Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog

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

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

Join us this Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (rain or shine) for the Crossroads at Crabapple Antique and Art Festival. The festival will be located within the Historic Community of Crabapple. Only 5 miles north of downtown Roswell, GA and 3 miles west of downtown Alpharetta, GA. The festival’s center will be at 790 Mayfield Rd., Milton (or Alpharetta) GA 30009. Parking and Admission are free.

A tradition since 1969, this one day only outdoor festival features 50 American Country Antique Dealers from 6 states and 50 local juried artists. Thousands of antiques, accessories, and unique pieces of art in all mediums will sell quickly, so come early and stay all day for this old- fashion festival. Rounding out the show are roaming musicians, food available benefiting the Boy and Girl Scouts, children activities from 2-4 at the Goddard School, and a trolley to the parking areas. An event not to miss!

Visit www.cityofmiltonga.us for more information or call 770-448-3860.

Labels: 2009, Alpharetta, Antiques, art festival, city of milton, crossroads at crabapple, october

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

The City of Milton hosts a Memorial Day service honoring Milton veterans both living and deceased at City Hall 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25th, 2009.

Similar to last year's ceremony, the program includes a series of activities including the Presentation of and Call to Colors, guest speaker Lt. Gen. Roy Beauchamp, the roll call of deceased veterans and more. A Milton High School choral group will perform an arrangement of patriotic songs and Terry Haynes will once again play Amazing Grace on bagpipes.

The service will end with family members of the deceased veterans placing flags on markers along Deerfield Parkway.

The markers will be displayed along Deerfield Parkway the week proceeding Memorial Day. The City of Milton continues to update its database of area-related veterans both living and fallen.

Any deceased veteran of a Milton family is qualified to be honored with a marker. Information on living veterans will be used for recognition purposes only. Use the City of Milton's online form to send them your veterans' information.

Labels: city of milton, memorial day, veteran

The Milton Police Department will host its second Citizens Police Academy, a six-week program that gives citizens an inside look at the department and law enforcement, beginning Feb. 11.

The program takes place Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Milton Police precinct at 750 Hickory Road. Topics include criminal investigations, criminal law, police K-9 units, traffic law, and 911 operations. Participants who are over age 18 can also go on a ride-along with an officer.

Class size is limited to 15 people, with preference given to Milton residents. Interested citizens are encouraged to register as soon as possible by completing an application and background form at City Hall during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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: academy, citizens police, city of milton, police

3 bedroom / 2 bath ranch home on 7.9 acres for $170,000. Beautiful horse country in the former North Alpharetta area, now in the City of Milton and located at 2360 Birmingham Rd. This is a foreclosure sold AS-IS with no disclosures. Approximately 50 percent of the land is in a flood plain. Perfect for horse farm, nursery or future estate home. Click on address above for more listing details and photos. To search other foreclosures in the area visit our website at www.vanderhoffrealestate.com. Contact us today and we'll help you find your next home or investment property.

Labels: Alpharetta, birmingham road, city of milton, foreclosure, just listed, vanderhoff real estate

John Wieland's newest North Fulton neighborhood, Braeburn, is conveniently located on Birmingham Highway in the city of Milton's expanding Crabapple district minutes from GA 400. Braeburn's unique land plan incorporates resort-style amenities and neighborhood commercial space as well as homes. At the neighborhood's entrance, Braeburn Office Village will encompass 33,000 square feet of office and professional suites in ten buildings. Braeburn's initial offering of homes is priced from the mid $700s.

Homes at Braeburn will offer detailed exterior architecture in stone and brick combinations as well as thoughtfully designed interiors with today's best features. Every home will be protected by John Wieland's industry-leading 5 Year - 20 Year Warranty and homebuyers will also benefit from John Wieland's exclusive no-cost Value Protection plan.

Homeowners will enjoy a variety of planned neighborhood amenities including a private clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool, playground and neighborhood park. In addition, Braeburn is served by three nationally ranked public schools, including Milton High, all within walking distance.

For more information on this and other great neighborhoods in the Milton, Crabapple and Alpharetta area, contact Mike & Melody today at info@vanderhoffrealestate.com or 770-888-9269.

Labels: Alpharetta, Braeburn, city of milton, crabapple, john wieland, milton high school, vanderhoff real estate

The City of Milton Presents Christmas in Crabapple, Saturday, Dec. 6th. Here are a few of the highlights of this year's event:

• Live reindeer
• Toasting s'mores at bonfires
• Drawing for prizes
• Visit with Santa Claus
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Goddard school children singing and signing Christmas carols
• Milton High School Choir singing Christmas carols

Click here for more information!

Labels: Alpharetta, christmas in crabapple, city of milton

The holidays are almost upon us. That means it is time to prepare for all the year-end festivities including buying your holiday cards.

Holiday cards are a great way to say hello to family and friends, near and far, and to wish them a healthy and prosperous New Year. Milton decided to have a holiday card for the first time this year. Inspired by a video shot by Melinda Gray Crider, the card displays a still image of horses galloping in Georgia snow on New Year’s Day 2002.

The cards are available for purchase in packages of 12 cards and 12 envelopes at Flowers From Us in the Crabapple area of Milton and Scottsdale Farms in the Birmingham area.

Also, make sure to enter the Photo Contest for next year's card! As Milton rolls out the first edition of cards for the 2008 holiday season, they are also announcing an amateur photographer contest for next year’s card and also for use on the City's Web site. The City is looking for photographs that reflect the rural scenes throughout Milton. The theme for ’09 is “in the eye of the photographer.” If you are interested in having your name and photo on the City’s next holiday card or Web site, please submit your photo along with the entry form to City Hall. A panel of professional photographers will judge the photos and will choose a winner. Click Here for guidelines.

Labels: christmas cards, city of milton, holiday cards, photo contest

In an attempt to create a culture of universal accessibility for all residents, the City of Milton has partnered with disabilities expert Marie Latta to help guide all facets of its planning, development and operations.

Latta will consult with the City on compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. It is an opportunity to “start from scratch” and build a foundation for accessibility that is sustainable into the future, she said. Her goal is to create usable access to full community participation for all residents and visitors alike.

ADA review for accessibility pertains to individuals with physical/mobility, cognitive and communication disabilities.

For nearly 17 years Latta has based her work on ADA compliance requirements in federal, state and local governments. She has worked with such clients as Stone Mountain Park, DeKalb County, Fulton County and State of Georgia residential hospitals as well as Philips Arena and Gwinnett Center Arena. She currently works with the state Department of Community Affairs Affordable Housing Division and the Georgia Tech Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access.

Latta, who holds a B.S.E. (Bachelor of Science in Education) from the University of Arkansas and an M.Ed. (Masters in Special Education) from Georgia State University, has been a wheelchair user for the past 15 years. This has reinforced her belief of making every aspect of a city accessible to all people.

“Based on Milton’s positive, proactive approach to accessibility and inclusion of people with all disabilities, I believe the City has the potential to, from the ground up, become a model city for creating a universally accessible environment in which people with disabilities can live, work, play, do business and worship,” she said.

Labels: ADA, city of milton, disabilities

The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. for the new elementary school opening in August 2009 on Birmingham Highway in Milton.

Although site work already has begun, the ceremony allows school system officials, civic leaders and community members to gather and celebrate its construction. The public is invited to view architectural designs and hear about the school's planned features. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes with low heels due to gravel and possibly some muddy areas on the construction site. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be postponed until Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.

Designed to house up to 850 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the new school is part of the capital programs effort in the Fulton School System, all funded through the through the one-percent educational sales tax, SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax).

Redistricting meetings to determine attendance zones for the new elementary schools, as well as existing schools in the area impacted by the opening, begin this week. Final attendance zones will be approved by the school system in the spring.

Labels: birmingham highway, city of milton, elementary school, fulton county, groundbreaking, splost

The City of Milton has lifted the city-wide outdoor burn ban, effective immediately. Milton Fire Marshal Melissa Henderson said she is comfortable that environmental conditions are sufficiently improved to the point the ban can be lifted. All burning should take place in accordance with the regulation of Georgia laws. If you have any questions, contact the Fire Marshal at 678.242.2570.

Labels: ban, burn, city of milton

With fall quickly approaching, there are several things to look forward to: cooler weather, the change in the leaves and, of course, art festivals. Milton is excitedly gearing up for this year’s Crossroads at Crabapple Antique and Art Festival. Held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9:00 A.M. 'til 5:00 P.M., the festival will once again take place at Crabapple Crossroads in the historic downtown Crabapple.Mark your calendars for this annual event, which will feature more than 50 American country antique dealers from eight states, more than 50 juried artists, roaming musicians and much more. Parking and admission is free.

Make a day of it by visiting all the booths and grabbing some lunch. A variety of food will be available for purchase. You won’t want to miss this wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends and find unique treasures.

The Historic community of Crabapple is located 5 miles North of Roswell and 3 miles West of Alpharetta.

Labels: Alpharetta, Antiques, art festival, city of milton, crossroads at crabapple, roswell

A Charity Golf Tournament benefiting the Milton Public Safety Fund will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008. There will be a shotgun start at 11:00am at the Atlanta National Golf Club. Sponsorships and foursomes are still available, but hurry because the registration deadline is this Friday, August 15th. Proceeds will go to support the Milton Police and Fire Departments. For more information, please visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call (770) 740-0214.

Labels: atlanta national golf club, charity event, city of milton, golf tournament, milton fire, milton police, milton public safety fund