Atlanta Real Estate Blog | Karen Cannon, Realtors

Roswell: A Fit for Foodies, Arts Lovers and Outdoor Explorers

Close to the hustle and bustle of the city, but far enough to offer suburban living at its finest.

Roswell is a unique community that has been recognized nationwide for all that it offers its residents. From world-class shops and restaurants to professional theatre, this historic city is one of Atlanta’s most desirable suburbs.

Unique Shopping and Eating Opportunities

Home to award-winning restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops, Roswell offers something for everyone. If you’re looking for the latest fashions and those on the hunt for rare antiques, this city has it. Built along the ruins of the historic mills off Highway 9, Roswell Mill offers several upscale boutique shops.

At The Historic Town Square, residents can window shop along historic storefronts, finding boutique stores, art galleries, and antique shops. Along Canton Street, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and art galleries abound.

Plum Tree Village offers a variety of shops, which include a Bilthouse boutique store similar to Anthropologie and Uniquities, which offers European décor along with cafes and restaurants.

The Roswell Town Center is a small mall that houses a variety of stores and entertainment options, including a movie theater, mini golf, and a whirly ball court.

In addition to the boutique shopping, you can find neighborhood shopping centers, too. There’s a variety of national chain stores such as Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Walmart and The Home Depot. Whether someone is looking for a few things for dinner or a lawn tool, the area centers offer you a variety of stores that people know and trust.

Where Nature Abounds

Nestled along the Chattahoochee River and Vickery Creek, the city offers over 900 acres of public green space in 13 parks. Several parks provide the community areas for baseball, softball, soccer, and tennis.

Part of the National Parks Service, Roswell’s portion of the Chattahoochee River Recreation Area includes nature trails and running paths at the site of the historic mills.

At the Chattahoochee Nature Center, you can enjoy wildlife programs, hiking, environmental classes, flowers and more. The center offers rehabilitation services for a variety of animals and guest can get up close and learn more about the animals. All About: Roswell 12 Nature enthusiasts will find several activities at Azalea Park along the Chattahoochee River. Here residents can canoe, kayak, fish, picnic, hike along riverside trails, and play in a playground.

Next door, Riverside Park lets residents enjoy access to the river. They offer a canoe/ kayak launch, fishing areas, playgrounds, river access, hiking trails, multi-use trails and picnic areas.

For those looking for a place to run, Big Creek Park offers hiking and jogging trails along the creek. Biking is also allowed on the paved trails.

Hikers will also enjoy Old Mill Park, which offers hiking and walking trails. Town Square offers a picnic area and a town green used for concerts and other outdoor events.

Waller Park offers a recreation and fitness center as well as classrooms, meeting rooms, picnic area, a playground and creek access.

Why You Need A Real Estate Agent To Help Buy Or Sell Your Home

When it comes to buying or selling a home, many people believe that they can do it on their own. However, the decision could be costly and cause a lot of headaches. Homebuyers and sellers need a professional agent on their side to be an advocate for them throughout the process and after closing. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that 87% of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent, and real estate agents represented 89% of sellers. And in a 2017 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, only eight percent of recent home sales were For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) sales. This is the lowest share recorded since the report started in 1981. FSBOs typically sell for less than the selling price of other homes listed with an agent.

There are many benefits to hiring a Realtor, both mentally and financially. Here are the top three benefits we hear about from buyers and sellers:

Local Market Expertise

Homeowners who decide to list without a real estate agent tend to struggle with setting the price. Often, homeowners put a high price tag on the house because of what they think their home should be worth. The danger here is the emotional attachment and bias a seller has towards their home. Realtors look beyond feelings and think through things objectively. They possess expert knowledge on current market conditions that helps them set a fair and objective price. This experience helps owners get the most for their home without scaring away buyers. An agent will also be able to ensure that buyers have an understanding of a home’s true value. Pricing a home correctly in this market will help you maximize the value vs. setting a price too high and having to lower it later on.

Professional Connections

Real estate agents can act as a resource during every step of the buying or selling process, and often have a list of preferred providers who they have worked with in the past that they can recommend. This can include mortgage brokers, appraisers, inspectors, lawyers, landscapers, contractors and many more. Hire the right agent and you’ll tap into a list of vendors to help you. It’s in the best interest of the agent to make sure that the home buying or selling process goes smoothly so that you are more likely to refer him or her to a friend.

Neighborhood Familiarity

Good agents know the ins and outs of the neighborhoods where they work. For buyers, an agent can guide you in finding the right home in a specific area. They are familiar with factors like the age of the homes, school ratings, traffic/commute details, and accessibility to shopping or public transportation. For sellers, agents will know which areas are selling well and which areas are not. Agents should know the values and have dates to price the home correctly. They will be able to realistically help you evaluate a home’s value. Also, good agents have local connections that can help you find homes before they come on the market, which is especially important in this low inventory market.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and North Atlanta. We live, work, and play here, and we hand-pick our agents for their connections in the community. Our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about buying or selling your home, call us at 770-352-9658 or email us info@KarenCannon.com

Sandy Springs: Southern Charm Just Minutes From the Big City

Incorporated in 2005, Sandy Springs is home to about 101,000 people, and is known for its traditional southern charm and hospitality. It is one of the most picturesque areas of metro Atlanta, both because of the gorgeous homes and tree-lined streets, and the 22 miles of shoreline on the Chattahoochee River that runs through the city. Close to Atlanta, but with a spirit all it’s own, Sandy Springs has always been independent and unique.

Visit Sandy Springs

Here are a few of Sandy Springs’ most desirable areas:

Downtown

Although it’s not a typical downtown, the area bounded by Abernathy Road to the north, I-285 to the south, Sandy Springs Circle to the west and Hildebrand Drive to the east is defined by residents and local businesses as ‘Downtown Sandy Springs.’ This is the location of the actual sandy springs that the city is named after. The springs can be found in Heritage Green, a four-acre city park operated by the non-profit Heritage Sandy Springs. The city has long-term plans to create a mixed-use municipal complex in the Downtown area, and to add more roads to the district in a more traditional street grid pattern. The new Sandy Springs City Hall will be complete in the summer of 2018, and this area – called City Springs -is expected to become the heart of the city. The new civic and cultural center will be home to city offices, a performing arts center, a theater, meeting space, both retail and residential spaces and underground community parking.

Riverside

Riverside is the western district of the city, on the border of Cobb County. It runs along the Chattahoochee River and is a residential area marked by winding, hilly roads. Riverside is an affluent area of Sandy Springs, and is home to the top-rated public schools in the area.

Dunwoody Panhandle

This is a residential area bounded by the Dunwoody city limit to the south, the Chattahoochee River to the north, Georgia 400 to the west and the Peachtree Corners city limit to the east. The community’s name comes from the fact that it is wedged between the river and Dunwoody, forming a geographic panhandle. This is a unique area of the city, and had been considered part of Dunwoody for many years. Many residents of this area still refer to their address as Dunwoody.

Perimeter Center

This is a commercial and business district surrounding the Perimeter Mall. Although about 40% of Perimeter Center, including the mall, is located in Dunwoody, the western 60% of the area is in Sandy Springs. This is mostly comprised of office buildings and Pill Hill, a collection of hospitals and doctors’ offices. The popular Hammond Park is also located in this area.

North Springs

This community is the northernmost area of the city, and is defined as the space west of Georgia 400, east of Brandon Mill Road and the Chattahoochee River, and north of Abernathy Road.

Sandy Springs ITP

A portion of Sandy Springs extends inside the perimeter to the Atlanta city limit. This area is affluent and centers around scenic, mansion-filled single-lane roads. It’s home to Chastain Park and Chastain Amphitheater, as well as excellent schools.

Powers Ferry Landing

Powers Ferry Landing is a business district just east of the river crossing.
Sandy Springs residents love their city and share their passion by staying active in the community through citizen volunteer programs. There is a long-held belief that Sandy Springs is a friendly gathering place, and part of the charm has always been the community spirit found within the city and the welcoming attitude of its residents.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our clients know about homes coming on the market before anyone else. And our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about selling your home, or are interested in moving into Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or the surrounding areas, call us at 770-352-9658.

Roswell: A Progressive City with a Storied History

Roswell, GA is located about 22 miles from downtown Atlanta and borders the Chattahoochee River. It’s a large town with a small-town feel, and was chosen twice by Atlanta Magazine as the best place to live in the metro Atlanta area. Residents love the outdoor activities available in town, including biking, running, hiking, rafting and kayaking. Roswell offers a myriad of shopping and dining options, riverfront parks for those with active lifestyles, and affordable neighborhoods in a rich, historic setting.

Roswell Historical Society

While Roswell officially became a city in 1854, the area was home to the largest cotton mill in north Georgia, Roswell Mill, which was established in the 1830s by town co-founder Roswell King and his son, Barrington King. The original mill was destroyed during the Civil War in 1864. They rebuilt, but the mill was destroyed again in a fire in 1926.

The remaining ruins of the historic Roswell Mill buildings are now under the jurisdiction of the U.S. National Park Service, and are considered part of the popular tourist attraction of the Chattahoochee River Recreation area. Visitors can still see the waterfall that originally provided water power to the mill, and one is the buildings is still standing, having survived both the war and the fire.

Roswell boasts a 640-acre historic district and is home to many other historic landmarks. Barrington Hall (the former home of Barrington King) and Bulloch Hall, the childhood home of Theodore Roosevelt’s mother Mittie Bulloch, are open to the public. The Barrington Hall home, near downtown Roswell, is one of the best examples of Greek Revival Temple architecture in the United States today, and sits on seven acres of property. Numerous original outbuildings sit on the surrounding property, which was held by the King family for more than 160 years. The hall is now owned by the city of Roswell, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can enjoy a docent-led tour inside the home, and stroll the grounds and gardens.

Bulloch Hall was built in 1839 by Major James Stephens Bulloch, one of Roswell’s first residents. Like Barrington Hall, this house is also considered a significant historical home due to its outstanding Greek Revival architecture and the people who once called it home. Mittie Bulloch, mother to former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, was married at Bulloch Hall in 1853. The grounds of the house include a demonstration garden and nature trail. The hall hosts events such as the Great American CoverUp Quilt Show in March and the Garden Faire in April. Visitors can tour both the house and the grounds.

The Roswell Town Square was built in 1839 as part of the original design of the town envisioned by founder Roswell King, and was created to be a space for recreation. The bandstand was added in 1905 on the occasion of President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit, and today showcases many forms of entertainment during Roswell’s various All About: Roswell 4 festivals. A fountain in the middle of the square honors Roswell’s founding families. Today, the square is the site of art shows and other festivals and events, including weddings.

The Roswell Visitor’s Center is located near the town square, and period storefronts in this historic district provide residents and visitors with unique shopping opportunities, art galleries, and restaurants.

Roswell’s vibrant past is still alive today, treasured by residents who call this area home. Families are drawn to the city’s good local schools and low taxes. The city’s family-friendly neighborhoods are drawing Atlanta residents who want to maintain proximity to downtown, but enjoy the small-town feel and lifestyle benefits that Roswell provides, and the city has grown steadily over the past 15 years. The city has received national recognition, named to the Top 100 Places to Live in the US list by CNN, and as One of the Top Three Cities in the Nation to Raise Your Family by Frommer’s. Recently, Roswell was named the first bicycle friendly city in Georgia by the League of American Bicyclists.

Roswell calls itself a city with modern spirit and southern soul, and residents are happy to marry the area’s storied past with a bright future.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Roswell, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our clients know about homes coming on the market before anyone else. And our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about selling your home, or are interested in moving into Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or the surrounding areas, call us at 770-352-9658.

updating kitchen, kitchen renovation, kitchen DIY, kitchen update

Five Signs That it’s Time to Upgrade Your Kitchen

When you’re thinking about selling your home, there are many things that you may need to upgrade or repair. A home’s kitchen has a big impact on the price a buyer is willing to offer, so when it’s time to sell, your kitchen is the first place to look for improvements that could be made. The kitchen is the new family room, and a prospective homeowner is going to give the kitchen a thorough look. Often, it is the one room that will make a difference in whether an offer is made or not.

Use this guide to help determine whether your kitchen is due for an upgrade.

Reasons to Remodel or Upgrade Your Kitchen

You see a lot of damage or wear. No one expects the kitchen to look brand new, but if you have mold, water damage, peeling countertops or stains on the wall, you should be willing to make repairs. Prospective buyers will open cabinets and look at the countertops. Mold will be a turnoff, as will water damage. Consider new countertops or remediation if needed.
The counter space is small. Older homes tend to have less counter space. Today there are more appliances that tend to live on the counter, so buyers will want more space. If counter space is limited, consider adding an island.
Your appliances are old. Whether they were original to your home or just haven’t been replaced in several years, consider upgrading. New appliances are more attractive and may help to increase the value of your home.
Your kitchen is high maintenance. Do you spend time cleaning linoleum floors that still look grimy or does your kitchen have lots of tile with deep grout that must be maintained? These things will discourage a buyer who is looking at your home. You may want to replace them with lower maintenance materials.
Your décor is outdated. Older homes tend to have unique layouts that were deemed progressive and stylish at the time they were built. Not only can range islands be burdensome when working in the kitchen, but they can also be dangerous if your kitchen gets a lot of traffic. Sometimes a poor layout can also create a lack of cabinet space, which needs to be addressed.

Find a Good Contractor

If the results of your examination indicate that it’s time to make some changes, you may need to find a kitchen remodel contractor. Be sure to work with a licensed and experienced contractor to ensure that your upgrades go well and help increase the value of your home.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about selling your home, call us at 770-352-9658.

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