Summer home sales
Expert advice for listing success and top dollar offers
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– Allison Kloster, Associate Broker, Home Real Estate
As a listing agent, I love it when my clients ask me to come talk with them well in advance of them wanting to sell their home. In fact, a year is not too far out. That of course is in a perfect world. As with many businesses, real estate has its “high” seasons and its “low” seasons. In reality, people buy and sell homes all year long with the spring usually being “high season”. If you missed that window, don’t despair, when properly prepared you can sell your home for top price in any season. Its summer now, what should you do if you have decided to sell now? School is out, people are busy with kids and vacations and we’ve got four holidays between May and September. Don’t despair, buyers buy all year long, but in certain seasons, like summer and through the winter holidays, there are fewer buyers and they can be picky. This doesn’t mean you won’t sell your home. What it does mean is you have to make sure your home offers a
great first impression to every buyer that sees it. A great first impression means pricing is critical, condition is paramount and full-service marketing is an absolute necessity.
It is important to call your Realtor as soon as you know that you will be moving. A great agent doesn’t just sell, he or she can counsel you on how best to prepare and position your home for any market. For instance, in the summertime, your agent may advise more outdoor staging, lighter colors in the home, colorful flowers at the front door and clean landscape. That may mean paint, power washing, outdoor lighting and other ideas to help the buyer see what the exterior and yard will offer them during the summer months when they may be outside grilling and entertaining more.
Condition is always a key component to being a successful seller in any market. Nobody wants to buy a project to live in, especially at top dollar. Clean sells, tastefully decorated sells, move-in ready sells and well maintained interior and exterior sells. Again, your agent can help you by being an objective observer helping you to see what needs to be done. This is especially important if this has been your home for several years, you’ve gotten used it and may not be
the best judge of how other people might see it. Trust your agent to guide you in preparing your home, the agent has a vested interest in you selling for top dollar also.
Starting at the right listing price is an important part of making sure to get strong, top dollar offers and reasonable terms. A lot goes into arriving at the listing price, including community factors, schools, pricing trends for the area and specific comparable properties that a buyer (or appraiser) will use to gauge your relative value. Summer is usually not the season to push the market for the highest price possible. Summer offers fewer buyers and you will have competition from other sellers. A great house at a fair price will bring you the highest quality offers. Frequently, it may not be the highest priced offer that is the best offer. The terms of sale are super important and once you agree to accept a contract, you want to be confident it is going to stay together and close on time. Your agent is the best source of information on what is customary, acceptable and desirable in the terms of an offer on your specific home for your specific needs. A strong contract for a seller will have a great sales price, more than 1% earnest money, a short due diligence
period and reasonable contingencies for financing and appraisal. Your agent can also negotiate a closing date and possession terms that best meet your needs.
Once you’re ready to hit the market, make sure your agent is able to offer you the best marketing plan to make every buyer aware of your home. This may include listing in multiple MLS’s, professional HD photography, video, maybe drone photos and certainly professionally printed materials for onsite collateral. In addition to putting all that out there on social media for the public, your agent should also have a network of other highly qualified agents that they work with.
With the right team of professionals, you can sell your home for top dollar any time of the year. HOME Real Estate and The Kloster Group will gladly help you evaluate your home to best meet your selling goals. We wish you a wonderful summer selling season!
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 Allison at 404-784-5287 or email allison@homegeorgia.com and get a response within 24 hours.
KLOSTER
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Tony Bennett’s legal battle
Brought to you by – Estates Law Center USA
Singer Tony Bennett’s family’s legal battle over his trust is one example of why it’s important to set up a clear and detailed estate plan. Although it is our hope that our loved ones can settle any inheritance disputes with grace, when a large amount of assets are involved, it’s unfortunately common for predatory spouses, children, and other beneficiaries to fight over who gets what.
Let’s look at the lawsuits involving Bennett’s trust. Prior to his death, Tony Bennett set up a trust with one of his sons, D’Andrea “Danny” Bennett and himself as the Trustee. Following Tony’s death, Danny became the sole Trustee of the trust and was thus tasked with distributing the assets that were in the trust - the singer’s music and business ventures, his tangible personal property, and accounts - to the beneficiaries, which were his siblings and Bennett’s widow.
the family trust.
But not everyone in the family was happy with Danny being the sole Trustee. Bennett’s daughters, Johanna and Antonia Bennett alleged that Danny mishandled Bennett’s trust and kept the beneficiaries in the dark about the singer’s actual finances and transactions involving the trust assets, including Bennett’s business interests. In their lawsuit against Danny, the two daughters are demanding that he provide complete inventories of all of Bennett’s personal property and full details of all financial activity regarding
Danny himself, along with his brother Dae Bennett, have filed a lawsuit against Susan Benedetto, Bennett’s widow. The two alleged that Susan manipulated Bennett to secure a significant portion of his assets for herself, and that she had taken advantage of his deterioration from Alzheimer’s to make changes to his estate plan. Susan in turn has denied those allegations and stated that she only acted in accordance with Bennett’s wishes. Although it has been nearly a year since Bennett passed away in July 2023, the legal battles among the family have continued, signifying how important it is to not just have a generic trust, but one that’s carefully tailored to be as clear, concise, and transparent to all parties as possible, to prevent the chances of family disputes. We may not be highprofile figures like Tony Bennett, but that doesn’t mean our assets aren’t worth protecting, especially when family members don’t get along and when our legacy is at stake. When setting up a trust, always make sure you have a list of assets so the Trustee and beneficiaries know what’s being distributed, and make sure that you have documents like Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directives so that no third party can take advantage of any potential legal incompetencies. More importantly, make sure you have an attorney specialized in estate planning and licensed in your state to oversee the creation of your estate plan.
HOLLY GEERDES Estate Law Center USA Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia
How to transform your porch
Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad
Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
With the warm, sunny days of summer drawing us outside, it’s the perfect time to tap into the appeal of your front porch. Here are two compelling reasons to revitalize this space:
1. The front porch is one of the first things visitors notice.
2. Budget-wise, it doesn’t (or shouldn’t) cost a fortune to take things up a notch or two. With some creative ideas and a few practical tips, a porch transformation is possible for any budget and style.
Whether you envision a cozy nook for reading, a vibrant area for entertaining guests or a lush garden sanctuary, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few places to start:
1. Refinish and/or repaint. Refinishing wooden decking and chairs or opting for a fresh coat of paint is a transformative first step. Sanding down dull, weathered surfaces and applying a new stain or paint can restore their original beauty and protect them from future damage. The benefits are threefold: it brings out the wood’s natural grain and texture, lets you customize the finish to align with your design vision and creates a stylish and inviting outdoor
space that sets the stage for additional decor.
2. Add plants.
Planters, hanging baskets or window boxes turn any size porch into a lush, inviting oasis. Planters allow you to introduce a variety of flowers and herbs that can be easily changed with the seasons. Hanging planters or baskets maximize vertical space while bringing a touch of whimsy, while window boxes add charm and integrate the porch with the rest of your home’s exterior.
3. Light on purpose.
Start by considering a mix of overhead fixtures, wall sconces and portable lamps to create a layered lighting scheme. Then, turn on the charm with string lights or lanterns—a cozy touch perfect for evening gatherings or quiet nights.
4. Upgrade your furniture.
If your budget allows and your porch is large enough, adding weather-resistant outdoor furniture is always a nice touch. Cushions in vibrant colors or patterns can punch it up further and make your porch a true extension of your living area.
A stylish and inviting outdoor space is rewarding and can enhance both your home’s curb appeal and your personal enjoyment. 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
PEXELS
LAKE LANIER
Find your homestead
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Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Milton, Georgia, The Homestead at Milton represents the pinnacle of luxury living. Situated on what was formerly a meticulously maintained 180-acre golf course, The Homestead at Milton is a community rich in history and natural beauty. This luxurious neighborhood is perfect for buyers looking to own substantial land in one of the most sought-after areas north of Atlanta.
The pristine landscape and serene environment provide a perfect backdrop for these magnificent homes.
The Homestead at Milton offers estate-sized homesites within a gated community, providing residents with privacy and tranquility. The opportunity to own a home in this rare collection is limited, with only 13 homesites remaining. These prime homesites range in price from the $900s to over $1 million, while custom homes are available from $4 million to $11 million. Each home is a blend of inspiration and tradition and
defines the new southern lifestyle. Located just a short distance from downtown Crabapple and only three miles from Historic Downtown Alpharetta, The Homestead at Milton combines rural charm with urban convenience. Residents enjoy easy access to a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The Avalon and GA 400 are also within close reach, making commuting and travel convenient. The community is part of a toprated school district, and children will attend Cambridge High School, Hopewell Middle School, and Summit
Hill Elementary.
Discover the epitome of luxury living at The Homestead at Milton. Bring your own builder or work with one of our premiere custom builders and seize the opportunity to find your homestead. For more details, visit TheHomesteadatMilton.com or call 770.766.4954 to schedule a private appointment. Vision Development Partners is represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. BHHSgaNewHomes.com. An Equal Housing Opportunity.
– Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division
Visit Our Brand New Showroom
5 absolute must-haves in the bathroom
Throughout America major changes are happening in the bathroom, especially in the shower. North Atlanta expanded rapidly from 1980 to 2005, and this is the era of jetted tubs dominating the bathroom, claustrophobic gold framed showers, poor lighting and the use of materials that promoted mold and mildew (grout).
“We see this every day”, says John Hogan, owner of Bath and Kitchen Galleria in Alpharetta, “Homeowners are tired of recurring grout issues, and they want their bathrooms to be a soothing pleasant experience.” Bath and Kitchen Galleria just completed their 1000th project and bathrooms are their primary type of project. “We have a formula that works for homeowners that balances bathroom aesthetics, function and price.”
In the bathroom, America has realigned its preferences, and the bathroom has taken a new shape in terms of products and appearance. At the center of “America’s New Bathroom” is a larger, open shower. We take more showers than baths, so the emphasis has shifted to the shower. Larger showers are more inviting and in most cases the shower does not have a ceiling. The openness of
the shower is the mold solution. In concert with the openness is the abundant use of shower glass. Not just any glass but specially coated glass that makes cleaning far less frequent. “We remodel just about every shower to be a maximum of 2 tiled walls: the remaining walls are always glass,” Mr. Hogan continued, “abundant glass and strategically located lighting, promotes that spa feeling.” Bathrooms are now engineered to be cleaner, both in design and materials; grout no longer promotes mold, nonporous tile remains clean, and humidity sensing fans automatically exhaust unwanted humidity.
Americans are taking shorter showers, but an abundance of water is also desired, so multiple shower heads especially incorporating a handheld wand is preferred. Especially when a bench is included, the water needs to be accessible from a seated position.
The 5 Absolute Must-Haves in a Bathroom: Bigger Showers, Brighter Bathrooms, Designs that Promote Cleanliness, Abundant Water experiences and Soothing Colors. For more information visit Bath and Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) or call them at 678-4592292.
Brought to you by - Bath and Kitchen Galleria
Appen Media Wins 2024 Georgia Press Association
General Excellence
1st Place
Special Issues/Special Sections – Staff
Investigative Reporting – Staff
Feature Photograph – Amber Perry
Serious Column – Carl Appen
Education Writing – Shelby Israel
2nd Place
Business Writing – Amber Perry Page 1 – Staff
Breaking News Writing – Hayden Sumlin
Serious Column – Pat Fox
Local News Coverage – Staff
Lifestyle Coverage – Staff Layout & Design – Staff
3rd Place
Page 1 – Staff
Education Writing – Amber Perry
Lifestyle Coverage – Staff Layout & Design – Staff
ADVERTISING
1st Place
Real Estate Ad – David Brown
Food Ad – David Brown
Home Furnishings Ad – David Brown
Newspaper Promotion – David Brown
2nd Place
Newspaper Promotion – David Brown
Food Ad – David Brown
Service/Institutional – David Brown
3rd Place
Food Ad – David Brown
Service/Institutional Ad – David Brown
Home Furnishings Ad – David Brown
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INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
While covering Milton election operations, Appen Media analyzed historical voter data and identified possible disenfranchisement.
This reporting caused a statewide watchdog to get involved and, eventually, the city moved to add a polling place to the area. Later in the year, Appen discovered that the feasibility report the City Council used when voting to run their own elections was not the original document. Two residents on a working committee had altered it after city staff had completed it and before its presentation to council. Appen Media reporters identified all of the differences between the two documents and then created an interactive digital document. Readers and officials were able to scroll through the materials and read notes from the newsroom explaining the differences. You can find this document at appenmedia.com/electionsreport.
