A Community Adopted

Written By: - NONE - | Issue: 2016/06 - June

This is the story of a young couple who, following many weekend trips to the Highlands and Cashiers area, left their former residence on Lake Lanier and made a permanent move to this special little plateau in the clouds, and in so doing they made a pledge to “adopt” their new found community and participate in as many local activities as possible.

Just eight years ago, Mitzi Rauers, her rescue dog Merci and her husband Hammond, who is the co-owner of Franklin Ford in Franklin, North Carolina, set about to fulfill their dream of living full time in the high country and becoming seriously involved in virtually every aspect of this special mountain community, building relationships and enjoying their exciting new life with a multitude of new friends and neighbors.

Having spent over 20 years in the medical field, Mitzi, as a registered respiratory therapist and owner of a successful respiratory equipment company, sold her business in 2007 and, armed with her lifelong affection for small town charm and her comprehensive knowledge of design and venerable architecture, decided she would begin her adventure by entering the real estate business. She became a career sales associate with Meadows Mountain Realty, which, during this past year, became an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, giving the Highlands and Cashiers real estate market nationwide exposure. Mitzi has enjoyed immediate and remarkable success with the new company. To quote Mitzi, “The most satisfying and pleasing part of my job is in finding my clients their perfect dream home here in our one of a kind community.” 

Prior to their move, utilizing her talent for decoration and design, Mitzi and Hammond had shared their passion for buying and renovating older homes in several other Southern communities including Charleston, South Carolina and Gainesville, Georgia, thus preparing her for this new challenge.    

Hammond, having co-owned Franklin Ford with his brother Bryan since 2002, arrived with a personal pledge to become deeply involved with various charitable organizations and civic projects, while both he and Mitzi simultaneously made a serious commitment to offer world class service to their customers in both Mitzi’s real estate enterprise and at the  automobile dealership.

As part of this promise, Hammond has instituted numerous policies and services through his dealership that are of great benefit to his fellow residents in Highlands and Cashiers. As Hammond says, “It is a true privilege to serve our friends and neighbors with their automotive needs. We have learned that as long as we take good care of our community the community will return the favor.”  

In the intervening years, the Rauers, while all the time enjoying the wonderful restaurants, arts, plays and social environment of our southern mountains, are continuing to develop new relationships and become even more committed to involvement in all aspects of this very special corner of the world. For the couple who eight years ago began a journey to “adopt” a community it seems that an ironic thing has occurred. From their perspective it appears that the community has, in fact, “adopted” them.