Summer is right around the corner and if you are like most people, you are already dreaming of a getaway to your favorite lake, beach, or mountains. You might even be considering how you could spend more time there. Investing in a second home can be a smart decision if you are looking for a home you will retire to in the future or an investment you can enjoy in your time off while renting it out to vacationers when you’re at your primary residence. Buying a second home is different that purchasing a primary residence. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Location: The same effort you put into finding the perfect location for your primary residence should go into researching your second home’s location. If you are considering renting the

Want to increase your home's value up to $50K? A National Association of Realtors 2018 study reported that 61% of clients are interested in sustainability and 78% considered utility costs important. The average homeowner spends almost $2,000 annually on utilities. What is sucking up all that energy? According to the US Department of Energy, 41% goes to heating rooms, 17% to heating water, 6% to air conditioning, and the remaining 36% powers lighting, appliances, and electronics. 

1. ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Other studies have shown that adding energy efficient features that lower utility costs can increase the sales price by approximately $10,000-$50,000. By investing in energy efficient features, you can improve your home’s

I’m going to tell you a secret: a new home builder’s real estate agent works for the builder, not for you. Many people don’t realize this. While you will get a fair deal from your builder’s agent, a buyer’s agent that represents you is a valuable resource you shouldn’t dismiss.  Purchasing new home construction is much different than purchasing a resale home. The process is typically much longer and the contract can be more complex. An expert buyer’s agent can advise you during contract negotiations and help you get the best value. So listen up! These tricks of the trade are just a few things to ask your buyer’s agent about before you visit your builder’s sales center.

QUALITY CONSTRUCTION

Not all builders are equal. Choosing the wrong builder

 The skyrocketing cost of college tuition is an investment in your child’s future, but for many parents tacking on the high cost of college housing is often a bitter pill to swallow.  According to The College Board, the national average cost of room and board for in-state schools is around $44,000 for four years and higher for private institutions. Depending on the school, this might be a cramped dorm room with bunk beds, a community bathroom, and limited security. Demand for more posh campus housing has made that cost substantially higher at some schools. CollegeFactual.com reports for 2018/19 room and board at Georgia State University is $14,392 and $13,894 at Emory University.  As a result, many parents are considering alternatives to on-campus

Years ago, Atlanta’s West Midtown - the area south of Vinings and West of Buckhead -was hardly a place successful professionals would consider a move up. As the Atlanta Beltline’s progress has expanded westward, it has brought renewed cachet and a new moniker: “The Upper Westside” to what was once predominantly factories, warehouses, working class homes, and dilapidated industrial properties. Now the The Upper Westside is where young professionals, families, and empty nesters are finding their “deluxe apartment is the sky”. Luxury lofts, mid-rise condos, brand new townhomes, quaint bungalow communities, and trendy renovated flips coupled with major retail developments and new greenspaces have turned West Midtown/Upper Westside area into one of