Tag Archives: Alpharetta

The Future: Selling Your Home Online?

Thursday, 24 September 2015 21:56
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the-edrms-new-computer-assisted-review-reference-model-explainedYears ago, before the dot-com era really took off, I remember laughing as companies started listing their web addresses at the end of each commercial.  I simply couldn’t believe that all of these businesses were getting online and when it came to being able to actually make purchases with the click of a button, I was amazed.

In the 15-20 years since then, we’ve watched as the world has changed into a connected web of physical storefronts and virtual corporations.  As we’ve gained the ability to be online at any time, we’ve found ourselves trying to balance the good with the bad.

In regards to the real estate industry, the internet has made it easier for consumers to not only look for homes, but to engage with agents and other professionals without leaving the house; however, a line has always been drawn between finding a home online and actually purchasing a home online.  Generally speaking, the brick and mortar business of real estate—with real estate agents at the helm—continues to be the norm.

Still, according to a recent CNBC article, the U.S. market may be primed for a new wave of online-only real estate agents who have found success in the U.K.  Companies like eMoov and HouseSimple have gained a footing through streamlined systems which allow them to charge lower fees for selling a home.

However, after speaking with the National Association of Realtors, the article’s author was told that Americans should be leery of making the transition into a purely digital real estate market, especially since purchasing a home is a lot more complex than “clicking ‘buy’ on a website, like you’d do when purchasing an airline ticket.”

They also make a point to stress the fact that while online companies may save sellers money, they are lacking in their ability to fully understand local markets and will have a hard time helping consumers navigate each step of the transaction process.

At the end of the day, the U.S. real estate industry is all about forging personal connections and providing personal attention.  Utilizing the services of an agent who not only has knowledge about the buying and selling process, but the local area is important if you’re hoping to get the best deal possible.

Yes, the internet has a unique affinity for making things simple when it comes to purchasing a product from anywhere in the world; however, how easy is it to make contact if you have an issue with that product once you’ve purchased it?  The problem with the impersonal nature of dealing with online corporations is that you’re doing business with people who have no real ties to you, your life, or your community.

The vitality of a local real estate agent is often based upon personal referrals, which means your best interests remain the primary concern.  This will not be the case with an online-only agent or company, so it’s worth questioning whether you want to place $200,000+ to someone who has no real ties to your life.

At this point in time, the U.S. market has yet to see a rise in these types of companies, but the wave is coming and homeowners need to be prepared for what types of changes they can expect to see within the industry.

If you’re looking to sell your current property or are on the hunt for something new, I would love give you the personal attention you deserve.  Please contact me for more information.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Featured Neighborhood: Williams Point in Cumming, GA

Friday, 11 September 2015 13:53
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906735196709632_wp_modelLocated just north of Highway 20 in Forsyth County, this beautiful neighborhood sits amidst the rolling countryside and boasts the kind of charm that you’d expect from an idyllic Southern neighborhood.  Carefully planned by SR Homes, buyers are sure to be enchanted by streets lined with green hedges and historic lanterns, and will enjoy the view of spacious home sites and timeless architectural details.

Each home has been built with an eye for quality and attention to detail, and features an upscale, well-designed interior with open floorplans that are sure to thrill any potential buyer.  In addition, if you’re looking for a place that offers ample amenities and opportunities for relaxation at the end of the day, Williams Point comes with a beautifully designed community area, equipped with a crystal clear pool, tennis courts, and community gathering room.

With only 61 homesites, this neighborhood is perfect for buyers who are looking for that “close-knit” vibe, especially if their goal is to find an escape at the end of the day.

For families, children in this community will be within the highly-ranked Forsyth school district, with easy access to an array of dining, shopping, and recreational activities.  In addition, each home features a design offering between 3000-4000 square feet with large private backyards, so buyers will never have to worry about space being an issue with young children or teenagers.

The community features a zoned irrigation system, with each homesite being professionally landscaped and fitted with features such as 40-year architectural shingles, premium 8-foot wide entry doors, and a variety of exterior options such as brick, cultured stone, and shake and siding veneers.

Inside, buyers are sure to be pleased with an abundance of natural light, 9-foot ceilings, stunning downstairs hardwoods, gourmet kitchens featuring granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, as well as a variety of energy saving features.

SCHOOLS

Matt Elementary School – 3.2 miles

Liberty Middle School – 3.2 miles

West Forsyth High School – 8.2 miles

SHOPPING

Kroger – 2.2 miles

Vickery Village – 6.8 miles

The Collection at Forsyth – 8.7 miles

Cumming Marketplace – 9.5 miles

North Georgia Premium Outlets – 13.1 miles

RECREATION

Poole’s Mill Park – 3.8 miles

Sawnee Mountain Park – 4.1 miles

Big Creek Greenway – 9.2 miles

Fowler Park – 9.6 miles

HOSPITALS

Northside Forsyth Hospital – 10.1 miles

If you’d like to learn more about this beautiful neighborhood or would like to schedule a viewing, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

The Importance of Home Maintenance Records

Saturday, 05 September 2015 12:52
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July2015-Trulia-4-Reasons-You-Absolutely-Need-to-Save-Home-Maintenance-Records-girl-filing-away-papersWhen it comes to our cars, most of us understand that it’s important to save our service records—or at least shove them in the glove compartment—especially if we’re hoping to get top dollar when it comes time to sell.  While your latest oil change might not seem like big news, it may be to a potential buyer who will want to see how well the vehicle has been cared for.

On a larger scale, it’s important to think of your home in the same terms.  While it’s always tempting to throw that pink carbon receipt away from your latest HVAC tune-up or leak repair, consider utilizing a digital or standard filing system to keep track of these types of records.  Here’s why:

POTENTIAL BUYERS: Purchasing a home is a massive financial investment, which means some buyers will be more than meticulous when it comes to assessing the condition of your property.  Due diligence often pays off for buyers, so chances are good that if selling is in your future, you’ll want to be able to give dates for everything from when your gutters were installed to your last carpet cleaning.  You don’t want to get caught off guard with questions that you’re simply unable to answer, so let the receipts do the talking for you.

SAVE YOUR MONEY: Maintenance records are just that—records.  In short, they give you the opportunity to keep track of how often something is being worked on so you gain a better understanding of whether you should continue throwing money into repairs or should simply bite the bullet and purchase a new product.  If you notice that those pink slips are piling up, you might save more money with a replacement.

INSURANCE DISPUTES: Insurance companies make money off of the assumption that you’ll likely pay more for monthly coverage than they’ll ever have to pay in the case of an accident.  In essence, it’s a numbers game that makes them a good bit of money; however, it also creates an environment where their goal is to make sure they compensate you with just enough to cover your costs.

Therefore, if—for example—your insurance company pays for a new roof after damage from a massive storm, it’s possible for them to decide at a later date that they paid you too much money.  Should this happen, they will likely request a portion of their funds back, which means it’s extremely important to maintain control of your receipts and maintenance records in order to dispute their claims.

SETTING FUTURE BUDGETS: Following a set maintenance schedule is an important aspect of homeownership, especially if you’re looking to retain your property value.  While no one enjoys feeling like their constantly shelling out money for appliance checks and minor repairs, having an understanding of how much you’re spending each year can set the stage for the establishment of a yearly maintenance budget.

Instead of getting caught off-guard every time you’re forced to drop a couple hundred dollars on a maintenance issue, use your receipts to establish a yearly estimate of how much you spend on repairs so you never have to feel like your scraping to find the cash to cover them.

For more tips and tricks, please feel free to contact me.  Even if you’re not looking to sell your home or buy something new in the near future, I’m always here to offer advice.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Home Showing Checklist: Overlooked Spaces

Sunday, 30 August 2015 14:14
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clean-and-welcoming-foyer-entrywayWhen it comes to staging your home for potential buyers, it’s easy to focus a large majority of your attention on the “money making” rooms in your home—i.e. kitchen, master bath, living room.  However, there’s something to be said for lavishing a bit of your attention on the understated supporting players in your home.

After all, buyers aren’t simply purchasing your kitchen—they’re purchasing the whole package, which means they’ll expect to see a fluid, clean concept throughout your home.  Therefore, pay close attention to the following “second-stringer” checklist.  It may just help you sell your home sooner rather than later.

MAKE AN ENTRANCE.  If your home has a foyer, make a point to show it off!  Feel free to include little touches such as coat hooks for visitors, a vase of flowers, or a table with bottles of water for potential buyers.  In essence, your entrance is for receiving guests, so your goal should be to create a welcoming atmosphere.

KEEP THE MUD OUT OF THE MUDROOM.  Yes, the ultimate purpose of a mudroom is to provide an area where you can remove items—such as shoes and rain coats—that may have gotten dirty in the great outdoors; however, while buyers will most likely understand this, they won’t want to see remnants of your last hiking venture.

Therefore, your goal is to show buyers how organized life can be in your home.  Add cubbies and shelves to hold things like running shoes and winter gloves, and make a point to install wall hooks for discarded coats and book bags.  Make a point to add a colorful rug that can catch dirt before it’s tracked into the house and don’t be afraid to play up the walls with a bright coat of paint.  Neutrals should be the goal throughout the rest of the house, but the mudroom is one area that will handle a bold color quite nicely.

SHOW OFF AN UNFINISHED BASEMENT’S POTENTIAL.  While you may not have taken the time to finish your basement, that doesn’t mean potential buyers won’t.  Plain and simple, an unfinished basement is a blank canvass and many buyers will see it for what it is—a vessel for increasing their home’s value.

Therefore, instead of shoving all of your spare clutter into a haphazard pile in the basement and assuming buyers will understand, make sure things are organized and consider utilizing the services of a good contractor who can provide an estimate for finishing the space.  Buyers like to know what they can expect, so they’ll likely appreciate a little knowledge on how much it will cost them if they decide to make a future renovation.

MAKE USE OF YOUR PORCH.  The front porch is back in style, so if you’re lucky enough to have more than just a front stoop, make a point to stage it for potential buyers.  Everyone loves a comfy porch chair, so consider adding some seating space next to a colorful outdoor rug and a small table with a pitcher of lemonade or apple cider (depending upon the season).  At the end of the day, buyers will remember the refreshment!

DECLUTTER THE GARAGE.  Yes, we know—you park your cars in there (or just use it for storage), which means we’re likely to find a host of oil stains, leaves, and dirt; however, while no one expects your garage to be a spotless vehicle showroom, it still needs to be accessible.  Make a point to organize any sports equipment, tools, and lawn care necessities, and spend a bit of time sweeping excess debris back outside.

CONCLUSION

It’s often said that success is in the details and selling your home is no different.  By assuming that buyers “will understand” or won’t care about accumulated dirt and clutter in certain areas of your home, you’re setting yourself up for a difficult real estate experience.  A quick sale requires a solid showing throughout your home, so make a point to target those oft-overlooked areas.

If you’d like some advice or assistance, I’d be more than happy to offer my expertise.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Tips for Hiring an Experienced Home Service Professional

Sunday, 23 August 2015 22:00
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CHBA.Fall-2012x600One of the most important things to be aware of when purchasing a home is that there’s no landlord to handle all of your maintenance and repair concerns.  As a homeowner, the responsibility for making sure your property stays in tip-top shape rests on your shoulders, so it’s important to pick your home service professionals wisely.

Yes, when it comes to hiring contractors or other specialists, there are a lot of great professionals out there; however, for every experienced, integrity-driven expert, it’s important to remember that not every company is as qualified or honest as they should be.

Therefore, to avoid problems, consider the following tips:

  1. Temper the Impulse to Select the Bargain Bid – While most of us are primed to seek the lowest price, bids that come in substantially lower than the competition aren’t always the best option. When you’re dealing with home materials, it’s important to remember that cheaper bids will often come from cheaper goods. That’s not to say that higher bids are always indicative of better service; however, if you’re dealing with a company who is offering a quote that is significantly higher or lower than everyone else, make a point to ask why.
  2. Ask for Credentials – Reputable professionals should be thoroughly credentialed, so don’t be afraid to ask for current copies of their license, insurance, and bonding capacity. If the paperwork you’re presented with is either expired or does not cover the type of work you need completed, don’t simply take their word for it. If you have questions about the bonding requirements in your town, county, or state, call your local government for more information and make a point to seek out references/customer reviews.
  3. Establish a Relationship – As with anything in life, communication is important. Your home represents a large financial investment—possibly the largest one you own—so you’ll want to make sure that you completely trust the service professional charged with keeping it healthy. If you have pertinent questions, ask!  If they don’t respond in a timely manner or you feel like they’re simply telling you what you want to hear in the hopes of landing your business, look somewhere else.
  4. Be Wary of Large Upfront Payments – Some jobs may require a down payment to cover the cost of materials, but you should never have to pay the full amount upfront. Be careful if you’re asked by an installer, landscaper, or repair person to make substantial payments before you’re satisfied with their work.
  5. Stay on the Look Out for Scam Artists – While it’s easy to assume that a glossy business card and well-designed website signify a reputable company, professional presentations do not always equate to professional service. If someone comes to your door offering a “free roof inspection” or “discounted fence painting” because they have supplies leftover from another job, it’s wise maintain a healthy level of suspicion.  While not all roofers, contractors, or landscapers who come to your door are scam artists, make a point to ask for a business card and do your research before entering into any agreements.

At the end of the day, you don’t want to be one of the 50,000 complaints that the Better Business Bureau receives each year regarding home service professionals.

Therefore, if you have some work that needs to be done and you’d like a personal referral for everything from a contractor to a plumber, please feel free to contact me.  I work with a variety of wonderful professionals and I’d be happy to make a recommendation.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789