Tina Fountain's Blog

Benefits of Home Ownership

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:36:15 -0700

If you've been renting a home or condominium, it may seem easier and more cost-effective to continue as a renter for the foreseeable future. While the real estate market has seen some downturns in recent history, there are still very compelling emotional and financial reasons to own your home.

Happy Homeowners
For decades, part of the American dream included purchasing a home. It's the outward sign of success and provides an opportunity to shape your living environment and community in ways that are unavailable or difficult for renters. Some studies even suggest that homeowners report greater life satisfaction and exhibit better psychological health than non-homeowners.

Owning a home generally offers greater stability and security. Homeowners don't have to check with a landlord to make improvements or change paint colors or flooring. That control seems to have an effect on self-esteem and the homeowner's sense of security. Homeowners live in their homes for longer periods of time than do renters, creating a stability for their families and their communities.

If living in an environmentally conscious way is important to you, owning your home gives you the opportunity to shape your living environment to lessen your "carbon footprint" and save a little money. Solar power, reclaimed building materials and rainwater collection tubs are just a few of the environmentally friendly improvements homeowners can make without interference from a landlord. Tax incentive and monthly cost savings on the solar power are side benefits, as well.

Financial Benefits
In the short-term, homeownership continues to make sound financial sense. Homeowners receive a variety of tax incentives in the form of mortgage interest tax deductions, property tax deductions and capital gains exclusions for those living in their homes for two of the past five years. All in all, those tax deductions can add up to significant annual cost savings. The capital gains exclusion is a benefit realized once the home is sold.

Purchasing a home should be viewed, at least in part, as an investment. Sometimes investments experience temporary losses, but the long-term outlook for real estate investment is still strong. Even if the current market is lower than you wish, as you continue to make house payments you are creating long-term equity that can be used to help finance other life events such as college educations, weddings, travel and vacation property.

Owning a home also strengthens your credit rating as you make consistent, on-time mortgage payments. In the long run, that improved credit rating can help you obtain financing for a variety of life's needs and luxuries.

Downturns in the market in recent history shouldn't sour you on owning a home. There are still abundant reasons owning a home is a wise financial and emotional decision.

Begin your search of homes for sale in Atlanta, Georgia at www.tinafountain.com, or if Coastal North Carolina is in your sights start searching all homes for sale in Wilmington, North Carolina at www.coastalcarolinahomes.com.

Is Landfall the Best Address in North Carolina?

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:24:27 -0800

Resting on the eastern edge of Wilmington, North Carolina, the gated community of Landfall overlooks the enchanting Intracoastal Waterway and the exclusive Wrightsville Beach. The community's many amenities are so coveted that the development earned a designation as "Best Address" by Forbes magazine, helping boost an already high demand of homes for sale in Landfall.

Lifestyle
Residents of Landfall enjoy an active and social lifestyle, with the community's Country Club, two championship golf courses and full-service sports complex just minutes from their front doors.

Much of life in Landfall centers around golf. Two distinct golf courses grace the community, one designed by champion golfer Jack Nicklaus. The 27-hole golf course makes the most of the area's natural marshes and pine trees to create a challenging course. After a round, golfers can enjoy the course's new Golf House, member's Tavern and practice facility.

Landfall's other golf course is an 18-hole course designed by golf legend Pete Dye. The Dye Course includes a pro shop, practice facility, clubhouse and men's and women's locker rooms.

The community's sports complex offers even more activities for residents, with 14 tennis courts, a fully equipped fitness center and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Landfall residents appreciate less organized activities, as well, such as those found in the community's Landfall Lake and the extensive walking nature trails that meander through the neighborhoods.

Other conveniences are just a quick drive to the airport, downtown Wilmington and the area's barrier islands and beaches.

Homes
Landfall's elegant estates, golf-course homes and town homes offer great variety for home buyers. Each distinct home design and style is engineered to blend with the community's natural surroundings and offer a retreat from the fevered pace of nearby Wilmington. Landfall's borders on the Intracoastal Waterway and Howe Creek provide ample room for beautiful waterfront homes.

Established in the 1980s, Landfall offers well-established neighborhoods as well as opportunities for new homes. Existing home prices in Landfall vary widely, beginning at about $330,000 and ranging up to more than $3 million. That range offers opportunities for families, seniors and vacation home buyers with just about every budget. With new home plans available from Landfall partners Mark Johnson Custom Homes, Kent Homes and Hagood Homes, it's simple to create your own home in the Landfall community.

Autumn Hall Gives a Nod to the Past, While Creating a Future

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:01:03 -0800

Southern charm, warm hospitality and strong social networks are the hallmarks of the new planned community of Autumn Hall. Just 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington, the master-planned community merges the charm of old Southern coastal villages with the amenities and comfort of the 21st century. At the heart of the development are the hundreds-of years-old twisted live-oak trees draped with moody Spanish moss. The community has preserved the existing streams, allowing them to meander through the development's neighborhoods and to give an old-world feel to the community.

Lifestyle
Wilmington, Savannah and Beaufort are the inspiration for this recreation of an old Southern town. Its central concept is the revival of the quintessential American Main Street, complete with the large, picturesque town fountain. Like spokes on a wheel, neighborhood streets stem from Main Street, creating a pleasant walking experience through the neighborhoods and the town center. Shops and offices are within steps of the neighborhoods, establishing plenty of opportunities for neighbors to visit and socialize with one another en route to the town center and home. The Creek Club and a tennis club create more opportunities for socializing and engaging in community activities.

Just as Autumn Hall retained the area's streams, the development is committed to preserving the region's tidal-creek headwaters, live oaks, long-leaf pines and marshes. In keeping these features, the community achieves its old-world ambiance and establishes many recreational opportunities for its residents.

Homes For Sale
Homes for sale in Autumn Hall are carefully designed to recreate the look and feel of a welcoming Southern community. Broad front porches grace many of the home designs, inspiring residents to rest on the porch and visit with passing neighbors. The residences are designed to replicate Cape Fear's trademark coastal plantation homes, Antebellum mansions and summer cottages.

With that reverential nod to the past, Autumn Hall planners nevertheless stay on the forefront of modern construction practices. Green building practices are a focus, using reclaimed wood, saving trees and protecting native birds whenever and wherever possible.

Prices for Autumn Hall homes run from $480,000 to $790,000 in the Dungannon Village section of the development. Autumn Hall eventually will comprise about 100 comfortable residences.

Magnolia Greens Offers an Inclusive, Full Lifestyle

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 06:36:52 -0700

Located just across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington NC, Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation is a premier residential golf community bringing together families, retirees and singles in a warm, Low Country lifestyle. Nestled into the small coastal plains town of Leland NC, Magnolia Greens offers a respite from the hectic city lifestyle, while remaining close to all the best amenities, attractions and activities.

Lifestyle
At the heart of Magnolia Greens is its stellar 27-hole championship golf course. Its expansive Bermuda grass fairways, greens are punctuated with plenty of hazards and traps. The course holds a four-and-a-half star rating from Golf Digest and is a frequent host to PGA Tour Qualifying Tournaments. Other amenities go along with this stunning golf course, including full-service practice facilities that make for an unparalleled golfing experience.

Superior golfing isn't the only reason Magnolia Greens is a preferred community. With a rich diversity of activities, the recreation center offers a place for neighbors to socialize, interact and play together. Its 8,000 square feet are filled with a fully equipped fitness center, multiple pools and two tennis courts. Delightful walking trails meander throughout Magnolia Greens' neighborhoods and the homeowner's association offers countless clubs and social events.

One of Leland's first developments, Magnolia Greens has matured into a fully established, diverse community with a warmth and personality all its own. While fully equipped, Magnolia Greens is not overly insular. Just outside its welcoming gates lies a number of convenient shopping and commercial centers to fulfill every wish.

Homes
Truly a planned community, Magnolia Greens gears its neighborhoods toward specific lifestyle choices and needs. Town homes with low maintenance single levels, condominiums, patio homes and grand estates somehow fit perfectly into the encompassing network of the Magnolia Greens community. From gracefully landscaped, elegantly designed golf-course homes to residences enveloped by peaceful neighborhoods, Magnolia Greens is an affordable community for vacation home buyers, retirees and families. Homes for sale in Magnolia Greens start in the vicinity of $200,000, making it a welcoming community for nearly every budget.

Occasionally, established Magnolia Greens homes appear on the market. These usually are larger custom or semi-custom estate homes with many bedrooms, spacious lawns and beautiful architecture. Prices for these larger properties range from $470,000 to about $600,000.

Why FSBO Properties are a Hard Sell

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:12:52 -0700

Many homeowners have dreams of selling their homes FSBO, eliminating Realtor fees and walking away with a big profit. However, time and time again, many FSBO sellers ditch their FSBO plans early on and enlist the help of a top producing Atlanta Realtor to get their home sold.

Why is it so hard to sell FSBO? Here are the top reasons why FSBO homes are harder to sell than Realtor-represented homes:

•FSBO homes generally don’t appear in the multi-listing service – Professional Realtors have access to the multi-list service, which is the tool used by most buyers in today’s market. If your home isn’t listed on the multi-list, you can expect a vast majority of buyers to be completely unaware of its existence. Keep in mind that nearly 90 percent of all serious buyers head to the multi-list to find a home; if your home isn’t there, you are missing out on a potential opportunity.

•Many buyers are intimidated by FSBO homes – Purchasing a home that is sold by a Realtor is often much easier than purchasing a FSBO home, in the eyes of buyers. This is because it is much easier to talk to a professional than a homeowner who has an emotional investment in the home. It is also much more comfortable to walk through a home with a Realtor than a homeowner.

•Many buyers’ agents won’t show FSBO homes – A buyer’s agent is paid when they find a home for a buyer. If the homeowner is selling FSBO, the buyer’s agent will likely not receive a commission from the sale of the home. As a result, many buyers’ agents will simply not show a FSBO home to their clients.

•Many FSBO homes are overpriced – One of the many advantages of selling your home with a Realtor is that the Realtor has the experience and expertise to suggest a competitive listing price for your home. Without a Realtor, you will likely need to figure out how to price your home. As a result, many homeowners selling their homes FSBO overprice their homes, either because they didn’t find accurate statistics regarding comparable sales in their area or because they simply thought their home was worth more than it was.

Thinking of Renovation Before Selling?

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:09:43 -0700

During a recent listing appointment for a repeat customer they asked me if would help them to sell their home if they did some extensive renovations. The home that they were selling was orignally built in the 1940's and had been through at lest two full renovations with the last being about 10 years ago.

The sellers had purchased the home thorough our firm 5 years ago and since then they had updated the kitchen, master bath, and converted a guest bedroom to a home office. While the home was in excellent shape, there were still some changes that they were wanting to make.

Of course, it's not an easy yes or no question and it's one that we tend to get quite often. So, it prompted me to write a blog that should cover most situations when a seller is thinking of making extensive renovations prior to selling.

The full response can be found here: Should You Renovate Your Atlanta Home Prior to Selling?

Successful Decorating on a Budget to Help Sell Your Atlanta Home

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:26:19 -0700

You, too, can decorate like a pro! And it doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune! If you have just settled into your new home, or if you’re about to list your home for sale, it may be time to take measures into your own hands and dig in and start decorating. Before you begin you may want to read Preparing Your Atlanta Home to Sell: Simple Changes Can Create Harmony it's a great resource for removing distractions and creating just the right harmony and balance in a room.

Although it is quite easy to break the bank when decorating, there are a number of ways you can transform your decorating-challenged home into a masterpiece! Here’s a list of ways you can begin decorating today:

• Throw pillows can work wonders on a couch that’s seen its better day. We like throw pillow covers, as they are usually less expensive than purchasing pillows, and they can be easily taken off and washed, as necessary. Because throw pillows are inexpensive, you can get creative and think in terms of bolder colors and patterns to spice up any room in your home.

• Add plants (and a little oxygen, too!). Lush, green, indoor plants in colorful pots around your home can be a great way to add color and life to your rooms. Plus, they do wonders when it comes to cleaning your indoor air. Skip the artificial plants and flowers, though; they do nothing but catch dust!

• Instead of replacing your seen-its-better-day carpeting or ceramic tile, consider an area rug. We like area rugs because they can add interest and color to a room, and they are comfortable underfoot, too. Use a few area rugs to define spaces throughout your home, and consider adding an outdoor area rug to your porch or deck, too.

• Head to your local craft supply store and stock up on inexpensive glass jars and vases in a number of shapes and sizes. Fill them up natural objects, such as stones, sand, pine cones, rocks, etc. and line them up along your mantle or tabletop for a decorative touch.

• Create your own photo gallery by simply printing your favorite family photos in various sizes and grouping them together in an interesting formation along a large wall in your home. If you really want to give your wall that photo gallery air, consider printing all of your photos in black and white.

West Cobb Listing

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:41:47 -0700

Our office recently listed 2951 Croftwood Trail Marietta Ga 30064 located in the popular Heritage Oaks Subdivision. The home has four bedrooms and three and a half baths on a private cul de sac lot.

There are currently only 2 other homes for sale in Hertiage Oaks, and 2951 Croftwood Trail is the lowest priced, it's not a short sale or foreclosure and is excellent condition.

For more information contact Tina Fountain Realtors at 404-842-1555.

The Top Four Reasons why a Buyer’s Agent can Save you Money

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:54:44 -0800

Working with an experienced Atlanta real estate agent may be one of the best decisions you can make in your hunt for a new home, for a number of reasons. However, perhaps the biggest reason to work with a buyer’s agent is because he or she may be able to save you a considerable amount of money on the purchase of your next home.

A buyer’s agent can:

•    Find a home that best meets your budgetary constraints – Because there may be, at any given time, hundreds or even thousands of homes on the market in and around where you want to purchase a home, narrowing down your search may be quite challenging. A buyer’s agent, however, can narrow down your home buying options and find a home that best meets your budgetary constraints.

•    Determine whether the asking price for a home for sale is competitive – A buyer’s agent may not only be able to help you find a home, but he or she will also be able to research the comparables for the home you want to purchase to better understand whether the asking price for the home is competitive or priced too high. Simply by researching other homes that have sold in the past six months, your realtor can help you make an offer that is realistic given the current market conditions.

•    Negotiate a lower price – Although, as a buyer, you can certainly negotiate the sales price of the home you want to purchase, a buyer’s agent often has the experience and the industry know-how to negotiate a better sales price for you.

•    Negotiate better terms – Likewise, a buyer’s agent may also be able to better negotiate the terms of the purchase agreement. From contingencies to closing dates and shared closing costs, a buyer’s agent has the qualifications to understand the terms that are best for you. For example, a buyer’s agent may be able to include the home’s appliances in with the sale of the home, or he or she may be able to convince the buyers to pay your closing costs.

Kennesaw State University: Recognizing Outstanding Academic Excellence

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:39:02 -0800

Kennesaw State University, which is located in Kennesaw Georgia, is a comprehensive university which offers a fine array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs in business, education and nursing, among others.

Also known as KSU, Kennesaw or Kennesaw State, Kennesaw State University is a public institution which is part of the University System of Georgia. Kennesaw State University, which was founded in 1963, is conveniently located just 20 miles north of Atlanta on 240 acres of land near Interstate 75.

Facts about Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University enrolls over 20,000 students and is the third largest university in the state of Georgia, followed only by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.
Over 75 percent of the students enrolled in Kennesaw State University are from local counties, including Cobb, Cherokee and Fulton, while nine percent of the students are from different countries.
About 70 percent of undergraduate students and about 31 percent of graduate students are full-time. Over half of the students graduating from Kennesaw State University are between the ages of 23 and 34.
Over 600 faculty members are employed at Kennesaw State University, and 74 percent of those faculty members have a doctorate degree.
U.S. News recognized Kennesaw State University as a school which has made promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities in 2008 based upon nominations.
Kennesaw State University was the only public institution in Georgia to be ranked as an “Up and Coming” school by U.S. News.
Kennesaw State University was the only college in Georgia to be recognized for its efforts to help freshmen adjust to the rigors of college life by U.S. News.
Kennesaw State University was recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as one of the nation’s top publicly engaged universities in a study entitled “Stepping Forward as Stewards of Place.”
Kennesaw State University boasts more than one million square feet of administration, instruction and student support facilities.
New facilities at Kennesaw State University include a Social Sciences Building and a 4,800-seat convocation center, which is the largest of its kind in northwest Georgia.
Majors at Kennesaw State University (both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs) include education, health, business, the humanities, the arts, science and math.
Graduate degree programs are offered in professional concentrations including nursing, business, information systems, conflict management, public administration, education and professional writing.
New to Kennesaw State University in 2006 is the Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Learning, which is the first doctorate in the university's history.
The Executive MBA program is the second-largest program in the country and has been recognized by Business Week.

Find all Kennesaw homes for sale and all Cobb County real estate at tinafountain.com, we can be reached at 404-842-1555

The Top Three Reasons why a REALTOR’s Advice is Unmatched

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:20:12 -0700

Giving a percentage of your home’s sale price to a REALTOR may be a hard pill to swallow for some sellers. In fact, it is the main reason why many home owners choose to undertake this process alone. Although it may initially seem like a great idea to sell your home yourself and save thousands in commissions, it shouldn’t be a decision you take lightly.

In short, the expertise and education of a qualified Atlanta real estate agent may be simply invaluable for homeowners who are looking to sell their home for top dollar, in a short amount of time, and with the least amount of hassle.

Whether you have a luxury Atlanta home for sale or a home for a first time home buyer, here is our list of the top three reasons why every seller should consider using the services of a qualified real estate agent:

A REALTOR has a deep understanding of the local market – A qualified REALTOR will understand the market better than anyone else. He or she will understand the strength or weakness of the market, the length of time it takes to sell a home, and the pricing strategy most often employed. In short, a REALTOR will be able to help you price your home according to what the local market dictates, thereby allowing you to remain competitive in the marketplace and allowing you to sell your home quickly. Many sellers who sell their home without the help of a REALTOR will actually lose money because they did not price their home properly.
A REALTOR has the knowledge and expertise necessary to negotiate the best price for your home – Perhaps the most important service a REALTOR can provide is expert negotiation. Once again, a REALTOR with a good understanding of the local market will be able to negotiate a solid selling price for your home.
A REALTOR has the marketing tools and strategies to draw attention to your home – A REALTOR has something many home sellers do not: access to effective marketing strategies and tools that will give your home the attention it deserves. From websites and blogs to virtual tours and industry publications, your home will likely be more visible to buyers, thereby allowing you to sell it in the shortest amount of time possible.

Preparing To Buy A Home

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:27:17 -0700

Buying a home today involves the process of getting qualified for a mortgage, finding an agent to assist you with the home buying process and choosing the right home. Before you start the process, it is a good idea to do some research on the Internet or by reading the newspaper about mortgage rates, the type of mortgages available and home prices in the area where you want to purchase the home.This way,you will have a good understanding of how the home buying process works and it will less stressful for you.Getting Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage Ask for a referral for a mortgage broker from someone you know that has recently bought a home.A mortgage broker works with many lenders and can shop around to find you the best mortgage products.

A loan officer works at a bank and is limited to finding you one of their own mortgage products.You can also check rates on the Internet and use an online mortgage calculator to determine your monthly payment.The mortgage broker or bank loan officer will pre-qualify you for a mortgage so you know how much you home can afford. They will give you pre-qualification letter to give to the seller when you make your offer so the seller knows you are qualified to purchase their home.The Realtor will also want a copy of the letter so they can find you a home that meets your budget and criteria.You can also start the loan process by submitting your financial information such as your W-2's or 1099's, your tax return and recent banks statements. Once you have a negotiated contract, the lender will require that you pay for a home appraisal upfront to make sure the home appraises so the lender knows they will be able to get their money back if you default on your mortgage.However, home prices fluxuate up and down depending on market conditions so the appraisal is only valid based upon current market market conditions.

Finding a Realtor You can find a Realtor several different ways including referral from a friend or family member, on the Internet, the newspaper or by visiting an open house. When choosing a Realtor,it is always best to work with an agent who is an expert in the neighborhood where you want to buy. Using a buyer's agent is a good idea because they are looking out for your best interests and not the seller's interests. The listing agent represents the seller. You should choose a Realtor you trust and like whether they are the listing agent or a buyer's agent. Once you find the right property,your Realtor will help you determine the price to offer and assist you with writing and presenting your offer to the seller or the seller's agent. The seller may not accept the offer right away. They may decide to counter some of the terms and/or the price.If you and the seller come to an agreement, then escrow will be opened and you can give your lender the contract so they can process your loan in time to close the transaction. You will receive an itemized closing statement to review prior to closing from the closing agent. The closing agent will go over the statement with you and let you know the balance of the closing funds a day or two before closing so you can make arrangements to wire the funds or bring a cashier's check to the closing agent.Your Realtor will coordinate with the closing agent, the lender and the listing agent to make sure everything goes smoothly and you get the keys to your new home.

Visit tinafountain.com to view homes for sale in Rivers Call and homes for sale in Paper Chase Farm

Leeds, Alabama

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 09:41:17 -0700

Home to the basketball hall of famer, Charles Barkley, Leeds, Alabama is a city that was only incorporated in 1987 and was named after the famous city of Leeds in England. It is located in the Jefferson, St. Clair and Shelby Counties in Alabama and benefits from the typical mild Alabama weather, with the exception of some hurricanes and rare snowfall.

Most people associate Alabama and, particularly, the year 1812 with the Indian Wars. It was during this time that Cherokees, Seminoles and Europeans came to Leeds and formed one community from three cultures. Among the most famous residents at that time was John Stewart, who left Leeds residents with legitimate claims to Cherokee royalty. Although, the city had not been developed at that time and was largely a suburb of the southern end of the St. Clair County in the 1800s. Leeds is now considered a suburb of the busiest, largest and most populous city of Alabama ñ Birmingham.

In the first decade of the 1900s, the industrial revolution became a phenomenon in Leeds, with city leaders trying their best to cash in on the long term opportunity that it sought to provide residents with. Things started looking good with the opening of a cement plant in Leeds, the making of the Georgia Pacific railroad and Central Georgia railroad. All these industrial advancements created new employment opportunities and people rushed in from neighboring cities with their families to start a new life. Leeds provided good schools and enough recreation to make them permanent residents.

Leeds was an unknown city for the larger part of its history but success came after the incorporation of Birmingham and the beginning of iron ore production there. Since Birmingham was already so populated, people started moving towards the country to smaller towns such as Leeds, for fresh air and the small town American way of life. The city is also working hard to become a tourist attraction and a magnet for new residents with the recent addition of a vintage sports museum.

Leeds is a very small city with a population of only around 10,000. It is the perfect getaway for those who love the close knit community life of a small town but also the cultural and social events that any busy city offers. All major festivals are celebrated across the city with a lot of enthusiasm. And who can forget the favorite American past time of fishing, since the Cahaba river flows through the city.

View homes for sale in Leeds Alabama at birminghamhomefinders.com, also read the latest on our blog: How to Sabotage the Home Buying Experience

Increase Your Home's Value with Curb Appeal Upgrades

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:53:49 -0700

Have you ever driven up to your home and felt under whelmed by its appearance? Have you ever wondered why some homes look great while others lack zest? Do you have a favorite street you like to drive down because all the homes on it look sophisticated?

What is Curb Appeal?

If you've answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then you're the type of person who is aware of curb appeal. Curb appeal is a phrase used to describe how a home looks from the curb, or while driving by. Curb appeal can be either positive or negative. A bland-looking house might have zero curb appeal. A cluttered yard detracts from a home's beauty while a well-maintained and manicured yard boosts a home's appearance and raises its perceived value.

Why is Curb Appeal Important?

Good curb appeal is essential when preparing a home for sale so that it attracts passersby. When a potential buyer drives up to your home, your curb appeal will be the first thing noticed. An opinion of your property is formed in the first few seconds of viewing it. Make those seconds count by doing some curb appeal homework.

Each home on a street has the potential to add or detract from the over arching tone of the neighborhood. It only takes one or two dowdy-looking homes to bring down the real estate prices on your street. Even if you aren't about to sell your home, you can raise its prestige and contribute to the reputation of your neighborhood by boosting its curb appeal.

How Do You Improve Curb Appeal?

Great curb appeal doesn't just happen. With a little artistic flair or professional guidance, you can make simple changes to your home to give it the pizzazz you're looking for. Do your neighbors a favor, or at least do yourself a favor, by looking into what changes you can make.

Here's a partial list of suggestions:

Tackle and Touch-Up: No matter if your home looks a little worn from the previous owner or the ravages of time, take an inventory of needed improvements and identify steps to take that are within your current budget. Perhaps changing the home's siding isn't in the budget just now, but painting the trim might be a start.

Mend and Maintain: Mend fences, gates or porches in need of repair. Fix sidewalk cracks. Replace loose shingles, rusty mailboxes or scratched and dented doors. Cut back overgrown shrubbery. Mend and maintain a lush green lawn.

Professionalize and Prettify: Check out the latest landscaping trends pictured in home and real estate magazines or online, or visit a neighborhood that has had professional landscaping done in order to get a new ideas. Wide sweeping walkways and entrance-enhancing flowerbeds are key to taking your home from so-so to sensational. If you aren't talented or don't have the time or equipment for major landscaping tasks, hire a local landscaper.

Conceal Clutter: Create a place for everything and put everything in its place. Put away sports equipment, bicycles and other clutter after using it. If there's no room in your driveway or garage for your trailer or canoe, rent offsite storage space.

Accessorize and Accentuate: Add attractive items that are consistent with the style and colors of your home for that extra touch. Patio furniture, a garden bench, an attractive arbor, water fountain and in-season plantings add warmth and glamour.

Liven with Lighting: Light up your house address numbers and walkway. Add landscape lighting to accent your home's architecture and flowerbeds.

If you're about to sell your home, done well, your improvements can be the deciding factor in your home selling quicker and for a higher price than a similar home on the market.

Don't settle for the same old look you're used to seeing every time you drive up to your home. Increase its value by starting with some basic maintenance and upgrades and enjoy your home even more than you already do while boosting its curb appeal.

Search all homes for sale in Atlanta Georgia and homes for sale in Marietta Georgia as well as homes for sale in Cobb County Georgia at tinafountain.com.

You Purchased Your New Home: What To Tackle First?

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:28:41 -0800

You’ve finally made it! You bought your dream home and the movers just left. Now what?

If you’re like most new homeowners, the stress of the move is really compounded the moment you look around your new home and really discover the work you have ahead of you. Although the process of unpacking and moving in may seem quite daunting, there is actually things you can do to ease yourself (and your family) into your new home.

The first day in your new home will likely be chaotic as you wander aimlessly, from room to room, trying to make sense out of the piles of boxes surrounding you. Thankfully, we have compiled a list of things that you should tackle as soon as you step foot into your new home.

Unpack toiletries and medications – One of the best things you can do before you move is keep your essential medications and toiletries with you; these are generally not things to pack up and send off with the movers. Once you arrive in your new home, it is best to put all of your medications and toiletries where they belong – safely out of reach of your pets or small children, but convenient enough for you to grab when needed.
Clean the bathrooms – Although most homes will be clean when you move in, many new homeowners feel more comfortable after they have taken a scrub brush to their new bathroom. It is therefore best to come armed with essential cleaning supplies so that you can tackle sensitive areas, such as the bathroom tub and the kitchen sink.
Set up a dog run or leash – If you have pets, you need to make certain that you address their safety as soon as you move in. Therefore, one of the best things you can do is set up their outdoor run or leash so that they do not become lost.
Purchase and install window coverings – If you know that your home will need window coverings, now is the time to install them so that you can be guaranteed a certain amount of privacy.
Purchase essential groceries – It is best to load up on the essential groceries that you will need for a couple days.
Baby-proof, if necessary – If you have small children or pets, the best thing you can do upon moving into your new home is baby-proof. This is definitely one area that cannot be ignored or delayed.

Although we can’t be there to unpack, we can certainly give you the strategies necessary to make your first moments in your new home a bit less stressful!

Search for new homes in Atlanta Ga at tinafountain.com, you can also find new homes for sale in Marietta Ga and new homes for sale in Cobb County Ga. Tina Fountain is the Broker Owner of Atlanta based Tina Fountain Realtors

Get Your Home Ready for the Spring Real Estate Market

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:27:28 -0800

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the spring market, you should start early to get it sale-ready. Depending on the upgrades your home needs, it could become very time consuming to complete them especially if you try to do the work in between your day job and family activities.

Major overhauls like redoing bathrooms and kitchens aren’t necessary in order to sell your home. If your bathrooms and kitchen could use updating you should consider whether spending the money to do it will result in a good return on your investment. The most conservative approach to selling an outdated home is to price it accordingly. Don’t expect to list it at the same price as the other homes for sale that have had upgrades.

Even if yours doesn’t need updating there are a few minor changes you can make that will have a good return on your real estate investment. The most significant changes you can make include:

Updating the flooring
Adding a fresh coat of paint
De-cluttering
Cleaning like there’s no tomorrow

These sound easy to accomplish on paper but getting them done is another matter. You can begin by assessing what needs to be done and doing so early in the year. Consult with your Realtor and seek their advice on considering a professional home stager.

If you plan on re-carpeting or having other flooring changed, you will need to allow plenty of time to do so before listing your home for sale. Changing the flooring will require moving the clutter first and it is better to paint before redoing the flooring. That means you’ll need to hire a painter and flooring professional or set aside a significant amount of time to do these chores yourself.

Updating Flooring

You will need to allow time for choosing a flooring specialist to work with. Aside from visiting their gallery to see samples, you will need to allow time for measuring, time to choose the flooring, and time for them to get a written quotation back to you. If you plan to compare quotes, you will need more time for extra appointments.

Flooring professionals need lead time to order your product and to book their service crew. Some flooring experts will book you within a couple of weeks while others will need several weeks’ notice. Set a target date for your flooring installation with a goal to have it completed a week or two before you want to show your home. You won’t want to leave time for the new flooring to become soiled or for pets to damage it before showing your house.

Re-Carpeting

Re-carpeting is a good option if you already have carpet. It is less costly and you will get a better return on your investment than if you replace all your floors with hardwood. Hardwood floors are the modern trend and may help your home to sell quicker, but the amount you'll be able to raise your asking price to is usually marginal compared to the exorbitant cost of laying the hardwood. A carpet professional can help you choose something current and inexpensive that is suitable for showcasing your home for sale.

Painting

If you’re hiring a professional painter, allow time to get estimates. It can be frustrating when a painter you’ve booked for an estimate cancels his visit because he’s taken on a bigger job. It is important to allow time for problems like this.

Choosing the paint colours themselves can become very time consuming when trying to find a happy medium between neutralizing your home’s colours, keeping them modern, and complementing existing or new furniture and fixtures.

Once you’ve chose your colours and are ready for the painting to begin you will need time to pick up the paint and supplies and do prep work unless a painter will be doing it for you.

A professional may also notice things you should repair such as cracks in ceilings or walls. It is important to repair cracks, drywall tape that may be lifting, and to repaint any ceilings marred by smokers. Drywall repair compound or similar products will need drying and sanding time. Priming and repainting ceilings is very time consuming.

As you can see, a good paint job means more than slapping a new paint colour on.

De-Cluttering

Once the walls are painted and the flooring laid you will need a day or two to finish de-cluttering closets, crawl spaces, the garage and so forth. You may want to rent a portable storage unit to temporarily remove items from view. You’ll need a day or even a week of lead-time for delivery of the bin, a day or two to load it, and another appointment to have it taken away to the storage facility.

Cleaning

The more you can clean the better. You may want to consider hiring a cleaning service to clean specific areas like your appliances or washrooms and kitchen in order to conserve your energy.

A professional window washer that cleans both the indoors and outdoors will bring that extra sparkle to your home making it look fresh and new.

Setting Deadlines

In order to achieve the best results in a timely way, it is important to draw up a schedule outlining deadlines:

Start by choosing what you feel is an ideal listing date. Then work backwards.
Allow a couple of weeks to clean your home and stage your furniture just before showing it and for an appointment with your realtor to finalize your contract.
Set a deadline for having the flooring completed allowing a six-week period to get the process going.
Set a two to four week period before that for painting.
Often floor baseboards need removing prior to flooring changes. Removing, touching them up and reinstalling them will gobble up another day or two.
Allow several days to de-clutter and complete other repairs.

As you can see, to accomplish even a minor overhaul needs several weeks or months of lead-time. The spring market is a hot selling time you won’t want to miss. Getting your home into sale condition early is very important if you want to capitalize on the rush of buyers hunting down their perfect home.

In today’s competitive real estate market, it pays to be prepared. When you make minor changes to your home, you will have more peace of mind, you will receive more traffic, and you will get better results. Allow plenty of time by starting early in the New Year.

Tina Fountain is the Broker/Owner of Atlanta based Tina Fountain Realtors. She and her staff of real estate agents specialize in homes for sale in Atlanta, luxury homes for sale in Buckhead, and homes for sale in Marietta.

Is Student Housing The Next Great Investment Opportunity?

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:56:37 -0800

However distant real recovery may seem to us today, no recession or housing depression in the history of the U.S. has outlasted the nation’s resourceful population. As housing prices stabilize and employers begin to hire, lending rates are bound to start looking up as well. No matter what the economy does, parents continue to find ways to send their children to college. Postsecondary enrollments often increase during tough economic times—and the current downturn is no exception to the rule—as young people with poor employment prospects attempt to acquire marketable skills. Despite ongoing fears about declining property values, players both big and small are taking an interest in demographic trends and finding good reasons to invest in student housing.

College Enrollments Are Projected to Increase
According to the National Science Foundation, enrollments at universities and community and private colleges will increase at a faster rate than the population in the U.S. Even in regions where the demographic aged 18 to 24 remains relatively unchanged over time, a higher percentage of this group will pursue some type of postsecondary education. Researchers estimate that college enrollments will increase by 13% from 2010 to 2017, and from 21.8 million to 28.2 million by 2050. In certain cities and states, the college-aged population is expected to grow at a much faster rate, fueling a demand for rental units and creating new opportunities for people to invest in student housing.

Colleges Supply a Steady Stream of Renters and Support Local Property Values
While real estate is always a regional story (meaning that national figures can’t tell you a thing about future prices in Lincoln, Nebraska), colleges generally provide reliable revenue to communities that feed and house thousands of students every year. Universities that are considered major research centers, along with connected hospitals and other facilities, offer high salaries to attract star scientists and faculty to college towns. These permanent employees purchase properties in the region, providing ongoing support for real estate values. Although people invest in student housing because colleges ensure a reliable demand for rental units, colleges can cushion the impact of plant closings and layoffs on property values in the surrounding region.

Mortgage Rates Are Still at Record Lows
While low borrowing costs haven’t sparked an interest in real estate in certain parts of the country, mortgage rates will rise in tandem with property values and sustained economic growth. Today’s low lending rates may allow you to invest in student housing that your son or daughter can use. You can reduce the cost of your child’s education by having roommates cover your mortgage payments.

It’s an oddity of human nature that people are the most afraid after the worst has already happened. Residential real estate, like the stock market, presents far less risk today than it did in 2007. Then, we couldn’t stop buying and now we’re too scared or broke to act. But some corporations and real estate investors aren’t waiting around for prices to recover. They’re buying up properties and companies that may never be this cheap again. To invest in student housing, start by researching the market in your local area. You might be surprised by opportunities you find in your own neighborhood.

For more information on homes for sale in Atlanta contact Tina Fountain Realtors at 404-842-1555.

Just Listed - Marietta Georgia

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:22:27 -0800

Located at 627 Tabbystone Street, this former model home has 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The home features all the upgrades you'd expect including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, custom media room, pool, pool house, and outdoor water feature.

For more information contact Tina Fountain Realtors at 404-842-1555

Just Listed

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:11:29 -0700

This great home for sale on Glenpark Court in the Nob Ridge subdivision of Marietta features 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths. Located on nearly a full 1 acre cul-de-sac lot with a private backyard and in the popular Hiilgrove High School district. The kitchen is open to the fireside family room and the finished terrace level includes a second kitchen, media room, entertainment area, full bedroom and bath.

Visit tinafountain.com for all homes for sale in Atlanta Georgia including homes for sale in Marietta or you can reach us at 404-842-1555.

Tips for Downsizing: How to Handle this Potentially Difficult Transition

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:27:54 -0700

If your children have grown and moved out of the family home, if you are no longer able to care for a larger home, or if you are experiencing financial difficulties, you may choose to downsize. Downsizing into a smaller Atlanta home can often be a difficult, even traumatic life situation, however, there are certainly things you can do to make the transition an easier and smoother one.

The first thing you’ll need to do is come to grips with the fact that you will not be able to bring everything with you because of space constraints. With this in mind, the following tips will guide you through the process of downsizing:

Develop a plan and implement the plan in easy-to-manage steps.
Make a list of all the things that absolutely must accompany you into your new Atlanta home. You may choose to color-code these items for easy reference as your sort through your belongings.
Begin to sort items which you plan on keeping, those you can donate, those you can recycle and those you can sell.
Use low-adhesive stickers in different colors (these are readily available at your local office supply store) to sort and arrange items.
This is the perfect time to have a garage sale or to gift certain pieces of furniture or other household items to your children or family members.
Take room measurements of your new Atlanta home and sketch a floor plan so that you can easily determine which pieces of furniture you will be able to fit into your new home. Your large dining room table, for example, may not seem so large now but would be nothing short of cramped in your new dining room.
Don’t forget to maintain good paperwork for all of the items that you donated so that you can reap the tax benefits at year’s end.
Call a local charity organization to pick up your donations. It’s free, easy and, most of all, convenient.
Remember to shred all personal documents as you sort through personal items.
Don’t rush the process. Begin to clear out and clean up as soon as you begin to contemplate your move. The process will seem much less overwhelming and stressful if you devote a short period of time on a daily or weekly basis to downsizing your belongings.

Visit tinafountain.com and view all houses for sale in Atlanta including Cobb County houses for sale and Marietta houses for sale.

Easy Ways to Take the Stress out of Packing and Moving

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:14:40 -0700

Although the move into your new Atlanta home is sure to be an enjoyable and exciting one, packing and preparing for the move is often less pleasant. So, what can you do make sure your move doesn’t send you straight over the edge? The following list outlines the many things you can do now to ensure that your move is relatively painless:

If you are using a moving company, make arrangements sooner than later so you don’t find yourself scrambling for a company a week before the move.
If you are renting a moving van, make these arrangements ahead of time, as well, to ensure that a van will be available on the day of your move.
Start frequenting your local supermarket or home improvement center and kindly ask for cardboard boxes. As most boxes will simply find their way to the incinerator, most stores are more than happy to provide you with used packing boxes.

Stock up on more boxes than you think you’ll need so you won’t be left short-handed as you pack up your belongings.

While you’re at it, start saving your daily newspapers ahead of time. Newspapers provide cost-efficient padding for your breakables.
This is the ideal time to have a yard sale! Clean out unnecessary clutter and cut down on the number of things you’ll need to move by having a yard sale. It is also a great way to earn a little extra cash to cover moving expenses.
Whatever you can’t sell, donate. Call a local charity organization and schedule a pick-up of your personal and household goods. Remember to keep accurate records of your donations for tax purposes.
Consider pre-packing off-season items, holiday items, or rarely used items. Getting a head start on packing will surely eliminate a great deal of stress when it comes time to move.
If you are moving yourself, consider renting a storage container. Storage containers are simply dropped off on your property where they stay until you have packed up your things. Unlike moving vans, storage containers allow you pack slowly and on your terms, thus taking the stress out of moving day.
Use a color-coded system when packing. Use stickers of various colors to identify which boxes will go into which rooms when you move into your new Atlanta home.

Tina Fountain Realtors, an Atlanta Real Estate company serving the entire metro Atlanta area including houses for sale in Marietta and houses for sale in Cobb County.

Birmingham, Alabama

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:17:12 -0700

As the largest city in Alabama, the list of what classically Southern Birmingham has to offer, is endless. Situated among the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Birmingham is a progressive, thriving city that folks of all walks of life love to call home. World famous attractions and entertainment, world class dining and an expanding business base are just a few things residents have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy.

Birmingham was founded in 1871 just after the Civil War as an industrial business enterprise with its major industries being Steel and iron production. From its start, the city was planned as a great center of industry and this proved to be a very fruitful endeavor, as Birmingham expanded at an astounding rate and earned itself the nicknames"The Pittsburgh of the South" and "The Magic City."

To this day, Birmingham is one of the most important business centers in the entire Southeast and is also home to one of the largest banking centers in the entire country. One Fortune 100 company is headquartered in Birmingham, while five Fortune 500 companies are headquartered there.

All of these components helped Birmingham become recognized as one of the top cities in the U.S. for income growth with a considerable increase in per capita income.

There are about 230,000 residents in metro-Birmingham, who have the benefit and enjoyment of a plethora of activities, events and city-wide parks and green spaces. There are nineteen golf courses within the city, one of which hosts a famous PGA golf tournament each Spring. There are also several lakes nearby for fishing and swimming. A 1,000 acre nature preserve is only five miles from the city's center, and features ten miles of wooded hiking trails, a nature center, picnic pavilion and a scenic overlook with a view of the city.

Birmingham is also home to Alabama's largest state park, and is ninety miles from Alabama's Sipsey Wilderness Area, which is the third largest national wilderness area east of the Mississippi. These gorgeous nature preserves offer vacation cottages, mountain biking trails, fishing, boating, horseback riding, camping, tennis, swimming and more.

Additionally, this charming southern city is also home to the Birmingham Zoo, Vulcan Park and Museum, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Riverchase Galleria and the Talladega Superspeedway.

Residents of the Greater-Birmingham metropolitan area also from an excellent public school system. There are numerous independent primary school systems with the largest being the Jefferson County, Birmingham City, and Shelby County school systems. Birmingham is also home to some of the nation's best high schools and post-secondary colleges and universities. Additionally, several schools in Birmingham are nationally recognized.

Begin your search for homes for sale in Birmingham Alabama at www.birminghamhomefinders.com. In addition to Birmingham, we also have homes for sale in Hoover and homes for sale in Homewood.

Just Listed

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:04:33 -0700

Located in Atlanta and just minutes to downtown and midtown in the award winning Morris Brandon School District. This traditional homes features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

Full details at: 693 Longwood Drive

Tina Fountain Realtors, an Atlanta Real Estate company serving the entire metro Atlanta area including Buckhead Homes For Sale and Midtown Atlanta Homes For Sale.

Fixed Versus Adjustable

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:46:24 -0700

Although today's homebuyer has more financing options than have ever been available before, typically the two most popular loan types are fixed rate, and adjustable rate loans.

Fixed-rate mortgages are the preferred loan type for most buyers today as it carries the same interest rate for the life of the loan. Traditionally, fixed-rate mortgages have been the most popular choice among homeowners, because the fixed monthly payment is easy to plan and budget for, and can help protect against inflation. Fixed-rate mortgages are most common in 30-year and 15-year terms, but recently more lenders have begun offering 20-year and 40-year loans.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) differ from fixed-rate mortgages in that the interest rate and monthly payment can change over the life of the loan. This is because the interest rate for an ARM is tied to an index (such as Treasury Securities) that may rise or fall over time. In order to protect against dramatic increases in the rate, ARM loans usually have caps that limit the rate from rising above a certain amount between adjustments (i.e. no more than 2 percent a year), as well as a ceiling on how much the rate can go up during the life of the loan (i.e. no more than 6 percent). With these protections and low introductory rates, ARM loans have become the most widely accepted alternative to fixed-rate mortgages.

Tina Fountain Realtors, an Atlanta Real Estate company serving the entire metro Atlanta area including Marietta Real Estate and Cobb County Real Estate

Chastain Park

Tina Fountain (Tina Fountain, REALTORS) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:14:02 -0700

Minutes from Downtown and Midtown Atlanta and a neighbor to Buckhead and Sandy Springs, the upscale neighborhood of Chastain Park is one of the most sought-after communities in the area. Grand homes along the winding roadways are all but hidden by trees and the lush woodland that spans throughout the entire neighborhood.

Chastain Park residents are an affluent mix of empty nesters and young professionals as the average price for homes is around $500,000 and well exceeds $2 million. Although there is a sprinkling of condominiums, most Chastain Park real estate consists of single-family homes. Residents of this remarkable community can claim one of the most prominent Atlanta landmarks as their own. A park consisting of 268 acres of recreation facilities, wooded trails, playgrounds, an equestrian center, arts center, Olympic sized swimming pool and a 18-hole golf course are amenities and activities very few neighborhoods can claim. The most noted feature of this park is the outdoor Amphitheater which attracts residents and state-wide visitors alike.

This exclusive community is also home to eight top-rated public schools as well as one private school. Just minutes from restaurants, shopping, interstates and major roadways, sporting events and the two thriving business communities of Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta, Chastain Park is the perfect solution for those seeking paradise within a bustling city.

According to First Multiple Listing Service there are currently 92 homes for sale in Chastain Park, 8 homes under contract with a contingency - due deilgence, and 11 homes that are under a pending contract. The list of available homes begin with a 3 bedroom 2 bath home with recent upgrades and priced in the high $300s, all the way up to a 5 bedroom 6 full and 2 half bath home with a 3 car garage and priced just below $3 million.

For more information contact Tina Fountain, Realtors at 404-842-1555 or visit tinafountain.com and view all Chastain Park homes for sale, as well as, Buckhead homes for sale and Atlanta luxury homes for sale.