Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: February 2011

Senior Expo is February 19
Ninth annual event showcases products, services to help plan for the future
The ninth annual Forsyth Senior Expo is coming to the Forsyth County Central Park Recreation Center Saturday, February 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Forsyth County Senior Services invites senior citizens as well as their families and friends to attend the free event and learn about planning for the future.
This event provides a venue for information regarding a variety of topics including health care, housing, finance, safety and security, recreation, and travel.
Central Park Recreation Center is located at 2300 Keith Bridge Road (Hwy. 306) in Cumming.

For more information go to www.forsythco.com

Labels: forsyth county, senior center, senior expo, senior services

CURRENT RATES (PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS)
Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.875 %
15-yr Fixed = 4.250 %

Conforming ARMS*

Conforming 5/1 = 3.625 %
Conforming 7/1 = 4.000%

Jumbo Loans:Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 3.50%
7/1 ARM = 3.875%
30-year Fixed JUMBO = 5.50%

FHA Loans:*
30-yr Fixed Range = 4.875% - 5.00%
5/1 ARM = 3.75 % Qualify at Start Rate


*Based on pricing as of Friday, February 4th, 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 Licensee # CL0800186,
North Carolina Licensee # B-147025, Covenant NMLS # 144774


For More Information Call or Email Mike and Melodys preferred lender
Phil Blankstein
Mortgage Planner
Cell 678-938-7111
phil.blankstein@mycovenantmortgage.com
NMLS # 251790, GA License# 26422

Labels: cumming homes for sale, current mortgage rates

State law provides that every new home owner is eligible to claim
Homestead Exemption as a tax benefit amounting to considerable annual savings.
To qualify for the property tax exemption, the home owner must occupy the residence and file for Homestead Exemption at the county court house or tax office depending on the county in which you reside. (One Time Filing Only)

County Deadline to File Phone Number
Fulton County April 1, 2011 404-612-6440
DeKalb County March 1, 2011 404-298-4000
Gwinnett County March 1, 2011 770-822-8800
Cobb County April 1, 2011 770-528-8600
Clayton County April 1, 2011 770-477-3311
Cherokee County April 1, 2011 678-493-6122
Henry County April 1, 2011 770-288-8180
Forsyth County April 1, 2011 770-781-2106
Douglas County April 1, 2011 770-920-7272
Fayette County April 1, 2011 770-461-3652
Paulding County April 1, 2011 770-443-7606

To file for exemption, most counties require you to provide the following documents:
Driver's license or ID card, Deed, Proof of Residency,
Social Security # for each owner, voter and vehicle registration.
Please call your specific county to verify required documents and office location.


Should you have any questions please contact us.

Labels: forsyth county homes for sale, homestead exemption, top realtor

Lanier to go after world record raft-up: 2011 boats
Organizers need boats, volunteers for June 11 event
By Pamela A. Keene

If organizers have their way, the eyes of the world will be on Lake Lanier on June 11, 2011, when the lake’s boaters strive to beat the Guinness Book of World Records Largest Tie Up. In honor of National Marina Day, the Marine Trade Association of Metro Atlanta is organizing a gigantic raft up in front of Buford Dam.

“All boat dealerships will be participating, and we are trying to contact all the lake’s boat clubs to get their help and participation,” said Barkley Geib, who is organizing the event. “If everyone gets word of mouth going we should be able to make it. We’re really counting on huge participation from everybody on the lake – marinas, boaters, dealers – to make this a success. We’ll also need a lot of volunteers to run the event; it will be great fun for everyone.”

The official attempt at the record will be held in front of Buford Dam, with a two-story floating stage in the middle providing the entertainment and command center. The goal is to raft up 2011 boats, exceeding the previous record of 1651 boats in August 2010 on Lake Cumberland, Ky.

Entry fee is $30 per boat. Every boat must be registered. They must all be “tied-up” for 60 seconds and each boat must have at least one person in it. Boats can include everything from wave-runners, sailboats, houseboats, cruisers, pontoon boats, etc. All boats must be registered by midnight Monday, June 6. Every registered boat will receive a “Gift Swag Bag” worth more than $50 in gifts, including two “Official Guinness World Record T-Shirts.” A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local children’s charity.

The mandatory captain’s meeting will be held at the Gwinnett Civic Center on Wednesday, June 8, at 6 p.m., with a chance to win $50,000 cash. Each registered boat gets one chance at the cash.

An adjudicator (or authenticator) will be at the event from Guinness to verify the record, and the New Guinness World Record Certificate will be awarded at the “Official Awards Ceremony” that is being sponsored by Sunset Cove and Lake Lanier Islands Resort after the event.

“Volunteers are desperately needed,” Geib said. “We will need a minimum of 14-20 large houseboats for help with positioning, but we welcome as many boats as we can register. We’re also encouraging people to register in groups from their clubs and marinas. As members of your ‘Group’ register, they just include the name of the group, and we will put them with the others in your group.”

By early February the website www.lanierworldrecord.com will be operational, with complete information about the event and the opportunity to register online.

More info:

Sponsorship opportunities - sponsorship@lanierworldrecord.com
To volunteer - volunteer@lanierworldrecord.com

Labels: lake lanier homes for sale