Share This

Our kids are very interested in real estate. Guess it is natural really. They see and hear us talk about homes. They ask ‘where is daddy’ and I’ll say ‘at work’. Even our 2 year old knows what work is and he’ll say ‘I go see house’. Funny really, I think we may have a future Realtor.

Everyday, we are asked by friends, neighbors, family, complete strangers, and business associates ‘how’s the market’. It seems that everyone is interested in real estate. Makes sense … people, kids and adults alike, want to know what is happening in their neighborhood - who is moving out and who is moving in? And the number 1 question…What did they get for their house? Not that they are nosy neighbors, but concerned neighbors…how is their neighborhood standing in the real estate shift? Are their home values holding?

And while overall in Atlanta, we are seeing a 10% decrease in sales prices compared to that of a year ago, some pockets are not only holding their value but are gaining in value.

If you are curious what your particular Atlanta neighborhood is doing, give us a call and we’ll give you a complete analysis.  It’s always a good idea to be informed and to know the value of your home. In fact, if you are just interested in keeping up with the JUST SOLD properties in your neighborhood and would like to receive a free email report once per month, let us know and we’ll enroll you to receive your particular neighborhood report, free of charge and no obligation. It’s easy. Just email me  liz@thebankstongroup.com

Share This

Dunwoody is convenient to many grocery stores like Publix on Chamblee Dunwoody, Kroger on Dunwoody Club, and Fresh Market near Mount Vernon and on Chamblee Dunwoody. And Dunwoody offers so many terrific restaurants, too… Wildfire, McCormick and Shmicks, Brio, Cheesecake Factory, Dunwoody Bistro, 48th Street Deli, Max and Erma’s, Shane’s, Chipolte, Mimi’s Cafe, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Taco Mac’s, Flemings, Joey D’s, Goldbergs Bagels and Deli, El Azteca, Seasons 52 …

Dunwoody is home to Perimeter Mall and its top department stores: Macy’s, Nordstroms, Dilliards and just across the street you’ll find Target…and one more hop onto Ashford Dunwoody and you’ll be at Walmart.

If you are considering making Dunwoody your home, you’ll be pleased to know that you have currently over 300 single family homes to chose from… priced between 2.8 million and 250k…some of the most well established, sought after Dunwoody neighborhoods include: Dunwoody Club Forest, Mill Glenn, Dunwoody Station, Northsprings, Village Mill, The Branches, Wyntercreek, Renfroe Lake, Dunwoody North, Redfield, Brookefarm, Ashford Chase, Whitehall, Dunwoody Club Forest West, Little Brooke, Kingsley, Oxford Chase, Meadowlake…

Dunwoody’s real estate market is especially appealing to those buyers who want to have a beautiful home in a great community and also want to have it at a great discount…below are the most current and up to date listings  of Dunwoody foreclosures and short sales. Should you see a property that could be your new home, contact us today…770.676.9158

	Residential Detached					$ 899,000  *
	#:3887920	Active	Broker: PRAY01	Area: 121		Map: 693F4
	205 Bach Ct				Media: 12
	City: ATLANTA		State: GEORGIA		County: FULTON	Zip: 30350-6611
	Subdivision: Sentinel Ferry			Yr Built: 2001		Age Desc: Resale
	Lvls Bdrms Baths Hlf Bth Upper 4 4 0 Main 1 1 2 Lower 1 1 0 Total 6 6 2			Lake: NONE		Waterfront: 0
				Stories: 2 Stories		Elem: DUNWOODY SPRINGS
				Style: Traditional		Middle: SANDY SPRINGS
						High: NORTH SPRINGS
	Directions: GA 400 TO NORTHRIDGE ROAD TO ROBERTS DR LEFT ONTO SPAULDING DR, LEFT ONTO NESBIT FERRY RD GO THRU FRONT GATE TO LEFT ON VERDI LANE TO LEFT ON BACH

	Residential Detached					$ 415,000
	#:3897270	Active	Broker: RMPL01	Area: 121		Map: 692 E5
	335 Spindle Ct				Media: 12
	City: ATLANTA		State: GEORGIA		County: FULTON	Zip: 30350-4124
	Subdivision: SPINDLEWICK			Yr Built: 1983		Age Desc: Resale
	Lvls Bdrms Baths Hlf Bth Upper 4 3 0 Main 0 0 1 Lower 0 0 1 Total 4 3 2			Lake: NONE		Waterfront:
				Stories: 2 Or + Stories		Elem: DUNWOODY SPRINGS
				Style: Tudor		Middle: SANDY SPRINGS
						High: NORTH SPRINGS
	Directions: 400N*EXIT NORTHRIDGE*CROSS NORTHRIDGE & GO SOUTH ON ROBERTS*RIGHT ON SPINDLEWICK DR*LEFT ON SPINDLEWICK CT*HOME ON THE LEFT

	Residential Detached					$ 325,000  *
	#:3668205	Active	Broker: KWAP01	Area: 121		Map: 692F6
	1229 Dunbrooke Ln				Media: 13		#1 - Virtual Tour	Virtual Tour
	City: DUNWOODY		State: GEORGIA		County: DEKALB	Zip: 30338-3224
	Subdivision: None			Yr Built: 1985		Age Desc: Resale
	Lvls Bdrms Baths Hlf Bth Upper 3 2 0 Main 1 1 1 Lower 0 0 0 Total 4 3 1			Lake: NONE		Waterfront:
				Stories: 2 Stories		Elem: AUSTIN
				Style: Cape Cod		Middle: PEACHTREE
						High: DUNWOODY
	Directions: CHAMBLEE-DUNWOODY RD TO ROBERTS, PASS AUSTIN ELEMENTARY, DUNBROOKE LN WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT.

	Residential Detached					$ 300,000  *
	#:3818719	Active	Broker: KWBA01	Area: 121		Map: 740E1
	2609 Briers North Drive				Media: 12
	City: ATLANTA		State: GEORGIA		County: DEKALB	Zip: 30360-2080
	Subdivision: Briers North			Yr Built: 1987		Age Desc: Resale
	Lvls Bdrms Baths Hlf Bth Upper 2 2 0 Main 2 1 1 Lower 0 0 0 Total 4 3 1			Lake: NONE		Waterfront: 0
				Stories: 2 Stories		Elem: CHESNUT
				Style: Traditional		Middle: PEACHTREE
						High: DUNWOODY
	Directions: 285 to Peachtree Industrial North to Tilly Mill. Left on Tilly Mill to right into Briers North to right on Brierwood Place. Go to end of culdesac. Home on right.

	Residential Detached					$ 264,900  *
	#:3802495	Active	Broker: REFC01	Area: 121		Map: 692K4
	7615 BALL MILL ROAD				Media: 12
	City: ATLANTA		State: GEORGIA		County: FULTON	Zip: 30350
	Subdivision: None			Yr Built: 1974		Age Desc: Resale
	Lvls Bdrms Baths Hlf Bth Upper 3 2 0 Main 1 1 1 Lower 1 1 0 Total 5 4 1			Lake: NONE		Waterfront: 0
				Stories: 2 Stories		Elem: DUNWOODY SPRINGS
				Style: Traditional		Middle: SANDY SPRINGS
						High: NORTH SPRINGS
	Directions: 285 EXIT 30. NORTH ON N. PEACHTREE, LEFT ON TILLY MILL. RT. ON MT. VERNON RD. LEFT ON JEFF FERRY, LEFT ON DUNWOODY CLUB. RT. ON CHAPARRAL RD. BECOMES BALL MILL.

Share This

1. Don’t change your employment status. 
2. Don’t make any major purchases (cars, furniture, home theatre systems, vacations, etc.)
3. Don’t increase your credit card debt or miss any payments.
4. Don’t change bank accounts or make undisclosed large deposits.
5. Don’t apply for a credit card, cosign a loan, or make a credit inquiry.
6. Don’t spend money you have set aside for closing - not any!
7. Don’t delay in providing all paperwork asked for by the mortgage company.

Share This

I learned many many things in the class taught by Tony Martinez; my biggest take away is that I now know there is hope for families facing foreclosure and there is a way for me as a Realtor to help them avoid it.

In just talking with some friends over the last few days, I realize that though people may recognize the term ’short sale’, they are a little unclear what it means.  In the CDPE class, short sales were defined as so:

• Property that is or will soon be in some stage of the foreclosure process.
• Property owned by a person or persons who is or are experiencing a period of financial instability.
• Property on which the mortgages total an amount higher than the current value and an owner must sell.
• Property that is in poor physical condition.

In order for the home owner to qualify as a short sell, they must prove hardship. Qualifying hardship reasons are as such:

• Mortgage adjustment /mortgage payment increase
• Loss of job
• Business failure
• Damage to property
• Death of a spouse
• Death of family members
• Severe illness
• Inheritance
• Divorce
• Separation
• Relocation
• Military service
• Insurance or tax increase
• Reduced income
• Too much debt
• Incarceration

For any family going through a hardship, it is no doubt a tough time. A short sale of the property offers a financial solution to the situation and avoids an even larger misfortune of foreclosure.

If you are an Atlanta home owner in need of some relief and help with your mortgage, contact me for a confidential consultation. 

Share This

• Home is too small / too big 
• Job transfer / Relocation / Shorten commute 
• Personal Relationship: getting married / divorced
• Lifestyle change: City life / Country life / Social Clubs / Neighborhood amenities
• Education: School districts
• See family more often / less often
• Finances: Cash in equity / Short sale
• Health concerns: physical restrictions / assisted care
• Empty nest/ Retirement / Downsize / Travel

Contact us for a free consultation to see if the time is right for you to make a move!

Share This

What’s on top of everyone’s minds these days? The economy… And not just the economy but how the current economy influences their job, their savings, and the value of their home.

That’s where we come in …

You might be wondering if buying a home right now is a smart financial decision…The fact is, home ownership is key to building long term wealth, no matter when someone buys. Did you know  that according to National Association of Realtors, over the last 3 decades, studies show that home values have steadily increased, on average more than 6 per cent per year. In fact, 60% of the average American home owner’s wealth comes from their home’s equity.

 My husband and I have been Realtors for the past 7 years, having helped many people buy and sell homes and never have we seen a better time of opportunity for 1^st home buyers, home buyers that want to sell and move up, and investors.

 Take for example the first time home buyer and all that they have in their favor right now: low interest rates (currently below 5% for a conventional 30 year fixed loan), affordable home prices, sellers that are willing to pay closing costs, and the new federal government tax credit of  $8,000.

 

If you have been considering buying a home, now is the time to do it - get out this beautiful Spring weekend in Atlanta and start looking - you’ll be glad you did! 

Share This

Give your house a little pop quiz, just as a buyer would:

What is your first impression of the exterior of your house? and the lawn? What are the best exterior features? And which are the worst?

Next, make a list of the problem areas you discovered. First handle all the safety, clean up and repair items. Check this list to compare against the exterior of your home.

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway 
• Clean windows and gutters
• Pressure wash siding, deck, porch, sidewalk
• Mow the lawn, edge the sides, and remove the weeds
• Free the lawn of leaves
• Store lawn equipment out of site

Once the maintenance items are complete, then move onto some projects that will help to make the grounds more attractive and command value for your home. Depending on your time, budget, and amount of elbow grease you have, consider these projects:

• Outdoor lighting 
• Fresh paint
• Replace hardware on the front door
• Add to the landscaping: new shrubs, trees, plants, flowers - or perhaps just the opposite is needed, too by removing dead trees or excessive shrubs, etc.

Judging a book by its cover is just like a buyer judging a home by its curb appeal.

Good luck and happy selling!

Share This

Share This

If you are tired of being the shrinking violet in the corner, do something about it.

How about a little Sadie Hawkins Real Estate Dance? As the seller, why not draw up a Purchase and Sales Agreement to the last 5 potential buyers that saw your home? You know by the mere fact that they took the time to see your home that they liked it. The problem is, they didn’t like it enough to make an offer. So you be the initiator.  Maybe from their feedback you know that they really didn’t care for the wall paper in the kitchen - put that in the special stipulations that you’ll remove the paper and paint it their color of choice. Or that the avocado carpet is really worn - offer to replace it. Perhaps you have been considering reducing your price - put the ’sales’ price in as an incentive for them to buy.  Only you know your level of motivation and what you are willing to do get your home sold. Put that information on paper. It may be exactly what helps that buyer chose your home over the one down the street.

Share This