Wedowee, Alabama
Can We Talk?
Welcome to our blog, Lake Wedowee Neighbors. We created this blog to share news, ideas, upcoming events and photos associated with the Lake Wedowee and the Randolph County Alabama areas. We would like to hear from you so please feel free to make comments and suggestions.
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Mar. 2, 2008
by...Leisel Caldwell
Prospective buyers ask me all the time, "When is the best time of the year to buy a home on Lake Wedowee?" The answer becomes obvious when considering supply and demand. A limited number of lake-front properties are available or will ever become available. Of those for sale and an even more limited number meet the needs of the prospective buyer. When is the right time to buy? As soon as you find the home you desire. The one that fits your lifestyle may come along only once in a lifetime
The Media's focus on nation-wide foreclosure rates and tightening mortgage requirements has lead to some prospective buyers hesitancy to buy because of what they refer to as "current market conditions." Some are less confident in their ability to get financing on second homes and lake lots. Contrary to common perception, many buyers are enjoying better mortgage options and rates than ever before, and they have more properties to choose from. The national downturn and the hesitancy for some prospective buyers, presents a perfect buying opportunity for smart investors.
Lower pool offers buyers greater insight
While some buyers may complain about low lake levels, it is really good to see lake homes and lots when the lake is down. It provides buyers with an unrestricted view of the property and the lay of the lake. Is a dock placed far enough out in the water? Is a quiet and peaceful cove affected by drought? Is the new beach, revealed by the low water level, gently sloped, perfect for children? How does the lake front compare community by community? Observing property at lower water levels provides purchasers with an exceptional opportunity to see what is otherwise easily overlooked in a quick tour of the lake and home.
I cannot remember a better time to buy real estate on Lake Wedowee, taking advantage of choice, opportunity,and special insight, during this prime real estate buying time. If you are currently looking for Lake Wedowee real estate please give Kelly or me a call. We will work very hard to find you the perfect lake front property.
Mar. 1, 2008
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Lake Wedowee Life Magazine
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 Lake Wedowee Life hit the streets as the first publication dedicated to the people and culture that make Lake Wedowee so unique on Feb 1, 2008. For years, people have fallen in love with Lake Wedowee and as it continues to grow in popularity the demand for information about the area grows too. The magazine features stunning photography and intriguing stories which will shine a light on the beauty that is Lake Wedowee. To be published six times a year, Lake Wedowee Life, a free publication, is available throughout the local area or by mail for a nominal fee of $12 per year.
Sep. 26, 2007
The Word On The Street...
It is a Done Deal!
by: Leisel Caldwell
If you have been following our story on the "Big" Developer coming to Lake Wedowee you will be interested
to know the word on the street is... it is a done deal. We have been told by more than one source Alabama Power and "Mr.
Big" have come to terms and to expect an announcement by the end of the year.
So, what does this mean for our area? If true, "Big" things are sure to come, but we all must realize the
process of any major development takes time (years). Just the sheer excitement of any such announcement will have many
expecting the prices to sky-rocket. I feel those who want or need to sell in the next 2 years may be disappointed with
this assumption. The real estate market is driven by what the buyers are willing to pay for the available properties for
sale, supply and demand. See Kelly's Market Update for more information on what the average lake buyer is currently
willing to pay.
We are currently in a stabilizing market with property values holding their own, inventory of available
properties climbing and the number of buyers entering our market staying at about the same number as we have seen in years
past. The major jump in values we saw from 2003 - 2006 in real estate sales is not going on in the 2007 market. Yes,
listing prices are continuing to escalate without rhyme or reason, but the properties that are selling are holding their
own with the 2006 sales price averages.
The impact of a major multi-use development in our community will first be felt by the influx of a large
number of contractors and construction workers. Rental properties will be in high demand. Sub-contractors and construction
workers will have employment opportunities. More sales for restaurants, fuel providers, construction material suppliers,
etc. and more sales tax will provide an economic boost for Randolph and Clay Counties. As the development progresses there
will be many full time employment opportunities.
In my opinion, once the anticipated announcement is made, it will have an immediate influence on bringing
more buyers to our market. Once "Mr Big" has something to sale and they begin their marketing efforts we will see major
increases in the number of buyers in this market. Again, with the supply and demand, we will see large increases in values
on prime waterfront property. Please note, I do not see major price changes for low and mediocre
water front quality properties. They will continue to see increases but only moderately.
Our area will have a great opportunity to prosper in many ways and with such a development we should expect
many changes. This developer is likely to become the largest employer for the county. Our local leaders need to embrace
this new development. They need to offer a helpful hand and be open to new ideas. They also need to have a watchful eye to
protect us and our assets.
We all get excited about the prospect of recruiting major industry, well folks, this is major
industry.
Aug. 20, 2007
THE
PLOT
THICKENS...
I guess someone with "Linger Longer" connections received our little email.
All the links mentioned www.LingerLongerLakeWedowee.com, www.ReynoldsLakeWedowee.com,www.LakeWedoweeGolf.com are no longer showing the blond girl with those important key words. Now it shows "This page can not be displayed."
With this new development, some people may question my credibility, for those that do, I understand. It could be a big misunderstanding, but odds are strong I am on to something. You can still discover the website addresses above have been bought if you go to www.GoDaddy.com and type in one of the above mentioned sites. It will say it is already taken. You can also see when it was purchased (July 7 through 9 of this year depending on the website), but the buyer has asked to remain private. Those sites also still appear in Google search results. You just have to dig a little deeper to find them. So the top 10 reasons still hold true.
We are constantly searching for information about Lake Wedowee so we can keep our customers and clients informed. We are very excited about the possibility of such a major player coming to our market and what it could mean for Lake Wedowee.
If you know any scoop on this matter, let's linger on it a little longer together. You can email me directly, or you can put your comments on our blog at www.LakeWedoweeNeighbors.com.
We know that this may have been forwarded to you by a friend, so if you would like to directly receive our e-newsletter "Lake Wedowee News & Views click here to sign up. Please be assured your email address will not be shared with any other parties.
Sep. 28, 2006
By: Leisel Caldwell
More rumors to report on the Wet - Dry Referendum for Randolph County: according to our sources the Randolph County Probate Judge had issues with the way people signed the petition. Many signers choose to print their name to make it more legible. This was not acceptable to the Judge. The signers who printed their names were thrown out as well as illegible signatures. As a result the petition came up short for the needed number of voters' signatures.
The story is not over, not yet anyway. It has been reported that a couple of the organizers of the petition have headed to Montgomery. They are looking for help in overruling Randolph County's Probate Judge. Will the voters of Randolph County be allowed to vote on the sale of alcohol in this county in November? Stay tuned because just like in soap opera world the story continues.
Sep. 19, 2006
 By Kelly Caldwell
If you were at Lake Wedowee for Labor Day weekend, you surely noticed how low the lake was. According to Alabama Power Company’s website, the lake level was recorded as 787.8 which was 5.2 feet below full pool. Several boats were beached and several more docks were dry.
The reason, according to Alabama Power, for the lower than normal lake levels was the dry conditions the area has experienced all summer.
“Drought operations were anticipated in mid-May and all hydrogeneration was reduced to conserve water for use later in the year, should it be needed,” the press release said. “Over the past four months, the water released from Alabama Power reservoirs has been reduced to the minimum amounts required by the company’s federal hydroelectric project licenses.”
Lack of rain has played a part in the lower lake levels across the state and since Labor Day the area has received more rain than typical at this time.
As of Sept. 19, the lake level is 789.3 feet, a level the lake has not seen since Aug. 10. While it is still a ways from being at full pool if the rain continues, we might still have several months of playing on the lake. And, it could be worse. Smith Lake near Birmingham is down more than 16 feet as of Sept. 19.
Sep. 12, 2006
By Kelly Caldwell
Having lived in Randolph County for most all of my childhood and teen years, I have pondered that question countless times. We had to go out of town to watch a movie, go shopping, or even go to a chain restaurant that wasn’t fast-food. Not a lot has changed as far as Roanoke is concerned but there is more to do than you might think.
The Art Studio and Gallery in downtown Wedowee is a perfect example. The shop offers a funky and eclectic mix of art, jewelry and even glass wind-chimes. The owner also teaches art to children and offers workshops during the week and sometimes on weekends. Children can pick a craft or project and depending on the time involved can take it home that day.
There is also an abundance of antique shops and a consignment store in the downtown area that provide bargain hunters many hours of entertainment.
As for Roanoke, children of all ages can lace up their roller skates and take a spin at the Roanoke Skate Center. An often asked question of where is the nearest Wal-mart is answered in Roanoke with the SuperCenter located on U.S. Highway 431. There are also two movie rental stores, in the summer “Sno-on-the-Go” can be found serving Hawaiian Shaved Ice in a variety of flavors. Roanoke has two claims to fame. The town is home to the Ella Smith Doll and Megan May winner of the 2001 national Wendy’s High School Heisman. Randolph County is the epitome of small town life covering all the basic needs.
If you are looking for peace and quiet, Randolph County is perfect. If not, the bustle of a larger city is only a half hour drive away.
Aug. 21, 2006
Categorized in: Fact or Fiction
Story by: Kelly Caldwell
Have you heard that Lake Wedowee has its own alligator? Well if you haven’t you probably will, the email that was forwarded to me this week told me to send it to everyone I knew so it should arrive to you shortly.
As you know everything that comes over on email is absolute fact. No questions asked, it’s the truth… Yeah, right.
So when I came to work one day this week waiting in my inbox was an email about Lake safety. It had those three little letters that I despise in the subject line...FWD: I click on it and am informed about deer eating alligator on Lake Wedowee. There were pictures and everything. It said that the “ADNR” helicopter flying over Lake Wedowee took the following pictures.
 That is when I knew something was fishy. In my past life as a newspaper reporter, we got an email saying almost the same thing, but it was on Lake Martin. We did a little digging and found the whole thing to be untrue. Thanks to my favorite website, www.snopes.com, the pictures have been verified as real, but the location is not anywhere near Lake Wedowee or Lake Martin. Actually the gator was spotted near the Georgia/South Carolina border.
I scrolled down to finish the email and saw yet another story about an alligator on Lake Wedowee. I was beginning to think we were infested with those reptilian creatures. This time the email said the creature was found near a boat dock and this time the “game warden” had to kill the animal.
The picture with it was disturbing. That gator was absolutely huge!!! The story said that Lake Wedowee homeowners Anita and Charlie Rogers discovered the creature. Only problem, there is no one by that name in the phone book or the records we have of homeowners. I again went to my favorite website and found the story almost identical to the one emailed to me, but this time it was saying the creature was captured in Texas. Alligators are not uncommon in Alabama but most of them live in south Alabama. I have lived in Randolph County for most of my life and have only once heard even a mention of an alligator and that was in a private pond. So feel safe when swimming. The fact is there have only been 5 cases of an alligator attacking a human in Alabama. While it is possible for alligators to live on Lake Wedowee, they are more common in South Alabama.
Aug. 20, 2006
Just click on the Community Board picture or the link below to be directed to the
Randolph County Community Board.
It is easy to post items you want to sale or give-a-way. Check out the FSBOs, Lake Wedowee Rentals, Classified Ads, Local Area Photos, Adopt-a-pet, etc.
Best of all it is Free!
A community service provided by Advantage Realty.
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