MDJ Real Estate

Real Estate Marietta Daily Journal and Neighbor Newspapers • Thursday, February 5, 2014 Sunday, July 17, 2016 RECOGNITION I MARK SPAIN

REAL TRENDS

Jon Dean The Gilliam Group

Atlanta Communities 3113 Roswell Road • Marietta, GA 30062 770.240.2001

www.HouseCondosAndMore.com PROPERTY I REMODELING

Metro Atlanta real estate team named to list of top 1,000 Real Estate professionals Staff reports

Mark Spain Real Estate has been named one of America’s top real estate teams by REAL Trends.

“The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals” is a national awards ranking sponsored annually by REAL Trends and advertised in The Wall Street Journal. Ranking No. 6 nationally for closed transactions, the team had its best year ever, with 1,226 closed transaction sides in 2015. Mark Spain and his team annually appear somewhere in the top 10 for this list.

“Last year was an outstanding year for our team,” said CEO and chairman Mark Spain. “And now, since forming our own brokerage, Mark Spain Real Estate, at the start of this year, we are working very hard to be the go-to company for metro Atlanta and Athens real estate.”

The REAL Trends ranking of the nation’s top real estate professionals has been around for 11 years. The top-producing agents and teams making the list are ranked in the top one half of 1 percent of the more than 1,100,000 Realtors nationwide. The exclusive list was officially published June 24, and can be found at www. thethousandrealestateprofessionals. com.

“The best individual agents and teams — including Mark Spain

Mahmood Alduleimi talks about his plans for the former Judson School, which will include a master bedroom, on May 27. The schoolhouse passed into ownership by several families before the Alduleimis bought it. The family plans to develop the property as a home and farm, where the animals outnumber Judson’s human residents. / AP

North Dakota family converts brick schoolhouse into home

By Amy R. Sisk Bismarck Tribune

Mark Spain Real Estate has been named one of America’s top real estate teams by REAL Trends. Ranking No. 6 nationally for closed transactions, the team had its best year ever, with 1,226 closed transaction sides in 2015. Mark Spain and his team annually appear somewhere in the top 10 for this list. / Special to the MDJ

“

The best individual agents and teams — including Mark Spain Real Estate’s award-winning efforts — were nothing short of phenomenal considering the challenges in today’s complex housing market.

MANDAN, N.D. — Nestled between a lazy creek and a vast prairie where hills disappear into the horizon, an orange brick building bears the words “Judson School.”

Children used to come from nearby farms and Judson itself, a sleepy town across the road in the heart of Morton County.

Though long shut down, the empty building is far from becoming yet another dilapidated structure on the plains. A Mandan family seeks to breathe new life into it as a home and farm, where the animals outnumber Judson’s human residents, the Bismarck Tribune reports.

Right now, the family — the Alduleimis — live at a mobile home court in a unit they remodeled.

“We want to get out of town,” said Mahmood Alduleimi, who has spent the past 10 years there with his wife and two children. “You can’t even have a dog over there without a leash.”

HOME, 2E

— Steve Murray, founder of REAL Trends

LIST, 2E

ONE OF THE TOP VOLUME AGENTS IN COBB COUNTY SpreadingOaksFarm.com ER UND ACT R T N CO

1110HazeltineLane.com

6225ArnallCourt.com

7GalwayDrive.com

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E PRIC

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Looks just like a Kentucky horse farm! Gated Estate w/ gorgeous spreading oaks, rolling pastureland, a 6500 SF custom plantation style home w/huge pool /barn/fenced & 2 gated entries- Mars Hill and Giles Rd. Zoned R-30 with approved plans for (5) 3 acre lots! Perfect setting for the discriminating buyer or developer!

Reduced by $100,000! Gorgeous custom stone & brick estate home in The Marietta Country Club. 6BR, 5BA, 10,194 sq. ft.

Circular drive, mahogany paneled library w/ copper ceiling, wine cellar, wonderful open floor plan. 27 hole championship golf course.

Gorgeous golf views in Governors Towne Club- 5 BR 4½ BA 6847 sq ft Stunning 4 side brick estate home- Elegant new flooring & new paint-Wonderful open floor plan for entertaining! Fireside screened porch. 4 fireplaces! Huge master suite w/new spa bath. Impressive mill work details/Unfinished terrace level ready for your plans!

Incredible custom estate home with over 600 ft on Etowah River in Cartersville! 6 BR 6 BA 10,265 sq ft w/pool & waterfalls. Over 4 acres-your own private paradise! Stunning setting amazing views.

Unbelievable chef's kitchen open floor plan perfect for entertaining. Home theater, 2nd kitchen & more!

Beautiful private 17 acres with 4300 sq ft 4 BR 2 -1/2 BA all brick custom home with walk out from main floor large gunite pool, 2 fireplaces, huge screened porch overlooking wonderful large backyard, 20 x 30 storage building, pickle ball court, gardens, and you can build more homes on this property too!

6220ArnallCourt.com

683TarpleyRoad.com

5950CollinsRd.com

Diane Tatum Associate Broker

R UNDEACT! R CONT $959,000

$1,995,000

REDUCED PRICE! Gated with lake and pool/ cabana! Spectacular main floor walk out pool / spa / waterfalls on golf course at Governor's Towne Club. Custom built estate home with huge kitchen open to keeping room facing pool. Large granite bar area. New wood floors in master on main.

Villa de Cielo. Italian Villa 11,207 sq. ft. 4 acres. Finest architectual achievement. Solid hand chipped limestone exterior. 6BR, 6BA, lake views, pool/spa with limestone deck, home theater, close to Marietta Country Club.

271CarlSandersDrive.com

6163FernstoneCourt.com NEW !

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Making the Right Move with the Tatum Team!

www.TheTatumTeam.com

678-640-4758 dianta@comcast.net

$1,949,900 $1,375,000 OVER $300,000 DROP! Stunning 6 BR 6 BA 8142 sq. ft. Gorgeous pool and landscaping looks like a park! Fabulous home theater, open floor plan perfect for grand entertaining! Master on main with wonderful large spa bath. 2nd kitchen terrace with big entertainment areas & covered cabana.

BROOKHAVEN HEIGHTS

Reduced! Gated with Lake and pool/cabana, 4 acre estate home. Your own country club! 14,755 sq. ft., 6BR, 7BA with Tuscan inspired details.

New granite kitchen, grand terrace level. Batting cage, basketball court, spring fed lake with fountain, circular drive with Italian 3 tiered fountain.

6174TalmadgeRun.com

ER UND ACT R T N O C

$895,000 Views of Buckhead! Fabulous location! Like new custom brick & stone home 4 BR 3 1/2 BA 3000 sq ft w/2 car garage & 1 added covered garage! Fabulous open floor plan w/Viking appliances, large granite bar, fireside dining, screen porch, large master w/fireplace, finished daylight terrace level w/ large guest rm, game rm, fenced backyard!

4980OglethorpeLoop.com

888 Madison Grove Lane

ER UND ACT R T N O C

$999,000 Stunning 10,355 sq ft 6 BR 6 BA custom built home sits beautifully on 14th & 16th fairways on 1 acre at The Links of Brookstone. Gorgeous pool/spa/cabana/ fireplace/fabulous open kitchen to keeping rm/2 screen porches/master on main with FP. 4 car garage/huge terrace level/wine cellar. Exercise rm/home theater.

Sandy Springs ER UND ACT R T N O C

$699,000

$1,149,000

$299,000

$299,000

Elegant craftsman style stone manor home in Governor's Towne Club. 4BR, 4BA, 5355 sq. ft. Covered front porch, vaulted stack stone fireside study. Open floor plan, beautiful kitchen with granite island. Finished terrace with kitchen, bar, media room & more!

Elegant circular drive 4 BR 4 BA 8252 sq ft custom home in Governors Towne Club with 2 story fireside mahogany judges paneled library, master on main with fireplace, beautiful mill work throughout! Wonderful open floor plan great for entertaining!

OVER 3 BEAUTIFUL ACRES on private lake in fabulous GATED enclave close to Marietta Country Club & Mt. Paran private school! Build your dream home and a pool too with stunning views of this lake!

Private resort style living at its best!

FABULOUS LOCATION in Sandy Springs by Perimeter Mall area! Rare 3 BR 2 -1/2 BA one level condominium! Brand new hardwoods, new lighting & paint, plantation shutters, California custom closets, overlooks green space! Building amenities include resort style pool, exercise rm, club rm w/ bar, sauna, pet walk, 2 covered deeded parking spaces!

OVER $1 Billion in Sales for 2015 3405 Dallas Highway Marietta, GA 30064

770-240-2004 extension 641

2E ♦ SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016 ♦ MDJ ♦ REAL ESTATE

HOME From 1E A contractor he met through his paint and drywalling business introduced him to the Judson property. The Alduleimis purchased it from the contractor’s daughter, the previous owner.

Alduleimi said he loved the property the second he saw it, but not all felt the same. The bottom floor lies in shambles, the heating system needs to be redone and the building lacks light switches.

“I didn’t like it,” said his 12-year-old daughter, Sophia.

But as she recalled her first impression on a recent spring morning, she couldn’t help but smile as she hugged a baby goat.

She adores the little animal named Eva, who has warmed her up to the place.

The goat is one of more than 100 animals the family has adopted since buying the property in November.

The schoolhouse passed into ownership by several families before the Alduleimis bought it for $110,000, including the four surrounding acres.

Previous owners converted it into a home.

They remodeled the upstairs with modern features, including a kitchen and bathroom.

But it was far from a complete job. The food pantry lacks insulation. The walls need to be redone with a layer of sheetrock.

The bottom floor requires a complete makeover.

Sparrows have taken to nesting under the roof.

“It needs a lot of work, but it has a lot of potential,” said Stephanie Mehl, Mahmood Alduleimi’s wife.

Her husband plans to do the remodel himself and hopes to start this summer.

“It all depends on

in real estate.”

In addition, Mark Spain is the only metro Atlanta real estate agent to be endorsed From 1E

by Barbara Corcoran, the Real Estate’s award-winning real estate mogul frequently seen on ABC’s Shark Tank. efforts — were nothing Visit YouTube to see the short of phenomenal 30-second testimonial. considering the challenges Mark Spain Real Estate in today’s complex housing specializes in assisting home market,” said Steve Murray, buyers and sellers founder of throughout metro REAL Trends, Mark Spain Real Atlanta and Athens a Denver-based Estate specializes at all price levels. consulting, in assisting home Mark Spain publishing and buyers and sellers Real Estate’s communications throughout metro Atlanta and Athens headquarters is at company and at all price levels.

12600 Deerfield The Trusted Parkway, Suite 450 Source that in Alpharetta. complies the yearly, thirdTo learn more about party verified list.

Miles Murphy, Executive Mark Spain Real Estate or the active Atlanta and VP of Sales for Mark Spain Athens summer real estate Real Estate explained, “We markets, call 770-886-9000 are adding agents every or visit www.markspain.com month at the company and to request a free online home each must go through an evaluation or sign up for extensive training process. property alerts. The Mark We have also expanded Spain Real Estate app is also into Athens, Georgia, and available for free download 2016 is about growing the at app.markspain.com. number of families we help

LIST

Mahmood Alduleimi and his son, Talab, drive 30 minutes from their mobile home in Mandan to their property in Judson every other day to check on dozens of animals such as Huggie the sheep. The family plans to convert the schoolhouse on the land into a home. / AP money,” he said.

Though it may be a while before the family can move out of their mobile home and into their new home, the Alduleimis wasted no time on their other dream:

starting a farm.

Whenever they drive across the rickety wooden bridge to their property, a zoo of creatures greets them from the grove of trees behind the schoolhouse.

Your Home Town Realtors

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Fantastic opportunity to own one of Acworth's Historic Treasures - AMAZING Zoning C1- Neighborhood Retail Commercial - 2 Buildings - the 1st building is a part of the original Acworth Train Depot - Could be easily restored to its original beauty - 2nd Building is a Historic Home ready to be renovated to suit your needs & plans - So many possibilities - office space, Restaurant,Wedding/ special events center - Shown by appointment only w/listing Broker - Perfectly located - Great location - first property on right off of Main Street - 2 blocks from Shops and award winning restaurants - & a 5 minute walk to the Lake.

4611 Collins Avenue - Historic Downtown Acworth 5 Bedrooms & 3½ Baths • $429,000

Gorgeous Craftsman Bungalow. Nestled in the heart of one of Acworth's only National historic register districts - home is absolutely immaculate! Newly Refinished Oak Hardwood Floors through out the home - New Frieze Carpet in Bedrooms, Interior has just been painted, Formal Dining, Great Room w/dbl sided fireplace, Owners Suite on Main with easy access to private back deck, Luxurious Owners Bath with Garden Tub, 10ft ceilings on Main - Two story Foyer - Chef's kitchen with Custom Cabinetry, Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances, Island. Upstairs offers 3 spacious Guest Bedrooms & 2 Guest Baths - Home has 2 Laundry Rooms. Minutes walk to lake, shops and restaurants.

3730 Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30062

On the cul-de-sac in established neighborhood. Across from green space and walkable to Indian Hills Country Club.

This is not intended to solicit property currently listed.

REAL ESTATE ♦ MDJ ♦ SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016 ♦ 3E GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS I JOAN MCFATHER

Be careful around the stinging nettle blooms from June to September, Recently on a trip to having heart-shaped leaves and Belgium and Holland with my producing yellow or pink flowers. grandchildren and their parents, The weed thrives in damp, I had occasion to be walking in nutrient-rich soil and a beautiful park that can be found in pastures, also had its wild edges. roadsides, ditches and Just about the time his stream banks, as well as father said, “Be careful along the edges of fields not to touch the …” and woodlots where it my grandson did just tolerates partial shade. that — he reached for Interestingly, stinging a tempting sprig of nettle does its worst green. Too late! It was damage when you brush stinging nettle, and the up against it or grasp it world was instantly less firmly, not knowing what beautiful. While in his it is until it is too late. case the sting wore off MCFATHER The leaves and stems of relatively quickly, I got the plant are covered with brittle, to wondering about the shrub and whether it is a danger back here at hollow, hair-like structures. The stinging hairs, whose tips come home. off when touched, act a lot like In a word, yes, it is. Stinging hypodermic needles that can nettle, Urtica dioica, is found inject several chemicals: notably practically all over the world. histamine and serontin, when We have it in every state except Hawaii. It’s an herbaceous your skin brushes against them. perennial, meaning that it grows These chemicals flow through back in the same places every the hollow tubes and cause pain, year. The plant usually grows redness, swelling, itching and between two to four feet high and numbness.

Interestingly, stinging nettle does its worst damage when you brush up against it or grasp it firmly, not knowing what it is until it is too late.

What to do? Avoid touching (rubbing especially) the area affected, since doing so simply pushes the chemicals further into the skin and prolongs the duration of your suffering—possibly days.

The chemicals will dry on the skin and then can be removed with soap and water. If you have no soap, fresh water alone will help.

Or with no water available, use a clean cloth to remove any plant debris on the skin. Later you can apply a strong tape such as duct tape, the removal of which will pull loose any remaining fibers.

You can even try a layer of hair removal wax, pealing it back to get rid of residue — though chances of your having melted wax with you seem pretty remote.

A last resort once home?

But back to grasping firming … why would you? Actually, lots

of reasons. For one, the plant is medicinal: based on research listed by the University of Maryland, studies have shown stinging nettle has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, astringent and analgesic capabilities. When used as an extract, it has also been shown to slow or stop the spread of prostate cancer cells. Arthritis sufferers can take it along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to allow a decrease in NSAID use, helpful because prolonged use of NSAIDs can cause a number of serious side effects. Studies also show that applying nettle leaf topically at the site of pain decreases joint pain. Nettle can also provide relief when taken orally: its antiinflammatory qualities affect allergic reactions and can prevent hay fever symptoms.

Granted, it might be simpler

LANDSCAPE I MAINTENANCE

Cut mosquito numbers in the garden to control disease

By Dean Fosdick Associated Press

Mid-summer is shirt-sleeve weather, an enjoyable time of year to be out and about with family and friends. But it also is the heart of mosquito season, so beware the escalating health risks caused by their bites.

The No. 1 prevention practice is eliminating any standing water that could serve as a mosquito-breeding site.

“Still water is a great environment” for the insects, said Scott Zide, founder of Mosquito Squad, a mosquito and tick control service with 200 locations around the nation. “One-hundred-plus mosquitoes can be hatched from a single bottle cap full of water.”

Things like tire swings, buckets, fire

pits, rain barrels, plant saucers, empty pots, clogged downspouts, ornamental fountains, birdbaths, wheelbarrows, animal dishes and kids’ toys, including wading pools and upside-down Frisbees, can collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed.

“These are the kinds of things you have to turn over,” Zide said.

Some mosquitoes drop eggs that cling like glue to the sides of water-filled containers, he said. “These you have to sanitize, making sure they’re cleaned and scraped off and with no water left behind.”

The life cycle of a mosquito is broken into four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. All need water to survive, with temperature and species determining how long each stage lasts. Female mosquitoes generally live less than two weeks.

Most mosquito bites only cause itching or skin irritation, but a few of the 200-plus mosquito species in North America carry viruses acquired from birds and animals that can cause debilitating diseases in humans, even death. Among them: malaria, dengue, equine encephalitis, heartworms, West Nile and Zika viruses.

A fountain in a yard near Langley, Wash., which harbored mosquito larvae until it was emptied, cleaned and then powered up where it became a popular site for bird life. The number one mosquito control practice is eliminating any standing water that serves as a breeding site. / AP

to buy tinctures or extracts for application or capsules and tablets for oral consumption, but if you really want to go grab some, you can dry the leaves and flowers later to be steeped for nettle tea. And yes, you can cook fresh leaves: they taste like spinach. Puree some and add to polenta, salads, pesto, even green smoothies!

None of this, of course, was of use to my grandson, but since his brush with the nettle was fairly slight, he quickly capitalized on his wounded condition to enjoy commiseration from the rest of us … until the next opportunity for adventure presented itself — and he forgot.

Joan McFather is one of many UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County.

For more information or questions contact the Cherokee County Extension Office at 770-721-7803 or for upcoming seminars follow us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/cherokeemastergardeners.

4E ♦ SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016 ♦ MDJ ♦ REAL ESTATE