Mary Ellen Vanaken Team: July 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Home Showing Process, Quick Simple Steps!

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty http://www.mevhomes.com

The home showing process involves quick simple steps! To begin with if a real estate agent is present (the buyer's or your own) let the agents do their work and don't jump in to point out your homes features. They know their buyers and they know what the like. If you are at home when buyers arrive with their agent, grab the family and your pets and take a walk.

If you are at home when an agent and buyers arrive, silence on your part is the best plan of action. Smile through the introductions, and then gather all the family members in one room and remain there throughout the showing. Try to stay out of the kitchen. People like to feel roominess there and look closely at appliances.

Arranging to be out of the house will be relatively easy if the agent has made an appointment with you, but sometimes you'll have a showing on short notice.

Home Showing Process, Quick Simple Steps:

Showing your home on short notice can be difficult, but you can prepare your home in as little as fifteen minutes. Here are some basic steps to follow.

Turn on all the lights and ceiling fans.
Make the beds and hang up the clothes.
Close closet doors.
Put laundry into baskets in the laundry room (better yet take the laundry in baskets with you.)
Load the dishwasher.
Straighten the rugs and fluff up throw pillows.
Clear surfaces of food products and clutter.
Remove pets and their food bowls and litter boxes.
Run the vacuum over rugs and floors.
Head out of the house!

This can be done easily if, showing or no showing, the house is kept in good order every day. A simple check list will shorten prep time.

Some days will be more difficult than others. Perhaps you oversleep. You don't make the bed when you get out of it, last night's dishes are in the sink, and you feel like your house is a disaster. Make your apologies and show it anyway! It is better to be a little embarrassed than to miss having a potential buyer see the house.

Extra Touches Make The Difference:

The smell of fresh cookies or bread always makes a house more inviting. Baking cookies for an open house is a good idea; everyone can eat the cookies as they tour your home. Don't have time? Then light a cinnamon flavored candle. In the winter, simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, gloves and bay leaves.

When you're looking for a partner to help you negotiate the complexities of selling a home, you've come to the right place. The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty are experts in the North Atlanta Georgia areas, including Milton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Dunwoody, Cumming, Suwanee, and Duluth. The experience, dedication and strong communication you'll receive here will help ensure the successful and profitable sale of your home. We provide:

1. The Local Advantage - Take advantage of a broad spectrum of technologies and tools to support the sale of your home from start to close.
2. Internet Advertising - Since the lion's share of home buyers starts their search on the internet, top placement on search engines is essential. You'll gain access to placement on Google, MSNBC, and other websites. This will maximize your exposure and bring a large number of potential buyers to view information about your home.
3. Email Campaigns - It's important to "work the network." We can work together to identify the right people to target your home-and get in touch with them by email to drive excitement and interest.
4. Personal Touch - Of course, technology alone won't sell your home. Face-to-face interaction provides the advantage to sell your home-and you won't have to worry about a thing. The details will be handled with care and constant communication, to ensure the marketing and sale of your home go smoothly.

Home Listing Syndication

Your home can be advertised on websites all across the web, making sure buyers see your home and everything it offers. Here are just a few of many of the national sites where your home will appear:

Home Showing Process, Quick Simple Steps!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Independent Schools, North Atlanta

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty http://www.mevhomes.com

Independent Schools in North Atlanta offer a variety of options for every student and every family. Whether you are looking for an independent school that is large or small, coed or gender separate, the North Atlanta area has many to choose from.

The Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) is an organization that can provide you with a list of independent schools in North Atlanta and the surrounding areas. They are an organization of private, independent, and parochial schools throughout the state of Georgia. GISA's mission is to advance excellence and collaboration among the states independent schools. You will find that each school is unique, while sharing a commitment to overall excellence. GISA was created to provide coordination of services for member schools, share information between and among the schools, and to join state and national bodies in offering guidance on meaningful and consequential educational topics. Each member school is fully accredited by one or more of the nationally recognized Regional accreditation bodies: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) / AdvancEd; and/or the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). GISA too is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS); the Georgia Private Education Council (GPEC); and the Council for American Private Education.

While most independent schools in North Atlanta are college preparatory, offering small classes, stressing a rich curriculum and emphasizing individual attention, they also encourage each student’s responsibility and service to the community. The enrollment in schools varies from 75 to over 2800, with campuses that are rural, suburban, and urban; student bodies are predominantly co-educational with a smaller number of schools serving as single sex schools, boarding, and day facilities.

Looking for a home in the North Atlanta area? Look no further, The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty is ready to assist you. As a real estate team who are experts in this local area, we bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It's not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-to-date information.

NORTH ATLANTA HOMES FOR SALE

North Atlanta Homes under $100,000

North Atlanta Homes $100,000 - 200,000

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North Atlanta Luxury Homes

Independent Schools in North Atlanta offer a variety of options for every student and every family. The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty can offer you a variety of options in homes close to the schools of your choice. Contact us today!

Independent Schools, North Atlanta

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Selling Your Home - Now Could Be The Time!

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty http://www.mevhomes.com 678-665-2887

The National Association of Realtors and the Georgia Association of Realtors monthly sales reports indicate more stability in the housing market compared to last year, when sales and prices reached decade-long lows. So now may be the time for you to sell!

Allow The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty to assist you today in selling your home. When you're looking for a partner to help you negotiate the complexities of selling a home, you've come to the right place. The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty are experts in the North Atlanta Georgia areas, including Milton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Dunwoody, Cumming, Suwanee, and Duluth. The experience, dedication and strong communication you'll receive here will help ensure the successful and profitable sale of your home. We provide:

1. The Local Advantage - Take advantage of a broad spectrum of technologies and tools to support the sale of your home from start to close.
2. Internet Advertising - Since the lion's share of home buyers starts their search on the internet, top placement on search engines is essential. You'll gain access to placement on Google, MSNBC, and other websites. This will maximize your exposure and bring a large number of potential buyers to view information about your home.
3. Email Campaigns - It's important to "work the network." We can work together to identify the right people to target your home-and get in touch with them by email to drive excitement and interest.
4. Personal Touch - Of course, technology alone won't sell your home. Face-to-face interaction provides the advantage to sell your home-and you won't have to worry about a thing. The details will be handled with care and constant communication, to ensure the marketing and sale of your home go smoothly.

Home Listing Syndication

Your home can be advertised on websites all across the web, making sure buyers see your home and everything it offers. Here are some of the national sites where your home will appear:

Selling Your Home - Now Could Be The Time!

Monday, July 22, 2013

How To Prepare For A Move

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.com

How to prepare for a move involves some simple steps. To take the stress out of the move, start simple and create a list. By breaking down your moving tasks, you will find that the move into your new home can be easy.

First steps include:

- scheduling a mover 2 months prior to your move, start packing early so you don't become overwhelmed, and keep a file with all your moving receipts (some maybe tax deductible!)

Second steps include the following:

- Take one room at a time and purge anything that you know you will never use or is old and unusable. Make a bag of any good will items.

- Depending on the size of your current house, purchase at 25-30 boxes so that you do not have to make several trips. Once you pack up these boxes, you will get a better idea of how many more boxes you will need. Boxes can be purchased at storage facilities and Home Depot.

- Purchase bubble wrap and some butcher paper as well.

- Save your newspapers prior to your move – newspapers are good for wrapping things.

- Purchase clear packing tape.

- Purchase stick on labels for each box and label the contents of each box. Give each box a number and a color.

- Purchase colored circle labels or square labels and stick one color on each box. Decide which color will represent which room the box goes into.

- Keep a separate list of the box numbers and items in the boxes.

- Find your instruction manuals for all electronics and anything that needs to be connected or assembled. Put them in a large envelope and put them in a safe place where they are easily accessible.

- Keep a tool box accessible on moving day and know where it is when you move into your new home. Take it with you.

One Month Before you Move:

- Go to the post office and fill out a change of address form with the date you would like your mail to start being delivered to your new location.

- Notify medical doctors, dentist, eye doctor, schools, work, etc. of your new address.

Two Weeks Before you Move:

- Notify the following companies of your new address: cable, electric, telephone, gas, home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, charge card companies, bank, etc. of your new address.

One Week Before you Move:

- Pack your valuables, these include passport, insurance papers, property deeds, auto-mobile ownership, etc as well as cash and jewelry. Plan to keep these valuables with you.

- Clear the refrigerator.

One Day Before You Move:

- Confirm with your moving company that you are scheduled for the date and time agreed upon

- Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator.

- Clean your stove

- Pack medications and any other necessities

- Gather up house keys for new owner

Day of your Move:

- Point out to moving crew anything that is extremely delicate.

- Do a final walk through to make sure you have taken everything with you.

Need more advice on how to prepare for a move, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty today at http://www.mevhomes.com. Our team are experts in the North Atlanta communities of Alpharetta, Cumming, Roswell, Milton and Dunwoody.

How To Prepare For A Move

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Windward Home Available - 2350 Blackheath Trace, Alpharetta Georgia

Golf Club of Georgia Home For Sale located at 2350 Blackheath Trace in Alpharetta, Georgia

Presented by The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.

This gorgeous European hard coat stucco home overlooks Lake Windward and The Golf Club of Georgia in the gated section of Northshore.

You will find this home offers three finished levels with great attention to detail. The two story foyer is enhanced with a beautiful crystal chandelier. Continue into the home and you will be in awe of the grand formal dining room, mahongany paneled study, welcoming keeping room, and peaceful family room. The expansive home all provides you with two master suites and a Chef's kitchen just waiting for you to create your own menus and dinner parties.

A sense of amazement awaits when you see the views of the lake and golf course from both inside and outside the home. The finished level is an entertainer's delight with a billard's room, full bar with sitting area, media room, sauna, exercise room, hot tub. This home has it all and is waiting for you!

Located in a wonderful Windward community this Golf Club of Georgia Home for sale is breathtaking. Imagine a gorgeous, fun private lake community, with one of the top golf courses in Georgia with superb tennis facilities to produce club level fun and competition, ALTA winners, and even top college players. Also available are swimming and diving pools and kids water fun, and unrivaled play facilities. You will find a sports park for basketball, volleyball, softball and more!


2350 Blackheath Trace, Alpharetta, GA

The 3,400 acre community is set amount the rolling, wooded hills of North Fulton County. More than 2,400 families call Windward home. Located off Georgia 400 in Alpharetta and 15 miles north of I-285 and 26 miles from downtown Atlanta. The area has some of the finest public and private schools. Alpharetta is top rated for its parks and recreation facilities and for fire/police effectiveness.

For a showing of this Windward Home Available - 2350 Blackheath Trace, Alpharetta Georgia and other Golf Club of Georgia Homes for sale, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.com. Mary Ellen and her team have lived and worked in the area of Alpharetta Georgia for over 15+ years and are experts in the area and are able to assist you with all your moving needs.

For more pictures and information click here:
2350 Blackheath Trace, Alpharetta Georgia

Windward Home Available - 2350 Blackheath Trace, Alpharetta Georgia

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Buying A Second Home In Georgia

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.com

Thinking about buying a second home in Georgia? Whether you're looking for an investment property, a vacation home, a place for your college student, or a place to eventually retire, consider these important points:

1: Does A Second Home Make Financial Sense

You want your second house purchase to be a sound financial move. Tally up your expenses, factoring in any extra costs based on the fact that you won't be there every day (such as hiring a management company). Build up your cash reserve, and, if you plan on renting out the property, determine how much you can expect from rental income.

2: Where And What Type of Home Will You Buy

A home in a badly chosen location will have a hard time reselling or renting. Rely on market research and your own personal preferences. Look into the strength of the local economy, trends in house resale values, convenience and amenities, property tax rates, the quality of local schools and medical care, and more.

3: Look At The Tax Implications

Second-home owners need to worry about both property taxes (which vary by state and locality) and, if renting out the place, income tax. A little advance planning during the house-hunting process can save you thousands of dollars a year.

4: Come up With Short-Term Cash and Long-Term Financing

Most people pay for their home with a combination of a down payment and a loan for the remaining amount. The higher your down payment, the lower the loan, and the more house you can therefore afford. By reviewing the various mortgage options and sample payment schedules and factoring in your own short- and long-term goals, you should be able to find a mortgage that suits you.

5: Consider Other Financing Methods

Consider borrowing from parents, siblings, or close friends lets you keep the tens of thousands of dollars in interest you'll pay over the life of your mortgage loan within your circle, rather than handing it over to a bank. Or consider partnering with another purchaser; for example; sharing a vacation home in the sun. Shared ownership is a growing trend.

6: Be A Prepared Landlord

Some second-home owners plan to rent out their properties long-term with the idea of eventually turning a profit. Others just want to rent out their property periodically as a means to offset expenses. Finding good tenants or trustworthy vacation renters, understanding and preparing leases or short-term agreements, and dealing with ongoing management and repairs are issues to consider.

7: Protect Your Second Home

Protect your second home before you buy. Get a home inspection prior to purchasing. You may need to purchase title insurance in case problems surface after the purchase. Lenders require hazard insurance, to protect your property against damage from such causes as theft, fire, flooding, or windstorms. The cost of insurance for second homes is usually higher than for first homes, since you won't be there as much.

Are you considering buying a second home in Georgia? Then contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty today - http://www.mevhomes.com. The Vanaken Team has over 15+ years experience and expertise in the North Atlanta communities of Alpharetta, Cumming, Duluth, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. The experience, dedication and strong communication you'll receive here will help ensure the successful and profitable sale of your home.

We provide:

1. The Local Advantage - Take advantage of a broad spectrum of technologies and tools to support the sale of your home from start to close.
2. Internet Advertising - Since the lion's share of home buyers starts their search on the internet, top placement on search engines is essential. You'll gain access to placement on Google, MSNBC, and other websites. This will maximize your exposure and bring a large number of potential buyers to view information about your home.
3. Email Campaigns - It's important to "work the network." We can work together to identify the right people to target your home-and get in touch with them by email to drive excitement and interest.
4. Personal Touch - Of course, technology alone won't sell your home. Face-to-face interaction provides the advantage to sell your home-and you won't have to worry about a thing. The details will be handled with care and constant communication, to ensure the marketing and sale of your home go smoothly.


BUYING A SECOND HOME IN GEORGIA!

Buying A Second Home In Georgia

Monday, July 15, 2013

Stylish Georgia Kitchen Trends

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.com

Stylish Georgia kitchen trends offer many choices for the home. These hot kitchen design ideas can make your kitchen more beautiful, more functional, and better organized than ever.

Kitchens are now known as the new family room with cabinets that look like furniture and counters as dining tables.

White cabinets are a versatile choice for any kitchen. White cabinetry opens a room to a number of color palettes and turns the kitchen into a backdrop that can be embellished.

Stainless-steel appliances bring a sophisticated feel to the kitchen. The silver lines bring a polished look to refrigerators, stoves, and even trash compactors and waste bins.

Work zones are highly popular with baking centers, coffee bars, wine-tasting nooks, and pizza-making stations.

Walk in pantries are perfect for families who require must-have kitchen items in quantity. Snacks, canned goods, baking supplies, and even surplus goods such as paper towels and aluminum foil are hidden behind closed doors.

As people become increasingly tech-savvy, popular electronic items, such as wall-mount televisions, sound systems, and computers, are now located in the kitchen.

Eco friendly products made from sustainable materials are increasingly popular. Counter tops made from recycled glass and cabinetry made from bamboo or wheat board are showing up in today's kitchens.

Integrated appliances like refrigerators have become ever larger, but new technology and techniques make them virtually invisible. Cabinetry panels discreetly hide appliances like this, allowing the room's style to be the focus.

Many functional and comfortable kitchens have layered lighting. A series of recessed fixtures provide ambient light. Chandeliers and pendants are popular products for task lighting over an island or seating area. Accent lighting above and below cabinets -- or in a glass-front cabinet -- highlight special areas of the kitchen.

Stylish Georgia kitchen trends are hot and so is the Georgia Real Estate market! Now is the time to find that perfect home with that perfect kitchen. Contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.com

Stylish Georgia Kitchen Trends

Monday, July 8, 2013

Single Women Home Buyers In Georgia

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty http://www.mevhomes.com

Single women home buyers in Georgia are a fast growing segment in the real estate market. Single women are buying homes at more than twice the rate of single men, buying one out of every five properties sold in the U.S.

Women have their own priorities and concerns when it comes to choosing a home. First, women want a home close proximity to the workplace and to cultural activities. Second personal safety and security of the property is important. And third, worries about keeping up with home repairs, and fear of being taken advantage of by a crooked contractor, is a concern for single women home buyers in Georgia.

The following suggestions will eliminate the stress of setting up a house for single women home buyers in Georgia.

Even with a newer home, drains still get clogged, shelves and drapes still need to be hung, and nail holes must be patched. For such basic improvement and upkeep projects that don't require the help of a professional, women need confidence and a good set of tools.

Assemble a tool kit. A basic set should include: finish hammer, set of screwdrivers (or single multi-head model), pipe wrench, utility knife, needle nose pliers, wire cutters, measuring tape, level, putty knife, and small saw.

Build your skills. In addition to the women-only tool and DIY tutorials offered at home centers, many community college and vocational schools offer co-ed courses in basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical.

For those times when you do need a pro, keep in mind that a good contractor, plumber, painter, or landscape professional is someone who has the skills and experience to deliver a quality job at a fair price.

Find reputable trades people by asking friends and family for referrals.

Contact professionals directly and ask for the names and phone numbers of some of his or her other clients—and actually call them.

Get multiple bids on any job; typically the ones in the middle price range are the most realistic.

Get everything in writing. A contract should always include the start and end dates, a payment schedule (never pay in full for work that isn't completed to your satisfaction), materials and labor costs, a detailed project description, proof of insurance, and a clause stating the work will conform to local building codes.

Are you a single woman looking for a home in Georgia? Contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty - http://www.mevhomes.com. Mary Ellen Vanaken understands what it's like to be a single woman looking for a own home. With over 15+ years of experience in the communities of North Atlanta, Mary Ellen can provide you with all the tools it takes to find the perfect home just right for you! Contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team today!