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12 | Special Section
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Did you know your local
Virginia-Highland neighbor is a licensed
North Carolina Real Estate broker?
I specialize in luxury mountain homes,
breathtaking homesites, condominiums,
cottages, golf communities and vacation
rentals in the Highlands and Cashiers area.
As a 10-year resident and member of Old
Edwards Club (in Highlands, NC), I am
very familiar with the area and nearby clubs.
I have helped many discerning clients find
their vacation home, new club lifestyle or
homesite. When you’re ready to cool off and
create memories and make it your own - for a
weekend or forever - give me a call.
Bill Gilmore
404-455-5712
Highlands M
CoveRealty
AT OLD EDWARDS CLUIW
AT OLD EDWARDS CLUB
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BY KATHY DEAN
Were all looking for a
little peace and relaxation.
Many Atlanta residents
have found it in the moun
tains of north Georgia and
North Carolina. Places like
Ellijay, Ga. and Highlands,
N.C. offer small-town vibes
with big city amenities
and a variety of recreation,
shopping and dining expe
riences.
Annie Boland, North
Georgia Real Estate Special
ist, Atlanta Fine Homes So
theby’s, said that she sees
“tons of interest” in the area.
“Every year, our area seems
to become more and more
popular...and the increasing
values represent that.”
She noted that Blue
Ridge is continually ranked
among the top towns in the
U.S. for retirement. “This
brings lots of baby boom
ers looking to secure their
retirement home in the
mountains, even if they
aren’t ready to retire right
now,” Boland said. “They enjoy the home as
a vacation property and move in full-time
after retirement.”
In addition, younger generation buyers
purchase mountain homes to generate in
come and as an alternative or complemen
tary investment to their stock holdings.
“They usually buy fully furnished, turnkey
cabins and put them into
the vacation rental program
right away,” said Boland,
adding that they enjoy their
mountain homes when
their schedules permit and
eventually see a nice return
on their investment.
Bill Gilmore, a broker as
sociate at Highlands Cove
Realty at Old Edwards Club,
said he has sold to couples
from Atlanta who want a di
verse community and enjoy
the small town feel of High
lands. “There are also folks
who love golf, some of them
from Florida, and are look
ing for cooler summers to
extend their golf games into
the summer.” He added that
while he has sold to all ages,
his typical homebuyer’s age
is between 50 and 68.
According to Karyn
Woody, a Realtor with Har
ry Norman Realtors, she
expects the interest in the
north Georgia and Blue
Ridge mountains region to
increase. “Many people still
want an escape—a place to
relax and recharge—and the mountain ar
eas certainly provide that environment,”
she said. “Right now, the very low interest
rates help to make mortgages more afford
able and even make it more attractive for
those who don’t want to hold on to their
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