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How We Work With Buyers

The Lake Team loves matching buyers with their dream lake home so that they can build precious memories with family and friends years beyond their purchase.  Over the past 15 years, we have helped more than 128 Buyers successfully purchase their lake homes. Our goal is for every buyer to be both elated with their new home as well as in their experience working with The Lake Team. We have put together a ‘Buying Process Guide’ that helps explain our lake home buying process including detailed examples of Georgia Power leases.

We love the process and view it in these phases:

Getting to Know Each Other

Being a team of three with different personalities, we feel confident that we will be able to understand and meet your buying needs. Initially, we will probably exchange emails and phone calls about your desires and what properties might work for you. We will most likely follow those exchanges up with some detailed information on the properties that potentially could fit you. After culling through that information, we will then have a better idea of what we should actually show you. When we settle on your first visit, you will likely meet several of our team members so that you have the opportunity to connect with as many of us as possible. On subsequent visits, you will meet the remaining team members as we begin to form a relationship.

Educating Each Other

Through our dialogue with you, we will learn about your needs and desires in a lake home. You will learn from us about the differences between leased land and fee simple, the various “neighborhoods” of the lakes, and any back stories on possible homes. We will also talk about each lake in detail. We will bring up nuances that you might not have thought about, such as afternoon sun versus morning sun, views, and depth of water. We will also share detailed data accumulated and analyzed using a proprietary data base that we have created and maintained for the past 15 years. We will update you regularly on the market with notification of new listings and price changes to keep you well informed.

Narrowing the Field

After thoroughly understanding what you are looking for, we will begin offering suggestions of properties that we believe meet some of your criteria. This will be an interactive process as your reaction to the homes we present will help refine our understanding of the property that will work best for you.

Previewing Homes

When you are ready to get out on the lake, we will show you properties by both boat and car. Showing by boat will give you a sense of the lakes and of the setting for the homes. Travel by car will help you understand the approach to the home, the neighborhood and the length of time to reach the home from town as well as the quality of the roads. We will share our thoughts and knowledge on each of these properties to shed light on the positive and negative aspects that may not be apparent. Our intimate knowledge of the lake and available properties in addition to getting to know your wants and needs will help ensure that we show you relevant properties instead of irrelevant ones.

Negotiating Contracts

We work with both Buyers as Clients, who we legally represent through a written Buyer Brokerage Agreement, and Buyers as  Customers, who we do not legally represent.This may be because we are selling one of our listings. For our Buyers as Clients, we will work with you to help negotiate the final price and terms of the transaction. We will spend as much time as you may need us to assist and guide you through the due-diligence and closing process.  For our Buyers as Customers, we will perform ministerial tasks such as identifying properties for you, providing pre-printed real estate contract forms and completing them according to your instructions and identifying third-parties (inspectors, contractors, lenders, attorneys) for you to speak with and work with through the closing process. We will assist in all those inspections as your “boots on the ground”

Closing & Post Closing

Upon securing a bound contract, we will use project management software to complete the sale by assisting with multiple inspections, meetings, and deadlines. Most of our buyers do not live in the area and rely heavily on us to handle scores of tasks to prepare for the closing and the move. After the transaction is complete and you are enjoying the lake, we hope to be among your new lake friends. We regularly interact with our past buyers and gladly offer assistance whenever they need it, whether it be a recommendation for a plumber or anything else.

We have worked with the Lake Team for two + years to find our dream Lake Home. They are exceptionally responsive and brought properties to our attention quickly and guided us through the process from viewing until close, and beyond. They are second to none in your search for your North Georgia Mountain/Lake Home!

Anne & Paul Miller Purchased 2023 Lake Rabun

The Lake Team did a great job of finding my wife and me the house we wanted. They knew where to find the off market house and helped us with the purchase. they were thorough and attentive.

Clay Nalley Purchased 2023 Lake Burton

The Lake Team were excellent to deal with during our purchase journey. They were knowledgeable about the unique aspects of lake properties, and they were extremely responsive and resourceful during our closing. We recommend their team without hesitation.

John Purchased 2022 Lake Rabun

We recently bought a beautiful home on the lake and The Lake Team did a great job. Communication was excellent, they were professional and took care of all the details and made the process very smooth. We would highly recommend them to anyone buying or selling at Lake Rabun.

Nate Decker Purchased 2022 Lake Rabun

Lake Rabun Home

“We feel very fortunate to have been connected with The Lake Team! Michael, Craig, Brad, and the entire team were such a pleasure to work with in purchasing our Lake Rabun home. Throughout the process, Michael and Craig’s knowledge of the market and advice regarding all aspects of the transaction were invaluable to us. More importantly, we always felt as if they had our best interests at heart. From our first phone call with Michael expressing interest in the lake to the closing of our new home, each member of The Lake Team was diligent, thoughtful and knowledgeable…it was by far our best home purchase experience. We highly recommend the Lake Team to anyone needing assistance in purchasing or selling a home in the area. We are thrilled with our home and are delighted to have made new friends in the
process!”

Mary and Cameron Bready Purchased 2018 Lake Rabun

Lake Burton home

“The Lake Team did a terrific job helping us find the perfect home on Lake Burton. We had some very particular requirements regarding location, view and size of home for our large family and they listened to everything and did a wonderful job narrowing down our search to only those homes that met our criteria. They were professional and knowledgeable and always available to answer questions. When we did make an offer, they worked diligently on our behalf to make sure that the entire process was thorough and seamless. We could not recommend them more highly to anyone interested in a lake home on Burton, Rabun or Seed. They were instrumental in making our dream of a gathering spot for our family a reality.”

Julie and Andy Andrews Purchased 2017 Lake Burton

“It is my pleasure to refer The Lake Team and Brad Fisher to anyone considering the purchase or sale of property in the lake communities of North Georgia.  I was introduced to them by two different friends, both very positive about their experiences purchasing lake houses with the Lake Team. My journey to purchasing a house at Lake Rabun included years of looking at properties on different lakes.  Every time I called, sometimes at the last minute- someone from the Lake Team always made time to show me a property.  In the buying process, I had the opportunity to work with Michael, Craig, and Brad at various times.   I enjoyed working with them together and separately.  It was more like working with a group of friends than real estate agents. I have been involved in retail, commercial and residential real estate for most of my professional career.  The Lake Team exceeded my expectations.  They bring a great deal to the transaction over and above showing houses.  They are a valuable resource and able to navigate the complexities of the lake, lease agreements and Georgia Power requirements.  Brad provided services that went well beyond what is customary or expected.  He gladly jumped into non-real estate issues to aid the buyer and seller. I highly recommend the Lake Team!”

Nick Masengill Purchased 2018 Lake Rabun

#lakerabun #laketeam

“Brad and The Lake Team spent over a year helping us to find our forever Lake Rabun dream home. Since we will be living here fulltime, our needs were very specific. Brad did his best to accommodate us, and he succeeded!! Our new home is exactly what we wanted and we are in love with it!! Being city folk, Brad has continued helping us after the sale to familiarize us with mountain living and all that entails (septic tank, well water, etc). For that we truly are appreciative. We could not have asked for a better, more suited Realtor to help us start our new life chapter in the North GA Mountains!!! I am crying as I write this because Brad honestly made our dream of living in Lake Rabun a reality!! From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, Brad and The Lake Team!!”

David and DIana Beckler Puchased 2017 Lake Rabun

Lake Yonah home for sale

“The Lake Team worked with us to find the perfect property! After showing us several properties on Seed Lake, Lake Rabun, and Lake Burton, we settled on a magnificent house on Lake Yonah.  Throughout the process, we were constantly impressed and thankful for her knowledge of the area and her patience and willingness to help us find a house that had everything we wanted. She made the house hunting experience a joy!”

Marci Sledge Purchased 2017 Lake Yonah

Lake Rabun home for sale

“Brad and The Lake Team made our search and purchase of our new lake home a wonderful experience. We were shown properties on Rabun, Burton, and Seed and his level of knowledge regarding the nuances of each lake was extremely helpful. Brad made sure we had all the answers we needed in a timely manner, and his assistance with every aspect of the process was invaluable. We recommend The Lake Team without reservations, and cannot imagine a more professional and knowledgeable group of agents that are committed to providing the highest level of service”

Barkha and Sanjoy Malik Purchased 2017 Seed Lake

lake Burton home sold

Michael came highly recommended from a friend. From our first meeting to closing 12 months later, Michael was professional, unbiased, detail oriented and extremely responsive.  Michael provided critical quantitative sales data and his thoughts were invaluable in our choice.  We have remained friends after the sale and frequently consult Michael about the market on the lakes.

The Carroll Family Purchased 2009 Lake Buton

We purchased a house at Lake Burton this year which was listed by Harry Norman Realtors luxury Lake and Mountain. Michael McGaughey was jointly listing the property, as well as representing us as a customer. The transaction went as smoothly as it possibly could have, with Michael and his team intimately involved from the beginning. Michael handled all of the arrangements for inspections, letters from appropriate authorities, utilities, etc., which was a huge help since we live in Atlanta and didn’t know who to call in Rabun County. He even recommended a contractor who has done a number of jobs for us since closing. We could not have been happier with the professionalism and market knowledge exhibited by Michael during the entire process. We will definitely recommend The Lake Team to anyone we know looking to purchase at Rabun, Burton or any of the other lakes in North Georgia.”

Christopher Carlton Purchased 2014 Lake Burton

Michael and Craig (The Lake Team) worked with us for over a year to refine what we were looking for in a lake house, and then find it. They listened carefully, showed us various options, and helped us refine our criteria and goals. They allowed us to better understand the market, price points, advantages and disadvantages of numerous locations and alternatives, and walked us through several offers before finally finding the right home at a price that was within our budget. They were patient, informed, realistic, and professional guides as we navigated the lake environment with many more factors to evaluate than a more typical real estate purchase. We were grateful to have their hands on our backs in our successful purchase.”

Jeff Pennel Purchased 2014 Lake Rabun

lake burton home sold

“We can’t say enough about The Lake Team.  We looked at 15 homes, between Lake Rabun and Lake Burton.  Michael and Craig provided us plenty of information to avoid mistakes and make a confident purchase.  We made an offer on our Lake Burton home and closed on it in less than 30 days.  We would recommend The Lake Team to anyone looking to purchase a lake home in Rabun County. “

Mark and Elsa Wade Purchased 2013 Lake Burton

lake Burton home sold

“Michael and Craig provided outstanding professional services both before and after the purchase. Their knowledge of the area, inventory of homes, and market conditions allowed us to search for a home efficiently and quickly. They went above and beyond the call of duty in showing us homes and providing detailed reports on potential sites.  Their professionalism was exceptional and experience was highly valued.”

The Link Family Purchased 2013 Lake Burton

seed lake home sold

“Michael made our purchase of a second home an absolutely seamless event.  Although he was the seller’s agent in the transaction, his handling of the negotiations was at all times extremely professional.  Once we agreed upon a purchase contract, he bent over backward to assist us – with the home inspection, the well inspection, the survey and many other such necessities required when you purchase a home, all tasks that can be difficult when you live in Atlanta (or somewhere else).  As we approached closing, Michael – as a resident of the lake area himself – was a wealth of information as to sources for assistance, from everything ranging from boat slips to housekeeping services.  At every moment, he went the extra mile, and always provided the professionalism and genuine concern he had shown from the outset of the transaction.  We cannot recommend Michael highly enough.”

Richard and Claudia North Purchased 2013 Seed Lake

Lake Rabun Home

When Lori and I decided to search for a home on Lake Rabun or Burton,  several friends highly recommended Michael and Craig as the “go to” realtors.   The recommendation was validated in every aspect of our buying experience.  On the first visit to tour homes,  Michael and Craig prepared a detailed package of the homes that we were about to preview along with comments on why those homes were worth considering.  During each showing, they shared their knowledge of the real estate market and gave Lori and I great perspective on each property. At the time of making offers, they guided us through that process and were VERY responsive to our needs during the negotiations.  After going under contract,  the real adventure begins when buying a second home but Michael and Craig were supportive during the entire process.  They attended the inspection and assisted with all of the items that needed to be addressed as a result of the inspection including meeting some of the contractors at the home since we were 90 miles away in Atlanta.  Lori and I would recommend them highly.

J. Clayton and Lori Snellings Purchased 2014 Lake Rabun

lake rabun family

“Michael and Craig came highly recommended by several people in Rabun county.  They took their time with us and really helped us find the perfect home for our family.  Their knowledge of the lake is unparalleled.  They helped us prioritize our needs and directed us to our dream home on Lake Rabun.  We couldn’t be happier and are forever grateful!

The Simmons Family Purchased 2014 Lake Rabun

lake Burton home

“The mountain lake market can be a tricky one. Michael and the Lake Team have been on Lake Burton, Seed and Rabun a very long time, and their experience is very helpful. We were completely new to the market and they were very patient with us as we tried to figure it out. With almost every property we went to, Michael knew or knew about the owners. He knew the market back story and the house’s history. They’re also very knowledgeable about institutions around the lake and what families look for in properties. After we’d found a property, his connections were a great help to us moving towards closing. He had recommendations for multiple experts for every kind of test we performed (and we performed a lot) and made himself available to help us fix them. I highly recommend the Lake Team and Michael.”  

David Hodgins Purchased 2015 lake Burton

Lake Rabun Home

“The lake team did an outstanding job for us start to finish.We saw all properties in our price range with a written rating by Craig according to their understanding of what we were looking for in a lake home. We never felt any pressure.  Michael took care of the many details in a meticulous fashion.   These folks know this area! They are a joy to work with!” 

Bob and Belinda Pattillo Purchased 2015 lake rabun

seed lake home

“When our children were young and we went shoe shopping I would always tell them “be honest—if you don’t like the shoe, tell the sales clerk.  He didn’t make the shoe, all he wants to do is make sure you get what you like”.  After meeting with Michael McGaughey just one time, we knew that all he wanted was for us to find the right house in the right place at the right price.Michael took all of our comments and critiques and figured out which of the lakes was best suited for us.  We are extremely happy with the outcome and are looking forward to many years of fishing, canoeing, kayaking and just sitting on the deck of our boathouse, just a walkway away from our beautiful home on Seed Lake.  The Lake Team took us under their collective wings and made sure that we made an easy transition from buyer to a homeowner.  From the purchasing of furniture to introducing us to the local markets, the members of The Lake Team have made sure that we are comfortable with our new surroundings.  We highly recommend The Lake Team for finding your future getaway home.”

Doug & Christy Ott Purchased 2015 SEED LAKE

lake Burton home

“We are extremely happy in our experience with the Lake Team. They are knowledgeable about the northeast Georgia lakes and their analytical data-driven approach helped me understand the market significantly quicker than I could have on my own. I am a licensed agent but still used them to represent my family in our Burton purchase. Michael and Craig showed us patience, zero pressure and local knowledge that were irreplaceable and invaluable. I would use them again in a heartbeat.”

Allen and Meg Nivens Purchased 2015 Lake Burton

lake rabun home

“The Lake Team made our dream of owning a home on Lake Rabun come true! They were extremely helpful and easy to work with and went above and beyond. We highly recommend working with them!”

Rolf & Taylor Schwieger Purchased 2015 Lake Rabun

“My husband and I had the pleasure of working with THE LAKE TEAM to purchase a home on Lake Rabun. They are simply outstanding!  They were the listing agents for the home we purchased, but we trusted them completely. They are honest, knowledgeable and extremely responsive. They attended several meetings with contractors and inspectors when we could not be there. After the purchase, they have continued to provide insight and knowledge of the Lakemont area. We are so very thankful that we had The Lake Team to help us buy a home! We are fortunate that they are now also our neighbors.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”

Blake and Mary Katherine Bruce Purchased 2016 Lake Rabun

lake burton home sold by the lake team

We had a great experience with The Lake Team!  They were very willing to get to know us personally and our tastes.  We searched for many months before finding our perfect home on Lake Burton.  The longer we looked, the closer we got to our ideal house and lot.  We’ll never forget the day Michael called us after previewing a new listing.  We could hear the genuine excitement in his voice.  He knew it would be our house.  We came up, saw the house, and were under contract within a few days!  After a few months here, we can say that The Lake Team found the perfect fit for our family.  Many thanks to the whole team for making our dream come true!  We found that having a knowledgeable team was key for us because someone was always available.  Also, each member of the team has different skill sets, and that helped us fully evaluate each property very thoroughly.  Having never owned lake property, that was a true blessing.  The ultimate testament is that The Lake Team followed up for a full month AFTER the closing to help get all our problems addressed!  I’ve never heard of such a thing in real estate.  Thanks for everything, and I have already recommended The Lake Team to friends.”

Jeff and Kaki Pafford Purchased 2016 Lake Burton

“A number of friends have had such wonderful experiences with The Lake Team and Lake Rabun and there was no doubt who we were to call when we finally decided to begin our search for a home on Lake Rabun.  As promised, we were not disappointed!  The Lake Team provided invaluable insight about owning a home on Lake Rabun and consistently offered great advice about even the smallest of details.  The Lake Team was exceptionally helpful in finalizing all issues related to the inspection, going far beyond the call of duty.  We are truly grateful for all their help and look forward to getting to know them in the years to come while enjoying beautiful Lake Rabun!” 

Owen & Jaci Hardy Purchased 2016 Lake Rabun

lake team lake rabun sold

“In addition to knowing the market, a realtor must appreciate the client’s goals, budget, and lifestyle. The Lake Team took the time to get to know us. They always were available and always provided objective and honest advice to guide us through a lake house purchase. As our needs changed, we returned to them and they again helped us sell, and then find the perfect home. In addition, they have close working relationships with community professionals who resolved issues on short deadlines and made the transfer of property easy. We do not live full time in Rabun County, so we relied heavily on the Lake Team. Without them, we would not have found our long-term home.” 

Michelle Henkel & Jeff Pennell Purchased 2016 Lake Rabun

The Schroder Family - Purchasers of a Lake Rabun Home

“Michael and his team were fantastic to work with.  They were patient, knowledgeable, effective and efficient in taking us through the process from “casually looking” to “new homeowners.”  They consistently went above and beyond in every aspect of the purchase, and I am very happy to say, exceeded expectations even to the smallest detail.  My wife and I highly recommend their service!”

Billy Schroder and Family Purchased 2016 Lake Rabun

“Professional, reliable, knowledgeable, and personable.  Michael and Craig are a rare and wonderful blend of these qualities that made our Lake Burton house purchase smooth and straightforward.  We highly recommend them!”

Teresa & Brian Howard Purchased 2011 Lake Burton

Rabun County Lake Home

“As our agent, Michael quickly understood our objectives and demonstrated a complete understanding of the lake market.  He gave us excellent guidance during our purchasing process.  Michael is very conscientious and has great follow through and attention to detail”

Kay and Bob Tritt Purchased 2009 Lake Rabun

lake rabun home sold

“I want to thank you for your dedication, pertinence, generosity, and always candid advice. With this transaction, we have found a great place, but above all, we have found in you a new great friend.”

Federico Lander Purchased 2009 Lake Rabun

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