The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses
on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
On November 26, we’re asking millions of Americans to Shop Smallsm at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge.
Facebook, Google, Twitter and other innovators are joining with American Express to offer a toolkit designed to help small business owners get the cash registers ringing this holiday season.
Last year, there was a 28 percent rise in sales volumes for small business merchants versus the same day in 2009.
Visit this link for more information and various promotions for this day.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Green Your Home
1. Cross-Ventilate. An average adult takes in more than 14,000 breaths—or about 3,000 gallons of air—a day! Surprisingly, you are more likely to breathe polluted air inside your home than outside—even in cities like Los Angeles, which aren't known for air quality. Opening one window won't cut it… you need cross-ventilation so the breeze actually blows though your home, taking the pollutions back out with it. Open a front door and a back door, or one window upstairs and one downstairs.
2. Lighten Up. Simply swapping out the five most commonly used incandescent bulbs for CFLs or LEDs in your home can save you $60 to $100 a year. Combined with well-designed artificial lighting, natural lighting is also a great way to boost efficiency.
3. Low Flow. American families use about 400 gallons of water a day, and 70% of that is used inside the home. The majority is used in the bathroom: the average person flushes the toilet 2,500 times a year. Transform your home's toilet from water-waster to water-miser for cheap. Place a brick or 2-liter plastic bottle filled with water into your toilet's tank. The volume of these objects means less water will be needed to fill your tank—you've just created your own low-flow toilet. Also, be sure and have a leaky or running toilet fixed by a plumbing professional immediately.
For more tips, buy your copy of Green Your Home now at www.kellerink.com/greenyourhome
Encouraging Signs of a Strengthening Market
Market Update
While home sales in September were down slightly from a relatively strong month in August, they were up from a year ago, giving encouraging signs of a strengthening market and potential for stabilizing, if not appreciating, home prices. These signs include an increasing demand, shown by the number of people shopping for homes, and the decreasing inventory of homes for sale, in conjunction with some of the lowest levels of new housing construction since the 1960s when the Beatles first came to the United States.
Of the 3.48 million homes sold in September, 32% were first-time home buyers. With more and more people entering the market, the persisting obstacle for most is still the restrictive lending environment. In a plea to banks and policy makers, NAR President Ron Phipps said, "We need to remove the roadblocks to a housing recovery—not place more obstacles in the way of financially qualified buyers."
With an increasing demand and shrinking inventory, it is hoped that banks will begin to see the market potential and start to lend to otherwise creditworthy home shoppers, opening the road to a more rapid recovery. While consumer confidence still remains at all-time lows, retail spending increased 1.1% last month, a positive sign of growth fueled by the approaching holiday season, which could propel the U.S. into a promising new year.
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates were down again, from 4.35% in September of last year to 4.11% this September. While the Federal Reserve continues to put downward pressure on interest rates to spur sales, Congress's recent action to lower loan limits has further tightened lending among banks. This had the biggest impact in the Western states, which experienced an 8.8% drop in sales. This was mainly due to the concentration of more expensive properties in California, where buyers rushed to purchase properties in August before loans limits dropped on the October 1 deadline.
Home Sales
While home sales in September were down slightly from a relatively strong month in August, they were up from a year ago, giving encouraging signs of a strengthening market and potential for stabilizing, if not appreciating, home prices. These signs include an increasing demand, shown by the number of people shopping for homes, and the decreasing inventory of homes for sale, in conjunction with some of the lowest levels of new housing construction since the 1960s when the Beatles first came to the United States.
Of the 3.48 million homes sold in September, 32% were first-time home buyers. With more and more people entering the market, the persisting obstacle for most is still the restrictive lending environment. In a plea to banks and policy makers, NAR President Ron Phipps said, "We need to remove the roadblocks to a housing recovery—not place more obstacles in the way of financially qualified buyers."
With an increasing demand and shrinking inventory, it is hoped that banks will begin to see the market potential and start to lend to otherwise creditworthy home shoppers, opening the road to a more rapid recovery. While consumer confidence still remains at all-time lows, retail spending increased 1.1% last month, a positive sign of growth fueled by the approaching holiday season, which could propel the U.S. into a promising new year.
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates were down again, from 4.35% in September of last year to 4.11% this September. While the Federal Reserve continues to put downward pressure on interest rates to spur sales, Congress's recent action to lower loan limits has further tightened lending among banks. This had the biggest impact in the Western states, which experienced an 8.8% drop in sales. This was mainly due to the concentration of more expensive properties in California, where buyers rushed to purchase properties in August before loans limits dropped on the October 1 deadline.Home Sales
Home Prices
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Hampton Golf Special
Fall Twilight Special
Come enjoy the great fall weather this week
at Hampton with the following special.
$30 after 2pm includes:
- A Round of Golf
- 6 Wings and
- A Draft Beer or Fountain Drink
**Valid 11/8/11-11/13/11**
Call the Pro Shop to make a tee time
770-205-7070
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
I'm In Hog Heaven
Mark your calendars for November 18 and 19th. The first annual National BBQ Cup is coming to Cumming! Located at the City of Cumming Fairgrounds, with over 250 hard power and water hook ups and a perfect competition layout on the 70 plus acre site this stands to be a huge inaugural event. And you should see the team list! About 90 vendors from GA and surrounding states! Can you say Yum Yum! Bring the napkins!
Monday, October 31, 2011
How Safe is Your Home for Winter?
Worth reading - from Allstate Insurance Good Hands News:
As your family gathers inside to escape the chilly weather, be mindful of the fire dangers you are at risk for in every room of your home. More than 18,000 people are injured in home fires every year. Here are simple ways to prevent home fires and make your family safer.
Problem: Unattended cooking
Not surprisingly, the number one cause of house fires start in the kitchen, and stovetop cooking is the primary cause. These fires account for 40% of all house fires.
Solution: Watch pots
Sure, everyone has heard the saying "a watched pot never boils," but the leading factor of house fires caused by cooking warrants undivided attention. If you have to leave the room to answer the phone or attend some other matter, turn off the stove, or have someone else take over.
Problem: Clogged concerns
The dryer is a magnificent modern day convenience that makes life easier, but it also can be a huge fire hazard. According to Consumer Reports there are as many as 15,000 home fires caused by dryers every year. That is a startling number, and most of those fires are a result of clogged vents.
Solution: Clean, clean, clean
You know when you forget to clean the lint out of the dryer a few times and how big that lint ball gets? Well just think of how your vents must look if you do not have those cleaned. So you should get your vents cleaned at least once every two years. Not only will this help protect your home, but it will also help with energy costs, and the longevity of your dryer.
Problem: Overloaded circuits
Speaking of appliances, all those cords can really add up to a disaster. In fact, during most years, home electrical issues account for about 28,600 fires and $1.1 billion in property losses. And 53% of residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring. More households don’t just have a TV; they have a TiVo, a DVD player, at least one video gaming system, and often a sound system. All of these require power.
Solution: Get organized
Use a surge protector, and don’t overload it. Skip the extension cords and go for a multi-plug panel. Avoid wires and cords under rugs, over nails or in high-traffic areas of the room. If a piece of electronics starts to sputter, spark or smell, turn it off immediately and replace it.
Problem: Alternate heaters
During the winter months, heating is the most common cause of residential fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that portable, electric space heaters cause more than 25,000 house fires each year.
Solution: Shop smart
When using portable heaters, put these hot little units on a level space, away from foot traffic, and give them room. Keep any combustible items—as well as children and pets—at least three feet away. Also, be sure to buy the right-sized heater for your space. Most heaters have a general sizing guide.
Problem: Inadequate protection
Approximately 33% of all homes do not have working smoke detectors. When you have a working smoke alarm your chances of dying in a home fire are 50% less.
Solution: Keep checking
Make sure you have a smoke detector and to check the batteries at least once a month. A smoke detector has a useful life of 10 years and then should be replaced. Another essential item to have in the home is a carbon monoxide detector.
As your family gathers inside to escape the chilly weather, be mindful of the fire dangers you are at risk for in every room of your home. More than 18,000 people are injured in home fires every year. Here are simple ways to prevent home fires and make your family safer.
Problem: Unattended cookingNot surprisingly, the number one cause of house fires start in the kitchen, and stovetop cooking is the primary cause. These fires account for 40% of all house fires.
Solution: Watch pots
Sure, everyone has heard the saying "a watched pot never boils," but the leading factor of house fires caused by cooking warrants undivided attention. If you have to leave the room to answer the phone or attend some other matter, turn off the stove, or have someone else take over.
Problem: Clogged concerns
The dryer is a magnificent modern day convenience that makes life easier, but it also can be a huge fire hazard. According to Consumer Reports there are as many as 15,000 home fires caused by dryers every year. That is a startling number, and most of those fires are a result of clogged vents.
Solution: Clean, clean, clean
You know when you forget to clean the lint out of the dryer a few times and how big that lint ball gets? Well just think of how your vents must look if you do not have those cleaned. So you should get your vents cleaned at least once every two years. Not only will this help protect your home, but it will also help with energy costs, and the longevity of your dryer.
Problem: Overloaded circuitsSpeaking of appliances, all those cords can really add up to a disaster. In fact, during most years, home electrical issues account for about 28,600 fires and $1.1 billion in property losses. And 53% of residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring. More households don’t just have a TV; they have a TiVo, a DVD player, at least one video gaming system, and often a sound system. All of these require power.
Solution: Get organized
Use a surge protector, and don’t overload it. Skip the extension cords and go for a multi-plug panel. Avoid wires and cords under rugs, over nails or in high-traffic areas of the room. If a piece of electronics starts to sputter, spark or smell, turn it off immediately and replace it.
Problem: Alternate heatersDuring the winter months, heating is the most common cause of residential fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that portable, electric space heaters cause more than 25,000 house fires each year.
Solution: Shop smart
When using portable heaters, put these hot little units on a level space, away from foot traffic, and give them room. Keep any combustible items—as well as children and pets—at least three feet away. Also, be sure to buy the right-sized heater for your space. Most heaters have a general sizing guide.
Problem: Inadequate protectionApproximately 33% of all homes do not have working smoke detectors. When you have a working smoke alarm your chances of dying in a home fire are 50% less.
Solution: Keep checking
Make sure you have a smoke detector and to check the batteries at least once a month. A smoke detector has a useful life of 10 years and then should be replaced. Another essential item to have in the home is a carbon monoxide detector.
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