The Lake Keowee Area Today

New Listing... Round Spinney

2011-08-18T15:40:00.009-04:00

Rare Opportunity to buy in a much sought after community......

80 Round Spinney- Asking Price $239,000.00
(Click the link above for Details)

This 3 Bedroom 3 Full Bath Townhouse is located in the prestigious Round Spinney Subdivision. There is 2,583 (+-) total square feet for the main and upstairs floors with an unfinished basement consisting of 744(+-) square feet. The garage is an over sizes single car attached with plenty of space to store other items.

The home features a large master bedroom with walk in closets and a master bathroom with a walk in shower or garden tub. A huge screened in porch accessible from three different rooms on the main floor looks out over the back yard and towards the beautiful views of Lake Keowee and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Formal dining and living areas, large kitchen and breakfast area, living room and large laundry room complete the main level.

The upstairs features two immense bedrooms, each containing large closet spaces. Also upstairs you will find another full bath with a walk in shower conveniently accessible to both bedrooms.
The unfinished basement is very open and could be used many different ways. Leaving it the way it is this space could be used for storage or a workshop. By finishing the basement you could turn this open space into a bonus room, extra bedroom, theatre room, or game room. Two doors lead you outside to a patio underneath the screened in porch and in to the back yard.

The outdoor features around this spectacular home are multiple parking spaces, a level yard, a gazebo, and a small waterfall with goldfish pond. Also included with the home is 1/9th interest in 10+ acres of land surrounding Round Spinney zoned for future development valued at approximately $10,000.00 a share. Call Perry Rogers Direct at 864-280-9311 to arrange a personal showing.

Two River Front Cabins for Just $75,500.00 !!!

2011-08-11T15:14:00.012-04:00

TWO RIVER FRONT CABINS at One Unbelievable Price of Just $75,000.00

Looking to get away from it all??? This is it! Two almost identical cabins that front on the Chauga River fully Furnished!! Both cabins are 1 Bedroom, One Bath, they share a well and a septic tank and a common well house with washer and dryer hook ups available. The current owners used these for their own personal escape but in the past these cabins have been rented on a weekly basis. Get a partner, a friend and purchase together. Possible room for additional RV hook ups on the property.

Full Details and Tour at this link! Click HERE!

Call Perry Rogers at

Perry and Sally Rogers Real Estate

864-882-8144

http://www.perryandsally.com/

Feds Say Oconee Power Plant Is Safe - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville

2011-04-20T09:45:00.000-04:00

Feds Say Oconee Power Plant Is Safe - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville

You Are Invited... Free !

2011-04-04T13:25:00.009-04:00

You are invited to join the Seneca Rotary Club on April 9, 2011 for the 2nd Annual Walk of Service Event at Oconee State Park (FREE Park Entrance). Registration is at 9:30 AM and the 1-mile walk around the Lake Loop is at 10:30 AM. Following this year’s walk, there will be: A FREE picnic with Hamburgers & Hot dogs (covered dish) FREE GAMES & Prizes Horseshoes Putt-Putt Paddle Boats & Canoes Fishing Frisbee Art Area Attendees are eligible to win a flatscreen TV (must be present to win) To help us ensure we have enough hamburgers & hotdogs, please RSVP by registering by clicking ont the You Are Invited Link above ! or http://senecarotary.org/walk/index.htm

403 Moonbeam Way, Lake Keowee real estate Homes for sale in Seneca, SC 29672, French Country Home On Lake Keowee - LAKEHOUSE.COM properties, lakefront, waterfront

2011-03-16T06:56:00.000-04:00

New Price.... Greatly Reduced!
403 Moonbeam Way, Lake Keowee real estate Homes for sale in Seneca, SC 29672, French Country Home On Lake Keowee - LAKEHOUSE.COM properties, lakefront, waterfront

Lake Keowee Second Home? The Time is NOW!

2011-03-14T09:25:00.001-04:00

Daily Real Estate News | January 10, 2011 | Share
Vacation Homes Emerge as Hot Market
Vacation communities across the United States are showing big signs of a rebounding real estate market, reporting soaring sales at levels that have not been been seen since the days of the housing boom, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The increase has been driven by deep discounts and cash purchases, analysts say.

"We haven't felt energy like this in a long time. Buyers sense that they've been on the sidelines long enough," says

Ned Monell, a real estate professional with Sotheby’s International Realty in Palm Beach, Fla. Palm Beach posted a nearly 40 percent annual increase and a 54 percent increase in homes under contract.

The following is a sampling of vacation-home communities that saw an increase last year (percentage is the increase in home sales from 2009 to 2010):

▪ Barnstable County, Cape Cod, Mass.: 9 percent
▪ Hilton Head, S.C.: 13.6 percent
▪ Mercer Island, Wash. (waterfront): 181.8 percent
▪ Palm Beach, Fla.: 39.3 percent

National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun attributes the increase to gains in the stock market and an overall improving economy. He says prices in these areas have come down so much that there’s been high demand for these properties among buyers, particularly in areas with stable labor markets.

Source: “Market for Vacation Homes Is On the Rise,” The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 10, 2011)

South Carolina High School Fishing on Lake Keowee

2011-03-09T08:39:00.001-05:00

News Release
For additional information, please contact: The Bass Federation,
info@highschoolfishing.org - 580.765.9031 - www.highschoolfishing.org
South Carolina High School Fishing
State Championship March 26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PONCA CITY, Okla. (Feb. 21, 2011) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW Outdoors, announced it will be hosting the inaugural Student Angler Federation South Carolina High School Fishing State Championship, at Keowee Lake just outside of Seneca, SC. The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for high school anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is now open online at HighSchoolFishing.org or by calling 580.765.9031. Check-in starts at 4:00pm on Fri., March 25 at the Gignilliat Community Center, with a mandatory rules briefing to follow at 6pm. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in well in advance of the event to avoid any late registration fees. The event is being supported locally by the City of Seneca, as well as the county tourism groups there and the Clemson University Collegiate Bass Fishing Team.
“On behalf of The City of Seneca, Oconee County PRT and the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, We are very excited to be hosting the inaugural South Carolina High School Bass Fishing Championship,” Stated Seneca Mayer Dan Alexander.
"The Clemson University Bass Fishing team is thrilled to be working with The Bass Federation to bring the very first High School State Bass Fishing Championship to Keowee lake. This is a tremendous opportunity not only for our team to reach out to the community but also to give these young anglers an opportunity to come learn and fish with us here at Clemson" stated the club's Co-founder Adam Boswell.
Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on joining the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and signing up for an event. Cost is only $25 a year and includes full TBF and FLW Outdoors member benefits, including unlimited access to the all-new FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The winning two-person team will be offered a $1000.00 scholarship to attend Clemson; $500.00 for each angler if they choose to attend Clemson University, advancement to an FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship hosted on a college campus this fall. Ranger boats will be provided for the high school anglers to fish from at each regional championship, and the winners from each regional will advance to the FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held on a college campus in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2012. All SAF members and state championship participants automatically qualify to fish the largest event in high school fishing, the 2011 High School Fishing World Finals, July 20-23 in Russellville, Ark., to compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team that qualifies for a regional championship and the national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The High School Fishing National Championship winner’s will also each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.
If you’re not an SAF member, there’s a $25 per angler entry fee for the state championship, which includes full TBF and FLW Outdoors membership benefits. Also, it’s a onetime fee, so you won’t have to pay to fish another SAF sanctioned event all year!
“We’re very excited to have the TBF of South Carolina, Oconee County and the Clemson University Bass Fishing Team to help bring this event to South Carolina,” TBF National President, Robert Cartlidge, said. “Our affiliated state federations are the backbone of the fishing industry; Oconee County has opened its “home” to the High School students and Clemson University, complete with a collegiate bass fishing team, is the perfect home for young anglers wanting a first class education and competitive fishing at the college level.”
High School anglers are fortunate to have the TBF of South Carolina Federation in this state and eager to help with this event.” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “Our Student Angler Federation has a great start in South Carolina with several state students participating in our High School Fishing World Finals last year held in Russellville, Arkansas. We are looking forward to see how they have progressed.”
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. All participants can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “It’s an industry first by TBF and a tremendous way to emphasize the importance of education to these student anglers,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, said. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing. The testing component is designed to do exactly that. When you put this package together with our partnership with FLW Outdoors, the sky is the limit for these young anglers. They’ll have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details: State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at Highchoolfishing.org OR BY PHONE 580.765.9031. Questions? info@highschoolfishing.com or call 580.765.9031. If you have to you may register for the tournament at the Friday Mandatory Check-in HOWEVER, there will be a $25.00 per angler late fee.
The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org Mandatory Check-in: Friday, March 25, 4-6 p.m. EST, Gignilliat Community Center,
621 N. Townville Center, Seneca, SC. 29678 (864)885-2710; Rules briefing 6:00 p.m. Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, March 26, South Cove Park, 1099 South Cove Road
7:30am to 3:00pm.
About FLW Outdoors
FLW Outdoors is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing mainstream with the world’s richest fantasy sports game, FLW Fantasy Fishing presented by Straight Talk, where competitors can play for free, as well as, sign up for Player’s Advantage to gain an edge. For more information about FLW Outdoors and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years. Visit bassfederation.com.
###

Broadband Coming to the Center of the Universe!

2010-09-09T07:27:00.003-04:00

Bountyland is quickly becoming the center of growth in Oconee County. In looking at the maps at http://OconeeFocus.com we are going to be surrounded with high speed broadband access! This is a welcome addition for our area and Heritage Station. Heritage Station would also like to welcome our newest business..... Edward Jones........ Opening Soon!

For complete information and details on Heritage Station contact Perry Rogers Broker in Charge, Real Estate Incorporated at 864-882-8144 or visit http://www.PerryandSally.com !

Lake Keowee Bank Foreclosure

2010-09-08T15:43:00.005-04:00

BANK FORECLOSURE-Lake Keowee Waterfront Lot in Riverstone Subdivision JUST REDUCED!!! Lot 16 Rocky Springs Drive in Salem, SC !! Priced at $299,000 !!

http://www.perryandsally.com/Salem/South_Carolina/Lots_and_Land/Western_Upstate_MLS/Riverstone/Agent/Listing_2083528.html

Lake Cherokee Waterfront Lot REDUCED!

2010-08-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

351 Evergreen Ridge Road

Lake Cherokee (also known as Lake Issaquena) is a 300 (+/-) acre private lake at the edge of the Sumter National Forest near the area known as Tamassee.
Lake Cherokee is the largest of several private lakes in the Oconee mountain region. This lake is halfway between the Chattooga River and Lake Jocassee
and convenient to the town of Walhalla, and the Whitewater rafting areas of Long Creek. Owner is a SC Licensed Real Estate Agent!
Only $500 yearly dues. Lot is dockable. Final approval for dock installation must be obtained from POA. Lot is approved for a septic tank and a well.

http://www.perryandsally.com/Tamassee/South_Carolina/Lots_and_Land/Western_Upstate_MLS/Lake_Cherokee_Road/Agent/Listing_3101438.html

MonteLago fades

2010-08-13T10:22:00.001-04:00

Well it seems there will not be any high rise condominiums on Lake Keowee in the foreseeable future.
The land where MonteLago was to go has new covenants restricting the property to be for single family homes only!
Read all the details at the link below.

MonteLago fades

New Restrictions can be viewed at:
http://www.oconeesc.com/resolution/cottview32.asp?ImageId=00371827&Seq=0001

Lake Cherokee Waterfront Lot For Sale!

2010-06-10T09:50:00.006-04:00

Lake Cherokee, 347 Evergreen Ridge Rd, Tamassee, SC

Lake Cherokee (also known as Lake Issaquena) is a 300 (+/-) acre private lake

at the edge of the Sumter National Forest near the area known as Tamassee.
Lake Cherokee is the largest of several private lakes in the Oconee mountain region. It is a stocked fishing and recreational lake with exceptional bass fishing!

This lake is halfway between the Chattooga River and Lake Jocassee and convenient to the town of Walhalla, and the Whitewater rafting areas of Long Creek.

Lot 11A is priced at $125,000. We have others available. See the link below for complete details! Thanks for looking!

Owner is a SC Licensed Real Estate Agent!

Only $500 yearly dues and one time $2000 new member fee. Lot is dockable. Final approval for dock installation must be obtained from POA. Lot is approved for a septic tank and a well.

http://www.perryandsally.com/Tamassee/South_Carolina/Lots_and_Land/Western_Upstate_MLS/Tamassee/Agent/Listing_2834816.html

2010-06-09T16:04:00.005-04:00

BANK FORECLOSURE!

Lake Keowee Waterfront! Lot 49 Waterside Crossing
Lot has a gentle slope to water. Great building site with an excellent view looking out the cove. Rip Wrap in place. Full size covered dock in place with boat lift included. Community has swim and tennis nearby.

ASKING $335,000 !!!

To see complete details click the link below.

http://www.perryandsally.com/Salem/South_Carolina/Lots_and_Land/20109829/Waterside_Crossing/Agent/Listing_17281730.html

Best Waterfront Value I Have Seen in a While!

2010-03-09T15:38:00.005-05:00

Lake Keowee Waterfront

Recently listed through the MLS this lot is located in Keowee Subdivision. DEEP Water, Great location! Rip rap, dock and boat lift already in place!!

Just click on "Best Waterfront Value I Have Seen in a While" above in the title to see the details.

Priced to sell.
Call me with any questions!!!!

Perry Rogers
864-280-9311

First Time HomeBuyer Credit Update!

2010-02-08T10:19:00.002-05:00

We are seeing a turn in the market. I have had showings all weekend and am showing again today. The accepted price to asking pricing is getting closer. So.. It may be the time to visit the Lake Keowee Upstate South Carolina area to take a look!

This is information is presented in a manner that is too good not to share!

2010 $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension Approved and Expanded with $6,500 For Existing Home Owners. New Provisions Not Retroactive

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit: The Basics for REALTORS, Homebuyers, and Home owners from the National Association of REALTORS.

2009-12-28T11:47:00.000-05:00

Here is the information any buyer needs regarding the new tax credits on home purchases.
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit: The Basics for REALTORS, Homebuyers, and Home owners from the National Association of REALTORS.

"Sailing and Selling Lake Keowee Area Properties for Over 33 Years!

Lakes are FULL of Water!

2009-12-02T14:15:00.000-05:00

Well as you might have realized if you live in the Lake Keowee area IT IS RAINING and the lakes in our neck of the woods are full! I personally have not seen the lakes this full in the past six years. Duke Energy considers full pond 100 feet but they try to maintain the lake levels at 99 feet elevation for purposes of flood control.

These numbers can be a little confusing. Duke uses a 100 foot scale to measure the levels. Actually Lake Keowee at full pond is 800 feet elevation which would mean that they maintain the lake at 799 feet elevation. I am sure you get the idea.

The Lake Level as of today are below:
Lake Jocassee 99.4
Lake Keowee 99.1

In the history of the lake Duke released water downstream to Lake Hartwell only once that I recall and did not generate power. Then the lake level was 100.5 feet. (800 feet 6" Elevation)

Anyway.... they are full and beautiful! An excellent time to buy that perfect lot or home you have been looking for on the water!

So you might want to visit http://www.perryandsally.com/ to check out a BANK FORECLOSURE we have WATERFRONT on Keowee with a covered dock and priced at $165,000.

You can see the virtual tour at
http://www.perryandsally.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=2083415

Until Next Time...
Perry

Starting Out: New appraisal rules could decrease home's value - The Elkhart Truth - Elkhart, IN

2009-11-24T05:04:00.000-05:00

Worth a read...

Starting Out: New appraisal rules could decrease home's value - The Elkhart Truth - Elkhart, IN

A Business After Hours NOT TO MISS!

2009-11-18T16:16:00.000-05:00

Dear Oconee County Chamber members and guests. You are invited to a Business after hours at Thraves Jewelers Thursday November 19th from 5:30 to 7:30. Enjoy an evening of networking with you fellow members and guests during the pre holiday season celebration. Hors d’oeuvres and libations will be served. Door prizes will include jewelry, gifts, and a $100 gift certificate for use during the holidays. No need to reply, just come and have fun. Bill and Phyllis Thraves
http://www.wwthraves.com

Rising water levels in Hartwell Lake, other resevoirs lead to cancelation of planned test on lower Savannah River : Local News : Anderson Independent-Mail

2009-11-16T07:25:00.000-05:00

Simple solution.... Hold water back in Keowee and Jocassee....
Guess that is too simple.
Rising water levels in Hartwell Lake, other resevoirs lead to cancelation of planned test on lower Savannah River : Local News : Anderson Independent-Mail

Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes NEW!

2009-11-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

Hi!
There are a lot of questions about the new tax credit that has just been approved. I hope this will assist in answering some of your questions!

Until next time!

Perry Rogers ABR, CRS, GRI, EPro

Broker State of South Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions
NEW Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.

Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a
new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and
am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?
Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.

Question: I am a firsttime homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I
entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?
Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill. The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase, which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement, you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phaseout range).

Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I
have found a home with a nonnegotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.

Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting
since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000 and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The
keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he
did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.

Question: I am an eligible firsttime homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on
November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the
extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30 (or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.

Information Provided by:
REALTORS® Government Affairs Division

upstatetoday.com - Upstate South Carolina's leading news and information Web site | The Daily Journal, Daily Messenger, Upstate Lake Living, Golden Corner Shopper

2009-11-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

Interesting..... new marina proposed in one of the most narrow sections of Lake Keowee!
upstatetoday.com - Upstate South Carolina's leading news and information Web site The Daily Journal, Daily Messenger, Upstate Lake Living, Golden Corner Shopper

Waterfront Hartwell! Motivated Seller! 224 Lake Breeze

2009-08-31T11:07:00.001-04:00

224 Lake Breeze Lane, Westminster, SC | Powered by Postlets

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New Project Lake Keowee Area Call Perry for Details 800-957-3779

2009-08-29T19:24:00.001-04:00

upstatetoday.com - Upstate South Carolina's leading news and information Web site | The Daily Journal, Daily Messenger, Upstate Lake Living, Golden Corner Shopper

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upstatetoday.com - Upstate South Carolina's leading news and information Web site | The Daily Journal, Daily Messenger, Upstate Lake Living, Golden Corner Shopper

2009-08-29T19:21:00.001-04:00

upstatetoday.com - Upstate South Carolina's leading news and information Web site | The Daily Journal, Daily Messenger, Upstate Lake Living, Golden Corner Shopper

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Retirement Social Security Estimator

2009-07-06T14:18:00.001-04:00

I generally do not post links but as I am now 55 I was curious as to my potential Social Security earnings when I retire. You can check this at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator/
I need to keep on working.....

Heritage Station in Seneca, SC

2009-07-02T15:10:00.000-04:00

Heritage Station Bountylands newest Professioal-Retail-Office complex is now online! We have 5 spaces left! Construction to be complete Ocotober this year!

Additionally, you may want to check out the office suites that are available. If you are tired of working out of your home and need an upscale place to meet with clients or customers.. this may be the answer.

If you are a real estate agent and would like to keep more of your commission! We need to talk! Call Perry at 864-882-8144! Have a great 4th of July! http://www.heritagestaionatbountyland.com/

Natures View Circle, Pawleys Island, SC | Powered by Postlets

2009-06-30T15:07:00.001-04:00

Natures View Circle, Pawleys Island, SC | Powered by Postlets

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Seneca makes Outdoor Life’s top 200 towns!

2009-06-09T11:01:00.000-04:00

June 9, 2009 - 12:00 a.m. EST
http://www.upstatetoday.com
Daily Journal Messenger

Outdoor Life magazine ranks the top towns for hunters and anglers to live in its June/July 2009 issue, and Seneca has made the list at #47.

The magazine used extensive data to score 200 towns on available sporting opportunities and quality-of-life for its second annual ranking.
“Outdoorsmen want world-class hunting and fishing, but like everyone else, they also want to have a high quality of life,” says Todd Smith, editor-in-chief of Outdoor Life. “The towns on this list offer the best of the outdoors as well as decent homes and schools and good-paying jobs. They are truly dream towns for sportsmen.”
Last year’s second-place finisher, Lewiston, Idaho, moved up one place to score the top spot on Outdoor Life’s 2009 list. Lewiston heads a list of three Idaho towns in the top ten — more than any other state. Lewiston’s score was elevated by the town’s access to world-class hunting and fishing, as well as the economy and industry of the Pacific Coast and Asia.
Marquette, Mich., the easternmost town in the top ten, jumped five spots to No. 2 on the list. At No. 3 (tied), Rawlins is one of two Wyoming towns in the top 10; Sheridan, which moved down four spots to No. 7 due in part to rising cost of living, is the second.
To determine the 2009 “Best Places to Live,” Outdoor Life started with the 200 towns from the previous year’s list and added 50 additional locations from readers and colleague suggestions. Towns were ranked based on more than 20 criteria, with Outdoor-related factors given slightly heavier emphasis in computing the results than Quality-of-Life factors.
Outdoor factors considered included gun-friendliness of each town’s state, huntable and fishable species nearby, the town’s proximity to public hunting land and fishable waters, and the potential for taking a trophy-caliber game animal or fish nearby.
Quality-of-Life factors considered included population growth since 2000, median household income, median home value, cost of living, unemployment rate, mean commute time and amenities (schools, hospitals). Certain socio-economic categories were weighted more than others to determine the overall Quality-of-Life score, which was combined with the overall Outdoor score to reach each town’s rank.
For detailed rankings including all 200 towns visit www.OutdoorLife.com http://www.outdoorlife.com/bestplacestolive . Type “top 200 towns” in the search box. Then click on the first story shown to get the complete list of 200 towns.

Love Our Lakes! Keep Trash OUT!

2009-04-30T16:11:00.000-04:00

How long does it take trash to disappear from the lake?It's very important to keep our trash and debris out of the lake. Do you know that it takes this long for the following to disappear from the lake?

2-4 weeks Paper Towels
6 weeks Newspaper
2 months Cardboard Box
2 months Apple Core
1-5 months Cotton Glove
3-14 months Cotton Rope
3 months Waxed Milk Carton
6 months Photo-degradable Beverage Container
1-3 years Plywood
1 year Biodegradable Diaper
1 year Wool Glove
13 years Painted Wood
50 years Styrofoam Cup
50 years Tin Can
80 years Styrofoam Buoy
200 years Aluminum Can
400 years Plastic Beverage Holder
450 years Disposable Diaper
450 years Plastic Milk Jug
450 years Plastic Drink Bottle
600 years Fishing Line
Undetermined Glass Bottles

Please help keep our lake clean! If you see something floating in the water, pick it up and put it in your boat. If you are tempted to throw trash away yourself, think about this: What are we leaving for our future generations?

Lake Keowee Parks to get Iron Rangers!

2009-02-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

In the Daily Journal today. www.UpstateToday.com

‘Iron Rangers’ to guard county parks Collection boxes take new daily parking fees

By Carlos Galarza (Contact / Staff Bio) February 4, 2009 - 11:01 p.m. EST

WALHALLA — Visitors to county parks are being asked to deposit daily parking fees into rustic collection boxes tagged with the name “Iron Rangers.”
The boxes, made from scratch at the Oconee County Rock Quarry, have been in place at each of the county’s three parks — Chau Ram, High Falls and South Cove — since Jan. 26. Iron Rangers were rolled in to coincide with the county’s fee changes at the parks.
The daily parking fee schedule is $2 per vehicle and $5 for a vehicle with trailer, recreational vehicle or bus.
A more economical option for frequent park users is a $25 annual pass available only to Oconee residents. Seniors 62 and up, the permanently disabled and veterans pay $15 for the annual passes, which are available at each park office.
County Council touched a nerve with the public last spring when it introduced parking fees of $2 per person per visit. That was scrapped in favor of the current fee schedule.
County Administrator Dale Surrett said it would take a year or two to know how much revenue fees would generate.
What happens if you decide to ignore the box thinking no one is watching?
Oconee Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Phil Shirley said such action could result in a citation and a trip to the Magistrate’s Office for violating a county ordinance.

New Today to Blogging

2009-01-06T11:31:00.000-05:00

I have never blogged before and this is a new adventure for me! I am a real estate broker in upstate South Carolina and sell real estate on Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, Lake Whitewater, Lake Cherokee, Lake Cheohee and other mountain lakes in the Oconee County, South Carolina area! It has been my privilege to assist more clients than I can remember locate their dream property for retirement or a second home over the past thirty one years!

Having been in the business that long, I have lived through the days of the 1982 and 1983 interest rates of 17% Plus, the bank failures of the late 1980's, 911 and the invasion of Iraq. It seems the real estate industry always recovers. Usually sooner than later. The reason? Baby boomers are not a very patient group. I know this personally because I am the epitome of a baby boomer. Most boomers want it now, ready and available to use immediately. So with that said I am sure that most of the boomers that are out there that were wanting a second home or lake property are about tired of waiting.

I saw this happen with 911. As soon as 911 happened the real estate business came to a halt.... but in the Spring of the following year the boomers and others decided life would go on and came to our area in droves to buy lake property.

I am sure that is just a matter of time that they again will come! Besides.... Second homes are where family dreams are made for the memories of future generations!

In the meantime if you want to research our area go to http://www.perryandsally.com/ to start!