Top 4 reasons why Seller’s should Prep Home before Sale — $$$$

Sunday, February 10, 2008

If you have made a decision to sell your home in North Atlanta, and want to acquire as much money from the sale as possible, making repairs AND preparing your home is BEFORE the first potential Buyer shows up is a MUST!   I have noted a few (of the many major reasons I share with my Seller clients) below that need to be done during the preparation stage to successfully sell their home.  In short, I always have Seller client’s homes professional staged (which I pay for…call me at 678-907-9155 for more information!) and I recommend my Seller clients make the necessary repairs BEFORE the sign goes up in the front yard.

Top Four Reasons

1. Potential Buyers are distracted by items needing repair and staging, they will lose focus on your home’s positive attributes and focus on the negatives.  Simple things like removal of dated wallpaper, fresh (neutral paint inside), fresh paint outside, landscaping cleaned up, clutter removed, siding repaired, worn or outdated carpet replaced, repairing cracked walls / tile, lights, etc. will save a Seller $$$ thousands by securing a higher price and/or selling their home more quickly.  

2. Regarding repairs, the actual cost to fix the items in your home needing repair will ALWAYS be less than a buyer’s estimate.

3. Seller’s can avoid price reductions or providing Buyer allowances (see below) to accommodate the inflated costs to make required repairs or paint, replace carpet, etc. based on a Buyer’s estimate.

4. Extended purchase negotiation timeframes can be avoided due to needed repairs that can potentially risk losing the buyer.

Allowances a no-no for Sellers!

Selling your home today, especially in the Atlanta / North Atlanta market is a beauty contest with a large inventory of homes competing with each other.  The houses that are in A-1 condition sell more quickly and secure a higher sale price.  If you want to get the most out of the sale of your property, you need to do the right things to get it ready for sale.  Let me show you how!

Providing the Buyer an allowance (instead of making obvious repairs before the house goes onto the market) is a HUGE mistake.  Ultimately, it will cost the Seller much more in time (house is on the market) and value in the final price negotiated.  Many Sellers MISTAKENLY believe an allowance provides the Buyer the most flexibility (to choose contractors, colors, style, etc.).  What Seller’s don’t realize are Buyer’s, especially in a Buyer’s market, DO NOT WANT A PROJECT.  Buyer’s want to be able to move straight into the home they purchase with as little work required as possible. 

As a Realtor with Keller Williams in the North Atlanta market, I provide detailed information and staging services to my Sellers to help ensure we get the most value / equity out of your home when I list and sell it.  If you are considering a move, please give me (Diane Kelly) a call at (678) 907-9155.  I’d like to interview for the job! 


Lake Lanier Water Level - 2008

Friday, February 8, 2008

Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Lanier, one of America’s favorite lakes in which over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit. With over 692 miles of shoreline, the lake is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities.

 

Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950’s, Lake Lanier is a multi-purpose lake that provides for flood protection, power production, water supply, navigation, recreation and fish and wildlife management.

 

Lake Lanier is one of 464 lakes in 43 states constructed and operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.  For more information about Lake Lanier, it’s current water level, and more go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website for Lake Lanier: http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/ .


Alpharetta…Stanbury Residences bring upscale condos

Friday, February 1, 2008

In case you haven’t heard yet, luxury like we haven’t seen in North Fulton county is well under way and it has a name…Prospect Park in Alpharetta.

On the developer’s website, it is described as “an 85-acre mixed-use development, located in the affluent Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. This mixed-used community features 770,000 square feet of high-end, open-air retailing, plus The Stanbury, a luxury boutique hotel and spa with upscale hotel-affiliated condominiums offering access to guest services, a multiplex cinema, office buildings, office-over-retail and great dining experiences. The development is located in a primary market where 450,000 people have an average household income of $120,000. Opening fall 2008.”

For more information about this development click here


Johns Creek Homestead Exemptions for Residents

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Homeowners have a March 1, 2008 deadline to file applications with Fulton Count for a Homestead Exemption.   The requirement is that homeowners must have owned and occupied their home as their primary residence as of January 1st of the application year to qualify for any Homestead Exemption.   The application must be filed with the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office.  For details regarding eligibility and applications requirements contact the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office at (404) 224-0102. 

You can also visit www.fultonassessor.org.  The Distgrict 3 office is located at Royal 400 Office Park, 3155 Royal Drive in Alpharetta.  For information regarding the city’s Homestead Exemptions, call Johns Creek Admistrative Services at (678) 512-3200 or visit www.johnscreekga.gov.


Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Opens May 10, 2008

Friday, January 25, 2008

The first concert to be held at Alpharetta’s fabulous new 12,000 seat amphitheatre will be May 10th at Encore Park with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  The first rock performance will be “The Eagles” on May 14th.

The $16 million amphitheatre has 12,000 seats, with 7,000 concert-goes under roof and another 5,000 on the event lawn.  The venue resides on 45 acres of land in Alpharetta off Westside Parkway across GA 400 from the North Point Mall area.  Construction began in June 2007.

    

ACT Date Time Price
ASO May 10, 2008 TBA TBA
Eagles May 14, 2008 8 p.m. $69.50 to $198
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers July 9, 2008 TBA $72 to $82
Rush July 22, 2008 TBA $72

TICKETS

Tickets for the concerts are on sale beginning February 1, 2008.  Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at (404) 249-6400.

VENUE INFORMATION

(Changes subject to each show)

Parking: Must park in assigned lot.  Look at section box on ticket.

Items NOT allowed: NO lawnchairs, NO food, NO beverages, NO umbrellas, NO recording devices.

Items allowed: Blankets, Cameras (subject to show)

Smoking Policy: Smoking IS permitted

Children Rules: Under 2 is free on lap.  Some shows will be kids shows which they will be free on lawn only with adult.


Plaza Royale Development Approved

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Johns Creek City Council approved the Plaza Royale, a $100 million development that reaches almost 300,000 square feet in size.  It is to be located at the corner of Bell and McGinnis Ferry Roads.  This mixed-use project will include over 50 condos, office space and retail extending throughout the 50 acre plus work site which is expecting to begin construction during the summer of 2008.