Highlands Real Estate

As you can tell by reading through the previous posts, I love winter. In fact, as a vacation a few weeks ago, I went to California and happened to be in Squaw Valley while 101 inches fell from a Monday to a Friday! 101 inches! Let’s just say I could stand nude in front of my first-floor plate glass window and not have to worry about a thing.

And the skiing was fantastic!

But now that I’m back, I’m ready for spring and was deceived for a day or two. Yesterday morning, I woke up, took the necessary Alavert, and headed out for the day in shorts and a tee-shirt. I took a great run up to the top of Scaly, wiping sweat from my brow. I took the deck furniture from its winter hideaway and cooked out on the grill.

This morning–after a wail of a night (gosh, the winds can howl on Little Bearpen)–snow on the ground.

Oh well…..

In a way, this is sort of like the real estate market these days. It warms up a bit and then chills back down. But the “season” is inevitably coming and we’re all anxious to see what’s going to happen.

It’s a buyer’s market. We all fully realize this fact. No doubt. No question…….

But…..

“You get what you pay for.”

Remember that old adage? Are we to believe that just magically over the last couple of years this truism is now irrelevant?

Nope…. We are not. And there are some cautionary tales out there to remind us of this fact.

Yes, a buyer can get some great deals, but when deals aren’t good enough–when only “steals” will do, then watch out. For instance, I know of a situation now where a couple has found what they want. But he’s not willing to pay what the seller requires (even at a vastly reduced price from what it was originally). And now they’re looking at a foreclosure spec house: in a good neighborhood, yes, but about the worst spot in the whole development. And a house which has features which I’ll never understand. (“Why the hell did they do that?” is a pretty constant refrain in this business.)

Of course I wish them well. Hope they can make it a great home. But “everything that glitters is not gold.” And I fear that too many people these days, in their attempts to get only the best deals, are, indeed, getting what they’re willing to pay for……

My dad, who was not a wealthy man, but a smart one, would say this on a regular basis: “It pays to go first class.”

Especially when you can go first class for the price of coach…. But that’s what lots of buyers are overlooking these days.

It’s like that commercial (I forget what for) where the lady has her kid dressed up like a dog in the pet carrier at the airport. For some people these days, cheap is the only thing that’ll work, whether they get what they want or not….

Oh well………

It’s hard to believe that these mid-February temperatures near 60 are going to last, but as is true with everything else in life, I’m going to appreciate them while they’re here. Why not? So much in life is fleeting; if we fail to relish these moments, then they’re gone and we have nothing to recall with a smile.

But, honestly, I love winter! In fact, most people take off on vacations this time of year, heading to some beach on an island somewhere. Me? Off to Jackson Hole this year for a great few days of skiing. One morning, my buddy and I went to Yellowstone: it was 22 below zero as we prepared to enter the park. OK, that’s cold even for me. But when we left a few days later, temps were in the mid-40s. Great mountain, great town, great skiing. Every time I go to a ski area, the unavoidable comparisons emerge. Jackson comes up very favorably.

But back home to Highlands and a seeming early spring. The stock market is up, but it’s no doubt still a crazy world out there. As usual, the real estate market has been winter slow up here, but what will the “season” bring this year? Many potential buyers will see their portfolio values up and have the confidence to take advantage of a buyer’s market in Highlands area real estate. Banks may not always cooperate as congenially as we’d wish, but there’s money out there at great rates. So, all told, we should have a decent year up here, maybe a great one.

But it’s an interesting world for both buyers and sellers. Sellers, by and large, are aware of the market conditions and are ready to deal accordingly. But there’s a catch. Many (most) of the comps are from “distress” situations (foreclosures or emergency sales–not a bunch of them, but enough to skew the numbers) or they’re from situations where sellers can afford not to care and sell at lowball prices just to be rid of something. The reality is this: most of our sellers don’t have to sell. Though the pool of comps we have comes largely from situations as described above, there’s a huge elephant in the room which we cannot just ignore: all those that don’t sell because the sellers say to hell with it. They don’t have to sell at lowball prices and they’re not.

Buyers, understandably, want to look at the distress comps, want to look at the real estate market across the country, and make what they consider to be legitimate lowball offers. But, in this market, they’re not that legit after all.

This issue is this: getting the house a buyer wants at a price he’s willing to pay. Some people, oddly, just buy something because it’s a bargain. As I’ve often said: I have stuff in my closet that I bought half off at an outlet store. It didn’t fit then: it don’t fit now. And it’s still ugly.

Obviously, this world encourages a buyer to do all he can do to get the best bargain he can get. But there’s still enough common sense around to realize that you get what you pay for.

I love helping buyers find properties which, quite frankly, make them happy…….. The great price is only part of the happiness. Getting the right house in the right place is a significant aspect of making a “great” deal.

So, with spring around the corner and the roads no longer covered with snow, I hope you’ll make a trip up to check out the great deals the Highlands area has to offer. I’ll enjoy meeting you and showing you around.

And, yes, you can get a great house at a great price. But it is important to be aware of the totality of our market conditions as you look around and make an offer. And in the long run, it’s a good thing for everyone, including you as a new buyer. Let’s be honest: you don’t want to buy in an area where there’s more distress than stability. You want to buy in a solid, stable place–a place you can enjoy, and know that you’ve made a good long-term investment, regardless of the ups and downs of the market.

 

Thanks for checking out my new site! Over the last couple of years, I’ve tried to provide an easy-to-use spot to learn everything you need to know about Highlands and the surrounding area. With the new format, I hope it’s now easier than ever.

And one benefit of this new platform is that I can more easily keep you up to date with my listings and other relevant info about what’s going on up here. I’ll be able to blog with much more frequency, sharing my insights about the real estate market–and anything else which strikes my interest (and hopefully yours!).

Please feel free to get in touch–ask questions, set up a visit, get recs about restaurants or hiking trails. However I can assist, I’ll be glad to help.

And I’ll look forward to meeting you and showing you around as soon as we can make arrangements……

And, by the way, the snow has been gorgeous up here!!!!! Wintertime in the mountains: man, I love it…..

Check this out: Interesting insights as to why it’s time to seriously consider your future in Highlands…..

It’s been an almost ideal autumn–except for the fact that people who can’t drive worth a word I can’t write here are occupying the roads…

But seriously: the colors may not be the most brilliant they’ve ever been, but they are gorgeous. We’ve had cool mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. A fire at night: short sleeves for the afternoon hike. An ideal combination.

If you’ve not had a chance to drive up and explore, now’s the time. I’m not getting a sense that they’re going to last long. My driveway is already paved with burnt orange….

******

For decades, one of the prime spots in this part of the world has been the Highlands Country Club. With a history that includes Bobby Jones, a beauty that is unsurpassed, and a classic character that extends for generations, it is one of the most revered spots in the area.

I now have an ideal listing: a condominium with just a two-minute walk of the clubhouse. Two bedrooms, upper level. Great furniture (negotiable outside of the terms of the contract). Golf course view. Just a three-minute drive to downtown.

A membership is available at the going rate upon approval.

So take advantage of this moment. At a price well below tax value and below comparable units, this is a great deal.

$795,000

MLS # 71872

September 8. 2010

Saturday morning I woke up excited–like the little kid that, in some ways, I still am. Football Saturday morning. Happy New Year!


Fifty-two degrees. I’d had to shut windows the previous evening. A breeze blowing. That first day when things begin to turn…


I’m not a hot-weather person. Never have been: that’s one of the prime reasons I live where I live. So that first turn of the world’s axis towards fall is a day of celebration for me. Of course, in the heat of summer, it’s cooler up here than most places, but when it gets to this time of year, I’m in the briarpatch. I love it all the more.


And football. Some kids play golf or fish with their dads. My dad and I would got to Georgia games. As I sat in the bright Athens sunshine during the pre-game Saturday, tears crept into my eyes. How he loved that world… And so do I. I lived in Athens before I moved up here: great town, so much to do, a world of energy, passion.


Not Highlands.


Sure, there’s plenty to do up here, but the pace is what it is, the attitude different. I love it…


But I’m glad that Athens is less than two hours away, that Atlanta is only two left turns from Main Street Highlands. Easy to get here; easy to get there…


I have a few new listings to highlight. The main one is an indescribably wonderful place in town. 3.65 acres of history, just a three-minute walk to the middle of Main Street. This combination of privacy and convenience is rare!!


Another new listing makes a total of 5.5 acres at the end of Hickory Knutt Gap Road. At the end of the world, but only 20 minutes from town on the Atlanta side.


A third is a mountain charm. Three large bedrooms, open and spacious, just a few minutes’ drive from town, but the pond and stream and private setting makes it your own little world.


Plenty to see, plenty to do… But at a Highlands pace.


Hope to see you here soon.

Summertime: it’s not exactly easy, but dang, is it nice! As you know, much of the East Coast has had a hot summer thus far. We’ve had a warm summer….I still haven’t put in AC. Once in a while, I think I should, but if I did, I probably wouldn’t use it three or four days a year. Just simply not worth the trouble. As I write this, the AJC webpage says it’s 90 in Atlanta. I’m in my office without a fan or AC: the doors been open for the entire afternoon, and I’m totally comfortable….

Just saying… You folks who like hot weather: there are plenty of options for you.

But for those who don’t: this is it…..


Please note that I have a new listing. Depending on what you want (price range, features, etc.), I’ll do what I can to find the right fit for you. But this house is a rare opportunity for the person who has the pockets (just being honest) and passion to own something that truly is ONE OF A KIND. http://www.highlandsrealestate.com/address.php?property_ID=389 If you’d like to come up and see it, please let me know.

In my most recent update, I wrote myself into a conclusion…a point which I had not really intended to make, but the more I think about it, the more sense it makes.

Why not Highlands? Why not now?

I’m not an alarmist. I’m not a conspiracy theory guy. I’m not one who’s going to vilify anyone or any political party just for the heck of it. I’m not stockpiling food and weapons.

But all that being said, it’s a crazy world out there these days. The economy looks as bad as it’s looked in a long, long time. Greece and the Euro. North Korea and Iran. Immigration unrest. Iraq and Afghanistan. Tea Party and Pelosi. Dead birds and BP and tax hikes and inept government…….and and and….

I’ve made the point many times as I’ve written on this site that Highlands and Cashiers and this whole surrounding area is NOT immune from the craziness of the world and the downturn in the market.

But for as long as this little town has been here, it’s been unique. A haven. A place where people came to get away from being somewhere else. Legend has it that the original town of Highlands was formed by crossing two pieces of strings on a map: between New York and New Orleans and Miami and Chicago. In one sense, we’re a center. A cultural center of fine art and fine restaurants and fine wine. Fine living. For a little town in the sticks, there’s a lot going on up here. (Just click on my helpful links button and explore; you’ll see what I mean.)

But we’re still in the sticks. It still rains a lot. It’s still 12-15 degrees cooler than anywhere else around. There are still lots of great hiking trails and little creeks with stones just waiting to be turned over.

It’s another world.

If you’ve EVER had the inclination to be here–either for a few down weeks a year, or for the rest of your life–now is the time to take action.

Perhaps it’s all a matter of perspective. The world is not nearly as crazy staring out into the horizon from a mountain perch or with your feet dangling in a cool creek.

We all struggle in our lives to identify the issues that matter the most…to find where we fit and how we function. Last time, I quoted the Wendell Berry poem “The Peace of Wild Things” and I paraphrase again here: when you lie in bed a night wondering how the center can hold (now I’m paraphrasing another poet too), the only option is to rest in the peace of the world.

The wackiness of the world is causing a lot of people to re-examine their priorities and perspectives. Perhaps now, more than ever, is the time for you to seriously think about planting roots in this little haven.

Last week I woke up one morning to about an inch of fresh snow. Most of what had been on the ground since December had melted, but winter was not yet done.

That afternoon, I ran in a tee shirt and shorts.

Yesterday morning, it was 32.

This afternoon: short sleeves……

Finally…….. Spring is showing that, yes indeed yet again, all is right with the world. I love winter…but I love spring too.

NOTE: I know of two business opportunities in Highlands. I can’t be very specific at this time, but I’ll glad work on your behalf to learn more if you’re interested.

One is technology based: sales, service, installation, etc.

The other is wine and gifts.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to move to Highlands, but kept asking the question: what will I do?

Now, you may have your answer.

As far as the rest of the market goes: who knows?

We had a busy fall, but as is always the case, things slow down during the winter. Now, as we head through April and into May, we’ll see what sort of season we’ll have real-estate wise.

Prices are low–and some coming down even further. As has always been the case, lots of sellers don’t have to sell and aren’t going to “give it away.” But even so, they’re aware of the overall market conditions and are willing to listen to offers. In fact, some sellers are very aware of what the money will buy them elsewhere and are taking steps to insure they can take advantage of good opportunities.

If you’ve wanted to buy in this area, it’s a great time to come up, look around, and put some numbers on paper to see what happens……

We are not overwhelmed with short sales and foreclosures up here as is the case in many other area, but click the link to take you to a selection of those opportunities in Highlands and the Cashiers/Sapphire area.

Just being honest: it’s COLD up here. Of course, from the weather maps I’ve been seeing, it’s cold pretty much everywhere in the Southeast this year, so not that noteworthy……

But a fact nonetheless.

But you know what….we live in the mountains….it’s winter….it’s supposed to be cold. And I love it.

One of my colleagues in on vacation right now. She just e-mailed that she’s sitting on a Mexican beach drinking a Margarita with the waves brushing her toes. 80 degrees.

It was three degrees here this morning. It’s 14.5 as I write this (click the “Current Highlands Weather” link on my home page and you’ll see what we’re at as you’re reading this). We’ve been largely white for going on a month. It hasn’t snowed that much–just been cold enough for it to stick around. Harris Lake is frozen solid; tonight people are meeting with ice-skates to build a bonfire and enjoy a Highlands winter in a way that’s been rare the last few years.

80 degrees is nice here in the summer: when it’s 95 in Atlanta and we’re at 80…no complaints. But 80 in January? Just doesn’t interest me…. I went to a bowl game in Orlando a few years ago: damn…too hot. That’s all there is to it. (I kind of enjoyed watching the Orange Bowl fans all decked out in coats last week…That’s more like it.)

The air is crisp: lung-chilling crisp. The sky is really blue (unless it’s all gray and snowy). Town is less crowded. Life is slower. The fire feels great. The big comforter makes home more like home. There’s that crunch when you walk….. It’s nice.

Of course, lots of people are in Highlands and Cashiers in the summer and disappear to warmer climates in the winter. But more and more are calling the mountains their full-time home. And winter is part of that charm…. I met with some clients last week on a 20 degree afternoon with the wind howling. It was like a siren’s song for them.

Business wise: the stability that we’ve been hoping for seems to be emerging. We have people looking around, seriously. We have pendings and closings to a degree we’ve not seen for a while. Buyers are still getting good deals (and likely will for the foreseeable future). Sellers are taking offers if they want (or need) the money for something else: maybe they’re just ready for their next adventure.

Whether you’re a winter person as I am looking for a home in the Southeast–or whether you’re a far more typical client who just wants a place to escape the summer sweltering–get in touch and let’s see what we can make happen.

Update from what I wrote last. The Christmas parade was great…. We may not have a White Christmas, but at least we’ve had a White Christmas Parade–there was definitely enough snow to count.

And check this out….an article in an Atlanta magazine. The relevant article starts on page 66.

Have a great Christmas!!!

It’s Thanksgiving week as I write this. And though I’ve never been one for jumping the gun on Christmas decorations too early, it’s about time.

One of the coolest events you’ll ever see (some years, quite literally) is the Highlands Christmas parade. Dogs and cars and kids and Santa: a little bit of everything that small town Americana can offer. If you’ve never come up for this event, it’s worth the trip! Make your plans…and fall in love with this place!

It used to be that Highlands went into hibernation after October. The leaves and people disappeared at the same time. But over the last decade, more and more people have discovered the beauty of Highlands this time of year as well. Now, lots of families spend Thanksgiving in the mountains…and Christmas and New Years. In the old days, most of the homes were summer cabins, not winterized. But, of course, now most of the homes are new and well-insulated or refurbished as cozily as possible.

On Christmas day, area restaurateurs get together to present a fantastic Christmas dinner with the benefits going to Habitat. Another great reason to be here for the holidays.

This site shows all that’s going on in December.

And on my links page, you’ll also find links to various inns in the area, including Old Edwards.

One of the nicest places to stay in the area is The Inn at Half Mile Farm. They’re offering 20% off all winter. Take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy mountain luxury. (Tell Wendi that I told you about the winter rates….)

And while you’re here, let’s get together and look at what’s available. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had two closings so things really are picking up a bit. I’d love to show you around.