How To Write An Offer

• Once you have found the property to purchase we 1st need to determine market value by comparing similar homes that have sold.
• After determining an offer price, we prepare a written offer and present it to the seller.
• We will negotiate the offer until an agreement is made or you move on to another property.
• Once we reach an agreement - the Inspection begin including the Appraisal.

Closing Attorney's Statement & Closing

Once a closing attorney is selected we will confirm they have your contact information and received a copy of the closing statement.

If you see a home of interest, call us first! We have access to all of the homes for sale listed with any real estate company.

Please give us a CALL with any questions! (706) 896-8633.

Back in March, as the nation’s economy was shut down because of the coronavirus, many were predicting the real estate market would face a major collapse. Some forecasts called for a 15-20% decline in transactions. However, six months later, it seems as though the housing market has fully recovered.

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, announced last week:

“Since hitting a low point during the initial stages of the pandemic, the only major industry to display immunity to the economic impacts of the coronavirus is the housing market. Housing has experienced a strong V-shaped recovery and is now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.”

The Economic & Strategic Research Group at Fannie Mae upgraded its forecast for home sales last week:

“Housing data over the past month continued to show a strong V-shape rebound, helping drive the broader economy. Existing home sales jumped to a pace not seen since 2006…We have substantially upgraded our forecasts for both new and existing home sales. For 2020, total home sales are now expected to be 1.3% higher than in 2019.”

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) agrees. In their last Pending Sales Report, NAR shared projections from Chief Economist Lawrence Yun:

“Yun forecasts existing-home sales to ramp up to 5.8 million in the second half. That expected rebound would bring the full-year level of existing-home sales to 5.4 million, a 1.1% gain compared to 2019.”

Yun’s forecast for 2021 was even more optimistic, stating, “Home sales will ramp up again next year, increasing between 8% – 12%.”

Bottom Line

The housing market has come roaring back and looks as though it may even surpass last year’s success.

Frank Martell, President and CEO of CoreLogic, hit the nail on the head when he said, “On an aggregated level, the housing economy remains rock solid despite the shock and awe of the pandemic.”

Blairsville, Georgia is best described as quiet, calm, and comfortable. With a population of just 652, it doesn’t get much cozier than Blairsville. Nestled into the northern part of Georgia in Union County, Blairsville is surrounded by beautiful forestry and is home to several winding lakes and rivers as well as the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, which gave the city its reputation for gold mining back in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. 

Some Highlights

• As a seller today, you may think pricing your home on the high end will result in a higher final sale price, but the opposite is actually true.
• To sell your home quickly and for the best possible price, you should eliminate buyer concerns by pricing your home competitively right from the start.
• Let’s connect today to make sure you have the guidance you need to price your home right this fall.

The Best Courses in North Georgia and Western Carolina

An escape from reality means different things to different people. Some might be looking to get away from big city life and enjoy a slower pace of life while others might be looking to breathe in the freshness of the great outdoors after a long day at the office. Set against the Blue Ridge Mountains, and woven around the sparkling waters of Lake Chatuge and Lake Nottely, the rolling hills of North Georgia and Western Carolina offer a golfing experience like no other. Situated just a couple hours outside of Atlanta, Chattanooga and Knoxville, Appalachian golf courses epitomize peacefulness on the golf course with their unique combination of scenic views, cooler temperatures and fresh mountain air. Visiting one of the area’s local golf courses will be just what you need for a truly memorable North Georgia/Western Carolina golfing experience.

Brasstown Valley

Located a mere two hours from the Atlanta metropolis, the award-winning Brasstown Valley Golf Course is one of the area’s most breathtaking and popular courses. It has been ranked by both Golf Digest and Leading Golf Courses of America as one of Georgia’s top golf courses. These accolades come as no surprise to anyone who has ever visited the course. Unlike other courses you may have played, your day at Brasstown Valley’s golf course will take you through picturesque streams, ponds, mountain views and even wildlife preserves, all expertly incorporated into the layout by Denis Griffiths, who worked to make an unforgettable course set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Young Harris, GA.

Perfect for all occasions – a weekend getaway, a couple’s outing or a corporate event – the Brasstown Valley Golf Club provides 18 holes of championship golfing and five tee sets, perfect for all skill levels to enjoy. The Brasstown Valley course is a Scottish links-style course, meaning that it is equal parts fun and challenging. For those unfamiliar with the Scottish links-style of golfing, some of the popular features of a links-style course include steep-walled bunkers, treeless fairways, and often a few bump-and-run shots.

Brasstown Valley’s golf course is excellently maintained by the resort staff, under the guidance of the Director of Golf, Steve Phelps. Phelps is a PGA Professional who is available to assist you on a daily basis, whether you are looking for golf lessons, clinics, tournament set-ups, or some other golf-related activity.

While you're at Brasstown, you may also want to try out some of the other activities the resort has on site. Their stables, for example, offer guided horseback riding tours through the wooded trails surrounding the resort. Excellent dining facilities and indoor/outdoor pool areas complement time spent in the resort’s exercise room stocked with cardio and weight equipment. Full locker rooms are available as well, and come equipped with both a sauna and steam room for guests of the resort to enjoy at their leisure.

In addition to those onsite amenities, Brasstown Valley Resort also has its own spa across the street from the main resort area. The Equani Spa is a luxury spa that draws upon the local Cherokee heritage in their décor, spa rituals and practices. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources developed Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa to honor the heritage for which the area is known, and this cultural sensitivity is seen in the way the spa incorporates Cherokee cultural beliefs and customs into their services. A visit to the spa would be the perfect way to end your visit to the golf course.

Golf Shores Golf Course

As you might have guessed from the name, the Chatuge Shores Golf Course is located just off the shores of Lake Chatuge. Only a few minutes away from the popular recreation areas of Chatuge Dam and the charming town of Hayesville, NC, Chatuge Shores golf course provides one of the most likeable golfing experiences the area has to offer.

Chatuge Shores has been rated a 4-star course by Golf Advisor and Golf Link publications, and as a 3-star course by Golf Digest. The course itself boasts gently rolling hills lined by large shade trees, and is kept in beautiful condition by local staff members.

The Head Golf Professional and General Manager of Chatuge Shores Golf Club is Bill Rinaldo, a PGA Life Member with over 25 years of golfing experience. He is available to provide information regarding golf instruction, golf outings, and membership options available through Chatuge Shores.

As a public facility, Chatuge Shores offers multiple amenities for locals and visitors to enjoy. They have a well-stocked pro shop onsite, as well as a driving range, putting green, and tennis courts. Although the Chatuge Shores pool is currently closed for renovations, it is expected to reopen and provide another gathering place to beat the heat by the time the 2020 season comes around.

During the summer months, Chatuge Shores offers dining options 7 days a week at the Greenside Grill. The grill is a casual dining experience; however, they are also available to host, and even cater, private functions and events. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a leisurely morning on the course, followed by a filling lunch at the club, Chatuge Shores may be just the place for you.

Mountain Harbour Golf Club

Formally known as The Ridges, Mountain Harbour Golf Club blends beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain Scenery with an excellent golfing environment to give you the perfect blend of challenge and relaxation. Mountain Harbour Golf Club, located just off Highway 64 East in Hayesville, NC, gives you a luxury golfing experience in a hometown environment, making it one of the area’s most charming courses.

Because Mountain Harbour Golf Club resides in the heart of the country club, it offers a myriad of activities for you to enjoy. Options range from card games, to the pool, to lunch at the grill.

The Sequoyah Bar & Grill at the Ridges Country Club in Hayesville is a great option for lunch after a morning of golfing, while the upstairs lounge is a great choice for those who prefer afternoon golfing. The grill is open daily at 11am, but keep in mind that the lounge only opens Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 5pm.

Members can find a perfect opportunity for relaxing after time spent on the golf course by visiting the club pool. It is suitable for all ages and stays open from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

You may also be interested in the Fitness Facility which is fully stocked with cardio equipment, machines and free weights. The facility also has shower rooms that come equipped with access to a steam room. This area is accessible on a 24-hour basis to members of the Mountain Harbour Community.

Old Union Golf Course

Heralded as an “unequaled” course in the North Georgia Mountains, Old Union Golf Course makes an excellent choice for those in the Blue Ridge, Murphy and Blairsville areas. Old Union is enjoyable for all skill levels, thanks to its valley layout, and is full of opportunities for golfers to enjoy – from regular tee times to immaculate practice facilities.

Old Union's practice facilities come equipped with a practice bunker and short game area as well as practice putting and chipping greens. The practice facilities also offer all weather tees large turf tees and sculptured target greens, making them ideal for both the beginner and the advanced golfer.

Whether you are looking to simply use the practice facility, take a golf lesson or enjoy 9 or 18 holes of golf, Old Union proudly provides something for every golfer. They also offer refreshments on the porch as a way to truly seal in the relaxation benefits of the game of golf.

Housing inventory is at an all-time low. There are 39% fewer homes for sale today than at this time last year, and buyer demand continues to set records. Zillow recently reported:

“Newly pending sales are up 25.5% compared to the same week last year, the highest year-over-year increase in the weekly Zillow database.”

Whenever there is a shortage in supply of an item that’s in high demand, the price of that item increases. That’s exactly what’s happening in the real estate market right now. CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that values have increased by 5.5% over the last year.

This is great news if you’re planning to sell your house; on the other hand, as either a first-time or repeat buyer, this may instead seem like troubling news. However, purchasers should realize that the price of a house is not as important as the cost. Let’s break it down.

There are several factors that influence the cost of a home. The two major ones are the price of the home and the interest rate at which a buyer can borrow the funds necessary to purchase the home.

Last week, Freddie Mac announced that the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.87%. At this time last year, the rate was 3.73%. Let’s use an example to see how that difference impacts the true cost of a home.

Assume you purchased a home last year and took out a $250,000 mortgage. As mentioned above, home values have increased by 5.5% over the last year. To buy that same home this year, you would need to take out a mortgage of $263,750.

How will your monthly mortgage payment change based on today’s lower mortgage rate? This table calculates the difference in your monthly payment:

That’s a savings of $61 monthly, which adds up to $732 annually and $21,960 over the life of the loan.

Bottom Line

Even though home values have appreciated, it’s a great time to buy a home because mortgage rates are at historic lows.

A Place to Stay and Play in Clay County, NC

Hidden amidst the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and surrounded by the inviting waters of Lake Chatuge, visitors to Hayesville, NC can find a place kick back, relax and play at the Clay County Recreation Park. A mere two hours from bustling cities like Atlanta, Chattanooga and Ashville, Hayesville is a tiny town tucked into the majestic Nantahala National Forest in the Western Carolina mountains. If you blink, you might miss all the treasures this small town can show you. Visitors might be surprised to find that such a quaint place offers such expansive recreational options.

Hayesville’s charming downtown is the perfect place to wander through quaint shops, try out local eateries and visit the resident ice cream parlor, but once you’ve seen the downtown, put on your running shoes or your bathing suit, and enjoy the area’s outdoor fun at the Clay County Recreation Park located just Southeast of the town’s center. It’s sure to give you a lakeside afternoon you won’t find in the big city.

Endless Recreational Options

Outfitted with camping areas, bathrooms, shower facilities, a pavilion, playground, pathway, swim beach, fishing areas, ballpark, and public boat ramp, Clay County Recreation Area has something fun for everyone.

Those looking for a great camping experience will love camping at the Clay County Rec Park where the majority of campsites are conveniently positioned directly on the shores of Lake Chatuge. Even campsites that are not on the lake still overlook it, and provide unmatched views of all that the Nantahala National Forest is known for – beauty, tranquility and outdoor fun. Fortunately for all campers and daytime visitors, the rec park is an open area that makes it possible for all types of visitors to have easy access to the water. While the area welcomes its daytime visitors, it also accommodates tent campers and all types of RV campers. This area is referred to by the locals as Gibson Cove. For availability, visit Reserve America, which allows you to pick a spot suitable to your interests and needs.

Whether or not you and your family are camping at the park, all visitors have access to recreational activities and are welcome to enjoy the park as they wish. The playground and pavilions are located next to the family beach and swimming area, making it the perfect place to enjoy a summer afternoon or evening. There is no lifeguard present and visitors to the park are advised to swim at their own risk; however, the swimming area is visibly roped off for your protection.

Go on a long walk or jog, give the kids time to play their hearts out on the playground, and then enjoy a picnic by the water or cool off with some swim time. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the scenic views of the Chatuge waters and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The breathtaking, peaceful surroundings will be just what you need for a perfect afternoon in the Western Carolina mountains.

A Park for All Seasons

The Clay County Recreation Area also provides access for kayakers, canoers and paddle boarders. If this is your idea of outdoor recreational fun, Clay County will not disappoint. Visitors can use the area below the Chatuge Dam parking lot (known to locals as the spillway) or by the playground/swimming area to access the water. Either input option provides you with access to miles of lake water. With the exception of the peak summer season when boaters are out in abundance, non-motorized water recreation will find the waters peaceful and calm.

Fishing is another widely-enjoyed sport that can find fulfillment at Clay County’s Recreation Area. Lake Chatuge, as well as the surrounding creeks and rivers, are home to an abundance of fish species making it an ideal spot for fishing. It is not uncommon to find professional fisherman enjoying the waters of Lake Chatuge, and depending on the time of year you visit the dam and rec park, you may even get the chance to witness fishermen engaging in various fishing competitions.

Although walking trails, playgrounds and pavilions are open throughout the year, the season for camping, restroom facilities and swimming runs from April 1st through October 31st. Even outside of that season, though, the park can be found bustling with activity. Many locals use the Chatuge Dam path as their daily walking or jogging path, regardless of the season. The views and beauty of the area provide plenty of incentive to get outside despite off-seasons.

Certainly, summertime is the season to smell meat sizzling over open fires, to listen to children laughing and splashing in the water, and to feel the energy of boats speeding by pulling skiers and knee boarders, but other seasons bring their own charm. The fall finds the park’s pathways covered in crisp leaves, creating an ideal environment for getting outside before the weather turns cold. Winter at the rec area brings its own kind of charm as well. The calm waters provide a stark contrast to the frigid air and make walking or jogging outdoors worth the effort. Once spring rolls around, the park quickly bustles back to life as plants begin to bloom and the playgrounds and ballparks begin to have more visitors. The area leisurely makes way for a new summer of fun. As you can tell, Clay County Recreation Area offers a year-round connection to the great outdoors.

Navigating the Pathways at the Rec Park

For those interested in walking, jogging, or even biking, the pathways at Clay County's Recreation Area is the perfect location for getting in that mileage. The path totals approximately 4 miles when done in its entirety. To complete all 4 miles, begin at the top (the spillway parking lot) and work your way down to the playground and back.

From the spillway lot, you will take the paved path that goes straight across the dam towards the wooded area. Go through the winding wooded path, and continue past the first set of bathrooms. Below the bathrooms, you will notice lake shore campsites next to a parking lot with boat ramp access off Myers Chapel Road. Cross the parking lot and enter another, shorter, patch of trees. At the end of this section, make a left, and continue through the lower campsites. Circle around the pavilion, passing the playground and beach area, and return to your starting point at the spillway parking lot.

Although more than 4 miles inevitably means repeating all or part of the same path, the changing scenery of each section helps to break up the boredom. If 4 or more miles is not appealing to your tastes, simply take a leisurely stroll across the dam, taking time to enjoy the vast views and the calming waters. As they say, being outdoors and spending time in nature is good for the soul. With views as peaceful as the Blue Ridge Mountains and waters as calm as Lake Chatuge, Clay County's Recreation Area will be exactly what you need during your visit to the Western Carolina Mountains.

Want to fetch top dollar for your home and walk away with as much money in your pocket as possible? Of course you do. Your first instinct may be to just pick the highest bid on the table. But the offer price isn't the only thing worth considering. Here are five areas to evaluate in addition too price.

The Earnest Money Deposit

One important consideration when weighing an offer is the size of the earnest money deposit. A standard EMD is 1% to 3% of the cost of the home. If a buyer tries to back out of an offer for no good reason, the seller typically keeps the EMD. Therefore, the higher the earnest money, the stronger the offer.

The Contingencies

Most offers have contingencies - provisions that must be met for the transaction to go through, or the buyer is entitled to walk away from the deal with their earnest money. Contingencies include financing, title, sale of current home, appraisal, and inspection. Contracts with fewer contingencies are more likely to reach closing, and in a timely fashion.

The Down Payment

Depending on the type of mortgage, the buyer must make a down payment on the house - and the size of that down payment can affect the strength of the offer. Generally, a larger down payment signals the buyer's financial wherewithal to complete the sale.

The All-Cash Offer

The more cash the buyer plunks down, the more likely the lender is to approve their loan. All-cash offers eliminate the need for an appraisal contingency or a financing contingency and allows the transaction to proceed more quickly.

The Closing Date

Settlement, or "closing" is the day when both parties sign the final paperwork and make the sale official. Whether you want a slow or quick settlement will depend on your circumstances. If you've already purchased your next home, for instance, you probably want to close as soon as possible. On the other hand, you may want a longer closing period - say, 60 days - if you need the proceeds from the sale to purchase your new home.

If you have other questions about offers on your home or want to discuss these aspects of an offer more in-depth, give us a Call!!

Source: HouseLogic.com