shelleydraper.com

Have we hit the bottom? Feels like it, activity has definitely picked up in the past 30 days for me:

Sales of newly built family homes rose 4.8 per cent last month to 1.1m for the year amid signs that housebuilders were beginning to clear excess inventory that has weighed down the construction sector.

The backlog of new homes standing empty fell to its lowest level since the start of last year – with enough supply to meet about 6 months worth of demand, the Commerce Department said.

The drop in excess inventory was seen by some economists as a sign the market had bottomed, while figures for the full year revealed the extent of the slowdown in 2006 as sales of new homes were 17 per cent lower than the previous year.

MSNBC - US housing shows unexpected strength

Wow, looks like an avalanche zone from this shot but I guess they know what they’re doing with a $155 million dollar, 53,000 square-foot spec home. Near Bozeman, Montana, it comes with its own private ski lift, and oh yeah, it’s furnished and that includes the wine cellar and all of its potentially painful contingencies:

The 10-bedroom Blixseth mansion will sit on 160 acres and come with a private gondola-like chairlift that will whisk residents up to the Yellowstone Club’s private ski slopes. There will also be an indoor/outdoor swimming pool separated by a glass wall that can slide away on warm summer days, as well as a home movie theater–practically a standard feature in super high-end homes. The home will come furnished.

“When someone writes that kind of check, they don’t want to have to worry about knives, forks and spoons,” says Blixseth. “The wine cellar should be stocked.”

full story | slideshow

The annual Realtor awards banquet for the NE GA Board has been moved from Brasstown Valley Resort to the Anderson Music Hall at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee.

Unfortunately, there won’t be a cash bar this year. That’s a shame because it’s our one shot at all getting together and having a glass of wine or two and letting our hair down. Heck it’s one of the few times a year that I actually get to tip a bartender.

I believe the irony may be that it was moved to a larger venue to accommodate a growing group but that a lower turnout might hopefully force it back to Brasstown next year. Secondly, we always have sit-down dinners at Brasstown, but with the new stadium-seating we’re having heavy apps? Why didn’t they keep it at Brasstown and try heavy Hors d’Oeuvres there?

To top it off, there are ‘unlimited guests’ per Realtor; something tells me it’s going to be a long night. I’m voting with my checkbook and staying home this year. Please bring it back to Brasstown; it’s a tradition, and it’s a safe event because everybody gets a room!

Exceptional furnished log cabin located on 3 private acres with beautiful mountain view. This cabin has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, loft, 2 fireplaces, custom granite tiles in kitchen and baths, double headed shower in Master, stainless appliances, upgraded light fixtures, 2 HDTV’s, 4 flat screen TV’s, pool table, gym, wet bar, and alarm system.

Listed for $532,000, sold for $515,000.

MLS report | photo gallery