Once warmer temperatures start making their way to the North Georgia/Western Carolina mountains, tourists and locals alike begin craving the summer lake life.

The glittering, expansive waters of Lake Chatuge satiate that desire, while the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains invites a sense of escape from life’s daily bustle. Nestled between Clay County, NC and Towns County, GA, this hidden gem offers endless water recreation options. It is a favorite vacation spot for many reasons, but Lake Chatuge surely tops the list. Whether you’re into boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, sight-seeing or lakeside camping, Lake Chatuge offers something for everyone at every price point.

History of Lake Chatuge

Named for a neighboring Cherokee settlement, Lake Chatuge is a manmade reservoir steeped in World War II history whose shorelines touch parts of both North Carolina and North Georgia. The picturesque waters, now home to endless recreational activities, was once home to a number of local families whose farmland is now covered by the Chatuge’s waters. Originally designed and constructed by the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) in 1941 and 1942 to bolster the wartime effort and provide an additional source of power production, Lake Chatuge has since stimulated considerable growth and tourism to this part of the Appalachian Mountains.

The construction of the Chatuge Reservoir put an initial dent in some of the agricultural economy of the area as several acres of local farmland were covered by Lake Chatuge’s waters. Despite this minor hurdle, forming Lake Chatuge also helped to answer the desperate need for more job opportunities in the area. Construction efforts provided preliminary job access, whereas operating, sustaining and maintaining the reservoir continues to provide the tri-county area with additional job opportunities.

Stretching across the Hiwassee River in Western North Carolina and extending into North Georgia, Lake Chatuge provides one of the most beautiful recreation spots in all of North Carolina, and its presence continues to serve multiple purposes. Developments to the reservoir’s structures in the years after its initial construction, such as the addition of a small generator in 1954, ensured that Lake Chatuge would continue to serve as a source of clean and affordable hydroelectric power that would maximize the area’s yearly rainfall to its full potential. This means that affordable electrical power and flood protection continue to be benefits of Chatuge Reservoir. An example of these benefits can be seen in the decreased threat of flooding the local communities face each year. Whereas this was once a huge concern of local families, the Chatuge waterway system allows the TVA to aid in reducing the threat of flooding, while continuing to provide high enough water levels to sustain summertime lake activities. This ability to regulate and control the water has been instrumental to the sustainability of the local area. While farmlands were lost in the process, the benefits to the local area have helped to strengthen the community’s resistance to natural disasters as well as bolster the local economy.

Lake Chatuge Recreation Opportunities

Once Chatuge Dam and Reservoir fulfilled its wartime duties, a public park was created along its shores called the Clay County Recreation Park. This park gives residents and tourists access to walking paths, bike trails, campsites, fishing spots, pavilions, boat ramps and a playground. Next to the playground, the Clay County Recreation Park has a swimming area, complete with a sandy beach, a roped-off area designated for swimmers, picnic tables, and benches for watching your children play or for enjoying the awe-inspiring views of Lake Chatuge and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Two pavilions and restroom/shower house facilities are located in the same vicinity, while an additional pavilion and a ballfield are positioned directly up the street. Another bathroom can be found further up the path, next to additional campsites and the walking path. The majority of campsites in Gibson Cove, home to the camper and tent sites you will see at the Recreation Park, are positioned directly on Lake Chatuge Shores. The rest are lake view. This provides easy lake access for the many campers who are often found riding jet skis and enjoying time on their boats when they aren’t at their campsite.

Clay County Recreation Park also has launching sites for kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and tubes. Restrooms, shower facilities and campsites are only open during the late Spring and Summer seasons, however, the grounds themselves are accessible for year-round enjoyment.

Even those who don’t enjoy water activities still have a place at the Recreation Park. The park’s pathways are often bustling with people enjoying the fresh air by walking, jogging, walking their dog or biking. It is not uncommon to see friends and families out for an evening stroll, but it is equally as common to see runners out practicing for an upcoming race. These paths are open year-round, unless otherwise noted. On a rare occasion, the wooded pathway might be sectioned off for clearing, but generally, the trails stay open throughout all four seasons.

Although the campsites and restroom/shower facility are shutdown during the colder months, winter visitors can still experience the recreation and beauty of the lake. The pavilions, playground, and ballfield remain available for your use, and portable restrooms are provided along the trail for those still brave enough to venture outside. Regardless of the season, Clay County Recreation Park on Lake Chatuge does not disappoint.

Where to Play on Lake Chatuge

Lake Chatuge offers multiple places to play. A self-professed lake community, the water is rarely empty during the summer months, but it is never too full for you to take part in all that Lake Chatuge offers. With 133 miles of shoreline and more than 7,000 acres of lake water, there are endless opportunities to enjoy everything lake-related. Scenic coves throughout Clay County, NC and Towns County, GA provide lake visitors ample room to play, picnic and enjoy the great outdoors. Many families enjoy afternoons on the lake by simply finding a cove off the roadways and parking for a few hours of fun, while others visit a marina for a boating excursion.

The North Carolina side of Lake Chatuge in Hayesville, NC offers multiple areas for recreational fun. These include:

• Jackrabbit Mountain Campground – campgrounds, bike trails, hiking trails, swimming areas, sandy beaches, picnic areas, boat ramps, a pavilion, and a fishing pier.
• Gibson Cove/ Clay County Recreation Park – campgrounds, pathways, swimming areas, sandy beach access, playground, boat ramps, pavilions
• Ledford Chapel Wildlife Access Ramp – fishing pier, boat ramp, launching sites for kayaks, canoes and paddle boards

Visitors and locals are advised by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to obtain additional information or licensures.

The North Georgia Side of Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee and Young Harris, GA offers:

• Boundary Waters Resort & Marina– boat rentals, boat sales, lakeside lodging, jet ski rentals, kayak/canoe/standup paddle board rentals
• Chatuge Cove Marina - boat rentals and storage, camp sites, cottage rental
• The Ridges - boat rentals, jet ski rentals, kayak rentals, and Splash Island

Many people assume their credit score is too low to qualify to purchase a home. In reality, 84% of Americans have a credit score that would allow them to become homeowners.! If you'd like to find out more about what your credit score really means, let's get together to chat about the opportunities.

As a homeowner, it’s always tempting to dream about the next big project you’re going to tackle. The possibilities are endless. Should I renovate? Should I refinance? Should I stay? Should I move? The list goes on and on.

In today’s housing market, it’s actually a great time to shift your thoughts toward selling your house and moving up into the home of your dreams. Here's why:

Inventory is on the rise, but there’s still an overall shortage of houses for sale (less than a 6-month supply found in a more normal market), so homes are going under contract quickly. In fact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Realtors® Confidence Index Survey reports that right now homes are only staying on the market for an average of 27 days. That’s less than one month, an even more accelerated pace from the 36-day trend we saw last spring.

The same report also indicates there are more interested buyers than active sellers today, which is one of the big factors driving home prices higher.

This power combination provides an ideal environment for sellers aiming to close a quick sale and earn a big return as we wrap up the summer season.

Bottom Line

There’s still time to make a move before the school year starts and the fall weather sets in. Maybe it’s time to make a change. Let’s get together to determine if selling now is the right decision for your family.

Wages are increasing, mortgage rates are low, and inventory is building each month. Let's get together to talk about how to use the strength of the current economy to your advantage if you're considering buying or selling a home in the near future!

If you’re currently renting and have dreams of owning your own home, it may be a good time to think about your next move. With rent costs rising annually and many helpful down payment assistance programs available, homeownership may be closer than you realize.

According to the 2018 Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, 74% of renters plan on buying within the next 5 years, and 38% are planning to buy within the next 2 years.

When those same renters were asked why they disliked renting, 52% said rising rental costs were their top reason, and 42% of renters believe their rent will rise every year. The full results of the survey can be seen below:

It’s no wonder rising rental costs came in as the top answer. The median asking rent price has risen steadily over the last 30 years, as you can see below.

There is a long-standing rule that a household should not spend more than 28% of its income on housing expenses. With nearly half of renters (48%) surveyed already spending more than that, and with their rents likely to rise again, it’s never a bad idea to reconsider your family’s plan and ask yourself if renting is your best angle going forward. When asked why they haven’t purchased a home yet, not having enough saved for a down payment (44%) came in as the top response. The report went on to reveal that nearly half of all respondents believe that “a 20% down payment is required to buy a home.”

The reality is, the need to produce a 20% down payment is one of the biggest misconceptions of homeownership, especially for first-time buyers. That means a large number of renters may be able to buy now, and they don’t even know it.

Bottom Line

If you’re one of the many renters who are tired of rising rents but may be confused about what is required to buy in today’s market, let’s get together to determine your path to homeownership.

A recent survey of renters shows that 50% of Americans are DETERMINED to own a home. Let's get together to help you achieve your American Dream!

There are many reasons to sell a house, and three of them are rising to the top of the list today. Let’s work together to make your dream of home ownership a reality.

Owning a home has great financial benefits.

In a recent research paper, Homeownership and the American Dream, Laurie S. Goodman and Christopher Mayer of the Urban Land Institute explained:

“Homeownership appears to help borrowers accumulate housing and nonhousing wealth in a variety of ways, with tax advantages, greater financial flexibility due to secured borrowing, built-in ‘default’ savings with mortgage amortization and nominally fixed payments, and the potential to lower home maintenance costs through sweat equity.”

Let’s breakdown 5 major financial benefits of homeownership:

1. Housing is typically the one leveraged investment available

Homeownership allows households to amplify any appreciation on the value of their homes by a leverage factor. A 20% down payment results in a leverage factor of five, meaning every percentage point rise in the value of your home is a 5% return on your equity. If you put down 10%, your leverage factor is 10.

Example: Let’s assume you purchased a $300,000 home and put down $60,000 (20%). If the house appreciates by $30,000, that is only a 10% increase in value but a 50% increase in equity.

2. You’re paying for housing whether you own or rent

Some argue that renting eliminates the cost of property taxes and home repairs. Every potential renter must realize that all the expenses the landlord incurs (property taxes, repairs, insurance, etc.) are baked into the rent payment already – along with a profit margin!!

3. Owning is usually a form of “forced savings”

Studies have shown that homeowners have a net worth that is 44X greater than that of a renter. As a matter of fact, it was recently estimated that a family buying an average priced home this past January could build more than $42,000 in family wealth over the next five years.

4. Owning is a hedge against inflation

House values and rents tend to go up at or higher than the rate of inflation. When you own, your home’s value will protect you from that inflation.

5. There are still substantial tax benefits to owning

We know that the new tax reform bill puts limits on some deductions on certain homes. However, in the research paper referenced above, the authors explain:

“…the mortgage interest deduction is not the main source of these gains; even if it were removed, homeowners would continue to benefit from a lack of taxation of imputed rent and capital gains.”

Bottom Line

From a financial standpoint, owning a home has always been and will always be better than renting.

So you made an offer and it was accepted. Now, your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. Agents oftentimes make your offer contingent on a clean home inspection.

This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you paid for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs, or in some cases, to walk away. Your agent can advise you on the best course of action once the report is filed.

How to Choose an Inspector

Your agent will most likely have a short list of inspectors that they have worked with in the past that they can recommend to you. HGTV recommends that you consider the following five areas when choosing the right home inspector for you:

1. Qualifications – find out what’s included in your inspection and if the age or location of your home may warrant specific certifications or specialties.

2. Sample Reports – ask for a sample inspection report so you can review how thoroughly they will be inspecting your dream home. In most cases, the more detailed the report, the better.

3. References – do your homework – ask for phone numbers and names of past clients who you can call to ask about their experiences.

4. Memberships – Not all inspectors belong to a national or state association of home inspectors, and membership in one of these groups should not be the only way to evaluate your choice. Membership in one of these organizations often means that continued training and education are provided.

5. Errors & Omission Insurance – Find out what the liability of the inspector or inspection company is once the inspection is over. The inspector is only human, after all, and it is possible that they might have missed something they should have seen.

Ask your inspector if it’s okay for you to tag along during the inspection. That way they can point out anything that should be addressed or fixed.

Don’t be surprised to see your inspector climbing on the roof or crawling around in the attic and on the floors. The job of the inspector is to protect your investment and find any issues with the home, including but not limited to: the roof, plumbing, electrical components, appliances, heating & air conditioning systems, ventilation, windows, the fireplace and chimney, the foundation, and so much more!

Bottom Line

They say, ‘ignorance is bliss,’ but not when investing your hard-earned money into a home of your own. Work with a professional who you can trust to give you the most information possible about your new home so that you can make the most educated decision about your purchase.

Here are 5 compelling reasons listing your home for sale this summer makes sense.

1. Demand Is Strong

The latest Buyer Traffic Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase… and are in the market right now! More often than not, multiple buyers are competing with each other for the same home.

Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

2. There Is Less Competition Now

Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in most of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers.

Historically, the average number of years a homeowner stayed in his or her home was six, but that number has hovered between nine and ten years since 2011. Many homeowners have a pent-up desire to move, as they were unable to sell over the last few years due to a negative equity situation. As home values continue to appreciate, more and more homeowners are granted the freedom to move.

Many homeowners were reluctant to list their home over the last couple of years for fear that they would not find a home to move in to. That is all changing now as more homes come to market at the higher end. The choices buyers have will continue to increase. Don’t wait until additional inventory comes to market before you to decide to sell.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker

Today's competitive environment has forced buyers to do all they can to stand out from the crowd, including getting pre-approved for their mortgage financing. Buyers know exactly what they can afford before home shopping. This makes the entire selling process much faster and simpler. According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insights Report, the time to close a loan has dropped to 43 days. (Last numbers available.)

4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move Up

If your next move will be into a premium or luxury home, now is the time to move up! The inventory of homes for sale at these higher price ranges has created a buyer’s market. This means that if you are planning on selling a starter or trade-up home, it will sell quickly, AND you'll be able to find a premium home to call your own!

According to CoreLogic, prices are projected to appreciate by 4.8% over the next year. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait.

5. It's Time to Move on with Your Life

Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

Only you know the answers to these questions. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to start living the life you desire.

That is what is truly important.