April 2013

There are 6 blog entries for April 2013.

Home buyers prefer home offices to dining roomsIn today's housing market, there are fewer people using a formal dining room and more people demanding a home office or home theatre in their "dream home." This is especially true if your kitchen has a breakfast nook, kitchen bar or is big enough to add a kitchen table. Gen Y buyers (those born from the late 1970s to early 2000s)  are just now coming of age and many are buying their first houses. These buyers, in particular, deem technology and entertainment a priority in their homes. Many of these buyers spend more of their disposable income on eating out and fewer of them cook at home. If you have a traditional house and you want to update it for showing, you may be able to accomplish that goal with a little creative staging.

Dining Room

Even if your…
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Wire transfers from overseas require more time for real estate closings

If you are depending on a wire from overseas to fund your closing, it's important to remember that this is not necessarily an immediate transaction as it is when money is wired from within the USA.

Plan to wire the funds at least seven working days prior to the closing.  Closing attorneys in Georgia often require funds for closing in excess of $5000 be wired to the attorney's account. Some may observe this practice for less money -- so be sure to check in advance. A personal check is not going to be accepted for the substantial amounts usually due at closing. It is a good idea to bring your checkbook to closing in case there are small alterations that pass at the closing table. Checks are accepted for small amounts and may prevent a delay in your…
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Old Milton High School BuildingMilton High School - The Old Location

The old Milton High School may be getting a new tenant -- if the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and the City of Alpharetta can attract a 4-year private university to Alpharetta. The 52-acre campus is still owned by the Fulton County Board of Education, but the committee formed to investigate this option hopes to utilize the old high school campus. The committee formed by Alpharetta's Mayor (David Belle Isle), the Chamber of Commerce's Public Policy Director (Liz Hausmann) and developer Penn Hodge. The group hopes it will economically benefit the downtown area, will help Alpharetta to compete with similar cities that do have a 4-year institution of higher learning, and will help boost the local technology…
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Protect Your Nestegg and InvestmentOne of the most difficult aspects of putting your home up for sale is enduring the parade of people through your home who are on a mission to find fault with it. Before you become emotionally involved with the sales process, remember exactly what is happening when you put your home up for sale:

1. You are liquidating one of your biggest financial assets (probably THE biggest). 2. Buyers are investing their money in what will probably be their biggest financial asset. You can't afford to consider the house your "home" during the sales process - it is a product for sale. Expect buyers to be looking for any problems they can find. Identifying problems before making the decision to buy is a wise move. It's what you would do in the same situation. It makes…
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Teacher-and-Student   While some Georgia schools are struggling academically, North Fulton Schools are flourishing, which makes our area extremely attractive to young families and those planning to have children. Would you like to know which schools are serving which sections of North Fulton County, GA? Visit our recently updated North Fulton County School District Maps to determine which zones are served by each school. Want to know which elementary schools and middle schools "feed" the high schools? We can help you with our feeder school information on our Alpharetta and Johns Creek Schools Information Page.  The information on our public schools test scores page has also been updated. If you need more information about the area schools from someone who has lived in…
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Housing Sales Soar in Alpharetta Georgia Local sales soar as sellers flex a little muscle and buyers are willing to navigate multiple offers and consider houses that were bypassed for several years. Spring 2013 is shaping up to be a complete change from the sluggish sales experienced since the housing bubble burst in 2008. Low inventories of houses available for sale has pumped up the market demand, while low interest rates have attracted buyers. Here's what's happening locally: Although brick siding is the preferred exterior for most houses in this area, the least desired siding (stucco) is seeing a bump, according to a local home inspection company. Medallion Inspections has seen a dramatic increase in the number of stucco sided homes they have been asked to inspect for home sales over the…
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