Bruce Monhollen, Tennis Director

Bruce exudes enthusaism for tennis and Big Canoe, which he feels offers the lifestyle and a small-town feel with very friendly people. He says: “We knew we would love Big Canoe from the first time we drove in the front gate and through the idyllic covered bridge. We love the beautiful pristine scenery and natural environment of the community.”

His biggest goal is making sure people are having fun and enjoy playing tennis. He wants to promote tennis for the health of it.  After all, tennis is a sport for a lifetime. He strives to meet the needs and wants of tennis members and residents. 

Enjoying Tennis

Bruce wants everyone to come join the fun and is offering new tennis programs, private lessons, inexpensive group clinics, tennis clothing and racquets. Tennis members receive a 20% discount on all tennis shop items except racquets and stringing. He also  customizes racquets. Bruce invites all to come on out and enjoy a positive tennis experience. The photo below shows just one of many fun activities which take place at our tennis center.

Tennis Block Party

So grab your racquet and come play a few sets! We’ll be happy to show you the tennis courts (10 clay and hard-surface), golf course (27 holes), state-of-the-art fitness center, 3 lakes, 3 swimming pools, and all the other amenities.  Give us a call at 706-268-6426. Peter and Margo Vallone, Realtors, Keller Williams Select Partners.  Check out our website: www.MountainHomeResales.com

Each home is staffed with a cadre’ of volunteer hostesses who welcome guests, describe special features of the home and generally direct booty-footed traffic from room to room. In past years I have happily volunteered as a hostess, and this year I was asked to be a captain in charge of recruiting 66 hostesses for the exquisitely beautiful lakefront home of Phil and Linda Yeakel at 1241 Indigo Bunting Trail. 

The Yeakel's 7,000 sq.ft Home

After searching three states for mountain waterfront property, in 2001 the Yeakels found their enchanting lot on one of Lake Petit’s most picturesque inlets. They spent several years planning and designing their dream home, contracted with accomplished Big Canoe builder David Hall, and they finally moved in last year.

Lakefront Serenity Is Viewed From Every Room

Despite scattered showers on both days, the  crowds continued to arrive by car on Friday (Big Canoe resident day), and in scheduled shuttle buses on Saturday. Our unflappable hostesses met umbrella-carrying guests at the front door, and while they were touring the home, the soaked hostesses carried bundles of ’brellies from the front entrance to the garage where guests could retrieve them before reboarding the bus.

Stunning Great Room Sets The "Casual Elegance" Tone Of The Home

Seven stone or marble fireplaces grace this spectacular home, and hostesses had fun asking guests to try to find all seven of them during the tour.  

A Kitchen Any Cook Would Die For!

From the adulatory comments, every house captain and hostess felt “their”  home was the favorite of tour attendees, and their assessments were correct because each of the four homes was jaw-dropping spectacular in its own unique way. But there is no question that the beauty and tranquility of gorgeous lake Petit views from every room of 1241 Indigo Bunting Trail capture the idyllic magic of Big Canoe mountain living at its best.

The Epitome' Of A Room With A View

If you missed this year’s Big Canoe Tour of Homes, not to worry, we’ll escort you on a full tour of the community at any time and we’ll give you a personal guided tour of all the Big Canoe homes for sale you care to see.  Give us a call.

Happy faced daffodiles herald spring's arrival

Last week, Peter and I and our son Michael from Atlanta chose two of the newer trails located not far from the main entrance. The first was the lovely 1.3 mile Choctaw Trail that circles Choctaw Village and overlooks the golf course and shimmering Blackwell Creek, which in places is as wide as a river.

Benches are scattered along Choctaw Trail, inviting you to sit awhile and take in the serene natural beauty of Blackwell Creek, the golf course and surrounding mountains.

Despite one steep asphalted section, our leisurely walk along Choctaw Trail left us exhilarated and wanting more, so we left Choctaw, passed the awesome new Sconti Club and drove three minutes down Wilderness Parkway to begin our next trail adventure from the picturesque covered bridge.

Big Canoe's famous covered bridge spans meandering Blackwell Creek

From the covered bridge, you have a choice of

Spring rains create rapids on Blackwell Creek

taking the John Williams Trail which leads to the Equestrian neighborhood, or the Covered Bridge Trail, that joins with the Blackwell Creek Trail. If you don’t wish to retrace your steps, you may return on the Botanical Gardens Nature Trail, all of which are marked with color coding on the trees. 

Stay tuned for some of the other beautiful trails next time, and if you want a guide, please call us and we’ll show you the trails and all of the other wonderful amenities Big Canoe has to offer. Happy Trails!

Margo and Peter

The professional golf course, designed by Joe Lee, affords a welcomed challenge for both beginners and more experienced golfers. The golf course meanders through rolling woodlands and valleys, along rippling streams and surrounds shimmering Lake Sconti.

              Picturesque #9  Fairway, Lake and Green, Creek Golf Course

Included in the professional golf complex at Big Canoe are a driving range, two practice putting greens and the fabulous new Sconti Clubhouse with its fine dining restaurant, casual dining pub, snack shop, pro golf shop, two teaching golf professionals, private club/meeting rooms, and an expansive patio for parties, special events and wedding receptions.  All rooms in the clubhouse and the patio offer captivating lake and mountain vistas. 

                                       Big Canoe’s Fabulousl New Clubhouse

Let us show you around Big Canoe and while you’re here take the time to enjoy a round of golf!  We, at Mountain Home Resales, would be happy to assist you with any future real estate needs.  Call us at 706-268-6426.

We’re confident, it’s just a matter of time before the real estate market takes an upswing again. Many economists expect the economy will bottom out and start expanding later this year.  In the meantime, you may want to adjust your strategy to deal with today’s challenges.  Here are a few tactics to consider adopting:

• In the current buyer’s market there’s an opportunity to buy at a lower price. It can be an optimum time to buy since homeowners looking to sell their homes or homesites present a perfect opportunity for buyers.
• Falling mortgage interest rates are at their lowest levels in decades. Locking in a low rate will save you thousands of dollars on mortgage payments over the course of the loan.
• When selling, first impressions are everything and are certainly a key calling factor in this market. As you know, home buyers are lured by curb appealing, clean, attractive and well staged houses.
• Money spent on enhancing desirable features make a favorable impact on buyers and can lead to your receiving a more favorable selling price.
• In this tough real estate market, it may be beneficial to offer a buyer’s incentive. That may include enticing the buyer with a washer and dryer, a flat screen TV, a one-year home warranty, a buyer’s allowance for painting and/or new carpeting, or even a get-away vacation at a desirable location.  
• Price the home fairly.  In this slow market with high inventory, and potential buyers delaying home purchases, overpricing can lead to prolonged time on the market by causing the listing to become stale. It is advisable to price the property below comparable property in your area to attract offers. 

We, at Mountain Home Resales, would be happy to assist you with any future real estate needs. Call us at 706-268-6426.

If you like playing tennis or would like to learn how to play the game, Big Canoe is the place for you!

• Our tennis facilities feature 10 courts (with more to come) for you to enjoy singles or doubles tennis. There are lighted indoor and outdoor courts as well as both hard surface and clay surface courts. 

Big Canoe Tennis Courts

• You can participate in social tennis or more competitive USTA (United States Tennis Association) and ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Assoociation) league play.  There are are opportunities for you to play no matter what your skill level, whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced player. If you wish to improve your game, there are individual and group lessons available.                                                   
• Come down to the tennis courts and enjoy a match with family or  old friends and meet new friends. If you’re interested, there are informal King of The Mountain and Queen of the Mountain round robins played on Saturday mornings. There are also several organized tennis tournaments during the year.
• There’s the occasional diversion from serious playing as evidenced by the following photos taken at the end-of-the-season “Tennis Ball” with a Fifties theme.

Tennis Ball Costume Winner

Some of the Other Characters Attending

We would be glad to give you a guided tour of our recently renovated tennis center. And while you’re here, let us show you some of the Big Canoe homes and homesites available in our idyllic North Georgia mountain lakes Big Canoe community.  Call us at 706-268-6426, or visit our website at www.MountainHomeResales.com.

Where To Live After Retirement

You can live in Phoenix, Arizona where….

• You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade.
• You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.
• The 4 seasons are tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

You can live in New York City where….

• You think Central Park is ‘Nature’.
• Eye contact feels like an act of aggression.
• English is regarded as a foreign language.

You can live in California where….

• The 4 seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud, and Drought.
• You make over $250,000 and still can’t afford to buy a house.
• Every few months the media reminds you that it’s only a matter of time until the “BIG ONE.”

You can live in Minnesota where…

• Halloween costumes are designed to fit over parkas.
• The 4 seasons are: winter, still winter, almost winter, and construction.

You can live in Colorado where….

• You carry your $3,000 mountainbike atop your $500 car.
• You call your car mechanic every quarter to schedule your brake jobs. 

You can live in Florida where….

• You can drive 500 miles and never see a rise in the road or any color but palmetto green.
• You can saddle up your kitchen roaches and ride them to work.
• Cars in front of you are often driven by headless people.

OR…

You can live in Big Canoe, Georgia where….

• Every year there are 4 breathtakingly beautiful ‘moderate’ seasons.
• Your home is in the Appalachian Foothills with spectacular mountain and lake views.
• You can afford an idyllic mountain cabin retreat, or a gorgeous luxury home with a view to die for.
• The unlimited amenities and activities make you feel like you’re living in a resort–and you ARE!
• You are surrounded by the peaceful serenity of a pristine natural environment.
• You have more like-minded friends than you’ve ever had in your life.
•  Metropolitan Atlanta is only an hour away if you miss the traffic and noise of the city.
  

  Big Canoe's Lake Petit and Surrounding Mountains

So, if you’re thinking or retiring–or not–come on up and we’ll give you a tour and let you decide.

Happiest of Holidays,

Margo and Peter

With history as a barometer, the encouraging news is . . . it’s just a matter of time before real estate takes an upswing again. In the meantime, you’re likely adjusting your strategy to deal with today’s challenges.

Here are some essential things to consider: 

FOR BUYERS:

• In the buyer’s market we’re currently experiencing, there’s an opportunity to buy at a lower price.
• There’s a large inventory of homes and lots from which to choose.
• Interest rates are near an all-time low, and buyers will save thousands of dollars on mortgage payments.
• This market can be an optimum time since homeowners looking to sell their home or lot presents a perfect opportunity for buyers. You don’t want to wait since interest rates are likely to go higher. For example, each one point interest rate increase translates to an added $10,000 on the price of a house.

FOR SELLERS:

• First impressions are everything and are certainly a key calling factor in this market. Buyers are lured by curb appeal, meticulously clean, attractive and well-staged houses. 
• Money spent on enhancing desirable features makes a positive impact on buyers and can lead to your receiving a more favorable selling price.
• In this tough real estate environment, it may be beneficial to offer a buyer’s incentive. That may include enticing the buyer with a washer and dryer, a flat screen TV, a free one-year Home Warranty or a buyer’s allowance for painting and/or new carpeting, or even a get-away vacation at a desirable location.
• Price the home fairly.  In a declining market, overpricing can lead to prolonged time on the market. It’s advisable for sellers to get a market appraisal before listing. The harsh reality is that home values have declined in North Georgia from five to as much as fifteen percent in some markets. Sellers must be prepared to price their home at current levels to compete with an over-abundance of homes on the market.   
• Three critical areas which will help to sell your real estate more quickly are: Pricing (realistically what it’s worth today), Condition (not in need of renovation) and Marketing (professional assistance to get your house sold more quickly).
• What you may have to concede in your selling price can be more than offset when you purchase your replacement home.

Whether you’re buying or selling real estate in Big Canoe or other communities in the North Georgia Mountains, give us a call at 706-268-6426.  We will gladly assist you!

Peter and Margo Vallone, Realtors

www.MountainHomeResales.com

I can’t resist sharing the beauty with you. I’ve taken hundreds of fall photos during the seven years we’ve lived in Big Canoe, so it was hard to choose only a few for this post. But I think these five best showcase the magnificent kaleidoscope of the prolonged fall season in Big Canoe and the North Georgia Mountains.

We feel blessed to wake each morning to the ever-changing panoramic view of these mountians cupping Lake Petit.

View of Lake Petit and Early Fall Colors From My Office and Home

110-acre Lake Petit is the largest of Big Canoe’s three lakes. This shot taken from the dam below our home accentuates pretty little Eagle Island.

The Fall Colors of Eagle Island Are Reflected In The Emerald Waters of Lake Petit

Hey golfers, there are 26 more holes just as beautiful (and challenging) as this one. 

Creek Golf Course Hole #5 Near Lake Disharoon and Wolfscratch Village

From a 3,200 ft. elevation, you have this incredible view of the interior of Big Canoe with Lake Petit glistening like a gem in the center. Our home is the third dot from the left near the top of Audubon Ridge opposite the lake.

Breathtaking View of Big Canoe's Lake Petit!

This is the view from our new $10 million dollar clubhouse resting on the shores of Sconti Lake, which is surrounded by Creek Golf Course.

The Cluster Homes of Laurel Ridge Look Like A Quaint Alpine Village Across Sconti Lake From The New Clubhouse

If you didn’t make it up in person to see our spectacular fall, Big Canoe and North Georgia are just as beautiful the other three seasons of the year. In fact, if you are looking for a Big Canoe home or lot for sale with a fantastic view, winter and early spring are the best times for us to show you a property’s view potential. Just give us a call at 706-268-6426 for a no-pressure tour.  In the meantime, stay tuned for my upcoming photo blog on Big Canoe sunsets.

Cheers,

Margo

“Most people believe that real estate is a great long-term investment, and a second home is a wonderful way to get into the action. A second home enables you and your family to enjoy vacations in a resort-type mountain community like Big Canoe, or at a beach resort.

Lenders and real estate law say that there are two types of second homes. An investment property second home will generate income. A personal use second home will be used for your friends’ and family’s pleasure only.  If your income is adequate and your credit score is the 700s or above, you can probably qualify for a full-doc loan on a second home just as you would have before the mortgage meltdown. For a personal use second home, lenders will typically follow the same guidelines as primary residence purchases. For an investment second home, lenders will follow investment property guidelines.

Here are some things to consider for investment second homes: Location, location, location! It’s true,  location is everything in real estate, and especially for investment second homes. The location of your second home is probably the single most important selling point to keep the property rented and to generate income. And a good location allows you to charge at the high end of local rental rates. Keep in mind your opinion of the location as a place to live doesn’t come into play if this property is strictly for income generation. You’re just looking to become a landlord, not live in the second home, so the location should appeal to your targeted renters.

The investment second home is a great deduction when tax season comes around. Repairs, upgrades and expenses will reduce your bottom line. The personal use second home will provide a lifetime of memories for your family and friends. There will be tax implications for both scenarios. Ask your CPA for their professional opinion. Now, go find a great second home and enjoy!”

Steve is always helpful and happy to answer questions about any kind of real estate purchase. He can be reached at:

770-274-2853

stevenhale@georgiaplatinummortgage.com. 

Come on up to the North Georgia Mountains and see us!

Peter and Margo Vallone