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

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

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: 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

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

The Dawson County Extension Service is hosting a produce market in Dawsonville. Last year’s produce market was a great success, with farmers and gardeners selling locally-grown fruits and vegetables to Dawson County residents and beyond. The market will open on Wednesday, July 1, and the details of this year’s produce market are as follows:

* The market will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. each Wednesday and Saturday. (It should be noted that last year, many sellers were sold out by 9:00 a.m.);
* The produce market will be located in the parking lot of the Dawson County Agricultural Center in Dawsonville (old library building);
* Only locally-grown fruits and vegetables, not canned, may be sold. To ensure produces are locally grown, sellers must be from Dawson County or a county that touches Dawson. Sellers will have to sign a form that states they understand and will follow the produce market rules. A copy of the rules may be picked up at the Dawson County Extension Office;
* To sell at the market is free and everyone is welcome to buy produce.

For more information on the produce market, contact the Dawson County Extension Office at (706) 265-2442.

Labels: dawson, dawson county extension office, dawsonville, farmers market, local, produce

Great land investment opportunity in Dawsonville, Dawson County close to GA400. Available 7.1 Acres with 600' road frontage on GA Hwy 53 halfway between GA400 and the Dawsonville town square. The property is located at the corner of Valley Rd at Hwy 53. The land is currently zoned residential, however, the county future land use map shows this as commercial mixed use. Should be an easy change. For more information click here for the property profile page on our website. You can also contact Mike at 770-888-9269 or via email at info@vanderhoffrealestate.com.

Labels: commercial, dawson county, dawsonville, highway 53, land for sale, real estate, square

The 41st Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival will be held this weekend, October 25th & 26th, in Downtown Dawsonville from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily.

The Moonshine Festival explores Dawson County's history during the prohibition era when liquor was illegal and the Great Depression of the 1930's when running moonshine through the foothills of the Northeast Georgia Mountains was a way of life. Thousands of tourists flock to the birthplace of NASCAR racing to hear about storied legends, Lloyd Seay, Roy Hall, Raymond Parks, and Gober Sosebee. These men loved the thrill of being chased through the ridges of Northeast Georgia Mountains. Bring the family and visit an old Moonshine still; listen to stories from both "Trippers" and Revenuers.

On Saturday, crafts, food and entertainment will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the square in Dawsonville. The parade will then begin at 9:00 a.m. See a huge car show lining the streets, including vintage racecars and their drivers.

On Sunday, activities continue with music, dancers, kid’s games and rides, exhibits, crafts, food and cars, cars and more cars! Fun for the entire family.

Free Admission. All proceeds of festival go to help the needy children in Dawson County. Call Kare for Kids, Inc. of Dawson County at 706-216-5273 for complete information or visit www.kareforkids.us.

Labels: antique car show, arts and crafts, dawson county, dawsonville, kare for kids, mountain moonshine festival, parade

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge will be hosting a different artist each fall weekend through Nov. 9. The artistic talent ranges from painting to pottery, and from calligraphy to hand carved bowls, with artists selling their products and demonstrating their skills.

David Little will be the featured artist during the third weekend in October. Although he has had artistic success in multiple artistic techniques, he is currently producing amazing hand-carved wooden bowls.

Mr. Little uses carefully selected native wood, traditional methods, and “re-claimed” wood to make unique and useful pieces of art. He will be in the Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 19th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Amicalola Falls State Park helps you stretch your budget with a low-cost parking pass and free programming. In addition to the Visiting Artist, park guests are encouraged to take advantage of regular weekend programming that includes a variety of educational and entertaining wildlife programs highlighting snakes, mammals, or birds of prey. Bring a picnic to one of the park's picnic tables and grills, or visit the Maple Restaurant, located in the Lodge, which serves delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The $3 parking pass allows you to enjoy a day of art and adventure with your family. All artist demonstrations and public programs are free of charge. For more information, call the Programming Department at 706-265-1969 or check out the State Parks website at www.gastateparks.org.

Labels: amicalola falls, dahlonega, dawsonville, georgia state parks, lodge, october

Mountain Moonshine Festival - Dawsonville: October 25-26

Gold Rush Days - Dahlonega: October 18-19

Georgia Apple Festival - Ellijay: October 11-12 & October 18-19

Georgia Sorghum Festival - Blairsville: October 11-12 & October 18-19

Octoberfest - Helen: September 11 - November 2nd

Georgia Mountain Fair - Hiawassee: October 10 - 19

For more festival information, visit www.HelloNorthGeorgia.com.

Labels: dahlonega, dawsonville, fairs, gold rush days, mountain moonshine festival, north georgia, september festivals

Vanderhoff Real Estate makes the search for short sales, foreclosures and bank owned properties in the Cumming, Alpharetta & Dawsonville areas even easier. Due to the high volume and increased demand for these properties, Vanderhoff Real Estate has created a new search page on our website that exclusively features properties that are bank owned, foreclosures or subject to short sale. This will make it easier for many of you to limit your search to properties that fall into these special circumstances. You can access this web page through our main website at www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com.

Please feel free to use our website to search all available listings in the area. Our website is specifically designed so that you may search available homes without signing onto our site. We know many of our buyers and sellers like to remain anonymous and do their research before contacting an agent, and we thank you for choosing our site. We just ask that once you are ready to move forward with your next real estate transaction, that you consider giving us the opportunity to be your bridge to success.

Labels: Alpharetta, bank owned, cumming, dawsonville, foreclosure, short sale