Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog

Those of you who purchased a house in Forsyth County during 2009 and were living there on January 1, 2010, are eligible for lower property taxes by filing for Homestead Exemption before April 1. Residents age 65 or older in 2009 are also eligible for other property tax savings.

You must file before April 1 to receive these benefits. When applying, present the following documentation: a driver's license (if you drive), a copy of a recorded warranty deed, and a letter from the county where you lived prior to moving to Forsyth County stating the homestead has been removed.

Where to file:
Forsyth County Tax Assessor's Office
Forsyth County Administration Building
110 E. Main Street, Suite 260, Cumming
770.781.2106
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For further information, click here.

Labels: 2009, 2010, april 1, deadline, forsyth county, homestead exemption, property tax, tax assessor

The City of Cumming and Forsyth County will usher in the holiday season today, Saturday, December 5, 2009, beginning at 3:30 p.m., when the Cumming Christmas Parade & Festival rolls along Market Place Boulevard complete with colorfully decorated floats, high school marching bands, dancing elves, smiling children dressed in their holiday best, festive music, dance troupes, local dignitaries and organizations and, at last, a visit from Santa Claus. “The Market Place thoroughfare will transform into a magical winter wonderland!,” says H. Ford Gravitt.

Presented by the City of Cumming and Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, the parade attracts residents and visitors alike as they line the streets in anticipation of traditional holiday enjoyment with family and friends. “The Cumming Christmas Parade and Festival is an excellent way to highlight our community to the many residents and visitors who come to kick off the holiday season by participating in a day of fun and, hopefully, shopping with our local businesses,” said James McCoy, President and CEO of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. Promoting the great assets we have in Cumming and Forsyth County and showcasing our tireless and welcoming citizens is a natural fit for the Chamber.

The parade will flow along Market Place Boulevard, culminating at Highway 20 at which time parade spectators and participants are invited to continue celebrating at the annual holiday tree lighting event, Northside Hospital Celebration of Lights benefiting the cancer care program at Northside Hospital- Forsyth. Refreshments, entertainment and the tree lighting ceremony will begin at 4:30p.m. At the commencement of the tree lighting ceremony, grab your friends and family and continue celebrating this wonderful day with dinner and shopping at your local vendors along Marketplace Boulevard and around Cumming. Don’t miss out on these events that promise to bring the Christmas spirit out in all of us.

Labels: 2009, christmas, cumming, december 5, georgia, marketplace blvd, northside forsyth, parade, tree lighting

Join us for "Shopping Works Wonders" to benefit JDRF on Friday, December 11th from 9am-9pm at Bloomingdale's @ Lenox Square and Perimeter Mall. As a supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Bloomingdale's will donate 10% of your total amount purchased to the JDRF Georgia Chapter.

*In order to allocate 10% of your purchase to JDRF, simply present your receipt with this invite at the redemption desk.*

Also, make sure to attend the Children's Holiday Tea Party on Friday, December 11th from 3:30-4:30pm at Bloomingdale's @ Lenox Square (BKids, Level 3). Tea for you and tea for me, we hope you join us for a spot of tea (or hot chocolate). Kick off the holiday season by attending a special tea party with the limited-edition 2009 Bloomingdale's Holiday Bear. For every bear purchased, Bloomingdale's will donate $5 to JDRF. View holiday creations by Chef Lipscomb from The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Meet the chef and watch him showcase his talents by decorating Gingerbread houses. Also enjoy, Cookie Decorating· Face Painting· Professional Holiday Pictures and Light Snacks!

Labels: 2009, atlanta, benefit, bloomingdales, december, fundraiser, jdrf, juvenile diabetes research foundation, lenox square, perimeter mall

Labels: 2009, housing market, new home, october, real estate, sales

Labels: 2009, Alpharetta, convention and visitors bureau, december, open house, welcome center

Get into the holiday spirit with activities, entertainment and more! Plan to spend some time this weekend at one of two days of family-friendly holiday fun at the fifth annual Christmas in Central Park. The event takes place Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Forsyth County's Central Park Recreation Center in Cumming.

Attendees will enjoy a holiday shopping area featuring a variety of unique handcrafted items including pottery, stained glass, candles, jewelry, quilts and more. Photos with Santa, children's activities, live entertainment, hay rides and tasty holiday treats will also be available. Don't miss the special 'lighting of the tree' Saturday at 6:15 p.m.

Admission to Christmas in Central Park is free.

Central Park Recreation Center is located at 2300 Keith Bridge Road (Hwy. 306) in Cumming. To receive additional information, call 678.455.8540.

Labels: 2009, central park, christmas, cumming, forsyth county, november

When: Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, Parking Lot 3, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA

Cost: $5 donation per car will be collected

During the electronics recycling event, Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB) will accept old computers, printers, cameras, cell phones, stereos, televisions and more for recycling. 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.

In addition to accepting old electronics this year, KFCB will accept gently worn shoes. The donated shoes will be provided to Soles4Souls, a non-profit organization collecting shoes and giving them to people who need shoes. All donated shoes should be tied or taped in pairs.

Accepted Electronics: Computers, monitors, printers, typewriters, stereos, CD players, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, projectors, VCRs, CB radios, camcorders, cameras, cables, telephones, circuit boards, network equipment, radios, record players, UPS/battery backup, computer parts, computer cables, laptops, DVDs, keyboards, microwaves

Items Not Accepted: Wooden TVs, projector TVs, refrigerators, toaster ovens, vacuum cleaners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, washers, dryers, hair dryers, power equipment, gas-powered equipment

To receive additional details, call 770.205.4573.

Any business needing a special pickup before the event can contact Atlanta Recycling Solutions at 678.566.6665 or Keep Forsyth County Beautiful at 770.205.4573.

Labels: 2009, donation, electronics, event, keep forsyth county beautiful, november, recycle, recycling, shoes, soles4souls

Labels: 2009, 2010, 6500, home buyer, move up, repeat, tax credit

Get into the holiday spirit with activities, entertainment and more! Mark your calendar now for two days of family-friendly holiday fun at the fifth annual Christmas in Central Park. The event takes place Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Forsyth County's Central Park Recreation Center.

Attendees will enjoy a holiday shopping area featuring a variety of unique handcrafted items including pottery, stained glass, candles, jewelry, quilts and more. Photos with Santa, children's activities, live entertainment, hay rides and tasty holiday treats will also be available. Don't miss the special 'lighting of the tree' Saturday at 6:15 p.m.

Admission to Christmas in Central Park is free.

Central Park Recreation Center is located at 2300 Keith Bridge Road (Hwy. 306) in Cumming. To receive additional information, call 678.455.8540.

Labels: 2009, central park, christmas, cumming, forsyth county, georgia, holiday, november, photos, santa, shopping, tree lighting

Enviro Expo USA - Atlanta’s only green consumer expo located in the City’s Zero Waste Zone, Downtown Atlanta - announced Atlanta Audi Dealers as its Title Sponsor. The Expo is being held on Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the World Congress Center.

Atlanta Audi Dealers’ sponsorship of Enviro Expo USA complements the Audi commitment to incorporate the most eco-friendly technologies into its future product plans. The latest and most exciting manifestation of this appeared at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show with the debut of the Audi e-tron concept car. The purely electric Audi e-tron showcases a range of leading-edge electric vehicle technologies to produce 313 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds, and a truly startling 3319lb/ft of torque. The lithium-ion batteries in the Audi e-tron also are expected to provide a range of 154 miles between chargings.

Partnering again this year with the Georgia Recycling Coalition (GRC), Enviro Expo USA offers an exciting and educational forum that is a family-friendly event to educate and motivate individuals to be better stewards of the environment. The show offers the latest in eco-friendly products and services, covering everything from organics to alternative energy and transportation. The show is free to attend and is supported by the Title Sponsor - Atlanta Audi Dealers, along with Coca-Cola Recycling, Royal Bank of Canada, Best Buy, IKEA, and Lube of Atlanta.

In addition to the many eco-exhibitors, the Expo features new themed areas which include: a green wedding area, sponsored by the Perfect Wedding Guide; a kids’ zone, offering educational activities and showcasing the winners of a Captain Planet Foundation video contest to be held within the metro Atlanta area school system prior to the Expo. Prizes for the contest are provided by Best Buy. Also included are a fashion show by Bauder College, a chef’s corner highlighting local restaurants and caterers demonstrating cooking techniques and featuring samples of seasonal foods. This year’s show includes a dedicated and expanded MarketPlace, sponsored by Farmer D, for organic growers, artisans, and a sundry of other items for holiday “green” shopping. The Speaker Series, sponsored by SoutheastGreen.com, features educational and engaging panel discussions on: Water & Conservation, Home and Garden, Recycling/Composting, and the Green Town Hall Meeting. Also, Justin Cave, star of Ground Breakers on HGTV, hosts an individual presentation on Nov. 14, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.enviroexpousa.org.

Labels: 2009, atlanta, audi, electric, enviro expo usa, georgia, green, world congress center

Save A Smile Foundation invites you to experience this 22,000 square-foot French estate, envisioned, created and built by custom builder Steve West. It is the largest and most spectacular spec home ever built in Atlanta. An architectural marvel with its European flair and classic, yet livable elegance will showcase Atlanta's top designers. Truly a show house unlike any ever seen in Atlanta. From November 21 through December 20, 2009, this home will be available for parties, special events and personal, leisurely tours. Located off West Paces Ferry Road at 3410 Ridgewood Road, Atlanta 30327.

For more information, or to purchase tour tickets and season passes, or schedule your event for the Atlanta Holiday House and Decorators Show Home, visit www.atlantaholidayhouse.com.

Labels: 2009, atlanta, atlanta holiday house, georgia, save a smile foundation, steve west, west paces ferry

The House voted 403-12 today to expand a popular tax credit for homebuyers. The bill, H.R. 3548, which also extends unemployment benefits and expands a tax break for money-losing businesses, will now go to the President, who plans to sign it on Friday.

First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package. But with that housing program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the House voted to extend it into the spring — and to expand it to many people who already own homes.

Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible, subject to income limits, for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or people who haven't owned homes in the previous three years — could get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers have to sign purchase agreements before May 1 and close before July 1.

The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.

Labels: 2009, 3548, 6500, 8000, first time, home buyer, housing, tax credit

Labels: 2009, accg, association county commissioners of georgia, georgia, information, property tax, website

Labels: 2009, corn maze, dawson county, dawsonville, haunted maze, hayride, november, october, pumpkin patch, uncle shucks

The 42nd Annual Moonshine Festival is set for this weekend, October 23-25, 2009. It features a Cruise In, a bike tour leading a parade through town, three stages with live entertainment, a chance to meet legendary race car drivers, a car show with vintage race cars and an appearance by Jim Mitchum, co-star of the movie, "Thunder Road," and son of screen legend Robert Mitchum. Rounding at the event will be kid's games and rides, crafts, food and more cars.

Bring the family to this free admission festival headlined by Jim Mitchum as this year's Grand Marshall. The classic "Thunder Road" car tour will leave the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame at 9 a.m. on Friday and return that evening at 5:00pm. Enjoy the Cruise In at 5 p.m. on Friday, with live music by Feedback. Visit an old Moonshine still. Listen to stories from both "Trippers" and Revenuers.

On Saturday, enjoy crafts, food and three stages with live entertainment on Dawsonville's downtown square. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. See a huge car show lining the streets, including vintage race cars and their drivers. The activities continue Sunday with music, dancers, kid's games and rides, exhibits, more crafts and food and lots more cars. On both days - all day - there will be showings of "Thunder Road." Stay after the 7p.m. show on Saturday for a Special Presentation by Jim Mitchum and other well-known revenue agents and moonshiners.

Have fun at the festival and feel good, too. All proceeds of the Moonshine Festival go to Kare for Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization in Dawson County that provides for the children in the county. KARE uses the funds to provide needed items, including winter coats, shoes, clothing, medicine, eye glasses, items required for boot camp, educational resources, summer school fees and toys, among other things.

For details about the Moonshine Festival and Dawson County attractions, and to learn about lodging options, visit www.dawson.org or call the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and CVB at 706-265-6278 or toll free at 1-877-302-9271.

Labels: 2009, dawson county, dawsonville, moonshine festival, october, thunder road

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Congress is considering proposals to greatly expand a soon-to-expire $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers -- potentially applying it to all but the wealthiest homebuyers.

Supporters say doing so would further boost home sales, stabilize housing prices and generate jobs. Opponents say extending and expanding the credit would be a waste of moneyand only temporarily stave off further price declines.

The credit now can be claimed by anyone buying a home who has not owned one for three years and who closes the deal by Nov. 30.

Beyond extending that deadline, some lawmakers want to make the credit available to all homebuyers who meet income eligibility requirements. And some want to increase the amount of the credit from $8,000 to $15,000.

Currently the first-time home buyer credit is available in full to those buying their primary residence who make $75,000 or less ($150,000 for joint filers). A partial credit is available to those making between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 to $170,000 for joint filers).

Labels: 2009, 8000, deadline, first time home buyer, november, tax credit

Gold Rush Days are held the third weekend in October (the 17th and 18th for 2009), when thousands come to see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega's 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event, and it is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visit over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement! It has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Included in the two day event are a parade, children's activities, a fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, King and Queen Coronation, hog calling, buck dancing contest, gospel singing and other live entertainment, wrist wrestling, and last but not least – some delicious food! Visit www.dahlonegajaycees.com for more information.

Labels: 2009, dahlonega, festival, gold rush days, homes for sale, jaycees, october

Come meet and hear the Milton City Council Candidates speak at the 2009 Milton Peoples Forum on Thursday, October 15,2009 from 7pm to 10pm at Shannondale Farm located at 2359 Birmingham Road, Milton GA 30004. Free Food and Beverages Available!



SPONSORED BY
Accessmilton.com, Beverage Depot, Boy Scout Troop 1459,Etail Promotions, Hunter Christmas Tree Farm, Element Coffee Company, Katys Car Wash, The Milton Police Department, Music Matters, Pretzel Factory, Power Realty, Shannondale Farm, Your Milton Target, The UPS Store At Birmingham Village, and Birmingham Village Subway.

Special Thanks To Milton Police Lt John Borsey and Lt Travis Parker For Providing Security.

Labels: 2009, candidates, city of milton, Milton, october, peoples forum

Labels: 2009, forsyth county, fowler, high water, october, rain, road closures, shiloh, tidwell

Whether heading to the mountains for hiking and biking or going south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2009” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch throughout October and early November, travelers can get updates on fall color, learn safe hiking tips, and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks.

Typically, Georgia’s mountain parks peak at the end of October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much of November. Some of the most popular parks for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Unicoi, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain, Moccasin Creek, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel. Since these parks are often crowded on weekends, visitors may want to check out less known parks, which can be just as vibrant. Providence Canyon State Park, also called Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, has hiking trails along the rim and into the sandy canyon. Hardwoods and tumbling creeks can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in near Columbus. Smithgall Woods near Helen boasts not only beautiful fall color but also some of the best trout fishing in the state.

Park officials advise visitors to make overnight reservations for campsites, cottages, yurts or hotel-style lodges as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for mountain cottages to be reserved nearly a year in advance, and many campgrounds fill up on pretty weekends. To make a reservation, call 1-800-864-7275 or log onto www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Labels: 2009, amicalola falls, camping, fall color, fall leaves, georgia, hiking, october, state park, unicoi