Wow!  In case you thought I had a typo in the price I do not.  I typically wait until Friday to post great deals and values on Buckhead Real Estate but this one could not wait as it will be Under Contract for sure by Friday.  This is a 3 Bedroom 2 Bath home in popular Peachtree Park for only $240k!!! 

In case you are not familiar with the area that is an incredible deal for that neighborhood.  It is a foreclosure and sold as is.  I am experienced with Short Sales and Foreclosures so if you are interested in seeing this one and working with an experienced agent reach out to me ASAP at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com so we can go check this one out.

The Homestead Exemption deadline is right around the corner, April 1st, 2010.  This is a great opportunity for those who have recently purchased a home to easily save money on their property taxes.  It is an easy 2 page form you can download and print from your tax county tax assesors website and mail in.  Click here to go the fulton county tax assesors website.

A homestead exemption is a reduction in homeowners’ property taxes. To qualify, the homeowner must apply for this exemption on or before April 1st. Once granted, this exemption is automatically renewed each year as long as they continually occupy the home under the same ownership. The home must be your legal residence for all purposes including the registration of your vehicles and the filing of your income tax. You cannot file for homestead exemption on rental property, vacant land or on more than one property.

To qualify for any exemption, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1, 2010.

If you have any questions about filing for homestead exemption or other real estate questions feel free to shoot me an email at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com. 

I am excited about a new computer program that I now have access to through Dorsey Alston Realtors where I can pull specific statistical reports for your specific neighborhood, school district or general area.   This report is very helpful in showing you the most up to date housing trends as they relate to your area.  The data is displayed in easy to read graphs and charts. I have had many past clients email to request information on what is going on in their neighborhood right now, and so I thought it would be great to offer you the same services.  Please email me at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com if you would like to request a FREE report.

Sincerely,  Anna

I am so honored to have my new listing featured today on the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle blog.  I included their posting below.  The Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles blog features great content on home decor, local shopping, restaurants, arts entertaining and more be sure to click on my link to visit their site and check it out.

Sale of the Week: Buckhead Bungalow

We’ve bookmarked Realtor Anna Stephens’ Bargains in Buckhead blog, because of its tips on restaurant, store and attraction deals as well as its Buckhead listings, which always catch our eye.

They include this Ashford Park home priced at $350,000. The three-bedroom, two-bath bungalow at 1542 Trentwood Place has just come on the market, listed by Stephens, an agent with Dorsey Alston, Realtors.

  Stephens tells us the home, which was built in 1951, has a brand new roof, hardwoods throughout, a covered front porch and a fenced-in backyard. The previous owners used one of the rooms for a nursery, which you can see in the photo . And the location is one of the reasons why people want to live in Buckhead – walking distance to the shops and restaurants on Dresden.

Photo by Nicholas Vitone

Many sellers in Atlanta are waiting for spring to put their homes on the market, but unfortunately they may be too late.  With the first time home buyer tax credit and move up buyer credit expiring at the end of April those buyers are out right now looking for their next home.  So if you are still on the fence about putting your home on the market check out the two snippets from Forbes and National Mortgage News below and you might reconsider.  As always please don’t hesitate to contact me at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com to discuss any of your real estate needs.

Sincerely, Anna

Your Buckhead Bargains and Buckhead Realtor

Selling a home in the dead of winter might seem ill-advised, particularly considering the state of the economy, but some experts think that making the decision to wait until spring to list the property could be a mistake. Government incentives will likely have a big impact in 2010, with many buyers determined to sign a contract before the April 30 tax credit deadline. “This year, we’re anticipating sales will peak earlier,” says Nicole Hall, editor in chief of Lendingtree.com, an online home loan comparison service. “The best time to get your house on the market will be February or early March, and maybe even earlier if you want to avoid competition.” Traffic on real estate Web sites begins to rise right after the New Year, says Ken Shuman, spokesman for real estate Web site Trulia.com. Source: Forbes.com

The National Association of Realtors expects existing home sales will rise 9.9%in 2010 to 5.71 million units, after falling 12.8% last year. The trade group’s updated forecast also calls for a surge in sales this spring as the newly extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit expires on April 30. Homebuyers that sign a sales contract before the end of April will have 60 days to close. NAR economists see sales surging to a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.03 million units in the second quarter before falling back to a 5.45 million rate in 3Q. Despite this optimistic outlook, a leading indicator of future home sales plunged 16% in November after rising nine consecutive months with the help of the first-time homebuyer tax credit which was due to expire Nov. 30 before it was extended. The uncertainty surrounding the tax credit legislation has been cited as a reason for first-time buyers staying on the sidelines. NAR reported that its ‘Pending Home Sales’ index fell to 96 in November from 114.3 in October. The PHS index is based on newly executed sales contracts with the closing expected to be completed in the next month or two. Source: National Mortgage News

No time for couponing today as I was busy with my latest adventure.   As you have probably noticed I am new to YouTubing and video editing so I apologize for the original video I posted being silent  now I have figured it out.  So check out the new and improved video.

4 Things I learned About Demolition:

1.  This is one of the quickest permits to get from the city but you must submit house plans to get a Demo Permit.

2. Erosion Control must be put into place the same day as the house is demolished

3. Habitat for Humanity and places of that nature will not take appliances over 9 years old.  So if you are want to recycle the old appliances you need to call your local scrapyard for a referral of someone who will take the older systems, appliances, copper wiring out of your house.

4. Demolition can be very expensive.  You are not only paying for the actual process of the Demo but it is the haul away of all the construction debris that adds up quickly so try to recycle as much as you can to lighten your load.

Curious where buyers are looking for homes?  I found this chart to be very interesting in tracking the trends over the past 8 years of how the market has shifted from print to the Internet.  The importance of an agent utilizing Internet marketing is critical for the success of reaching buyers.  71% if this pie represents your agent and their online marketing.

If you are thinking about selling your home I would love to discuss with you my customized Internet marketing plan for you and your neighborhood.

ON THE FENCE ABOUT LISTING YOUR HOME NOW OR WAITING UNTIL SPRING?

Selling a home in the dead of winter might seem ill-advised, particularly considering the state of the economy, but some experts think that making the decision to wait until spring to list the property could be a mistake. Government incentives will likely have a big impact in 2010, with many buyers determined to sign a contract before the April 30 tax credit deadline. “This year, we’re anticipating sales will peak earlier,” says Nicole Hall, editor in chief of Lendingtree.com, an online home loan comparison service. “The best time to get your house on the market will be February or early March, and maybe even earlier if you want to avoid competition.” Traffic on real estate Web sites begins to rise right after the New Year, says Ken Shuman, spokesman for real estate Web site Trulia.com. Source: Forbes.com

Sincerely,

Anna

Your Buckhead Bargainer and Realtor

Sneak Peak of a 3 bedroom 3 bath home in Garden Hills.  Great entertaining floorplan, renovated kitchen with granite and stainless,  master with vaulted ceilings & his and her closets, luxurious master bath with marble, hardwood floors throughout, living room with fireplace and plantation shutters, fabulous entertaining deck and much more.  Contact us at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com for more information on this home and others in the Buckhead area.   Anna and Claire work with both first time home buyers and first time home sellers in the Buckhead area.

Just a quick reminder to continue to check out our Real Estate Bargains and Sneak Peaks Page where we are combing the market for great deals and sneak previews   to show you.  Rates are low, invetory is high never a better time to be a Buyer as it is right now. 

I went in for a sneak peak of this super cute Peachtree Hills home yesterday and I loved it!  Great entertaining flow, high ceilings, hardwoods, great outdoor entertaining space and charm galore.  4 Bedrooms 3 Baths on a great street contact us for pricing and more info.  Again you won’t find this one online or driving around so if you are not currently working with an agent and are interested in looking at some great properties with us please contact us at bargainsinbuckhead@gmail.com

As a Realtor in the Buckhead area, I have the priviledge of touring fabulous million dollar Buckhead homes on a regular basis.  Now I can share this opportunity with you with the upcoming Christmas House.   Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine has designated 1795 West Wesley Road as the 2009 Christmas House. A beautifully appointed multi million dollar home outfitted to the ”T” by all of Buckhead’s greatest decorators and designers.  

This is a great place to go for some home decor ideas and inspiration and would make a perfect outing for your holiday guests.

The home opens it’s doors this Saturday November 14th and will be closing their doors on December 6th.

HOME INFO:

In one of Buckhead’s most prestigious and private neighborhoods, the Shingle-Style country home presents a welcoming entrance with two columned porches and center and side cupolas gracing the Tennessee fieldstone and cedar shake exterior.
 Extraordinarily fine custom moldings, finishes and antique heart pine floors create an ambience of warmth and elegance. In addition to the main floor master suite, with luxurious Carrera marble bath and dual walk-in closets, there are five bedrooms and six full baths. On the terrace level are a theater and gathering room adjacent to the wine cellar, while the exercise room and full bath offer an in-home spa experience.

TICKET PRICING: BUY IN ADVANCE TO SAVE $$$
Online tickets are $20
Adult tickets are available for $18 in advance or $20 at the door- check the website below to see where you can purchase tickets at retailers
Tickets for children 12 and under are FREE
Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $15 per person
Tour and lunch packages are $30 per person

Read the rest of this entry »