Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog

Labels: cumming homes for sale, lake lanier

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

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 was extended through April 30, 2010. This tax credit of up to $8,000 is for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

For sales occurring after November 6, 2009, the Act establishes income limits of $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married couples filing joint returns. The income limits for sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

Click here for questions and answers that will provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.

If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area. Visit our website at www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com and search all available listings in the area. We'd love to help you find your next home.

Labels: 2010, 8000, Alpharetta, april, cumming, federal, lake lanier, real estate, tax credit, vanderhoff

Lake Lanier is not only a tight-knit community, but also a large source of annual revenue for all of North East Georgia. Residents and out-of-towners alike flock to Lake Lanier each year to enjoy lake recreation. While many people are aware of the lake and the amenities it offers, many people are not aware that the future of Lake Lanier is in jeopardy and needs your help.

Lake Lanier is currently party to six lawsuits regarding the Tri-State water wars and part of the outcome of these lawsuits effects whether recreation will continue to be an authorized activity at Lake Lanier. No one wants to imagine a tomorrow where future generations can not enjoy the lake as we do. By joining the Lake Lanier Association, you can help preserve the future of Lake Lanier, as well as the value of your lake property.

Membership in the Lake Lanier Association is open to anyone interested in preserving the water quality and quantity, as well as the beauty and recreational opportunities Lake Lanier affords. The LLA is a non-profit association, founded in 1966, and is the oldest volunteer group working to protect the high water quality and water levels of Lake Lanier.

Membership in the LLA starts at just $50.00 for the year and there are several levels of membership to choose from. Visit www.lakelanier.org for more information about Lake Lanier and membership in the association. You can also donate directly from the website; donations and membership are tax deductible and can be deducted on this year’s taxes if made by the end of the year. Email lakeinfo@lakelanier.org for more information.

Labels: lake home, lake lanier, lake lanier association

Lake Lanier reached full pool yesterday morning! Hard to believe it was 18 feet lower in January, and a year ago we were in a Level 4 drought. There's actually water in that little finger of lake that I pass traveling North on Georgia 400 near Pilgrim Mill. I don't think I've seen water there in the last 5 to 6 years.

Lake Lanier's full pool status is great news for lake property. Due to the economy and the drought with it's many dried up docks, lake home prices have dropped considerably in the past 2 years. With interest rates and prices still low, and the lake full, now is the time to pick up lakefront property. As activity increases on the lake throughout the next year due to improved recreation and business on and near the lake, prices of these homes will begin to rise again.

We'd love to assist you in finding your next home or vacation home on Lake Lanier. Visit our website at www.VanderhoffRealEstate.com to check out the available lake homes for sale.

Labels: dock, drought, for sale, full pool, lake home, lake lanier, market, real estate, vanderhoff

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District at Lake Sidney Lanier reminds property owners there are less than 30-days remaining for receiving applications into the lottery for the remaining dock permit requests.

The Lake Lanier Shoreline Management Plan and accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) completed in 2004 included a carrying capacity study for Lake Lanier, which set the limit of boat docks available on the lake at 10,615.

"Since we are nearing the maximum capacity for boat dock permits and don't know exactly how many additional requests for permits we will receive, we will conduct a lottery style drawing to give all applicants an equal opportunity and to determine the order of precedence for reviewing the remaining permit requests," said Lisa Coghlan, Deputy Public Affairs Officer.

If you own property adjacent to Lake Lanier and would like to have your property reviewed for a new dock permit you may visit www.lakelaniersupl.com to obtain the proper form and instructions to submit your request letter. The form may also be obtained at the Lanier Project Management Office.

Applicants have a 90-day open period that runs until Oct. 13. The request forms should be submitted by mail only. The forms need to be received by the contractor before 5 p.m., at which time the P.O. Box will be closed.

Any request forms received after this time will be returned. Your request form should be mailed to Lake Lanier Permits, P.O. Box 9, Gonzalez, Fla., 32560. An outside firm will collect the request forms, enter them into a database, and scrub the list for errors and duplicates. Only one request will be accepted per property.

Duplicate requests for the same property will be disallowed. Each week the firm will post on the Lanier drawing Web site at www.lakelaniersupl.com a list of the requests received from the prior week so you can insure your request form was delivered. About one week after the open period, a final list will be published online representing those requests confirmed for the lottery drawing.

On October 28th, there will be a random drawing held to determine the order that the requests will be reviewed. This drawing will be webcast and shown by video feed to a site in the local Lanier area. A link to the webcast will be available at www.lakelaniersupl.com or at http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil.

The request letters will be evaluated in the order that they were randomly selected to determine if they meet the complete site and eligibility requirements, as outlined in the Shoreline Management Plan. A copy of the plan is posted on Lake Lanier's website. Final decisions will be furnished in writing.

A copy of the Official Certified Lottery results will be added to the Lake Lanier Project Web site and used to track the ranked properties, the results of their evaluation under the Shoreline Management Plan and the currently available number of dock permits.

"Once we have issued the remaining available permits, we will then go back to the first come first served procedures outlined in the Shoreline Management Plan for any future permits if a space becomes available," said Coghlan.

For additional information or questions, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Lanier Project Office Shoreline Management Section at 770-945-9531 or http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil.

Labels: 2009, boat, dock, lake lanier, lottery, permit, shoreline management, US Army Corps of Engineers

The 2009 USA Canoe / Kayak Sprint National Championships will take place at the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club this weekend. The races will be at the LCKC facility on Clarks Bridge Road in Gainesville. Approximately 300 athletes from all across the United States and from several other countries are expected for the three days of competition between August 20th and 23rd.

In addition to individual honors, the athletes will be vying to bring the title of National Champion Team home to their club. The Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club has a strong pedigree in the competition, having won this title seven times in the past twelve years.

Live video of the races will be available online at http://www.livestream.com/lckc.

Volunteers are still needed for the event. They will need approximately 4 boats - two deckboats or pontoons and two smaller boats (jon/tracker style) for safety boats. If you are interested, pleased contact the LCKC representative, Tim Watson, directly at 404 915 8145, or email him at timfwatson@yahoo.com.

Labels: 2009, clarks bridge, gainesville, lake lanier, lanier canoe and kayak club, nationals, volunteer

To take advantage of the $8000 HomeBuyer Tax credit your loan must close by November 30th, 2009!

Congress legislation providing a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyer's general information refresher below...



If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area, especially since you may also qualify for the new $1800 home buyer tax credit passed in Georgia.

The Georgia Homebuyer tax credit makes for a powerful new home stimulus plan when combined with the Federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. For more information on the Georgia Tax Credit click here.

Call us today! It's a great time to buy in Georgia! Also, check out the foreclosure listings in the area through a special link on our website.

Labels: $1800, $8000, 2009, Alpharetta, cumming, first time home buyer, georgia, Home, lake lanier, market, real estate, stimulus, tax credit

Labels: congress, federal, lake lanier, ruling, water supply, water war

The US Army Corps of Engineers has announced its procedures to issuing the approximate 174 remaining boat dock permits available for Lake Lanier.

According to its press release, the Corps will be conducting a lottery style drawing to give all applicants an equal opportunity and to determine the order of precedence for reviewing the remaining permit requests.

Beginning on July 10, residents on the lake who are interested in having their property reviewed for a new dock permit, may visit www.lakelaniersupl.com to download the information needed to submit a request letter. Request letters may be sent by mail for 90 days from 15 July 2009 until 13 October 2009 to:

Lake Lanier Permits
P O Box 9
Gonzalez, FL 32560

An outside firm will be entering all requests in a database and will post requests weekly on www.lakelaniersupl.com so applicants can ensure that their request has been received. A final list of confirmed requests will be published on the same site about one week after the open period and prior to a random drawing which will determine the order the requests will be reviewed. The drawing will be webcast and available by video feed to a site in our area. Links will also be available on www.lakelaniersupl.com and http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil.

Detailed information on this procedure is available on the Corps' Web site or by calling the Corps' Shoreline Management office at Lake Lanier at 770-945-9531.

Labels: dock, lake lanier, permit, US Army Corps of Engineers

Labels: 2009, 4th of july, Alpharetta, cumming, dahlonega, fireworks, lake lanier, lake lanier islands

Looking for a great way to spend 4th of July weekend close to home? Come visit us up here on Lake Lanier. The lake is up and the water is perfect! So bring your boat (or your friend or relative with a boat) and enjoy a great 4th of July. And, don't worry if you don't have a boat. There are plenty of place to rent a boat or jet ski for the weekend. Or bring your RV or Tent and stay at one of the many great campgrounds around the lake. There are also plenty of parks for the family picnic. And don't forget golfing, or a visit to Lake Lanier Islands. Visit www.LakeLanier.com for some great resources when planning your weekend.

And....Don't forget the fireworks! Although there will be many events taking place on the lake for July 4th, the largest firework display in North Georgia, and perhaps the most well-known in the region is the Light Up the Lake Fireworks Independence Day Celebration hosted by Lake Lanier Islands. All-day live entertainment, games, and family fun will precede the fireworks extravaganza. The park opens at 10 a.m. and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:40 p.m. For more information, call Lake Lanier Islands at 770-932-7200, or visit their website at www.lakelanierislands.com.

Labels: boat, camp, fireworks, fourth of july, island, jet ski, lake lanier

Are you taking advantage of the $8000 new home buyer tax credit? The new law refers to the tax credit as a first-time home buyer tax credit, but the law defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a primary residence for 3 years prior to the date of purchase of the new home. So as long as you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, you would qualify for this credit.

Here are the basics to this specific tax credit:

* The home must be your primary residence
* The home must be purchased in 2009
* The homebuyer must not have owned another primary residence for at least 3 years
* The $8,000 credit is applied to the federal income taxes you file in 2010 for the 2009 year.
* You must live in the home as your primary residence for at least 3 years or you'll have to pay the credit back to the federal government
* Single filers are limited to income of $75,000 and $150,000 for joint filers.

If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area, especially since you may also qualify for the new $1800 home buyer tax credit passed in Georgia.

The new Georgia Homebuyer tax credit makes for a powerful new home stimulus plan when combined with the Federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. For more information on the Georgia Tax Credit click here.

Call us today! It's a great time to buy in Georgia! Also, check out the foreclosure listings in the area through a special link on our website.

Labels: Alpharetta, cumming, federal, first time, foreclosure, georgia, home buyer, lake lanier, tax credit

Encouraged by the replenishing rains, state environmental officials are set to decide today whether to relax water restrictions that banned most outdoor water use across north Georgia.

Just a year ago, about 60 percent of the state was locked in some sort of drought.

Federal forecasters now say the state has completely emerged from the drought, and that only a small pocket in northeast Georgia remains "abnormally dry."

Still, conservationists are concerned that if the state Drought Response Committee decides to ease or lift restrictions it will send the wrong message to water-conscious residents.

As the drought spread in late 2007, state environmental officials banned virtually all outdoor watering in the northern part of the state and ordered utilities in the area to reduce water use by 10 percent.

The requirements for the utilities were lifted as the drought began to ease, and state officials agreed to allow some counties that do not rely on Lake Lanier to get exemptions from some of the restrictions.

Georgia environmental officials have since allowed residents to fill outdoor swimming pools, hand-water plants for 25 minutes three days a week and use drip irrigation and soaker houses to maintain their yards.

Yet an order that bans most other outdoor watering across north Georgia and limits outdoor watering to three days a week throughout the rest of the state are still in place.

Labels: drought, georgia, lake lanier, outdoor watering, water restriction

The Lake Lanier Association announced this week that it has received a $10,000 gift from the Forsyth County Government. The money will go to the association's legal defense fund to support its participation in the Tri-States 'Water Wars' cases.

The Lake Lanier Association has been involved in the Tri-States litigation since 2001 and is representing the interests of all Lake Lanier stakeholders. A federal judge is hearing all the cases in a Florida court and is expected to rule this year.

Forsyth County Commissioners voted in favor of the donation after Lake Lanier Association board officers attended commission meetings outlining its legal involvement to keep Lake Lanier as close to full pool as possible.

The Lake Lanier Association is a membership-based 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to a clean and full Lake Lanier to enhance its economic value to Georgia.

Labels: association, forsyth county, lake lanier

Lake Lanier will receive $8.3 million in federal stimulus money out of a larger package of $293 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mobile District.

There is a possible added bonus in the form of $3 million to complete a study tied to the management of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin. That basin and the use of its water has been a contentious issue between Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The new study would set guidelines for when and how much water should be released from Lanier. That may prove welcome to people in the Lake Lanier area because the Corps recently surprised people with its decision to increase outflows from the lake.

Click here for a full breakdown of the projects planned for Lake Lanier. The Corps promises to start awarding the first contracts within 45 days.

Labels: lake lanier, stimulus, US Army Corps of Engineers

Looking for something to do this weekend? Shady Grove Campground in Forsyth County will open for the season this Saturday, April 18th and will remain open until November 8, 2009.

The campground features over 110 campsites including group campsites with picnic shelters, tent camping areas and campsites with water and 30 amp power hookups. The campground also includes a beach, swim area and playground.

Daily fees for use of the campground:
30 amp electric site with water $24
Tent camping site with no hookups $16
Group camping (south) $130
Group camping (north) $150
Dump station $15
Visitor fee $2

Shady Grove Campground is located at 7800 Shadburn Ferry Road in Cumming. The phone number for Shady Grove Campground is 770.205.6849. Check-in time is 8:30 a.m. and check-out time is 3 p.m. The park gates are locked from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Campsites may be reserved up to 30 days in advance with full payment made in person at the campground. Accepted forms of payment are cash, check, credit card or money order.

To receive additional information about Shady Grove Campground, call the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department at 770.781.2215.

Labels: campground, forsyth county, georgia, lake lanier, rv, shady grove

After three years, the drought is officially over in metro Atlanta, according to state climatologist David Stooksbury. Due to the heavy rainfalls across most of Georgia, drought levels in many parts of the state were reduced or eliminated by the end of March. The exceptions to this relaxation were the Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell watersheds and southeastern Georgia, where rainfall in some locations was below normal for March.

Despite this recent announcement, outdoor watering restrictions will remain indefinitely since Lake Lanier is still recovering and is more than 9 feet below full. The lake is the water source for more than 3 million metro Atlantans. For the current watering restrictions in your area, click on the county link below.

Fulton County
Forsyth County
Dawson County
Cherokee County
Hall County

Labels: cherokee, dawson, drought, forsyth, fulton, georgia, hall, lake hartwell, lake lanier, lake levels, metro atlanta, water restriction

The new law refers to the tax credit as a first-time home buyer tax credit, but the law defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a primary residence for 3 years prior to the date of purchase of the new home. So as long as you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, you would qualify for this credit.

Here are the basics to this specific tax credit:

• The home must be your primary residence
• The home must be purchased in 2009
• The homebuyer must not have owned another primary residence for at least 3 years
• The $8,000 credit is applied to the federal income taxes you file in 2010 for the 2009 year.
• You must live in the home as your primary residence for at least 3 years or you'll have to pay the credit back to the federal government
• Single filers are limited to income of $75,000 and $150,000 for joint filers.

If you qualify and would like to take advantage of the tax credit at a time when mortgage rates and home prices are low, contact us today. It's a fantastic time to buy a home in the Cumming, Alpharetta and Lake Lanier area. Also, check out the foreclosure listings in the area through a special link on our website.

Labels: $8000, 2009, Alpharetta, cumming, foreclosure, lake lanier, tax credit

Did you know that tourism is Georgia's 2nd largest industry? On Tuesday, January 27th, Georgia’s tourism industry presented Governor Sonny Perdue with a check for $844.9 million, the amount of state tax revenue generated by tourism-related expenditures. January 27th marked "Tourism Day" an opportunity for the state’s second-largest industry to spotlight the role it plays in the Georgia’s economy.

In honor of Tuesday's "Tourism Day", I'd like to point out one of Georgia's great tourist spots right here in our own backyard: Lake Lanier. The lake may be low these days, but whether you live nearby and are looking for a convenient getaway, or you are visiting, make sure to check out Lake Lanier Islands. Their newly renovated resort is just the beginning of the fun and relaxation you can find. Golf, spa visits, horseback riding, boating, houseboats, beach & waterpark and more. Visit their website at www.lakelanierislands.com to check it out!

And if you visit Lake Lanier and discover you'd like to find out more about living on the lake, give us a call today, or feel free to browse through Lake Lanier homes on our website. It's a good time to find a great deal on the lake!

Labels: georgia, lake home, lake lanier, lake lanier islands, tourism