Summer is upon us and although we can’t wait for days lounging at the pool and evening barbeques with family and friends, there are a few things we should keep in mind to keep our home maintained throughout the next few months! Check out our top five tips for ensuring guests are enjoying your home as much as you do!

       1. HVAC System

       When was the last time you had you’re cooling system checked by a service provider? Proper air conditioner maintenance can help your cooling system last longer and prevent fires from happening. Plus, its nice to have cool air during the Georgia heat!

       2. Ceiling fans.               

       If your home has ceiling fans, you may not know that reversing the direction can determine whether or not…

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Or if I decide to sell, how long will it take to sell it?

There are 3 factors that determine the resale performance of a home: Price, Location and Condition.

"Pricing your home right, and offering something that no other homes in your price range are not, this increases your marketability.  Don’t base your price on the homes that are currently active, base it on homes that have actually sold in the last 3-6 months. These are actual numbers that Realtors can work with, and can get the actual listing price based on amenities that you have or don’t have compared to those that sold." (Kimberly Perez)

Obviously today's market presents challenges. That's why you need a full service personal consultant that is looking out for you through each step…

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One of the biggest questions home buyers must ask themselves - this answer will make a whole lot of difference and perhaps re-direct their home hunting.

There's many ways to estimate how much to borrow - first way is to contact a lender and get pre-approved. But perhaps, you can't wait for the banks and want to explore your options now. There's online tools for that. The John Bailey Team is happy to offer a mortgage calculator, too.

Things to consider when using an online mortgage calculator:

- Break down the mortgage into monthly payments. AND don't forget to factor in the interest— the extra fees you pay your lender for borrowing all that cash. Then, on top of that, you will also have to pay property taxes and home insurance. 

- Consider…

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Have you been watching the newest FX Productions hit about our city? It's appropriately called "Atlanta" and it's making headlines for its top-notch cast and talented creative team.

Atlanta depicts life in Atlanta for two cousins working through the local music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families. The show is shot on location. Donald Glover serves as Executive Producer, along with Paul Simms and Dianne McGunigle.

"Atlanta may be an instant hit but it's not alone. Rodney Ho at the AJC has charted the 19 networks that have produced three or more shows in Georgia since he started covering TV in 2008. It's an insane list that proves a lot of what we already know: Atlanta has been home to a heap of reality shows,…

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In cities, it can be a race to snag an ideal (comfortable, safe, and convenient among other needs) apartment. Spaces are limited and the demand is high. So what can one do to capture a sought-after rental home? Get smart. Act fast. And maybe be a little cut throat to beat the competition!

Here's a few insider strategies to get the odds in your favor, that you can try (and that are totally legal).

1. Look for apartment listings with bad pictures

“Bad photos or even lack of photos/floor plans will lead to less traffic to the listing, and this is when a customer is able to capitalize.”

In other words, there could be a gem disguised by those blurry, poorly lit photos." says Collin Bond, a real estate broker at Douglas Elliman. (Realtor.com)

…

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The Atlanta BeltLine and the areas surrounding it are the most sought after neighborhoods in town. Connecting neighborhoods, drawing thousands, displaying local art, and hosting numerous events a year - it's easy to understand why so many want to be near the trail. These areas are also the most highly valued. In regards to the high home prices on the BeltLine - "The pace with which affordability is declining is much faster than anything else happening in our economy." says BeltLine CEO, Paul Morris. Morris and other city officials recently came together to discuss raising $7.5 million to encourage more affordable housing along the beloved, windy path.

About the Atlanta BeltLine -- it's "the most comprehensive revitalization effort ever undertaken…

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Whether you're deciding on a move or have lived in Atlanta for years, feel like a local in no time with this handy-dandy Newcomer Guide thanks to the AJC.

This guide will turn you into a native with thorough information about the unique communities that make Atlanta special, help with municipal topics, restaurant go-to's, to even the best events not to miss. (That's Southern hospitality, right?)

As you may know, Atlanta is the economic and cultural hub of the Atlanta metropolitan area. "It also ranks 10th economically in the nation with a GDP of $276 billion. The estimated population of Atlanta in 2016 is 463,878.

According to 2015 US Census estimates, Atlanta's population is roughly 463,878 in the city, up from 456,002 in the prior year's…

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Last week a Buckhead business group proposed a potential park that will cap Ga. 400 near Lenox Square and connect a trail network of green space and common areas between office towers and new residential high-rises. 

The Buckhead Community Improvement District proposes for a “world-class open space in the heart of Buckhead’s commercial core,” the organization said in a news release. 

Thanks to the AJC, we know more about this impressive proposal--"The project would stretch from Atlanta Financial Center on Peachtree Road to the Lenox Road-Ga. 400 interchange. It would essentially cover Ga. 400 and the Buckhead MARTA station, and connect with the PATH 400 trail network."

The park would offer unique areas for different activities, including…

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You have been tossing the idea around in your head to buy a home. The market is still challenging and there seems to be less homes for sale, yet the demand continues to grow. As a result, "homes for sale are spending less time on the market and well-priced homes in sought-after neighborhoods move quickly." Don't fret! - the calendar is now on your side, and as Realtor.com's chief economist Jonathan Smoke suggests, make sure you're..

  • "Pre-approved for a mortgage
  • Working with an expert and responsive local Realtor®
  • Laser-focused on your needs, ready to make a decision rapidly
  • Willing to avoid contingencies or making too many demands of sellers"

(Read more what Smoke has to say.)

We want to encourage you and shed some light for…

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Thoughts of the recession may still induce nightmares, but the truth is according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other sources - the housing industry is currently healthy and sustainable. Especially in parts of metro Atlanta. Here's lookin' at you Roswell and Sandy Springs!

Want to see who made the list? Wallethub - a credit score and report site - made a list of 300 places in the U.S. that are the best real estate markets city by city.  Roswell (ranked 49th), Sandy Springs (74th), and Atlanta (101st) all made the cut! (We're pretty excited about it.)

These cities were ranked based on metrics like median home-price appreciation, housing affordability, and job growth.

AND good news for those interested in these coveted areas - the John…

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