Atlanta Condos For Sale

COVID-19 The Lockdown in Numbers

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I was cleaning my desk up and found an article I had meant to put into a blog post. 

Then I thought, well, it’s still some interesting numbers, so why not still share it. The article was in the July issue of (I think maybe Atlanta Magazine?) and has various stats about what the COVID-19 impacts have been, and The Lockdown in Numbers. 

Some interesting points :

  • Game Downloads and streaming usage increased 35% from March 1 to May 1 (I was certainly online, but it was not gaming!)
  • A 40% drop in congestion on state roads and our freeways March to May! If you were out and about as I was (although it was pretty minimal in March and April….grocery trips and even those were few and far between as I did some major stocking up when it all “hit” about March 15th) the freeways were more than empty. It was like something from the Walking Dead…..seriously! 
  • The stat that I really liked was the huge increase in the number of fosters and adoptions of four-legged family members. In March, 2019 the number was 233,573…..in March 2020, it was a staggering 792,813!!! It just warms my heart to think of all those animals that found loving homes and families versus what the other future was. And no, I was not one of them…..
  • And as one can imagine, a 75% reduction in riders on MARTA…I mean, who was going to work?

We are still struggling to get back to “normal” and you have to wonder what that will actually be. To see the airports bustling…hotels filled with vacationers or business people at conventions. It must come soon, right?

COVID 19 Lockdown in Numbers

City Of Doraville Gets New Residential Sanitation Service

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City of Doraville Sanitation ServiceCity Of Doraville Gets New Residential Sanitation Service

The residents of the City of Doraville will have a major change in their garbage service, beginning February 5, 2020. 

In late 2019, the City Council voted to move the city’s garbage collection from Advance Disposal to the Dekalb County Sanitation Division. Cost savings may have not been the determining factor, since the new service will cost City Residents an additional $100 per year for the garbage collection. But, we looked at what is included in the new service, which is aimed at cleaning up the city, especially with regard to bulky items that have often remained on the curb of homes for days or weeks before being picked up. 

The new garbage service includes:

  • Unlimited curbside garbage pickup
  • Unlimited recycling pickup (subject to restricted items)
  • Weekly pickup of yard trimmings
  • Weekly pickup of bulky items…think couches, mattresses, toilets and televisions .. to name a few! 

Special collections for items like dead domestic animals, auto tires, construction materials and tree limbs cut by professional companies will require an extra fee, although literature provided to residents did not offer up what those fees may be. 

For curbside recycling, the list of what is picked up vs. what is NOT picked up is about equally as long on either side. Stand out items that ARE UNACCEPTABLE include glass, waked paper, aluminum or tin foil, foam rubber or packing material, polystyrene cups and to go trays and more…..

Doraville Garbage ServiceResidents have already been provided a 95-gallon roll cart for household garbage. These are the same size as previous containers, but are numbered and assigned to an address. At a later point, residents will receive a 65-gallon recycling roll cart. 

What will prove interesting is the pick-up schedule. The once-a-week collection day is on Wednesday. This means…a single home could have lawn bags, a bulky item, and both their recycling and garbage roll carts at the curb. One presumes it’s going in multiple trucks. One for garbage/bulky items, One for the recycle items and yet another for the lawn debris that should be going to a composting area somewhere in the County. The first service is on Wednesday, February 5th…so we shall see. 

You can find all of the information that was included with the delivery packet and the green roll cart here on our website. 

5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know

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5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know

Owning a home can be one of the most important parts of a satisfying lifestyle. The joy of coming home to someplace you can call your very own offers security and comfort. Yet owning a home comes with responsibilities as well; maintaining the home in proper condition is critical to avoid larger problems later. Let’s look at 5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know. 

And yes, this applies to condo owners as well. 

While some people are handier than others, here are 5 maintenance skills anyone can master.

1. How to Turn off Your Gas and Water –If you smell gas or have a water leak, taking quick action to shut off the source to the home while you wait for a professional can save thousands of dollars, and even lives. When you purchased your home or condo, this may have been pointed out to you during your home inspection. These are key things to know. If you have a dishwasher or washing machine that won’t stop filling, you can turn off all the water at the main shutoff to stop any flooding, or at least minimize it.  With gas, of course you want to avoid any potential explosion and/or getting sick from the fumes. 

2. Understanding How Electricity Is Fed to Your Home –Learn how to reset GFI outlets and popped breakers at the panel to avoid expensive house calls. Check out this YouTube video!

3. How to Find a Wall Stud – Avoid drywall repair when hanging pictures or shelves. Here is one on Amazon!

4. How to Change Your Air Filters – Keep your air fresh and your HVAC systems running efficiently. Know the size of your filter, and have extras on hand. You can change your filter as often as you desire, but many recommend every other month. Some systems say every 6 months, but that could be to long. 

5. How to Address Simple Plumbing – From fixing a running toilet to recaulking the shower, simple plumbing related issues can save money in service calls and damage.

A quick visit to the local big box home supply store or afternoon online watching repair videos can help any homeowner tackle a few simple do-it-yourself tasks around the house. Learning a few basic maintenance skills will ensure you and your loved ones are safe and you’ll help your home stay in top condition.

If we can help you find a handyman to help with these issues, let us know. We also have plumbers and HVAC contacts should you find a problem is bigger than what you may be comfortable handling. 

 

25 Quick Ideas for Decluttering

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How to Declutter Your Home25 Quick Ideas for Decluttering

You know you got stuff. It’s everywhere!! Whether you live in a single family home, or a 1-bedroom condo…you just start piling up stuff!

Got a spare hour or so? It’s time to start tossing. Grab a trash bag, a recycling bin and a few donation boxes and get down to business. Working room by room, here are the things you can get rid of right this second.

Kitchen
1. Expired food in your fridge and pantry. (Don’t forget to check all those condiments—they don’t last as long as you think).

2. Recipe books, cards and print-outs you don’t use.

3. Old or one-time use cleaning supplies under the sink.

4. Bottles of alcohol collecting dust.

5. Old, stained and tattered sponges, dishrags and hand towels.

Living Room
6. Magazines you’ve already read.

7. DVDs no one watches.

8. Knickknacks that no longer speak to you.

9. Extra throw pillows and blankets.

10. Toys and electronics that aren’t played with or used.

Bathroom
11. Expired medications.

12. Old makeup, nail polishes and skin care products.

13. Any half-empty bottles or soap remnants in the shower.

14. Sample packets and hotel soaps, shampoos and lotions.

15. Any hair accessories, curlers or hot tools that don’t get used.

Bedrooms
16. Extra sets of sheets—you only need two!

17. Clothes that don’t fit or you no longer wear.

18. Shoes that are worn out or never worn.

19. Jewelry that’s broken or never worn.

20. Extra buttons, clothing tags, safety pins and bobby pins.

Office 
21. Old instruction manuals.

22. Print-outs you don’t have use for.

23. Books you’ve already read, don’t like or won’t realistically get to.

24. Old tax documents, bills and pay stubs. (Shred these!)

25. Extraneous pens, pencils and other office supplies. 

2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation

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2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation

2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation | MyKCM

Questions continue to rise around where home prices will head in 2020. The latest forecast from CoreLogic shows continued appreciation at 5.4% over the next year:2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation | MyKCMAdditionally, ARCH Mortgage Insurance Company in their current Housing and Mortgage Market Review revealed their latest ARCH Risk Index, which estimates the probability of home prices being lower in two years. Based on the most recent results, 32 of the 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) had a minimal probability of lowering by 2021.2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation | MyKCM

Bottom Line

Experts forecast home price appreciation to continue at a moderate rate as we move through 2020 and beyond. With appreciation growing, let’s get together and plan for your next move.

September Calendar of Events

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There never seems to be a shortage of things to do around Atlanta…..it IS such a large metro area! But…sometimes you have to go OTP (Outside The Perimeter) for some cool things to do. 

Atlanta September 2019 EventsSeptember Calendar of Events

7th — Fall Fest at Babyland General Hospital

Georgia is famous for more than just Peaches and Peanuts! Georgia’s most beloved toy company, Cabbage Patch Kids, was created by Zavier Roberts in Cleveland, north of Atlanta. Come celebrate with food vendors, a slide, dancing and costumed characters. cabbagepatchkids.com 

8th — String Theory Concert

The Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center — is located way up yonder in the North Georgia mountains, near Helen! But don’t let the location fool you with this hidden gem. Their events list could take up this entire post!!! Even this event on the 8th is part of a series that runs into December. Make a weekend visit to Helen and take in this musical collaboration between domra virtuoso Angelina Galashenkova-Reed and award-winning classical guitarist John Huston! snca.org

21-22 — European Market — Downtown Alpharetta

A bit closer to the Intown peeps…you will find this cool event. For 2 days only you will find some of the best local artisans and gatherers in the area, showcasing an eclectic ensemble of vintage style home decor & furniture, beautiful works of art, handcrafted jewelry, one of a kind finds, fashion (both adult & children’s) clothing & accessories, gifts & unique treasures.

Learn more about it (and lots of other things happening in this city of its own…Alpharetta, by visiting their website … AwesomeAlpharetta.com

Cornelia Big Red Apple Festival

 

28th — Big Red Apple Festival

Another jaunt to the mountains (or really close) will take you to a festival that is all apples! This fall tradition in Downtown Cornelia celebrates the apple and all that goes with it…from arts and crafts vendors, live music and dancing, a kid’s zone and hay rides. Learn more at DiscoverCornelia.com 

Now you know we just scratched the surface of things to do in September. But here is an excellent resource for other things happening in the Metro Atlanta area in September….  ATLANTA SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Thom Abbott

Associate Broker, REALTOR(R)
905 Juniper Street, NE Suite 110
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
770.713.1505 Direct
404.876.4901 Office

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PalmerHouse Properties