Tag Archives: Marie Dinsmore

Featured Neighborhood: Williams Point in Cumming, GA

Friday, 11 September 2015 13:53
Written by
0 Comments

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

Home Showing Checklist: Overlooked Spaces

Sunday, 30 August 2015 14:14
Written by
0 Comments

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

Featured Neighborhood: Danbury Farms in Cumming, GA

Sunday, 16 August 2015 06:20
Written by
0 Comments

LA-Danbury-FarmsFraser-WB142-small-1200x560Just last month, Lennar Atlanta began selling homes in the lovely Danbury Farms neighborhood in Cumming, GA.  These new, single-family homes, which are located in beautiful Forsyth County are located within a swim/tennis community that boasts close proximity to great schools, exciting outdoor/recreational activities, and a fantastic array of dining and shopping options.

Perfect for growing families, Danbury Farms includes 113 homesites that offer everything from first floor guest bedrooms and granite countertops to stainless steel appliances and hardwood flooring.  With the option of homes sized to 3,100 square feet, prices start in the mid-$300s and include the Lennar Homes Everything’s Included® plan, which lets them provide buyers with the most desirable, detail oriented home appointments based upon extensive research into what features homeowners want to see.

Some of the elements include: brick-front exteriors, professionally landscaped yards, grand entryways, cultured marble vanities in baths, brushed nickel features, crown molding, and gourmet kitchens.

SCHOOLS:

Kelly Mill Elementary – 1180 Chamblee Gap Road, (678) 965-4953

Vickery Middle School – 6240 Post Road, (770) 677-2580

West Forsyth High School – 4155 Drew Road, (770) 888-3470

SHOPPING:

North Georgia Premium Outlets – Dawsonville, GA

The Avalon – Alpharetta, GA

The Collection at Forsyth – Cumming, GA

Northpoint Mall – Alpharetta, GA

The Mall of Georgia – Buford, GA

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Sawnee Mountain Preserve – Cumming, GA

Lake Lanier Parks – Cumming, GA

Fowler Park – Cumming, GA

The Big Creek Greenway – Cumming, GA

Haw Creek Park – Cumming, GA

To learn more about this beautiful, family-oriented neighborhood or to schedule a showing, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.  These homes will go fast, so don’t wait!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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

It’s a Sellers’ Market: Advice for Buyers and Sellers

Friday, 07 August 2015 15:20
Written by
0 Comments

verico_lozinski_mortgage_corp_21c47bc6_1e78_1bd7_e8ab_31049851a086Real estate season is in full-swing and the Atlanta market has proven itself to be hot for sellers once again.  However, while phrases such as “bidding war” and “multiple offers” may be welcomed by those looking to get rid of their property, similar words may incite a bit of unease in buyers looking to make a speedy purchase.

Still, while it would be easy to assume that, in this climate, sellers can easily field offers with minimal effort, it’s important to remember that both buyers and sellers need to work hard to make the most of the current market.

FOR SELLERS:

Be On Your Game.  Even in a sellers’ market, traditional real estate rules still apply.  In short, sellers must still put their best foot forward if they’d like to get the most for their home.  Houses that are shown in top condition are much more likely to sell—quickly—in a sellers’ market than those that have been haphazardly cleaned and organized.

With that being said, don’t get carried away by assuming that you can overprice your home simply because the market is currently favoring those looking to move.  At the end of the day, buyers will always flock to well-priced homes that show well.  If it’s not priced right or shows poorly, it won’t sell.

Don’t Drag Your Feet.  If you’ve been lucky enough to receive multiple offers on your property, it’s important to move forward with the most qualified buyer.  Waiting too long can cause a loss of momentum, so pay attention to the buyer who is not only working with a local agent and has their loan lined up, but the one who makes an aggressive offer and expresses serious interest in your home.

FOR BUYERS:

Strategize and Plan.  One of the most frustrating things about a sellers’ market is that, as a buyer, even if you’re serious about purchasing and have made a point to secure reputable financing, you may have trouble either finding the right home or getting your bid picked up.  Therefore, since there’s often little you can do in these types of situations, it’s important to make sure that you’ve crossed your t’s and dotted your i’s in advance.  You don’t want to suddenly find yourself in a great position to have your bid selected if you’re not prepared to move through the closing process.

Avoid Resting on Your Laurels.  Sellers’ markets are all about seeing what you want and moving on it.  Truly interested buyers won’t wait for the open house to decide whether they want to make an offer.  If a home enters the market on Monday, you need to be viewing it on Tuesday and if possible, making an offer within a few hours.  If you make the mistake of prudently waiting a week or two, you may find yourself sorely disappointed.

First Impressions Always Count.  Buyers who move quickly show sellers that they mean business.  Remember, no one wants to wait around, so make a point to make your contingencies and timeframes swift, and take as much risk as possible away from the seller.  Consider moving forward with an inspection prior to submitting your offer so that your bid won’t come with contingencies regarding inspections.

In regards to financing, it’s important to consider the state of our current economic climate.  Securing a loan takes longer than it did 10 years ago, so make sure you’re moving to acquire the necessary funds well in advance.  Plain and simple, if you need to ask the seller for an extra month in order to get your finances in order, you’ll have a difficult time competing with someone who can do it in a quarter of the time.

CONCLUSION:

In the end, regardless of the market, both buyers and sellers need to be prepared for the home sale process.  Sure, it may seem stressful; however, if you make a point to surround yourself with a knowledgeable and experienced team of real estate/lending professionals, you’ll be in a better position to get the most out of your investment.

If you’d like some advice or have a home you’d like to list or buy, please feel free to contact me.

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

Why You Need a Realtor When Buying New Construction

Saturday, 11 July 2015 18:30
Written by
0 Comments

new-constructionAs the economy has improved, so too has the construction of new homes.  What were once sad, empty parcels of land are now beautiful new developments, so it’s no surprise that sales in these neighborhoods have increased as buyers have returned to the market.

Building your dream home can be exhilarating, especially if given the opportunity to not only pick your lot and layout, but everything from your interior finishes to your upgrades as well.  While today’s homebuilders work hard to make the process as easy as possible for potential buyers, it’s still important to remember that purchasing a home involves a large financial transaction that can have an abundance of financial implications if handled incorrectly.

Therefore, while most new housing developments have their own agents on site to assist future homeowners in procuring a home, it’s still extremely important for buyers to maintain their own representation as well.

BUILDER REPS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE BUILDER—NOT YOU.

While builder reps help detail things like the difference between various models and floorplans, as well as upgrades and available financing, it’s imperative to remember that those reps are still contractually obligated to place the interests of the builder first.  Therefore, in order to be sure that your total wellbeing is given priority, buyers should seriously consider utilizing the services of an experienced Realtor who can make sure their wants and needs are placed at the forefront of the deal.

While you may think that you can easily go forth without an agent, especially in the hopes that the builder will negotiate the 3% agent fee back into your pocket, the reality is that they’ll probably keep it unless you have the representation of a Realtor who can research how much negotiating can be done.  Without this outside assurance, chances are good that you may find yourself over paying for your property.

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY.

Real estate transactions involve a good deal of paperwork and legal considerations which can be difficult to navigate if you are not completely sure how the process should work.  If you’re making the decision to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home, you need to make sure that someone is looking out for your best financial interest.  A Realtor will not only be contractually obligated to protect you, but can help you navigate the various clauses, riders, and upgrade options embedded in the final new-construction contract.

SMOOTH NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

Part of the buying process involves the negotiation of terms, upgrade options, and closing costs, as well as selecting the best financing for your needs.  A Realtor will be able to present other attractive options for financing or will be able to work directly with the builder’s lender to secure a better rate for your mortgage.

A GUIDING HAND FROM SEARCH TO CLOSE.

From here, it’s important to remember that buying a new home is more than the fun process of selecting your finishes and signing on the dotted line.  It also involves everything from working with title companies to attending numerous inspections, so it’s worth having a Realtor on your side who can manage the overall process and ensure you’re not missing anything before the home is completely yours.

Therefore, if you’re in the market for a new home and would like some help navigating the waters, I’d love to make my services available.  Please call me for more information or to set up a meeting.

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