Cherokee and Cobb County Neighborhoods

>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!!

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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!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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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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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!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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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.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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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!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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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!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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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!

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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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.

Always use a buyers agent to protect your interests!
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