Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Down economies reduce consumer spending, creating a bind for retailers.  As excess inventory collects dust, companies have little choice but to drop prices in hopes of selling more product.

For the bargain shopper with extra cash right now, there are some terrific deals to be had out there.  This 4-minute piece from NBC’s The Today Show highlights a few of them.

• Wines over $25 per bottle reduced up to 50%


• High-quality diamonds reduced up to 30%


• Summer rental homes reduced up to 50%

Now, these aren’t everyday-type purchases, but when the economy turns around for good, the bargain-priced items highlighted in the video are expected to return to their former price levels. 

If you have the means, therefore, consider taking advantage while costs are down.

Dan and his family purchased a Toccoa River Front Home along one of the most highly desired stretches of the River. Their River Home is located just outside of Blue Ridge, GA. in an area known as Fish Trap Trail. Named appropriately because of the 3 natural Indian Fish Traps along the Toccoa River . If you are not familiar with exactly what a Fish Trap is, it is where the Indians would stack the rocks along the river bed to form an arrowhead like shape to trap the fish so that they could spear them or catch the fish in a basket. These Fish Traps are still somewhat used today, except you use a Fly Rod instead of a Spear!

The Toccoa River Cabin is the perfect place for you or your family to come and stay while visiting the North Georgia Mountains. Even if you are not an avid Fly-Fisherman, it is a very warm and inviting Mountain Home. The Levin’s have really done a great job with the decor’ and preparing this River Front Home to accommodate various lifestyles and guests. You will enjoy River Front and Mountain Views and Relaxation! Take a Tour of the Toccoa River Cabin and see for yourself, it is a GREAT place to stay.

So, if you are a Fisherman and looking for a place to stay in Blue Ridge Georgia,  you can’t ask for much better than this. Nearby is the infamous Curtis Switch Bridge. Anybody that Fishes knows where Curtis Switch is located. There are so many other Things To Do in and around Blue Ridge, and I am sure there is something for everyone.

Please be sure to check out what Dan, Linda, Alexander and Zachary had to say about me!

If you end up making a GREAT choice and plan your stay at The Toccoa River Cabin, please come back to The Porch and let everyone else know just how wonderful your stay was in the North Georgia Mountains!

Make it an AWESOME day!

SIMPLY AMAZING!

You are hands down the best Realtor that we have ever worked with.

Your customer service is second to none and we would not have been able

to purchase this home with your your expert guidance, persistence and

local knowledge and assistant.

” We Loved the Video that you posted showing us the home again”

Thank you for everything that you did for our family!

Just know that we consider you a friend and look forward to seeing you

when ever we are up for some rest and relaxation.

You are the Best!

Dan, Linda, Alexander and Zachary Levin

Toccoa River Vacation Home

Dan,

You have an AWESOME family and it was my pleasure I can assure you to have the opportunity to work with you and Linda. I so much appreciate your loyalty to me before, during and especially after the sale!

I am also grateful to be considered a friend, because afterall, isn’t that what it is all about in the end! I hope that you and your family have years and years of enjoyment in your new North Georgia Mountain Home on the Toccoa River. Blue Ridge, GA. and I welcome you!

Hope to spend some time with you guys soon. Make it an AWESOME day and everyday after!

Chad

Happy Birthday America!

When: Friday July 3, 2009 at 9:30

Where: Meeks Park in Blairsville, GA.

Don’t forget – The Blairsville Fireworks  Display sponsored by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce  will be held Friday, July 3rd at Meeks Park .  The show will begin at approximately 9:30pm. 

 As a special treat this year, we invite eveyone to tune in to Mountain Country 103.9 FM for a live broadcast from Meeks Park beginning at 8:30pm.  Listeners will enjoy an uninterrupted musical tribute to America’s Birthday! 

The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce and Everyone in Blairsville would really like to Thank the following contributors that together have made this Celebration possible:

United Community Bank

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC

Appalachian Community Bank

Nantahala Bank and Trust Loan Production Office

Re/Max Enotah Realty

The Cash Store

Blairsville Pets

Busy Bee Printing and Signs

Mountain Country 103.9

Union County Recreation Department

When: Saturday July 4th, 2009 4:00 P.M. til Dusk – Fireworks Begin!

Where: Lake Blue Ridge Marina

Honestly, this is one of the Best Fireworks Shows in all of North Georgia! Beautiful setting just off of the shores of Lake Blue Ridge , with hundreds and hundreds of boats floating close by, it is a spectacular sight to see. If you are in Blue Ridge, you do not want to miss it!

515 east to Windy Ridge Road (Conoco station & Kentucky Fried Chicken) go to flashing red light turn left, follow Old Hwy 76 to the Marina
Barbeque and live music from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fireworks display at dusk.
For more information, call 706-632-2618

When: Friday July 3, 2009 Approximately 9:30 P.M. (Dark)

Where: Tater Hill, McCaysville, GA.

The Tri-Cities Business Association continues a long standing Copper Basin tradition of celebrating our nation’s independence with a fireworks display from the top of “Tater Hill” in McCaysville a half an hour past sunset (approximately 9:30 pm). The fireworks can be seen from almost all areas of town. Stores & Restaurants will be open late. Other activities during the Independence Day weekend include an old fashioned street parade on Main Street in Ducktown, a Pancake Breakfast in Epworth and Miner’s Homecoming activities all weekend.

Rockin In The Park

When: Friday July 3, 2009 5:30 to 9:00 P.M.

Where: Downtown Blue Ridge, GA.

Historic District across from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad Depot
Three Rockin’ Bands play from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Blue Ridge to celebrate the Fourth of July. Featured bands are Breaking Point, Surrender and Raven. The downtown merchants will be staying open until 9:00 p.m. Come down at 5:30 to the City Park for a plate of spaghetti for only $5.99 for adults and children are 1/2 price. All proceeds are benefiting Light Up Blue Ridge, held each year the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Blue Ridge Business Association
706-632-3242

At the start of the year, the “experts” made a lot of predictions about the U.S. economy and what to expect in 2009. 

• Some said housing would rise
• Some said housing would fall
• Some said mortgage rates would rise
• Some said mortgage rates would fall

And nobody predicted just how big the government’s stimulus package would be.

Now, on June 30, with the year officially half-over, it’s as good a time as any to remember that people are much better at interpreting the past than predicting the future.  Economists can make educated guesses about the future, but they’re guesses nonetheless. 

It’s like watching the Weather Channel.  A meterologist can look at the data and say it’s going to rain next week, but the forecast is never 100%.

So far this year, mortgage rates have been up and down, credit availability has been higher and lower, and home prices have varied immensely from neighborhood to neighborhood. 

There’s another 6 months until 2010 and there’s no reason to expect the current volatility and uncertainty to change. 

The world is unpredictable and so is the U.S. economy.  Therefore, consider making your personal finance decisions based on the information at hand today instead of on an educated guess about the future.

After all, the weatherman’s been wrong before.

Harbin Woods

Harbin Woods is conveniently located within a two hour drive from Atlanta, GA Chattanooga, TN and Asheville, NC. It is within driving distance to Lake Nottely , a beautiful 4,180 acre TVA lake; and the towns of Blue Ridge Georgia , Murphy North Carolina, and Blairsville, Georgia. Please visit our Location page for more detailed directions.

Harbin Woods subdivision offers lots ranging between .91 acres to 2.19 acres and will vary in price from $19K to $76K. Please view our Plat/Lot Info page for a layout of the subdivision and the lot prices.

If you’re looking for a private, quiet subdivision with mountain views, Harbin Woods is just the place for you!

At the present time, the Owners and Developers of Harbin Woods are offering for a limited time, Owner Financing on all remaining lots within the development. This is a huge incentive if the prices weren’t enough.

Currently there are 38 Vacant Lots For Sale and 3 Homes For Sale within Harbin Woods. Just within the past 60 days there has been 1 Residential Sale and 1 Lot sale.

If you would like an additional information on any of the listings that you have seen in this post, please feel free to call me at 706.994.8686, or you Contact Me.

In between visits from the exterminator, it’s not uncommon to see the occasional ant, spider or roach or insect around the house.

But what to do about it?

One solution is Terminix SafeShield, a new, eco-friendly home pest control product introduced earlier this year.

Formulated by an independent pesticide company, Terminix SafeShield is a non-aerosol bug spray whose active ingredients are all-natural.  The formula is said to control 25 types of in-home pests and kills bugs fast.

Because of its natural composition, SafeShield is safe for use around kids and pets — a huge advantage over chemical-laden, off-the-shelf products.  However, this same composition is also the product’s weak spot. Its oils and ingredients are most effective as spot treatments — not long-lasting ones.

Although it’s meant to complement a professional Terminix treatment, SafeShield can be purchased by-the-bottle at the Terminix website.