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DIVE INTO LAKE LIVING
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WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Welcome to the RECREATION GATEWAY of the SOUTH, where lake living is more than a getaway, it’s a way of life. With deep local knowledge and proven real estate experience, I guide buyers and sellers through lake transactions with clarity, strategy, and confidence.
Whether you’re dreaming of weekends on the water, full-time lake living, or a smart investment, I’m here to help you dive in and make it happen.
COME PLAY WHERE WE WORK
Lake Hartwell is a man-made lake reservoir located along the Georgia and South Carolina border, formed by the Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River. The lake is fed by the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers, which merge just upstream of the dam.
At normal pool levels, Lake Hartwell stretches approximately 49 miles up the Tugaloo River and 45 miles up the Seneca River, encompassing nearly 56,000 acres of water and more than 960 miles of shoreline. The overall Hartwell project includes roughly 76,000 acres of land and water.
Interstate 85 bisects the lake, making Lake Hartwell easily accessible and a convenient destination for full-time residents and weekend visitors alike.
The lake border a variety of terrains ranging from gently sloping piedmont to more rugged foothills in the upper regions of the lake. Local forests are comprised mostly of mixed hardwoods and interspersed with planted pine. A diversity of plant types is also found in the immediate region.
Diversity of development around the lake ranges from rural farmland to neighborhood subdivisions. The governing agency is the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Lake Hartwell COE office reports to the Savannah
District.
MEET YOU AT THE DOCK
Dock permits are issued by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is divided into zones, and the GREEN ZONES are where most buyers wish to purchase.
GREEN zones are areas where dock permits may be issued, per the Corps if space & lake level allow.
YELLOW zones, no structures (i.e.: docks) may be constructed; however you can get a permit to underbrush vegetation
RED zones are areas that must remain clear due to close proximity to public areas (ramps, roads, bridges).
The SHORELINE MANAGEMENT plan is available on the Army Corps of Engineers website. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of owning property on Lake Hartwell. (Click on link in the photo)
The climate of the area is temperate, making outdoor recreation possible from April thru October. In effect, the lakes create their own mini environment, because the warm temperatures of its waters tend to moderate air temperatures in the surrounding area during extremely cold weather. This makes lake living and recreation comfortable for much of the year.
The factors that affect values on the lake include:
- Slope of the lot
- Depth of the water along the shoreline
- Access to “deep water”
- View / potential view from home / home site
- Type of neighborhood
- Dock zone (green, yellow, red)
- Dock in place (platform, covered slip dock)
The better the water, the higher the price. It’s a process to find a house you’d like on a good lot – and that’s where working with me is a bonus. As someone who has lived here locally 27 years and the owner of investment properties on Lake Hartwell, I am very familiar with the areas that lose water quickly, even during normal water level fluctuation.
HOW WILL YOU LIVE IN YOUR LAKE HOUSE?
- Will this be a long term / primary residence or just a vacation / weekend residence? Or an investment?
- Will this be a short term rental property? Airbnb? VRBO?
- How close to “town” do you want / need to be?
- Do you ever work from home / anticipate working from the lake?
- What kinds of water activities do you like?
- Will your children and/or grandchildren be coming for visits?
- Do you entertain guests?
- Do you / will you have small children or older friends and / or family members stay with you?
IF YOU BUY IT, THEY WILL COME
DIVE IN TO LAKE LIFE
We’ll start by talking through your lake “wish list,” and what truly fits your lifestyle on the lake. Whether you are searching for a lake house or lake lot, a full-time residence, a weekend retreat home or an investment property, I can assist you. I am a FULL TIME / FULL SERVICE agent licensed in both Georgia and South Carolina, and I take pride in offering thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and hands-on support. My business is built on relationships and referrals and I don't take that trust lightly.
Lake living looks different for everyone. My job is to help you find the version that feels right for you.
GET TO KNOW ME.....
Local knowledge. Clear guidance. A thoughtful path forward.
I’ve lived in the Lake Hartwell area for 27 years and truly believe where you live should support how you want to live.
Before real estate, I was a school counselor, which means listening, planning, and guiding people through big decisions is kind of my thing. Today, I use those same skills to help clients buy, sell, and invest with confidence.
Real estate is both my profession and my personal investment. My husband and I own a farm along with multiple residential and short-term rental properties, including lake homes on Lake Hartwell, a property in Athens, and a rental on Fripp Island, South Carolina. Because I actively invest in real estate and operate short-term rentals, I understand the numbers, the strategy, and the day-to-day realities that come with owning and managing investment properties.
I’m known for clear communication, thoughtful strategy, and a calm, steady approach that keeps the process organized and manageable. Whether you’re buying your first home, investing in a lake property, or planning your next chapter, my goal is simple, to help you feel confident every step of the way and excited about what comes next.
At Living Down South Realty, we believe your home should reflect your lifestyle—not the other way around. I’d love to help you find more than just a house—I’ll help you discover your Southern Lifestyle.
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit sellers or buyers under written contract with another REALTOR®.
Stephanie Walker
REALTOR ®
Living Down South Realty, LLC
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Living Down South Realty, LLC
6770 Reed Creek Hwy, Hartwell, GA 30643