Louise Scoggins' Blog: All Categories

The residents of Walden Chase apartments off Dupree Road are no strangers to flooding…the complex has flooded twice in the past 4 years, leaving residents to be rescued by boats and their apartments totally destroyed. The complex runs along the banks of Noonday Creek, which flooded over an unprecedented amount of area between Highway 92 and Towne Lake in Woodstock this past September. Though the complex owner’s flood insurance should cover the cost to rebuild the damaged apartments, the City of Woodstock is applying for a federal grant to knock the complex down in entirety. The City inspector has declared the complex a “total loss”, and Woodstock’s City Manager says paying to flood-proof the complex would be cost-prohibitive. Rebuilding a property in a…

With the recent catastrophic floods in the Atlanta area, many residents have been left wondering what to do with their severely damaged homes. Facing major repairs and no flood insurance, what options do you have? I recently heard of a couple that had just spent their life savings renovating their home in East Cobb. Sadly, the home was destroyed in the floods. Without flood insurance and not having any money in the bank, they feared their only option was to let the home go into foreclosure. What a devastating realization! Not only to lose your home and all of your possessions, but to be forced into foreclosure. It’s a terribly sad thing to think about, yet alone to be faced with.

Hearing about this sparked my thinking into the hundreds of homes that were…

September 1st brought some major changes to the lending industry with both FHA Loan Qualifications as well as some changes to Fannie and Freddie Mac guidelines. These changes are sure to effect a LOT of buyers out there. Agents and Buyers alike: pay attention!

With the demise of yet another major lending institution, Taylor Bean and Whitaker, it’s now highly likely that lenders are going to raise the minimum score required to qualify for an FHA loan. Previously, the minimum score required was 620. It is now likely to be raised to 640. Why, you ask? Well, Taylor Bean and Whitaker held a very large percentage of those 620-score FHA loans, and with them going under, other servicers don’t want those loans. They don’t want to put themselves at risk and…

Is it true? Could it be?? Experts are saying that the Cherokee County Real Estate market may have bottomed out and is starting to show signs of improvement. In the months of June and July, the number of homes sold increased over the number of homes sold in the same months last year. Additionally, the average sales price between the 2 years stayed essentially the same -- $185,000 in July of 2008 and $184,000 in July of 2009. That’s something to be excited about!

Inventory seems to be evening out as well…while there is still over a 10 month supply of homes in Cherokee County, the new home inventory has dropped dramatically as it becomes absorbed by new buyers. Industry expert Eugene James of the research company Metrostudy states, “(Cherokee County) no…

Overtaxed, underpaid, overworked…here we go again! The City of Canton is currently considering an increase in City property taxes – the first increase in 20 years! The proposed 2010 fiscal year budget calls for an increase slightly less than 1 mill – from 5.95 mills to 6.8 mills. The increase is proposed to try and offset a decline in city revenue and help keep the City of Canton above water with their finances.

What does this mean to you? Well, on a $200,000 home, your taxes would increase by approximately $65. Not too bad, you say, but don’t forget taxes will increase on top of that because of the demise of Homestead Exemption. Since we will not get the Homestead Exemption anymore, for the same price home your taxes will increase another $55 (based off…

Preliminary plans are underway for a new, expanded City Park in Woodstock, GA. The newly designed park would feature an amphitheatre, interactive pool and water fountain, and a large, grassy area for sports. The old Woodstock City Hall on Arnold Mill Road will be torn down to allow room for the park, which will double in size to approximately 2.5 acres.

The park will be built in 2 phases…first by tearing down city hall and grassing that area in; second phase being the construction of the amphitheatre and other features. The natural 30-foot slope of the property allows for easy construction of the amphitheatre. Woodstock officials are hoping to have phase 1 completed by the end of the year.

The new city park proposal sounds amazing! It will be a fantastic…

Adorable 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom East Cobb ranch now available for rent – only $900 / month! This cozy home features a large kitchen with eat-in dining area, as well as a spacious family room and open floorplan. The Master Suite features a private bathroom, and the secondary bedroom has a hall bathroom that can be shared for guests. There is even a doggie-door from the kitchen leading into the backyard. There is also a1-car carport with laundry room, and a flagstone patio off the carport. Large, wooded lot is super low maintenance and has a fully fenced backyard. Parking pad makes for an easy turn around or additional guest parking. Awesome schools! Kincaid Elementary, Simpson Middle, and Sprayberry High. Perfect for a young family or roommates. Rent of…

Awesome end unit now available in Views at Coleman Village in Roswell, GA! This tri-level townhome is ideal for a young couple or a roommate situation. Bright kitchen with gorgeous stained cabinets has an eat-in breakfast area and overlooks the large family room with corner fireplace. Powder room for guests on this level ensures bedroom privacy. Open floorplan is great for entertaining!

Upstairs, you will find two Master Suites. The first Master Suite features a walk-in closet, dual vanities and garden tub, as well as a vaulted ceiling. The second Master Suite is quite large, with a private bathroom and plenty of closet space.

On the walk-in level, there is a third bedroom that could be used as flex space for whatever you need. It’s currently used at a…