Brian Vanderhoff's North Fulton Real Estate Blog: October 2010

MILTON, GA., Oct. 25, 2010 - The City of Milton Public Works Department and Milton Grows Green are offering residents a bulky trash amnesty and computer/electronics recycling collection day Saturday, Oct. 30.

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents of Milton can bring items to the City of Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road. Proof of residency will be required, and utility bills are preferred.

Some of the items that will be accepted are:
· tires - must be off the rim, automobile tires only; limit 4 per car
· sofas
· tables
· refrigerators
· chairs
· washers
· dryers
· televisions
· deactivated cell phones
· computer equipment and electronics

The following items will not be accepted:
· paint
· household hazardous waste
· any fluids including motor oil and anti-freeze
· household batteries
· construction and demolition materials
· yard waste

Materials will only be accepted at the site on the day of the event and only during the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please note that the gate will close at 2 p.m.

This event is held in conjunction with the cities of Alpharetta and Roswell, along with Keep Roswell Beautiful.

For more information, please contact The City of Milton Public Works Department at 678-242-2500 or Milton Grows Green at mgg@cityofmiltonga.us.

For proper disposal of the items not accepted please contact one of the following:
· Roswell Recycling Center: 770-442-8822 (motor oil, anti-freeze)
· Chadwick Landfill: 770-475-9868 (construction and demolition materials)

Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678-242-2500.

Labels: Bulky, bulky trash amnesty day, city milton, city of milton, milton, Milton City, Milton Georgia, Trash

Interesting. Certain Facebook apps (ahem, Farmville) are sharing user info. Maybe that big Jobs-Zuckerberg sit down two weeks ago was a scolding about privacy and user experience? Probably not. In any event the sharing goes against Facebook's own rules.

The report arrives this evening thanks to reporting done over at the Wall Street Journal. In their report, we learn that "tens of millions" of users could be affected, mostly thanks to popular apps created by Facebook games mega developer Zynga. Yes, virtual farmers, this includes your precious Farmville app!

The shared info includes Facebook user IDs, which advertisers and other tracking firms can use to look up user's names and other info on the social network. Oh, and even if you didn't use Farmville or Texas Hold'em, you are still vulnerable, as the breach allows third parties to view the friend lists of affected users and get your information that way. Swell!

Facebook has not yet responded to calls for comment, from the WSJ, CNET or otherwise. In the meantime, lock down those farms, people.

Labels: Facebook, Farmville, privacy, User Data, Zynga

Residents have two events Oct. 16: Mayor's Run and Rivers Alive

MILTON, GA., Oct. 14, 2010 - Saturday, Oct. 16 is going to be busy in Milton, with two events helping build a stronger community: The 2nd Annual Milton Mayor's Run and River's Alive 2010.

2nd ANNUAL MILTON MAYOR'S RUN
The 2nd Annual Milton Mayor's Run begins at 8 a.m. sharp in the parking lot of the Kohl's at the corner of Ga. 9 and Deerfield Parkway (10397 Ga. 9 North) with a 5K run. A 1K fun-run for younger children will begin at 8:45 a.m., or immediately following the finish of the race. CorePhysique founder and Milton Fitness Camp coach Kolleen Riddick will warm-up racers before the start.

Spots are still available for runners, and race-day registration is encouraged. The cost is $25 for the 5K run and 1K fun-run. That fee includes food and fluids after the race and a quality, moisture-wicking T-shirt with an event logo designed by Milton resident Andy Furman. Proceeds benefit the Milton Parks and Recreation Department.

Awards will be given to the 5K male and female Open and Masters winners and top three finishers in 14 age groups ranging from under-10 to 70-plus. All finishers in the 1K fun-run receive ribbons, while the top five racers under 12 will be awarded medals.

Results and photos from the race will be posted Monday morning on the City of Milton Web site, www.cityofmiltonga.us.

Drivers in the area should expect delays on Deerfield Parkway from 8 to 9 a.m., as there will only be one lane open in each direction and no left hand turns from Ga. 9 to Morris Road. In addition, there will be no through traffic on Webb Road at Deerfield Parkway.

RIVERS ALIVE 2010
After the race, why not pitch in to keep Milton clean and beautiful? The "Rivers Alive" waterways cleanup, education and protection program will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, as well.

The Milton Grows Green Committee (MGG) is co-sponsoring the event with Bailey Farm & Gardens, Inc., which has been involved with the project for 13 years. Rivers Alive 2010 will kick off from its traditional location at Bailey Farm & Gardens, 255 Hickory Flat Road, one mile west of the Birmingham Crossroads.

Everyone, regardless of age, is welcome to this unique, hands-on opportunity to learn more about our Coosa River watershed and help improve the quality of our drinking water.

Depending on age and capabilities, volunteers will be assigned to predetermined local waterways to remove debris deposited from upstream and left by passers-by. Waders and boots will be a plus for those who want to get in the river. Volunteers should wear appropriate shoes with good traction, as the river banks are slippery.

For younger participants there will be an opportunity to apply storm drain markers in a local neighborhood.

Labels: Mayor, Mayors run, milton, Milton City, Milton Georgia, rivers alive clean-up festival, Rivers Alive in Milton

Do not read this if you are hungry. Repeat, do not read this if you are hungry. On October 15-16, the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) will hold a sanctioned cook-off and family-fun, country fair-style event at Heritage Park in Canton.

The event, appropriately named Cherokee BBQ Pignic includes both professional cooking teams from across the nation as well as local barbeque enthusiasts who will compete for top honors from certified KCBS Judges. Don’t worry; the judges won’t be the only ones that can sample the fares. Locals can enjoy succulent pulled pork, chopped chicken, ribs and brisket as well!

In addition to the plentiful amounts of food that will be on tap for the event, there will also be children’s games, a singer-songwriter competition, BBQ demonstrations, antique tractor displays as well as live bluegrass and gospel music.

While your treating yourself to fresh barbecue off the grill or pit, head on over to see the folks from Soleil Laurel Canyon, one of the chief sponsors of the event. Residents as well as representatives from the resort-inspired active adult community will have free giveaways and information on the 330 acre masterplanned community at its booth.

Labels: barbecue, BBQ, Cherokee, Cherokee COunty, Pignic

North Point Mall

Saturday, October 23, 2010 12:00 PM

Area residents and visitors of all ages are invited to North Point Mall to participate in a public safety expo on Saturday, October 23rd. The free event will take place from 12:00pm until 4:00 PM in the mall’s southwest parking lot, adjacent to the former Parisian store.

The event features numerous hands-on participation opportunities. Participants will be able to enter a fire safety house that is designed to teach about common household fire dangers and safely expose participants to a fire situation. The dangers of impaired driving will be discussed and participants will be able to wear specialized goggles which simulate impairment while driving. Drivers of all ages will learn about the hidden dangers of driving around tractor/trailer trucks by experiencing the Georgia Motor Trucking Association’s “NO-Zone Truck.”

Children are sure to enjoy the various public safety vehicles on display such as a fire ladder truck, police motorcycle, police patrol cruiser, and specialized equipment for DUI enforcement and the emergency services specialized unit. Demonstrations from the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety (ADPS) K-9 officers will also be featured.

During the event, citizens will be able to pickup pamphlets and educational materials on keeping their homes and loved-ones safe by stopping by the ADPS information booth located inside the Sears Store.

The event is sponsored by the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, North Point Mall, Sears and the Fear This 4 Life teen driving organization.

The Fear This Inc. teen driving program, a driving course tailored to 15 – 20 year-old drivers, is endorsed by Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas and the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. The program is a hand’s on course taught by certified police driving instructors. Participants will learn valuable life saving skills and techniques; the same skills taught to new recruited police officers. Course information will be available during this event.

Labels: Alpharetta, alpharetta public safety, North Fulton, North Point, North Point Mall, public safety answering point, public safety department, public safety fair

It would be unrealistic to say that the real estate market is utterly rosy right now, but neither is it thorn-filled by any means. In fact, things are decidedly looking up: July got some good news, when the National Association of Realtors reported that pending home sales rose 5.2% from downwardly revised June levels, beating economists’ expectations. This is good news for both buyers and sellers.

While challenges still exist—for instance, getting the best price when selling, or securing financing when buying—there are some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities out there, and plenty of happy results can be had for both buyers and sellers. The key for both groups is to remain flexible, adaptable and diligent. To that end, here are some dos and don’ts for today’s buyers and sellers:

For Sellers:

DO’S
Be flexible. Often it’s the little things that push a buyer into the “yes” zone. If the buyer goes on and on about how much they love your icemaker, throw it in. If the closing has to be pushed ahead more than you expected, try to be as flexible as possible and pack the moving van a little quicker.

Clean up. One person’s prize doll collection is another person’s cluttered nightmare. Similarly, a living room filled with Beanie Babies could elicit a reaction of fear, rather than “Aw, how cute!” from a buyer. Put away any personal collections that not only cause clutter, but also make it hard for a buyer to see the home as his or hers, rather than yours.

DON’TS
Don’t be greedy. The market—not your emotions—dictates your home’s price. If comparables in the area, and several trusted real estate agents tell you your home is worth $400,000, you’re not fooling anyone by pricing it at $500,000—and you’re only doing yourself a disservice. Pricing it at market, even a little below, could generate a bidding war, and ultimately get you more money.

Don’t get personal. If you’re selling your house for a certain amount, and someone offers something much lower, don’t take this as a personal affront and refuse to counteroffer. Letting your emotions get in the way can potentially ruin the deal. What’s the harm in making a counteroffer?

Don’t procrastinate. In the current climate, you might be scared to try to sell your home, as you may have to face a lower selling price than you may have gotten before the recession. But remember, the house you buy might be even lower, commensurately. It’s all relative. So if you’re serious about selling, consider doing it now. Also, acting before the cold months come is a good idea, as the winter months are historically harder for home sales.

For Buyers:

DO’S
Get a home inspection. It’s important to hire a trusted home inspector to check out the house’s potential issues and problems. Don’t skip a home inspection because you’re afraid of what you might hear—many issues sound more serious than they actually are, and can be fixed easily. And if something deal-breakingly serious is turned up, as disappointing as that is, it can save years of heartache and financial outlay. Better to walk away from a clunker.

List your place before you look for another. If you’re truly serious about looking for a home, list your place first. In the current economy, banks want to make sales as uncomplicated as possible—and contingency sales, which can be very complicated, are often rejected.

Talk before you act. Don’t ever start a home search without a firm budget not only in mind, but literally written down. Mutually agree with yourself—or with your partner, if you’re buying with someone else—long before you start seriously searching. Going out of that zone because of a place you just “gotta have,” or are emotional about, could put you in dire financial straits later. You don’t want to buy a house that isn’t affordable for you, and then be worried about paying for dinner and a movie on Saturday night.

DON’TS
Don’t be a design snob. If someone’s enormous bathroom has wallpaper border containing frolicking kittens and pastel flowers, or a wall that’s a nuclear shade of green, we understand this can send you into style shock. But stand fast and ignore bad décor. Instead, try to envision the space raw. Besides, you can always redecorate once the home is yours.

Don’t make a silly offer. There’s nothing wrong with making an offer below asking price—it’s no secret that today, many homes are selling for under the asking price. But going 40% below the asking price may anger the seller. Some sellers, especially more emotional ones, won’t even bother counter offering an outrageously low offer. Feel free to make a deal—just don’t make an offer so low that you’ll be kicked off the table.

Labels: Forclosures, Foreclosed, foreclosed homes, foreclosed homes for sale, foreclosed land, foreclosed properties, foreclosure, Foreclosures, foreclosures for sale, Home Buyers, home buying, Home Sales, home selling, Homeowners, homes, homes sellers

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Interested in a beautiful new home near Holcomb Bridge and Roswell? The Stonewyck community, with new homes by Sharp Residential, is in the perfect location for buyers searching for North Fulton County real estate. This intimate gated community of 18 homesites has homes priced from the $360,000s.

The newest floorplan in the community, The Stonewyck, is perfect for buyers looking for a spacious home with the newest design trends that is a real value. The Stonewyck has a massive two-story great room with fireplace, lined with a curved wall of windows to fill your home with natural light. There is an elegant guest suite adjacent to the gourmet kitchen with raised bartop counter, breakfast area, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; and that’s just the lower level.

On the upper level, there are three bedrooms in addition to the luxurious owner’s suite, with a tray ceiling and large bathroom. There will be no fighting over closet space with his-and-hers closets. Many rooms in The Stonewyck floor plan have vaulted ceilings as well, which stem from the builder adding gables to the design of the home.

Residents of Stonewyck love its easy access to Ga. 400, North Fulton County location, and access to the amazing public schools the area offers. The Homeowners Association provides for lawn care, giving you maintenance-free living, to be able to enjoy other hobbies instead of yard work.

To visit the Stonewyck community by Sharp Residential, or for more details on the featured floor plan The Stonewyck, call Mike Barsky at (770) 752-0738 or visit www.sharpresidential.com.

Labels: Alpharetta, Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia, Home Buyers, home buying, Home Sales, home selling, homes, houses, milton business alliance, Milton City, North Fulton, Sharp Residential

Wills Park Recreation Center
Saturday, October 30, 2010 3:00 PM

City of Alpharetta Halloween Festival….something BIG is Brewing in Wills Park!

The public is invited to join the City of Alpharetta for a FANG-tastic time on Saturday, October 30, 2010, from 3pm to 6pm at Wills Park Recreation Center for “Halloween Hayrides and Haunts.”

Families can take a hayride through Wills Park, and children can jump on SPOOKtacular inflatables.

Hayrides will run approximately every 15 minutes. Dress accordingly for outdoor activities.

This event is free and is sponsored by the City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department.

Call the Hallo-Scream Hotline for more information: 678-297-6133

Labels: Alpharetta, Alpharetta Halloween Festival, Halloween, halloween costume, halloween hikes, Wills Park

If you have been searching for the perfect real estate in Cherokee County, Cobb County, or Fulton County, but just haven’t been able to decide which county you want to live in, your search might be over. Acadia Homes & Neighborhood’s The Preserve at Wylie Bridge, conveniently located on Hwy. 92 where Fulton, Cobb and Cherokee Counties merge, offers all of the benefits of living in Cobb or Fulton County, but with the benefit of low Cherokee County taxes.

With only four custom estates remaining, houses in this Woodstock community are not expected to be on the market for very long. Offering four or five bedrooms, these two story craftsman-style brick homes priced from the $400,000s measure at almost 3,500 square-feet. Three-car garages and the option of a basement also give you that extra space you’ve been searching for.

Homebuyers benefit from being able to choose from design features including: kitchen islands, two-story foyers, keeping rooms, upstairs media rooms and downstairs studies. You will love the high-end finishes, designer cabinets, granite countertops with tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen as well as expansive light-filled rooms with nine-foot ceilings and large windows.

Children residing at The Preserve at Wylie Bridge attend Arnold Mill Elementary, Rusk Middle and Sequoyah High schools.

For more information, visit Acadia Homes & Neighborhoods website.

Labels: Arcadia Homes, Cherokee COunty, city of woodstock

MILTON, GA., Oct. 5, 2010 - Milton's "Rivers Alive" waterways cleanup, education and protection program will take place Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Milton Grows Green Committee (MGG) is co-sponsoring the event with Bailey Farm & Gardens, Inc., which has been involved with the project for 13 years. Rivers Alive 2010 will kick off from its traditional location at Bailey Farm & Gardens, 255 Hickory Flat Road, one mile west of the Birmingham Crossroads.

Click here for directions.

Click here to see a flyer for the event.

Everyone, regardless of age, is welcome. Depending on age and capabilities, volunteers will be assigned to predetermined local waterways to remove debris deposited from upstream and left by passers-by. Waders and boots will be a plus for those who want to get in the river.

For younger participants there will be an opportunity to apply storm drain markers in a local neighborhood. The "Drains to Streams" marking program is part of the Georgia Clean Water Campaign and is also designed to remind everyone of the connection between what goes down storm drains and the quality of drinking water.

Jack Lindon, MGG's coordinator for this event, urges volunteers to wear appropriate shoes with good traction, as the banks are slippery.

"We're always pleased by the growing number of hard-working volunteers, both children and adults, who show up to help," said Bill Bailey of Bailey Farm and Gardens.

The Rivers Alive Cleanup is a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn more about our Coosa River watershed and help improve the quality of our drinking water. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources through local waterway cleanup events that include streams, rivers, lakes, beaches and wetlands. It is an outreach program of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

More information is available at www.riversalive.org.

ABOUT THE MILTON GROWS GREEN COMMITTEE
MGG coordinates the efforts of individual volunteers and community-based organizations through the efforts of its own members, including Milton residents, business partners and those with an interest in the environment in Milton. For more information, e-mail mgg@cityofmiltonga.us or baileyfarmandgardens@mindspring.com. If you have a suggestion for a waterway that needs our attention, please let us know.

ABOUT THE CITY OF MILTON
Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678-242-2500.

Labels: city milton, city of milton, rivers alive clean-up festival, Rivers Alive in Milton