🦅 Refunds, Records, and Rain: Henry County's Wednesday Briefing

Good morning, Henry County ☀️

We hit 2,000 subscribers this week. Thank you, Henry County. Every single one of you!

You told us what you want: headlines that affect your commute, your wallet, and your family, delivered fast and without the noise. That's exactly what we're here for.

Today, we're also launching Nest Watch, our new real estate section. Big things to expect on that front!

But here's what we have our 👁️ 👁️ on for today:

GDOT story: Your Chance to Shape I-75's Future Stops Right Here in Henry County

Early voting: Record Turnout Is Already Here. Have You Voted Yet?

Tax refund: Georgia's Sending $1.2 Billion Back. Here's If You're Getting a Check

Rain: Happening this Morning, Clearing Later……More This Weekend

HENRY COUNTY — Georgia DOT is proposing two northbound truck-only lanes along 41 miles of I-75, ending at Exit 218 right here in Henry County. A public open house is set for May 13 at the Henry County Administration Building, 140 Henry Pkwy, McDonough, with sessions at 12 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Can't make it? A virtual meeting room is open through May 28. Read more at Georgia DOT

HENRY COUNTY — Day one of early voting for Georgia's May 19 primary broke records statewide, with 35,352 ballots cast in person — a 29% increase over 2022. Early voting runs through May 15 at 1550 South Zack Hinton Pkwy in McDonough. Bring a valid photo ID and you're good to go. Read more at Rough Draft Atlanta

GEORGIA — Refunds start going out in batches beginning early May. Single filers get up to $250, heads of household up to $375, and married couples filing jointly up to $500. To qualify, you must have filed your 2024 Georgia return by April 15 and had a tax liability for the year. Check your status at dor.georgia.gov and Read more at CBS News Atlanta

HENRY COUNTY — Rain is moving through the area this morning, but conditions are expected to improve by late morning into the afternoon. The quick-moving system brings some relief after recent dry conditions, with more widespread rain expected this weekend. Stay weather-aware and check conditions before heading out. Read more at AccuWeather

_{By Shasa Rogers, Editor in Chief
The Eagle Eye Digest}

HENRY COUNTY- For many would-be homebuyers, today’s market feels like a contradiction. Interest rates are higher than they’ve been in years, and home prices still feel out of reach. For many, the instinct has been to wait.

But on the ground in Henry County, a different story is unfolding. People are still buying. They’re just doing it differently.

Mortgage rates have climbed into the 6 to 7 % range, a sharp shift from just a few years ago, and that change has made buyers more cautious and selective.

“There’s a lot of hesitation right now,” says Marty Pettiford of eXp Realty. “But waiting doesn’t always help. You’re not building equity, and that time doesn’t come back.”

For many buyers, that hesitation comes down to one thing: fear.

“I think that’s everyone’s answer when they really think about it,” says recent home buyer and real estate agent Sheri Correia Pettus.

At the same time, sellers and buyers aren’t always aligned, adding to the sense that the market is unpredictable. But despite that uncertainty, activity hasn’t stopped.

“People are definitely still buying,” says Angelita Griffin of Watkins Real Estate Associates. “They’re just having to get more creative.”

That creativity often means looking beyond traditional resale homes and considering new construction, where builders are offering incentives like help with closing costs and reduced interest rates.

Those incentives can significantly lower upfront costs and monthly payments, making homeownership more attainable than many buyers expect.

For Henry County homeowner Queeny Mae Dasilva, the decision to move forward wasn’t easy.

“There were so many moments where we questioned if it was the right time,” she says. “Rates were higher than we hoped, and everything felt uncertain.”

At one point, her family considered putting their plans on hold. But that changed.

“We realized that waiting didn’t guarantee things would get better. Once we focused on what we could afford, it started to feel more possible,” says Dasilva.

For Marsala Allen, buying required a shift in approach.

She turned to new construction, where builder incentives helped make the numbers work.

“Those incentives made it financially manageable,” she says. “Even in this market.”

Her advice is simple:

“Don’t count yourself out too quickly. It might not look how you imagined, but there are still ways to make it happen.”

Henry County continues to grow, with new development expanding options across the county.

The path to homeownership today may look different from it did just a few years ago, but it isn’t closed. For many buyers, it’s simply about understanding the options, adjusting expectations, and taking the first step.

New to the Market: A Gated Community Just Landed in McDonough

MCDONOUGH — Century Communities has unveiled Windsong Estates, a new gated community of 95 single-family homes on estate-sized lots in McDonough. Homes go up to 3,829 square feet with three to six bedrooms and amenities including a lake, walking trails, a playground, and a grilling pavilion. Pricing starts from the low $500,000s. Read more at Weekly Real Estate News

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

Line Dancing Class — City of Stockbridge 📍 Merle Manders Conference Center · 111 Davis Rd, Stockbridge · 🕐 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Free · All ages · No sandals Hosted by Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt. Instruction by JP with YK Line Dancers. BYOF (bring your own fan). A weekly community favorite.

Henry County Game Night 📍 Via 14 Restaurant · 14 E Main St, Hampton · 🕐 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Free A casual community game night in downtown Hampton. Food, drinks, and a relaxed social vibe.

Ribbon Cutting: ServiceMaster of South Metro 📍 Henry County · Location TBD · Time TBD · Henry County Chamber Welcome ServiceMaster of South Metro to the Henry County Chamber of Commerce family. Contact the Chamber for details.

Spring Georgia State Fair continues — EchoPark Speedway, Hampton

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

75 South Devs Meetup 📍 Henry County Chamber of Commerce · 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM · Free Tech meetup for developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts south of Atlanta. All experience levels welcome.

Looking Ahead: First Thursday of May = Bike Night at Sweet Auburn BBQ in McDonough — Mark your calendar for next week (May 7).

Spring Georgia State Fair continues — EchoPark Speedway, Hampton

FRIDAY, MAY 1

🤝 Henry County Networking Group 📍 DaVinci's NY Style Pizza · 1035 GA-155 S, McDonough · 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Free Open to all business professionals and nonprofit organizations. Bring business cards!

Henry County Senior Services Spring Fling 📍 Heritage Park · McDonough · 6:00 PM · Free Heritage Senior Center's 4th Annual Spring Fling — an evening of fun, fellowship, and celebration.

Spring Georgia State Fair 📍 EchoPark Speedway · 1500 Tara Place, Hampton · 🕐 Friday evening · Tickets at georgiastatefair.com Two days left after today before the fair packs up Sunday. If you've been putting it off, now's the time.

Plus: This Friday's WEEKEND EYE drops with the full May 1–3 weekend lineup, including the State Fair's closing weekend, Saturday markets, and what's worth the trip.

Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣

Why did the scarecrow win an award?…

Because he was outstanding in his field. 🤣

That's your Wednesday briefing, Henry County!

From highway projects to tax refunds to the housing market right in our backyard, a lot is moving, and we're glad to be the ones keeping you in the loop.

Early voting is open now through May 15. Get out there, Henry County.

Got a tip or a story we should know about? Send us a note at [email protected]. We read every one of them.

Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️