The current real estate market is full of amazing opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you’re thinking of buying your first home, moving up to a bigger one, or selling so you can downsize, there are major perks right now that you can take advantage of. The biggest perk for buyers is low interest rates with the 30-year fixed rate averaging around 3% making purchasing a home very attainable for hopeful buyers.

On the selling side of real estate, sellers are seeing major gains in their net worth thanks to owning a home. As a result, we’re seeing more of those currently renting starting to enter the market to purchase a home.

The biggest perk for sellers right now is low inventory. It seems there just aren’t enough homes on the market for the number of buyers looking to make a purchase. According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com: “Total active inventory continues to decline, dropping 50 percent. With buyers active in the market and sellers still slow to put homes up for sale, homes are selling quickly and the total number actively available for sale at any point in time continues to decline." Robb Realty Group has a VIP Sellers Program to assist you with the sale of your home and to get the most amount of money in the least amount of time.

The lack of houses for sale continues to challenge the market, and with low mortgage rates fueling buyer demand, homes are hard for buyers to come by. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average house is now receiving 4.1 offers and is on the market for a little over 15 days. Robb Realty Group can assist buyers to navigate the process and get their offer accepted in this competitive market.

Buyers are ready to purchase but because of the shortage of inventory, they’re often entering bidding wars. This is one of the factors keeping home prices strong and giving sellers the upper hand in the negotiation process.

Homeowners who are in a position to sell shouldn’t wait! Listing your home this spring with low inventory and high buyer demand, will potentially yield a greater profit and your home will most likely sell quickly!

Bottom Line

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, there are major perks available in today’s housing market. We have several options available if you need to sell first before buying and would love to discuss the options with you. 

Find out what the value of your home is with our Instant Home Valuation tool and let's schedule a time to chat about listing your home.

With home prices escalating both buyers and sellers are worried that the housing market is just too good to be true and real estate agents are getting asked the question, “Are we in a housing bubble?

Here are the factors that suggest we are not in a housing bubble:

Housing Supply – Unlike the housing bubble that occurred in the mid 2000’s the major factor currently driving up home values is that there is a huge deficit of homes on the market for sale. A balanced real estate market has around a 6-month supply of inventory however, the current inventory is around 1.9 months which is historically low. In comparison the inventory level from 2005 to 2007 went from a 5-month supply to an 11- month supply creating a vast over-supply of homes that drove prices down.

Housing Demand - The biggest indicator of price appreciation is supply and demand. So, what is taking place in today’s market? Millennials, the largest generation in the US, are finally ready for homeownership, The health crisis has homeowners re-evaluating their current homes to determine whether it meets their needs, which is driving even more buyers into the market. These two big factors, along with historically low mortgage rates, make purchasing a home today a good financial decision. More than 38% of homeowners have paid off their mortgage “free and clear,” and another 18.7% have paid off over 50% of their mortgage. This positive equity perspective puts the current housing market in a much stronger place, minimizing risk of foreclosure and stabilizing home values across the U.S.

At the end of the day, knowledge is the most powerful tool. Robb Realty Group analyzes the data, provides insights and communicates what is going on in the market, which is key to helping you make the best real estate decision. Find out the value of your home with our Instant Home Valuation tool.

What does it mean to be in a seller's market? Home sales have continued to rise in the first few months of this year. Buyers are snatching up every new listing as soon as it comes on the market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 71% of homes sold in January were on the market for less than one month. While most of the economy has felt the lingering toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market has been the one bright spot with sales remaining high and home prices continuing to rise, adding equity to home sellers. 
The housing outlook for 2021 continues to look positive which is great news however, low inventory continues to be a challenge for buyers. 
Here’s a closer look at key indicators from NAR’s existing-home sales report, reflecting January sales data:


HOME PRICES: The median existing-home price for all housing types in January was $303,900—a 14% jump over a year ago. Get more for your money by moving up or downsizing while mortgage rates are low. It's a seller's market!

INVENTORY: Total housing inventory at the end of January was 1.04 million units, down nearly 26% from a year ago. Unsold inventory sits at a 1.9-month supply at the current sales pace. There is a lack of inventory. If you're thinking of selling contact  Robb Realty Group .

DAYS ON THE MARKET: Properties typically remained on the market for 21 days in January, down from 43 days a year prior. Find out why it's a good time to sell now at CityLifestyle. 

FIRST-TIME BUYERS: First-time buyers comprised 33% of sales in January, up slightly from 32% a year earlier.

CASH SALES: All-cash sales accounted for 19% of transactions in January, down from 21% a year ago. Individual investors or second-home buyers tend to make up the biggest bulk of cash sales. They accounted for 15% of sales in January, down from 17% in January 2020.

With a shortage of inventory in the current market, buyers are looking for homes but are unable to find the right home to purchase. Demand is strong so now is the time for sellers to take advantage of the fact it's a sellers market and list their homes for sale. Robb Realty Group has a comprehensive VIP Seller's Program to help you navigate the process to get the highest sales price. The first step is to find out the value of your home with our Instant Home Valuation tool.

Cost of Living

Atlanta is known for its affordable real estate market and booming, stable economy with many businesses calling Atlanta home including 16 Fortune 500 companies which include The Home Depot, The Coca-Cola Company, UPS, and Delta Airlines just to name a few. It also boasts jobs across a variety of industries including healthcare, restaurants, hospitality, technology, and entertainment. And with mild weather year-round there’s lots to do in the community from hiking, parks, enjoying the many lakes to taking a day trip to one of Georgia’s quaint towns or visit an adjacent state. The state of Georgia borders Tennessee, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Florida.

Shopping

Atlanta is known for unique shopping experiences from boutiques, to outlet malls to high-end shopping locations it has something for everyone. There are several mixed-use gathering places Avalon and Halcyon with curated shops, restaurants, creative loft offices, modern hotel rooms, beautiful residences to buy or lease, and a common green area at the center. All of it seamlessly integrated and thoughtfully designed to complement the surroundings, allowing community and connections to happen naturally. On any given day there are farmer’s markets throughout different communities in Atlanta where you can purchase fresh flowers, fruit, or delicious homemade food items. You’ll find you feel right at home, all while exploring areas of Atlanta and maybe even meeting new people along the way.

Easy Access to Travel

The Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is the busiest airport in America with hundreds of non-stop flights. Hartsfield-Jackson earned the title of world's busiest airport after it saw more than 107 million passengers in 2018. That's nearly 300,000 passengers going through the airport every day. For comparison, the busiest theme park in the world, Disney World's Magic Kingdom, sees less than a fifth of that attendance every day. A fun fact…Hartsfield-Jackson is located on an abandoned racetrack once known as the Atlanta Speedway. A whopping 63,000 people work at the Atlanta airport, including airline, ground transportation, concessionaire, security, federal government, City of Atlanta and airport tenant employees, making the airport Georgia's largest employer. There are 6 Starbucks coffee shops in the airport so if you're catching a flight in Atlanta, you'll have six opportunities to visit your favorite coffee chain. 

Weather Forecast

Atlanta is known for its mild climate, although it does experience all four seasons it is mild in comparison to other areas of the country. Summers in Atlanta tend to be humid, but there have also been days in December that were warm enough to go without bundling up. Sometimes called Hotlanta because it can be toasty in the summers however, coming from California one thing you’ll appreciate is the affordable utilities and the ability to run your air conditioning as needed.

High Ranked School Systems

Families moving to Atlanta and looking for a good education will be happy to know that the school systems in Atlanta have received high ranks. Niche published a list of Best Public Schools in 2015, Atlanta schools were at the top and in 2020 Niche named Forsyth county one of the best counties to live in in America, largely based on the school system.

Traffic

Well you take the good with the bad and unfortunately Atlanta is known for traffic congestion. As with any major city there are certain times of the day when traffic congestion is at its height, so it’s recommended to adjust work schedules accordingly. There is public transportation on the MARTA system which helps alleviate traffic congestion closer into the city. Atlanta is a progressive area so many companies have gone to remote working some or all of the week which keeps many drivers off of the roads during peak times. Native Atlantans tend to think the traffic is bad because they’ve never experienced California traffic or majorly congested traffic in other cities on a day-to-day basis.

Fannie Mae polled consumers and 57% indicated that now is a good time to buy a home, and 59% feel it’s a good time to sell a home. So, despite everything going on in the world, the consensus is that it’s a good time to sell a home.

Why is it a good time to sell?

There’s not enough supply to meet buyer demand and homes are selling just as quickly as they’re coming on the market. So few homes available for buyers to choose from means we are in a true seller’s market. Homeowners that are ready to make a move have the opportunity to negotiate the best possible contract on the sale of their home due to intense competition among buyers. However, this sweet spot for sellers won’t last forever and as more homes come on the market, the tip towards a seller’s market will shift. Find out the value of your home -  Instant Home Valuation.

According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com buyers will have more choices in the not-so-distant future. “The bright spot for buyers is that more homes are likely to become available in the last six months of 2021. That should give folks more options to choose from and take away some of their urgency. With a larger selection, buyers may not be forced to make a decision in mere hours and will have more time to make up their minds.”

The Bottom Line 

If you’re ready to make a move, you should feel good about the current market and take advantage of the conditions that are favorable to sellers. Remember hindsight is 2020 and this too shall pass…the market we’re in will not last forever so if you’re serious about selling your home, now is a good time to sell. 

At Robb Realty Group we’d love to connect with you so we can determine the best next steps when It comes to selling your home this year.

Trying to decide on whether it’s best to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership? Take a look at earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses. Using these measurements, recent studies show that it’s still more affordable to own than rent in most circumstances. Robb Realty Group can help you weigh your options to make an educated decision.

One key point 

The financial advantage to owning a home that’s often forgotten in the analysis – the wealth built through equity when you own a home. According to economists the equity benefit of price appreciation and owning a home made more financial sense than renting in 48 of the top 50 markets. In 2020 home sellers nationwide realized a home-price gain of more than $68,000 on a typical sale, the highest level in the US since at least 2005, based on a median purchase and resale price. Check out Robb Realty's VIP Buyer Booklet which will help you navigate buying in this market.

Financial Benefits

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that today, the median-priced home in the country sells for $309,800. If homes appreciate by 5% this year (the average of the forecasts), the homeowner will increase their wealth by $15,490 in 2021 through increased equity.

Bottom Line

As you make your plans for the coming year, be sure to consider the equity benefits of home price appreciation as you weigh the financial advantages of buying over renting. When you do, you may find this is the perfect time to jump into homeownership.

If you're a seller 

Robb Realty Group has a VIP Seller's Program and we're available to discuss the benefits to you during this market. The first step is to find out the value of your current home with our Instant Home Valuation tool.

Secrets for Selling Your Home by HGTV.

Price it Right: Work with a real estate expert to find out what your home is worth and price your home to attract buyers based on the competition. Keep in mind it’s not always best to be the highest priced property and can lead to multiple offers if your price is attractive.

Half-empty closets: Storage is something every buyer is seeking, and you can never have enough. Remove half of the contents of your closets to showcase how neatly organized they are. Buyers like to peek in closets and cabinets so be sure they’re clean and organized.

Hire the best: Make sure you have a real estate agent who has a proven track record and is tech-savvy.

Remove your pets during showings: Not everyone is an animal lover so if possible, remove evidence of pets inside the home. Pet beds, bowls, toys, litter boxes, etc are best to be put out of sight. It’s best to take your dog for a walk during showings.

Avoid expensive upgrades right before selling: Quick fixes before putting your home on the market pay off but it’s not recommended do huge improvements in the hopes of getting a return on your investment. Fresh paint, clean baseboards, decluttering and fresh window treatments are not expensive and make a big difference.

De-personalize your home: Potential buyers want to picture themselves living in the home so box up family memorabilia. Consult with your agent about staging your home to best showcase it’s features and floor plan.

It’s all about the kitchen: If you’re planning to spend money on any updates prior to selling, the best bang for your buck is to spend money in the kitchen. An outdated kitchen is the first thing buyers will consider when knocking money off of their offer price. Updates don’t have to be expensive it could be paint, replacing an outdated broken appliance or even countertops, which don’t always have to be granite, some solid-surface options are more affordable. The rule is that you will get 85% of your money back on kitchen remodeling but the biggest benefit is that an updated kitchen will attract more buyers.

Be ready: Your house needs to be “show ready” at all times because you never know when you’ll get a request for a showing. Tidy up and put clutter away each day so that you’ll be ready at a moments notice. The rule of thumb is a one-hour notice to show anything longer can deter buyers.

The first impression counts: Buyers have already judged your home before they even walk through the door and you may never have a second chance to make a first impression. 

No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s all about the feeling a buyer gets when arriving at your home, so spruce up the exterior with flowers or plants, a new doormat, etc. curb appeal is very importantl. Entryways are also important when you’re selling, so make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies.

Sprucing up your Johns Creek home by decluttering means examining your life, going through all of your possessions, deciding what’s important to you, and discarding the rest. It means letting go of the things that no longer serve a purpose in your life so that you can make room for what’s most important to you. Organizing means that everything has a home so that it can be easily found, accessed, used, and put back.

The time that you invest in decluttering and organizing will be returned to you, with dividends, once you’ve created a space that contains only what you really need or truly brings you joy, and everything can be easily found and accessed.

Schedule It 

The first thing that you need to do is to schedule time for decluttering and organizing your space. There are many different scheduling approaches that you can choose from, such as the following:

• Declutter and organize in mini steps
• Declutter and organize in fifteen minute sessions
• Take one hour per day to declutter
• Schedule your decluttering and organizing throughout the year

Scheduling your decluttering time is key!

Designate a Purpose for Each Room in your Johns Creek Home

Walk around your home and decide what activities you would like to carry out in each room, as well as the mood you would like each room to convey. Here are sexamples:

• The den can be designated as a place for the family to gather and watch tv, play games, bond, and have fun. You want this room to convey comfort and enjoyment.
• The bathroom should be treated as a luxurious retreat.
• The kitchen is a place to prepare food and where you’ll sit to enjoy meals with your family.
• Your living room could be a place to entertain guests in an ambiance that is simple yet elegant, as well as serene and functional.

You’re going to organize according to the function you want each room to serve, and how you want each room to “feel”.

Decide Where to Start

Many people are tempted to begin their decluttering and organizational efforts by starting with drawers, the cabinet underneath the bathroom sink, the hallway-closet, and so on. However, you’ll be much more effective if you begin with things that are visible.

First of all, you should start with the room that you use most often. Begin clearing off the visible clutter, such as putting away anything on desktops, tabletops, and countertops that doesn’t belong there, and anything that’s on the floor.  In addition, think of what furniture you can eliminate without sacrificing comfort and livability.

After you’ve cleared off the visible clutter, you’re ready to move on to drawers, shelves, cupboards, cabinets, the linen closet, and so on.  Start at the door and work clockwise around the room.

Once you’re done with the room that you use most often, go on to the second-most-often-used room, then the third, and so on. Remember to concentrate on one room at a time.

Declutter and Organize

You’re going to go through all of your possessions, one by one. For each item you’re going to ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the item serve a key function in your daily life?
• Have you used this item in the past six months?
• Does it have sentimental value?

Create six categories and assign a cardboard box for each category. The categories are as follows:

1. This belongs in another room.

2. This needs to be fixed or cleaned.

3. This will be given away, sold, or donated.

4. This will be thrown out.

5. This is not mine and needs to be returned to its owner.

6. This is a “maybe”. If you can’t bear to toss something out because you might need it later, put it in the “maybe” box.

If you’re decluttering a drawer, cabinet, or shelf, take everything out and put it in front of you where you can see everything.  Sort through the pile and put related items together.  Don’t get bogged down in specific, precise categories, just create simple groups so that it’s easier to get everything organized.

Once you have everything in a group go through each group and decide what to do with each item.  Here are some groups of items you can consider:

As you go through each category decide whether it’s something that will be put back, or if it’s going into one of the six boxes. Then put back the things that you’ve decided to keep, in an orderly manner.  Remember that items which you use frequently should be easily accessible.

Also remember that you need to store items where they are used.  If you frequently use a pair of scissors in your family room, keep it in a drawer nearby, not in the kitchen or in your office at the other side of the house.

In addition, keep a notebook with you so that you can jot down any repairs that need to be made or add incomplete projects to your to do list. Keeping your Johns Creek home decluttered and organized is essential if/when you decide to put it on the market and sell it.

One of the best times to check out a neighborhood you’re interested in potentially moving to is during the holiday season. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays, so why not check out prospective neighborhoods as you enjoy family time together? We’ve put together  some of the best neighborhoods and light displays in Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Cumming and Roswell. 

Ashebrooke Night of Lights in Cumming - Sunday, December 20th at 6pm., 5020 Luke Dr., Cumming
On one amazing night, homeowners in the community of Ashebrooke in Cumming put together their passion and desire to “bring joy, community spirit and lots of lights” to raise money for a good cause. This year the event will benefit two Ashebrooke families in need. Be sure to check out their website to read more http://ashebrooke-nol.com/ about the recipients. Donation buckets will be located throughout the neighborhood. Out of the 310+ properties in Ashebrooke, generally 90% participate! According to the organizers, in past years there have been Santa sightings, falling snow, reindeer, bag pipers and a live nativity scene. The drive through the neighborhood can take an hour or more, but it’s worth it. Ashebrooke is located  near the intersection of Kelly Mill Road and Bethelview Road in Cumming, GA. All traffic must enter at Luke Drive and follow the traffic pattern. Only right turns are permitted on the Night of Lights to ensure the proper flow of traffic. Visitors may not park on the streets or turn around since traffic will be one-way only for the duration of the event. 

Christmas in Castille in Alpharetta (Forsyth County side) - Every Thursday through Sunday until December 21, 6-9pm, weather permitting
Tune your radio to 89.9 FM and experience a phenomenal 15 minute light display with over 59,000 twinkling set to a holiday playlist. Christmas in Castille takes place at a home in the Castille neighborhood in West Forsyth county in Alpharetta. The Castille neighborhood is typically gated, but the gate will be made open each night for the display, which gives you a great opportunity to check out what makes this neighborhood so great. Hours of operation are 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm every Thursday - Sunday. The home is located at 4220 Tivoli Way Alpharetta. http://www.christmasincastille.com/

Emory Hospital, John's Creek, Georgia - Free Drive-through Christmas Light Display in 2020 through December 31st.
If you're looking for a really good drive-through display of Christmas lights, but you don't want to drive out to Lake Lanier or Calaway Gardens to save both time and money, you'll find a beautiful, free Christmas Lights Display on Hospital Parkway in Johns Creek by Emory Hospital.


Starting at the south end of Hospital Parkway, (that is Medlock Parkway) there is nearly 2 miles (one mile in each direction, separated by a wooded median) of displays of Holiday Lights by the Emory John's Creek hospital in Technology Park. It is available free to the public through December 31st. It is sponsored by the Johns Creek Owners Association and Emory Johns Creek Hospital. You can start at either end of Hospital Drive, but you will want to turn around and come back, as there are lights on both sides of the road, which has a wide median with trees and other obstructions. The lights come on at dark.

The route and addresses:
Drive to the Medlock Bridge entrance,
6375 Hospital Pkwy, Johns Creek, GA 30097
turn around and drive to the McGinnis Ferry end of Hospital Parkway:
6300 Hospital Pkwy, Johns Creek, GA 30097

It is a divided 2 lane road with a wide landscaped median, so you need to turn around at the traffic light and return to the starting point to see all of the displays.

Duluth Christmas House in Duluth - Nightly through December 31st PLEASE REMEMBER THAT OUR WALK THROUGH DISPLAY IS NOT OPEN THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID!! IT IS A DRIVE BY ONLY FOR 2020!! 
What started as a childhood passion turned into a reality for Tammie Hernandez of Duluth. Each year she decks her home in Duluth out with Christmas We will also be holding our annual holiday food drive for the community food pantry at First Baptist Duluth. This will be our third year collecting non perishable food items for the church. We will have a plastic bin down by the street in our driveway for those of you that wish to donate this season. They are in need of donations this year more than ever due to the families within our community that have been affected by the pandemic. https://www.facebook.com/duluthschristmashouse/

Santa’s Village in Roswell - Nightly through December 31, 6-9pm
Featuring Christmas characters, trains and lights, Santa’s Village in Roswell is straight out of the things sugarplum fairies are made of. The display includes 8 display settings, each one with a Christmas scene. The garage display is like a picture out of a Norman Rockwell calendar, and will bring back memories of Christmas past. And we have a full life size Nativity, with a telling of the Story of Christmas.

On Friday thru Sunday evenings, and holiday periods, from 6-9PM, weather and crowds permitting, we also provide train rides in the neighborhood.  We run additional weekdays as our schedule permits.

Located at 405 Waverly Hall Drive, it can be reached from the intersection of Woodstock Road (Highway 92) and Bowen Road. Corner landmarks are Target and CVS Pharmacy. Head south one block and turn right on Waverly Hall Drive and go about six tenths of a mile to 405. Santa’s Village is located on the right side - with the displays located in the display trailer and the garage. Please get out of your cars and walk down the driveway to enjoy.

Cost is free, but donations are graciously accepted, with 100% of donations going to purchase Toys for Tots.

We hope to see you and that you enjoy your visit. We even have heaters on colder evenings.

Did you know before he became a top producing Realtor, Eric Robb was a professional chef? He even studied at the Culinary Institute of America. Growing up in New York around big family gatherings, Eric learned how to cook from his self-taught chef grandfather who worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years. His grandmother was also a baker who could cook some of the best desserts you could ever imagine. Eric worked in a popular South Florida restaurant chain for years, opening three of their restaurants, before making his way to Johns Creek.

Fast forward to the present day, Eric has transferred the hard work, determination, grit and discipline he learned in the kitchen over to Real Estate. With Thanksgiving around the corner next week, we thought it would be fun to share a few of our favorite recipes. Let us know which ones you try at your Johns Creek or Alpharetta Thanksgiving feast.

Side Dish from Katie Holmes: Slow Cooker Creamed Corn from Carlsbad Cravings

Creamed Corn with Ricotta, Rosemary and Bacon will be the best creamed corn you ever ate!  This Slow Cooker Creamed Corn is rich, creamy, buttery, seasoned to perfection, SO easy and practically fool proof!  This Creamed Corn will be the star of your Thanksgiving feast or makes an easy side dish for any occasion! Slow Cooker Creamed Corn with Ricotta and Bacon - this has to be the BEST CREAMED CORN I've eaten in my entire life! Rich and creamy, seasoned to perfection, SO easy and practically fool proof! Definitely making this every Thanksgiving from now on!

Ingredients:

2pounds frozen corn kernels(2 x 16 oz. packages)
4tablespoons butter, cubed
nonstick cooking spray
Blender Creamed Corn
1cup frozen corn from above listed packages(in directions)
1/2cup heavy cream
4oz. cream cheese, cubed
1cup ricotta cheese
1tablespoon sugar
1tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4teaspoon EACH Rosemary Leaves, Thyme Leaves, Paprika, Onion Powder, Pepper
Dash cayenne pepper(optional)
Garnish
4-6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
green onions, chopped

Instructions:

Lightly spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Remove 1 cup corn from packages to blender and add all remaining corn to slow cooker.
Add all the remaining Blender Creamed Corn ingredients to your blender. Blend until completely smooth. Add to slow cooker along with butter and stir until evenly combined. Cook on HIGH for 2-4 hours or on LOW 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with bacon and green onions (optional).

Main Course Side Dish from Errol Danley: Trisha Yearwood's Sweet Potato Souffle 

A true Southern side, Errol’s sweet potato souffle adapted from Trisha Yearwood is sure to impress your Southern relatives. Recipe adapted from Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen by Trisha Yearwood.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature, plus more to grease pan 
• 5 medium sweet potatoes 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• Pinch of salt 
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans 
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed 
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), softened

Directions:

• For the souffle:
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 2 1/2- quart baking dish with butter.
  • Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake on a foil-covered baking sheet until they are soft, 1 hour.
  • When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes, place the flesh in a large mixing bowl and mash until very smooth.
  • Add the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, milk and salt.
  • Combine well with an electric mixer or hand mixer.
  • Turn the mixture into the baking dish. 
• For the topping:
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the pecans, brown sugar, flour and butter until thoroughly combined.
  • Spoon the mixture over the sweet potatoes, making an even layer.
  • Bake the casserole until slightly browned, 40 minutes.
  • Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Dessert: Apple Pie from Eric Robb

Eric wouldn’t dare share his family’s secret recipe, but here is an apple pie recipe that is pretty close to his heavily guarded one. 

Ingredients:

• For the Crust:
  • 3 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 c. Crisco Shortening, cut into 1/2" pieces
  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 9 tbsp. ice water (or more, if needed)
• For the Filling
  • 3 1/2 lb. assorted apples (Granny Smith, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2/3 c. granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. water (egg wash)
  • Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Make Crust

• Place flour and butter into freezer for 30 minutes before starting crust process.

• In a large food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt until combined.
• Add butter and pulse until pea-sized and some slightly larger pieces form.
• With the machine running, add vinegar, then ice water into feed tube, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough starts to come together and is moist but not wet and sticky (test by squeezing some with your fingers).
• Mixture will be crumbly.

• Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, form into 2 equal size balls, and flatten into disks (making sure there are no/minimal cracks).

• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until dough is very cold, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12” circle. Drape over pie dish and gently press to fit (don’t stretch).
• Refrigerate 30 minutes or freeze 10 minutes.


2. Make Filling

• In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Transfer apple mixture into the crust-lined pie dish. Dot all over with butter.


3. Assemble and Bake Pie

• Preheat oven to 425º with a large baking sheet on the middle rack and lightly grease a 9”-x-1.5” pie dish with cooking spray.

• Roll out second disc of dough into a 12” circle and drape over apple filling, trim edges to 1”, tuck overhang up and over itself, and crimp edges. 

• Brush with egg wash and make six 2” slots in the center. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

• Place pie onto preheated baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375º and bake until golden and bubbly, 40 minutes more. (If edges begin to look dark, cover with foil.)

• Let cool on a wire rack at least 2 hours before serving.


Dessert: Coca-Cola Cake from Kristine Hoogacker

Nothing is more Georgian for a Thanksgiving dessert more than a classic Coca-Cola cake!

Cake:

• Mix and Combine:
  • 2 cups plain all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups of sugar
•  Bring ingredients below to a boil and pour over the above flour mixture:
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 cup Coke
  • 2 sticks of margarine
• Mix below ingredients with above mixture:
  • 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2 eggs- slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

• Bake 350 degrees for 4-50 minutes in 19x9x2 greased pan .

Icing:

• 1 stick margarine
• 3 Tablespoons cocoa
• 1/3 cup Coke
  • Mix together and pour over 1 box of confectioner's sugar. Have ready to put on hot cake.