Sally English Atlanta Real Estate: August 2010

Advice for Atlanta Home Sellers About Recent National Real Estate News

Are you a real estate seller who has been knocked to the floor by recent National real estate news and reports?  It seems like every news source: TV, newspapers, magazines and Internet has taken the opportunity to report the recent disappointing sales statistics and make a comment on the uncertainty of real estate values and sales.

I am not a statistician, economist or palm reader but I can give you some advice about selling a home in what is widely viewed as a "buyers market" in Atlanta Georgia

1. We are still expecting to have 30,000 plus new residents in Atlanta Georgia this year.  These new residents have got to live somewhere.

2. Households which have consolidated due to economic conditions will "unconsolidate" at the first opportunity.  Families / residents who have lost jobs and moved in with friends and relatives will move out as soon as they have the ready cash to do so. Rents are on the rise and will prompt some renters to buy rather than rent when their leases expire.

3. Jobs are the key to the Atlanta housing market.  When we have more jobs we will sell more houses.  Follow job statistics and employment to guage the health of the real estate market.

4. New housing inventorymand new construction is approaching historic lows (excluding the condo market) and buyers are being forced to consider existing housing.

5. Know your neighborhood comparables.  Look at homes that have sold in your immediate neighborhood in the past three months.  Anything older is not meaningful.  Homes that are listed but not sold are almost meaningless.  Price your home according to the homes that have sold in the past three months.  Ask your Realtor for help in evaluating the most recent home sales in your neighborhood.

6. Be flexible about showings.  "Appointment only" is unrealistic in this market for most listings.  If a Realtor calls to show your home, work YOUR schedule around when the agent's BUYER CLIENT wants to see your home.

7. Price your home realistically.  Price your home realistically.  Price your home realistically.  It is worth repeating ten more times.

This is a key to selling a home right now.  If this means not being able to payoff your mortgage loan, do a short sale.  The stigma of a short sale is gone.  Sea Island had to do it and real estate does not get more glamorous than Sea Island.  I can help you do this with the least amount of embarrassment and loss of pride.  But you will get a huge monkey off your back.  IF YOU GET A LOWBALL OFFER....do not get mad and walk away.  Negotiate the offer until you get to a win win conclusion.  This takes patience and time to educate the buyer and find deal points that are important to their purchase decision.  But it can be done.

8. Marketing must be flawless.  Current photos, advertising on numerous websites, rich and detailed descriptions of your home.  All are critical components of the maketing plan designed to attract a buyer and realize a decent price when you sell your home.

9.  Go stand in the street in front of your home.  Is your curb appeal flawless?  If not, get out the hedge trimmers, go to Home Depot and buy paint, buy pine straw at Pikes.  You have got to make a buyer want to get out of the car to look at your home.

10. Find a real estate agent you can trust to properly market your home, intercept every buy or agent who expresses an interest in your home and close the deal in the negotiation phase.  You need a partner to get this task done.

GO HERE for more advice about selling your home.

GO HERE to contact Sally English and the English Team about selling your Atlanta Georgia Home.

Sally English and The English Team at REMAX Executives are experienced and savvy Realtors who know the ropes about selling Atlanta Georgia Homes in a challenging market.

Decatur and Tucker Sunday Open Houses August 29th

Open Sunday August 29th from 3 to 5 pm.

Lindmoor Woods Split Level

3308 Sanden Ferry East

Decatur GA 30033

$ 169,900

¨ 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Updated inside!

¨ Fenced back yard and storage building

¨ Huge LR and DR.  Vaulted ceiling.

¨ Fireplace in Family room

¨ Easy commute to Emory and CDC

¨ Laurel Ridge ES,  Druid Hills HS

GO HERE for detailed information, driving maps, school and mortgage INFO about 3308 Sanden Ferry East Decatur Georgia 30033.

Surprisingly Large Ranch

1320 Camelot Circle

Tucker Georgia 30084

$ 179,900

¨ 5 BRs,4 Full Baths. Finished basement.

¨ Fenced back yard, Outdoor fireplace.

¨ Spacious kitchen with breakfast bar.

¨ 2 car garage plus 2 car covered parking

¨ Formal LR and DR + family room.

¨ Idlewood ES, Tucker MS and HS

 GO HERE for detailed information, driving maps, school and mortgage INFO about 1320 Camelot Circle AZTucker Georgia 30084.

If you are searching for a home on the Internet, this is a must read.  See why you should set up a "NEW LISTING ALERT" for your home search.  GO HERE to set one up on my Search Atlanta Georgia Homes website.

Thanks to my Active Rain Associate Ann O'Connell in Boulder Colorado for the help!!!!

Impeccable and Expanded Brick Home Near Toco Hills and Emory University

¨ 5 BEDROOMS. 6 Full BATHS.   Finished Terrace Level! 

¨ LaVista Acres Subdivision.  Atlanta Georgia 30329.

¨ 2004 COMPLETE RENOVATION includes all new kitchen, all new bathrooms, master bedroom suite addition and finished terrace level.

¨ Architectural plans incorporated neighborhood appropriate exterior with lavish and modern interior appointments.

¨ NEW KITCHEN features cherry cabinets with granite countertops and tumbled marble backsplash. Glass front display cabinets, built in work station, breakfast bar and extensive storage options are but a few of the cabinetry features.  Recessed lighting, pendent lighting plus ceiling fan and light.  Hardwood floors.  Stainless steel sinks with pull out faucet and window above.  Inviting room perfect for informal entertaining.  Light and bright eat in breakfast area.

¨ PREMIUM APPLIANCES: Kenmore deluxe wall oven/microwave combination (stainless steel finish).  Kenmore solid surface cooktop (black glass finish).  Vent hood above with cabinet finish.  Maytag dishwasher in black glass.

¨ DELIGHTFUL LIVING ROOM overlooks back lawn with large picture windows.   neutral carpet, crown mold and double window. Hardwood floors.  Large arched opening to dining room.  Crown molding.  Cased opening to entry foyer. 

¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM features large picture windows, hardwood floors, chandelier.  French door to screen porch.  Crown molding and chair rail molding.  Room to seat the entire group for holiday meals and special celebrations.

¨ SCREEN PORCH overlooks back lawn.  Delightful spot for morning coffee.  Faux ceramic tile floor.  3 sides floor to ceiling screens. Ceiling fan.

¨ MASTER BEDROOM SUITE in 2004 created a luxurious retreat.  Plush neutral carpet, oversize room, double French doors to balcony. Spacious walk-in closets.

¨ NEW SPA MASTER BATHROOM features Jacuzzi tub with whirlpool style jets, large walk in shower with edgeless glass door and  European style fixtures.  Travertine tile floors and shower walls in luxurious patterns and trim. Dual vanity cabinets (cherry) and sinks.  Makeup desk.  Corian tops. 

¨ BEDROOM # 2 has an en suite bath.  Hardwood floor.  Single plus double windows.  NEW FULL BATH #2 has a white vanity cabinet, granite countertop, shower, ceramic tile floor.

¨ BEDROOM # 3 features hardwood floors, en suite bath, two windows and generous closet.  FULL BATH # 3 has a white vanity cabinet, Corian countertop and ceramic tile floor.  Tub/shower combination with ceramic tile surround.

¨ HALL FULL BATH features a furniture style vanity cabinet with granite top and ceramic sink, tub-shower combination.

¨ Terrace Level:  Large Rec Room and full bath, 2 BRs with Jack and Jill full bath. 2 offices.

¨ SPACIOUS REC ROOM has low pile carpet, Double French doors to patio, wet bar and maple cabinets.  Functional room with media area, room for game tables, room for dining or bridge table.

¨ FULL BATH # 5 (granite countertop),  2 OFFICES and hall to bedrooms off REC ROOM.

¨ BEDROOMS # 4 and 5 feature a low pile carpet and are separated by a Jack and Jill Bath.  BEDROOM #5 used as guest bedroom has a large window overlooking patio.  Generous closets.

¨ Jack and Jill FULL BATH # 6 has two vanity areas, one for each BR, with wet area in between.  Cherry cabinets with Corian countertops.  Ceramic tile floors. Tub/shower combo with ceramic tile walls. 

¨ Easy commute to Emory/CDC/VA, midtown, down town.

¨ Shopping and services nearby at Toco Hills and Oak Grove.

¨ Sagamore Hills ES

¨ Shamrock Middle

¨ Druid Hills HS

Call Sally English and The English Team at REMAX Executives to see this home or others in the neighborhood.  770-939-3174.  We specialize in homesand heighborhoods convenient to Emory and CDC.

Massive Tucker Ranch: Camelot Circle Tucker Georgia 30084

¨ 5 BRs. 4 BATHS.  Finished Basement. Neat and Tidy.

¨ Idlewood Acres Subdivision. Tucker GA 30084. Original owner.

¨ Hardwood floors under carpet in most rooms.

¨ SPACIOUS FORMAL LIVING ROOM features a large picture window, carpet.  Cased opening to dining room.  

¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM is open to great room and has room for your largest holiday gatherings and celebrations.   Lots of windows.  Chandelier. Cased opening to living room.  Door to kitchen.  Large picture window.

¨ FAMILY ROOM has wood paneling, 2 double windows, carpet, door to bath #1.

¨ VERY SPACIOUS KITCHEN open to a large breakfast room.   Stained wood cabinets offer lots of storage.  Formica countertop.  Breakfast bar.  Window over double stainless steel sink. Vinyl floor.  

¨ APPLIANCES include a GE oven with black glass finish, GE cooktop with Ventahood (white finish), Hotpoint dishwasher (white finish)

¨ HUGE BREAKFAST ROOM is adjacent to kitchen.  Lots of room for a seating area and furniture. Half paneling on walls.

¨ BEDROOM # 1 has a double window, double door walk in closet, door to full bath # 1.  Carpet.  Used as master bedroom by owner.

¨ FULL BATH # 1 has entrances from family room and from BR # 1.  Pedestal sink.  Shower with glass shower door.

¨ FRONT BEDROOM # 2 is spacious. 1 double and 1 single window.  Double door closet.  Carpet.

¨ FULL BATH # 2 with access from hall features a vanity sink, ceramic tile floor, window.

¨ BEDROOM # 3 has a double window, double door closet, door to Full bath # 3.

¨ JACK AND JILL BATH # 3 features entrances to BRS # 3 and 4.  Vanity sink, shower with shower door, ceramic tile floor. Window.

¨ BEDROOM # 4 has 2 single windows, door to bath # 3, carpet. Used as a study by owner.

¨ FINISHED DAYLIGHT BASEMENT has an "IN-LAW" SUITE (BR # 5/BATH # 4), REC ROOM, LAUNDRY/UTILITY ROOM and TWO CAR GARAGE.

¨ BEDROOM # 5 has wood paneling, carpet.  FULL BATH # 4 has a vanity cabinet and sink, tub/shower combination.

¨ REC ROOM has glass doors to patio, carpet, wet bar and refrigerator.

¨ Fenced back yard with driveway gate.  Barbeque pit /fireplace and patio.  Room for a garden.  Large turnaround in driveway.

¨ 2 car drive under GARAGE plus covered parking and large turnaround for two cars or a boat.  Large workshop area at back of garage.  Remote control garage door opener.

¨ Oversize Front Porch.

¨ Storm Windows. New AC compressor.  Vinyl eaves.

¨ Sold "As Is" with right of inspection.

¨ Convenient commute to Emory and CDC

¨ Idlewood ES

¨ Tucker MS

¨ Tucker HS(International Baccalaureate Degree)

Call Sally English and THe ENglish Team at REMAX Executives to see this home or others in the neighborhood.  We speicalize in homes and neighborhoods convenient to EMory University and the CDC.  770-939-3174. 

Check our website for more great homes.

Lindmoor Woods Updated * 3308 Sanden Ferry East * $169,900

¨ 3 BRs. 2 BATHS.   Ready to move in!

¨ Lindmoor Woods Subdivision.

¨ Decatur Georgia 30033

¨ ENTRY FOYER has a ceramic tile floor,

¨ SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM is open to dining room and entry foyer.  Vaulted ceiling.  Carpet. Window, wood blinds.

¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM is open to living room and has room for your largest holiday gatherings and celebrations.  Chandelier.  Double windows overlook back yard.

¨ UPDATED KITCHEN features cabinets with wood stain, new faux granite Formica countertop, vinyl floor.

¨ APPLIANCES includes a GE Potscrubber Dishwasher with black glass finish, new GE oven with black glass finish, built in microwave oven with black glass finish.

¨ HUGE BREAKFAST ROOM is light and bright.  Open to kitchen and family room.  Steps down to family room.  Vinyl floor. 

¨ "LOWER" LEVEL of Split level floor plan has the family room and garage.

¨ FAMILY ROOM has painted wood paneling, brick fireplace with glass doors and custom mantle.  Gas log lighter. French door to patio.  Door to garage.  Carpet. Chandelier.

¨ 2 car garage. Two overhead doors.

¨ Laundry connections in garage.

¨ Cul-de sac lot has lots of privacy.

¨ "UPPER" LEVEL of Split level floor plan has the Master Bedroom and bath plus Bedrooms # 2 and 3 and a hall bath.

¨ MASTER BEDROOM has a ceiling fan and light, carpet, good closet and double window. 2 closets.

¨ UPDATED MASTER BATH features a wood stained vanity cabinet with granite countertop and ceramic vanity sink.  Ceramic tile floor.  Tub/shower combination.  Ceramic tile shower walls.

¨ BEDROOM # 2 has a ceiling fan and light, carpet, double window, closet.

¨ BEDROOM # 3 also has carpet, ceiling fan and light, closet and double window.

¨ UPDATED HALL BATH features a stained vanity cabinet with granite countertop and ceramic tile sink.  Tub and shower combination.

¨ Fenced back yard with a large grassed lawn, patio and storage building.

¨ Inside I-285. Convenient commute to Emory and CDC.

¨ Easy access to I-285, down town, midtown and airport.

¨ Lots of shopping and restaurants nearby at Market Place/North DeKalb Mall and at Northlake Mall and neighborhoods.

¨ Swim and Tennis available.

¨ Laurel Ridge ES

¨ Shamrick MS

¨ Druid Hills HS

Sunday Open Houses: Where Are the Buyers?

Sellers are convinced Sunday open houses are the answer to selling their home in this challenging real estate market.  After all, they bought the house after attending a Sunday open house 6 or 7 years ago. 

In fact, they saw an ad in the Sunday real estate section of the newspaper and then went to visit several Sunday open houses before they decided which home to buy.

Why wouldn't the next buyer for their home be found with a Sunday open house?

To answer that question we need to consider how a buyer goes about purchasing a home in today's market.  For the vast majority of the buyers, the search for a new home starts on the Internet.

Buyers have vast resources at there disposal on the Internet that were not available 6 or 7 years ago.  Listing data bases like Realtor.com and Zillow have made all sorts of detailed information available to consumers.  Savvy real estate agents have IDX solutions on their websites that give the potential buyers the ability to search....even off line....for their dream home and be alerted when new listings are posted.

Buyers can walk through houses virtually while wearing bath robes and sipping coffee.  They can see what a monthly payment would be including insurance and taxes.  And best of all, they don't have to encounter any pesky real estate agents or home sellers while doing their shopping.

The same buyer profile holds true for car buyers.  Many, if not most, car buyers are avoiding the new and used car lots like the plaque.  They shop for cars online, maybe even solicit prices online, and then go to the dealer only when it is time to finalize the deal.

Even my home sellers who firmly believe their home will be sold at a Sunday open house agree they used they Internet when they bought their last car.

Even more telling, most of these same home sellers are using the Internet TO SEARCH FOR THEIR NEXT HOME.

Should you hold a Sunday open house if you want to sell your home?  The answer can be found within your expectations.  If you are a home seller, there is a certain segment of the market that still relys on open houses to find their next home. 

Senior citizens and others with out Internet access appreciate the opportunity to walk through your home.  Of course, most senior citizens are not in the market for a 6 bedroom traditional with a rec room on the finished terrace level.

Neighbors love open houses and use the opportunity to snoop through your home and also to meet the real estate agent in case they need to sell their home in the near future (Note to agents, this is a good reason to continue holding open houses).

Tire kickers, people who are bored and went out for a drive, friends of the real estate agent who stop in to say hello....these are all people who love Sunday open houses. 

Oh yeah, the Sunday real estate have "virtually" disappeared as consumers have voted overwhelmingly for the Internet as their news media of choice.  Take a look at the newspaper's classified advertising recently.  What once took pages and pages of the Sunday paper can now be found in a page or two.  Just not a market for print these days.

You make the decision, I will do a Sunday Open House if it is important to you.  Just approach the decision realistically and don't be surprised when the turnout is low.  And definitely do not be surprised when no sales.contracts are written as a result of a Sunday open house.

GO HERE to see where all the Sunday Open House action is taking place these days.

Sally English and the English Team are not interested in LISTING your home for sale.  We do not get paid until we SELL YOUR HOME.  Our motivations in marketing your home are to find a buyer who is willing to pay a fair price in a reasonable amount of time.  We pay thousands of dollars to market your home on the INTERNET.  We put COLOR FLYERS in the front yard of your home to catch "drive by" buyers. 

Let us professionally market ....and sell.....your Atlanta Georgia home.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports Tyler Perry is purchasing Dean Gardens, a huge estate in Johns Creek, for an estimated $7.6 Million dollars.  The troubled mansion has been on a market for years and was originally priced at $13.9 million.

Lesson for current home sellers: the market has lost a lot of value.  If you price high, you will continue to chase the market.

From the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

"Atlanta writer, actor and director Tyler Perry is buying Dean Gardens, according to sources familiar with the deal.

Dean Gardens sold Aug. 4 for about $7.6 million with $25,000 in closing costs. It had been on the market for $13.9 million.

The 32,000-square-foot Neo-Classical mansion was built in 1992 and stands at 5100 Old Alabama Road in one of the ritziest parts of the Atlanta suburbs.

The 58-acre estate, with 1,200 feet of Chattahoochee River frontage, is in the Johns Creek area of North Atlanta. The grounds include an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, grass tennis court, croquet lawn, amphitheater, 3-acre stocked lake and formal gardens in French, Italian and Oriental styles.

Perry, perhaps best known as his character Medea Simmons, is also the creator of television shows Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Meet the Browns."

Lesson for current home purchasers: there are some amazing deals on the market right now

Tyler Perry built a lovely estate on West Paces Ferry road across from the Lovett School entrance.  The estate sits on a lot of acreage and overlooks the Chattahoochee river.  I think Mr. Perry has made some very astute real estate investments.  He has used the same good judgment he used in producing House of Payne in his approach to the real estate market.  Mr. Perry is a "contra" investor and makes decisions based on his own good judgment.  Following the crowd has never been a good idea.  Kudos to Tyler Perry.

Oak Grove Elementary School District Home for Sale

Updated Split level floor plan in  Lindmoor Woods Subdivision: 3308 Sanden Ferry East Decatur Georgia 30033

$169,900

3 Bedrooms and 2 Baths

Lindmoor Woods Updated * 3308 Sanden Ferry East * $169,900

¨ 3 BRs. 2 BATHS.   Ready to move in!

¨ Lindmoor Woods Subdivision.

¨ Decatur Georgia 30033

¨ ENTRY FOYER has a ceramic tile floor,

¨ SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM is open to dining room and entry foyer.  Vaulted ceiling.  Carpet. Window, wood blinds.

¨ FORMAL DINING ROOM is open to living room and has room for your largest holiday gatherings and celebrations.  Chandelier.  Double windows overlook back yard.

¨ UPDATED KITCHEN features cabinets with wood stain, new faux granite Formica countertop, vinyl floor.

¨ APPLIANCES includes a GE Potscrubber Dishwasher with black glass finish, new GE oven with black glass finish, built in microwave oven with black glass finish.

¨ HUGE BREAKFAST ROOM is light and bright.  Open to kitchen and family room.  Steps down to family room.  Vinyl floor. 

¨ "LOWER" LEVEL of Split level floor plan has the family room and garage.

¨ FAMILY ROOM has painted wood paneling, brick fireplace with glass doors and custom mantle.  Gas log lighter. French door to patio.  Door to garage.  Carpet. Chandelier.

¨ 2 car garage. Two overhead doors.

¨ Laundry connections in garage.

¨ Cul-de sac lot has lots of privacy.

¨ "UPPER" LEVEL of Split level floor plan has the Master Bedroom and bath plus Bedrooms # 2 and 3 and a hall bath.

¨ MASTER BEDROOM has a ceiling fan and light, carpet, good closet and double window. 2 closets.

¨ UPDATED MASTER BATH features a wood stained vanity cabinet with granite countertop and ceramic vanity sink.  Ceramic tile floor.  Tub/shower combination.  Ceramic tile shower walls.

¨ BEDROOM # 2 has a ceiling fan and light, carpet, double window, closet.

¨ BEDROOM # 3 also has carpet, ceiling fan and light, closet and double window.

¨ UPDATED HALL BATH features a stained vanity cabinet with granite countertop and ceramic tile sink.  Tub and shower combination.

¨ Fenced back yard with a large grassed lawn, patio and storage building.

¨ Inside I-285. Convenient commute to Emory and CDC.

¨ Easy access to I-285, down town, midtown and airport.

¨ Lots of shopping and restaurants nearby at Market Place/North DeKalb Mall and at Northlake Mall and neighborhoods.

¨ Swim and Tennis available.

¨ Laurel Ridge ES

¨ Shamrick MS

¨ Druid Hills HS

Call Sally English and THe English Team at REa/MAX Executives to see this home or others in the neighborhood.  We specialize in homes convenient to EMory and CDC.