Researching North Atlanta Neighborhoods

Researching North Atlanta Neighborhoods

One of the things that frustrates both clients and REALTORS® is that due to Fair Housing laws, we are prohibited from commenting on whether or not a neighborhood is “safe.” The web, however, fills that void nicely with a variety of tools when Researching North Atlanta Neighborhoods. One tool that’s very useful: CrimeReports.com. Just enter an address and the map populates with recent crime data, including police calls and arrests.

Another valuable tool as you narrow the search is the local police department. Just give them a call or check online to get the rundown on crime.

One more useful site as you are getting to know the area is the sex offender registry.

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES:
Georgia Sex Offender Registry http://gbi.georgia.gov/georgia-sex-offender-registry



OTHER SITES - Researching North Atlanta Neighborhoods:

Alpharetta Police - http://www.road-police.com/police/Georgia/Alpharetta/property_3131/police.html
Cumming Police - http://cummingpd.net/
Duluth Police - http://www.duluthga.net/departments/police_departments/index.php
Dunwoody Police - http://dunwoodyga.gov/index.php?section=dunwoodypd
Johns Creek Police - http://www.johnscreekga.gov/Services/police.aspx
Milton Police - http://www.cityofmiltonga.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={62F4A19F-4962-4217-B250-C9AA3B138F41}
Roswell Police - http://roswellpolice.com/pd/
Sandy Springs Police - http://sandyspringspolice.org/
Suwanee Police - http://www.suwanee.com/cityhall.policedepartment.php

For additional information on neighborhoods in the North Atlanta area, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty today - 678.929.6529.

Researching North Atlanta Neighborhoods

Lakeside at Ansley Spring Caravan, Roswell Georgia

Lakeside at Ansley Spring Caravan, Roswell Georgia

Tuesday, April 21st 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
10 Agent Minimum - Must Visit All Properties

Lakeside at Ansley is a beautiful gated community located in Roswell. This neighborhood boasts a beautiful rolling landscape and fairly hilly terrain; the development dates back to 2001 with homes construction starting and continuing through 2005. Variety is the name of the game in Lakeside of Ansley, and the homes offer many options for the interior and exterior alike. In addition, the community offers residents the following amenities; full size and kiddie size swimming pools, tennis courts, playground, and covered pavilion. Children living in Lakeside at Ansley attend the following Roswell schools; Sweet Apple Elementary, Elkins Pointe Middle School, and Roswell High.

All real estate agents join us for the Lakeside at Ansley Spring Caravan, Roswell Georgia.  Tuesday, April 21st 11:30am - 1:30pm.

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team has listed 195 Inwood Terrace of Roswell Georgia. This exquisite custom built estate home overlooks a private lake in the gated community of Lakeside at Ansley. No upgrade or detail has been left undone in this better than new home! From the perfect custom high end true gourmet kitchen fitted with a thermidor 6 burner range top and sub zero freezer with separate refrigerator to the perfectly outfitted full finished terrace level. The home offers 10 foot ceilings and gorgeous hardwood floors. Enjoy the very private backyard oasis overlooking a serene lake with custom built fireplace, pool and spa. This home is a rare jewel. Built overlooking a private lake. The master suite is one of six bedrooms and seven baths and opens to a private sitting area with it's own fireplace. The very private back yard oasis includes a custom built fireplace/gazebo, pool and spa. The perfect home to entertain family and friends. This 5,624 square foot home is offered at $1,299,900.

For more information on this property and Lakeside at Ansley Spring Caravan, Roswell Georgia, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team - Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta.


Lakeside at Ansley Spring Caravan, Roswell Georgia

Welcome to Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia

Welcome To Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia

Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia is a family friendly community with luxurious homes in a variety of sizes and styles.  Creekstone Estates was created in 2001 and presently has a few remaining construction lots available.  The community offers approximately 350 stunning homes on 370 acres. With homes in the $700,000's to $1.5 million+ range, Creekstone Estates offers families an excellent neighborhood to call home.

Residents in Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia are able to enjoy remarkable amenities to make lifelong memories including an 8,000 square foot Clubhouse, 11 lighted tennis courts with Tennis Pro and Pro Shop, an Activities & Tennis Director, a fresh water lake, Jr. Olympic pool, fitness center, play field, tot lot, and outdoor athletic court.

Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia is located in Cumming in South Forsyth County, just off GA400 at exit #13. The location is ideal with great shopping ("The Collection") and parks (Sharon Springs Park) close by.  The public South Forsyth County school district is highly rated. South Forsyth High schools was voted by Newsweek in 2012 as one of America's best schools.  

Forsyth County is considered one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.  The county's proximity to Atlanta and its appeal as a commuter area for people working in the Atlanta area is what makes the area popular. High earning professionals increased the average income to a point where Forbes.com named it as the 13th wealthiest county in the United States in terms of median household income for 2008. It is also considered the wealthiest county in the state of Georgia, and one of the wealthiest counties in the nation. 

For more information on Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia, contact

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


Creekstone Estates Cumming Georgia

Alpharetta Georgia Community of Lake Windward

Alpharetta Georgia Community of Lake Windward

Lake Windward in Alpharetta Georgia is gorgeous! Imagine living in a private lake community with fantastic tennis that produces club level fun and competition. Windward has one of the top golf courses in Georgia along with swimming and diving pools. The community also offers a sports park for basketball, volleyball, softball and more. Windward is set in a 3,400 acre community among rolling, wooded hills in North Fulton County. Conveniently located near Georgia 400 in Alpharetta, Windward is just 15 miles north of I-285 and 26 miles from downtown Atlanta.  Alpharetta Georgia Community of Lake Windward is home to some of the best public and private schools in North Atlanta. 

Windward has homes in over forty neighborhoods, that offer a variety of home styles and prices.  The residential neighborhoods of Windward have been designed to take full advantage of the breathtaking lake and the Golf Club of Georgia.

The Windward Lake Club is a private club, located within Windward on the southwest section of the lake.  The club offers a Tennis Center, Swim Center, Marina and programs designed for all ages and abilities.
The Tennis Center is home to Windward Tennis Academy.  The tennis facility has 20 lighted tennis courts and members participate on over 50 USTA and ALTA league teams that encompass all levels of play.  The tennis staff is among the best in the nation with 10 certified professionals.

The Swim Center includes a 150-foot water slide, zero-depth children's pool, spray park, eight lane lap pool, and diving well. Children ages 5-18 may participate in swim and dive teams that compete in the North Fulton Swim Association meets.

The Marina is for Windward-resident club members and includes 30 land storage racks and 100 docking slips.

The Golf Club of Georgia was established for the enthusiastic golfer or executive who desires to use an elite club for business entertaining. Membership at The Golf Club of Georgia provides an uncompromising golf experience. Members also enjoy award-winning dining, tennis, swimming, and social privileges at their sister club, Horseshoe Bend Country Club, located nearby in Roswell.

The two Arthur Hills-designed courses, Lakeside and Creekside, are distinctly different from each other, offering the golfer enormous architectural, aesthetic and strategic variety. The Lakeside Course, a more traditional modern layout with demanding, firm and fast greens, was honored in 1991 by Golf Digest as "Best New Private Course" in America and annually hosts The United States Collegiate Championship. Creekside, which opened in 1993, is a target-style course reminiscent of the South Carolina Low Country.

Alpharetta Georgia Community of Lake Windward Take a tour of Lake Windward and then contact us to find out all that the community has to offer.

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta
5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005
678.929.6529. 

Alpharetta Georgia Community of Lake Windward

Hire a North Atlanta Home Inspector

Hire a North Atlanta Home Inspector

If you are thinking that you might sell your home in the next year, consider this, most buyers will hire a home inspector that will inspect your home for any and all issues. Wiring, foundation, installation, etc. In the case of a Home Inspection, you do not want to be surprised!

When you accept an offer on your home, you want to close the deal with as little hassle as possible. More and more North Atlanta home owners will hire a North Atlanta home inspector and provide a home inspection report to buyers as this can make buyers more ready to make an offer on your home, especially if they are considering other homes that do not have a home inspection. The other benefit for you though is that you can use the home inspection as a 'What do I need to do' guide if you find something major. Please keep in mind that home inspection reports will be detailed and may startle you initially similar to reviewing your results from a physical if the doctor is not present!

If you make the wise investment to hire a North Atlanta home inspector, have me come over after you get it to review it with you and I can give you advice on what is common in our market and what is not. Every market is different, so just because you see something that looks scary on the inspection report, does not necessarily mean you need to fix it. But either way, you can be assured that buyers will get an inspection done and you do not want to be surprised by this when you are trying to get the home sold.

This is based on my real world experience both selling homes for homeowners and helping buyers buy homes. Aside from marketing your home and generating buyer leads for it to the maximum extent in the market, negotiating the highest price possible for you home, we want to get your home sold fast and with the fewest issues as possible. I am in the area constantly with clients, so if you need me to come over for a few minutes to give any real world advice from a buyers perspective just let me know. Using my experience and knowledge now, BEFORE you are ready to sell, will go a long way in getting your more money, faster and easier when you ARE READY to sell.

Hire a North Atlanta Home Inspector

What's Your North Atlanta Home Worth?

Search All Homes For Sale Alpharetta, Ga Homes for Sale Milton Homes for Sale Roswell Homes for Sale Cumming Homes for Sale What is Your Home Worth? Homes Close to Where You Work Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team KWLS 678.820.6889 mary@mevhomes.com

Find the Best Schools of North Atlanta

Find the Best Schools of North Atlanta  

How can you evaluate the quality of a school district? There are so many factors to consider — you must decide what’s important to you and your child. Is it curriculum or test scores or diversity of student body? Many sources of information are online, such as http://www.greatschools.org/,  the Georgia Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics. Of course, you should visit the school, if possible.

As you find the best schools of North Atlanta and begin researching school districts for your move, be warned: Fair Housing laws make it very difficult for real estate agents to answer your questions because we cannot be perceived as “steering” buyers toward or away from a particular neighborhood in a discriminatory matter. So it’s imperative that you do your own homework on school districts.

NORTH ATLANTA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITES:
Cherokee County - http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Pages/Welcome.aspx
City of Atlanta - http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
City of Buford - http://www.bufordcityschools.org/
City of Decatur - http://www.csdecatur.net/
Clayton County - http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/
Cobb County - http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/
Forsyth County - http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
Fulton County - http://www.fultonschools.org/en
Gwinnett County - http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public
Hall County - http://www.hallco.org/boe/site/

OTHER HELPFUL SCHOOL WEBSITES:
National Center for Education Statistics: http://nces.ed.gov/
Great Schools: www.greatschools.org
Georgia Department of Education: http://www.gadoe.org/Pages/Home.aspx
Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA): http://www.gisaschools.org/
Atlanta Archdiocese Office of Catholic Schools: http://www.archatl.com/education/ocs/

When you are looking for a school, think about what matters most to you. It is always good to  consider practical matters such as your child care needs, daily and yearly schedule, transportation, location, your children's activities and your finances.

For more information on how to find the best schools of North Atlanta, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty, 678.929.6529. We are located at 5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100, Alpharetta, Georgia. Our team specializes in the communities of Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Cumming, Suwanee, Duluth/Johns Creek and Dunwoody/Sandy Springs. 

Find the Best Schools of North Atlanta 

Strong Consumer Confidence Increases North Atlanta Home Prices

Strong Consumer Confidence Increases North Atlanta Home Prices

Metro Atlanta home prices continue to rise with an increase of 4.9% in January as stated in recent article from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Strong consumer confidence increases North Atlanta home prices.  This means its a great time to sell your home. But how to price your home to sell and still make a profit?

The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market. Your real estate agent's knowledge of the overall market and what's selling - or not selling - will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won't leave money on the table.

Here are some points to consider: Time. Time is not on your side when it comes to real estate. Although many factors influence the outcome, perhaps time is the biggest determinant in whether or not you see a profit and how much you profit. Studies show that the longer a house stays on the market, the less likely it is to sell for the original asking price. Therefore, if your goal is to make money, think about a price that will encourage buyer activity (read: fair market value).

Value vs. Cost. Pricing your home to sell in a timely fashion requires some objectivity. It's important that you not confuse value with cost - in other words, how much you value your home versus what buyers are willing to pay for it. Don't place too much emphasis on home improvements when calculating your price, because buyers may not share your taste. For instance, not everyone wants hardwood floors or granite counter tops.

Keep it simple. Because time is of the essence, make it easy for the buyers. Remain flexible on when your agent can schedule showings. Also, avoid putting contingencies on the sale. Though a desirable move-in date makes for a smoother transition between homes, it could cause you to lose the sale altogether.



As your listing agent, The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team will supply you with facts, figures, and proven marketing techniques that will guide you through the selling process. By working together we will eliminate any concerns you may have.

We take the most aggressive approach to marketing and selling our clients properties. We pride ourselves on staying on the current edge of technology and staying ahead of the ever-changing market. We know what it takes to convince buyers that your home is the best value in the market place.

Mary Ellen Vanaken of North Atlanta, Georgia owns The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team. For your benefit, the team hangs their license at Keller Williams Realty of North Atlanta and is comprised of a team of specialists, not generalists.

When you choose to hire someone to represent you in your very import real estate needs, don't just choose a real estate agent, choose The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team. To learn more about Strong consumer confidence increases North Atlanta home prices, contact us today - CLICK HERE!

Strong consumer confidence increases North Atlanta home prices.