Cherokee and Cobb County Neighborhoods

There is good news for active adults interested in moving to NW Georgia.  More and more communities are being built and prices are lower than ever!  The Villas at Riverstone are great homes that are now being offered in the low 100’s — many of these have full basements.  Lawn care is taken care of, medical facilities are around the corner — as well as grocery stores, restaurants, and lots of shopping!

The Seasons at Laurel Canyon continues to attract many active adults with the emphasis on ACTIVE.  Their amenities and activity calendar is hard to beat!  If you want to stay active with your tennis skills this is also the community to consider.  Their clay courts are easy on the bones and they have full time tennis pros, lessons, tons of teams at all levels, and lots of tennis always going on.  Of course there are other active adult communities that also would please the active tennis players and I will be happy to send you all the info on those too!

Cherokee County has become a great place for active adults to “retire” to for many reasons.  The medical facilities are abundant and growing - great communities at even better prices– and don’t forget the property tax break (up to 75%) when you turn 62 years of age.  Many active adults are buying their future retirement homes now with prices so low and using them as second homes until they sell their present home.  For more information or to see what NW Georgia has to offer please call or email me — I would love to help you find your next home surrounded by the beautiful North Ga mountain scenery.

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Fall Alta season is right around the corner and it reminds me of how important TENNIS is here in Atlanta.  The Alta member book used to be bigger than most cities phone book.  (now it is on-line)  There are many subdivisions in the greater Atlanta area that cater to tennis players — and being an avid tennis player myself I do keep up with that area of the real estate market.  Of course you have all levels of neighborhood commitment:  from one lonely unlighted court — to 30 courts, clay and hard surface with numerous full-time tennis pros and grandstand seating!!  Whatever level of tennis player you are — if you are looking for a neighborhood to pursue your favorite past time in, give me a call.  Also it is a fantastic way to meet your neighbors and make new friends.  Many of my friends to this day are team mates from my first tennis team from back when I moved to Atlanta in 1986.  Call or email and I will be happy to supply you with all the tennis info you want or any other real estate needs you may have.

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I am finding that more and more clients are interested in ranches — and if you have lived in the Atlanta area for long you know that ranch homes can be hard to find!  Builders and Developers have finally jumped on board with the trend for more One-Level homes, so finally there is more choice out there for buyers.  I would like to invite you to email or call me for my specialized lists of ranch homes available in the NW Atlanta area.  I have them categorized mainly by three criteria:   stepless ranches with level garage,  ranches with basements, and ranches on acreage.  If you would like one of these lists emailed (or all of them is fine too!) just email or call and I will email to you that day.  I do update them once a week so the information you get will be fairly current.  I don’t think you can go wrong buying a ranch home now with prices so reasonable and the trend growing every year for their popularity.  Also don’t forget about the tax credit — you still have a couple of months to cash in on that!!

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It may seem like time to hit the panic button for the Tax Credit — but the April 30th timeline is deceiving.  You do have to be in a BINDING CONTRACT by April 30th — but you dont actually have to close on the transaction until July 1st, 2010.   There is the $8000 tax credit for the first time homebuyer.  This does not have to be paid back — but the home must be occupied by the buyer for a minimum of 3 years.  The move-up tax credit does not just apply to buying a more expensive home — it just includes present homeowners in the fun!  This tax credit is for $6500 and again the home buyer must occupy the new home for a minimum of 3 years.  If it is not possible to occupy the home this long you will have to pay back some of the tax credit on a pro-rated basis — depending on how long you did live there.  The income limits for this credit are fairly liberal — I won’t go into all the numbers in this article — but email me at sueboughton@remax.net or call me at 678-549-4949 and I will forward information to you that explains everything in very understandable language.  It would be a pity to not take advantage of discount home prices — the lowest interest rates in history — and this tax credit combined — so call now and get set up on an email program where you can view all the homes that match whatever criteria you enter into the search.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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>евтини мебели  OFFICIAL!!!  The tax credit has been extended for First Time Home Buyers.  AND a great caveat is that present HOMEOWNERS may also be eligible for a tax credit up to $6500!!  YEAH!!!  The extension will last until April 30, 2010 …. but buyers have 60 days after this date to close as long as they are under contract by the 30th of April.  With present homeowners the tax credit is available as long as they have been in the home as their principal residence for five years or more.  There are still 100% loans available and some funding programs so if you thought you missed the boat for Nov 30th …. you didn’t.  Come back on board & give me a call…. you can start your search knowing this is still a fantastic buyers market….rates are still amazingly low…. and the inventory of available homes is huge!  Call me at 678-549-4949 and I will email you a list of homes that match your criteria today!!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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The word is officially out on Short Sales — “not for the faint of heart.”  Even Clark Howard has been explaining on his show that short sales are better suited for investors than the typical home buyer.  Why?  Mostly because the outcome is so unpredictable–if you are really needing a place to move into sooner or later–you just don’t know IF the short sale will come to fruition or WHEN it will come to fruition.  Investors on the other hand can wait it out — are not worried about having to move by a certain time or close by a certain date to get a better interest rate, etc.

Now Foreclosures on the other hand are very home buyer friendly.  Local banks have been responding to offers within HOURS.  They have also become much more reasonable in their expectations in my opinion and are even working with buyers on mortgage and inspection issues.   The foreclosure homes of today are not like the foreclosure homes of the past.  Many of these homes are newer and in excellent condition for the most part.  Recently quite a bit of new construction has become available in the foreclosure market — with home warranties and all!

Call me for more information about short sales and foreclosures.  Also if you would like to take advantage of the best housing market the Atlanta area have ever seen, call me and I will be happy to show you all the great deals that are out there right now!    CELL #: 678-549-4949 …. EMAIL:  sueboughton@remax.net.  Don’t forget about the Fed and State Tax Credit –up to $9800 free money!!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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What do most of the top-selling communities have in common??    AMENITIES GALORE  (tennis, clubhouse, fitness center, pools, golf, trails, etc) and SECTIONAL PRICING (entry level homes to custom-built mansions).  The homebuyer that moves in the 150K townhome can participate in all the same neighborhood amenities that the homeowner in the 950K home does.  North GA has its share of mega-communities and many of these neighborhoods have been on the top-seller list for years.  BRIDGEMILL (golf & tennis), LAKE ARROWHEAD (golf, horseback riding, lake)  TOWNE LAKE (several neighborhoods combined), WOODMONT (golf & tennis), RIVER GREEN (tennis, pools, trails)  and HARMONY ON THE LAKES (tennis, lakes, trails) are the most popular communities in CHEROKEE COUNTY.   These neighborhoods have been popular with first-time homebuyers as well as retirees because of ……….AMENITIES & VARIABLE  PRICING.  Even If neighborhood amenities are not that important to you — RESALE probably is.   These neighborhoods have consistently been among the best selling neighborhoods in the North GA area and even in this real estate downturn they continue to attract homebuyers.  For more information on these or other communities in the North Atlanta area please email or call me - I would love to help you find your “dream” neighborhood and home!

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>online casino netmach zehnder modulatorth 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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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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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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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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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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Did you know that lake view and river view lots are available just 45 minutes north of Woodstock? Beautiful Carter’s Lake has a community being developed with lots varying from 1 to 5 acres. It is a gated community and will have access to the Carters Lake Marina. For more information please email or call me at sueboughton@remax.net or 678-549-4949.

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Cherokee County is getting over 1 million square feet of retail space. Three main centers of development have begun - all are located along the 575 interstate corridor. The shopping centers are expecting to bring in new retailers - many that have never been seen in Cherokee County before. Also restaurants and upscale boutiques will be a part of the construction that is slated for completion in 2008/2009.

The largest of these retail centers will be an open-air shopping mall off of exit 19 on 575. It will be over 800,000 sq feet and is being called the Canton Marketplace. Accessible from GA Hwy 20 and 575 it is already under construction and early openings are expected by Spring 2008. Another great shopping center in the planning stage is The Avenue Ridgewalk. It will be located in S. Cherokee off of exit 8 - generally known as the Towne Lake area. It is too early to know exactly what stores will be opening in this center, but developers are trying to bring in some upper-scale shops, boutiques and restaurants to add to the diversity of what is already available in Woodstock.

The 3rd area of development in Cherokee County is on Sixes Rd - exit 11 off of 575. This area is known as the Bridgemill area or Holly Springs area. Home Depot has already started construction and other stores and restaurants are slated to join in the over 330,000 sq foot retail center. Cherokee Countyis growing rapidly - along with mountain views, rivers and creeks, and Lake Allatoona we will now enjoy several first class new shopping centers. For homeowners and people considering relocation it will definitely add a new level of convenience to have such great retail centers within minutes of home!

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