Lake Lanier Blog

Wow, what a year it has been here in North Georgia.  The biggest news stories for us was the Lake Lanier drought, the Real Estate Market decline and the rising unemployment.

The good news is that Georgia was not hit as hard as Florida, Californis, Nevada and MIchigan. But we have seen declines up to 20% or more depending upon the area. Fulton County, in someAtlanta metro areas, have seen even heavier hits, primarily due to the rampant mortgage fraud in these areas.

Lake Lanier is at 19.0 feet below full summer pool, it rose 1 foot from the rains this last week from a record low of 20.0 feet below full pool.  The 1071 (named after the full pool number for Lake Lanier) Coalition was formed, we met in December and they plan to put the pressure on the congress and other goverment officials so that we can provide SCIENTIFIC  proof as to why we need the water more than Florida and Alabama. This has been a 20 year political battle, 2 states against 1 (Georgia). Now they want to ague the point scientifically!

The coalition will have a financial expert provide to the powers that be an impact study on how business, real estate, recreation and ecology is affected by our drought, so stay tuned. I will keep you posted. The coalition meets the first Tuesday of every month and it is open to the public, so go to their website www.1071coalition.org  to find out  exactly where the meetings are held (at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford) and join in if you are concerned about our drought.

The 7.0+% unemployment rate is a huge concern and and could keep climbing until things stabalize sometime in 2009. This impacts everything and everyone.

Real estate sales are very slow, the market is flooded with inventory and people are having to reduce their prices if they want to sell. Some indications are that the end or the bottom of the market is close at hand. My prediction for what it is worth is that we will see things start to get out of the toilet by mid 2009. So hang on tight, do what you can to stay in your home and if you are having any problems CALL you lender TODAY!!! Don't let foreclosure knock on your door, by then it is too late to negotiate with your lender.

May you all have a blessed holiday season and here is wishing and hoping for a better 2008.  Thanks for stopping by subscibe to my blog and I promise some fun posts for you in 2009!

Welcome to my blog. I wanted to tell you about our new venture. We are still appraising but as you can imagine, things are SLOW, so we are offering a new service to buyers, sellers, Realtors and really anyone who wants to spotlight someone or something special. We are producing custom slide shows for home sellers to spotlight their homes for sale, for Realtors who want to spotlight their listings or enhance their website. www.customslideshowcreations.com

We also produce custom slide shows for Weddings, Engagements, Pets, Babies, Memorial Services, Reunions, Graduations, Website Enhancements, Businesses, etc.

Check out our new website and don't forget to click on our portfolio page to view some of our unique, fun and exciting shows. Then call us if you would like to have a show custom created just for you, your home, you loved ones, etc. This would make a FANTASTIC Christmas Present for someone you love.

www.customslideshowcreations.com

Do not forget to attend the first kick off meeting of the 1071 Coalition www.1071coalition.org on Tuesday, December 9th at 6:00 pm at the Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Island Resort.

You do not have to be a member or pay a price to get inside the gates at the Resort, just tell them you are here for the meeting. This is open to anyone and if you have a vested interest in where things are headed on Lake Lanier....I highly suggest that you BE THERE and BE HEARD.

Looking forward to seeing you there on Tuesday!

Mary Thompson