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May, 2009
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES
Once again, the news media continues to report data which suggests that the economic turn-around we've all been anticipating may be either underway or approaching:
* An article in MSN Money noted that "Pending home sales rise, while construction spending shows an unexpected gain".
* MarketWatch reports that "News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, commenting on the most severe worldwide economic downturn in decades, said Wednesday that 'it is ncreasingly clear that the worst is over'".
* Bloomberg.com reports that "U.S. stocks advanced to a four-month high...".
* The Financial Times reports that "The bulls have the upper hand", and quoted the star asset manager and president of investments at Fidelity International as saying that "All the things are in place for the bear market to have ended".
* MSNBC reports that "new applications for jobless benefits plunged to the lowest level in 14 weeks, a possible sign that the massive wave of layoffs has peaked".
* And finally, Yahoo Finance headlined an article "Fed Sees Signs Recession May Be Easing".

 AND SO...
For those clients who've requested that we alert them when we see encouraging signs in the economy in general -- and in the real estate market in particular -- consider this that alert. This is not to suggest that the real estate market has returned overnight to the robust levels of 2006 activity; it clearly hasn't. But any turnaround or "bottoming-out" always begins with a few hopeful indicators -- such as we're seeing now -- and builds from there. It remains our belief that, for those with sufficient disposable income, this is a most opportune time to purchase property.

I hope you'll enjoy this month's issue of "Mountain Views". Let me know how I can assist you.

Ed Reams
Owner/Broker
What's Happening In The Area?
Car-B-Que Comes to Hayesville
 Do you like barbeque? Do you like antique cars? You will be able to enjoy both on June 13, 2009, and participate in a blood drive at the ninth annual Clay County Car-B-Que. This event, which runs from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm on the Hayesville Town Square, is sponsored by the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association. Money raised by the Car-B-Que is used to support various local development activities funded by CCCRA.
Click here for more on the CCCRA
Carolina Outfitters
 Nantahala river rafting adventures in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City, NC, in the Great Smokey Mountains! Thrill to the challenge and excitement of whitewater rafting on the most popular River in the Southeast. Enjoy the scenic splendor of the Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains as you paddle the clean cold waters of the Nantahala River. Carolina Outfitters offers many different types of trips for all ages and levels of experience.  Click here for more details

Hiawassee Antique Mall is Northeast Georgia's largest antique mall, with 45 dealers occupying more than 10,000 square feet of retail space. Hiawassee Antique Mall contains a beautifully-displayed array of quality antiques and collectibles, including primitive and fine furniture, Southern pottery, crystal, china, glassware, toys, books, vintage jewelry, Coke collectibles, tools, linens, cookbooks and much, much more. Conveniently located in the heart of Hiawassee, Georgia, there is ample free parking, a "hubby hole" for the gentlemen to relax while the ladies shop, and soothing music to help make your visit enjoyable.
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 Click here for more information
Just For Fun!
Ants never sleep.
In York, England, excluding Sundays, it is legal to shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow.
If you add up the numbers 1-100 consecutively (1+2+3+4+5 etc) the total is 5050.
40% of women have hurled footwear at a man.
A group of officers is called a mess.
No word in the the English dictionary rhymes with "MONTH".
The human brain is 80% water.
Every year, kids in North America spend close to half a billion dollars on chewing gum.
The parachute was invented by DiVinci in 1515.
Your right lung takes in more air than your left one does.
There are 86,400 seconds in day.
The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off!
The U.S. Government spent $277,000 on pickle research in 1993.
The world's largest amphibian is the giant salamander. It can grow up to 5 ft. in length.
The first coast-to-coast telephone line was established in 1914.
A car traveling 100 mph would take more than 29 million years to reach the nearest star.
In Cleveland, Ohio, it is illegal to catch mice without a hunting license.
A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.
The U.S. has more bagpipe bands than Scotland does.
Fortune cookies were actually invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung!
In Sweden there is a ski-thru Mcdonalds.
Pinocchio is Italian for "pine head."
Just In Case!
Removing a tick is easy if you just follow these simple steps.

To remove an attached tick, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or special tick removal instruments. These special devices allow one to remove the tick without squeezing the tick body. This is important as you do not want to crush the tick and force harmful bacteria to leave the tick and enter the bloodstream.
Grab the tick by the head or mouth parts right where they enter the skin. Do not grasp the tick by the body.
Without jerking, pull firmly and steadily directly outward. Do not twist the tick as you are pulling. Using methods such as applying petroleum jelly, a hot match, or alcohol will NOT cause the tick to 'back out.' In fact, these irritants may cause the tick to deposit more disease-carrying saliva in the wound.

After removing the tick, place it in a jar of alcohol to kill it. Ticks are NOT killed by flushing them down the toilet. Clean the bite wound with a disinfectant. If you want to, apply a small amount of a triple antibiotic ointment. Wash your hands thoroughly.
Ed's Featured Listings

SELLERS WILL PAY UP TO $2,000 OF BUYER'S CLOSING COSTS on this like-new, river-access 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath cabin. Sit on your screened-in porch and enjoy the wind whispering through the pines. 
Click here to learn more

A rare find... a 1 acre lake access lot. Because of the shape of this lot, you'll have bold views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains.
Click here to learn moree

YOU'LL LOVE THE PRIVACY AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS from this charming 3BR/3BA country home. There's a two-car garage, complete with a sink and work benches, and a mother-in-law suite above the garage. 
Click here to learn more

BOLD VIEWS OF LAKE CHATUGE AND THE MOUNTAINS from this fully furnished, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. You'll enjoy the cathedral ceiling, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and large loft area which looks out over the lake.
Click here to learn more

GREAT VIEWS OF BELL MOUNTAIN AND LAKE CHATUGE from this .71 acre lot in Dan Knob! The lot has already been underbrushed, and is located on a quiet cul-de-sac.
Click here to learn moree

WATCH THE SUNRISE OVER THE MOUNTAINS from this gentle-laying lot in Eagles View. Located on a good paved road, you have access to all utilities -- including the community water system.
Click here to learn more
In the Kitchen
Fresh Pea Soup

 Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups leeks, white and light green parts chopped
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
4 cups chicken stock
5 cups fresh peas or 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen peas
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup creme fraiche
1/2 cup chives, chopped and/or fresh mint
garlic-flavored croutons, for serving

Directions
Heat the butter in a large saucepan, add the leeks and onion, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the onion is tender.
Add the chicken stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil.
Add the peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the peas are tender. (Frozen peas will take only 3 minutes.)
Turn off the heat, add the salt, and pepper.
Puree the soup in batches: place 1 cup of soup in a blender, place the lid on top, and puree on low speed.
With the blender still running, open the venthole in the lid and slowly add more soup until the blender is three-quarters full.
Pour the soup into a large bowl and repeat until all the soup is pureed.
Whisk in the creme fraiche and chives, and taste for seasoning.
Serve hot with garlic croutons.
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