The Buckhead Blog

2011 Year End Buckhead Home Sales Report

2012-01-19T14:35:00.000-05:00

This morning I was looking back at my 2010 year-end report and reading over my thoughts on 2010 and predictions for 2011. I feel pretty good about what I wrote a year ago, but was dead wrong on the interest rate prediction that they would continue rising. In fact they went really low and are still really low today. You can get a 30 year fixed mortgage today for 3.8%, and I’m pretty sure that is a record low number. An article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle today said that these record low rates are not attracting many new buyers because those that could afford to buy or were in a place where they could refinance have already done so.

In 2011 we continued to see the foreclosures and short sales, and as a matter of fact, I just listed a short sale in the Brookhaven area on Tuesday. These are an excellent opportunity to purchase a home at a reduced cost, especially when you consider the extraordinary interest rates that people are locking into these days.

Below I have crunched the numbers and have a comparison of 2011 Buckhead Home Sales versus those in 2010. Across the board the numbers were better in 2011, specifically the average Buckhead home selling for 6% more than it did in 2010. In 2011, the most expensive home to sell closed for $6,500,000, and it was located on Habersham Road.

What will 2012 bring to the Buckhead real estate market? So far it's been great in January. Yesterday I had two full price cash offers rejected by a seller that had multiple offers on their house. Now that doesn't happen every day, but it used to... You can call me a broken record, but a well priced home in a good location that is presented well will sell quickly, and often close to if not over the list price. It is my goal in 2012 to ensure that my clients understand this concept and that my listings meet all of those criteria.

I hope you will call me if you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling a house in Atlanta, or anywhere for that matter. I have relationships with top REALTORS all over the country and would be happy to put you in touch with them if you are moving outside of Atlanta. If you want a more targeted market analysis for your neighborhood, please contact me and I would be happy to assist you.

Thanks and have a great 2012.

Carson Matthews

Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty

678-595-9286

www.TheBuckheadOffice.com

2119 Village Point - Offered at $459,900

2012-01-18T16:50:00.000-05:00

2119 Village Point

Yesterday I listed a fabulous home in the Village at Lenox Park in the Brookhaven area. 2119 Village Point is a 4 bedroom 3.5 bath brick house located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the back of the community. The house is being offered through a short sale at $459,900. The house has been renovated throughout with updates like stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, new spa-like master bathroom, a whole-house water filtration system, new roof and gutters in 2007, replaced both A/C and furnace units in 2007 and 2008, new hot water heater in 2008; and so much more. You can see all of the details on my website www.TheBuckheadOffice.com or by clicking here. Below are some pictures of the interior.

Please call me to set up a time to see the house or for more information.
Carson Matthews
678-595-9286
Carson@AtlantaFineHomes.com

3rd Quarter 2011 Buckhead Home Sales Report

2011-11-16T15:56:00.001-05:00

Here is the Buckhead Home Sales Report for the 3rd Quarter of 2011. This includes single family detached homes sold between July 1 and September 30, 2011.

Buckhead Home Sales July-September 2011

Homes Sold in 3rd Qtr of 2011 - 164

Average List Price - $812,919

Average Sales Price - $742,811

Average Sales Price/List Price Ratio - 91.3%

Average Days on Market - 180 Days

These numbers are almost unchanged from the same time period in 2010.

The highest sales price for a Buckhead home during the 3rd Quarter of 2011 was $3,857,500, which was Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank's home on Tuxedo Road. The 2nd highest price was Kenny Rogers home on Valley Road that closed for $3,725,000. The average house had 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and measured in at 3,200 square feet.

Visit my website www.TheBuckheadOffice.com to search available homes for sale in Buckhead.

For more information about your neighborhood, feel free to contact me:

Carson Matthews
Associate Broker
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty
678-595-9286
www.TheBuckheadOffice.com

Watershed Restaurant Relocating to Buckhead in 2012

2011-11-14T15:47:00.001-05:00

Watershed Restaurant, an award-winning Southern-inspired eatery that pioneered the Decatur dining scene when it hung its shingle on a converted gas station 13 years ago, is re-locating to The Brookwood, a 219-unit, mixed-use condominium community located on Peachtree Street in the heart of the historic Brookwood Hills neighborhood. The move will empower owners Ross Jones, Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers and Chef Joe Truex to realize their dream of growing the business with private dining, a patio and a wealth of parking. They plan to maintain the integrity of the Watershed brand, including the inspired cuisine of acclaimed Chef Truex, while updating it with a modern sensibility reflective of the new location. Diners can expect to see General Manager Jones on the floor and Chef Truex in the kitchen of this Smith Hanes-designed 175-seat jewel.

With the new location – set to open in Spring 2012 – comes a refined editing of the menu. Truex plans to update Watershed’s Southern-inspired cuisine with flavors from the Georgia Coast to the Louisiana Bayou and everything in between including the diverse ethnic flavors found throughout the South. The restaurant will continue to boast an expansive wine program – including the monthly wine club tastings – and bring back Fried Chicken Night with a twist.

Learn more about The Brookwood

Learn more about Watershed Restaurant

Atlanta Public Schools Return to Fully Accredited Status

2011-11-01T15:51:00.000-04:00

The AJC just reported that Atlanta Public Schools APS will be removed from probation status and return to it's fully accredited status. Read about it on the AJC at http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-to-be-fully-1214716.html

SPLOST IV for Atlanta Public Schools

2011-10-23T21:19:00.001-04:00

Every wonder what it means when you hear people say SPLOST? It's the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and it has been around in Atlanta since 1997. Basically when people spend money in our area, a penny sales tax is charged and it goes towards the upkeep of our public schools. According to the Atlanta Public School (APS) website, $1.4 billion has gone towards the construction of 18 new schools, 71 renovations and expansions, and two more projects that will be complete in 2011.

SPLOST IV will be up for vote during the November 8th elections. If you want to learn more about it, APS Superintendent Erroll Davis will appear at a community meeting this Tuesday, October 25th at 6pm at the North Atlanta High Theater, and is sponsored by Buckhead school board member Nancy Meister.

You can read all about it here: APS SPLOST IV

New Buckhead Atlanta Renderings

2011-10-01T15:57:00.000-04:00

Oliver McMillan released new renderings and street elevations of Buckhead Atlanta. Take a look at this brochure on the developers website. http://www.olivermcmillan.com/buckhead-brochure

Streets of Buckhead Project to Resume in 2012

2011-09-21T13:07:00.001-04:00

According to a recent article on Buckhead Patch, the project formally known as the Streets of Buckhead will resume construction in early 2012. Oliver McMillan has placed Hunter Richardson in charge of the project and he met with the NPU-B earlier this month. He said the project is slated to open in 2013 as presumed when they took over the development. He also said something that I believe a good portion of us in Buckhead wanted to hear; that they will be redesigning the plans and making it a more approachable development as opposed to a strictly super high-end destination. Thank Goodness.

Another notable comment was that there will be no condos in the future plans, only high-end apartments.

Looking forward to seeing it complete.

City of Atlanta Frequently Called Numbers

2011-08-26T17:47:00.000-04:00

This past week a tree fell from the yard of one of my listings and blocked the street in front of it. While trying to find the right person to contact to remove it from the street, I ran across this Frequently Called Numbers list for the City of Atlanta. Here you can find numbers for things like a new Herbie Curbie, or recycling bins, or report a tree down in the street, or to inspect a tree in the right of way, or report a water main break. Anyway, I thought it was very helpful. You can view it here:
http://www.yolandaadrean.com/uploads/CoA_Frequently_Called_Numbers.pdf

Southern Art and Bourbon Bar Coming to Buckhead

2011-08-19T09:47:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, we don't have a lot of glaring southern food restaurants in Buckhead or Atlanta for that matter. There are several, and most are really good but you can't have too many options. Some of my favorite Atlanta spots for southern fare are Mary Mac's Tea Room, the Horseradish Grill and Local Three. In comes Southern Art and Bourbon Bar...

Photos from Southern Art & Bourbon Bar Facebook Page

Art Smith was once Oprah's personal chef in Chicago and is now bringing his restaurant concept to Buckhead. Southern Art and Bourbon Bar will be located in the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead on Peachtree just south of Lenox. They have a Facebook page set up so you can keep up to date on the restaurant, menus & the opening which is set for September 26, 2011.

Here is the full article from Buckhead Patch. http://buckhead.patch.com/articles/bourbon-biscuits-on-peachtree?ncid=M255

1st Half of 2011 Buckhead Home Sales Report

2011-08-08T12:00:00.003-04:00

Here is the Buckhead Home Sales Report for the 1st half of 2011. This includes single family detached homes sold between Jan 1 and June 30, 2011.

Buckhead Home Sales Jan-June 2011

Homes Sold in 1st Half of 2011 - 367

Average List Price - $933,063

Average Sales Price - $842,163

Average Sales Price/List Price Ratio - 90.2%

Average Days on Market - 110 Days

During this period, Buckhead saw a higher number of sales as well as an average sale price increase of $128,000 compared to same period in 2010. In the 1st half of 2010 there were 311 sales at an average price of $713,606.

The highest sales price for a Buckhead home during the first half of 2011 was $5,500,000. The average house had 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and measured in at 3,500 square feet.

Visit my website www.TheBuckheadOffice.com to search available homes for sale by Buckhead neighborhood.

For more information about your neighborhood, feel free to contact me:

Carson Matthews
Associate Broker
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty
678-595-9286
www.TheBuckheadOffice.com

New Listing Videos

2011-08-04T12:22:00.000-04:00

So I've been trying my hand at making videos on youtube of all of my real estate listings. As you could imagine, of course there is a share button to add it straight to your Blogger blog, so I figured an explanation was in order as to why there are 4 videos under this post. There you have it, please check them out and let me know what you think. I think it certainly adds a whole new dimension and gives a potential buyer a great sense of what the house actually feels like. Enjoy.

1830 Ardmore Road, Atlanta GA 30309

2011-08-04T11:45:00.000-04:00

4600 Runnemede Road, Atlanta GA 30327

2011-08-04T11:44:00.001-04:00

3383 Paces Forest Road, Atlanta GA 30327

2011-08-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

1403 Towne Estates Drive, Atlanta GA 30319

2011-08-04T11:43:00.000-04:00

Atlanta Public School CRCT Cheating Investigations Made Public

2011-07-06T10:29:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to the AJC article and findings of the Atlanta Public Schools CRCT cheating investigation released by Governor Nathan Deal's office today from the AJC. While a couple of Buckhead schools are mentioned in the report, the biggest offense was accidental voice inflection, or being dramatic when reading certain words or phrases. The report concluded that no Buckhead principals cheated or were aware of cheating.

AJC Article
APS CRCT Investigation Vol. 1
APS CRCT Investigation Vol. 2
APS CRCT Investigation Vol. 3

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendant - An Endorsement for Dr. Alexis Kirijan

2011-06-09T13:53:00.000-04:00

a personal note from Amanda Rose-

The SACS-required program that APS must complete in order to maintain the district's accreditation is vital to the educational success of Atlanta's children. I am grateful for Dr. Alexis Kirijan's outstanding leadership in this matter. Integrity, diplomacy, patience and critical thinking are essential in uniting board members in this task and she embodies these characteristics. In the nearly 25 years I have known and loved Dr. Kirijan, she has handled life's challenges with grace and clarity of purpose.

In light of recent challenges within APS, the city is in need of a great leader for the children. It is with privilege and delight that I endorse Dr. Kirijan for the position of Superintendent of APS. Her dedication to improving education for children began decades ago; she has developed and implemented key programs and processes that have resulted in impressive achievements in classrooms, principals' offices and boardrooms in Georgia's largest school districts. Throughout most of my life I have witnessed with admiration her ability to beautifully manage time and resources. She is absolutely prepared and poised for this awesome endeavor; she will help heal the district and see it flourish.

Dr. Kirijan believes in the capabilities of children. She's committed to the hard work involved in equipping them with outstanding educational instruction that leads to excellence and enthusiasm for learning. This tremendous responsibility has become her purpose. The city ought to seize this opportunity to utilize outstanding local talent to insure first-class education for the city's youth. Dr. Kirijan will instill a sense of pride within the district and a spirit of cooperation among administration and the board.

Please quickly share this good news with your friends; a recommendation for superintendent will go to the board within days. Most importantly, email APS Board of Education members since they will determine who fills this position as well as Dr. Marvin Edwards, of the search firm, Hazard Young & Attea, that makes a superintendent recommendations to the board. See below for addresses and reference "Atlanta Public School's superintendent" so it doesn't get lost.

Amanda Rose - Atlanta, GA 30327

The Buckhead Spring Arts and Crafts Festival Returns to Chastain Park

2011-05-09T23:04:00.000-04:00

From the Chastain Park Blog

On May 14 & 15, 2011 the second annual Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival will be held on Park Drive in Chastain Park. More than 175 participants will include artists, crafters, antiques and furniture makers all operating under white top tents along the winding Park Drive on the north end of Chastain Park. Over 175 of the participants are from Georgia, making this event the largest festival for local artists in Atlanta.

The 2011 event will support the Chastain Dog Park campaign.
The festival route is between Dudley Drive (East entrance, near Chastain Playground) and Stella Drive (West entrance, near Chastain Park Amphitheater and the Blue lot).

The family friendly festival will include a children’s’ area with an inflatable play environment, regional foods, beverage stations, and an “antique alley” along with fine art and handcraft.

Festival hours are:
Sat., May 14, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun., May 15, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The event is free to attend. Free parking is available at the west end of the festival in the “Blue” lot and “Red” lot.

The festival is hosted by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces (www.affps.com), organized by volunteer local artists and endorsed by the Buckhead Coalition.

For more information:
Festival website: www.buckheadartsfestival.com
Phone: 404-845-0793
Contact: Patti Davis/ Patrick Dennis

Here are some pictures from the 2010 Spring Festival:

Open House in Chastain Park Sunday May 1, 2011

2011-04-28T10:46:00.000-04:00

This Sunday I will be holding 4600 Runnemede Road in Chastain Park open from 3-5pm. Please plan to stop by and see this wonderful home within walking distance of all that Chastain Park has to offer. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me, 678-595-9286.

Home Features:
▪ 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Full Baths
▪ 1/2 Acre +/- Lot
▪ Two-Car Garage Can Potentially Hold Three Cars
▪ Warren T. Jackson Elementary
▪ Offered at $495,000

View Home and Virtual Tour Online

Buckhead Home Available for Rent in Jackson Elementary

2011-04-19T12:11:00.000-04:00

If you or anyone you know is relocating to Atlanta or renovating a house and needs to rent in Buckhead and be in the Jackson Elementary School District, 1195 East Beechwood is a great family home available for $3200.00 per month. The house has 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, finished basement, and sits on 1.2 +/- private acres. Click through to my website to see all of the details and a virtual tour. 1195 East Beechwood

Garden Party to Support Historic Peachtree Heights East Duck Pond

2011-04-01T15:39:00.000-04:00

Neighbors, friends and members of the community are invited to attend the 2011 Peachtree Heights East Garden Party, hosted by The Ladies of the Lake Garden Club. The event will be held on Sunday, May 1st from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Duck Pond.

The May Day themed event raises funds to help maintain Atlanta’s beloved Peachtree Heights East Duck Pond Parks. The Duck Pond Parks are home to well-kept ponds and waterways, birds, bridges and benches. This urban oasis in the heart of Buckhead is privately owned and maintained by the neighborhood, but is available for the public's use.

Admission includes a cocktail buffet, live music and a silent auction, showcasing items donated from neighbors and community businesses. Habersham Gardens nursery will provide the "Potting Shed” and a May Day Hat Competition will take place, so wear your prettiest or most creative hat along with your garden party attire!

Tickets for the event may be purchased for $35 in advance or $40 at the door. For advance purchases please visit www.ladiesofthelake.org or mail a check, prior to April 21, to “Ladies of the Lake.” at P.O. Box 14942, Atlanta, GA 30324. Net proceeds benefit the Duck Pond Parks and Ladies of the Lake.
This party is for adults only. Please visit www.ladiesofthelake.org for any other details.

View Larger Map

Planting Guide for Gardeners in Atlanta

2011-03-21T09:00:00.001-04:00

Having Buckhead as a backdrop in everyday life is not so bad thanks to all of the wonderful gardeners out there. I spend a great deal of time driving the streets of Buckhead and am always amazed at how beautiful the yards are, but at the same time upset that I didn't know to plant bulbs in late November for them to bloom in the Spring, or to apply a crabgrass preventer in February to my front lawn.

Gardening advice is local and I have found the perfect guide for Atlanta. Pike Nursery has a Monthly Gardening Advice Calendar on their website that breaks down what you need to plan for and execute each month. You can find the calendar by visiting their website www.PikeNursery.com -> Tips & Advice -> Monthly Gardening Advice.

Two big projects for me this year are planting azaleas and hydrangeas in the back yard. According to the calendar I will plant azaleas in April and wait until June to plant hydrangeas.

Be sure and check out the monthly gardening advice and here's to a beautiful yard year around!

Here is the March calendar, so get started: http://www.pikenursery.com/tipsandadvice/monthly/mar.html

New Site Named for North Atlanta High School

2011-02-15T07:55:00.000-05:00

Early this morning I received an email from Jim King notifying us that the Atlanta Board of Education authorized Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to move forward with negotiations for the purchase of new land located at 4111 Northside Parkway (IBM site) which will be the new site for North Atlanta High School.

While this may not be the most convenient location for a lot of the kids that are in the North Atlanta High School District, it is the biggest and offers the most "opportunity" for building out a state of the art school and facility. The new location is a 16 minute drive from Sarah Smith Elementary School primary campus on Old Ivy which is likely the furthest school from the new site.

Atlanta School Board Member Nancy Meister's letter to District 4 Constituents stated "The process has been very involved, many sites were considered, and I am quite pleased with the Administration's recommendation. A 56 acre property, such as this, will allow the district to stay ahead of the anticipated growth. The proposed location will allow for athletic facilities such as a football practice field, soccer field, softball field and baseball field. Long term, I would anticipate the property to allow the district to expand athletic facilities and other opportunities."

The other big contenders were the former Home Depot site on Sydney Marcus, the Paces Apartment complex on East Andrews Drive, and another site on Howell Mill near Northside Pkwy.

Below is a google map of the new location.

View Larger Map

AM 1690's Sidewalk Radio Focuses on Peachtree Street

2011-02-10T14:58:00.000-05:00

AM 1690’s “Sidewalk Radio’s” February Show Focuses on Famed “Peachtree Street”

Host Gene Kansas talks Atlanta’s famous street with Architects, Designers, Preservationists and More

Tune into AM 1690 on February 14^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm or online at www.1690wmlb.com.

On Sidewalk Radio’s February show, “Peachtree Street”, the phrase “street smart” takes on new meaning as some of Atlanta’s brightest minds share their expertise and insights about our city’s icon, our connective landmark, the history laden, world famous Peachtree Street. There is Broadway in New York, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Sunset in LA, and Bourbon in New Orleans, but Peachtree Street is more than famous…it is a living, breathing, archeological diorama of Atlanta’s history told through its transitioning neighborhoods and ascending architecture. Join host, Gene Kansas, as he explores the history, lore, legacy, culture and character of a street whose name really came from a pine tree. See, it’s already getting interesting.

To discuss the past, present and future of urban planning, transit and architecture is David Green AIA, LEED AP, and Senior Urban Designer with internationally renowned architecture and design firm, Perkins+Will. In addition to his applied professional chops, Green also adds a professor’s point of view, gained from more than 20 years of teaching at Georgia Tech, helping to educate us about how cities develop and why Peachtree is so important to Atlanta.

Preservationist Mark McDonald, President & CEO of The Georgia Trust, will enlighten listeners about the street that boasts such treasures as The Georgian Terrace, The Temple, The High Museum, and The “Fabulous” Fox Theater, saved from certain destruction through a grassroots effort in 1974. McDonald also discusses important places we’ve lost and “Places in Peril” that we need to protect.

Adding some real legs to the tour along this famous route is Atlanta Track Club’s Executive Director, Tracey Russell, in charge of putting on The Peachtree Road Race. In its first year, 110 runners finished the race. 41 years later, on July 4th 2011, 60,000 participants will take part in the world’s largest event of its kind. Russell runs down a long list of impressive stories and statistics that will have you entertained and intrigued from start to finish.

Lastly, very much a place-maker, Shannon Powell, COO of The Midtown Alliance, rounds out the guest list taking us back 15 years to shed new light on a neighborhood that at one time was so unsavory you would not have walked down Peachtree at night, but now is thriving with the arts, restaurants, residences, and the promise of incredible street level retail along “The Magnificent Mile”.

Peachtree has come a long way, both literally and figuratively, growing and developing in parallel with the city, and spawning 71 variations of its name along the way. And, just like in the treaties of the Creek Indians that inhabited our land before Peachtree, the “pitch” still holds us together, symbolizing the vows that we have to history. Tune into AM 1690 on February 14^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm (or online via the Listen Live link at www.1690wmlb.com) to hear Sidewalk Radio’s “Peachtree Street”. Otherwise, download “Peachtree Street” via ITunes or Sidewalk Radio http://sidewalkradio.wordpress.com. Click here to download “Peachtree Street” and previous Sidewalk Radio shows from ITunes.