jasper homes: Next time grab the camera!
- 07/05/09 09:57 AM
Linda Carrig, who is an ActiveRain member, heard a big noise on her deck. She has a Boxer and a Great Dane and they were barking up a storm. She opened her back door and both flew outside. The source of their concern was a Bear on Linda's back deck pulling at a bird feeder.
Now Linda's back deck is a good 2 1/2 stories off the ground. The bear shimmied up a couple of deck posts and was outside the deck railing reaching for the feeder. The dogs went after the bear. The bear swiped at the dogs. Linda grabbed … (2 comments)
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jasper homes: Army Band Concert Last Night in Big Canoe photos
- 07/04/09 02:14 AM
The Army Jazz band performed in the out door amphitheater here in Big Canoe. The concert was free. Donations were taken at the door for the USO. A great time was had by all.
As you can see it was a packed house. The band was great and there was singing as well. We were brought to our feet many times
As you can see the concert was enjoyed by young and old.
The concert went well into the evening. 2 weeks ago in the same venue we had Banks and Shane do their tribute to the Kingston … (4 comments)
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jasper homes: A contribution for independence not always known
- 07/03/09 02:51 AM
On Independence day we celebrate our freedom and do remember those who make it possible. Some of those folks are you and me who must be vigilant. But does this have anything to do with Real Estate ? The answer is a surprising YES!
Prior to world War 2 The real estate market in this country was very different. Most people where renters. If you owned your own home chances are you were a farmer. If you wanted a mortgage you went to your local bank. The usual down payment was , are you ready, 50, not a type O, 50 … (3 comments)
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jasper homes: Visitor from England
- 06/25/09 01:04 AM
My Sister-in-law is here visiting us from England. She loves looking at homes. So while my wife is working I take her around with me as I preview homes and communities. It is interesting to note the observations of a visitor to our country.
1 Most of the homes here seem bigger to her. Yes we have all seen shows with stately mansion in PBS but they are the exception. So to her most homes here are a lot bigger than you see in England. Also the homes here have more Loo's (bathrooms) than they do there.
2 Prices for homes … (2 comments)
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jasper homes: Pricing Strategy
- 06/25/09 12:47 AM
When we give our sellers a list of things to repair and the price for their home they are sometimes overwhelmed. I am starting a new pricing strategy. I am giving the sellers a list of things to do that require sweat equity. These would be the cleaning and uncluttered type of things. And then if there are repairs that are going to cost money I give them that list and the price I would put on their house.
So for excample if a house needs painting I would say X dollars without painting for a listing price x plus dollars … (3 comments)
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jasper homes: The Mountain Real Estate Report
- 06/24/09 07:26 AM
Well the Mountain Real Estate report did not win a GABBY. But heck we were submitted and nominated so we are very happy. Also thanks to those who sent us answers either in response to my blog or emailed directly about ideas for the show. You can hear the report tomorrow around noon EST on our web site at www.allmountainrealty.com. Just click current show when you get to the radio show page.
Your ideas got us thinking outside the box so we went with a show talking about things to do in the mountains here in North Georgia and just a … (0 comments)
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jasper homes: Launch me Father not NASA Style Photo
- 06/21/09 02:35 AM
This photo was taken 15 years ago. My hair was dark then. My son and I went to a wedding of one of my cousins. It was his first time in a suit and his mother was not there. So we made a deal. In Feb in South Carolina we went to the pool so he could swim and burn of energy. Along the way I ended up burning off energy too. My Mother caught this photo of us.
The boy got dressed wore a suit and tie and even would not take his jacket off at the reception. Every body … (3 comments)
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jasper homes: Market mobility
- 06/19/09 01:33 AM
One of the driving forces behind our housing market is market /people mobility. In some markets this is a greater factor than in others. People move. Jobs move. People are relocated. People sell to retire.
A factor in this market that has a drag is the immobility that exists today. People can't sell so they can't move. Companies are laying off and closing and not relocating folks. If they do relocate you they are saying here is your new job location. The home buy out days are going the ay of the company car.
So in this market we must change … (8 comments)
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jasper homes: Use the 8 K as a down payment ?
- 06/14/09 08:26 AM
In theory one can use the 8k tax rebate as a down payment. I say in theory because I have not found a lender yet who will process this way. But assume this will work out should you use the money as a down payment? I think it depends.
If you are using USDA or VA I say no. Here is why. Assume the 8k as a down payment will save you about 10-15 dollars a month on a 30 year fixed. So at the end of year one you will have saved 120-180 dollars. But if you take the 8k … (4 comments)
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jasper homes: The Sentinel
- 06/06/09 09:24 AM
The old homestead stands silently as a sentinel over looking fields and the pristine Etowah River.
For 11 years I have been driving down the road that the sentinel stands watch over. The old homestead is in Cherokee county . Near the Etowah river. It conjures up images of native peoples who no longer live on this land. It is in fields and was obviously a farm house at one time. Who were the people who farmed there and raised their family? A few years ago a for sale sign appeared on the land. The acreage that the sentinel stood … (2 comments)
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jasper homes: The Reaction
- 06/05/09 05:08 AM
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is Newtonian physics at its best. In politics we have the Thermidor reaction to the French revolution. In finance we have the bank reaction to the mortgage crisis.
Never mind that the crisis was created by the very lenders, at least those still standing, in the first place. Never mind that a short sale should really take 1/10th of the time a foreclosure does since everybody comes out better. The banks today are in a state of change and shock. This is the reality we have to deal with.
So … (3 comments)
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jasper homes: Why Buy now?
- 06/04/09 02:49 AM
Why buy now? There are a ton of reasons not to buy.
1 The economy is weak. I am worried
2 Housing values have gone down we are not at the bottom
3 There are a lot of costs involved in buying a house
4 My credit is not that good
5 I have now money for a down payment
You can add a bunch of additional reasons I am sure you have heard them all. But consider
1 If you have a good job in a weak economy values are available that would normally not be
2 You never know … (0 comments)
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jasper homes: There should be a law.......
- 06/02/09 02:38 AM
Years ago while driving through Florida a stone fell from a bridge and cracked my windshield. It was a scary thing and I was upset about the obvious expense. But then a co-worker from Florida told me about a law that allowed me to make a claim and get reimbursed. I made the claim, filled out the forms, and got a check. I thought gee, This is a state standing behind their commitment to provide safe roads. I was happy.
Now I am writing this post because I have some time on my hands. I have that time on my hands … (8 comments)
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jasper homes: The Godfather, Avian style photos
- 06/01/09 04:22 AM
Geese are great animals. Like in the Godfather, family is everything. A Gander will face down an SUV when his family is crossing the road. These shots were taken near a mountain lake as a family prepared to cross the road. This shot is of the geese preparing to cross. In the shot below the Gander is taking offense at me as I have stopped in his path and he wants to get his family across the road. i moved along after this shot as he made me an offer I couldn't refuse
… (7 comments)
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jasper homes: Peek-A-Bear
- 05/30/09 02:34 AM
Driving through our neighborhood I noticed a Big Rock on the road. I thought I need to stop and move this before some one comes around a turn and hits it. As I was about to get out of my car my wife stopped me and pointed up into the woods,
I looked up and it was Peek-a Bear!!!! This young Bear was peeking out from behind a tree. He and his sibling were playing rolling rocks down the hill. Perhaps he would have sprung out and said the Bear equivalent of Surprise! At that point I would have had the … (10 comments)
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jasper homes: Interest rates Creep up
- 05/28/09 12:40 PM
If you are dealing with buyers on a budget you will have noticed that interest rates have crept up this week. Why ? The Federal Reserve is selling off some of their securities and buying mortgage backed securities. This is another effort to rid us of the toxic mess we are currently in thanks to Wall Street finance people. Now when you sell securities you have to increase the yield on the securities to get people to buy. Right! Over supply means higher interest rate. It is the old supply and demand thing. The Fed is walking the economic high wire … (4 comments)
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jasper homes: Memorial Day
- 05/23/09 05:24 AM
Today while driving to get some supplies I saw on Highway 53 in Dawsonville a number of flags lining the highway. Supporting each flag was a cross , a persons name , and the war they died in. Among the celebrations the cost f this day should be remembered . So when I got back into my community I took this picture.
Long may she waive. Our flag symbolizing our freedom and the joy of this holiday. Below is the MIA/POW flag which makes us mindful of the sacrifices many have made. Have a great holiday weekend. Its is great … (5 comments)
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jasper homes: USDA Loan Repairs Be advised !!
- 05/21/09 09:33 AM
Many of us in Rural areas do USDA loans. USDA is 100 percent financing and often works out to be less costly than FHA with 3 % down!!! One of the benefits to this type of loan is you can finance up to 102 percent of the appraised value of the home. This extra money is typically used for closing costs. However if you have a buyer that is getting a great deal on a fixer upper beware !
You do have to escrow money etc like you do for FHA repair loan. But there is a BIG difference. If the … (9 comments)
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jasper homes: Southern Culture Photo
- 05/20/09 08:00 AM
In the South there is a love affair with trains. in many country and Blue grass Songs you hear references , and music mimicking trains. Listen to a good version of Orange Blossom Express if you are interested. So what we are seeing now is builders and developers acknowledging the tradition of the train and the South. Below is a new mini Mall. It is done in the tradition of an old train depot. There are many of these now dotting our landscape. They are pleasing to the eye and take into account the environment. This new trend toward the old … (1 comments)
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jasper homes: Big Canoe and Mountain Photos V
- 05/11/09 01:02 AM
The following are not necessarily unique to Big Canoe. They are mountain Spring time scenes. You may wonder who the Gardener is. The Gardener is mother nature. These are the sights and smells you encounter when walking through the North Georgia Mountains in the Spring
Look at this great stand of Native Rhodedenrons. When the buyer put in their drive they were careful to leave this incredible natural canopy. Walk in the woods and you will see the same things pop up.
Looking at the other side of the Drive you have more Rhodie's and a great stand … (4 comments)
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Linda Carrig, who is an ActiveRain member, heard a big noise on her deck. She has a Boxer and a Great Dane and they were barking up a storm. She opened her back door and both flew outside. The source of their concern was a Bear on Linda's back deck pulling at a bird feeder.
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