Lake Lanier Islands celebrates 20 years of Magical Nights of Lights! 

Bring your family and friends to another year of twinkling lights and bright smiles. Add memories of your own to the famous traditions under the lights.

Fill your car with family, friends and neighbors and head out to Magical Nights of Lights. Enjoy a slow ride with miles of illuminated characters and millions of twinkling lights:

• Drive over the magnificent snowflake bridge
• Down through the 12 days of Christmas
• Up past the illuminated diamond wonder light
• Under the blanket-lit bridge
• To the dancing Holiday House
• Santa's Workshop
• Christmas Carnival and more!

The celebration is now until New Year's Eve.

The Magical Nights of Lights journey doesn't stop with the lights. The Holiday Village is a must see for everyone., complete with a bonfire for roasting marshmallows, delicious holiday fare, pony and amusement ridges, holiday shopping and much more. Find the perfect Christmas tree ornament to commemorate your visit.

Kids of all ages can take a break from roasting marshmallows and riding ponies to have their photos taken and discuss their holiday wish lists with Santa himself at the Santa Shop. 

Live Nativity Scene, presented byh area chuches is December 1st - 25th. 

Tune in with your smart phone or radio to hear songs of the season and enhance your experience with their brand new app. 

For more information and tickets vistit Magical Nights of Lights.

Every homeowner wants to make sure they maximize the financial reward when selling their home. But, how do you guarantee that you guarantee that you receive the maximum value for your house? Here are two keys to insuring you get the highest price possible.

1. Price it a LITTLE LOW

This may seem couterintuitive. However, let's look at this concept for a moment. Many homeowners think that pricing there home a little OVER market value will leave them room for negotiation. In actuality, this just dramatically lessens the demand for your house.

Instead of the seller trying to "win" the negotiantion with one buyer, they should price it so demand for the home is maximized. In that way, the seller will not be fighting with a buyer over the price but instead will have multiple buyers fighting with each other over the house.

In a recent article on realtor.com, they gave this advise: 

"Aim to price your property at or just slightly below the going rate. Today's buyers are highly informed, so if they sense they're getting a deal, they're likely to bid up a property that's slightly underpriced, especially in areas with low inventory."

2. Use a Real Estate Professional

This too may seem counterintuitive. The seller may think they would net more money if they didn't have to pay a real estate commission. Yet, studies have shown that typically homes sell for more money when handled by a real estate professional.

Recent reserch posted by the Economists' Outlook Blog revealed:

"The median selling price for all FSBO (for sale by owner) homes was $210,000 last year. When the byer knew the seller in FSBO sales, the number sinks to the median selling price of $151,900. However, homes that were sold with the assistance of an agent had a medial selling price of $249,000 - nearly $40,000 more for the typical home sale."

Bottom Line

Price your home at or slightly below the current market value and hire a professional at Atlanta Home Connections. That will guarantee to you maximize the price you get for your house.

Email Jodi Cook for further information.

The median sales price for homes in Buford, GA for August 2015 to November 2015 was $198,450. This represents a decline of 0.7%, or $1,300, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 1.8% compared to the prior year. Sales prices have appreciated 16.9% over the last 5 years in Buford. The average listing price for homes for sale was $285,43 for the week ending November 11, which represents an increase of 1.3%, or $3,654, compared to the prior week and a decline of 1.5%, or $4,301. Average price per square foot for Buford, GA was $88, an increase of 1.1% compared to the same period last year.  

According to RealtyTrac there are currently 416 properties in Buford, GA that are in some stage of foreclosure (default, auction or bank owned) while the number of homes listed for sale on RealtyTrac is 633.

In October, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Buford was 30% lower compared to the same time last year. The median sales price of a foreclosure home was $173,200.

For die-hard Black Friday shopppers, staking out a place in line and camping out on the cold sidewalk in front of their favorite store is the best part of the experience. For everyone else, it's a necessary means to the end result of scoring a cartful of deals.

The majority of big box stores, including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target and Kohl's, will open on Thanksgiving Day to welcome eager shoppers, but some retailers will remain closed on the holiday - and at least one major chaing has decided to forgo Black Friday as well.

Stores Closed on Thanksgiving Day

Historically, stores have closed on Thanksgiving Day to allow their employees time to enjoy the holiday and be with family. With Black Friday moving earlier and earlier into the week, that's no longer the case. More stores are opening their doors to anxious shoppers on Thanksgiving Day, turning what was once a holiday for relaxation and overeating into a shopping frenzy.

Those stores that are bucking the trend and will stay closed on Thanksgiving Day include:

• Nordstrom
• DSW
• Cosco
• TJ Maxx
• GameStop
• Staples
• PetSmart
• Pier 1 Imports
• Patagonia
• Marshalls
• Home Depot
• REI

REI Closed Thankgiving Day and Black Friday

Recreation grear retailer REI is known for its love of the outdoors. This year, the company has announced it will pay employees on Black Friday not to work with customer, but to get outside and play. REI stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday - a first for the company.

REI's decision to go dark on Black Friday doesn't mean there aren't good deals to be found from them. REI hasn't posted any of the sales it plans to offer, but if it's anything like last year, you can expect promotions such as 30% to 50% select products such as sleeping pads, jackets, boots, Fitbit merchandise, along with free shipping.

Best Deals for Online Shopping

There's no need to wait until Cyber Monday or Black Friday to score digital deawls - retailers are putting their sales online as early as the start of the week, days before Thanksgiving.

And if you do decide to shop from the comfort of your couch, you'll be far from alone: According to the National Retail Federation, almost half of this year's holiday shoping will be done digitally. Reports suggest that 2015 will be the biggest year for online retail to date. Lots of stores are offering free shipping for online orders, and many don't require a minimum purchase.

So it may be worth checking out the online sales before dessert. Here is a list of some of this year's best online sales that last from Black Friday through the weekend.

• Kohl's (online sales start Monday, November 23)
• Best Buy (usual shipping fee of $35 is waived)
• Dell (free shipping)
• Levi's (free shipping with no minimum purchase)
• Target (free shiping and free returns)

Stores Open Thanksgiving Day

Major retailers such as Macy's and Best Buy will open in the evening of Thankgiving Day, Kmart, which faced criticism last year for opening at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and staying ope for 41 hours straight, plans to open early again this year. So if you're not the one doing the cooking, or don't mind leaving dinner a bit early, here are some of the other stores that will be open on Thanksgiving Day:

• JC Penney
• Sears
• Toys R Us

Check Out The Black Friday Ad's Here

Find Out Where In The Store The Deals Are Here (Individual stores may be laid out differently, but doorbuster placement should correspond to the same sections across stores)

Come down to the corner of Main Street and S. Hill Street on Saturday, December 5. 2015 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the annual Historic Buford Holiday Festival and Parade. This is a 10 year event and it gets better every year. In the past this event has had over 75 vendors, more than 1000 parade participants and 300+ school children and local artists on stage. 

Residents and families from the City of Buford and surrounding areas are welcome to experience the fun. There will be stage performances, shopping, giveaways, holiday treats and an exciting parade. 

This event is coordinated by the Buford Business Alliance and sponsorship packages are available. Stage Performances and Parade participation is free but you must register by November 9, 2015. For more information about participating or sponsorship please email Dannella@OakwoodOccasions.com or call 678-677-3858.

A mid-July golf game between Blessed Trinity coach Tim McFarlin and Buford Coach Jess Simpson eventually led to the Buford High football team accepting an invitation to open the 2016 season in Dublin, Ireland.

The Wolves will begin their regular season on September 2, 2016 as a lead-up to the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Georgia Teach and Boston College the following day.

Global Football is the organization in charge of putting together the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

So far, six high school teams have committed to play in Dublin. Buford, Blessed Trinity and Marist are all from Georgia along with Belen Jesuit from Florida, St. Peters Prep from New Jersey and Prepa Tec out of Mexico. Dublin has the facilities to house 12 teams, so more high school teams may be announced in the future. 

Taking a team full of 100 high school kids and their coaches across the Atlantic is no small feat. The estimated cost of the trip is around $2,900 per person. Global Football gives the schools back one free trip for every ten paid to help their staff or kids who may need some help.

Teams will arrive in Ireland on August 30, 2016. They will participate in a parade and a prep rally, as well as take part in sightseeing tours and multiple banquets. The Wolves will also receive tickets to the Georgia Tech-Boston College Game. 

Buford's history of traveling across the country helped in the decision to invite the team. The Wolves have traveled to Ohio and Texas in recent years. Buford's three straight state championships (seven of the last eight years) also helped, but wasn't a deciding factor.

Go Wolves!!!! 

That is what so many homeowners want to know. We are here to answer those and all other questions you have about the sale of your home.

If you're thinking of selling your home, you may be counting the profits based on your estimated home value and the balance of your mortgage.

Before you get too excited, remember that putting your home on the market comes with its own costs. However, homeowners can use some creative and comparison shopping to reduce their costs and boost their bottom line.

While you may feel as if you'd rather spend money to buy your next property rather than to sell your house, remember that careful spending on the marketing of your home can result in higher profit at the end of the transaction.

Get Your Home Ready for Market for Less

Before you list your home for sale, you'll need to spend some time and money getting the property in pristine, buyer-friendly condition so it garners the highest possible purchase price. While you may think you need to spend thousands on a new bathroom, paint your entire home or put in a new garden you should consult a REALTOR® who can tell you the best ways to spend your energy and more importantly, your cash.

Getting rid of clutter, organizing your closets, paring down your personal photos and deep-cleaning every inch of you home are all cost-free steps that go a long way to improving your home's overall appeal. Simple, inexpensive fixes such as replacing cabinet knobs and light bulbs can make your home look cleaner and more modern without requiring excessive spending.

Limit Spending During the Marketing Phase

Once your home goes on the market, it;s best to make it available as often as possible for potential buyers and their agents. If you have a pet that could disturb buyers or make your home seem crowded, you may be tempted to pay for boarding. Instead, look into your options for pet-sitting exchanges or develop a routine to take your pet with you when you leave the property so it can be shown.

White staying away during a schedule open house can be relatively easy to arrange, vacating your home for unexpected or last-minute visitors can play havoc with your and your family's lives, especially around mealtimes.

You can head to a restaurant to wait out visitors or to avoid cooking entirely so that your kitchen is always pristine and your home never smells like fish or spices-but that can get costly. Instead, have a variety of contingency plans such as visiting the library to do homework, purchasing picnic supplies for impromptu meals and making plans with nearby friends to cook at their home when necessary.

Reduce Your Closing Costs

Closing costs on a home sale are typically a far greater expense than restaurant meals or pet care, but sellers can take steps to keep their costs as low as possible. Home buyers typically pay most of the closing costs, but this is negotiable and varies according to local market conditions.

Typically, the largest closing cost paid by sellers is the commission for the agents involved in the transaction. Commissions vary by location and are negotiable, but they commonly average around 6% of the sales price. As a seller, you can negotiate the commission with your listing agent, but remember that working with a knowledgeable REALTOR® can increase the sales price of your home and your ultimate profit.

Other costs at the closing for sellers also could include paying off your loan balance, any unpaid property taxes and outstanding homeowner association dues-none of with are negotiable. Depending on whether you hire your own attorney and on the local practices in your market, you may need to pay an attorney's fee, transfer taxes and a title insurance premium.

Call us today for a consultation and evaluation of your home (678) 546-7387.

From October 8^th-25^th The Buford Community Center and the Sylvia Beard Stage Series presents the hilarious murder mystery, "Knock 'Em Dead". Six very unusual contestants show up for the final night of a talent competition. A murder takes place and the six suspects are questioned by the detective and the audience until the case is solved. This unique, interactive show is produced, directed and cast with outstanding talent which pulls it off without a hitch to an appreciative audience. 

The colorful characters include a ventriloquist with moving lips, a foul mouthed stand up comedienne, a baton twirling bimbo, the flamboyant owner of a lip syncing poodle, a German songstress with a questionable accent and a hypnotist with a questionable past.

Check out one of the showings to see if you can figure out who done it! Tickets are $20-$25. Call the box office for information and tickets 770-904-2740 or visit Buford Community Center.

*This show contains mild adult themes and language. Prop guns will be fired during the performance. Strobe lights will be used during the performance.