Cherokee and Cobb County Neighborhoods

Here are 2 ideas to implement in your home that will make a big difference in the “going green” arena. They are simple little things that add up to a lot of savings– economically and environmentally. 1. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. They can last 12x as long as regular and use 50-80% less energy! If every American household replaced one regular light bulb with a C.F.L, the pollution reduction would be equal to removing one million cars from the road! 2. Plastic Bags. They are made from toxic polyethylene and are not biodegradable. They are polluting our oceans with tiny fragments of plastic and beginning to work their way up the food chain. Use canvas or paper bags! Here are two recipes for cleaning fluids that will help your pocket book and your health. Window cleaner: 2 cups water, 1 cup white vinegar & 1 tsp liquid detergent. Furniture Polish: 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup olive oil. I have tried the window cleaner and it is great - easy on the hands too! Good Luck!

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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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Toll Brothers are coming to town - and that town is Woodstock!  With the revitalization of downtown Woodstock–more luxury neighborhoods are welcome.   Woodstock Knoll  will consist of approximately 300 homes ranging in square footage from 2576 - 4800.  Stepless ranches will be one of the home choices which will make this a great neighborhood for empty nesters or active adult living.  Toll Brothers welcomes buyers being involved in the planning of their home - even customizing it to fit their particular needs or wants.  The community will have a gorgeous clubhouse, jr olympic-sized pool, children’s pool, tennis courts, and play parks and community areas for family gatherings.  Walking paths are planned and developers are attempting to have the neighborhood trails blend into the nature trail system being developed by the city of Woodstock.  Woodstock Knoll developers will also try to build around the natural scenery of the area:  creeks will be left alone, trees will be conserved and greenspace will surround the community.  Call or email for more info now!

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Normally when you want to live in a neighborhood with fantastic amenities - you also have to settle for a huge community with hundreds of homes in it. NOT SO with Little Bear Subdivision. The community will consist of only 86 homes built over a total of 159 acres! Once you see the luxurious clubhouse, pool, picnic pavilion w. outdoor fireplace, play park and miles of walking trails - you will have to remind yourself you are in a very small enclave of homes! Little Bear is truly a conservation subdivision - it is a certified backyard wildlife habitat. The homes lean toward Craftsman-style and there are several builders available with a generous variety of floor-plans to choose from. Luxury upgrades and architectural detail can be found in each unique home. Even though you may feel like you are way out in the country - retail and restaurants are minutes away. Large-scale amenities - estate sized lots - scenic surroundings - Cherokee County low low taxes - the time might be right to drive up and let me introduce you to luxury living in a serene and tranquil setting.

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It is a buyers market–inventory of homes has doubled - but nice homes that are priced right are selling every day. Here are a few quick tips to make your house more buyer-friendly. Remember that the way you live in a home is not the way you sell a home. You will have to inconvenience yourself during this “marketing” period–you can’t expect to leave your home in its “lived-in” state unless you are naturally a total clean-freak. The three C’s of staging are important: Clean — Color — Clutter. Clean means Q-tip clean! Think of yourself as a buyer walking through another persons home. Do you get excited about moving into that home when you walk into a messy kitchen or dirty bathroom? Color really refers to “neutral” colors. Bright and unique colors may match your furniture and art work - but probably not the majority of buyers. Yes, it is easy to paint, but most buyers do not want to have to paint - they lead busy lives and want a “move-in” ready home — unless it is offerred at enough of a discount to make it worth the extra effort or cost of painting. Lastly is the biggest C — Clutter. A good HGTV show to watch is “Sell this House” - Roger the home stager looks more like a wrestler but he works miracles in hard to sell homes every show. The before and after viewing of the home is sometimes so amazing you cannot recognize it as the same house — and most of his time is spent making the seller remove and pack away clutter. Packing it away is a good idea because you are moving anyway - you might as well get a good start at it. Call or email me and I will be happy to send more seller info and tips to help you stage and prepare your home for a quick and easy sale.

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The first thing you will notice on your way to Stonewood Farms is the gorgeous scenery you are driving past. Horse farms, dogwoods and azaelas galore, white picket fences, and rolling hills will be the backdrop as you travel between Ball Ground and Waleska. Once you get to the neighborhood another very obvious fact will hit you - this is no cookie cutter, overcrowded subdivision. It consists of only 11 homes - some with glorious mountain views - and all with large sections of property very unique and private. In such a small enclave of luxury - it is easy to see why each home feels like a private country estate. All the homes are constructed of hardiplank, stone accents and built on full daylight basements. Gourmet kitchens, custom cabinetry, granite, wrought iron spindles, tile surround jacuzzi tubs–the list of luxury upgrades can go on & on. If you are in need of a little “elbow room” or just tired of “city living” this neighborhood is meant for you. Prices start in the 300’s –an unbelievable value with the country manor acreage, privacy and architectural detail you will find in this small community of upscale living.

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The Orchards of East Cherokee is a fabulous active-adult community now open and selling. There are 92 ranch condominiums and 48 single-family homes in the community. A limited number of basement homes will also be available. The Orchards is located in the heart of Hickory Flat - a great area with easy access to Roswell, Alpharetta, Canton and Woodstock. The development gives a “country feel” yet you will have city convenience at your fingertips with nearby shopping, restaurants, and interstate access. There are many other active adult communities being developed in the NW Atlanta area - call or email me - I will be happy to send more information about all this area has to offer.

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Forest Creek is a gorgeous neighborhood with just about everything for everyone! It is located in Canton GA only 2 miles from the interstate - 575. A new open-air mall is being developed minutes down the road and 2 new schools have been opened that service the area. It is a swim/tennis neighborhood with very affordable HOA fees and is surrounded by a 50 acre nature preserve. There are also walking trails, a nature preserve and open-air pavilion for picnics or family outings. You can still buy a new home in this neighborhood - there are also resales available now too. Homes range in size and price - from stepless ranches with no basement - to 7 bedroom homes with 3 car garages and a full daylight basement. Prices start in the 200’s and because it is located in beautiful Cherokee County you will enjoy very low taxes. If you are a senior citizen (62) you receive a generous property tax discount that will bring your annual tax bill down significantly. Forest Creek is a great family neighborhood with sidewalks, streetlights, and fantastic amenities. Many retirees are finding it a great place to live also because of the affordable prices - there are a variety of ranch home floor plans and many 2-story traditional homes with a master on the main and guest bedrooms with private full bath upstairs. Call or email today for more information or to come out and see this wonderful neighborhood.

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Retirees in this day and age are different than years ago. Hence, the new term “active adult” living has been coined. Cherokee County is quickly becoming one of the best places to retire in the country. Many new active-adult communities are springing up–stepless ranches, amenties rich neighborhoods, luxury architectural details, and locations close to medical and shopping facilities are all top factors that make these developments so great for retirees or active adults nearing retirement age. However the biggest draw to the area is PRICE. Many areas of the country that were retirement meccas have become unaffordable to the majority of the active adult community. Gorgeous homes in Cherokee County can still be found for under 200K! Many new communities have starting prices in the low 200’s and up. Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs are experiencing a big population explosion. Of course much of this influx is moving into the northern suburbs - Cherokee County, Forsyth County and Bartow County. Still affordable and loaded with natural beauty, people find it a great place to live and still less than an hours drive to Atlanta. Some of the great active adult communities available are Seasons at Laurel Canyon, The Orchards, The Lodge at Bridgemill, and The Cottages. Of course prices won’t always be this low - and inventory will not always be this high. Now is a great time to plan a trip to the area and check out the possiblity of relocating for your retirement or semi-retirement. There are so many great neighborhoods to choose from and so many new communities springing up that it is an exciting time to be looking for your new home or second home. Call or email me - I will be happy to send info package, maps, area activities, etc at your request.

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Why are so many people moving to Northwest GA? The main reasons are: 1. cost of living 2. weather 3. proximity to Atlanta 4. gorgeous mountain scenery. Many Floridians that cannot put up with the astronomical cost of housing or the incredibly high taxes & insurance are heading to the mountains, literally! We call them half-backs here — because they do not move all the way back home up north — just half-way back. Many new home communities are springing up in the area–developers are managing to build beautiful homes at affordable prices while keeping the natural beauty surrounding the neighborhood. Most of the new home communities have a 20-40% ratio of land that they keep as green space, to be used for nature trails, picnic grounds or just as a scenic buffer for a more private community. Creekside Estates, Little Bear, Silver Creek, Great Sky, Governors Preserve, River Green and Wolf Creek are just a few of these “green space” developments. Your home-life can be tranquil and serene yet you may actually be only 5-10 minutes from shopping, schools and interstate. Cherokee County is working hard with developers to keep the area’s natural beauty but to allow some room for growth and development also. Canton, GA is getting ready to welcome two very large developments in the near future. The Bluffs Technology Park is a 740 acre mixed used community for business, residential and retail. It will also include a 370 acre reservoir with 15 miles of shoreline. Another new addition coming soon is billing itself as the largest open-air mall in Georgia. Many name-brand stores will be coming along with some great restaurants and entertainment venues. Southern hospitality reigns - even if many of the residents are recent transplants. Featured in this article is a 5 bedroom/3bath house in Creekside Estates. This neighborhood is surrounded by a backdrop of mountain vistas, creeks and waterfalls. If you are needing some “elbow room” this is the neighborhood for you. No lot is under 1 acre and the trees and natural topography have been left alone as much as possible. Call me to see this beautiful home - or other homes in Creekside Estates or neighborhing communities.

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Haynes Crossing has the right idea! Gorgeous homes with exquisite architectural detail - wooded lots - and many different floor plans and elevations to choose from. Located in northwest Cherokee County - Haynes Crossing is close to Canton or Cartersville - which also means it is half way between 575 and I-75. If you love the water or boating - you have found your dream home! Haynes Crossing is surrounded by Lake Allatoona and is just miles from several boat ramps and lakefront parks. Fields Landing- a boat ramp and lake-front park just minutes down the road- is one of the few parks left that allow dogs. Home prices start in the mid-200’s and go up to the low 400’s. The beautiful stacked stone, columns, and craftsman-like homes you see will give you the feeling of a much more expensive neighborhood. If you would like to view homes in this neighborhood please give me a call. I live right around the corner and would be happy to meet you at your convenience. As your buyer agent I will guarantee that you receive a buyer incentive/bonus. I will protect your interests in one of the biggest financial investments you will make. Remember on-site agents in new developments represent the builder– and you pay the same price with or without a buyers agent. Why not have someone representing you- especially since it costs you nothing? Call or email now! Cell phone number is 678-549-4949.

-Some new Homes in Haynes Crossing-

View more information about Haynes Crossing in Cherokee County click here.

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5bdrm/3bath home for sale in scenic Creekside Estates

Creekside Estates is a scenic development surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas in Ball Ground GA. Located in northeast Cherokee County - it is the perfect solution for the family or homeowner that wants to get away from the congestion and stress of “city” living. Each home has at least a one-acre lot, trees have been lovingly spared in the building process, and each time you enter or leave the neighborhood you are in awe of the gorgeous mountain scenery that paints the backdrop of the subdivision entrance. The developers have created several nature trails and they lead back to creeks, waterfalls and mountain streams. You might start thinking that all this relaxation and beautiful scenery comes at a high price. Not so! Even though the homes are very large and loaded with architectural details and upgrades - they are priced comparably with other Cherokee neighborhoods. Also the schools are fantastic! The middle and high schools are brand new and loaded with state of the art media and computer equipment. On a final note - to enjoy this peaceful and serene development one does not have to do without the convenience of shops or restaurants. Literally minutes away are groceries, drug stores, restaurants, banks and the interstate (575). Come on up and ride through the neighborhood - or better yet call me and I will be happy to show you the neighborhoods and all the homes available at this time!

Click the image for a full size view of the Plat

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North Georgia is quickly becoming a very sought-after area to live in. There are many reasons for this - number one being the amazingly affordable home prices! I think the number two reason is that it is such a beautiful area - it is hard to find a spot where you can look out at the horizon and NOT see a mountain range in the distance. Of course crystal clear mountain lakes, very low taxes, a great interstate system, state of the art medical facilities, top-notch restaurants and fantastic shopping all add to the appeal too.

Another important attraction is the senior discount on property taxes. I have shown gorgeous homes to clients and been shocked to notice the $350 annual tax fee on the real estate listing! It is a senior-friendly community in many other ways too. But don’t get me wrong - it is also a great area to raise a family. Cherokee

County schools are rated very highly and of course all the new schools are equipped with the best state of the art technology available. Teachers in the county participate in seminar training and have extensive post grad education requirements that must be met. The majority of large neighborhoods in this area have recreational facilities that could compete with vacation destinations. Zero-entry pools, tennis courts, log-cabin clubhouses, safe-play playground equipment, hiking trails, reservoirs, golf, and beautiful lakes with campgrounds galore!

I do consider myself a North Georgia Expert. If I don’t know an answer to a question you may have - I know where to go to find it! I would love to introduce you to “mountain living”, affordable prices and fresh air. Call me or email and let’s plan an outing where I can show you all this fantastic area has to offer.

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River Green is a master developed community in Canton Georgia. It is easily accessible from I-575 –Holly Springs Exit. The first thing that strikes you upon entering the neighborhood is the long-distance view of the Blue Ridge Mountains as a scenic backdrop to the entrance. The second thing that will occur to you is that this community has something for everyone! There are different sections in the development with different price ranges and differing buyer needs.

River Green upon completion will have approx 1100 homes, an elementary school (slated for completion in 2008), a grocery store, CVS drugstore, and a few other sites in discussion. A child care center has already opened in the neighborhood as well as two unbelievably gorgeous clubhouse facilities with state of the art pools, media rooms, etc. In other words, this subdivision is going to be more than just a “development”. It is going to be more like your old-fashioned home-grown town. One where you can walk or ride your bike up to the store - run into neighbors on one of the many nature trails - or enjoy a game of casual tennis or organized round robins arranged by the full-time activities director.

I live in Canton and work in Canton. It is a great place to raise a family or retire! Canton is growing daily - new businesses, shopping centers, schools, people and neighborhoods. Even though it still has a feel of “mountain” living–everything you need is a short drive away–including state of the art medical facilities. Call me or email me and I will be happy to send you more detailed information about this lovely community and the surrounding areas.

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I recently read that Atlanta is the fastest growing metro area in the country. That’s hard to believe but a number of conditions are contributing to that. Affordable housing of course is at the top of that list. If you are considering relocating to the area there is no substitute for an experienced buyers agent. Advice on traffic, schools, employment, medical facilities and housing costs are all areas of concern that your real estate professional can help you with. Traffic may be one area you are surprised is on my list, but once you visit our fair city you will understand that it is an important issue to know. Where you decide to live must be chosen with a reasonable travel time to your job in rush hour traffic.

Now let’s move on to the title of my article. Twenty fun things to do in Atlanta. Here we go:

1. Atlanta Braves -
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Atlanta Zoo
4. Yellow River Game Ranch
5. Centennial Olympic Park
6. Atlanta History Center-Virginia Highlands
7. Piedmont Park
8. Stone Mountain Park
9. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
10. Buckhead
11. Atlanta Hawks
12. World of Coca-Cola
13. Museum of High Art
14. Six Flags Over Georgia
15. CNN Studio Tour
16. Atlantic Station
17. Center for Puppetry Arts
18. Atlanta Opera
19. Chattahoochee River Fun
20. Georgia Aquarium
21. Cyclorama… Oops! I went over twenty things! I could keep going on and on but you need to come to Atlanta and find out for yourself all that it has to offer!

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