ALPHARETTA GA HOMES FOR SALE - Alpharetta, Ga Real Estate

Every year, United Van Lines generates a press release about their annual migration study. Its a fun read, but hardly scientific. The report measures inbound and outbound relocation in each state. In other words, how many of their clients are moving into or out of a particular state.

A strong mobility pattern continued in 2006 as many Americans packed up their belongings and headed to the West and Southeast parts of the country, while the Central Northeast region of the country experienced an increase in residents departing. The statistics are among the findings of United Van Line’s 30th annual “migration” study that tracks where its customers, over the last 12 months, moved from and the most popular destinations.

United classifies each state in one of three categories — “high inbound” (55% or more of moves going into a state); “high outbound” (55% or more of moves coming out of a state); or “balanced.” Although the majority of states were in the “balanced” category last year, several showed more substantial population shifts.

MOVING IN

Known for hospitality and gracious style, the Southeast states welcomed many new residents in 2006, with North Carolina coming in as the top destination (64.0% inbound). South Carolina (60.6%) continued its 13-year inbound tradition, while Alabama (57.5%) experienced its fourth year as a high-inbound location. Although Tennessee saw less people move in this year (55.8% in 2006; 58.0% in 2005), it still captured a spot on the high-inbound list.

Outbound leaders

The midwest is struggling with weakening economic conditions from serious problems with the auto industry.Michigan leads the pack with 66% outbound traffic.New York is second with 59.5% outbound traffic. Upstate New York is still struggling economically and largely missed the housing boom like the New York City region did.

Want more information on North Carolina Homes? Visit www.huntforhousesnc.com

For more information regarding Relocation to North Carolina, Real Estate or Lots for sale call Traci at 678-575-6735 or 1-888-277-2006 x6 or e mail huntforhouses@yahoo.com 

The Preserve at Eagles Crest

View from the Pavilion - The Preserve at Eagle Crest Development

The Preserve at Eagle Crest is a 44 - 48 Estate Home Site community with an average of two acre lots located in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains of Lake Glenville, North Carolina. The views are 360-degrees of the lake, Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountains, Snowbird Mountains, Whiteside Mountain and long range views into bordering states.

The development is located amongst the highest mountains in the Eastern United States and the area boosts the most waterfalls in North Carolina, exclusive shopping in Highlands & Cashiers, has two of the top five golf courses in North Carolina, public and private lakes, some of the best weather in the Eastern United States. Because of the close proximity to 3 major airports and several smaller ones, the area has doubled in size over the last 10 years. The area continues to see growth in golf courses, lake front property, shopping centers, residents of Fortune 100 companies and some of the top restaurants in the state.

The Preserve at Eagle Crest is located 8 miles from Cashiers, 7 miles from Highlands, and 55 miles from Asheville. The site is found off Hwy 107 North to Pine Creek Road and right on Cullowhee Mountain Road.

Entrance to Eagle Crest

The entrance to the community will feature stone pillars having an automated Iron Gate and signature Copper Eagle sculptures on the pillars. The drive up the 16-foot wide paved road is a slight grade with minimal lighting and side drainage for making access to this community one of the most attractive entrances around. At the top you will come to the Community Pavilion on your right which is present and will be enhanced with a 360-degree stone deck equipped with benches, chairs, fire pits and outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen, table and chairs, enhanced indoor kitchen with cooking island for catered events, large tables for entertaining. The Pavilion has an automated 8 over sized “garage” door system that rolls into the ceiling for 360-degree viewing. The thought for the Pavilion is will be used for private parties, weddings, special events, anniversaries, community “block” parties, and many other uses.

The Carriage House/Fitness Center

The current 2-story Carriage House will be converted to a fitness center, sauna, bathroom facilities, and showers. The fitness center will also provide restroom facilities for the future pool complex featuring an Infinity Heated Pool with full lake views from the edge and Mother Nature. This pool is intended to be upscale with the edge of the pool allowing for the 360-degree views.Walking trails are proposed to be developed throughout the community.The 2-story Guest House is intended for hospitality and on site sales office. This current guest home will be enhanced with the full lower level becoming a master suite utilizing the large windows overlooking the mountains. The upper level is superior to many current builder standards and features a full kitchen, great room, full wraparound deck, and will be furnished. The home will be a 2 bedroom-2 bath when completed. The use of this home could be used as a hospitality home for potential buyers and their families.For more information regarding Real Estate, Lots and Land for sale in the Highlands, Cashier, Lake Glenville Area, Call Traci at toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or e mail me at huntforhouses@yahoo.com 

Vacation Property Sales Increase

According to the National Association of Realtors, more than one million people bought vacation homes in 2006. Industry experts say the NAR data is good news for those considering purchasing a vacation home.

“Their data basically [reported] that vacationon-home sales rose in 2006 based on a 4.7 percent increase [over the previous year],” says Christine Karpinski author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment (Kinney Pollack Press, 2007, ISBN: 0-9748249-9-2, $26.00) and Director of Owner Community for HomeAway.com.

Despite those results, is now really a good time to buy a vacation property?

“There’s a lot of talk about what the real estate market is doing and that this is the third worst time in the real estate market as far as things dropping but we haven’t seen a significant drop in the vacation market. As a matter of fact, in a lot of markets it’s still going up. Now that doesn’t mean that all of them are; some [vacation markets] have gone down a little bit or are normalizing,”

Vacation home sales and investment home sales together accounted for 36 percent of all existing and new residential transactions. Karpinski says, the survey results signal a “definite green light to anyone thinking of buying a vacation property.”

Karpinski says it’s important for consumers to understand that there are different segments of the real estate market.

“The general public tends to view the real estate market as a whole,” says Karpinski. But she says that not all real estate markets perform the same. The residential market is different from the investment, commercial or vacation properties.

“They really are two separate and distinct markets. So don’t let the doom-and-gloom sayers discourage you, and don’t let a sluggish real estate market in your area do so, either. You’re on a whole different playing field,” adds Karpinski.
There’s more good news for vacation-home shoppers according to Karpinski. She says that investment home sales are down by nearly 30 percent since 2005.

Fewer speculators in a market means less muddying of the water and perhaps less driving up of sales prices. “If you’re buying a second home for your personal use, you don’t want to compete with speculators. You want to take your time and make a thoughtful purchase you can feel good about,” says Karpinski.

If now is a good time to jump into the vacation home sales market, do you have to be wealthy to buy? Karpinski says not at all.

“Even if you can’t comfortably afford two mortgages, it’s not difficult at all to offset the cost of your vacation home,” says Karpinski.

She adds that you can rent it out part-time and enjoy it at other times and “As I point out in my books, if you rent out your home only seventeen weeks out of the year, you can still break even.”

An important consideration before buying your vacation home is to make sure that you have the ability to rent it out, even if you think you aren’t likely to do this at the time you’re buying the property.

“Having that safety net to be able to rent out your home is very important even if you’re sort of dead set against anybody renting your home now. The reason is that there are a lot of homeowners associations and municipalities that don’t allow short-term rentals,” says Karpinski.

So buying in an area that doesn’t allow short-term renting will not provide you with a safety net and Karpinski says it could hurt your resale value.

“Vacation homes that can be rented typically hold their value better because you’ve got that money to help off-set [the cost] and your pool of buyers then opens up,” explains Karpinski.

As with any real estate purchase, the best assurance for a good investment is acquiring an education about the area you’re buying in, researching restrictions, and hiring qualified industry experts to guide you through the process.
by Realty Times

For more information reagarding Real Estate and Lots for same e mail me at huntforhouses.com or call 678-575-6735