Atlanta Condos For Sale

15th Street Extension Midtown Atlanta Seeks Engineers

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As Midtown Atlanta grows, and grows….and grows, it’s a simple fact that not everyone that works in Midtown will LIVE in Midtown. (Sad, but true!) And getting around on the streets is a big factor. Enter the 15th Street Extension.

This gap in the Midtown Street grid from West Peachtree Street to Williams Street might not seem like a big deal..but with all the development happening now along West Peachtree Street, this is a street that is needed!

15th Street Extension

This map does not show the new AMLI Midtown apartment building that is about to open on the parking lot with all the cars in it. (See the star) Overall, this extension will be MOST helpful to many residents and Midtown workers alike to get to Williams Street, an one-way Northbound that helps commuters gain access to I-75 North. 

15th Street Extension

The project will include new traffic signals, sidewalks, streetscaping and bike lanes. You can see the Arts Center MARTA station in the upper right. Also, long, long term plans call for another bridge across the Downtown Connector, with 15th Street adding additional connectivity to West Midtown. 

Nothing happens quickly with road construction however. According to Kevin Green, Midtown Alliance President and CEO, the environmental studies for the project could take two years, followed by 12-18 months of construction. That sounds about like 2021, right? Sigh. 

While we try to keep up with all that is Midtown Atlanta…and there is plenty happening these days….you might want to check out the Midtown Alliance website for LOTS of things that are Midtown Atlanta!

 

What Are These “Energy Ratings” on Real Estate Listings?

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Tomorrow is Earth Day! (Click HERE to learn about Earth Day!)

What Are These “Energy Ratings” on Real Estate Listings?

And there is no better time then when we talk about our planet, to also talk about energy, and efficiency when buying a home or condo. You often hear these terms, “LEED Certified” or on a listing you see a “HERS rating.” And then there is “Energy Star.”

What do they all mean?

HERS Index

Energy Rating HERS IndexThe Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.

The HERS Index measures how efficient a home’s energy usage is. There are a lot of great reasons to have a home energy rating performed on your house.

It can tell you so much about the home you are going to purchase, like how efficiently it’s operating and where you can make modifications for greater energy savings. When you’re selling your home, a low HERS Index Score can command a higher resale price. And when you’re buying a home you can anticipate the costs of energy bills and efficiency upgrades.

How does the HERS Index work?

A certified Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100.

  • A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home
  • A home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home

For more information, visit the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) website. 

LEED

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program managed by the US Green Building Council. It is more frequently used in the commercial office environment, but it can also be applicable to residential real estate.

LEED works for all buildings—from homes to corporate headquarters—at all phases of development. Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several areas that address sustainability issues. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then receives one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

To learn more about LEED for residential construction, visit the LEED for HOMES page of U.S. Green Building Council.

Home energy efficiency Energy Star ENERGY STAR

Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.

Energy Star covers items like sealing and insulating, heating and cooling, as well as products like home appliances, electronics and lighting.

For more information about Energy Star ratings or your home, visit the Energy Star website.

Many of the above ratings may have been accomplished when the home, or condominium building was built. Others, you can change later, such as HVAC or home appliances.

If any of these certifications are important to you in your home search, we encourage you to look at these websites and learn more information about the areas you have a focus on!

Happy Earth Day!

April 22, 2016 Earth Day

Top 10 Ways to Keep Insects Out of Your Home

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Bugs! Everybody hates them. But we have them. And in the South, we even have some special ones, don’t we!!! Well, as long as they are outside in the wild, that’s fine…but when they make it inside our home or condo, that’s a whole other story!

Top 10 Ways to Keep Insects Out of Your Home

Top 1o Ways to keep Insects out of your homeWhether you live in an apartment, condominium, or a single family home, bugs can be a problem. In the first two, you don’t have much control over your neighbors and how they might live, or how clean they keep their place. And if they don’t keep it clean, bugs could show up, and end up in your place too. In condos and apartments, the pest control is limited to the exterior of the building and common areas. The inside of your home is your responsibility.

A single family home has even more possibilities for bugs! So here are some ways to keep insects out of your home….keeping in mind that all of them may not apply to your particular living situation!

  • Routinely empty all the trash and dump it down the trash chute or place it in outside garbage cans with tight fitting lids.
  • Keep doors and windows closed when not in use. If possible, have screens on your windows, and a screen door that fits tight on exterior doors. Condo balcony doors are almost impossible to have any screening…so you have to watch for flying insects that could end up inside!
  • Remove extra clutter from your home. In your basement or garage, these can provide nice warm living spaces for these things!
  • Keep pet food in a sealed container. If you keep it in the garage, it’s food for more that Bow Wow!
  • All food and beverages should remain in covered or sealed air-tight containers.
  • Make sure to trim all hedges, trees and other landscaping back away from your house. If you live in a condo or apartment building, discuss this with maintenance personnel or management if you are having bug issues.
  • Inspect the perimeter of your home and pay close attention to areas that could offer a way into your home. Again, in an apartment building, if your patio doors don’t close properly, contact maintenance to have them repaired/replaced if you ARE having issues. They may give you a hassle about this, but stand your ground.
  • Change exterior lighting (if applicable) to low sodium vapor light bulbs. Most insects ARE attracted to light, but less attracted to low sodium vapor lighting. (NOTE: I confess…I have NO idea what this is!!!)
  • Don’t bring them inside! That seems obvious, but I move outdoor plants inside for the winter that won’t survive the cold. I always inspect them for things I DON’T want in my house!
  • If you have a basement or attic, install critter-proof mesh vents in attics and crawl spaces.

Some great tips to keep your home, condominium or apartment bug free!

As a disclaimer…..when I looked for a photo to attach to this post, I really did not want you, or anyone, to be freaked out, or creeped out by a bug photo! Bees are pretty cool and needed insects…but thought that photo would not send you screaming! If you really made it to THIS portion of the post, why not give me a “Thank You” comment for not scaring you! 

Que Sera Sera! Whatever Will Be Will Be!

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Que Sera Sera! Whatever Will Be Will Be!

I loved me some Doris Day way back when…..I can remember she had a weekly sitcom show too.

2016, she will be 92 years old…and I just found out there is quite the annual celebration for her Birthday!

But I have always loved this song. Certainly something to keep on your mind….maybe after you hear it…it will be THAT song that is stuck in your head all day!

Que Sera Sera!

 

FREE Admission to Atlanta Attractions

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HIgh Museum Midtown Atlanta
High Museum Midtown Atlanta

I’ll be the first to admit (and if you have lived anyplace for any length of time) that I’ve lived in Atlanta for many years, and there are some of these attractions I’ve never, ever seen! But knowing there is an opportunity to see them for… FREE…well just who can pass up an offer like that.

FREE Admission to Atlanta Attractions

Especially take note of the Atlanta History Center and the High Museum as some great options. And the Georgia State Parks and Historic sites can be great for when you are looking for that Saturday or Sunday jaunt out of Midtown Atlanta to experience something new.

FREE Admission to Atlanta Attractions

Thom Abbott

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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