Name: |
hosocat
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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6/29/2004 10:59:22 AM
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Does anyone have any advice/experience on what to beware of when buying lakefront property on Lake Martin? I'm looking at a property that only has summer water. Right now the dock will have about 4-5 feet of water, but the owner tells me it's dry in the winter. Does this make the property much less valuable than people who have year-round water? Are there any areas of Lake Martin that are better or worse than others from an investment perspective? I also heard that once long ago Russell Corp dumped hazardous materials into Elkahatchee creek. Is this still a concern and does it affect property values? Thanks for any responses.
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Name: |
stratman
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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6/29/2004 11:26:22 AM
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Concerning Russell and Chemicals....
We have one of the cleanest lakes in the nation.....No problem. Russell just doesn't dump mass chemicals in the lake.
Water front Property.....
Unless you buy something way back in a slough where when the water is full...you only have a foot of water....you should be ok.
Most people on the lake don't have water in the Winter. People on the Big water do, but there is a down side to that as well. On the Big water, you'd have to have an expensive floating pier put in just so you'd be able to have one.
I have about 8 feet of water at FULL POOL. In Winter...it's about 20 feet past the end of my pier. My property value is not changed because of that. In Winter....you can do all the work on your pier that needs to be done. That is cool.
Just don't buy a place at the very end of a slough UNLESS it has deep water.
And remember.....It's LOCATION..LOCATION..LOCATION.
YOUR VIEW IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER!!
I hope that helps.......................Stratman.....
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Name: |
Anon Y Mous
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Subject: |
Um... no.
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Date:
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6/29/2004 1:43:23 PM
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"No problem. Russell just doesn't dump mass chemicals in the lake."
Maybe not anymore. But it is a documented FACT that they used to dump harmful dyes into Sugar Creek, which does empty into Elkahatchee Creek. As recently as the late 80's, you never knew what color Sugar Creek would be running: orange, purple, green, etc; it all depended on what color dye they were dumping that day.
Also, there is a sludge covering the bottom of Elkahatchee Creek that is so toxic that ADEM and the EPA have recommended that it NOT be pumped out, because doing so might unleash some toxins that would cause more harm than they are causing by sitting relatively undisturbed.
This doesn't mean that, overall, Lake Martin doesn't have some of the cleanest water in the southeast-- it does. But that is in spite of some of the stuff that has gone on, including dumping by RussellCorp.
What all of this has to do with karakoke night at Chuck's, I have no idea.
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Name: |
Feb
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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6/29/2004 2:09:59 PM
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I would not recommend a lot that has only 4 - 5 feet of water at this time of year. I am not speaking of next to the bank but out on your pier or boat house where your boat would be kept. You will miss a lot of water use not only at low pool but extended periods between low pool and full pool and then again between full pool and low pool. Look for a lot that faces out toward the big water and not facing back into a slough. Width of the lot is more important to me than depth. In other words, I would prefer a lot with the most water frontage as opposed to acreage. I have heard of lots with as little as 60 ft. of water frontage. Go with something greater than 100 ft. and even better at 200 ft. or more. Gentle slope of lot to water as opposed to steep slopes with hundreds of stair steps up and down to the water. Visit the site at Lake peak usage times. This weekend would be a great time to see how much activity is too much for you The list of things to consider goes on and on. Some are positives or negatives depending on your personal choices. Do you want to see the sunset or do you prefer the sunrise? Remember if you have questionable feelings about a lot then future buyers will probably have those same concerns.
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Name: |
lamont
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Subject: |
Um... no.
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Date:
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6/29/2004 2:10:19 PM
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We don't know how lucky we are here on Lake Martin. I grew up on Lake Lanier; what a cess pool. Was there last Sunday. I swear I'm almost afraid to get in the water. When we bring our Lake Lanier friends to Lake Martin, they can't believe how clean the water is.
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
Whose value?
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Date:
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6/29/2004 9:55:50 PM
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You have to make priority decisions.
1. How inportant is the view. View is good , wake and traffic is bad. No view is bad, still water is good. Flat lot is good, shallow water is bad - and so on. What's important to you?
2. When do you use the lake? If you use it in the fall and spring then water levels & depth might be important.
Generally view is the key price influence but that can change with increasing traffic on the lake. An exposed dock that is in the ocean might not be your cup of tea. But if you are at the lake at quiet times then view might be the thing,
That's what is the great thing about lake property - you get to decide what is important to you! Everybody's idea as to what an ideal lake house if different (unless ytou are BAJ :-))
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
PS
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Date:
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6/29/2004 10:00:27 PM
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Pay attention to the exposure lakeside. I think east is best. Be careful of southern exposures. You can get your brains baked !
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Name: |
stratman
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Subject: |
PS
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Date:
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6/30/2004 12:35:47 AM
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Yep...
I face East...and I think it's best also!
Nothing is better than the sunrise or moonrise coming up facing the lake side of your house.
Not to mention, after a while, you will learn to appreciate a break in the sun and heat as the day wears on.
If you face west...It will wear you out.
The others all had good points as well...that's just all I could think of this morning....
Good luck...........................Stratman.....
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Name: |
Blue Creeker
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Subject: |
Actually, facing South is...
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Date:
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6/30/2004 12:56:51 AM
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...better in the Summer, seeing as how the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Sun travels the Northern sky in the Summer.
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Name: |
chazzman
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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6/30/2004 3:39:08 AM
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My home is on the Elkehatchee in Raintree. Russell and the City quit dumping into the Sugar Creek water treatment plant so the dye/chemical issue is moot. The water is currently clean. I'm on a point and have access to year round water IF I built a floating pier. However, I built my home on these lots for the view so have a dry pier in the winter. The big water didn't appeal to my tastes and usage but the Elkehatchee did -- it's more like living on a river. Plus I like the convenience of living within the city limits. Anywhere on the lake is a very good investment. ;-)
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I face south and love it. We have many large windows and the sun never shines directly in during the summer as it would with an east or west exposure. Because of this, we never have to pull blinds for protection and always have a great view. In the winter, we get mid-afternoon sun which helps warm the house.
West views can be good, but you need to consider the house and lot (If my house was facing west, I'd get baked). But, I've seen some great western exposures that were protected by overhangs and vegetation.
East is usually very nice, but again, you may want some protection from the late morning sun if you have a large wall of windows.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that any view can be great if the design is set up properly. It also depends on what you like, but experience it before you decide you like it.
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
South can be good
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Date:
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6/30/2004 11:17:06 AM
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Taking advantage of a southern exposure can be really nice. You need some deciduous trees though to keep down the heat gain in the summer sice most lake houses have lots of glass on the lakeside.
There is still a sun angle most of the summer since the equinox only lasts a day! If you have the trees then you benefit fron the gain in the winter when the leaves are gone. Saves on heating bills!
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
PS
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Date:
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6/30/2004 11:20:08 AM
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That's my feeling exactly. Most lakesde / dock activities are in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day is late afternoon and the sun is bearing down on the west side of the house. If you have any trees in front your dock is in the shade then.
The moonrises are fantastic on the pier sippin' a cool one!
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Name: |
lamont
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Subject: |
PS
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Date:
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6/30/2004 12:02:57 PM
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Ditto. Eastern exposure is da bomb. Bloody Mary for sunrise, Martini for moonrise. Can't beet it.
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Name: |
lakebum
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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6/30/2004 5:18:10 PM
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email me on property stuff..
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As I said, I face south (and slightly west) and have more glass than 98 percent (just a guess, but it's probably low) of the houses on the lake. the Sun does not shine in at all from mid April- September and I have limited overhang. I do have trees, but they are not a factor. The sun travels far enough north during these months to make the difference. The sun is a does shine in for about 4 hours from November-February, but it is welcome.
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Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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Subject: |
is a does??.....ooooppps
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Date:
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6/30/2004 7:47:23 PM
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This is a warning.....don't type and drink!
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Name: |
boatman
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Subject: |
PS
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Date:
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7/2/2004 12:24:05 AM
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Now we're talking. This spin has gone from which way you face to putting stuff in your face. Gotta love it!
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Name: |
boatman
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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7/2/2004 12:26:05 AM
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You're right on with the investment part. It really can't be beat.
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
Check this out
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Date:
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7/2/2004 10:34:15 AM
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URL: Southern Exposure
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
PS
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Date:
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7/2/2004 10:50:20 AM
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You're catching on :-)
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Name: |
stratman
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Subject: |
property value?
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Date:
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7/2/2004 1:18:58 PM
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You're right on that Boatman!!
That's why we just bought that property near us.
It beats the stock market, 401K, and anything else I can think of!!
Stratman.....
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