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Fannin County Reinventing the Economy
Louis Schubert says Atlanta traffic was driving him nuts. “If you weren’t home by quarter to five, you were in serious trouble,” says Schubert, who lived with his wife Sandy off Chamblee-Dunwoody Road near I-285. “We’d get home and hibernate while the traffic happened."

Out of Atlanta, Into the Mountains
In driving to Blue Ridge, GA from Atlanta one immediately realizes the small town's appeal. As you head north, the hectic, sprawling urban landscape slowly gives way to something more sedate and soothing; you practically feel the terrain changing beneath your car's wheels.

Second-Home Market Surges, Bigger Than Shown in Earlier Studies
A new study shows sales of second homes surged in 2004, and that investment property and vacation homes make up a significant portion of the overall housing market, accounting for more than one-third of residential transactions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

1031 Tax Exchange
In a nutshell, it's a way for business owners and Real Estate investors to sell their property and buy other like kind property without paying the Capital Gains Tax. These transactions are known as deferred exchanges, or 1031 exchanges, and allow the investor to continue his investment in another property without loosing investment equity to taxes.

7 Ways to Save on Insurance
Homeowner's insurance premiums are expected to rise 8 percent in 2004, according to the Insurance Information Institute-on top of 2003's 7 percent increase.

If You Already Have Insurance
Review your policy limits and the value of your possessions annually. Some items depreciate and may not need as much coverage.

What to Keep from your Closing

10 Questions to Ask Lenders
Your relationship with a lender can potentially last 30 years.

A Real Estate Salesperson Can Help You . . .
Locate a suitable property. Although many homes are viewable on the Internet, the salesperson will probably have already seen many of them in person and will quickly be able to help you determine which might be right for you. The salesperson can also schedule and attend showings with you.

House Hunting Checklist
The home features you want aren't always the same as the ones you need.

North Georgia and the Second Home Market
According to Dr. Charles Longino, Jr., noted Wake Forest University sociologist, gerontologist and demographer, the North Georgia region (including Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, Union, White, Dawson, Forsyth and Pickens counties) is the leading retirement destination region in the state.

Second Homes
The bloom has come off the U.S. real estate market, with dire predictions for future home sales, rising interest rates and reports of growing housing inventories.

Where To Buy Vacation Homes
Are getaway spots near you too pricey and trendy? Here are some unspoiled, affordable locales.

Lake Blue Ridge - Blue on Blue
On the north side of the lovely town of Blue Ridge, Georgia is a treat for the eyes, the ears, and the soul: the spectacular North Georgia Reservoir known as Lake Blue Ridge.

Resort and Second Home Properties in Georgia
Interest in Georgia's resort and second-home market has cooled, mirroring the national trend, but it is poised for a comeback as baby boomers retire and Floridians show interest in their northern neighbor.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Heading to the North Georgia mountains is always a perfect way to shake off the summer doldrums. To help you ease into this 2007 Fall festival season, Blue Ridge is hosting their annual Wildlife & Nature Fine Arts Festival and Expo at the Blue Ridge City Park near down-town the weekend of September 15th and 16th.

2007 Mountain Real Estate
For some Americans in major coastal cities, these have been ugly times. Riding a real estate rocket that soared to the stratosphere, they had incredible spikes in home appreciation. But where there's a bubble, there's inevitably a bursting to follow.

Destination Blue Ridge, GA - Prelude
A virtually undiscovererd Georgia town is on the brink of major change. Yes, the secret's getting out about Blue Ridge. Only 90 minutes from Atlanta, the combination of mountain views, lakefront property and access to the river is bringing a new population to town.

Dahlonega, Georgia City of Gold
There is gold in the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia to Alabama, but the discovery of a rich deposit on Cherokee land in North Georgia prompted the first real gold rush in the United States and led to the forced removal of the Cherokee Tribe to Oklahoma in what is known as the "Trail of Tears."

Living Large on Lake Blue Ridge
Friends and family were the first to point out the obvious disparity to Rick and Janet Williams. I seems their recently completed "weekend home" on Lake Blue Ridge wound up much larger (and grander) than the family home in Atlanta.

Mountain Living - Southern Style
Atlanta residents are forgetting cities like Ft. Lauderdale or Naples and replacing them with the likes of Georgia mountain retreats such as Ellijay, Dahlonega or Blue Ridge.

Light Up Blue Ridge
According to Sonja Striker and Michael Brunson, who are co-chairs of this year's event, "Light Up Blue Ridge" is the biggest event of the year [for us], and kicks off the holiday season for visitors and residents alike in our little town."

Harry Norman, Realtors of Blue Ridge

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