Alpharetta's Wills Park- Busy on Sunday Morning

Steve and I were out for our Sunday morning stroll today, and realized how fortunate we are to live within walking distance of Wills Park, a beautiful green space! As we walked down Rucker Road, we decided to include a stop at the Alpharetta Community Garden to check out the changes from summer to fall crops. The gardens were lush and plots were packed with ripe tomatoes and peppers. A new rail fence has been installed around the garden. Hard to believe that just a few months ago this gorgeous, food-producing spot was just another piece of plain ole' grass! Way to go green, Alpharetta!

As we walked around the path in the park, we came upon a canine agility show in the big arena. All shapes and sizes of dogs and their handlers were getting ready to compete. Then, as we headed back toward Greenmont, we noticed that Rucker Road had been blocked off for something. That something turned out to be the IronKids Triathalon! We cheered the elementary-aged bike riders as they rounded the corner to pedal back toward the finish line. Before we got home, we came across a yard sale and a road-side vegetable stand. I think I heard some baseball game announcing in the background, and, of course, the tennis courts were alive with players, too!

It was all great activity, though- one of the many reasons we love it here. Even though we live in one of the largest cities in the United States, there is a lot of small town feel left in Alpharetta.

Look around your yard and neighborhood this week. I bet you'll find a few things that you are grateful for! I am grateful for Wills Park, a huge, diverse green space in the heart of Alpharetta- a place I won't take for granted anymore.

Linda

Alpharetta- a Georgia Green Community

John Monson of the Alpharetta City Council forwarded the following press release yesterday issued by the Atlanta Regional Commission, and I wanted to share it with you!

The City of Alpharetta has been awarded bronze-level Green Community Certification by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The certification as an ARC Green Community is the result of policies that the City Council adopted earlier this year, along with hard work by our Community Development, Engineering/Public Works and Finance Departments. These efforts have made Alpharetta a recognized leader in environmental stewardship and will have lasting positive impacts on our community. The policies implemented to earn this designation make sound fiscal sense and provide a return on taxpayer dollars in addition to being the right things to do for our environment. Alpharetta is one of only 3 communities in Georgia to earn this designation.

Congratulations to My Sweet Home, Alpharetta! It's a great, GREEN place to live!

RED DAY- Keller Williams North Atlanta Gives Back

Watch and listen as Realtors from Keller Williams North Atlanta spend the day on a volunteer Extreme Home Makeover in Alpharetta!



I'm so proud to be part of a company that really cares about our neighbors and neighborhoods.

Calling All First-Time Buyers..... Best Home Sale Ever

If you are currently renting a house or apartment, now is an excellent time for you to look at all the options available in this buyer's market.

First of all, your present cost of living might really surprise you. If you pay $1,000/month for rented housing, you will have forfeited a whopping $36,000 over the next three years with no equity to show for it. You’re paying the mortgage for the property owner when you could be building equity for yourself.
Tax deductions for home ownership vary, but the IRS dictates that mortgage interest, pre-paid interest and interest on construction loans are all things to consider as tax benefits.

Another important thing to consider is that right now there is an excellent supply of homes for sale at bargain prices in pretty much every price range, AND interest rates are very attractive, too!

On top of all that good news, if you are a renter and don't have to sell a home before you can buy, you are in the absolute best position! Sellers and their agents will be eager to negotiate with you, because they know that you are ready to move and won't have to wait to close until your present home sells.

Whether you are looking for new construction or an older home that could use your personal TLC, let's get out there and do some serious looking! By the time Spring has sprung, you'll be ready to plant your favorite flowers in your own backyard!


Call me soon, so that I can unlock the door to your favorite house!


Linda

Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Your Branches!

My Grandma Rose had a beautiful voice and loved to sing to us in German, so I always think of her during this beautiful season of Christmas Carols. One of her favorites was "O Tannenbaum", and I had to smile the other night as we ventured out to the first of the neighborhood holiday parties.

There displayed in all it's glory was an upside-down Christmas Tree! I was absolutely mesmerized! The longer I stood underneath those wide branches (which were on the TOP now), the more I appreciated it! What a cool idea! Why hadn't we thought of this years ago? For so many reasons, this upside-down tree thing makes so much sense! My neighbor's beautiful collection of glass ornaments gleamed like never before, and I could stand right underneath the tree and look up at them hanging three and four on a long, graceful branch!

Instead of looking at the TREE, I was now focused on the ORNAMENTS!

Besides the beauty of this new-fangled invention, there is a practical side to this idea as well! How many times have you struggled to find enough room for the Christmas Tree along with your regular furniture arrangment? Well, think about it! If the pointy end of your tree is on the floor instead of the broad base of branches, there is a LOT more room for chairs again- not to mention all the great conversation that ensues among perfect strangers regarding the pros and cons of this hip new tree!

It's a good thing our tree is already up and decorated for the season, or I think I would be heading out to find this new upside-down version. I guess down is the new UP!

Have you encountered the upside-down tree yet? If so, post a note and let us all know what you think!

Happy Decorating, Everyone!

Linda