Realizing they missed the waterfront setting they enjoyed while living in Oregon, David and Mary McNichols of Alpharetta looked at lake communities in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina before choosing Lake Oconee.
David, 56, who runs the health care division of Principal Financial Group, and Mary, 45, chatted about their home in Eatonton.
Why Lake Oconee: During the two-year process, they looked as far north as Lake Norman near Charlotte and at lakes close to home, such as Lake Lanier. They desired a relatively drought-free lake with strong water quality, David said. They had their children, Emma, 8, and Payton Marie, 2, in mind while making the decision. "Kids are funny. They want to be able to see and have relatively clear water," Mary said. "I wanted to be in a cove-like setting, so we aren't on the main channels of the lake." David estimates that prices decreased about 20 percent during the search. The home conditions ranged from needing major renovations to nearly new. "Then we found a wonderful deal on a quality property that, I think, they would not have been flexible on the price two years ago," he said. "They were very flexible."
Their home: A lakefront five-bedroom, three-bath home built in 1997 in the Rock Island Point neighborhood. The decision to purchase the home mostly was based on the unique 1-acre lot. "[We have] probably over half an acre of wide sloping lawn out to the water. It's a relatively flat backyard to a wide expansive view," David said. The beach entry is great for the children and their golden retriever, too. They appreciate the open layout and direct lake view from the kitchen and family room; there's also a covered porch and deck. The land across the lake is owned by Georgia Power, and they liked that it wasn't developed, Mary said. The second level is designed for kids, with a large family room space filled with windows, as well as two bedrooms with built-in bookshelves. Since moving in, they have replaced the black appliances with stainless steel and added granite countertops to the kitchen.
How far from home: Two hours from Alpharetta.
How often they're there: Every weekend during the summer (including holidays) and they expect to be there at least once a month during the winter. "If we're not here, our friends will be here," Mary said. David added, "One of the great things about having a lake house is that you can entertain."
What they do when they're there: Tubing and taking out the jet skis. "We have one of the water trampolines, so the girls love jumping on that and doing back flips into the water," David said. "We have a paddle boat for leisurely cruising around the cove." Their property also has an in-ground trampoline and Adirondack chairs for their family and friends to enjoy the scenery.
What they love about it: "You feel like you're a world away, and yet you're so close to home," Mary said.
At a Glance
David and Mary McNichols’ home on Lake Oconee has five bedrooms, three baths and about 3,500 square feet of living space. They purchased it in May.
Community overview
Lake Oconee, a 19,000-acre lake owned and operated by Georgia Power, has 374 miles of shoreline. The Rock Island Point neighborhood has a variety of home styles, from traditional to A-frame, with features such as two-car garages, covered patios and porches. Recent sales and listing prices of waterfront homes in the Putnam County neighborhood are in the $500,000s to $600,000s.
Information
Georgia’s Lake Country
www.oconee.org
Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce
www.eatonton.com
Georgia Power/Lake Oconee
www.georgiapower.com/lakes/Oconee.asp
Re/Max Lake Oconee
www.rmlakeoconee.com
Getting there
Take I-20 east to Augusta. Take Exit 114 (Eatonton Highway/U.S. 441/Ga. 24) toward Madison/Eatonton. Turn right onto Eatonton Road/U.S. 129/U.S. 441/Ga. 24. Take a sharp left onto Harmony Road, which becomes Old Phoenix Road. Turn left onto Sparta Highway/Ga. 16. Turn left onto Long Shoals Road. Turn right onto Harbor Drive. Turn right onto South Rock Island Drive, into Rock Island Point.
Recent sale
$613,800: 230 N. Rock Island Drive, Eatonton 31024. A three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath brick home with a finished terrace level and a new electric boat lift.
For sale
$529,000: 163 Rock Island Drive, Eatonton 31024. A three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath lakefront home with a basement on a wooded lot with a gated driveway.
$549,500: 112 Rock Springs Drive, Eatonton 31024. A four-bedroom, four-bath lakefront home with a remodeled kitchen and a patio with a stone waterfall.
Community information provided by Ann Foster of Re/Max Lake Oconee.
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