Living Down South Realty

We are the Founders of Living Down South Realty. Prior to founding our company, Laury was the Managing Broker of several offices of a national franchise while Vic was the VP of Sales for a multi-national corporation. With 25 years of experience, Laury proudly serves as the Managing Partner of our prominent independent multi-state real estate firm. Her leadership extends beyond the firm. She has had the privilege of serving as the President of two local REALTOR® associations and serves on the Georgia Association of REALTORS® Statewide Professional Standards Committee , demonstrating her commitment to shaping the industry. Guy is an accomplished sales, operations and business development leader with a proven track record in building high performing teams. He is a results-driven individual who drives top-line revenue and bottom line profitability through innovation, professional development strategies, and strong business acumen. Specializing in waterfront, residential, and luxury properties, we bring unparalleled expertise to assist clients in realizing their real estate aspirations. We reside in the scenic North Georgia region and we serve clients across Georgia and South Carolina. Our careers are a testament to our unwavering dedication to helping individuals and families navigate their real estate journeys with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to their success. Working as a team for our clients, we provide exceptional service and work hard to ensure that every deal gets to the closing table. Expertise and Designations: Lake, Land, Luxury & Residential CRS – Certified Residential Specialist PSA – Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor CLHMS™ GUILD – Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ – GUILD Recognition RSPS - Resort and Second Home Property Specialist Areas Served: Upstate, SC: Anderson, Seneca, Fair Play, Lakes Hartwell & Keowee Northeast, GA: Hartwell, Athens, Clarkesville, Commerce, Clayton Metro Atlanta: Braselton, Buford, Cumming, Alpharetta, Lake Lanier North Georgia: Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Ellijay Lifestyles Served: Mountain Living Lake Living Fairway Living Residential Living Barn & Land Living

Melissa Smith is an Associate Broker & REALTOR® with Living Down South Realty. Being licensed in both South Carolina and Georgia, she serves Northeast Georgia and Western Upstate South Carolina including Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee. Living Down South Realty is excited to have Melissa on board delivering an unyielding desire to produce results for her clients and her customers. Melissa’s real estate career began in 2005 with a goal of achieving the perfect work-family balance. However, she quickly realized the great pleasure which comes from helping others achieve their dream of home ownership. A graduate of Clemson University, Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and later earned her Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice at North Georgia Technical College. Prior to real estate, Melissa worked in Administrative Services for Clemson University and later as a Probation Officer in the State of Georgia with the Northern Judicial Circuit. Combining her real estate experience, education, and diligence with her diverse knowledge of the area cultures and lifestyles, Melissa is an experienced choice for anyone seeking the services of a real estate professional that has honed her skills over the years to best guide her clients through the often emotional transaction. Whether selling or buying, Melissa is dedicated to making the process easy and smooth for her clients. Melissa is often heard by family, friends, and colleagues saying, “That’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.” Melissa and her husband have three children and an ever-growing crew of grandchildren and fur babies . When not serving her real estate clients, Melissa enjoys spending time with friends and family, and overall, loving their lake living lifestyle.

Michelle VanHemert Branton is a REALTOR® with Living Down South who currently serves clients in Northeast Georgia and South Carolina. Living Down South is excited to partner with Michelle, who has an unyielding passion to help those seeking a residential, lake, barn & land, or mountain lifestyle. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Michelle has also lived in Colorado and Nevada before making the Peach State her home. A graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Michelle obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Financial Administration with a minor in Sociology. Upon moving to Georgia, Michelle enrolled at the University of Georgia where she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work. In addition to her higher education achievements, Michelle has also earned an Interior Design Certificate as well as had extensive training in Real Estate Investment. Considering her combination of industry experience, education, competencies, work ethic, and love for helping others, Michelle is a winning choice for anyone seeking a true professional to lead a real estate engagement. When not selling real estate, Michelle serves as Vice Chairperson on the Executive Board for the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, participates in various charity and raising awareness events, and enjoys yoga, reading, Sudoku, and rescuing animals. In their free time, Michelle and her Husband Jeff, who is a Regional Manager for a multi-national tool company, can be found traveling, boating, playing on the lake with friends, keeping up with their daughter Taylor, who is a Accountant with a company who provides 360 feedback surveys for corporate leadership, or chasing down their rescue dog, Smitty.

Diane Cheatham is a Principal and REALTOR® with Living Down South Realty and serves as its Fine Living, Luxury, and Residential consultant serving Northeast Georgia including Gainesville, Braselton, Dacula, Auburn, Buford, Flowery Branch, Jefferson, Suwanee and Duluth. Living Down South is excited to have Diane on board executing unwavering passion to deliver results for her clients and customers. Growing up in Norcross, Ga by way of New York State, Diane received her BS in Education from Brenau University and later earned her Masters Degree in Education. Upon graduation, she served as an elementary school teacher for 13 years focusing on 3rd grade students and Science. Always being fascinated with the real estate industry along with a continued desire to help others, Diane made a career change and became a licensed real estate professional in 2013. Since then, Diane became a Member of the Institute of Luxury Marketing and has earning her Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. As a CLHMS, Diane’s fine living buyers and sellers are assured she has the knowledge, unique skills, and actionable strategies to exceed their goals. Combining her education and knowledge in real estate with her experience in service and diligence, Diane is well positioned to deliver results for those seeking to buy or sell a fine living, residential or luxury lifestyle. At home and in the office, Diane can often be heard saying, “Nothing feels better than helping others obtain home ownership.” Diane and her husband Allen have an amazing daughter Eliza, a Maltipoo named Toby and a cat named Frankie. When not selling real estate, Diane and Allen love spending time with family and friends, attending church events and services at Hebron Baptist Church, and watching their favorite sports teams: Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, & the Clemson Tigers. In her free time, Diane loves to plan and take family trips and fuel her hobby in photography.

Amy Bruce is a REALTOR® with Living Down South Realty™ who is currently licensed in Georgia and South Carolina and serves clients in Northeast Georgia and Western Upstate South Carolina including Hart, Franklin, Elbert, and Stephens, Counties in Georgia and Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties in South Carolina. Living Down South™ is excited to partner with Amy who has a steadfast desire to produce results for her clients and customers. Born and raised and currently living in Hartwell, Georgia, Amy earned her real estate license out of a desire to further serve others after beginning her career in real estate by working as an administrator for a well established brokerage in North Georgia. Prior to real estate, Amy was a Detention Center Officer for the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia where she enforced all institutional policies, rules, and regulations and applied acute diligence with executing all standard operating procedures. Today, Amy services clients and customers who are looking to buy or sell a Residential Living, Lake Living, or Barn and Land Living Lifestyle. Combining her seasoned real estate experience with her impeccable service, communication skills and attention to detail, Amy is a winning choice for anyone seeking a true professional to lead a real estate engagement. Amy is frequently heard by her friends, family and colleagues saying, “Life is all about choices…There is always a consequence, but whether it’s a good or bad depends on the choice you make.” Amy has 4 wonderful grown children, Lane who owns a tree service, Jerryd who is a Music Education Major at Georgia State University, Jett who is an Elementary School Teacher, and Macy who is a Computer Science Major at Georgia State University. When and when not selling real estate, Amy is an Advisor for the Jennifer Autumn Cobb foundation and in her free time, she and her significant other Mike enjoy traveling, Jeeping, hiking, spending time with friends and family and playing with their Teacup Yorkie, Link.

I am a REALTOR® with Living Down South Realty, licensed in Georgia and South Carolina and serve clients in Northeast Georgia and Western Upstate South Carolina. While I specialize in real estate, I also love connecting people and places, helping others fulfill their goals. Having lived in the Northeast Georgia and Upstate South Carolina area my entire life, I bring a deep understanding of the local market. Growing up in Jefferson, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education in Counseling from Augusta State University. Having previously worked as a school counselor, I have a solid foundation in both education and real estate. My service-oriented mindset, diligence, and relationship-building abilities further equip me to deliver results for both buyers and sellers. I believe in providing exceptional customer service and building lasting relationships with my clients. My goal is to make the real estate process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible while always working in my clients' best interests. Together with my husband, we own profitable long- and short-term rental investment properties, including two located on Lake Hartwell and one on Fripp Island, SC. As someone who owns residential luxury property and investment property, I am well-positioned to deliver results for those seeking to buy or sell the Luxury Lifestyle! At Living Down South Realty, we believe a home should complement your lifestyle rather than adapting a lifestyle to fit the home. I can help you pursue purchasing a Southern Lifestyle, not just a house.  My husband and I moved to Hartwell, Georgia over 27 years ago for him to join a local family medical practice and for us to raise our children in Hartwell. When we are not selling real estate or delivering medical care, we enjoy catching up with our two grown children and son-in-law, traveling, entertaining friends and going to Georgia Football games.