As so many prospective home buyers are learning, the market remains favorable for finding that dream home.  Inventory is abundant, sellers are willing to negotiate and interest rates are low.  Being considered loan worthy, however, is not as easy as it was once upon a time.  Besides a stable employment history, lenders are relying a great deal on credit score, and knowing in advance what your three-digit score is, can greatly improve your chances of being approved for a loan.

The first step is to become familiar with how credit scores work and what factors influence your credit score.  www.MyFico.com provides this information.  Next, visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com and pull a free copy of your credit history as reported by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  Verify that the information is correct, and contact any companies that have reported false information and ask them to remove it.  Also, look for the portion of available credit that you are currently using.  Your balances should be less that 50 percent of your credit line.  The best scores are obtained by those who use less than 30 percent of the maximum.  on time payments and credit use make up 65 percent of your credit score.  Make adjustments where needed!

With finances in order, contact a good local lender - get recommendations from trusted sources!   He or she will be able to answer your questions regarding the financing process, and will even give you tips to improve that credit score if needed.  Once you have a preapproval letter in hand, find a knowledgable realtor to guide you into the home of your dreams!   

Now that the first month of 2012 has come to an end, residents of Marietta, Georgia can for the first time say that they were given access to fresh winter produce.  The first Saturday in January saw the opening of the Winter Edition Marietta’s Farmer’s Market and folks were lined up to shop before 9:00 a.m. Alot of our old favorite vendors were there and some new ones. Yes, there are such things as winter vegetables --  gorgeous brocolli, greens, turnips and squash to mention a few.

Prepared comfort food is also available to soothe the winter chill.  BLU Greek Taverns presents baklava, (pistachio, walnut and cheese) spinach pies, meat pies, pita bread, walnut cake, pistachio cookies, dolmades and specialty Greek foods.  Traveling Fare entices visitors with Chicken, Beef, Turkey, Jambalaya, Curry Chicken, Italian Sausage, Vegetable, Pizza and Creole Shrimp Pot Pies.

Several bakers satisfy the carb and sweet cravings with homemade breads, , rolls, pies, cakes and muffins.  Locally produced milk, eggs, pork and beef products and honey are also available.

Although the Winter Edition is a smaller scale of the regular Farmers' Market, it is a winter treat that is sure to remain in demand in coming years.  The Marietta Square Farmers Market “Winter Edition” is located on Mill Street at the Historic Marietta Square between the corner of Church St and West Park Square and running down to the railroad tracks. Hours will be no later than 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., every Saturday, rain or shine, from January 7, 2012 until March 31, 2012.

Celebration of Southern culture is an ongoing activity in this historic region of northwest <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Georgia.  Marietta is a city that was founded before the Civil War, and was the location of hard fought battles as General Sherman marched to Atlanta.  Tara, the memorable plantation and setting for the novel Gone with the Wind, is based on a local estate.  The Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum is holding a celebration this weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of Margaret Mitchell’s famous novel with surviving cast members from the film, interviews, autograph signings and a panel of authors.

The celebration kicks off 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Marietta Country Club with “Breakfast with the Stars,” where fans can have brunch with actors, authors and artists.   The brunch is held in honor of the late Robert Warren of Austell, an avid “Wind” fan who died last month.

A “Scarlett Look-Alike” contest will be held afterward, with judging led by actress Morgan Brittany of TV's "Dallas,” who portrayed Vivien Leigh in “Gable and Lombard.” 
Other events include a dinner and an interview with Mitchell biographer Anne Edwards.

Saturday begins with a 10 a.m. autograph signing at the museum and an afternoon author’s panel from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Hilton ballroom with authors Edwards, Susan Lindsley, Marianne Walker and John Wiley.

The museum will also premiere Edwards’ memoirs of her interaction with Leigh and the Mitchell family, titled “Scarlett and Me.”

The celebration concludes with an 8 p.m. Saturday program at Marietta Middle School titled “The Golden Age of Hollywood” with Ann Rutherford, owner of the “Wind” collection.

Also celebrating the novel’s anniversary, Georgia Public Broadcasting will air a documentary about Margaret Mitchell on June 30 on GPB at 8 p.m. Many of the scenes were filmed in and around Marietta. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Celebration of Southern culture is an ongoing activity in this historic region of northwest <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Georgia.  Marietta is a city that was founded before the Civil War, and was the location of hard fought battles as General Sherman marched to Atlanta.  Tara, the memorable plantation and setting for the novel Gone with the Wind, is based on a local estate.  The Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum is holding a celebration this weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of Margaret Mitchell’s famous novel with surviving cast members from the film, interviews, autograph signings and a panel of authors.

The celebration kicks off 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Marietta Country Club with “Breakfast with the Stars,” where fans can have brunch with actors, authors and artists.   The brunch is held in honor of the late Robert Warren of Austell, an avid “Wind” fan who died last month.

A “Scarlett Look-Alike” contest will be held afterward, with judging led by actress Morgan Brittany of TV's "Dallas,” who portrayed Vivien Leigh in “Gable and Lombard.” 
Other events include a dinner and an interview with Mitchell biographer Anne Edwards.

Saturday begins with a 10 a.m. autograph signing at the museum and an afternoon author’s panel from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Hilton ballroom with authors Edwards, Susan Lindsley, Marianne Walker and John Wiley.

The museum will also premiere Edwards’ memoirs of her interaction with Leigh and the Mitchell family, titled “Scarlett and Me.”

The celebration concludes with an 8 p.m. Saturday program at Marietta Middle School titled “The Golden Age of Hollywood” with Ann Rutherford, owner of the “Wind” collection.

Also celebrating the novel’s anniversary, Georgia Public Broadcasting will air a documentary about Margaret Mitchell on June 30 on GPB at 8 p.m. Many of the scenes were filmed in and around Marietta. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Another warm weekend is coming up and Cobb County, Georgia has the perfect way to get in the spirit of the season. What could be better than listening to summer serenades under the stars? Come and enjoy a night of music on the beach right on the shores of Lake Acworth. On Saturday, June 11, artists
Sons of Sailors take the stage at 8:00 p.m. Whether it is Beach, Buffett, Country
or Rock and Roll this Athens, GA band can play it all. Concert on the Beach
featuring Sons of Sailors is a part of the Love the Lake Concert Series presented
by the City of Acworth and the Acworth Business Association.

Tables can be purchased for this concert. Tables are $50.00 each for City of
Acworth residents and $60 for non-residents. With the table you get 6 chairs
and one parking pass. This parking pass will allow you to park at Cauble Park.
The evening of the concert parking at Cauble Park is by pass only, but you are
not guaranteed a parking spot with the pass; so please plan on arriving early.
If you do not have a parking pass or if the parking if full, you will need to park
downtown and take a shuttle down to the park. This is a free shuttle service. If
you choose to park downtown, shuttles will pick you up at the city hall parking
lot and the post office parking lot. Shuttles will begin running at 5:00 p.m.

Get in the mood for summer and enjoy the talent of some great home grown musicians!

Visit www.acworth.org/aprd to reserve a table TODAY!

With uncertainty still lingering in the current economy, many potential home buyers are sitting on the fence. Inventory and selection are good, home prices remain flat and sellers are more motivated to work with buyers on price. Interest rates are great, but may inch up later this year. This factor may create some urgency to buy now.

New and pending regulations in response to the mortgage crisis mean new loans and refinancing will be more complicated, more time consuming and more costly. We are seeing higher fees, higher mortgage insurance premiums and bigger down payments. Some real estate analysts see movement toward a minimum of 10 percent down payment.

Government intervention in the mortgage market will likely be scaled back. During the lending crisis the federal government guaranteed nine out of ten mortgages. Loans made by made by government controlled lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be reduced as future lending moves back to the private sector. FHA loans will be strengthened, albeit with higher fees, but won't take over the void left by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Whether you are a first time buyer, looking to move up or hoping to downsize, now might be the most beneficial time to make that decision.

The first week of the summer months ushers in the First Friday Art Walk on Marietta Square.  A self-guided tour around the Square will connect you with more than 30 merchants who will host artists in their stores. Participating merchants will host in-store events and stay open until at least 8:00 pm in the evening.

This month's First Friday Art Walk will feature Artists' Alley: an intimate exhibit of juried artists showing wide variety of styles and will be located in warehouse space at Dupre's Antique Market, 17 Whitlock Avenue. Artists will also give demonstrations around Square. The event is held from 5-9 pm and gives you plenty of time to relax and visit many of the participating merchants.  

Pick up a map at one of the shops  (see Art Walk Banner in the window), choose your own route, and visit at least 15 merchants and enter to win prizes. For more information call 770-429-1115 or visit www.mariettasquare.com 

Don't forget to bring your appetite to be satisfied at one of the many outstanding restaurants on the Square that never disappoint!

OK, we just had a great long weekend to kick off the summer season, but it's not too soon to look forward to next weekend.  One man's trash is another man's treasure! Mark your calendars for this year's Annual Dixie Highway Yard Sale the first weekend in June. The 90 mile yard sale organized by the Georgia Dixie Highway Association stretches down North Georgia from Ringgold, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face, Dalton, Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Cassville, Cartersville, Emerson, Acworth, Kennesaw, and Marietta.

Originally created as an avenue to promote the historic driving tour along Old Highway 41, it has flourished as an opportunity for each community to showcase their hidden treasures. The event has even been chronicled on national television!  This year the Dixie Highway Yard Sale falls on June 3^rd - 5^th. Be sure to stop downtown to check out the Historic Downtown Acworth Merchants sidewalk sales and specials.   Also, there are a limited number of Dixie Highway Yard Sale Signs available at City Hall on a first come first served basis.  For more information please visit www.dixiehighway.org  or call 770-974-3112.

Stop by and take in the culture of our quaint, historic towns here in northwest Georgia!

The first big summer weekend is here and who can resist breaking out the grill for a holiday feast.  Although accidents are the furthest thing from our minds, outdoor cooking accounts for 7,700 fires each year.  Here are some safety tips for outdoor grilling:

 - Check gas grills for leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the gas hose. If you observe bubbles, you have a leak and should turn off the gas immediately and have the grill serviced.

 - If you are converting a grill from propane to natural gas, have a certified plumber do the work.

 - Move combustible material away from charcoal grills and go easy on the starter fluid!

 - Make sure your grill is at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including your home.

 - Place your grill on a sturdy base and away from high traffic areas to avoid having it tip over.  Especially keep it away from children's play areas.

 - If a grease flare up does occur, quickly cover the grill.  Of course, call the fire department if it gets out of control.  Remove grease build-up to avoid this.

Whatever your plans are for the summer, eat well and be safe!

If you have considered selling your home and either concluded that now is not the time or just haven't found a suitable replacement, you might be thinking about a renovation.  You can enjoy the improvements for the next few years and have it more appealing to a buyer when the time is right.  There are several decorating areas to consider- fresh paint and/or new floor coverings are fairly easy and obvious.  Updated bathrooms and kitchens are more costly but certainly add value to your home.  In fact, updated kitchens and baths rank quite high on the wish list of many buyers.  These are both large projects and in most cases should be tackled by professionals.  What would your dream kitchen look like?

A truly successful kitchen remodeling - or new design - project does more than provide functionality for the homeowner.  It has personality!  Your kitchen should become a gathering spot, a cook's oasis, even a mission control for a busy family.  Kitchens are truly a full-fledged living space - deserving of its own memorable style and personality.  Individuality is the earmark of a room with personality.  So, in composing the design elements of a kitchen's style, put your imagination into overdrive and ask some very pertinent questions.

Are you a clean-counter type person, or do you truly enjoy showing off cherished collectibles?  Do you yearn to re-create an era of long ago - one that might be reminiscent of the Victorian or colonial times?  Or are you soothed by the spirit of a homey, comfortable country kitchen?  And perhaps, you prefer a more eclectically designed kitchen space.  The mood of your kitchen should make you and your family happy.  And if you kitchen space is open to other living spaces, it's important that you consider complementing your kitchen style with those rooms as well.

Whatever your style, call on design elements such as color, fabric, surface materials, lighting, art and one of a kind accents to create your own personal touch.  Picking a great color plan is important.  Often, color choices are dictated by the "givens" in your room - flooring, appliances, cabinets and countertops, but if you are remodeling, you have a chance to make a big change.  If you really want a drastic change and your color choices don't blend with your "givens" in the adjoining rooms, consider changing what you can now, and replace other items over time.  What's most important is that your colors be of the same intensity and tone. However, here is a caveat- if you still hope to sell your home and move in a few years, be sure that the colors and overall plan won't run off potential buyers. Stay neutral with the foundation and use color on things that are easy to change or will go with you.

Your first step will be deciding if the current layout of the kitchen is good and still works for you.  If not, make of list of the things that need to change.  Is the overall flow good? Is the space large enough for helpers if you have them? Are there things you have always wished you had in your kitchen? Do you have adequate storage? Counter work space? What really is needed in lighting? Today's new homes have "open" floor plans with the kitchen and the family room open to one another.  If your home predates than plan, is this an option to consider?

You may like what you have and decide to leave the current cabinets and appliances or simply paint them. If you are making a major change like taking down walls or re-arranging cabinets and appliances, you will want to consult a professional before you begin.  Their input can save you dollars in mistakes and offer ideas you might not have thought of.  They can also help you begin to structure a realistic budget for the project.

Once the layout is finalized, you will need to select cabinets, counter surfaces, flooring, lighting, and many other things. It's always best to plan it all out and complete all the selections before any work begins. There are many options today and, depending on your budget, many sources for all these things.

Once the foundation is finalized, you can begin to fill in with the "character" for your kitchen. The backsplash between the upper and lower cabinets is the first place to look. Once very plain or covered with wallpaper, today this is an area for tile, glass, or other hard surfaces.  The wide variety of choices allow you to chose from traditional to contemporary, neutral or full of color, clean and simple or fancy and fun! You can be creative here if you like. Again, if you plan to sell in a few years, make it with universal appeal in mind. Buyers will see it as a permanent fixture.

Next think about your windows. Will they stay open or will you need privacy or sun control? Window treatments for the kitchen are wide and varied in style.  In fact, more and more homeowners are opting for uniquely designed fabric top treatments, usually placed over a privacy treatment like wood blinds, cellular shades or pleated shades.  Kitchen window treatments don't have to be 100% utilitarian.  Pretty, decorative treatments do have their place in the kitchen.  Sometimes a simple scalloped valance in a patterned fabric, edged in a contrasting cording is just enough to add pizazz to a ho-hum room.  Drapery panels are back in style and can be displayed on unique decorative rods to define and soften the windows.

Finally don't forget those little special accents that give any room a total decorative look. You'll need to consider repeating your fabric selection in other areas of your kitchen for a truly coordinated look.  How about adding some upholstered seat cushions, pillows on chairs?  Tablecloths, placemats, table runners and coordinating napkins are also a must! Artwork will complete the picture.  Sometimes today kitchens have very little wall space for these and that will make your selection even more important. Work the colors and the theme or feeling together. Fill in the open space above the cabinets sparingly. The days of that area being filled with lots of plants and decorative pieces are long passed. A few, beautiful items will fill the bill- and cut down on the dust collection!

So have fun with your kitchen!  Just remember to let your cooking personality and color preferences shine through.  Form and function can be beautifully blended and relished in the heart of your home!

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