Bainbridge, GA 39819 - Decatur County

5,747 +/- acres High-Quality Sporting Property Decatur County, GA
4.5 +/- miles frontage on Lake Seminole w Army Corp managed frontage
230 feet of elevation change
Less than 3% wetlands
200-ft Bluff overlooking Lake Seminole
30,515 ft of high fence (approx 6.5 Miles)
20-acre Eagle Lake, stocked
30-acre floodable duck pond
60-acre irrigated field
12-inch well that pumps 1,000 gals per minute, and has piping to the lake with a pumping station on the lake
4,884 sq ft Main Lodge (8Br, 5.5 BA completely remodeled with hardwood floors, 2-story, beautiful setting overlooking Lake Seminole/Flint River, huge view scape overlooking lake with approx. 200 ft plus)
A new 4-stall horse barn 1,800 sq ft built in 2021
A new managers house 2,696 sq ft built in 2021
Old Managers house 1,552 sq ft, completely remodeled/updated
Guest house 1,916 sq ft completely remodeled and updated
3.5 +/- miles of paved driveway, CAT generator, & Underground Utilities
Electric gate entrance w landscape/irrigation
Shop, Pavillion, Equipment Shed
Cooler building and deer cleaning
Enclosed building/dog kennel with 11 runs and 4 runs
3,000+ Ft of horse barn fencing
Two grain bins, 6-inch well and 4-inch well
187 B&C buck has been harvested on this property with a 162 B&C harvested just next door numerous B&C bucks on camera now
Quail woods with mature pine timber & a year-round quail feeding program in place
Winding creek beds with 15-ft banks, 3-4-ft waterfalls, Steephead ravines, natural springs & beautiful mountain laurel that you do not see anywhere else in this region
Located less than 8 miles to Bainbridge, 18 minutes to County Airport and 14 min to new Publix
Equipment Included

With 4.5 miles of Lake Seminole frontage, this is a once-in-a-lifetime investment for the ultimate sportsmans retreat.

Unparalleled ecological diversity and wildlife preservation coupled with immaculate improvements make this property a fully immersive outdoor lifestyle experience, perfect for recreation and relaxation.

Southlands 5,747 acres is one of the Souths A ranked High-Quality Recreational Properties. It has been under quality management going back 87 years. Its history is impeccable. Today, its regarded as one of the few places in the South where one can consistently have and harvest B&C Whitetails. From wild quail and turkey to waterfowl, the wing-shooting here is exceptional. It boasts a 30-acre duck pond and 20-acre fishing lake. Elevations run from 80 to 310 feet with the property literally standing at the beginning of the Appalachian Mountains. With 4.5 miles of frontage on Army Corp Lands, the adjacent 37,500-acre Lake Seminole provides recreational opportunities throughout the year making this truly a year-round destination. Bainbridge is the sister city to Thomasville, and this small Georgia town is a shining light. Not only is this property surrounded by an abundance of recreational and social opportunities, but it has also been owned and managed by a whos who in terms of landowners.

Southlands Story:  

Southlands started out as 26,000 acres originally assembled by none other than Herbert Stoddard himself, co-founder of Tall Timbers and father of prescribed burning.

Houghton Metcalf, a wealthy industrialist from Rhode Island, purchased the rights from Stoddard in 1937 and built his lodge on the 200-foot bluff overlooking what is now Lake Seminole. He turned Southlands into a sportsman's paradise, and its stories have become legendary.

It was then acquired by International Paper to be used as a teaching forest. It then became world-renowned as the Southlands Experiment Forest and was the flagship property of their 12M acre empire. One of the reasons is because of the vast diversity of timber types. Few, if any, places have the ecological diversity of this one property. In fact, there is even a book making a case that this area was the original Garden of Eden.

Following the exceptional stewardship of International Paper, one of the most fascinating land acquisition stories ever told came to be.  A tale so remarkable that if Walter and I weren't involved I wouldnt be able to describe it.

In 2010, a philanthropist and multi-plantation landowner, Jim Dahl, set his sights on the 5,747-acre Southlands; but in order to entice IP to sell its prized headquarters, he made an offer to buy the 140,000 acres in one purchase.which he did. After all the dust settled and we resold most of the balance (which in itself was $142M and regarded as the largest timberland sale in the south for nearly a decade), Jim and his partner, now owned the gem and became owners of one of America's most iconic properties.

Modern wildlife management techniques were implemented on a huge scale. A 20-acre private lake and 30-acre flooded duck pond were built, improvements were added to and recapitalized, and they even built a high fence along the north and south boundaries. As a result, numerous B&C record book bucks are on the property, including one that was recently harvested scoring a whopping 187in. The current Chairman of the Board of Tall Timbers personally hunts here, and he will tell us that he regularly moves 8-12 coveys in an afternoon and has moved as many as 25! Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia completed the Georgia leg of his Turkey Grand Slam here. Today, this property is the epitome of what a highly managed recreational property should be. Herbert Stoddard would be proud.

Fast forward almost a quarter century, time ages on. Jim was discussing the possibility of selling it with those in his inner circle. The current landowner heard a whisper, quickly stepped in, and paid our valuations worth. Southlands was sold again before it was even placed on the market!

Today, this is the first time since 1937 that it has made a public appearance on the market... 87 years since Stoddard himself brokered the original sale.

A signed copy of Herbert Stoddard's book - The Bob White Quail: Its Habits, Preservation and Increase
The Land:  

Southlands contains 5,747+/- acres of the best of the best of the original 26,000 acres. The property sits on the edge of Curry Hill with 230 feet of elevation change. Essentially, this is the southernmost point of the Appalachian Mountains. The Flint River flows south into Bainbridge where it hits Curry hill, and then flows west along the property line for 4.5 miles. Elevations here reach as high as 310 feet; whereas, the Dougherty Plain across the river is less than 100 feet. Its Class I and II soils are exceptional. There are around 2.5% wetlands (122 acres of 5,747), and that includes a 20-acre lake. Yet, there are over 5 miles of spring creeks originating from the steep heads distributed throughout the property with additional smaller spring-fed feeder creeks.

The ground cover is exceptional given, its long-term prescribed fire rotation. Once titled "Southlands Experiment Forest," this allowed for the highest quality timber genetics to be planted here 30+ years ago, and that is evident today. The diversity of hardwoods and pine species are greater here than in almost any other location. In fact, there is so much diversity here, it is one reason the late E.E. Calloway declared this area to be the site of the original Garden of Eden. Southwest Georgia and a small portion of north Florida are the only areas in the world where the Gopher Wood tree that Noah used to build the ark has ever been found. There are no public roads or hardly any power lines crossing the property. Its shape is almost a complete square.

When one compares the price per acre of plantation land it typically contains about 20-25% wetlands, in some places as high as 30% is normal. As such, this fact is factored across the sales price per acre. However, here, there is only about 2.5% or about 17% less, which means the value here is 17% better than other lands apples to apples. - Jon Kohler

Here, you have two of the top land brokers in America, consistently finishing in the top 20, and both are testifying that this is the #1 property they have worked on. Thats saying something. - Jon Kohler

The best, simplest way, for me to describe this property is that over the $1.57B acres we have closed, of the finest lands in the South, with the experience of selling more of these great lands than any other broker - it says a lot that this property is the highlight of both Walters and my careers. Given the types of properties we represent, thats a bold statement. - Jon Kohler

This place is one-of-a-kind. The 37,500-acre lake with 4.5 miles of frontage makes this truly a year-round property. It's almost a resort feel. It reminds me of the 10,000-acre A-Cross Ranch that we sold in Saratoga, Wyoming. We made an unsolicited offer, which at that sale was the 1st time the ranch had been sold since the Treaty of Laramie. It is regarded as one of the top 3 fly fishing ranches in the lower 48. A billionaire with a vision to share it bought it, set records, and turned it into Brush Creek Ranch. Today, the ranch is universally regarded as the top recreational ranch resort in the world. I could see the same thing happening here in SWGA. Southlands is the one property, large enough, the right location, and with all the year-round amenities one needs. It's really more than a recreational plantation. - Jon Kohler

I remember the first time driving onto 10,000-acre A Cross Ranch and viewing the river valley below. I was blown away by the majestic views. I can say the same thing about Southlands. As you come through the private entrance and begin the 3-mile private drive, you will be blown away." - Walter Hatchett

This is a big place. It's one of the largest of all the quail plantations. To put it in perspective, Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountains National Park is 4,000 acres (32% smaller) and has 2M visitors a year. Here it's only one family and friends. - Jon Kohler

"Very rarely do you see a property of this size that does not contain any land in-holdings nor access easements, County roads nor State roads that intersect the property. This makes it truly a special Social Storm property. - Walter Hatchett

One of the most prestigious events in the wild quail world is the Tall Timbers Fall Field Day. Southlands was to be the host property the year Hurricane Michael rearranged things. I find it interesting that of all the places that have been chosen, like Nonami, Cherokee, Escape Ranch, Ichauway, Senah, Livingston Place, and Tall Timbers itself, of this Whos Who of the largest, most well-managed properties we have, and there isn't a one of them worth less than $40,000,000. Thats quite a club. - Jon Kohler

When my mentor, who quite candidly has bought, improved, and owned arguably more plantations than anyone in history tells me he wants to own Southlands but has to buy 140,000 acres he doesn't want to buy just to own itand does. Can you imagine buying that much land just to be the next owner of these 5,600 acres? Thats one special place. - Jon Kohler

When the purchase of the 140,000 acres was discussed, our goal in purchasing the total acreage was to end up with Southlands." - Walter Hatchett

There are dramatic hardwood bottoms with white oaks, water oaks, Shumard oaks, and more. - Walter Hatchett

In the words of Walter Hatchett,The better soils you have, the better quality of wildlife you're going to have, and the better-quality crops and browse you're going to grow. The type of soils found at Southlands and here in Decatur County will grow just about anything.  

Trophy Whitetail Deer:

While bobwhite quail may be the Prince of Gamebirds in 2024, its the B&C caliber Whitetail buck that is the King.

What Stoddard didnt see here was whitetail deer like we have today. That is actually a good thing. In fact, the absence of local native (smaller) deer made reintroductions of genetically-improved much larger deer a pure strain. Therefore, in this immediate area, like the Worth County Sportsmans Club in Worth County, we have prior sportsmen to thank for importing superior deer genetics. In fact, a 188 B&C record book buck was harvested on Southlands just last hunting season. Seeing B&C bucks is not uncommon. The deer here are exceptional.

I've written and researched a lot about Georgia whitetail deer genetics and why some areas today prolifically produce B&C record book bucks. It makes an enormous difference in land values. While deer were reintroduced from different areas, places like Worth County and Brooks County have folks like the Worth County Sportsmans Club to thank. They had deer shipped down from Babcock, Wisconsin at $35 a head. Given the fact there were no local deer, the genetics were pure. It is to this day why we have clients consistently harvesting record book bucks and we are selling land for $8,000+ per acre. While I haven't been able to find reintroduction records for Southlands, Walter and I can testify that the genetics here are every bit as good as what's found in Worth County. These are some of the highest-scoring B&C bucks in the South. By the way, what we know now (but I doubt they knew then) was that the largest scoring B&C buck county in all of America is 2 counties west of Babcock, Wisconsin. - Jon Kohler

"Ive hunted for Whitetails in numerous states; but living next-door and having managed Southlands in the past, Ive been witness to exceptional genetics in this immediate area... even in my backyard. - Walter Hatchett

If you're looking for a trophy deer hunting experience, like me, and really enjoy seeing and raising monster bucks, this is literally as good a place as one could ever own. Undoubtedly, the genetics are here. Not only have record book bucks been harvested here, but Walter has several now on trail camera. The age is here. Southlands is essentially shaped like a square, but there are over 6.5 miles of high fence to help ensure bucks aren't harvested before their time. The third ingredient is nutrition. There are food plots scattered throughout, and a 60-acre irrigated agricultural field planted in wildlife-friendly crops, as well as 16 protein feeders scattered throughout.

What few people know is that trophy deer hunting properties are commanding more than even top wild quail lands. We recently closed 1,400 acres for over $8,000 per acre on the Flint River north of Albany, 1,900 acres below Thomasville that the land and timber component brought $6,140 per acre for the portion under a conservation easement and $10,000 for the portion that wasnt. Meanwhile, we know of another landowner on the Flint River who recently turned down $8,000 per acre. All of this is because we can prove these properties produce B&C record book bucks. - Jon Kohler

"In addition to quail, the deer population has been unmolested for at least five or six years, and they have grown some really impressive deer out there, including a 170 class buck that was taken a year or two ago. You can't go out there in the spring on a morning and not hear five to 10 gobblers going at it. It is a really fantastic turkey property. In fact, it's where I killed my very first turkey. And so between the ducks, the deer, the turkeys, and most importantly the quail, I think it's a really nice piece of property that will be a piece that's the envy of everybody in this area." - George Simmons, Chairman of the Board, Tall Timbers

Bobwhite Quail:   

Today is the heyday of wild quail hunting. - Bill Palmer, CEO, Tall Timbers.

The researchers at Tall Timbers are amazed at what Herbert Stoddard was able to ascertain and how accurate his predictions were as we use modern technology to essentially prove what he knew back then. What he couldnt have predicted is the equipment and techniques we use to manage bobwhite quail. For those that religiously follow Tall Timbers' guidelines, they are going to have record numbers of wild quail.

At Southlands, they do it all and they do it right. First, they begin with trapping mammalian predators. However, at less than 3% wetlands (not the typical 15%-25%), not only does that mean more quail habitat than the typical plantation, but less habitat for quail predators; so there is a very significant force multiplier in the 3% wetlands. In addition, there are relatively few hardwoods in the quail areas making it difficult for predators to frequent the majority of the quail woods. For raptors, this means that there are fewer places where migrating accipiters (raptors that primarily prey on other birds) feel comfortable, and this lowers their success which takes significant pressure off of quail.

Second, they feed quail throughout the year, every 10 days. In fact, at Southlands, there are 90 miles of feed trails. Due to the high-quality Class 1 and Class 2 soils, the ground cover is rich and diverse growing both insects, seeds, and ample cover. It's very rare to have a plantation with this high a percentage of fertile farmland soils.

There is a lot to know and a lot to go over with new landowners. To make it as clear as possible, I have a saying that wild quail eat only one thing... Milo. It's spread every ten days. - Jon Kohler

Third, there is ample sunlight reaching the forest floor. While there are a few timber stands that should be thinned, for the vast majority of the property, sunlight reaches the ground daily, and combined with the quality of soils, this makes growing quail habitat seamless. In addition to sunlight-releasing ground cover, hundreds of acres are treated with smart herbicides that accelerate beneficial forbs and grasses and suppress non-beneficial.

The fourth, and most important, is consistent use of prescribed fire. The ideal burn regimen is to burn every two years, which they do here and have done for decades. Another benefit of fertile soils is the fact that there is continuity in fuel and the property carries fire very well.

The results are outstanding. George Simmons, whom we introduced earlier, personally hunts here. He says he will expect to consistently push 8-10 coveys an afternoon with a high of 25 coveys. This is further remarkable in the fact that George either walks or rides a UTV, not riding horses with All Age Dogs.

"I have been fortunate enough to be able to hunt out there in the past probably five or six years. And just to tell you what kind of quail place it is, I hunted out there one afternoon - this particular course had not been hunted yet, and we started at two o'clock. It was a beautiful day. We put my dogs down, and we were really just seeing how many coveys we could we get up and could have shot into, but between 2pm and 5:15pm, we pointed 25 coveys, and I don't know that I've ever done that walking hunting. It was just the two of us walking with three different groups of dogs and they put on a show and the place let 'em put on a show. I haven't seen bird numbers like that, but probably three or four other plantations." - George Simmons, Chairman of the Board, Tall Timbers

I can't stress enough the influence of Herbert Stoddard. The father of prescribed fire, the person from whom without which, Georgia would be like California plagued by catastrophic wildfires, destroying habitat, timber, and wildlife, creating a nuclear summer of smoke particulates, costing lives and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Thanks to Stoddard, its unheard of for a town to be burned by fire, wildlife and timber thrive in the healthy pyrogenic habitat God created, the fire burns clean, and smoke is short-lived, and its all paid for by the lands owner... - Jon Kohler

Waterfowl:  

Waterfowl hunting is exceptional both on the 30-acre floodable duck pond and the adjoining Lake Seminole.  Lake Seminole itself is one of the premier waterfowl destinations in the South. In fact, with regards to Canvasback hunting, it may be the best. Guides can conveniently pick up guests at nearby Faceville Landing to hunt Lake Seminole. Alternatively, the private pond is a prolific ringneck producer.

We've long said that building a floodable duck pond is one of the best investments you can make. These main lakes hold the ducks, and every year more ponds dilute them. In many places, it's gotten to the point where managers negotiate with each other on when to shoot or let the ducks take refuge. The most duck ponds I have seen diluting the waterfowl around Lake Mattamuskeet where there are over 800 flooded duck ponds around that lake alone. Here, there is a 37,500-acre lake (one of the most prolific waterfowl lakes), particularly big ducks and very, very few floodable duck ponds to compete with. I have seen firsthand the waterfowl at Southlands. They control the waterfowl, not others. Its a good feeling knowing you dont have to compete with other ponds. - Jon Kohler

The Turkeys:  

Wild Turkeys are a given on Southlands. The varied terrain in particular makes hunting them even that much more exciting. The late Supreme Court Justice Scalia, harvested the Eastern subspecies leg of his Grand Slam here.

I knew that Justice Scalia, a hero of mine, was an honored guest at Southlands during turkey season. It also reminds me of what Ruth Bader Ginsburg often said, You can't have it all, all at once, but, over my long life, I have had it all. Which speaks of the philosophy that life has different seasons; and when one has an opportunity to buy something as rare and as life changing as Southlands, they need to take it. - Jon Kohler

Having had the privilege and honor of guiding Justice Scalia turkey hunting on Southlands, he was amazed at the abundant wildlife and beauty. - Walter Hatchett

Lakes and Water:  

Lakes are one of the key differentiators between good properties and great. Water allows for not only fishing but also allows a property to transform into a year-round recreational use. When it comes to water, few, if any, recreational hunting properties compare. Not only is there a 20-acre Eagle Lake and a 3.5-acre pond, but there are 4.5 miles of border with the 37,500-acre Lake Seminole - one of the top 5 bass lakes in America. Guests can enjoy exceptional bass fishing on the private lake or have a seasoned guide pick them up at the adjoining Faceville Landing Park and fish the largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, or trophy catfish in Lake Seminole. Lake Seminole also consistently produces trophy alligators.

Here you can enjoy Lake Seminoles year-round recreation without fear of development, as the opposite shoreline is forever protected within Silver Lake WMA.  Of the 376 miles of shoreline, 30+ miles are shared with just two other private landowners.

The addition of adjoining Lake Seminole and the ability to water ski and enjoy other boating activities really extends the seasonal use and utility of Southlands far and away above other properties. - Jon Kohler

Numerous springs and steep head ravines traverse the property including 3-4 waterfalls. There is one particular mile-long stretch of winding spring creek with steep Lime rock banks as high as 15-feet. In all, five miles of large creek bottom wind through the property with several smaller feeder creeks dispersed throughout.

There is a 60-acre irrigated agricultural field for income and wildlife. A pivot, a 12-inch well pumping 1,000 gallons per minute supplies the ag field. A sophisticated piping system and a pumping station connected to the lake ensure an abundant water supply throughout the property (as well as the ability to pump water both into or out of the lake). There are also 6-inch and 4-inch wells.

"Southlands is unique in that its Western border is the Flint River and the Lake Seminole Basin. And not only does it provide a gorgeous view from the main house and a lot of the adjacent property, but it also provides a recreational opportunity in that you could jump in a boat right there on the property and go down to Wingate's Lunker Lodge and have breakfast or dinner there. And you've got the 38,000-acre recreational piece of heaven that I grew up on that provides duck hunting and fishing opportunities that really no other place that I can think of plantation-wise that has that type of benefit." - George Simmons, Chairman of the Board, Tall Timbers

Lake Seminole was flooded in 1957 after the completion of the Jim Woodruff Dam. The Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers and Spring Creek create Lake Seminole, which is known as one of the top 10 Bass Fisheries in the world. Lake Seminole is also known for its giant Crappie and fantastic Shellcracker fishing. The undeveloped shores and islands of Lake Seminole create an environment thats second to none in the Southeast. - Lake Seminole Adventures Fishing Guide, Captain Paul Tyre

Conservation:  

Today, in the nearby Red Hills Plantation region over 40% of the plantations are under a conservation easement. This is a positive trend that is continuing. Southlands is not yet under a conservation easement. There are significant advantages to placing a conservation easement on Southlands in the near future.

The Improvements: 

The first thing one is going to notice when arriving at Southlands is the curb appeal. On the scenic drive along the Faceville Highway through other plantations one realizes they are somewhere special. The new entrance to Southlands is regarded as one of the finest entrances around. The 3+ mile paved, private driveway to the lodge is not one, but two car widths. This entrance and drive are one of the most notable of any plantation in the South. All overhead electrical lines have been placed underground.

The 8-bedroom, 5-bath lodge was originally built on a 200-foot bluff by Houghton Metcalf circa mid-1940s. It has subsequently gone through extensive renovation and modernization while keeping with the traditional feel as much as possible.

In 2021 an 1,800 sq. ft. state-of-the-art, four-stall horse barn was built to better accommodate horseback quail hunts. The same year a 2,696+/- sf manager's house was also added. The 1,916 sf guest house and 1,552 sf original managers house have both been remodeled. Additional amenities include a shop, pavilion, cooler building for game storage, a vintage equipment barn, an 11 and a four-run dog kennel (15 runs total), two grain bins, and more. A high-capacity CAT generator ensures power at all times.

The lodge in particular has been exceptionally remodeled. Its the perfect combination between honoring history and modern finishes. It has a feeling of reverence throughout. - Jon Kohler

What I like is the mix of historical buildings, giving with reverence to the men who once worked here and cherished this place standing alongside the new. If those men could only see this place now. - Jon Kohler

The Town:  

Located in one of the most dynamic, recapitalized downtowns in the South. Restaurants (including a brewpub and award-winning fine dining), boutique shops, a walkable park downtown district and more make this one of Georgia's best small towns and earn it the title of "Sister City" to Thomasville. The Decatur County Airport lies just 20 minutes away and its 5,502 X 149 ft runway (formerly built for an airbase), accommodates all sizes of private jets. The drive to the Tallahassee airport from Southlands takes 49 minutes.  There are two excellent steakhouses, Susie & Sams and The American. A new Publix has broken ground, as well as a new riverfront Hilton. DR Horton, the nation's largest builder, has also broken ground on one of their latest projects. Bainbridge is certainly an up-and-coming community.

"As my wife and I have lived in Decatur County (next to Southlands) for the past 13 years, we can truly attest to the specialness of Bainbridge and our neighbors with its true southern hometown charm. The character and atmosphere of the shopping and dining of quaint downtown Bainbridge is unique and very appealing." - Walter Hatchett

Bainbridge, Georgia was named the '2024 Georgia Downtown of the Year' by the Georgia Downtown Association. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the community to make downtown Bainbridge a vibrant place." - Walter Hatchett

Social Storm Properties:  

Another key benefit here that I would be remiss if I didnt point out, but really applies very well to Southlands, is its exceptional Social Storm Properties score. This is exactly the kind of place, that one would take their family to during the next pandemicor worse.  Social Storm Properties is a term that we 1st trademarked over a dozen years ago when we recognized this new asset class.

In the beginning, it was primarily those who were concerned as America began to increasingly distance itself from its Judeo-Christian foundation. Today, everyone has a concern from aliens and climate change to WWIII with the daily news sounding increasingly like warnings written by an Old Testament Profit. Looking back, it's hard to believe that for the first decade, the hardest part was simply warning people that bad things could happen and that they should be prepared and have a place to provide for their families. Sadly, now everyone gets it.

In fact, so many people now get it, respect our ranking system, and have incorporated aspects of Social Storm Properties into their land investments that it has led to both Walter and I selling so much recreational land that we consistently finish in the top 20; and in 2022, I earned the ranking for selling more recreational land than any other broker in America. You can let us help guide you as well.

The good news is that a place like Southlands may be the perfect hedge. If America changes course and shifts back to its founding values and tomorrows a better day, Southlands will be enjoyed and appreciated as a high-quality recreational property, as it historically has. If America continues on its current path, it will be in even more demand and command even more value as a Social Storm Property. Nothing else during these times will provide both protection for your family and your wealth dwarfing any benefits that a traditional safety net like gold or any stock certificate could possibly offer. The look on your family's face during the next pandemic when your investment portfolio offers nothing to them when it could have is not something any of us wants to see again.

Growing up in Florida, preparing for the worst of storms, while going on with life and hoping for the best is second nature; but being insured isn't questioned nor is having a place to go. If you have a Biblical worldview, you know the path we are on. How far down we have gone or how far to the end no one knows. The Bible says not even the angels know the timing.

There is no doubt that if you can afford it, that having a Social Storm Property like Southlands will guarantee that youve done everything you can to prepare your family for whatever the future may hold.

The best perspective I could offer someone who isn't familiar with what it's like to own one of these top iconic properties, like a Nonami, Longpine, Senah or Southlands is its the landownership equivalent to owning an NFL team. - Jon Kohler

The thing about places like Southlands, Nonami, Longpine, Senah and other top properties is that they are also like institutions. It reminds me of how folks jockey to buy an NFL team. When you do, you take on an advocate role, a stewardship role unlike buying any other type of property. Other landowners look up to you. Its the opportunity of a lifetime. It becomes a part of you. You are forever branded with the land and its legacy. The opportunities to buy a property like this come few and far between. The current owner literally bought this property in one phone call at 100% of the price we said it would bring and it never went on the market. - Jon Kohler

In my opinion, there is not a property anywhere in the Red Hills Plantation Belt or the Albany Plantation Belt that has all the unique attributes that Southlands has to offer. NONE. - Walter Hatchett

In Closing:  

People often ask us, particularly other brokers, how is it that we continue to set high sales. The simple answer is that all of these lands are undervalued, even when record highs are set. I learned in statistics class that when the subset is so small, the transition of the dollar never keeps up. It statistically can't. That's why areas, say, in Central Florida where there are more transactions, the land is seemingly worth more. It's not. Those same prices will happen here, just a delay like the tide rolling in the backwaters after it hits the bay. I've been watching the tide roll in like this for 30 years. I can almost guarantee that no matter what one pays, within reason, that the market will rise to that number. One may not start out with instant equity, but they darn sure won't start out overpaying. They will then be the owner, something intrinsically valuable in its own right. - Jon Kohler

To understand this niche one needs to understand the value of the land, lifestyle and legacy. - Jon Kohler