If It's Wednesday, It Must Be Market Conditions Wednesday!

Today the Market Conditions focus is on WALESKA, GA.

Waleska, which is just 45 minutes northwest of Atlanta by car (in good traffic), is the home of Reinhardt University. Founded in 1883, Reinhardt is a four-year university affiliated with The United Methodist Church. In addition to the main campus, the school has an off-campus site, Reinhardt University's North Fulton Center which is located in Alpharetta and offers select programs of study in Epworth and Cartersville, Georgia as well as online courses too.

As of the 2,000 census, there were 616 people, 107 households and 78 families residing in the city of Waleska. The major neighborhood in Waleska is the gated community of LAKE ARROWHEAD. In fact, on any given day, 99% of all homes on the market in Waleska are located in Lake Arrowhead -- by virtue of the fact that Lake Arrowhead is the main neighborhood in Waleska. If an Active Waleska listing is not located in Lake Arrowhead, it is probably not part of any specific neighborhood.

In Waleska and Lake Arrowhead you are really very close to having it all! Located in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains, this neighborhood was recently awarded the "Community of the Year" by the Atlanta Home Builders Association. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains just 40 minutes north of Atlanta's I-285, Lake Arrowhead is a private lake and golf community. Whatever your desire is for rewarding living, it's all here in Lake Arrowhead. New homes, older homes, rustic homes, modern homes, Lake Arrowhead can boast about its 8,000+ carefully protected acres of lush woodlands, gentle waterfalls and crystal clear lake waters. The 540 acre lake is ranked among the best and most clean of all lakes in Georgia. The new Highlands Course offers 18-holes of challenging championship play with a new clubhouse and pro shop and full dining facilities. The new 40 acre swim and activities center is open and a new Jr Olympic size pool too. Check out the basketball, volleyball courts as well as tennis too. Residents enjoy 8+ miles of walking trails and nature trails too. You're actually living in a resort at Lake Arrowhead which is why residents LOVE IT here! And, the deer and wildlife is a sight to behold! Need I say more! Are you thirsty for more yet?

All of that to say, that today in the entire Atlanta metro area there are 56,410 homes actively listed and on the market -- including homes in Waleska and Lake Arrowhead, GA.

Likewise, as I write this there is a total of 75 Actively listed homes for sale today in Waleska. Of the 75 Actively listed Waleska properties 53 are located in Lake Arrowhead, and the remaining 22 actively listed properties are located in other neighborhoods or not any specific neighborhood.

The prices range from $38,900 for a country shack built in 1964 and requiring major work to $899,000 for a wonderful home in a secluded wooded setting on 20+/- acres with 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 half bathrooms and an in ground pool. Neither of these homes is in a specific neighborhood.

Currently there are 18 homes Pending Sale or Pending Existing Lender Approval. They range in price from $28,600 to $300,000.

Since January 1st, 2011 through today, there have been 52 homes SOLD in Waleska. They have ranged in price from $38,100 for a mobile home on Little Refuge Road needing major repair work which sold on April 28th after 241 days on the market to $444,000 for a beautiful home in Lake Arrowhead with 4 bedrooms/3 full bathrooms and a private deep water dock. This home was originally listed at $629,000 and sold at 71% SP/OLP%. It closed on May 31st after 645 days on the market. The Seller paid $4400 in closing costs.

During the summer months, May 1st through today, 27 homes have sold in Waleska with prices ranging from $57,000 to $444,000.

Homes are selling in WALESKA. What are you waiting for! This could be your "ideal" community and neighborhood. As you can clearly see, homes are selling in TUCKER, GA. Call me for a tour of a Tucker home or questions regarding the Tucker and Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the pre-approval/buying/selling/relocation process.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the State of Georgia and works in the Atlanta metro area -- including Waleska. Sara recently sold a beautiful home in Waleska to some folks who were relocating to Georgia from the UK. Call Sara with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process. Sara Hibbard looks forward to assisting all your real estate needs when the time is right for you. Sara can be reached any time by calling 770-399-8108 or 404-660-2481 or e-mail at sara@sarahibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

Auntie Em Came To Woodstock!

I love brilliant blue skies! For most of this Labor Day weekend, thats what we had in Georgia!

It hardly seems possible that we are into fall already! Well, I guess it doesn't officially start until September 21st, but the year is evaporating rapidly. Halloween is coming, then Thanksgiving and well shopping....and...Sorry...I digress.

I do hope you and your family were able to enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

In Woodstock and the Atlanta metro area, the first part of the Labor Day holiday weekend started off to be just beautiful with blue skies, lower humidity and just real pleasant weather. Folks enjoyed parties, neighborhood gatherings, BBQs, boating on Lake Lanier and Allatoona, sports and just enjoying each other’s company.

We've enjoyed a hot summer in Atlanta with very little rain. In fact, as recent as last week the experts were claiming that we are back into drought conditions. Over the weekend, however, yesterday, we may have made up for our lack of summer precipitation. We encountered a rainy and dreary day. Finally, some rain! Then, yesterday afternoon, rain gave way to images of Auntie Em. You know...Overcast skies became very dark and the rain came which yielded to "excitement" with tornado action in the greater Atlanta metro area and some tornado's too in Woodstock and vicinity.

Woodstock experienced some weather patterns that our city officials are calling actual tornado's. Luckily no one was hurt; however, some homes in the north Woodstock area were affected by yesterday's weather conditions. I received the following Press Release from Woodstock City Manager, Jeff Moon this morning. It reads:

Residents of the City of Woodstock affected by yesterday’s tornado are encouraged to contact the Woodstock Building Department at (770)-592-6036 prior to commencing repairs to damaged homes or structures. Permit fees are waived for any storm related repairs. Residents are cautioned to be on the lookout for fly by night businesses and to please ensure that they are dealing with reputable companies for repair work or tree removal.

City of Woodstock residents with downed trees or limbs may place the debris in the right of way in front of their property for removal. Please notify the Public Works Department at (770)-592-6038 if you have trees or limbs ready to be removed. For other questions, please call (770) 592-6000.

Jeff Moon is right! It seems that whenever we have the slightest bit of inclement weather the bottom feeders come out of the wood-work. For example, like many neighborhoods, there is "no soliciting" in my neighborhood. In fact, there is a sign at the main entrance that says clearly NO SOLICITING. Regardless, there are always some companies that will come into the neighborhood to talk residents into spending money on roofing, siding or whatever when it is not needed. I have had contractors show up at my house who say (from a distance) they can tell that my roof has sustained hail damage and I need to replace it. To prove them wrong and to massage my fears, I have had Inspectors walk my roof who tell me that there is nothing wrong with my roof. These companies will also tell you that they can work with your insurance companies to get you a new roof. Be Careful! You don't want to make erroneous insurance claims. Don't forget. When you put your home on the market to sell it, you will have to disclose all insurance claims. Bad claims can ultimately keep you from selling your home. When in doubt, I encourage you to get a 3rd opinion from a licensed Georgia real estate inspector.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara can be easily reached at 770-399-8108 or 404-660-2481. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is on Your Mind!

Have A Safe and Happy Labor Day!

What do you know about the history of Labor Day?

Yes, it is typically the first Monday of September. The last major holiday of the summer-time ushering us into the great fall season. It's also a great excuse for family and neighborhood gatherings and parties with hamburgers and hot dogs too, but what else do you know about Labor Day?

Labor Day is the first Monday in September and is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), was first in suggesting a day to honor American workers. Research also indicates that Matthew Maguire, secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City in accordance with the plans of the central union.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingman's holiday" on that date.

Through the years the nation has given increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill introduced into New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed in Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states -- Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York -- created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania followed suite. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28th of that year, Congress passed an act moving the first Monday of September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

Wherever you go, whatever you do in observance of Labor Day 2011, have a safe and happy "workingman's holiday" and a wonderful 4th quarter and fall season ahead. Enjoy your last holiday of the Summer of 2011.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara is easily reached at 770-399-8108 or 404-660-2481. Check out Sara's websites at www.SearchWoodstockHomes.com, www.ShopCantonHomes.com, www.SaraHibbard.com and www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

A Salute To Georgia Students Who Are Motivated & Inspired -- The Washington 2011 Youth Tour

We are lucky in Georgia and the north Atlanta metro area to have some really great kids! We all know it, and it's time to salute them! Kids who inspire themselves as well as the rest of us who watch their growth and watch them mature throughout their formative years. You might be interested to know that this summer 104 motivated high school students from Georgia, representing 38 electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) including Cobb EMC, answered a call to leadership on the 2011 Washington Youth Tour (WYI), June 9-16th. First of all, for those of you reading this who don't know what the EMC is, the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (GEMC) is the trade association for Georgia's 42 consumer-owned electric utilities. Basically Georgia's not-for-profit electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to more than 70% of the state's land area serving 4.5 million residents. Cobb EMC serves homeowners in Cobb and Cherokee County, GA. Anyway, for these Georgia students, the week-long tour began in Atlanta, which included a visit to the Little White House in Warm Springs, GA which was the home of FDR and served as his "Camp David" of the time and was probably where he developed his "New Deal" policies that affected the entire nation. Ultimately the trip culminated in Washington, DC. The experience proved to be a lifetime adventure for the students, who joined more than 1,500 other delegates representing EMCs from 44 other states. From 35 local applicants, this year’s contest winners included: Jacob Davis, Wheeler High School, Marietta, GA, Janvi Chawla, Walton High School, Marietta, GA, and Alexis Fish, home educated also from Cobb County. These three students also received a George R. Ford Scholorship of $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively. The Georgia delegates took the leadership challenge. While in Washington they met with representatives from Georgia's congressional delegation, including Senators Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isakson and U.S. Representatives John Barrow, Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey, Hank Johnson, John Lewis, Austin Scott, David Scott, Lynn Westmoreland and Rob Woodall. The students also participated in National Youth Day and visited Washington's numerous places of interest including the national monuments -- the Jefferson, Lincoln and FDR memorials, among others--and reflected on the words of leaders who helped make America great. It doesn't take long before students soon realize that freedom isn't free after spending time at the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 300,000 people are buried. Since 1964, electric cooperatives across the U.S. have sent more than 50,000 student delegates on the Washington Youth Tour, providing opportunities for leadership development and inspiring students to become strong, motivated leaders within their communities and nation. The picture above shows the local Washington Youth Tour finalist’s just moments before going into their individual interviews with the Cobb EMC Women's Task Force. Earning a youth tour slot is a competitive process that includes both a written test and oral interview. Of course we are proud of all students who participated in Cobb and Cherokee County as well as the entire state of Georgia. Congratulations to Jason Davis, Janvi Chawla and Alexis Fish! We're very proud of you! Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works predominantly in Cobb, Cherokee, North Fulton, Forsythe and Paulding Counties for both buyers and sellers of residential, business and commercial real estate. Visit Sara Hibbard at www.SearchWoodstockHomes.com, www.ShopCantonHomes.com, www.AtlantaMLSHomes.com, www.SaraHibbard.com and www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind and looks forward to assisting you too when the time is right for you. Sara Hibbard is easily reachable at 770-399-8108 or 404-660-2481.