Georgia Real Estate Voice: Georgia: Decatur

Decatur Wine Fest - The 10th Annual Decatur Wine Festival will be in Decatur GA on Saturday November 5, 2011.

Come taste over 350 domestic and imported wines and enjoy live music from the community bandstand during the 10th annual Decatur Wine Festival. The weather should be great for this event with high temps in the mid 60's.

• Saturday, November 5, 2011 1pm -  4pm
• Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Decatur, GA
• Tickets are $35 per person
• Admission includes a commemorative wine glass
• No one under 21 allowed
• No animals allowed

The Decatur Wine Fest is sponsored by the Decatur Arts Alliance.

Tickets are available from Ticket Alternative or from the Decatur Package Store on Clairmont Rd in Decatur, GA next to the YMCA. Tickets are limited to 1,500 people.

This event is just one of the many events in Decatur GA and is one of the reasons why Decatur is a great place to live, work and play.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Keller Williams Realty at 404-456-5024.  Homes currently on the market intown Decatur range in price from $160,000 to $975,000. There really is something for everyone.

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Real Estate Market Report for Decatur GA - I was reviewing some numbers from where our Decatur GA real estate market was in June of 2009 to now, 18 months later. I often hear people say, oh, I'm waiting until spring to put my home on the market.  I think that's an outdated way of thinking.  Why?

Check out these numbers: For June 2009,  13 Homes sold ranging in price from $165,000 - $680,000.  In December of 2010 we had 28 homes sold ranging from $33,000 to $580,000.  This goes to show that homes do sell in the winter and clearly twice as many as in the summer a year and a half ago.

In June of 2009, we had 37 Homes pending sale meaning they went under contract but have not yet closed. List prices range from $21,900 - $799,000. Right now January 2011, we have 14 pending sales with list prices ranging from $84,900 to $599,900.  I think the pending numbers could be a little skewed because we are noticing that not every listing agent changes their listing to pending when it's under contract. When we call to check availability of a listing that a buyer wants to see, that becomes very apparent.

In June 2009, 4 were in the Contingency Period which means they are in their due diligence period. Now, we've got 2 in the contingency period.

Another difference we can see now is that we have 4 homes that are pending existing lender approval. That means they are Decatur short sales that are under contract, waiting on the seller's lender to approve the sale.

In June 2009, we had 194 Active Listings ranging in price from $100,000 to $1,500,000.  In January 2011,  there are 170 homes actively on the market ranging in price from $39,900 to $900,000.   This number shows a reduction in listing prices. Sellers are realizing that our Decatur GA real estate market has changed and in order to sell, they must be priced right.

To sum it up, there's a lower number of active listings, lower prices and a higher number of sold listings.    This real estate market report is for Decatur, GA 30030 zip code only and does not include condos, multi family homes or commercial real estate. It's covers single family homes only.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Decatur GA, contact Jen Bowman, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.

Decatur Townhome for Sale -

Walk to Glen Lake Park and Tennis Courts from this beautiful 3 story townhome at Keswick Place. Low maintenance hardwood floors throughout the main living areas and on all stairs. There are 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Just painted and ready to move in. All appliances stay. Sunny open floor plan. Dining room and lower level bedrom have bay windows. The master suite features a spa like master bathroom with jetted tub, dual vanities and separate shower. There's also a generous walk in closet. Ample parking is available in the 2 car rear entry garage. Convenient to Emory, the CDC and Dekalb Medlcal Center.  

See the virtual tour of Keswick Place

For sale for $269,000 - Listed exclusively by  Jen Bowman, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners 404-456-5024

Professionally staged by Design2Sell, Barbara Heil-Sonneck.

Free Get Organized Workshops Saturdays in January - With the new year many of us have goals to be more organized in something.  Well, one of my favorite Decatur GA businesses, Finder's Keepers  is hosting free workshops at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays in the month of January 2011. 

January 8^th: Creative Order

• Suellen Germani, certified Life Coach and Organizer, will help you clear the road to your goals by helping you identify and eliminate your "Life Clutter," which often claims the time, space, and energy that could instead be used to pursue your passions. Her workshop will outline four key elements to developing an organized lifestyle, which includes exploring the important emotional aspect surrounding our "stuff."

January 15^th: Chaos to Comfort

• Susan Fox is a true warrior of stuff and can help you declare battle on the piles of I'll-get-to-it-when-I-can-or-when-I-figure-out-where-to-stick-it clutter taking over your house.  Learn how to reclaim every inch of your home and make the space you have work harder for you. Susan's service, Chaos 2 Comfort, has been written up in the Wall Street Journal for her organizational know-how.

January 22^nd: Creating your own Sanctuary

• Carey Lynn Quinn practices what she preaches: our mental states mirror our external environments. Maintaining tranquility and order within is easier when your surroundings work towards that sanctuary instead of creating more stress. With a desire to share the secrets of serenity, she began OrganizeAtlanta in 2005. Carey Lynn will share ideas on a few critical steps to turn your own home into a place to truly recharge, regroup, and relax.

January 29^th: The Magic Suitcase

• Professional organizerand author Jonda Beattie knows that there's nothing small about downsizing. Whether you're facing this major life decision now or considering it for the future, this workshop will help outline how to make this transition a successful time in your life by exploring how to get started, pitfalls to avoid, and rewards that can be achieved at the end of that long and often intimidating road.

I like Finder's Keepers because I like to decorate and redecorate. So, occasionally I may end up with too much stuff.  I can take it to Finder's Keepers, make a little money and then get something new.  We have a "rule" in my house (although not always enforced) is that if we bring something in that's not consumable, something else has to go out.  It helps to keep the clutter to a minimum. I hope you'll take advantage of these free classes and get your new year started right!

Finder's Keepersis located at 2753 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 between Avondale and Decatur, just up from the intersection of E. College Ave and Sams Crossing and the Avondale Marta Station. This location is 3/4 of a mile west of Finders Keepers Fashions.

It helps to be organized when you are getting ready to put your home on the market or getting ready for a move.  So, if you are thinking of buying or selling a home in the Decatur Avondale Estates area please call Jen Bowman, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.

Decatur Holiday Bonfire & Marshmallow Roast

You're invited to the Holiday Bonfire and Marshmallow Roast.  It's Thursday, December 16th, 2010 from 7 to 8 pm in downtown Decatur GA. It's also the last day of Terrific Thursdays in Decatur for the season.  Be sure to stop in many of the shops and restaurants while you are there. They will be open late.

The 10' x 10' bonfire will be on the Square. Enjoy the holiday music and visit with Santa.  This free event is open to the public.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

This event is just another thing that makes Decatur GA a great place to live, work and play. 

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 at 404-456-5024.

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Decatur Electronics Recycling Day Fall 2010 - It's that time of year again. Start gathering your items and plan your stop for recycling.  Most of us have a few things that should be recycled rather than tossed in the trash.

Below is the pertinent information:

What: Decatur Electronics Recycling Day Fall 2010

When: Saturday, October. 30, 2010  9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Decatur High School Parking Lot which is at the corner of N. McDonough Street and Howard Avenue

Why: This semi-annual event has been hugely successful at diverting electronic equipment from landfills, where they may contaminate soil and water.

Who: Volunteers assist in unloading items. To volunteer, please contact Sandy Johnson at 404-377-5571.  Anybody can drop items off. You do not need to be a Decatur resident to participate.

Items that can be Recycled: Desktop computers, Telephones, Mini-towers, Telephony equipment, Laptop computers, Adding machines, Monitors, Calculators, Servers, Typewriters, Workstations, Label makers,Keyboards, Copiers, Mice, Fax machines, Joystick game controllers, Answering machines, Printers, Printer cartridges, Digital cameras , Zip drives, Batteries, Speakers, PDAs, Pagers, VCRs, Hubs, DVD players, Routers, Cable converter boxes, Scanners, Remote controls, Digital projectors, Stereo equipment, GPS units, Radios, Main frames, Portable CD players, Component parts, Portable game players, Cables, GPS receivers, 3-in-1 devices, printer/copier/ fax machines., Electric lawn mowers and garden equipment, any kind of Battery.

TVs will be recycled for a minimal fee of $10 cash only per TV set with exact change. There is no charge to recycle other items.

What happens to the stuff you drop off?  Electronics dropped off that day will be sorted and disassembled into raw materials or cleaned for re use.

Early drop offs are not possible.

Almost anything with an electrical cord can be recycled at the event EXCEPT microwave ovens, furniture, light fixtures, household appliances, lamps, vacuum cleaners.

For your own security, please erase personal information from your computers before dropping off.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in metro Atlanta contact Jen Bowman, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty at 404-456-5024.

Decatur Concerts on the Square are back! One of the great things about living in Decatur is the free concerts on the square in downtown Decatur every Saturday night in May and September.

There are also free concerts on the square at noon on Wednesdays in May and September.

This year this first concert of the month will be on Sunday September 5, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. which will be in the middle of the Decatur Book Fest Labor Day Weekend.

The rest of the concerts will be on Saturday nights from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Bring picnic food and coolers, chairs and lawn blankets.  You can get take out at one of the nearby restaurants or have dinner at one of them before the concert. 

• Sunday, September 5, at 6:30 pm   Zydeco T
• Saturday, September 11 at 7 pm Gwen Hughes & The Retro Jazz Kats - Jazz, Blues, & Swing
• Saturday, September 18  at 7 pm Stratogeezer - Instrumental Surf
• Saturday, September 25  at 7 pm JazzChronic - Funk freak fusio

Invite your friends and neighbors and enjoy all that Decatur has to offer.

Do you love Decatur and want to live in the heart of it? Check out the virtual tour of this loft for sale within easy walking distance to Decatur Square.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Decatur GA contact Jen Bowman, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty at 404-456-5024.

The Decatur Beach Party is back again. On Friday June 18th from 5 p.m. to Midnight downtown Decatur GA will be turned into a beach.  For those that don't know, Decatur is no where near a beach, so this is a lot of fun for us.  

Decatur brings in 60 tons of sand and turns the square into a beach for this annual event. Ponce de Leon Ave will be closed between Church Street and Clairmont Ave. There will be dancing to the beach music from the live band. Activities include children's boardwalk games, face painting and wading pools in the sand. I'm sure some will build sandcastles too.

Adults $6.50 in advance, available for online purchase here, and $10 at the gate; children 12 and under, free (limit two children per paying adult).

Just like anywhere else, there are rules. So, no coolers, glass or pets allowed please. Sponsored by Decatur Business Association. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser benefit downtown improvement projects.

Live Band Schedule

• The Reputations 5-8 p.m. on the Community Bandstand stage
• Terry Lee & the GTs 8 p.m. until midnight on the Plaza Stage

I'll be volunteering at the entry gate for the later part of the night. Come on by and say hello!

The Decatur Beach Party is just one of the events that makes Decatur GA a wonderful place to live, work and play. Homes currently on the market in Decatur range from the low 100's to $1,900,000.  There is quite a range depending on the neighborhood.

See my featured listing in the heart of downtown Decatur - 2 story penthouse loft condo located at 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Unit 606. It was showcased on HGTV's Designed to Sell  One of highlights of this home is the rooftop deck overlooking Ponce de Leon. Listed at $399, 000. Call me for an appointment to view it.

If you are considering buying or selling real estate in Decatur GA contact me, Jen Bowman with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners at 404-456-5024.

2391 Greylock Place in Decatur GA is for sale for $299,000.

This Ridgeland Park home is a charming all brick bungalow that was built in 1949. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. It has hardwood floors throughout the main floor. The tiled kitchen has been expanded so that now it's an eat-in kitchen, unlike many of the original homes in the neighborhood. Parking is available in the 2 car carport and the level driveway.

A separate dining room attaches to the kitchen and flows into the front living room.

There's a large master bedroom on the main floor with a private bath with tiled shower. Outside of the master bedroom is an office/library with built in shelves. This room was originally the 2nd bedroom in the house. Across the hall is now the 2nd bedroom on the main level. There is a full bath in the hallway.

Upstairs there has been an expansion of the attic space to make a 3rd bedroom.

See the Virtual Tour of 2391 Greylock Place.

Part of the Ridgeland Park neighborhood is in the city of Decatur and part of it is outside the city limits. 2391 Greylock Place is in unincorporated Dekalb County.  That means trash pickup, police and fire services are done by Dekalb County instead of City of Decatur.  That also means lower taxes for the new homeowner. 

Students in this section of Ridgeland Park attend Dekalb County's Medlock Elementary, Shamrock Middle and Druid Hills High School.

See more information on Ridgeland Park in Decatur GA.

To see all the homes currently for sale in Ridgeland Park.  Homes currently on the market range in Ridgeland Park range in price from $199,000 to around $650,000.

Listed Exclusively by Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, Jen Bowman. Call 404-456-5024 for more information on this home or any other in the Decatur, GA area.