big canoe: A Golden Opportunity in the North Georgia Mountains - 07/26/16 03:12 AM
One of the hardest things to do when managing your personal finances is recognizing when  a down market is an opportunity. This is often referred to as the contrarian approach to investments. Today it is cheaper to buy already constructed homes than to buy new or partially build homes...or to build your home yourself. I often tell my clients that you can purchase a home in the north Georgia mountains for about 20% less than you could in 2006-7, or you can build for about 150% compared with the same period.... so financially it makes NO sense to buy land and build in today's market … (3 comments)

big canoe: Owner financing...what does that mean? - 11/02/15 03:07 AM
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big canoe: Eagle's Rest on Mt Oglethorpe, Georgia - 04/11/15 04:15 AM
I am often asked what there is to do up in the North Georgia Mountains and I have to tell you that there is TOO much to do. A new addition to a huge list of hiking trails in this area in Eagle's Rest, found on Mount Oglethorpe. Mt Oglethorpe is nettled between Big Canoe and Bent Tree and is accessible by road via Monument Rd off of GA 136 in Pickens County. The Mt. Oglethorpe Foundation has built the Mountain Stewards Picnic area, Eastern and Western viewing decks and the most beautiful Privy in the world!  There is a 2 mile trail that circles the FAA towers. … (1 comments)

big canoe: Big Canoe Today - 07/31/14 06:01 AM
July 31. 2014 is hardly a typical summer's day here in the North Georgia mountains and Big Canoe. Temp is a comfortable 73° with cloudy skies, but no rain in sight!  A perfect day for golf, tennis and yes, even swimming!  Big Canoe has been very busy this summer; record numbers of visitors came up for the fireworks on the 4th and have lingered, enjoying our mountain vistas and cooler temperatures before heading back to hectic lives and even back to school! School does start very early in Georgia, with some firing up August 5th!
The housing market is cool as well in Big … (1 comments)

big canoe: And it Rained and Rained and Rained Some More - 08/07/13 09:15 AM
I hate to be the one that jinx us here in the North Georgia Mountains, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!  It has rained way too much;  too many days and way too many inches! Today my rain gage was emptied TWICE and it is still drizzling! How do people do it in Seattle, I ask! Then again, they have the ocean not that far away and those gorgeous mountains that blow off steam now and then.  But I digress...
Normally (is there such a thing these days?) we in North Georgia get about 44 inches of rain a YEAR, temps are in … (4 comments)

big canoe: Gibbs Garden in North Georgia - 04/17/13 05:52 AM

Gibbs Garden is located on Yellow Creek Rd in north Cherokee County, Georgia about 7 miles south of Big Canoe. This 300 + acre park is owned, designed and cared for by James Gibbs, landscape artist from Atlanta. There are 16 featured gardens on the property, most notably at this time of year is the Daffodil Gardens which features over a million flowers in 60 varieties and is peaking this week.
To help you plan your trip to Big Canoe and the North Georgia Mountains here is a Bloom Calendar for Gibbs Garden:
Daffodils              March thru middle of April
Cherry … (0 comments)

big canoe: Gibbs Garden - 11/14/12 12:15 AM
Fall has come and about gone from the North Georgia Mountains. The colors have been spectacular, Sandy's bad manners didn't impact our leaf coloring too much, I am happy to report. I have been happy driving through our charming small towns, enjoying regional fairs showcasing the area's agriculture and quirks and soaking in the beautiful fall kaleidoscope of colors.  Now I have a new favorite destination...Gibbs Garden! I thought that a garden was done after the last hydrangea had given up and turned to brown bouquets. James Gibbs, the owner and designer of his namesake garden, has planted hundreds of Japanese Maples and they … (0 comments)

big canoe: What it Takes to be a Candidiate - 09/07/11 03:15 AM
<!-- google_ad_section_start(name=default) --> Wednesday, September 7, 2011   It used to be said is that all you need is a fat wallet and a thick skin to run for any office.  I agree with that assertion, but have to add that you need so much more today! The average POA campaign costs close to $2000 today, that money mainly comes from the candidates. Sometimes a candidate receives help from a few backers that are willing to donate time and/or money but usually the brunt of the expense is on the candidate and his/her family. Thick skin is a must because once you … (0 comments)

big canoe: Off and Running for Big Canoe , Director of POA - 09/05/11 12:05 PM
The first question on everyone mind when you announce that you are running for an office is...WHY???Because everyone knows that it is extremely hard work and take an exorbitant amount of time...something we seem to have less of as we age. Actually I was called by a Big Canoe Nominating Committee member and asked to run.  Why they called I do not know.  My first response was NO!!! I am not a captain of industry like so many of the past candidates were.  I have no real experience in leading a community. The committee member said that they felt differently and would I … (0 comments)

big canoe: Big Canoe Animal Rescue is looking for a few good homes! - 01/28/11 05:10 AM
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big canoe: Public Safety in Big Canoe - 01/12/11 10:40 AM
One of the most important attribute of living in a gated community, here in the North Georgia Mountains, is the extra level of safety and value the gate gives your property. The gate affords more value because usual with the gate comes stricter CCR's or Homeowner's Association Rules. They govern, for the most part,  the style, quality and cohesiveness of the homes in the community. As for the safety, usually what goes on behind the gates is monitored by the community's own enforcement groups. County and State police certainly can and do protect the residence but the day to day sorting out … (1 comments)

big canoe: 4th of July Big Canoe Style - 07/12/10 04:40 PM
Most communities have some sort of 4th of July bash, but Big Canoe, Georgia did it in style! Not only did we have fireworks over Lake Sconti, where thousands watched from the playing fields, tennis courts as well as the lake, but the Army Ground Forces Band, the Jazz Guardians, out of Fort McPherson (Atlanta, Ga) preformed a free concert at the Big Canoe Chapel's Terraces, an outdoors amphitheater in the round! Approximately 850 folks joined in to celebrate our country's birth and listened to superb jazz and swing music under the stars!  We were able to collect over $4000 to donate … (2 comments)

big canoe: Weather or Whether Not - 01/08/10 10:39 AM
By now the whole world, I think, knows that it snowed in North Georgia. Flights are cancelled, traffic is a mess in Atlanta and schools are closed. I don't know what would happen here if we ever got more than 2 inches of the white stuff! But it does make for GORGEOUS pictures! I have written before about Big Canoe's Animal Rescue facility, affectionately called B-CAR.  Even in snowy weather our wards need to be cared for. I have walked dogs in sleet, pouring rain and freezing cold, all because if I don't, no one else will during my allotted time … (0 comments)

big canoe: Big Canoe Animal Rescue - 12/02/09 05:04 AM
One of the many and varied associations that one can become involved in at Big Canoe, Georgia is the No Kill Big Canoe Animal Rescue located within the communtity. The animal rescue, affectionately called B-car, houses 8 abandoned dogs each provided with a separate kennel that connect into a common area for socalization and the ever necessary potty functions. The dogs are walked 3 times a day and fed twice a day by an army of volunteers.
The dogs are neutered and cared for medically by Dr Haberman of Cumming, Ga, so are healthy and safe, maybe for the first time … (1 comments)

big canoe: Corporate Lodge or Retreat in Big Canoe, Ga - 10/28/09 03:07 PM
Times are slow ,I realize, around the water cooler, but irregardless, now truly is the time to select that perfect business retreat that you can use for work seminars and possibly rent when not in use to off set the expenses. Big Canoe is the perfect location for just that!  Not only do we have multiple properties to choose from , the community is loaded with amenities to entertain and challenge any corporate gatherings. The home located at 8220 Wilderness Pkwy is in the heart of Big Canoe and fills the bill for corporate functions or resort living. The home has 4 bedrooms, each with … (1 comments)

big canoe: Pary Time in Big Canoe, North Georgia Mountains - 10/20/09 02:09 AM
Fall is in the air and it is Party Time in North Georgia Mountain's premier resort/home area of Big Canoe, Georgia. Not only is the sun finally shining after weeks of rain and gloom, but the leaves have survived  and are still around to display their gorgeous hues! The air is crisp, the views extrodinary and the colors brilliant! Welcome to the world of Big Canoe! I love waking up to such a clalidiscope of colors and look forward to hiking around a Big Canoe lake with woman's best friend! Big Canoe is a community of roughly 2600 families, divided up into … (1 comments)

big canoe: 2534 Turnbury Lane in Sunny Big Canoe, Georgia - 10/19/09 09:40 AM
There is a idyllic, golf course home just waiting for you at 2534 Turnbury Lane in Big Canoe, Georgia listed for $479,900.  This 4 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath home sits on 1.5 acres on a quiet street separated from the rolling golf course in the Georgia Mountains by a bubblying creek and mountain laurels. The home features a gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, new appliances and pantry overlooking the very open concept Great Room/ Dining area. A bright Sun Room is adjacent to the Great Room and all are wrapped with walls of windows looking out onto the back garden and golf … (0 comments)

big canoe: Buyer Beware, How about Agent Beware! - 05/26/09 06:38 AM
I was just getting ready to meet a family that I have been working with for 3 months. The home that they wanted to see for the second time went under contract.  I called and told them, and offered an alternative viewing when the Buyer said, no thanks!  They decided that they had narrowed their search down to two houses so if one went away they would go after the other...Cool, BUT the other is not one that I showed them!  They found it while looking out on their own, something that they liked to do, and they felt that they owe it to … (19 comments)

big canoe: Finally it is Gorgeous here! - 05/18/09 04:19 AM
The rains and gloom have finally ended; didn't think that I would ever say that again after 2-3 years of drought! But it is magnificent today! This is one of the many reasons that I love living up here in the North Georgia Mountains! I really like the west side on the state, which is where Jasper, Ellijay and Big Canoe are located.  The traffic getting here is a small per percentage of what is seen over on the east side of the state, for one reason and that is a big one for me! Going up I-85 or I-985  is so nerve … (3 comments)

big canoe: Firefighters - 05/15/09 03:25 AM
My husband just completed a course here at Big Canoe to be support to the firefighters in this area. He, with the Broker of All Mountain Realty, even has a Fireman's uniform and let me tell you it is HOT! Actually, both ways!

Often people are not happy that the fire protection is so limited in the more rural area, so this is away to solve some of that concern. There are many people, both men and women,  that have volunteered their time and backs to help when disaster strikes in Big Canoe, this is just one of the ways. Rural … (1 comments)