The Dinsmore Team To Perform At The Cumming Fair!

Oct 3, 2013 10:05 am
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Wcannonwmarie3ell, maybe the photo is a little misleading… but I do hope that you’ll stop by and see me at the Cumming Fair on Monday, October 7th, from 4pm until 10pm.  While, I’ll only be appearing once, Re/Max All Properties will have a booth inside the two-story red barn on the first floor every day from 4-10pm, October 3rd through the 13th.

It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’ll be giving away Lowes 10% off eCoupons, and a chance to win a 1-hour massage from Massage Envy.   If you’ve been stressed about listing your home, finding a new one, or just from day-to-day life, I’m sure you’d enjoy this chance to indulge in some pampering.

Monday, October 7th, will be Student Night – all under 18 will receive Free Admission and it’s only $15.00 for unlimited rides.  This year, the Fair will also feature “The Tiger Encounter”, showing at 6pm and 8pm.  Sounds like a great time to take your family out and enjoy the evening.

While you’re visiting, you might also want to sign up for our free, absolutely no-pressure, Neighborhood Watch program.   If you’ve ever been interested to know which houses in your community are being listed and what they’ve sold for, this is a great chance for you to find out in real time.  Once you sign up, you’ll simply receive an email letting you know about the properties in your neighborhood as they go through the listing process.   While you don’t have to make a special trip to the Fair to request this service, I sure hope that I will get the opportunity to meet with you in person.

Best wishes,

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

New FHA Program: Back To Work – Extenuating Circumstances

Sep 30, 2013 2:54 pm
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Good news for Georgia homeFHA buyers.   The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has introduced a new loan program designed to assist those who have undergone foreclosure, deed-in-lieu, taken a short sale or declared bankruptcy during the economic recession.  Normally people who opted for the solutions would have to wait years before being eligible for an FHA-insured mortgage loan.  The new program, Back to Work – Extenuating Circumstances, reduces the waiting period for most borrowers to just 12 months, and is offered to first-time and repeat home buyers.

Potential borrows must be able to demonstrate that they have had a significant reduction in income over a six month period, that they have fully recovered from the event, and completed Housing Counseling from a HUD-approved agency.  You will also need to establish a good credit standing for 12 months.

Not all lenders are participating in this program; they must be FHA-approved.   Because the FHA does provide the loan directly, you need to make sure that your lender is participating.in the program.  If you have questions, you can contact Pam Wright, with On Q Financial (Pam.Wright@OnQFinancial.com – 770-883-2015).

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 1

Sep 25, 2013 6:01 pm
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While spring may be the time for cleaning, fall is surely the time for fixing. Simple improvements can save money in utility bills as well fall footballas prevent costly repairs in the future. Like a well-played game of football, the homeowner needs a good playbook to get ahead in the game. The trick is, by the time it is October many areas might be into the first quarter — on the way to frigid temperatures – so prioritize and use this valuable time to the best advantage.

Play it Safe

A good bet is “Safety First.” Start simple: look at entrances and exits in and around the home and consider how they may be affected by the change in seasons. Look at safety issues around moisture, temperature and light. Are there areas that are particularly dark that need more lighting? Would motion-sensitive or timed lighting options be beneficial? Are there areas where debris collects and creates a safety hazard? Identify issues and resolve them now to minimize risk of injury later.

During fall and winter months pathways, entrances and exits can become compromised. Sometimes the paths or stairways might become slick with ice, snow, water, leaves or even moss or algae growth. Be sure to clear and clean these areas, making repairs to cracked or uneven walkways, securing loose boards, ensuring safe passage. Additionally, having a place for shoes and gear when people enter a home so entrances and exits remain clear can prevent unnecessary trips and falls. In cooler climates, this is a good time to create space in hall closets for bulkier coats and to put out the umbrella stand. Perhaps providing a basket for gloves and a tray for wet shoes and boots, along with an absorbent entry mat to ensure that surrounding floors don’t become wet and slick.

gutter cleanFall is an ideal time to clean gutters ensuring that water will not build up and overflow and either puddle or freeze. Additionally, while the ladder is out, look at the eaves and assess the roof. Look for signs that wildlife might have tried to gain access, and consider putting up hooks for holiday lights – after all, the ladder is out, and holiday lights will provide more light around the home in the dark months. Change any burnt out or flickering bulbs in outdoor areas, putting in energy-saving bulbs so that lights may be left on longer without regard to cost.

In areas prone to icing, ensure that supplies are stocked.  Consider storing sand, salt or kitty litter to help melt ice or gain traction. Any generators should be in good working order with fresh fuel that is properly stored.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

It’s Harvest Time in North Georgia!

Sep 19, 2013 12:34 pm
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Fall is a Great Time for Families

Whether you’re ready for some serious baking or just a chance to get out of the house and have some fun, we are very fortunate to be living in North Georgia.  September and October are packed with Fall festivals, fabulous produce and picturesque scenery.

BurtsOne of the most well-known family destinations in the Fall is Burt’s Pumpkin Farm.  This is the place for making great memories with the young ones, and also offers great backdrops for photos.   At Burt’s you can select your perfect pumpkin, winter squash, gourds. fall decorations and an assortment of goodies to eat.

For older children, be sure to visit Uncle Shuck’s pumpkin patch haunted corn maze.

Ellijay’s 42nd Annual Apple Festival

There are many orchards and farms surrounding Ellijay where you can take the family and pick a peck of apples for just $10!  Apple season is August through October.  Be sure to visit each farm’s website to get detailed information.

The culmination of apple season is celebrated by Ellijay’s Fall Festival during two weekends in October (October 12th and 19th).  They have a parade and antique car show each year, as well as over 300 vendors offering hand-crafted items and demonstrations.

North Georgia FarmsApples

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

Uncle Shuck’s

Georgia Apple Festival

Mercier Farms

Red Apple Barn

Reese Apple Orchards

Hillcrest Orchards

R&A Orchards

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

What is Feng Shui?

Sep 12, 2013 7:18 pm
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I always knew it had to do with balance and flow, but a specific definition is:

The Chinese art or practice of positioning objects, especially graves, buildings, and furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects.

If you hold stock in this Eastern thought you will Feng-Shui-Colorsnote that the front door of your home is probably the most important point.  This is where all energy enters your home, so maximizing the positive flow of energy is very important.  In Western terms, the front door is also an important part of the curb appeal of your home and one of the first impressions a potential buyer will receive.  So, why wouldn’t you want it to be one that states strength and positive energy?

There are numerous sites on the internet that tell you all about what to have and what not to have at the front door, in the entrance hall, or along the walls to portray good Feng Shui.  Cluttering up the entrance way, stoop or front porch with furniture, many potted plants and figurines is not good Feng Shui.  You want a clear entrance to your home with a strong and inviting appearance.  One potted plant in a container that is pretty and has a healthy plant is great!  A broken pot with a dead plant is not.

The same applies throughout your home.  Think about the flow.  Do you have to walk around things to get from one room to another?  Is the coffee table blocking the path into the kitchen or dining area, so you have to walk around it?  If a potential buyer is walking through your home, will they have to move about in a clumsy fashion to get from one room to another, or can they walk through, admiring the space and envisioning how they would decorate it?

Whether following Eastern or Western thought, your home will be more inviting if you have a positive flow of energy, and an unfettered pathway throughout.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Featured Neighborhood: Vickery in South Forsyth

Sep 5, 2013 9:18 am
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Vickery Village2One of Forsyth County’s most favored communities is Vickery.   This neighborhood has it all!  It’s a place where you can live work, play, shop and dine, all within walking distance; featuring exquisite homes and excellent schools.

Located only minutes away from GA 400 and the Windward business district, the location is perfect for those working North of Atlanta who do not wish to pay the higher Fulton County taxes.   There are over 70 acres of green space surrounding the neighborhood with fishing ponds, gardens, parks and a playground.

Walk to Vickery Village, the center of the community, which features fabulous shops and restaurants, as well as the 50,000 square foot Forsyth County Family YMCA facility.   There’s more dining and shopping just a 5 minute drive away at The Collection which has a large assortment of shops, restaurants and a movie theater, and you can reach North Point Mall or the North Georgia Outlet Mall, 20 minutes away.

The homes and their surroundings create a European-style “Village” feel.   The fine quality craftsman construction and attention to detail are evident in each of the over 600 homes at Vickery.   Prices range from the $300s to over $1 Million, and are a mix of condominiums, townhomes and single family homes.   The first-class amenities include Vickery’s Clubhouse, a lap pool with cabana, lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, an outdoor fire pit, ponds, gardens, parks and biking/hiking trails.

With the home style choices, amenities, shopping and dining, this community offers something for everyone.

Please call me if you are interested in viewing this extraordinary community.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789