Welcome!

I am an Atlanta native and made the decision in 2007 to leave my job as an architect/urban planner to get my real estate license. This was a difficult decision but has been great since my very first day in my new career and I am really enjoying it! It is so rewarding helping people find that perfect home, and it allows me to continue to satiate my love of good architecture and great neighborhoods!

I attended Georgia Tech (GO JACKETS!!!!) which is where I met my husband. For almost a decade we lived in one of Atlanta's fabulous in-town neighborhoods in a great 1920's Craftsman bungalow with our two dogs and two cats. Following the birth of our first child, we bought a foreclosure in the west Buckhead area and fully renovated it using an FHA 203k loan, which was a fun and sometimes daunting process. And just prior to the birth of our second child, we purchased and renovated a home in downtown Historic Roswell, completing our personal tour of some of Atlanta's best neighborhoods to live in!

I decided to create this blog in order to share useful information and resources about the real estate market and home buying process, as well as hopefully bring some humor and levity to what is often a complex and intimidating process. Enjoy!!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

It's been a busy year!


2015 has been a banner year! 

Here is just a quick glimpse of what I have been up to!
Roswell Country Club
Roswell
Marietta
Smyrna
West Midtown
Old Fourth Ward
downtown Decatur
Smyrna
Sandy Springs
Woodstock
Roswell
Indian Hills Country Club (East Cobb)
West Midtown
Berkeley Hills Country Club (Duluth)
East Atlanta
Norcross
Woodstock
Burckhead
Indian Hills Country Club (East Cobb)
Marietta
Horseshoe Bend Country Club (Roswell)
Brookhaven
My listings have been selling for over 99% of list price and in less than 20 days. 
Thinking of selling? I would love to help!  
Read more!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors


I recently had an issue arise when a buyer had a survey done and a fence that was thought to have belonged to one property owner actually sat partially on the property of their neighbor. This caused the sale of the home to be postponed while they tried to sort out the issue, which was stressful for all parties involved.  In light of that, I thought I would share some pertinent info on the subject.  This is also the part where I say GET THE ENHANCED TITLE POLICY when you purchase a home! It helps protect you in situations like this!

1. A neighbor builds a fence and a portion of the fence is on the owner's property.  What should the owner do?
  • Request that fence owner move the fence onto their property, or
  • Enter into an Easement Agreement allowing the fence to remain, but the owner retaining the right to request the fence be removed at any time the owner requests.
  • Nothing.  This may result in the loss of property over time.
2. An owner wants to build a privacy fence.  How high can the fence be?
  • Most all jurisdictions have limitations on the height of fences, usually six feet for back and side yards and four feet for front yards.
  • In order to build higher, a "variance" would have to be applied for and approved.
 3. A neighbor has built a fence higher than allowed by the local ordinance.  What can an owner do?  
  • Inform the neighbor of the fence ordinance.  The neighbor may not otherwise know the law exists.
  • If the neighbor still does not conform the fence to the local ordinance, call the local zoning or planning office and they will take action to seek conformance.
 4. A neighbor's fence is unsightly. What can an owner do?
  • Check the local ordinance to see if the fence is in conformity.  If not, see (3) above.  
  • If in conformity, but ugly to you, there is nothing that can be done unless:
  • There are restrictive covenants in the subdivision restricting fence designs, or
  • The fence poses a danger because of its design or condition, or
  • The fence is dilapidated.
In these cases you may have the ability to have the fence removed or redesigned. 5. An old fence used by both owners sits directly on the Property line?  Who owns the fence?  
  • The fence belongs to both parties, neither can remove it without the others permission and both are responsible for maintenance.
If a conflict arises over any fence issue, the first step is to try to understand the law and then to contact the neighbor to discuss remedying any situation.  In any of these cases, a lawsuit should be your last resort.  
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Sunday, August 16, 2015

Staging your home

At the end of the day, there are a few key things that sell a home. First of course is price. Nothing is more critical than pricing it correctly. However, a close second is staging it correctly. A properly staged home - which highlights all your homes pluses and distracts from its negatives - will help you to sell faster and for more money. A service I provide is doing a walk-thru with clients prior to listing their home where we go room by room to assess what needs to be done to get the home ready to sell. This includes staging advice, minor repairs, and any other changes I think might help.  I want the home to look as perfect as possible before the first potential buyer ever walks through the front door. First impressions are everything! 

Click here for an excellent article which gives great tips for properly staging your home, which I encourage all homeowners to read prior to listing. 

These pictures are examples from my listings where I helped my clients to stage their home (while they were still living in it, with their own belongings) and you can see what a difference it makes!




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