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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.

Checkout the report HERE >>>

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

Chattahoochee River Club – Neighborhood Information

Learn all there is to know about the Chattahoochee River Club real estate market from Realtor, Gayle Barton of Berkshire Hathaway Georgia Properties.

If you have any questions about living in Chattahoochee River Club please reach out to me. As a multi-year resident, I can provide a unique perspective that the average real estate agent simply can’t.

If you have questions about Forsyth County real estate, please get in touch as I have been successfully servicing real estate needs in town for many years! There are very few real estate agents in Forsyth County who have a stronger track record for being a top producer year after year and, as a Realtor living and working in the area, I know what makes Forsyth County desirable!

Chattahoochee River Club is an established master planned equestrian community perfectly situated in the heart of South Forsyth County. Nestled on the river’s edge, Chattahoochee River Club is located in the Windermere Parkway area of Cumming, Georgia – just 4.5 miles east of GA Hwy 400 at exit 14 – with easy access to a host of entertainment, shopping and dining options and mere minutes from Lake Lanier.

The developers invested three years in the planning of a neighborhood where nature is as much a part of the architectural design as the homes themselves which makes the neighborhood a desirable and sought after place to live and play.

This beautifully mature neighborhood is dedicated to preserving and protecting nature making bird and wildlife sightings a daily occurrence.

Situated on over 700 acres of pristine, wooded hills Chattahoochee River Club (which is divided into 6 unique sections – The Highlands, Two Rivers, The Estates, North River, The Meadows, Bentwood and Silver Vista), is home to over 600 families.

The community offers its residents an incredible amenities package:

Community Clubhouse
Junior Olympic Swimming Pool
Adult Only Leisure Pool
Children’s Water Feature
Fitness Center
6 Lighted Tennis Courts w/ with Two Cabanas
Tennis Pavilion
Lighted Basketball Courts
Sports Field – Ball field w/ backstop
Kids Playground and Picnic area

In addition, Chattahoochee River Club boasts over 10 miles of mulched trails for residents to explore either on foot or on horseback.

Adjacent to the Swim & Tennis Center, The Chattahoochee River Club Clubhouse is available to homeowners for a nominal fee and offers an excellent venue for social events and meetings.

Adding to the protected natural areas within the neighborhood, you will also find the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources fish hatchery which is open for tours, family fishing and offers additional hiking trails.

Chattahoochee River Club is served by Award Winning South Forsyth Schools:

Haw Creek Elementary

Lakeside Middle School

South Forsyth High School

Chattahoochee River Club offers a wide selection of unique luxury home styles with home prices ranging from the mid $300K’s to the upper $600K’s View Homes For Sale in Chattahoochee River Club

If you are buying or plan to sell a home in Chattahoochee River Club subdivision, please feel free to contact me… it would be my pleasure to assist you as your agent!

FORSYTH COUNTY REALTOR – Gayle Barton

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Chattahoochee River Club, or other Forsyth County GA Real Estate, I hope you will speak to me about how I can provide the assistance needed to make for a smooth and pleasant experience.

When you set aside time to interview Forsyth County GA real estate agents, here is a list of important things you should expect to see in the agent’s presentation: their past track record of success, statistical data such as list price to sale price ratios and average days on market, along with information about the agent’s communication and marketing skills.

My area of expertise encompasses the North Fulton/Forsyth County area (Cumming, Suwanee, Alpharetta and John’s Creek, Windward, Milton and Roswell).

Because this area is also my home, I have an in-depth knowledge of the real estate market, school districts, and neighborhoods.

While that may seem somewhat limiting, I pride myself on being an “area specialist” and, as you’ll see from my website, I have extensive knowledge of these communities.

AS A BUYER, this specialized knowledge allows me to assist you in locating the perfect home, in the perfect area, for YOUR family.

AS A SELLER, my specialized knowledge allows me to market your home to the buyers most likely to purchase a property in your neighborhood

However, I am available to help in other areas by request. Do not hesitate to call no matter where you might be!

While putting a SOLD sign on your lawn is my #1 goal, I also want to help make the experience of selling your home a less stressful one!

I am well known for my use of innovative technologies to successfully market properties and matching buyers with the properties that most closely fit their needs. I am confident that there are few Realtors in Forsyth County who provide a higher level of online exposure by using social media channels, as well as search engine optimized results! But, despite my use of the most up to date high tech “gadgets”, I still believe that personal service is at the forefront on my success!

My honesty, integrity and enthusiasm guarantees that my clients are satisfied 100% of the time! Through my dedication to service I have earned the respect of my previous clients developing a rapport which has allowed me to build a business based strongly on referrals. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you why I am well respected as a Forsyth County Real Estate agent that homeowners can trust with their most valuable asset. Read my Client Reviews

I have been listing and selling homes in and around Chattahoochee River Club for many years. Please call or send me an email so we can discuss how I can best serve your real estate needs!

Gayle Barton, Realtor
Berkshire Hathaway Georgia Properties
325 Brannon Road, #200
Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: 404-710-0204
Email: Gayle.Barton@BHHSga.com

Do you have a home in Chattahoochee River Club that you are thinking of selling and want an exceptional Realtor to work with? Call Me Today to find out why Berkshire Hathaway Georgia Properties has the #1 market share in our area.

Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.

Gayle Barton – Chattahoochee River Club Homes for Sale – South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton – Homes for Sale in Chattahoochee River Club – Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Housing Market Continues Move Toward Stability

Last week I wrote an article about a new real estate industry economic report which shows the national foreclosure market was finally beginning to dwindle.

The latest strong job market report, is another step in the right direction. This is good news for our country as a whole, but excellent new for the local Forsyth County real estate market which has stayed relatively strong throughout the national crisis.

Every indicator seems to be pointing to the fact that our real estate market will soon be as strong as it was before the 2008 downturn. The following video from RISMEDIA give the details:

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Foreclosure Inventory Rate Plummets

The Forsyth County real estate market was not as heavily hit by the foreclosure crisis as some areas of the country, so many in our area simply did not realize how bad it had been for homeowners in some states.

The good news is, it seems that we are hopefully coming out of the downturn of the national real market. A recent National Foreclosure Report produced by CoreLogic® shows that, in May, foreclosure inventory dropped by an amazing 24.5% percent and completed foreclosures declined by 6.9 percent compared with May 2015.

In addition, the CoreLogic® report shows that the number of mortgages in serious delinquency (90 days or more past due) declined by 21.6 percent year over year.

This is excellent news for Forsyth County real estate owners because it shows a trend toward an overall healthier national real estate market. This, for example, would allow a transferee from a previously hard-hit area to spend more money to buy your home if their current home sells at a higher price than it would have last year. It also helps many who had been trapped in an underwater situation be able to move on to another property.

I always love sharing positive economic news! If you have further questions are considering the sale or purchase of the home in our area, please fill free to reach out me directly.

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Home Mortgage Financing – What is a Loan Origination Fee?

Whether you are buying your first home, or your 10th, home mortgage and financing details can be somewhat overwhelming. And, figuring out what a loan really costs (and what all of those fees are for) can be a daunting task as well.

Most buyers know they will be expected to have a down payment (3% – 20% depending on loan type) when they write a contract to purchase their new home, but what seems to be confusing to many is the fact that they will also have to pay closing costs. These closing costs are variable and could add up to 2 – 5% of the purchase price of the home.

Generally the most costly item on the closing disclosure will be the loan origination fee. This is the compensation received by the lender for the work they do in completing the loan processing for you. This will include tasks such as completing the paperwork and working through all of the verifications and underwriting of the loan application. This fee is customarily 1% of the home loan amount, but it can vary from lender to lender.

In addition to the loan origination fee, the lender may also charge additional fees such as processing fees, underwriting fee or any other aptly named fee.

If you have an excellent credit rating, it may be possible to negotiate these fees on a larger loan amount. An excellent credit score can be a great bargaining chip in your negotiations so, if that is the case, then you may want to ask the lender to lower the fee or if it is possible to receive a flat-rate loan-processing fee.

When speaking with lenders, you will first want to ask for a good faith estimate. The GFE will provide a breakdown of that particular lender’s fees, and give you an estimate of your total loan expense. This will allow you to price shop between lenders. However, I will tell you that the cheapest is usually not the best!

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me or confer with your real agent.

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Ruling to Keep Forsyth County GA Beautiful

Okay, I admit it…. I’m a bit of a tree hugger.

When I first moved to Georgia in 1989 (from my beloved, but virtually treeless, Texas) one of the things I loved most about the area were the roadsides filled with trees. I enjoyed being surrounded by greenery as I went about my daily tasks – even on the main highways.

Unfortunately, over time, HWY-285 and HWY-75 were expanded and the trees were removed leaving the devastated roadsides littered with billboards (what I call “litter on a stick”).

I prayed that GA-400 would never face the same fate, but about two years ago a huge section of trees were removed between exits 12 and 13 to make way for three huge, ugly billboards and my heart just broke. With all of the new construction underway in our area, trees are being sacrificed on a daily basis, but this was just too much!

I was so thankful when I heard that a ruling had been made that the company and landowner responsible for this are being forced to replace at least a portion of the trees. Will they be the beautiful, mature trees that were removed? Of course not! But I do hope that it’s enough to keep other companies and landowners from trying to skirt the rules just to line their own pockets.

Now, if we can just put a stop to developer clear cutting….

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

First-time Homebuyers Passing Up Starter Homes

A very interesting report out from Bank of America shows a drastic change in the way first home buyers are looking at homeownership. In the past, first-time homebuyers generally were most concerned with affordability for today knowing that they were buying for the short term with plans to move up in roughly 3 to 5 years as their family grew.

However, this new report shows that a large percentage of first-time homebuyers are now taking a more long-term approach by choosing to purchase a home designed to fulfill their perceived future needs. For most first-time homebuyers this decision will require them to wait a little longer in order to save a larger down payment, but it appears that many are willing to do so.

I was intrigued to see that over 35% the first-time homebuyers polled are planning to retire in the first home they purchase. While this is an admirable goal, we all know that unexpected personal life changes and career transitions can alter even the best laid plans. So, it will be interesting to see what percentage is actually able to live out their “start-to-finish” home dream.

It will also be interesting to see how this affects the current starter home market. Will these homes become less expensive as first-time buyer demand decreases or will they become a better option for investors driving the prices up?

Inquiring minds want to know…. but only the future will tell.

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

Understanding the Home Appraisal Process

When I began speaking with a Forsyth County home seller regarding the pricing model for their home, generally, my first step is to complete a comparative market analysis (CMA). This report provides information about similar properties which have sold in the last 6 months as well as listings currently on the market which would be our direct competition.

In most cases, the seller sees his home through the lens of the time and money he has invested in it over the years. Unfortunately, an appraiser will look at it somewhat differently. He is considering the square footage of the home, lot size and “effective age” which takes into consideration updates and renovations in the subject property vs those found in recent comparable “market sales”.

To say the least, appraisals are expected to be objective and unemotional. They do not take into consideration the time, energy or love (blood, sweat & tears) a seller has invested in his home, simply the sales data.

At the end of the day the appraisal is the final statement of value on the property.

While most sellers view it as a “buyers appraisal”, the fact is that in all but a cash offer situation, it is a “lenders appraisal”.

In some cases a buyer will perceive a higher value for a property than the appraisal states, but the lender simply will not approve a loan for a higher amount. At this time, the seller will very likely want to contest the appraisal. Of course the listing agent can attempt to provide additional comparables but, in truth, it generally proves fruitless.

Realistically, it creates a situation where three things can happen:

the buyer can make up the difference in cash
the buyer and seller can negotiate a new, somewhat lower sales price (such as splitting the difference) with the buyer making up their portion in cash
the seller lowers the sales price to the appraisal price. Of course, this negotiation will be based on current market activity.

The handy graphic below explains everything Forsyth County home buyers and sellers needs to know about the home appraisal process.
Click to Enlarge Image

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Reverse Mortgage How Does it Work?

Some cash strapped senior homeowners who were financially devastated by the recent economic downturn or Wall Street losses, have turned to a reverse mortgage to help fund their retirement living by accessing all or a portion of the equity in their home.

Federal Housing Administration-insured reverse mortgages are not for everyone. They can only be used by homeowners who are 62 years of age or older and own their home outright or have a very low mortgage.

For more details, please read the full article below:

Thinking about buying a home in Cumming GA and Suwanee GA in South Forsyth County?

Call today and I’ll help you find the perfect spot!

This South Forsyth Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices GEORGIA PROPERTIES

Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email if I can provide you with more information about this article or if I can assist you with buying or selling your Cumming GA real estate.

Gayle Barton South Forsyth Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | South Forsyth Real Estate

Topics: Home buyer, reverse mortgage, senior loan, home loan, loan rates, mortgage rates, home prices, property values, homes for sale in South Forsyth County, South Forsyth County real estate, Cumming GA real estate, homes for sale in Cumming GA,

Despite What Kermit Says, It Really Is Easy Being Green

Despite what Kermit says, it really is easy being green….. at least in the Forsyth County real estate market.

With many home builders trying to reach Millennial buyers through the use of green building practices (using smart solutions to maximize a home’s efficiency and comfort while reducing its overall impact to the environment), and so many new green technologies for existing homeowners to use when updating their home, I believe that going green gets easier every day.

When most people think of making green updates to their home, their thoughts immediately go to major projects like adding turbines, or solar panels or geothermal heating units, which can seem overwhelming. The truth is, you don’t have to take on major projects to make a major difference in your family’s energy consumption. Here are a few ideas….

The obvious choices:

Replace your existing HVAC System with a High Efficiency System: According to Energy Star, heating and cooling your homes typically uses 43% of your overall household energy budget annually. That makes it a top priority in terms of making an upgrade to save both energy and money. When it’s time to replace your existing HVAC units, take the time to do your research and you may find that spending a little more upfront can make you money in the end through annual energy cost savings and at the time of resale.

Add Insulation and Weather Stripping: This is actually on of the easiest and most cost effective green updates you can make. Sawnee EMC, our local electric company even provides a free energy audit to help you find where you need to focus your efforts.

Double Pane Windows and High-Performance Doors: About 25% of your annual heating and cooling costs can be attributed to loss due to non-energy efficient or single pane windows. This is not an inexpensive replacement to make but, in terms of resale, this is an excellent choice if you are considering making green updates to your Forsyth County home.

Tankless Hot-Water Systems: Why heat water all of the time when you only need it occasionally? You may even be able to take advantage of a tax credit for replacing your old water heater with a high efficiency unit.

Programmable Thermostat: There are many new programmable thermostats on the market – some are even wifi enabled which allows you to adjust them when you are away from home. The Nest thermostat will actually learn your habits and adjust itself accordingly.

Some options you may not know about:

Smart Power Strips: These “smart power strips” are pretty amazing. They actually sense energy demand and cut off power to fully charged devices (devices that are plugged in and shut off or fully charged). These energy vampires can actually be responsible for 20% of your overall energy bill.

Flooring:
•Carpet made from recycled plastic bottles
•Sustainable bamboo flooring

Rain Barrels: Pretty simplistic really, but very effective. You just run your gutter water into the barrel and then use it to water your plants.

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 and North Fulton County cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek. Other north metro-Atlanta suburbs are serviced by request, so please call.

Gayle Barton Forsyth County Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate | Mountain Crest Homes For Sale
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | Forsyth County Real Estate

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Cell: 404 710 0204

325 Brannon Rd., Suite #200 Cumming GA 30041
770.844.8484

Despite what Kermit says, it really is easy being green….. at least in the Forsyth County real estate market.

The obvious choices:

Add Insulation and Weather Stripping: This is actually on of the easiest and most cost effective green updates you can make. Sawnee EMC, our local electric company even provides a free energy audit to help you find where you need to focus your efforts.

Tankless Hot-Water Systems: Why heat water all of the time when you only need it occasionally? You may even be able to take advantage of a tax credit for replacing your old water heater with a high efficiency unit.

Programmable Thermostat: There are many new programmable thermostats on the market – some are even wifi enabled which allows you to adjust them when you are away from home. The Nest thermostat will actually learn your habits and adjust itself accordingly.

Some options you may not know about:

Smart Power Strips: These “smart power strips” are pretty amazing. They actually sense energy demand and cut off power to fully charged devices (devices that are plugged in and shut off or fully charged). These energy vampires can actually be responsible for 20% of your overall energy bill.

Flooring: •Carpet made from recycled plastic bottles •Sustainable bamboo flooring

Rain Barrels: Pretty simplistic really, but very effective. You just run your gutter water into the barrel and then use it to water your plants.

CLICK HERE TO GET PRE-APPROVED

Interesting Real Estate Story of the Day

Meet Gayle

Connect with Me

325 Brannon Rd., Suite #200 Cumming GA 30041 770.844.8484

Flooring:
•Carpet made from recycled plastic bottles
•Sustainable bamboo flooring

325 Brannon Rd., Suite #200 Cumming GA 30041
770.844.8484