Every Community on Lake Oconee, Explained
Not a list of subdivision names. Written guides to what each neighborhood is actually like: the reputation, the dues, what has sold, the road in, and the things no realtor puts in a listing. Each guide also shows the Lake Oconee homes for sale in that neighborhood right now.
A lifetime on Lake Oconee, and selling it since 2010
I was born in Greensboro at the dawn of Lake Oconee. My family were some of the first members of what is now Reynolds Lake Oconee, and I spent childhood evenings swimming in the Preserve pool. Today Drew and I raise our three kids on the Richland side of the lake.
I have been with Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty/Lake Country since 2010. This site is the most complete guide to Lake Oconee anywhere because I have devoted my life to this area.
Lake Oconee guides, written by a true local
Lake Oconee real estate guides for buyers and sellers
Lake Oconee real estate questions I hear every week
Straight answers on price, clubs, counties, retiring, the drive from Atlanta and where to buy.
What does it cost to buy on Lake Oconee?
Lake Oconee prices run from modest interior lots to record-setting lakefront estates, and there is no price per square foot formula. The water drives the number: a big lake view, a cove view and no view are three different markets, and golf frontage works the same way. Greene County tends to run higher than Putnam and Morgan, which is why pricing a Lake Oconee home takes someone who knows the lake.
Do I need a club membership to live at Lake Oconee?
No. Most of Lake Oconee sits outside any club, and a great many owners here never join one. The gated golf communities, Reynolds Lake Oconee, Harbor Club and Cuscowilla, each run their own membership structures, and those are separate from simply owning a house on the water. Reynolds membership is tied to owning property inside the gates, and whether you buy lakefront, interior or a golf lot changes what is open to you.
What is the difference between Greene, Putnam and Morgan County?
Lake Oconee sits across three counties, and the line your deed falls on changes your schools, your property taxes and your permitting. Greene County holds the Highway 44 corridor, Reynolds, Reynolds Landing and Harbor Club, and is the busiest real estate market on the lake. Putnam County covers the western and southern shore around Eatonton, and includes the gated golf communities of Great Waters and Cuscowilla. Morgan County takes in Buckhead and the river pockets to the north, the smallest and quietest of the three markets, with easy access to historic Madison.
Is Lake Oconee a good place to retire?
Yes, and the reasons are practical. Georgia exempts Social Security and shields a large share of retirement income from state income tax, and older homeowners can qualify for property tax relief that varies by county. St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro is expanding to bring cardiology, orthopedics and other specialists within minutes of the lake. Del Webb at Lake Oconee is the only Del Webb community in the country with direct lake access. And I see it constantly: a family buys here, then the grandparents follow.
How far is Lake Oconee from Atlanta?
Lake Oconee is about 81 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly an hour and 35 minutes without traffic, and I-20 crosses the north end of the lake. It sits almost exactly halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, with Athens 45 miles away and Macon 53. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is about 85 miles and an hour and 40 minutes from the lake.
What are the best neighborhoods on Lake Oconee?
It depends on how you want to live. Lake Oconee’s 121 communities fall into seven districts. Reynolds Lake Oconee, Harbor Club and Cuscowilla are the gated golf and resort communities. Richland, White Plains and the eastern coves are in Greene County, Eatonton and the western shore in Putnam, and Buckhead and the river pockets in Morgan County toward Madison. Central Lake Oconee puts you near shopping and dining, northern Greene holds some of the more affordable lake homes, and 18 townhome and condo communities offer low-maintenance living.
Reviews of Margie Sorrell from Lake Oconee buyers and sellers
“This review is long overdue as Margie has assisted us in multiple real estate transactions. Margie is the best there is. She is a go getter and while she is professional in every aspect, she manages to make the process enjoyable and fun.”
“She hustles and makes things happen. She stays on top of the process and keeps you informed. Our experience with her was solid from beginning to end. Thank you Margie for helping us find our perfect place!”
“We were so lucky to have Margie represent us during our search for a lake home in the Reynolds area. She knew the right people to call, from inspectors to appraisers; very knowledgeable with the area as this is where she grew up herself.”
“She brought us a buyer before our home was even listed. She believed our home would be perfect for her clients so she approached us about selling. She made the process extremely easy and went out of her way to get the deal done.”
“You never know what you’re going to get with realtors so needless to say, I proceeded cautiously. But, it didn’t take long to recognize that I got lucky. I got an honest, hardworking, dedicated, realtor. She worked tirelessly to help me through the buying process.”
“She helped us find a great lake house. She knows the area very well, gave great advice, and made the process so easy. She also knows all the best service providers in the area (inspectors, contractors, etc) and they were great to work with. I highly recommend her.”
“I immediately knew she was different from other Lake Oconee realtors. When it came time to sell our first home and upgrade to a lakefront home in Reynolds, we did not hesitate calling Margie for both transactions. She priced our old house perfectly — it was under contract in less than a month — and we got our dream home inside the gates. A+ all the way around.”
“Our home sold in less than 60 days in a market that wasn’t in our favor — and we never once felt like we were navigating it alone. Marge is the real deal.”
Let’s talk about what you are looking for
A neighborhood, a price, a question about the lake itself. Call, text or send a note.