Finding Hidden Gems

July 26th, 2011

One of the best things about hunting for a new home are the hidden gems that can be found with just a little bit of effort.  2447 Fallview Terrace is just such a hidden gem.  What looks to be little more than a charming, bungalow style home hides style, elegence and super family fun!

Located on the Southwest side of downtown Atlanta in the town of East Point, GA, the town says on it’s website, “The City of East Point offers the amenities of a large city with the safety, convenience, friendliness and charm of a small town.”   Some of those amentities are easy access to major highways, the South Fulton Medical Center, the airport and the Lakewood Ampitheatre, a major concert venue.  East Point, GA has much to offer and this home is certainly something!

 This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1588 square foot home is big on windows and wood giving it a wonderful bright but still very cozy feel.  Hardwood floors and wood paneling in some rooms adds to the feel.  The newly renovated kitchen keeps the brightness with all white appliances, granite counters and tile splashbacks.  Pouring light into the kitchen is the gorgeous sun room with floor to ceiling windows.  Nearby is the dining room, separate living room, a study and can’t forget the deck which has quite a view.  Upstairs you find 3 bedrooms and an office.  But, what really makes this place special is found on the terrace level.

 

The newly finished terrace level with its stone floors, wood stove, granite & glass shower and lots of play room, leads out to a covered patio under the deck.  This is the entrance to your family’s and friend’s favorite place to enjoy the summer – the magnificient salt water pool!

This home boasts a back yard large enough to have not only the in-ground pool with plenty of pool deck space for lounge chairs but a lovely grassy area with a wooden garden swing.  Terraced levels to one side provide yet another back yard section perfect for a playground set or garden.

Priced at an unbelievable $179,000, this amazing find in the heart of East Point, GA is just waiting for someone to steal it away!  Like most hidden gems, once publicized, they rarely last long.  Don’t let this one get away!

Think Education When Buying a Home – Lakeside High School

July 19th, 2011

Lakeside High School (LHS) is a part of the DeKalb County School system and draws students from the surrounding area.  It has an Atlanta address, although it is in an unincorporated section of DeKalb County.

LHS has a history of academic excellence dating back to a 1985 honor as a State and National School of Excellence.    Currently, for more advanced students, LHS offers 21 AP programs, gifted programs in math, science, and several social sciences.  They have also set up joint enrollment programs with nearby colleges to provide LHS students the opportunity to take some college level courses while still attending high school.

The sports teams of LHS are the Vikings, and over many years have won state championships in virtually every sport where they field a team.  Most recently, LHS won the state men’s soccer championship in 2008.  Teams in cross-country, swimming & diving, and baseball have had excellent records over the last decade.

In addition to sports, LHS has the largest band in the county with over 200 students participating, a growing chorus program that has only recently been established, and a highly recognized student newspaper – The Lakeside Legend.

There are several well-known alumni from LHS including Irish-born Samantha Power, a Harvard Professor and foreign policy advisor to President Obama.

Under the name, “The Valhalla Project”, LHS is currently undergoing an extensive upgrade to their facilities that will add classrooms, a 600 seat fine arts auditorium, a variety of amenities for students, and extended dining facilities.  Some of this will be completed in 2011 and the entire project is due for completion by the time school convenes in 2012.

For any family looking to purchase a home in DeKalb County, Lakeside High School is a very positive attraction for the kids in the family.

Lakeside High School Area Homes for Sale

Homes for Sales in 30345

Morningside: A Neighborhood of Choice

July 14th, 2011

Morningside is one of the older and most desirable Atlanta neighborhoods.  It is located northeast of downtown Atlanta, within minutes of midtown.  The neighborhood started in 1923 by a local real estate company looking to sell lots.  Homes in Morningside are now among the more expensive in the Atlanta area, with recent sales averaging between $400,000 and $500,000.

The local citizens group – Morningside Lenox Hill Association – was started to respond to a potential interstate highway through the community.   In a battle to protect the homes in Morningside, they successfully stopped the highway plans and the association now organizes and presents a wide number of community events.  This year they have a concert in Sunken Garden Park: the annual Monumental Ball, which is scheduled for October 2011. It is meant to be a celebration of summer where there will be a wide variety of activities for kids, food from a number of local restaurants, and an opening of the new Morningside Nature Preserve.

 

With playgrounds, local hiking trails and a very large section of open space, Morningside is a very “walkable” neighborhood.  Many residents regularly walk from their homes in Morningside to neighborhood destinations – restaurants and shopping are frequently visited via walking trips.  MLPA also produces a walking tour of the neighborhood, where many local points of interest are highlighted.

Birding is a popular activity in the neighborhood.  Morningside Lenox Park is a 34 acre refuge with two creeks where over 100 bird species can be observed.  Some are permanent residents while others are transient and in the park for a limited time.

Schools in the neighborhood are a part of the Atlanta Public Schools system, and include the Morningside Elementary School, Inman Middle School and Henry W. Grady High School.

During the course of the recent economic downturn, the value of homes in Morningside has remained more stable than in other areas around Atlanta.  Approximately 3,500 families live in homes in Morningside, and call this neighborhood their home.

Inman Park Homes for Sale

Ansley Park Homes for Sale

Emory/Druid Hills Homes for Sale

Distinctive Dunwoody – Don’t Let the Stereotypes Fool You!

July 7th, 2011

Dunwoody Georgia has long been considered one of THE best areas to live and a raise a family in.  All for very good reasons that are important to most families.  Great schools, convenient access to just about everything and even in today’s sometimes troubled world, an overall safe and secure area.  What more could be asked for?

Still, there are those who desire all the best things that Dunwoody living offers but feel a certain ‘stereotype’ of  suburban living that just isn’t their style.  For all those people, fear not – Dunwoody is anything but a ‘cookie cutter’ or one size fits all community.  Let’s look at 3 Dunwoody homes on different streets but all within approximately 2 miles of each other.  These are 3 fabulous homes but with very different personalities!

Dunwoody Club Crossing

A classic, traditional, 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home.  With ‘A frame’ construction, side entry garage and a lovely bay window in the front.  The large, landscaped front yard is matched by a large, landscaped backyard – with its own small man-made pond.  So, exterior, very nice and fairly standard so what’s inside?  In a sense, more of the same.  A great kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and plenty of cabinet space.  A built-in desk in the breakfast area.  A formal living room and formal dining room but also a comfortable family room with a fireplace.  The main level shines with delightful accents of  pilliars and archways.

A walk up the traditional stairway brings you to an oversized master bedroom with a multi-treyed ceiling, sitting area and walk-in closet.  The master bath contains a jetted spa tub and a roomy shower as well as a vanity with a sink on either end to allow two people all the room necessary to get ready for any at the same time.  With 3 more bedrooms on the upper level there is room for kids, guests or even a library!   Speaking of kids and/or guests, you’ll love the basement.  Fully finished with a full bedroom and a full bathroom and extra space for a playroom, media room or just storage.  This is the traditional home everyone knows of with all the modern touches.

CEDARHURST DRIVE

Here again is another classic; a ranch.  This style of house with its 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, seems to fit a more active, on the go family and that theme carries throughout the home.  Pull into your driveway and right into your garage.  A front porch that runs the length of the house is perfect for watching the kids play and chats with neighbors.  Outdoor entertaining is done in style with a huge multi-level deck and full screened in porch in the back of the house.  A darkwood paneled, full basement with outdoor access works great as a playroom or game room with plenty of space to store all that outdoor activity equipment or gardening tools.

Wood is another theme of this home with hardwood floors throughout the main level, many matching wood accents and wood paneling in a number of rooms.  The kitchen and breakfast area contrast the honey coloring of the wood with bright white counters and appliances.  French doors open into the full dining room which connects to the separate living room.  A family room with a fireplace and built-in shelves opens into the screened-in porch with its own ceiling fan.   The master bedroom carries an attached sitting room/office space that is fully paneled with a built-in desk and its own large private bath.  The remaining bedrooms provide ample space for family and guests.  Truly a super home for an active family.

WOMACK ROAD

Throw traditional out the window with our 3rd home.  This 4 bedroom, 31/2 bath home with a large wine cellar, is a hidden gem in every way.  The long driveway showcases the sumptuously landscaped property with small ponds, pathways and plants of all kinds. Entering this ultra modern home feels like you’ve brought the lovely surroundings with you with the stone tile flooring, natural stone wall and wooden accents of the foyer.  Wood beam ceilings, hardwood floors, stone accent walls and lots of floor to ceiling windows make up the stunning great room and dining room and keep the feel of nature all around you.

The open kitchen with its dark granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and center island, has every convenience including built-in space for a large flat screen tv and a pantry the size of most apartment kitchens.  The very large master bedroom has sliding glass doors that lead out to a portion of the huge deck that fills the center space and continues into the back yard.  The master bath is spa quality with light stone flooring and matching counters and tub.  A fully enclosed shower at one is balanced by a second full vanity/sink area at the other.  There’s even mounting for a small flat screen tv to watch while enjoying your spa tub.  Mirror bedrooms, a second bathroom and a spectacular upper landing area all also have views to the center deck area.

Then there is the basement which is a home unto itself.  This goes far beyond a ‘mother-in-law’ suite.  A full bedroom with a frosted glass brick and wood wall, bathroom with shower, closet, and full kitchen with a breakfast bar.  The living room has built-in shelving and cabinets and room for a giant tv.  There’s still plenty of space left over for a dinning room table and chairs without feel crowded and allows entry without going through the house.  This special Dunwoody property makes coming home feel more like your favorite weekend getaway!

 

These are only a few of the very different style homes found within the Dunwoody community. When looking for a home, don’t let stereotypes of the area keep you away.  Dunwoody neighborhoods have something for almost everyone.  Easy access into Atlanta, great shopping and dining close by and lots of recreation everywhere.  You won’t find much better living than in the 30338 zip code!

Brookhaven Living – A City Suburb

July 5th, 2011

Brookhaven is a small, local community situated west of North Atlanta and sits north of Pine Hills. While once originally part of the North Atlanta region, it has since become known as a separate identity and has established its own distinctive character.

The neighborhoods that comprise the area of Brookhaven include Historic Brookhaven (which is where the area’s namesake originates from), a largely residential area that is widely renowned for its lush housing design. Historic Brookhaven is home to a number of community events, with an active and prevalent neighborhood association to help organize such occasions. These activities range from regular art gallery exhibitions, live music events, charity functions and an annual street party in celebration of the neighborhood. Check out the Brookhaven Arts Festival and Taste of Brookhaven

 

Lynwood Park is another notable neighborhood in Brookhaven, and connects to Buckhead in the northeastern region. It features the prominent Lynwood Park, a lively recreation area that is host to a number of regular activities and sporting events. It hosts a fully-functional swimming pool, along with a basketball court, tennis court, activity centre and a playground to entertain the kids.

Peachtree Road is situated within the northeastern region of Buckhead, which sits adjacent to Brookhaven. It features a very prominent commercial district including Brookhaven Station, which is its main shopping complex. The MARTA Station is the region’s established transport system, which is host to a series of interconnecting tramlines and a regular stream of bus services, all of which join up with Peachtree Road.

Buckhead Homes for Sale

Dunwoody Homes for Sale

Sandy Springs Homes for Sale

North Brookhaven is located near the Dunwoody region, along with Sandy Springs and Chamblee. The Northern district is split into various divisions for each neighborhood and features a well-rounded mix of commercial and residential areas. Notable places of interest in the area include Blackburn and Murphy Candler Park, along with Cambridge Square, which is the area’s main shopping center.

Emory & Druid Hills – 21st Century Lives in Atlanta’s Historic Neighborhoods

June 28th, 2011

 

The Emory neighborhood in DeKalb County is comprised of several smaller areas generally north of Emory University.  It is also known as Toco Hills, Briarcliff and North Druid Woods.

Emory University, now 175 years old, has been at the heart of the neighborhood since it moved to DeKalb County in 1915.  The University is considered a premier academic institution with over 15,000 students.  Like any university and the surrounding town, the school has a significant impact on the surrounding residents and their activities.  Intercollegiate sporting events are available for local residents to attend.  The Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts hosts professional and student performances throughout the year.  Lullwater Park is over 100 undeveloped acres where automobiles are not allowed.  It has hiking trails and other outdoor facilities available to local residents.  In general, the University is a significant resource for those living in the Emory neighborhood.

DeKalb History Center in nearby Decatur also provides a variety of resources available to DeKalb residents.

 

Several homeowners associations exist in the area, each of which has a program of events and community issues that they promote. North Druid Woods, Woodland Hills, Merry Hills, the Lindbergh-La Vista Corridor Coalition, LaVista Park Civic Association and Clairmont Heights Civic Association each represent a portion of the community and all are active in civic issues.

This neighborhood is close to midtown Atlanta and is re-developing across the entire area.  Homes in the neighborhood are generally pricier than other areas of Atlanta and represent an attractive series of communities.

 

Clairmont Area Homes for Sale

LaVista Park Homes for Sale

Merry Hills Homes for Sale

Woodland Hills Homes for Sale

Schools in the neighborhood include Briar Vista Elementary, Shamrock Middle, and Druid Hills High, operated by the DeKalb County public school system, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.   Other private schools include the Cliff Valley School, a private elementary school, and the Intown Community School.

Sandy Springs – One of Atlanta’s Top Communities

June 23rd, 2011

Sandy Springs is a thriving and densely populated metropolitan region, located in the northern part of Georgia and surrounded by neighboring areas including Roswell and Dunwoody. Sandy Springs boasts an extensive history of prominence in the agriculture industry, which has since sprouted into other areas such as the commercial and industrial sector, making Sandy Springs Georgia’s sixth largest city.

The region is host to numerous recreational facilities, which accommodate an array of activities. This includes the Sandy Springs Tennis Center, which has been widely renowned as one of the state’s finest courts. The Big Trees Forest Preserve is one of the area’s largest landmarks, featuring over 1½ miles of walkways and paths to explore.

Regular workshops are held on a weekly basis across various venues, including the Sandy Springs gymnastics program, the Spring Youth Soccer events held during summer, summer camps that offer a wide variety of specialized activities and many other youth sport events to discover.

A wide variety of community groups can be found in the region, this includes the Sandy Springs Art Alliance, the Hospitality Committee, the Farmers Market and the High Point Civic Association. The High Point Civic Association is one of many notable neighborhood associations, which provides a joint effort in discussing public matters, such as safety, schools, zoning, parks and much more.

Sandy Springs is well maintained, with regular upgrades in several sectors to keep up with the burgeoning population, along with preserving the quality of local facilities and services. These include storm water infrastructure, transportation organization and planning, construction projects, and maintaining traffic control with new traffic lights, roadways and other various upgrades.

Sandy Springs also features a number of educational facilities, an enticing prospect for those wishing to start new families. Many elementary and high schools are situated in the region, along with several public libraries available as well.

Nearby communities that share similar neighborhood traits:

Dunwoody Homes for Sale

Roswell Homes for Sale

Redfield Homes for Sale



Atlanta Real Estate Update – The Anderson Group June 2011 Newsletter

June 22nd, 2011

Check out this month’s newsletter and vi

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs068/1102213393639/archive/1105926431360.html

Druid Hills Is Home to Atlanta’s Landmarks

June 13th, 2011

Druid Hills is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta, GA. It is located east of the city. Most of the homes in Druid Hills are considered landmarks as they are listed on The National Register of Historic Places. The tree-shaded streets were once home to some of Atlanta’s richest residents, including Asa Chandler, founder of Coca Cola. They hired only the best architects to build their homes, and the intricate detail work is still evident today. The carefully planned design of Druid Hills helped to make Atlanta the city the world has come to know and love.

 

Homes in Druid Hills are part of two school systems. There is the Atlanta Public Schools System, which includes Mary Linn Elementary and Inman Middle School, and the DeKalb County Schools System, which also provides service to students in this community with two schools, Fernbank School and Druid Hills High.

 

Residents in Druid Hills can enjoy numerous parks. Each park offers bike trails, playgrounds and open green space. Many of the homes in Druid Hills were designed so that they could overlook the curved streets and beautiful parks.

The Druid Hills Civic Association is a group that was formed in the 1930s. The mission of the group was to preserve the homes in Druid Hills and to make sure they would retain their distinct heritage and pedigree. Today residents maintain the effort by keeping each other informed of community issues and maintaining guidelines to ensure residents continue to enjoy the neighborhood.

 

Several events occur throughout the year to keep residents active in the community. A yard sale sign in front of homes in Druid Hills is the only requirement for joining to the annual Neighborhood Yard Sale. At the end of the day, all of the remaining items are donated to the American Kidney Fund. Residents do not have to worry about placing unwanted items back into their homes, and they enjoy the knowledge that they have collectively contributed to a good cause.

The homes in Druid Hills and surrounding neighborhoods have been preserved to highlight Atlanta’s true beauty.

Inman Park Homes for Sale

Ansley Park Homes for Sale

Virginia Highlands Homes for Sale

Morningside Homes for Sale

 

Great Upscale Living in Morningside

June 9th, 2011

Morningside’s location within the Perimeter of Atlanta makes it the envy of all commuters who live in the outlying suburbs. This neighborhood was created in 1931, and the homes in Morningside and the adjoining communities have all helped to increase the growth of Atlanta.

Ansley Park Homes for Sale

Druid Hills Homes for Sale

Virginia Highlands Homes for Sale

Morningside Elementary is one of the first schools built in Atlanta. It opened in 1929. Other schools were built to help keep up with the fast growth of the community. Today Briar Vista Elementary and Springdale Park Elementary have joined Morningside Elementary. The homes in Morningside that have middle or high school students can choose to enroll in Inman Middle, Shamrock Middle, Grady High or Druid Hills High Schools. There are also several private schools from which to choose.

Great architects helped to create some of the first homes in Morningside. Noble Park, Hylan Park and Johnson Estates were its first subdivisions. Lennox Park was developed later and featured several model homes for which the city is still famous.  The homes in Morningside are impressive.  As a long established neighborhood its architecture consists mostly of elegant lovely brick homes, many with bungalows.

Residents with homes in Morningside enjoy coming home after a long workday, but on the weekends, there are events to satisfy everyone in the household. When the warm weather arrives, many residents venture out to the farmers’ market. Every Saturday there, there are cooking demonstrations, fresh fruits, vegetables and crafts.

Bargain shoppers will certainly appreciate the annual Morningside Consignment Sale. It is a great opportunity for the community to get together and lend a hand to fellow neighbors.

The Taste of Morningside highlights food from local restaurants and chefs. Every November, residents can sample and enjoy local cuisine.

The social and festive nature of the community is also apparent in the park system.   The parks add even more beauty to the community. There are acres of open green space and playgrounds.  The recently opened Morningside Nature Preserve is just another reason to enjoy these premier parks on a pretty spring day.

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