Where To Eat in Forsyth County GA
Cumming, GA Mortgage Rates Behave Like Super Bowl Champs
Except for the few chip remnants that will dwell down there wedged between sofa cushions until spring cleaning time, the principal residue from most Cumming, GA Super Bowl parties is little more than a jumble of disconnected memories. There was the seemingly endless progression of pregame interviews, clips from past Roman numeralled contests, silly football-themed features, prognostications (somehow seeming to favor Atlanta, even though the serious odds-makers never wavered from their confidence in a Patriots win)—then, finally, the game itself. Well, the beginning of the game, anyway. The actual contest was suspended at length while Gaga was suspended from the rafters. But at long last, once the game resumed, that segment of Cumming, GA’s citizenry that wasn’t already Super Bowled-out was witness to New England’s march into the record books.
At least crestfallen Falcons fans had the consolation of a thrilling season and their quarterback’s rise to become the league’s Most Valuable Player. They’d also been witness to a memorable event in sports history. One thing is for certain: New England sewed up its place at the top of the pro pigskin record charts—and it’s likely to be a long time before they’re dislodged.
Meantime, the non-Super Bowl-fixated portion of the world hummed along as it does on any Sunday. In our Cumming, GA real estate world, not a lot of home-showing activity was going on—but it was against a background of some mortgage rate news that was the exact opposite of what was going on inside NRG Stadium. The expected wasn’t happening as predicted. The mortgage rate favorite was a no-show. The week’s mortgage rate outcome was a surprise. Those mortgage rates that are supposed to gradually rise this year? They didn’t.
As CNN Money headlined, “Mortgage rates kick off new year with a drop.” It was the first downturn in 30-year fixed rates since the presidential election. Freddie Mac said that the average rate fell from 4.32% to 4.2%. “Here’s some good news to start the new year,” they said; “mortgages are a little cheaper.”
As everyone knows, when Cumming, GA mortgage rates fall, it’s good news for Cumming, GA buyers and sellers. For homeowners looking to join the Cumming, GA listings, it means encouragement for their prospective buyers, because it offsets increases in asking prices. And in fact, Cumming, GA’s real estate scene continues to be most favorable. Monthly mortgage payment numbers are still suspended at near-historical lows (unlike Lady Gaga, whose suspension was way up there).
The Super Bowl parties may be over for a while, but at least until March Madness fires up, Cumming, GA house-hunters can now make the most of it.
Whether you’ll be looking to list or to do some serious house-hunting, give me a call—the Cumming, GA real estate playing field is clear of distractions!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
Asking Price Decision is Crucial for Cumming, GA Home Sellers
For more than a year, it’s been the happy trend across the nation for the average DOM (days on market) for residential properties to have been declining. It’s a “speed of sale” measure—one that most Cumming, GA home sellers hope will reflect that it won’t be long before they are handing the keys to happy new owners.
There are some ruling considerations that go into establishing a winning Cumming, GA asking price. One is psychological: thinking of a buyer’s frame of mind, most people don’t want to be the only ones who are interested in a house. When a slightly lower-than-comparable asking price is part of the marketing message, it draws a crowd. Another consideration is the search bracket. Knowing how buyers tend to bracket price range parameters for similar Cumming, GA homes is something I can help with. If comparable homes have been selling in a range that tops out at $400,000, asking $410,000 (so you can discount it in later negotiations) is a mistake: your property won’t even appear on search results you’re aiming for.
It is said that pricing is an ongoing discussion—something that holds true if the activity level is less than expected. In every dissertation, oration, article, comment, FAQ, and essay about successful house sales, the dictum is the same: if the place doesn’t sell, first check the asking price.
Sometimes that truism can seem indisputable. If the property in question has been listed at an asking price that’s higher than comparable Cumming, GA houses—other homes that have sold—unless outside factors have slowed all area sales, the asking price is probably the stumbling block. A homeowner can quite reasonably object that their property has unusual qualities that make direct comparisons with other Cumming, GA homes inexact, but that logic may not be powerful enough to counter the market figures that buyers can see (remember that they don’t want to be the only ones who are interested). Sometimes even for a home that shows spectacularly, lowering the asking price can be the simplest and quickest route to a “sold” sign on the front lawn.
In the case of those Cumming, GA homes where Cumming, GA asking price conformity isn’t the issue—as when there simply are no other properties that are at all similar—if lowering the asking price is not indicated, it will simply become a waiting game: waiting for the buyer who appreciates the special character of the property. The good news is that there IS a buyer out there for every property; the bad news is that unique properties attract unique buyers—as in, there are fewer of them. But there is some second good news: when they do show up, they are apt to fall in love with the place!
Pricing is part math and part skill, and since the market is constantly changing, it’s a skill that rewards experience tempered by consistent monitoring. I monitor Cumming, GA real estate full time so I can provide the most timely assistance and advice in all phases of selling and buying. I hope you’ll give me a call!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
Ways to Thwart Forsyth County GA Housing Rental Rip-off Schemes
The idea of “fake news” and how to tell it from the real thing has gotten loads of attention lately, so Forsyth County, GA web users are entitled to be more skeptical than usual of news items. Last week, there was one of those “come hither” headlines you run across on the web—but with a byline from The Washington Post, it looked like it would contain actual news.
Sure enough, this one was for real: “How to Spot a Housing Rental Scam.” Housing rental scams aren’t totally unknown in Georgia—so dispatches about how to spot any new kind of Forsyth County, GA housing rental funny business figured to be worth checking into. It turns out that the article originated in the Washington Post for a good reason: it centered on a surge in housing rental rip-offs being attempted right now in the nation’s capital.
It seems that every change in Administration causes a real estate upheaval in D.C. Literally thousands of out-of-towners have been looking for short-term living quarters during the changing of the political guard. Many plan on having more time to find permanent living arrangements once they’ve adjusted to their new situations—so a quick temporary fix is called for. It isn’t just the headline cabinet heads and their assistants who may suddenly be looking for digs near Pennsylvania Avenue, Capitol Hill, or Foggy Bottom: lots of temps on short-term contracts are piling into town, too.
Since they aren’t familiar with rental stock and prices in the area (a situation familiar to some Forsyth County, GA newcomers), they become prime targets for scamsters lying in wait. The hoped-for payoff is a nice fat security-plus-rental deposit meant to secure one of the coveted furnished apartments in the right area.
The downside for the would-be renter is that the hokum artists have no connection with the actual apartment being offered. They advertise with pictures and detailed descriptions (the pictures can be from real D.C. apartments at different addresses). For out-of-towners in a hurry and too occupied with affairs of state to sweat the details, the result can be a crater in their checkbook and no place to put their belongings once they arrive in Washington.
This might seem like a brazen move, but for accomplished crooks, knowing exactly how to vanish after receiving a mailed-in money order or bank account information is a basic skill.
What’s the solution for someone seeking to reserve a housing rental in Forsyth County, GA when circumstances make it impossible to visit in advance? Zillow says that a request for payment via Western Union, Moneygram or prepaid credit card is one definite red flag. Others are a failure to disclose the street address—or a price that seems too good to be true (although the current batch of Washington crooks may be onto that, setting prices just below market). The ultimate answer—which applies to Forsyth County, GA housing rentals as well, is to ask a lot of questions (anathema to most scam artists). Better yet, if you have a trusted friend in the area, asking him or her to take a look at the property in advance should uncover any funny business.
We aren’t hosting momentous government changes at the moment, but for Forsyth County, GA real estate matters of all stripes, knowing that you are dealing with a trusted and experienced real estate professional is the surest way to rest assured no funny business is at hand. A call to my office is all it takes!
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate
Dutch Monkey Doughnuts – Cumming GA
As a real estate agent I am often asked for referrals to local businesses and service providers. With many of my clients being new to the area, I have always kept a preferred vendor list to share with them.
However, with the advent of the internet I decided that the best way to provide my clients (and others) with this information, and support the local support the local companies and service professionals who have provided me, my family and friends with excellent service, was to feature their local business on my website.
The opinions shared here are solely my own and no incentive (financial or otherwise) has been received.
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DUTCH MONKEY DOUGHNUTS
3075 Ronald Reagan Blvd. #502
Cumming, GA 30041
HOURS:
Tue-Fri: 5:30am – 4pm
Saturday: 7am – 4pm
Sunday: 7am – 4pm
Closed Mondays
Have family coming in town for the holidays and trying to think of something different to serve for breakfast? Then you may want to check out Dutch Monkey Doughnuts!
Let’s just say, this ain’t your grandma’s doughnut shop.
Owners Martin Burge and Arpana Satyu-Burge brought their New York City fine dining experience to Cumming, GA in 2009 to create a truly unique made from scratch doughnut experience.
While all of their unique concoctions are wonderful, you’ll definitely want to try the restaurant’s namesake doughnut – the “Dutch Monkey” (dulce de leche-filled, with bananas and chocolate on top) with a cup of their fresh brewed Counter Culture Coffee.
Find them on Facebook
Need more information about Cumming, GA or Forsyth County? Please feel free to call or text me at 404-710-0204 (or drop me an email).
Italian Food Restaurants in Cumming GA
My family is full of Italian food lovers! When we move to a new area, one of the first things we do is find a few REALLY good Italian restaurants. (Do you know of one I missed? Please be sure to email it to me!)
Alessio’s Restaurant & Pizzeria
Address: 3775 Windermere Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (678) 513-2903
Menu
Quanto Basta Italian Bistro
Address: 2950 Buford Hwy Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (678)-455-3444
Menu
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Address: The Collection at Forsyth, 420 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (770) 292-9104
Menu
Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant
Address: 5670 Atlanta Hwy (Hwy 9), Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: (770) 475-9100
Menu
Giorgio’s Family Kitchen
Address: Lakeland Plaza, 558 Lakeland Plaza, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (770) 781-4525
Menu
Mia Ristorante Italiano
Address: 2300 Bethelview Rd # 104, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (770) 887-3000
Menu
Provino’s Italian Restaurant
Address: 1610 Market Place Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (770) 205-5605
Menu
Vendetti’s Pizza, Pasta & Grill
Address: 5456 Bethelview Rd, 109, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone:(470) 239-3398
Menu
Venti Italian Bistro
Address: 14260 Cumming Hwy, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (678) 513-1403
Menu
Mexican Food Restaurants in Cumming, GA
If you’re like me, one of the first things you look for when visiting a new area is a great Mexican restaurant! Here are a few local favorites you won’t want to miss…. (Find one that I don’t have listed? Please make sure to email it to me.)
Loca Luna’s Mexican Tavern
Address: 4335 Bethelview Rd, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (770) 205-0079
Menu
Los Maguey
Address: 5456 Bethelview Rd, Cumming, GA 30040 (behind Dunkin’)
Phone: (770) 292-9003
Menu
Tacos and Tequila Mexican Grill
Address: 2155 Market Pl Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (678) 456-8237
Menu
7 Tequilas Mexican Restaurant
Address: 5063 Post Rd, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (678) 455-5965
Menu
Cinco Mexican Cantina
Address: Vickery Village, 5755 N Vickery, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (678) 341-6962
Menu
Cheeky Taqueria
Address: The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (770) 888-9940
Menu
Fridas Mexican Cuisine
Address: 405 Peachtree Pkwy Ste 165, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (770) 888-4895
Menu
Laguna Mexican Grill
Address: 101 W Courthouse Square, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (678) 947-0981
Menu
Los Rios
Address: 12 Tri-County Plaza, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (678) 456-8892
Menu
James Creek Townhome – Cumming
[property_details details=”1″]
THIS PROPERTY SOLD IN JUST 4 DAYS!
Served by award-winning Dave’s Creek Elementary, South Forsyth Middle and South Forsyth High School
Located on a lovely quiet street, this upgraded, move-in ready END UNIT townhome in the popular James Creek subdivision is just waiting for you!
The large eat-in kitchen boasts a granite topped island, stainless appliances and beautiful stained cabinetry, while the adjacent family provides an elegant stone fireplace and gleaming hardwood floors.
The upper level of this beautiful home offers a roomy master suite and 2 additional well-sized secondary bedrooms and laundry room.
Fresh and clean with new interior paint, this beautiful upgraded unit also offers an oversized 2-CAR GARAGE and access to the James Creek swim/tennis amenity center.
Walk to award-winning Dave’s Creek Elementary!
- Well Maintained – Move-in Ready!
- End Unit
- Many Upgrades and Hardwoods on Main Level
- Oversized 2-Car Garage
- Access To James Creek Swim / Tennis Amenities
- Award Winning Schools!
NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES:
- Recreation Center w/ Outstanding Tennis Complex
- 4 Indoor Courts / 6 Outdoor Hard Courts / 2 Clay Courts
- Amazing Pool & Clubhouse
- Fitness Center
- Playground
- Walking Trails
- James Creek Tennis Center
FORSYTH COUNTY AREA :
Video – Living in Forsyth County – A Community Profile
SCHOOLS:
Contact Listing Agent Gayle Barton for more information: 404-710-0204
Gayle Barton South Forsyth County Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate | Homes for sale in James Creek
Money to Be Made Flipping Houses in These Neighborhoods
If you are like me, you enjoy watching the never ending house flipping shows presented by HGTV.
I’ve always thought this looks like an interesting concept, but never had the nerve to try it on my own. Part of that is because the Forsyth County real estate market remained strong even during the national downturn limiting any profits that could be made.
However, the rising national economy certainly seems to be helping many previously downtrodden real estate markets in a major way. This is great news for those interested in flipping houses in what had previously been seen as “bad neighborhoods”.
For the past few years slow real estate sales in many of these areas around the country have kept real estate entrepreneurs from getting into the market but, based on a recent report from RealtyTrac, now seems to be the time for those willing to take the risk.
This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.
I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County, North Fulton County and East Cobb cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Milton, and Roswell. Other areas are serviced by request.
Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate