Florida Halfbacks Heading to the Great Smoky Mountains

In years passed, a "halfback"meant something much different than it does today. During pro football's golden era of the fifties and sixties, we had our share of halfback heroes, Frank Gifford, Paul Hornung, Lenny Moore and Gale Sayers. They glorified the position with spectacular, galloping runs across the gridiron with a combination of speed and grace.

Now that the word "halfback", along with "flanker" and other now nostalgic phrases from a bygone era are no longer part of the football lexicon, halfback has taken on a new meaning. Today, halfback describes a new real estate trend. A Florida halfback is someone who years ago relocated to Florida to escape the cold harsh winters of Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and many other of our wintry northern states. Now, for various reasons, they have made the decision to leave Florida, but are not willing to go all the back and experience freezing temperatures again, but go halfway back, to the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia, where the winters are mild and the opportunities abundant. This is why they are called "Florida Halfbacks".

The developers of The Ridges at Tellico Lake, a new gated community in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains believe that over half of their residents will be "Halfbacks" from Florida. Why are they leaving Florida and heading halfway back? There are many reasons. Some choose to live seasonally in the mountain areas, avoiding the summer heat in Florida. The summers are much more comfortable in these mountain regions, so many are choosing the mountain lifestyle as a summer retreat. The majority of the halfbacks however are searching for a long term alternative to the Florida lifestyle they sought in years past. So why the move for these Florida Halfbacks?

A slower real estate market, high property tax and insurance rates are a key reason. The summer heat of course and concern over hurricanes is another factor. Many are getting more home for the money. Many areas in Florida have seen property values increase at a phenomenal rate over the past 20 years, pushing prices up and value down. Plus, one of the most significant reasons many people came down to Florida originally was to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With Florida's rapid growth in population and industry, halfbacks are finding in the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains the quiet lifestlye they once enjoyed in Florida. There are new employment opportunities in many of these mountain areas and many opportunities to invest in gorgeous mountain properties with exquisite mountain views.

New mountain communities, like The Ridges at Tellico Lake are offering homesties up to 3 acres in size, which is also attractive to the halfback who feels the need for more space, as Florida continues to grow and large homesites are becoming a thing of the past.

For more information about The Ridges at Tellico Lake, please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332.

Bed and Breakfast - A Vacation Rental Alternative

Do you love the ambiance of a vacation rental cabin in the mountains, but aren't that crazy about cooking and cleaning? Consider a Bed and Breakfast Inn. Many innkeepers allow you to rent the whole place for your large family, special event, or family reunion.

The Windover Inn in Waynesville, NC offers luxurious accommodations and a delicious breakfast, beautiful wraparound porch and gardens, and personalized services to help you pull it all together. With eight spacious and private rooms, it might just be the right alternative for you.

High Point, NC Experiencing Real Estate Growth

You may be either trying to sell a house, trying to buy a house, or know someone who is. I know some of you don't live in High Point nor do some of you even live in North Carolina but I believe this information will still be of use to you.

Let me assure you that North Carolina and, particularly, High Point is in great shape. We do not have the same conditions to which the national media is referring when it comes to foreclosures etc. Please reassure your friends and family that High Point, North Carolina, among many other places, is a fantastic place to buy a home right now.

Recent headlines about local conditions have been wonderful.
- this area attracted 3,100 new jobs in ’07
- the Thomasville-Lexington area was selected as the nation’s #1 micropolitan area for attracting corporate projects.
- the High Point metro area was named #1 in the nation for it’s size category for attracting new industries.
- High Point is the most competitive city, in the most competitive region, in the most competitive state. For more economic development news, please go to: www.highpointedc.com/news.cfm .


North Carolina has ranked 5th among the highest population growth and only 25th among foreclosure rates. What does this mean? People think NC is a worthy place to stay and we can afford to stay. Furthermore, you will note that 2-3 of the states that ranked above us in population growth are also in the top ten in foreclosures.

Thanks for your time and I hope this information is reassuring to you.

Lisa Duke
www.DukeBrothers.com
336-885-4256
336-442-7372
336-885-5731

Enjoy an afternoon with Smith Mountain Lake, Virigina.

On Saturday February 23rd from 3:00 until 6:00 PM at the Himmarshee Bar and Grill in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, take the opportunity to learn more about vacations and retirement living on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Affordable living, golf, tennis, waterfront dining... and so much more! For reservations to our cocktail party, please email jayw@marinerslanding.com or call 804.278.9672.

Log and Timber Home Show

Dreaming of a log or timber home? The Log & Timber Home Show is coming to Orlando, FL! The Orange County Convention Center is the site for this premier marketplace for those seeking log or timber home packages, finishing materials, furniture, lighting and financing. You don't have to trek across the country to speak one-on-one with leading log and timber providers because they're all under one roof! This three-day event offers you the chance to meet with up to 150 exhibitors from March 7 – 9, 2008.

Florida Migration

For the second year in a row in 2007, Atlas Van Lines moved more people out of Florida than into the state, reflecting what Floridians are seeing everyday – friends and neighbors moving away. Where are they going? Apparently many Floridian’s agree with North Carolina’s tagline, “A Better Place.” Analysts say the migration to the Carolinas and other adjoining states such as Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee has to do with a lower cost of living and other expenses including property taxes, insurance, and impact fees. Learn more.

Skis Please!

Sugar Ski Mountain in Western North Carolina is open! Check their website for ski conditions and hours of operation. The nearby Pinnacle Inn Resort is offering great lodging values for your ski vacation.