Rabun County: Home to lake & mountain beauty
By Eric S. Holder, Holder Communications.
Ask any longtime Georgia resident, from Athens to Atlanta, what’s one of their favorite things about living in the South, and you will hear stories of beautiful, lush, rolling mountain scenes augmented by festivals, fairs and events that celebrate our culture and sense of adventure.
Only a short drive away, the Northeast Georgia Mountains, in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, echo memories of big skies, glass lakes, family outings and romantic weekends in places called Helen, Clarkesville, Clayton and, increasingly, Rabun.
Yes, the mountain getaway is a southerner’s celebration of all things he or she embraces, and in the Northeast region there’s an abundance of nearby attractions.
Whether it’s shopping and dining, in an idyllic mountain town, exploring the forest – a hiker’s paradise of some 430 miles of trails – or observing the historic lands once occupied by the Creek and Cherokee Indians, one thing is for certain, visitors are always captivated by the scenic views and clear blue waters.
Perhaps no other place personifies those placid waters more than Rabun County’s Lake Burton, a breathtaking 2,775-acre lake with more than 60 miles of shoreline cradled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Managed by Georgia Power, the secluded Lake Burton is known for its impressive quality of spotted bass, the white-sanded Timpson Cove Beach and multiple boat ramps that welcome water-sport enthusiasts.
“I’ve been coming to this lake for more than 20 years,” said Stephanie Leathers, an Athens resident and Real Estate Broker. “It’s very special.”
Lake Burton Homes, and in many cases multi-million dollar mansions, are another aspect that sets this scenic area apart. Rabun County, home of Georgia’s second tallest peak, offers the wilderness features intowners long for like waterfalls, rivers, spectacular views and its trio of lakes, Burton, Rabun and Seed. Just ask the filmmakers who shot the cult classic film “Deliverance” and the Disney movie “The Great Locomotive Chase” – Rabun County is unique.
A part of the Appalachian Mountain range, Rabun County is a through point for hikers on the famous 2,135 mile Appalachian Trail and its neighboring Bartram Trail.
“Definitely one of the top destinations in Georgia for outdoor adventure,” said Leathers who markets a unique niche up-and-coming community in the area.
The community, known as The Cottages at Lake Burton, sits along the shoreline and offers spectacular mountain views complete with personal boat slips and a communal dock. There’s a lakeside covered dining pavilion, Chat’N’Chill, that covers a big grill, adirondack chairs and tables around a stone stack fireplace.
“It’s something different that is, without question, the best value I’ve ever seen on Lake Burton,” said Leathers. “There’s just nothing else like it.”
For residents who want more than a mountain getaway weekend, The Cottages at Lake Burton offer an impressive investment opportunity. As a community of single-family homes, all reflect an architecturally harmonious cottage design through a community covenant intended to “ensure, maintain and protect the aesthetic character of Cottages.”
Each lot’s builder must submit plans and specifications for approval by the Architectural Committee who review not only the cottage’s style but also color and materials used.
“It’s a comprehensive list that includes garages, pools, driveways, fencing, porches, decks and screening,” Leathers said. “The minimum square footage for the homes is 1,800 square feet. Everyone has a shared vision of a true cottage community.”
Whether you are a visitor or investor looking to have a home away from home, the North Georgia Region is an extraordinary hub of adventure and activity. Seasonal fairs, festivals and special events like one of the local winery’s wine tastings draw visitors and explorers from all over the South. Its proximity to other mountain-town destinations, like popular Highlands, and the nearby by Chattooga River (known as the Southeast’s premier whitewater rafting adventure) will keep interest high in the real-estate market.
“Families from the cities love to come up here for mountain biking, horseback riding, ziplines and boating. It’s just getting out in the open and refreshing the soul – that’s what I think is the real benefit,” said Leathers. “You can’t underestimate the peace from the mountains and lakes.”
To learn more about Rabun County real estate, contact Stephanie Leathers, esq., at 706.255.6239 or stephanie@cjandl.com.
