Genzyme is DROPPING the ball! My Boy Needs His Medication.

You would think that for the price we pay for my son Logan’s Cerezyme medication a little more work would be done by the pharmaceutical company Genzyme that produces his medication. Logan has a rare genetic disease called Gaucher which is a inherited metabolic disorder that leads to the accumulation of a particular fatty substance throughout the body.

A “Manufacturing” problem was found almost a year ago and it has cut down the production of two drugs, one of which Logan uses and month after month we are told that production should be back to normal in a month or so. Well, a year later, and now I read in the NY Times that we are looking at more time before we get the right dosage and production is back to normal.

Now I realize that there are only 1,500 people in the United States that are on this medication but that does that make us any less important than other medications? For the cost we are having to pay ($200,000+) annually for the meds. and his infusion, this is getting ridiculous. I have sat back for quite a while with my head in the sand trying to ignore this but to have to find out this information from the NY Times rather than the manufacturer is really ticking me off.

Get your butts in gear and fix the problem Genzyme! Is a 175,000,000 fine not enough to get you off your rear and get this fixed. We depend on you to help our loved ones live somewhat normal lives.

Keller Williams Real Estate School – Opening Soon

Have you been thinking about getting your real estate license and not sure where to begin? As the real estate market starts to turn, more and more individuals are looking to start a career in the real estate business and my Keller Williams office is about to launch a real estate school to help you fulfill your dreams.

Keller Williams Realty is a Consumer Choice Award winning company and my local office is the leading company in Gwinnett County in numerous areas and we want you to join us.

If you, or someone you know is looking to get into the real estate business this might be the perfect chance. Attending the Keller Williams Real Estate school does not mean you must become a Keller Williams agent, but we think you will, but it is another way to earn your real estate license in a school setting with some of the best real estate minds in the industry.

Give me a call or email me for more information.

Semi-Annual Hamilton Mill Neighborhood Garage Sale – Dacula GA

Well it is that time of year again. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the leaves have turned from brown to green. It must be garage sale season!

This weekend April 22-23 (Yes, Friday and Saturday) is the semi-annual Hamilton Mill subdivision wide Garage Sale. Friday’s seem to be the new day for garage sales and tomorrow is no different. Unfortunately (or fortunately) my wife will not be able to participate tomorrow as she has to teach but she will be out in full force Saturday morning looking through other folks unwanted stuff to find that once in a lifetime purchase.

For those of you out looking for bargains, there will be plenty. Kids clothes, toys and shoes. Maybe that light fixture or spare door you have needed. Do not forget about the used golf clubs or roller blades. Anyone need a used briefcase or whatchamacallit? We have one for you.

Anyway, bring your pick up trucks and open minds out tomorrow. Also, please make sure you drive slowly down the streets, there will be a bunch of traffic and we do not need anyone getting run over by someone in a hurry to find a deal.

Gwinnett County Archery Club – Dacula GA

Wow, what a effort a small group of individuals has accomplished in a very short time. The Gwinnett Archery Club is a non-profit club open to archers of all ages and classes. Located northeast of Atlanta in the suburb of Dacula, Georgia, Gwinnett County, GAC has a membership dedicated to the sport of archery with strong ties to the local archery community. We are on a mission to promote the exciting sport of target archery and provide outdoor recreational opportunities to the public.

Some good friends of mine have put in a lot of hard work and effort to make this happen and we all are really excited about the opportunity this club brings to families of all ages. Come out and support the Gwinnett Archery Club and enjoy all that Gwinnett County has to offer.

For more information click on the link or email me at matsells@kw.com and I will be happy to get you in touch with the Officers and Directors of the club.

http://www.gwinnettarchery.org/Gwinnett_Archery_Club.html

Papa Jack’s Mmm, good eatin’ in Dacula GA

The Hermes family took a little ride this afternoon to see a couple of subdivisions around the area and to check on some inventory of homes. While we were out we decided to stop and grab a bite to eat at a restaurant we had not eaten at before.

Glad we did.

Papa Jack’s is located in the Dacula GA area at the intersection of Spout Springs Road and Flowery Branch Road. It is a country style restaurant that serves up some really good food and at a reasonable price. The five of us had very large portions of food for under $30.

Papa Jack’s serves up a menu that changes on a daily basis and we sampled the roasted and fried chicken, cheesburgers, hot dogs, country fried steak and some awesome french fries. The service was excellent and we will definitely go back in the future. As we were leaving we overheard someone say that first timers get a free piece of pie. Not sure that is true but worth it to ask. Heck all they can say is no.

They also serve breakfast on a daily basis so I will be sure to check that out as well and give you an update. Biscuits, pancakes and a whole lot more.

Anyway, give Papa Jack’s a try and let me know what you think.

Tax Day Freebies in Dacula GA

Wow, what a day in front of me. I think I will start it off with a coffee at Starbucks, then head to Cinnabon at the Mall of Georgia for a little breakfast treat, then make my way to Taco Bell and top it off at Dairy Queen and do all this for FREE today. Yes, tax day is becoming more and more popular with the retail and restaurant industry to give back to consumers to smooth over the stress and pain of tax day.

You would be surprised at the number of chain stores that offer freebies to their customers. Starbucks for example offers a free cup of coffee if you bring in a refillable mug to one of their locations. The challenge is going to be getting into store with all the customers that will be there.

Oh well, worth the wait. Do me a favor and let me know what you find out there and what you were able to get for FREE today.

Here is a link to a USA Today story: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-04-15-taxdaypromos15_ST_N.htm

Is Now The TIme to Buy a Home in Dacula GA? Yes says Americans

A recent survey just published shows that Americans think that now is the time to buy a home. Most Americans believe that prices will be higher or at the same level next year. 64% of us in fact say that the time to act is now. This number is only 2% lower than at the same time in 2003.

Check out the link below from MSNBC’s real estate section with more detail.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36192404/ns/business-real_estate

Have a question about real estate? Give me a call or email me and I will be happy to answer them for you.

www.SearchDaculaGaHomes.com or www.MattHermes.com

The New HUD Settlement Statement / Easier to Understand…

I took a couple of classes early this spring about the new HUD settlement statement and how it was designed to make Buyers have a better understanding of their true settlement costs when it came to buying a home. At the time, and in theory, it is a fairly simple document but the changes have not solved the issue and have created even more confusion.

The goal was to eliminate “hidden” referral fees and kickbacks that increase the overall cost of buying a home. For years Consumers have complained about hidden fees in homebuying transactions and this form was to help eliminate this from happening.

The new form is designed to make lenders and brokers more accountable for mistakes or misstatements of charges tied to the mortgage.

New disclosures on the expanded Good Faith Estimate Form include the loan term, the initial interest rate, possible prepayment penalties and balloon payments, as well as the initial deposit for an escrow account. These changes are all good and beneficial to the Consumer to know about but the form is cumbersome and confusing.

Change is good, but change needs to be understandable.

Here is a link to an article in the MSNBC Real Estate Section that has even more detail.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36466420/ns/business-real_estate/

Looking to buy or sell a home, check out a couple of my websites at:

www.MattHermes.com or www.SearchDaculaGaHomes.com

Are More Homeowners Keeping Up With Their Mortgage? Dacula GA

Well, maybe a bit of good news for the real estate industry as Moody’s and Equifax are reporting that homeowners are keeping up with their mortgage payments in greater numbers than at any time in the past four years.

Only 6.57 % of mortgages were delinquent in the 1st quarter of 2010 the report states compared with 6.6% in Q4 2009.

This market needs to come to grips with the foreclosure and short sale situation in order to better stabilize the market and to work towards a better middle ground for both Buyers and traditional Sellers. With the continued influx of short sale and foreclosure homes on the market, Owner Occupied Sellers are at such a disadvantage in today’s market.

The New Normal is here and we need to come to grips with it. We are seeing a sense of stabilization but more needs to be done to keep owners in their current homes.

For more information on the report check out http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-04-14-1Amortgages14_ST_N.htm

If you are in the market for a new home or thinking about selling, check out my newest website dedicated to the Dacula GA market at www.SearchDaculaGaHomes.com

Rental Homes Needed in Dacula GA!

If you or someone you know is looking to, or needs to rent their Hamilton Mill or surrounding area home, please give me a call.

The rental market is booming and I need rentals to satisfy the need. Rates are great.

PLEASE give me a call  or send a confidential email to discuss your options.

We are experiencing a huge increase in rental clients and the available inventory is very small. Most homes are leased within a couple of weeks. I have never seen a better time to look at renting your current home to possibly find a better deal on a new house.

If renting is not a option and you are looking to buy, check out www.SearchDaculaGaHomes.com

Matt Hermes
mattsells@kw.com
770-402-2819