Roswell’s Loch Highland = Resort Living

Nestled in a small section of Roswell that has Cobb County taxes is the popular Loch Highland subdivision.  In the late 1970’s, developer Earl McMillen was looking to achieve the second-home concept of having a home that could double as a lake house or a mountain house and still be less than an hour away from downtown Atlanta. 

Lots of development has popped up around Loch Highland, yet it remains a secluded and wooded enclave that feels more like a resort than a subdivision.  Loch Highland is popular for not only it’s serene setting, but mostly for its amenity package.  The nearly 50-acre lake is stocked with fish.  Members of Loch Highland are allowed to fish the lake, but most exercise the catch and release concept.  Two pools, four tennis courts and a clubhouse make for a very active community.

Is It Time to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill?

In these uncertain times, many homeowners have had to face the fact that the current market value of their homes is less than they once thought.   Yet, they continue to pay property taxes based on that higher value.  Higher taxes may also make a property less appealing and affordable to buyers, since higher taxes will increase their overall costs.  That’s why it’s a smart strategy, especially if you’re considering a sale in the near future, to appeal your property taxes.  Another advantage is when you get your property taxes reduced, they are ‘locked’ for three years.

Here’s how it works:

Experience Roswell’s Allenbrook

Ever wonder what the historic sign was just south of Roswell Square on Roswell Road is?  It’s Allenbrook.  This home was constructed between 1845-1857 as the residence and office for the Ivy Woolen Mill, Theophile Roche.

In 1864, James Roswell King was convinced that the war was coming to Roswell.  In an effort to hopefully save the mills, King temporarily deeded interest in the mill to Roche, hoping for some type of neutral status, as Theophile Roche was a French citizen.  Roche flew a French flag in order to disguise the mills purpose.  Unfortunately, the letters “CSA” (Confederate States of America) were found on the cloth.  This action angered General Sherman and he ordered the mills burned but left Allenbrook intact. 

Roswell Approves Federal Grant

Roswell’s City Council just approved the submission of a grant application to bring stability to neighborhoods with abandoned and foreclosed homes due to the mortgage crisis.  The grant, more specifically known as Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), is a relatively new program to assist state and local governments in acquiring and redeveloping foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment within their communities.  The redevelopment of these homes will help to stabilize neighborhoods and curtail the decline of housing values of neighboring homes.

Roswell, Say Hi to Digital TV

Effective February 17, 2009, television stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting in analog and will convert to 100% digital broadcasting.  For millions of Americans who are already hooked up to cable or satellite, or who have televisions with built-in digital tuners, the transition should be relatively smooth.  But homeowners who still receive analog signals through a rooftop antenna or ‘rabbit ears’, may need to purchase additional equipment or services to keep their televisions operating properly.

Homeowners with analog TV’s can either:
1. Connect to a converter box
2. Sign up for cable or satellite service; or
3. Purchase a TV with a built-in digital tuner

Do you have a Dirty Dog Roswell?

One of my favorite establishments and probably the one dog-related business that I most refer my friends and clients to is Roswell’s ‘That Dirty Dog’ on Woodstock Road, just south of Holcomb Bridge Road.

That Dirty Dog is a clean and friendly facility that offers numerous options on getting your best friend fluffy and clean!  You can wash your dog yourself in one of the facilities many tubs or you can make an appointment and have one of the experienced employees give your pet the full works!

Think GREEN Roswell!

Roswell’s 19th annual ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ event is this Saturday, January 3rd from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Join in the tradition and give a gift to nature this holiday season. 

Roswell residents are invited to bring their Christmas trees to one of the two Home Depot locations in Roswell.   Trees will be chipped into mulch and will available for delivery to the public by Davey Tree Company.  In a statewide effort to reuse Christmas trees, Keep Roswell Beautiful has joined other sponsors like Home Depot, Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell, Keep Georgia Beautiful, 11 Alive, The Davey Tree Expert Company, Starbucks and Super Target to sponsor the ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ program.  In appreciation of your recycling efforts, residents will receive a free dogwood seedling, while supplies last. The ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ efforts have collected over 4.5 million trees and provided over one million tree seedlings to participants. 

Happy New Year Roswell Georgia!

I hope the holidays were safe and happy for everyone!  Have you solidified your New Year’s Resolution yet?  Instead of the usual stand by like losing weight, why not make a resolution to make good with your local Roswell Police Department?  Did you know that Article 13.2 of the Roswell Code of Ordinances ‘provides for corrective action for the purpose of reducing false alarms.’?  Did you also know that you as a Roswell resident or business owner, are supposed to have your burglar or fire alarm system registered with the Police Department within five (5) business days of installation?