Prepare to embark on a journey to 244 Jocassee Ridge Way, an extraordinary building lot that combines the allure of endless sunshine with unparalleled waterfront access. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of South Carolina, this remarkable property offers the perfect setting for boating enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With panoramic views, and the proximity of Jocassee Lake just 5 miles away and Lake Keowee only 7 miles away, 244 Jocassee Ridge Way invites you to create your dream home in a tranquil environment blessed with abundant sunshine and captivating water vistas.

A Boater's Haven Amidst Nature's Splendor: On over 2.4 acres of picturesque land, 244 Jocassee Ridge Way is a tr...

 10 Essential Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Introduction: Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone that signifies a new chapter in life. It offers stability and a sense of accomplishment. However, the process can be overwhelming, particularly for those unfamiliar with the real estate market. To assist you in navigating this journey confidently, we have compiled ten essential tips tailored explicitly for first-time homebuyers. Let's delve into these invaluable insights!

1) Be Selective and Realistic: Recognize that finding a perfect home is unlikely. Instead, focus on identifying a property that meets your needs and has potential for future improvements.

2) Conduct Thorough ...

2023 is another matter:  We have had interest rate increases, points are back and must be brought down, and the rules regarding who and how you qualify for loans have changed. Many people who qualify for loans do not qualify for as much now or not at all.  I must be creative -nothing routine in this business now. Financing is more accessible when the rates are around 7-9% since lenders enjoy a higher return. As a country, we have gotten used to lower rates for buying but have forgotten all the savers who have been short-changed for the past decades.

As the market is slowing, now is the time to talk to builders and get on the list for building your home, not three years from now.  Keith J...

We have added two new agents to the list this spring: Jesse Ezell is a native of Oconee County and is familiar with the lots at Jocassee Ridge, the mountain lakes, and most of the homes in the MLS. He lives in Westminster with his wife and two daughters. Jesse sold Harley Davidson motorcycles and equipment and has an instinct for getting answers to your questions or problems.  Jesse can be reached at 864-613-4088, call or text or email him at jesse@gfowler.com.

Carl Traenkner moved from Florida to Mountain Rest with his wife and new puppy.  Carl has been an agent for several years. He stepped up and managed things while I have been out and is particularly good at dotting on the I's and c...

Is it economical to rent rather than buy a home?
Choosing whether to rent or buy a home is one of the most significant financial decisions that you can make. For most people, buying a home presents improved privacy, control, and security. The choice is about personal preferences whose financial gain is insignificant. A mortgage is more complicated than rent is, thus making it challenging to determine a better deal between the two alternatives. However, no matter the prevailing conditions, buying a home is eventually more economical than renting.

Here are some of the reasons why you should buy a home!

Building Equity

For a mortgage, you will need to pay a huge down payment and monthly...

Have you been dreaming of a ranch of your own?
This might not be Montana nor is it 776,000 Acres but this property with the right vision could be the the home to your own "Dutton Ranch" unfortunately no Rip included.

192+ acres of woodlands and a river portion that feeds Lake Keowee, this property has the wide spaces and potential to the be private get away you have always wanted. Kayak or paddle board without boat traffic getting in your way, this is a quiet area. The 193 acres area has an abundance of mountain views including long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Over 1 mile of Bieman Creek runs through the middle of the rolling, foothills terrain. Over 10 miles of trails and ro...

Here is the Western Upstate MLS market update as of November 29,2022.

New Listings 10

Price Decrease 35

Price increase 2

Back on the market 9

Taking Backups 7

Pending 12

Sold 20

Leased 2

Withdrawn 13

Expired 1

These are the changes to the MLS in the past 24 hours.  As you can see prices are decreasing more than increasing.  The number of homes coming to the market is low and sales are out pacing the new ones coming to the market.  Many people are withdrawing listing during the holidays. We are also still seeing properties expire--few, but still some expire.

A true mini farm.  Just bearly an acre with all the fun things included: two bedrooms, one bath home, 780 SF.  1000 SF deck and covered porch.  The back property line is Sumter National Forest.  The side yard is fenced with woven wire fencing for your goats and chickens, and the final fun thing is a 20 x 30 workshop for storing fly fishing equipment, canoes, paddle boards, and kayaks.

This property is in a neighborhood but tucked back, so it is private.  The property is not visible from the main road, but the driveway is less than 300 feet. The Chauga river is less than 2 miles from the Cassidy Bridge Road landing. The Chattooga River is 5 miles from the Laurel Fork landing. The Chattoog...

Check out our new listing at  186 Lake Becky Road.  This home does need some TLC but it is in Sumter National Forest, less than 1 mile to Oconee State Park and the land is unrestricted so you can garden, have chickens and bonfires on these cool afternoons.  Call Gwen for a plat and the details.  864-710-4518.  or click the QR Code above.

Carrell Elizabeth is my granddaughter, and she has now started the 4th generation of giving blood.  We are so proud that at 16 she took time out today to go and give. Giving blood is a fantastic way to give life, as synthetic blood has not been developed at this point.

I hope this post will encourage everyone to make an appointment in October to give.  15 minutes and you will make some family incredibly happy.  My mother is 84 and was upset at 65 when they would not let her give any more --she did not weigh enough. At 62, I still give four times a year, and Henry gives too.  My daughter works in a lab and types blood for all procedures.

We give when someone needs but we also give regula...

Townes at Oakmont

The Townes at Oakmont is a DR Horton, planned townhome community of 69 units. You can choose between a three-bedroom model (1381 SF) with 2.5 baths and a single garage or a four-bedroom model (1554 SF) with 2.5 baths and a single garage. All bedrooms and laundry are on the 2nd level.  The Townes at Oakmont is a great community to consider if you are buying your first home or investing in a rental property for your Clemson students.  [Seneca City does not allow VRBO or short-term rentals inside the city limits—28 days or less.]

When you visit the model home at Townes at Oakmont, understand the agent on duty represents the seller, so if you want an agent to represent you...

Buying a home or land in Jocassee Ridge, Salem SC

Jocassee Ridge is a great residential area developed in early 2003, blending craftsman-style homes on estate-sized lots with natural rock outcroppings and mountain views.  Less than 5 miles away is Lake Jocassee, a man-made hydro lake locally known as “The Tahoe of the East.” The Jocassee area is enjoyed by hikers, canoers, boaters, and fishermen from all over the world.  If you have questions about Jocassee Ridge, Salem, SC, please contact us whenever it is convenient.

If you live in The Jocassee Ridge subdivision and have school-aged children, you have your pick of several excellent schools that can all be found nearby. The conve...

Sold & Closed 8/19/22

  The current dream is to paint the brick and make a new feel and a new house.  These sellers have been studying all the books and have created an oasis that is convenient for shopping, hospitals, and eating out.  This home has four bedrooms and two baths.  The den is oversized, has a fireplace, and is just off the kitchen so you will always be included in what is going on.  The screened porch is just off the den so when entertaining you have room for everyone to mill around.  The kitchen will accommodate multiple...

The storms last night knocked out the internet so today I am hot-spotting with my cell phone and trying to get things done. I am sitting here listing to tech support music play.  I have been holding for over an hour and I am next.  I hope I do not lose my place in line.

This month I have had 3 sales and have reduced 3 listings prices and I am working on getting 3 listings.  The magic of the 3s.  For anyone who does not work in real estate my goal, each week is to have a closing, list a new property, and put one under contract.  If you can make this happen you will have a steady income.

 I am getting a 2000 square feet brick house on 2 lots on Tuesday.  3/4 bedrooms, 2 baths with screene...

Jocassee Ridge Subdivision is a gated mountain retreat just 5 minutes from Jocassee Lake and Devil's Fork State Park.  This subdivision offers big, expansive views of the North Carolina Mountains.  This community has underground power service, city water, and high-speed internet...fiber optic. 

Jocassee Lake is 5 minutes away and is a public lake, some have called it the Tahoe of the east.  Waterfalls and pure clean water make this lake a true experience. The lake is 7500 acres and has about seventy-five miles of shoreline. There is only one landing on Jocassee so come early before the parking lot is full.  Lake Keowee is just 10 minutes away.  Lake Keowee has 18,500 acres and ...

My birthday was yesterday.  I am grateful to see another year.  2021 kicked my butt on several levels:

1) I had covid and lost the entire month of September

2) Because I had covid, my hair is falling out.  I did not know I was vain about my hair but I have discovered I am.

3) Because of Covid I did not get a vacation last year, I did not go to any concerts or fun events and I did not mingle with friends and family like I would have liked to.

But on the other side of the coin, I have aged to a new level. I appreciate simple things more:

1) Business was great, one of the best years I have ever had.  Lots of people sitting online reading about real estate and getting advice on how good ...

Each decade of new house construction increased until we got to 2010-2019. This article is based on the numbers in the Statista Research Department report dated 11/6/2020.

From 1900 -1909 there were 5.3 million homes built,

 1910-1919 - 4.3 million 

1920 - 1929--9.23 Million, post-WWI Era

1930-1939--5.42-This was the era of the great depression,

1940-1949-9.5 million,

1950-1959-21.38 million, Post WWII Era

1960-1969-20.21 million,

1970-1979-25.8 million,

1980-1989-25.1 million

1990-1999-26.6 Million

2000-2009-27.0 Million

2010-2019-5.8 Million  

We are not having a boom, we are just trying to catch up with the need for housing that was not addressed in the last decade.  I ...

Estate Sale

Tuesday, March 9th there will be an Estate Sale held at 209 Earle St in Wahalla SC.

It will run from 10 am till 5 pm. Anything not sold will be donated to local charities. 

There will be Items such as:

Couches

Beds

Kitchen/Dining Furniture

Patio Funiture 

Desk/Home Office Supplies 

NASCAR memorabilia 

Source: Western Upstate Association of REALTORS MLS. Current as of May 10, 2020

"While the stock market recovered significantly in March, the effects of COVID-19 to the economy continue to build. In just the last four weeks, more than 20 million people filed initial unemployment claims according to the United States Department of Labor, fueled by "stay at home" orders and a slowdown of economic activity across the country. Added to the unemployment claims from March, more than 30 million people have become unemployed since COVID-19 has become widespread in the U.S. In the face of these challenging times, real estate activity in April slowed significantly.

New Listings were down 30.1...