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Lake Oconee’s easy-going lake lifestyle brings water pursuits to the doorstep.
No Place Like Home LAKE AND MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE IS A HOT COMMODITY FOR NEARBY VACATIONS
STORY:
Giannina S. Bedford
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A boathouse on Lake Burton, about two hours from Atlanta, showcases the appeal of lake life.
f vacations to faraway locales look less appealing right now, the mountain and lake regions a quick jaunt from Atlanta are perhaps the next best thing. Whether it’s renting a mountain home or inking ownership of a lakefront retreat, Atlantans are doubling down on close-to-home getaways. “With the advent of the COVID-19 crisis, purchasers want to find a way to enjoy life being outside,” says Susan Verlander, managing broker of Marina Bay, a 386-acre gated community on Lake Lanier. “Today, buyers are adding to this desire the urgency to find a non-congested lifestyle within a close proximity of family members so they can social distance together.”
Life on the Lake New inquiries at Marina Bay have tripled compared to the last two years, with more than 400 requests in the past 90 days. Verlander says the development’s location midway between Dawsonville and Gainesville has garnered a lot of interest from Atlantans. “Our location is considered one of our top selling features,” she says, adding that buyers are looking for
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destinations that combine safety with outdoor pursuits and the benefits of living in a small community. Lakeside properties at Marina Bay have become gathering spots for multigenerational families who drive in from Atlanta to spend time together. Michael McGaughey, an agent at Harry Norman’s Luxury Lake and Mountain office in Clayton, Georgia, says the demand since March has been historic with most of the interest being in renting and pur-
July/August 2020 | Simply Buckhead
chasing lake homes. Rental inquiries have come mainly from Atlanta, but they’ve also received calls from Miami, New York and Houston. Rental supply on the water is tight because many of Rabun County’s lakes have restrictions on short-term rentals. This may be why lake property sales in the area are surging. “We’ve seen a real rush. There are 24 properties under contract in the $800,000 to $5 million range,” says McGaughey, who notes how un-
usual that volume is for the market. Brookhaven residents Sherri and John Dickens purchased a home on Lake Oconee in December 2019 after looking for about two months. Their agent, Margie Kopp Sorrell of Coldwell Banker, Lake Oconee, helped them snag a waterfront property that has become the Dickenses’ favorite weekend getaway for their family. “We love how convenient Lake Oconee is to Atlanta, and our neighborhood has been beyond welcoming and kind,” Sherri says. “There’s a small-town vibe that I love, and yet Instacart is available for those of us who need it.” Buckhead residents Yvette and Gary Lourie purchased their first Reynolds Lake Oconee vacation home in 1998 and are building a new home to be completed this year. The proximity to Atlanta, as well as the tranquility and variety of amenities available, has made it an ideal location for their second home. “We raised our three kids in the first
