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,
Teesha Morgan, 2025 President of the Northeast Georgia Board of REALTORS®
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
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, $279,900
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
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.
Lot 53 Highland Trace. Lake Chatuge & Big Mtn.Views from this high elevation 2.88 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. Approved for 3BR Septic System. MLS#404032 $129,900
from this high elevation 6.05 ac. estate size parcel multi-layered long range, underground utilities, city water, upscale development, large timber, rock outcroppings, small stream & springs. Approved for 4BR Septic System. MLS#404031 $239,500
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
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.
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. $304,000
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 409853. $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 country living, but is still close enough to GA-60 N to provide prompt access to Mineral Bluff or Blue Ridge. MLS 326006. $54,000
1.06 ACRE LOT w/ all-paved road access from town & very close to the front gate of Mountain Creek Hollow. The terrain is fairly gentle near the road & then slopes down to 150+ ft of beautiful & serene frontage on Fausett Creek. The creek is very wide & features many small, picturesque waterfalls. You can hear the sound of rushing water before you even see the creek! MLS 407698. $35,000
OF
3BR/3BA CABIN has 2,414 SF & is on a 2.06 acre private wooded lot in Toccoa River Forest community. Main level, which can be accessed from a recently installed exterior elevator, has a great
w/
FP, KIT. w/ custom island, the master suite w/ rock tiling in the BA & sun room & a large dining sunroom w/ second FP. Fully finished basement can only be accessed from its own private entrance. MLS 407844. $599,000
1.40 AC LOT. 150 ft
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 & laundry. Covered patio w/ hot tub & main level deck w/ a view of the stream. Trail leads to a sitting area guarded by a (mostly) friendly Bigfoot. STR Allowed! MLS 404980. $410,000
UNRESTRICTED, VERY PRIVATE, 1.77AC lot is already fenced in & has a brand new cattle gate entrance & driveway cut in to a building spot at the top of the lot. Located in Morganton, GA only 20 minutes from the historic and popular town of Blue Ridge, GA. Don’t delay - a nice, private, unrestricted property at this price will not last long! MLS 407903. $44,000
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
1.29 ACRES of private wooded land in the N. GA Mtns. Paved road access & frontage w/ level, gentle sloping terrain & seasonal mtn views. In the gated community of Mountain Creek Hollow. Amenities include a pavilion & picnic area beside scenic frontage on Fausett Creek. Closer to the lot is a community garden w/ paved walking trail, a small pond & water wheel. MLS 411653. $34,000
1.87AC WOODED LOT in private gated community of Nature’s
that flows along one border. This unrestricted acreage provides several potential building sites. MLS 405405. $849,000
0.96AC LOT in Jake’s Landing Overlook has allpaved access from town to lot, w/ beautiful year round mtn views! The terrain is level & gentle at the road, w/ some brush & brambles farther down. The bottom is wooded & has part of a road bed & is adjacent to U.S.
COMPRISED
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 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. $59,000
2BR/2BA
1.21 AC wooded & private lot w/ all-paved road frontage in Buckhorn Estates & already has a Level 3 Soil Test. W/ all-paved access, high-speed internet, cable TV &
Buckhorn
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
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 allows Residential 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.
IN THE CITY LIMITS OF BLUE RIDGE, GA., consisting of 6.65 +/- Acres; Gentle Topography, Perfect Residential Development Tract. MLS 409920. $1,195,000
FIELDS ROAD – Craftsman-style 4BR/3BA home on high-elevation 7.78 acres. USFS border. Gated entrance. Large Living Room with gorgeous mountain views, vaulted wood ceilings and stone fireplace.
RV pad with electric, water & septic. Covered outdoor wood stove. Whole house generator hook-up. Secluded & private with USFS border. Stream runs through property. Storage shed & outbuilding with electric. $325,000. MLS# 411469. Call Herb 706-970-9882
DECK | LARGE FRONT YARD | LOWER LEVEL OFFERS WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE | 2 CAR GARAGE, WORKSHOP | DETACHED STORAGE BUILDING STUNNING VIEWS | SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
1019 HIGHLAND
|
WITH A VAULTED CEILING STUNNING GAS LOG FIREPLACE | SPACIOUS SUNROOM & EXPANSIVE DECKS BABBLING CREEK | FENCED YARDCIRCULAR DRIVE WITH A METAL CARPORT. SITUATED IN
2086 Woodlake Lane
Young Harris, GA
$429,900
MLS 410116
Brand
$429,900
Brand
2421 Settlers Ridge Road Hiawassee, GA
$459,000
MLS 412008
2421 Settlers Ridge Road Hiawassee, GA
$459,000
Perfectly located just 5 minutes to Hiawassee & Lake Chatuge. Spacious great room with stone FP. Chef’s kitchen with massive granite island. Sunroom, screened back porch plus wrap around covered front porch with mountain views. 3 Large bedrooms on main floor. Full unfinished basement with 1/2 bath, storage cabinets & 2 car garage. Over-sized storage building and garden spot finishes out this ready to move in retirement home!
Perfectly
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.
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
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
7 Cleaning Tips for Keeping Your Home Spotless
When Selling It
Drive off with the laundry. You don’t want buyers’ noses to detect your dirties. When your house is on the market, keeping it picture-perfect can be a wee bit stressful. But it is possible to keep your home show-ready while life goes on. Here are seven cleaning tips on how to do it.
#1 Invest in Clear Bins
The less stuff you have out, the less you have to keep tidy. Keep as few (depersonalized, aesthetically pleasing) items in your home as possible, from decor to clothes. Thin out closets, garage, bookcases — any place clutter collects.
Of course, that means your storage spaces are going to get a workout. “This is a great time to buy those big plastic tubs because they’re cheap, and they make everything look uniform,” says Dale Boutiette, a real estate agent with the Dale + Alla Team in San Francisco.
Keep your tidy storage tubs somewhere out of the way but accessible. You’ll be a more effective clutter-culler if you know you can get to your stuff when you need it.
#2 Clean As You Go
When your home is on the market, cleaning isn’t a thing you do; it’s the way you live.
“Assume you’ll have a showing every day,” says Maura Black, sales vice president at Sibcy Cline REALTORS® in Cincinnati. “So clean as you go.”
Every time you finish an activity or leave a room, make it your goal to look like you were never there.
Deposit dirty dishes in the dishwasher or wash and stow them after each meal. Make the bed when you get up. Fold laundry straight from the dryer and put it away immediately. You get the idea.
“That may take a few extra minutes up front, but it relieves a ton of stress at showing time,” says Black.
“Every time you finish an activity or leave a room, make it your goal to look like you were never there.”
#3 Use Only One Bathroom
Few areas of your home need to be as spotless for buyers as the bathroom — but also, you know, stuff happens in there. Every day. Sigh.
Consider using only one bathroom while your home is on the market. The fewer toilets to scrub in a hurry, the better.
And keep that one bathroom as near-perfect as possible while in use:
• Squeegee the tub or shower after every use.
• Wipe the sink and counter after every use, too: brushing your teeth, applying makeup, washing hands, spraying hairspray, etc.
• Clean the toilet and wipe down the floor each day.
#4 Tackle Odors Every Day
Odors are an instant turnoff for buyers, and new odors appear every darn day. Start off on the right foot by paying a pro or doing your own super-deep cleaning with a focus on olfactory messes: grease build-up, stinky drains, musty basements, etc.
Then, do a daily disinfectant sweep of your home’s stinkiest spots:
• Wash your trash cans every time you take out a bag.
• Vacuum under furniture.
• Wipe down baseboards and window sills (where dust — thus, smells — gets trapped).
• Do a careful cleaning of your stove and surrounding cupboards after you cook so tonight’s dinner doesn’t become tomorrow’s turnoff for buyers.
#5 Rotate Kids’ Toys and Books
If you have kids, you know containing the daily hurricane of toys is a challenge on a normal day.
When your home’s on the market, it’s time to get extra strategic. First step? Banish toys from all but one room. Whether it’s a playroom or bedroom, keep the toys behind one door at all times.
Then deal with quantity.
Divide the whole toy collection into groups and designate tubs for each. The kids can play with one group at a time, and the rest go into a closet. If only so many toys are accessible, only so many toys can be everywhere when a buyer is on the way.
Finally, keep your active group of toys in some sort of nice, accessible storage system, like cute bins or baskets.
“My favorites are open baskets,” says Becky Rapinchuk, aka Clean Mama and cleaning pro at Cleanmama.net. “They’re attractive, and they let kids easily see and access toys, while looking great for showings.”
#6 Send Pets on Vacation
Oh, how we love our pets. And oh, how they do not love showing season. You’re stressed because their fur is everywhere, and they’re stressed because you’re stressed, and stress makes them ... shed more.
If you can send them to a friend or relative while your house is on the market, it can lower everyone’s blood pressure and keep your house as hair- and danderfree as possible.
If that’s not an option, here are some alternatives:
• If you have more than one pet and enough household members, appoint each member their own pet and assign daily cleaning tasks: brush pets’ fur, clean their bowls and eating areas, vacuum their favorite napping spot, etc.
• Take them away with you, or confine them to a crate or separate quarters when buyers come.
• If you have an old or sick pet you can’t leave alone or take elsewhere, ask your agent to restrict showing times to when you can be there. This isn’t optimal since most buyers prefer owners aren’t present during the showing, but people are generally pretty understanding about special considerations like pets. Just keep your pet (and yourself) away from potential buyers during the showing.
#7 Drive Away With the Laundry
No matter how showing-ready your home is at all times, there’s one thing that’s often tough to time perfectly: the laundry.
For many busy families, the massive laundry operation is always at some stage of unfinished, and you just can’t run the washer and dryer any faster.
While you can do your best to stay on top of it, if you get a text that a buyer is on the way and you have piles of dirties awaiting their turn, Rapinchuk has a tip: Toss ‘em in a basket, stow the basket in the car, and drive away. You may not be Martha-perfect, but buyers don’t need to know that.
Article by Kelley Walters
Image: @joeychiudds
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS
DREAM WATERFRONT RETREAT in Rivers Edge! Brand NEW Craftsman home boasts spectacular water views & frontage, overlooking 3 ponds on a 1.54-acre lot. W/ meticulous attention to detail throughout this 4BR/4BA. Each BR offers
MLS 411740
LUXURIOUS
NESTLED IN BUCKHORN ESTATES COMMUNITY, conveniently located between Ellijay & Blue Ridge, this charming 3BR/2BA split-level home offers the perfect blend of comfort &
throughout the property for hiking & riding ATVs, a creek & year round spring plus plenty of land for those that love to hunt. $925,000. MLS 411539
Furnished Creekfront Home
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
wood burning stove. Master suite w/walk-in cedar closet, Dbl garage, storage bldg, great Kit! $534,900. H407193BJNH.
A411886TH. HOBBY/WORKSHOP CUTE AS A STORYBOOK PICTURE…sit & swing on the front porch on warm days or cozy up to the gas log heater in the LR on the cool evenings. There’s 2/2, a Kitchen with island and a pantry, extra storage room off the Kitchen. All one level living, just $297,000. S407444BJ.
LIVING On the Headwater Creek portion of Hiawassee River, well maintained all one level rancher with 3 BR/2 BA, metal roof and all the bedrooms are huge! Eat in Kitchen, expansive Living Room w/gas log Fp, extra large laundry/ mud/storage room. Sit on the porches &
PARK
in desirable riverfront community with an array of amenities. Full Kitchen, electric FP & cozy propane heating. Enjoy outdoor living from the cov’d front porch of this furnished property, priced at $139,900. S407621GW.
Janet Allen, Owner/Broker
Tiffany Hooper Pam Arrowood Tonia Haney Anderson
Jan Simony Georgia Simony Williamson
Brenda Jackson
Nona Hodnett, Assoc. Broker
MOUNTAIN RETREAT
SPACIOUS TOP FLOOR 2/2 CONDO, FRONTS KINGWOOD GOLF COURSE! Welcoming foyer, breathtaking views & natural light, vaulted ceilings in LR, cozy gas log Stone FP, modern upgraded Kitchen, screened porch, convenient & comfortable. $339,500. H409635GW.
GOLFER’S DELIGHT
Zyndel Payne
GORGEOUS 4/3.5 HOME, PRIVACY, VIEW & RUSHING CREEK! 3.5 acres, features Walls Creek. Detached 2-car garage, flagstone patio w/Fpl & hot tub. Home has beautiful features, fitness area in Bsmt. $829,000. B407019NH.
PRIVATE ACREAGE
BEAUTIFUL 2/2.5 HOME, LONG RANGE LAKE CHATUGE & MTN VIEWS! GR has wall of windows to enjoy the views, Hwd floors in GR & DR has
LAKE & MTN VIEWS
CHARMING
MODEL, 2/2, nestled
SERENE SETTING
BEAUTIFUL CONDO IN GOLF COMMUNITY OF KINGWOOD! Beautifully updated 2/2 w/open floor plan, tastefully decorated, stunning granite counters & SS appliances in Kit, rustic mtn laurel railing, sunken LR w/real FP.
GOLFER’S
Lovely, stunning & stately prow front mountain chalet in the gorgeous setting
Great business opportunity located just off Main Street near downtown Andrews. This 4000 sf building was most recently rented as five residential apartments, but the City of Andres informed the owner that the current Highway Business zoning does not allow residential use. The tax card indicates that the best use would be for offices.This building has good bones, with city water and sewer available. Listed below assessed value. MLS: 149887 $225,000
in McCaysville NC and Copperhill TN. MLS: 149999 $345,000
Michelle Spies
Suzi Henry Mick and Jane Goebel
Cindi Cappello Leslie Gibson
Debbie Jackson
Larry Spies
Joan Posey-Neumann
Sara Posey Davis
Riverfront jewel waiting for the right person to make her shine brightly once more. Sitting right on the banks of the Hiwassee River in
