Benefits of Using Virtual Tours to Attract Buyers

As technology evolves, so does the selling and buying experience. Now, there are more immersive and interactive techniques being used in real estate. At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we always have our ears to the ground with the latest technology that can enhance and improve our clients’ buying and selling experience. When 3D Virtual Tours became available, we hopped on board to offer this enhancement as a part of our service, and we have seen great success ever since. We offer a truly immersive experience so that buyers can feel like they are in the home. If you’re a skeptic, we’re here to tell you there are some great benefits to using virtual tours to attract buyers.

It captures potential buyers in remote locations

Let’s face it; moving to another part of town can be hard let alone another state! Virtual tours open up the opportunity to capture buyers from all over the world. With our 3D Virtual Tours, we have a specialist that uses a unique 3D camera to capture every single angle of your home for buyers to later explore on our website. It’s a virtual walkthrough that buyers can enjoy no matter where they are and no matter the time of day.

It gets more eyes on your home

One of the goals of having virtual tours available is to find buyers seriously interested in your home quickly. The virtual tour is like an “always open house,” and the client can spend as little or as much time in each room as they want. The longer a client spends looking through sections of your home, the more they can imagine themselves owning it. Studies have shown that virtual tours get 49% more qualified leads and get 40% more clicks than listings without.

There are times when only one partner is available to view a listing in person. The 3D virtual tour allows both parties to get a feel for the home. In addition, if a buyer is interested, but wants others to weigh in on a home, the 3D tour gives them the opportunity. Whether it’s a parent or a spouse, they can view the home at their convenience which can help move these along in their decision making.

It showcases your home in pristine shape 24/7

Showcasing a property is just a part of the home-selling process. Your home has to look great whenever we showcase your home to potential buyers, and some sellers find this to be a hassle. While showing a home in person will most likely still happen, the 3D virtual tour allows buyers to step inside of your home, virtually, whenever they want to and for as long as they want to. It also offers a floor plan and dollhouse view that allows the seller to virtually place furniture to give them a visual idea of what the home would look like furnished. The seller won’t feel as rushed as they normally would for say an open house or a showing because it is on their time. Having that added time allows the buyer to decide if they are serious about buying. If they are, they will reach out to us to either make an offer or see the home in person.

We provide 3D virtual tours for every listing as well as home staging, professional photography, and videography. We also provide unique and targeted social media marketing tactics. As we mentioned before, the goal is to get serious buyers interested in your home. The 3D tour introduces buyers to the home. Whenever they’re ready to view the home in person, we always have an agent available.

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.

Source: Matterport

Fall Maintenance Tips For Your Home

While we love the beautiful colors of fall and the family-friendly festivals here in Atlanta, we can’t help but think that winter is quickly approaching. As fall prepares us for the frigid winter temperatures to come, we often head to our closets and basements to pull out the boots and heavy coats. But it’s also time to prepare our homes to bear the weather, too. Winter can be very unpredictable and can wreak havoc on not only your home but your wallet, too. Here are 6 maintenance tips you can do this fall to prepare your home for winter:

Clean Gutters and Downspouts:

Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts (hire a helper if you are not comfortable on a ladder). Clogged gutters during rainstorms can cause water to pool and damage your roof or siding.

Check Safety Devices:

At least once a year, do a top to bottom review of your home’s safety features. This is also a good time to gather the family together for a review of your fire evacuation plan.

Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed.
Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace if needed
If you haven’t checked your home for radon, fall is a good time to do so — as the weather gets cooler and windows stay shut more often, radon is more likely to become trapped in your home.

Care for Trees and Shrubs:

While we admire the beautiful orange, red and yellow leaves, they won’t last long. When they do start to fall, they can quickly blanket your lawn. While you’re raking them away, inspect the trees close to your home or power lines and give them a good trim, if needed, to prevent falling limbs from causing a power outage. If you have trees near power lines, be careful! Call a professional if you are concerned.

Check the Exterior of Your Home:

While you are outside, take a walk around your home to look for any signs of damage to the roof, siding, and foundation. Spotting any damages early can help you plan financially and schedule repairs prior to winter. You should also check for any tiny gaps that little critters might be able to crawl through to keep warm. Fill those holes and cover large gapes securely to keep wildlife out.

Protect the Pipes:

While we may be in the south and freezing temperatures are few, we still need to protect our pipes when those frigid temperatures come. Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures (below 32°) by shutting off water to exterior faucets. Be sure to drain hoses and store them indoors.

Schedule a Chimney Cleaning and Heating System Maintenance:

If you have a fireplace in your home, make sure that it is cleaned, maintained and working properly now before you turn it on in the winter. And before turning the heat on in your home, make sure to change out the filter in your furnace. If you notice anything not working properly, connect with an HVAC professional prior to winter. Be sure to add a chimney cap if you don’t already have one — it will stop critters from crawling down your chimney!

Don’t get overwhelmed by these preventative maintenance tips. You have a few months to tackle everything on this list; take it one step at a time.

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 North Atlanta area, call us at 770-352-9658.

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.

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.