October, 2020
We hope you and your families are healthy and well in these unusual times. Covid-19 and Politics still dominate our local News. Regal Cinemas is closing all of its’ 18 theatres in Georgia after losing $1.6 billion in the first 6 months of the year.
Pumpkin Patches have had to adapt how they operate too! Practicing social distancing and wearing masks is now commonplace. Here are some of our favorite places to get pumpkins; East Cobb and Roswell.
Corona Virus Cases in Georgia are at over 322,000 with over 7000 deaths. Politics wise, Governor Kemp was skewered in the comic Strip Doonesbury last Sunday the 4th because of voter suppression record. Our local TV commercials are blanketed with mostly negative ads from both sides. A notable exception is Raphael Warnock’s ads. The two senate seats are expecting to see over $150,000,000 (almost $14 for every resident in Georgia) spent on Ads – that amount could buy over 500 homes.
As to be expected in these socially distant times, drive-throughs are busier than ever, Chic-fil-A has the slowest drive through but the best ratings; although almost all drive throughs here have long lines due to social distancing concerns.
Cherokee County Fire Department is donating 6 fire trucks to rural departments. What a great thing to do!
Cherokee County is Hot. Since 2018 over 15,000 people have moved into the county. Supply of homes are at historic lows at 1 to 2 month’s supply; and the number of sales is up 22% in 2020 from 2019. Part of the increase is the due to the opening of the Peach Pass (Express) Lanes in 2018, making it easier to get into Atlanta. Our excellent schools are also an attraction. Another exciting development was the addition of 5 new parks; click here for more info on and here for a map of Cherokee parks. This is exactly why we chose Cherokee to build our home in.
Overall, in the housing market, we are seeing better activity than expected with all that has gone on. Sales prices year-to-date in 2020, compared to the first nine months of 2019, are up in every area, while the numbers of sales has declined; this is primarily due to a lack of inventory, not a lack of buyer interest. For our region, sales prices rose an average of 7.94%, while the number of sales dropped 1.7%. All real estate is hyper-local and if you’d like a professional and unique analysis of value on your property, or if you wish to sell while the market is at all-time highs, let us know (contact info below).
Deal of the Month – Great Investment or Own for less than renting!
Right here in Woodstock, 126 Weatherstone Square Drive, 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath for $228,500 ($5400 below Zillow estimate), 1648 square feet. With 25% down and a 4% investor loan that’s $819 for Principal and Interest, $157 for Maintenance fee (includes exterior maintenance, swim and tennis), Property Taxes: $206 per month; Total Payment: $1182.
The property should rent for $1500 a month and it’s in terrific location in Woodstock! Click here for more details.
