Tag Archives: Cumming

Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

Thursday, 02 July 2015 22:02
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selling-mistakesYes, learning from your mistakes is certainly a part of life and can definitely be an extremely worthwhile process.  However, when it comes to something as important as selling your home, it’s probably better to learn from other people’s mistakes.

Therefore, if you’re thinking about listing your home in the near future, the following are five common mistakes that, if avoided, can save you a lot of money and trouble.

FOR SALE BY OWNER. You may have heard that putting a “For Sale by Owner” sign in your front yard is a great way to save money. However, in this era of DIY projects and fix-it-yourself endeavors, you should resist the urge to tackle the real estate market alone.

There’s a reason that people dedicate their entire careers to the housing market.  In short, selling your home involves a lot of money, so it’s not something you should take lightly.  Working with a licensed agent helps ensure that you’re not losing your finances through a poor listing price or faulty closing contract.

If you absolutely feel the need to sell something yourself, consider unneeded furniture or other items that will simply detract from your home’s overall appeal.  Sell your coffee table yourself, not your home.

“BUT SHE’S MY FRIEND…” Plain and simple, not all agents are created equal. In addition to specializing in certain counties or neighborhoods, certain agents are better than others when it comes to residential real estate, luxury properties, foreclosures, etc.

In addition, just because your best friend’s aunt dabbles in the industry doesn’t mean she’s the best person to sell your home.  Picking the wrong agent can have serious consequences, so it’s important to choose someone with ample experience.  Don’t be afraid to do your research before selecting someone who meets your needs.  It’s your home and your money, so feel free to be choosey.

MAINTAIN A BIT OF REALISM WHEN PRICING YOUR HOME. We’ve heard it our whole lives—aim high. Reach for the stars.  While that tends to be great advice in regards to following your dreams or doing well in school, it’s not always very prudent when it comes to pricing your home.  In short, it’s better to be smart than overly eager, so listing your property at a price above its market value may hurt your chances of getting the most for your home.

You don’t want to find yourself getting a lower sale price than you were hoping for, so work with your agent to set the best, competitive price.

DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. Yes, this may be difficult to remember when stressing about the cost of repainting your pink bathroom or dealing with pre-sale repairs, but keeping things in perspective is important.  The goal is to make it to the finish line of your home sale, so try to keep your eyes on the rewarding outcome instead of the dollar signs bouncing around your head.  Once you sign the closing papers, chances are good that you’ll forget all about those smaller frustrations, so try to enjoy the ride as much as possible.

KEEP YOUR EMOTIONS IN CHECK. As much as you may love the pencil marks on your wall that correspond with your children’s yearly heights, try to remember that those heartfelt stories are not going to win the hearts of prospective buyers.  Sure, no one can argue with the fact that your home may hold an abundance of personal history, but emotions can cloud your judgement.  As an impartial player, a great agent can help you make smart, strategic decisions.

If you’re ready to sell your home or you know someone who is, please feel free to contact me for assistance.  I’d love to help you move to the next chapter of your life.

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

Featured Neighborhood: Somerdale in Cumming, GA

Friday, 19 June 2015 22:49
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07440453_GAMLSSet to open in the summer of 2016, this beautifully crafted community—built by Edward Andrews Homes—is located in Cumming, GA.  With easy access to Atlanta’s main corridors, including GA 400 and GA 20, residents will be treated to a host of community amenities, as well as exemplary schools, world-class hospitals, and a host of recreational activities.

In addition, located just minutes away, you’ll also find an abundance of shopping and dining options, to include The Avalon, The Collection at Forsyth, and North Georgia Premium Outlets.

Starting in the mid $380’s, residents will be pleased to find two lighted tennis courts, a pool house with lounging space around the pool deck, versatile green space for the whole family, and a large swimming pool with kid splash zone.  Inside, Somerdale homes feature open floor plans with hardwoods throughout the main level, as well as a gourmet kitchens and granite countertops, and spacious secondary bedrooms with walk-in closets.

07440453_GAMLS-9For families with children, all schools are located in Forsyth County, with the neighborhood being closest to Sawnee Elementary, Liberty Middle, and West Forsyth High School.

If you’re interested in learning more about this gorgeous, up-and-coming community, please feel free to contact me.  Current community hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday-Monday from 1pm-6pm, with a model home available for touring.

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

Simple Reasons Why Great Agents are Vital to Sellers

Sunday, 31 May 2015 18:38
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iStock_000018444654Small_SignPapersWhether you’ve sold a home in the past or are considering doing so in the near future, chances are good that the thought, “Come on, how hard can it be to sell on my own?” has crossed your mind—especially if you live in an area that has a high buyer demand.  Even so, while it may be tempting to play seller and real estate agent, it’s possible that you may have overlooked a few real estate challenges.

At the end of the day, real estate agents have a significant job, so it’s important to understand why agents prove to be indispensable during the selling process.

  1. Exposure.  A great agent is an expert at marketing, which means they will have the experience and know-how to help you not only increase your home’s exposure, but to market it in a way that will appeal to a wide audience.
  2. Outside Perspective. Sure, you may love your home and appreciate its quirks; however, a good real estate agent will bring a sense of objectivity into the equation.  While you may overlook your home’s imperfections, it’s important to remember that most potential buyers will not, so heeding the advice of a solid agent can make all the difference.
  3. They Handle All Showings. Whether you’ve already moved out or you’re simply dealing with a chaotic work schedule, an agent will be able to show your home to prospective buyers and answer their questions as needed.
  4. Market Awareness. Plain and simple, a great agent will not only be familiar with the area, but have access to an abundance of current market data regarding pending and recent sales.  While it’s completely reasonable to expect top dollar for your home, most agents understand that accurately priced homes tend to sell quicker than those that are priced too high.
  5. Negotiation Skills. While some people truly enjoy negotiating, many people find it to be a stressful experience.  Therefore, sellers with a real estate agent will find themselves in a great position because their agent can help secure a contract that will get them the most money.
  6. Legal Knowledge. It should come as no surprise that real estate transactions involve a long list of state and federal legal requirements, which can catch up with a seller if they decide to market their home without a reputable real estate agent.  To avoid legal trouble, an agent will help prepare the necessary disclosure documents and make sure that all of the seller’s paperwork is filed correctly.

If you’re considering selling your home, I offer free no-obligation consultations and would love to help you get the ball rolling!  Please contact me for more information.

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

10 Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Friday, 15 May 2015 15:25
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323100_fences-gates-02Sure, you might be preparing your home for the summer real estate market, but working towards a great sale price is a process that may be worth starting well before you’re ready to sell.  In short, no one wants to take a hit on their investment, so taking stock of where you can make a few upgrades or adjustments is important.  Yes, some of them may have a greater impact on your wallet than others, but it’s worth remembering that adding value to your home doesn’t have to break the bank.

To get you started, pay attention to the following tips:

Homogenize Your Lawn.  Sure, some buyers may not be too concerned with the state of your grass, but there’s truth to the notion that a patchy lawn takes away from your home’s overall appearance.  To make things a bit more standardized, consider re-seeding any unhealthy areas.

Organize and Clean.  Cluttered home’s not only look smaller, but dirtier.  To help buyers envision their belongings in your home, it’s always wise to remove excess personal effects or trinkets that simply take up space.

Add Insulation.  Depending upon when your home was built, it may be lacking in proper insulation.  If this is the case, taking the time to add additional insulation is not only considered one of the most inexpensive way to increase your home’s energy efficiency, but it’s also the quickest ways to reduce your heating and cooling costs by more than 25%.

Give the Kitchen Some Love.  Most buyers have a tendency to gravitate towards the kitchen before anywhere else in the home, so kitchen upgrades can make a huge difference.  If the idea of remodeling your entire kitchen seems daunting and generally out of the question, consider updating your appliances or replacing old cabinet doors and hardware.

Add a Fence.  While it’s important to remember that certain fences go over better than others (installing a chain link fence may actually hurt your home’s value), buyers with children or pets will generally appreciate the added privacy and security of an enclosed backyard.

Improve Your Bathroom.  Much like the kitchen, a little change can make a big difference.  By updating simple features such as your faucet or sink, you can easily bring an outdated bathroom into the current decade.

Add Outdoor Lights.  Curb appeal isn’t something relegated to the daytime hours.  If you’re looking to beautify and increase your home’s outdoor space, consider adding outdoor lighting that will make your entire property seem not only more appealing, but safer as well.

Check Your Gutters.  Sure, it’s a pain to clean your gutters, but ensuring that your eaves are clean is crucial when it comes to protecting your home from water damage.

Increase Storage Space.  Most buyers are looking for homes with ample storage; however, if your home seems to be lacking in that department, make a point to organize your closets in a way that will make them look larger and more efficient.

Don’t Neglect the Basement.  Basement remodels add usable space and subsequently, value.  Therefore, instead of adding an additional room to your home, consider turning the basement into a everything from a fantastic workroom or home office to a guest or media room.

If you’d like some assistance or need help deciding which aspects of your home may need a bit of attention, please feel free to call me—I offer free, no-obligation consultations.

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

Featured Neighborhood: Post Oak Glen in Cumming, GA

Monday, 11 May 2015 14:07
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picture-uh=475f9a16cf4f9ff71f50df65d7641625-ps=d7d8ea577078b455bfdf3fd885d726b6-Sinclair-Plan-in-Post-Oak-Glen-Cumming-GA-30028Poised on 40 acres of pristine North Georgia rolling hills and wooded glens, Post Oak Glen is the newest community for adults over the age of 55 in the Atlanta area.  Situated on the Northwest edge of Cumming, this stunning subdivision will boast 94 ranch and two-story homes upon completion.

Currently in the pre-sale phase, homes in this beautiful neighborhood start in the low $300,000’s and include gorgeous landscaping, resort-quality amenities—that comprise a sprawling clubhouse and pool—and convenient access to GA-400, as well as a wide assortment of distinctive shops and fine dining.  In addition, residents will also enjoy close proximity to wooded hiking trails and picnic pavilions, as well as the grandeur of the Sawnee Mountain Preserve and Lake Sydney Lanier.

POG-Site-Plan_Amenity_webWhile still in the building phase, homebuyers can now reserve lot spaces for their future home purchase, which includes six floor plans with luxurious home designs and lawn cutting services.  From 2,270 to 3,111 square feet, each home has a living space of three to four bedrooms, as well as two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two-car garages.

For more information, feel free to visit the Acadia Homes website (www.acadiahomes.com) or contact me to set up a meeting with one of their representatives.

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