Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog

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

CURRENT RATES (PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS)
Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.25% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 3.50% Purchase Only

NEW!
Conforming 5/1: 3.125% amortized; 3.75% interest only
Conforming 7/1: 3.25% amortized
HOT PRODUCT Conforming 10/1: 4.00% amortized!!!**
(Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes)

Jumbo Loans:Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 3.875%
7/1 ARM =4.000%
NEW! 30-year Fixed JUMBO: 5.00%
FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed Range= 4.125% - 4.50%
NEW! FHA 5/1 ARM: 3.125% Qualify at Start Rate

Call Me Now For More Details!
*Based on pricing as of Friday, November 12th, 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 Residential Mortgage Licensee#CL0800186, NorthCarolina Licensee #B-147025, Covenant NMLS# 144774


For More Information Call or Email our Mortgage Man

Phil Blankstein
Mortgage Planner
Cell 678-938-7111
phil.blankstein@mycovenantmortgage.com
NMLS # 251790, GA License# 26422

Brought to you by Mike and Melody Vanderhoff

Labels: alpharetta homes for sale, cumming homes for sale, current mortgage rates, dawsonville homes for sale, lake lanier homes for sale

You're Invited Back!

The cornstalk sculpture returns in just one month for a 9th season at Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Dawsonville, Georgia. The Grand Opening weekend is September 4-6, which includes Labor Day. And prices remain unchanged!

This year the pathways include two bridges and weave through the cornstalks in the shape of a giant Monarch butterfly. Make plans to come see our herd of goats climb to amazing heights at the new Great Goat Climb!

Coming Attractions...

*Boy Scout Weekend - Sept 25 & 26
*Girl Scout Weekend - Oct 2 & 3

*Kiddie CORNer returns with a soybean maze to explore and tractor tires to climb - every day
*Great Goat Climb - it's goatacular - (photo here of ramps and platforms the goats climb)
And you can still enjoy fall favorites, like the Corn Cannon, Hayrides, Bonfires with roasted marshmallows and funnel cakes from our onsite caterer!




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Convenience and Family Value...

Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is only 40 minutes from metro Atlanta, just two miles from the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall. Access to the main Festival Grounds is always free. We serve fresh food on weekends, so enjoy a grilled sandwich or a funnel cake. Cold beverages are always available, and clean rest rooms with sanitizing station.

Maze admission is $9 for everyone 4 and over; free for children 3 and under. Take a tractor-drawn hay ride and enjoy roasted marshmallows at the bonfire for $5 per person. Save with a value combo ticket - maze, hay ride and bonfire pass for just $12 per person.

September- first day Sat, Sept 4
Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October- open every day
Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Haunted Maze (dark to close) - dates tbd

November - final day Sun, Nov 21
Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.



If you are interested in moving to Dawsonville call Mike and Melody Vanderhoff

Labels: dawsonville homes for sale, great fun for the kids, lake lanier homes for sale

CURRENT RATES (PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS)
Conforming Loans: Loan amounts $417,000 & under*
30-yr Fixed = 4.25% Purchase Only
15-yr Fixed = 3.75% Purchase Only

NEW! Conforming 5/1: 3.375% amortized; 3.75% interest only
Conforming 7/1: 3.625% amortized
HOT PRODUCT Conforming 10/1: 4.125% amortized!!!**
Consult your Covenant Mortgage Professional for Refinance Quotes

Jumbo Loans:Loan amounts over $417,000*
5/1 ARM = 3.875%
7/1 ARM =4.875%
NEW! 30-year Fixed JUMBO: 5.375%
FHA Loans: *
30-yr Fixed Range= 4.25% - 5.25%
NEW! FHA 5/1 ARM: 3.50% Qualify at Start Rate

Call Me Now For More Details!
*Based on pricing as of Friday, August 6th, 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".
Residential Mortgage Licensee: GA Licensee #22745, Florida Residential Mortgage Licensee#CL0800186, NorthCarolina Licensee #B-147025, Covenant NMLS# 144774


For More Information Call or Email

Phil Blankstein
Mortgage Planner
Cell 678-938-7111
phil.blankstein@mycovenantmortgage.com
NMLS # 251790, GA License# 26422

Labels: alpharetta homes for sale, cumming homes for sale, current mortgage rates, dahlonega homes for sale, dawsonville homes for sale, lake lanier homes for sale, milton homes for sale

(Third message in the continuing series)

Number of Short Sale Offers Received

Homes priced under market value will receive multiple offers. An agent is not required to disclose the terms of those offers, but you do want to know how many offers you are up against.

Here's how it generally works:
•When a short sale home first comes on the market, the first offer will most likely be a tad below list price.
•The second, at list price.
•The third offer will be slightly higher, maybe by a $1,000 or $2,000.
•The fourth offer will be significantly more.
You want to make an offer that will beat the competition yet still be below market, or don't waste your time.


The Listing Agent's Short Sale Procedures

Although REALTORS are required by the REALTOR Code of Ethics to treat everybody fairly, not every agent is a REALTOR. This means the short sale listing agent may decide to submit only the first offer to the bank and withhold all other offers.

Withholding other offers could be considered to be a violation of the fiduciary relationship formed between the listing agent and the seller. The seller is entitled to receive the highest and best price. Realize that even if your offer is submitted to the bank, as time marches by while waiting for short sale approval, another buyer could outbid you.

You can live and learn or you can through your experiences or you can put your trust in the hands of an experienced agent. Mike and Melody Vanderhoff have been through many short sales and have learned these facts through their own experiences. Give us a call, we are Your Bridge To Success in Short Sales.

Labels: alpharetta homes for sale, cumming homes for sale, dahlonega homes for sale, dawsonville homes for sale, johns creek homes for sale, lake lanier homes for sale, milton homes for sale, short sales

Clients are always asking me have the prices hit bottom yet? I wish I had a crystal ball so I could give them the right answer. But I do know that I have seen asking prices and sale prices begin to increase. So it appears that the low was a month ago or so. Not sure what it will do in the future, but there are some real bargains to be had out there today. I have seen homes in excellent condition over 7000 square feet selling for under $500,000. I am also seeing homes in nice small subdivision that were selling in the $300, 000 range new selling closer to $200,000. If you are looking to purchase Mike and Melody are here ready to help you find the perfect home at a great price. Give us a call at 770-888-9269

Labels: alpharetta homes for sale, cumming homes for sale, dahlonega homes for sale, dawsonville homes for sale, johns creek homes for sale, lake lanier homes for sale, milton homes for sale