Finishing the year strong and starting the next year off on a solid foundation is a must in these down economic times. There is nothing truly original in what we do in the 4th quarter each year but it works.   1. A Celebration of Appreciation: Every year around Thanksgiving we host a celebration of appreciation for our clients, vendors and community. The invitation/letter outlines that it is a gathering of gratitude to give thanks for all the special relationships that have been made throughout the year. Why? First, I am truly thankful to all the fine folks that contributed to our success. During this event I make it a point to personally thank everyone that comes. Second, by holding the event in November it doesn't get lost in all of the Christmas/end of the year parties.   2. Comprehe... 08/20/2012

Hightower Creek Vineyards, which is owned by a former real estate agent and named after the creek that runs in front of the winery, opened in the spring of 2012. Liz Green and her family own the vineyard. They offer a varied selection of blended wines made from cabernet franc, viognier, vignoles, pinot grigio, merlot and catawba grapes. All wines are bottles with a label bearing an Appalachian wildflower the white trillium, the winery logo. Hightower Creek Vineyards' wines include chatuga red, chatuga white, trillium, deliverance, red clay rose, tannat and cynthiana. My favorite is the deliverance, a tasty red. Wines are avaiable for tasting at Hightower Creek Vineyards Wednesday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. The tasting room itself which is visible ... 08/13/2012

Towns County Georgia Home Sales – by Month   Active SOLD 2012 SOLD 2011 SOLD 2010 January 319 15 6 4 February 314 9 6 9 March      328           13 17 12 April     351           10 10 7 May     372           14 10 11 June      364          12 8 10 July      370          13 15 14 August     12 8 September     18 15 October     16 17 November     12 11 December     15 12 TOTAL -------- 86 145 131   Towns County Georgia Home Sales – by Price Range   -2012- -2011- -2010- Under $99,999 20 41 28 $100,000 - $199,999 42 62 61 $200,000 - $299,999 15 17 19 $300,000 - $399,999 6 12 9 $400,000 - $499,999           1 6 1 $500,000 - $599,999            1          4           6 $600,000 - $699,999     3 $700,000 - $799,999            1 1 2 $800,000 - $899,999           2           1 $900,000 - $999,99... 08/12/2012

To experience the beauty of the Hiawassee GA and the surrounding areas from horseback, several options are available, allowing equestrians of all levels to enjoy the diverse terrain and gorgeous views around every corner. Chunky Gal Stables (Named after Chunky Gal Mountain not ....) 1306 Hot House Road Hayesville, NC 28904 Phone: 828-389-4175 website: http://www.chunkygalstables.com/ Description: Located in Western North Carolina, Chunky Gal Stables, named after Chunky Gal Mountain, where they are situated, offers trail riding, lessons, boarding, and training. National forests surrounding the stable provide many options for trails. Open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A Step Above Stables696 S. Mauney RoadBlairsville, GA 30512 Phone: 706-745-9051 or 706-994-9100 Contact: Curtis T... 08/09/2012

Let’s Go Camping!This large 3 cabin property on the lake is the perfect place for literally, EVERYONE! This place which sleeps 20 comfortably is a great place for your family and friends. Here you’ll find a warm and welcoming atmosphere with family style, familiar furnishings, and fantastic surroundings of the mountains and lake. The cabins are open and airy with lots of windows to let in the sunlight and show off the lake view. While one might think you’d have to sacrifice personal space to accommodate as many as 20 guests or more, there’s ample room for all with 10 bedrooms and 6 baths, 2 kitchens & 2 living rooms. There’s more than enough room for everyone to have their own space, as well as just to have a great time. With tables and chairs in all 3 cabins, there plenty of room for e... 08/08/2012

CENTURY 21 Scenic Realty is a full service real estate office located in Towns County, Georgia just across the Georgia/North Carolina state lines. We have a team of more than 35 real estate professionals available to serve you. Our full service real estate agency specializes in providing service: working with real estate buyers, working with real estate sellers, short sales, foreclosures, first time home buyers, investment property, commercial property, residential property, land for sale, vacation rental property, long-term rental property and more. North Georgia Real Estate Buyers With a very large inventory of homes for sale in the North Georgia mountains there is a lot to look at now. If you are a first time home buyer, sometimes the hardest part is deciding exactly what it is that ... 08/07/2012

Lake Chatuge is actually Chatuge Reservoir and located on the Hiawassee River in Western North Carolina but this 13-mile long stretch of waterway extends southward down to the dam in North Georgia. Named after a nearby Cherokee Indian settlement construction of Chatuge Dam began in 1941 and was completed in 1942. The dam is 144 feet high and 2,850 feet across the Hiawassee River and has a flood-storage capacity of 62,600 acre-feet. The 7,000 acre lake offers 133 miles of shoreline. Lake Chatuge Activities Lake Chatuge provides a full range of activities specifically in and on the lake such as swimming, boating, fishing, jet ski, boat rentals, etc. In addition, there are a myriad of additional activities that are here to enhance the Lake Chatuge visitor or offer additional recreational v... 08/07/2012

  Towns County GA is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountain range, starting in Georgia and ending in Pennsylvania. Towns County GA and the surrounding area is best known for the friendliness of its people, the natural beauty of the area, and the fun and activities of the Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains and Lake Chatuge. Only 2 hours north of Atlanta, Towns County, GA offers the safety and security of the Mountains and the Mountain communities together with their unique blend of antique shops, fine and casual dining, festivals and activities; while remaining within easy reach of international airports, shopping hubs, and more. Towns County Georgia History Towns County is the smallest county in Georgia and is... 08/07/2012

    One of the lovely things about living in the mountains is a climate that allows for grapes to grow well.  Thus, several vineyards are located near Hayesville, Hiawassee, and Young Harris.  Crane Creek  Vineyard is a quick three miles west of Young Harris.  The 12 acre vineyard is a harvest of a variety of grapes including European Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.  They also grow old world French American hybrids and native American varieties of Norton an Catawba. My favorite is their Hellbender Red. I also like thier Mountain Harvest Red. Between the great wine and beautiful mountain views Crane Creek Vineyards is worth the time. Visiting the vineyard makes for an enjoyable evening out.  The vineyard offers wine tastings and hosts special events.  You can visit their web site ... 08/02/2012

If you didn't make it to this year's Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee Georgia you missed it. This year's fair included traditional family fun such as all the crazy rides that kids love along with some great cointry music singing and arts and crafts.   08/01/2012

Looking for an amazing restaurant in the Hiawassee, GA mountains? Well do we have one for you... Michaelee’s Chocolate Caffe is located in beautiful downtown Hiawassee, GA in the Timberlake Village. It’s also right down the street from our Hiawassee Coldwell Banker High Country office - don’t you know we’d love to have lunch a few times a week if we were in that office more, but for now it's quite a treat for us. Michaelee's Caffe is a full service boutique restaurant with very, and I mean very, generous portions, that also specializes in amazing desserts and espresso based coffee drinks. Gourmet fudge is also made right there with the finest and freshest ingredients. Just look at one of our favorite dishes... Lasagna Napoletano Italiano and a wonderful house salad with focaccia bread. ... 06/19/2012

Movie on the Green Friday, June 15 8:30 pm Casablanca  The Bradford Club is pleased to host the first annual Movie on the Green.  The movie, Casablanca, will take place on Friday, June 15, 8:30 pm on the lawn of The Bradford Club.  The event is free to the public and everyone is encouraged to come out early, bring a picnic, blankets and chairs.    Casablanca, one of the most beloved films in cinema history (and one of my all time classic favorites!) is turning 70 this year. With a strong plot, an exotic setting and cherished and memorable performances from a terrific cast, it is no wonder film fans love this movie.  The Bradford Club is located at 108 Church Street, Hiawassee, Georgia.For more information, call 706-896-4285 or visit their website at   www.thebradfordclub.com. Movie on ... 06/11/2012

The mountains of Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia are beautiful in springtime.  The dogwoods are blooming, showing off their gorgeous blossoms and the daffodils are beginning to peek out of their warm dark earthen beds. The birds have begun to migrate back North and stop off to check out the latest feeders added to the yard.   Sounds like a wonderland doesn’t it?  It really is.  Until you start to notice a little sluggish start in the morning and then, before you know it, you’re infected.   The problem was I couldn’t just run to the doctor and get a shot or a 7-day Z-Pack to overcome this particular illness.  Oh no.  This one required a week-long visit in the hospital.  Lot’s of tests were run and none of them were coming back with good results.  I was totally frustrated an... 04/22/2012

Flexible Spending: Stretch Your Tax Refund Dollars If you get a tax refund, what will you do with it? This year, one in two Americans receiving a tax refund (50 percent) say they plan to spend the extra money on bills or other household expenses, as opposed to vacations (15 percent), leisure activities (8 percent) or gifts (4 percent), according to a recent poll from Cricket Communications. The survey also noted that more than three-quarters (78 percent) of Americans receiving their refund will be "smarter" about how they spend it, with more than half (55 percent) pledging they are more likely to use refund dollars on practical "needs" instead of "wants." To give you tips on stretching tax refund dollars, Cricket has partnered with certified financial planner and savings expert Robert P... 04/17/2012

The Family of United PresentsThe Bankers Hour Family Reunion Saturday, April 14th, 20122 Shows: 2:00pm & 8:00pmGeorgia Mountain FairAnderson Music HallHiawassee, GAReserve Your Seats Today! $10 eachwww.georgiamountainfairgrounds.comFor more information: 706-896-4191All proceeds donated to charitable organizations.Limited Handicapped Parking for vehicles displaying license plate or mirror hanger.   The United Community Banking family puts on a FABULOUS show (you will not be disappointed)!! A great way to support the local communities! 04/07/2012

Just Browsing? As agents I’m sure you know that different programs work best with different internet browsers.  Some will only work with Internet Explorer, others only with Firefox. Even with I/E, some will function only in 32-bit while others require 64-bit.     Yesterday, I had one of those horrible techno challenges.  Bill and I specialize in marketing foreclosures, which means we also pay all the expenses and submit them for reimbursement.  I was under a deadline to get some invoices submitted in time for the next run of checks.  I have used Internet Explorer with this particular program for MONTHS yet nothing I was doing was working.  I finally got someone from tech support on the phone who kept repeating to me that their system was only licensed to work with Internet Explorer 8.  ... 03/06/2012

Athletes know that if they are going to compete in any kind of event they have to train for it.  While reading How Running A Marathon Is Like Buying A Home by Bob and Richelle Ward, the post got me thinking.  Not only does an athlete have to train, they must also have the proper equipment.  The equipment also has to fit them properly and be appropriate for the sport in which they are participating.  To put this in simple terms: you can’t play hockey with a baseball bat!   The same is true in the real estate business.   As a buyer or seller your “equipment” is your real estate agent and, like the athlete you need to make sure you and your agent are a good fit.    Does your agent listen and understand your needs?  Do you feel comfortable having this person coordinate one of the most impo... 02/07/2012

I am totally loving the new Nikon D5100 that Santa brought me for Christmas.   It has all kinds of really cool features.  Of course, on Christmas Eve I was taking lots of pictures, trying different things and basically driving my family crazy.  I was fascinated to find all the cool effects that were able to be done IN the camera without any special program.   Here’s a normal, untouched picture of our Christmas Tree  - Here’s the same picture after applying an outline effect -    Now as a watercolor -And finally as a black and white! As you can see, I’m having lots of fun!!Cyndi 01/30/2012

As many of you know, Bill and I ride motorcycles.  It’s great therapy when you can get out of the office, hop on your bike and take off into the mountains.  Living in Western North Carolina we have some of the greatest roads in the world (really!) on which to ride.       We ride with a group called Southern Cruisers Riding Club and, as a group, SCRC supports St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.  Each year fund-raising events are held with all the proceeds going to help the children who are treated by this wonderful facility - the brain-child of actor Danny Thomas.       On July 20th, at our State Rally in Commerce, Georgia, we will be giving away an Apple IPad2 (32gig w/Wi-Fi). You don’t have to be present to win!!  The tickets are $5.00 each and only 1000 wil... 01/28/2012

SUMMER’S LAST KISS - AN AFFAIR WITH THE ARTS If you’re looking for something fun to do next weekend why not check out SUMMER’S LAST KISS - AN AFFAIR WITH THE ARTS on the square in Hiawassee, Georgia.   What is Summer’s Last Kiss you say?  Several years ago, a group of business friends got together over a glass of wine and decided the area needed something fun to celebrate the end of summer.  They planned an Art Festival to feature ALL the “arts” - music, dance, theatre, poetry, crafts, food and, of course, ART! Take a little break and enjoy Summer’s Last Kiss!   Bill and Cyndi   PS - Make sure and check out the area while you’re enjoying the art festival.  Then give us a call if you’re interested in making the mountains your home - or just your home away from home!   09/17/2011