If you are looking to sell your home, and are thinking about remodeling the kitchen, there are a few trends to be aware of. Buyers interested in your home will love these features, and they may even add value to your home.
You can add a few of these features with a small budget and without having to bring in a demolition crew.
Clean, Minimal Style
While shaker cabinets were once considered to be a clean look, buyers today prefer a more minimalistic look with flat-panel cabinets. The current trend is black cabinetry. Not interested in Black? Deep Navy is also a popular choice for kitchen cabinets. For a classy look on dark cabinets, consider brass accents.
Form Follows Function
Instead of a multi-featured kitchen, the trend is to have a more functional kitchen. Not every kitchen needs a grill. A focus on functionality means making sure lots of counter space is available. Wood is a top choice countertop and for bar areas, and many homeowners are using stone counters near the sink.
Neutral Colors
Earth tones have long been a top color choice for walls, and today’s kitchen trends keep the focus on neutrals. White, beige or light grey paint are all good choices.
Open Shelving
Open shelves have been on-trend for a few years, but they are more popular than ever. Perfect for displaying glassware or plates, this type of shelving helps the room feel more open, especially when shelves replace over-the-counter cabinets. This trend fits in well with the desire for a more minimal and functional kitchen.
Recessed Lighting
Do you have a kitchen island? If so, you likely have pendant lighting over it. The trend in today’s modern kitchens is a simpler style. Recessed lighting is finding its way back after being off-trend for a while.
Beverage Centers
With entertainment in mind, beverage centers are a growing trend. Creating one can be as simple as placing a mini-fridge in a cabinet or adding a wine refrigerator.
Eco-Friendly Design
If you are looking to bring your kitchen up-to-date, consider going green. More home buyers today are looking for energy-efficient appliances. You can also add LED lighting to reduce energy costs.
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.
Purchasing a new home can be both an exciting and stressful moment. It’s a big decision, and one that you should enter into carefully. Unlike a car, you can’t test a new home – the current owners may not be happy about you spending the night in their home! But, you can make a sound decision if you know what to look for.
There are some issues that aren’t easy to spot, and could end up costing you more money down the road after you move in. Answering these 11 questions will help you get the information you need.
Questions to Answer –
How old is the roof? Does the home have a new roof? Does the crawl space have moisture? A home that needs a roof replacement will end up costing you several thousands of dollars. If you think that you may be able to wait a couple of years, you could be wrong. A roof leak will end up costing you more due to water damage.
How old are the appliances? Replacing the appliances, while not overly expensive, will add to the cost of maintaining the home. Also, check to see if the appliances have the features that you want or need. If they don’t, you may end up replacing them anyway.
Are there large tree limbs near the home? Not only can the limbs damage the home in a storm, but they can also offer squirrels and other rodents a pathway into the home. Dangerous limbs or trees will need to be removed.
Do you know where the sewer line is? If a tree’s roots grow into a line, you will have to pay to clean up the lawn or basement as well as to repair the sewer line.
Is it hot, cold or drafty in the home? If you feel a draft or if the home is unusually hot or cold (even individual rooms), then you may end up paying more for heating and cooling costs. If it is newer home, it may mean weather stripping along the doors or windows may be in need of replacement.
Do you see mold in the bathroom or kitchen? Don’t just look at walls or caulking. Open the cabinets and look under the sink. Do you see any leaks or mold? These repairs can be costly, and mold may be dangerous to your health.
Are the water pipes and attic well insulated? Poor attic insulation will affect your heating and cooling costs, while a poorly insulated pipe may burst in the winter.
What do you hear outside the home? Is it near a busy road? Do you hear the neighbor’s children playing? Do you hear any industrial noise? Think about the sounds and whether or not they will have an impact on your quality of life. Also, if there is a busy street nearby, consider your safety traveling to and from home.
Do all the lights and faucets work? Turn on all the faucets and lights to make sure they are in working order. Flush the toilets, too.
Do you see yourself in the home ten years from now? If you can’t see your family enjoying the home long term, it may not be the house for you. Still, some people only buy their home with a 3-5 year horizon, so consider the resale value of your home no matter how long you plan to live there.
How is the commute to work or to school? Being in the wrong location could lead you to wasting hours in your car to get to where you need to go.
These questions are not all-inclusive, but they do give you a good idea of whether the home will need additional work in the long run. Don’t neglect to get a thorough home inspection. This guide should not replace this step. Work with a real estate agent to find a licensed home inspector.
Contact An Agent Today
Let us help you find a house that you and your family will love. We’ll guide you through the purchasing process and work to protect your interests every step of the way.
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. We find out about homes coming on the market before anyone else, and our clients see them first.
If you are thinking moving into Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or the surrounding areas, call us at 770-352-9658.
The Sandy Springs community embodies the spirit of the modern south. It’s a friendly, welcoming community with hundreds of independently owned shops and restaurants, and more than 950 acres of parks and natural areas.
Sandy Springs is Georgia’s sixth largest city and the second largest city in the metropolitan Atlanta area. It was incorporated in 2005, although efforts to incorporate began as early as 1966 when the city of Atlanta attempted to annex the area. Sandy Springs residents fought for 40 years to form their own government, and when the time came, 94% of residents voted for incorporation.
Photo Credit: Instagram/jenbrookerphotography
Before 2005, residents relied upon county government for the provision of services. When they formed their own government, they chose a non-traditional Public Private Partnership (PPP), contracting private companies to perform the majority of services, so that nearly half of the city staff is employed by a private company. This PPP model is widely regarded as an example for other local governments, with city leaders from around the globe – including China, Japan, Korea, Finland and others – visiting Sandy Springs to learn the model. Since the incorporation of Sandy Springs, several other metro cities have formed (Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Peachtree Corners, Milton and Johns Creek), all using a form of the Public-Private model.
With roots dating back to the 1800s, Sandy Springs began as a watering stop for Native-Americans who frequented the bubbling springs in the area. Settlers moved in, and in 1842 the Austin-Johnson House – now the oldest house in Sandy Springs – was built.
The community remained rural until the mid-1950s. In the 1960s, Interstate 285 and the first phase of GA 400 were opened, connecting Sandy Springs to metro Atlanta and initiating a housing boom that brought new residents and major land development. Today the city, which is 38-square miles and borders Roswell and Atlanta, is home to more than 101,000 residents. It is also home to more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other city in the country.
Sandy Springs is the healthcare mecca of Atlanta, with three hospitals, hundreds of physician practices, multiple outpatient centers, and support services. The area, often called Pill Hill, is home to the largest medical center in Georgia.
One thing that sets this community apart is the true sense of belonging it offers. Residents of Sandy Springs love the city and are very involved in the community. They pride themselves in creating the city they wanted, and fought hard for. Residents love that Sandy Springs is a pocket of traditional southern charm, boasts one of the most innovative systems of service delivery in the country, and has a personality all it’s own.
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.
Known for award-winning restaurants and world-class shopping, Dunwoody is also rich in culture and a hotspot for business. It’s known as one of Atlanta’s most desirable suburbs due to the variety of activities available.
Superior Shopping Perimeter Mall is located in the heart of Dunwoody and contains more than 1.5 million square feet of the hottest stores, including Von Maur, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Nordstrom. It offers some of the best shopping around Atlanta.
You’ll find locally owned boutiques mixed with well-known favorites at Dunwoody Village Shopping Center. It’s home to more than 40 stores, including Marlow’s Tavern, Village Burger, Starbucks, Brusters’ Ice Cream, Pure Bare, Carbonara Trattoria and Karen Cannon, Realtors.
Orchard Park Shopping Center is a large, service-oriented center anchored by one of the top 10 Kroger stores in the Atlanta area. You’ll also find Lauderhill’s Jewelry, Los Rancheros Restaurant and Jett Ferry Dental Group.
A well-positioned strip center with a strong daytime population, Williamsburg at Dunwoody Shopping Center is home to Verizon, Jersey Mike’s, Atlantis Natural Foods, East 48th Street Deli, Orange Theory Fitness and Jett Ferry Cleaners.
Mt. Vernon Shopping Center is an attractive center located behind the historic Dunwoody Farmhouse. Here you’ll find Sprouts Farmers Market, Chase Bank and CVS.
Accessible Outdoor Space Dunwoody is home to 7 public parks and more than 170 miles of green space. The city’s signature park is Brook Run, a 103-acre park containing walking trails, a children’s play area and a Veterans Memorial.
Brook Run is home to the Dunwoody Farmer’s Market every Saturday from May to October. Here you can find organic olive oils, jams, crepes, baked goods and desserts, alongside fresh, seasonal produce, free-range meats and cheeses. The market also hosts kids’ activities, wellness seminars and composting and gardening instruction.
Brook Run Dog Park is two wooded acres available for off-leash play. The dog park is entirely fenced and is maintained by volunteers on regularly scheduled clean up days.
Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run Park grows organic food and fosters community. Twenty-percent of the produce grown there is donated to charity.
The largest skate park in the metro Atlanta area, Brook Run Skate Park covers 27,000 square feet and has a variety of skate terrain for various skill levels. It was designed to accommodate entry-level skaters, as well as more advanced “street skaters.”
Located inside Brook Run Park, Treetop Quest is an obstacle and zip-lining course with 52 obstacles and 12 zip-lines in 4 courses. There is also a low ropes course for kids, and a Net Trampoline, the first of it’s kind in Georgia.
Murphy Candler Park spans 135 acres, and offers walking tails, a lake, a swimming pool, sports fields and a picnic area.
The Dunwoody Nature Center is a can’t-miss interactive playground in the open woods, featuring hammocks, tree swings and bubbling brook. Every summer the Center hosts the Annual Butterfly Festival. Three huge tents are set up and filled with hundreds of free-roaming butterflies for visitors to observe.
Dunwoody is also home to Big Trees Forest Preserve, a 30-acre scenic preserve with trails and streams winding through it.
The Arts Abound
Established in 1975, The Spruill Center for the Arts is a private, non-profit organization that offers classes, exhibits and outreach programs for seniors, youth and those with special needs. For more than 40 years, the Center has been providing arts enrichment to the greater Atlanta community.
The Spruill Education Center (inside the Center for the Arts) provides more than 800 visual arts classes annually to more than 5,000 students of all ages and ability levels. Disciplines taught include ceramics, decorative arts, drawing, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, mosaics, painting, photography and sculpture.
The Spruill Gallery (inside the Center for the Arts) hosts several exhibitions each year in a variety of mediums, including the Holiday Artists Market. The gallery is also home to one of Dunwoody’s landmarks, the popular EVERYTHING WILL BE OK mural.
Dunwoody’s favorite non-profit theatrical group, The Stage Door Players, puts on quirky shows that allow audience members to participate in the production. The group puts on a full season of six shows, and is currently in its 36th season.
Family Friendly Fun 4th of July Parade
The annual parade, sponsored by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and the Dunwoody Crier Newspaper, is one of the biggest events in town. Thousands of Dunwoody residents turn out to watch the marching bands, floats, clowns, animal units and local celebrities. Local organizations, businesses, churches, schools and individuals build floats, decorate cars, dress in costumes, ride bikes, pull kids in wagons, play music and wave flags as they march through town. The Dunwoody July Fourth parade is the largest in the state of Georgia. In years past, the parade has attracted more than 2,500 participants and 32,000 spectators!
Lemonade Days
The Lemonade Days Festival takes place in Brook Run Park in April. It’s the largest annual fundraising event for the Dunwoody Preservation Trust and all proceeds from the festival are used within the community for historic preservation and education. The event features more than 30 full-scale carnival rides, inflatables, a petting zoo and more than 20 food and beverage vendors. There’s also a 5K run, and three days of center stage performances, including the popular Dunwoody Idol contest. This is a signature Dunwoody event that is not to be missed.
Dunwoody Art Festival
This Mother’s Day Arts Festival is the largest festival in Dunwoody and takes place at the Dunwoody Village. The festival attracts top artists from across the country to showcase their works for purchase. Each year, more than 60,000 people attend to check out the amazing handmade jewelry, sculpture, painting, homemade soaps, baked goods and home décor. The event was named “Best New Event of 2010” by the Southeast Festivals and Events Association.
Tap Into Georgia Beer Festival
This rain or shine event features beers from across the state of Georgia. More than 25 local breweries are included – some well known and others smaller craft brewers. The festival is held at Brook Run Park and residents bring lawn chairs to take advantage of this outdoor party!
Dunwoody has a strong sense of community and lots of activities for residents and visitors alike. The big city of Atlanta is just 10 miles away, but many find they never need to make the trip. Dunwoody has all the amenities, in a true neighborhood setting.
Thinking of selling your home? Buyer demand is high while inventory is at an all-time low, so you want to make sure you take advantage of market conditions and get the most for your home. Before placing your house on the market, there are simple steps you can take to increase the value of your home – ranging from quick, affordable changes to small renovations.
Make the outside of your home look as good as you can. You don’t have to hire a professional landscaper. Instead, look for any areas where the landscaping is overgrown. Some simple pruning and trimming can go a long way. Remember, the outside of your home is the first thing that potential buyers and the appraiser will see. We also recommend fresh pine straw or mulch, pressure washing your walkway and driveway and adding some annual plants for color.
Enhance the lighting in your home. You can add things such as brighter light bulbs, removing heavy drapes that do not let in natural sunlight, and keeping your blinds open. To make a small room seem brighter, use a high wattage light.
Complete the maintenance that you may have neglected. Check the insulation levels in the attic; repair plumbing leaks; fix a rotted stair or rail on the porch; make sure that windows open, or replace broken screens. Buyers will notice these as detractors, and it may lower their bid.
Examine your front door. Is it welcoming? Does the doorbell work? An inviting entrance will make a great first impression. In fact, many buyers will decide on their interest level in the home within the first seven seconds.
Paint your walls a neutral color. Buyers want to imagine a blank slate. At the very least, touch up areas of the walls the have marks or chipping paint.
Spruce up your bathroom and kitchen. While you can add new fixtures, there are smaller changes that will resonate with buyers. Deep cleaning helps. Remove stains, clean any mold, mildew or soap stains. Replacing peeling or stained caulking can help the bathroom look cleaner and brighter.
Contact An Agent Today
When you’re ready to list your home, let us help you find ways to boost the value. We’ll guide you through the home selling process, working to protect your interests every step of the way.
