Blue Ridge Real Estate|Buy Cabins For Sale|North GA Mountains » Banks and Institutions

United Community Banks Tops In J.D. Power Study

Chad Lariscy — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:37:15 +0000

United Community Banks Inc. was the highest ranked Southeastern bank in terms of customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study published Thursday.

Blairsville, Ga.-based United Community Banks (NASDAQ: UCBI) scored an 815 and “among the best” ranking in the annual study. The Southeast average score was 768.

The scores are based on an 1,000-point scale. The study analyzes customer satisfaction with the retail banking experience based on account activities, account information, facility, fees, problem resolution and product offerings.

Congratulations UCB!

Bank Closings Really Hit Home This Time

Chad Lariscy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:46:56 +0000

Three more Georgia community banks failed today, two of which were right here at home. Appalachian Community Bank of Ellijay will reopen on Saturday as branches of Community & Southern Bank, while Bank of Hiawassee, which also had branches known as Bank of Blue Ridge and Bank of Blairsville, will reopen as Citizens South Bank. In small communities it seems everyone knows everything, and that unfortunately held true today. It had been a rumor from the beginning of the week that this Friday was in fact Seizure Day here at home, and that rumor turned out to be true.

What impact will that have here in the North Georgia Mountains? Well, that is a question that only time will tell. To say the least it is a concern of mine. How will they handle bad loans, and folks who are struggling and in danger of losing their homes, their family farms, and even their businesses? How will it affect the overall Real Estate Market? Will it even change at all? And what about the employees that have been working for many, many years with these banks, will they keep their jobs? These and many others are questions that we would all love to have the answers to, and I am sure we will in due time.

Will Federal Guidelines Speed Up Short Sales?

Chad Lariscy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:05:02 +0000

This is a “BIG DEAL!” Most Buyer’s and Seller’s are absolutely scared to death right now of a Short Sale agreement. Rightfully so in my opinion. These Banks and Servicing Institutions have got to get it together. I have been fortunate enough to have been apart of many Short Sale transactions that were closed in a relatively acceptable amount of time. However on the other hand, I have had the misfortune of being party to several that have not only been an embarrassment to all parties involved, but nothing more than total aggravation and frustration. Let me give you just one example and you decide for yourself.

I currently have a Short Sale contract where I am representing the Buyer for a Cabin for Sale in Blue Ridge, GA. The contract was entered into on July 24, 2009. The list price of the Cabin For Sale was $340,000. An agreement was reached by both parties of $300,000. After many months of sitting and waiting to hear something, anything from the Bank, we finally received a notice that they would not accept the Short Sale on the contracted price, but counter offered to use in the amount of $350,000. They highly encouraged a counter offer, of any kind from my client. So, after speaking with my client, we decided that we would counter offer $305,000 to show the Bank our good faith in the transaction. Another couple of months passed and we again finally received word from the Bank that they had yet another counter offer at a price of $389,000. I was in disbelief. Not only was this last counter offer higher than their first counter, but it was more than what was owed on the home to begin with. As a result of the ridiculous manner in which this Bank had handled this transaction, the Seller to my understanding is now filing for Bankruptcy, and will eventually lose the home through Foreclosure. I am currently searching for another property for my client.

Am I to feel sorry for these Banks? Do you?

Not sure what a Short Sale is? Click Here for a simple explanation.

I certainly hope that I haven’t ruined your day…..go out and Make it an AWESOME day!

Happy Birthday America From Blairsville, GA.

Chad Lariscy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:36:35 +0000

Happy Birthday America!

When: Friday July 3, 2009 at 9:30

Where: Meeks Park in Blairsville, GA.

Don’t forget – The Blairsville Fireworks Display sponsored by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce will be held Friday, July 3rd at Meeks Park . The show will begin at approximately 9:30pm.

As a special treat this year, we invite eveyone to tune in to Mountain Country 103.9 FM for a live broadcast from Meeks Park beginning at 8:30pm. Listeners will enjoy an uninterrupted musical tribute to America’s Birthday!

The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce and Everyone in Blairsville would really like to Thank the following contributors that together have made this Celebration possible:

United Community Bank

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC

Appalachian Community Bank

Nantahala Bank and Trust Loan Production Office

Re/Max Enotah Realty

The Cash Store

Blairsville Pets

Busy Bee Printing and Signs

Mountain Country 103.9

Union County Recreation Department