Shoes for the Souls to benefit the Atlanta homeless community

 For Immediate Release: Contact Matt Hermes - 678-775-2787

Shoes for the Souls, to benefit the Atlanta homeless community is once again set to embark on another shoe drive to benefit the homeless in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding areas.

(Dacula Ga.) Shoes for the Souls, founded by McClain Hermes and her father, Matt Hermes in 2009 is set to embark on another year of collecting shoes for the Atlanta area homeless.  Shoes for the Souls (SFS) came into existence when McClain was 9 years old after a conversation in the driveway of their Dacula, Ga. home.

Matt, who was reading a tennis magazine in the driveway while McClain was shooting basketball came upon a story of a large tennis shoe manufacturer that was recycling used tennis shoes. The manufacturer was grinding up the soles of the shoes to turn into new soles and selling the shoes back to the general public. During a break in McClain's shooting, Matt asked McClain what she thought about and through their conversation father and daughter came up with the idea that maybe instead of donating the shoes to the company those shoes could go to help those persons that might not have shoes.

With this short conversation, Shoes for the Souls was born. Matt and McClain decided that a family service project was a good idea and that they would collect slightly used shoes and then donate them to the Atlanta Mission in downtown Atlanta. The Mission provides the shoes to Atlanta's areas homeless and are used in their thrift stores to generate additional revenue for the Mission's needs.

The first year, with the help of friends, neighbors and the Hamilton Mill community a total of 365 pairs of shoes were collected and taken by a borrowed pick up truck to the Mission. In 2010, the goal was to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes. Matt asked McClain what type of incentive would help her to reach the lofty goal of 1,000 pairs and her reply was that she wanted to shave Matt's head if they reached their goal. Knowing that this was unrealistic, Matt agreed to the challenge. Just a couple months later Matt was sitting in a barber chair while McClain shaved his head after an incredible 1,598 pairs were donated.

In both 2011 and 2012 word of their service project grew in the local community and with the help of many local schools, churches and businesses including Matt's company, Keller Williams Realty and other groups the totals kept on growing. In 2011 Shoes for the Souls collected 3,338 pairs and in 2012 a total of 3,900 pairs of shoes were donated to the Atlanta Mission.

Matt stated "In only four years, Shoes for the Souls has collected over 9,000 pairs of shoes from the community that are then provided to the Mission! We are so honored to be able to help the Mission in their goal to end homelessness in any way possible."

Another year brings new challenges and goals for McClain and her father. If McClain reaches her goal of 10,000 pairs this year, she will have the opportunity to dye Matt's hair purple and shave the head of one of Matt's co-workers. This years shoe collection will begin in July and run through August.

McClain, now 12, while looking out for the needs of others has faced her own adversity over the past four years. McClain lost total sight in her right eye in 2009 and nearly all
sight in her left eye after both eyes experienced retinal detachments within a few weeks of each other. McClain continues to struggle with the loss of eyesight in her right eye and doctors are still trying to figure out how to help stop the deterioration of the remaining sight in her left eye.

For more information on the Shoes for the Souls project and how you or your local community can help, please contact Matt Hermes.

Matt Hermes:
678-775-2787
Matt@MattHermes.com
www.Facebook.com/shoesforthesouls

The Grove at Hamilton Mill Offers Buyers Incentives - Dacula, Ga

The Grove at Hamilton Mill located in Dacula Ga. is currently offering buyers incentives in the form of $12,500 off basement home sites. The Grove is conveniently located close to the Hamilton Mill subdivision and offers excellent amenities, top rated schools and is located within a five minute drive to the Mall of Georgia.

The Grove at Hamilton Mill is a swim and tennis community located in desirable Dacula, GA.

New construction is the predominant source of sales with 16 homes being sold in the neighborhood since August 2012. Currently there are an additional seven homes in inventory and presale homes are going quickly.

Check out the current listings, and be sure to act fast before the $12,500 off basement lots deal ends!

Want to set up a time to take a look at the model homes or view some of the active homes in the area? Give us a call and let's go take a look at what's available.

Hermes & Associates
Keller Williams Realty
678-775-2718
atlantahomesguru.com


                                                                                                                           

Atalnta Homes Guru - New Construction in Atlanta 2013

Atalnta Homes Guru - New Construction in Atlanta 2013.

New construction in Atlanta had been low for years, but it is now on the rise in 2013.

Atlanta was listed tenth on the list of Forbes cities with the most new construction in 2012, and the pattern has continued since then, with a 30% increase of new home sales over the last year.

These trends are true for Dacula as well, which is also seeing a rise in new construction.

What are the benefits of buying a new home?
1. Customization: many builders will allow you to pick and choose what you want in your new home, so you have the ability to have the home you have always dreamed of
2. More Energy Efficient: Newly-constructed homes often include "green" systems and appliances—like high efficiency stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, furnaces, or air conditioning units—that homes built years ago might not
3. Fewer Repairs: With less wear and tear already present, the features of a new home will hold up longer than those in an older home
4. Warranty: A new home is generally fully warrantied by the builder for a minimum of a year- so if your roof leaks or your AC breaks, your builder will cover it
5. Fire safety: Newly constructed homes often include fire safety features that may not be present in properties built years ago
6. Financing: New home buyers may be able to take advantage of mortgage financing perks made available through their builder



Want to buy one of these new homes, but have one of your own to sell? You may be the perfect candidate for our Builder Trade in Program.


If you are interested in the Builder Trade in Program or buying a new home call me at 678.775.2787 or email at matt@matthermes.com

Matt Hermes

Dacula First Time Home Buyers - Fountain Glen Subdivision

Dacula first time home buyers have had a rough time finding homes that meet their needs in the current real estate market we are experiencing. 

Extremely low inventory of available homes makes finding the right house a challenge and if a buyer does find a home, getting it before a large investment group offers a full price CASH offer is difficult at best.

So what do you do if you a Dacula first time home buyer are looking to buy a home in any price point but are having a challenge finding a house? You MUST find a agent that knows where the homes are and has a list of houses that are not on the market yet or those that will be on the market in the coming weeks or months that can be bought now.

Hermes & Associates has a number of homes just like this. The industry term you may have heard is called a "pocket listing". We currently have two homes just like this in the Fountain Glen subdivision on the Lawrenceville / Dacula line that would be perfect for Dacula first time home buyers. Both homes are four bedroom, 2 and a half bath with large lots and are ready to buy immediately. Market price is going to be in the $150,000-$160,000 range and they will be hitting the active inventory market within a week.

If you or someone you know is ready to buy and wants to get a jump on the competition please get in touch with me asap and we will arrange to get you into look at these homes.

Don't delay! Waiting to act causes fear and inaction. Get in the game before prices go up again.

Matt
678-775-2718