Featured Neighborhood: Notting Hill

Oct 14, 2013 5:56 pm
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Notting Hill is a well-established, close-knit community located in West Forsyth County, just off Post Road between Highway 9 and Highway 20, featuring over 100 estate homes.

Minutes from GA 400, Notting Hill is also close to great shopping and dining destinations such as The Collection, North Georgia Outlet Mall and North Point Mall.

notting hill 1Driving through the neighborhood, you will be impressed by the exquisite taste and style of the homes.   This is no cookie-cutter neighborhood – you will find unique architecture throughout.   Depending upon home design, standard features include 3 car carriage garages, 3 sides brick, granite countertops and backsplashes, crown molding, chair rails, maple cabinets, 9-foot ceilings and much more.

In addition to the aesthetics, each home also meets platinum performance standards for the Environments for Living Program.  This program will realize homeowners annual savings of up to 45% on their energy use.

Notting Hill is also a swim/tennis community, notting hill2with two lighted tennis courts, a large pool with a cabana and a tot lot.

With prices ranging from the $200’s to the $500’s, this community offers something for everyone.

Exceptional schools, fabulous amenities, above-average sense of community, charming homes, price, and location make this community the perfect place to raise your family.

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

RE/MAX Tops 2013 Franchise Times 200 Rankings for Real Estate

Oct 10, 2013 8:54 pm
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You’ve done it again! For the fifthST_No1logo consecutive year, RE/MAX is the highest-ranked real estate franchise – and 14th overall – in the 2013 Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Systems report.

The full report is available as a download at www.franchisetimes.com.

Here are the real estate results as published in the October edition of Franchise Times magazine. The
annual rankings are based primarily on worldwide sales volume.

RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.

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 2

Oct 8, 2013 1:03 pm
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Conserving Energy

Fixing anything to do with climate control is like getting first pick of the best Fall Fix 2players – it’s money in the bank. Many homeowners attend to issues around heating as a means of saving money on energy bills – and rightfully so. In many areas, heat is typically one of the largest winter expenses. The trick is to minimize drafts and to utilize the heat as effectively as possible. Begin by checking attic insulation levels and fill gaps with insulation appropriate for your climate.

Next, windows and doors with cracked or broken glass or that are poorly sealed should be fixed. Additionally, if the seals at the bottom of exterior doors are not tight, consider replacing thresholds and/or door bottoms. Weather stripping is inexpensive and easy to install along the top and sides of doors. Interior doors may benefit from “draft dodgers” that stop air from cooler rooms from coming under the door, especially consider doors to basements and garages.

Get that furnace or heat pump serviced, clean or change any filters, and ensure that all thermostats are in working order. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to optimize your energy consumption. Additionally, heating hot water and keeping it warm is a big energy draw. Ensure that the hot water heater is working well and that it is insulated if it is located in a cold location.

Woodstoves and chimneys should be clean and ready for use – employ a chimney sweep to check and clean them. Creosote build-up or debris from animals can start a fire in the chimney or stovepipe, which could ignite the roof.

Drying clothes in a dryer also consumes a high level of energy. In cool and damp climates dryer vents tend to collect lint and may become clogged, making these machines much less efficient. Cleaning dryers thoroughly with a lint brush can also prevent fires from starting.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

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