Beat the Heat in Gwinnett | Cool Things To Do

You know what they say about the weather in Georgia, "If you don't like it, just wait a few minutes" Oh wait, maybe that's Florida. Well unless you live in a cave you know it's been a very hot summer already. No sign of the heat breaking soon so why not find something cool to do?

The Gwinnett area has plenty of indoor or wet activities. If you're new or moving to the area and have no idea what to do, here are a few of my favorites....

Lanier World This one is not officially in Gwinnett county but close enough. Located on Lake Lanier in Gainesville this place has it all. A waterpark with a wave pool and several other waterslides, a beach and restaurants. My family has season passes and we use them regularly. Find out more at http://www.lanierworld.com/

Gwinnett County Parks There are several parks around that have indoor and outdoor pools. Some include waterslides, lazy rivers and playgrounds in the pool. The entry fee is minimal and you can stay as long as you like. Find out more at http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/ and click on the Parks and Recreation link.

Mall of Georgia Regal Theaters You know it's always cold in the movie theater no matter what time of year it is? BINGO! Perfect for a hot summer day. There's also an IMAX theater at this location so check it out. Of course, it's at the mall so you shouldn't have any problems getting the wife and kids to go.

Suwanee Town Center Fountains My daughter loves to run in the fountains at this very hip and cool park in the middle of Suwanee. What's really cool about it is there's always something going on there, and there's several great restaurants surround the park too.

If you're moving to the Gwinnett County area and need help finding a home, I'd be happy to help. Contact me at 404-663-7063 and I'll share a few more of my favorite things to do in Gwinnett!

www.SteveSellsGwinnett.com Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

Why Wasn’t My Offer Accepted? | Realistic Buyers Always Win

I hear this all the time....."I don't want to deal, I want to steal"! Don't get me wrong, I want the best price for everything I purchase too. But when it comes to purchasing a home, there are some things you can do to insure you get the best deal without all the hassle. Most likely the home you make an offer on will be distressed, meaning bank owned or short sale. These are two different kinds of situations but the goal is the same, get this property sold in the least amount of time and for the most the market will allow. 

First, make sure you work with a Realtor. Realtors are bound by a code of ethics and will fight to get you the best deal possible. Not all agents are Realtors so look for the "R".

Second, be realistic! Your Realtor® should do the homework for you but make sure the price and condition of the home you like is in line with the sold comps in the neighborhood. The market is over 50% bank owned or short sale properties currently. In some areas more and some less, but overall these are deeply discounted prices to begin with.

Third, listen to your Realtor and make an offer that will get noticed. Again, I want the best price possible too but making an offer of $50k on a $150k house is not smart! It's a huge waste of your time and will most likely not even draw a counteroffer. Working with asset managers on a daily basis I can tell you their thought process is this.....will this offer get this file off my desk with minimal effort? If you submit an offer $100k less than list the answer to that question is no, it will not get that file off their desk. It will create more work for them by having to draft many counteroffers and probably never work out. That is if they even answer it. 99% of the time those offers are met with a counteroffer of list price or not even answered.

Lastly, make the cleanest offer possible. Don't clutter it up with requests for appliances and new carpet and paint. If you're looking at a home missing these items or one that needs lots of work and you don't have the capital, move on! There are plenty of homes on the market that are move-in ready.

If you want to take on the task of renovating a home there are options for renovation financing. 203k is the most popular now and can be used to make repairs and/or updates to $35k. Just be prepared for an extended period to close as these loans are very complex and take time to put together.

There are many other tips I can share with you to make your home buying experience less stressful and successful. If you want to learn more, email at steverider1@gmail.com or call my cell 404 663 7063.

www.SteveSellsGwinnett.com Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

My Addiction to Frozen Yogurt | Dacula Gets New Froyolo

I'm addicted.......not to something illicit or illegal. I'm addicted to.......wait for it.......frozen yogurt. This is a recent finding and probably one that has helped me from becoming a bowling ball again. Some would argue that frozen yogurt is just as bad as ice cream when it comes to nutrional value but I would beg to differ. First just look at the nutrition charts. Secondly, there's no way I could have consumed the same amount of ice cream in the last two months and still fit into my shorts.

Recently a new outlet for my addiction opened in Dacula. Froyolo is the place where I get my fix. Located in the Publix shopping Center on Dacula Rd, this new location is the typical self serve, topping crazy, glass tiles and plastic chairs. But, it's only 3 miles from my house!!!

It's a buffet of frozen yumminess. Grab a cup (I like the medium size because you can fill it to the rim and still have some dignity because it doesn't look like a tub), fill it up with up to 13 flavor choices, get your toppings and pay by weight. That's right, pay by weight. You would think this would keep patrons from overfilling the cup but not me.



If you live in Dacula, like frozen treats, and you don't care if you get addicted, you should try it. There are plenty of frozen yogurt brands out there but this, in my opinion, is the best!

If you're looking to move to Dacula or the Northeast Gwinnett area, go to http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/ and click on search properties.



www.SteveSellsGwinnett.com Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

HAFA Short Sale | Does That Mean I Only Make It Half Way?

In Georgia, when you hear "HAFA", it could mean a number of things. But it's not a new way to say you're only getting a portion of something, it's an acronym for Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives. This program is allowing some homeowners to short sale their homes and move on with some dignity....and a little money in their pockets.

How does HAFA work? There's lots of criteria for this program and you can read all about it at http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/atj/user/AdditionalGetAction.do?pageId=329491. The benefits are cash in hand when you close and total forgiveness of the deficiency which means the mortgage company can't come after you later on. Of course you have to meet certain requirements to qualify and the link above will explain those requirements.

Here is a summary of the requirements....

So if you think you might qualify or just have more questions, give me a call or email me. I'd be happy to help!

http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/
Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

Take Fido with you | Advice for Sellers

The mls listing said..."Courtesy call owner, caution pets".

Most of the time this isn't a problem, the owner takes the dog with them. Or maybe they have a cat that will run out the door if you leave it open. Pets are like members of the family and they are certainly a concern when your house is on the market.

But here's the thing.....you know there's always a thing right? If your dog barks when strangers come to your house even when you're there, don't leave Fido in a cage in the corner of the kitchen!! It's very distracting and not to mention cruel to the dog.


 It's very difficult to sell a house to a buyer when you can't hear them. The dog is barking and it's echoing off the hardwoods and 10ft ceilings and all the buyer wants to know is if the countertops are granite. The dog is growling at the buyer's children and now they're screaming. As you can imagine this does not make for happy buyers nor a good selling environment.

Sellers remember, when you're selling your home it's imperative to give the best first impression, which is usually the view from the curb. But don't let it stop there. Make sure the lights are on, the house is clean, and the dog is not distracting your potential buyers from all the great features your home has to offer.

http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/
Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

Xpress Bus Now Stopping at Hebron Baptist Church

Interesting comments made online about this new Xpress bus stop in Dacula.

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/dacula/headlines/Xpress_bus_to_stop_at_church_lot_123790459.html

I'm not sure what people are getting all worked up about. It's a bus stop, it's taking cars off the highway! Some are complaining that it will increase crime....how is that so? Will criminals ride the bus to rob me then ride the bus home carrying my flat screen?

Some are complaining about the tax exempt status of Hebron and any money they make on this is free and clear.....that church has done more for this community over the years than any other establisment so why the fuss?

I see it as a good thing. It might not work out, they might not have the interest they need. But it's worth a try and with the high price of gas, it will save you money!


http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/
Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

July foreclosure notices up 16 percent in metro Atlanta

July foreclosure notices up 16 percent in metro Atlanta

Most of these foreclosures could be prevented if people were educated on their options. Fact, foreclosure stays on your credit rating for a minimum of 7 years. Fact, a short sale stays on your credit rating for 1-3 years. Most people don't realize the late payments hurt your credit more than the short sale itself.

Before you run out of time, contact me about your options. Or if your pride is getting the best of you check out http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/atj/user/AdditionalGetAction.do?pageId=315937. This site contains a lot of information that you wanted to ask about but were too proud or scared to ask. If you're in this situation, it's not a time to be proud.

Call me if you want help with your situation. I'm happy to sit down and discuss what's best for you. Whether it's a loan mod or a short sale, I'll make sure you do what's in your best interest.


http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/
Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.

Mall of Georgia Fireworks...It's Going to be Hot!

I know, it's Georgia and I shouldn't be surprised but this weekend will be the hottest weather so far this summer. Hopefully that won't stop people from looking at real estate and if you are out and about, be sure to check out some of the great deals I have listed. Check them out here.

There's going to be plenty of choices when it comes to fireworks displays on Monday night but our favorite is the Mall of Georgia show. They have an entire day of festivities leading up to one of the largest shows in the state at dusk. We usually set up early in the lot in front of Nordstrom Rack. I feel it's the best location because it's on a hill overlooking the area where they shoot from. As with most good firework shows, it's always crowded so get there a few hours before dark.

This was from 3 yrs ago...I look cranky because they started the show late and I was hungry!!

Here is the schedule of events for the 2011 show. Hope to see you there!

Mall Event:

7/4/2011 2:00 PM to 7/4/2011 11:30 PM

Fabulous 4th of July at Mall of Georgia

Fabulous 4th of July Events:

Free concerts begin at 2 p.m. in the Village Amphitheatre:

The Ron Jonsons: 2 – 4 p.m.

The Woody’s: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

The Atlanta Groove: 7 – 9 p.m.

Kids Zone opens at 2 p.m.

Prize an Hour Registration begins at 2 p.m.

Fireworks begin at dusk.

Post-fireworks screening of Little Fockers.

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New for 2011 is the Mall of Georgia Beer Garden!!

Enjoy the comfortable outdoor lounge experience, opening at 4 p.m.

Rick Tanner’s Rotisserie Patriotic Concessions:

$7 each for Bratwurst, Hamburgers, Hotdogs and Grilled Chicken Sandwiches.

Choice of Ice Cold Brew for $5/16-ounce glass.

Entry into the Beer Garden is free with purchase of beverage and/or food.

Open to families, but catering specifically to the 21 and older crowd.

See Guest Services for more information or check us out on Facebook!



http://www.stevesellsgwinnett.com/

Steve Rider, CDPE Realtor with Keller Williams Lanier Partners in Braselton Georgia. Covering Barrow, Jackson, Gwinnett and Hall Counties in Northeast Georgia. If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in this area please contact me at 404 663 7063 or steverider1@gmail.com.