To Lease or Not to Lease (Lake Lots)

While the boating activity on the lakes has decreased, the interest in lake property is beginning to increase. When showing property, I frequently get the question, "What do you mean, a Leased Lot?" A good question indeed. After all, you are either looking for either a second home to use as a "get-away" during long weekends and holidays, or you are actually moving to the lake to fulfill a lifelong dream. You have saved long to own a piece of the lake, so why are we discussing leased lots? Here's the bottom line. Lakes Sinclair and Oconee are owned by the GA Power Company and exist for the purpose of electricity production. As such all property from full pool (the 340 feet above seal level) to the 350' contour line are controlled by GA Power. That doesn't mean that you can't use and enjoy property. On Ga Power lakes, you will find fee simple or fully owned lots, lots that are half leased/half owned, and fully leased lots. The amount of the lease is dependent on where improvements are placed on that property. Understandably, if nothing is built on the GA Power access area, the cost is minimal. Conversely, if your home is built on any part of the leased portion, the full lease amount is due. All leases are currently 15 years in duration. The lease amount increases every five years. The 2008 rates start with $900 (years 1-5), $1050 (6-10), and $1100 (11-15). A good real estate professional can identify which properties are deeded, totally leased or lease strip, and assist in determining which will provide the best benefits to you.

Hope this helps clear the muddy water a little. For a more detailed explanation, visit the site: http://call4chris.com/custom4.shtml. Additional information is available under the GA Power Land Management section.

Signs of the Times

You don't have to look far to know it is an election year in Lake Country. At every intersection and piece of "key terrrain" across the counties surrounding Lakes Oconee and Sinclair a mozaic of mulit-colored signs plaster the landscape. Some people feel that these signs, some small and others approaching billboard size, denigrate the beauty of our countryside. These folks have a point. However, these signs represent the beauty of our nation and our constitution as we prepare to select the officials who will represent each of us in addressing local, state, and even national concerns. I hope everyone is registered and will get out to vote in the various primaries, run-offs and general elections this summer and fall. The signs and placards will eventually be removed, but our choices at the polls will determine how we move forward as a community. Please get out and vote!

Where's the Activity on the Lakes?

It has been an interesting spring on Oconee and Sinclair Lakes. The amount of boat and watercraft activity is certainly down from recent years. One can only surmise that gas prices are the cause. Remember the good old days when you could inexpensively fill up your tanks three or four times and ski from noon until dark? Well, even over Memorial Day and Father's Day weekends, I didn't see a whole lot of skiing or boat traffic where I was working. There were still lots of people at the lake, just not as many on the water. Perhaps you saw things differently where you were on the lake, but I do believe oveall, there will be a lot less activity until we somehow get a handle on fuel prices. The beneficiaries wll be those who simply enjoy the quiet beauty of the water, and of course, the fishermen.