Decatur - A Walkable Eventful City!

Decatur is located less than 8 miles from Downtown Atlanta and approximately 2.5 miles from Emory University, Emory Hospital, Eggleston Children’s Hospital and the Center for Disease Control.  Decatur is a small City with major civic participation, local Police and Fire Departments and a renown School System.

Neighborhoods around Decatur contain renovated older bungalow-style homes, well-kept lawns, parks and sidewalks.  It has a vibrant, friendly atmosphere and many residents live close enough to walk to shops, restaurants, and frequent downtown events.  Annual events for Decatur are organized by the Decatur Business Association and other civic and educational organizations.  It’s a rare week when some activity is not available for residents and visitors in the downtown area near the Square.

During the month of May, Decatur sponsors Blue Sky Concerts at noon on the Square and Concerts on the Square on Saturday evenings at 7 p.m.

Perhaps the most attended event is the upcomingDecatur Arts Festival, held on Memorial Day Weekend, and celebrated throughout the month of May. A recent Lantern Parade, associated with the Arts Festival and held in the evening,  featured an exuberant gathering of adults and children with homemade lanterns, hats and parasols strolling through the darkened streets.

On Memorial Day Weekend, the main Decatur streets are blocked to traffic, and a bustling crowd gathers to enjoy a diverse Arts Festival featuring over 150 artists, dance performances and music.

Another popular annual event is the Decatur Beach Party, held June 17, sponsored by the Decatur Business Association – a ticketed event with  lots of sand, games and music.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company representing Buyers and Sellers in Decatur, Emory and close-in Atlanta neighborhoods for over 25 years. We also offer professional Property Management Services. (Originally posted on Atlanta Decatur Homes Website on 5/15/2016)

Home Won't Sell - Consider Renting It

Posted on March 8, 2012 by atlantadecaturhomes

The National Association of Realtors thinks that property values will rise 1.1% this year, but this modest rise in value may not help your home to sell.  Popular realtor site, Active Rain,  indicates mixed expectations from various sources.

Our economy is still fragile and home sales are up only slightly.  Until the job market and the building industry improve considerably and foreclosures and short sales ebb, home prices will not go up. 

If Your Home Doesn’t Sell, Is Renting the Best Move?

Maybe.  If  you are offered a new position across the country, the opportunity may be too good to pass up.  The decision will be whether to sell your home at any cost, even at a loss, or to consider leasing the property. 

If you decide to rent your home, it will now become an investment property, and you will still be responsible for paying the principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.  You must continue to maintain the property and pay any homeowner fees that are required as well.  An investment property could have significant tax advantages, but you should talk to your accountant or tax professional before you make this decision.

Hiring a Property Manager

Once you have made a decision to lease, consider hiring a professional Property Manager to take care of your home.  Absentee Landlords are at a severe disadvantage, and a “hands on” manager will act as a surrogate landlord to protect your interests in the property.  A good Manager will:

• Advertise your property
• Screen potential tenants – check references and credit
• Prepare Leases and Move/In-Move/Out Agreements
• Collect the Rent – pay Bills – Generate Monthly Reports & Checks to Landlord
• Handle Repairs & Maintenance
• Act as a Buffer between the Tenant and Landlord

In addition, professional Property Managers are versed in local ordinances and Fair Housing Laws and are subject to strict regulations regarding Escrow Accounts and handling of other peoples money.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes in the Atlanta, Decatur and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years, providing professional Property Management Services as well.

Why Do You Need a Property Manager?

Posted on February 12, 2012 by atlantadecaturhomes

You need a Property Manager for many of the same reasons you need a professional real estate agent.  To make your life easier.

Realtors are licensed and knowledgeable about  State and Local laws that might affect your property.  For example, in some municipalities there is a limit on the number of unrelated adults that can occupy a home legally.

A good Property Manager can handle most of the sticky issues that may arise in leasing your home.  They can:

• Advertise the property for lease with signs, lockboxes, information boxes and emails to other local realtors and to major local businesses.  Distribute flyers and brochures to the multiple listing service, personal websites, Realtor.com, Craigslist, Postlets.com, rentdigs.com, and a host of other appropriate sites.
• Screen prospective tenants by checking credit histories, references, past landlords, and backgrounds.
• Prepare a comprehensive Lease that protects the Landlord and the Tenant, spelling out possible problems like access to the property, accountability for damage to the property, and early termination of the Lease by either party.
• Keep individual records for each client, collect and hold Security Deposits and   rent.  Pay maintenance bills or lawn service if requested.  Send out an itemized statement to the Landlord each month, and a year-end report as well. 
• Maintain the property by handling repairs when requested or necessary.  Professional Property Managers have good electricians, handymen, and plumbers available, as well as lawn services. 
• Let tenants into the property when they are locked out.

Perhaps one of the most difficult duties that Property Managers perform is maintaining  a good relationship and communication with your tenants.  Tenants come in all forms and not all of them are amiable, even though they pay the rent on time and keep the property in good condition.  Prickly tenants need a diplomatic approach and one that an experienced Property Manager can handle with ease.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes located in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years and offering professional property management for homes in the Emory area.

Will Home Mortgage Interest Deduction Survive

Posted on February 9, 2012 by atlantadecaturhomes

The American Dream and home ownership have been partners for a long time.

One of the cornerstones of our American housing policy has been the Home Mortgage Deduction, which has been in place since the inception of the tax code in 1913, and allows homeowners to deduct mortgage interest from their taxes.  The tax deduction on home mortgage interest lowers the cost of owning a home significantly.

The housing industry and prospective homeowners and sellers are facing many threats to a quick recovery. 

• Limited availability of long-term, fixed-rate mortgages
• Minimum down payments of 20% or more
• Higher standards to qualify for a home mortgage
• The number of Homeowners that are still “upsidedown” in their homes
• “Short Sales” and Foreclosures that are prevalent throughout the country

Now, our fragile housing market is threatened with a more far-reaching deterrent.  The mortgage interest deduction is being viewed by the Federal Government as an expedient way to reduce the federal deficit.  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are once again proposing measures to limit or eliminate the deduction.  The removal of this deduction would push any housing recovery into free-fall , causing the demand for homes to decrease and housing prices to tumble further.

Recent public opinion polls have indicated that although Americans overwhelmingly oppose eliminating the deduction,  lawmakers who are intent on reducing the deficit find this possibility enticing.  According to data from the National Association of Realtors, proposals to scale back or eliminate the mortgage deduction would cause home values to fall 15% for all homeowners, not just those with mortgages.

Lawmakers have bailed out the Banks and the car industry, but are now considering ways to cut benefits to average citizens, such as reducing Social Security and Medicare and  eliminating one of the few surviving benefits of home ownership.

Do the President and Congress understand the ramifications of tampering with this long-held tax deduction, especially given the present economy and the shaky housing outlook?  It seems ill-timed to say the least.

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local real estate company selling homes in Atlanta, Decatur, and Emory University neighborhoods for over 25 years.

Laurel Ridge Homes - Decatur Real Estate

Posted on May 4, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

 

Brief History of the Development of Decatur real estate in the Laurel Ridge  Community

Laurel Ridge is located 4 miles from Emory University  and is  Northwest of the intersection of North Druid Hills Road and Lawrenceville Highway, roughly across from North DeKalb Mall.

Lawrenceville Highway was a major road from the earliest days of the County, essentially a road that led from the Dekalb County seat in Decatur to the Gwinnett County Seat in Lawrenceville.  North Druid Hills Road was only a two-lane road for years, often blocked by trains passing across the road near the present Hidden Valley Golf Course.

According to a comprehensive history of the area written by Bob Stubbs for the Laurel Ridge Civic Association, until the 1950′s most of the surrounding Decatur real estate was primarily rural with a large number of dairy farms -one large dairy farm was located near North DeKalb Mall. 

 Intensive residential development began in the mid 1950′s when Decatur real estate in the Laurel Ridge area was developed.  Most of the land was originally owned by the Kittredge family and was gradually sold to develop North Druid Woods, Pine Glen, Fork Creek and finally in the mid-60′s, Country Squire.  All of these neighborhoods comprise what is generally designated as the Laurel Ridge area, named for Laurel Ridge Elementary School located in the area.

Many of the homes in North Druid Woods are of modest size, but well-kept with sizeable yards.  This is a popular “starter” neighborhood with good schools and convenient to everything. Decatur homeprices in this neighborhood range from $199,000 to $265,000 for a small brick ranch-style home.

 

Fork Creekwas developed some time later and the homes are substantially larger with more bedrooms and baths and well-groomed lawns.

Pine Glenis another unique area with charming cottage-style homes and brick ranches. 

Prior to the mid-1960′s when Country Squire was developed, orchards and cattle were the primary occupants.  Country Squire homes are substantial with spacious well-maintained yards.

Two DeKalb County Schools are located within the neighborhood, Laurel Ridge Elementary School, and Druid Hills Middle School(Formerly called Shamrock Middle School).

Atlanta Decatur Homes  is a local Atlanta real estate company serving Atlanta, Decatur, Druid Hills, Emory University and Tucker neighborhoods for over 25 years.

Decatur Real Estate - Leafmore Hills Neighborhood

Posted on March 18, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

  

History – Decatur Real Estate

Decatur real estate in this part of  DeKalb County sold in 1822 for 10 cents an acre.  The following year, Decatur was named the County Seat and the area began developing. Leafmore Hills and the surrounding area was once a rural farming community with few homes and no  4-lane highways.  Dairy farms dotted the landscape and Clairmont Road, now a major artery, was part of an Indian trail.  There were no shopping centers, grocery stores, or restaurants, just small crop farms and cows!

An expanding population pushed Atlanta eastward towards Decatur, which was becoming a prestigious suburb by the early 1950’s.  According to  history compiled by the Leafmore Civic Association, there was a country store  with a single gas pump, pot-bellied stove and rocking chair located at North Druid Hills Road and LaVista Road.  Development of Leafmore Hills began in 1952 and filled the neighborhood with young families, all new to the area.  Leafmore Hills became a close-knit community with an active Garden Club, Clubhouse, and Pool.

Location

• Located just 7 miles from downtown Atlanta, and less than 3 miles from the Clifton Corridor  that includes Emory University, Emory Hospital, Eggleston Children’s Hospital, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Red Cross, Leafmore is one of the most convenient subdivisions in DeKalb County.

Local Leafmore Architecture

• Most of the homes in the area are well-kept mid-century ranches with large manicured yards, as well as a few newer traditional Decatur homes with  garages and modern features.  Many of the ranches have been recently renovated or updated with new kitchens and baths.

Decatur Area Amenities

• Less than a half mile from Leafmore  Hills, two churches anchor corners of North Druid Hills Road and Clairmont Road, Clairmont Baptist and Druid Hills Presbyterian. Just beyond the churches, Toco Hills Shopping Center hosts a variety of shops and restaurants, including two major grocery chains.  Four banks and 4 bagel places are located along this section of North Druid Hills as well.

 Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local Atlanta real estate company selling homes in the Druid Hills, Atlanta, Decatur and Tucker neighborhoods for over 25 years.

Fabulous Druid Hills! 508 Emory Circle Lot for Sale in Atlanta

Posted on February 28, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

If you would like to build a home in this desirable Druid Hills community, 508 Emory Circle may be the perfect  opportunity!   Historic Druid Hills contains some of the most classically beautiful homes in Atlanta, and vacant lots in Druid Hills are rarely available, particularly lots that  have utilities and sidewalks in place. 

 

The area surrounding Emory University is known as Historic Druid Hills, and has a number of distinctive home styles.  Streets around Emory Village, like Lullwater, Springdale and Oxford contain substantial estates with large yards and sweeping driveways.  Streets further East, like 508 Emory Circle and Ridgewood Drive include smaller homes in the 1920’s – 1930’s vernacular, as well as newer homes that have been designed to fit into the historic neighborhood.  Most of these neighborhoods are within walking distance to Emory University and Emory Medical Complex on Clifton Road, or they are  near the free Cliff bus system that Emory provides for the area.

The lot at 508 Emory Circle is located in the Druid Hills Historic Preservation area, and any home erected on the site must first be approved by the Historic Preservation Committee.  The Committee is concerned that the scale  of the home be consistent with other homes on the street, and with the appropriateness of the design.

508 Emory Circle is located approximately a half-mile from Emory University and CDC, just off North Decatur Road, within easy walking distance of a major grocery store, shops, restaurants and  YMCA.  Situated in the Druid Hills Historic District and within the Fernbank Elementary School District,  Emory Circle contains a variety of house styles, mostly 1930′s-1940′s brick bungalows with sidewalks and friendly neighbors.  Several  new homes  have been built on Emory Circle, and tasteful renovations have been made to other homes on the street.

508 Emory Circle contained a similar 1940′s-style bungalow, trim and well-kept, which was damaged in early 2010 so severely by fire that it was not salvageable , and subsequently leveled.   This desirable lot is now available for $269,000.  Utilities are already in place, and a former prospective purchaser has been successful in obtaining Historic Preservation approval for a house plan on this lot.

The Druid Hills community has been popular with employees and students of Emory University, Emory Medical Center, and the Center for Disease Control,( CDC),  for many years.  Residents enjoy the convenience of living close to where they work,the convenience to neighborhood parks,  and the convenience to shopping and restaurants.

Homes in Decatur Neighborhoods - Glendale Estates History

Posted on March 14, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

The City of Decatur has many beautiful neighborhoods and one of the most charming is Glendale Estates.  Decatur real estate has always been in demand, now more than ever.

The History of Glendale Estates/Glennwood Estates , as compiled by residents of the community, gives an interesting  history of the area. Five Hundred acres that extended from Sycamore up towards the North DeKalb Mall and the present Hospital area  sold around 1847 for $10 an acre, the highest recorded value paid for an acre of Decatur real estate at that time.  The original Glendale Estates/Glennwood Estates was begun in 1927 and encompassed  a portion south of the creek, comprised of Glendale Avenue, Pinecrest, and Glendale Circle.  By 1939, the early development was nearly complete, and the area north of the creek was then developed, which included Forkner Drive and Mount Vernon. Interestingly, the development contained a covenant,preserving the north site of the creek as forest, which retained the stately virgin forest bordering the creek, and the area later developed as Glenlake Park.

Located just Northeast of the bustling City of Decatur, Glendale Estates/Glennwood Estates is a vibrant neighborhood of spacious yards  and elegant homes, within walking distance to downtown Decatur Events, and bordered by Glenlake Park. One of the largest markets in the Southeast, the DeKalb Farmer’s Market, lies a few blocks to the East and is a popular destination for the community.

Glenlake Park

Glenlake Park is of the largest parks in the area, and was named for two adjacent Decatur neighborhoods – Glenwood Estates and Great Lakes. The City of Decatur has just completed an extensive $3 million-plus renovation project at Glenlake Park, updating playgrounds, pavilions and picnic areas; adding new paved walkways and bike paths; and upgrading the pool and bathhouse.  This 17- acre park is the largest green space around, and provides playgrounds, basketball courts, ball fields, 5 tennis courts and a Pool.  Adjacent to Glendale Park lies the Historic Decatur Cemetery.

   The Decatur Cemetery

Established around 1823, Decatur Cemetery is one of the oldest  publicly owned burial grounds in the metro Atlanta area, expanded now to 54-acres with over 20,000 grave sites.  It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is located in downtown Decatur.  The Cemetery is a popular section of Decatur real estate for walkers and photographers, and is maintained partially by volunteers from the Decatur community.

Not many Decatur neighborhoods enjoy such close proximity to Parks, walking trails, shopping, and downtown Decatur events as ideally located Glendale Estates!

Atlanta Decatur Homes, local Atlanta real estate company selling homes in Druid Hills, Atlanta, Decatur, and Tucker neighborhoods for over 25 years.