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Real Estate Report September Special Section
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North Atlanta’s
Sponsored Section • real estate report September 2015
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News and advertising for new homes, realtors, developers, commercial properties and more.
Crye-Leike, Realtors Since 1977, Harold Crye and Dick Leike have known great resources make great associates. Crye-Leike, REALTORS® offers several customs programs, in-house and online, to help our associates learn quickly and stay up-to-date with the newest technology
and best practices in the real estate industry. Crye-Leike’s website, www. crye-leike.com, annually wins awards from Leading Real Estate Companies in the world for its innovation with property listings and search engine optimization. Unlike other national
real estate websites, CryeLeike.com offers all area home listings including all home photos from the multiple listing service. Over 400,000 listings are updated every 12 minutes on Crye-Leike’s website to ensure the most accurate information. In comparison,
studies revealed it can take 7-9 days for new home listings to appear on national sites such as Zillow and Trulia. With over 12,000 visitors per day and 30 million hits per month, no local company comes close to Crye-Leike.com on internet activity. Crye-Leike makes substantial investments to provide agents with the latest and most advanced technological tools in order to give them a viable advantage over the competition. In 2014, Crye-Leike totaled 183,000 scheduled appointments for showings. Many calls for showings come after business hours and on weekends
when many real estate companies are not open. Crye-Leike’s in-house appointment call center is available to schedule appointments on listings seven days a week until 8pm. Crye-Leike’s new appointment software enables home owners and agents to get an interactive view of showings for homes during the selling process. With the combination of in-house call center and custom mobile apps for agents, Crye-Leike offers a superior and more flexible service to give agents and home owners a greater level of collaboration when selling a home.
News of older houses (NAPSI)—Older homes often have a unique charm— but few have insulation that meets modern energy efficiency standards. This can result in air leaks, wasted energy and high utility bills. One way to fix this is with spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation. It can be seamlessly added in and around walls, attics and roofs. By sealing cracks, seams and joints, some SPF products provide a waterproof membrane that acts as a vapor and air barrier, which in addition to insulating improves energy efficiency. A properly insulated home can reduce heating and cooling needs by 30 percent, according to the Department of Energy. Many homeowners don’t realize that the attic is one of the main places where heat and cold air can escape. As the Department of Energy explains, holes in a typical attic account for 15 percent of a home’s energy loss. Cracks and gaps let
air out and rainwater in. SPF can fill in around the cracks to create an effective barrier. You can learn more at www.whysprayfoam.org. Savings vary. Find out why in the seller’s fact sheet on R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power.
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The Milton Real Estate Specialist
ACTIVE Stonebrook Farms, Milton $489,000
ACTIVE Wolf Willow Close, Milton $629,000
SOLD Morning Mountain Way, Milton $529,000
SOLD Manor Bridge Drive, Milton $1,490,000
SOLD Alpha Woods Drive, Milton $599,000
SOLD Majestic Cove, Milton $669,000
SOLD Cogburn Lane, Milton $579,000
SOLD Autumn Close, Milton $589,000
SOLD Kentworth Circle, Milton $439,000
SOLD Drummond Pond, Milton $1,200,000
SOLD Tolhouse Court, Milton $985,000
SOLD Heron Run, Milton $650,000
Atlanta Magazine
Over 200 Milton Homes Sold. No one knows Milton better!
All listing clients receive complimentary; professional photography, home warranty, staging consultation, pre-listing inspection, comparative market analysis, appraisal (if needed), interactive digital floor plan, custom virtual tour website and the most comprehensive print and online marketing available.
MIKE STEVENS
770-905-7053 (cell)
mike@northatlantateam.com www.movetomilton.com www.crookedcreekhomesales.com
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Sponsored Section • real estate report September 2015
Glass act >>
How modern fenestration improves a home's energy efficiency Brought to you by: Harry Norman Forsyth Most people probably think of windows and skylights only when they're buying or selling a house, when they get dirty, when they leak, or when the kid next door lobs a baseball through one. Yet the glass in your home is arguably among its most important features, directly impacting the structure's overall energy efficiency and livability. Well-maintained, operational windows and skylights provide abundant natural light and passive ventilation, and models are available that maximize insulation values as well. If you've been overlooking the glass in your home even while you've been looking through it, take a moment to reflect on its condition, and whether it's helping you save energy or costing you money. How windows work in your favor The advantages glass brings to a home may seem obvious, but a deeper look reveals just how important it really is. Over time, homes have become much more energy efficient - which is good for the environment and your wallet - and better windows and skylights have a lot to do with that improvement. The National Fenestration Rating Council rates windows based on a number of basic criteria, including the U-factor, which measures heat loss through the glass, and solar heat gain, which indicates how much heat enters a room through the glass. Understanding how those two measures work and what they mean can help you choose the type of window that's best for where you live. For example, if you live in a hot climate you may want to consider selecting windows that minimize solar heat gain. Many new technologies in glass design have enhanced the efficiency of windows. For example, the insulating effect of double-pane windows gets an added boost with the addition of blinds. Electrostatic
film allows homeowners to make window glass clear or opaque with the touch of a button. Another type of window coating admits natural light, but blocks out most of the infrared energy and ultraviolet rays that, along with artificial lighting and other factors, create heat and cause fading of materials inside the home. In addition to the energy efficiency of the glass itself, the quality and maintenance of the structure surrounding the glass - the framework that makes it a window instead of just a pane of glass - also affect its efficiency. Whatever type of window you choose vinyl, wood, fiberglass or metal - or the age of existing windows, properly sealing them helps ensure they'll do their job as efficiently as possible. You can learn more about energy performance ratings and energyefficient windows at www.energy.gov. The advantages of skylights Skylights have always offered many functional and aesthetic advantages for homeowners. They admit natural light, which can help reduce dependence on artificial light sources. Fresh air skylights can also provide passive ventilation to remove humidity, fumes and excess heat from a home - all of which improves indoor air quality. Today, high-tech, energy-efficient glass in modern skylights also works hard to help your home function optimally. Manufacturers like Velux America utilize glass in their no leak solar powered fresh air skylights that stays cleaner and clearer, reduces outside noise, and protects the contents of your home - such as carpet and furnishings - from the fading effects of the sun. Velux's "Clean, Quiet & Safe Glass" is laminated with a super-thin coating of titanium dioxide and silicone dioxide to help keep the glass cleaner, and reduce outside noise by up to 25 percent compared to a standard double-pane glass and 50 percent compared to a plastic skylight. The glass sheds water more effectively and has a U-value and UV protection superior
Fresh air skylights and windows working together provide balanced natural light and passive ventilation contributing to energy efficiency in your home while providing decorating flare to your decor. to regular tempered glass. Remote-controlled, solar-powered blinds in decorator styles and colors further improve a skylight's overall energy efficiency. And you may be eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit on solar skylights, blinds and installation cost. Visit www.veluxusa.com to learn more. Humans have been making glass and using it in windows for thousands of years. Today's windows and skylights draw on thousands of years of human innovation and some very recent modern technological advances to help keep homes comfortable, secure and efficient. Harry Norman Realtors®, Forsyth/Lake Lanier Office 1664 Market Place Blvd., Cumming, GA 30041 770-497-2000 Used with permission, © Brandpoint, 2015
ryland.com
Fabulous Forsyth & Fulton County Locations! Live in One of These Prestigious Counties with Fantastic School Systems, Recreation and Much More! Fulton County ManorView (Milton) Model Now Open! 770-663-0027 Homes From the $600’s
$12,500 Use How You Choose – PLUS –
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Forsyth County Madison (Cumming) Final Opportunity! 404-969-9446 Homes From the $450’s Briarcrest (Alpharetta) Final Opportunity! 678-463-0341 Homes From the $420’s
Seneca (Cumming) 470-297-8006 Homes From the Low $400’s Seneca lll (Cumming) Now Selling! 470-297-8006 Homes From the $360’s
Arbors at LakeView (Cumming) 470-297-8190 Homes From the $320’s Bridleton (Suwanee) 470-385-6616 Homes From the Low $500’s
Woodbury Preserve (Cumming) Coming Soon! 678-463-0341
Marketplace Commons (Cumming) 470-297-8703 Homes From the Low $300’s
Shiloh Pointe (Cumming) Model Now Open! 678-463-0341 Homes From the Low $300’s
Reserve at LakeView (Cumming) Now Selling! 470-297-8190 Homes From the Mid $400’s
Visit ryland.com for more information.
In the Atlanta division, on accepted purchase agreements on homes that are signed between August 1, 2015 and September 15, 2015 are eligible to receive $12,500 in to use how they choose; can be used towards MyStyle® Design Center Options and/or closing costs when using RMC Mortgage® and/or lot premiums, finished basement, etc. Certain included features may not be available on all plans. Value of package, and products, may vary by community and plan. Homes already under contract prior to this offer are not eligible. Plus for New to-be built homes, buyer eligible to receive up to $5,000 toward closing costs. Individual incentives may vary by community. Closing cost assistance available from Ryland Homes to those financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and closing with a closing attorney selected by Ryland. Amount of closing cost assistance may vary by product and community, and is subject to applicable contribution limitations. For all financing promotions, see a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. Buyers financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and who complete a loan application by September 15, 2015 on above promotion are also are eligible to receive waived 1% Origination Fee (value amount is 1% of mortgage amount). RMC Mortgage® Corporation may withdraw this offer and change without notice. Please contact a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. RMC Mortgage® Corporation is located at 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022 and is a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, license number 24225 and NMLS number 203897. *Buyers must also close with RMC Mortgage® Corporation. Please contact your RMC Mortgage® Corporation Representative for exact quotes. Prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Ryland reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion or incentives. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. See a Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions and offer limitations. © 2015 The Ryland Group, Inc.
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Sponsored Section • real estate report September 2015
When is the right time to buy and sell real estate? By: Jennifer Pino Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Most people have heard real estate agents refer to the busy “spring market” as the time when homebuyers and sellers are out in full force in the marketplace. Does that mean you shouldn’t try to buy or sell real estate any other time of year? Not necessarily. There are practical reasons for many buyers to be out and about in the spring. Once the warmth of spring begins, many people like to get outside and
look at homes after a winter spent cooped up indoors. Although they may have considered a move, perhaps they did not want the hassle of trying to move in freezing cold temperatures. For many people, it comes down to transitioning kids at the end of the school year. For these folks, the spring market is an easy and natural fit. Many real estate agents and sellers anticipate the flood of potential buyers and rush to get ready and on the market in the early months of the year. Although the spring market
is the busiest time in real estate, that does not mean that it is always the best time to buy and sell. Along with serious buyers in spring, there are many people who just like to get out and look. People who aren’t quite sure what they are after and want to test the waters are out “kicking tires,” looking at homes and attending open houses. On the other hand, in the fall there tends to be a larger percentage of serious buyers. Buyers in the off-season are typically looking because they have a reason to move. From the birth of a third
your search ... redefined atlantafinehomes.com elevates the homes we represent in a highly visual way, making it a destination that is not only easy to navigate, but also unlike any other real estate website. atlantafinehomes.com provides unrivaled access to qualified people and distinctive properties, locally and around the world. We invite you to seek the unique and experience search redefined.
JENNIFER PINO ASSOCIATE MANAGING BROKER c. 404.860.4560 o. 404.237.5000 jenniferpino@atlantafinehomes.com atlantafinehomes.com | sir.com
© MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
child, to a divorce or relocation, there are multiple life events that require a change in domicile regardless of when they occur. Couple this with the fact that there is lower market inventory, meaning less competition, and you have what may be a great situation for a potential seller. This off-season market can also work well for buyers. For those people relocating, there may be fewer homes on the market, meaning you may take a little longer to find that perfect house. However, due to fewer buyers in the marketplace, you are less likely to be put in a high-pressure multiple-offer situation where you are competing with other buyers for a home. These situations can sometimes lead to buyer’s remorse during the contract period and often these deals may be the ones that end up falling apart in the end. The reduced pressure in the offseason may make for a more reasonable negotiating period and a more satisfying experience. In the end, it is the needs of the buyer and seller that should dictate their course of action. Regardless of the season, if a buyer has a need, they should feel confident
that a professional REALTOR® should be able to assist them in making a successful purchase. Just as any time of year, if a seller has adequately prepared and priced their home, and a REALTOR® markets the home in its best possible light, they are likely to have a positive selling experience. For any of your real estate needs, please contact Jennifer Pino at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, 404.860.4560, jenniferpino@ atlantafinehomes.com.
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real estate report • Sponsored Section
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REAL ESTATE IN METRO
JENNY DOYLE
ATLANTA
c. 404.840.7354 | o. 770.442.7300 jennydoyle@atlantafinehomes.com jennydoyle.com | sothebysrealty.com
“‘FIVE-STAR REALTOR®’ - TOP REAL ESTATE AGENT IN ATLANTA” - Atlanta Magazine, 2014 “TOP 10 OF ATLANTA AND METRO ATLANTA LUXURY REAL ESTATE AGENTS” - THE ATLANTAN Magazine, 2013, 2014, 2015 “‘NATIONAL REALTOR® OF THE YEAR’ - USA/CANADA, 2012” - The National Real Estate Stagers Association (RESA)
MILTON - 1975 DRUMMOND POND ROAD
BUCKHEAD - 3037 TOWERVIEW DRIVE
JOHNS CREEK - 9175 PRESTWICK CLUB DRIVE
$1,295,000 | 1975DrummondPond.com
$1,500,000 | Sarah Smith Elem. School District
$710,000 | Featured in Southern Living Magazine
ROSWELL- 13300 BISHOPS COURT
MILTON - 785 FOXHOLLOW RUN
MILTON - 105 OLD BARN COURT
LITCHFIELD | SOLD
GREYSTONE ESTATES | SOLD
COBBLESTONE FARMS | SOLD*
CONSISTENTLY TOP 1% OF ATLANTA AGENTS • CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALIST LIFE MEMBER, ATLANTA BOARD OF REALTORS ® MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SALES CLUB
Jenny Doyle’s listing package includes luxury real estate signage, professional real estate photography, lifestyle photography, videography, optional 2-3 hour staging consultation, optional pre-appraisal with Atlanta’s top appraisal company and exposure in top-of-the-line publications such as
THE ATLANTAN, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Contact me today to see your home featured here next month.
©MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s Sot International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty alty Affiliates Affiliat LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. portunity. Artwork by Melissa Payne Baker, used with permission. *Represented Buyer.
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The dangers of overpricing your home There is one mistake that nearly half of sellers make: overpricing their property. Buyer interest is at its highest when a home first hits the market. If a property is priced too high during these first few weeks, it will not attract potential buyers. Pricing your home too high – because you paid a certain amount for it or because of the sentimental value it has to you – is a sure way to stall the successful sale of your property. You are putting your home on the market to sell it. This
may seem like an obvious point, but you would be surprised how many people forget this fact when they begin the process of rawlings listing their home. What your home means to you must come to terms with the fair market value. Although home improvements can increase the value of your property, it is more likely these
upgrades will simply help the home sell faster than others without similar renovations. You might think, ‘I spent a certain amount on a home improvement and should be able to recoup that cost by tacking it onto the list price,’ but that is not always the case. All buyers care about is paying the closest to fair market value as possible. Buyers will avoid a home that seems pricier than others in the surrounding area. They have canvassed the open houses, they have seen what
is available and they know what homes like yours are selling for. By overpricing your home, you create the need to reduce the price at a later time in order to compete with the listings that are really in your price range. Unfortunately, it is too little too late. Even though a price cut or two will reflect the home’s estimated market value, the listing has already been on the market for months. Potential buyers see a listing like this and start to wonder what’s wrong with the home and expect an even lower price.
Before you put your home on the market, take a few hours and visit nearby open houses. Compare your home’s strengths and weaknesses to other listings and take into consideration their listing price. Buyers are cautious when making a big investment like this and are not willing to pay more than the actual market value for a property. The best way to sell your home fast is to price it right to begin with. Article adapted from Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate
Safety and security in the connected home (NAPSI)—Homeowners can stay safe and secure with connected home technology. Connected home technology offers a variety of benefits, especially when installed in a space such as the garage, which homeowners use almost every day. In fact, a recent study by iControl Networks found that 90 percent of homeowners view personal and family security as one of the most important reasons for installing a connected home system. If you’re looking to integrate connected home devices into your house, and specifically the garage, keep these tips in mind for added safety, security and convenience. 1. As you examine potential devices, keep an eye out for products that improve home accessibility and convenience. Seventy percent of homeowners use the garage as the main point of entry to and from the house, and with LiftMaster’s MyQ technology, they can open, close and control their garage door opener anytime, from anywhere. Plus, with MyQ, homeowners have the added convenience of controlling home, garden or garage lighting systems all from the MyQ app, and no longer have to worry about stepping into an unlit house. 2. When searching for the best connected home device, be sure to choose one that can work with multiple operating systems and devices. A device that works with both Apple and Android systems, gives you greater flexibility when integrating additional devices and apps in and around your
connected home. 3. The garage door can often be the heaviest moving object in the house, and it’s very important to make sure it operates safely. Look for connected devices integrated with signaling capabilities—either visual or audio warnings—to ensure those nearby are aware when a garage door is closing or opening. 4. Finally, think about apps and devices that can help increase your home’s security. Chances are, you already get alerts on your phone for a variety of reasons. Now you can receive an alert on that same device when the garage door is left open. MyQ technology sends homeowners text alerts on the status of their garage door for added security and peace of mind. “You can check if your garage door is secure anytime, from anywhere, whether you’re at work, running errands, or on vacation,” said Juan Lopez, director of marketing, Connectivity and Controls at LiftMaster. With these helpful tips, homeowners can take the first steps to making their home a safe and secure connected home. Learn More For additional information on connected home technology and garage door openers, visit www.LiftMaster.com.
September 2015
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What’s cooking in kitchens today (NAPSI)-If you’ve been thinking—or just dreaming—of a remodeled or upgraded kitchen, a look at the latest trends may prove inspiring. Industry experts say today’s kitchens are influenced, on the one hand, by the very industrial appliances you see in restaurants and on the other, by the maker movement in genres such as foodie, reclaimed and do-it-yourself. Particularly popular are these four styles: Kitchen Design Trends 1. The Classic Kitchen. For this look, use bold colors and mix and match materials used for cabinets and countertops. Open shelving is still popular, but glass doors with and without pattern are trending as well. When it comes to the kitchen sink, it’s all about the basin. Modular or apron sinks, and single-basin sinks are where the flow is going. Sleek and professional-grade stainless steel appliances serve to balance the color scheme of this kitchen while furnishings provide pops of colors and feature larger-scale hardware. Fixtures feature warm finishes in tones of gold, brushed brass and copper. It’s a bright idea to light up this kitchen with distinctive, unusual lighting pieces over an island or dining table. Look for tiles that tell of texture, geometrics, neutral shades, artisan looks and craftsmanship to use against the wall. 2. Farmhouse Kitchen. For a homemade attitude with a farm-to-table feel, go for brightly colored or neutral painted cabinets. Find lighting, furniture and accessories that have a handmade, antique feel. They don’t actually have to be old. Distressing the new can be nice and it’s easily done with certain stain techniques and a little roughing up of the wood. Wrought iron and dark metals, natural stone and reclaimed materials add to the warm and inviting atmosphere. 3. Black and White Kitchen. Here, high contrast and bold graphic patterns in classic
black and white create a backdrop for a few pops of color in accessories and kitchenware. The restaurant influence is particularly prominent in this kitchen and so is Factory Chic, consisting of dark, rich painted wood, modular and apron sinks, with lots of builtin accessories and professional-grade appliances. Use task lighting to highlight focal points such as wall sconces. 4. The Sophisticated Naturalist Kitchen. For a bright clean look, this kitchen comes in several shades of gray or brown. Soft, natural-colored or palely painted wood adds a refined vintage look. Organic textures in rugs and linens provide depth while accent colors are understated and nature inspired. Sleek, professional-grade, stainless steel appliances balance out this look and blend beautifully with the gray color pallete. For reliable, heavy-duty, professional-grade, stainless steel appliances, many people turn to the Frigidaire Professional series. These offer a simple design and elevated cooking experience and fit in just about any new or current home. The collection is affordably priced and compatible with standard-sized spaces so each piece can easily fit into existing kitchens. When shopping for appliances, it’s also a smart idea to look for: • Convenient storage options, so snacks and meal ingredients are easily accessible. • Energy-efficient and multi-functional options that make food prep, storage and cooking more convenient and provide small-space solutions. • Seamless integration of technology paired with a universal design accessible for any age and ability, especially as aging-in-place and multigeneration homes are increasingly popular. Learn More For further facts, tips and trends, go to www.frigidaire. com.
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