655 Mead Street SE Unit 55

Congratulations to our incredible client, Ginger Donel, on purchasing her very first home on December 31^st, 2015! What a way to start the New Year!

Ginger purchased an amazing 2-bedroom, 2-bath townhouse in Grant Park. One thing that was important to Ginger was finding a community with character, and she is excited to be putting roots down in a neighborhood with such a rich Atlanta history. Grant Park is the oldest city park in Atlanta, and the area is home to major Atlanta icons, including Oakland Cemetery and Ria’s Bluebird Café.

We know Ginger and her dog, Marley, are going to love being able to walk to the Park and the Belt Line from their new home!

Ginger, thank you for sharing your first home buying experience with us! It was such a pleasure helping you and getting to know you along the way!

1200 Wing St Unit 12

Congrats to a very good friend & client Chris Geiger on selling his townhouse last month!

Chris only purchased his townhouse a year ago, but due to his job relocation, he had to sell his spacious townhouse in sought-after Sandy Springs. Even in a year, we’re happy to say that Chris got a nice return on his investment.

It’s been a great experience not only helping Chris purchase his townhouse a year ago, but helping him sell it too. We’re sad to see Chris move, but we know he is going to do great things in California, and we’re so excited for his new adventure!

Chris, thank you for enlisting us to sell your home and sharing your experience with us!

7950 Colquitt Road Unit A3

Congratulations to our clients Brooke Weinstein and Jason Friday for purchasing their very first home in December!

Brooke and Jason now own an amazing townhouse in Sandy Springs that even came equipped with a built-in wine cooler in their kitchen!

After many talks about whether renting or purchasing was a better option, we took them to see this townhouse. It was slightly overpriced, but we helped them negotiate the sellers down to fair market value, providing them with a home that not only fit their needs, but also their budget, and showing them that owning was a much better investment for their future.

In a few months Brooke and Jason will be tying the knot, and we’re so happy that they will have the perfect home to continue their happily ever after in!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We know you’re going to love living there!

It’s time to start thinking about your property taxes and your homestead tax exemption. If you bought a home in the past year or have never filed for your homestead tax exemption, it’s time to do so!

What is the homestead tax exemption anyways? A homestead exemption helps you save on your taxes for simply being a homeowner. It’s a reduction on a homeowner’s property taxes.

To qualify, you must reside in the home on January 1st for the year in which you are applying and the home must be your primary residence (i.e. you cannot claim multiple homestead tax exemptions for multiple properties).

To receive your exemption, you must apply before your county’s deadline. Once granted, the exemption is automatically renewed each year.

Each county has different homestead exemption programs. Be sure to read the information for your specific county. If your exemption status should change, you will need to re-apply.

Below are instructions on how to apply in each county. Don’t miss your opportunity to file and receive a break on your property taxes!

Cobb County

Deadline for submitting original application by mail is April 1, 2016.

http://www.cobbtax.org/Forms/HtmlFrame.aspx?mode=content/taxforms.htm

DeKalb County

Deadline for submitting the application, either online or by mail, is April 1, 2016. City of Dunwoody homes are included in DeKalb. Link to online application is under the section titled, “Basic Homestead.”

http://taxcommissioner.dekalbcountyga.gov/TaxCommissioner/ExemptionInfo.html

Decatur

If you live in Decatur, you must apply for BOTH Decatur and DeKalb.

Deadline for submitting the application, either online or by mail, is April 1, 2016. However, all new eligible homeowners are encouraged to apply for any new exemptions prior to March 15, 2016, to ensure exemptions will appear on your 1st installment tax bill.]

http://www.decaturga.com/city-government/city-departments/administrative-services/taxes-and-fees/homestead-exemption-information

Gwinnett County

Deadline for submitting the application, either online or by mail, is April 1, 2016.

https://gwinnetttaxcommissioner.publicaccessnow.com/HomesteadExemption.aspx

Forsyth County

Deadline for submitting the application by mail is April 1, 2016. You can download the application online and mail it in. Please note, the application does need to be notarized. You will also need to provide a copy of your driver’s license.

http://www.forsythco.com/Departments-Offices/Board-of-Assessors/Homestead-Exemption

Fulton County

Deadline for submitting the application, either online or by mail, is April 1, 2016. City of Sandy Springs homes are included in Fulton County.

http://www.qpublic.net/ga/fulton/online_filing.html

Please feel free to reach out to The MacDonald Team if you have any questions. Now go get your tax break!

589 Wendlebury Ct

Congratulations to our amazing clients Paola and Bill on selling their very first home last month! Well, they said they wanted to sell their house in 30 days. And, we did it! We’re so happy for them!

It’s bittersweet, but we know they will have many wonderful new adventures in Nashville! We truly appreciate you sharing your experience with us! Nashville is lucky to get you! Check out their home!

3016 Whispering Hills Drive

Congratulations to our client Devyn on purchasing his first house in November! He now owns an amazing first home in Chamblee. What sold him was the lot size. He has a huge backyard!

What a perfect home for a first time home buyer! We can’t wait to see how Devyn makes the house his own. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are incredibly happy for you!

Check out his new home!

TOTAL RENOVATION! New Roof, water heater, 2 car garage with deep

New HARDWOODS! Exposed beam work, new fans and fixtures – WALL O

Door in the far/left leads to the 2 car garage for easy access t

Beautiful lot

Pictures are from the FMLS

With Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah celebrations, Kwanzaa traditions, holiday parades, classic musical productions and fun ways to give back, it’s quite a fun month in Atlanta, and you won’t want to miss a single thing. Here’s your ultimate guide to enjoying the holiday season in the city!

ATLANTA’S BALLET’S NUTCRACKER | Dec. 11-27

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker is an iconic Atlanta holiday tradition, and this year is the 20^th anniversary at the Fox Theatre. Dance the night away in celebration with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets start as low as $20.

Get tickets here: http://www.atlantaballet.com/tickets-performances/nutcracker

HANUKKAH ON THE LINE | Dec. 6

Grab your flashlight, or better yet, some glow sticks and meet at the Irwin Street entrance to the Atlanta Beltline near the Krog Street Market for a fun moving Hanukkah celebration walking on the Eastside Trail. And the best part, it’s free!

More information here: congregationbethaverim.org

JINGLE BALL | PHILIPS ARENA | Dec. 17

Ring in the holidays with artists like Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas, Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes, and more.

Visit the event website here: http://www.power961.com/main.html

 UGLY SWEATER RUN | Dec. 19

Scour your closet to its deepest crevasse, pull out the tackiest holiday sweater you can muster and join thousands at Piedmont Park for the Ugly Sweater Run. It’s only a 5k and it benefits Save the Children, you can totes handle it. Plus, good ol’ fashioned hot chocolate will be stationed on course for refreshment.

You can register here: http://theuglysweaterrun.com/locations/atlanta-georgia/

 HOLIDAY FUN AT THE WORLD OF COCA-COLA | Now – Jan. 3

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and you can experience fun holiday festivities at the World of Coca-Cola. Snap a holiday photo with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, savor the season with special beverages such as Gingerbread Coke and Chocolate Cherry Coke, and view timeless artifacts in the holiday exhibit, A Coca-Cola Christmas Celebration.

More information here: http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/explore/holiday-festivities/

 GARDEN LIGHTS | ATLANTA BOTANTICAL GARDEN | Nov. 14 – Jan. 9

Atlanta’s Garden Lights is an annual electrical extravaganza featuring spectacular light displays at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Explore favorite features like Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest and Model Trains. Don’t miss this must-see holiday tradition.

Get tickets here: http://atlantabg.org/events-classes/events/garden-lights

 FESTIVAL OF THE SEASON | GEORGIA AQUARIUM | Nov. 21 – Dec. 25

Join the Georgia Aquarium in celebrating the holidays with a spectacular light and music show, appearances by Santa and SCUBA Claus and a new ocean-themed 3D projection mapping video.

More information here: http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/experience/explore/events/festival-of-the-season/

HOLIDAY IN THE PARK | SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA | Nov. 21 – Jan. 3

Tis’ the season to be jolly with thrilling rides, heartwarming shows, a million dazzling lights and of course, Santa! See the park transformed into a winter wonderland at Holiday in the Park, select days through Jan. 3^rd.

More information here: https://holiday.sixflags.com/overgeorgia

CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK’S ICE SKATING RINK | Nov. 21 – Jan. 10

Back again, the Centennial Olympic Park’s Ice Skating Rink is great for family, friends or even first dates! (You may just slip into one another’s arms; wink, wink!)

More information here: http://www.centennialpark.com/index.php/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/winter-events/ice-rink

HOME ALONE WITH THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL | Jan. 2-3

Join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for a holiday film favorite, Home Alone, as they screen the film and perform the score live.

Get tickets here: https://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2015-2016/Home-Alone

Address: 3563 Kingsboro Road NE

Time: Sunday, November 22nd, 2-5pm

Price: $885,000

Neighborhood: Buckhead

Specs: 5 bedroom | 3.5 baths

Map: Click here

Description: Newly renovated home sitting on a fantastic acre lot on a gorgeous tree-lined residential street. It feels like a private retreat, yet it is only minutes from the world-class restaurants and shopping in Buckhead. Open floor plan includes living room, family room & den. Gorgeous kitchen equipped with all the bells and whistles. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs, main-level guest suite, a home office and two additional bonus rooms. Elegant, timeless finishes throughout & a front porch you’ll never want to leave. Plus, a fully equipped guest house above the 2-car garage!

Listing Agent: Chip Wallace

Photos by Liz Wall, PranaPix, LLC

437 Grant Street SE

We’re so happy for our client, Cody Lanser! He purchased his first house last week!

We beat out 8 other offers on the house, and Cody now owns an amazing home with two, yes two, front porches to relax on! He is also walking to distance to historic Grant Park.

What a perfect home for a first time home buyer! We can’t wait to see how Cody makes the house his own. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! Congrats, Cody!

Check out his new home!

Here are 10 secrets to help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar:

Secret #1 Price it right

Pricing your home accurately is the most effective way to ensure a successful sale. Many sellers are tempted to list their home with the agent who quotes the highest price, but no amount of marketing can sell an overpriced home.

It’s extremely important to remember, that the agent doesn’t set the price, the seller doesn’t set the price – the market will determine the price for your home based on recent similar sales.

If you price your home too high, it will sit on the market & grow stale. If you price it too low, you’ll leave money on the table. We’re happy to provide you with a comparative market analysis so you know your home’s current value, just let us know if you’d like one.

Secret #2 You only get 1 first impression!

And, first impressions are lasting. No matter how good your home looks on the inside, buyers will judge it before they walk through the door, & you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

It’s important that buyers feel welcome as they approach your home. Keep your lawn maintained to enhance your curb appeal, power wash the driveway & clean the gutters. Entryways are also important. Make sure they are fresh & clean.

Secret #3 Brighten it up

After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer wants in a home. Clean your windows. Open drapes, blinds & curtains prior to showings, & make sure all light bulbs are working & bright. Let potential buyers see how cheerful your home can be.

Secret #4 Organize closets & storage

Your entire home matters. Seriously, it really does. Remove unnecessary clutter from your closets, attic, basement, garage & other storage space. Every buyer wants storage, & the more organized the storage space is, the larger it will appear.

Buyers will open all doors, especially the master closet, so be sure to keep all closets & cabinets clean. You can make closets appear larger by packing excess clothing or linens & keeping clutter off the floor.

Secret #5 Choose the right agent

A secret sale killer is hiring the wrong agent. Make sure you have an agent who is knowledgeable, trustworthy & has your best interests in mind at all times.

You want an agent who consistently monitors the multiple listing service, knows which homes in your neighborhood are on the market & the price the comparable homes are selling for in your area.You also want an agent who is tech-savvy & uses the most up-to-date tools to sell your home quickly & at top dollar.

Hint, hint! The MacDonald Team does all this for our clients!

Secret #6 Kitchens & bathrooms sell houses!

You’re basically selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is when selling your home. Make sure all appliances work properly & are sparkling.

Remodeling your kitchen offers endless benefits & you’ll typically get 85% of your money back. It might be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops, but a buyer will knock about $10,000 off the asking price if a kitchen is not up-to-date. A fast & inexpensive kitchen update is new cabinet hardware.

Secret #7 Remove pets during showings

Don’t get us wrong, we’re total dog lovers, but not everybody loves dogs, cats or other pets as much as we do. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home & smell the kitty litter box or leave with pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give buyers the impression your home is not clean.

If possible, take your pets with you when you leave for showings. If that’s not possible, keep them in a special location & let your listing agent know where the pet will be so he or she can inform buyers & their agents.

Secret #8 Don’t over upgrade

Focus on updates that will get you top dollar for your home. You’ll get your money back for simple fixes, but a mammoth makeover, not so much.

What can you do? Fresh paint goes a long way. Also, make sure doors don’t stick & that you don’t have any leaking faucets.

Secret #7 Take the home out of your house

One word: de-personalize – really, this should be #2 on our list, because it’s basically the most important thing you can do when selling your home other than pricing it right.

Remove family photos & personal items. It’s very difficult for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home if they see you & your family everywhere.

Also, consider hiring a home stager to maximize your home’s potential. Staged homes photograph better, show better & sell faster than non-staged homes. According to an AOL Money & Finance Pool, 87% of buyers responded that home presentation makes the difference in most sales.

Selling Secret #10 Always be ready to show

We know selling your home can be a little inconvenient & exhausting, but it will all be worth it when your house sells quickly & at the price you want.

When your home is on the market, you must be ready to show at all times, because you never know when a buyer will want to see it. Make sure dishes are not left in the sink, dust bunnies are not in the corners & bathrooms are clean.