February 2014 Real Estate Report by Appen Media Group

Appen Media Group:

Real Estate Report February Special Section

News and Advertising for New Homes • Realtors • Developers • Commercial Properties • and more

February 2014

A l p h a r e t ta • C u m m i n g • C h e r o k e e • D u l u t h • F o r s y t h • G w i n n e t t • J o h n s C r e e k • M i lt o n • R o s w e l l • S U WA N N E E

Homeownership help

Now Is The Time To Sell. Median For Sale vs Median Sold (City of Alpharetta)

For Sale 500

Sold

Dec-2012 vs Dec-2013: The median price of for sale properties is up 15% and the median price of sold properties is up 21%

www.ERASunriseRealty.com

• More than two-thirds believe that employers appreciate their unique skills learned in the military, while the same 67 percent believe employers are eager to hire veterans. • It’s important to note, however, that nearly half agree that their skill set does not match the requirements for many available positions. • Only one in five considered opening their own business when they returned home from the military.

450

$ in Thousands

400 350 300 250 150 100 50 0

Dec-12 Jan-13 Feb-13 Apr-13 Mar-13 Dec-2012 vs. Dec-2013 Dec-2012 Dec-2013 Change % 327,000 374,900 47,900 15

May-13

+15%

Jun-13

Jul-13

Aug-13 Dec-2012 232,950

+21%

Sep-13

Oct-13

Nov-13

Dec-13

Dec-2012 vs. Dec-2013 Dec-2013 Change 282,750 49,800

(NAPSI)—According to a survey by Harris Interactive, 75 percent of military families believe that owning a home is one of the most important things to service members upon returning from active duty. The reasons include a desire to have their own residence (73 percent), establishing a household (43 percent), and financial security (36 percent). In addition, the majority of veterans (88 percent) said that owning a home makes them feel safer. While one roadblock that veterans face in the pursuit of homeownership is securing steady employment, they display a generally positive attitude in regard to potential employers and positions.

% 21

All totaled, finding a suit-

able home and employment and assimilating back into civilian life are challenges many veterans and their families face. Fortunately, services for veterans, including employment, mental health programs, housing and other special care services, are available. For example, Easter Seals provides direct services to the new and unmet needs of tens of thousands of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and “Recruiting America’s Heroes,” offered by Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, provides returning veterans who are interested in becoming real estate agents with specific benefits to make a smooth transition. Former military personnel get special training programs and continuing education courses, discounts, and waived annual global conference registration fees. Anyone interested in learning more about the resources available to active and retired service members can call the Easter Seals Community One Source Hotline, (866) 423-4981, e-mail veterans@easterseals.com or visit www.century21.com/ aboutus/.

Median For Sale vs Median Sold (City of Roswell)

For Sale 500

Sold

Dec-2012 vs Dec-2013: The median price of for sale properties is up 8% and the median price of sold properties is up 20%

www.ERASunriseRealty.com

450

$ in Thousands

400 350 300 250 150

Put it in the paper! Your Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, Birth, or Graduation!

100 50 0

Dec-12 Jan-13 Feb-13 Apr-13 Mar-13 Dec-2012 vs. Dec-2013 Dec-2012 Dec-2013 Change % 299,900 325,000 25,100 8

May-13

+8%

Jun-13

+20%

Jul-13

Aug-13 Dec-2012 243,000

Sep-13

Oct-13

Nov-13

Dec-2012 vs. Dec-2013 Dec-2013 Change 291,750 48,750

Dec-13 % 20

Call today for pricing & info! 770-442-3278 x100

319 North Main Street • Alpharetta • advertising@northfulton.com

northfulton.com

Real estate report • Sponsored Section

February 2014 3

What’s Best For Your Lifestyle »

Hardwood or laminate, natural tile or luxury vinyl (NAPSI)—Anyone can have beautiful, functional floorsonce you review your options. For example, you may have your heart set on hardwood, but laminate may be a better option given your lifestyle. Alternatively, you may admire tile floors, but you might be a lot happier with luxury vinyl tile (LVT). In order to make the right decision, consider three key factors-budget, wearability and maintenance.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are a great choice under the right conditions. Nothing compares to the natural beauty, color, intricate graining and depth of shine of a hardwood floor. Not only easy on the eye, hardwood floors tend to be warm underfoot too. Quality hardwood flooring is a big investment but will last a long time and add real value to your home. Hardwood is timely and timeless and completely authentic, and it comes in many colors, from nearly white to practically black and various warm shades of brown in between. Though there are many

pluses to hardwood, there are some minuses to consider when deciding whether it’s right for you. Bear in mind, all hardwood is not the same; quality and pricing are big factors. Depending on the species, some hardwood floors can take a great deal of wear and tear and still look good. Others, though beautiful at first, show the signs of wear very quickly. In any case, you have to clean and care for it properly. This includes not using ammonia cleaners, oil soaps or a wet mop; using a professional hardwood floor cleaner to remove scuffs and scratches; and cleaning spills immediately. For these reasons, hardwood might not be the best fit for every home.

Laminate

In some cases, laminate is a great alternative. Fortunately, for people who really like the look of wood, there’s an excellent-and much less expensive-alternative: laminate flooring. Through highly detailed digitized photography, laminate floors of today duplicate

hardwood with tremendous realism that allows for a lower initial cost. What’s more, an inner cork subfloor on some laminate products helps tone down the noise and echoing attributes associated with laminates of yesterday. Unlike hardwood, a laminate floor will not fade. Pets can also be a problem for hardwood flooring. Laminate, on the other hand, offers a durable wear surface that is highly stain, scratch and moisture resistant. Because of its durability, hygienic nature and ease of installation and maintenance, laminate floors have become a low-cost alternative to hardwood, stone and tile.

Natural stone and porcelain

Is your heart set on stone? Natural stone and porcelain tiles are another popular way to pave your floors. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, glazed or unglazed, and can be used plain, decorated or as part of a mosaic. Along with its beauty, natural stone flooring will likely increase your home’s resale value, and it only improves

with age. Stone is also popular because every piece of stone is unique so no two floors are alike. Natural stone varies in hardness as no stone floor has a perfectly smooth surface. There is always a possibility that small chips or pits may show up and be more evident in certain kinds of lighting. It’s a good idea to match the flooring with the kind of activities that will be taking place, as soft, porous stone flooring is probably inappropriate for a high-traffic area.

Ceramic tile

Is tile the right fit for your family? A properly installed ceramic tile floor will outperform and outlast nearly any other. Glazed ceramic tile and porcelain resist stains, odors and dirt and can be cleaned easily. Environmentally friendly, ceramic tile is manufactured using natural materials and does not retain odors, allergens or bacteria. It also does not burn or emit toxic fumes. It can, however, be expensive and difficult to install, and some people find tile cold underfoot.

Vinyl

Vinyl floors offer many perks. Luxury vinyl tile, which falls in the “resilient” flooring category, may be a flooring you should consider-especially if you’re concerned about pets and kids. Luxury vinyl tile flooring is a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms, as well, because it’s “no wax” and easy to keep clean. It’s durable, affordable, water resistant, easy to install and doesn’t fade or stain. LVT flooring comes in many colors, textures and patterns and can imitate wood grain, tile, even marble. Since it also comes in sheets, planks and tiles, there’s lots of room for self-expression. A talented installer can use contrasting sheet vinyl for large patterns. Tiles can be arranged any way you want, from checkerboard to stripes to diagonals. Plus, LVT are flexible and soft to walk on. They have a cushy “give” underfoot.

Learn More

You can find further facts on floors and decorating advice from the experts at the World Floor Covering Association at www.WFCA.org and (800) 6246880.

northfulton.com

Real estate report • Sponsored Section

February 2014 4

Stephanie Butler Realtor® 678.296.1774

LUXURY AT THE LAKE Lake Lanier: 3732 Pintail Circle 7 bd • 5 ba • 1 half ba • pool • dock w/ slip • big water views • master on main FMLS #5199278 • $2.399M

MOUNTAIN LIVING Big Canoe: 143 S. Sanderlin Mtn Drive 3 bd • 3ba • master on main • swim/ tennis/golf community FMLS #5206087 • $399,000

THE MANOR The Manor: 2925 Manor Bridge Drive 6 bd • 7 ba • 2 half ba • master on main saline pool/spa • exercise ﬂoor, sauna FMLS #5115460 • $1.85M

Lisa Swayne Realtor® 770.241.9165

Deidre Beirne Realtor® 404.783.3372

NEW PRICE Harrington Falls: 1585 Eversedge Drive 6 bd • 6 ba • ﬁnished terrace level master upstairs FMLS #5191004 • $749,000

DUNWOODY Spalding Hills: 7950 Spalding Hills 5 bd • 5 ba • 1.5+ acres pebbletech pool • cul-de-sac FMLS #5219011 • $650,000

17+ ACRE HORSE FARM Pure Magic Farm: 13165 Birmingham Hwy 17+ acre equestrian estate • 17 stall barn dressage arena • pool/spa FMLS #4281932 • $1.995M

Laura Falk

Realtor® 770.715.0325

SOLD Highland Manor: 1503 Dartmouth Road 5 bd • 5.5 ba • ﬁnished terrace level room for pool • 3 car garage FMLS #5131675 • $669,000

LAKE LANIER LOT Lake Harbor Shores / Gainesville water frontage • survey available FMLS #5078847 • $22,500

SOLD Providence Plantation: 285 Weatherwood Circle • 4 bd • 4.5 ba • ﬁnished terrace level • master on main • walk-out backyard FMLS #5174277 • $455,900

Ramsey Flint Realtor® 404.312.2269

NEW LISTING Gladwyne: 125 Gladwyne Ridge Drive 4 bd • 3 ba • 2 half ba • master up 1.7 acres • complete kitchen renovation FMLS #5218776 • $539,000

SOLD Stonegrove: 2025 Stonegrove Place 5 bd • 4.5 ba • master up • gated community in the heart of Roswell FMLS #5183211 • $795,000

LAND IN HALL COUNTY 6019 Ben Parks Road / Murrayville 20+ acres • mountain views power / water / sewer available FMLS #5207786 • $306,000

©2013 An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Equal Opportunity Employer.

butlerswayne.com

770.475.0505