Gwinnett County Real Estate Adventures: August 2008

During a recent round of golf I started thinking about something really too deep to think about while playing golf. That thought was.......What one thing do I do that I would consider myself an expert?

Unfortunately, I didn't come up with anything and ever since I've been thinking about it. I've actually become quietly obsessed with this thought and haven't really discussed it with anyone. Should everyone have one thing they are really great at or should you just be happy being good at several?

I would like to think I'm a Real Estate expert but I don't know if anyone could claim that because like any other field it's constantly changing and has so many different aspects there's no way you could be an expert at them all. The market changes so much and so often it's like trying to keep up with computer technology, you buy the latest and greatest and the next day it's out of date.

Maybe I could try to master the game of golf? Yeah right! First of all I don't play enough and second of all, well let's just say it's not likely I would be an expert at golf. We'll leave it at that.

What about mastering fatherhood? My two year old will keep me from doing that because like that computer thing I mentioned earlier, she's constantly changing which keeps me behind the curve. When it comes to her and my family for that matter I know I am really good at the things I need to be good at and that's what matters.

Should I try out for the Olympic Swim Team? After watching Michael Phelps win his 7th gold tonight I don't think this would be a good choice for me. Oh yeah, then there's the fact that one lap in the pool would literally have me in the emergency room.

My wife on occasion calls me "Jack"because I'm a DIYer. That doesn't always translate to being good at something but just willing to try it. One night a few years ago we're out with some friends and one of them called me Jack and I just looked at my wife and smiled. Turns out they wanted something done in their house that I had recently done to my own and it was then I realized my wife had the confidence in me to tell someone about what I had done. That was a pretty good feeling.

So maybe I should just be happy with being good at several things instead of being a master of one. My passion is my family and Real Estate in that order so I guess I'll work on that. Now that my thoughts on this subject have been typed out in this very public fashion I can get on with my next obsessive thought, whatever and whenever that may be. Stayed tuned and I'll let you know when it pops into my little brain!!

 

 

Steve Rider REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty Lanier Partners Braselton Ga, selling homes in Winder, Braselton, Dacula, Lawrenceville, Buford, Grayson, Loganville, Monroe and surrounding areas of Barrow, Walton and Gwinnett County Georgia. Go to WWW.SteveRider-Realtor.com to see my featured listings or search for your new home.

If you're looking for a home in Northeast Georgia contact me either by clicking on the email link or call me toll free at 800-765-0460 or 404-663-7063 direct. I'm a life long resident of this area with life long knowledge of the market.

Copyright Steve Rider All Rights Reserved Are you a Jack of All Trades or Master of None?

 

Well folks you know Dacula couldn't stay the sleepy little corner of Gwinnett County too long, right? If you're a resident of this area then you've noticed over the last few years that there are new shopping centers and retail outlets popping up all over and that's because developers finally realized that Dacula is a relatively under-developed area of Gwinnett County with good demographics and high household income. For those residents (like myself) who don't like driving to Lawreceville or Snellville or Buford to get something to eat this is great news but for some that have lived here all their lives, the change is probably not as welcome.

It definitely doesn't hurt home values to be near a new grocery store or restaurants that's for sure so let's look at some of the upcoming developments coming to a Dacula neighborhood near you.

Dacula Towne Center is a new outlot retail center already in development at the intersection of Dacula Rd and Old Peachtree Rd. So far there's a Walgreens that is within weeks of opening and Auto Zone is already open. The new McDonalds is under construction and knowing how fast they throw them up it should be open within a couple months. Here is the site plan for this development.

I think one of the best things about this development is the intersection of Dacula Rd and Old Peachtree Rd was redone and now includes a traffic signal and turn lane. Anyone who has tried to turn left onto Old Peachtree Rd knows this is a plus! Of course directly across the street is the Publix Shopping Center. If you want more information about this development call me and I'll see if I can help you.

Another much larger and much needed development is coming to Dacula off Harbins Rd. Harbins Crossing Towne Center has been in planning it seems forever and according to the developer is not scheduled for occupancy until mid 2010. Nevertheless, Wal-Mart and Lowes are coming to the south side of Hwy316! Here is the site plan for this center.

 This is exciting for me because I live less than 2 miles from this site and can't wait to have a Lowe's in my neighborhood. The Wal-Mart will be nice for quick trips to the store which currently means I have to go all the way across town. As you can see there are many outparcels which usually mean restaurants and that's a good thing too. According to the site plan information sheet, Harbins Rd will be five lanes across hwy 316 and will include a traffic signal at West Drowning Creek Rd which means no more 1/4 mile backups in the morning to get on hwy 316 from Harbins. Big news if you live in the Bold Springs area or anywhere along Harbins Rd.

The Hamilton Mill area seems to never stop growing with more development starting there it seems on a daily basis. The new movie theater is now open next to The Home Depot and there are strip centers and upscale shops going up everywhere. The retail in this area tends to be geared toward the upscale and includes a Kohl's department store and plenty of restaurants and boutiques. If this area sounds interesting to you contact me and I would be glad to help you find your new home here.

Dacula Kids Villiage is another really neat development on the north side of Dacula and includes a Swim Atlanta indoor facility, Jack City indoor baseball facility with a really nice baseball field as the center piece of the area, and several businesses geared towards kids. My favorite (and my daughters) is the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Shop. Green Tea Diner, a Chinese and Thai cuisine restaurant has also opened another location here and in my opinion is the best Chinese food around. Try it sometime I guarantee you won't be sorry.

Adjacent to the Publix Shopping Center at Old Peachtree Rd is Cornerstone Village. This development is about 50% occupied and currently houses Beef O'Bradys, Sherwin Williams, Catheads Restaurant and various other shops like Scoops ice cream and a salon.

One last development worth mentioning is not actually in Dacula or Gwinnett County but is a 10 minute drive is Barrow Crossings at the intersection of Hwy 316 and Hwy 81. Barrow Crossings will house Publix, Belk and Target which are the main achors here with Staples and several other large retailers signed on. Here is the site plan.

This development is already underway and much of the larger buildings are standing. As a lifelong resident of Barrow County Ga until 1999, I can tell you this is a much welcome development for the area. Winder is stuck in the middle of Gwinnett County, Athens and Gainesville and until recently if you wanted to eat anyting other than fast food you had to drive to one of these areas. Barrow County is the 4th fastest growing county in the State of Georgia and this is one of the reasons why. There are several residential areas located within a 3 mile radius of this site and with the Home Depot just across the street is becoming a popular place for buyers wanting to be out but not too far out. Contact me if you want to know more about Winder Ga or Barrow County or go to www.SteveRider-Realtor.com to learn more about the market in this area as well as get info on schools in Gwinnett and Barrow County.

So as you can see there are some exciting things already happening around here and more to come. If you're considering the Dacula area of Gwinnett County in your home search contact me either by clicking on the link to the right or by clicking here. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about the area and about the home market.

 

Steve Rider REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty Lanier Partners Braselton Ga, selling homes in Winder, Braselton, Dacula, Lawrenceville, Buford, Grayson, Loganville, Monroe and surrounding areas of Barrow, Walton and Gwinnett County Georgia. Go to WWW.SteveRider-Realtor.com to see my featured listings or search for your new home.

If you're looking for a home in Northeast Georgia contact me either by clicking on the email link or call me toll free at 800-765-0460 or 404-663-7063 direct. I'm a life long resident of this area with life long knowledge of the market.

Copyright Steve Rider All Rights Reserved Dacula Ga Retail Growth-Everyone wants to be in Dacula!

I took this new listing in Braselton Ga last week so check it out. The Falls of Braselton is a swim/tennis neighborhood just across from Chateau Elan and also has a greenspace park adjacent to it along the Mulberry River. This home is a 5 bedroom, 4 and (2) 1/2 bath on a full unfinished basement. Upgrades are the theme in this house from the flooring to the trim. There is a guest suite off the kitchen with it's own bath. Here are some of the highlights of this beautiful home.

Click here for the virtual tour

 

Great curb appeal. Professionally landscaped, three car garage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upgraded hardwood flooring throughout the main floor.This is the keeping room off the kitchen. It's currently being used as a dining area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kitchen has plenty of rich colors and materials like cherry stained cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless appliances and hardwood floors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a Great Room! Coffered ceiling, built-ins and lots of windows are the highlights of this room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You won't want to leave this master suite complete with double sided fireplace that is shared with the master bath whirlpool tub.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The master bath has solid surface countertops with tile floors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formal dining room seats 12 and is has decorative trim on ceiling

 

Upstairs you'll find a media room prewired for surround and three other bedrooms, each with it's own bath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This home has many other feature that you can find out more about by visiting www.SteveRider-Realtor.com and clicking on Featured Properties.

If you're interested in this home you can call me at 404-663-7063 or click the "email me" link on the right column.

 

Steve Rider REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty Lanier Partners Braselton Ga, selling homes in Winder, Braselton, Dacula, Lawrenceville, Buford, Grayson, Loganville, Monroe and surrounding areas of Barrow, Walton and Gwinnett County Georgia. Go to WWW.SteveRider-Realtor.com to see my featured listings or search for your new home.

If you're looking for a home in Northeast Georgia contact me either by clicking on the email link or call me toll free at 800-765-0460 or 404-663-7063 direct. I'm a life long resident of this area with life long knowledge of the market.

Braselton Ga New Listing in The Falls of Braselton