Marie Dinsmore Receives New “Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE)” Certification

Dec 14, 2015 2:12 pm
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cne_logo_cmykMarie Dinsmore has been awarded the Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) designation from the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI).  The CNE designation is earned by real estate professionals who have successfully completed formal negotiation training over the course of two days.  In regards to negotiation skills, gents who receive this certification are among the top agents in the country.

With professional negotiation skills, agents are able to help clients obtain better results when selling or purchasing a home.  CNE agents have a higher skill level, which enables them to 1) communicate more effectively to uncover desired information, 2) help clients understand their options, 3) work collaboratively with others, and 4) resolve deadlocks.  CNE agents also have a thorough understanding of how to effectively negotiate to help their clients achieve their goals.

The Real Estate Negotiation Institute is the leading negotiation training and coaching company in the real estate industry.  Collectively, the Real Estate Negotiation Institute’s instructors have over 300 years of real estate and negotiation experience.  Tom Hayman, the CEO and Co-Founder of the Real Estate Negotiation Institute, asserts, “Any buyer or seller who hires a CNE agent can feel confident that they have one of the best trained negotiators in the real estate industry.  They will not only achieve superior results, but will have better resolution of all issues when under the representation of a CNE agent.”

Marie Dinsmore is a Realtor with RE/MAX® All Properties in Cumming, Georgia who specializes in luxury homes, estate properties, and estate homes in the North Georgia area.  These types of properties require keen attention to detail, as well as an experienced understanding of the needs required by the buyers and sellers in this highly specialized division of the market.  It is this client focus which has made Dinsmore a top producer for years, along with her belief in hard work, dedication to her customers, and a true passion for the real estate sector.  In 2014, she was given The Best of Trulia Top Agent Award, The Five Star Professional Award, and named RE/MAX® All Properties Top Sales Associate for 2014.

Individuals in North Georgia who are looking for a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) who is also a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) can contact Marie Dinsmore at 770.712.7789 or visit www.DinsmoreTeam.com.

For more information about the Real Estate Negotiation Institute, please visit www.theRENI.com.

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Featured Neighborhood: St. Michaels Bay on Lake Lanier in Cumming, GA

Dec 14, 2015 2:00 pm
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Brevard Front 1If you’re in the market for a beautiful home with access to Lake Lanier, this perfectly planned neighborhood is sure to please.  Designed and built by Peachtree Residential Properties, St. Michaels is perfect for active families who are looking for resort-style amenities and the privacy that comes with living in a gated community.

Complete with a private covered marina and courtesy dock, as well as lighted tennis courts, hiking/nature trails, a junior Olympic swimming pool, and luxury clubhouse with fitness center and billiard room, everything you’ll need for a fun weekend just outside your front door.

With homes ranging from $395,900 to $495-900, nothing has been spared.  From three-car garages, gourmet kitchens, and luxurious master retreats to stainless steel appliances, hardwoods, and granite countertops, each house is like walking into a dream.  While some sites have already been built, buyers have the option of customizing their home through our Design Center, which offers professional design services on everything from carpet and tile to countertops and appliances.  Their services are geared towards the client, so you’ll received focused, individual assistance until your home is complete.

Located in North Forsyth County, this stunning development is a short drive from exit 17 on GA-400, with convenient access to an abundance of restaurants and shops.

SCHOOLS

Chestatee Elementary

Little Mill Middle

North Forsyth High School

SHOPPING

The Collection at Forsyth

GA 400 Outlets in Dawsonville

Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville

Hospitals

Northside Forsyth Hospital

Northeast Georgia Health System & Medical Center

If you’d like to schedule a showing or would like to learn more about this beautiful community, please contact me at 770-712-7789.

For free tips on everything from staging and remodeling to the buying and selling process, please stop by the blog on my website.  It’s updated on a weekly basis!

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

Smart Ways to Reduce Expenses After Purchasing a Home

Dec 4, 2015 11:42 am
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o-OLDER-WOMAN-TALKING-ON-PHONE-facebookWhen it comes to purchasing a home, while you may have been vigilant about budgeting in an effort to make sure that your new property would be affordable on a long-term basis, it’s no secret that the actual act of moving can cost a bit of money.  From movers to interior adjustments such as window treatments and paint, your wallet may take a hit for a few months.  However, while reducing your expenses in the beginning is important, there’s something to be said for fresh starts and cutting costs for an extended period of time.

Therefore, if you’re looking to start fresh with your move, consider the following tips to save money over the long-run.

AVOID THE LANDLINE: Sure, there is some benefit to installing a landline in your home; however, if you currently have one, when was the last time you really used it?  The number of people who are connected to landlines has rapidly fallen over the last few years, which makes sense since most of us have very little need or desire to pay for two phone lines.  Chances are pretty good that your cell phone lives within a 10-foot radius from you at all times, so skip the landline and spare yourself the expense.

SWITCH LIGHT BULBS: While incandescent lightbulbs may appear to be the cheaper option at the checkout, it’s important to realize that CFL or LED lightbulbs are up to four-times as energy efficient, turning a total home switch into a real money saver.

CONSIDER A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT: Most new homes are going come with thermostats that allow you to determine the automatic heating and cooling of your home for all hours of the day, which is great news if you work long hours.  If you find yourself purchasing a home that does not have this option, it may be worth your money.  Plain and simple, if you can turn your thermostat down by 10 degrees while you’re at work for eight hours, you can save anywhere from 5 to 15% on your heating bill—and the same goes for your air conditioning bill in the summer.

UNPLUG UNUSED DEVICES: While you may think you’re saving money by keeping unused devices turned off, the reality is that—whether on or off—if those devices are plugged in, they are still using electricity.  While the amount of electricity actually used is relatively small, when you multiply it by the number of plugged, but turned off, appliances in your home, it adds up.

Clearly, it’s not practical to unplug everything in your home when it’s not being used; however, you may want to consider keeping lesser-used items like the blender or pencil sharpener off the grid.

EAT IN YOUR NEW KITCHEN: While this may sound a bit silly, a large number of people find themselves eating out more than making food at home, which can place unnecessary strain on the wallet.  Even if you’re not much of a chef, what’s the point of having a beautiful, new kitchen if you don’t use it?  Bring a bit of savings into your life by skipping the takeout and packing a lunch or making dinner in the evening.  Aside from being healthier, your bottom line will thank you.

BUNDLE YOUR INSURANCE: If you’ve ever shopped for car insurance, you’ve probably been peppered with options about purchasing homeowners or renters insurance during the process.  While irritating if you’re not in the market for other services, as a new homeowner, bundling your policies can actually be a great thing.  Many insurance companies offer a sizeable discount if you combine your homeowner’s policy with your auto insurance policies, so if you’re currently using separate companies, you may want to look into making a switch.

For other tips, tricks, and ideas for saving money before, during, or after your move, feel free to contact me.  I’d love to hear from you.

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

How to Sell Your Home before the New Year

Nov 20, 2015 7:51 am
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ddfIf you’ve been trying to sell your home with little success, you may be feeling a bit of angst over the approaching winter months.  As most buyers and sellers are aware, the peak selling season for real estate happens during the spring and summer; however, while most industries tend to slow a bit during the holiday season (unless we’re speaking about retailers), the cooler temperatures are not an automatic death sentence for your home.

Plain and simple, there are some definite advantages to selling your home during the fall and winter, especially if you account for the fact that the internet knows no boundaries—or rather, no seasons.  Just as you’re reading this blog online, there are hundreds—if not thousands—of potential buyers utilizing the internet to search for their next home in your area.

With that being said, as the holiday season approaches, we generally become a bit more bogged down with family functions and travel plans, which certainly puts a limit on the amount of spare time we have in our schedules.  Hence, as a seller, it’s worth remembering that a large number of the house hunters on the market from October through January are serious about their desire to find a new home.  When most of us would simply put a halt to the buying process until life slows down after the New Year, dedicated buyers will stay the course.

From here, when it comes to showing your house and making it look as appealing as possible, you simply cannot go wrong with the warmth of holiday decorations and the emotional pull of strings of lights and freshly baked cookies.  Long-story-short, buyers tend to make home purchases based upon emotion, especially when they can envision their life within your home, so there’s no better time to make an emotional connection with your buyers than during the holiday season.

Still, if you’ve reached a point where selling your home is simply what needs to be done regardless of the season, then there’s really no reason to apply the brakes simply because the temperature has taken a dive.

Therefore, if you’re serious about selling before the end of the year, I can help.  With consistently high sales numbers and one of the most recognizable names in the Forsyth County real estate market, I know how to make the holiday season work for you.

Please contact me for more information.  I’d love to hear from you.

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

Featured Neighborhood: Vickery in Cumming, GA

Nov 13, 2015 5:37 am
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SR1_5389f-1030x607If you haven’t already heard about the homes in Vickery, you need to!  Known for its rich architectural character and stunning live-work-play setting, this charming development features sweeping green views, striking courtyards, an abundance of parks, and sprawling front porches.

With homes produced by John Wieland, one of the nation’s top homebuilders, each property boasts innovative floorplans, gorgeous exteriors, and specialty craftsmanship that you simply will not find anywhere else.  With that, if you’re tired of the look of cookie cutter neighborhoods, you’ll be thrilled to feast your eyes upon one-of-a-kind designs that vary from one home to the next.

Homeowners in Vickery also enjoy access to a myriad of shops and dining (within walking distance), as well as the Forsyth County YMCA at Vickery Village, an expansive community pool, tennis and basketball courts, and a beautiful neighborhood pond.

Each home comes standard with:

  • 10′ Ceilings on the Main Floor, 9′ on Second
  • Whole House Wireless Access Point for a Wi-Fi Ready Home
  • Built-in Mobile Device Charging Station
  • Tile Shower with Bench in Owner’s Spa and Main Floor Baths (per plan)
  • Smooth Wood Shelving in Owner’s Closet and Pantry
  • Recessed Lighting in Hallways and Common Spaces
  • 30-Year Architectural Shingles and Rot Resistant Exterior Trim
  • Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing by TechShield® for Energy Efficiency
  • Beautifully Crafted Architecturally Controlled Exterior with Boral® Brick, Fiber Cement Siding or Natural Stacked Stone per Elevation
  • 10′ Smooth Finish Ceilings on First Floor with 5¼” Crown Molding in Foyer, Living, Great Room, Dining, Kitchen and Powder Room and 9′ Smooth Finish Ceilings on Second Floor with 5¼” Crown Molding in Owner’s Suite
  • Pre-finished 5″ Hardwood Flooring by Shaw® in Foyer, Powder Room, Kitchen, Breakfast, Keeping, Living, Great Room, Dining and First Floor Hall
  • Oak Stair Treads with Painted Risers
  • Low-VOC Carpet by Shaw® or Mohawk®
  • Tile Flooring in Owner’s Bath, Secondary Baths and Laundry
  • Ventless Gas Fireplace with Slate, Marble or Brick Surround and Wood Mantle
  • ENERGY STAR® Stainless Steel KitchenAid® Appliances including Cooktop, Vent Hood, Microwave and Oven, Dishwasher and Disposal
  • Granite Countertops with Eased Edge
  • Tile Backsplash
  • Durable Double Bowl Stainless Steel Undermount Sink with Stainless Moen® Camerist Faucet
  • Recessed, Pendant and Under Cabinet Lighting

SCHOOLS

Vickery Creek Elementary School – Within Walking Distance — Ranked 10 out of 10 by GreatSchoolsTM
Grades PreK-5
6280 Post Road
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 346-0040

Vickery Creek Middle School – Within Walking Distance — Ranked 10 out of 10 by GreatSchoolsTM
Grades 6-8
6240 Post Road
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 667-2580

West Forsyth High School — Ranked 9 out of 10 by GreatSchoolsTM
Grades 9-12
4155 Drew Road
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 888-3470

If you would like to learn more about this truly unique community or would like to schedule a showing, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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

 

The Top Ways that Real Estate Agents SAVE You Money

Nov 8, 2015 9:18 pm
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YoungCoupleSaveMoneyMovingThe beauty of hiring an experienced real estate agent is that they make the process of selling your property look easy.  However, the truth of the matter is that it takes a lot of work and knowledge to get a home through the closing process, which is worth remembering when the desire to stick a “For Sale by Owner” sign in your yard rears its ugly head.

Plain and simple, while you may cringe when thinking about the standard 6% commission that your agent will get when your home finally sells, it’s important to think about all of the advantages they bring to the table, especially when you find yourself in a tight spot.

FREE MARKETING – When it comes to selling, marketing is key. Effective sales strategies include marketing materials that will not only cost you some serious out-of-pocket cash, but require professional-looking design skills, which—let’s face it—most of us lack.

Instead, a great agent will not only provide you with an abundance of professional photographs, brochures, mailings, and advertisements, but will make sure your listing is seen by the right contacts.  Often times, finding a buyer is about numbers.  If no one is seeing your home, no one will buy it.

THEY’LL PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD – When it comes to staging, most of us have our furniture and belongings organized for function; however, while comfortable, chances are good that your layout may not be what’s best for the look of the room. If the goal is to show things in best light possible, you’ll need an agent who can objectively assess your space and help you decide what to keep and what to place in storage. Clearly, buyers will be looking for aesthetic appeal, so having someone on hand to redistribute your furniture, make recommendations, and increase your home’s flair is crucial.

THEY KNOW PEOPLE – A solid agent will have a solid team working behind them—which includes everything from honest lenders, plumbers, electricians, inspectors, contractors, brokers, designers, landscapers, etc. Whether selling your home will require a bit of a backyard cleanup or a few coats of fresh paint, your agent should be able to recommend someone who will not only do a great job, but give you a fair price.

When attempting to sell your home on your own, it’s easy to cave and throw money at the problem; however, an agent will save you from spending your hard-earned money when not absolutely necessary.

MORE MONEY AT CLOSING – Whether you always understand it, a great agent will approach the home selling process with a strategy, which means they’re going to work their magic to get you the most money for your home. Whether that means under-pricing to stage a bidding war or showing your property before listing to entice that super-motivated buyer, they know exactly how to play things so that you get more money.

TIME IS MONEY – Plain and simple, agents do things what you cannot. Unless you went to school for real estate or regularly spend your time researching trends in the local market, chances are good that they have a better understanding of what it takes to get a home sold in as little time as possible. The longer your home stays on the market, the more money you lose, so it’s important to have someone in your corner who can do the heavy lifting and move the process along.

In the end, regardless of the season or time of year, if you’re looking to sell your current home, I can help.  My background is extensive and I know how to move homes from market to close.

To learn more about what I can do for you and your family, please feel free to contact me.

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