| Local Developer Defies Real Estate Market | | | | groups.” |
| With Affordable Vacation Homes on Lake Seminole | | | | “What we have created here |
| In The COVE At Trail’s End Resort & | | | | at the COVE is a product and an atmosphere where |
| Marina™ | | | | the entire family can vacation every weekend, feel |
| <a rel="nofollow" | | | | comfortable, pampered and truly enjoy the outdoors |
| onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' | | | | in a whole new way. We have families going fishing |
| outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=” | | | | now, cruising, and relaxing all in a manicured setting. |
| By John Beyers | | | | We also offer picnic tables, hammocks and grills |
| With all the talk about how bad | | | | on-site so you can gather any time and have |
| the real estate market is around the country there | | | | fun.” |
| are a few bright spots to be found. One gem is | | | | “Often the entire |
| located right on the banks of 38,000 acre Lake | | | | neighborhood comes together for parties, picnics, or |
| Seminole along the Chattahoochee River, in the | | | | just to watch the spectacular nightly sunset across |
| COVE at Trail’s End Resort and Marina™. | | | | the Chattahoochee River from the houseboats.” |
| Lucas Stewart, CEO, has taken | | | | Visitors will notice as night falls, |
| the concept of lakeside property to a whole new | | | | people line the docks, or sit on their decks sipping |
| level without the incredible costs usually associated | | | | drinks and wrap themselves in the sounds of the |
| with owning waterfront property. | | | | evening. When the sun starts to slip below the |
| Through hard work, ingenuity and | | | | horizon, fish bob to the surface of the lake to snap |
| determination, Mr. Stewart has created a mini | | | | at a last meal, birds swarm in coordinated droves |
| real-estate boom in a gorgeous section of Southwest | | | | along the waterway and catch the air currents as |
| Georgia by developing a luxury houseboat community | | | | they fly home to rest for the night. |
| in a full service marina that has direct access to the | | | | The total peace and serenity of |
| Gulf of Mexico. | | | | the COVE cannot be matched. Because of its location |
| Located an hour and a half from | | | | at the end of Georgia Highway 253, this private, |
| Valdosta, the COVE at Trail’s End Resort has | | | | gated community is the end of the line at the |
| experienced explosive growth at the same time as | | | | riverbank, and the beginning of paradise. Bordering a |
| the real estate market has witnessed serious lulls and | | | | wildlife refuge, you won’t hear or see another |
| slashed prices. | | | | soul as the evening takes over. No city lights, no |
| As the COVE rapidly sells out of | | | | extraneous noise. |
| mooring slips, current houseboat owners are enjoying | | | | You really are back to nature, while enjoying the |
| huge percentage spikes in equity. The COVE features | | | | totally modern comforts of a luxury houseboat. It is |
| Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboats. | | | | the best of both worlds. |
| The COVE has only 61 remaining | | | | The resort manager, David Allen, |
| slips available and Phase 1 sold out in just 14 weeks. | | | | told us about some of the advantages to ownership. |
| Phase 2 had its grand opening and units are now | | | | “What buyers have to realize |
| being reserved. Once this phase closes the COVE will | | | | is that owning a luxury houseboat here is a win-win |
| be nearly half occupied with ownership expecting | | | | situation. Not only do you get the full deduction tax |
| closeout to occur within the year at this pace. | | | | advantage offered by the IRS, as a second vacation |
| Since the Army Corps of | | | | home, you can also deduct the houseboat under |
| Engineers oversees the pristine waterways in and | | | | your business as an expense if applicable.” |
| around Trail’s End Resort, there will not be any | | | | “Harbor Homes™ |
| expansion of the development, thus protecting the | | | | houseboats are truly marine worthy boats that can |
| houseboat owners’ investment and equity | | | | cruise the river at 11mph with the optional engine |
| appreciation. | | | | package. They don’t have property taxes like |
| Compared to the price of land | | | | waterfront real estate and you don’t have to |
| along the river with the attendant costs of | | | | spend a quarter million dollars for a tiny spit of land at |
| developing the property if even allowed, a buyer | | | | water’s edge.” |
| could expect to spend well over $250,000. Harbor | | | | “The way the COVE is set up |
| Homes™ luxury houseboats, which start at just | | | | you get all your utilities and the amenities included in |
| $149,900* at the COVE, has made it affordable and | | | | one low monthly mooring fee. Currently an owner |
| desirable to have your vacation home on the water | | | | pays less than $300 and gets their water, sewer, |
| at Trail’s End Resort. | | | | metered electric, cable television with 48 channels, |
| Asked about the novelty of the | | | | WIFI internet and access to everything else at the |
| luxury houseboat concept, Mr. Stewart replied, | | | | resort! Other marinas charge more than twice that |
| “It is actually more of a reflection of what has | | | | just to moor your houseboat and you get none of |
| been happening in the boating industry. For years, | | | | your utilities. We’ve made this as attractive as it |
| there has a been a shift towards non-propulsioned | | | | can be.” |
| units and floating communities.” | | | | “Also, owners have to |
| “We are one of the nations | | | | remember, we have a rental reservations system in |
| first and foremost proponents for establishing a | | | | place with on-site property management. That means |
| nationwide dealer network to sell and service luxury | | | | if they choose to rent out their houseboat they can |
| houseboats into existing marinas and for sale onto | | | | recoup the entire monthly cost of owning the unit all |
| private lakes and waterways.” | | | | year!” |
| “The entire Harbor Homes™ | | | | “We’ll handle the check-in, |
| concept is not unique, but our execution has been | | | | check-out and cleanup, and you never have to worry |
| unparalleled. We already have nearly a dozen dealers | | | | about your home. Our staff does the grounds |
| who will be building large scale houseboat | | | | maintenance so unlike owning a lake cabin, you |
| developments across the country. It is a form of | | | | don’t have to show up on Friday night and mow |
| homebuilding whose time has come. People familiar | | | | the lawn or pick weeds. Once you get here all you |
| with older style, tiny houseboats, what you could call | | | | HAVE to do is relax.” |
| ‘toy homes’ are about to be | | | | Also the COVE at Trail’s End |
| impressed.” | | | | recently contracted with fishing professional, Paul |
| The two most prominent features | | | | Tyre, to act as the spokesperson to the professional |
| about Harbor Homes™ houseboats are the | | | | bass fishing community. Paul has participated in |
| outstanding size and value of the homes. There are | | | | tournaments all over the country. When he is not |
| also a lot of benefits and advantages to owning a | | | | touring he is available as a fishing guide. Just ask the |
| houseboat that overshadow cabins, lodges, lakeside | | | | manager about booking. |
| homes, and other types of property. | | | | Grant Nichols, National Sales |
| First, a Harbor Homes houseboat is | | | | Director for Harbor Homes™ and Valdosta native |
| built as a marine, seaworthy craft (U.S. Coast Guard | | | | told us, “The COVE represents the wave of the |
| inspected) on a large three bulkhead system for the | | | | future. Right now, you can afford a slice of vacation |
| hull, which allows the placement of a very large | | | | paradise right on the river. But we encourage |
| footprint home above. | | | | potential buyers to act soon, because prices on the |
| The houseboats at the COVE are | | | | houseboats are only going up and the number of slips |
| all 850 square feet for the base. Unlike cramped | | | | is going down.” |
| pleasure craft, Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboats | | | | “When you compare a Harbor |
| offer normal sized rooms including full living and dining | | | | Homes™ luxury houseboat for fit, finish and quality |
| areas, a complete kitchen with regular warranted | | | | of construction to any other houseboat on the |
| appliances, full bathrooms, or a second private | | | | market, you will note two very important things: |
| commode, a full stateroom that fits a queen or even | | | | One, our units have many features standard that |
| a king bed, and children’s bunk stateroom. | | | | others consider options, and two, our indoor |
| Every luxury houseboat has a | | | | construction facility helps preserve the materials |
| private deck on the stern outside the master | | | | that go into your new home so we deliver a top |
| stateroom, where parents can relax alone. The units | | | | notch product at a price that is less than HALF of |
| also feature a forward deck which can either be | | | | other custom models.” |
| open air, screened-in, glass-enclosed, or can support a | | | | “Owners get to choose from various floor plans, |
| second story sundeck with spiral staircase. With the | | | | colors for the interior and exterior and even other |
| addition of a swim platform on the front owners can | | | | items, to create a completely unique home on the |
| easily dock other fishing boats for quick access and | | | | water.” |
| immediate launching. | | | | All of the manufacturer’s |
| The COVE has transformed a | | | | construction specs, photographs and options are |
| hidden riverside jewel into what is now being called | | | | online at |
| Lake Seminole’s premiere family destination. | | | | “A Harbor Homes™ luxury |
| Complete with a brand new | | | | houseboat is the premiere investment opportunity in |
| private pool and clubhouse, children’s play area, | | | | a sour market, and the COVE at Trail’s End |
| community party room, and floating tiki huts, | | | | Resort and Marina is the prime place to join the |
| Trail’s End Resort and Marina™, online at has a | | | | future - a secure, gated floating vacation community |
| long list of amenities that make owning a luxury | | | | you can call your home away from home.” |
| houseboat there even more appealing. | | | | To reserve your spot for a private |
| From the hot tub to the huge flat | | | | tour you can reach the sales office at the COVE |
| screen TV in the community party room, owners will | | | | direct at 888-577-4562 or fill out a tour request at |
| have access to a full kitchen, laundry, showers, game | | | | The resort is open every day. |
| room with a pool table, air hockey and even a | | | | <a rel="nofollow" |
| business conference center. With nature trails, a | | | | onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' |
| volleyball court, a full restaurant - Pop’s Dockside | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=“ |
| Grill and Raw Bar, and the General store for groceries | | | | target=“blank”> |
| and licenses, the COVE has everything you want or | | | | <br> |
| need to play or relax. They even rent pontoon | | | | <a rel="nofollow" |
| boats, paddle boats, and have covered boat slips | | | | onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' |
| with water and electric for cleanup. | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=“ |
| Mr. Stewart stated, “In years | | | | target=“blank”> |
| past, guys would go off hunting or fishing without | | | | <br> |
| their families. Now with award winning fishing and | | | | *Models start at $149,900 |
| hunting right here on Lake Seminole, we have | | | | complete. Options available. Financing available. |
| established an all-inclusive resort atmosphere.” | | | | Average monthly cost is $980 financed or about the |
| “In addition to the luxury | | | | price of two car payments. Based on a $150,000 |
| houseboats for sale, with the upscale cabins on-site | | | | purchase price with $30,000 cash down payment. |
| for rent, the modern RV park with full hookups and | | | | 240 monthly payments. 6.9% APR with approved |
| the rustic camping, Trail’s End Resort can | | | | credit. Financed amount does not include state taxes, |
| accommodate family renunions, corporate functions, | | | | monthly slip fee or additional options. |
| fishing and hunting clubs and all kinds of other | | | | |