Real Estate Report, August 2015

Appen Media Group

Real Estate Report August Special Section

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North Atlanta’s

Sponsored Section • real estate report August 2015

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News and advertising for new homes, realtors, developers, commercial properties and more.

Going green in your home Brought to you by: BILL RAWLINGS Vice President/Managing Broker, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Green living isn’t limited to big projects like installing solar panels. There are simple and affordable ways to go green.

The best part: “green living” may also save money and make your home more comfortable. These small changes in your home, along with some extra thought during daily activities, can have a great impact on your budget, as well as the environment.

HVAC systems account for almost half the energy usage in a home. Placing trees near air conditioners installed outside provides shade to help them run cooler and use less energy.

Programmable thermostats are highly effective in conserving electricity because they can be used to run air conditioning and heating systems only when they are truly needed.

Appliances can be some of the largest consumers of

energy in the home. One sure way to go green when it comes to appliances is to purchase Energy Star qualified items. These rawlings items have been third-party tested and certified to ensure that they are providing the energy savings that they claim.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy is to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms and to let the sun light the room during the day. Turning off televisions and computers that are not being used is another way to save electricity.

Reduce water use and conserve water around the house by using low-flow toilets, faucets and shower heads. Using drip irrigation to water the lawn is a major conservation tactic. Energy Star-rated dishwashers use less water than washing dishes by hand.

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Summer heat escape Brought to you by: Babs Price Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Reality Ok so it 90 plus degrees in metro Atlanta. A friend of mine living in Macon, Georgia called me recently and was telling me how he is suffering from the heat. I asked what the temperature was and he said it was 86 degrees. I replied, “Yes, it is pretty hot here, too. It is 74 degrees.” I know that was very mean of me, because if you are from Macon, you know that 86 degrees in the summer is a refreshing temperature.

What do I do to escape the heat? I head to my paradise in the mountains where I live and start enjoying summer.

What a joy it is to be able to sit outside in the evening without feeling as if you are baking in the heat. Last evening I sat on the back porch to read. I got chilly and had to turn the ceiling fan off on the covered porch where I was sitting.

The veranda at the clubhouse is another place to escape the heat. The veranda at the clubhouse has a perpetual breeze. What a great place to take in the lake and mountain views and meet friends for deli-

cious meals prepared by the chef.

There are also many fun things to do at the lakes and pools in the community.

Take a ride price down the rock slide, paddle a canoe or cruise around on a paddle boat. The swim club has a huge blow up slide that is fun and refreshing for people of all ages. Oh how invigorating it is to splash into the mountain lakes! You can rent one of the electric pontoon boats on the biggest lake and from there take a swim. The water in the lake will make you skin feel so soft!

You can arrive at this paradise with just a one-hour drive from Atlanta. Once you enter the main security gate of this paradise you will pass through a covered bridge, and that is where you leave your stress behind!

I guarantee you will fall in love and may want to enjoy this lifestyle full time (as I have) once you experience it.

Please go to my website and contact me for more information about my paradise.

PICTURE LIFE HERE

L U X U RY R E A L E S TAT E I N N O R T H AT L A N TA

BIG CANOE

928 BLACK BEAR TRAIL Offered for $1,100,000 A 10,000 +/- sq. ft. sanctuary situated on 2.9 +/- acres.

NORTH GEORGIA

WALESKA

38 SALACOA CREEK ROAD NE Offered for $480,000 10 +/- acres with amazing views from your pool and three stall barn.

BIG CANOE

BIG CANOE 238 SANDERLIN MOUNTAIN DRIVE S

Offered for $239,000 This rare lot offers vast, unbridled views of mountain ranges in North Georgia.

BIG CANOE

111 OXFORD ROAD

390 MOUNTAIN MINT DRIVE

395 WEDGEWOOD DRIVE

The Tate Reserve is a plated, gated development that offers 121 home sites.

This charming cabin offers views and relaxing sounds from the waterfall below.

An impressive home which includes a billiard room, theater room and workshop.

Offered for $6,600,000

Offered for $257,000

Offered for $449,900

BABS PRICE c. 404.697.2008 o. 770.442.7300 babsprice@atlantafinehomes.com babsprice.atlantafinehomes.com

AT L A N TA F I N E H O M E S . C O M | S O T H E B Y S R E A LT Y. C O M © MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

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Sponsored Section • real estate report August 2015

Seven inexpensive ways to update your kitchen (NAPSI)—The kitchen remodel is the ultimate home improvement project. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive. Thanks to product innovations, homeowners can remodel their kitchen and give it a fresh, up-to-date look without breaking the bank. From cabinets and countertops to overhead lighting and everything underneath, there are a variety of product options available for homeowners to transform their kitchens for less.

Seven inexpensive projects to make over a kitchen include: 1. Cabinet Face-lift—Are your cabinets stuck in a previous decade? Update cabinets with Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations. This innovative coating system transforms the look of old, worn cabinets into the look of beautiful handcrafted cabinetry without the cost, downtime or mess associated with replacement or refacing. This product is easy to use with no stripping, sanding or priming needed. In three simple steps, you can create a new, custom look for your cabinets that you will be proud to showcase.

2. Countertop Rescue—Old, dingy countertops deserve a second chance at looking brand new. Countertop demolition costs a fortune and leaves homeowners with an inconvenient mess. Don’t replace counters; rescue them with Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations. This revolutionary, do-it-yourself kit gives outdated, worn surfaces a sought-after, high-end granite finish in a weekend.

3. Appliance Alliance—Not ready to part ways with your appliances just yet? Not a problem. Dated or mismatched appliances are an easy fix with Rust-Oleum Specialty Appliance Epoxy. It is specifically formulated for indoor metal surfaces and provides appliances and other indoor metal applications with a smooth, washable, factorylike finish. Specialty Appliance Epoxy is available in popular colors like black,

white, biscuit and even stainless steel.

4. (Eye)Soaring Lights—Outdated overhead light fixtures can quickly become an eyesore and oftentimes are surprisingly overlooked by homeowners. Pendant lighting or can lighting are inexpensive additions that can be customized with spray paint. Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint is a paint and primer in one that has the power to transform light fixtures from boring to brilliant.

5. Pull Drawer Galore—The smallest additions alter the overall design or feel of a space.

Upgrading hardware can easily be accomplished with a can of Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint.

Metallic colors such as Oil-Rubbed Bronze or Dark Steel modernize cabinets, or softer matte colors such as French Cream and Iced Gray provide your kitchen with a warm, cozy feel.

6. Let There Be Color—Is your kitchen lacking personality? Spice up décor items with colorful spray paint. Paint anything from centerpieces, frames, chairs and more to liven up your living space. Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X spray paint provides twice the coverage in a single pass, which means your project will be done in half the time. It is available in a satin or glossy finish with dozens of colors to choose from.

7. Specialty Solution—A lot of time is spent in the kitchen. Looking for a way to keep track of it? Rust-Oleum Specialty Chalkboard and Rust-Oleum Specialty Dry Erase convert kitchen surfaces into writable surfaces. Chalkboard and Dry Erase are the perfect paints to keep track of daily events and to stay organized. These paints can be used to create a life-size wall calendar, arrange menus or make for a stylish backsplash. The possibilities are endless with Chalkboard and Dry Erase, now available in a Clear finish.

Learn More For further facts and tips, you can visit www.rustoleum.com.

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Sponsored Section • real estate report August 2015

A passionate commitment to unsurpassed service Since 1977, Crye-Leike, REALTORS® has delivered a passionate commitment to unsurpassed service in our communities. Today this passion has enabled Crye-Leike to become the 6th largest real estate firm in the nation.

Crye-Leike has a network of more than 3,000 licensed Realtors and 112 offices located throughout a nine-state region in Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Crye-Leike is an innovative, full service real estate company

that is goal driven, integrity based.

Crye-Leike is dedicated to engaging customers before, during and after the home owning process. Crye-Leike’s commitment to unsurpassed service requires our agents to exceed expectations by constantly improving their relationships with clients, responding quickly to their customer needs all while conducting business with integrity and trust.

Crye-Leike agents believe it is their responsibility to give back to our industry and

our communities as they help people find their way home.

Believing the real estate business is local, each CryeLeike region has its own headquarters and leadership team in order to offer a full menu of services with the highest level of customer service.

From the beginning, Harold Crye and Dick Leike have known that great training makes great associates.

Crye-Leike makes substantial investments to provide agents with the latest and most advanced technological tools in order to give them a

competitive advantage over the competition. Crye-Leike is the only real estate company in the region with a large team of inhouse information technology specialists, dynamic marketing teams and top-level trainers who are readily available to provide technical support and personal training to all sales associates.

Crye-Leike provides opportunities for its 3,000 agents to learn from nationally-recognized speakers and trainers during the company’s annual conference in Destin, FL, to help keep Crye-Leike associ-

ates informed up on the latest trends and developments in the real estate industry.

Homeownership is a powerful part of life. Crye-Leike, REALTORS® help people own where their heart lives. Striving to exceed the expectations of their customers though every transaction, moving them forward.

Across the Crye-Leike regions our goal is to lead the way in customer service, relocation, production, technology, education and charitable giving. Working together, good things happen.

The future is bright in Forsyth By:Karen Pate Senior Vice President & Managing Broker Harry Norman, REALTORS® Forsyth Office As the new Vice President/ Managing Broker for Harry Norman, Realtors Forsyth/ Lake Lanier office I am thoroughly excited to be in this great market and great location. Wow…what an opportunity! Forsyth County is consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States and it doesn’t appear that is going to change any time soon.

Our housing market is still going strong. In accordance with statistics produced by the First Multiple Listing Service in the month of June 2015 the number of sales for single family residence in Forsyth County increased by 10% over 2014 and volume increased by roughly 14%. Our average sales price in Forsyth County rose by 5% in 2015 vs. 2014.

Interest rates for a 30 year fixed rate loan are right at 4.0% and a 15 year fixed rate loan is at 3.375%.

According to the Georgia Association of Realtors overall pending sales were up 22.9%.

Inventory levels shrank again by 5.8%. Median sales

price increased by 6.5% to $187,401.

Days on the market were down 6.9% to 67 days. In general forecasting market trends can be as dicey as the weather, but with interest rates managing to remain low into the summer months, the outlook is promising, even if rates go up later in the year. Metrics like inventory and percent of list price received at sale are two of the better understudies to watch this year.

The current inventory of available homes for sale is our biggest hurdle. In a healthy market we should have about 6-7 months of inventory. Right now we only have 3-5 months.

What does this mean? It means that in many price points, not all, if your house is priced correctly, shows well, and in good condition/repair it will sell and sell quickly!

It goes without saying that you should consult with your real estate consultant to discuss your options. A special note to renters: In many cases it is more affordable to purchase vs. rent! Call your agent!

Our Forsyth/Lake Lanier office for Harry Norman, Realtors can be reached at #770497-2000 and our website is www.HarryNorman.com.

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The Milton Real Estate Specialist

COMING SOON Morning Mountain Way $525,000

ACTIVE Kentworth Circle $439,000

ACTIVE Majestic Cove $685,000

ACTIVE Chipping Wood Court $650,000

SOLD Manor Bridge Drive $1,490,000

SOLD Tolhouse Court $985,000

SOLD East Bluff $865,000

SOLD Drummond Pond $1,200,000

SOLD Creek Club Drive $535,000 $

SOLD Heron Run $650,000

Atlanta Magazine

SOLD Autumn Close $589,000

SOLD Alpha Woods Drive $599,000

Over 200 Milton Homes Sold.

No one knows Milton better!

All listing clients receive complimentary; professional photography, home warranty, staging consultation, pre-listing inspection, comparative market analysis, appraisal (if needed), interactive digital floor plan, custom virtual tour website and the most comprehensive print and online marketing available.

MIKE STEVENS

770-905-7053 (cell)

mike@northatlantateam.com www.movetomilton.com www.crookedcreekhomesales.com

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Sponsored Section • real estate report August 2015

Don’t make one of these top 10 showing mistakes By: Eve Jones, Harry Norman Realtors There’s a lot to do in preparing your home for sale; updating kitchen and baths, painting inside and out and freshening up landscaping. After investing money and time in these projects, don’t forget about how to show your home the right way. The National Association of Realtors conducted a survey among buyers’ agents in which the ten top showing offenses were identified.

Here’s what they said: 1. Leftover homeowners. It is more than unnerving to walk in on homeowners taking a nap or in the midst of a shower (trust me; it has happened to me). Or, there’s the homeowners that insist on being present at the showings and stalk the buyers as they walk around. All of these scenarios will turn buyers off and waste that opportunity to sell.

2. Pets and their messes. Do not leave your pets at home, if at all possible. Regardless of how “friendly” they are, they scare agents and buyers. I actually showed a home where the crazy, hissing cat cornered us in a room and wouldn’t let us pass. And, litter boxes should be emptied and put in the garage where they will be least offensive.

3. Bad smells. This is self-explanatory. While your home is on the market, avoid cooking fragrant food (onions, bacon, garlic, curry, etc.). Buyers are very sensitive to odors that you’ve become immune to in your own home.

4. Critters running wild. I actu-

ally came face-to-face with a mean-looking raccoon in a basement once, but more often we may encounter smaller critters like squirrels in the attic or a home infested with bugs. Have your home checked out for any jones wildlife before you list.

5. DYI renovations. Buyers and their agents can spot a DYI makeover pretty quickly. The most common offenses are really bad paint jobs and bathroom tiling. These unappealing updates give buyers reason to pause (and pick another home).

6. Dirty, cluttered homes. Your home should be spotless when you are selling. We are talking clean bathrooms, fresh caulking, gleaming floors, counter tops and baseboards. If you cannot get your home this clean, hire a professional. It will be the best $300 you ever spent!

7. Personal information left in sight. Buyers will be nosey. They will look at your bills left on the desk (hopefully they don’t say “final notice” and give away your financial situation).

Don’t give buyers access to such personal information.

8. Too dark. This is one of my pet peeves. There is nothing more offputting than walking into a cold, dark home. That makes for a terrible first impression. I tell my sellers to turn on every single light because buyers prefer light, bright homes.

9. Keys missing from lockboxes.

Or, lockboxes left inside the home. OK, this may be a tie for my number one pet peeve. If agents have gone to the trouble to make an appointment and drive their client to your house, make sure they can open the door. It sounds obvious, but it has happened to me

more times than I care to remember.

10. Distracting family photos. A few family photos are fine, but lifesize nude maternity portraits (not that there’s anything wrong with them) should be put away. Let’s keep the buyers focused on the features of your wonderful home!

ryland.com

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Visit ryland.com for more information.

In the Atlanta division, on accepted purchase agreements on homes that are signed between August 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015 are eligible to receive $12,500 in Flex Cash; can be used towards MyStyle® Design Center Options and/or closing costs when using RMC Mortgage® and/or lot premiums, finished basement, etc. Certain included features may not be available on all plans. Value of package, and products, may vary by community and plan. Homes already under contract prior to this offer are not eligible. Plus for New to-be built homes, buyer eligible to receive up to $5,000 toward closing costs. Individual incentives may vary by community. Closing cost assistance available from Ryland Homes to those financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and closing with a closing attorney selected by Ryland. Amount of closing cost assistance may vary by product and community, and is subject to applicable contribution limitations. For all financing promotions, see a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. Buyers financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and who complete a loan application by August 31, 2015 on above promotion are also are eligible to receive waived 1% Origination Fee (value amount is 1% of mortgage amount). RMC Mortgage® Corporation may withdraw this offer and change without notice. Please contact a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. RMC Mortgage® Corporation is located at 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022 and is a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, license number 24225 and NMLS number 203897. *Buyers must also close with RMC Mortgage® Corporation. Please contact your RMC Mortgage® Corporation Representative for exact quotes. Prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Ryland reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion or incentives. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. See a Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions and offer limitations. © 2015 The Ryland Group, Inc.

August 2015

real estate report • Sponsored Section

First Impressions are Everything.

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When selling your home, you only have one chance to make a first impression.

The Ash-Jones Team does much more than just stick a sign in your yard, take point-n-shoot photos and list your home on-line. We spend weeks in advance helping you to make the best first impression possible by advising you on: • critical repairs • needed updates • hands-on staging • the most professional, picture perfect introduction to thousands of buyers on-line.

Let’s get started today maximizing the return on your most valuable investment; your home. Call The Ash-Jones Team for a no-obligation consult!

The

Ash- Jones Team Over $15 million pending and closed sales in 2015

ashjonesteam.harrynorman.com

Patty Ash 678-557-2877 cell patty@pattyash.com

Eve Jones 770-365-1406 cell eve.jones@harrynorman.com

Listings SOLD

2255 Hamptons Crossing

11765 Carriage Park Lane

4200 Bellflower Drive

SOLD

270 Willow Glade Point

SOLD

10515 Branham Fields

NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 678-461-8700 | 7855 North Point Parkway, Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | www.harrynorman.com

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