2001 Snowmass Trail

Marietta, GA  30062

5 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths

2 Half Baths, Partially Finished Basement

$419,000

This home is new on market.  More description and information to be added shortly, so please check back.

Today’s homebuyers are all about luxury and space for the master bedroom when it comes to purchasing  home.  A place where can they retreat after a busy day and recharge.   They enjoy looking a magazines with luxurious master suites and dream so you want to create that dream if you are selling your homes.   Start with the furniture is it a timeless set of furniture or is it hand me downs and un-matching.  If it is furniture set fantastic build a room around the style.  If you are like many people with several different styles and finishes in the bedroom you have two choices – a new set of furniture or taking what you have and making a cohesive setting.  If you do not like a piece of furniture in the room remove it. 

Next you want to choose a color palate… new bedroom linens are a great way to start.  Then pick a natural color for the walls that blend with the linens.  Carry the same colors into the window treatment and master bath.  Many stores carry coordinated matching linens with accessories that will make your bedroom have that same luxury feeling buyers are looking for.  Remember when your selling your home the items used to create a new look will go with you to your new homes.  If you have older un-matching furniture think about painting everything one color or covering  end tables with fabrics that compliment the bed linens.

If the room is large enough create a sitting area with two chairs or a small sofa.  Area rugs are a great way to tie things together.  Place the furniture so the bed shows off the size of the room.  Remember to remove all personal photos and valuables.  Make sure there is adequate lighting in the room.  If you a have an older white ceiling fan with a light kit, you may want to paint the fan and remove the light kit unless you have high ceilings.  A few decorative items – artwork, baskets, books, plant arrangements – are a wonderful touch in the Master Bedroom. 

Remember a luxurious and calming retreat is what every home buyer wants the master bedroom to be.

What’s In Your Offer to Purchase?

Okay, you found a home and are ready to make an offer.  What do you do next?  First thing is have Comparative Marketing Analysis of the property done.  Is the property priced correctly?  Have other homes in the area sold for the same and similar values?  Were those sales bank owned homes, owner occupied sales, or short sales?  Find out as much as possible about those sales so you can substantiate to the seller your offer.  Price is not the only factor….condition of property, upgrades, seller contributions, seller repairs, length of time home has been on market should all be taken into account.

Be Flexible on Closing Date

While determining a price to offer on a home there are other factors to an offer that will be important to you and the seller.  When do you want close and take possession of the home?  If your lease is up in 30 days and the seller needs to find a home you many want to do a 45 day closing and continue your lease for another month.  Your flexibility on the closing date may make the seller more flexible on price.  If a bank or third-party own the home, to close within 30 days will be preferable.  If the home is being sold as a short sale, closing will be some time in the future, they can take anywhere from 60 to 180 days easily to close.  If your lease is up in 30 days, a short sale may not be a wise choice.

Asking for Closing Costs

Closing Costs are monies that need to be paid at closing.  They include items like title insurance, cost of getting a loan, attorney fees, funds for escrow accounts, etc.  These funds can be paid by buyer, seller or shared.   The more reasonable your request for the seller to pay such fees, the more likely he is to accept your offer.  Request of unreasonable costs could be added back into the selling price.

Show You Are Serious

Another item to consider in any offer is the earnest money.  Earnest money is good faith money; it is your way to show a seller you are serious about purchasing the house.  A good rule of thumb is 2 to 3% of the sales prices.  The earnest money will go towards the down payment or closing cost of the house or if you break the contract in a bad faith manner, it can possibly be given as restitution to the seller for not performing.  These situations are rare if you are working with an experienced agent and don’t get cold feet without a valid reason.

Contingencies and Inspections

Other items in purchase offers include the right to have the home inspected by a professional home inspector.  The home inspector is checking to make sure systems in the home are in proper working order, the structure is sound, and you have no unexpected surprises upon moving in.  Other common Contingencies are for financing and appraisal.  The more contingencies and items you ask a seller to accept in an offer, the less flexible he will become in the price since each of these items reflect what his net dollars will be.

Time to Put It in Writing

Once you have determined what you are including in your offer, decide on an offer price and be ready and able to explain these items to the seller.   Have you figured out what the seller nets?  Can the seller realistically move in the time frame you have set?  Have you made the seller feel you are a serious buyer that loves his home as much as he does?  Your goal is to get the best terms that you can negotiate while also making the offer attractive enough for the seller to accept.

While you may think this news is just the next verse in the same tired, old tune, read on. Alpharetta is continuing to make progress in completing the last leg of Westside Parkway, a connector road built to relieve traffic congestion on GA Hwy 400 and GA Hwy 9, both running north and south thru North Fulton.

While the last news release optimistically hoped for construction to begin towards the end of 2011, according to Neighborhood Newspapers, the Alpharetta City Council did approve entering into a contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to receive funds for construction of this final leg. According to Alpharettta Director of Engineering and Public Works Pete Sewczwicz, bids should be coming in mid-March with construction starting in early April.

Westside Parkway began construction almost five years ago and is now complete north to Windward Parkway and south to Mansell Road excepting the stretch between Old Milton Parkway to Webb Bridge Road. The project stalled when Prospect Park’s developer failed and entered bankruptcy. Turns out that the developer that owned Prospect Park also owned an adjacent piece of land outside bankruptcy that was in the path of the roadway.  So, once the new developer purchased the project, renamed Avalon, the city was able to work with both property owners to negotiation the property acquisition need to complete the road.

You can read more here about Avalon and Westside Parkway:

Alpharetta GA has new hopes for Prospect Park

Alpharetta City Center and Prospect Park Updates

Prospect Park Developer to Seeks Local Input

Alpharetta Will Soon Open Last Leg of Westside Parkway

402 Arbor Green Court

Alpharetta, GA  30004

$484,777

5 Bedrooms, 4 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath

Request a Showing

Check out this wonderfully thought out Brick Craftsman style custom home that is composed of Brick and Cedar siding on three sides. You’ll welcome your visitors with a covered front porch before they enter the dramatic two-story foyer with an arched catwalk above. To your right is a stunning Double-Trey Dining Room with Chair Railing. Ahead of you is a welcoming Family Room with a cozy fireplace and built-in bookcases and a lovely Coffered Ceiling above. The two-story Gourmet Kitchen is stunning with Granite Counters, Stainless Steel Appliances, a bartop Island, Eat-In Kitchen and amazing Keeping Room that boasts a Vaulted Ceiling and Stacked Stone Fireplace. And you’ll get great use out of the Office/Playroom also on the main level.

You’ll also find a wonderful Master on Main Suite with an inviting sitting room with a walkout onto the back Patio for an enjoyable morning coffee while you read the paper or catch up online. The Spa-like Bath is a delight with an oversized Walk-In Tiled Shower and adjacent Soaking Jacuzzi Tub, plus there is lots of counter space including a make-up vanity.

Upstairs are three large secondary bedrooms, one with a private bathroom, the other with a Jack and Jill setup. All bedrooms have great closet space. And the Terrace Level is finished with a fantastic rec/media room, bedroom and full bath. This finely designed home has a three car side-entry garage and a large deck overlooking a private yard with useable space and woods in the back.

Arbor Green is a Conservation Neighborhood with a community park with large executive lots with a convenient drive to GA 400 and Alpharetta dining and shopping. Call us today to see this amazing home!

This listing courtesy of Tom LeCain of RE/MAX Around Atlanta.

Eliminate Shiny Brass

If you have a 20 year old home more than likely you have some shiny brass throughout your home.   It may be the front door handle, dining room fixture, or bathroom shower doors.  All of these items are something a buyer does not want to see when purchasing a home so you may want to make some changes.

Buyers Make Instant Decisions

Within a minute of walking in a home, a buyer determines if the property is of interest.  Eliminate those shiny brass turn offs before the buyer eliminates your home.  Change out the front door handle and remove the brass door knocker with your name on it.  If there is a brass kick plate that goes also, your front door will probably need a coat of paint or stain now.  Remember the front porch lights.  If you need to replace find something in the same finish as the front door handle and similar size to existing lights.  Now the buyer is welcomed to your home with a fresh warm and inviting entrance.

Update with New Finish

Foyer and Dining Rooms lights need to be updated if you still have brass.  Find simple fixtures that are tasteful and fit to scale as replacements.  You can choose from brush nickel to black copper in finishes.  An inexpensive way to replace the fixtures is to shop lighting store sales and close outs, sales at the big box stores – Lowes and Home Depot, plus consignment stores.  Buyers will be wowed by updated lighting.

Bathrooms Sales Homes

Do your bathrooms have brass fixtures – lights, faucets, and shower doors?  It’s time to make a change.  Choose a finish that compliments the room.  Start in the closeout section of the store….find showers doors on sale or slightly damaged.  Maybe go with the new frameless.  After finding the shower door, find faucets and lights that match.  Replacing a brass shower door will make a big difference in a bathroom’s appeal.   Remember bathrooms sell homes.

If you are making changes in your home, we can provide a Lowes coupon for 10% off of your purchase.  Contact us for your FREE  Lowes coupon.

3790 Grey Abbey Drive

Alpharetta GA  30022

$539,000

5 Bedrooms, 4 Baths, Basement

Request a Showing

Come see this beautiful home in Glen Abbey, an active Swim/Tennis neighborhood of large inviting homes in Alpharetta. This inviting home has 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths on two stories plus a large basement ready to finish to your specifications. The large floorplan is open with a great flow and boasts over 3,900 square feet of finished space.

Once inside, your guests are welcomed by a dramatic 2-story foyer and gleaming hardwood floors that carry throughout the main level of the home. The foyer is flanked by a spacious formal living room on one side and a cozy bedroom/office connected to a full bath on the other. The Family Room is stunning and gets lots of light from the two story wall of windows. The room’s other focal point is the fireplace, with built-in bookcases and a Media center on either side. And the Gourmet Kitchen is glorious, boasting several interesting Palladium windows that give you a wonderful peek into the scenic back yard. The kitchen is bright with the light and custom white cabinets, some with glass fronts, plus the underlit cabinet lights shine on the Granite Counters and tile backsplash. Additionally, there is a bartop for casual eating, a desk for paying bills and pondering that new recipe, plus a lovely oval Eat-In Kitchen, all open to the Family Room.

Upstairs, there are four spacious bedrooms highlighted by a Master Suite that has a dramatic multi-tiered Trey Ceiling, a cozy fireplace and a separate sitting area for reading or TV. The Spa-like bath has custom cabinetry, large soaking tub and separate shower, plus a huge walk-in closet. The primary secondary bedroom has its own private bath, while the two other upstairs share a full bath.

The unfinished Terrace Level is stubbed for a full bath and has large rooms that can be used as-is or finished to your desire. Outside, there is a nice deck with steps to a padded area underneath and also a tranquil heavily-wooded back yard. The home is 3-sides Brick with a brick water table in back and the Three Car Garage gives you plenty of parking and room for lawn equipment if you wish.

This great North Fulton neighborhood has swim and tennis and a nice clubhouse with workout and changing facilities. The location is superb, with easy access to GA 400 and North Point Mall. So if you’re looking for a great home in a wonderful, active North Fulton neighborhood, call us now to arrange and easy appointment!

This listing courtesy of The Gebhardt Group of RE/MAX Around Atlanta.

Why You Need a Buyer’s Agent

Are you considering a new construction home?    If so, you need a buyer’s agent to represent you.  Someone that will make clear all the information the builder and onsite sales agent are providing.  An exclusive buyer’s agent is your ally when purchasing a new construction home.  Whether it is purchasing the lot and having the home built or purchasing standing inventory in an existing community, a buyer’s agent will guide you from lot selection to upgrades that will enhance the value of the home for future resale.

Onsite sales agent and the Builder

The onsite sales agent represents the builder and looks out for the builder’s best interest.  This could the price of the property, time to build the home, what is included in the price such as stainless steel appliances or black finish.   The onsite agent’s job is to sell you, not to make sure that you are getting a good deal.

Negotiating with the Builder

Builders will negotiate in today’s buyer’s market.  It may be the price of the home or the upgrades in the property that the builder is willing to negotiate on.  An experienced buyer’s agent will know the questions to ask and offer you options on how to approach the builder and onsite sale agent for the best deal.

What if You Build?

Sometimes you’ll find a neighborhood you love and the builder will have a floorplan you love on a lot you love and the home is almost finished, so all you have to do is pick your carpet and boom, you close and move in within 30 days of contract. But this requires a lot of things to fall in place; and in today’s economy, builders are not building many “spec” (speculating) homes,  gambling that the right buyer will come along at the right time and will love the home they are building. Therefore, in today’s market, you most like will be building a pre-construction home, meaning that you will be able to select the lot you want to build on, the floorplan you want, plus pick the elevation (how the front and roofline looks), colors and options you want, many times from the builder’s available selections. The whole process can seem overwhelming unless you are working with an experienced agent to help you thru the process.

Preferred Lenders Represent the Builder

Many builders work with preferred lenders and these lenders offer incentives such as mortgages with no closing cost.  By working with builder’s lender, you need to make sure the interest rate and other terms of financing are competitive.  Since all mortgages are not the same, taking the time to talk with multiple lenders is extremely important.  You want to be sure that the mortgage on the property is the best fit for you now and in the future.   Working with a lender you are comfortable with and can rely on should be a factor in your decision.  Your buyer’s agent will know the questions to ask of a builder’s preferred lender and can also recommend other lenders to talk to, plus can help you compare the costs of one lender versus another.

The Bottom Line

As we previously stated, if you haven’t been thru the process before, building a home without an experienced agent to guide you thru the process from selecting the best lot available, negotiating with the builder, staying within budget by being smart about your upgrades, choosing a home inspector and scheduling your inspections, working with the builder and on-site agent thru any issues, choosing the best lender and loan, going with you to walk-thrus, etc.  Then finally, three to five months later, you arrive at the attorney’s office for a smooth closing. And your agent is paid for all this work by the builder, at no additional cost to you. Homebuilders do this because they need  the agent community to bring their clients and have that cost built in as part of their overall marketing budget.

So be smart if you are thinking of buying a new home; you won’t regret getting that experienced set of extra eyes to help you reach your goal!

Is 2012 the year to get your home sold?  Did you have your home on the market for sale last year and it did not sell?  Frustrated yet still want to sell?  We have customized our Red Hot Marketing Plan and created a special program for sellers who have been unsuccessful when working with another agent. Our Second Chance Home Sale Program could be just the answer.  First, not all homes for sale are eligible for our program; we look for quality homes within our primary marketing area.  Second, we work with Sellers that we know we can help.

With our Second Chance Home Sale Program we will review what was done by prior agents and evaluate what we can do better such as more marketing photos or better information about the home and community.  We will also target market your home to qualified buyers and real estate agents with buyer clients.  And we offer up to 8 hours of FREE staging of your home if needed so that your home will excite buyers when they walk in the door.

By joining our Second Chance Home Sale Program, you will receive a written marketing plan and weekly updates.  We also handle all the showings appointments for your home.  No more agents calling to say they will be showing your home between 11 and 3.  We take the calls; set a two-hour window then call or text you they are coming.

Online marketing with our Second Chance Home Sale Program includes a custom website about your home and neighborhood with your own web address.  Showcase ads can be found on REALTOR.com and RE/MAX.com with our contact information.  Additional ads can be found on Yahoo, MSN, Trulia, Zillow and many other top-ranked real estate sites.

We recognize that the housing market is slow.  Yet the reality is that there are ready, willing and able buyers out there right now; your home just needs to be exposed to them.   Our Second Chance Home Program provides the exposure it needs.   We simply ask that you compare our program to what your previous agent did for you; we’re confident you’ll like what you see.

Contact us at 404-314-8129 now so that we can help you make that move. 

Putting your home on the market for the first time? Learn more about our great Home Sale Program.

Milton Preserve on Hwy 9 in North Fulton is the latest community built by Ashton Woods Homes. The neighborhood consists of 39 homesites and it’s students will attend the new Cambridge High School in Milton. While there are limited basement homesites, Ashton Woods has options for a 3rd floor walk-up. Square footage in the floorplans range from 2,800 to 3,100 plus.

Base prices at Milton Preserve start in the mid-200s to low 300s. Floorplan options include either Master on Main or Master Suite upstairs and are energy efficient. Luxurious features include Hardwood floors in the Foyer, Kitchen, and Powder, Granite Counters in the Kitchen, Tiled flooring in the Master Bath along with separate Tub and Shower.

The exteriors of the homes have either Brick or Stone on the fronts and low maintenance Hardie cement fiber siding. And the homes are high energy, meeting performance standards for the Environments for Living Program, which can show a savings of as much as 42% in energy usage.

So if you’re looking for new construction in Milton, check out Milton Preserve!