Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: December 2007

Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman announced this week that the ban on outdoor burning will continue in Forsyth County until further notice.

All outdoor burning including recreational burning and campfires is prohibited. The ban was previously set to expire on January 4, 2008. However, as no appreciable rain has occurred nor is expected, the continuation of the ban has been deemed to be in the best interest of public safety.

To receive additional information regarding the mandatory burn ban in Forsyth County, please contact the Forsyth County Fire Department at 770.781.2180.

On Lake Lanier, only two boat ramps remain open. One at Shoal Creek at the South end of the Lake off Buford Dam, and the other at Tidwell on the West side of the Lake. If you own a home on the lake with a dock, the dilemma becomes whether or not to leave your boat in the water. There are pros and cons to both. If all ramps end up closing, which was actually in the forcast to happen by December 10th, you will still be able to enjoy boating on the lake if it's still left in your dock. However, if maintenance issues come up, or the lake gets so low your dock cannot be pushed out any further, your boat is stuck indefinitely. With lake levels continuing to go down, the Corps still pumping out more water than is going into the lake, and not much rain in the forecast for this Winter, chances are you are going to want to get your boat out of the water, winterize it, and store it. With the water levels getting lower, it's getting tougher to navigate the lake anyway. Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers has no plans at the moment to extend any of the ramps for continued use. So, if you haven't already and have been enjoying this mild winter on the lake, you most likely want to get your boat out now. Sooner than later because those last two boat ramps are not going to be around much longer.

HomeLife Communities, a third generation, family-owned Atlanta-based builder, is changing its name as it continues to grow into one of the nation's leading home builders.

Effective January 1, 2008, the company's new name will be Atreus Homes & Communities. Based on the Greek word for archway, the name Atreus Homes & Communities marks a new beginning for the award-winning homebuilder, as they expand from the current 5 city market in which they currently build. The new Atreus Homes & Communities will be dedicated to building on its roots and bringing affordable homes to new families in new markets coast to coast.

The new Atreus Homes & Communities will still be dedicated to the mission the company has had for three generations: providing quality, affordable dream homes for new home buyers and their families. The company's mission and motto will remain, "Building Affordable Dreams."

Not only is this builder known for providing quality, affordable homes, but also for their contributions to the community. Just recently, HomeLife Communities donated $100,000 to meet the immediate needs of orphans impacted by a Nov. 2nd fire at the United Methodist Children's Home in Decatur, Georgia.

Company founder and CEO Jon Been presented Alina Crews of the Home with a check for $100,000 to be used to provide clothing and new belongings for the children impacted by the blaze, which destroyed one of the seven cottages used by the orphanage, one of the oldest in the United States, built to house orphans from the Civil War.

"We know that the building had insurance, but there are things these young people need now to get their life back together -- including clothes and personal belongings," Been said. "We don't want them to have to wait. I've donated $100,000 to get them through for the time being, and have pledged that we will make up any difference between the insurance settlement, and what's needed to rebuild the cottage."

More than 1,500 youth each year are aided by the on-campus and various outreach programs run by the Children's Home.

Buying a home is a huge investment, and it's good to know that part of that money is not just going into the Builder's pocketbook, but into the community.

If you are currently looking to relocate to Forsyth County, HomeLife / Atreus Homes is building in 3 new subdivisions. Call us at Vanderhoff Real Estate today and we can help you navigate your new home purchase.

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.10 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending November 29, 2007, down from last week when it averaged 6.20 percent as well. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.14 percent. The 30-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending October 13, 2005, when it averaged 6.03 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 5.73 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.83 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.87 percent. The 15-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending January 26, 2006, when it averaged 5.70 percent.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.86 percent this week, with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.88 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 5.95 percent. The 5-year ARM has not been lower since the week ending January 26, 2006 when it averaged 5.75 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 5.43 percent this week with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it was 5.42 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.46 percent.