Jackson County Real Estate Trends, Community Events, and Hot Spots!

You’ll find this blog to be a wealth of information, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings, events, and hot spots. That’s because I care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. I’d love to talk with you!

Oct. 1, 2024

Hot Spot of the Week- Hoschton Coffee Company

logo of Hoschton Coffee Company

Hoschton Coffee Company, located in the Hoschton Square, is one of my favorite spots for a cup of hot (or iced) coffee, and a bagel or sweet treat! Sitting on their back patio is one of my favorite places to work in peace OR catch up with a friend!

Coffee is DELICIOUS, bagels are super fresh (my fave is the asiago bagel with jalapeno cheddar cream cheese!) and yummy, owners & employees are friendly, and I love to grab a cup of coffee and sit and work at one of their tables. And there are some delicious FRESH pastries (muffins, cookies, etc). Plus it's woman & Veteran-owned, and there's a great story behind the coffee.

I also rack up points using their app, and I'm pretty sure I'm halfway to a free cup of coffee- yipee!

For more information:
Address: 73 City Square, Hoschton (Hosch Hall next to City Hall!)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoschtonCoffeeCompany/

Sept. 23, 2024

Hot Spot: Revival Hall Taproom

If I had to choose my FAVORITE spot for a chill weekend dinner: Revival Hall Taproom!

Located in the Jefferson square, Revival Hall is Jefferson's watering hole! While they do not serve any food, they serve up a number of delicious brews, most of which appear to be local. Seriously, it's a great variety of beers! Plus some ciders, wine, non-alcoholic root beer on tap, and some sodas. Want to try a few? Get a flight!

While they don't serve food in their establishment, they do invite popular food trucks from across Georgia to set up shop in the parking lot on Fridays & Saturdays!

And then the environment? Can't be beat! Such classy, beautiful decor, and a great atmosphere. Large variety of tables, large and small, to fit any group (or make some new friends at the high-top!). They have it stocked with some board games, cornhole boards and giant Jenga on the patio, and most important during football season- a large TV!

The owners were SO SWEET! My hubby is a huge Ohio State fan (married a Yankee, much to my father's dismay!), and the owner so-graciously saw my message and had it on and ready to watch when we walked in the door.

We are always highly impressed and even our kids LOVE to come!! 

Business Information:
Revival Hall Taproom
16 S Public Square, Jefferson
Open Thursday & Friday 4PM-10PM, Saturday 12PM-10PM, and Sunday 2PM-7PM
www.revivalhall.com

Sept. 16, 2024

Hot Spot: Public Square Wine Market

Hot Spot: Public Square Wine Market

Last year, during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I needed a WOW gift basket for my husband's boss {whom I've never met} when all I knew was that she loves wine! So, off to Public Square Wine Market I went! The Owner was so kind- ordered me a special bottle of the boss' favorite wine, and she helped me put together a beautiful basket of goodies with all of the adorable decor and serving items sold at the store. It turned out to be beautiful, and his boss was impressed!

So if you're on the hunt for a good bottle of wine, need a quick gift, or just want to browse adorable serving items, don't overlook Public Square!

Address: 92 N Public Square, Jefferson
Phone: 706-708-2280
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Public-Square-Wine-Market-100058818111883/

To see ALL of my Small Business Spotlights, CLICK HERE!

Sept. 13, 2024

JaxCo Fall Fun Guide

To get a copy of this guide e-mailed to you as a PDF for easy saving/printing, CLICK HERE!

How to Use: Below is an embedded guide! Clicking on the right of the photo below should allow you to turn from page to page. If not, hover over the image and look at the bottom for the option to advance pages. There are 5 total pages!

JaxCo_FallGuide by sarahmprouty

Posted in Best Of, Entertainment
Sept. 9, 2024

Hot Spot: Sugar & Spice

Truth? I have lived in JaxCo for almost a decade, and I'm ashamed to admit last week was my first ever (but DEFINITELY NOT LAST!) visit to Sugar & Spice Cafe!

When I heard it was Tomato Soup day, I couldn't resist, and I certainly wasn't disappointed! I can't wait to try some of their other soups and sandwiches. Oh, and their desserts?? The fresh brownie was irresistible and DELICIOUS!

Located inside of the Crawford Long Pharmacy in the Jefferson square, it's honestly easy to miss. But this hidden gem is certainly one to know about!

Address: 86 N Public Square, Jefferson (inside Crawford Long Pharmacy)
Phone: 706-387-1948
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SugarAndSpiceCafeandCatering

To see ALL of my Small Business Spotlights, click here!

Sept. 3, 2024

Hot Spot of the Week: The Galloping Galette

Want to be transported across the Atlantic for a meal? Check out The Galloping Galette in downtown Braselton (located between Naked South Boutique and Cotton Calf) and be instantly transported to France! Authentic French cuisine (Galettes and Crepes!) from authentic French owners with delightful service- definitely a 10!

Warning- it's much more filling than you would think!! I was stuffed after my La Bretonne (mozzerella, cinnamon apples, sausage) but just HAD to splurge for La Chocolate crepe- it's my favorite!

Location: 9924 Davis Street, Suite 7, Braselton, GA
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TGG.TheGallopingGalette

Aug. 8, 2024

When is the BEST time to sell your home in (and around) Jackson County?

I get this question often: When is the BEST time of year for me to sell my home quickly & for top-dollar?

While the real estate market anywhere, Georgia included, ebbs and flows through the year, in general, we see some patterns emerge year-after-year in when the most homes tend to sell. Time periods with the most closings tend to also be the time periods with the highest prices and fewest days on market (since more demand= more closings + higher prices + fewer days on market). Here's a look at the number of closings in Jackson County specifically since 2020, and while this is specific to JaxCo, it is also indicative of the real estate market as a whole in our area:

So, what do we notice? May, June, and July tend to be the months with the most closings, with March & September occasionally sneaking in there, too. December, January, and February tend to be the months with the fewest number of closings.

These numbers, of course, are influenced by a number of factors- primarily the economy, interest rates, and school calendars (families tend to buy/sell in the late spring/early summer so they can be situated by the time school starts). Notice that dip in June on the light blue (2024) line? With the high interest rates we've seen this summer, it's no surprise that Buyers have been slower to buy, resulting in the lowest summer month of closings since May 2020!

What does this mean for you if you're considering selling your home? 

(1) Notice that homes sell EVERY. SINGLE. MONTH! There are no months in recent years with 0 homes sold! So if you need to sell, rest assured that you do not need to wait until May-July to sell. There are always Buyers buying so long as there are Sellers selling! It may take a couple extra days to sell, but not by a significant amount. (I sold my personal home in January & it went under contract in 2 days! Buyers are out there year-round.)

(2) This data shows homes CLOSING, not going under contract! Typically, it takes ~30 days for homes to go from contract to closing. If most homes are closing in May, June, and July, those same homes were most likely listed and went under contract in April, May, and June! If you want to hit those "hot" summer months, your best bet is to be on the market by April or May to take full advantage of the highest demand.

(3) 2024, for the most part, has shown a decline in the number of homes sold (and an increase in number of homes on the market). Now more than ever, it is critical that you price your home appropriately and ensure it is as neutral & market-ready as possible so it appeals to the largest number of Buyers.

With interest rates decreasing over the last week or two, I'll be watching statistics closely for the fall months to see if we notice an increase in closings for September & October after a slower summer.

Considering selling your home now, in the spring, or even a year from now? Call me for a FREE Home Evaluation to discuss your options & how you can prepare your home to better your chances of it selling quickly & for the highest price possible!

Posted in Real Estate Tips
July 23, 2024

Hot Spot of the Week- Cozy's

Cozy's logo from their building

In the market for a new sofa? Bedroom set? Dining room set? Mattress? You absolutely need to check out Cozy's (now known as Oh So Cozy) in downtown Hoschton or at Tanger Outlets in Hoschton!

Not only are the owners LOCALS + super sweet and helpful, but they have a huge selection (seriously.. a whole touch screen kiosk with catalog after catalog of items!) and GREAT prices! We were able to get a new, adorable bedroom set for my kiddo a couple years ago, plus we just snagged new recliner sofa & loveseat this month!

You can scope out their inventory on their website (below), hop into their store to see what they have in stock, or browse the kiosk in-store. But they are ABSOLUTELY worth a stop the next time you are in the market for a furniture upgrade!
For more information about Cozy's, check them out:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CozysfurnitureGA
Address: 25 City Square, Hoschton (next to Sliced) (or 800 Steven B Tanger Blvd. Suite 500, Commerce)
Phone: (706) 684-0341
Shop Online! https://www.cozysfurniturega.com/

May 21, 2024

Hot Spot: The Fork And Spoon

Don't sleep on Jefferson's newest food spot- delicious AND healthy!!

The Fork and Spoon (located in the Jefferson square where That Spot used to be- a couple doors down from Diesel Donuts) comes to us from folks we already love at The Catered Kitchen! Using many of the same recipes we've come to know & love from TCK, now you can grab them hot & fresh & in a single serving!

I was lucky enough to stop by during their soft opening, and I grabbed the Korean BBQ flatbread. And let me just say.... YUM!!! Not only was the portion HUGE and the ingredients fresh, but it was truly delicious! They had lots of other goodies on the menu, including build-your-own protein bowl, other flatbreads, tacos, and salads. They have some menu items that'll stay on the menu week-to-week, but they will also offer Weekly Features. PLUS grab your TCK take-home meal for dinner while you're there!

This is a welcome, delicious option for Jefferson. And while there's no inside seating available, they do have some patio tables & chairs in the back.

For now, they'll be open Tuesday-Friday (11AM-6PM) with plans to eventually open on Saturdays. GRAND OPENING is Wednesday, May 22nd!

Address: 40 E Public Square, Jefferson (in the square, a couple doors down from Diesel Donuts)
Web: https://www.theforkandspoon.net/



 

May 14, 2024

Hot Spot: Bistro To Go

Have you had a chance to visit Jefferson's newest (and arguably most delicious) bistro? Bistro to Go (from the catering folks at Thyme to Cater) just opened in Jefferson, and it is a must-try!

I met a sweet friend for a breakfast chat, and we each raved about our selections- from their coffee to their pastries (the chocolate-filled croissant was delish!) to their breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast... everything was a home run! And last week, the kids and I stopped by to grab a quick ready-to-heat dinner (grilled chicken, mac & cheese, broccoli, salad, and bread!), and it was a quick, easy, and delicious meal.

Whether you need a spot to meet a friend, talk business, or just enjoy a quiet breakfast, Bistro to Go is a great spot to try!

Address: 960 Lee Street, Suite 200, Jefferson (same shopping center as Fashion 10)
Web: https://thymetocaterbistro.com/