Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog

RISMEDIA, March 25, 2011—According to the latest Spending and Saving Tracker from American Express, more than two in five (41 percent) of Americans said that it’s a buyer’s market for real estate. However, over 61 percent agree that a seller’s market is at least a year away.

Other findings:
• Homeowner confidence on whether they would receive the asking price for their home is nearly evenly split—43 percent said they are confident they would; 47 percent are not very or not at all confident.
• However, many homeowners—39 percent—are not willing to settle for less than the asking price, even considering the tough real estate market, in contrast to 23 percent who are willing and 38 percent who are not sure.

• To sell their home in the current market, 44 percent of homeowners note that they would be interested in including appliances, while 28 percent would consider offering to make requested repairs or allowing an allotment for repairs.

If your thinking of buying or selling, call Mike & Melody now.

Labels: Alpharetta, best realtor in town, cumming, dawsonville, Milton, time to buy a home

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

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

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

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

The City of Milton will host a CPR class 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Milton High School. This free hour-long class is open to anyone who wishes to learn these life saving skills: CPR (adult and child,) First Aid, use of AED's and how to rescue a choking victim.

The Greater Southeast Affiliate of the American Heart Association recently recognized Milton as a Georgia "Heart Ready City." The designation indicates the city's commitment to community-based programs that improve the chances of a person surviving a cardiac event. Milton is one of only a few cities in the state to receive this designation.

Milton's Fire Department is holding this mass community CPR event as part of a "Heart Ready" requirement to teach 500 people CPR annually. Additionally, this event will allow the department to provide a free and potentially life-saving class to all residents.

For more information about being a Heart Ready city, please visit the American Heart Association's Web site.

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: 2009, american heart association, city of milton, cpr, heart ready, Milton, milton high school, september

Somewhere just off scenic GA 400, a festival is getting underway. From North Fulton County to Lumpkin County, the Hospitality Highway leads you to one festival after another, from September through December: classic car shows, old-fashioned county fairs, tantalizing "Tastes of" and gatherings dedicated to moonshine and gold rush fun in the fall. Winter brings tree lightings, historic homes dressed to the holiday nines, visits with St. Nick and old-fashioned Christmas cheer and merrymaking.

There are a variety of fun family events close to home worthy of checking out:

Alpharetta's Old Milton Country Fair
Sat., Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
On the grounds of old Milton High School, now Milton Center
Admission: Free
www.oldmiltoncountryfair.com
770-653-6821

Festival features: Interactive festival with heritage demonstrations, old-time children's and carnival games, square dancing, arts and crafts, watermelon and pickle eating contests; antique wagon/tractor/car show; farmers market; contests.

Alpharetta's FunFest & Classic Car Show
Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
North Point Mall
Admission: Free
www.Alpharettafunfest.com
770-360-9042

Festival features: car show; Kids' Zone with petting zoo, arts and crafts area, rides and games; Cuisine Scene with many of the areas fine restaurants; entertainment throughout the day and evening.
Cumming-Forsyth Grass in the Grove Bluegrass Festival
Sat., Sept. 19, 11-4 p.m.
Shady Grove Campground on Lake Lanier
Admission: $10/per vehicle; RV and tent campsites available; boats welcome to anchor in any of the coves outside of the park.
www.lakelanier.com/events/bluegrass-festival
770 781-2217

Festival features: Day long musical festival with both traditional and contemporary bluegrass bands. Bands include Honi Deaton & Dream, 4Ever Blue, among others.
Cumming Country Fair and Festival
Oct. 8-18: 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 4-Midnight Fri.; 10 a.m.-Midnight Sat.; and 12:30-7 p.m. Sun.
Cumming Fairgrounds
Admission: $7/adults; $3/ages 5-18; Free/ages 4 and under. Advanced tickets (available Sept. 1-30): $5/adults; $2/ages 5-18.
Parking: $3. Handicap parking available.
www.cummingfair.net
770-781-3491

Festival features: more than 40 rides from the James H. Drew Exposition; Heritage Village; Indian Village; daily attractions; concerts by Lorrie Morgan on Oct. 9; concert on Oct. 13 TBA; Downhere on Oct. 14; The Charlie Daniels Band on Oct. 15; and Ray Price on Oct. 16. Concerts are free with paid admission to the Fair.

The Taste of Roswell
Sat. Oct. 17, 12-5:30pm
Historic Town Square
Admission: Free
www.visitroswellga.com
1-800-776-7935

Festival features: Sample the culinary delights by Roswell restaurants amidst the ambiance of the Historic District and musical entertainment from the bandstand. Restaurant "tastes" range from $0.50 to $3.00.

Dahlonega Gold Rush Festival
Sat., Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dahlonega Public Square
Admission: Free
www.dahlonegajaycees.com
706-864-7247; 1-800-231-5543

Festival features: Recall the first gold rush in the U.S. with more than 300 art and craft exhibitors; parade; children's activities; fashion show; gold panning contest; wheelbarrow race; King and Queen Coronation; hog calling and buck dancing contests; gospel singing and other live entertainment; wrist wrestling; lots of delicious food.

Dawson County Moonshine Festival
Sat., Oct. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dawsonville Town Square
Admission: Free
www.dawson.org
1-877-302-9271

Festival features: Celebrate NASCAR and the days of moonshine and souped up cars with crafts, food, music, exhibits and entertainment; parade; car show, including vintage racecars and their drivers; kid's games and rides; storytelling; visits to an old Moonshine still.

Christmas in Roswell
Nov. 21- Dec. 31
Roswell Historic District
Admission: Trilogy Pass to all 3 homes; $18.00 for adults; $15.00 for children ages 6-12; Children under age 6 free. Individual tickets; $8.00 for adults; $6.00 for children ages 6-12; Children under age 6 free.
www.visitroswellga.com
1-800-776-7935

Festival features: Experience the magic and wonder of the holiday season at Bulloch Hall, Barrington Hall and Smith Plantation Home, each dressed in seasonal splendor and open for tours. Shop in period storefronts for one-of-a-kind gifts or celebrate with friends and family at one of Roswell's unique restaurants.
Dawsonville Lighting of the Tree
Last week of November/First week of December
City Hall
Admission: Free
www.dawson.org
1-877-302-9271

Festival features: Lighting of the Tree; pictures with Santa; seasonal festivities.
Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas
Begins Fri., Nov. 27 through December with the parade on Dec. 5
Dahlonega Public Square
Admission: Free
www.dahlonega.org
1-800-231-5543

Festival features: This event kicks off with the lighting of the Square on Nov. 27 and includes the lighting of the tree; visits with Santa; parade; extended shopping hours on the Square and merchant Open House; entertainment; refreshments; lighting of the luminaries; parade; sleigh bell tour.


For more information on these and other events along Hospitality Highway, visit www.hospitalityhighway.com.

Labels: Alpharetta, christmas, cumming, dahlonega, dawson, dawsonville, event, fair, fall, festival, forsyth, GA400, hospitality highway, lumpkin, Milton, moonshine, north fulton, roswell

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

The Alpharetta Arts Streetfest will take place from 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2009 on Milton Avenue in the Alpharetta Historic District. Admission and parking are free to the public.

Festival-lovers and arts enthusiasts can look forward to two days of strolling through outdoor galleries filled with fine paintings, mixed media, photography, pottery and jewelry as well as textile, glass, wood, metal and paper art. The 104 artists to be featured in the 5th Alpharetta Arts Streetfest were selected by a jury comprised of art professionals from the Alpharetta community. Selected artists will be traveling to Alpharetta from Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Texas, as well as some of our local artists in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

The children’s area is Going Green! Children can create free fun art projects using recycled materials in the interactive “Art in Action” area presented by the Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department. City of Alpharetta Environmental Coordinator will show how to make your own Chia Pet from old socks and other environmental crafts in celebration of Earth Day. The Science Academy Mobile Lab will bring artistic and scientific activities, including George Washington Carver’s mixing pigments on linen and Isaac Newton’s white light color wheel.

The Annual Alpharetta Farmers Market will grow its first root at the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest located under the oak tree on Old Roswell Street. Come purchase local produce, herbs, honey and more. The Farmers Market will take place every Saturday from April to October from 8am to 12:30pm. For more information, go to www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com.

To kick off the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest, the Alpha Arts Guild with host Art Beyond Borders 2009 which is an annual event that partners local artists with local businesses. The event will showcase local artwork and this year is located in Alpharetta Historic District from April 10 to April 25. Working in cooperation with the City of Alpharetta, Art Beyond Borders will bookend the annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. For more information go to www.alphaartsguild.com.

Arts Streetfest will also include live jazz, roots rock, acoustical and Celtic music. Festival cuisine will include barbecue from Smokejack: A Southern Grill, Italian favorites from Carmine’s Restaurant & Pizzeria and additional street fare such as flavored coffees, Italian ice, fresh lemonade, ice cream, roasted nuts and various chocolate delights.

Alpharetta Arts Streetfest will take place on Milton Avenue between Main Street (SR 9) and Roswell-Canton Street in the Historic Downtown area. Free parking is available for festival-goers at City Hall, Milton Center (the old Milton High School) and City of Alpharetta downtown parking lots. Downtown shops and restaurants will offer specials and extended business hours during the festival.

For more event information or to catch a visual preview of the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest artists, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Labels: 2009, Alpharetta, april, arts, georgia, Milton, streetfest

The Roswell Women's Club kicks off their 2009 Home Tour with Mayor Lockwood's new home on Dorris Road. Referred to as "The Homestead", the home is nestled on 3o acres off of Dorris Road in Milton.

"We are honored to be able to donate our home for a great cause that will support charities in North Fulton", Mayor Joe Lockwood shared, "I feel very fortunate to have a beautiful piece of property in Milton to live on, so it is nice to be able to share this with our community".

The event will be running from March 8th to March 29th. Proceeds will go to benefiting North Fulton Charitable Organizations.

To find out more information and purchase tickets, please click here.

Labels: home tour, homestead, lockwood, mayor, Milton, roswell women's club

An agreement for Alpharetta to dispatch Milton's police and firefighters will improve response times to emergency in "problem areas" in both cities, Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary George told City Council Monday night.

Legislation creating the City of Milton required Fulton County to provide Milton's dispatching needs for up to two years. In exchange, Fulton has kept the $1.50 per cellphone and house phone paid by Milton's residents to offset those costs. The two years ends Dec. 31st. Making the agreement has been a top priority, as ending the arrangement with Fulton County requires 90 days' notice. For a proposed change starting Oct. 1st, the notice must be made by Aug. 1st.

The cities have an automatic mutual aid agreement between fire departments. Milton can respond to North Park, Kings Ridge Christian School and Crabapple faster than Alpharetta.
The trade off comes in the Bethany and Mayfield areas of Milton. Response time is the number one priority.

Both cities have ladder trucks than can be positioned to cover the largest area for both cities. Since Milton parks its ladder truck at its city hall off Deerfield Parkway, Alpharetta could move its ladder truck to its station 3, closer to North Point Mall, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre and those areas of Alpharetta.

Just two weeks earlier, the council approved an agreement that gives Alpharetta control of dispatching Rural Metro's six ambulances in North Fulton. Monitors in the new Command & Control center will show the location of every Alpharetta and Milton police and fire vehicle, plus all of Rural Metro's ambulances. GPS transponders will be installed in all emergency vehicles. The police & firefighter dispatch agreement just makes sense, and would benefit all of the area's citizens.

Labels: 911, Alpharetta, Community Emergency Response Team, dispatch, firefighter, Milton, police

Construction has started on a site in Crabapple that has been under contract for more than a year with little sign of movement. The lack of activity at the Crabapple Mercantile Exchange prompted gossip that it might be a casualty of the slow economy. But on Wednesday, workers were busy raising steel girders at the site near the corner of Birmingham Highway and Crabapple Road.

Developer John Adams said construction was delayed partly because he couldn't get construction loans until he had secured all permits from the city. He received those permits in December, after about a year of negotiating with Milton city officials about the architectural style of the development for the 52,000-square-foot project.

Crabapple Mercantile Exchange is designed to reflect 19th century buildings that Adams said will evoke Old World charm. It will have have brick and ornate details in wood and iron, and flickering street lights. A similar project by Adams is almost fully leased in Alpharetta: the Ellerd Mercantile Exchange.

About two-thirds of the Crabapple Mercantile Exchange is leased, Adams said. The mix of space includes about 23,000 square feet of retail, 22,500 square feet of office and almost 8,000 square feet of residential. The residential space will be built above the ground-floor office and retail space, he said.

Prospective tenants include:
Zest, a restaurant
Scoops, old-fashioned ice cream shop
Founders Cigar Club, a restaurant with a private club for cigars and Scotch whiskey
Faire La Belle, a salon
SP Casey Homes, an interior design store
Dentist's office

Labels: birmingham highway, crabapple, crabapple mercantile exchange, Milton

The Hampshires is a new Peachtree Residential Properties community located off of Freemanville Road in beautiful Milton/Alpharetta. These majestic estate homes are situated on rolling, wooded homesites of one to three acres.

The neighborhood will feature a swimming pool, lighted tennis courts and children's play area. Children of The Hampshires will also enjoy the excellent Northwest Fulton County schools including Summit Hill Elementary, Hopewell Middle and Milton High. The moment you drive into The Hampshires, you will notice the wide open yards that create a beautiful streetscape for the magnificent, architecturally impressive homes.

Celebrating 20 years of building quality homes in Atlanta area communities, Peachtree Residential's classic elevations combine a variety of authentic exterior elements such as brick, stone and shake. On the inside, you can tailor your home to your family's needs and style with countless design options enabling you to create a "custom" home without the custom price.

New homes are priced from the $700's to more than $1 million and a variety of home designs are available. You can pick a lot and help design your home from the ground up, or if time is of the essence, several homes are also available within the community at various stages of construction, enabling you to move in within a short timeframe. The professionally decorated Brunswick model is currently open for viewing and was honored with a silver award for "Best Product Design" by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.

If we can help you find your next dream home, please contact our team at Vanderhoff Real Estate today. We would love to help you navigate through the New Home buying process. New Construction can be exciting, but you also need to make sure you have someone representing you as the Buyer. On-site agents work for the builder alone. Let us help be your "Bridge To Success" in your next new home purchase.

Labels: Alpharetta, freemanville, Milton, peachtree residential, The Hampshires

The City of Milton is hosting its first ever 4th of July Parade. In the spirit of uniqueness that is Milton the event will be a Citizen’s Parade. All Milton residents are encouraged to participate by marching, dressing in costume and bringing their pets to join in. The Alpharetta Rodeo Wranglers will lead the procession, and Milton firefighters, and the City’s shiny red fire trucks, will be on hand.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of a parade,” said Linda Blow, City of Milton’s Project Coordinator who came up with the idea of citizens participating. “I hope that people are creative and just have fun with it. Decorate your bike, wagons or whatever you like!”

The parade will begin at 10 A.M. on July 4th and will march along Deerfield Parkway in Milton, beginning at City Hall. People who wish to participate are asked to gather at Milton’s City Hall at 13000 Deerfield Parkway at 9:30 A.M. All participants are invited back to City Hall to enjoy cold treats and face painting.

Incorporated on December 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.

Please note that Deerfield Parkway will be closed to thru traffic from Morris Road to Webb Road on July 4 from 9 A.M. to Noon to allow for the City of Milton Citizens Parade. Verizon Wireless employees who work in Buildings 2 or 3 will be allowed entry with caution. To view a map and detour routes, please visit www.cityofmiltonga.us.

Labels: 4th of july, fourth of july, Milton, parade

Milton Police Department Issued a citizen alert regarding credit card fraud related to the recent theft of data from the Alpharetta Wild Wings Café. Anyone who has used their credit or debit cards at this establishment within the last three months are advised to review recent statements and to closely monitor new charges to their accounts.

“To date, at least six Milton residents have fallen victim to this theft, resulting in charges of between $30,000 and $40,000. Victims have also been uncovered in Gwinnett, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell and Forsyth County,” said Chris Lagerbloom, Director of Public Safety. “While it has not yet been determined how the data was compromised, we anticipate the fraudulent charges could continue for several weeks to come.”

Any activity thought to be fraudulent should be reported immediately to the Milton Police Department at 678.242.2570.

Labels: Alpharetta, credit card fraud, Milton, Wild Wings Cafe

Portions of Alpharetta and a section of south-central Milton currently located within the 30004 ZIP code area will be changed to a new ZIP code — 30009. The new ZIP code officially takes effect on July 1, 2008, but residents can begin using 30009 immediately. The USPS will continue to deliver mail improperly labeled as 30004 until July 1, 2009, one year from the effective date of the change.

The U.S. Postal Service recently sent a notice to all Alpharetta and Milton residents affected by the change, indicating that the ZIP code for their mail delivery has been changed from 30004 to 30009. According to USPS spokesperson Michael Miles, the change in ZIP code does not affect the Post Office location that residents use, but is simply an internal change in the physical mail sorting location. Miles emphasizes that the change should be transparent to citizens, beyond the simple change of ZIP code on the last mail line.

Miles also emphasizes that citizens of Milton should continue to use “Milton” as their city of residence on their mailing address.

Residents with any questions are encouraged to contact the Old Milton Parkway Post Office location, which can be reached directly at 770.442.3893. For a map outlining the 30009 ZIP code area, and additional information visit www.cityofmiltonga.us/.

Labels: 30004, 30009, Alpharetta, change, Milton, usps, zip code

In this sesquicentennial year in the city of Alpharetta's history, Alpharetta's oldest tradition is also celebrating a significant milestone, the 140th June Singing. It will be held this year in the Milton Center Theater (the former Milton High School in downtown Alpharetta, directly across from the log cabin)on Sunday, June 8, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.

The All Day Sacred Harp Singing and Dinner on the Ground, otherwise known as the June Singing, began in Alpharetta in 1869. It has been held every year since then at Alpharetta's Courthouse, which evolved into Alpharetta's City Hall, in downtown Alpharetta. Over the fourteen decades of the June Singing, thousands of people have traveled many miles each year to gather in Alpharetta on the 2nd Sunday of every June to socialize, harmonize and "court." It is thought that this event originated as a celebration following the planting of crops each season.

Come out and join us on Sunday June 8th for this great event in Alpharetta history!

Labels: 140th June Singing, Alpharetta, June 8, Milton, Sacred Harp, sesquicentennial