Real Estate Report, October 2016 by Appen Media Group

Appen Media Group

Real Estate Report October Special Section

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Sponsored Section • real estate report October 2016

2 | NorthFulton.com | October 2016

Sponsored Section

Two new neighborhoods coming soon The Salter Forehand Team is pleased to introduce two new neighborhoods coming soon to Downtown Alpharetta, Windsong Townhomes and XII on Canton. Windsong Townhomes are located at the corner of Marietta Street and Marjean Way. The complex will consist of twenty-four multi-level upscale townhomes that will be approximately 3,500 square feet with four bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms, some including elevator options. Ground levels include a media room, full guest suite with a full bathroom, covered porches and fenced backyards. The main level will feature hardwood floors throughout, gourmet kitchens with Wolf appliances and Sub-Zero refrigerators, a family room with a fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases, a large dining room, half bathroom, sunroom and lanai. The large master suite is upstairs with two additional secondary bedrooms and two full bathrooms, plus a laundry room. Five of these beautiful brick-and-stone townhomes are presently under construction and will be ready for occupancy in late November. Developed by Talon Neighborhoods, with construction by Sheehan Built Homes, architectural designs by Main Street Designs and interiors by Cynthia Porche Interiors, these townhomes are in a desirable location, only moments from Wills Park or Downtown Alpharetta’s restaurants and community activities, and only one mile from Avalon. Prices starting from the high $600s. “XII on Canton” will be comprised of 12 custom-built homes, in a gated community located in the ‘Garden District` of Downtown Alpharetta. This will be a one-of-a-kind boutique project of 12 single-family luxury homes with professional landscaping and an appealing streetscape. All of the homes will be constructed by select builders, Kevin Porche of Homes Elegant Properties and Austin Lineberry of New River Building Co. with interiors designed by, Cynthia Porche Interiors.

Reservations are currently being accepted for XII on Canton. Two home sites have already been reserved, leaving only ten reamining. Making a lot reservation is easy and includes scheduling a meeting with the builder/developer, selecting a lot and making a deposit. Once a lot is reserved, the buyer is expected to start working immediately with one of the builders, either with an approved available floor plan or the buyer’s own custom plan that must fit both physically and aesthetically on the lot and within the historic district guidelines. If the buyer chooses to bring their own floor plan, the style of the home is subject to approval from the City of Alpharetta Architectural Standards Committee. During the reservation period, the buyer will be working closely with the builder on the specific design, elevation and pricing. Lot deposits are fully refundable in the event an agreement is not consummated between the purchaser and builder within a specific timeframe. Prices starting from the low $1 million.

Fabulous Forsyth & Fulton County Locations! Live in One of These Prestigious Counties with Fantastic School Systems, Recreation and Much More Fulton County ManorView (Milton) 770-663-0027 Homes from the low $600s to the low $800s Forsyth County Arbors at LakeView (Cumming) 470-297-8190 Homes from the low $300s Arbors II at LakeView (Cumming) 470-297-8190 Homes from the mid $300s Champions Run I (Suwanee) Now Selling 770-888-2763 Homes from the low $400s For a Limited Time Purchase a To-Be-Built Home and Receive:

15,000

Use How You Choose Credits*

– PLUS –

Champions Run II (Suwanee) Model Now Open 770-888-2763 Homes from the mid $400s Herrington Glen (Cumming) Now Selling 678-628-6963 Homes from the mid $400s Herrington Trace (Cumming) Model Now Open 770-557-2289 Homes from the low $400s Marketplace Commons (Cumming) 770-889-8619 Homes from the mid $300s

Reserve at LakeView (Cumming) Model Now Open 770-887-8233 Homes from the mid $400s Seneca (Cumming) 470-297-8006 Homes from the low $400s Seneca lll (Cumming) 470-297-8006 Homes from the upper $300s Shiloh Pointe (Cumming) 770-781-1112 Homes from the mid $300s Woodbury Preserve (Cumming) Model Now Open 678-672-0862 Homes from the upper $300s

6,000

UP $ TO Toward Closing Costs*

*Available only when you close on a to-be-built home in the Atlanta Division pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 10/1/16-10/31/16. Seller provided “Use How You Choose” credits may be applied to upgrades or options. Upgrades and options available solely through Seller’s Design Center. Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. Receipt of closing cost credit is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage or, where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title of Atlanta, LLC. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Seller does not represent/guarantee that the project will be serviced by any particular public school/school district or, once serviced by a particular school/ school district, that the same school/school district will service the project for any particular period of time. Eligibility requirements (including geographical) may change over time. You should independently confirm which schools/districts serve the project and learn more information about the school district’s boundary change process prior to executing a purchase contract. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897, Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL012

October 2016

real estate report • Sponsored Section

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Sponsored Section • real estate report October 2016

Crye-Leike continues to grow in the Atlanta market Now open in Gainesville It’s been eleven years since Harold Crye, CEO of Crye-Leike Real Estate, expanded the company's footprint into the Atlanta metro area. The fourth largest privately owned real estate company in the nation recently opened its eleventh office in the Atlanta Metro area at 956A Dawsonville Highway, Suite 301 in Gainesville. Crye-Leike is pleased to welcome Christy Crumbley as the new Managing Broker. Crye-Leike's Gainesville office is currently open for business and ready to assist clients with all of their real estate buying and selling needs in Hall, Lumpkin, Dawson and surrounding counties. The office will host a grand opening ceremony this fall. “The Atlanta real estate market is strong and greatly improving like many of the markets Crye-Leike serves," said Cofounder and CEO Harold Crye. "We see a lot of potential for the local market and are very happy to be expanding in and around the Atlanta area with additional offices opening soon in Lawrenceville, Dahlonega and Marietta.” "Being a full-service real estate brokerage firm, our goal is to make it convenient for our customers and sales associates to utilize all of our services

before, during and after a home purchase by offering reliable, efficient and convenient services for today's busy lifestyles," said Steve Brown, president of Crye-Leike Residential Sales. Crye-Leike Real Estate Services had a great year in 2015 achieving $5.7 billion in sales volume. Over a nine-state region, 3000 highly skilled Crye-Leike agents sold 31,400 properties. CryeLeike’s sales outperformed the national average in the real estate market. Crye-Leike Atlanta has sales offices in Alpharetta/Roswell, Norcross, Cartersville, Cumming, McDonough, Riverdale, Smyrna/Vinings, Johns Creek and Woodstock in addition to a Residential Property Management, Commercial and Relocation division. As a full service real estate company, Crye-Leike offers real estate and related services, including: relocation services; commercial business and investment real estate services; property leasing and management services; insurance services; title & closing services; mortgage services; home warranty services; home services; auction services; business brokerage services; REO services for bank-owned & foreclosed properties and real estate schools.

October 2016

real estate report • Sponsored Section

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Simply put, if you want to make the process of selling or buying a home as fast, simple, and stress-free as possible... use Kelly!! —Tricia B.

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Sponsored Section • real estate report October 2016

Planning to sell? Don’t make these updates! Brought to you by: Kelly Rosen, REALTOR® Solid Source Realty As REALTORs®, every day we strive to help our clients achieve great success in selling their home; one thing we do is provide sellers expert advice on which repairs and updates to make prior to listing their home for sale. However, there are many updates and home features that may not result in a higher sales price. When making updates in preparation for selling your home, here are a few suggestions of updates to avoid…. 1. Custom Closet Systems: Who wouldn’t want a custom closet system for their clothes and shoes? These fabulous drawers and shelves will transform the way you organize your clothing and turn messy closets into gorgeous, neat spaces. These systems cost several thousands of dollars, and historically do not justify a large increase in sales price. 2. Surround Sound: Many new homes come equipped with all the latest features such as surround sound in the family room, and many homeowners add surround sound when they

finish the basement. Surround sound is wonderful on family movie nights; however, when getting your home ready to sell, this is not where you should be spending your hard earned money. 3. Plantation Shutters: These shutters add classic beauty to any room and most buyers love the look of plantation shutters on windows. They also cost a small fortune and will do little to command a higher sales price. If your windows are bare and you need to cover them to detract from your close-up view of your neighbor’s house, try faux wood blinds that can be found at any of the home improvement stores. While all of these items are wonderful features for your home and may help your home sell faster (buyers do love these features!), in my experience they do not typically result in a higher sales price. I am not suggesting that you don’t add these features while you are living in and enjoying your home--you should absolutely customize your home with updates and features that are important to you and make your life easier. However, when you are preparing your home to list it for sale, you should be making updates in areas

with a documented return on investment (kitchen, master bath, paint, etc). Best wishes for a quick and easy sale! Kelly Rosen, REALTOR®, Solid Source Realty 770-568-9241 kellyrosen@ bellsouth.net

Are you ready to list your home? By: Kathy Weeks Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Alpharetta So you've prepped your home cosmetically in every imaginable way and now you're ready to hit the market! But before you proceed with putting the "For Sale" sign in the ground, there are several key pieces of information you should consider gathering that many of today's savvy buyers are going to want to know. 1. Survey - Do you have a copy of a current survey of your home? Buyers want to know about property lines, easements, conservation buffers, if there is room for a pool, if the property line extends to the water behind your home, etc. Having a survey will help eliminate potential concerns for prospective buyers. 2. Floor plan or Appraisal Sketch - Buyers often want to know room dimensions as it helps with determining furniture placement in their new space. A floor plan sketch, or an appraisal with accurate square footage of the home, will be extremely helpful. 3. Utility Bills - Buyers want to know what they can expect with their

future heating and cooling bills. Review your bills over the last one to two years to get an estimated average for the various seasons, or call your local utility provider. This information can be very beneficial when weeks a buyer sits down to crunch their total costs of owning a home. 4. Termite Bond - It is common for homes to have some sort of protection plan in place - also known as a bond. Prior to listing your home, obtain a copy of your policy from the provider, know exactly what type you have, how long it is in effect, and up to what dollar amount of coverage it is good for. 5. Insurance - Buyers especially want to know who a seller uses for their homeowners insurance and how much they pay. With homeowners insurance potentially more difficult to obtain in some areas, going through the existing seller's insurance company can help streamline the process. 6. Product Manuals and Warranty Documents - Now is the time to gather the various product manuals for all

items that will be staying in the home such as appliances, water heater, heating & cooling system, ceiling fans, pool equipment, etc. 7. Covenants and Restrictions, Neighborhood Rules and Information - A contract may hinge on the buyer's review of this information, so it is easiest to have it available ahead of time. If you don't have these, contact your neighborhood's association president or management company for assistance in

obtaining a copy. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Alpharetta office has affiliated sales associates who are experts in Atlanta’s communities and can help you quickly turn your dream into reality. If you’ve been thinking of putting your house on the market, now is a great time. We have buyers searching for properties right now– we’d love to sell them your home! Contact our office today by calling 770-642-0399.

October 2016

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Alpharetta / 5/4.5 / $459,900 Sandra Wilson / 678-520-9102 4950 Oakmont Bend FMLS# 5725239

Alpharetta / 4/2 / $369,900 Judy Linderman / 678-592-5607 1050 Compass Pointe Chase FMLS# 5742672

Cumming / 6/4 / $355,000 Dodie Hamrick / 770-841-6931 5765 White Creek Run FMLS# 5730594

Milton / 6/4.1 / $579,900 Melinda McConnell / 404-729-4226 14360 Creek Club Drive FMLS# 5714332

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Woodstock / 3/3 / $310,000 Susan Craig / 678-656-4909 246 Orchards Circle FMLS# 5734785

Clarkesville / 3/2 / $309,900 Tina Davis / 770-365-8800 118 Imperial Court FMLS#5692614

Alpharetta / 4BR/3.5BA / $409,900 Judy Linderman / 678-592-5607 12667 Archmont Trace FMLS#5729970

Alpharetta / 5BR/4BA / $529,900 Judy Linderman / 678-592-5607 4140 Breckenridge Court FMLS#5733751

Cumming / 4/4.5 / $375,000 Tarran Craver / 770-597-9118 7125 Compton Circle Search FMLS# 5744161 on CBHomes.com

Alpharetta / 4/4.5 / $539,500 Sue Forsythe / 770-630-4901 230 Autumn Sage Drive FMLS# 5743709

Suwanee / 4/3.5 / $320,000 Sue Forsythe / 770-630-4901 470 Firelite Lane FMLS# 5719850

Roswell 5/3.1 / $485,000 Beverly Younkins / 770-330-2530 1004 Applegate Drive FMLS# 5752088

Alpharetta/North Point 3800 Mansell Rd., Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | 770.642.0399

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal veriﬁcation. Real estate agents afﬁliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 12132ATL_4/16

Administered by American Home Shield

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Sponsored Section • real estate report October 2016

Home remodeling simplified… The roadmap to a smart and successful remodel Brought to you by John Hogan, Co-owner of the Remodeling Expo Center You’re not alone. All North Atlanta homeowners are faced with the same issue; the value of your house has increased but the finish level of your kitchen and bathrooms is now inconsistent with the home’s value. Homeowners of higher value homes expect current designs and finishes especially in kitchens and bathrooms, and with increasing real estate values; it now makes sound financial sense to remodel. Selecting the right General Contractor. 1. Interview the GC’s team: designer, project manager and owner. If they can’t make this happen, move on. 2. Drive to the G.C’s office/showroom. If they don’t have one, move on. If they have an office but not a showroom, still move on. Why? You need to know that the G.C. has infrastructure, stability, and resources. Showrooms are costly and only the best and most reliable

G.C.’s have them. 2. Documents- The Scope of Work and Drawings. The output of the design process is a detailed scope of work and construction drawings. Don’t enter into a contract without both and don’t commence any work until every item in the contract is detailed. The Bathroom Roadmap 1. Larger Tile – Use 12 x 24 or 12 x 12 for small rooms. You will achieve an immediate updated look. 2. Larger Shower. Since the shower will be rebuilt, it’s doesn’t cost much more to make it larger. And the shower is the new focal point of the bathroom. 3. Garden Tub Removal. No one uses them anymore so use the space for the shower of free standing tub. 4. Vanity Makeover. Get one that’s taller with granite on top and more drawers. 5. Full Wall Mirror (very 1980’s). Replace with framed & hung mirrors 6. Plumbing Fixture Art. The perfect place to define your new room. They can be pricey but they’re works of art 7. Shower Glass. What better way to showcase the new tile and plumbing fixtures than with large sheets of frameless shower glass!

The Kitchen Roadmap 1. Open Up the Room. Open concept isn’t a fad; it’s the standard for kitchens. 2. Insert large Island/Peninsula in place of former wall. This will become the new focal point of the room. 3. Convert the 2 level breakfast bar to a 1- level island/peninsula. It’s more functional and feels much larger. 4. Replace countertops with granite or quartz. 5. Move the Microwave from above the cooktop. Relocate to above wall oven or under-counter. 6. Larger Cooktop with hood. Go to a 5 or 6 burner cooktop and put a

stainless hood where the microwave used to be. 7. Back-Splash. Use a beautiful tile with accent that unites the counters and cabinets. 8. Cabinetry. Check out full overlay cabinets that extend up to the ceiling and remove soffits where you can. 9. Appliances. You need finish and brand consistency. You’ll save money buying all of them together in a package deal. For professional assistance with a remodel or questions regarding this article, please call John Hogan at Remodeling Expo Center at 678 820 6882.

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Sponsored Section • real estate report October 2016

Easy curb appeal

Does your home have too much personality to sell? By: Eve Jones, Harry Norman Realtors Every time I go on a home listing appointment, it feels like Christmas morning. I wonder what surprises, good or not so good, will await me behind that front door. Often the sedate, traditional brick exterior offers me no hints as to what lingers inside. Probably two-thirds of the time I am met by a hopeful homeowner who is eager to show off their often very colorful decorating style. As I tour the home and go room by room, I often see a menagerie of unrelated paint colors and I think (no it’s probably not what you’re thinking…Christmas is clearly over) the great features and bones of this home are being foiled by these paint choices. So, a conversation ensues with the happy homeowner about what needs to happen for their home sale. Here’s where homeowners can make a critical error by tuning out a trained professional regarding what sells homes. Funky, inconsistent paint colors can make your home almost unsellable. A multi-colored (or rainbow homes, as I call them) can completely turn off buyers. Yes, it’s the same buyers we see on HGTV who whine, “I don’t like that paint color” and the buyers agents reassures, “oh, that’s just cosmetic”. Well that response doesn’t fly with buyers, especially young buyers who pretty much want it all (and within their budget). Paint is the single most affordable tool to transform your home into a real show-stopper. Paint colors arouse a variety of moods (it is a scientific fact, so I’ve heard). According to a study conducted by Better Homes and Gardens, here’s some colors that are a big turn-off; Orange is “WAY too loud, Red is “too overpowering,” and Green is “too institutional.” Here’s a quote

from Sherwin Williams on paint emotive choices; “Ancient alabaster and marble hues. Warmer grays turning to khaki and blushed neutrals. New therapies draw us to the colors of nomadic sand baths and holistic massage rooms. We’re awakening from the recession, hungry for a new orderliness, ready to feed the spirit, make memories, and savor the moment.” Oh, that sounds like heaven already. Yes, they are trying to sell us paint, but they are reinforcing the power of paint in creating a specific mental state. OK, so what is a seller to do when they really do want to update their home’s color palette? Firstly, to all of you sensitive homeowners, start by detaching yourselves from your home. Soon it will be someone else’s wonderful home and you need to start cutting your emotional ties. This will help you to work with your agent and/or stager to get to work on finding neutral, nonpolarizing colors for your home. Some recommended neutral colors to consider: Sherwin Williams: Agreeable Gray 7029, Kilim Beige SW 6106, Accessible Beige SW 7036; Benjamin Moore: Ballet White OC 9, Revere Pewter HC 172 One important thing to also consider is how any these more neutral colors will work with your current furnishings. Here’s where the stager or designer really earn their fees. You are not likely to go out and purchase all new, updated cool furnishings, so it all needs to work in concert with paint including editing your décor/furniture and adding accents that make the right “sell for top-dollar” statement. When should you get started on this personality overhaul of your home? How about right now? It starts with a phone call to a professional Realtor (like me) and you are on your way!

One of the easiest but often overlooked enhancement to a house to improve the curb appeal is to add or update your exterior shutters. Historically exterior shutters served a purpose by offering light control, ventilation and protection from the elements. Today exterior shutters are mostly decorative. “Exterior shutters add the finishing touch to a house”, says Hennie DuPreez, CEO of Dupbel Millworks Inc. “But it is important that they are appropriately sized and look like they are supposed to be there.” Whether you’re adding or replacing shutters to add curb appeal or as part of a remodel, consider these tips from Dupbel Millworks Inc., one of the leading shutter manufacturers in North Georgia. Style: Make sure the style adds visual interest to the house, whether you choose traditional Raised panels, a Board and Batten style, Louvers or one of the more modern styles. Depending on the style you can make your house look more traditional, contemporary or modern. A reputable shutter provider will be able to help you choose the look you are trying to achieve. Size: One of the biggest mistakes people make with shutters is the size. It is important that the shutters are sized correctly for your windows, while taking into account the features of the house, obstacles that could be present, and the look you are trying to achieve. Your shutters are going to be mostly decorative, but make sure they are sized as if they would be functional and as if they belong there. Hardware: Traditionally shutters were attached to the window frames with hinges. Today hardware plays an important role in the appearance of your shutters. Various options are available depending on the style of the shutters and the type of windows. Adding hardware adds to the curb appeal and the authentic look. It also put the shutter at a slight angle, adding visual interest and creating better shadow lines that brings out the design features of the shutter style. Material: Exterior shutters are available in various material and you need to find the right balance between price, how long they will last and the look you are trying to achieve. Vinyl shutters are typically the cheapest option for obvious reasons, wood looks great but do not necessary withstand the elements, and then you have various composite materials that could provide you with the authentic look and long lasting criteria. Installation: Make sure you are

confident working on a ladder, or make sure you use a professional crew with the necessary insurance. The installation cost is typically in addition to the price of the shutters and hardware. Ensure there is a suitable mounting surface and that the window frames are in good shape before installation. 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 shutters 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 and the volume from our commercial customers.

October 2016

real estate report • Sponsored Section

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Sponsored Section • real estate report October 2016

Is your home safe? By: Karen Pate, Senior Vice-President and Managing Broker Harry Norman Realtors Forsyth/Lake Lanier Do you feel your home is safe? Most of us would probably say “yes”. Let’s hold onto that thought while we take a look at some of the most common elements in our homes that could potentially be a safety hazard. Pate Indoor Air Quality - Do you sometimes experience dizziness, fatigue, nausea or headaches? This could be caused by the quality of your indoor air. You see the evolution of home building has become much more focused on energy conservation. Our doors and windows are air tight! Even though you may be saving more money and energy you are trapping pollutants. Unfortunately you cannot see these pollutants so you very well may not know there is something to be concerned with. However, you can take steps to improve your air quality. Just to name a few: 1) Remove any excessive moisture 2) Professionally remove any mold 3) Proper ventilation particularly in kitchen & baths 4) Change filters on a regular basis 5) Clean your vents Radon Gas - Another safety concern is the risk of Radon Gas. Radon Gas is produced from uranium in rock, granite, soil and water. According to the National Cancer Institute there is a low level of radon in all the air that we breathe. However, The Environmental Protection Agency says in the State of Georgia the maximum level should be no more than 4.0. The only way of knowing whether you have a higher level of radon in your home is to have your air or water tested. Keep in mind that these tests may vary depending upon the weather, the type of test taken and how long your home is closed up during the test. If you receive a reading that is higher than the recommended maximum level you can take measures to reduce the level. The EPA recommends using a state or nationally certified contractor to assist in the process. Carbon Monoxide – The silent killer! According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 400 people die each year due to carbon monoxide. It’s odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide is produced from furnaces,

space heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves, grills, engines, etc. There is an easy solution. Install carbon monoxide detectors and be certain the batteries are changed on a regular basis. You should have a regular maintenance program for your HVAC system, timely cleaning of your chimney, and be certain your kitchen appliances are properly vented. Carbon monoxide poisoning is very serious and should not be ignored. Lead Poisoning – Research done by the CDC shows approximately 500,000 children have higher than acceptable levels of lead in their blood stream. Where does it come from? Predominantly from water and household paint. Your water can be tested for the amount of lead it contains. Paint that was manufactured prior to 1978 may have contained lead. In fact in the state of Georgia if your home was built prior to 1978 when selling your home real estate license law requires you to disclose whether you know if you have lead base paint in your home. The biggest concern is that you do not want your children or pets ingesting or breathing in lead base paint particles. There are tests that can be done and you do not necessarily need to remove it as long as you contain it! Keep your painted surfaces clean and well maintained. If you are renovating and stripping your wooden surfaces you will want to hire a professional who is familiar with the process and you don’t want to be residing in the home while the work is being performed. Last but not least be certain to have smoke detectors throughout your home and be certain the batteries are replaced on a regular basis! Hope you find this helpful and “Be Safe”! Should you need assistance in selling or buying real estate please give us a call. Karen Pate at Harry Norman, REALTORS in the Forsyth/Lake Lanier office. #770-497-2000

It’s time to prepare your home for cooler weather Brought to you by: BILL RAWLINGS Vice President/Managing Broker, North Atlanta Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Fall is in the air; with the change of season, now is a great time to take care of a few home maintenance tasks before the cold weather hits. Prepare you home for winter by taking the following steps: GUTTERS: Have your gutters cleaned to remove clogs and debris. Your gutters divert thousands of gallons of water each year, ultimately preventing damaged exterior surfaces and water out of your basement. The best way to avoid clogged gutters is to invest mesh guards to protect your gutters from all of the leaves that that fall during the change of seasons. LEAKS, GAPS and CRACKS: With the cold weather soon on its way, now is the time to check for leaks around windows and doors. Gaps and cracks in a home can cause your heating bill to skyrocket during these colder months. Not only does weather stripping your home help in the winter, it helps keep your home cool during the hot summer months as well. SHUT OFF WATER VALVES: Despite our hot summers and relatively warm falls, Metro Atlanta residents can experience grueling winters with tem-

peratures falling below freezing. It is very important to shut off the water valves that lead to your outdoor faucets. They must be drained in order to prevent freezing and breaking faucets during these cold months. rawlings FIREPLACE INSPECTION: If your home has a fireplace, it is always a good idea to have a professional perform annual inspections for damages and hazards materials. There are many flammable products that can develop in your chimney from burning wood over a year’s time. These harmful products can cause fires in your home if the correct procedure is not taken in preparing your chimney for winter. The best way to approach this issue is to annually have your chimney inspected by a chimney sweep. Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty agents deliver results. Allow one of our dedicated professionals to assist you by visiting atlantafinehomes.com or calling our office at 770.442.7300. Article is adapted from: http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/weatherizing/yourhomes-fall-checklist/#page=0