Tag Archives: The Dinsmore Team

Featured Neighborhood: Danbury Farms in Cumming, GA

LA-Danbury-FarmsFraser-WB142-small-1200x560Just last month, Lennar Atlanta began selling homes in the lovely Danbury Farms neighborhood in Cumming, GA.  These new, single-family homes, which are located in beautiful Forsyth County are located within a swim/tennis community that boasts close proximity to great schools, exciting outdoor/recreational activities, and a fantastic array of dining and shopping options.

Perfect for growing families, Danbury Farms includes 113 homesites that offer everything from first floor guest bedrooms and granite countertops to stainless steel appliances and hardwood flooring.  With the option of homes sized to 3,100 square feet, prices start in the mid-$300s and include the Lennar Homes Everything’s Included® plan, which lets them provide buyers with the most desirable, detail oriented home appointments based upon extensive research into what features homeowners want to see.

Some of the elements include: brick-front exteriors, professionally landscaped yards, grand entryways, cultured marble vanities in baths, brushed nickel features, crown molding, and gourmet kitchens.

SCHOOLS:

Kelly Mill Elementary – 1180 Chamblee Gap Road, (678) 965-4953

Vickery Middle School – 6240 Post Road, (770) 677-2580

West Forsyth High School – 4155 Drew Road, (770) 888-3470

SHOPPING:

North Georgia Premium Outlets – Dawsonville, GA

The Avalon – Alpharetta, GA

The Collection at Forsyth – Cumming, GA

Northpoint Mall – Alpharetta, GA

The Mall of Georgia – Buford, GA

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Sawnee Mountain Preserve – Cumming, GA

Lake Lanier Parks – Cumming, GA

Fowler Park – Cumming, GA

The Big Creek Greenway – Cumming, GA

Haw Creek Park – Cumming, GA

To learn more about this beautiful, family-oriented neighborhood or to schedule a showing, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.  These homes will go fast, so don’t wait!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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

Featured Neighborhood: Fieldstone Preserve by Lennar Homes

Magnolia-C-elevLocated in Cumming, just minutes from GA 400 and GA 20, Fieldstone Preserve is positioned within a scenic wooded setting that is perfect for families who desire a fun-filled lifestyle.  With expansive homes starting in the low $400s, this upscale community offers both resort-style amenities—to include a clubhouse and fitness center, as well as five swimming pools, 12 tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, basketball court, walking trails, and a private lake—as well as gracious executive homes ranging from 2,886 to 4,353 square feet.

Built by Lennar, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, this beautiful community boasts homes that are bedecked with classic exterior features such as traditional brick and three-car garages, as well as poured, reinforced concrete foundations, rear patios or decks, and professionally landscaped yards.

Inside, all homes come standard with crown molding, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, recessed lighting, spacious walk-in closets, and energy efficient construction.  In addition, buyers will be pleased to discover elegant two-story foyers, hardwood flooring, brushed nickel fixtures, and cultured marble vanities in all full secondary baths.

For families with school-aged children, Fieldstone Preserve is located within Forsyth County, which features some of the best schools in Georgia.  The closest schools include the award-winning West Forsyth High School, as well as Vickery Middle School, and Kelly Mill Elementary.

While perfect for buyers looking to live away from the bustle of Atlanta and everyday life, Fieldstone Preserve is still conveniently located within a few miles of a host of restaurants, shops, and recreational activities, to include The Collection at Forsyth, Northpoint Mall, Vickery Village, and gorgeous Lake Sydney Lanier.

If you’d like to know more or are interested in scheduling a viewing, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I’d love to show you the neighborhood and hopefully help you discover the home of your dreams!

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

5 Important Considerations for First-Time Home Buyers

ffdaWhen it comes to finding the perfect home to rent, your job is much easier because the goal is to find a home that “meets my needs right now” instead of “meets my needs for the next 20 years.”  Plain and simple, making the decision to purchase a property is a much bigger commitment than renting, both in terms of finances and length of time that you’ll wind up staying in one place.

With that being said, due to the amount you’ll have to invest in your final decision, it’s important to do a bit of upfront homework so you don’t wind up in a bind down the road.

Therefore, if you’re getting ready to buy your first place, there are five things that should be considered in advance.

1.) ADDITIONS TO YOUR LIFE – While it’s important to shop for a space that meets your current space needs, it’s always wise to assume that you might need to make adjustments at a later date should your family expand.  Even if kids aren’t in the picture, you never know what other types of changes life may throw at you—such as having a parent move in—so it’s wise to think about your need for extra bedrooms, bathrooms, and overall square footage.

2.) KNOW THE HOME’S CONDITION – Sure, you may not be able to afford a lot of upgrades at first; however, the basics should still be in working order.  Before making the final decision to purchase, you’ll want to have the property thoroughly inspected so you don’t find yourself stuck with a complete money pit.  Speak with your real estate agent about this process and feel free to ask for the names of reputable inspectors.

3.) BE CAREFUL OF EXPECTING PERFECTION – Much like a first job, first homes tend to represent a stepping stone to something better, so finding the right place is often a matter of balancing your wants and needs with what you can reasonably afford.  Make a list of “must-haves,” “nice-haves,” and “not necessary to-haves,” and focus on the areas where you don’t mind compromising.  Are you willing to sacrifice a three-car garage for a larger kitchen?  Is the larger home worth it if it’s in a less desirable neighborhood?  Only you can measure the importance of the amenities you’re looking for.

4.) REMEMBER TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP – When you’re renting, things like regular maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of your landlord; however, one of the key aspects of homeownership is that the property becomes yours and yours alone.  Therefore, don’t forget to account for the fact that your budget will need to include those extra living costs such as utilities, trash pick-up, sewage fees, HOA dues, and other routine maintenance costs.  When approving your home loan, your lending will not factor in these extra costs, so it’s important to calculate them in advance.  If you’re unsure of how to do this, speak with your real estate agent to determine the appropriate price range for you.

5.) ALL THINGS HAVE A LIFESPAN – Manmade things break and deteriorate, so it’s important to not only identify a potential home’s flaws before you buy, but to have an understanding of its components.  When will the roof need to be replaced?  How old is the furnace?  What kind of shape are the appliances and carpet in?  Sure, everything may be in working order now, but all homes will need these types of repairs or replacements eventually, so it’s wise to research the expected lifespan of the larger-ticket items in your potential home.

When you’re ready to get the process started, please contact me.  I’d love to help you along the way.

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

2014 RE/MAX All Properties Top Sales Associate of the Year

Featured Neighborhood: Carramore in Cumming

17_5389982_0_1422480313_636x435Located off exit 14 on 400 and within close proximity to The Collection at Forsyth, this beautiful community offers a variety of floor plans starting at 2,800 feet.  With luxury master bathrooms and designer kitchens, homeowners are guaranteed an upscale lifestyle with the option of both basement and non-basement properties.

Situated just minutes from Lake Lanier, Midway Park, Forsyth County Greenway, and a short drive from the North Georgia Premium Outlets, this beautiful subdivision is also located within the award-winning Forsyth County school district and boasts the addition of community gates for added neighborhood security.

Filled with an assortment of beautiful upgrades, each Carramore home comes standard with desirable features such as quality G.E. stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tray and vaulted ceilings, premium hardwood floors, and a free standing bathtub in the master bath.

Architecturally, each home has designed exterior elevations of brick, stone, and shake, and comes with the option of a side-entry or three-car garage.  In addition, pre-finished aluminum gutters and downspouts protect your foundation, which consists of poured concrete with steel reinforcements.

woodridgeStarting around $400,000 and topping out around $425,000, if you’re interested in taking a look at one of these lovely homes, it’s important to remember that utilizing the services of your own Realtor is important.  While new communities generally have their own buyer’s agents on hand, in order to make sure you get the best deal possible, it’s wise to consider the advice of an agent who is solely in your corner.

If you’d like help, please feel free to contact me.  I’m very familiar with this neighborhood and would love to support you during the buying process.

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

New Home Trends for 2015

bigclosetWhile not everyone believes in establishing a New Year’s resolution each January, there’s truth to the idea that most of us still crave some sort of change or new beginning towards the end of December.  Sure, there are a lot of internal things that many of us hope to work on; however, a sizeable portion of our longed-for transformations involve physical things either in our appearance or in our surroundings.

Therefore, if you’re planning on selling your home or you simply want to give your space a fresh new look, it’s important to stay on top of the latest popular home trends.

According to several leading experts, the following is a list of some of the top home remodeling trends in 2015:

1.) OUT WITH THE CERAMIC FLOORING, IN WITH THE LUXURY VINYL TILE – If you’re going for a high-end look at a more affordable price, homeowners in 2015 will be opting for luxury vinyl instead of ceramic.

2.) MORE PAINTED KITCHEN CABINETS, LESS STAINLESS STEEL –  Instead of standard wood staining, you can expect to see more painted cabinets with white trim; however, many people are beginning to move away from stainless steel appliances because they show fingerprints very easily.

3.) MAINTENANCE-FREE COUNTERTOPS – Sure, granite countertops have been the Mecca of kitchen upgrades for a long time, but it’s possible that they may have already seen their day.  Starting in 2015, we’ll start seeing a greater demand for high-end countertops that require much less maintenance, such as soapstone, engineered stone, or zinc.

4.) COOLER BATHROOM COLORS – If you like cool grays, greens, blues, and white, you’ll be thrilled to learn that in the bathrooms of the latest trending homes, buyers are leaning towards cooler colors for both their walls and décor.

5.) ADDING “KEEPING ROOMS” – It’s okay if you’ve never heard of a “keeping room,” as long as you know that they’re rapidly becoming a staple in many new homes.  As a somewhat small room located off the kitchen, it’s a great place for the kids to play with all of their toys or someplace you can use as a study or media room.

6.) LARGER CLOSETS AND BATHROOMS – Surprisingly (or maybe not), less emphasis is being placed upon bedroom space and more is being placed on larger closets and bathrooms.  While large bedrooms seem nice in theory, they tend to be a waste of space since many of us fail to spend much time in them.  To the contrary, closet space tends to be a coveted luxury, as does having enough room to get read in the bathroom each morning.

CONCLUSION

If you’re thinking about placing your home on the market in the spring, now is the perfect time to think about redecorating your home in the hopes of attracting interested buyers.  If you’d like some advice about local trends or want to settle upon the best course of action for your home, please call me.

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