Atlanta’s Holiday House 2009

I know it’s hard to imagine the thought of venturing outside of Roswell, especially during the holiday season, but Atlanta’s Holiday House is worth the trip.  The Save A Smile Foundation invites you to experience this 22,000 square-foot French estate, designed and built by custom builder Steve West. It is the largest and most spectacular spec home ever built in Atlanta. An architectural marvel with its European flair and classic, yet livable elegance will showcase Atlanta’s top designers. Atlanta’s Holiday House 2009 is located off of West Paces Ferry at 3410 Ridgewood Road, Atlanta 30327.

Roswell’s Steal of the Month

This month’s foreclosure opportunity is in the Lake Forest subdivision.  Conveniently located just off of Old Alabama, Lake Forest is just minutes to Georgia 400.  This is a nice sized, friendly community that offers it’s own small lake.  Most of the homes are a contemporary style with a few 2-story traditional homes mixed in.  Homes in Lake Forest were built in the early to mid 1980’s.  The schools are excellent, Northwood Elementary, Haynes Bridge Middle and Centennial High.

Roswell’s Annual Lighting of Historic Town Square

It’s that wonderful time again when family and friends gather to witness the annual lighting of Historic Roswell Town Square.  The celebration begins at 5:15 this Saturday, December 5th.  Luckily, the forecast is calling for sunny skies and highs in the 50’s, perfect weather!

This years celebration includes performances by the Hillside Elementary singers and the River Eves Choir, followed by a special reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with Roswell Mayor Jere Wood.  Right on cue, Santa Claus will also be making a special visit to the Square. Pictures with Santa will be available at a nominal charge. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or Starbucks coffee during the festivities.

Happy Turkey Week Roswell!

Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching.  Roswell is always a fun place to be around the holidays!  Below are a few fun facts about the Thanksgiving holiday:

· The average American consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day

· In 1863,  Abraham Lincoln issued a ‘Thanksgiving Proclamation’, making Thanksgiving an official National holiday
 
· 91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day  

· Thomas Jefferson thought that the concept of Thanksgiving was “the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard” 

· The first Thanksgiving lasted for 3 days  

· Turkeys were one of the first animals in the Americas to be domesticated 

In Case You Haven’t Heard…

Congress has passed new legislation that not only extends the first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000, but also offers up to a $6,500 credit to buyers who already own homes.   
 
Who qualifies for the extended tax credit?  Both first-time homebuyers and current homeowners who are under contract between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 and promptly close on the property by no later than June 30, 2010 are eligible.  Current homeowners who have lived in the home being sold or vacated, as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight qualify.   To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.  
 
The amount of each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two additional factors:
The price of the home and the buyer’s income.  Under the extended home buyer tax credit, credit is only awarded on homes purchased up to a sales price of  $800,000.  Single home buyer’s incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.  These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits.

And The Wait Continues Roswell..

For all you brave souls who sit (and sit) on Holcomb Bridge on your way to GA400 every weekday morning, I don’t have good news for you.  The construction on our beloved short-cut, otherwise known as Grimes Bridge Road, has been delayed once again.

The City of Roswell Department of Transportation has extended the completion date of the Grimes Bridge replacement to November 30th, siting weather delays.  They’re also planning a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony soon after the opening.

I’ll be there with bells on!

Housing Stats Continue to Rise Across the U.S. and in Roswell!

The National Association of Realtors has reported that existing-home sales jumped 9.4 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.57 million units, and they were 9.2 percent higher than the 5.10 million units sold in September 2008. September sales activity was at the highest level since July 2007.  The NAR attributes the increased sales activity to the first-time homebuyer tax credit, falling home prices and continued low interest rates.