Everyone has an opinion when it comes to school rankings and the measures used to qualify schools. Whatever the argument, in real estate, these lists make a big difference! When a company or an individual is looking to move to an area, quality education ranks high in influencing factors. For a buyer who is unfamiliar with an area, lists play a major role in choosing where to live.
Each year, Newsweek publishes Best American High Schools. Here are Georgia’s ten top schools in the list:
Even if you do not have school-aged children, you can get involved and influence the quality of education. Check out the website of your local school and local school board and figure out how to contribute. If you have time, you can use your unique talents. If you don’t have time, something as easy as saving and donating the ten cent box tops will make a at least a small difference!
As real estate agents, we see hundreds of homes per year. Some homes may be 50 years old and in mint condition. Some homes may be 5 years old and falling apart. What’s the difference? Good construction has a lot to do with it. Beyond that, the single greatest factor is regular home maintenance. Lack of regular maintenance today brings deferred maintenance tomorrow – and this can cost a homeowner big money!
Factors Influencing Home Maintenance
If someone wanted to write a serious critique on why home maintenance is done or is neglected, arguments could be presented from several different angles:
Fiscal Cycles – In times of want, people tend to take better care of homes because they realize the value of the investment. Conversely, in times of want, people do not take care of homes because they have not the money for regular maintenance. In times of plenty people become careless with their investments. Conversely, in times of plenty, people care of their homes because they have the money to do so.
Social and Cultural Pressures – there are certain neighborhoods where the vast majority of owners meticulously care for their homes, but often there will also be those who rebel against this type of neighborly “peer pressure” by refusing to take care of their homes.
Personality Styles – some personality styles propagate care and some propagate recklessness
Skill level – some people are master carpenters and some don’t even know how to use a hammer
Generational – some people say that certain generations are more or less likely to care for their homes and they say it skips generations, so there are both younger and older generations that do or do not care for their homes
Stress – some people are too busy to notice what needs to be done around the house
The 1% to 1.5% Rule of Thumb
To some extent, factors like those above may play into whether or not someone will maintain a home, but it also may just be a matter of knowledge. Many people have never heard that they should set aside 1% to 1.5% of their home’s value every year for home maintenance. If you have a $300k home, then every year you need to spend and save a total of at least $3,000 for maintenance.
Wow! So much money?? Think about it. About every five years, your exterior paint will need to be refreshed. This protects your home from moisture. Your major systems will not last a life time. Roofs will need to be repaired and replaced. The HVAC system will need to be maintained and someday replaced. Driveways will need to be repaired and replaced. These are fairly boring ways to spend money. But after a while, banking this money on a regular basis pays off when some of the money can be applied to replacing carpet and replacing appliances without the heartburn (and potential danger) of financing!
How Routine Home Maintenance Pays Off
Prolonging the life of home components. Sealing driveway cracks slows the cracks from spreading. Cleaning gutters keeps water running away from the home and keeps gutters from pulling away from the roof. Routine maintenance
Lowering energy bills – a well sealed home uses less energy, and an efficiently running HVAC system saves on heating and cooling bills.
Providing a safer environment. Here are some examples. Overgrown landscaping hides houses and encourages theft. Cracked and uneven pavement can cause someone to trip and fall.
Giving a better return on investment. Routine home maintenance will pay off big when you sell your house. Houses that are in disrepair sit on the market longer and bring lower offers. People assume that if a home looks like it is in good repair, there will be less surprises on inspections and there will be less repairs once they own the home. They also assume the opposite, that if the home looks like it is in disrepair, then what they don’t see may really cost them down the road.
Alternatives to Doing Home Maintenance
Some people fall into one of the following categories: a) I’m not handy; b) I don’t have time; c) I don’t have the slightest bit of interest; d) I’m a chronic procrastinator. Examine the level at which you want to be involved. Strike a mix between what you manage and what you hire someone else to do. Some people have companies to coordinate and manage all of their home maintenance. Some people hire out the jobs they don’t want to do.
If you Don’t Have Money for Home Maintenance
Regular home maintenance is too important to neglect. Deferred maintenance costs homeowners millions of dollars each year. Get creative. Barter services. Chances are you have a specialty that a company or individual would negotiate a trade.
Maybe you are asking yourself hard questions. Do I really have 1%-1.5% of my homes value each year to spend on maintenance? Do I just have too much house for my current needs? If you are asking yourself these kinds of questions, give us a call and let us explore some possibilities with you.
The next blog post will cover renovations and cosmetic enhancements, also an important discussion on protecting one of your greatest financial investments!
An Anecdote if You’re Interested
Jeff and I had the pleasure of working on church projects with Courtenay Bythewood, a man who was one of those meticulous maintainers. Once, he told me that he had a box of index cards for home maintenance. Each card had a task, a log for when work was completed, and a place for notes. The cards were filed by specific increments of time. He said sometimes he would have 15 minutes, waiting on his lovely bride to finish getting ready to go somewhere, and he would take a card from the “15 Minute” section and complete a task. That story always stuck with me – a natural procrastinator.
Why buy new – when you can have better than new! New paint, carpet, and GRANITE! Hardwoods throughout the main level! Huge owners suite with sitting room! Three large secondary bedrooms! Full daylight basement already stubbed for future finishing! Cul-de-sac home on fantastic LAKE LOT! This one has it all . . . while it lasts!
This is the worst economy we have seen since our grand parents’ or great grand parents’ time depending on your generation. Conventional wisdom from their time said pay cash for everything and save lots of money for rainy days. Well, we have our rainy days now, don’t we?
Alternative to Foreclosure - Short Sale
Our memories are short and conventional wisdom has been ignored by a large portion of the population. Word on the street from the last couple of decades has rewarded risk . . . Take money out of your home and invest it in the market! or …Why wouldn’t you finance 100% at such low rates, it’s like free money!! or …Buy more house than you can comfortably afford because your income will come up and a more valuable house will appreciate at a higher rate. Then there was some really creative financing that took place, Stated Income Loans, Low-doc Loans, No-doc Loans . . . You could add to this list many other risky plans that have in part caused financial problems from Wall Street to Main Street.
That leaves us between Wall Street and Main Street. While the official unemployment rate is 9.7%, the effective unemployment / under employment rate is estimated to be as high as 18%. This percentage includes the total number of people currently receiving unemployment benefits added to those whose benefits have run out before they have found employment and / or those who have taken employment at a rate of less than 50% of their prior income. While this is well below the 25% unemployment rate of the Great Depression, it is easy to see why this time is being referred to as the Great Recession.
All of the causes of this recession will take up volumes in business journals and will be analyzed for years to come. Suffice it to say, people are hurting. It could be a medical emergency and a few late payments on credit cards and utilities. Suddenly the rates and penalties skyrocket and there’s more month than money with a downward spiral. It could be job loss. It could be several factors, but for whatever reason, the homeowner who has made mortgage payments faithfully for 10 or 15 years can no longer make the payment.
Prime loans are now exceeding sub-prime loans in defaults. It is estimated that 1 in 6 mortgages are in trouble. People find themselves in a position where they “must sell” but cannot because they owe more on the home than its current value.
One thing leads to another and suddenly a homeowner is faced with foreclosure. This can be a harrowing experience and will de
bilitate the credit score, will compromise future job possibilities and will be a financial and emotional ordeal for the entire family.
There is an alternative to foreclosure, and that’s a bank approved short sale. A short sale is a sale short of what is owed to the ba
nk. The process and the qualifications are straight forward, but lengthy. If you know someone facing foreclosure, please put them in touch with
me. I am a Certified Distress Property Expert and I care. I will keep their situation in confidence and will work with them to solve the crisis they face – no judgements, just solutions.
I know, me too! When I hear “50’s ranch”, my thoughts turn to small, long boxes with little to no personality – Tired old homes in tired old neighborhoods. Well my friends, maybe it is time to re-think how we view these old classics and all they have to offer . . . while there are still some available in their original condition! I know, you’re thinking, “Why would I want to buy something like that when I can get a “Brand New” home for so little right now – with all the things I want already there?” (Hardwoods, Granite Counter-tops, and Stainless appliances, just to name a few . . .) Why indeed? Here are a few things you may not have considered – things that may have you (like me) Raving about Ranches!
1 – Convenience and Quality of Life
Ranches (especially those from the late 50s to early 70s) in the North Fulton area were often built as part of the expansion of Roswell or Alpharetta. While they may have been on the “outskirts” of town back then, now they are part of the heart of these cities and their cultural activities. In both Roswell and Alpharetta you can find wonderful examples of the 50’s -70’s ranch within a half mile of the downtown shops and restaurants – well within walking distance! As we all turn our focus to our personal health and the health of the environment around us, the idea of not needing the car to enjoy a great dinner out, unique shopping, or seasonal festivals suddenly seems very inviting!
2 – Room to breathe
Despite being “intown”, many of these homes are situated on large, often flat homesites. This is because 40-50 years ago, people were accustomed to living on larger pieces of land. It is not at all unusual to find these homes on acre plus lots. In addition, many of these homes now have trees that are 50+ years old (See the pics of the GIANT oaks in the picture section), in neighborhoods that are lined with these mature beauties and have azaleas the size of Buicks growing under them! The story gets even better when you look at the ranches that were built farther north in Fulton and south Forsyth. We found one today that was on almost 3 acres of gorgeous land with 60′ tall hardwoods and a beautiful creek running through the backyard. Think about that the next time you can hear your neighbor’s teenager blasting music through his window that is only 30 feet away from yours!
3 – Problems you can fix – While having fun!
Okay, back to the problems. Yes, ranches of this age are often small . . with low ceilings. They often have old appliances, and old worn out HVAC systems. The bedrooms tend to be small, and often there seems to be a bathroom (or two) missing. This can often be true of the 50s variety – but by the 70’s this had changed and you can often find secondary bedrooms that are much larger than in today’s new construction homes. However, as for the other issues, you’re right. Low ceilings, boxy spaces, worn out appliances and systems are very frequently a part of the package. But before you write them off, ponder this: Most new homes are built with a “truss” system for the roof, meaning that almost all of the interior walls are load bearing and the attic space is not available for expansion. This was not true when our old classics were being built – which very often allows for ceilings to be raised, walls to be removed, and spaces to be expanded (Please remember, these projects should only be conducted after verifying that it is structurally safe to do so by a qualified structural engineer.) We were able to take some great pics of a home near downtown Alpharetta where this has been done – it looks great – and it is available right now! Stainless and Granite are abundant and very cost friendly right now, as are the materials needed for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Remember, expanding and updating an older home is relatively easy, making a new homesite bigger, flatter, or adding mature trees is very difficult! Oh, and about the hardwoods . . . In the late 60’s and early 70’s there was this new decorating trend that was all the rage – wall to wall carpet. It was the hottest thing you’ve ever seen, and everyone had to have it. Companies made fortunes selling it door to door, and then installing it right over the old floor. Guess what the most common flooring was at that time . . . 3/4 inch, tongue and groove, old growth HARDWOOD! So many people have bought these old gems, pulled up the carpet, and found an undiscovered treasure beneath their feet!
4 – It’s all yours
Finally, one of the best things about these old homes is the ability to put your signature on them. Think of them as a clean slate, waiting for your personal tastes to transform them over time into something unique that represents who you are and what is important to you. In today’s economic environment, we are all beginning to see houses as our parents and grandparents did – not as a commodity to be traded every few years, but as that place where we put down our roots, invest in the community around us, and make the history of our lives . . . in a word, home.
Re-thinking that old ranch? Interested in exploring some options? Click the links to search for great ranches near you.
If you really want to see Classic Atlanta Ranches – these are in the Fernbank area of Atlanta
Need to know how much your current house is worth? Getting started is easy, we’re never more than a phone call away. We sure would love to help, in fact, it’s one of our favorite things!
My daughter and I were just at the Alpharetta Dog Park. As we enjoyed the gorgeous weather and all the drama at the dog park, we laughed about how true it is that many times dogs and their owners actually do favor.
How about houses? Does your personality and your basic nature affect how you shape your surroundings – the floor plan you choose, the lot you choose, the home style? It makes sense – read on and do some thinking. Discover a little about the possible ideal house for you!
Values Quiz:
Read the following questions, in order, and visualize the scenes in your mind. Do not think about the questions excessively – it is about what first comes to mind. There are only 4 scenes – easy to remember. No looking ahead – keep your answers true and uninfluenced.
Read and imagine the following scenes in your mind.
1. You are walking in the woods – who are you walking with?
2. You walk deeper into the woods. You enter a clearing and before you is your dream home. Describe its size.
3. Is your dream house surrounded by a fence?
4. You enter the house. You walk to the dining area and see the dining room table. Describe what you see on and around the table.
What does it mean?
The questions above show the relationship to our values and ideals. It is important to honor ourselves when we purchase a home. Read below to see how your answers relate to your home buying experience.
1. The person you are walking with is the most important person in your life. You should get their opinion and have them be a part of your home buying decisions.
2. The size of your dream home is representative of the size of your ambition for the home. For example, if it is a small cottage, you may want to consider a home that is move-in ready. The bigger the home, the more projects you are willing to undertake.
3. No fence is indicative of an open home. People are welcome at all times. You would want to have a home that allows for visitors and company. The presence of a fence is more indicative of a private home. You would prefer people to not drop by unannounced. This matters for your home buying decision. Either way, pay close attention to location, layout, size, and amenities. Make sure they tie in with your desire for company vs. your private palace.
4. If your answer did not include food, people, or flowers then you are a homebody. Your home is just for you and no one else. If your answer did include any of the above, other people, factors, situations influence your decision and the type of home that would make you feel comfortable.copyright 2009 Azevedo & Associates
This is copyrighted material, and Azevedo & Associates brokerage in Granite Bay, CA was kind enough to grant me permission to roll it into our blog. Check out their site — LivinginGraniteBay.com. There were also two other quizzes.
We’re always interested in helping you or your friends with your real estate needs and questions. Until then, we will continue “spanning the globe to bring you the latest” from the real estate world..
How are sales in the Atlanta real estate market? What do the current inventory levels look like? Has the market stabilized?
You have questions; we have answers. Every quarter, our affiliation with Keller Williams enables us to get the most up to date market information in charts that are meaningful and interesting. We have taken a portion of the data and compiled it to share with you.
The following link will enable you to download the PDF with key market charts and our summary. As with anything real estate related, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us. We are here to serve you.
If you think all of Fulton County is covered with concrete, commercial and cul-de-sacs, then you need to discover Chattahoochee Hill Country in Palmetto.
When looking for an upscale but geographically close and budget-friendly overnight destination, I remembered a couple of friends raving about Serenbe. I called and got a reservation for a cottage at Serenbe Inn.
Serenbe was started several years ago as a sustainable community, focused on the most environmentally friendly use of land. There are several homes available in Serenbe and future planned construction. Serenbe has residential attached and detached homes, shops and a working farm. It’s only 30 minutes to Hartsfield-Jackson but you feel like you’re a world away from the hustle of the big city.
When you go just for a break and stay at the inn or one of the cottages, you can walk the farm or visit the Serenbe village and take in some of these serene and whimsical sights:
Dinner at the Serenbe Inn was some of the best food I have ever eaten! The Farmhouse at Serenbe has Marie Nygren’s sophisticated southern recipes with produce and herbs from the Inn farm and the Serenbe farm.
I see a lot of real estate weekly — big houses, little houses, townhouses, land, farms… but as we sat having breakfast on the screen porch at the Serenbe Inn, I was overcome by the rich honest beauty surrounding me. I remembered a verse from the Book of John – In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
I know that morning I had a small taste of my Father’s place.
Alrighty then, time for another installment of “Treasure of the Week”! This weeks winner is a fantastic 5 bedroom home in South Forsyth that is move in ready and looks like a million bucks! First, the location: Extremely easy access to Ga 400 through either McFarland or Windward. Alpharetta address, Forsyth county taxes. South Forsyth High School. Great amenities (Jr. Olympic pool, playground, lighted tennis courts, active HOA). Proven success – this neighborhood has been a highly sought after, consistent performer for over 10 years! This particular home has 5 bedrooms ( The 2 story family room was converted to the 5th bedroom – over-sized with its own fireplace – a few years back. This makes a huge difference on the livability of the home as well as heating and cooling bills!) 2.5 baths, formal living and dining rooms (big enough for a real table that seats 10 and the china cabinet), a large kitchen that opens to the bfast area that opens to the family room (great for keeping the family all in the same space). It is on a large corner lot with a fully fenced backyard, and has an over-sized paverstone patio out back. The home is brick and HardiPlank with a classic, traditional feel outside and an open, airy, inviting personality inside (due in large part to the smooth finished 9 foot ceilings). Friends, this one is a keeper that won’t last long – check out the pics below and if you would like more info or to schedule a showing contact us right away!
