Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: May 2010

The Price Is the Same, It Just Costs Less...
The True Cost of Home Ownership...Price vs Cost
Excerpt from the article by Steve Harney on April 26, 2010 in
For Buyers

" ...it is not just the tax credit that makes this the best time in a long time to pull the trigger on the home of your dreams. Prices have reached levels not seen since before the housing bubble. The following graph shows that, according to the S&P Case Shiller Pricing Index, home values have fallen to August 2003 prices.

You Can Purchase A Home Today At The Same Price It Sold For Seven Years Ago


And it will actually COST you less! This blog has been making the distinction between the PRICE and the COST of housing for months now. Price is what you agree is the value of the home. Cost is what you pay every month in the form of a mortgage payment. The cost is a combination of the price and the mortgage interest rate you will pay over the life of the loan.
Interest rates are at historic lows. Interest rates in August of 2003 were over a full percentage point higher than they are today. We can see in the table below that, even though you would pay the same price for a house today, your mortgage payments on a $200,000 loan would be $145.61 less each month. That is an annual savings of $1,747.32. Over the life of a thirty year mortgage you would save $52,419.60"



What does this mean to you?
Move forward with your purchase before interest rates rise!

Just pick up the phone and dial 770-888-9269 to talk to Mike or Melody. They will find you the perfect home.

Labels: Alpharetta, city of milton, cumming, dahlonega, dawsonville, home prices at 2003 levels, homes for sale, johns creek, lake lanier

Labels: homes for sale in alpharetta, homes for sale in cumming, homes prices increasing

We have finally settled on a name for our new non profit organization. It will be New Hope In Africa. You will be hearing much more about this in the near future as we set up our Face Book and Twitter fan pages as well as our new websites.
Our goal for this organization is to drill wells to provide safe clean drinking water for those less fortunate than us. We have a partner on the ground in Africa that will oversee the work that we will be having done there.

It is amazing to me that for a mere $6000 we can change the lives of an entire village of 600 to 900 people. Tune in later to see what we at Vanderhoff Real Estate are doing to change the world and call us now if you want to know how you can help us change the world or if you just want us to help you change your world by selling or helping you find a new home. We are here to serve.

Labels: africa, clean water, homes for sale in alpharetta, homes for sale in cumming, mozambique

Thought For The Weekend
"May home be the place from which you launch your dreams"
~ Mary Anne Radmacher


CURRENT RATES (PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS)

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.875% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.25% Purchase Only

NEW! Conforming 5/1: 3.50% amortized; 3.75% interest only
Conforming 7/1: 4.00% amortized
**HOT PRODUCT Conforming 10/1: 4.50% amortized!!!**

Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 4.50%
7/1 ARM =4.875%
Hottest JUMBO Loan...90% No PMI up to $500,000!
Call Me Now For More Details!

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed Range= 4.875% - 5.25%
NEW! FHA 5/1 ARM: 3.875% Qualify at Start Rate

*Based on pricing as of Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 12:00PM. Prices, guidelines, and programs subject to change without notice. Subject to errors and omissions. This information is not intended to constitute an advertisement for purposes of the Truth-in-Lending Act or Regulation "Z". It is intended solely for use by Real Estate professionals.
Residential Mortgage Licensee: GA Licensee #22745, Florida Residential Mortgage Licensee#CL0800186, NorthCarolina Licensee #B-147025 Covenant NMLS# 144774

Call Mike and Melody to help you sell your current home or help you find the perfect dream house.

Labels: homes for sale in alpharetta, homes for sale in cumming, homes prices increasing

Just listed: 8450 Deliah Way, Gainesville, GA 30506. This fantastic find in North Forsyth County is only a few minutes from Lake Lanier! 4 bedrooms, 2 baths plus an additional office. All new flooring on the main level. Wainscoting, vaulted ceilings and an open & flowing floorplan with plenty of space. Mature landscaping with beautiful flowering gardens & a private, wooded backyard with a creek. Chestatee Ridge is a quiet, well established neighborhood with easy access to GA 400, Hwy 53 & Hwy 306, and is located in the Chestatee Elementary, Little Mill Middle & North Forsyth High school districts. This home is listed at only $145,000.

Click on the property address above to view more information and photos of this property. If you would like to see this property, or any other properties in the area, please contact us today. Our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate would like to help you find your next home at a great price.

Labels: chestatee, forsyth county, gainesville, home for sale, just listed, little mill, north forsyth

By Alex Veiga

LOS ANGELES - Home prices rose in nearly 60 percent of U.S. cities in the first quarter of this year, as the housing market started to stabilize thanks to billions of dollars in federal spending.
The median sales price for previously occupied homes rose in 91 out of 152 metropolitan areas tracked in the January-March quarter versus a year ago, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday.
There were double-digit price increases in 29 cities - a sharp improvement from the fourth quarter of last year, when prices rose in about 40 percent of cities.
The tax credits - $8,000 for new buyers and $6,500 for current owners - helped gin up home sales this spring as many buyers raced to purchase a home in time to qualify before the incentives expired at the end of April.
Sales of previously occupied homes surged in March after a three-month decline caused in part by harsh winter weather.
In all, about 2.2 million households had used the first-time buyer credit as of late March at a cost of $16 billion, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Click here to read full article on housing projections

Labels: Home Prices Stablilze, homes for sale in alpharetta, homes for sale in cumming

Wills Park is the Home to the 20th Annual Taste of Alpharetta! - one of the city’s most anticipated events with over 60,000 attendees.

On May 13th from 5-10pm this year, over 50 restaurants and food suppliers offer every type of food imaginable! In addition to wonderful food and desserts, you will find live musical performances, radio stations, culinary competitions, and art exhibits.

Participating restaurants serve up an amazing array of appetizers, entrees and desserts from their menus for just $.50- $3 per sample. Tickets may be purchased on-site the evening of the Taste or pre-purchased at Alpharetta City Hall.

The kids can look forward to playing at Wacky World and on the dozens of fun inflatable activities, Guitar Hero, rock climbing, trains and more in the Fun Zone. The Reptile Wrangler will feature educational reptile shows all evening plus exhibits. Children can also enjoy wacky hair, face painting, balloon art, and a full farmyard with pony carousal. Metro Atlanta radio stations will add to the evening’s entertainment.

Park and walk options available at the Wills Park Equestrian Center (on Wills Road) and Alpharetta Community Center (on Roswell Street).

Park and ride shuttle options will be available at Alpharetta City Hall (on South Main Street), Publix Super Market (on Old Milton Parkway at Haynes Bridge), and Milton Center (the old Milton High School at Milton Avenue).

Parking and FREE Shuttle System: Arriving and leaving the event, shuttles will drop off and pick up by the Information Booth on Old Milton Pkwy approx. every 20 minutes from 5-10 pm.

For more information click here.

Labels: 2010, Alpharetta, downtown, may, Milton, taste of alpharetta, wills park

CURRENT RATES (PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS)

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.875% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.25% Purchase Only

NEW! Conforming 5/1: 3.50% amortized; 3.75% interest only
Conforming 7/1: 4.00% amortized
**HOT PRODUCT Conforming 10/1: 4.50% amortized!!!**

Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 4.50%
7/1 ARM =4.875%
Hottest JUMBO Loan...90% No PMI up to $500,000!
Call Me Now For More Details!

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed Range= 4.875% - 5.25%
NEW! FHA 5/1 ARM: 3.875% Qualify at Start Rate

*Based on pricing as of Friday, May 7th, 2010 at 12:00PM. Prices, guidelines, and programs subject to change without notice. Subject to errors and omissions. This information is not intended to constitute an advertisement for purposes of the Truth-in-Lending Act or Regulation "Z". It is intended solely for use by Real Estate professionals.
Residential Mortgage Licensee: GA Licensee #22745, Florida Residential Mortgage Licensee#CL0800186, NorthCarolina Licensee #B-147025 Covenant NMLS# 144774,


Call Mike and Melody to help you find the perfect home.

Labels: current mortgage rates, homes for sale in alpharetta, homes for sale in cumming

Funds collected support burn victims, fire prevention programs
The Forsyth County Fire Department will once again "Give Burns the Boot"® during their annual boot drive benefiting the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. Motorists can expect to see firefighters at intersections throughout the county on three upcoming Saturdays: May 1, 8 and 15.
The donations collected will be turned over to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and used to fund a variety of important programs. Donations will send children who have been victims of severe burns to summer camp at Camp Oo-U-La, the only camp in the state specifically for burn-injured children. Additionally, funds will support the foundation's endeavors to educate the public in burn awareness and prevention and will fund safety and educational efforts.
The Forsyth County Fire Department will receive back five percent of the funds raised for use toward fire safety and burn prevention programs in the community.
"Forsyth County is a very generous community," Fire Chief Danny Bowman said. "We are always appreciative of the support the boot drive receives."
The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established to assist with fire prevention and safety education and the treatment and recovery of burn survivors. Founded in 1982 by a group of Atlanta area firefighters, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation now serves all of Georgia in its three-fold mission:
• to educate the public in burn awareness and prevention
• to support medical facilities in the care of burns in Georgia
• to assist burn survivors in their recovery
The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation's primary source of fundraising is the annual "Give Burns the Boot"® boot drive in which more than 100 fire departments throughout the state join together and collect funds to benefit the Foundation in its mission. To receive more information on the foundation, visit www.gfbf.org.

If you are looking to buy or sell in Forsyth County give Mike and Melody a call.

Labels: homes for sale in cumming

There are several reports that have been issued over the past month indicating that we have past the bottom price levels in the housing market here in metro Atlanta and that we are on our way back up. Several factors can lead us to believe this. Pending Sales have increased dramatically over the last month. New listings coming on the market are down. When the pending sales close this means there will be less on the market kicking in the old supply and demand rules.

Don't wait until it's to late. Now is a great time to buy. Check out the homes available on our website. It does not require your registration and shows virtually all homes for sale in the metro area. If you have any questions or find one you want to see give Mike and Melody a call.

Labels: Alpharetta, cumming, dahlonega, dawsonville, homes for sale, homes prices increasing, johns creek, Milton

CURRENT RATES (PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS)

Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.875% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 4.00% Purchase Only

NEW! Conforming 5/1: 3.50% amortized; 3.75% interest only
Conforming 7/1: 4.00% amortized
**HOT PRODUCT Conforming 10/1: 4.50% amortized!!!**

Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans: Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 4.50%
7/1 ARM =4.875%
Hottest JUMBO Loan...90% No PMI up to $500,000!
Call Me Now For More Details!

FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed Range= 4.875% - 5.25%
NEW! FHA 5/1 ARM: 3.875% Qualify at Start Rate

*Based on pricing as of Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 12:00PM. Prices, guidelines, and programs subject to change without notice. Subject to errors and omissions. This information is not intended to constitute an advertisement for purposes of the Truth-in-Lending Act or Regulation "Z". It is intended solely for use by Real Estate professionals.
Residential Mortgage Licensee: GA Licensee #22745, Florida Residential Mortgage Licensee#CL0800186, NorthCarolina Licensee #B-147025
Covenant NMLS# 144774,

If your thinking about buying a new home, now is the time. Just call Mike and Melody and let them help you find the perfect place.

Labels: best realtors in town, current mortgage rates, homes for sale in alpharetta, homes for sale in cumming

Many of our regular followers know that we are deeply involved in foreign mission trips. We have focused on Mozambique in South East Africa. Our hope and goal is that we will continue to drill wells to provide fresh, clean, safe drinking water for the people of Mozambique. Once we have provided that need, we want to provided them with the Hope we share in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are in the process of setting up a Non Profit Organization (NPO) here in the states to facilitate this Hope. We are also setting up a Non Government Organization (NGO)in Mozambique to facilitate the work being done there.

What to name our NPO. We have determined that many people in the USA have a passion to help in Africa but don't have a clue where Mozambique is located. So we are thinking about naming our NPO "Hope in Africa"

We would love to have your thoughts and opinions on this.

Thanks

Mike and Melody

Many of our regular followers know that we are deeply involved in foreign mission trips. We have focused on Mozambique in South East Africa. Our hope and goal is that we will continue to drill wells to provide fresh, clean, safe drinking water for the people of Mozambique. Once we have provided that need, we want to provided them with the Hope we share in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are in the process of setting up a Non Profit Organization (NPO) here in the states to facilitate this Hope. We are also setting up a Non Government Organization (NGO)in Mozambique to facilitate the work being done there.

What to name our NPO. We have determined that many people in the USA have a passion to help in Africa but don't have a clue where Mozambique is located. So we are thinking about naming our NPO "Hope in Africa"

We would love to have your thoughts and opinions on this.

Thanks

Mike and Melody