ellijay homes: The Populist Movement and the Health Care debate a Lesson
- 08/12/09 01:27 AM
At the turn of the 20th and near the end of 19th Century there was a big , what we would call today, grass roots movement in the South. It was called the Populist movement. It featured such colorful characters as Sock-less Jerry Simpson, and famous figures like William Jennings Bryan.
There were a lot of poor folk in the South and this movement was aimed at changing and empowering these folk. Now the party that controlled the South was the Democratic party. So this movement really challenged the fat cats in the Democratic party and was a threat to them. … (7 comments)
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ellijay homes: Motivational Monday
- 08/10/09 06:30 AM
The following 2 quotes caught my eye and for the first time I thought I would participate in Motivational Monday
"It's hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse"
Adlai Stevenson
I love this quote because in our business it is so true. You really do have to believe in yourself in order to get others to believe in you.
AND
"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."
Lyndon Johnson
Positive energy for me is the name of the game. It … (4 comments)
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ellijay homes: Jasper, Big Canoe Mountain Builder Jerry Hynes
- 08/07/09 03:37 AM
Jerry Hynes aka to us up here as Hynes in the pines is a quality mountain builder. Jerry owns his own company . His attention to detail and the way he warrants his product is second to none. Unlike big tract builders Jerry is small enough to monitor all the projects he has going on.
Jerry has a small office in Marble Hill Georgia where he meets and designs for clients.
This photo is of the inside of the office. From the time you walk in you get the feeling you are working with a real pro. Jerry may not … (0 comments)
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ellijay homes: An Interesting Dilemma
- 08/03/09 02:13 AM
Last week the Federal cash for clunkers program ran into trouble. The trouble was success. This program makes so much sense it is hard to believe it comes out of Washington. After all if we get better gas mileage we reduce our dependence on foreign oil as well as help the environment. We also create scrap we can sell to reduce the balance of payments. We help car dealers and the folks they employ. We buyers get a rebate!. This is so cool.
What this program and the tax credit for home buyers really illustrate is given the resources Americans will … (8 comments)
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ellijay homes: North Georgia Real Estate Insurance
- 07/31/09 03:18 AM
Getting insurance in the mountains is a tricky business. You need to be aware of the factors that go into the cost of Home owners insurance. Living on the coast may create different types of policies for insurance as it relates to weather. Living in the mountains does the same thing
Enter the great folks at the Steve Moranos Allstate Agency. Steve and his group are mountain insurance folks. They will take the time to sit with you and explain all the components that go into insurance. Your All Mountain Realty Realtor will assist you and identify areas that may drive … (0 comments)
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ellijay homes: Jasper Georgia Real Estate and Radio WYYZ
- 07/30/09 06:23 AM
WYYZ radio in Jasper is the epitome of a local business. They broadcast Gospel as well as talk radio. They have won numerous awards and in fact this year alone they one 4 merit awards from the Georgia Association of Broadcasting.
We present the " Mountain Real Estate Report" on Wyyz weekly. But that is only part of the story. The folks on WYYZ have been featured by the New York Times. I was honored when they asked me to help interview U.S. Senator Isakson about his housing bill. Wyyz also cover events in the mountains. You can get local events … (4 comments)
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ellijay homes: It is Sad....
- 07/29/09 09:13 AM
I am I guess now an "Old Guy". I am not sure when this happened. I suspect it did not happen all at once. I am sure many of you reading this blog can empathize with me.
I know I am an old guy because I am 6 foot 4. This is important because when I was a young guy in stores people would say ,"Hey Sonny can you reach this for me." I was a top shelf guy. That changed to Mister and now it is Sir. It is a joke in my house. Whenever my wife wants something that … (8 comments)
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ellijay homes: worded WED.
- 07/29/09 01:15 AM
Today the mountain that I live on is covered in mist and periodically it rains. A picture of this would just be all white and not really convey the beauty of the mountains in any weather. So let me quote Carl Sandberg
The fog
"The fog comes n on little cat feet
Sits silently on its haunches
and moves on."
How beautiful and how simple a way to describe the total silent envelope the fog raps around you.
Have a foggy external day with a clear inner sense of what you are doing!
… (3 comments)
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ellijay homes: You never really know ! Photo
- 07/28/09 10:01 AM
This morning I had some early appointments so as I crossed Lake Petit Dam I was able to take this photo
This is the sun rise over Lake Petit. It was a great warming wonderful sight. If you notice there is not a cloud in the sky.
As I sit and write this post it is pouring rain and thunder is rumbling. I have already responded to one call about a potential lightening strike. Fortunately no damage. But from this sunrise to a tumultuous afternoon. goes to show you never really know what a day will bring.
Enjoy and may all … (14 comments)
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ellijay homes: Afternoon of the Fawn (photo)
- 07/28/09 09:53 AM
We had a great deal of rain this winter and spring. It seemed the flowers and plants really loved it. Along with the flora comes the fauna. We have had a lot of fawns late this year. I was able to snap this one before it ran away.
Being a City kid for a lot of my life makes moments like this really special. Hope you all enjoy
… (9 comments)
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ellijay homes: Mountain Seminar
- 07/26/09 08:53 AM
We are putting together a seminar for buyers in North Georgia. The seminar will be August 22. It is by invitation so you need to call us to reserve a spot. We will have lender's and insurance folks there.
We are going to cover how to buy with 100 percent financing. We will also go over the credits available to you. So this seminar is more than just selling homes. It really is aimed to help folks take advantage of this market
To find out more or sign up call us at 706 579 1098. Or leave a comment on this … (1 comments)
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ellijay homes: Where are we in our market ?
- 07/24/09 08:39 AM
Every Market is different but in different areas I am hearing the same thing. Yes there are buyers out there. Yes there are loans out there. However buyers are coming in with really low prices and negotiations are tough.
Some of you are lucky in that your market has not gone through the pain that others have gone through. The pain is different from location to location and varies in severity. But the market here at least and from what my friends in Atlanta tell me is still out of balance. You can buy an existing home for less than it … (3 comments)
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ellijay homes: The Rush ! (My Prediction)
- 07/23/09 01:17 AM
I am going to make a prediction. Yes I really am the illegitimate child of Nostradamus 14 generations removed!. Or at least some one who watch the amazing Karnak on Johnny Carson. Here it is . Many, many, many, buyers are going to get shut out on the 8k credit because they are going to wait till the last minute. Closing attorneys and banks are going to be even more backed up in this rush and the deadlines are going to be missed. Unless of course the government extends. But the crystal is cloudy on this subject. So tell the fence … (11 comments)
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ellijay homes: Community buying
- 07/19/09 05:51 AM
I work with a lot of buyers here in the mountains. The following advice is for those looking to buy in communities.
Community living is great. Whether you have a lot of amenities or few amenities community living offers a lot. Some communities are gated others are not. So the first thing to know is generally in gated communities you pay for the roads. If the monthly dues are zero or very low and you are in a gated community then down the road,no pun intended, you could be faced with a nasty assessment surprise.
The second thing to look at … (2 comments)
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ellijay homes: The second home Market in the Mountains
- 07/19/09 05:41 AM
Right now the second home market in the North Georgia Mountains is a buyers market. Sales are generally below last year. Overall about 15 percent down. However prices are still relatively stable although trending lower. The big dip is in the second home market.
There are 2 trains running down the real estate track here. One is the first time buyer market. That market is brisk. Prices are good. Interest rates are good. Inventory is good.Homes are seeing multiple offers and good homes are moving well.
The second home market or even the retirement home market is sluggish. Reasons for this … (0 comments)
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ellijay homes: Helping Buyers
- 07/19/09 03:31 AM
A Realtor saves you money. If you are buying a home and working with the listing agent you may not know to ask
1 When was this home listed? People always ask because if they think the home was on the market for a long time they can get a better deal. But in Georgia in order to get the 600 a year for 3 years tax credit the home has to be listed before May 11 2009. Savings over 3 years 1800
2 You have till the end of the year to get the first time home buyer credit. Wrong … (5 comments)
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ellijay homes: What about my friends?
- 07/18/09 08:37 AM
As we age many of us are looking for that home that has a master on the main. Many baby boomers are looking for mountain property. So Masters on the main are a big plus. But what about your friends?
When your friends, or brothers and sisters come to visit aren't they getting older too? So consider when you are shopping for a home a second bedroom on the main level. We live in a ranch so have 3 bedrooms all on the same level. Master on the main is a great plus . But more than one bedroom on the … (4 comments)
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ellijay homes: Foreclosure strategy changing
- 07/17/09 06:02 AM
There has been a change in the way we bid on foreclosures for our buyers. In the old days, 1 year ago, you looked at the bank price and put in an offer. Usually the offer was lower than the asking price. If you were all cash you were even lower.
Then things started to change. We had multiple bids on property so the banks would come back and ask you for your highest and best offer. But if you were all cash you still usually came out OK. Lately we have seen starting offers go in at OVER the asking … (4 comments)
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ellijay homes: What Does 179,000 buy you in the mountains? Photos
- 07/11/09 09:23 AM
I was showing property today and took these pictures from a home that is priced at 179000. It is on 2.38 acres so a lot of what you see is the view. The house itself is almost incidental. But it has a master on the main 3 other bedrooms and inside looks to be about 4000 square feet. Yes it will need some work but look at the view
Could you live coming home to this view. PLenty of pasture great for horses and what a price! discover affordable beautiful North Georgia
… (1 comments)
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ellijay homes: Hey Mom, WAIT UP !!! Photos
- 07/10/09 08:25 AM
One of the things that make working in the North Georgia Mountains is you never know what you are going to see. Our gated communities often have a large amount of green space and act as nature preserves. So today while driving to preview some land for a client coming in on Sunday as I went around the bend, this is what I was lucky enough to see;
Mama bear with kids in tow moving across a quiet country road. They all climbed the hill. Which I thought was pretty amazing
In the picture above you can see junior working … (11 comments)
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At the turn of the 20th and near the end of 19th Century there was a big , what we would call today, grass roots movement in the South. It was called the Populist movement. It featured such colorful characters as Sock-less Jerry Simpson, and famous figures like William Jennings Bryan.
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