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!