Welcome to the Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina Mountains! Thank you for picking up a copy of the Georgia/ North Carolina Mountains & Lakes Regional Guide featuring properties throughout our majestic mountains.
Our area offers an array of events, great shopping and dining experiences, outdoor fun on the many hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, golf courses, scenic drives and tours, wineries and breweries and so much more. Please visit our local Chambers of Commerce for a comprehensive list of happenings, festivals, local events and activities in the coming year. All are listed here in our magazine (Fannin, Gilmer, Towns, and Union counties in Georgia as well as Cherokee and Clay counties in North Carolina).
As you search for that perfect property, we want to encourage you to choose a REALTOR® to represent you, whether you are buying or selling real estate. Not every real estate agent can say they are a REALTOR®. REALTORS® are professional agents who are bound to a strict code of ethics. REALTORS® are licensed agents who work as residential and commercial brokers, salespeople, property managers and consultants. REALTORS® work for you!
Sincerely,
Bill Daves, 2024 President of the Northeast Georgia Board of REALTORS®
UNRESTRICTED!! 3 bedroom/3 bath home on 2 acres with paved state road frontage. Completely updated in 2020. Maple floors in the great room, granite countertops,
This 3.33-acre tract offers easy paved access and very buildable terrain, situated near the top of the subdivision. Potential for stunning views to the south and southeast with some clearing. Underground utilities are already in place, enhancing the ease of development. Located in a tranquil, gated community, this lot is very close to the Mission Dam Recreation Area and the Hiawassee River. It’s centrally located near Hayesville, Brasstown, Peachtree, and Murphy, with the Fires Creek Wildlife Refuge just a few miles away. $59,000. MLS # 404218
while staying connected to all the amenities you need. $75,000. MLS # 407234
Mountain Cove Estates
Mountain Cove Estates is a Private prime subdivision development of unparalleled privacy & pristine natural surroundings. This 51.59-acre subdivision features 7 building lots; 3 w/ long range views, 2 w/ water views, 1 w/ a mountain view & 4 w/ USNF Frontage. The 8th lot is the common area w/ a 1-acre pond, 2 other small ponds & waterfalls at each one. The common area also includes a 70 X 30 Barn, a Pavilion overlooking ponds & a stone BBQ grill & firepit, perfect for outdoor relaxation & recreation. (Lot 5 includes a small fishing hut & firepit too). Feeding the ponds is Briar Creek, a natural Spring water fall that is just off the property & leads to a short adventure walk up to connect to the Benton MacKaye Trail. All the pre work is completed, underground pre-installed electric, approved subdivision roads, Gilmer approved lots & so much more. Conveniently located less than 10 miles from town, 1 mile off 515 & in Cherry Log. This is Ideal for a private estate development or resale of individual lots. With flexible opportunities for both personal enjoyment & investment this. Appointment Required. MLS 405213. $1,800,000
BLUE RIDGE - 2ND STREET. This 0.96 acre tract is zoned commercial (C-1), with gravity flow sanitary sewer, Public water, Power! Gentle topography. Ideal Commercial building site. There is a well located on the property circled in survey ribbon. MLS 316436. $2,000,000
BLUE RIDGE HEIGHTS. Paved road frontage to this 10.84 acre tract. Bring your builder and build multiple homes on these LONG RANGE VIEW LOTS!! Easy access in Blue Ridge! MLS 312721. $299,900
allows Residential
ONLY TWO LOTS LEFT! MIXED USE MULTI-LOT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. RESTAURANT, RETAIL, HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TOWNHOME / APARTMENT, HOTEL (ETC...) USE DEVELOPMENT ON GRAVITY FLOW SANITARY SEWER! The University of North Georgia has built a stand alone TRI-STATE Campus on 10 Acres! Blue Ridge / Toccoa River KOA Campground opened a 96 Camp Site / Cabin Rental Facility located on the Trout Rich Toccoa River! All Utilities Incl. Water, Sewer, Fiber Optic. Lot 3 - MLS 323639 - $674,900. Lot 4 - MLS 323640 - $674,900
BLUE RIDGE. 6.74 Acres. Property is Zoned R-A which
Multi-Family! Gravity Flow Sanitary Sewer; Public Water. MLS 329811. $1,200,000
Ridge. Commercial Lot. 11.52 Acres. Public water & sewer. MLS 325243. $2,299,900.
RIDGE,
6.65 +/- Acres; Gentle Topography, Perfect
Development Tract. MLS 409920. $1,195,000
11 Easy-Up, Easy-Down Decor Hacks for Stress-Free Holidays
Start saving those egg cartons!
Give or take a Scrooge or two, everybody loves the holidays: Decorating the tree, hanging lights, hanging holly — all those things! But you know what nobody loves? Taking all those things down.
Because, wow, what an unorganized mess.
Before you go all Scrooge, get your jolly back with these simple holiday decorating hacks.
#1 Protect Ornaments With Holiday Recyclables
Trimming the tree should feel like the happy ending of a Lifetime holiday movie, not a game show where contestants guess which box will contain broken memories.
Keep ornaments safe for next year by stowing them in leftover party cups, hot-glued onto a piece of foam board cut to fit inside a storage bin, recommends Lisa Woodruff, founder and CEO of Organize 365 in Cincinnati.
Or pack ornaments away using bubble wrap from holiday packages or egg cartons from those countless cookies you made.
All of these options make for shock-absorbent padding that’s more durable than paper towels or tissue paper.
#2 Create a Year-Round Focal Point
You dream of decking every hall, every year, but when the holidays roll around, you’ve got a brisket to bake and cocktails to clink.
So, focus your festive energy on just one iconic focal point — a wreath on the front door or greenery on the mantel — something you can easily change with the season.
Or, create a display that makes you feel merry year-round. (Try repurposing storefront letters to spell out “LOVE” or “JOY” — sentiments that never go out of season.)
#3 Get a Decorating Toolbox
Before you can hang a single strand of lights or sprig of mistletoe, you have to find the gosh-darn zip ties, track down the floral wire, and repurpose a few extension cords.
Just thinking about the prep work makes you ready for a long winter’s nap. But this year’s gonna be your prep for next year and the years to follow.
As you put everything up, keep a running checklist of what you need. Then stock a toolbox and replenish it every year.
#4 Leave Your Light Hooks and Nails in Place for Next Year
So, this year, use hooks that match your siding (not nails because they fall out easier) or paint them so they are indistinguishable from your siding or trim before you put them up.
Then leave them up when you take down your lights.
Come next year, just rehang your lights and bask in your twinkling success.
#5 Wrap Lights Around Cardboard
If you like to trim your home’s roof and siding with holiday lights, you know what a hassle it is to find last year’s nail holes while balancing on a ladder with your extremities slowly freezing.
Next year you’ll spend less time untangling your lights and more time basking in them.
#6 Hang Wreaths on Rods or in Rafters
So, as you take down this year’s lights, wrap them around empty gift boxes or cardboard. Make a small notch on each side to keep the ends snugly in place.
Rather than tossing it in a trash bag, where it can too easily get seriously mushed or even forgotten, hang it on a rod or from nails hammered into the attic rafters or garage walls, Woodruff recommends.
It will be easy to find and in pristine shape for next year.
#7 Store Your Tree With the Decorations on It
All year you look forward to hanging that wreath you got for a steal at an after-Christmas sale.
Ask someone to help you tightly wrap this year’s decorated (artificial) tree — yep, ornaments and all — with heavy-duty stretch plastic wrap (the type that professional movers use, which you can find at home improvement stores).
Next year, just cut the wrap and reshape the branches.
Happy holidays indeed.
#8 Or Give In and Buy a Tree Bag
No, seriously. If strategizing the placement of dancing Santa and his 107
is
This year, go ahead and spend the 30 to 50 bucks on a tree bag or box, Woodruff says. It will seal out dirt, dust, and bugs, and won’t smash the branches. Plus, some styles even allow you to store your tree fully or partially assembled.
Just knowing you can skip the reassembly next time makes for an extra happy New Year.
#9 Trim Those Trimmings
Every Dec. 26, you begin to dread wrestling your artificial tree back into its original packaging.
So when you take down this year’s decor, follow the old rule for paring down your wardrobe and get rid of anything you didn’t use. You know, that carol-singing mounted fish from your dad or Nana’s crocheted coaster set. And donate them.
“If it’s a sentimental item, take a picture of it,” Woodruff says.
You won’t waste storage space and come next year, you’ll be greeted only by items you love and use.
#10 Organize by Room
Getting out decorations should be a welcome walk down memory lane — not a guilt trip through items you “should” display — but ugh.
If you’ve got snowmen in every bathroom and a jingle bell on every drawer, you may end up with mountains of half-empty boxes piled everywhere for longer than you spend enjoying the decor.
Get your halls decked more efficiently by sorting your boxes of trimmings by room, Woodruff suggests.
Then, label each light strand by location — mantel, doorway, tree, etc. Decorating is merrier when you can grab a bin and make an evening of it, one room at a time.
#11 Create a ‘Must Have’ Bin
Put all your favorite decorations in one first-up, lastdown bin.
Next year, you’ll spend more time enjoying your cherished menorah or manger and less time rummaging to find it.
dangly friends
your least favorite part of holiday decorating, skip it after this year
MYSTIC RIDGE, MYSTIC FOREST AND MYSTIC RIVER of western NC is in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest, along the whitewater Nantahala River, and by Queens Lake. This Frank
amenities include a clubhouse and private island on the Nantahala River, a club/boathouse at Queens Lake, an equestrian center, pond & outdoor pavilion, astronomical observatory, there are a lot of hiking trails, UTV & ATV are welcome. Let Nature begin, Queens lake at foot of development. Let your next adventure begin here! $1,495,000
IMPROVEMENT
HIGH ELEVATION 3 LEVEL HOME with phenomenal mountain views situated on 6.52 acres!! Large wrap around porch and 2 balconies from oversized primary suite on upper level of home. Additional Primary Suite on the main level. Additional bedroom, bath and spacious den area on lower level of home. Located less than 2 miles from Lake Nantahala and a short drive to the Nantahala Gorge Area. Located close to several other outdoor activities - Appalachian and Bartram Trails, White Oak Creek and the Nantahala River for world class fishing! Lots of room for family and friends! $479,000
REMARKABLE VIEWS from this 3 level chalet style with each level having sleeping area and living spaces. This home located in the beautiful Nantahala area. Located less than 2 miles to Lake Nantahala the most pristine lake in the southeast! Home is being sold fully furnished with high end furnishings! A total of 4 lots are included giving several options to either keep as it is for a private getaway or develop the additional 3 lots. Home is currently being used as a vacation rental. $569,000
Don’t miss this opportunity to own a Lake home in the Smoky Mountains. Close to Wayah Bald, Appalachian Trail/ Bartram. Come Make Some Memories on Pristine Lake Nantahala. Come make some memories on Lake Nantahala!! What are you waiting for? NO rentals allowed. $1,300,000
SOLD
NEW CONSTRUCTION 3 BR/3BA home. Flooring will be hardwood throughout. Drywall for walls and ceilings with the exception of tongue and groove wood ceilings in vaulted ceiling area of great room and also will have wood ceiling on the porches. Hardi board and batting siding. Gas cook stove. Stack washer and dryer. Painted cabinets with granite countertops. On demand hot water heater. Tile showers in all bathrooms. All stainless steel appliances. 3 sided rock/stone around foundation. Certificate of Occupancy to be issued prior to closing. $549,900
4247 ASHELAND OVERLOOK | YOUNG HARRIS | $699,000 | MLS 403820 | 4BR | 3BA BREATHTAKING VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM | MOVE-IN-READY PERFECT BLEND OF COMFORT & ELEGANCE | FULLY FINISHED TERRACE LEVEL GRAND LR W/ STONE FP | VAULTED CEILINGS | SPACIOUS KITCHEN AMPLE WINDOWS FRAMING STUNNING VIEWS | MASTER SUITE ON THE MAIN CONCRETE DRIVE | DOUBLE CAR GARAGE | SCREENED PORCH | DUAL FUEL HEATING
49 COTTONWOOD ROAD | BLAIRSVILLE |
|
|
YEAR-ROUND DEEP WATER ACCESS | END OF ROAD PRIVACY LOW-MAINTENANCE HOME | 1.62 LEVEL, UNRESTRICTED ACRES | CLOSE TO TOWN
VAULTED CEILINGS | STACK STONE FP W/ GAS LOGS | CONVENIENT LAYOUT COVERED PORCH YEAR-ROUND LAKE VIEWS | EASY ACCESS | AMPLE PARKING GENERAC GENERATOR | TERRACE LEVEL APARTMENT
ON MAIN IN ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION | MINUTES TO TOWN
805 QUAIL COVE CIRCLE | WARNE | $500,000 |
220 COLD BRANCH LANE | HAYESVILLE | $480,000 | MLS 409598 | 2BR | 2BA RUSTIC RETREAT EXPANSIVE OUTDOOR LIVING BREATHTAKING MOUNTAIN VIEWS | WRAP AROUND DECK COVERED PORCHES | CATHEDRAL CEILINGS STACKED BLOCK GAS LOG FP | SPECTACULAR WINDOWS VERSATILE LOFT | FINISHED BASEMENT
ANTLER LIGHT FIXTURES & SOLID WOOD DOORS CONVENIENT LAUNDRY ROOM | WORKSHOP | DUEL FUEL EFFICIENCY | FIRE PIT AREA
Real estate professionals have access to exclusive neighborhood and property information to make you a smarter buyer or seller.
NAVIGATE A COMPLEX PROCESS .
A real estate professional can guide you on forms, disclosures, and the lending process to help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.
Buying and selling a home can be stressful. You need an agent who is a REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, by your side. Here’s why: 1 3 5 7 2 4 6 GET THE INSIDE SCOOP.
You may have bought or sold a home before, but markets and transaction processes are always changing.
DO THE RIGHT THING.
Make
SIMPLIFY YOUR SEARCH.
An agent can educate you on current market conditions and help you find homes that match your criteria using local broker marketplaces—known in the business as multiple listing services. NEGOTIATE LIKE
A PRO.
An agent has the expertise to negotiate terms, from price to repairs, on your behalf.
Your agent can talk you through the pros and cons behind big decisions and share their network of trusted home inspectors, lenders, remodelers, and more.
BIG FOOT TINY HOMES OF HAYESVILLE NC HAS PARTNERED WITH CHARIOT EAGLE, WHICH HAS RANKED 1ST OR 2ND IN THE USA IN 12’ FOOT WIDE PARK MODEL SALES SINCE 1989, BRINGING YOU THE BEST TINY HOMES, RV CERTIFIED AND PARK MODELS AVAILABLE. CHARIOT EAGLE AND BIG FOOT TINY HOMES IS DEDICATED TO INNOVATION, HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS, SERVICE AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO ITS GROWING NUMBER OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS, NOW NUMBERING APPROXIMATELY 20,000. BIG FOOT TINY HOMES, IS OPENING A NEW OFFICE IN HAYESVILLE NC.COME TO BIG FOOT TINY HOMES ON OCTOBER 11, 12, 13 OR 14 AS WE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. COME AND CHECK OUT OUR NEW 2025 PARK MODELS, RV CERTIFIED LESS THN 400 SQ FT. IF YOU STOP BY THERE WILL BE OPENING SPECIALS AND YOU HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING BIG FOOT IN PERSON!
Exquisite log cabin on a 1 acre private lot. Minutes to town on paved roads. 2/2.5 PLUS unfinished basement. Volume ceilings, custom woodwork, whole house generator & water filtration system are just a few of the many features of this one owner cabin. STR’s allowed. This is a one of kind cabin! $519,900. MLS 409805
PRICE REDUCED- Beautiful cabin in private setting. Spacious 2/2 with over 1400 sq ft PLUS unfinished walkout basement stubbed and framed for additional living space. Custom woodwork, large windows and many upgrades. STR allowed in this gated community with river access, pools, tennis, fitness center & more! $429,000. MLS 403570 Amazing cottage style home with close proximity to Blue Ridge and to Fightingtown Creek! Nestled on 2.7 acres with potential galore, featuring
Office: 828-389-4466
401 NC Hwy 69, Hayesville, NC 28904
GA LIC. H-45490
NC LIC. C-12810
Associate Broker, REALTOR® NC#187505 / GA#205907
Cell: 828-508-0803
An Angler’s Paradise. 4BDRM/3.5BA, 3-level fully finished Hiwassee Riverfront Chalet style home on 10 plus acres with over 1000 ft. frontage to centerline of the Hiwassee River in Hayesville-Clay Cty. NC. “BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE CAROLINAS” Come listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul. A fabulous family or corporate retreat or investment development parcels consisting of 6 lots totaling 10 plus acres. Located between the towns of Hayesville and Murphy,NC in the Fires Creek Wilderness area of the Nantahala Nat’l Forest & Black Bear Sanctuary are just a stone’s throw away. Close to John C. Campbell Folk Art School, Valley River Cherokee Indian Casino,Western NC regional airport & hospital with easy access to daily services of shopping,USFS,Lake Chatuge & Lake Hiwassee. Bold DNR stocked and wild trout streams. Trophy fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming without leaving your front yard. What else could you ask for? Exceptionally maintained by current family owners. Truly unique & magical. MLS#407883 $1,997,000.
from this high elevation
acre parcel. End of road privacy. Sweeping views of lake & long range multi-layered ridge lines. Underground utilities, city water, upscale development, mature timber, rock-boulder outcroppings. MLS#404032 $109,900
Looking to Buy or Sell? I have been representing Buyers and Sellers in our area for the last 26 years! Let me help find or sell your piece of Heaven here in the Western North Carolina or Northeast Georgia mountains and Lake region. Competitive rates and offering a full line of services for marketing your property or assisting your property selection or purchase as an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent. So if you are considering a real estate move, call me. I have decades of knowledge and experience with complete media exposure for your property sale or search criteria. Rooted locally and connected globally. Get the Advantage with Integrity, Sincerity and Credibility!
Lot 50 Broken Arrow. Lake Chatuge & Big Mtn.Views from this high elevation 6.05 ac. estate size parcel multi-layered long range, underground
Lot 53 Highland Trace. Lake Chatuge & Big Mtn.Views
Pride of ownership shows in this beautifully maintained home. 2 bedrooms, 1 and 1/2 baths plus an office all on a little over an acre of unrestricted land. 580 square foot metal outbuilding with electricity, the back part is insulated and has A/C, plus a raised dog bath station with hot and cold water. There’s a huge fenced pasture with a barn, the ground perfect for a big garden! The fenced yard around the house features a beautiful rock waterfall, plants and flowers of all kinds, a screened porch in the front, a covered deck in the back, plus a quaint backyard sitting area to enjoy the wonderful mountain life. Many upgrades have been done, including re-siding the house and replacing gutters in 2019, replacing the septic drain field and pumping the tank in 2022, new well in 2015, completely remodeled main bath with walk-in shower, new toilet in half bath, appliances replaced in 2017, front sliding door replaced in 2021, metal building re-sided in 2017, the list goes on! Fiber Optic Internet available but not installed. Close to town, Lake Chatuge and golf courses, yet very private. Nothing to do but move in and enjoy! MLS 409717, $289,900
BEAUTIFUL LAKE CHATUGE AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS from this 2.73 Acre lot in the popular Dan Knob community. Once some clearing is done, you’ll have gorgeous northwest views of the lake and sunrise views to the east over the mountains. A good part of the lot is gentle for an easy build. There’s a 3 bedroom conventional septic permit valid until August, 2026. With access to Hiawassee city water, meaning no need to drill a well, underground utilities in place, a driveway cut in, and property lines marked, this lot is ready to build. Very close to the lake, miles of hiking and biking trails at Jackrabbit, and just a few miles to shopping in Hiawassee GA! The lake view photo was taken from the property after clearing, the vegetation has grown back and will need to be cleared again. MLS 410048, $135,000
Featuring Properties On & Around Beautiful Lake Chatuge!
Featured Agent on HGTV’s “Cutting Loose on Lake Chatuge!”
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!
Panoramic views of Bell Mountain, Brasstown Bald and across Lake Chatuge to the south and across Tusquittee Valley to the north! SO close to town with NO road noise and NO commercial use in sight! Just vast expanses of U.S. National Forest lands, the lake, the valley and the sounds of nature!
9 spacious homesites with underground power, surveyed, flagged and ready for a single-family home, high-end corporate retreat, multi build investment opportunity, or look to the future and plan a legacy family compound for the generations! The sky’s the limit with these 15+ acres! C & Rs were written in the late 70’s and are MINIMAL plus the listing consists of a majority of the 10 lots so, you have the ability to increase, change or reduce them to your satisfaction! Septic permits were approved previously for the southside lots, the access is paved and BRMEMC FIBER OPTIC INTERNET is on its way! Might be time to include the mountains of Western North Carolina in your plans?
NOTE: These are large lots but can be combined to create even larger estate sized building sites! MLS #402371 $327,900. OWNER/AGENT
LAKEVIEW!
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Brokerage In The World
Engel and Völkers
Brokerage Globally for Number of Sides
This charming cabin offers rustic charm and modern elegance on 3.44 acres. With 2 primary en suites, a spacious living room with a stone fireplace, a granite kitchen, and a lower-level bar and rec room, it’s ideal for full-time living or rental investment. Outdoor features include a fireplace, hot tub, and fire pit.
Brokerage In Georgia
Highest priced sale recorded in the state, at $15,000,000.
Brokerage In North Georgia
Individual agent with the highest amount of volume transacted.
Featuring two stacked stone fireplaces, expansive mountain and lake views, a back porch with a log-burning fireplace, and a treetop bedroom. Set on 3.75 private acres in a gated community, the property offers deeded lake access for fishing and kayaking, and includes a second lot with a potential tiny guest house. A perfect, private mountain retreat!
This stunning glass-front cabin offers luxury, seclusion, and breathtaking mountain views. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the open-concept living area with natural light, anchored by a cozy stone fireplace. Expansive decks on both levels provide serene outdoor living, while the lower level includes a “man cave” with a fireplace and whiskey bar.
The Holly Nelson Team Engel & Völkers North Georgia Mountains
631 East Main Street | Blue Ridge | GA 30513 M +1 706-455-7400 O +1 706-406-5572
4BR/3BA ESTATE HOME on 2.31AC w/ 700 ft of Harpers Creek frontage. Floor to ceiling windows. End of private road just minutes from Downtown. Furnished turn-key lodge. STRs are allowed! Meticulously maintained. Outdoor living at its finest. A whole home generator & FIBER OPTIC Internet. Fully finished daylight bsmt. Upgraded KIT. MLS 402470. $1,148,000
3.35 AC PROPERTY (consisting of 2 lots) has easy-access road frontage on Pine Lane, with mostly level or gentle wooded terrain from which to choose a potential build site for your new home. The Creek Stone neighborhood (which has community water) offers secluded
7.5AC TRACT OF RIVERFRONT LAND
COMPRISED OF TWO LOTS (21 & 22), these 7.07 acres in the gated community of Highland Park have it all -- gentle terrain, Brackett Creek frontage, long range views of
CABIN w/ 936 SF on 1.07 acres & was totally renovated in 2022. Being sold FULLY FURNISHED & would be great for a Short-Term Rental (STRs are permitted) or full-time residence. Ranch-style layout designed w/ comfort & simplicity in mind, w/ all living space located on one floor. A tranquil escape that does not compromise on modern necessities & comforts. MLS 407715. $317,000
3BR/2BA w/ year-round mtn & pasture views & 2,128 SF of finished space, plus 1,120 SF of unfinished space in the bsmt. Priced & being sold ,“as is”. Built in 1983 & although never been updated, it is a very solidly built house w/ great “bones” & has been extremely well-maintained. 130+ ft of creek frontage on Little Fightingtown Creek. Only 15 min. from Blue Ridge. MLS 407779. $459,000
& is just 15 minutes from Cleveland & less than 90 minutes from Atlanta. A new potential build site has been recently cleared. Much of the acreage is a private natural forest. There is an old shed/cabin & a stream that runs into the river. MLS 405400. $699,000
active year round! Includes Cable & Fiber Optic Internet available, BRMEMC Electric, community water system, stocked pond & picnic area. In a great neighborhood of upscale cabins. MLS 405107. $179,000
with the opportunity for year-round with selective cutting. MLS 404443. $104,900
15 minutes from Cleveland & less than 90 minutes from Atlanta. There is a large wooden viewing deck w/ seating overlooking the river, as well as a small branch/stream that flows along one border. This unrestricted acreage provides several potential building sites. MLS 405405. $849,000
Lake Nottely
Appalachian mountains. Close to Downtown Blairsville w/ road frontage from Eastridge Ct & Pat Colwell Rd, providing easy access to Hwy 515. STR’s allowed with a minimum of 5-day rental. MLS 330348. $69,000
2BR/2BA
46.40-ACRE TRACT of riverfront land boasts 1,030 ft of frontage on the Chattahoochee River & is just 15 minutes from Cleveland & less than 90 minutes from Atlanta. Features a blend of private natural forests & open areas w/ clear, grassy &
WELL-MAINTAINED 2BR/1BA 1200 SF cabin in Walnut Mtn. Currently on a successful rental program. Country home packs a lot of living space into its layout. LR w/ wood burning FP. Full finished bsmt w/ family room
2.5-ACRE LOT in Cashes Valley area of Fannin County, filled w/ private natural forest & plenty of gentle terrain along its road frontage. The acreage is simple woodland, but the neighborhood you pass
Tips to Clean and Prep Your House for Winter
You’re about to be shut in for the season — here’s how to make sure your home is free of dust and dirt before you hunker down.
The heck with spring cleaning.
Our national obsession should be winter cleaning.
Why? We’re about to shut ourselves inside for months with all the dirt and grime our houses have gathered during those hot, dusty, open-window days of summer and fall. We’ll be living with indoor air quality that the EPA estimates could be five times more polluted than outdoor air.
But you can breathe easy — we’ve made up a checklist of must-do cleaning jobs that’ll get the dust out, spruce up your interiors for the coming holidays, and make those wintry days healthier — and safer — for you and your family.
Vacuum Dryer Vent
This little chore should definitely be on your list. It prevents lint build-up that can create a fire hazard.
Pull out the dryer as far as the vent pipe allows. Disconnect the vent pipe from the dryer, and clean the outlet hole in the back of the dryer with a shop vac or regular vacuum.
Clean the vent pipe with a dryer snake cleaning tool ($15 to $20). This is a rotary brush attached to a long cable. One end is fitted to the chuck of an electric drill that is used to rotate the cable and the brush.
1. Unscrew the exterior dryer vent cover
2. Feed the rotary brush into the vent opening, turning it on low speed
3. Feed the cable into the vent as far as it will go, then pull it back — don’t stop rotating the cable and brush
4. Repeat from the inside
5. Reconnect the vent, and turn on the dryer to flush the system of loose lint
6. Replace the exterior vent cover
Don’t use this tool on the flexible vent pipe sometimes used to connect the dryer to the vent wall outlet. Instead, remove the flexible pipe completely and use a vacuum with a narrow nozzle to clean out the pipe.
Wash and Disinfect Garbage Cans and Wastebaskets
You’re going to be shut in all winter with these little germ havens, so now’s a good time to clean them thoroughly. Take them outside where you can blast the insides with a garden hose, then add disinfectant.
Regular bleach is an effective disinfectant (one part bleach to six parts water) but we much prefer environmentally safe undiluted hydrogen peroxide or vinegar mixed 50/50 with water. Caution! Don’t mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar — the result is harmful peracetic acid.
Let the garbage cans sit for an hour, then pour out the contents and scrub the insides with a stiff bristle brush to remove any residue. Rinse and, if possible, let the wastebasket dry in direct sunlight, which helps eliminate bacteria.
Wash and Disinfect Toilet Brush Holders
Take the holder and the brush outside, and spray wash thoroughly with a garden hose. Immerse the holder and brush in a bucket of hot water mixed with one of these solutions:
• 1 part bleach to 6 parts water
• 2 to 3 cups of environmentally friendly washing soda crystals
• A 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water
Let everything sit in the solution for a couple of hours, then rinse the holder and brush with a hose and place in direct sunlight to dry.
Turn Over Furniture and Vacuum the Bottoms
You might shift furniture around so you can vacuum the floor, but there’s another side to the story — the underside.
Tilt upholstered chairs and couches all the way back (much easier with two people) to expose the bottoms. The dust covers tacked underneath furniture can catch dreck and dust bunnies, so vacuum them off, being careful not to press too hard on the fabric.
Change Furnace Filters
You’ve heard it before, but change your HVAC filters! These dust-catching wonders keep particulates out of your air, making it easier on your floors, furniture, HVAC system, and lungs. Change at least every 60 days.
Air filters for furnaces are rated by level of efficiency. The higher the rating, the better the filter is at removing dirt, mold spores, and pet dander.
Filters are rated one of two ways (you’ll see the ratings on the packaging); higher numbers
mean better efficiency, but there’s a point of diminishing returns — some filters with extremely high ratings also restrict air flow, making your HVAC work so hard that the system heats and cools inefficiently.
• Minimum efficiency rating values (MERV) for filters range from 1 to 16, but 7 to 13 is typical for households (14 and up are used in hospitals)
• Microparticle performance rating (MPR) range from 300 to 2400
Cheap filters cost about $2, but you’re better off paying $12 to $17 for a pleated filter with a 1250 MPR, or $20 to $25 for a filter rated 2400.
Clean the Tops of Doors, Trim, and Artwork
Tables and countertops aren’t the only household items with horizontal surfaces. In fact, just about everything in your house except Rover’s tennis ball has some kind of horizontal surface where dust and dirt will nestle, often unnoticed. You’ll want to clean the top horizontal edges of:
• Interior doors
• Trim, including baseboards and chair rails
• Artwork and mirrors
• Electrical wall plates
• Wall-mounted smoke detectors, CO detectors, and thermostats
• Upper kitchen cabinets
• Light bulbs and light fixtures
• Computer monitors
• Books on shelves
Vacuum Behind the Fridge
If we’ve told you once…
OK, you get it. Your fridge needs to be cleaned periodically so that it operates at peak efficiency. Ignore this chore and face another $5 to $10 per month in utility costs. Worst case: a visit from an appliance repair pro who’ll charge $75 to $150 per hour!
The object is to clean the condenser coils. Here’s how:
If the condenser coils are on the bottom of the fridge, then you’ll need to clean them from the front of the unit.
• Take off the bottom faceplate to expose the coils.
• Clean dust using a condenser-cleaning brush ($8) or a long, thin vacuum attachment made for cleaning under refrigerators ($14).
You still should pull your refrigerator all the way out and vacuum up dirt and dust that accumulates in back of the unit. Unplug it while you work on it.
Put down a piece of cardboard so that grit under the wheels doesn’t scratch your flooring.
If the condenser coils are on the back of the refrigerator, then pull the unit out completely, and unplug it while you work on it.
• Brush or vacuum the coils to clean them, and clean up any dirt and dust on the floor. While you’re at it, check to make sure your freezer vents are clear. Freezers circulate air to reduce frost, but piling up too much stuff in front of the little grill-like vents inside your freezer blocks their business.
Winterize Your Entry
Keep winter’s slush and gunk at bay by making your entryway a dirt guardian.
• Get a boot scraper ($19 to $35)
• Add a chair or bench for taking off boots, and have a boot rack for wet footwear
• Put down a tough coir outdoor doormat ($30 to $190) for cleaning footwear
Clean Windows
By some estimates, dirty window glass cuts daylight by 20%. That’s a lot less light coming in at a time of year when you really need it to help chase away winter blues. Clean windows inside and out with a homemade non-toxic solution:
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon eco-friendly dish detergent
• 2 cups water
Wipe clean and polish using microfiber cloths.
Clean Ceiling Fan Blades
Those big blades on your ceiling fan are great at moving air, but when they’re idle they’re big dust magnets — dust settles on the top surfaces where you can’t see it. Out of sight maybe, but not out of mind. Here’s an easy way to clean them: Take an old pillowcase and gently cover a blade. Pull it back slowly to remove the dust. The dust stays inside the pillowcase, which prevents dust from flying all over.
spring system. The home has all Frigidaire appliances that stay
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NORTH GEORGIA’S STATE PARKS & HISTORICAL SITES
VOGEL STATE PARK
Georgia’s 2nd oldest state park is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The park includes Neel Gap, a beautiful mountain pass near Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA. Vogel is particularly popular during the fall when the mountains transform into a blanket of colored leaves. Hikers can choose from several trails: the popular 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop, the lake loop that leads to Trahlyta Falls, or the challenging 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail. The park’s 22-acre lake is open to non-motorized boats. During summer, visitors can cool off at the mountain-view beach. This park is rich in history, with many facilities being constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp during our nation’s Great Depression.
AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK
Spectacular scenery and hiking trails make this one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascade in the Southeast. Visitors have choices on how to best view the tumbling waters, ranging from an accessible pathway to a challenging trail with staircases. Those who tackle the latter can join the park’s Canyon Climbers Club. An 8.5-mile trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the famous 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail. Numerous other trails provide shorter day hikes. A mountain-top lodge is popular with guests who prefer hotel comforts, while cottages and a campground offer more rustic accommodations.
CHIEF VANN HOUSE HISTORIC SITE
During the 1790s, James Vann became a Cherokee Indian leader, wealthy businessman, & established the largest & most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation, covering 1,000 acres. In 1804 he constructed a beautiful brick home that was the most elegant in the Cherokee Nation. After Vann was murdered in 1809, his son Joseph inherited the property. Joseph was also a Cherokee leader and became more wealthy than his father. In the 1830s almost the entire Cherokee Nation was forced west on the infamous Trail of Tears. Today the Vann House survives as GA’s best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the house which features beautiful hand carvings and more.
FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
A scenic drive leads visitors to this mountain getaway. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in GA, winding through forests and blueberry thickets, crossing streams and circling a lake. Hikers can also explore a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and an ancient rock wall which stand on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. During summer, visitors can cool off on a lakeside beach. Guided horseback rides are available throughout the year.
DAHLONEGA GOLD MUSEUM HISTORIC SITE
20 years before the famed 1849 gold rush in California, thousands of prospectors flocked into the Cherokee Nation in North GA, marking the true beginning of our country’s first gold rush. Their dramatic story is told inside the historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in GA. Dahlonega prospered with this mining activity, and a U.S. Branch Mint opened in 1838, coining more than $6 million in gold before closing in 1861. The museum’s exhibits include a set of these coins, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides, a film and gift shop.
BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Georgia’s highest state park encompasses some of the most outstanding scenery in GA’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Roadside overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas, and 4 hiking trails lead visitors past wildflowers, streams, small waterfalls and lush forests. Visitors enjoy the summit visitor center for its views, gift shop and picnic tables. The park’s small lake is popular with anglers and circled by an easy walking trail. At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is often cooler than other GA parks and may close during icy weather.
Crystal Mountain Paradise
LUXURIOUS MOUNTAIN
DISCOVER
freedom from restrictions. Big VIEWS along w/ trails throughout the property for hiking & riding ATVs, a creek & year round spring plus plenty of land for those that love to hunt. $949,777. MLS 405041 WELCOME TO “BLUE RIDGE TIME”
Furnished Creekfront Home
Looking for a bigger backyard?
Lisa Baxter
Sr. Loan O cer
NMLS #607580 GA #37301
Cell: 706.994.0215
O ce: 706.487.8001
Email: lisa.baxter@swbc.com
Rebecca L. King
Branch Manager
Teresa Lockaby
Sr. Loan O cer
NMLS #473788 GA #43343
Cell: 706.970.0603
O ce: 706.487.8002
Email: teresa.lockaby@swbc.com
NMLS #607568 GA #43862
Cell: 706.835.8112
O ce: 706.487.8003
Email: rebecca.king@swbc.com
IMMACULATE 4/3 HOME IN THE NORTH GA MOUNTAINS, with awesome Views of Brasstown Bald Mtn. Features open floorplan, Kit has like new cabinets, granite countertops & SS appliances plus spacious built in pantry. LR has Hard-
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Tiffany Hooper Pam Arrowood Tonia Haney Anderson
Jan Simony Georgia Simony Williamson
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