Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: May 2009

Check out this weekend's mortgage rates provided by Covenant Mortgage Corporation:

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 5.125% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.625% Purchase Only
NEW! Conforming 5/1 Interest-Only: 4.625%
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 5.125%
7/1 ARM =5.375%

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed = Range 5.00% - 5.50%
NEW FHA 5/1 ARM starting at 3.625% Rate fixed for 5 years!

*Based on pricing as of Friday, 5/29th/09 at 1:00PM.

If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!

Labels: 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, arm, covenant mortgage, FHA, mortgage rates, real estate, vanderhoff

Featured Listing: Pilgrim Lake Townhome at 1611 Indian Way, Cumming, GA 30040. This 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, charming, bright and open townhome is a great value at the reduced price of $114,900. New carpet throughout. Each bedroom has its own private bath. Blinds throughout and ready to move in. Great deck in back for entertaining or relaxing. One car garage, plus a basement that can be finished for additional room or storage. Convenient location close to GA 400.

For more information and additional photos, click on the property address above, or visit www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com and go to our Featured Listings. If you would like to see this great townhome, please contact Vanderhoff Real Estate today!

Labels: cumming, indian way, pilgrim lake, real estate, townhome, vanderhoff

Homebuilders are growing more optimistic about the state of housing and say they see signs that the end of the housing market's three-year downward spiral may be near!

The increasingly upbeat mood was reflected in an index of builders' confidence released last week, which rose for the second month in a row in May. A separate report by the industry's trade group showed housing affordability improved in the first three months of this year amid falling home prices and low interest rates.

Labels: 2009, builder, Home, market, may, real estate

The Forsyth County Tax Assessors Office mailed the 2009 Assessment Notices to taxpayers on May 22, 2009. We have received more than 5,000 Returns of Real Property this year and wish to express our gratitude to those who have provided extra information concerning their property. We have been able to utilize this information in our analysis and calculations for this year’s assessment valuations. The Tax Assessors Office would like to remind all Forsyth County taxpayers about some of the ground rules we have to operate under.

First, assessment values are set as of January 1 of each year. This means, typically, we look at the sales activity from the past 12 months to help establish values for the current year. With the market challenges experienced this past year, we felt it prudent to give more weight to the sales which occurred during the last half of the year. Second, we are required to look at “any other factors deemed pertinent in arriving at fair market value” (OCGA 48-5-2). This includes foreclosures. We have attempted to make adjustments, accordingly, where there have been concentrations of foreclosure activity. Third, the State Department of Audits continues to check our valuations using several techniques at their disposal. They grade us on overall fair market value levels and uniformity amongst classes of properties. If we fall outside the range of acceptable valuation or uniformity, Forsyth County can be penalized in fees or, ultimately, be unable to receive approval of the tax digest.

We bring these points to your attention because the 45-day appeal period begins once the Assessment Notices are mailed. If you choose to appeal your assessment this year, we ask you to provide an estimate of value (please avoid using generalized statements including “the value is too high” or “the market is down”), along with adequate documentation to support your estimate (including pictures of structural damage with repair estimates, market data, square footage, recent appraisal). Newspaper articles concerned with national or regional market trends, alone, are not considered “adequate documentation”. Every bit of information you can provide will help us resolve your appeal in a timely manner. Many times people who appeal do not tell us anything until the appeal reaches the Board of Equalization, where they bring something to light that, had they told us earlier, would have avoided a costly and time-consuming board hearing.

One final note: When you file an appeal, an appraiser from the Tax Assessors Office will visit your property within a month (this may vary). The appraiser is required to verify the information we have about your property is correct. The appraiser will knock on your door and ask a few questions pertaining to the information you have provided, and then he/she will check the measurements around the outside of the structure. There will be no need for the appraiser to enter the interior unless specifically requested by you, the property owner.

We thank you for your attention and look forward to serving you during the coming months.

Forsyth County Tax Assessors Office

Labels: appeal, forsyth county, notice, property tax, tax assessor

Labels: 2009, memorial day

Check out this weekend's mortgage rates provided by Covenant Mortgage Corporation:

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.75% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.375% Purchase Only
NEW! Conforming 5/1 Interest-Only: 4.375%
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 5.000%
7/1 ARM =5.375%

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed = Range 5.00% - 5.50%
NEW FHA 5/1 ARM starting at 3.625% Rate fixed for 5 years!

*Based on pricing as of Friday, 5/22nd/09 at 1:00PM.

If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!

Labels: 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, covenant mortgage, FHA, mortgage rates, refinance, vanderhoff real estate

The Forsyth County Department of Engineering will hold a location and design public information open house for the Big Creek Greenway Phases 4 and 5 on Tuesday, June 2. The open house will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sawnee Elementary School, located at 1616 Canton Highway in Cumming.

The open house will provide the public with an opportunity to view the proposed project, ask questions and comment on the proposal. The event will be informal and the public is invited to attend anytime between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. There will be no formal presentation.

Phases 4 and 5 of the Big Creek Greenway project propose to construct approximately seven miles of new multi-use trail from Bethelview Road to the Sawnee Mountain Preserve and Visitor Center.

The following is a description of the proposed project:
The proposed Greenway trail will begin at the end of Phase 3 of the Big Creek Greenway (currently under construction) and will travel approximately seven miles to the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center located on Spot Road. The proposed trail will serve as a multi-use trail and will consist of a twelve-foot wide paved path, including portions of boardwalk as well as pedestrian bridges, as necessary. The project also proposes three trailhead locations which will provide for parking and restroom facilities. In addition to the trail and trailhead construction, landscaping and other hardscape appurtenances will be provided.

Written statements concerning this project will be accepted until July 2, 2009. Written statements may be submitted to:

Mr. Tim Allen
Assistant Director of Engineering
110 E. Main Street, Suite 120
Cumming, Georgia 30040

About the Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County
The Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County is being constructed in phases, with three of five phases currently under construction. The first three phases are slated to be completed by August. The twelve-foot wide multi-use trail will be open to the public during daylight hours for activities such as bicycling, in-line skating, walking and jogging.

Labels: bethelview, big creek, bike trail, forsyth county, greenway, hiking, sawnee mountain preserve, visitor center

The City of Milton hosts a Memorial Day service honoring Milton veterans both living and deceased at City Hall 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25th, 2009.

Similar to last year's ceremony, the program includes a series of activities including the Presentation of and Call to Colors, guest speaker Lt. Gen. Roy Beauchamp, the roll call of deceased veterans and more. A Milton High School choral group will perform an arrangement of patriotic songs and Terry Haynes will once again play Amazing Grace on bagpipes.

The service will end with family members of the deceased veterans placing flags on markers along Deerfield Parkway.

The markers will be displayed along Deerfield Parkway the week proceeding Memorial Day. The City of Milton continues to update its database of area-related veterans both living and fallen.

Any deceased veteran of a Milton family is qualified to be honored with a marker. Information on living veterans will be used for recognition purposes only. Use the City of Milton's online form to send them your veterans' information.

Labels: city of milton, memorial day, veteran

Great 3 bedroom 2 bath home available for rent June 1st in Southeast Forsyth County. Master on main, formal dining room, screened in porch and great schools. Available for $1100 per month. A security deposit of $1100 is required with a 1-Year Lease. Click here for property flyer. Or, for more information, call Mike at 770-888-9269 or email Mike@VanderhoffRealEstate.com.

Labels: cumming, home for rent, sharon, south forsyth

The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced this week that home buyers will be allowed to use the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for down payments on purchases financed by FHA loans. FHA will allow approved lenders, nonprofits, and government agencies to advance the funds in the form of bridge loans that buyers would use for down payments. Buyers would repay the loans after they receive their tax refunds. The FHA will release more details on the program soon.

Labels: Bridge loans, buyer, FHA, home loans, HUD, tax credit, tax refund

Lake Lanier will receive $8.3 million in federal stimulus money out of a larger package of $293 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mobile District.

There is a possible added bonus in the form of $3 million to complete a study tied to the management of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin. That basin and the use of its water has been a contentious issue between Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The new study would set guidelines for when and how much water should be released from Lanier. That may prove welcome to people in the Lake Lanier area because the Corps recently surprised people with its decision to increase outflows from the lake.

Click here for a full breakdown of the projects planned for Lake Lanier. The Corps promises to start awarding the first contracts within 45 days.

Labels: lake lanier, stimulus, US Army Corps of Engineers

Check out this weekend's mortgage rates provided by Covenant Mortgage Corporation:

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.625% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.375% Purchase Only
NEW! Conforming 5/1 Interest-Only: 4.50%
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 5.000%
7/1 ARM =5.375%

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed = Range 4.875% - 5.50%

*Based on pricing as of Friday, 5/8/09 at 1:00PM.

If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!

Labels: 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, covenant mortgage, FHA, mortgage rates, real estate, refinance, vanderhoff real estate

Join the Alpharetta Rotary Club and the City of Alpharetta this Saturday, May 16th 2009 for the 13th Annual Mayor’s Challenge. The race is a 5K/10K Peachtree Qualifier for the serious runner as well as a Fun Run/Walk for the whole family. The 5K & 10K Races begin at 7:15am, and the Fun Run/Walk begins at 8:30am. The race will be located at the Alpharetta City Pool at Wills Park on Old Milton Parkway.

A runner’s pancake breakfast will be offered at the race finish. The proceeds go to support the community projects of the Alpharetta Rotary.

Register online at www.active.com or call 678-795-0115.

ROAD CLOSURE: Due to the nature of the event, a portion of the following roads will be closed beginning at aprox. 6:45 am: Old Milton Parkway from South Main Street to Wills Road will be closed completely; Wills Road will be open to south bound traffic only to Milton Avenue; Milton Avenue will be open to west bound traffic only to South Main; and South Main will have only one lane closed to south bound traffic to Old Milton Parkway. The event staging area will be held in Wills Park beside the city swimming pool. If you will be traveling through the area on this date from 6:45 am to 9:30 am, please use caution, as there will be many runners on these roads.

Labels: 10k, 2009, 5k, Alpharetta, alpharetta city pool, events, may, mayor's challenge, old milton, peachtree qualifier, wills park

Great news for anyone planning to buy a home in the next 6 months. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed HB 261 into Law on May 11, 2009 which will provide for an income tax credit for homebuyers in the state of Georgia. The legislation applies to new and previously occupied homes as well as residences that have been foreclosed. The credit could be used either for houses and condominiums and either on primary or secondary residences. In order to qualify, homeowners will need to apply for the credit within six months of the date the governor signs the bill (5/11/2009). According to the bill, the amount of the credit will be either 1.2 percent of the purchase price of such eligible single-family residence or $1,800.00, whichever is less. To read the bill signed by Governor Perdue, click here. Please note that this is available to all homebuyers, not just first time homebuyers. So take advantage of it before it's gone in six months!

Now, if you are a first time homebuyer, or have not owned a home in the past 3 years and are thinking about purchasing a home, now is the time to do it. With the new Georgia Tax Credit, the Federal First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, Extremely Low Mortgage Rates and Such Great Deals On Homes, it's a great time to take that next step into Home Ownership!

Check out all of the available homes in the Milton, Alpharetta, Cumming, Dawsonville, Dahlonega, Lake Lanier & Surrounding areas on our website. Click here to customize your property search. Plus, with our website you can remain anonymous as there is no need to register to search for properties. We just ask that you please consider using our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate for your next home purchase.

Labels: first time home buyer, georgia, hb 261, home buyer, mortgage rates, tax credit

Here are the basics to the recently passed Federal Legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.

Who Qualifies?
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Which Properties Are Eligible?
The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Will the Credit Be?
The maximum allowable credit for home buyers is $8,000. Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors:

The price of the home—the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.

The buyer's income—single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?
Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?
No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three-year period, the credit will be recouped on the sale.

Labels: 2009, first time home buyer, stimulus, tax credit

WASHINGTON - There was another ray of hope Monday for the distressed housing market: the National Association of Realtors said the volume of signed contracts to buy previously occupied homes rose for the second month in a row.
Homebuyers taking advantage of bargain prices, low interest rates and a tax credit for first-time buyers pushed the seasonally adjusted index of pending sales up by 3.2 percent to 84.6 in March.
The results not only beat analysts' flat expectations, but were also 1.1 percent above last year's levels, the first time that has happened since December.

Labels: 2009, first time home buyer, housing, market, mortgage rates, tax credit

Check out this weekend's mortgage rates provided by Covenant Mortgage Corporation:

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.75% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.375% Purchase Only
NEW! Conforming 5/1 Interest-Only: 4.50%
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 5.125%
7/1 ARM =5.375%

FHA Loans:
30-yr Fixed = Range 4.875% - 5.50%

*Based on pricing as of Friday, 5/8/09 at 1:00PM.
If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!

Labels: 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, covenant mortgage, FHA, mortgage rates, real estate, refinance, vanderhoff real estate

The Taste of Alpharetta will take place on Old Milton Parkway at Wills Park next Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 5:00 PM. The largest “Taste of” event in the South celebrates its 19th year in 2009! Dine at over 60 restaurants in one unforgettable night that’s become an annual tradition for 50,000 families, foodies and festival-goers. Sample delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts, experience chef’s competition, cooking demonstrations and exhibits. Bring a blanket to competitions at the NEW Culinary Arts and Music Stage. Play at the Fun Zone and party with metro radio stations. Time Frame: 5-10pm. Free admission, parking and shuttles.

For more information call (678) 297- 6000, ext. 1006.

Labels: 2009, may, old milton, taste of alpharetta, wills park

Fresh from the excitement created by the Points North Signature Home last fall, Achasta was recently honored as one of only two locations selected to host a 2009 Southern Living Idea House. The renowned Stephen Fuller Design team provided the architectural plans for the home, which overlooks the Jack Nicklaus Signature course in the valley below and dramatic views of the North Georgia mountains in the distance. The three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom residence features 3,800-square feet of heated living space.

"We look forward to welcoming the public to our community this summer to sample a taste of the Achasta lifestyle," said Ron Larson, managing director. "Stephen Fuller's team is known for designing spaces around how people live. We are confident that visitors will be impressed by the beauty and functionality of this extraordinary home," Larson said. Mark G. Conway, director of construction of Linger Longer Homes, provides details about the Southern Living Idea House, an L-shaped configuration situated on a dramatic home site.

"The meticulous detail is evident from the exterior of the residence, with its large, gracious overhangs that are complex to build. When you approach the home, its rustic facade creates an inviting feeling through the use of hefty exposed rafter tails and natural finishes that suit the Achasta community perfectly. Then, you walk inside and you discover a charming and inviting space that is truly livable." The floor plan of the Southern Living Idea House was crafted to integrate outdoor spaces that are truly useful. The focal point of the home, according to Conway, is the "tower porch" with sweeping panoramic views that make it a destination in itself. For entertaining, however, the kitchen and grilling deck might be the most discussed elements. "The grilling deck off the kitchen has remote-controlled, sliding pocket doors," Conway explained. "The kitchen wall opens and slides into a pocket, allowing the homeowner to stand in their kitchen with no barrier between them, the grill deck and the woods. That's a spectacular feature."

Other features include an activity room on the upper level of the home that opens up to a terrace porch and overlooks the two-story family room. The home also boasts 1,500 square feet of covered porches and 900 feet of storage space on the lower level of the home. "The first showcase home we built at Achasta demonstrated the possibilities. We have had so many people walk through the Points North Signature Home, and simply fall in love with every aspect of the structure. It was a great first step for Linger Longer Homes and the Achasta community," Conway said. "We have challenged ourselves to raise the bar even higher with the Southern Living Idea House." Adding another dazzling show home is just one item on Achasta's busy 2009 agenda. In addition, Reynolds Signature is continuing to reinvest in the community with the construction of a new swim and tennis facility and renovations of the clubhouse. Use of the new facilities by residents, members and their guests is expected to begin later this year.

For more information about this fantastic community in Dahlonega, contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today!

Labels: 2009, achasta, dahlonega, georgia, golf, idea house, southern living

Forsyth County residents can continue spring cleaning by bringing old electronic equipment to be recycled at Keep Forsyth County Beautiful's (KFCB) Electronics Recycling Event. This recycling event will be held Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in parking lot 3 at the city of Cumming Fairgrounds on Castleberry Road.

During this event, KFCB will accept old computers, printers, cameras, cell phones, stereos, televisions and more to be recycled. The minimum donation per carload drop-off is $5. An additional $10 fee will apply for all acceptable televisions. Large wooden console and projection televisions will not be accepted.

"The community brought 91,278 pounds of electronics to be recycled in November," Environmental Program Manager Tammy Wright said. "We want to encourage everyone to bring old electronics set aside during spring cleaning efforts to be recycled in May."

Click here for more information and a complete list of acceptable and non-acceptable items. To receive additional details, call KFCB at 770.205.4573.

Labels: 2009, cumming, electronics, Fairgrounds, forsyth county, keep forsyth county beautiful, recycling

Labels: atlanta, housing market, new home, real estate, sales

Check out this weekend's mortgage rates provided by Covenant Mortgage Corporation:

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*

30-yr Fixed = 4.875% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.50% Purchase Only
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
15-yr Fixed = 5.875%
5/1 ARM = 5.125%
7/1 ARM =5.375%

FHA Loans:
30-yr Fixed = Range 5.00% - 5.50%

*Based on pricing as of Friday, 5/1/09 at 1:00PM.

If you would like help with your next real estate transaction, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We can be your bridge to success!

Labels: 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, covenant mortgage, FHA, mortgage rates, vanderhoff real estate

The continuing story of our past trip to Mozambique...

Wednesday, 10-8-08
We awoke to a beautiful day, had a good breakfast and headed out to Chumene (Xumene in Portuguese). It was about 9:30 when we finally left the guest house, which in hindsight was much too early. We arrived at the well site in Chumene about 11 am only to find that the well drillers had been delayed on another project and would not arrive at our site until about 3 pm.

While we waited for the drilling crew to show up, we explored the new parsonage that is being built at the well site. This building is being funded by the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Church and was started once we committed to drill a well at this site. It is a good sized building with many rooms that will be used for worship service and bible studies until such time as an actual church can be built.

The drilling crew showed up around 3pm. Once there, they had to tow a water tank back into town to get water, which is required for the drilling process, and finally returned to begin their work on the site around 4:30pm. They worked until dark, which was about 7:30pm that evening. The plan was to return the next morning and complete the drilling.

We went back to the guest house and had a late dinner. After dinner Zef came by with Manuel, the head of The Living Water Society in Mozambique. Manuel was the one that oversaw the entire drilling operation that day and had come by to pick up payment for the well drilling. We paid him 96,000 Meticais ($3,920.00). This payment was for the drilling of the well only. We would be required to pay an additional amount when it was determined what type of pump was needed to be installed.

We learned from Manuel that over the past few years they have drilled 50 wells. 3 of these wells were not successful and had to be shut down. The problem they are most likely to encounter is salty water. I wasn’t quite sure if he was telling us this now to soften what we might encounter tomorrow or if it was just casual conversation.


Thursday 10-9-2008
We had planned on returning to the well site the next morning, but learned that they had broken a piece of equipment and would not be able to continue drilling until much later in the afternoon. This is really not uncommon when working in Africa. It is often “hurry up and wait” with projects, and patience is required in their culture. So we decided to go visit the United Methodist Women’s Training Center/ School at Tsalala.

In the evening, the school is a training center for women to help teach them skills that will help them get jobs and raise them up out of poverty. During the day the school holds classes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades in the morning, then 4th and 5th grades after lunch. The normal class size is about 35 students, however, due to a teacher shortage in the public schools, due to lack of funding, Tsalala has 135 students in 1st grade. We had brought a soccer ball and a jump rope for the students. A small thing like that doesn’t mean much to us…but you should have seen the joy in these kids faces from a small gift like this.

We were hoping to be able to purchase desks for the three class rooms. The students currently have to sit on the floor. We were given some preliminary estimates prior to our trip that the cost would be around $1500, which we were prepared to give. Unfortunately, when we went to visit a furniture factory near the school, we found the cost to be much higher so we decided that we would hold off and see what the price of the desks would be if we purchased them from the vocational school in Cambine.

We found out that afternoon that the well drilling was still on hold due to the piece of equipment that had broken, so we headed back to the guest house. Later that evening we learned that the equipment had been repaired, drilling had resumed and good water had been reached. With arrival of such good news we turned in for the night.

Stay tuned for more about our trip last Fall. In the meantime, some current news:
We are busy preparing for our next trip in the end of September. We were blessed to raise $2,720 in our Shredding Event last weekend. A special thanks to all who brought their documents to be shredded. It was a good start towards our next well. If you feel so inclined, you may make a contribution to Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 North Main St. Alpharetta, GA 30009. Please include a note with your contribution that the funds are for The Mozambique Mission.

Thank you for your encouragement and support! Mike and Melody Vanderhoff

Labels: africa, mission, mission trip, mozambique, real estate, vanderhoff, wells