December Special Section
2 | December 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
The Kloster Group Proudly Supports Area Non-Profits
Angels Among Us Pet Rescue Brought to you by - HOME Real Estate, The Kloster Group Angels Among Us Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from shelters and high-risk situations. We are driven by a passionate belief that every animal deserves a chance at a loving, forever home. Our commitment is to “Rescue One Until There are None.” But we can’t do it alone. Through the support of generous donors, we strive to provide exceptional medical care to every pet that comes into our program. Our strong partnerships with trusted local veterinary professionals ensure our dogs and cats receive the best possible treatment. From routine check-ups to
life-saving surgeries, they each get the care they need and deserve. And it doesn’t end there. Providing a safe and nurturing environment is essential for physical and emotional well-being. Each dog or cat is placed in a loving foster home where they can experience the warmth and affection they crave. Some of them come to us sick, injured, or having experienced abuse or neglect. Our volunteer foster families provide a temporary haven, showering them with love, attention, and the necessary socialization to prepare them for their forever homes. Finding the perfect companion is a significant decision. Our dedicated team works closely with potential adopters to match them with the ideal pet, considering their lifestyle,
preferences, and the animal’s unique needs. We want every adoption to result in a lifetime of happiness and love for pets and their families. Since our inception in 2009, we have had the privilege of saving over 21,000 lives. Each life represents a story of hope, triumph, and the incredible bond between humans and animals. It is a testament to the compassion of our local and virtual volunteers, supporters, and the broader community that stands beside us. Based in Alpharetta but active throughout the Metro Atlanta area, we are committed to being a resource for the community. We strive to educate and raise awareness about the plight of homeless pets, responsible pet
ownership, and the countless benefits of adoption. We love speaking to both youth and adult groups and sharing our passion. When you foster with Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, you become the bridge from a dog or cat’s old life to the new. Adopt, and you are welcomed into our extended family. Volunteer and you are part of a large community of rescuers who share your love and passion for animals. Donate, and your taxdeductible gift goes toward life-saving medical care. Will you join us? Visit www. angelsrescue.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ angelsrescue. Foster. Adopt. Volunteer. Donate.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | December 2023 | 3
The Kloster Group contributes to charitable organizations across Atlanta with EVERY closed real estate transaction! Allison & Peter Kloster | Sam DiVito | Rachel Provow | Caroline Nalisnick
C: 40 4.784.5287 | O : 40 4.383.H O M E ( 4 6 63 ) | @t h ek l o sterg ro u p Information believed accurate but not warranted. HOME Real Estate, LLC is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Broker, Betsy Franks.
4 | December 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Protect Your Assets, Your Home, And Your Family In 3 Steps
Reserve Your Seat For A FREE Estate Planning Workshop • Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.) • Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust? • What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts? • How do Irrevocable Trusts work? December Upcoming Workshops: Thurs., Dec. 7th – 11am Wed., Dec. 13th – 6pm Thurs., Dec. 19th – 4pm
Thurs., Dec. 21st – 11am Wed., Dec. 27th – 6pm
• Medicaid. What’s true and what’s not? • How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy? • How do I remain in control? • How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs? • How can my family avoid probate? Attend our FREE Educational Workshops. Reserve your Spot and Get a FREE Consultation for attending the Workshop (a $500 Value) CODE: herald2023
1100 Cambridge Square | Suite B | Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.209.2346 | esther@gklawgroup.com
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ISTOCK
Protect your Assets Brought to you byGeerdes & Associates Your financial assets are a result of the hard work, smart decisions, and investments that you’ve made over the years. That’s why it’s GEERDES imperative that you safeguard your hard-earned assets. Today, we’ll cover one common threat to your assets and go over some options you have to protect yourself. One of the biggest threats to your assets are lawsuits. You may be no stranger to legal disputes that affect not just an individual’s business assets, but also his or her personal assets. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid being sued in the United States. What’s important is knowing how to minimize or avoid the financial loss that could incur if you get sued. There are three options you can consider in this case. Liability insurance is the first option. A good policy can minimize the financial setback of a lawsuit. All insurances must be carefully examined and tailored to your specific situation, so we recommend working with a trusted insurance agent and attorney to ensure there are no loopholes that the insurance company can use to deny coverage, or you failed to obtain sufficient coverage. The second option is establishing a limited liability entity (LLC) or any other corporate entity. By creating
a separate legal entity to own some of your assets, you divide the risk of losing all your assets in the event of a lawsuit. Should the entity be sued, only the entity’s assets would be at risk and not your personal assets. However, for the LLC to receive corporate veil protection of assets in the LLC, it requires you to operate the LLC correctly so as not to appear your LLC is being used and operated as your personal asset, which puts all your assets at risk. Finally, you can put your assets, including your LLC in an asset protection (AP) trust. When you transfer your assets from your personal name into the AP trust, the trust then becomes the legal owner of those assets. Similar to how an LLC works, a lawsuit filed against you would not compromise the assets in the trust. The AP trust protects all your assets, personal assets, and your LLC. Certain trusts also have the benefit of not dissolving upon your death, so after your death, your beneficiaries’ creditors, lawsuits, and divorces would not be able to claim the assets in your trust and your assets avoid the expensive and long probate court process at your death. You’ve put in the work, time, and energy to build up your assets, so be proactive and ensure that no one can take your assets away from you and for your beneficiaries after your death. Not all estate planning attorneys are also experts in Asset Protection. Thus, make sure you’re well-informed when creating a trust and work with an estate planning attorney in your local area who also understands the in-depth laws of asset protection in your state and county.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | December 2023 | 5
Five ways to make a winter lighting statement
PEXELS
Brought to you by – Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Beyond practicality, good lighting Bill Rawlings transforms and Sherri Conrad homes into cozy retreats and outdoor spaces into magical wonderlands. Whether you’re looking to create a festive atmosphere for holiday gatherings or simply want to infuse your curb appeal with a winter glow, here are a few suggestions to help make your lighting choices both functional and stylish during the colder months. 1. Uplighting for architectural emphasis. Uplighting is lighting directed upward. One of its significant advantages is that it provides a softer illumination, which is easier on the eyes. Add uplighting to your exterior this winter by positioning lights at the base of a building and directing them upward along the façade to create a grazing effect. If your home has columns or pillars, illuminate those vertical elements with uplights placed at the base. 2. Pathway illumination. Both functional and aesthetic, pathway illumination is a beautiful way to guide visitors to your door. Bollard lights—short, sturdy posts that emit a soft, diffused light—are a popular way to define the edges of a pathway. They come in various styles and can be solar-powered or wired. Other options include path lights, which often have a decorative top that diffuses light
downward, or recessed/in-ground lights, which provide a more sleek and unobtrusive solution. 3. Focal point lighting for landscaping accents. When implementing focal point lighting, consider the natural focal points in your landscape or hardscape. For instance, positioning lights at the base of trees is particularly effective for showcasing majestic or unique trees in your landscape. You can also use spotlights to accentuate garden beds, statues and sculptures or water features like fountains, ponds or waterfalls. 4. Moonlighting for ambiance. The moonlighting effect is meant to be subtle and naturalistic. Install lights high in the branches of trees, attach fixtures to overhead structures like pergolas or arbors, suspend pendant lights from trees for downward illumination or drape string lights across patios or decks. 5. Dynamic lighting control for versatility. Incorporate versatility into your lighting through smart lighting systems, motion sensors or occupancy sensors, time-of-day programming, color-tunable lighting and integration with home automation systems. Illuminate the season and embrace a festive spirit through lighting that makes winter nights truly magical. If you need assistance renovating 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
Nothing compares to what’s next. Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties exclusively represented by our firm.
atlantafinehomes.com sothebysrealty.com Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 400, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. 770.442.7300.
6 | December 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
E N J OY T H E H O L I D AY S I N YO U R N E W H O M E OVER 25 NEW HOMES READY TO CLOSE NOW
Proud to work with some of the most respected builders in Atlanta Lori Lane | President New Homes Division | Senior Vice President of Luxury and Global Contact us at 404.671.4195 | visit BHHSGANewHomes.com | follow Lori@the_lorilane
©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. 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 servic
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | December 2023 | 7
CHEROKEE COUNTY
COBB COUNTY
COWETA COUNTY
FORSYTH COUNTY
N. FULTON COUNTY
CANTON
ACWORTH
NEWNAN
CUMMING
M I LT O N
HORIZON AT LAUREL CANYON
THE ARTISAN AT VICTORY
THE GARDENS AT
KELLY MILL RESERVE
THE HOMESTEAD AT MILTON
Patrick Malloy Communities
Southwyck Homes
ARBOR SPRINGS
David Patterson Homes
Vision Development Partners
Homes from the $700’s - $1M+
Active Adult from the $500’s
McKinney Builders
From the $800’s
From $4M - $11M+
FIRESIDE FARMS
THE MANOR GOLF &
David Patterson Homes
COUNTRY CLUB
From the High $600’s
From $2.6M - $10M+
The Cottages from the $400’s
Active Adult from the High $700’s THE HERITAGE AT ACWORTH
RIVER GREEN – LAKESIDE JW Collection
JW Collection From the $500’s
SENOIA GIN PR OPERTY Senoia Enterprises
Active Adult from the $500’s THE RESERVE AT
Single Family Homes
MADDOX PATH
RIVER GREEN – THE RETREAT
GOVERNORS TOWNE CLUB
From the Low $800’s
David Patterson Homes
JW Collection
Patrick Malloy Communities
From the $400’s
From the $600’s
From the $800’s
DEKALB COUNTY TUCKER
SOLEIL AT BELMONT PARK
K E N N E S AW
THE ENCLAVE ON LAVISTA
Patrick Malloy Communities
THE TRADITIONS OF KENNESAW
JW Collection
Active Adult from the $500’s
JW Collection | Coming Soon
From the Mid $800’s
WOODSTOCK
M A R I E T TA
COOKS FARM
MOUNTAIN WALK TOWNHOMES
Southwyck Homes
Cornerstone Associates, Inc.
Active Adult from the High $500’s
From the Mid $600’s
SOUTH ON MAIN
POWDER SPRINGS
JW Collection
KYLE FARM
From the High $600’s - $900’s
Patrick Malloy Communities From the $700’s - $1M+
FAYETTE COUNTY F AY E T T E V I L L E THE CANOE CLUB Reynolds Development Group From the Mid $500’s - $900’s
ROSWELL HILLANDALE Patrick Malloy Communities From $1M+
BROOKS POND David Patterson Homes Coming Soon GAINESVILLE LONG HOLLOW LANDING David Patterson Homes From the $700’s - $1M+ SUWANEE
GWINNETT COUNTY S N E L LV I L L E SOLEIL SUMMIT CHASE Patrick Malloy Communities Active Adult from the $400’s
HALL COUNTY THE LAKE SOCIETY
LAUREL VIEW
Southwyck Homes | Coming Soon
JW Collection | Coming Soon
Active Adult on Lake Lanier
TRILITH Multiple Builders Homes from the $500’s Estate Homes from $4M+
N. FULTON COUNTY
PAULDING COUNTY
M I LT O N
DA L L AS
CROSSROADS AT BIRMINGHAM Southwyck Homes Village homes from the $900’s
RANDOLPH FARMS Vine Creek Residential From the Low $500’s
Estate Homes from $1.5M+
ce marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information presented is deemed reliable, but is not warranted. If your property is currently listed, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit properties that are already represented by another broker.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
8 | December 2023 | Appen Media
PROVIDED
Available home in Long Hollow Landing in Forsyth County
Move-in for the holidays: homes ready for December closings Brought to you by- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia As the holiday season approaches, the gift of a new home is a present that keeps on giving. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division, our builder clients have over 25 move-in ready new construction homes ready for immediate closing. These homes feature various styles, including single-family residences, active adult communities, and townhomes in desirable locations. There is Long
Hollow Landing in Forsyth, Hillandale in North Fulton, Soleil Belmont Park in Cherokee, Kyle Farm in West Cobb, and award-winning Trilith and The Gardens at Arbor Springs in the Southern Crescent. Each community offers a variety of move-in ready homes as well as presale opportunities. Imagine the joy of being settled into your dream home just in time for the holidays – a place where memories are created, and traditions are born. With homes ready for immediate closing, you can experience the magic of the season in your new home. Whether
you’re envisioning a cozy fireplace, a spacious kitchen for holiday feasts, or a welcoming neighborhood for carol-singing and festive gatherings, our diverse range of new home communities caters to your unique desires. To sweeten the deal, some builders are offering special incentives for homes that close by the end of 2023. It’s the perfect way to kickstart the new year, surrounded by the comfort and luxury of a home that reflects your style and personality. By choosing new construction, you not only secure a
place filled with the latest amenities and modern designs but also benefit from the peace of mind that comes with a comprehensive home warranty. This December, make the decision to be home for the holidays in a place you can truly call your own. Don’t miss out on the chance to usher in the new year with the keys to your dream home, where a lifetime of memories awaits. To explore our move-in ready homes, go to BHHSGANewhomes.com for more information on these exciting new home communities. Equal Housing Opportunity.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | December 2023 | 9
Visit Our Brand New Showroom FREE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Re-imagined
There’s no stopping Bath & Kitchen Galleria Brought to you by – Bath & Kitchen Galleria After nearly a decade in Roswell, Bath and Kitchen Galleria has moved to a larger 10,000 SF showroom in Alpharetta. Owners, Bobbie Kohm and John Hogan, have expanded their business by tripling the size of the showroom to keep up with the amazing growth of the company. “North Atlanta has thousands of homes built in the 90’s and 2000’s and homeowners need a way to remodel their homes. They need a company that offers design assistance, has a large showroom, provides installation services, and does it all cost effectively, too”, says co-owner Bobbie Kohm, “…and that’s what we do.” Bath & Kitchen Galleria, (formerly Remodeling Expo) has grown by more than 400% since 2018 and the company attributes this to one simple best practice, “listening to the customer”. Customers want cost effectiveness, projects completed on-time, and they demand quality design assistance. “So, we responded with exactly that”, says co-owner John Hogan, “in short, we’ve brought service excellence to an industry that is known for low service standards.
We’ve changed this and now we perform over 300 projects each year.” Bath & Kitchen Galleria recently moved from Roswell to Alpharetta where they found a huge new showroom to show their amazing versatility: cost effective to fully custom bathrooms and kitchens, from $10,000 to $250,000, styles from farmhouse to traditional to transitional, project scopes from partial room update to fully rebuilt rooms. They have cabinetry, tiles, plumbing fixtures, countertops, shower glass, knobs and pulls, lighted mirrors, accessories and most importantly, remodeling consultants to help you. “We take the anxiety and pressure out of the process and make it fun” says Bobbie, “and that’s how it should be.” John and Bobbie have built a great business that provides personal attention to every customer; because every home is different, and every homeowner is different. “I wish we could say that we have some secret widget; but our competitive advantage is pure “service excellence”. Bath and Kitchen Galleria (BathAndKitchenGalleria.com) is located at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta. 770-765- 6000. Open Weekdays and Saturday.
Remodeling Design and Installation Services
BathAndKitchenGalleria.com
10591Old OldAlabama AlabamaConnector ConnectorRd. Rd. 10591 Alpharetta,GA GA30022 30022 Alpharetta,
10 | December 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Everyone gathers in the kitchen… Brought to you by – Tuscany Fine Furnishings Today’s trend in new housing construction or when renovating is to have an open floor plan. Many layouts place the kitchen in the middle of the house, allowing it to become the heart of thehome. It has been my observation that it does not matter whether the home is large or small, kitchens are always the gathering spot for family and friends. Because of this we want to make sure that the kitchen is foremost functional and inviting. The best way to achieve this is to make sure that your accessories and wall art are embellishments to the space and are consistent to those used throughout the house. Remember there is no reason not to hang
a gallery piece of art on a kitchen wall when it is the focal point of the room that everyone gathers in. The kitchen is where everyone comes together to enjoy good food, fine wine and conversation, so you want to create an environment that best suits these gatherings. This space can be casual and cozy or more formal and upscale. A beautiful mirror is an option when it doesn’t reflect the sink or appliances, it will create an illusion of more space when used in a smaller one. Blank walls provide the perfect backdrop for open shelving which is a nice way to bring some personal character to your room. There are many options in selecting this shelving. I like using those that float to hold unique objects of art, they can me made of wood or glass depending upon your design style. Float-
ing shelves allow you the flexibility in placement. Another idea for that blank wall, when space permits is an open wine rack or cabinet. There are many beautiful pieces of furniture both new and antique that fall under this category that are sure to be functional while making a great design statement. Let’s talk about seating, be sure that your choice in chairs, bar and counter stools are a complement to your kitchen design. These are often the most sat in chairs in the house, so make sure they are comfortable. Lighting brings drama to the space. The use of chandeliers, pendants, recessed cans, or spots all bring a sense of ambiance to the room. I always recommend having your lighting on dimmer switches. These are just a few easy and
simple additions that will make your kitchen the perfect spot for entertaining your friends and family! 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!
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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h S o l w l e r o w o s m o R F s ’ eaturing Y N A C S U T n s I p e i l r e y d t s e Showcases! f i L e u q i n U 30
Tuscany’s Christmas Holiday
SALE 20-30% OFF STOREWIDE thru Sunday December 31, 2023, including New Arrivals!
Lifestyle Driven Design...Furnishings for Every Room in Your Home Showroom Hours Mon-Sat 10-6 • Sun 1-5 12 Months No Interest Financing Available
See Why 26,000 Families Shop Tuscany on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Business, Google Business and YouTube Everyday! 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell | TuscanyFineFurnishings.com | 770-993-0640
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
12 | December 2023 | Appen Media
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DUNWOODY-SANDY SPRINGS TOP PRODUCERS
#1
Mary Ellen Harris
#2
#3
Casey Riddle
#5
Kristina Blass
Kerry Arias
#6
Claudia Huff
#7
Jodi Mekyten
#4
Jodi Halpert
#8
Bob Cleary
VALERIE LEVIN
Senior Vice President, Managing Broker Midtown | Dunwoody & Sandy Springs
D. 770.238.7719 | O. 770.393.3200 E: Valerie.Levin@bhhsgeorgia.com www.Dunwoody.bhhsgeorgia.com
#1 TEAM The Whitney Agee Team
Dunwoody | Sandy Springs Office • 770.393.3200
|
54 81 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. 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 Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | December 2023 | 13
Tu r n i n g C h a l l e n g e s i n t o O p p o r t u n i t i e s A sincere thank you for trusting us in 2023 with your Real Estate Dreams. We embraced many challenges together, and now it's time to celebrate our success and look forward to a new 2024!
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
14 | December 2023 | Appen Media
ALPHARETTA-ROSWELL HERALD | FORSYTH HERALD | JOHNS CREEK HERALD | MILTON HERALD DUNWOODY CRIER | SANDY SPRINGS CRIER Serving Metro Atlanta Since 1977 | Hello@AppenMedia.com | 770.442.3278
Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers 2023 Georgia Press Association 1st Place – News Photograph 1st Place – Feature Writing 1st Place – Business Writing 1st Place – Serious Column 1st Place – Food Ad 1st Place – Newspaper Promotion Ad 1st Place – Classifieds Section/page
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