According to Atlanta Business Chronicle, Forbes magazine says that Georgia is the 6th best state for doing business. The magazine rankes all 50 states based on costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, gowth prospects and quality of life. Business costs, which include labor, energy and taxes are weighted the most heavily.

Georgia ranked 28th for business costs, 1st for regulatory environment, 23rd for economic climate, 15th for growth prospects, and 33rd for quality of life. Georgia’s gross state product was $329 billion and the state has grown 1.9 percent over the past five years.

Virginia,Washington, Utah, Colorado and North Carolina ranked ahead of Georgia. The bottom five were Rhode Island, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermon, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

This is great news for the Peach State. Atlanta is one of the nation’s fastest growing cities and  include Forsyth, Paulding and Cherokee counties. Sharp Residential builds in all of these sought after locations, including the city of Atlanta.

Because Georgia is best for business, housing, climate and schools, we are happy to call it home. For more information on finding your dream home, visit http://www.sharpresidential.com

As I was driving northbound on one of Atlanta’s busiest highways on a Friday afternoon, I noticed this northbound billboard that read, ” Forbes Magazine calls Cumming -Forsyth  County a great place to get ahead!”

In addition, Forsyth County opened five new schools, the most at one time for the growing school system. Enrollment has pushed to a record level of 33,675, says spokeswoman Jennifer Caracciolo.

Forsyth County schools also leads the state on the college entrance exam ACT. Data released showed an average composite score of 23.1, besting both the state average of 20.6 and the national average of 21.1 out of a possible 36. The ACT is a curriculum-based college exam, while the better known SAT is an aptitude test.  Other metro Atlanta school districts scores: Cherokee 22, Cobb 22.1, Fulton 22.2, Atlanta Public 17.8, and Gwinnett 22.1.

Also, the Northside Hospital-Forsyth has donated $25,000 to stock school health clinics at the five new schools as well as provide hospital staff that will provide CPR training to teachers at those schools. The money is used to provide automated external defibrilators, CPR mannequins, stethoscopes and basic first-aid supplies. The Forsyth hospital has been an education partner since 2002, and among other donations it stocks health clinics each year at more than 20 schools, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article.

At Sharp Residential, Brandon Hall continues to be one of the busiest neighborhoods in Forsyth. Conveniently located off Windermere Parkway, there is activity inside the neighborhood and outside the neighborhood. For more information, visit our decorated model home that is open daily or on our website at www.sharp-residential.com

Atlanta is THE place to be this Labor Day weekend!  If you are on a tight budget, getting out of the house for a few hours to enjoy the beautiful pre-fall weather to get the last summer tan, re-connect with your husband or significant other by going on a date, than this is the perfect weekend for you to enjoy and see all the things that Atlanta really has to offer.

Here are a few events that I have read about and heard through friends, the radio and local e-newsletters that might entice you to go out of your neighborhood comfort zone:

• The Farmers Markets in Alpharetta, Woodstock, Lawrenceville, and Suwanee is a must see if you haven’t been to any of these yet. There are lots of seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh flowers, plants & raw honey available from local . Get there early because the early bird gets the worm! 8:00 – 12:00 Noon. If you plan to go to Woodstock, stop in and say hello and tour our beautiful award winning model, The Briarcliff, at Lakestone, located off South Cherokee Drive and Highway 92 in Woodstock. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.sharp-residential.com
• DragonCon 2009 in Downtown Atlanta, Friday thru Monday
• AJC Decatur Book Festival at the Decatur Square, Friday thru Sunday
• College Game Day at Centennial Park starting at 8:00 am Saturday for the die-hard sports fan. Game at 8:00 pm.
• Marietta Arts in the Park, Saturday thru Monday, in the historic square of Marietta
• Free concert & movies at the Mall of Georgia on Saturday.
• The Laughing Skull Lounge has a buy one get one free offer ( BOGO).
• The Southern Museum offering 50% off admission for Seniors during September
• Midtown Restaurant Week thru Sunday. Many restaurants all over Atlanta offering specials, dollars off and BOGO
• Catch a Gwinnett Braves game – They are offering $1 tickets and $1 hot dogs during Fan Appreciation Week, Saturday thru Monday.
• U.S. 10K Classic, Family Festival and Kid’s Classic races, Saturday starting at 10:00 am.

For more information on any of these events, please visit http://atlantaonthecheap.com, http://atlantagatoday.com and http://accessatlanta.com. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

 Atlanta is the 13th best American city to buy a home. Forbes magazine said in a new ranking of U.S. metro areas. “While the majority of the nation’s housing markets are still working toward a bottom, some cities are boasting fundamentals that make them good places to buy a home now,” Forbes reported.

Atlanta’s Liberty Park continues to be the top selling gated townhome neighborhood in the city of Atlanta. Top Reasons to buy in are:

1. The Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit is available thru December 1, 2009 and eligible to homebuyers purchasing a principal residence that has not had homeownership for the past three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase. Some restrictions apply. For more details on the Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit: Visit Realtor.org or http://tinyurl.com/n35jsv
2. The Georgia Tax Credit became available from June 1, 2009 thru November 30, 2009. The amount og the tax credit may be allowed and not to exceed the lesser of 1/3 of the credit or the taxpayer’s income tax liability. The credit amount is the lesser of 1.2 percent of the purchase price or $1,800.00. This means a maximum of $600 may be claimed each year. Any unused tax credit can be carried forward but cannot be carried back. For more details on the Georgia Tax Credit:  http://tinyurl.com/ko9y3y
3. Close to Midtown and Downtown for entertainment.  For example, Georgia Tech, Georgia Dome, Centennial Park, The FOX Theatre, Georgia Aquarium, Georgia World Congress and Philips Arena are less than ten minutes away.
4. Restaurants and Shopping. There is a variety of restaurants and shopping centers throughout the area, including Midtown, off Howell Mill Road, Northside Drive, Atlantic Station, and along Peachtree Street.

Liberty Park Neighborhood Facts:

• Convenience to I-75, I-285 , I-85 and Hartsfield Atlanta Airport.
• Gated/manned neighborhood with low maintenance.
• All townhomes have a garage.

Directions: I-75 North or South: Exit #254 ( Moores Mill Rd). Turn right from either direction. Left on Coronet Way and travel to stop light. Left onto Marietta Blvd. Left on Bolton Road and Liberty Park will be on your left. From I-285 West: Exit #16 (South Atlanta Road). Turn left and follow for 3 miles. The road name changes to Marietta Blvd.  Left on Bolton Road and Liberty Park will be on your left.

Visit our website at www.sharp-residential.com for more information.

July pending home sales rise to a 2-year high – http://tinyurl.com/nk3xsh

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