Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: March 2007

The Atlanta Home & Design Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre is underway. The show is Friday, March 30th through Sunday, April 1st. Experience the hottest upscale products and services for home remodeling and interior decor. Get tips from A&E's "Move this House" Roger Hazard. Check out an All-Terrain Cabin! For more information, or to buy tickets online and save $2.00, visit www.atlhomeshow.com.
Alpharetta Children's Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, 2007 beginning at 10:30am. Alpharetta Recreation & Parks will host our annual Children's Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 at North Park Softball Fields 1-4. Games and exhibitors will begin at 10:30am. The hunt (for children ages 10 and under) will begin at 11:30am. Thousands of eggs and candy will be hidden. Prizes will be given in each age category. The Easter Bunny will be our special guest, and will be available for photos with children. This event is co-sponsored by the Alpharetta Golden Age Club. For more information, call 678-297-6140 or email seniors@alpharetta.ga.us.

As of March 29, 2007, the current average mortgage rates according to Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey are as follows:

30-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage: 6.16% with fees & points averaging at 0.4
15-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage 5.86% with fees & points averaging at 0.4
5/1-yr Adjustable Rate Mortgage 5.88% with fees & points averaging at 0.5
1-yr Adjustable Rate Mortgage 5.43% with fees & points averaging at 0.6

Again, there was very little movement in rates from last week's averages.

If you are looking for assistance with your next home loan, we recommend Steve Thompson, Senior Mortgage Consultant with Home America Morgage, Inc. To contact Steve, click on his name above to be taken directly to his website at www.stevethompsononline.com, or you may email Steve at sthompson@homeamericamortgage.com or call him at 770-325-7075. Let Steve know the Vanderhoff Team sent you!

Forsyth County residents need to be mindful of their outdoor watering as watering restrictions are still in place, as well as a new tiered rate structure that you may have already noticed on your water bill. Currently the following watering restrictions apply for Forsyth County residents:

Even-numbered addresses (addresses ending with the number 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no number) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with no watering allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Odd-numbered addresses (addresses ending with the number 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may water on Tuesdays and Sundays, with no watering allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

No outdoor watering is permitted on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

To calculate how your water bill may change this summer from last summer, visit the Forsyth County website at www.forsythco.com and visit the water department section of the site. Their is a section to calculate your usage under the new tiered rate schedule.

Also, it is important to keep in mind some simple tips when watering outdoors:

• Water trees at night. With night time watering, you lose less water to evaporation.
• Your lawn will tell you it needs water by getting a bit dull or bluish. You can double-check with the "foot test." If your footsteps spring back up soon after you walk across, your lawn is fine. You don't need to water.
• Don't water on hot, windy afternoons. You'll lose more than half of your water to evaporation.
• Aim your sprinklers properly. Water your plants, not the street, sidewalk and driveway. If an area in your garden always stays damp, close off the sprinkler there.
• Don't forget to mulch. Mulching helps keep the soil cool and moist while suppressing water-stealing weeds and reducing your garden work. Mulch a wide area around your plants (but not next to the stem or trunk).

I often see neighbors in my subdivision using their sprinklers midday. Not only are they wasting a lot of money, but chances are they will get a fine. Yesterday, I noticed someone watering midday, and they were watering half of the street. Forsyth County Water trucks do patrol neighborhoods watching for watering restriction violators. And as always, their frequency of patrols is likely to increase during the warmer months. And, as Forsyth County residents, we are always the first to suffer during the droughts, so please conserve and obey the restrictions currently in place.

As of March 22, 2007, the current average mortgage rates according to Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey are as follows:

30-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage: 6.16% with fees & points averaging at 0.4
15-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage 5.90% with fees & points averaging at 0.4
5/1-yr Adjustable Rate Mortgage 5.91% with fees & points averaging at 0.6
1-yr Adjustable Rate Mortgage 5.40% with fees & points averaging at 0.7

There was little movement in rates from last week's averages.

If you are looking for assistance with your next home loan, we recommend Steve Thompson, Senior Mortgage Consultant with Home America Morgage, Inc. To contact Steve, click on his name above to be taken directly to his website at www.stevethompsononline.com, or you may email Steve at sthompson@homeamericamortgage.com or call him at 770-325-7075. Let Steve know the Vanderhoff Team sent you!

The Atlanta Home & Design Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre will be held March 30th - April 1st. Experience the hottest upscale products and services for home remodeling and interior decor. Get tips from A&E's "Move this House" Roger Hazard. Check out an All-Terrain Cabin! For more information, or to buy tickets online and save $2.00, visit www.atlhomeshow.com.

Here are some statistics of North Fulton & Forsyth County homes for sale in February 2007, according to the First Multiple Listing Service.

During February in North Fulton County there were 599 new listings with an average List Price of $569,384. 168 homes sold with an average sales price of $438,561. The average number of days on the market for the homes sold was 77 days.

During February in Forsyth County there were 592 new listings with an average List Price of $403,690. 166 homes sold with an average sales price of $314,530. The average number of days on the market for the homes sold was 107 days.

In both areas, the number of new listings was higher than the same month last year, as was the average list and sold price. The number of homes sold declined this year, along with an increase of the average number of days on the market.

What does all this mean? There is a higher inventory of homes available to buyers today in both the Alpharetta & Cumming areas. If you are going to sell your home, it will most likely take longer to do so with the higher competition. To get top dollar, you will need to make sure your home is in pristine condition. Home prices are leveling off from the rapid appreciation we have seen in recent years. It's a great time to find a deal on your next home!

Daylight Saving Time comes early this year! Beginning this year a new law has gone into effect that has changed when we "Spring Forward". The Energy Policy Act of 2005 has changed both the starting and ending dates. Beginning in 2007, daylight time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Last year, Daylight Saving Time began the first Sunday in April. Effective this year, our clocks will move forward one hour on the second Sunday in March. Yes, that is today! So, if you have been wondering all morning why you are late....this is it!

As of March 8, 2007, the current average mortgage rates according to Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey are as follows:

30-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage: 6.14% with fees & points averaging at 0.5
15-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage 5.86% with fees & points averaging at 0.5
5/1-yr Adjustable Rate Mortgage 5.90% with fees & points averaging at 0.5
1-yr Adjustable Rate Mortgage 5.47% with fees & points averaging at 0.6

These rates are down from last week's averages.

If you are looking for assistance with your next home loan, we recommend Steve Thompson, Senior Mortgage Consultant with Home America Morgage, Inc. To contact Steve, click on his name above to be taken directly to his website at www.stevethompsononline.com, or you may email Steve at sthompson@homeamericamortgage.com or call him at 770-325-7075. Let Steve know the Vanderhoff Team sent you!

Just listed: 3020 Cypress Cove, Ball Ground, GA 30107 in Cherokee County. This home is beautifully situated on a 1 acre wooded lot with lake frontage and a lake view. This charming two story traditional has a full front porch with swing and a partial basement ready to finish. Three bedrooms and 2 full baths upstairs, with a half bath located on the main level. Spacious kitchen is bright and welcoming. Walk from the breakfast room out onto the back deck to enjoy your morning coffee while enjoying the peaceful wooded backyard and private lake. You may feel miles away, but the home is only minutes from Highways 575, 372 and 5. A must see at only $209,900. For more details on this home, please click on the address above for a full property flyer. To schedule a showing, please contact The Vanderhoff Team today!

Cumming, Forsyth County Road Delays: Paving will temporarily reduce Pilgrim Mill Road to one lane.

Paving is scheduled to begin the week of March 5 on Pilgrim Mill Road between Freedom Parkway and Magnolia Avenue. The work is anticipated to take approximately two weeks depending upon weather conditions. During this time, the road will be reduced to one lane.

This work is part of the utility construction of a 48-inch water line that will deliver additional raw water to the county's water treatment plant.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid this area if possible by using alternate routes. This is anticipated to be the last time the road will be impacted during this project. Forsyth County thanks the traveling public for their patience and understanding.

Road Closure Notice for the 2007 Alpharetta Marathon & Half Marathon. Please allow an additional 30 minutes in travel times between 7:00am & 3:00pm on Sunday, March 4th in the Alpharetta area. The following roads will be affected with detours and/or partial road closings. Roadways will reopen after runners pass. Expect heavy delays.

ACADEMY ST/WEBB BRIDGE RD: Completely closed from SR 9 to Haynes Bridge from 5:30am - 7:30am. Completely closed from Haynes Bridge Rd. to North Point Pkwy from 6:45am-7:30am.

NORTH POINT PKWY: One Northbound lane closed from Webb Bridge to Windward Pkwy.

WINDWARD PKWY: One Eastbound lane closed from North Point Pkwy to Club House Dr. One Westbound lane closed from Club House Dr. to Cogburn Rd. Entrance ramp to GA 400 Northbound and Exit ramp GA 400 Southbound at Windward Pkwy completely closed.

* EXPECT HEAVY DELAYS AT THE INTERSECTION OF WINDWARD PKWY AND SR 9

COGBURN RD: Southbound lane closed. Access to Windward Pkwy only.

SR 9: Pace vehicle leading Southbound traffic from Cogburn Rd. to Canton St. Extension. EXPECT HEAVY DELAYS. One Southbound lane closed from Canton Street Extension to Milton Ave.

MILTON AVE: The Westbound lane closed from SR 9 to Roswell St. Eastbound traffic only.

ROSWELL ST: The Southbound lane closed from Milton Ave to Old Milton Pkwy. Northbound traffic only.

OLD MILTON PKWY: Closed Eastbound from Roswell Street to SR 9. Closed Westbound from Haynes Bridge to Roswell Street and One Eastbound lane closed from SR 9 .to Haynes Bridge Rd. Old Milton will be open from Roswell Street to Wills Road.

* EXPECT HEAVY DELAYS AT THE INTERSECTION OF OLD MILTON PKWY AND SR 9

HAYNES BRIDGE RD: One Southbound lane closed from Old Milton Pkwy to Westside Pkwy.

WESTSIDE PKWY: Completely closed from Haynes Bridge to Sanctuary.

ENCORE PKWY: Completely closed.

NORTH POINT PKWY: One Northbound lane closed from Mansell Rd. to Haynes Bridge Rd.

HAYNES BRIDGE RD: One Southbound lane from North Point Pkwy to Mansell Rd.

MANSELL RD: One Westbound lane closed from Haynes Bridge Rd. to North Point Pkwy.

ROCKMILL RD: Completely closed from Sancutary to Old Roswell Rd. Northbound traffic only from Old Roswell Rd. to Mansell Rd.

MANSELL RD: One Westbound lane closed from Old Roswell Rd. to SR 9.

SR 9: One Northbound lane closed from Mansell Rd. to Hembree Dr.

HEMBREE RD: One Eastbound lane closed from Hwy 9 to Hembree Pkwy.

HEMBREE PKWY: The Southbound lane closed from Hembree Rd. to Old Roswell Rd. Northbound traffic only.

OLD ROSWELL RD: The Southbound lane closed from Hembree Pkwy to Sancutary. North bound traffic only.

SANCUTARY: Completely closed from Old Roswell Rd. to Westside Pkwy.

LAKEVIEW: Completely closed from Westside Pkwy to Haynes Bridge Rd.

For more information about the marathon, please visit www.alpharettamarathon.com or call 678-297-6006.