Skip to content
Find your tees

Checklist builder

Chestatee home-buying checklist builder

The short answer

Describe the Chestatee home you are buying (on the course, on the lake, with a marina slip, on septic, a lot to build on, a rental plan) and this builder lists every check that applies: the association’s covenants and closing letter from HMS, the club’s rates, Corps dock rules, septic records, county permits, and the 14-day and April 1 deadlines.

Last checked October 20, 2026

Two-story red brick historic courthouse with black shutters, an iron fence, flowering crape myrtles and an American flag
Photo: Thomson200, CC0

Georgia leaves most of the checking to the buyer: in the Georgia REALTORS’ words, the state is seen as a buyer-beware state. At Chestatee that checking runs through three offices: the association, the club and Dawson County. Describe the home and this builder lists what applies, in order, each with its source.

Decision tool · Checklist builder

Build the checklist for one Chestatee home

Switch on what is true of the home you are looking at. The list adds the checks that apply, in the order you will need them, each with the rule or office behind it. Tick items off as you go; your list stays in this browser.

This home…

Showing the checks every Chestatee purchase needs. Switch on what applies to add the rest.

1 Before you make an offer

Answers you can get from public records and two phone calls.

  • Chestatee Community Association, Inc. is managed by HMS in Alpharetta (770-667-0595). Ask for the current dues, any special assessment and the covenants.

    Source: HMS, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • The developer’s archived HOA page said Chestatee homeowners are required to join the association. Confirm it in the covenants HMS sends.

    Source: the archived HOA page, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Owner, acreage, assessed value and sales history are in the county’s qPublic record.

    Source: qPublic Dawson County, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Search by address or parcel number and click the parcel to see its zoning district.

    Source: Dawson County zoning map, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • A sale resets the value the county works from, and the floating homestead cap starts over for a new owner.

    Source: Dawson County Schools, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • The club lists Chestatee and Resident rate categories alongside public rates. Ask the club what a homeowner pays and what, if anything, comes with the house.

    Source: the club’s Rates page, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • The official flood maps can be searched by address.

    Source: FEMA flood maps, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County Schools registers students centrally and asks for two proofs of county residency.

    Source: Dawson County Schools, checked Oct 19, 2026

2 During the due-diligence period

Georgia leaves most of the checking to the buyer, so use the time.

  • Georgia is seen as a buyer-beware state: a buyer generally cannot claim fraud over a problem ordinary, reasonable care would have found.

    Source: Georgia REALTORS, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • The developer’s archived HOA page pointed buyers to HMS for covenants and closing letters.

    Source: the archived HOA page, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Look at where the fairway, cart path and tee boxes sit relative to windows, the deck and the pool, at the hours you would use them. Read the covenants for any rule about fences or plantings on the course side.

    Source: the club’s scorecard, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Private docks are allowed only where the Corps designates Limited Development shoreline.

    Source: 36 CFR 327.30, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • A shoreline permit conveys no real estate rights or exclusive use of the shore.

    Source: 36 CFR 327.30, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • The developer described a private marina with boat slips, but this guide has not seen the document that says who owns it or how slips pass to a buyer. Ask for the deed, assignment or lease that covers the slip, and its fees.

    Source: the archived developer page, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Records of approved septic systems are kept at the county Environmental Health office; compare the permit with the bedrooms being sold.

    Source: District 2 Public Health, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • 751 Hwy 53 East, Suite 120, Dawsonville; 706-265-2930.

    Source: District 2 Public Health, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • The Etowah Water & Sewer Authority and the City of Dawsonville both provide water and sewer in the county; three power companies split it.

    Source: City of Dawsonville, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • The county requires a 50-foot undisturbed buffer along creeks, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, 150 feet in watershed overlays.

    Source: Dawson County Community Development, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • New structures over 200 square feet, additions, pools, retaining walls over 4 feet and fences over 7 feet need county permits; the association may have its own approval step too.

    Source: Dawson County Community Development, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Rentals under 30 days need a county permit before they are advertised ($350 new, $300 to renew). Check the covenants for rental rules as well.

    Source: Dawson County STR, checked Oct 19, 2026

3 At closing and after

Deadlines that cost money if you miss them.

  • $1 per $1,000 of the sale price, paid before the deed is recorded.

    Source: Georgia DOR, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • $1.50 per $500 of the loan, capped at $25,000 per note.

    Source: Georgia DOR, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • A new owner must apply for a Shoreline Use Permit within 14 days or remove the facility within 30.

    Source: 36 CFR 327.30, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Applications are taken year-round but must be in by April 1 for that tax year, and must be made in person.

    Source: Dawson County Tax Assessor, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • You must own and live in the home on January 1 to get a homestead exemption for that year.

    Source: Georgia DOR homestead, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • If you play the club regularly, your Course Handicap from each Chestatee tee follows the USGA formula; the tee chooser does the arithmetic.

    Source: the USGA, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Newcomers from out of state must buy a Georgia tag within 30 days of moving to Dawson County.

    Source: City of Dawsonville, checked Oct 19, 2026

A local agent can request the association’s closing letter, pull the parcel record and check the dock permit status with you before your due-diligence period runs out.

Talk to Gold Peach Realty See featured homes

Who you will call

  • Chestatee Golf Club

    Golf, tee times, lessons, outings · 777 Dogwood Way, Dawsonville

    (706) 216-7336 · chestateegolfclub.com

    Source: the club’s contact page, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Tee times (Teesnap)

    The club’s own online booking · chestateegolfclub.teesnap.net

    Also listed on GolfNow.

    Source: the club’s website, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Chestatee Community Association, Inc.

    Homeowners association: dues, covenants, closing letters · Managed by HMS, 1260 Old Alpharetta Road, Alpharetta

    770-667-0595 · HMS@HMS-inc.net

    Source: HMS, checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Dawson County Tax Assessor

    Values, homestead and exemptions · 25 Justice Way, Suite 1201, Dawsonville

    706-344-3590. Homestead in person, by April 1.

    Source: Dawson County Tax Assessor, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County Community Development

    Zoning, permits, short-term rentals · Unincorporated Dawson County

    706-344-3604.

    Source: Dawson County Community Development, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County School District

    Registration and school by address · 28 Main Street, Dawsonville

    706-265-3246.

    Source: Dawson County Schools, checked Oct 19, 2026

County offices

  • Dawson County Tax Assessor

    Values, homestead and exemptions · 25 Justice Way, Suite 1201

    Phone 706-344-3590. Homestead applications in person, by April 1.

    Source: Dawson County Tax Assessor, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County Tax Commissioner

    Tax bills and car tags · 25 Justice Way, Suite 1222

    Phone 706-344-3520.

    Source: Dawson County Tax Commissioner, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County Community Development

    Zoning, permits, short-term rentals · Unincorporated Dawson County

    Phone 706-344-3604.

    Source: Dawson County Community Development, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County Environmental Health

    Septic permits and records · 751 Hwy 53 East, Suite 120

    Phone 706-265-2930. Georgia DPH District 2.

    Source: District 2 Public Health, checked Oct 19, 2026

  • Dawson County School District

    Registration and schools · 28 Main Street

    Phone 706-265-3246.

    Source: Dawson County Schools, checked Oct 19, 2026


Thinking about a home at Chestatee?

See Chestatee with an agent who knows what the club, the association and the county each cover.

Gold Peach Realty is the North Georgia brokerage behind this guide. Our agents can get the association's closing letter, check a lake lot's dock permit status and pull the parcel's tax record, and show you homes at Chestatee and around Dawsonville that fit how you plan to live.

Visit Gold Peach Realty Call Gold Peach Realty (770) 283-1223

Ask a question about a Chestatee home