Friday, May 27, 2016

3304 Chipping Wood Court Alpharetta Georgia New Price!


3304 Chipping Wood Court Alpharetta Georgia Now Available

Presented by The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team - Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta
New Price - $599,999 - wow!


This meticulously maintained jewel at 3304 Chipping Wood Court in Alpharetta, Georgia's desirable gated community of Crooked Creek, boasts golf & lake views. 

Nestled back on the double cul de sac of a shade tree half acre lot, this elegant home features the most glorious views in the community. You will feel the day unwind as you relax on the back deck and take in the views of the community lake and the 17th hole of the golf course. 

Gleaming hardwood floors, in the grand foyer, draw you into the home and flow through to the dining room and kitchen.  Family meals prepared in the newly painted kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances is a chefs dream. There are plenty of cabinets for storage and counter space to spread out your dishes. The kids will love watching meals being prepared while sitting at the breakfast bar. Experience gentle breezes from the kitchens bay window as you sip your morning coffee.


The carpeted family room with a warm fireplace with fabulous built in bookcases on either side. The triple arched windows overlook the best views of the neighborhood showcasing the 17th hole of the golf course and lake. Step out onto your back deck and summer grilling will be joy. 


The homes 5 large bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths are just perfect for your large family and guests who come to visit. Children will find the bedrooms are perfect for resting, studying and playing. A 3 car side garage provides plenty of room for your cars, bikes and more.  

Imagine entertaining friends and family in your finished terrace level that is complete with a full bar with a pass through into the sitting area with a stone stacked fireplace and built-in bookcases. You will find there is plenty of additional space for watching TV, exercising or creating a home office. Access to private back yard is a bonus for those who love nature. 

Children who live here on Chipping Wood Court will attend the following schools:
 

Crooked Creek is one of the largest neighborhoods in the North Atlanta area and provides a wonderful southern lifestyle. The HOA fee is approximately $1,646 per household and residents enjoy amazing amenities including a Club House, Swimming Pool, Lighted Tennis Courts, Golf, and more. The pool activities offer fun for the whole family including holiday pool parties, music, birthday parties, special events, swim lessons and a swim team.  The lighted, hard tennis courts allow for both instruction and competitive teams. 

Privacy & sophistication combine to make this home a stunner with a convenient drive from downtown Alpharetta, Verizon Amphitheatre, mutliple parks, athletic fields, parks, shopping, restaurants and Georgia Highway 400.

This home is offered at $599,999. Contact us today for more details and to schedule a showing:

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team
Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta
5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
www.northatlantaluxury.com
678.929.6529

3304 Chipping Wood Court Alpharetta Georgia Now Available




Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Charming Home At 1575 Dawn Valley Trail, Cumming Ga

Charming Home At 1575 Dawn Valley Trail, Cumming Ga

You'll love this charming, two story home with a relaxing rocking chair front porch. 

This home will be able to view during an Open House - Sunday, May 22nd, 2:00-4:00PM.

1575 Dawn Valley Trail
The newly painted 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with a 2 car garage will give you a generous open floor plan. Light oak colored hard wood floors draw you into the home and continue into the family room, dining room and kitchen. Bedrooms are large and bright and provide space for your kids to relax, study and play.

NEW Screened-in Porch

Enjoy the new screened-in porch with views of a private, leveled and fenced-in backyard. The back yard is perfect for a game of Badminton, Cornhole or to build your dream pool. Access to the porch is from the partially finished basement that provides plenty of room to spread out, watch the big game, play a game of ping pong and entertain your kids. 


For a VIDEO TOUR of this Charming Home At 1575 Dawn Valley Trail, Cumming Ga click below:



Situated in the friendly community of THORNGATE with a sought after school system in Cumming, Georgia, the amenities include Swimming Pool, Lighted Tennis Courts, Playground, Basketball Court, Clubhouse and Homeowner's Association.


Thorngate Community Pool
This home retains the value of peaceful living while being conveniently close to shops, schools and the Greenway Trail. Children who live in THORNGATE  will attend the following schools: Cumming Elementary, Otwell Middle School, Central High School

Offered at $329,900,  this property is only available to the buyer who acts NOW! Stop ready and start calling - 678.929.6529. Or Contact us by clicking HERE!


https://www.google.com/maps/place/1575+Dawn+Valley+Tr,+Cumming,+GA+30040/@34.204792,-84.1789797,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x88f584ba1b880a83:0x67f37a947d14c49d!8m2!3d34.204792!4d-84.170225
Location of 1575 Dawn Valley Trail, Cumming, GA
Cumming, Georgia provides a growing business community, mixed with a small town ambiance within thirty minutes to the city of Atlanta. Here, businesses and residents alike, enjoy a friendly community complete with a thriving economy and a school system known for its excellence.

Cumming, Georgia is a part of Forsyth County, a county known to be a very affluent due to its closeness to downtown Atlanta and the commuter appeal for people working in Atlanta.

During the recent suburban expansion and rising housing prices of surrounding counties, a large amount of affluent professionals moved to Forsyth County and specifically Cumming, Georgia.

Cumming, Georgia's nearness to Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with bordering the 37,000 acre Lake Sidney Lanier makes the city a perfect place to live and do business. As the area remains one of the fastest growing communities in the nation, and with a School System that ranks among the highest, it is no wonder people love to live here.

This home is presented by

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team
Keller Williams Realty - North Atlanta
5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
www.northatlantaluxury.com
678.929.6529
   

Charming Home At 1575 Dawn Valley Trail, Cumming Ga 

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Home Selling Tips That Will Get You Moving

Home Selling Tips That Will Get You Moving



Eight steps to selling your home


  1. Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you'd like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. We will work with you to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.
  2. Name your price. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers. You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It's often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price on your home, so your real estate agent's expertise is invaluable at this step. We will know what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done. This typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You're always better off setting a fair market value price than setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with newer, reasonably priced listings.
  3. Prepare your home. Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition. We tend to overlook piles of boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It's time to break out of that owner's mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. We can help you take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers.  A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized decor will help buyers visualize the home as theirs.  Make minor repairs and replacements. Small defects, such as a leaky faucet, a torn screen or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer's first impression.* Clutter is a big no-no when showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves and cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible. Click here for TIPS ON STAGING YOUR HOME.
  4. Get the word out. Now that you're ready to sell, we will set up a marketing strategy specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including: The Internet (follow us on Facebook), Yard signs, Open houses, Media advertising, Agent-to-agent referrals, Direct mail marketing campaigns in addition to listing your home on the MLS, we will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to your home. We will structure the marketing plan so that the first three to six weeks are the busiest.
  5. Receive an offer. When you receive a written offer from a potential buyer, we will first find out whether or not the individual is prequalified or preapproved to buy your home. If so, then you and your agent will review the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following: * Legal description of the property * Offer price * Down payment * Financing arrangements * List of fees and who will pay them * Deposit amount * Inspection rights and possible repair allowances * Method of conveying the title and who will handle the closing * Appliances and furnishings that will stay with the home * Settlement date * Contingencies At this point, you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counter offer), or reject it. Remember: Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding. If you have any questions or concerns, be certain to address them with your real estate agent right away.
  6. Negotiate to sell. Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. We are well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in your area and will protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. We also know what each contract clause means, what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items: * Price * Financing * Closing costs * Repairs * Appliances and fixtures * Landscaping * Painting * Move-in date. Once both parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, your agent will prepare a contract.
  7. Prepare to close. Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired. We can spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the buyer's agent and service providers. Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing.Important reminder: A few days before the closing, you will want to contact the entity that is closing the transaction and make sure the necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. Also, begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move if you have not done so.
  8. Close the deal. "Closing" refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as planned. By being present during the closing, he or she can mediate any last-minute issues that may arise. In some states, an attorney is required and you may wish to have one present. After the closing, you should make a "to do" list for turning the property over to the new owners. Here is a checklist to get you started.* Cancel electricity, gas, lawn care, cable and other routine services.* If the new owner is retaining any of the services, change the name on the account.* Gather owner's manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances. 
If you have a Luxury Home to sell, Mary Ellen Vanaken is a certified Luxury Home Specialist.
Recognized as the mark of accomplishment in luxury markets around the world, the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designation assures affluent buyers and sellers that the agents who have earned it have the knowledge, experience, competence, and confidence they require.
Members of The Institute who hold the CLHMS designation have documented performance in the TOP 10% of their markets, and have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market. Watch our video below about the value of working with a Luxury Home Specialist:





Home Selling Tips That Will Get You Moving

Thursday, May 5, 2016

13271 Kemper Road, Alpharetta, Georgia - Open House



13271 Kemper Road, Alpharetta, Georgia - Open House

An OPEN HOUSE will be held Saturday, May 7th from 11AM - 2PM.  1327 Kemper Road, Alpharetta, Georgia. Contact Agent On Duty for entrance into the gated community - 678-468-5477. 

A place to relax and play, this townhouse sits in a gated community in prestigious Alpharetta, Georgia. The floor plan encompasses 5 spacious bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a bright and stylish kitchen that flows into the family room. Dark walnut colored hardwood floors flow throughout the main level of the home that includes a main level bedroom. A 2 car garage completes this impressive home. 


Deerfield Landing is a gated community of two and three story townhomes located off McGinnis Ferry Road and Windward Parkway in upscale Alpharetta and convenient to Georgia Highway 400! The home is minutes to local shopping, restaurants, public and private schools and recreation. Deerfield Landing provides swim and tennis for all residents. 
13271 Kemper Road, Alpharetta, Georgia is offered at $289,000

Schools include Manning Oaks Elementary, Hopewell Middle School and Alpharetta High School.

Alpharetta High School is ranked 10th in the state of Georgia and is one of the most sought after school districts. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement courses. The student body makeup is 50 percent male and 50 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 46 percent. Alpharetta High School is 1 of 19 high schools in Fulton County and The Atlanta Magazine named Alpharetta High School one of the metro Atlanta area's best all-around high schools. Competitive sports at Alpharetta High School include football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, wrestling, tennis, track and field, cross country, volleyball, swimming, diving, cheerleading, and golf. Not officially recognized by Georgia High School Association, additional athletic activities however do include rugby, fencing, cricket, ice hockey, and ping pong.



Alpharetta, Georgia provides a growing business community, mixed with a small town ambiance within thirty minutes to the city of Atlanta. Here, businesses and residents alike, enjoy a friendly community complete with a thriving economy and a school system known for its excellence. Alpharetta is what it claims itself to be: Awesome! Alpharetta offers its residents a thriving culinary scene, luxury accommodations, exciting recreation, trendy entertainment and endless shopping opportunities. The schools are top rated - both public and private. Homes are stunning! With golf communities, swim/tennis communities and communities with their own private lake, you will find a variety to choose from. 

An OPEN HOUSE will be held Saturday, May 7th from 11AM - 2PM.  1327 Kemper Road, Alpharetta, Georgia. Contact Agent On Duty for entrance into the gated community - 678-468-5477. 

This home is presented by The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team - Keller Williams North Atlanta, 5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30005. www.northatlantaluxury.com

13271 Kemper Road, Alpharetta, Georgia - Open House

Monday, May 2, 2016

Deciding How Much House You Can Afford

Deciding how much house you can afford




Your lender decides what you can borrow but you decide what you can afford. Lenders are careful, but they make qualification decisions based on averages and formulas. They won't understand the nuances of your lifestyle and spending patterns quite as well as you do. So, leave a little room for the unexpected - for all the new opportunities your home will give you to spend money, from furnishings, to landscaping, to repairs.

Historically, banks use a ratio called 28/36 to decide how much borrowers could borrow. An approved housing payment couldn't be more than 28 percent of the buyer's gross monthly income, and his or her total debt load, including car payments, student loans, and credit card payments, couldn't be more than 36 percent. (In Canada lenders apply similar formulas to determine how much a buyer can afford. The Gross Debt Service ratio, or GDS, is not to exceed 32 percent of the buyer's gross monthly income, and the Total Debt Service ratio, or TDS, is not to exceed 40 percent of the buyer's total debt load.) As home prices have risen, some lenders have responded by stretching these ratios to as high as 50 percent. No matter how expensive your market though, we urge you to think carefully before stretching your budget quite so much.

Deciding how much you can afford should involve some careful attention to how your financial profile will change in the upcoming years. In the long run, your own peace of mind and security will matter most.

For more information on buying a home in North Atlanta, contact us today! CLICK HERE.

Deciding How Much House You Can Afford