Real Estate Report - August 2023

August Special Section

Well-placed accessories can bring a wow to your living room!

Brought to you by – Tuscany Fine Furnishings

The living room is the area of the home where we welcome guests or relax after a long day. These rooms vary in size and usually accommodate larger pieces of furniture that often define the layout of the space. The proper choice of sofas, chairs, coffee tables, end tables and consoles are critical to a good design. When you are looking to add those extra finishing touches to your room, remember that accessories and accents will make the difference.

Seasonal accessories are small and can easily be exchanged throughout the year, allowing you to bring a change to your living room without a great expenditure or going through a big renovation. Coffee tables are usually in the center of the living room, often setting the mood and defining the ambiance, so you

want to embellish them with objects that are eye-catching. A tray with accompanying accessories is a great element to add dimension to your table scape. Large candles make great coffee table centerpieces that will never go out of style. A live orchid is always a nice touch.

Throw pillows are available in so many colors, patterns and textures. Selecting various sizes and shapes in the pillows will create a pleasing visual effect. This is another easy way to update the look of your sofa or chair and bring a splash of life into your space.

If you want an element that really ties a room together then never underestimate the impact of a rug. You can use bold colors and patterns or choose muted tones and textures. The perfect rug will bring warmth to the room and tie all the furniture together.

Decorative shelves are a nice way to showcase your collectables along with

small pieces of artwork. Books can be used to fill in voids rather than dust collecting hanging ivy. The real key to shelf design is not to clutter them, keep things visually placed so you can enjoy all your beautiful treasures.

Lighting is very important for ambience and functionality. Side tables next to your sofas are the perfect places for lamps that will make a dramatic statement in your living room. A floor lamp next to a chair is always welcomed and makes a nice accent. Be creative in your selection of lamps, think of them as objects of art. Don't forget about the overhead lighting, chandeliers that hang over your space are sure to bring style to what may be a vast visual void in the room.

Decorative vases or sculptures are perfect accent pieces to place near a fireplace or on top of a console. The options for accessorizing are limitless. Hunt for them, love what you find and enjoy the

impact they have on your space.

Just a few simple additions can bring big changes to your décor creating a living room that shouts wow!

Riccardo Apreda, Store Manager and an accomplished, award winning interior designer, with Tuscany Fine Furnishings, providing …Lifestyle Driven Design...Furnishings for Every Room in Your Home, 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 315, in Roswell, 770-993-0640 ext. 2, Showroom

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m… See why…26,000 Families Follow and Shop Tuscany on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP BUSINESS, GOOGLE BUSINESS AND YOUTUBE... Everyday!

How to choose the right school?!

Brought

to you bySam DiVito, REALTOR® HOME Real Estate, The Kloster Group

As we begin August, many of us are focused on back to school! We all know that school districts and school ratings largely drive home values. When you pay taxes into a school district, you want to know that you are getting the best education you can provide for your kids. As a mom, I know it can be hard to feel like you’ve

done sufficient research, so I want to provide a few ideas and resources that can help evaluate where to send your kids to school!

First of all, you can begin by researching the school ratings, test scores, reviews and demographics on a few websites to help narrow down your search. www.greatschools.org and www.schooldigger.com are both excellent sources of information. They can provide a helpful overall view of the school and what it provides for your student!

Another great resource to use are community-based groups through Facebook or Next Door. This is a

wonderful way to ask fellow parents for their experiences, opinions and pointed questions based on your interests and priorities in a school.

Finally, go on a tour of your top schools! What better way to learn how comfortable your student will be in the school than to actually go visit and meet the teachers and staff that make that school special? You can focus on what curriculum they use, the classroom size, the after-school activities, sports, etc. that would be available to your child! Nothing compares to walking the halls before deciding which school district in which to buy your new home! And remember, always trust your gut!

You are your child’s best advocate!

If you need help evaluating the schools in your area, I’ll be happy to help. The Kloster Group team members are all parents and were all raised in these same districts!

Investing in your home is one of the hardest and most important decisions you will make for your family. You don’t have to do it alone! Call or email Sam today and we’ll evaluate your needs and get your family into the best schools the area has to offer. Call 404-803-5999 or email sam@homegeorgia.com and get a response within 24 hours.

Luxury resort living at The Manor Golf & Country Club

Brought to you by- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties

The last few remaining lots in an exclusive gated community with awardwinning schools are selling out quickly, and this is the final chance to live in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in metro Atlanta.

Just north of Atlanta, The Manor Golf & Country Club offers an unparalleled lifestyle with Georgia’s only Tom Watson-designed championship golf course, country club amenities including tennis and indoor/outdoor swimming, private lessons with a pro, dining, spa treatments, and a year-round calendar of activities to keep little ones engaged and bring adults together to create memories.

With a 32,000-square-foot European inspired clubhouse overlooking Manor

Lake, The Manor Golf & Country Club is part of Invited Clubs, a network of several Atlanta clubs and a national network of 200 clubs where members can find a home away from home and make new friendships when they travel.

The Manor Golf & Country Club has a few exclusive remaining readyto-build homesites offered by renowned custom luxury design and construction firm Loudermilk Homes. This stunning 2.2-acre double lot that overlooks picturesque Manor Lake at 605 Stilwell Court is a tree-lined gem that’s easily walkable to the clubhouse, with unobstructed natural preserve views across the street. A handful of other private estate-sized lots and double lots are also available and are selling quickly.

The Manor Golf & Country Club also offers luxury homes that are almost complete and ready for move-

in soon, including this 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home at 1069 Kent Court, which overlooks the 7th and 8th holes of the golf course. Nestled on a 1-acre homesite in a quiet and private culde-sac, this home features a modern design, breathtaking views of the golf course, exquisite architectural details, custom millwork, and quality craftsmanship with bespoke professional designer selections. The open floor plan includes a gourmet chef’s kitchen with custom cabinets and professional grade appliances, a second catering prep kitchen, a spacious owner’s suite on the main level with a spa-inspired bathroom, and four additional large bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The current list price for the home is $2,895,900, and it is drawing intense interest.

Located in the highly rated Milton school district, The Manor Golf &

Country Club is just minutes from historic downtown Alpharetta and the Avalon luxury shopping and restaurant district, as well as charming historic downtown Roswell, Crabapple and other communities. The local equestrian community is a big draw for families, and there are numerous stables and riding trails nearby. Homes in The Manor are priced from the $2 million range up to $8 million or more for a truly bespoke private estate mansion custom designed and built by awardwinning Loudermilk Homes.

For additional information about The Manor Golf & Country Club, please call 678.578.6766 or visit www.themanorhomes.com. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Trusts and your property

How important is it to put your property into a trust? Let’s do a case study. There once was a Mr. Smith who was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Knowing that he didn’t have long to live and wanting to make sure his children did not have to suffer through the tedious probate process, Mr. Smith signed his property over to his three children. He had the real estate attorney draft a special deed with joint right of survivorship language. With this language, if one of his children passed away, the remaining two would get the deceased sibling’s share without having to go through probate.

Here’s the catch - the joint right of survivorship only delays probate for as long as one of the owners is alive. When the last owner dies, the property still must go through probate if it is not placed in a trust. When Mr. Smith’s children realized this, they went to speak to Mr. Smith, but it was too late. The deed had already been recorded. What’s worse was that one of the three siblings was legally incompetent, meaning that he could

not sign any legal document. Now, while the three siblings could avoid probate after Mr. Smith’s death, they could not sell the property or take any protective measures because of the legally incompetent sibling. On top of that, due to owning a share of the property, the legally incompetent sibling lost his government benefits. Equally worse, Mr. Smith’s attempts to shortcut probate caused him to impose heavy capital gains tax burden that otherwise could have been waived for his children if he had transferred the property into a trust.

Although Mr. Smith did his best to protect his property for his children, his lack of knowledge caused him to make a costly mistake. If he had placed the property in a trust, he would have been able to avoid the probate process and allow for his legally incompetent child to have his share of the property without losing his government benefits. This isn’t his fault - but it’s an example of why you should always consult an estate planning attorney local to your area to understand the specific laws governing estate and assets in your county and state and choose the best estate plan for you while you are healthy and competent because emergency decisions involving your assets and family rarely accomplish your goal and do more harm than good.

GEERDES

Nothing compares to what’s next.

Scan

Top tips for planning a kitchen remodel

you.

3. Enlist professional help.

Even with less-than-ideal function and a cringy design, it’s easy to put off a kitchen remodel because, well, the disruption. However, fear of change or logistics doesn’t need to hold you back from making room for a fresh look and layout. Here are a few pro tips to help you get ahead of the decision-making, so you can stop settling for the devil you know and get ready for a stunning dream kitchen that adds value to your lifestyle as well as your resale price.

1. Figure out your motivation for renovating.

Do you need to improve an inefficient design? Want to customize and personalize your space? Lower energy costs? Accommodate multigenerational living? Increase property value or repair damage? Identifying the ‘why’ gives the ‘how’ clarity and direction, making the rest of your decisions much more apparent.

2. Identify what you love about your existing kitchen…

…and don’t fix things that aren’t broken. If you can work with the existing plumbing locations, retain the current square footage or preserve windows and walls, there is no need to change them. Your budget will thank

Unless you’re a builder, save the DIY for projects that don’t involve building codes or plumbing and electrical. Even then, partnering with professionals not only alleviates a significant amount of stress throughout the remodel but also often protects you against potential issues after completion in the form of warranties or quality guarantees.

4. Prioritize function. More than any other room in a house, the kitchen relies on an efficient layout and workflow, so take your time with planning for things like the work triangle (the relationship between the sink, stove and refrigerator), ample storage, task lighting and practical countertops. Focus on making it work before you make it pretty.

5. Choose appliances early. Representing a large chunk of your overall budget, appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and cooktops also influence your overall layout. Making these choices early allows you to plan the rest of the design effectively.

With the right help, remodeling can be a successful endeavor that enhances your life instead of something you dread and postpone indefinitely. If you need assistance staging your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you! Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

7 Timeless kitchen trends that will never look outdated

to you by - Remodeling Expo Center

Between expensive appliances, custom cabinets, and costly countertops, we spend a lot of money on our kitchens. In fact, according to John Hogan, Owner of Remodeling Expo Center in Roswell GA, the median spend on a kitchen remodel was $32,000. To make sure that all of this money isn’t creating a kitchen we’ll want to update again in five years, the trick is to incorporate timeless design elements that won’t soon go out of style. By choosing kitchen features that can stand the test of time, you’ll save yourself money (and the work of remodeling) down the line.

So, what are the kitchen trends that won’t make you cringe a few years from now? Skip the trendy color of the year and follow these timeless kitchen ideas that have been loved for decades.

Neutral Paint Colors

The classic white kitchen is sometimes critiqued for being a little boring—but there’s one solid reason to opt for this color in the kitchen: It will never go out of style. According to Remodeling Expo Center, a whopping 43 percent of renovating homeowners opted for white cabinets. Not sure which shade of white to go for? Don’t worry, soft greys are also just as popular and combining the two work well also.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in-style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, transitional kitchens and are the perfect element to update an otherwise traditional house.

Drawer and Cabinet Organizers

I’m calling it: Organization will never go out of style. And while features like built-in baking sheet dividers and pull-out cabinet drawers haven’t been around for that long, when hidden behind unfussy, timeless

cabinet fronts, these functional features will never be outdated.

Built in Appliances

Nothing finishes off the look of a kitchen like the smooth finished look of a built-in appliance. Especially the refrigerator and the microwave. And conversely, nothing looks more outdated than a refrigerator or microwave sticking out or on the countertop. A thoughtful kitchen design should include clever and seamless appliance installation.

Natural Materials

Adding in natural materials like wood and stone will ground the space and keep it classic. If you want a timeless look, resist the urge to create an ultra-modern kitchen full of shiny stainless steel and engineered materials. Resist the feeling that “natural” equals “old”

White Marble “Look” or Butcher Block Countertops

The white marble look will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider using quartz. For a more classic look consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years and you can prepare food directly on it.

Subway Tile

Subway tile is not only versatile enough to work with many different decor styles, but you probably won’t get sick of it in five years (after all, the look’s been around for over 100 years). While it may be tempting to go with a trendy backsplash, like metallic tiles, sea glass, or bright geometric tiles, opt for something a little simpler if you want a backsplash with staying power.

To learn more, contact The Remodeling Expo Center at 404 910-3969 or stop in at 48 King Street, Roswell, GA 30075. www. RemodelingExpo.com

Brought

Jumping on the AI bandwagon

Brought to you by

– Lara Dolan, The Craft Dolan Team at Ansley Real Estate

Anyone who has a blog, uses social media for business, or writes a regular newspaper article struggles with the ever-elusive search for meaningful content. What topic will readers find interesting, informative, and worthy of consuming for five minutes with their morning coffee?

For this article I decided to have a bit of fun with ChatGPT’s artificial intelligence and put the inquiry

‘Interesting Facts About Real Estate’ to the test. I figured it would generate some good and educational topics about the market, but the answers were vastly divergent from what I anticipated. My family has a running joke when we travel, accusing me of always having ‘fun facts’ about what we are visiting… so settle in, and let’s look at some real estate ‘fun facts’ and tie them into actual valuable tidbits:

- The oldest property deed

ever recorded dates to 2300 BC in Mesopotamia and was a clay tablet documenting the transfer of property. Thanks, ChatGPT! While that may have worked 4000+ years ago, today you need a real estate attorney to check title, and officially record your deed with the county. Note: after you purchase property, please ignore all those solicitations in the mail to pay for your deed. For most closings, you will be provided an electronic or physical copy of the recorded deed shortly after the sale, as part of the closing process.

- The world’s smallest house is just 258 square feet and is in Warsaw, Poland. I’m not sure that data point is still accurate with the advent of the tiny-homes market, but there is a point to make here about downsizing. The number-one challenge we encounter when readying a house for market is that people simply have too much stuff. Purging is the first big step toward getting ready to sell. 100% of our clients say it feels great when they finally start to get rid of items and most let go of way more than expected. Open a closet and start today (after you finish reading the paper).

- There is a Haunted House Real

Estate market, and these stigmatized properties often sell for less money and take longer to close. Realtor.com listed several in a 2021 article – most of them well over $1 million. If it’s a friendly ghost, would you purchase a ‘haunted’ house? This does open the topic of disclosures. When selling your home, it’s important to complete the disclosure documents honestly and thoroughly. While hauntings are not a question on the Seller’s Disclosure in Georgia (although hauntings disclosures are required in New York), and there’s probably nothing ghoulish to worry about, water intrusion definitely is

something to disclose and be sure to properly address.

- In 2013, thieves disassembled an entire 1300-square foot house in Oregon overnight, stealing it right off its foundation. We talk a lot about fraud in real estate, but this one takes the cake! In all seriousness, diligence protecting your largest asset is important. There are some new protections local governments have made available to protect property owners, which we would be happy to share with you, especially if you have vacant property, land, or property that you own debt-free.

- Real estate makes up approximately 70% of the world’s total wealth. There were 450 homes newly listed for sale in Alpharetta, Milton, and Roswell in June 2023; supply is gently on the rise and that is opportunity for wealth-building. Call if you want to check some out this week!

I don’t know what AI has in store for our business, our culture, or our communities. For today, it was a useful source of ‘fun facts.’ When you want to understand the nuances of real estate, call a human professional for RI (Real Intelligence). We’ll be glad to help.

Tara Tucker

DOLAN

ISTOCK

CLUB CIRCLE

14805 E BLUFF

sold

12693 LECOMA TRACE

FEATURED LISTING

Welcome to this stunning mid-century modern home, nestled in the highly sought-after quiet Pine Hills neighborhood. This home was beautifully renovated and expanded in 1997, boasting an open and inviting floor plan with a host of sought-after features. As you step inside, the main living space is flooded with natural light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The library exudes coziness with its charming fireplace and built-in floor-to-ceiling shelving, making it the perfect spot for entertaining guests or relaxing with family. The large separate dining room is an elegant space, ideal for hosting dinner parties or enjoying meals with friends. From the great room’s wall of windows, you can take in the beautiful view of the property, including the patio and pool – an entertainer’s dream! Escape to your lanai for shaded relaxation or hosting. The private backyard, featuring gas fire pit, lush shrubbery and beautiful garden, provides a serene retreat in the heart of the city. The main floor features two bedrooms with two full baths and one half bath, providing ample space for guests or a growing family. The primary suite is located upstairs and boasts a fireplace, a wall of windows overlooking the pool and garden, and a spacious custom walk-through closet. The guest suite (or second primary) above the garage comes with a full bath and flex space, making it perfect for guests or as a private home office. The butler’s pantry and laundry room make daily chores a breeze, while the flex space off the garage could serve as a mudroom or gym, providing additional storage space. Be sure to look beyond the fire pit to see the depth of this fabulous lot - Opportunity for pool house, guest suite, etc. Conveniently located with quick access to GA400 and 85, this home is close to shopping and dining, making it perfect for those seeking an urban lifestyle with easy access to everything Atlanta has to offer. With its 90’s expansion and unique style, don’t miss this amazing opportunity to make this Pine Hills home your own!

1070 Ferncliff Road NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324 | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths | Offered at $1,450.000

Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338

2023 IVY RIDGE ROAD SE SMYRNA, GA 30080 | $715,000 Wendy Amato | 404-285-1532

1366 PEMBRIDGE TRACE KENNESAW, GA 30152 | $599,500 Karen Meagher | 404-219-4937 211 CUTBANK COURT ATLANTA, GA 30331 | $434,900 Kristina Blass | 404.414.9944

2130 HERITAGE TRACE DR MARIETTA, GA 30062 | $500,000 Casey Riddle | 404-502-1143

3286 NORTHSIDE PARKWAY NW # 607 ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $1,050,000 Jodi Halpert | 404-513-5151

189 RIDGESIDE COURT JASPER, GA 30143 | $857,800 Whitney Agee Team | 470-345-1668 604 ENTERKIN COURT ATLANTA, GA 30349 | $370,000 Darnell Bender | 770-608-8940

4232 DEMING CIRCLE ATLANTA, GA 30342 | $730,000 Kristina Blass | 404-414-9944

6015 RIVERVIEW PARKWAY BRASELTON, GA 30517 | $500,000 Amanda Bridges | 404-536-8062