/2009

APRIL 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 4 / Mountain Adventure Race    Blue Ridge, Ga. 12th annual race. A challenging contest consisting of running, paddling, biking and navigating. Up to 100 co-ed teams of 3 participate yearly. Live music, food and fun at finish line downtown for spectators. (706) 946-6003 chamber@blueridgemountains.com    April 8 & 11 / Gorilla Haven    Private, behind the scenes small group walking tours of gorilla facilities. Photography allowed. (706) 851-9440 www.gorilla-haven.org April 11 / Easter “Egg-spress”    Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Downtown BR Depot. Sat 4:00pm. Ride the Train with the Easter Bunny!  (706) 632-9833 www.brscenic.com April 11 / An Evening of Astronomy    Pine Mountain, GA. Roosevelt State Park 9pm – 10pm.  Join the Columbus Coca-Cola Space ce... 03/28/2009