Clairmont Heights-Decatur Real Estate near Emory University

Posted on April 3, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

History of Clairmont Heights

The Clairmont Heights Civic  Association has compiled an interesting history of the Decatur real estate in this area, indicating that the land around Clairmont Heights was developed some time after a lottery of Creek Indian lands in 1821 by the State of Georgia, when 202+ acres were transferred to individuals.  According to local historian, Walter McCurdy, by 1860 most of the land was owned by Mr. Ezekel Mason,  an esteemed citizen of Decatur who died in 1879.  His widow, Mrs. M.A. Mason ran a profitable mill in the area called Mason’s Mill.  Remnants of the Mill and the old Decatur Waterworks are still visible, and can be accessed through several Decatur neighborhood parks. 

Original plats date from 1946 for the development of Clairmont Heights in Decatur, and records show the areas first developed were North Superior to Superior Place, Park Lane to Superior Place, Webster Drive to Clairmont Circle, and Clairmont Circle to Emory Woods.

A neighbor  renting a home on North Decatur told me she watched them build her current home on Park Lane, walking by the property every evening and dreaming of living there.  She was so impressed with the quality that she talked her husband into purchasing one of the first homes developed in the neighborhood!

According to Wikipedia, the North Decatur area was originally developed as a suburban community. Close proximity to Atlanta’s midtown and Buckhead districts, as well as Emory University and downtown Decatur events, make it a favorite for homeowners who want the convenience of in-town living and the hospitality of a friendly neighborhood. 

Clairmont Heights  is a  neighborhood of 1950′s-1960′s brick ranches with large manicured lawns and stately trees, located approximately 2-3 miles from Emory University Campus and Medical Facility, and a short walk to shopping & restaurants.  It is a stable community with excellent schools and reasonably priced homes.

There are several excellent Parks in the neighborhood:

• Mason Mill Park which was recently updated with tennis courts, playgrounds and plans for a new dog park. 
•  Medlock Park, which encompasses some 39 acres with ball fields, playgrounds, walking trails and bike paths, as well as a pool
• Ira B. Melton Park – a small park off Desmond Drive with plans for further development

• Clyde Shepherd Preserve, a 28-acre gem with walking trails, picnic areas, and elevated decks for bird watching over marshland

Atlanta Decatur Homes is a local Atlanta real estate company selling homes in Decatur, Druid Hills, Clairmont Heights, Emory, Atlanta, 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.

Decatur Townhomes and Condos – Atlanta, Georgia

Posted on February 25, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

Here are a few popular Decatur Townhomes and Condos located in Atlanta, Georgia, neighborhoods close to Emory University/CDC.  Convenience is a primary concern for Atlanta homebuyers, and these four complexes are all within a mile or two of major shopping malls, grocery stores, and restaurants. 

• Brianwood – Close-in community built in 1974, located off LaVista Road in the heart of Sagamore Hills and Oak Grove and just a few miles from Emory University, CDC.  Close to shopping and restaurants. Features 3 and 4 bedroom homes with 2-car garages, plus pool and clubhouse, priced between $200,000 – $250,000.  Schools:  Sagamore Hills Elementary; Shamrock Middle, Druid Hills High School.

• September Chase Townhomes, built in 1987 with high-end finishes and garages, located in the center of established neighborhoods like Sagamore Hills, Oak Grove, and Leafmore with an east commute to Emory/CDC, shopping and restaurants.  Price ranges from $269,000 for 4 bedroom/2.5 bath to $215,000 for 2 bedroom/2.5 bath unit.  Located in an excellent school district:  Sagamore Hills Elementary, Shamrock Middle, Druid Hills High School.

• Winston Place Townhomes, located off LaVista Road near the intersection of Clairmont Road and less than 2 miles to Emory/CDC, in the center desireable Sagamore Hills, Oak Grove and Leafmore communities. Features beautifully landscaped grounds, pool and a strong Homeowners Association.  Price ranges from $230,000 to $240,000 with 2 bedroom/2 bath units and some 4 bedroom/3 bath units, most have 2-car garages.  This is another favorite Decatur Townhome community.

• Haverhill – A private residential Decatur Townhome and Condo community built in 1976, with 47 attached homes, including 2-3 bedroom townhomes and 2-3 bedroom one-level flats, located off North Druid Hills Road, just South of the Clairmont Road intersection and within 2 miles of Emory/CDC, downtown Decatur, shopping and restaurants.  Haverhill has an active Homeowner’s Association, Annual Community Events, and a great pool area.  Price ranges between $178,500 – $240,000.

For more information about Townhomes and Condos in Decatur and around the Emory University neighborhoods, call Atlanta Decatur Homes.  Follow us to view future articles showcasing Decatur and Atlanta townhome and condo complexes

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Let’s Review Your Home Buyer Tax Credit

Posted on February 9, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

In an effort to stimulate the economy and the housing market, our government gave us some very nice tax breaks last year for purchasing a home before May 1, 2010.  This gift from Uncle Sam allowed many first time homebuyers, and individuals who had not owned a home in 3 years to take advantage of a very lucrative tax break of up to $8,000 for first time homeowners, or up to $6,500 for those that had previously owned a home and lived in it for at least five consecutive years.

If you purchased a home in 2010, you may be eligible for the Home Buyer Tax Credit.

To claim your tax credit on your 2011 tax returns, follow the rules:

• You must have signed a contract to purchase your primary residence before May 1, 2010
• If you closed on your home prior to September 30, 2010, you should qualify for the credit, as long as your original contract stated that the purchase was to be completed by June 30, 2010.  Congress amended the original date because many buyers were involved with short sale or foreclosure transactions, which were slower than normal sales to close.
• The first time home buyer credit is worth 10% of the purchase price of your home, up to a maximum of $8,000.
• Buyers who had previously owned a home for at least 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years are eligible for a credit up to 10% of the purchase price, or a maximum of $6,500.
• The purchase price for both credits is limited to homes purchased for less than $800,000.
• Full credit is available to taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income of up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers.

Check with your tax accountant for more detailed information about the tax credits that may be available to you.

 

It could take longer to receive your refund, as the IRS is requiring more documentation to prove you purchased your home within the appropriate time period, and are requiring that you file your tax return by mail.  Here are some documents you may need:

1. A copy of your Closing Statement or HUD-1.  If you don’t have a copy, call Your Realtor, who can provide a copy for you.
2. If you owned a home previously, you will need copies of documents showing you lived in the residence for 5 consecutive years during the past 8 years.  You can use mortgage interest statements, tax records or homeowner’s insurance statements.

For addtional information, see the USA Today article by Sandra Block, titled “Can You Get Home Buyer Credit”.

As always, talk with the experts, your Lender, your CPA, and Your Realtor, for more detailed information.