Welcome To Fulton County
Atlanta is the dominant city of Fulton County, occupying the county’s narrow center section and thus geographically dividing the county’s northern and southern portions. North Fulton has enjoyed enormous growth in the last ten years, with new centers of business and commerce developing along GA 400, Highway 9 (Roswell Road) and 141 (Medlock Bridge Parkway), offering employment, shopping, fine restaurants and churches.
Easy access to the North Georgia Mountains, Lake Lanier, and the Chattahoochee River Preserve make this area a great place for family life. The schools are excellent. Most new communities feature extensive amenity centers, often including Junior Olympic pools, lighted tennis courts, club houses and nature trails. The small historic towns of Alpharetta and Roswell offer a touch of small town living with gift and antique shops and restaurants. West of Roswell Road and north toward Forsyth County, you’ll still see horse farms and lovely countryside.
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Campbell Tire Company: Alpharetta Family Business, Run The Old Fashioned Way
May 18th, 2008 Categories: Alpharetta, Deborah's Scrapbook, Fulton County
For 21 years, Campbell Tire Company, located in Alpharetta Georgia, has been successful by doing one thing……..and doing it well. Alpharetta resident David Campbell opened his retail store February 1st, 1987 on North Main Street in Alpharetta. At the time, it was considered just about out of town, but times have changed. Campbell has not.
David Campbell operates his store based on the wisdom his grandfather imparted to him early on, “Take care of your customers, and they will take care of you.” Call it old fashioned values, but Campbell figures if you want your customer to come back, provide good service in a timely fashion at a fair price.
Campbell’s store looks as old fashioned as his values. He parks his vintage tow truck out front, where his vintage building and iconic big red “Drink Coca-Cola” sign remind you of years past. As I drove past his store a few years ago, my tire was going flat. I was always intrigued by the tire store and its antiquated look. As I went inside, it was close to quitting time and I mentioned my flat tire. As I waited, David put my car on the lift and after 15 minutes, came to tell me I had a nail in my tire and that he pulled the nail and patched the tire.
All at about 15.00 or so. I am now a loyal customer. When I thought I needed brakes, once again I brought my car into Campbell and I was advised I had about 20% left on the pads. David advised me to come back in about 3 months. How is that for service! Visit their Web Site.
If you find yourself needing tire or brake service, I highly recommend you stop in and see David Campbell at Campbell Tire Company on North Main Street in Alpharetta, North Fulton County.
You will brag about it to all of your friends!!
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Atlanta Area Housing Market “Vibrant”
May 6th, 2008 Categories: Alpharetta, Ball Ground, Buford, Canton, Cherokee County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Holly Springs, Johns Creek, Milton, Real Estate Forum, Roswell, Sandy Springs
Former federal Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros says metro Atlanta’s housing
market is being spared the worst of the national slump due to the region’s
comparatively vibrant economy.
“Metro Atlanta arguably has the most dynamic economic market in the country,” Cisneros said last week while in the Atlanta area.
Cisneros predicted metro Atlanta’s home prices and its overall housing industry will rebound sooner than other regions in the country. The local market continues to be reinforced by the influx of talented people seeking opportunities, he said. Factors contributing to local economic strength include hospitals and health care facilities, universities and the many fortune 500 companies Visit Site For List Of Companys who make Atlanta their home address.
Henry Cisneros was secretary of the Housing and Urban Development department from 1993 to 1996. For more info on Henry Cisneros visit About Henry Cisneros.
For Homes For Sale In The North Atlanta Area & Surrounding cities visit www.NorthAtlantaHomes.org .
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Atlanta Area Housing Market Has Clearer Skies on Horizon!
April 15th, 2008 Categories: Fulton County, Real Estate Forum
As we continue to read and hear about the dismal housing market, keep in mind that
real estate is local in nature and the media continues to
make a blanket statement about how the housing market in general is poor across the country. These statements are a great exaggeration to the Atlanta housing market and the Alpharetta, North Fulton area.
The much publicized bubble was never more than a small bump here in Atlanta. The states of Florida, California and Nevada saw housing prices double and triple between 2001 and 2006. During this same period, homes prices in Atlanta increased a modestly 4 percent to 5 percent per year. Price increases in other parts of the country were unsustainable, and what goes up eventually comes down. Naturally, whatever part of the country saw the biggest increase in home prices are now experience the painful reality of downward adjustment.
Does everyone remember the stock technology bubble of a few years past? How certain stocks kept going up and up and up. When those certain stocks came crashing back down, it sent ripples to other area’s of the stock market, but as a whole, the healthy companies maintained their due, steady course.
While fear and uncertainty have caused the number of overall home sales to fall in the Atlanta area, home prices have maintained a steady course. Homes are much more than commodities to us, it is where we make our lives. The majority of house moves are discretionary. If the housing market is unfavorable, discretionary buyers and sellers sit and wait. This will cause a decline in the number of homes sold without having much of an effect on prices.
Home prices in the Atlanta area are somewhat immune to large price drops as we have the benefit of a wonderful safety net. The Atlanta area adds about 150,000 people per year. In the last six years, we added about 800,000 people, a growth rate that was the highest in the nation. Almost 2 million people are expected to move here over the next 12 years. With so many people moving to the Atlanta, Fulton County area, the demand for housing will remain strong. Visit Video From President Dan Forsman Prudential Georgia Realty.
While there are approximately 100,000 homes on the market today in the Atlanta area, it will not take long to absorb them based on our current growth rate. This is particularly the case as homebuilders started cutting back on new construction 3 years ago and permits for new homes have fallen dramatically.
Home buyers are under the impression that getting a mortgage in today’s market could be difficult. Despite all the hoopla about the mortgage crunch, it is surprisingly easy to get a mortgage if you have decent credit. While the same cannot be said for buyers with bad credit, buyers with decent credit have every mortgage program option available to them, including stated income and no documentation. Buyers with poor credit represent less than 10 percent of the market.
Read Article From AJC Newspaper
Housing prices in the Atlanta and North Fulton area, not having fallen much, do not have far to go to predictably rebound. In a few years, due to the health of our local economy, housing prices should be higher than at the peak of the previous cycle. Housing is, and will continue to be, a tremendous builder of wealth for buyers. A strong buyer’s market and low interest rates are allowing buyers to get great deals on housing. As the spring market gains momentum, the best deals are being snapped up. The advice of “buy low, sell high” has never been more evident. Buyer’s should act accordingly! For homes in the North Atlanta area visit www.NorthAtlantaHomes.org .
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Alpharetta Arts And Annual Streetfest Returns! Spring Is In The Air.
April 3rd, 2008 Categories: Alpharetta, Fulton County, Local Art & Designers, Milton
Spring is back and so is the annual Alpharetta Arts and Streetfest. Fine artists from throughout the U.S. will gather once again on April 19th and 20th from 10:00 am to 6 pm in downtown Alpharetta at Main and Academy. Admission and parking are free.
Visit The City of Alpharetta’s Web Site for more information.
The event will feature work from over 100 artists, selected by a jury of art professionals and gallery owners from the Alpharetta community. Festival lovers can look forward to two days of strolling through outdoor artists and fun events for the entire family. Events include live jazz, roots rock and acoustical music. There will also be theatrical performances by the Kudzu Playhouse and storytelling by The Reading Tree.
Downtown shops and restaurants will offer extended business hours during the festival. This event is one of my favorites of the year!
I encourage everyone to enjoy the local flavor of Alpharetta.
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Facing Foreclosure? What You Need To Know Living In Alpharetta.
April 2nd, 2008 Categories: Alpharetta, Fulton County
Question: I am two months behind in my mortgage payments. What time do I have before the bank starts foreclosure proceedings?
Answer: Typically, if your mortgage is with a large bank or mortgage company, the lender usually waits until you have missed 3 months of consecutive payments. In the state of Georgia, a foreclosure process by a bank does not typically require a court proceeding, which means the lender can foreclose within 30 days of the foreclosure process. In some instances, if your lender is aggressive, the bank can start a foreclosure process after you have missed just one payment and your total time frame can be as little as a 60 day process. Because the state of Georgia doesn’t require a court hearing to proceed with foreclosure, Georgia is known as one of the fastest states in the country for the foreclosure process.
Question: Is there any way to halt the foreclosure proceeding once it begins?
Answer: Yes. You will need to consult with an attorney to advise what remedies are available to you through a court process.
Question: I have always made a nice living until I just recently lost my job. I had a perfect credit score and now I feel embarrassed and humiliated about having to call my lender and creditors. I feel tremendous pressure and have trouble facing each day.
Answer: First, you are not alone. In today’s economy, your situation is identical to ten’s of thousands of people across the country. Going forward, remember, yesterday was the past, tomorrow is in the future and we are only left with today as no one knows what tomorrow will bring. Take each day as it comes. Do not look forward or backward and concentrate on today! Do not think about the next 30 or 60 days. You would be surprised what you can accomplish each day. This too will pass. Call your lender and creditors. Your situation is not unique and we are in a national recession resulting in tens of thousands of people facing the same exact issue. Your creditor has anticipated this problem and is prepared to deal with it, especially with today’s mortgage crisis. The majority of people typically become paralyzed with fear and this will be your enemy. Face each and every creditor with your head held high! Lenders and creditors are facing their biggest crisis in decades and you can be sure they do not want to own your real estate. Banks are in the lending business, not in property management. They are ill equipped to handle your property which gives you plenty of negotiating leverage. The lender wants to work with you, but in order to do so, they need to be able to talk to you.
Question: What is a short sale?
Answer: A short sale is what you offer to pay your lender with an amount that is less than your outstanding mortgage balance. Your lender must agree to accept the discounted payment or you cannot pass on clear title to the new buyer. Lenders will evaluate your offer. Do not be afraid to propose a short sale to your lender. Lenders may ask you to personally guarantee the discrepancy and look for you to pay it back at a later date, but this too is negotiable. There is no such thing as standard in this market.
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Don Henley and the “Eagles” coming to new Alpharetta Amphitheatre
February 23rd, 2008 Categories: Fulton County, Month to Month In Town
It’s official !
Don Henley and the Eagles have been announced as the first act coming to the new Alpharetta Amphitheatre. Dates of the Concert are May 14th, May16th, May17th, May20th 2008.
As mentioned in my earlier post, the amphitheatre is attracting big names in the heart of Alpharetta surrounded in a beautiful setting just across the bridge from North Point! We look forward to seeing you there! Tickets to the event can be purchase through Tickets To Events.
For more information on the Alpharetta Amphitheatre, visit this page of the Alpharetta City Site “Amphitheatre Vision Becomes A Realty”.
Enjoy The Show!
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How Is The Housing Market In North Atlanta?
February 2nd, 2008 Categories: Fulton County, Real Estate Forum
No matter where I go or who I meet, as a Prudential Realtor I am asked the question, How is the Real Estate market? With so much attention to the Real Estate Market being in the national spotlight, the question is asked very often.
Here in North Atlanta, the number of houses on the market inticate a buyers market, however prices are remaining stable. Unlike other parts of the country, especially Florida, we are doing quite well. Even within our market area of north Atlanta suburbs, the supply and demand is quite varied.
Recent leading property reports confirm improving buyer demand and sales generally throughout the property market, which should lead to better prices.
For a seller to take advantage of the increased buyer interest and the record low interest rates, remember that you risk the least if you buy and sell in the same market. In other words, don’t wait too long between buying and selling. For first-home buyers, it is possible to wait too long and miss the opportunity to buy when prices are the most favourable.
With a little research, common sense and good advice, astute sellers can optimise their chances of making the most on their sale and achieving the best price in an upswing for what is often their largest financial asset. It is a question of gaining advice from someone who has studied trends in the real estate market and identifying the right time to make a move.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions concerning Real Estate and our local housing market. Feel free to visit my web site www.NorthAtlantaHomes.org.
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Amphitheatre Coming to Alpharetta. Will Host Leading Musical Artists!!
December 30th, 2007 Categories: Alpharetta, Fulton County
Alpharetta is getting a first class concert venue!! The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is expected to open in May of 2008. Encore Park is located off Westside Parkway, which is across the Ga. 400 from the North Point Mall area. Construction began in June of 2007 and will seat more than 7,000 under the roof and another 5,000 on the manicured lawn. Two wide plazas that surround the facility will provide dining prior to the event or after for a late night snack.
In keeping with Alpharetta’s designation as “Tree City USA“, the landscape architect will preserve the park-like setting of the 45 acre property. The amphitheatre will host leading artists, popular entertainment acts, classical and orchestral performances, community festivals and graduation ceremonies. Parking for more than 2,600 vehicles will be available on site with additional parking available surrounding the venue.
For Alpharetta local city web sites, Chamber of Commerce, etc visit Alpharetta Snapshot.
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