Cumming, Georgia
Hints, tips, suggestions and information for Home Buyer's and Sellers. Miscellaneous tidbits included :)
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2008
Apr. 11, 2008
When I moved to Cumming, GA eleven years ago, who knew that it would grow to help Forsyth County to become the 13th wealthiest County in the nation and in the top 5 of favorite places to live?
As I recall, the population was under or about fifty thousand. There was tons of new construction everywhere the eye could see and Exit 14 off Georgia 400 was still “no man’s” land.
Now, I live about a mile from GA 400 and could get there in less than 5 minutes. There were 2 food chains, gas stations, a veterinarian’s office, dry cleaners, pharmacies a handful of eateries and 1 department store – Belk’s.
The 2006 census showed the population at almost 151,000. Although there is still a lot of new construction around, what the eye mainly sees is retail business. The opening of Home Depot in 1998 was the beginning of the retail growth in Cumming. Marketplace, just off Exit 14, became the financial hub. A new venue to eat and shop opened last year right across from Marketplace, known as Cumming Town Center – and there is more to come! We are “eagerly” awaiting the opening of “The Avenue,” a “higher end” mall in the very near future at Exit 13. Rumor has it that more development is expected off Exit 12 at McFarland.
My husband, mother and I went to the newly opened Golden Corral for dinner tonight. The line was out the door and as I waited I thought to myself, Cumming has come of age J.
It now takes me 10 minutes or so to get to GA 400. I no longer have to go to Northpoint Mall or the Mall of Georgia to shop. Traffic backs up further north than Exit 14 in the morning and the roads are pretty crowded.
Downtown Cumming
Mar. 28, 2008
Categorized in: Home Buying
I saw a great summary of one of the reasons for renters to BUY instead of continuing to pay their landlord's mortgage at Inman News written by Bernice Ross:
How much longer do you want to continue paying your landlord's mortgage?
This is a great question for first-time buyers. The Department of Commerce reports that between 1995 and 2004, the average renter accumulated a little over $4,000 in net worth. The average homeowner accumulated $184,400. That translates into $180,000 more, or $1,500 per month. In other words, each month that the average first-time buyer continues to rent, it costs them $1,500 in lost wealth accumulation. Furthermore, renters are subject to rent increases as well as higher tax rates because they cannot take a mortgage deduction. Pointing out the cost of waiting to purchase is one of the classic ways to persuade reluctant buyers to take action.
Today's shifting real estate market and news in the media make it tough for a Buyer consumer to really understand what their choices are and whether it's time to buy. To understand what the choices are, sit down with your Accredited Real Estate Consultant® and work together to complete a Buyer's analysis. Then, talk with your mortgage banker. You'd be amazed at some of the current offerings and your mortgage professional will also be able to guide you down the right path.
Is it time to buy? Well, here in metro Atlanta, Clark Howard says YES! Buying activity appears to have picked up, interest rates are low and new construction homes in particular are offering tremendous Buyer incentives. Why wait for additional price reductions when it is possible that it will actually cost you more to finance?
Help the economy, buy a home! 
Mar. 7, 2008
When one size fits all real estate just doesn't have enough choices...when you want to be consulted with and not sold to, look for an Accredited Consultant in Real Estate (ACRE™). Click on the icon below to learn more!
Laurie Furem is selling Alpharetta, Lake Lanier, Roswell and Cumming GA real estate one ACRE™ at a time!
Mar. 3, 2008
Word just in on pool openings for 2008 season
Good news for Forsyth County residents! The Board of Commissioners has determined that pools WILL open for the 2008 season starting on April 1, 2008 in keeping with the Governor's recent changes on watering restrictions.
I recently became President my Homeowner's Association in Cumming, Georgia. One of the Board's functions is to negotiate maintenance contracts for pool services and to authorize repairs where necessary. So I thought - we need to KNOW if we are going to be able to open our pool this season so that we have plenty of time to ensure that the pool is operational.
With this in mind, I contacted the Department of Water and Sewer who advised me that a decision had not yet been reached. Then, I emailed the Commissioners to see if I could get a definitive answer. I was so pleased by their responsiveness and even more so by their decision to allow pools to open! Thanks Commissioners!
Mar. 3, 2008
Selling hints for today’s shifting real estate market
What’s the number one question I hear from Alpharetta, Cumming and Lake Lanier, Georgia home sellers? How’s the market? With so much negative press about real estate nationwide, it’s a pretty relevant question! The market correction that is taking place in states like California, Florida and Nevada causes real concerns regarding sales price and how long it takes to sell a home.
We are in a Buyer’s market, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t sell your home. What it does mean is that there is more competition and more homes on the market for Buyers to choose from and new home construction communities are offering terrific Buyer incentives to reduce their inventory of homes.
How does this translate for YOU, the Seller? First, hire a real estate professional who will be upfront with you regarding expectations and not just tell you what you want to hear and who provides you with a marketing plan that includes a heavy internet presence. In fact, consider hiring an Accredited Consultant in Real Estate if you want to be consulted with and not sold to and when one size fits all real estate just isn’t for you.
Second, be realistic, aggressive and competitive in your pricing. Market value is determined by what a Buyer is willing to pay for your property and nothing else. Your REALTOR® will go over comparable properties to assist you with pricing strategy in terms of your competition. In other words, if there are 15 homes on the market similar to yours, why should the Buyer pick your home? You don’t want to give your property away, however, if you are not realistic in pricing – you help sell your neighbor’s home!
Third, ask your REALTOR® for some staging tips. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Make it count. Look at your property as objectively as you can. Will it give a Buyer that warm and fuzzy feeling? Have you removed some of your personal items so that the Buyer can imagine the home as theirs? Have you de-cluttered so a Buyer can see the potential? Have you arranged your furniture to maximize room size?
Fourth, some good news! If I am not mistaken, Clark Howard says “it’s time to buy.”
Mar. 1, 2008
2280 Hopewell Plantation Drive, Alpharetta, GA
$2.175 million luxury retreat on 3.4+/- acres wants YOU!
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Come explore a lavishestate property with 2 gated entrances, heated pool and tennis court set in a nature lover’s dream setting.
This gracious and elegant property features 3 levels of living, complete with wonderful architectural accents, imported chandeliers, multi-surfaced flooring and attention to detail throughout the home.
The main level features a soaring foyer entry with marble tiled floor, leaded glass door and dramatic circular stairway; separate living room with fireplace; grand room with wall of windows, fireplace, European chandelier, second master suite, columns and archways; breakfast room with fireplace; kitchen with granite counters and stained cabinetry.
Upper level features include a private master suite with its own sitting room complete with fireplace and Juliet balcony overlooking grand room; spacious sleeping area and master bath with magnificent black marble tiling leading to whirlpool garden tub with beautiful leaded glass window’ his/her closets; separate vanities and your own steam shower! French doors lead out to the 2nd of two rear verandas overlooking the pool and wonderful landscaping.
The fully finished terrace level features: gentleman’s room, family area with fireplace, exercise room, 2nd kitchen, mahogany bar, media room, guest bedroom, play area, full bath and French doors leading out to the heated pool.
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Jan. 30, 2008
A thought came to me today as I sit at my computer. What was life like before today's advancing technology came on the scene?
I was born in the era of with black and white televisions, no air conditioning, manual typewriters and boots made for walking 
As I look around my desk I see one of my 3 computers , 2 wireless phones, my "smart phone," digital voice recorder, digital camera, multi-function printer and some other things which are probably hidden under a stack of paper.
I now have a website which Dirk Johnson of Domain Drivers is helping me to move up in the rankings and completed my immersion into the 21st century by taking a wonderful webinar course called No Blogger Left Behind facilitated by Joeann Fossland and our very own Frances Flynn Thorsen.
I see blogging as a crucial key to marketing yourself on-line and have already gotten so much from this course. For quite some time I have wanted to learn more about niche marketing and specialized marketing and for the mostly inexperienced blogger like myself, I am getting invaluable information and support from Joeann and Frances like you wouldn't believe! Check it out.
Today, I have lots of toys and gadgets through my house including my new Garmin Nuvi 660 GPS system. Ain't technology grand? 
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Jan. 30, 2008
Great news for Forsyth County, GA!
The Forsyth County News reported on January 25, 2008 that Forsyth County Georgia ranks 13th in the list of wealthiest US Counties Forbes.com>. None of the other 158 Counties in Georgia made the list. The largest City in Forsyth County is Cumming Georgia.
Brian Dill of the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce said "making the list is indicative of the rise in affluency that the community has experienced over the past five years."
What does this mean to us in terms of the Cumming Georgia real estate market? Well, John Clark of the Federation of Forsyth County Homeowners speculates that it could "help property values...
that it is appealing to a lot of homeowners."
This news is especially good for commercial and retail sectors as the level of disposable income increases. An example of this retail development will be seen in the new "Avenue Forsyth" in Cumming due to open its first phase in April 2008 at GA 400 and Exit 13. This development has been compared to the Forum Shops with higher end stores as well as Barnes and Nobles and AMC Movie Theatres.
How does this affect Cumming GA real estate? Forbes said "the more a county is recognized for its wealth, the more people want to move there." Forsyth County has been on the top ten list of fastest growing counties in the nation as well and people relocating to the area who read this information may be thinking, this is something I'd like to be a part of. Many home buyers and sellers are looking towards Forsyth County Georgia and Cumming Georgia in particular.
Help the economy, buy a house!
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