February Special Section
2 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Can the pace of home remodeling continue? Brought to you by – Remodeling Expo Center Throughout 2021 home remodeling seemed virtually unaffected by the Covid pandemic. Home sales continue to be robust, but the pace of home remodeling is even greater. New home buyers tend to remodel as soon as they move into their new home, but the remodeling craze seems to apply to everyone. “Our Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling business has experienced a 75% year over year increase” says John Hogan, president of Remodeling Expo Center, “and we don’t see any slowdown in sight”. There’s been a rapid change to supply chains in our entire economy and while some businesses are suffering, others are prospering. Demand for products and services are at record levels and businesses are required to re-think their supply chain from end to end; those businesses that creatively maneu-
ver around the supply chain issues are prospering. “Last year we re-focused all of our purchasing to those suppliers with local inventory, so we get instant access to products, then we diverted custom built products to smaller, more nimble suppliers, and finally we began to inventory some items so our remodeling jobs could get started faster and eliminate job progress interruptions. These changes weren’t easy but without them we couldn’t be in the hyper-growth mode that we’re presently experiencing, says Bobbie Kohm, Vice President of Remodeling Expo Center, “Turnkey Design-Build companies, like us, keep the process very simple”. Low interest rates are going to be around for a long time and investment in our homes is likely to continue. For more information on Remodeling Expo Center (RemodelingExpo.com), contact them at their showroom at 48 King Street in Roswell or at 404-910-3969.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Choosing the right material for your Exterior Shutters Brought to you by – Dupbel Millworks, Inc. Shutters can make or break the curb appeal of a house and it is important to consider the different materials that shutters are made of. Prices will vary considerably between the different materials and each will have its own positives and negatives. Let’s take a look at the 4 main ones. Wood: Very traditional and good looking. Could be pricey depending in the wood species that is used. Stay away from cheaper woods like Poplar or pine that will rot, twist and split within a short period of time. Good species are Western Red Cedar and Cypress. Make sure you add some sort of a cap to the top of the shutter to prevent splitting and make sure your provider seals the wood effectively to prevent rot. Easy to customize size and styles. Easy to repaint depending on the paint used, and special care should be taken to ensure the paint seals the product completely. Vinyl: Cheapest option you can get, but then it will also look like that. The summer heat can play a trick on these where the shutters became brittle with color fading over time. These shutters are typically hollow and not very strong. Its recommended that they are mounted flush against the wall, although some service providers sell hardware kits to mount them on hinges. Vinyl shutters are typically 3 times cheaper than wood or composites, but remember you’ll have to pay for installation 3 times. Limited options available for size, style and color. Difficult to repaint effectively. Composite Wood: Pricing is comparable to wood, and although you get the look and feel of wood, you don’t have the issues that comes using wood. No rotting, swelling, twisting and if it is the right material, no insect damage. There are different composite materials available and not all are rated for extended exterior use, so make sure your provider uses the right stuff (and can prove it). Very long lasting and in some cases you even have environmentally friendly/safe options available. Easy to customize and a good provider should be able to create unique designs and styles perfect for your home. Similar to wood it will need repainting in a few years, but generally easy to do. Can be mounted on hinges or direct to the wall.
PVC: Pricey, so shop around. This stuff will last almost forever and moisture have no effect on it. Heat does play a role and it’s prone to cupping, bending and warping, so make sure your provider adds some form of additional strengthening. Seems that the industry standard is to add metal bracing on the back to prevent some of the issues. Difficult to paint and typically comes in standard colors. Make sure from you provider what steps you’ll have to take when it comes to repainting. Can be mounted flush or on hinges. Dupbel Millworks Inc. manufactures exteriors shutters using only weather resistant materials. Our core business is shutters made from a composite wood material that is rot, insect and weather resistant. This is especially important in Georgia’s hot, humid conditions. Although we carry a series of shutters styles, we are fully equipped to help you design the specific look you desire, and every shutter is custom made based on your house, windows and design. We use your house as our showroom, knowing very well how difficult it can be to see what a specific style of shutter will do the look of your home. We come to your house with samples and will help you to choose the perfect style of shutter for your house. Our business is located in Alpharetta, GA and we are proud to serve the residential and commercial market of North Georgia. We are small enough to provide you with personal attention, yet strong enough to handle complex designs. 678-662-4815
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4 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
2355 SADDLESPRINGS DRIVE MILTON, GA 30004 | $3,699,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860
13720 BETHANY ROAD
MILTON, GA 30004 | $3,395,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
1648 MUSKET RIDGE
936 GARRISON TRAIL
ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $950,000 Michelle Merrill | 404.444.4080
CANTON, GA 30115 | $985,000 Kimberly Rowland | 678.977.4532
1210 N FLAT ROCK ROAD
DOUGLASVILLE, GA 30134 | $930,000 Michelle Chapman | 770.315.4493
2120 WILKIE ROAD
ALPHARETTA, GA 30341 | $1,350,000 Diane Payne | 404.431.1499
REPRESENTATION OF HOME
4860 POWERS FERRY ROAD
SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30327 | $1,099,000 Catherine Adams | 678.488.7568
607 MOUNTAIN BREEZE
3730 CLUBLAND DRIVE
CANTON, GA 30115 | $535,000 Butler Swayne Team & Gianna Amneteg | 770.241.9165
MARIETTA, GA 30068 | $1,749,000 Maryam Schwegman | 404.987.4942
MARY WARGULA
Work With The Best
Senior Vice President | Managing Broker O. 770.475.0505 Mary.Wargula@BHHSGeorgia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
AppenMedia.com | February 2022 | 5
REAL ESTATE DEFINED FEATURED LISTINGS
3537 PRESERVE DRIVE SE
215 WOODRIDGE PARKWAY Butler Swayne Team & Gianna Amneteg | 770.241.9165
2880 MOUNTAIN ROAD
11 NATHAN CIRCLE - RESIDENTIAL LOT ALPHARETTA, GA 30115 | $899,000 Jeni Hall | 404.217.8877
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA 30097 | $810,000 Jenifer Cusick | 404.932.4962
NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
ALPHARETTA, GA 30004 | $1,175,000 Kamey Leon | 678.525.5280
THE HOMESTEAD AT MILTON
MILTON, GA | From $3 Million BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 678.787.7949
CANTON, GA 30115 | $720,000
2959 MILLER BOTTOM ROAD
VININGS, GA 30339 | $899,000 Michelle Merrill | 404.444.4080
LONG HOLLOW LANDING
GAINESVILLE, GA | $500’s – $1M+ BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 678.578.6833
CONYERS, GA 30012 | $750,000 Talitha Timmons | 678.852.9801
4845 RIVERLAKE DRIVE
SOLEIL BELMONT PARK
CANTON, GA | From the $400’s BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 770.635.4080
NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 33 South Main Street, Suite 201, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.475.0505 ©2022 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.
6 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Luxury living in historic Roswell Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices GA Properties North Atlanta’s real estate market continues to set record sales and inventory levels remain low especially in popular locations like Historic Roswell. Award-winning Patrick Malloy Communities is meeting market demand by starting several new homes at Hillandale in Historic Roswell. Priced for the $900’s - $1 million plus, this charming Charleston inspired neighborhood offers elegant finishes and unique designs in a highly sought-after location. Located just minutes from the heart of historic Roswell, Hillandale features sophisticated three-to-fivebedroom homes which includes the newest floorplan, the “Galway” and the award winning “Hillandale”. Each plan is
thoughtfully curated with an abundance of entertaining spaces both inside and out. Choose from a variety of homes with standard features like 10-foot ceilings on the main floor, hardwoods on main level living spaces and stairs, high-end stainless steel appliances, free standing tubs in the primary suite and much more. Our Design Center allows our homeowners to make their home their own. There are also basement homesites available Homeowners at Hillandale enjoy a convenient and central location with easy access to local dining and shopping. The Chattahoochee River and pristine parks envelop the area creating a wide array of recreational activities. The Chattahoochee River Nature Preserve is just a short drive away with kayaking, biking and walking trials, and a summer music
series. Districted in Roswell’s highly acclaimed school system, Hillandale is a neighborhood suited for any lifestyle. Patrick Malloy Communities, founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, has over the past 27 years developed over 7,000 homesites and built 5,000 homes in Metro Atlanta with a total of more than $2.5 billion in sales. Patrick Malloy Communities has been on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder list multiple times and has won numerous professionalism awards including several Community of the Year awards. For more details on Hillandale and other new home communities by PMC, visit PMCommunities.com, call 770/2545372 or visit the sales center at 3020 Barnes Mill Ct. Roswell, 30075. Patrick Malloy Communities is represented
by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. BHHSgaNewHomes.com. An Equal Housing Opportunity.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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8 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
The best time for new beginnings is now. Forever moving you. “A home is one of the most important assets that most people will ever buy. Homes are also where memories are made and you want to work with someone you can trust.” WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN | BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
www.BHHSGeorgia.com ©2022 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. Equal Housing Opportunity.®
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
AppenMedia.com | February 2022 | 9
REAL ESTATE DEFINED FEATU RED LISTING S
3712 HOWELL WOOD TRAIL DULUTH, GA 30096 | $899,000 Casey McGuirt | 678.602.2504
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3475 OAK VALLEY ROAD UNIT#130
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6494 CANOPY DRIVE
ATLANTA, GA 30328 | $1,285,000 Katerina Quinterno | 404.857.4816
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SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $949,000 Carol Johnson | 404.697.1400
SALLY MOORE Senior Vice President | Managing Broker
D. 404.401.0493 | O. 770.393.3200 Sally.Moore@BHHSGeorgia.com
CHAMBLEE, GA 30341 | $550,000 Mary Ellen Harris | 770.656.0768
SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30350 | $988,000 Kerry Arias | 770.605.7545
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1290 TYNECASTLE WAY
1960 ROYAL COURT
120 VIEW HILL COURT
ATLANTA, GA 30326 | $550,000 Lindsay Levin | 404.667.3232
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145 HERITAGE COURT
ROSWELL, GA 30075 | $729,000 Lyssa Pietro | 770.366.7119
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2692 FOREST MEADOW LANE LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30043 | $400,000 Kerry Arias | 770.605.7545
Local Experts.Outstanding Results. Dunwoody Office | 770.393.3200 5481 Chamblee Dunwoody Road | Dunwoody, GA 30338
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES GEORGIA PROPERTIES ©2022 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.
The numbers are in! 10 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Brought tp you by– Dan Griffin, Broker Associate Compass
The 2021 home sales numbers that is… There has been a tremendous amount of news related to the unique characteristics of the real GRIFFIN estate market across the country. As you have probably read, home buyers are moving up for more work and living space, and moving out of urban areas since in-office time has decreased. No more commute! At least for now. The commercial real estate industry is “shifting” in the midst of these trends. Shopping centers are being demolished and “re-purposed”. Some office buildings are being converted into housing units. But back here in DUNWOODY, Georgia, the past two years have been wonderful for sellers, and challenging for buyers. Sellers control the process in
an historic way! Buyers win with cash, paying over list price and over appraised value. As a buyer, it also helps to eliminate conditions, and be willing to pay the “appraisal gap” if necessary. In the city of Dunwoody, we had 398 single-family home sales last year
that were listed in First Multiple Listing Service. This is up from 336 in 2020, an 18.5% increase. The average sales price was $628,741, an 18% increase, and sold in an average of 24 days. The previous year, the average sales price was $532,918 with 42 average days on
market. Demand out-stripped supply. If you would like to receive detailed sales information for your neighborhood, please let me know. Dan Griffin, Broker Associate Compass, Inc. dan.griffin@compass.com
Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas. Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude. For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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Rising interest rates - What does that mean for buyers and sellers? Brought to you by – Ansley Real Estate, Tirone & Weaver 30-year fixed mortgage rates have increased about 1% since December 3rd. Logic tells you that homebuyers have less purchasing power when interest rates rise. Tyler Johnson, Sr Loan Originator with Residential Funding Consultants “a 1% rate increase equates to roughly an 11% loss in purchasing power. Many buyers will find that their max pre approval amount has dropped dramatically.” Fear of increasing rates may cause more buyers to rush into a housing market already impacted by limited inventory. Jay Zulauf, Sales Manager with Loan Depot says “It is important to select a lender in a rising interest rate environment that is able to provide a longterm rate lock without a contract on a property. This limits your risk.” Sellers should capitalize on buyers’ sense of urgency and consider listing their home while rates remain low and the market is flooded with buyers. The good news is this inflationary effect has created amazing investment opportunities over the years. Tyler Johnson says “homeowners that bought a $300k home two years ago with 3-5% down likely have well over $100k in equity today.” Real estate continues to be the only investment where you can invest a small percentage of the cost of the asset and realize 100% of the appreciation. What’s the silver lining? As Jay Zulauf says “even with interest rates rising, we are still at historical lows which is affordable for most buyers”. We are a far cry from the horrific interest rates of 16.63% we saw in
1981 and ahead of the average (per Freddie Mac) of 4.54% in 2018. In summary, the housing market remains robust
and still offers affordable investment opportunities for buyers while giving sellers the ability to realize some amazing gains!
Your North Atlanta Experts
Tirone & Weaver $38 Million in Sales in 2021 49 CLIENTS SERVED IN 2021
Helping clients achieve their real estate goals at EVERY stage of life: first time buyers, rightsizing, and relocations.
“Tammy and Jody were priceless as our partners in selling our previous home and buying our new home. Their attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills are outstanding!“ -Happy Client
Jody Tirone
Tammy Weaver
C. 404.451.3125 | JODY@ANSLEYRE.COM
C. 678.296.8797 | TAMMYWEAVER@ANSLEYRE.COM
ANSLEYRE.COM | 770.284.9900 | 31 CHURCH ST. ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. If you have any existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal housing opportunity.
12 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
Exceptional Living
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Biggest decorating mistakes Brought to you by – BILL RAWLINGS, Senior Vice President & Managing Broker, North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
CANTON 112 Owens Mill Place Offered for $1,125,000 Stephanie Powell 770.560.6406
HIAWASSEE 0 Carlin Road | LAND Offered for $110,000 Kyle Stevens 678.982.7022
Decorating is all about the things you do: the RAWLINGS colors you pick, the furniture you love and the accents you choose to give your space that perfect look. Decorating is also about the things that you don’t do. And some mistakes can be quite costly, while others are much easier to fix than one would think. An editorial eye is always looking for things that can go, either because they don’t fit or because it’s just too much of a good thing. And just in case your eye isn’t quite as practiced just yet, here are some quick fixes that will make your home a better, more stylish place. 1. A Cluttered Kitchen The kitchen is truly the heart of most homes and the hub of activity, but all this commotion can cramp your kitchen’s style. Piles of dirty dishes and countertops crowded with small appliances
MILTON 12575 Waters Edge Drive Offered for $2,750,000 Julie Allan 404.405.6908
DRUID HILLS 1349 Briarcliff Road Offered for $700,000 Haden Henderson 678.787.9226 Clay Henderson 770.652.1890 MILTON 3087 Watsons Bend Offered for $3,450,000 Julie Allan 404.405.6908
770.442.7300 atlantafinehomes.com
770.442.7300 atlantafinehomes.com sothebysrealty.com
Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the
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
Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 400, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.
aren’t appealing. Your best solution is to minimize the mess. Stay on top of dirty dishes by cleaning up immediately after meals. Also, limit the number of appliances and trinkets you allow to pile up on the countertop. A potted plant or a vase of flowers are all you need to add a little color and life. 2. Going to the Dark Side Too few lamps or overhead lights can make even the coziest living room feel cramped and downright creepy. Solution: Light it up. A lot of life happens in your living room. Add multiple types of lighting, like table lamps, overhead lighting and floor lamps to ensure ample illumination for tasks like reading.
the big game, but that doesn’t mean the TV has to be the focal point of your living room. Instead of designing around the TV, incorporate the TV into your design. Pretending a television isn’t part of your space won’t make it any less noticeable. By designing first and adding the TV later, you can have a thoughtful living space that’s both stylish and accommodating. 5. Covering A/C Ducts Are you feeling too warm or chilly? Make sure your new living room layout isn’t covering up your A/C vent. Plan around your air source. Identify the A/C vents in your room and design your room around those to keep the air flowing.
3. Choosing Style Over Comfort Dining chairs’ entire purpose is to be sat on. Selecting ones based solely on a trendy style instead of comfort is a definite no-go. Opt for comfy chairs. Whether hosting guests or just enjoying a meal, dining should be a time to unplug, relax and enjoy. Encourage your dinner companions to linger longer with comfy, upholstered chairs.
Making decorating improvements now will ensure you don’t have to spend so much time fixing things around the house when it comes time to sell. If you need assistance selling your home or have any other real estate needs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!
4. Designing Around the TV You want everyone to be able to see
Compiled and edited by Dana Daniels, Marketing Coordinator
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
AppenMedia.com | February 2022 | 13
Why We Love
Milton
So, the BIG QUESTION is why do you need a buyer’s agent in today’s market? Brought to you by – Doug Harden, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty An agent friend of mine listed a house for $500k and received 155 offers. It is an extremely competitive market with little inventory. Good news is we are heading into spring market and are hopeful to see more homes for sale soon. Currently, we are seeing many homes list on a Thursday and give agents 3/4 days to show the home and submit offers. Thus, resulting in multiple offers with prices going up. In today’s market we are at 2-3 weeks inventory at best. Recently, we had a client looking for a house after we put their home under contract. They were looking online for homes, like most buyers they noticed most everything sold or under contract. As their Buyer’s Agent, we worked hard for them to find them a home in a limited time between going under contract and before closing. We found 11 quiet listings in addition to what was already listed. “Quiet Listings” are seller’s who are interested in selling but waiting to publicly hit
the market for whatever reason. TOP REASONS to work with a BUYER’S AGENT? • We know and understand the local market (having knowledge and experience better than any website), including having relationships with other great agents. • We help you secure financing to help you present the strongest offer. • We coordinate showings, including those “Quiet Listings.” • We know how to write contracts to help you WIN in competitive, multiple offer situations. • We have access to experienced professionals. • We Negotiate on your behalf throughout the transaction. • We keep the transaction on schedule. • We are there to be your emotional ear and filter. dougharden@atlantafinehomes.com 404-931-5090
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Golf
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Horse country and sprawling land
Why Choose Harden Group? In today’s highly competitive real estate market, it is more important than ever to choose a REALTOR® who is proactive. We are wellconnected with the agents at our brokerage and are the first to know about coming soon listings. We have an extensive client database with whom we are in constant contact. We reach out to our past clients to see if they are looking to sell their homes, and we try to make a match. As leaders in this market, allow us to open the doors to everything you’ve longed for; we can help you turn someday into right now.
DOUG HARDEN c. 404.931.5090 o. 770.442.7300 dougharden@atlantafinehomes.com atlantafinehomes.com | sir.com
Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. 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. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies. Graph information from FMLS.
14 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Buckle Your Seatbelts - North Atlanta’s Wild Ride Continues Brought to you by – Ansley Atlanta, Craft Dolan If you were at all involved in the real-estate market in the last 20 months, you at some point asked yourself, what just happened? CRAFT The affects of the pandemic on real estate took a lot of us by surprise. Simply put, it sparked unprecedented movement over the last year and a half. And it’s not over. In 2020 and 2021, buyers and sellers traded up or down in size. Families reevaluated their lifestyle needs in favor of outdoor living space, home theaters, home gyms, pools, Zoom rooms, in-law suites and designated office spaces. Empty nesters yearned for smaller intown walkable communities. Meanwhile, our North Atlanta suburbs looked really good to out-of-towner’s. The
2021 Metro-Atlanta population increased by 1.86%, or a whopping 108,000 people, over 2020. The pandemic created an ‘I can work from anywhere’ can-do attitude, and many chose here. Housing demand was so high that supply couldn’t keep up. Throughout 2021, we saw a dizzying acceleration of pace and price. In 2019, the days on market for a house in Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek and Cumming, meaning the number of days from the time a home is listed through the end of its due-diligence period, averaged 75. In 2021, that number fell to 20. Now, that’s fast. Over the last 20 months, inventory dropped to a record low. Supply chain delays, material costs and labor issues stalled new construction deliveries. And re-sales flew off the market. Houses went under contract over a weekend, multiple offers were the rule not the exception,
buyers waived contingencies and invited sellers to stay in their home rent-free for days, weeks, months after closing just to be chosen. Buyers were doing all the giving, and prices accelerated to record levels. Nationally speaking by the end of 2021, home sales had reached the highest levels since 2006 and prices had increased as much as 20%. Now what? Local prices remain high and are expected to increase another 10% in 2022 according to the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. We’re confident the upward price correction we’ve seen in our local real estate market is here to stay. Inventory remains tight, but newconstruction deliverables are on the way. Pricing may stun you, reflecting still-higher material and labor costs, and supplychain delays will persist. New-construction buyers will need to remain patient. Interest rates are on the rise. Now
about 3.5% for a conventional-loan mortgage, rates are expected to hit 4% by the end of 2022, challenging buyer’s buying power. This plus buyer skepticism of putting it all on the line to win the favor of a seller has helped cool the rapid pace and price escalations of yester-year. But cooling doesn’t mean stopping. Drivers for Metro-Atlanta’s continued real-estate success are related to our healthy economy. We have strong job growth. Our unemployment rate is the lowest ever recorded at 2.2%. We have positive population growth. Superb education options. And Atlanta is handling inflation better than most. All of this paints a picture for continued upward movement of our real-estate values and another active year for the market. How to navigate all of this if you’re in the market to buy or sell? Call an expert Realtor you trust. Let them help you on this journey, they’ll know how to best advise you for a smooth transaction.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
AppenMedia.com | February 2022 | 15
THE
CRAFT DOLAN TEAM We Love Our Community The Craft Dolan Team is committed to community. In addition to staying on top of the real estate market for our clients, we also invest our time:
• Founding members of the Milton Business Council • Founding sponsors of Southern Magnolia Charities & the Milton Tour of Homes • Actively involved with the Milton First Responders Foundation & The Concert on The Green • Lara is President of the Alpharetta Business Association & is actively involved with Alpharetta’s landmark ShamRockin’ for a Cure benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation • Tracey sits on the Board of Directors for the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce & participates in the Downtown Business Leaders group
A SAMPLE OF OUR 2021 ACTIVITY: SOLD
12897 Gransley Court
SOLD
12506 Broadwell* SOLD
135 Nakomis Place
SOLD
134 Academy SOLD
SOLD
PUT OUR TEAM TO WORK FOR YOU. C. 770.722.3119 | O. 770.284.9900 | TRACEY@ANSLEYRE.COM C. 404.514.6533 | O. 770.284.9900 | LARA@ANSLEYRE.COM
2680 Augeron
ANSLEYRE.COM | 770.284.9900 | 31 CHURCH ST. ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. If you have any existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal housing opportunity. *Represented Buyer
600 Sterlling Glen*
16 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Finding love in the real estate market Brought to you by – Allison Kloster, Associate Broker, Home Real Estate With Valentine’s Day approaching, we feel like it’s time to explore matchmaking on a different level, with KLOSTER our homes. Inventory continues to be minimal for 2022, so we are striving to find the perfect match for each of our clients that trust us to help them relocate this year. On our list of offerings, we are now adding a personal matchmaking service to our menu. Instead of finding you your soulmate, we will be focused solely on introducing you to properties. The market, currently, is chaotic and is making sellers think “I am a Seller – I am in the driver’s seat. I can command top dollar.”
While our buyers are saying “I am a Buyer – I am eager to get into each new listing and be ready to write an offer. I am prepared to offer over list price. I have my financing in order and I can close with some flexibility.” One would think these two parties can come together and have a happy ending. That would be true if there were enough homes for each of these ready, willing, and able buyers. Unfortunately, our inventory levels are down 22.3% from December 2020 to December 2021. February 2022 is not looking to be any better. What can we do? This is where we step in and play Cupid. We meet with sellers every day and encourage them to get their homes properly ready for the market. Just because there is an inventory shortage does not mean buyers are not expecting the sellers to get their homes market ready. They are.
When a buyer is paying a premium, they are wanting and finding homes that are move-in ready, with major repairs completed prior to going on the market. This is a win-win for both sides. If a seller presents the market with a home that has clearly been maintained, they will get cleaner offers and more committed buyers. If you think you may decide that 2022 is the year to make a big change, get that work done as soon as possible. Sellers need to address any incomplete items around the house and buyers need to get their financing square away. If you want to compare lenders, do it now. If you like them today, then you will like them in a month. They will help you present yourself as a solid candidate and make sure that you are ready to buy. As a buyer, now is the time to drive around and tour the neighborhoods of interest to you. Learn about the
schools and determine which ones are a priority for you. Your Realtor should be your first call about locations and what they offer. This piece of the puzzle is important so you do not waste time scheduling showings in the wrong neighborhoods. This all seems logical, but now it comes down to Matchmaking. We want to hear what you are looking for and in turn, we want to hear what you have. We are putting a board together to shape a road map of properties and homeowners/homebuyers together to see if we can MATCH you with what you are looking for. It will take a little bit of navigating, but we want to help you be successful in finding that wonderful new home for your family. If we can get both sides to get ready, we get both sides to act, we can help to normalize this market. The Kloster Group is focusing on MATCHMAKING for 2022.
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THE KLOSTER GROUP YOUR REAL ESTATE MATCHMAKERS. WE FIND THE KEY TO YOUR DREAM HOME.
OVER
$68 MILLION SOLD IN 2021
C : 404 .784.5287 | O: 404.3 83 . HOM E ( 4 663 ) | 1 81 9 Pe a ch t re e Rd , S ui te 1 00 At l a nt a , G e o rg i a 3 03 09 Information believed accurate but not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales and withdrawals without notice. Broker, Betsy Franks.
18 | February 2022 | AppenMedia.com
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Don’t wait for your empty nest... Brought to you by – Tuscany Fine Furnishings When observing the active lives many of my clients have in juggling work and family I often suggest creating a parent’s retreat within their homes. Most parents put their children’s needs and comforts before their own, which is laudable, whether it be shuttling them to and from school or cheering them on through their extracurricular activities,little time is left to recharge and reflect. You may even believe that there isn’t a place to call your own within your home. Identifying this area within your household need not be as challenging as one may imagine. In touring clients homes I often see staged spaces that are not used by the family. They are often a small room found right off the foyer, a guest room that may seldom host visitors, the storage room on the terrace level which can be easily purged of its contents, or an abandoned screen porch all make the ideal location for your private retreat. Once you have selected the space be sure to make it personal by selecting furnishing and accents
that you alone choose. A warm natural color pallet along with soothing comfortable textures is suggested because they will afford you the luxury of clearing your mind and refreshing your spirit in a soothing environment. Be a little selfish in creating this “off limits” space, surround yourself with only things that bring you comfort and make you happy. Find the perfect chair, chase or sofa one that allows you to collapse into it free from guilt with a favorite book. Choose lighting that can be dimmed and include a sound element that can be volume controlled, these features will be sure to envelope your state of decompression. When you have the opportunity to enjoy an open view of your outdoor landscape be sure to use it, this will only add to the tranquility of your space. A soothing water feature is a nice touch that can be easily accomplished with a cascading wall fountain or dish garden. A posh rug is encouraged as it will be welcomed under your bare feet. In closing, know that taking care of yourself allows you to better facilitate the needs of your entire
family, so go ahead and build your “empty nest” before the fledglings fly!
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