Johns Creek, GA Real Estate Agent - Suwanee, GA

Local Real Estate News: Johns Creek, Marietta, East Cobb, Suwanee, Duluth, Alpharetta, Buford, Sugar Hill, Lawrenceville

New Lake Lanier water plan for November

For Lake Lanier residents and enthusiast you may need a score card to keep up with the changing water levels. Last year we were in a drought that had the lake over 18 feet below full pool, today we are 2 feet over full pool with more rain on the way. Enjoying a couple hours on the lake last week I witnessed first hand what 1073 had in store for lake front properties and their docks. Most walk ways were under water with some damage to stairs and ramps from rising water. Most properties had water well up into the tree line with some owners having tables and chairs submerged.

Lake Lanier at full pool plus will cause major problems for lake side residents if the rains continue. With continued heavy rains Lanier might witness extended periods of 1073-1075, this is still 10' off the spillway elevation 1085 located at Buford Park.

Just food for thought, Buford Dam was constructed for flood control downstream, get ready to move your docks...

Usually this time of year, Lanier has plenty of room to catch and hold the run-off from the winter and spring rains.

But today the lake is above its full level. The Army Corps of Engineers may have to choose between flooding below Buford Dam, and flooding behind it.
Take everything you've known about Lake Lanier over the past several years and turn it upside down.
"We have to flip the switch," said the Army Corps' Chris Lovelady. "From drought management to flood management."
Right now the lake level is about a foot and a half above its capacity.
Think of Lake Lanier as a bucket under a leaky roof. As long as there's room in the bucket it can hold the water. But if the roof continues to leak -- and the bucket is full -- either you have to drain the bucket or you're going to have

quite a mess.
You're looking at the water release equivalent of flooring the accelerator: all three turbines -- wide open. The goal is to drop the lake another two and a half feet -- to 1,070 -- by December first...in time for what's forecast to be heavier than normal winter and spring rains.
"It allows for future rain events that are possibly going to be significant" said the Army Corps' Chris Lovelady. "We would expect that. It allows us to capture the flood waters."
But if the predicted heavy rains come, the streams and rivers below Lake Lanier could flood again.
"If there's flooding downstream" said Lovelady, "we don't want to send this downstream to make the flooding worse."
And if the Army Corps can't release water from Lanier, the lake will back up.
The current water level at Lake Lanier is ten seventy two point fifty one.
The all time record is ten seventy seven.
The army corps warns that the expected heavy rains this winter could threaten that record.
"The lake's up in the trees" Lovelady said. "The docks are in the trees. The parks are significantly affected. Beaches are totally underwater for the most part. Boat ramps are inaccessible."
It's a race between sending water downstream and the arrival of the rainy season...and there's no way to get a bigger bucket.

Lake Lanier high water problems – 1072.90

Lake Lanier is back to full pool in record time. The new levels are causing issues across the lake with Corps of Engineer holding back water releases to decrease damage downstream. For more information on Lake Lanier water levels or buying and selling your Lanier dream home email JeffBarnwell@gmail.com

On the heels of this week’s heavy rainfall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday it has heard from many Lake Lanier residents whose docks and walkways now are under water.

“I’ve received numerous phone calls from residents this morning that their docks, and et cetera, have been impacted by the increased elevations in the lake,” said Lisa Coghlan, Mobile, Ala.-based spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Some property owners “can’t get access to their boat ramps,” she added.... Please visit www.lakelanier-homesforsale.com for more information

Senators are working on extending the $8,000.00 federal tax credit to Atlanta new home buyers. Washington is working towards allowing repeat buyers $6,500.00 for purchasing their next home. Please visit JeffBarnwellHomesForSale.com for more information on the new tax credit.

Buying Suwanee, Johns Creek, and Atlanta foreclosed homes as is / where is. Understanding the complex nature of the foreclosure market is key when making offers on distressed Atlanta Ga properties. Visit my Atlanta real estate blog for an updated article on this issue.

For the first time since September 2005 Lake Lanier's elevation is above full pool. Given all the rain it's about time!!! For the latest in Lake Lanier properties for sale email JeffBarnwell@remax.net

The AJC writes about Gwinnett County foreclosures posting an overall decline in numbers but still higher than last year. I have a couple articles posted on my real estate blog showing local banks halting foreclosures for the next 90 days.

From the AP comes a great article on the benefits of being a young buyer in todays market. One young investor purchased three homes in the metro Atlanta / Johns Creek market since the adjustment. For more information on how to take advantage of this buyers market please email JeffBarnwell@remax.net

Another article from one of my customers and USA Today showing existing housing trending back towards the positive. Good to see Atlanta on the list with a 2.3% increase from July.

With the market slowing down many related industries are starting to feel the pinch. Cabinet companies, landscaping, and counter top installers are just a few of the many affected by builders not putting up new houses. This article from the AJC shows how local Johns Creek and Suwanee families are pinching pennies around the house.

Buyers across the nation are finding $1,000,000.00 is going much further towards purchasing their next house. Going through the FMLS yesterday for Suwanee, Johns Creek, East Cobb, and Alpharetta we still have plenty of 1 million dollar homes on the market. Call today to schedule a showing.

2,000 in Austell could be homeless... What a horror at play on the west side of metro Atlanta.

From the Ajc comes an article on the demise of a local lender. One builder had $91 million dollars borrowed from 40 banks to finance 35 subdivisions around metro atlanta. Visit my blog for more informaiton on Johns Creek real estate and other real estate news.

One of my customers shared this article via email. Appears home builders are back to work and ready to build your dream home. One luxury home builder feels good enough about the market they are no longer discounting.

“We are fairly well convinced that the bottom has been turned and therefore we are not increasing incentives or lowering prices anywhere,” Toll Brothers Inc. Chief Executive Officer Robert Toll said Aug. 27 on a conference call with investors and analysts.

Having worked with many new home builders over the last couple months I can assure you this is poor logic on Toll Brothers part. Now is the time to increase your incentives for home buyers wanting to build a new home. Working through an agency agreement my buyers are seeing fantastic pricing and plenty of incentives with builders across the Atlanta market.

Found a couple articles on how to improve your credit score. Sound advice from the experts on making the necessary repairs to give you a higher FICO credit score. Visit my blog for more informaiton on Johns Creek real estate and other real estate news.

What is your credit score 520 - 620 - 720 - 820? Two of these credit scores will not allow you to make a purchase in todays lending market. FHA requires a 640 minimum and most lenders are looking for a 720 or better for conventional loans. No mater what your score make use of these 7 fast fixes as published by Liz Pullman Weston.

Forsyth County and Johns Creek are back in the National new as a top 10 young, rich counties. The findings, based off of research done by The Nielsen Company, looked at young people between the ages of 25-34 making more than $100,000 annually.

Great news for Johns Creek / Suwanee / Marietta. The Results are in and our schools are showing the highest CRCT scores for the state. One outstanding school, South Forsyth High scored 8th highest in the state.

Our local economist are starting to come out of the woodwork with the good news. Although a long recovery is expected the experts are claiming July was the bottom.

“Look for things improve soon, maybe starting next month.” Local real estate expert John Adams is encouraged by the latest trends in the market. Find out how this good news helps with your house in Johns Creek, Suwanee, Buford, Alpharetta, East Cobb, and other surrounding areas.

2 million dollar loans for family members with no ability to repay, allowing developers to draw on projects not started, loans with no equity. Follow the link for information on a recent audit of two local banks in Havenwood and Duluth Georgia.

Great news for metro Atlanta, national athletes like what they are seeing in home values...

Around John Creek and Suwanee local residents call these "pipe gardens". Find out why metro banks are taking 20-30 cents on the dollar for these properties

Report from December 2008 showing local banks Texas Ratio. This controversial index shows the possiblity for some local bank to have continued issues.

Virtual Globe Trotting uses satellite mapping to locate famous houses and locations around the world. I have the program set for Georgia properties.