Tag Archives: Cumming

Featured Neighborhood: Carramore in Cumming

Thursday, 05 February 2015 23:27
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17_5389982_0_1422480313_636x435Located off exit 14 on 400 and within close proximity to The Collection at Forsyth, this beautiful community offers a variety of floor plans starting at 2,800 feet.  With luxury master bathrooms and designer kitchens, homeowners are guaranteed an upscale lifestyle with the option of both basement and non-basement properties.

Situated just minutes from Lake Lanier, Midway Park, Forsyth County Greenway, and a short drive from the North Georgia Premium Outlets, this beautiful subdivision is also located within the award-winning Forsyth County school district and boasts the addition of community gates for added neighborhood security.

Filled with an assortment of beautiful upgrades, each Carramore home comes standard with desirable features such as quality G.E. stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tray and vaulted ceilings, premium hardwood floors, and a free standing bathtub in the master bath.

Architecturally, each home has designed exterior elevations of brick, stone, and shake, and comes with the option of a side-entry or three-car garage.  In addition, pre-finished aluminum gutters and downspouts protect your foundation, which consists of poured concrete with steel reinforcements.

woodridgeStarting around $400,000 and topping out around $425,000, if you’re interested in taking a look at one of these lovely homes, it’s important to remember that utilizing the services of your own Realtor is important.  While new communities generally have their own buyer’s agents on hand, in order to make sure you get the best deal possible, it’s wise to consider the advice of an agent who is solely in your corner.

If you’d like help, please feel free to contact me.  I’m very familiar with this neighborhood and would love to support you during the buying process.

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

Marie Dinsmore Earns RE/MAX Platinum Club Award

Sunday, 25 January 2015 08:13
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1394632456When it comes to doing your job and doing it well, there’s nothing like the feeling of receiving an award which truly recognizes all of your hard work and dedication.  Therefore, as we gear up for the spring real estate season, it is with abounding joy that I announce my inclusion into the RE/MAX Platinum Club for Realtors©.

RE/MAX Club Awards are individual awards that are based on levels of annual commission from January 1st through December 31st and are distributed based upon single year commission reports.  As one of the highest designations within the company, the Platinum Club recognizes those agents who have earned anywhere from $250,000-$499,999 in gross commissions.

While I’ve taken great pride in winning the Million Dollar Club every year since 2003—meaning I have consistently sold more than $1 million dollars-worth of property—this designation, which I previously earned in 2005, truly pushes me to continue on my quest to raise the bar for the real estate industry, my clients, and the community.

At the end of the day, I offer my customers a level of experienced understanding and keen attention to detail that are truly second-to-none. If you are looking for the services of a seasoned agent, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I’m looking forward to making 2015 another successful year and I cannot wait to help make your dreams come true along the way.

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

How Much Do You Know About the Radon Levels in Your Home?

Friday, 23 January 2015 22:07
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georgiaradonmapDid you know that January is Radon Action Month?  No?  Well, are you even sure what radon is?  If you’re like a lot of people, you may have heard about the hazards of radon in passing; however, whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, it’s important to be aware of what it is and why it matters to your life.

Plain and simple, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released by rock, soil, and water, which can build up to dangerous levels within any home.  In the past, many people believed that homes built upon slab foundations were immune to this odorless, invisible gas; however, it’s important to note that it can be found within old or new homes, well-sealed or drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Breathing radon can greatly increase your risk of lung cancer, which has actually made it the number one cause of lung cancer among people who do not smoke.  In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon causes more than 20,000 deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. each year.

With this, it’s important to note that not only has radon been found in every state, but its levels can vary greatly between homes within the same area.  In the United States, the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air), while the average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L.  According to the EPA, it is recommended that people consider fixing their homes if their radon levels sit between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.

If it is discovered that your home contains high levels of radon, it’s not only possible to fix the problem, but it can be done for about the same cost as other common home repairs.  While your personal situation will still depend upon how your home was built and how you use it, it’s important to note that testing for it is incredibly easy and incredibly worthwhile.

If you have questions about the process or you’re concerned about your home, I would love to put you in touch with a qualified inspector who can help keep you and your family safe.

Please do not hesitate to contact me.

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

Six Pricing Mistakes Sellers Should Avoid

Friday, 14 November 2014 18:18
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house-for-sale1When attempting to sell your home, the goal is to garner as much money for your investment as possible; however, the catch-22 is that one of the key factors to actually encouraging interest on your property is to offer a fair price.  Therefore, if you are serious about finding the right buyer, establishing a solid pricing strategy is an absolute must.

With this in mind, it’s important to start by being aware of the six common pricing mistakes that all sellers should attempt to avoid.

1.) OVERPRICING FROM THE START: Sure, you obviously love your home and feel that it’s the best property on the block; however, while it may seem natural to start with a listing price that is relative to the value you see, making the mistake of overpricing your home at the outset could deter potential buyers—especially if recent sales and other neighborhood factors fail to justify your starting point.  In addition, since multiple price reductions tend to keep properties on the market for longer periods of time, you may be setting yourself up for avoidable frustration.

2.) LEAVING OUT POTENTIAL BUYERS IN ONLINE SEARCHES: When perusing through online listings, the first parameter that most buyers use to narrow their options is price.  For example, if a buyer’s target price range is $250,000 to $300,000, your home will never get seen if it’s listed at $305,000.  While that last $5000 may be important to you, it’s probably wise to settle upon $300,000 so changes are better that you’ll capture buyers in the ranges above and below your price.

Ultimately, what you decide upon is up to you and your agent, but if you’re already teetering on your price anyway, having a bit of flexibility might be worth considering.

3.) NOT TAKING RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES INTO ACCOUNT: While it may seem logical to base your starting price off of what other homes are listed for in your area, it’s important to understand that in order to generate buyer interest, you should consider final sale prices instead.  Having a solid understanding of the recent sales in your neighborhood will not only help you to see the bigger picture, but bring you some peace of mind as well.

4.) GETTING TOO CREATIVE WITH YOUR ASKING PRICE: When shopping retail, there’s a reason prices tend to include round, easy numbers—i.e. $15.99, $220.00, $6.50—instead of complex combinations like $15.26 or $219.82.  In order to generate interest, you’ll want to make things easy for potential buyers by selecting a price that’s memorable and inviting.  Listing your home for $512,477 instead of $512,000 may not only give potential buyers pause, but divert unnecessary attention from your property to you, the seller.

5.) NOT BEING OPEN TO NEGOTIATION: Plain and simple, negotiation is a two-way street, which means finding a bit of common ground is important.  The quickest way to kill a sale is to refuse to budge in regards to your asking price or the other conditions involved in the final agreement.  Instead of digging your heels in from the very beginning, ask yourself whether you’d rather wait a long time to get your full asking price, or whether you’d like to close as soon as possible.  By thinking in those terms, you’re more likely to see the benefit in making a few concessions.

6.) IGNORING YOUR AGENT’S INSIGHTS: The first step in selling your home for an acceptable price is to not only select an experienced agent, but to listen to their advice.  Helping you sell your home is about more than simply placing it online or putting signs in the yard—it’s about looking at your individual situation from all angles, to include your home’s features, the local market, recent sales, and more.  Therefore, if you want to make an informed decision, make a point to listen to the information being provided.

If you would like to know more or if you want to begin the selling process, please feel free to contact me.  I’d love to hear from you.

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

 

Traditions in Cumming, GA: Phase I Now Open

Friday, 17 October 2014 23:10
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130909_ProjectSitePlan_FromHook_Updates-01 Ground was broken on this desirable neighborhood in 2013; however, Traditions in Forsyth County has announced their initial release. With pricing ranging from about $433-$537 thousand, this beautiful, tree-lined development is located within close proximity to some of the top-rated schools in the state, as well as a wide variety of shopping and dining options.

With 12 available homesites—four of which have basements—and four available homes, this first phase sits within close proximity to the community amenities, as well as Fowler Park and the Big Creek Greenway.

AMENITIES

siteplanFront Door Communities, which is an award-winning, full-service firm with extensive experience developing neighborhoods and building homes, has made it their goal to create an amazing community that truly honors the needs of its residents.  From over a dozen neighborhood parks with a competition pool and children’s splash area, to a lake with walking trails and four lighted tennis courts, the amenities at Traditions are second-to-none.

HOMES
The homes, which feature a blend of classic materials—brick, stone, shake, board and batten, and siding—come standard with architectural shingles and stone front porches, and boast professional landscaping and carriage-style garage doors.

130917_Traditions_Rendering-01Inside, gleaming hardwoods line the foyer, kitchen, breakfast and powder rooms (living room and dining room included in larger models), while granite countertops come standard in all homes.  Each kitchen boasts an oversized kitchen island, as well as Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, and each bath comes complete with cultured marble countertops, with a Barclay free-standing soaking tub in the master.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY & SAFETY

For their residents who are interested in making sure their homes are saving them money on heating and air costs, each home in the community has been built with an array of eco-sensitive and energy-efficient options such as LP TechShield radiant barrier roof sheathing, Low-E, double-pane vinyl windows, and ENERGY STAR appliances.  From there, homeowner safety is also of the utmost importance, leading to pre-wired security systems with two keypads and motion sensors on all doors and windows, as well as carbon monoxide detectors and decorative exterior door hardware with dead bolt lock.

CONCLUSION

If you’re interested in learning more about this luxurious community (www.traditionsatl.com), it’s important to remember that utilizing the services of an experienced buyer’s agent is a prudent move when purchasing a new construction.  The community will have their own agents; however, by having a Realtor working in your corner, you can rest assured that your best interests will be protected throughout the buying process.

If you have questions, I’d love to be of service to you.  For more information, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

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