10 Reasons To List Your Home During The Holidays

Nov 5, 2013 3:30 pm
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Christmas house 2Thinking that the holidays are not a great time to sell your home?   Think again. Home buyers need to purchase homes all year-long, and there are some real advantages to placing your home on the market during the holiday season.  Here are the top ten benefits:

  1. People who look at properties during the holidays are serious buyers and are more ready to make a decision.
  2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays; meaning less competition and more for you..
  3. House “shows  better” when decorated for the holidays with the wonderful light and festive colors associated with the season.
  4. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays and often base their decision on the warmth and good feeling they receive when viewing your house.
  5. Buyers have more time to look for a house during the holidays because they have designated time off from work to purchase a home.
  6. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for financial and tax reasons.
  7. January is traditionally for transfers.  Transferees can’t wait until the spring Christmas Houseto buy.  Your house must be on the market to capture these buyers.
  8. You may restrict showings during your own personal family events and still take advantage of your spruced up and decorated “show ready” property.
  9. You can sell now, but specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if you so desire and if agreeable to the other party.
  10. By selling now you have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the spring, when more properties are on the market at lower prices. Sell high – buy low.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Atlanta’s Top 10 Builders for Third Quarter 2013

Nov 4, 2013 3:10 pm
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home builderThis article comes directly from AtlantaRealEstateForum.com.  I thought it would be beneficial to share.

Metrostudy released its list of Atlanta’s top 10 builders based on the number of new home closings that occurred during the first three quarters of 2013. They are, as follows:

1. Crown Communities

2. D.R. Horton

3. Peachtree Communities

4. Pulte Homes Corporation

5. Ashton Woods Homes

6. Ryland Homes

6. Lennar

8. The Providence Group

9. Wilson Parker Homes

10. JEH Homes

It is interesting to note that both Ryland Homes and Lennar are tied at No. 6, with an equal 2.9 percent of the market share. Also, on this list, Pulte Homes Corporation represents a combination of closings from Pulte Homes, Del Webb and Centex. Closings of new single-family homes are up 44 percent over this time last year.

Atlanta new home builders offer a wide array of home prices and styles, and with current interest rates holding steady near four percent, now is the perfect time to buy a new home in Atlanta.

Metrostudy is the leading provider of primary and secondary market information to the housing industry and related industries nationwide, and it provides data on 22 counties in the metro Atlanta area. If you’d like more information on Metrostudy data, call Eugene James at 404-370-9001 ext. 111.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY – St. Michaels Bay on Lake Lanier

Nov 1, 2013 3:58 pm
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5860 Windjammer Pt m dinsmore low reshome_3Come visit us this Sunday, November  3rd, from 2pm to 4pm to view homes in the exclusive St. Michael’s Bay community on Lake Lanier.

The exquisite homes in this New England inspired community offer its residents unparalleled lake front luxury living.   If your family is active, St. Michaels Bay has it all:  swim, tennis, boating and hiking.  This never-a-dull-moment neighborhood combines stunning Peachtree-tailored homes and unsurpassed amenities. There’s no better place for active families to keep their lives in motion!

Some of the amenities include:

  • Gated Entrance
  • Private, Covered Marina
  • Lighted Tennis Courts
  • “The Bay Club” Clubhouse
  • Jr. Olympic Swimming Pool
  • Hiking/Nature Trails

Several homes in this fabulous community will be open for viewing:

5860 Windjammer Point

5910 Windjammer Point

6345 Sterling Shores

6305 Sterling Shores Drive

6310 Beacon Station Drive

We hope to see you there this Sunday from 2-4pm.  Enjoy light refreshments, and a sign up for a chance to win a $50 gas card!

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Fall Fixes NOT to Nix – Part 4

Oct 29, 2013 6:13 pm
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Pest Control: Defense or Offense?

mouse

During cooler months, it is common for wildlife to want to move in to a home for warmth and shelter. Teams of mice and rats, squirrels and other animals can do damage to insulation and wiring, create unclean living situations, contaminate food, and keep people up at night with scratching and scampering. Carefully inspect possible sources of entry in the fall months and seal up any places where pests might gain access to the home.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has vast information about preventing and resolving rodent infestations. They recommend looking for any evidence of uninvited guests and possible access from inside the home in the following locations:

  • Inside, under, and behind kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and stoves
  • Inside closets near the floor corners
  • Around the fireplace
  • Around doors
  • Around the pipes under sinks and washing machines
  • Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces
  • Around floor vents and dryer vents
  • Inside the attic
  • In the basement or crawl space
  • In the basement and laundry room floor drains
  • Between the floor and wall juncture

The CDC also recommends checking the following areas outside the home:

  • In the roof among the rafters, gables, and eaves
  • Around windows
  • Around doors
  • Around the foundation
  • Attic vents and crawl space vents
  • Under doors
  • Around holes for electrical, plumbing, cable, and gas lines

Defend the home by filling holes with steel wool, held in place with caulk. Squirrels and raccoons require larger holes and do even more damage, so cover larger holes with lath screen, metal, cement or hardware cloth to stop entry into the building.

Assess the perimeters of buildings, inside and out, sweeping and raking debris away from walls. Remove woodpiles and leaves from around buildings. These areas are prime habitat for rodents and other pests, including termites and carpenter ants. In areas where problems persist, take the offense. Trapping or baiting with poison may be advised. Larger infestations may require the attention of trained professionals for control and cleanup.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Even with New Construction, You Need A Buyer’s Agent

Oct 25, 2013 1:49 pm
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Close up of a welcome mat in front of an inviting houseWith the accessibility of today’s housing via the internet, many home shoppers may feel that they don’t need a buyer’s agent to help them find their dream property.   While you can do a lot of the legwork yourself, in the end, you won’t be saving either money or time.

Plain and simple, even though the buyer’s agent works for you and not the seller, the seller is the one who will wind up paying for your agent upon closing.  Therefore, the question you should be asking yourself is, “Why would I pass on a service that is in essence…FREE?”

In today’s market, most new homes are being built by national builders who employ salaried agents to sell their properties.  Generally, the first thing a seller’s agent will want to know about you is whether or not you have representation because if you don’t, the commission that they would normally have to split with your agent will go directly into their pocket.

With this, a selling agent is obviously interested in getting you to pay top-dollar for their property; however, a buyer’s agent will help counteract this by taking note of other similar sales in the area and making sure you aren’t paying too much.  In essence, they are there to buffer you and negotiate on your behalf so that by the time you close, your house has not only been properly inspected, but has also been placed in perfect condition.

Similarly, when it comes to financing, a good agent will help you walk through the process of finding a solid mortgage company who can give you options which fit your lifestyle.  While the agent employed by the builder may also come ready with financing through a partnered company, it’s important to remember that they may not be looking to help you find the best solutions.

In short, when entering into a real estate transaction, it’s important to have someone in your corner who will make sure that you are taken care of throughout the entire process.   The Dinsmore Team can help you find the right mortgage lender, closing attorney and help you find your perfect home.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Fall Fixes NOT to Nix – Part 3

Oct 18, 2013 3:36 pm
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Rain, Snow and Going with the Flow

Regardless of temperature, water is one of the most damaging influences in a home. It can impact foundations, floors and walls, and introduce mold into the structure. Many areas experience increased precipitation in the fall and winter months which can open the door to unnecessary problems if preventative steps have not been taken.

Visually inspect the roof for signs of damaged shingles and repair them prior to a leak. Check and clean skylights, inspecting the flashing and clearing leaves and debris. When cleaning gutters, remember that it is also important to see that water is directed efficiently away from the foundation, so be sure to install drainpipe extensions or other solutions that move water away from the foundation. And, not all water may be coming from the roof. Survey the area around the foundation for signs of standing water or run-off that brings water close to the house, driveway or walkways. In some cases changing the flow of water that comes onto a property might include installing a curtain drain or other water management plan.

Frozen-PipeProtecting water pipes within the home is of key importance. If pipes freeze they may crack and leak, causing extensive damage throughout the home. Ensure that hose bibs are covered and that pipes in cooler areas of the home are protected with insulation or heat tape. In climates that are prone to winter storms or hurricanes, consider storm windows or shutters. If the home is in a low-lying area and has a basement, consider keeping a sump pump on hand in the event of a flooded basement.

Take a good look at the paved areas. Repairing small cracks and holes in driveways and walkways in the fall will ensure that freezing water will not penetrate the asphalt or concrete and cause further damage.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789