MOUNTAIN EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

If you’re thinking of moving to the North Georgia mountains and wondering what there is to do besides admire the view, check out this list of eclectic events happening this summer and fall.

Appalachian Wine & Jazz Festival

The annual Appalachian Wine & Jazz Festival will be held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee on June 11-12 with two days of wine, jazz, food and artists. Visit mountainwinefest.com for tickets and details.

Blairsville Scottish Festival

Bagpipes, drums, games and food will bring the Scottish Highlands to Blairsville on June 11-12. Admission is $10 for one day or $15 for both days. Children 12 and under get in free. Visit blairsvillescottishfestival.com for details.

Georgia Wine Country Festival

Three Sisters Vineyards in Dahlonega is marking 15 years by hosting this festival every weekend in June. A garden featuring wineries from around the state will be featured along with food trucks, jazz and more. Visit threesistersvineyards.com for details.

Simply Homegrown Farmers Market

This big market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City of Clayton Municipal Complex in Rabun County. Veggies, herbs, handmade goods and more can be found in the stalls. Visit rabunmarket.com for a list of vendors and more information.

Rabun County Music Festival

The annual music extravaganza returns to the Rearden Theatre on the campus of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Rabun County. The lineup includes: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (June 19); Paul Byrom (July 10); Antsy McClain and the Troubs (July 17); Married to Broadway (July 31); and Emile Pandolfi (Aug. 14). Tickets and details at rabunmusicfestival.com.

Georgia Mountain Fair

This year’s fair is July 15-23 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Rides, live music, food and much more draw thousands of visitors each year. Can’t make the summer event? The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival is Oct. 7-15. See all the events happening this summer at the fairgrounds at georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival

The annual festival will be held in the downtown Blue Ridge City Park on Sept. 17 from noon to 9 p.m. There will be barbeque, live music, craft beer, fun stuff for the kids and more. Find more information at facebook. com/BlueRidgeBluesandBBQ.

Georgia Apple Festival

The annual event is held over two weekends – Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16 – in Ellijay. There will be more than 300 vendors, an antique car show, a parade and plenty of apples. Visit georgiaapplefestival.org for information.

Continued from page 42 sought-after spots is Wildcat, a mountain ridge neighborhood with a private reserve. Nearly half of the 700-acre area is set aside for usable green space, including 12 miles of walking paths and trails. Home sites share spectacular views of the neighboring mountains, wildflower meadows and lush forests.

Wercholuk said that other frequent requests include a master bedroom on the main level, open floor plans, four-season rooms, such as covered screened porches with fireplaces and grilling areas, and longrange mountain views and water views.

Slusser agreed that log and cottage style homes on a lake or with longrange mountain views are in the greatest demand. Many homebuyers are seeking a home off the grid, as well as tiny homes.

“Smart home technology is becoming a necessary feature for the out-of-town buyer,” she added. “Locks, security systems and thermostats that can all be controlled from a smartphone are increasingly important.”

Intown living is in big demand, too. She has a list of buyers looking to purchase a loft or cottage type dwelling within walking distance to the quaint downtown areas.

Gilmore has also noticed that intown living is popular. “It’s nice to put away the car and walk to town or the grocery store. Close proximity to town, spectacular views, and lakefront or golf community properties tick most of the boxes for location,” he said.

Cashiers has a new development in the construction phase which will be the first in-town eight-cottage community, just two blocks from the crossroads. Highlands’ new construction is increasing in-town and there are many resale homes and condos in the area at prices ranging from $300,000 to $6 million-plus.

Real estate has always been robust on the plateau, and the area is known for its expensive homes, so affordability is not something folks often look for, Gilmore stated. He quickly added that there are still homes and townhomes for every budget. Communities like Sapphire and Whispering Lake offer great values starting in the $300,000s. Many homes are sold fully furnished, allowing new residents to move right in and enjoy their mountain homes.

“Lots of homeowners can’t make it to the mountains every weekend, so they rent their homes using VRBO or one of the many rental management companies. It’s a great way to utilize your home and capture some funds for expenses,” he explained. “Clients in this area are typically very nice families that respect and care for others’ property.”

With all the interest in the Blue Ridge, some new developments have gained in popularity. The Heights at Cashes Valley offers elevated rustic living and is one of the most upscale communities in the area, according to Fitts.

“The prices per square foot in the community have yielded higher returns than anywhere in the county,” he said.

“The homes are architecturally designed using many natural materials, including rough sawn wood, natural poplar bark siding, live edge siding, board and batten, cedar shake and lots of natural stone accents and columns.”

A few other Blue Ridge communities with new construction include Shepherds

Ridge and Little Creek Overlook, located in the popular Aska Adventure Area. Necowa Cove is a community that offers lakefront living as well as properties with panoramic views along miles of Lake Blue Ridge with layered mountains in the distance.

“For lake lovers and those who enjoy boating, water skiing, stand up paddle boarding and jet skiing, this community is perfect,” noted Fitts. The homes overlooking the lake are in the $400,000$600,000 range and the lakefront homes range from $1 million to $1.5 million. Leading builders Big South Builders and Watkins Home Builders are responsible for many of the newly designed homes in the area.

Fitts added that the trend for Atlanta residents purchasing in the mountains has transitioned from the log cabin look to more of a modern rustic design. “This term in the north Georgia mountains simply means that the homes offer rustic charm and warmth with the modern amenities that most city folks are used to.”

Other requested design features are a wall of windows to take in the mountain or lake views, along with a fully stocked wet bar and fireplace to add to the ambiance. Also popular are finished basements with areas for entertaining, including media rooms, home theaters and game/billiard rooms typically equipped with pool tables, ping pong tables or shuffleboard.

“Most homebuyers want a spacious open floor plan because it’s family time when they’re in the mountains, especially when they’re here just for the weekend,” Fitts said. “Outdoor living space is key, so folks want lots of covered porches, decks and outdoor party porches featuring rock fireplaces, creating a spot that’s perfect for relaxing in the evening.”

Outdoor seating and a fire pit next to the stream means you enjoy the outdoors most of the year.