Helen Georgia should enjoy visitors from near and far this leaf season!  Gas prices are coming down and that will bring out "leaf lookers" as the locals call them, from Atlanta, South Georgia and Florida!  The recent rains should work in favor of good color this season.  Reports from the local weather people say it will probably be next weekend before the color hits its peak.  However, the weather people have been wrong before.  You probably will stand a chance of seeing our area in its fall glory for the next two weekends, but the week end of the 17th is good too!   Any hard rain (unexpected at the present time) will diminish the fall colors.  Come on up and see our area.  You have wonderful places to eat and lots of sight seeing in Helen!  Don't forget to stop in Cleveland!  Head on t... 10/15/2008

Everyone is asking "Are we there yet"?  Meaning, has the stock market hit bottom?  No one know for sure, but we are about as close as we are going to get.  How do you know if we have hit bottom?  You DON'T!  Once you know we have hit bottom, we are on our way up!  It is like asking what the winning lottery numbers are...you don't find out in time to win!  Once you know the numbers it is too late to buy a ticket.  In real estate once you know the market HAS hit bottom, and the key word is HAS, it is too late and the rates and prices are already going up.  What to do???  Use your own judgment, but ask yourself the hard questions.  Do you have money to invest?  Do you really believe the market and real estate are going to recover?  Do you really want to get the best deal?  How long can you... 10/13/2008

You want to buy a home.  (Not steal a home, but get good value). You are moving, you are motivated and you are worried.  This past week has frightened most prospective buyers.  Are there loans out there, and are the rates something you can afford?  The answer is probably so!  Real Estate is local and what is happening in California, Colorado or Texas is not what is happening in Georgia.  Your first step should be contacting a knowledgable real estate agent in the area you will be living.  If you are moving anywhere in the United States, Canada or Australia, I can put you in touch with a top real estate professional, at no cost to you.  Ask me about this service. If you are moving to Georgia, contact me. I will put you in touch with local lenders who will tell you what you can expect in ... 10/07/2008

Helen Ga has long been a destination for tourists and visitors from Atlanta, as well as other parts of the country.  "How's the Market" questions are still the number 1 question I hear, but the number 1 question right now is "How's the Gas"?  Better is the answer.  However as Atlanta goes, so goes Helen.  I mean by that, if the people in Atlanta can't get gas, they are not coming to Helen, even for Oktoberfest!  Of course once the gas situation is solved, we may get some "leaf lookers".   Time changes many things, a few weeks ago we were all upset with the prices of gas, now we would gladly pay the price if we could find the gas.  It is all demand and supply, not only does that drive the housing market, but the driving market also!  My calls and contact questions are changing.  At one t... 10/06/2008

Does the current economy downturn hurt possibilities of Lease/Purchase options?  Perhaps it has tightened up the procedure!  In the past, Buyers have been able to get into lease/purchase agreements with a minimum of problems.  Now?  Things are and will be changing.  In the past there was a low percentage of Lease Purchase agreements that ever reached the closing table.  In effect the Buyer was not able to clean up his/her credit and get a loan to close.  The Seller most often ended up just being a landlord to a buyer who was not a good risk.  With the credit crunch you will most likely see Buyers who have another home to sell, but with very good credit ratings.  Higher down payments and penalities for not closing loom on the horizon.  Buyers will think twice before entering into agreeme... 10/04/2008

If you are interested in the First Time Home Buyer Tax credit of $7,500 you may have some questions. First, who is eligible for the tax credit? A first time home buyer is a person who has not owned a PRINCIPAL residence in the 3 year period prior to this purchase.  If you are single, this is easy to understand, but if you are married, NEITHER husand NOR wife can qualify if either one has owned a principal residence in the 3 year perior prior to purchase. Second, the home must have been purchased (closed) between April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. It can be a single family home, or a condo, or a townhouse, as long as it is the Principal residence. Third you do not have to be a US Citizen to claim the th credit. IRS Publication 519 clairifies Non Resident Aliens, who are NOT eligible ... 10/02/2008

One of the best hikes in the Helen Georgia area takes you from the lodge in Unicoi State Park to the gazebo in Downtown. Start by driving North through Helen, then right (east) on Georgia 356. Turn right after you enter the park on the driveway that leads up to the lodge. There is plenty of parking here. Here at the lodge, you can obtain a free map of the trail. The trail begins in the parking lot, and begins the 3 mile descent into Helen. The trail is well marked, and is only steep in a few places. It passes through woodlands and some open grasslands. There is an excellent opportunity to spot deer, turkey, and all sorts of birds and small mammals. There are bridged stream crossing, but use caution in very wet weather. As you come into Helen, you will arrive in the Park just above the g... 08/21/2008

One of North Georgia's most popular tourist destinations is the Alpine Village of Helen.  Although the Bavarian façade of the town is relatively new, the history of the area is long and diverse. The ancient Mississippians who inhabited these lands gave way to the Cherokee Nation, who settled these rich valleys in the sixteenth century. There are still burial mounds visible in the region.  However, European settlers desired the fertile farmlands of the mountain valleys and eventually removed the Cherokees. The local economy became one of agriculture and timber harvesting. As the timber was depleted, landowners in the Nacoochee Valley area sought an industry to replace logging and supplement agriculture. The quaint Alpine village style of modern Helen was conceived in the 1960's as a way ... 07/17/2008

The North Georgia Lake and Mountain region offers excellent vacation opportunities for all kinds of recreational aficionados. Whether it's hiking, boating, canoeing, fishing, outdoor photography, horseback riding, rock climbing, gemstone mining, gold panning or just relaxing, North Georgia offers something for everyone. The Chattahoochee National Forest covers a third of the North Georgia Regions, and recreational facilities abound, There are also many state parks, the most popular being Vogel, Amicalola Falls. Blackrock Mountain, Moccasin Creek and Fort Mountain. The North Georgia Lakes include Lanier, Allatoona, Hiawassee, Carters, Hartwell, and Tugaloo. The Chattahoochee and Chatooga Rivers offer excellent opportunities for canoeists and kayakers. Waterfalls in the region include Ann... 07/14/2008

The north Georgia Mountain foothills begin in Helen, Ga.  If you haven't visited you should  Helen Ga is the second most searched site in Georgia, the first is Stone Mountain.  Helen, GA is a wonderful little resort town which boasts the headwaters to the Chattahoochee River.  More commonly known as "The Hooch".  If you need a place to kick back and relax, about an 75 miles northeast of Atlanta, you should not miss Helen.  Come to Helen on June 5th for the Balloon races, it is a sight to behold.  Investment opportunities are great now.  Interest rates are still low and don't forget about 1031 Exchange opportunities.  Visit my site to see real estate in the Helen area.  http://www.FlynnTaylor.com or email me.  Mail to: Flynn@FlynnTaylor.com  05/29/2008

Just love this!   Youth Fishing Days - 5/19/2007 at 8:30 - 4 pm Children and their special "big person" can fish in one of two ponds, stocked with catfish, bass, and bream. Fish caught in the ponds can be kept and staff are available to assist. Bring your own bait for the rods we provide. Use the Hwy. 75 entrance to the park. $3 parking. Phone: 706-878-3087 - Location: Smithgall Woods Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trl, Helen, GA 05/16/2007

I love living in the Mountains all year round.  I love the Winters because of the snow and beauty.  And really love the warm months because it means festival time.  One of my all time favorite events in the area is Alpine Helen Balloon Race. Alpine Helen Balloon Race - 6/1 - 6/2/2007 at 6 am - 9 pm 20 -30 Hot air Balloon race for the Atlantic Ocean. Local flying, tether rides all weekend., weather permitting. This is an early morning (6:00 am) or early evening event 6:00 pm. Free for attend, and Balloon rides cost vary. Phone: 706-878-2271 - Location: Helendorf River Inn & Conference Center, 33 Munichstrasse, Helen, GA   All more reason to live or own a house in the mountains.       05/05/2007

The glorious North Georgia Mountains are just 85 miles north of Atlanta and a day trip from Florida. For a great way to have a "look see"- visit www.GetGeorgiaMtns.com White County, Georgia has been named one of the Top 10 places in the United States to relocate, retire or invest- by CNN and CNN Money.In addition, White County has been named one of the TOP 12 places in the United States to have an affordable second home- by the Wall Street Journal.Harriet Carter specializes in ALL types of North Georgia Mountain investments in and around Helen, Cleveland, Sautee-Nacoochee, Clarkesvlle, Cornelia, Batesville, Baldwin, Mt. Airy, Demorest and Clermont.Properties include: Luxury and Golf Community Homes www.HelenGeorgiaGolf.com , Lake and Riverfront, relocation, second homes, rental income i... 04/13/2007