<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <channel>
        <atom:link href="http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/2017-04/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <title>Brian Quinn's Reynolds Lake Oconee Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/2017-04/</link>
        <description></description>
<item>
    <guid>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/5-tips-for-buying-a-home-in-a-gated-community-near-reynolds-lake-oconee.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/5-tips-for-buying-a-home-in-a-gated-community-near-reynolds-lake-oconee.html</link>
        <author>brianaquinnrealtor@gmail.com (Brian Quinn)</author>
        <title>5 Tips for Buying a Home in a Gated Community Near Reynolds Lake Oconee</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



If you're at all familiar with Reynolds Lake Oconee, you're likely aware of the many private communities in the area. These neighborhoods—also referred to as gated or exclusive communities—provide several amazing recreational amenities exclusive to residents, such as swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, and immaculate clubhouses. That's in addition to the pristine lake, championship golf courses, and gorgeous homes that everyone in the Reynolds Plantation area gets to enjoy.


Buying a home in one of these Reynolds Lake Oconee gated communities certainly has its perks. However, those who have never lived in this type of neighborhood might be a bit uneasy about the idea of being separated from other parts of society. There are also several factors to consider when purchasing a home in an exclusive community, which is why it's important to remember these tips for buying a home in a gated community near Reynolds Lake Oconee:


1. Examine the Public Amenities Outside the Neighborhood


Perhaps the most important thing for anyone who has never lived in a gated community to consider is what's outside the gates. It's easy to fall in love with your beautiful new home in your secluded paradise, but no matter how incredible your neighborhood is, eventually you'll want to stray from your daily amenities and explore the area nearby. This is why you should be just as satisfied with the amenities located within a 15-minute drive from your neighborhood as you are with your own amenities.


Are there enough restaurants and shops that you enjoy visiting nearby? Are there other areas to hike or golf in case you want to occasionally take part in those activities in a different environment? Is the area that surrounds your neighborhood gates also safe and peaceful? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself when exploring the surroundings of your private community.


Fortunately, you don't have to worry about the public amenities near Reynolds Lake Oconee real estate. Anyone seeking a home in a private community in this neck of the woods is just a short drive from many centrally-located restaurants, cafes, essential businesses, and shops in the Lake Oconee Village. There are also several public access points to the lake and an abundance of public hiking trails in this safe environment.


2. Study the Homeowner Association Fees


If you're never lived in a private community, you'll want to review the fees associated with the Homeowners' Association carefully. Make sure you're aware of exactly what you're expected to pay for and whether you have to pay monthly or annually. It's also important to do your research into how much the fees have increased over the years. By learning about these past increases, you should be able to budget for future increases accordingly.


3. Review the Rules


This should be obvious, but you need to be fully aware of all the rules and bylaws in your Homeowners' Association before you commit to buying. This is particularly important for anyone seeking part-time residency in Reynolds Lake Oconee with hopes of renting out their home when they're not using it.


Each community has a specific rental policy that may impact your decision on whether or not to buy. Make sure you're clear on how long the community allows rentals for. Do they allow only short-term rentals or only long-term rentals? You should also find out how many days or months constitute a short-term or long-term rental? You might also want to find out if there are different rental policies for specific areas of the neighborhood you're interested in, as some private communities have different policies depending on what street you live on or what type of home you buy.


Other rules to review include guidelines on security, access for visitors, and what kinds of pets are allowed in both your home and the common areas.


4. Talk to Your Neighbors


If you can possibly find a way to get in touch with some of the current residents of the community you're interested in, ask for their opinions. Most residents of gated communities near Reynolds Lake Oconee have nothing but positive things to say about their neighborhoods, but perhaps the best features of one neighborhood are different than what you were expecting.


If you love playing tennis, ask how much demand there is for the courts to ensure you won't have to wait a long time to play. If you're serious about swimming, ask how often the pool is cleaned. You should also ask about how easy it is to meet other people and whether the neighbors are friendly. Any extra information that you can get could be beneficial if you can't decide between multiple gated communities in the area.


5. Choose Your Reynolds Lake Oconee Gated Community


There are plenty of gated communities to choose from in the Reynolds Lake Oconee area. While they all offer pristine homes with the type of spectacular surroundings you'd come to expect in Reynolds Lake Oconee, certain communities may fit your lifestyle better than others. Here are some of the private communities that you can find information about on this website:




Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee


Del Webb at Lake Oconee


Great Waters


Harbor Club on Lake Oconee


The Waterfront on Lake Oconee




If you're interested in buying a home in one of the many private communities near Reynolds Lake Oconee, contact local resale specialist Brian Quinn today
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 20 Apr 2017 20:25:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/reynolds-lake-oconee-golf-courses-the-national.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/reynolds-lake-oconee-golf-courses-the-national.html</link>
        <author>brianaquinnrealtor@gmail.com (Brian Quinn)</author>
        <title>Reynolds Lake Oconee Golf Courses: The National</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Of the six championship courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee, The National might be the most unique. Not only does it dazzle the eye with a gorgeous layout, but it's also the only course in the area with 27 holes. Among them are three sets of nine holes with different names, but similar designs. Every fairway is situated between tightly packed pine trees and weaves its way around corners and across rolling hills, creating a course that's almost as challenging as it is scenic. You might say the course is so much fun to play that 18 holes just isn't enough, so they built another nine.


The National History and Accolades


The National was creatively designed by one the top golf course designers in America, Tom Fazio, in the late 1990s, although the final nine holes didn't open until 2000. The course was also renovated in 2014 to bring out even more of its stunning beauty. The three separate nine-hole layouts, known as the Ridge, Bluff, and Cove all include towering trees such as pines and flowering dogwoods, not to mention hilly fairways and strategically placed bunkers.


The scenery, charm, and smart design of the course hasn't gone unnoticed either. Much like the other Reynolds Lake Oconee golf courses, the golf world has recognized The National with the following accolades:




Best Courses You Can Play in Georgia - GOLF Magazine


Top 20 Best in State - Golf Digest


Best Courses You Can Play - Golfweek




The National Course Layout and Design


It's hard to decide whether the trademark of The National is the 100-plus bunkers situated besides the fairways and greens or the striking elevation changes on almost every hole. Additional challenges also come in the form of significant doglegs and water-protected greens on select holes. Fazio didn't forget about Lake Oconee either. This breathtaking body of water doesn't come into play quite as much as some of the other Reynolds Lake Oconee golf courses—Great Waters, in particular, comes to mind—but it is used nicely on a few holes, both beside fairways and in front of greens.


The challenges on this course come from the need to be fairly strategic when contemplating what shots to hit. With most fairways slopping in any direction, it's important to pay close attention to the terrain and try to avoid becoming too awe struck with the scenery. The bunkers create their own set of challenges, with unique curves and dips that aren't seen on many other courses in the area.


Among the more memorable holes is No. 6 on the nine-hole Ridge section. This Par 5 features a green with water on three sides, not to mention a winding fairway with a cluster of bunkers in the middle of it. Hole No. 6 on the Bluff section is also a memorable Par 5, highlighted by a dogleg left around a pond with a fountain in it for your tee shot. Hole No. 3 on the Cove nine is a Par 3 that provides an extremely pleasant view of Lake Oconee through a few trees behind the green. Don't hit your tee shot long, though, or you might not enjoy the lake quite as much.


The National Tavern





You'll probably have worked up quite the appetite after your round at The National, especially if you play all 27 holes, so it only makes sense to relax and enjoy a delectable meal at the clubhouse-style restaurant beside the course. The National Tavern is located on the final hole of the Bluff section and features wonderful twists on traditional dishes such as pizza, mac &amp; cheese, pot roast, and sandwiches, all in a pub atmosphere. Whether you're eating lunch or dinner, you'll enjoy mouth-watering food and spectacular views of the course


The National Real Estate


There are several options for those wanting to live near The National golf course. Beautiful single-family homes built in several different traditional architectural styles are situated nearby, featuring well-manicured lawns outside and spacious floor plans inside. Of course, the same can be said for most Reynolds Lake Oconee homes for sale, particularly the homes near golf courses. You can browse listings of all golf homes in the area and read additional info on what makes these homes so amazing on our Reynolds Lake Oconee golf homes page.


For more info on the entire Reynolds Lake Oconee real estate market, contact local resale specialist Brian Reynolds today
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:18:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/cuscowilla-on-lake-oconee.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/cuscowilla-on-lake-oconee.html</link>
        <author>brianaquinnrealtor@gmail.com (Brian Quinn)</author>
        <title>Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Some of the most luxurious homes in the entire Lake Oconee area can be found in the 700-acre exclusive golf and lakefront community known as Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee. Located on a peninsula just south of Highway 44, across the lake from Reynolds Lake Oconee, this residential community has been designed with the entire family in mind. In addition to the award-winning golf course situated in the middle of Cuscowilla real estate, the seven miles of shoreline also provide amazing lakefront living with some of the most expansive views of Lake Oconee you'll find anywhere.


If the exquisite traditional homes overlooking either the golf course or the lake don't win you over, the other amenities and the surrounding nature will. Heated swimming pools, delightful restaurants, scenic walking trails, and modern fitness facilities are available to all residents in this blissful neighborhood. Best of all, Cuscowilla has been created specifically to respect the environment and natural beauty in the area. That's why the man-made amenities don't interfere with the rolling hills and vast breathtaking meadows throughout the neighborhood, which helps residents of all ages enjoy a pleasant lifestyle.


Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee Real Estate


With lot sizes ranging from a half acre to well over an acre and home sizes ranging from around 2,000 to 4,000 square feet—and even larger for some of the lakefront mansions—space and comfort will never be an issue if you're looking for a home in Cuscowilla. Whether you prefer waterfront splendor or wooded seclusion while maintaining a view of the lake, there is a great selection of elegant homes in this private neighborhood.


These homes are something to marvel at too. Many of the mansions situated directly on the lake are among the most spectacular in the entire Lake Oconee area, while a good portion of the homes near the golf course resemble luxury cabins that you might normally see deep in the forests of mountain communities. There are a wide variety of other traditional architectural styles within the neighborhood as well, and with customization options on many of Cuscowilla homes for sale, you won't see many homes that look exactly alike.


Surrounding these homes are colorful gardens, fresh pine trees with an intoxicating aroma, and, of course, the calm lake that only adds to the tranquil atmosphere. Inside the majority of homes you'll find gorgeous wood flooring, modern appliances, eat-in kitchens, and more than enough room for four or five spacious bedrooms.


If you're interested in learning more about these beautiful Cuscowilla homes, get in touch with local real estate agent Brian Quinn. Brian has the knowledge and experience to help you find your ideal home in the Reynolds Lake Oconee area.


Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee Golf


Playing the golf course at Cuscowilla is a treat that golfers of all levels need to experience. Throughout the round, you'll get to appreciate far-reaching views of Lake Oconee, towering Georgia pine trees that surround the fairways, and wide fields of Bluestem native grass.


The course also has its set of challenges, though. Two-time Masters winner Ben Crenshaw and renowned golf course designer Bill Coore created holes that require precise strategy and a good deal of accuracy, particularly on holes where water comes into play. However, you won't mind the challenge because Crenshaw and Coore also made sure the native grass and growth were barely disturbed, creating one of the most scenic and eco-friendly courses in the entire state of Georgia.


In fact, Cuscowilla has been named by Golfweek Magazine as one of the Top 100 Modern Courses in the entire country and the 21st Best Residential Golf Course in America. Golfweek has also ranked the course as No. 1 on its list of Best Courses You Can Play in Georgia on several occasions.


Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee Amenities


In addition to the first-rate golf course, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee also offers an abundance of other things to do. Around half a dozen common docks are available for residents who want to experience all that Lake Oconee has to offer on their boats. These common docks are often complimented by peaceful parks with grassy areas to enjoy a picnic. You can also rent boats, bicycles, and WaveRunners to enjoy the lake or cycle around the shoreline. Near the lake is a small fishing pond to go along with the sections of the lake that are best for fishing.


Two swimming pools are also available for residents to enjoy, as are several fully lit tennis courts, multiple walking trails, a pet park, a community garden, and a fitness center with free weights and cardio machines. For those looking for a nice night out, The Waterside Restaurant offers a wonderful selection of succulent dishes and a lovely atmosphere.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 07 Apr 2017 14:55:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/salem-plantation-on-lake-oconee.html</guid>
    <link>http://www.reynoldslakeoconeeresales.com/blog/salem-plantation-on-lake-oconee.html</link>
        <author>brianaquinnrealtor@gmail.com (Brian Quinn)</author>
        <title>Salem Plantation on Lake Oconee</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



One of the most peaceful and secluded neighborhoods among the many exclusive communities in the Reynolds Lake Oconee area is Salem Plantation on Lake Oconee. Located off Old Salem road—just a couple of minutes by car to the main Reynolds Lake Oconee shopping village—Salem Plantation real estate is a dream come true for anyone looking for a luxury home in a majestic forest and on a crystal clear lake. One thing that makes this private community stand out from the others surrounding the lake is its combination of isolation and close proximity to the top business and natural amenities in the area.


Salem Plantation Real Estate


If you take a trip down the quiet, delightful streets of Plantation Drive, Katherine Lane, and Cosby Circle, you won't be able to ignore the beauty of both the homes and the towering trees that surround them. In fact, you'll probably be hard pressed to decide whether you're more in love with Salem Plantation homes for sale or the environment.


These estate-style lots are generally well over an acre in size and provide residents with numerous opportunities to grow all sorts of plants and make your own lovely yard for the kids to play. Many of the homes exceed 4,000 square feet, so to say the interior floor plans are spacious would be an understatement. These homes were built by some of the top custom home builders in the area, so you know you're getting the highest quality of craftsmanship on both the exterior and interior.


You'll also be glad to know that Salem Plantation homes come with lovely traditional porches that create a relaxing atmosphere as you enjoy your view of the calm lake. It's important to note that every Salem Plantation home has access to Lake Oconee and most are located directly on a small inlet of the lake, meaning you can build your own dock to keep your boat or swim off of. Lakefront living has never looked more serene.


For a tour of Salem Plantation on Lake Oconee and information on available real estate listings in this incredible community, contact your Reynolds Lake Oconee resale specialist Brian Quinn.


Shops &amp; Entertainment Near Salem Plantation


There's a reason Salem Plantation is known as the most convenient neighborhood on Lake Oconee. All you have to do is take a quick drive or walk up Old Salem Road, turn left on Linger Longer Road and you're almost right in the Lake Oconee shopping village.


Do your grocery shopping at Publix Supermarket, buy a little something extra at one of the wine and spirits stores or the local meat market, and browse the latest items at the boutique stores, all within five minutes from your home. Movie theaters and fine dining options are also available in the village, as are a variety of professional services such as banks, dentists, pharmacies, and legal offices.


Old Salem Park


If you're looking for easy access to fantastic natural amenities in addition to the close proximity to shopping, you're in luck if you live in Salem Plantation. Not only do the homes in the neighborhood have direct access to Lake Oconee, but the wonderful campsites provide great shoreline walks that will open up your eyes to even more expansive views of the lake.


The park consists of three 85-acre full-service camping facilities, but local residents can take advantage of the day-use areas. Here is where you'll find picnic areas and pavilions for large groups, boat ramps, fully-equipped playgrounds for the kids, and a beach for everyone to enjoy
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:08:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
    </channel>
</rss>