DEL.ICIO.USSecond Home: Lake Oconee Plantation
Not the beach, but close enough
For the AJC
Who: Bernie and Beth Boone
Where: Lake Oconee Plantation, Eatonton
Christopher Oquendo / Special
‘I’m pretending this is my ocean,’ says Beth Boone, who owns a five-bedroom home on Lake Oconee with her husband, Bernie.
Getting there
From downtown Atlanta, take I-20 east to Exit 114 (Ga. 441) and turn right. Travel about 10 miles. Take a left onto Harmony Road. Travel to the end and take a left at the stop sign. Travel until the traffic light at Ga. 44, and go straight across. Cross a bridge and take the first left into Lake Oconee Plantation.
Their home: A five-bedroom, 3½-bath lakefront home with a garage apartment.
When purchased: They bought the home — originally three bedrooms, two baths — about five years ago. They first intended to remodel the 25-year-old house, but “it was easier to take it down and rebuild it,” Beth said. They left the foundation and had Decatur architect Sheila Hunt design the new home. “I love anything to do with the ocean, so I just told the architect, ‘I would like for it to look like something you would find in Cape Cod,’ ” Beth said.
How far: Only one hour from their home in Conyers. The drive was reasonable, especially during the building process, when she was needed by their builder, Buddy Austin. “I would be at the exit in Conyers. I’d turn around and head back [to Eatonton] and still have most of the day here.”
How often they are there: Most weekends.
What they love about it: The view, which looks out toward the bridge. “Just something about it, I have always loved,” Beth said. And the fact that it’s a place the whole family can enjoy. A beach area allows their grandchildren to walk easily into the lake. She remembers having a lake lot years ago that was so deep the kids couldn’t swim there. With the grandkids in mind, she used Pergo flooring so they “could run through with their sand and buckets.” Also, “I’ve tried to make everything except for the glass unbreakable,” she said. Another favorite feature is the screened porch, which runs the length of the house.
Why a lake home: They once owned a beach home, but found they rarely visited it. “I love the ocean; it’s just too far, though,” she said. “I’m pretending this is my ocean. I have seashells all over the house.”
Community overview
Lake Oconee Plantation was developed in 1983 and has 37 lakefront lots, plus lots across the street, said Ann Foster, partner and managing broker with Re/Max Lake Oconee. The neighborhood has a boat launch. Foster said its central location and low traffic appeal to buyers. Home values range from the low $400,000s-$900,000s, although one current listing is priced at more than $1 million. “There are some in there that are small cottage-style homes, ranches on basements, up to new homes where they have actually torn the house down and rebuilt,” she said.
Recent sales
$765,000: Three-bedroom, 3½-bath lakefront home, built 20 years ago, on ½ acre.
$775,000: Four-bedroom, 4½-bath home with two great rooms, two kitchens, two fireplaces and a sunroom and deck, on a point lot.
Resources
Eatonton and Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
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