Cherokee and Cobb County Neighborhoods

>online casino netth in Cherokee County Schools has slowed but is still between 2 -3% a year.  Some schools that are getting close to capacity will be getting relief with the opening of several new schools within the next few years.  This year two new elementary schools were unveiled:  John Knox Elementary school in the River Green community and Canton Elementary located next to Cherokee High School.  Another new high school is slated for opening in 2010 (Creekview High opened several years ago) and several more elementary schools will be opening between 2011 and 2012.   As Cherokee County continues to grow - infrastructure will have to be improved and grow also.  So far the county has done a pretty good job keeping up with the population increase — hopefully this trend will continue in the future.

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I have written about Lake Arrowhead several times - about all the great amenities and the beautiful mountain and lake setting that the neighborhood is built around.  Now I just want to update you on what is new in this mountain community.  The Great Festival Park is almost completed and work on the new Clear Water Park has begun.  Clear Water Park will be a recreation area on the lake for swimming, fishing and summer picnics.  Construction on the clubhouse and restaurant is getting close to completion and the updated golf course is getting rave reviews.  Several builders are working with lending institutions to offer a great finance program for new construction –possibly with rates as low as 3% for some homes!  So - it is time to come on up and check out Lake Arrowhead for yourself.  It is a gated community so be sure and call me and I will be happy to give you the grand tour!

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Foreclosures, foreclosures and more foreclosures!!   I did hear on the radio the other day from Clark Howard (I listen to him all the time) that he thinks we HAVE hit the bottom– and with the low rates, incentives and warmer weather coming — the market will start moving up again.  SO - now is the time you need to buy!  I just put in a search in fmls for foreclosures in Cherokee County Georgia priced at 275K or below — and 172 homes came up!!!  You can bet a whole lot more would have come up — but another search parameter I used was to put in a date of 1990 - so only homes built in 1990 or newer pulled up.  Of course Clark Howard is not the only person in the financial area that feels we are “bottomed out” right now.  But why take a chance??  There will probably never be this amount of inventory with these kind of prices and historically low rates available again!!  My specialty lately has become foreclosures and short sales - so call or email me now.  I can provide you with as many distressed properties to look at as you have time for and you WILL find a fantastic deal - I guarantee it!  Call or email me - Sue B - 678-549-4949.

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Harmony on the Lakes offers luxurious 3 - 5 bedroom homes from the $170s to the $300’s.  Located in South Cherokee - Harmony on the Lakes is best known for its wonderful amenities and small-town neighborhood environment.  The Harmony Lake Club is a gorgeous facility with a family pool and adult oasis.  There are eight lighted tennis courts, an all-sports court, and play park, and of course the walking trails and open lawn overlooking Lake Sophia.  Restaurants, child care and retail are being developed at the entrance of the subdivision - and the neighborhood is divided into sections including active adult living and townhomes.  Young families find this community especially attractive not only for the amenities, but also for the sought-after schools that serve the neighborhood.  Call or email for more info - or for a personal tour of the development!

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With all the building that is taking place in Cherokee County - just 45 minutes north of Atlanta, GA - it is easy to forget about the beautiful neighborhoods and horse farms in the NE corner of the county.   Brannon Estates is one of the new neighborhoods being developed and has new construction, resales and builders ready to custom build your dream home.  This neighborhood is right in the middle of horse country - and from many of the homes your view will overlook rolling pastures full of horses!  My two favorite things about this neighborhood are the lot sizes (all over 1 acre) and the fact that no two homes look alike.  Brannon Estates also has great amenties with a beautiful pool and tennis court area.  Located in Cherokee County means lower taxes, but you have the convenience of being only 5-10 minutes away from the Roswell/Alpharetta area.  Many horse farms and boarding facilities surround Brannon Estates–but you don’t have to be a horse lover to move there — the new schools, big lots, and beautiful homes are enough reason on their own!

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When people think about Atlanta they don’t think of it as a homogenous city with diverse neighborhoods.  It is true, Atlanta does not have a Chinatown or SoHo but it actually does have many eclectic and diverse neighborhoods that ooze with history and old southern charm.  Below I am going to name some of the more popular areas in random order:

1.    MIDTOWN.  This area has experienced the greatest revitalization and is a mix of historic neighborhoods and modern skyscrapers.  It also boasts many first-class restaurants and a thriving arts and business district.

2.    DOWNTOWN.  This area has experienced a rebirth ever since the 1996 Olympic Games.  It is home to some of the world’s biggest corporations like Coca-Cola, GA Pacific, BellSouth, and Turner Broadcasting.

3.    BUCKHEAD.  This is a place where old Southern money meets young socialites.  In other words this area is Atlanta’s answer to Beverly Hills.  Here you can find some of the city’s oldest and stateliest homes - including the governor’s mansion.

4.    GRANT PARK.  Just outside of Downtown, this newly revived area is home to mostly Craftsman bungalows and century-old American neighborhoods.  It is experiencing a mini-boom as more suburbanites are feeling the gas crunch and want to move closer to work.

5.    LITTLE FIVE POINTS.  This area can mostly be compared to New York’s Greenwich Village - filled with the sights and sounds of Bohemian life.  Supported mainly by small independent businesses - boutiques, art galleries, theaters, etc - this area is usually teeming with students who live or go to school nearby.
6.    CABBAGETOWN. This once dilapidated area is being revitalized by a growing commercial contingency and adventurous homeowners.  Newcomers are renovating old mill worker’s houses and turning them into artistic residences.  Young families, professionals, and students are attracted by the affordable living.

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Seven retail and restaurant businesses have committed to the retail center in Towne Lake just off exit 8 of interstate 575.  The center will be called Madison Pointe and will be a 20 acre mixed use development.  28,000 square feet of shops and restaurants is slated for construction and will include Walgreens, Lee Nail Spa, Kayson’s Grille,  Zucca’s Bar & Pizzeria, Five Guys and Roly Poly Sandwich Shop.  Residents of Woodstock,  Holly Springs and Canton will welcome the added convenience of shopping and eating out close to home!  Along with the commercial development, 95 town homes are planned for the center also.  With a location immediately off the interstate, the convenience of the commercial center,  and the award winning schools - the residential construction will probably be bought out quickly.  For more info on Woodstock or Cherokee County go to www.suesellshomes.com.

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If you live in the Atlanta area one of the closest getaways is the Blue Ridge Mountains.  From Canton, GA you can be hiking the waterfalls of the Toccoa River or riding horseback on mountain trails within 90 minutes.  Lake Chatugue and Lake Blue Ridge are beautiful mountain lakes that offer boating, fishing, canoeing, and just plain relaxing.  If you want a more action packed getaway there are horseback riding trails, whitewater rafting and don’t forget about a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.  A quieter day could be spent exploring mountain art, weekend festivals, art galleries or one of the many antique shops that line the mountain towns.  For more information you can visit www.blueridgemountains.com.

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New construction is alive and well in North Georgia - specifically in Cherokee County.  I am going to focus on new neighborhoods that have homes priced at 200K or less.  These neighborhoods are spread out across the county in Canton, Holly Springs, Ball Ground and Woodstock.  I am going to list them in order of amenities.  The communities that have swim/tennis/clubhouses/playgrounds and/or walking trails will be listed first.  Following that list will be the developments with no amenities or just a playground or walking trails.  Call or email me for more specific information about size and location of these homes - I will be happy to send any extra information you need by email or mail.

200K OR LESS WITH AMENTIES:

1.  Riverside      2.  The Falls at Mill Creek     3.  Summer Walk      4.  Lake Arrowhead     5. Diamond Ridge     6.  Towne Mill     7.  Harmony on the Lakes    8.  Canton Heights

200K OR LESS WITHOUT AMENTIES:

1.  Lantern Walk     2.  Belmont Trace    3.  The Village at Norton Lake    4.  River Brooke     5.  Tyson Woods  6.  Iris Park     7.  Park Creek

These subdivisions have all different size homes and styles available - just let me know what type of home you are looking for in the North Atlanta area or specifically in Cherokee County.  WIth the $7500 tax credit and low interest rates it is a great time to be a home buyer!

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John Knox Elementary School opened this past August, 2008.   The school is located in the River Green subdivision in Canton, GA.  The neighborhood motto “home is where the heart is” follows the vision of a planned  community with everything you need located within the boundaries.  River Green has different sections of homes - with varying sizes and pricing.  Townhomes are also available.  The elementary school and child care center are now open and operating.  Two beautiful clubhouses with pools, fitness center and tennis courts are also completed.  Almost all of the walking trails are finished and several of them meander along the Etowah River for a very scenic outing.  Coming soon are a drugstore (CVS) and a grocery store - their opening dates have been moved up due to the building slow-down.  Also other retail and restaurant shops will be coming to the community but have not been determined yet.  “Home is where the heart is” is a great concept with the idea that once you make your commute home from work you do not have to leave your gorgeous neighborhood (RIVER GREEN) because everything you need is right where you live!

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According to an article at CNNMoney.com - the Atlanta area is one of ten cities that will bounce back from the housing doldrums in 2009.  I will list all the cities, but first want to point out what makes Atlanta and the other nine cities candidates for this honor.  #1. The first thing they have in common is that they have all remained relatively affordable.  #2. They did not experience an enormous run-up in prices in the housing bubble like Florida and California.  #3.  Five of the ten are state capitals - with hefty public payrolls.  #4.  They did not attract a lot of speculators and investors that ran up home prices (this fits in with #2).    #5.  The employment rate and income growth have remained more steady than other areas of the country.  Now I will list the 10 cities - not in any particular order along with the median homes sales price in the first quarter of 2008.

1.   Atlanta - $177,750

2.   Dallas/Fort Worth - $151,930

3.   Indianapolis - $122,940

4.   New Orleans - $153,850

5.   Montgomery - $140,020

6.   Memphis - $143,550

7.   Mobile - $134,580

8.   Austin - $186,350

9.   Houston - $154,850

10. St. Louis - $143,920

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The North Georgia area is loaded with wonderful communities with fantastic amenities and reasonably priced homes.  In this article I am going to highlight some of the neighborhoods that cater especially to the avid golfer and tennis player.  All of these neighborhoods are approx 30 - 45 minutes from Atlanta and have fairly good interstate access.  Here is my list of favorites.

1.  Bradshaw Farm.  This is a gorgeous neighborhood closer to Woodstock than Canton.  It has a golf course, clubhouse and very active tennis center.  There is no new construction in this neighborhood, but resales do well in this established community and there is a great variety of homes to choose from.

2.  Bridgemill.  Bridgemill is a huge development with mega-amenities.  There is a gorgeous golf course with a clubhouse, restaurant, and grill that is a favorite of neighborhood residents.  The tennis center has its own pro & pro shop and there is a fitness center, volleyball fields and picnic pavilion along w. the usual goodies.

3.  Woodmont.  Woodmont is still building new homes, so you can purchase a resale home here or pick out your lot and floor plan and add your own custom touches.  The golf course is a favorite in the area - and they are host to many tournaments throughout the year.  The tennis players have their section of the clubhouse and there is also a restaurant available year round to residents of this community.

4.  Eagle Watch.  This subdivision is in Towne Lake and is one of the first neighborhoods to offer all the amenities right inside the neighborhood.  This is an established area that is still a favorite with many buyers because of the sought after schools, convenient shopping & restaurants & access to interstate 575.

5. Towne Lake Hills.  Also located in the Towne Lake area, this community shares many of the advantages of Eagle Watch.  Homes in this neighborhood are generally larger and pricier - the golf course and club house and tennis facilities are top notch.

6. Lake Arrowhead.  Lake Arrowhead is unique because besides the wonderful golf & tennis amenities it also has a 500+ acre lake with a marina and horse stables with horse back riding trails.  This community is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns and offers new construction homes,  resales homes, villas and townhomes.

7. Laurel Canyon.  Laurel Canyon is a beautiful new development in Canton, GA in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns. It is comprised of different neighborhoods, and has a few resales but is mostly new construction at this point.  The clubhouse and golf course have just opened and the amenities include an olympic size pool, clubhouse and amphitheatre.  One of the sections in this neighborhood is a gated active adult community - great for parents who want to live close to children & grandchildren.

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Cherokee County is growing - in the top 20 fastest growing counties in the U.S. - and all the new neighborhoods popping up are proof of this.  I am going to list the top 10 amenity communities in the Canton/Woodstock area that represent the best of the newer subdivisions to me.  The amenities include olympic and jr olympic pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and clubhouses.  Here is the list - presented in random order:

1.  River Green — Surrounded by mtn views,  John Knox Elem school is inside the community as well as shops and stores that will be coming.  A child care center is already operating and this community also has 5 hiking trails that meander through wooded areas by the Etowah River w. mountain views.

2.  Bridgemill — A huge community w. a fitness center & waterslide pool.  Also has a golf course with a gorgeous clubhouse and restaurant.  Once you get home you never have to leave!  Schools, shopping, medical and recreation surround this award-winning development.

3.  Great Sky — Located just behind the commercial Canton area off of Riverstone Pkwy, Great Sky can now enjoy the golf course that has recently opened across the street and the Hickory Log Reservoir that is filling up fast.  Surrounded by trees and mountain views there are a variety of homes to choose from in here.

4.  Governor’s Preserve — This neighborhood is located off of 575 at exit 19 where the new super-mall is being built.  Billed as the largest open-aire mall in the South East, stores and restaurants will be opening as early as March 6th, 2009.

5.  Haynes Crossing — This development has large wooded lots and 3 distinct sections in it.  If a big private lot is important to you this is probably going to be your favorite neighborhood to live in.

6.  Towne Mill — This community is located just north of downtown Canton off of 575 at exit 20.  It has many different home styles to choose from and is close to the restaurants & shopping at Riverstone Pkwy.

7.  Harmony On The Lake — Another huge development that surrounds a gorgeous lake, Harmony is located close to interstate 575 and in a very sought-after school system.

8.  Lake Arrowhead – Since being taken over by new owners, Lake Arrowhead is only getting bigger and better.  New clubhouse - revamped golf course - updated restaurant, etc.  Every type of home is available here and the mountain and lake views are hard to top!

9.  Forest Creek — Homes in this development are so spacious- great for growing families.  Located a few miles off of 575, this community is also minutes away from the new open-aire mall opening this spring.

10. Little Bear — Beautiful craftsman style homes on very generous lots are the signature of this development.  North of Hwy 140 and dwntn Canton - this neighborhood also has great amenities including walking trails and designated greenspace for wildlife.

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It goes without saying that North Georgia real estate has never seen a foreclosure and short sale market like this!  Following along with the rest of the country, the housing recession has finally hit here.  Of course this is a great time to be a buyer not only because of all the selection of homes at such depressed prices but because interest rates are at a record low.  For many loans a 4% - 5% interest rate is now available.  Also the foreclosure homes that are coming on the market are not the same breed as before.   Unlike the past–broken windows, stained carpeting, vandalism, etc are really NOT the norm.  Most of the homes I am showing these days are only a couple of years old and in very good condition.  I think the low teaser rates and then the sudden jump in the monthly mortgage payment caught many homeowners by surprise.  But this does explain why we are now seeing an influx of very attractive foreclosure and short sale homes being offered for sale.   For first time buyers this is a great time to be purchasing a home.  For others it can be a great time to move up or to purchase an investment home.  Cherokee County, Cobb County and Fulton County are all very sought after areas to live because of the great neighborhoods, amenities, and schools.  Contact me for more information on foreclosures and short sales in any of these areas.  All neighborhoods and all types of homes have fallen victim so whatever you are looking for if you are patient we can find it - and at a huge discount!

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Toll Brothers newest community in Cherokee County is Woodstock Knoll.  The homes range in size from 2800 sq feet to 4800 sq feet and are priced from 400’s - 700’s.  The location is just minutes down Main Street from Downtown Woodstock and the schools system is excellent - easy to check out test scores on the Cherokee County web site.  The amenities will include a 4400 sq foot clubhouse, fitness center, lighted tennis, tot lot and pool with water slide.  With rates as low as they are now don’t wait - call now to hear about builder specials and buyer incentives!

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