The Buford Corn Maze is not only a 5 mile corn maze that can be enjoyed by the whole family, it's an adventure of the season! Whether you are looking for the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween or maybe you want to be scared silly in the Haunted Forest? They offer something for everyone in your family. Mom's check out the Kid's CORNer, they are going to love the hayrides, animal viewing area, bounce house and corn box (it's a sandbox but with fresh, clean, shelled corn...so NO mess!). The fun doesn't stop there, new activities have been added to the Kid's CORNer which include popcorn jumping pillow (ALL AGES...even the young at heart) and Kid's Mini-Maze. Don't forge to try the pony rides. There's no need to plan around lunch or dinner, concessions are available throughout your day. Make these memories last a lifetime by stopping by the photo area...say "Happy Fall Y'all".

Open Friday-Sunday from now until November 15th. Tickets are $15 for the Maze or Haunted Forest. Kid's CORNer is included in the ticket price. Kid's under the age of 3 are free with paying adult.  Located in South Hall County just off of Friendship Road at 4470 Bennett Road, Buford, GA 30519. Check out their website at Buford Corn Maze for more information.

All owning Lake Lanier real estate not only get to live life in a beautiful location, but one that also includes a bounty of delicious restaurants. One such establishment is Sidney’s, located at Legacy Lodge. Diners enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of Lake Sidney Lanier, a cozy Southern atmosphere, and soft candlelight. The menu offers something for everyone and focuses on the farm-to-table concept to ensure the freshest ingredients sourced from local and regional vendors. This means that the menu often changes to accommodate using the freshest products. Enjoy a tasty wine from a small or boutique winery to compliment any meal.

Appetizers, entrees, and desserts are carefully thought out and crafted to ensure that all Lake Lanier real estate owners and all other guests leave full and content. Appetizer choices include Georgia white shrimp with Tabasco cheddar grits, crab cakes with roasted garlic bruschetta, and fried green tomatoes. It often proves hard to choose an entree with choices such as pan fried Georgia mountain trout with gouda mac and cheese, buttermilk fried chicken breast with cheddar mashed potatoes and smoked tomato peach ketchup, slow braised lamb shanks, pork chops, and strip steak on the menu. Leave room for dessert because the strawberry shortcake that features a brown sugar biscuit and vanilla bourbon, S’mores crème brûlée, or vanilla bean cheesecake with a toasted pecan crust will be the perfect ending to a lovely meal. Visit Sidney's online to find more information and to start planning your selections from the menu.

Art enthusiasts who own Buford real estate have the unique opportunity to live near Tannery Row Artist Colony. This is a community of visual artists where each creates art in their own studio located at Tannery Row. Every artist has a signature style and creates their works using a variety of media. Come to see painters, sculptors, printmakers, those who use mixed media, and create pottery. Many artists who create here have been recognized both nationally and internationally. Visitors are welcome Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12-5 p.m. and admission is free. It is a true treat to walk through and observe these talented artists hard at work.

In addition to walking through to observe the artists in action, many events happen at Tannery Row Artist Colony. Buford real estate owners can come to a class to learn more about creating art. Participants can create projects such as an acrylic mosaic, a clay clock, a magazine collage, or Christmas ornament. These occur on the first and third Thursday of the month. There are also many juried art shows that occur throughout the year. Most of the art shows also include a reception and time to meet, greet, and mingle. Experience art and culture in a new way by seeing the creative process instead of only the final result. Go to Tannery Row Artist Colony for more information and to plan a visit.

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (EHC) is a great place for Buford home owners to go for a day enjoying nature. The system of trails has a variety of surfaces, from paved to mulched to slate. Some paths are great for a slow saunter, while others offer a great challenge for the walkers, runners, and cyclists who visit. Dogs are welcome to take a sniff around, too, as long as they are leashed. Ivy Creek winds through the woods, and some trails even lead to the Mall of Georgia.

Buford home owners can take on a great physical challenge on the Treetop Quest, which is made up of zip lines, monkey bridges, and and swings. It’s two and a half hours of fun physical activity.

Gwinnett EHC also strives to educate visitors on the importance of water in our community and how our usage habits have a far-reaching impact. Get an education in water conservation at the Water Wise exhibit, then learn about how water has been viewed through the centuries at Water Ways.

The Center brings history to life in its heritage sites. Visit the McDaniel Farm, the Lawrenceville Female Seminary, or the Freeman’s Mill, among others. Visitors will get a strong sense of the development of the town of Buford over the years.

Gwinnett EHC is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the last Sunday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. The trails are open from dawn to dusk. Be sure to go to Gwinnett EHC online to see a current schedule of events or the plan a group tour.

Blind Willie’s Blues brings big time Blues and Jazz music to the Virginia Highlands near your Atlanta property. As a small venue, Blind Willie’s opened in the late 1980’s as a place for hometown musicians to jam. Since then, it has established a reputation as a solid blues bar including winning several Best Blues Club Awards throughout the years. With a history of booking great jazz and blues bands there is always a crowd at Blind Willie’s, so plan to leave your Atlanta property early.

Grab a glass of Willie’s Swamp Water, a bottle of hard cider or a quality beer on tap and get ready to enjoy some sweet sounds. If you are hungry for some grub, Willie’s blends the flavors of Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans cooking guaranteeing some tasty eats for you to try. Locals enjoy the gumbo or snacking on sweet potato fries before the musicians step on stage. Blind Willie’s Blues is open Monday through Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and is the perfect place to go to break up the work week monotony. Leave your blues records behind at your Atlanta home and come experience the music vibe live at Blind Willie’s. Check out which bands are playing at Blind Willie's Blues.

The Center for Puppetry is an amazing place dedicated to bringing the artistic history of puppetry and the wonderment of its art form to Atlanta neighborhoods. Brilliant, brightly colored puppets adorn this special piece of Atlanta real estate. As a non-profit organization The Center for Puppetry reaches out to local Atlanta and Georgia communities through performances, education, and their on-site museum. Performances are held in the theatre and are geared to all different ages. Family shows include classic and new tales designed to stimulate the imaginations of young minds and older alike. There are also showcases for teenagers and adults of a more serious and intriguing nature.

Children living in Atlanta real estate can attend Create a Puppet Workshops, make their own whimsical puppet, and bring it to life by acting out an actual performance on the Center’s classroom stage. The Center for Puppetry museum is newly renovated in 2015 with its expansion including upgraded space for their Global Collection and their beloved Jim Henson Collection. Jim Henson himself alongside Kermit the Frog cut the ribbon on the Center doors in 1978 marking the opening of this magical place. Perfect for birthday parties and field trips, kids living in Atlanta homes will be sure to let their parents know that this is the place to be for quality family fun. For more information please go to The Center for Puppetry.

The stylish Empire State South restaurant on Peachtree Street is the perfect place for residents of Atlanta homes to enjoy delicious Southern meals. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Empire State South prides itself on authentic, Southern cuisine created with regional foods. Favorites for breakfast include Smoked Ham Hock Hash or simply two eggs with Heirloom tomatoes. Change up lunch’s burger routine and indulge in some catfish here. Two fine choices are a scrumptious catfish po’boy remoulade or smoked catfish mousse with pickled onion.

The Empire State South dresses up date night for couples living in and around Atlanta homes. Start with a sophisticated libation in the bar, followed with some Golden Nugget Soup and for the main course choose juicy Georgia prime ribeye or perfectly seasoned trout. The dessert menu features many unique sweet treats including great artisan cheeses and a benne and fig tart. With an elaborate brunch menu for Sundays, this is an elegant choice for Atlanta real estate owners to celebrate a family day together. An elegant coffee bar is also on site with robust selections for coffee connoisseurs. Empire State South will exceed every expectation of restaurant goers seeking authentic Southern cuisine in Atlanta. Reservations are recommended. For reservation information and to browse the menu go to Empire State South.

There are currently 772 properties in Buford, GA that are in some stage of foreclosure (default, auction or bank owned) per RealtyTrac statistics

In November, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Buford, GA was 17% higher than the previous month and 58% lower than the same time last year.

Home sales for October 2013 were down 65% compared with the previous month, and up 14% compared with a year ago. The median sales price of a non-distressed home was $165,000. The median sales price of a foreclosure home was $145,425

Short Sales and Foreclosures in Buford Ga continue to be a good value, selling 12% lower than traditional sales but there are fewer distressed properties these days and increasing in cost each month. As an investor, it will be critical to get your investments bought before the end of 2014.

The term Direct Sale of a “TurnKey” Property is described as a property not on the market or listed for sale by the Real Estate Community.

Most of these type properties are owned by investors that bought in bulk.  They made minor repairs, threw a tenant in and called it “Turnkey”.  99% of the properties I have viewed with tenants are NOT in “TurnKey condition”. 

When I look at these properties for my clients, I require a meeting with the tenants as a condition of the sale.  Most of the tenants I spoke with were told if they move in NOW they will get a break on the rent if they want to do some of the repairs themselves, but never received a credit.

Some were told they would be paid for any repairs but never got a check. In other cases, the management company promised the tenant they will do the repairs but was never repaired.

The motivation for this type of sales is to flip the property to a buyer as “turnkey” because it was rented. The repairs then become the problem of the new owner.  The tenant moves out because they are upset due to the condition. Some haven’t paid rent at all or in months, leaving the new owner or new Property Management Company evicting the tenants. It does not take a genius to figure out that most of those “TurnKey” properties cost the Buyer a lot more money than if there were no tenant living in the property.

Remember that Realtors are licensed and held accountable to the code of ethics. Be sure you use a Realtor that is an expert with this type of purchase and a reputable Property Management Company you can trust.

Atlanta Home Connections, Lake Lanier Real Estate, Buford Ga real estate and surrounding areas

There are many items an Investor should consider when purchasing property as rental to others. The liabilities can be very costly if you do not understand tenant rights in the State you are purchasing. The State of Georgia has many rules, regulations and requirements the owner needs to be aware of.

One of these problems is mold. It is very toxic and a huge problem in the southern states especially in properties that have been sitting a while without air circulation. In addition, it is not uncommon for a seller to sell properties with mold issues. 85% of the homes I view for my clients with tenants residing in the property have mold. Scary when you consider the liability.

If mold exists be sure to have it mediated. It is required that an owner disclose to the tenant any mold found and the steps the property owner took to mediate prior to the tenant moving in. If you purchase a property with mold be sure to mediate immediately and have the tenant sign a waiver if they are aware of it.

Atlanta Home Connections specializes in Reo and Investor properties. We can help, ask us how!