FORBES just came out with a list of the Best Cities for Singles and Atlanta GA is at the top of the list!

Over the last decade, Atlanta has been in the Top 10 Best Cities for Singles, but this year “Hotlanta” is officially #1 on the list. 

Thanks to the phenominal job market, great nightlife, charming neighborhoods and down-right friendly people, Atlanta is now tops for singles.

>> READ THE FULL FORBES ARTICLE

If you are thinking of relocating to Atlanta or Decatur Georgia, please visit the “Best Atlanta Neighborhoods” blog. You’ll be able to read about each of the many Atlanta neighborhoods and also view all of the homes currently available for sale. 

QUESTIONS?  Call me anytime at 404.432.1844.  I live, work and play in the intown Atlanta neighborhoods and would love to give you the intown tour of homes! 

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KERRY LUCASSE    ::    Atlanta Real Estate Consultant   ::    404.432.1844

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INTOWN ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOODS - FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

I work with dozens of home buyers who are relocating to Atlanta and their first question always seems to be “what are the best Atlanta neighborhoods for young people and / or young families?”

Since this is such a common question, I wanted to post it here on ATLhomesearch.com in hopes that I can help other families who are thinking about moving to the Metro Atlanta area.

If you are fairly new to Atlanta, you’ll find that every “Intown Atlanta” neighborhood in has its own unique characteristics, so I’ll be ranking them for you, using the following criteria:

Schools
Home Prices
Parks & Rec
Community
Entertainment / Nightlife
Parks, Recreation, Outdoor Facilities

Over the next two weeks, I am going to be doing a three part series, highlighting the Top Atlanta Neighborhoods for Young Families. To follow are two of the hottest Intown Atlanta neighborhoods:

DECATUR NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION: Located less than 10 minutes from Downtown Atlanta, the City of Decatur (zip code 30030) is absolutely charming. It has a Norman Rockwell appeal, but with more of an urban hip feel. The Downtown Decatur area offers a wide range of very popular restaurants and shops and the Marta transit system makes it easy to travel anywhere in Metro Atlanta. Decatur has a strong neighborhood and business associations and they organize dozens of festivals and events each year — from Wine Festivals, Arts Festivals, Book Festivals, live jazz on the Decatur Square, 5K runs, and Holiday Tour of Homes.

HOME STYLES: Older brick homes, Craftsman bungalows and cottage homes are abundant in this area. A small number of new construction homes are also available throughout Decatur.

DECATUR HOME PRICES RANGE FROM $275 - $550K for a 3 bed / 2 bath home in the City of Decatur.

DECATUR SCHOOL SYSTEM: The City of Decatur offers some of the best schools in Metro Atlanta. Oakhurst Elementary, Winnona Park Elementary and Clairemont Elementary are at the top of the list. Many home buyers choose Decatur because of the excellent school system. For more information on Decatur schools, you can visit http://www.GreatSchools.com

DECATUR NEIGHBORHOODS: If you are interested in living in the City of Decatur, I highly recommend looking in Decatur’s most popular neighborhood OAKHURST. To view the homes available in Oakhurst - Decatur, please visit: www.inOAKHURSTga.com

RATINGS FOR DECATUR:

Schools — 5 out of 5 Stars
Community — 5 out of 5 Stars
Parks & Recreation — 5 out of 5 Stars
Nightlife — 3.5 out of 5 Stars (great nightlife, but not late night — usually quiet by midnight)

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS in ATLANTA, GEORGIA

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION: “The Highlands” is probably Atlanta’s most popular neighborhood for young families and professionals. Developed in the early 1900’s, it consists of six distinct commercial “villages” alternating with short, walkable blocks of upscale shops, restaurants and pubs. The primary intersection is Virginia Ave and N. Highland Ave — hence the name!

HOME STYLES: Tudors, Craftsman Bungalows and four-square style homes are abundant in Virginia Highland. New construction luxury homes are also available, but the prices are usually going to be over $1.0M.

HOME PRICES: For a traditional 3 bed / 2 bath tudor or bungalow style home, the prices range from $450K to $700K for a renovated home in Virginia Highland (zip code 30306).

RATINGS FOR VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS:

Schools — 5 out of 5 Stars
Community — 4 out of 5 Stars
Parks & Recreation — 4 out of 5 Stars (three small parks with Piedmont Park nearby in Midtown)
Nightlife — 5 out of 5 Stars

SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS: Morningside, Lenox Park, Johnson Estates and Midtown Atlanta all border Virginia Highlands and are still close enough that residents can walk to the to the Virginia Highland shops and restaurants. To view ALL the homes for sale in these charming Atlanta “Intown” neighborhoods, visit: http://www.ATLhomesearch.com/Neighborhoods.html

If you have any questions about the top neighborhoods in Metro Atlanta, please don’t hestitate to call me at (404) 432.1844.  I’d be honored to show you around my favorite city!

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All the best,

Kerry Lucasse

SEE MY CLIENT FEEDBACK AT http://www.KUDZU.com  [just enter "Kerry Lucasse" into the Kudzu search bar!]

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KERRY LUCASSE    ::    Atlanta Real Estate Consultant   ::    404.432.1844

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Decatur GA - Living Intown Atlanta -Decorate Decatur Community

Grab your outdoor lights,  garland, luminaries and other holiday decor and get ready for the “Decorate Decatur” Contest!

On Sunday, December 14th, judges will drive through Decatur and pick their 10 favorite homes, as well as one favorite business and one favorite neighborhood.  There will also be one “overall” winner that will receive the Commissioners Cup from the Decatur City Commission.

If you are planning to join in on the fun, all you have to do is pull the decorations out, flip on the lights and call 404-371-9583 to give your address and alert the Decatur judges that you will be participating in the contest.

To view the previous winners, visit the Decorate Decatur web page.  The Oakhurst Business District (aka the Oakhurst Village) was one of the Business Winners last year, along with Wordsmiths and Chik-Fil-A on Trinity Avenue.  My bet is on the Oakhurst Business District for 2008 as well!

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Decatur or Oakhurst GA, please contact your Decatur real estate expert, Kerry Lucasse, at (404) 432-1844.   

Specializing in Atlanta’s Intown Neighborhoods, including Decatur, Kirkwood, Oakhurst, Grant Park, Ormewood Park and Virginia Highlands.

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KERRY LUCASSE    ::    Real Estate Consultant    ::    Keller Williams Realty

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My colleague, mortgage professional, Jason Sardi recently wrote an fantastic article with very sound advice on making the most of your credit reports and protecting your credit score. 

With all that you hear on the national news these days, people certainly have it on their minds, especially if you are planning to make a major purchase, such as a car or a new home. 

Even if you have good credit, it is critical that you are armed with as much information as possible in order to protect your credit and your credit score.

Jason’s article provides some practical advice and will be invaluable for those of you who are considering buying a home in the next 6 to 18 months. 

He also provides links to the ONLY website that truly allows you to get FREE copies of your credit report each year — with no strings attached.

Click here to read the entire article titled “It’s Free, it’s fun, it’s your credit report”

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KERRY LUCASSE    ::    Atlanta Real Estate Consultant   ::    404.432.1844

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Metro Atlanta Home Sales - Marietta GA Real Estate

After MULTIPLE OFFERS this week, I am happy to report that this charming 4 bed / 2 bath home in Marietta is officially under contract.

The sellers, Eric and Susanna, are absolutely thrilled.  They worked so hard remodeling their home and were honestly the “perfect” clients. 

I think that we received multiple offers for several reasons:

• The home remodel, decor and paint colors were simple and tasteful, which appealed to a wide array of potential home buyers
• The sellers were very flexible with home showings and always kept the home spotless
• We PRICED the home correctly

… and of course, they hired me as their listing agent!  :-) My agressive marketing strategy targeted first-time home buyers, relocation specialists and local real estate agents. 

CONGRATS, SUSANNA & ERIC!  I am so happy for you both.

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Kerry Lucasse proudly serves home buyers and sellers in Metro Atlanta. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in Marietta, Roswell, Smyrna, Decatur and the neighborhoods of Intown Atlanta and want to work with a local area expert, call me at (404) 432.1844.

In today’s competitive market, it is so important that you choose to work with the real estate agent who is knowledgeable in your neighborhood. I provide a results-oriented marketing plan when selling your home.  I do everything in my power to make the process of selling your home a hassle-free experience.  Contact me immediately for an in-home or phone consultation.   

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KERRY LUCASSE  ::  Keller Williams Real Estate Agent  ::   404.432.1844

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For those of you who are thinking of moving to Decatur or selling your Decatur GA home, I thought it might be helpful for you to have a snapshot of the number of active listings (homes for sale) versus the number of homes that are under contract in Decatur.

To follow is my update from the Atlanta First Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  It includes Decatur single family detached home listings for sale in Dekalb County as of November 20, 2008:

Active - 1143 Homes are currently available for sale 

See all homes for sale in Decatur

Under Contract – A total 243 homes are under contract:

• Contingency - Due Diligence - 7 Properties Found 
• Contingency - Other - 4 Properties Found
• Pending - 232 Properties Found

The Decatur real estate market has always been quite strong, thanks to the outstanding school system, the active neighborhood associations, charming neighborhoods, and the proximity to Downtown Atlanta, Emory University and the interstates.

If you are thinking about selling your Decatur home, you can see here that there is only ONE BUYER for every SIX HOMES (approx) on the market today.   To sell your home quickly and for the most money, you need to price it correctly and make sure that your home stands out from the crowd.  

If I can be of assistance and/or if you would like feedback on the current condition and value of your Decatur home, please don’t hestitate to contact me at (404) 432.1844 or email.

 

Atlanta Real Estate - First time home buyers - Homes for Sale in ATL

As you may have heard on the news, there is now a Federal Housing Tax Credit for first-time home buyers.  This has been a bit of a mystery for a few of my first-time home buyer clients, so I thought it would be helpful to break it down for my clients and for any others thinking of buying their first home. 

FIRST, THE BASICS of the HOUSING TAX CREDIT

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Oakhurst - Decatur? 

Here is a snapshot of the September Home Sales in Oakhurst..  

• - Homes are selling for 97.3% of the list price
• - The average number of days that a home is on the market (DOM) is 71
• - The average sale price for a 3 bed / 2 bath home is $346,485
• - None of the homes were foreclosure sales 

If you have any questions about the Oakhurst home sales or would like a complimentary home analysis for your Intown Atlanta home, call me anytime at 404.432.1844.  I work and live in the Oakhurst / Kirkwood area and would be honored to help you sell your home for the maximum profit… in the shortest amount of time!

>>> View ALL the homes currently for sale in Oakhurst

>>> Get additional information about the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association

All the best,

Kerry Lucasse

Keller Williams Realty

404.432.1844

KerryLucasse@kw.com

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‘Tis the season for Holiday Tour of Homes in our Atlanta neighborhoods! 

There is quite a line up this year and several neighborhoods in Atlanta & Decatur are highlighting their most beautiful homes and celebrating the holiday season.

I’ve been able to participate in the Decatur and Virginia Highland home tours over the years, and it really is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.  You could spend every weekend in December visiting holiday homes in Decatur, Oakhurst, Virginia Highlands, Avondale Estates and Grant Park.

To follow are the details for each neighborhood:

 This is the 26th year of the Decatur Candlelight Holiday Tour of Homes and this year there will be a special focus on “Living Green” — most of the homes have been built or renovated in an eco-friendly manner.

DATE:  December 5 & 6

TIME:  5:30 to 9:30 pm (both days)

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  Proceeds will benefit the Decatur Preservation Alliance and the Decatur Youth Fund.

FOR TICKETS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

Presented by the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, the VaHi Tour of Homes will now include local artwork and food tasting from local restaurants, from Vine, La Tavola, Atkin’s Park, Noni’s and more. 

DATES:    December 6 & 7

TIME:      10:00 to 5:00 on Sat & 12:00 to 5:00 on Sun

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event.  Proceeds will go towards a new neighborhood park (on the corner of North Highland and St. Charles Ave).

GET MORE INFORMATION & PURCHASE TICKETS 

The GRANT PARK CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES includes a full range of holiday activities, with an artist’s market, childrens workshop, caroling and even hayrides!  The Tour of Homes will feature some of Grant Park’s historic Victorian and Craftsman-bungalow homes and is sure to give you lots of ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.

DATE:    December 13 & 14

TIME:     6:00 to 10:00 pm

PLEASE NOTE:   “Let it Snow” Childrens Workshop will be from 4 - 6 pm on SAT ONLY.  The Grant Park Holiday Artists Market will run from 5 - 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you would like to do the Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes, the ticket prices are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event.  Proceeds will benefit the Grant Park Coop Preschool, Parent Network and the St. Paul United Methodist Church.  All of the other Grant Park Holiday Events are free. 

GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRANT PARK HOME TOUR & PURCHASE TICKETS 

The 16th Annual Avondale Estates Tour of Homes and Holiday Market is just down the road from Downtown Decatur and is going to be another wonderful event.  Eight homes will be featured and range in style from Classic Bungalows, cottages and new construction homes — all of the homes have been restored in keeping with the period.  In addition to the holiday homes, the Waffle House museum will also be open during the tour.  Be sure to stop by the Avondale Estates Holiday Market, as you’ll be sure to find a few special and unique gifts for friends and family.

DATE:    December 14, 2008 

Tickets for the Tour of Homes are just $12 in advance and can be purchased at several local shops around Avondale and Downtown Decatur.  You may also purchase tickets for $15 on the day of the event. 

GET ADDITIONAL HOME TOUR INFORMATION

 If you fall in love with one of these charming Atlanta Intown neighborhoods and want to view all of the homes for sale by neighborhood, please visit:

Oakhurst Decatur Homes for Sale

Virginia Highland Homes for Sale

Avondale Estates Homes for Sale

Grant Park Atlanta Homes for Sale

VIEW ALL ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOODS

Have a SAFE & HAPPY Holiday Season!

Kerry Lucasse

Real Estate Consultant, Keller Williams Realty

ATLhomesearch.com

(404) 432-1844

It can be challenging, especially if you aren’t 100% familiar with the different neighborhoods, zip codes, price ranges, etc.

To keep things simple, I’ve created an Intown Atlanta Home Search “Cheat Sheet“.   Read below for information on each of the popular neighborhoods and also a direct link to homes for sale in each Atlanta Intown neighborhood.

CLICK HERE to view each of the Intown Atlanta neighborhoods, get information on each and search for all the available homes in that area.

If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can also try searching for homes by Atlanta subdivisions.

Call me anytime with questions — I work with many people who are relocating to Atlanta and would be honored to assist you.

All the best,

Kerry Lucasse

Atlanta Real Estate Agent & Relocation Specialist

404.432.1844

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Atlanta Real Estate - Buying a home in Atlanta GA

Before you make an offer on a home, make sure you get pre-qualified and find a loan that fits your needs with these comprehensive questions.

1. What are the most popular mortgage loans you make? Why?

2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would best for us? Why?

3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?

4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so how much will it cost and how long will it be required? NOTE: Private mortgage insurance is usually required if you make less than a 20-percent downpayment, but most lenders will let you discontinue the policy when you’ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.

5. Who will service the loan? Your bank or another company?

6. What escrow requirements do you have?

7. How long is your loan lock-in period (the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored)? Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if they drop during this period?

8. How long will the loan approval process take?

9. How long will it take to close the loan?

10. Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan?

The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier’s check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:

• Downpayment.
• Loan origination fees.
• Points, or loan discount fees you pay to receive a lower interest rate.
• Appraisal fee.
• Credit report.
• Private mortgage insurance premium.
• Insurance escrow for homeowners insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage.
• Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you.
• Deed recording fees.
• Title insurance policy premiums.
• Survey.
• Inspection fees-building inspection, termites, etc.
• Notary fees.
• Prorations for your share of costs such as utility bills and property taxes.

A Note About Prorations. Because such costs are usually paid on either a monthly or yearly basis, you might have to pay a bill for services used by the sellers before they moved. Proration is a way for the sellers to pay you back or for you to pay them for bills they may have paid in advance. For example, the gas company usually sends a bill each month for the gas used during the previous month. But assume you buy the home on the 6th of the month. You would owe the gas company for only the days from the 6th to the end for the month. The seller would owe for the first 5 days. The bill would be prorated for the number of days in the month, and then each person would be responsible for the days of his or her ownership.

What to Keep From Your Closing

• The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) statement. This form, sometimes called a HUD 1 statement, itemizes all the costs associated with the closing. You’ll need for income tax purposes and when you sell the home.
• The Truth in Lending Statement summarizes the terms of your mortgage loan.
• The mortgage and the note (two pieces of paper) spell out the legal terms of your mortgage obligation and the agreed-upon repayment terms.
• The deed transfers ownership of the property to you.
• Affidavits swearing to various statements by either party. For example, the sellers will often sign an affidavit stating that they have not incurred any liens on the property.
• Riders are amendments to the sales contract that affect your rights. For example, if you buy a condominium, you may have a rider outline the condo association’s rules and restrictions.
• Insurance policies provide a record and proof of your coverage.

If you are looking for a knowledgeable — and very honest — Atlanta real estate agent, please don’t hestitate to call me at 404.432.1844. 

All the best,

Kerry Lucsse

Intown Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

Keller Williams Peachtree Road

(404) 432 1844

** Metro Atlanta real estate agent, specializing in the Atlanta Intown neighborhoods, including Grant Park, Virginia Highlands, Kirkwood, East Atlanta and Druid Hills.

I will be out of town for one of my favorite Intown Atlanta Fall Festivals, but I didn’t want you to miss out on all the fun…

The “Chomp & Stomp” in Cabbagetown brings in quite a crowd each year and is truly a unique experience. 

This will be Cabbagetown’s 5th Annual Chili Cook-off & Bluegrass Festival and there is definitely a little something for everyone:

• 5K Run (AM)
• Live Bluegrass Music all day
• Artists Market
• And of course, lots and lots of CHILI!

The festival will be in the Cabbagetown Park on November 8th from 10 am to 8pm.

*** Proceeds go toward maintenance of the Cabbagetown Park and community center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:  http://www.chompandstomp.com/

THINKING OF MOVING TO THIS UNIQUE INTOWN ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOOD?

>>> View ALL of the homes for sale in CABBAGETOWN

 For more information about Cabbagetown or any other intown Atlanta neighborhood, please call anytime.

All the best,

Kerry Lucasse

Intown Atlanta Real Estate Consultant  :   Keller Williams Realty    :    404.432.1844

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