Georgia Real Estate Voice: January 2010

Wide Angle Magnetic Camera Lens Review - I'll start off by saying, I'm no expert when it comes to cameras and lenses. I just knew that I wanted to be able to take wide angles of rooms and real estate. I also knew that I didn't want to buy another camera.

My camera is a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS Digital Elph. I like that it's little and can easily fit in my pocket. I also like that it's easy to use.

Late Friday afternoon I started doing a google search for wide angle magnetic lenses. I found a company called Adorama that sold them online. For those that don't know what a magnetic lens is, it's a lens that attaches with a magnetic ring to the metal lens on your camera. No fancy equipment required.

I took a chance and ordered the large lens. It was $29.95 and shipping was $5.00. It's Tuesday and it arrived this morning by UPS. I thought that was pretty quick considering it was the weekend.

I tried it out today and these are the results. I am standing in the exact same spot with both of the following pictures.

Here is the picture with the wide angle magnetic lens attached.

There is some fuzziness on the bottom right. If needed that could be cropped out and it would still give a wider shot that what I could get without the wide angle magnetic lens. I also tested it inside and was able to get a whole room in the picture. That is going to make real estate photos so much better. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my purchase.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Decatur Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

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Medlock Park in Decatur GA 30033 is comprised mainly of brick and frame ranch style homes built in the 1950’s and 1960’s. There are a few larger infill homes in the mix. Currently there are 3 homes on the market ranging in price from $218,000 to $249,000. Most of the homes are 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Some of the homeowners have found additional space in their homes by finishing out the attic space.

Recap of 2009 in Medlock Park

• 9 homes sold in Medlock Park
• low price of $189,500 to a high of $290,000
• Average days on market was 98 days
• Average list price of $236K
• Average sales price of $229K

The Medlock Park neighborhood is on the north side of Decatur with Scott Blvd/Lawrenceville Hwy as its eastern boundary, North Decatur Rd as its southern boundary, Willivee Dr. as its western boundary and the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve is its Northern boundary.

The Medlock Park community connects to University Heights and North Decatur Heights. The actual lines seem to be a little blurred because tax records show a different picture than the signs within the neighborhood.

The hidden gem in Medlock Park is a 28 acre Nature Preserve. The Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve has interactive walking trails. You can find it on Pinebluff Trail at the end of Woodtrail Lane. (2580 Pinebluff Trail, Decatur, GA 30033). Take time to enjoy it on the next beautiful day we have.

DeKalb County’s Medlock Park is also tucked in the neighborhood by the same name. The park has 39 acres with ball fields, multi use courts, playground, picnic area and swimming pool.

Medlock Park students attend DeKalb County’s Medlock Elementary,Shamrock Middle and Druid Hills High School. Medlock Elementary is within easy walking distance as it’s in the neighborhood at the end of Medlock Rd next to the park.

Close by, at the top of Medlock Rd off of North Decatur Rd, you’ll find:

• Melton’s App and Tap bar and restaurant with outdoor seating
• Pet Supermarket
• Natural Buzz, an Aveda Hair Salon
• Retreat Nails Studio
• Laundromat with giant size washers (think comforters and sleeping bags)
• Maddy’s BBQ is just across the 6 way intersection (live music nightly)

For homeowners at Medlock Park medical care couldn’t be more convenient with DeKalb Medical Center less than ½ a mile and Emory University Hospital about 1 mile away. Need Milk? Publix and Kroger Grocery stores are also just about a mile away.

View Map of Medlock Park in Decatur, GA.  

For in town living, Medlock Park offers quite a bit. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Decatur GA call me, Jen Bowman, Realtor & Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty at 404-456-5024.

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Getting Ready to Move? Get Organized First

If you are selling your Decatur GA home or plan to move within a year, get organized. It matters because the less you have to move, the better. Most of us have more stuff than we'll ever need.

First things first, if you haven't finished unpacking from the last time you moved, you really need to think about why you're taking that box with you again. Clear it out, sell it, donate it, just don't move it to your new home if you never use it or even bothered to unpack it. I was talking to a client who bought a home with me almost a year ago. She said that she was still unpacking! I figure that if I haven't needed it or bothered to unpack it in a year, I probably don't need it. (I'm excluding things like tax returns here.)

Some tips: 

Linen closets: If yours are overflowing, clear it out. It will make your home show better too. I have a dear great aunt, she told me years ago that she only had 1 set of bed sheets, which was completely opposite of my mom, who had a ton of sheets. Aunt Dot said that way, she never had to fold them or store them. Wash them and put them back on the bed. I love that idea and have summer sheets and my winter flannel sheets. It doesn't take up much space.

Bedroom closets: A friend of mine just moved. She was feeling overwhelmed and I went over to her new house to see what we could do. We went through every item in her closet and cleared out 3 big bags of clothes that she doesn't wear. It's my own version of the TV show "what not to wear". That stuff should have never been moved to the new house to begin with. Go through your closets, If you don't love it, don't move it.

Kitchen: If you haven't used it in 18 months, you probably won't use it. I went through one of my kitchen drawers the other day and found a bunch of utensils and tools that I have never used and probably never will. The same went for that bread machine that took up so much room in my pantry. Thanks to Craigslist, it was gone in 2 days and I had a little extra cash in my pocket.

Home Office: Use your shredder, if you don't have one yet. It's time to invest in a good cross cut shredder. That's the kind that makes little confetti pieces as opposed to just long strips. Start with one drawer at a time. Paper clutter seems to overwhelm a lot of people. Pick up that piece of paper and ask yourself why you have it. Make a decision, shred,  file, or to do. 15 minutes a day conquering paper clutter can go a long way.

Bathrooms:  Start to use up those lotions and hair products before buying more. Someone told me recently that she moved 5 boxes of hair products to her new place. What??? It's a lot cheaper and easier to go through and organize your products so you don't keep buying what you already have. Get rid of the stuff you will never use. Don't move it to your new home, clear it out first.

Whether you are moving now or in the future or just want to live an organized life, these tips will hopefully help. Plan for just 15 minutes a day and see what a difference it makes.

 If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact local Decatur expert and Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

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See My Series of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell: 

See Part 1 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA - Kitchens

See Part 2 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA-  Garage 

See Part 3 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decautur GA- Curb Appeal

See Part 4 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- Floors and Walls

See Part 5 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- De-Personalizing  

See Part 6 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- Lighting

See Part 7 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- Clutter

Getting Ready to List Your Home for Sale 

Get Ready to Move  Moving Tips 

The city of Decatur will test it's new Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren system for installation purposes on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12 noon.   The test will last about two minutes. 

The first official monthly testing of the system will be held on Wednesday February 3, at 5 p.m.  If the weather is bad that day, the test will be postponed until Thursday February 4, at 5 p.m.

From now on the system will be tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m.  The sirens will sound for about one minute during each testing.

While we don't have many tornadoes in Decatur and metro Atlanta, the one we had back in March 2008 was a big one. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. I took the photos shown here the day after the tornado hit as we drove down Dekalb Ave towards downtown Atlanta, GA.

If you are thinking of of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

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1113 McClelen Way Decatur GA 30033 for Sale at Tuxworth Springs

For Sale: 2 bedroom, 2 full bath end unit condo on ground level at quiet location in Tuxworth Springs Condos in Decatur, GA. $138,000 Listed exclusively by Success Realty, Jen Bowman 404-456-5024 

• Nice hardwood floors in dining, living room & kitchen.
• Galley kitchen with stainless steel appliances
• Kitchen has view to family room with masonry gas fireplace.
• Spacious bedrooms have walk in closets.
• Window coverings are 2" faux wood white blinds and they are included
• This condo has neutral paint and is move in ready
• Clean and neutral wall to wall carpet in bedrooms
• Tile floors in baths
• All appliances stay with unit, including refrigerator, washer and dryer.

There is a deck/balcony off the living room with space for relaxing with morning coffee or an evening drink. The storage closet is great for seasonal or extra items.

See the Virtual Tour.

Purchase this Tuxworth Springs condo by April 30, 2010 to be eligible for the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit. For people who have already purchased their first home, there is a $6500 tax credit available.

Tuxworth Springs has a swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts plus separate boat and RV parking. It is convenient to Emory University, the CDC and Dekalb Medical Center.

Tuxworth Springs is an FHA Approved Condo. That means it can be purchased with just 3.5% down.

The other condo that I had listed for rent at Tuxworth Springs has been rented but will be available to purchase in January 2011.

From North Decatur Rd going east, make left on Scott Blvd, Tuxworth Springs is the gated community on the left across from the Old Ford Dealership. Unit is in back of complex on ground floor.

Looking for something else? Check out this penthouse loft in downtown Decatur for $399K.

If you are thinking of of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

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FMLS is making more changes and I think they're good. In metro Atlanta, GA we have 2 Multiple Listing Services, GA MLS and FMLS which stands for First Multiple Listing Service.  I am a member of both because it gives my sellers the most exposure and it gives my buyers access to the most home choices.

The changes are as follows and they are scheduled to take place on January 14th, 2010 based on member feedback. It is the hope of FMLS that these enhancements will aid in more quickly matching buyers with sellers. New fields, field changes, enhanced features, and additional pick list selections are among the updates coming.

The most notable changes are:

• The addition of Square Footage and Square Footage Source for Residential Detached properties. This means that single family homes will now be able to list square footage. If you list square footage, you must list the source where it came from. Buyers should not solely rely on what is listed. We all know that information is deemed to be correct but may not always be. By the way, the square footage rule for condos and townhomes was added last year. If you're listing a condo, please include the square footage there too. I still see lots of listings that don't add the square footage for condos when that information is so easy to obtain.
• Increase in photos allowed per listing to 20 (formerly 16)  Buyers want to see photos. If there is a listing without photos, I think the listing agent is either lazy or the house is just so horrible they are afraid to show people what it looks like. If you're an agent wanting to get a house sold, do the maximum number of photos and make sure they are clear enough, please.
• Sold Listings to be stored for 5 years (formerly 3 years)  This is huge, especially in neighborhoods that don't have high turnover. Remember that the sold homes from 5 years ago cannot be used as comparables on a current appraisal, but it's just good information to know.
• Sold Listings to include a new field "Lender Mediated- Y/N"  This means that if a home was sold as a short sale, there's a space now to identify it as such, once again giving more accurate information for comparables in a neighborhood.
• Enhancements to the Shadow Listing Program (formerly Ghost Listing).  This Ghost or Shadow listing is one I think just confuses people. I recently saw the same home listed twice, with different areas and county listed because it was near the edge of Dekalb County near Fulton County. My opinion is that if all agents just put accurate information in to begin with we wouldn't need this feature. I have been seeing a lot of listings lately that are labeled as the wrong area. When this happens, if a savvy agent is searching by area and a listing is submitted incorrectly, it just won't show up in the search. This hurts both buyers and sellers. I can't change the world though... :)

I hope this information was helpful. If you are thinking of of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.  We are also looking for quality real estate agents to join our team.

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Must a Master Bath have a tub?  This question has come up several times lately.  My Dad who lives in a 55+ community wants to renovate his bathroom. He has a huge jetted tub that he never uses and would like to remove it and just make the shower bigger in it's place. He says that older people don't get in and out of a deep tub easily anyway. So in that case, will not having a large jetted tub hurt his resale in the future? There is another bathroom with a tub/shower combination.  He also has a hot tub outside with his pool.

The other situation is that I'm looking at buying a builder foreclosed home in Decatur, GA.  The home is only in it's framing stage. There's no drywall, fixtures, etc. It's just a shell and the jetted tub is already there and the house has been plumbed. It takes up a lot of valuable space and there's a good size shower next to it. We are thinking it might be nice to eliminate the tub and instead add a sauna. 

Jetted and garden tubs look pretty, but we hardly ever use ours.  Both homes have bath tubs in the other bathrooms.

For both these cases, future resale is really important. I usually only stay in a home 2 to 5 years. So, how important for resale is having a bathtub in the master bathroom?  Is it a deal breaker for Home Buyers? Would you buy a home that didn't have a tub in the master bathroom? Please let me know your thoughts.

If you are thinking of of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.

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