Tag Archives: Atlanta Homes

In Progress: Mountain Crest by Lennar

7630562014AvalonFrontwebAs the second largest homebuilder in the United States, the Lennar Corporation has announced that they are securing the permits to build a large neighborhood of houses and townhomes just West of Cumming.

As part of Forsyth County, the Georgia division of the Miami-based company says the new division—covering 444 acres and entitled Mountain Crest—will consist of 572 single-family homes and 124 townhouses along Chamblee Gap Road.

The project, which will hopefully connect to the Big Creek Greenway’s trail network, has a completion date of 2022; however, the first initial phases are expected to be open by 2016.

The actual development calls for 1.6 units per acre, but Lennar is promising an unprecedented 200 acres of green space within the community.

For now, Lennar is going through the process of getting approval through the county, as well as the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (which is required for all developments with 300+ lots).  Once all comments are addressed through the GMRC, Lennar will be looking to reduce the area’s required commercial and office use from 25% to zero, while also reducing the stream buffer from 50 feet to 25 feet.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to seeing this wonderful new development become a reality!

Lennar-sized

 

10 Reasons To List Your Home During The Holidays

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

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

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

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

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

New FHA Program: Back To Work – Extenuating Circumstances

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