WHAT IS THAT FUNNY LOOKING BOX? QR CODES

Ever see those funny looking boxes that look like bar scanners? Wondering what they are? Well they are called "QR" codes and you use with your smart phone. Some phones have a QR code reader built in if not you can always download a app for reading them (check your phone app world). When you use the QR code app, all you do is take of picture of the QR code and it automatically takes you to a website/video or what ever else the code they wanted you see. They are great for getting more information about products you are shopping for or ways for Realtors promoting their houses for sale as well, so you will see more and more QR codes on real estate advertising. You can make your own QR codes and add them to emails, show pictures, videos or other items that you have uploaded to a website such as www.YouTube.com or www.snapfish.com.

Go ahead try the two codes I have included and see what happens. I hope this has help answer your question as to what those funny looking boxes are. Don't be afraid to use them. They provide a world of knowledge (cyberworld that is).

Looking for homes in the North Georgia Mountains, go to our website and have a look for what is new in the market.

Brian

GARDEN SHOP OPENS IN BIG RED BARN

After four months of hard work The Mountain Ridge Garden Shop has opened, just in time for Spring,Summer. After four years, Penny Trentman and Sue Johnson moved there shop from South Main Street to the red barn at First and River Street in Ellijay. The space is much larger so they can expand there gardning product lines as business grows. Educational classes will be conducted on a variety of related subjects. Call or stop by for more information.

Lightening-how far away is it?

Well I am sitting here at work on a raining lightening filled morning. I big bolt of lightening lit up the morning sky and then a little while later the rumbling of thunder came waifing through. That got me to thinking "I wonder how far away that was?". Well I racked my brain and could not remember do you count to 3, 5 or 7 to figure out the distance and you know, I could not remember. So I went to Wikihow and found the following:
http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-the-Distance-from-Lightning
There method is to count the time from when you first see the lightening to when you first hear the thunder. Take that time and divide by 5. That should give you the rough estimate of how far the lightning is away. So for example if you see the lightening and then count 10 seconds before hearing the thunder that would put it about 2 miles away. Now if I can just remember the 5 I should be good to tell the distance.
I then got to wondering what should you do to avoid getting struck by lightning. Again I went to Widihow and found the following:
http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Getting-Hit-by-Lightning. Well I hope this has been interesting and helpful. I'm getting under my desk now as the storm is really kicking up. If you want to look at Real Estate I would not suggest driving around today, how about just going to our Mountain Aire Realty website, staying indoors and enjoying the warm dry confines of you house. See you on a sunnier day.

Brian

2010 NE GA Board of Realtors Awards Banquet

The NE GA Board of Realtors held their 21st Annual Awards Banquet Friday February 25, 2011. The highlight of the evening was Donna Mousa brought home three separate awards: Top Produce for entire Board, Top Producer for Glimmer County and Platinum Circle Of Excellence Award. In addition, Mountain Aire Realty also took home more hardware when Kirbi Smith and Scottie Flynn each where recognized with Bronze Circle of Excellence award plaques. We here are Mountain Aire Realty are so thrilled to have these three award winners as apart of our team. It goes to show that even though we are a small office people wise, we can produce amazing numbers. We invite everyone to stop by for a cup of coffee and talk to any of our agents with any of your real estate needs.

Spingtime???

Spring or Winter you decide!!!

Well I do believe that everyone is tired of snow, cold and dreary days. Was the groundhog right? He saw his shadow so spring is only a short time away (click here to see the video). Yeah right!!! The rain and cold has replaced the white stuff (it wasn't too long ago I felt it was beautiful, oh a white Christmas) for now. Me personally I think we have at least one more snowfall before spring gets here.

I can't wait for the trees to get their leaves and the flowers to blooming. Bring on the 60's and 70's, go away 20's and 30's.

It wont be too long before we are complaining that it is too hot I know, but that is the great thing about having 4 seasons, not one last too long. Just when you are tired of it a new season is upon us.

Well I am starting to dream of swimming in the lake. So if you too want to start thinking about warmer times and dream of living at the lake or along a trout stream in your waders go to our website and browse the homes for sale.

Brian

What will a home inspection do for me?

Home inspections are something for every home buyer to think about. Home inspections can be very informing. When buying a home, you have the right to have an inspection done on the property if it is agreed upon in the contract. A home inspection can tell you many things. They look at the electric system, water system, the structure of the home, roofs and foundations. They also check appliances, the heating and cooling system along with the plumbing throughout the house. You can also request radon testing when getting a home inspection. It is important for you to know what you are buying when you make the agreement to purchase a property. There are many home inspectors in the county and outside of the county that offer services such as these I just mentioned. This is just one step in several when purchasing your new home!

~Kirbi~

Winter Wonderland???

Well so far Winter of 2011 has come in and showed its ugly side. It has been full of snow, cold (worst yet to come) and more snow. Today was supposed to be sunny and cold, well all it did was snow light flurries of and on all day. It looks like it may go through the night. Now I know folks in the northern states laugh at us here about all this but we are just not prepared for all of this. It looks like the snow may stick around for at least another 3 or 4 days. Usually when it snows here it is gone by the same or next day. It is pretty however I think most everyone is ready for it to go away until next year. For further weather updates go to The Weather Channel. If you would like your own peace of winter wonderland please contact us at Mountain Aire Realty.

GAHA PRESENT THE HOYLES BLUEGRASS BAND

The Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association will present a local bluegrass band, The Hoyles, on January 14 at 7 pm in the coffehouse at GAHA. The Hoyles have been performing bluegrass together as a family for more then 25 years. When hearing the Hoyles hard driving Scruggs-style banjo, triditional upright bass and smooth rhythm guitar licks, audiances have a hard time keeping their feet still. No reservations are needed. GAHA is conveniently located just off the round-about in downtown Ellijay, Georgia at 207 Dalton Street. For more infomation call 706-635-5605.

HERITAGE MUSEUM DISPLAYS PIONEER TOOL

The Heritage Museum at Gilmer Arts & Heritage (GAHA) has a brand new display, it is the Gilmer Tools Exhibit. The display will be on exhibit through March 31, 2011. The exhibit will showcase vintage tools, implements and household items from the mid to late-1800s. An added bonus in December will be the 16 panel traveling display from the Laura Ingalls Wilder House from the Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO. It includes photographs and information from Wilder and her famous "Little House" books. For more information: www.GilmerArts.org or call 706-635-5605. Admission is free.

Old Parker Place Land

Our office just listed this property. It is a beautiful piece of property along Vandergriff Creek. Very private setting with 7.69 acres (that is made up 3 lots which can be divided), great for an investment. An area has been cleared by the creek for picnics or just relaxing and listening the the water rush by. Relax in the Gazebo and listen to the branch with a small waterfall.

Several good building sites which include mountain view, creek frontage or wooded lot. There is a hiking trail to the Appalachian Trail and close by National Forest Service land. Visit our website for more information.

Brian

Tor is "touring" Ellijay!!

I wanted to update you on our scarecrow's adventures around town. "Tor" spent most of his time hanging out on the square for the local scarecrow contest. He was highly praised for his good looks :) He liked it on the square so he hung out until he heard that Community and Southern Bank was dressing up like pirates for Halloween on Friday Oct. 29. He decided that he had been on the square long enough and wanted to hang out with other pirates for the day. So Tor walked the plank and landed in the CSB lobby with all the other pirates! He greeted everyone as they walked in the door say, "Ahoy Maties!" When the bank closed for the day he and Chris the crow gathered up their booty and headed back to the safe harbors of Mountain Aire Realty.

We welcomed him home!!

Hanging out at Community and Southern Bank.

Watching out for other ships on the square.

~Kirbi~

Social Networking Really? Why?

As you can tell our Office has now started getting into the social media craze. Before I had a class through our Realtor Board I thought that it was all just a bunch of hooeeey, after the class I realized that there is a whole world out there more then just letting someone know that I am going to get lunch or going home. It really is a great way to get our message about about listings, the office and events the office is participating in. It really is a great way to promote the local area. It can reach far more people and more than just our neighborhood faster than anything else I could think about. Just a click and the world can find out what is happening in Ellijay, GA (not much usually but there's more then you would think). So follow us on Facebook or join our Twitter page to get the lastest updates.

So I am writing this blog hoping that others out there can find out a little more about Mountain Aire Realty and the things we do.

Stop by our office to find out about the area, enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or chocalate. We hope you hope you love the area as much as we do.

Brian

On the Way to the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a continuous marked footpath that goes from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine, a distance of about 2160 miles. The Trail begins in Georgia at Springer Mountain and leaves the Peach State 79 miles later at Bly Gap. The rugged and frequently rocky terrain reaches a height of more than 4400 feet and never dips below 2500 feet. You can reach Springer Mountain from Ellijay going up Big Creek road to Double Head Gap, from Georgia Highway 60 down Double Head Gap, or come from Blue Ridge across Aska Road to Newport and then Double Head Gap. All drives are beautiful this time of year by themselves. These are a few of the photos I took this week along the ride to the start of the drive up the mountain off Double Head Gap. Remember getting there is half the fun. The photo of the road is at the turn off of Double Head Gap. From Double Head it's 6.5 miles up to Springer. Keep your eyes open for the beauty all around you no matter which road you take.

Visit Carters Lake

VISIT CARTER'S LAKE

Carters Lake is a 3,220 acre US Corp of Engineers lake in the north Georgia mountains between Ellijay and Calhoun. There is plenty to do on and around this beautiful lake. There is camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating , biking, picnicing, and swimminng. Take a picnic to one of seven recreation areas. Put you boat in at one of the ramps available at four different locations. Hike to the see the water of Tails Creek cascading over the rocks into the lake at Ridgeway Park. Play horse shoes while the kids enjoy the play structure at North Bank Park. There is something for everyone to do. Last Sunday at North Park there was an outdoor wedding. For more information, maps and the history of the lake go to the Carter's Lake Visitors Center off Highway 136.

39th ANNUAL GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL

Today is the beginning of the Georgia Apple Festival and while driving around Ellijay we see auto plates from as far away as Michigan and Ohio. It's that good an event. Skies are sunny with a cool breeze in the air, you can't ask for a better Fall then that. The Apple Festival is this weekend and next, October 9 - 10 and October 16 -17 in Downtown, Ellijay, Ga. Come, join the fun.