Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: June 2009

With eased outdoor water restrictions in place, Forsyth County encourages water customers to stay conservation-minded. The following tips will help you water wisely.

OUTDOOR PLANTING

Mulch much.
Mulching helps to slow evaporation of moisture from soil. It also can protect soil and roots.

Remove weeds.
Weeds steal water from other plants. Less weeds equal less watering.

Keep your eye on the sky.
Is rain in the forecast? Switch off automatic sprinklers when rain is forecasted. Avoid outdoor watering the day after receiving sufficient rainfall.

Use your green thumb (wisely).
When adding or replacing plants, pick low-water use plants and save up to 550 gallons each year. Place high-water use plants together and water by area to maximize watering.

OUTDOOR CLEANING

Keep your car clean and your lawn green.
Wet your car and then turn off the water as you wash the car using a bucket of soapy water. Turn on the water again for a final rinse. Empty the bucket onto your grass or plants.

Try waterless cleaning.
Sweep sidewalks, driveways and patios instead of cleaning them with a hose. Also, clean gutters without using a hose.

OUTDOOR SWIMMING

Look for leaks.
Check swimming pool pumps for leaks, and fix immediately. ­

Play productively.
Enjoy recreational water toys not requiring a constant flow of water.

Labels: conservation, forsyth county, outdoor watering

Looking for a great way to spend 4th of July weekend close to home? Come visit us up here on Lake Lanier. The lake is up and the water is perfect! So bring your boat (or your friend or relative with a boat) and enjoy a great 4th of July. And, don't worry if you don't have a boat. There are plenty of place to rent a boat or jet ski for the weekend. Or bring your RV or Tent and stay at one of the many great campgrounds around the lake. There are also plenty of parks for the family picnic. And don't forget golfing, or a visit to Lake Lanier Islands. Visit www.LakeLanier.com for some great resources when planning your weekend.

And....Don't forget the fireworks! Although there will be many events taking place on the lake for July 4th, the largest firework display in North Georgia, and perhaps the most well-known in the region is the Light Up the Lake Fireworks Independence Day Celebration hosted by Lake Lanier Islands. All-day live entertainment, games, and family fun will precede the fireworks extravaganza. The park opens at 10 a.m. and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:40 p.m. For more information, call Lake Lanier Islands at 770-932-7200, or visit their website at www.lakelanierislands.com.

Labels: boat, camp, fireworks, fourth of july, island, jet ski, lake lanier

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

Riding the success of last year's Fourth of July Citizens Parade, the City of Milton will continue the new tradition this year. All Milton residents are welcome to decorate bikes, wagons and pets and come help the city celebrate the nation's birthday.


The parade route begins at the corner of Deerfield Parkway and Webb Road at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, and proceeds along Deerfield. Participants are asked to assemble at Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, at 9:30 a.m. After the parade, come back to City Hall to enjoy balloon animals and face painting. Local Girl Scouts will be selling beverages and Milton's new Philly Pretzel Factory will be selling pretzels.

Incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678.242.2500.

Labels: citizens, fourth of july, Milton, parade

Labels: Alpharetta, chamber of commerce, guide, information, johns creek, Milton, newcomer, north fulton, roswell, sandy springs, Stone Mountain Park

Are you taking advantage of the $8000 new home buyer tax credit? The new law refers to the tax credit as a first-time home buyer tax credit, but the law defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a primary residence for 3 years prior to the date of purchase of the new home. So as long as you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, you would qualify for this credit.

Here are the basics to this specific tax credit:

* The home must be your primary residence
* The home must be purchased in 2009
* The homebuyer must not have owned another primary residence for at least 3 years
* The $8,000 credit is applied to the federal income taxes you file in 2010 for the 2009 year.
* You must live in the home as your primary residence for at least 3 years or you'll have to pay the credit back to the federal government
* Single filers are limited to income of $75,000 and $150,000 for joint filers.

If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area, especially since you may also qualify for the new $1800 home buyer tax credit passed in Georgia.

The new Georgia Homebuyer tax credit makes for a powerful new home stimulus plan when combined with the Federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. For more information on the Georgia Tax Credit click here.

Call us today! It's a great time to buy in Georgia! Also, check out the foreclosure listings in the area through a special link on our website.

Labels: Alpharetta, cumming, federal, first time, foreclosure, georgia, home buyer, lake lanier, tax credit

To all the great dads and granddads, we wish you a Wonderful & Blessed Father's Day.



-Mike & Melody Vanderhoff
Vanderhoff Real Estate

Labels: 2009, father's day, june

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The nation's builders boosted their production in May, starting new housing units at an annualized rate of 532,000, up 17.2% from the revised estimate of 454,000 in April.

The data release, a monthly report from the Census Bureau, also revealed that building permits jumped by 4% to a rate of 518,000 from 498,000 in April. Both figures were higher than expected. A consensus estimate from Briefing.com had forecast that starts would rise 485,000 and permits to 508,000.

Labels: builder, market, new construction, real estate

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

The Dawson County Extension Service is hosting a produce market in Dawsonville. Last year’s produce market was a great success, with farmers and gardeners selling locally-grown fruits and vegetables to Dawson County residents and beyond. The market will open on Wednesday, July 1, and the details of this year’s produce market are as follows:

* The market will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. each Wednesday and Saturday. (It should be noted that last year, many sellers were sold out by 9:00 a.m.);
* The produce market will be located in the parking lot of the Dawson County Agricultural Center in Dawsonville (old library building);
* Only locally-grown fruits and vegetables, not canned, may be sold. To ensure produces are locally grown, sellers must be from Dawson County or a county that touches Dawson. Sellers will have to sign a form that states they understand and will follow the produce market rules. A copy of the rules may be picked up at the Dawson County Extension Office;
* To sell at the market is free and everyone is welcome to buy produce.

For more information on the produce market, contact the Dawson County Extension Office at (706) 265-2442.

Labels: dawson, dawson county extension office, dawsonville, farmers market, local, produce

Labels: cumming, forsyth county, georgia, information, moving

This charming ranch home is located in Hutchinson Pointe, a great swim/tennis community in Forsyth County. It's conveniently located with great shopping, restaurants, GA 400 and downtown Cumming all just a few minutes away. This home is perfect for first time homeowners or empty nesters. It's easy to maintain with vinyl siding and a brick front. The interior is open with a roomy floorplan. The large private patio and quiet cul-de-sac are great for relaxing, or visiting with friends.

For more information and photos click on the property address above, or visit www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com and select the Featured Listings. To schedule a showing contact Mike at 770-888-9269 or Mike@VanderhoffRealEstate.com.

Labels: cedar springs, community, cumming, for sale, forsyth county, Home, hutchinson pointe, listing, subdivision, swim, tennis

Gorgeous 4 side brick traditional home with double front porches on 5 Acres in Alpharetta, Cherokee County. This home is not in a subdivision and sits back off the road in a beautiful setting with spring fed pond and platform dock. It features an open kitchen and family room. The master bedroom is on the main level. Head upstairs with an open staircase featuring wrought iron spindles. Upstairs you will find a unique loft space with bookcases, 3 bedrooms and a computer room with stairs up to a very spacious bonus room. There is also a finished basement with fireplace, pool room, workroom and a 3rd garage.

This home is located at 1400 Gantt Rd in Alpharetta. For more information and to view photos, click on the property address, or visit our website at www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com and go to Featured Listings. To schedule a showing, contact Mike at 770-888-9269 or mike@vanderhoffrealestate.com.

Labels: 5 acres, Alpharetta, cherokee, for sale, gantt, Home

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

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 5.375% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 5.0% Purchase Only
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 5.0%
7/1 ARM =5.375%

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed = Range 5.5% - 5.75%
*Based on pricing as of Friday, June 12th 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, vanderhoff

The state of Georgia has returned to a non-drought schedule for outdoor water use. Accordingly, Forsyth County residents can resume their outdoor water use following the non-drought schedule. Under this schedule, outdoor water use is allowed three days a week on assigned days.

Odd numbered addresses (ending with the number 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may use outdoor water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Even numbered addresses (ending with the number 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no number) may use outdoor water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Outdoor water use on Fridays is still not allowed.

Residents may water at any time during their assigned days, however landscape watering is discouraged between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. because of its limited effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I allowed to wash my vehicle? Yes, on your assigned watering day
2. Am I allowed to pressure wash my house, deck, driveway and/or sidewalk? Yes, on your assigned watering day
3. Am I allowed to use my irrigation systems? Yes, on your assigned watering day (however, landscape watering is discouraged between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. because of its limited effectiveness)

To receive additional information regarding the non-drought schedule in Forsyth County, visit www.forsythco.com or call the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department at 770.781.2160.

Labels: drought, forsyth county, georgia, outdoor watering, restrictions, water and sewer

Encouraged by the replenishing rains, state environmental officials are set to decide today whether to relax water restrictions that banned most outdoor water use across north Georgia.

Just a year ago, about 60 percent of the state was locked in some sort of drought.

Federal forecasters now say the state has completely emerged from the drought, and that only a small pocket in northeast Georgia remains "abnormally dry."

Still, conservationists are concerned that if the state Drought Response Committee decides to ease or lift restrictions it will send the wrong message to water-conscious residents.

As the drought spread in late 2007, state environmental officials banned virtually all outdoor watering in the northern part of the state and ordered utilities in the area to reduce water use by 10 percent.

The requirements for the utilities were lifted as the drought began to ease, and state officials agreed to allow some counties that do not rely on Lake Lanier to get exemptions from some of the restrictions.

Georgia environmental officials have since allowed residents to fill outdoor swimming pools, hand-water plants for 25 minutes three days a week and use drip irrigation and soaker houses to maintain their yards.

Yet an order that bans most other outdoor watering across north Georgia and limits outdoor watering to three days a week throughout the rest of the state are still in place.

Labels: drought, georgia, lake lanier, outdoor watering, water restriction

The recent surge in mortgage rates hasn't put a crimp in the housing recovery so far, but some economists think it could if rates head much higher.

The 30-year fixed rate jumped to an average 5.32 percent this week, up from 4.91 percent the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. Refinancings are already down sharply due to the higher rates, but home purchases continue to recover slowly.

In fact, the rise in mortgage rates in recent weeks is causing some homebuyers to jump now before rates head any higher.

Labels: housing, market, mortgage rates, real estate, refinance

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

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 5.375% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.875% Purchase Only
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 5.25% - 5.75%

*Based on pricing as of Friday, June 5th 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

The water treated at the Forsyth County Water Treatment Facility on Antioch Road was named Best Tasting Tap Water at the district level by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP). In April, the Forsyth County Water System received the recognition as a 2009 District Winner of the GAWP’s Drinking Water Taste Test.

GAWP divides Georgia into nine districts for the Drinking Water Taste Test. The nine district winners will compete in August at the state level in Savannah, and the state winner will compete at the national level in the America Water Works Association’s Worldwide Water Testing Competition.

To compete in the GAWP’s Drinking Water Taste Test, a water system must complete an entry form and deliver a water sample by hand or mail 24 hours before the scheduled testing. The entry can not have incurred any state or federal drinking water violations during the previous calendar year. After all scientific tests are conducted, the final taste test is performed by a panel of celebrity judges.

“The Board of Commissioners has always been willing to provide water facilities that use advanced water treatment technology,” Director of Water and Sewer Tim Perkins said. “This enables us to go above and beyond the minimum water treatment standards. Water quality will always be our top goal.”

Forsyth County won a district-level award in the taste test in 2001. To learn more about the water in Forsyth County, visit the Water Department’s page at www.forsythco.com and click the ‘Water Quality Report’ link.

Join us as we celebrate those that have made a difference in our community and support the programs of the Community Connection. The Annual Community Connection Fundraiser will be held at Tam's Backstage on Monday June 22, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This will also include the 2009 Hands On Forsyth Volunteer Awards. To attend there is a $25 donation per person, and reservations are required. Contact the Community Connection office at 770-205-1701 x1 to make reservations or email Nicole McCoy at nicolemccoy@connectforsyth.org.

Also, tell your friends! Hands On Forsyth needs more volunteers to meet the needs of their non-profit partners. Get registered at www.handsonforsyth.org.

Labels: 2009, community connection, forsyth county, fundraiser, hands on forsyth, tam's backstage, volunteer

The Lake Lanier Association announced this week that it has received a $10,000 gift from the Forsyth County Government. The money will go to the association's legal defense fund to support its participation in the Tri-States 'Water Wars' cases.

The Lake Lanier Association has been involved in the Tri-States litigation since 2001 and is representing the interests of all Lake Lanier stakeholders. A federal judge is hearing all the cases in a Florida court and is expected to rule this year.

Forsyth County Commissioners voted in favor of the donation after Lake Lanier Association board officers attended commission meetings outlining its legal involvement to keep Lake Lanier as close to full pool as possible.

The Lake Lanier Association is a membership-based 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to a clean and full Lake Lanier to enhance its economic value to Georgia.

Labels: association, forsyth county, lake lanier