Metro Atlanta Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog postshttps://www.22onerealty.com/blog/Copyright 22OneRealty.com2023-10-06T19:43:17-07:00tag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:5835CITY SPOTLIGHT- KENNESAWWE LOVE KENNESAW!!!
We'll just come right out and say it!
Our brokerage headquarters sits right along downtown's Summers Street, so to say 'we know this city well' is an understatement. We abide here, we serve here. This town is close to our hearts and that's why we're starting our #cityspotlight series in the wonderful place that 22one calls home: Kennesaw, Georgia.
A little background information on Kennesaw: The city's real "beginning" came by way of railroad tracks! In the early 1800's, the Western and Atlantic Railroad laid a stretch of tracks that ran from Atlanta to Cartersville, which put several smaller cities "on the map" and essentially gave Kennesaw its original name of "BIG SHANTY". What really made Big Shanty/Kennesaw reputable was the camp for soldiers during the Civil War and all that entailed. In 1887, the name officially changed to "KENNESAW"... and from there, K-town has seen tremendous growth and progress towards a city that now boasts the best of both the "historic" and "modern" worlds!
What makes Kennesaw stand out? From mountains to airports, this city has a wide range of both natural and man-made landmarks. Another stand-out characteristic is its location! Only 27 miles northwest of Atlanta- there is access to several major highways, which makes it a perfect place for investment properties, professional endeavors, and those who have an every-day commute! The 'industrial' side of Kennesaw offers an abundance of essential vendors' home locations and showrooms... while the geography of Kennesaw offers visitors and residents an escape from the #busylife! All these things are reasons that Kennesaw makes a perfect place for business and residential living! Let's dive in deeper!
OUR FAVORITE LANDMARKS + ATTRACTIONS:
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The highest point in the metro Atlanta area is at the summit of Kennesaw Mountain! If you've never experienced the absolute beauty (and history!) of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, PLEASE plan a visit! To find out more: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/kemo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Basic Information - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)</a>
Smith Gilbert Gardens. One-time Field Trips. Lifetime Memberships. However much 'garden' you need in your life- they've got you covered. To find out more: <a href="https://smithgilbertgardens.com/">Home - Smith-Gilbert Gardens (smithgilbertgardens.com)</a>
Swift Cantrell Park. Okay, this one you just have to see for yourself. There's something for EVERYONE. Plus, check out their community events (like campouts!!) for even more fun! Did we mention there's a skatepark and a dog park there?! To find out more: <a href="https://www.kennesaw-ga.gov/swift-cantrell-park/">Swift-Cantrell Park - City of Kennesaw (kennesaw-ga.gov)</a>
McCollum Airport. The Cobb County International Airport is a public airport that is also designated as a weather station. If you need to catch a flight or if your little ones enjoy planes- check out McCollum! There's even a runway-side restaurant where you can watch the aircraft take off and land! To find out more: <a href="https://mccollumairport.com/">Cobb County International Airport (mccollumairport.com)</a>
The Downtown District. What has always held a tremendous amount of history and charm all on its own, has blossomed into an urban-meets-historic area FULL OF CHARACTER AND ALL THINGS AWESOME. Boutique shops? Check. Upscale (plus casual!) dining? Check. Brewery. Check! Ampitheater? Check! *Coming soon!! And wait til you see all the 'shindigs' the city puts on! Talk about closing down the streets for a good time!! There is so much that the downtown district has going on for residents and visitors of all ages! You've just gotta come check it out! **And when you do, stop by and see us! To find out more: <a href="https://kennesawdowntown.com/">Home - Downtown Kennesaw (kennesawdowntown.com)</a>
The Southern Museum. With all the history that abounds in Kennesaw, it is no surprise that our beloved Southern Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate! Home of the famous "General" locomotive- there is plenty to appreciate when it comes to this gem. If you're downtown with the family, try to stop by! To find out more: <a href="https://southernmuseum.org/">Home - Southern Museum</a>
Kennesaw State University. One of our hometown, local colleges has made it big time! From sports to academics and everything in between, KSU has grown to become a very popular university that us locals are PROUD to cheer for and support! Go Owls! To find out more: <a href="https://www.kennesaw.edu/">Kennesaw State University in Georgia</a>
<br />OUR AGENTS' FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:
<br />Burger Fi (Downtown): <a href="https://order.burgerfi.com/menu/burgerfi-kennesaw" title="Burger Fi- Kennesaw">Kennesaw : Kennesaw, GA 30144 | BurgerFi</a><a href="https://order.burgerfi.com/menu/burgerfi-kennesaw"><br /></a>
Miller's Ale House (Chastain Rd): <a href="https://millersalehouse.com/locations/kennesaw/">Miller's Ale House - Kennesaw, GA | Restaurant in Kennesaw (millersalehouse.com)</a>
First Watch (Cherokee St): <a href="https://www.firstwatch.com/locations/kennesaw/">Best Breakfast in Kennesaw, Georgia | First Watch Locations</a>
Stilesboro Biscuits: 3590 Stilesboro Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152
Copeland's (Barrett Pkwy): <a href="https://copelandsofneworleans.com/store_location/kennesaw-ga/">Kennesaw, GA - Copeland's of New Orleans (copelandsofneworleans.com)</a>
Capers: <a href="https://www.capersonmain.com/">Capers Restaurant & Bar - Capers on Main - New American restaurant in Kennesaw, GA</a>
Elevation Chophouse (in McCollum Airport): <a href="https://www.elevationatlanta.com/">Elevation Chophouse - Kennesaw Restaurant and Bar with Airport View (elevationatlanta.com)</a>
The Nest: <a href="https://www.thenestkennesaw.com/">Home | The Nest Kennesaw</a>
Cracker Barrel (Chastain Road): <a href="https://www.crackerbarrel.com/Locations/States/ga/kennesaw/20/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=crackerbarrelurl">Family Restaurant & Breakfast in Kennesaw, 30144 | Cracker Barrel</a>
Bernie's (downtown): <a href="https://www.berniessocialbar.com/">Bernie's Social Bar (berniessocialbar.com)</a>
La Bamba (Jiles Rd): <a href="https://labambamex.com/">La Bamba Mexican Restaurant</a>
So, what do you think about Kennesaw?? Have you been here before? Would you like to visit? Do you have a favorite restaurant we should add to the list?
Let us know in the comments!
And stay tuned for the next CITY SPOTLIGHT!
2023-10-06T19:30:00-07:002023-10-06T19:43:17-07:00Teena Regan Teamtag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:5770Why we refer to 'HOME OWNERSHIP' as the American DreamWhy do we refer to home ownership as The American Dream?
When interest rates are high and unstable, it is a roadblock on the road to the American Dream, however, it's not a dead end! If the ultimate goal is the dignity and responsibility of owning your own home, then you have to look around the roadblock and ask yourself "Where do I want to be in 2-5 years?" The assumption is most of us don't live for free, so our avoidance of home ownership causes us to pay into someone else's dream. We call it rent but it's really us contributing to someone's dream and not our own. Now, I know there are times that short-term rental makes sense, both financially and conveniently, but it's generally not someone's "dream".
Your first home is the most important one you will ever buy. Your first home is the one that will start building that equity pot that will contribute to every other home after that, and that equity pot can make you mortgage free by your 50's. But the first home is also the hardest. $1,000 rent is the same amount of money to someone but it comes with an easy out. 60 days notice. The only way out of a mortgage is to pay it off and that requires long term commitment. It's scary! But 5 years down the road of paying a mortgage vs 5 years down the road of paying rent looks very different. You are either in the position of renewing a lease or you have your house on the market to sell so you can go to your next house. Average time spent in your first home is 5-6 years, not 30.
The American Dream has always had roadblocks. People bought and sold homes when the interest rates were 18%. People bought and sold homes during covid. Every single day! There will always be something that makes us hesitate, but if we are committed to being good stewards of our finances and good caretakers of our homes, then the American Dream is alive and well! Live yours not someone else's!
There is nothing we do as Agents that is more important than helping a first (or second, or fifth) time homebuyer make a wise, sound, long-time beneficial, decision. It is probably the most rewarding experience for us. It matters to us! 2023-09-08T04:00:00-07:002023-09-08T04:05:09-07:00Teena Regan Teamtag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:2994Exciting things coming to Downtown KennesawHow do we choose our home? For each of us there is always a certain criteria where we begin our search. Whether it is price, location or size. When we begin the process, we have already drawn out a road map designed to find the perfect home for us. We know not to look at million dollar homes if our price range is $500,000. We know not to look at homes that are 2 bedrooms when we know we need four. Therefore, our search is always geared towards what we know is best for us. With that in mind, Galt Commons wanted to be a community that spoke to as many future Homeowners as possible while remaining a unique and one-of-a-kind community. A community where quality counts most! A community where our Developer lives, works and plays. A community that we would be so proud of that each Homeowner would know us by name and be able to call us friends for life. The only way that can be achieved is for the pride in construction to be so fabulous that we wow them with high quality, classic, timeless, top-of-the-line details and then put it all in a community that no one wants to leave. A community where you invite your friends and family and continually hear "I've never seen anything like this!" We want you to be as proud of your home as they are of building it. I can't think of any better qualities for a Developer than that. Check out the video for more details!
How do we choose where we call home? Is it more than the structure? For most, the answer to that is an absolute yes! Certainly we begin with what is important to us in a home but most everyone takes it one step further to ask "What would our lifestyle be like if we lived there?" Do we like the hustle and bustle of an active community? Do we desire to be able to walk to most everything we need? How important is night-life?" Our dream is to make those big decisions in life a little more clear for every Homeowner. If that answer is yes for you, Galt Commons is the place to call home! Sit on your front porch and enjoy the festivals of downtown Kennesaw. Enjoy a night out at one of our awesome Breweries, or enjoy the many open beer gardens. Walk to some of the best, award-winning restaurants or a simple stroll to the park. All without a set of car keys. K-Town has taken live, work, play to another level and the locals could not be more excited or welcoming than they have been. Sometimes, change is good! Check out the video for more details!
2021-02-02T07:49:00-07:002021-02-02T10:54:42-07:00Tricia Levytag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:2925Is Getting a Home Mortgage Still Too Difficult?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/2807/image/getting-a-home-mortgage.jpg" alt="Is Getting a Home Mortgage Still Too Difficult?" title="Is Getting a Home Mortgage Still Too Difficult?" height="410" width="750" />
Potential homebuyers are always cautioned to be aware of mortgage lending standards and the difficulty they might face when trying to obtain a mortgage. Credit availability is expanding, making it easier to get a mortgage now than it was a year ago. The market is still tight however, and homebuyers should be prepared to shop around until they find a lender who is offering something that will meet the needs of their family.
Mortgage lending companies have high standards so it is important to make sure you and anyone else who will be included on the mortgage have their credit in check. The mortgage market is strict because lenders do not want to be put in a situation where they are forced to repurchase loans that are not paid on. They also do not want to end up in a litigation situation due to loan issues.
What Has Happened to the Number of Mortgages?
Due to the strict nature and requirements of the lending companies, the number of mortgages given out has significantly dropped. A report by the Housing Financial Policy Center at the Urban Institute showed that about 6.3 million fewer mortgages were given out between 2009 and 2015. The reasons behind this statistic are strict regulations and policies. These mortgages would have been granted if the lending standards where more reasonable.
Mortgage companies rely on calculations to determine if a home buyer will become delinquent on their payment. They will not give you a loan if you are too much of a risk for them. Credit history has a huge impact on this decision since lenders can see how often you pay back your debts. The history they receive is extensive. This view into your financial past causes lenders to take less risk when lending to you for your mortgage.
The Effect on the Economy
The housing market is recovering at a slower pace than it should since less potential homebuyers are being offered loans. While the market is still recovering with positive trends, fewer buyers can create a strain on other economic factors like home goods or construction jobs. Bottom Line
After the housing market boom and bust, mortgage lenders became stricter in their lending standards. It is not impossible to get a mortgage loan, but it can still be difficult for potential home buyers. Stay on top of your credit and make sure you and anyone else who is applying are in a good financial position so you can be approved for a loan. It is important to research different companies and their requirements to ensure success in getting a mortgage.2021-01-04T09:02:00-07:002021-01-04T09:04:17-07:00Tricia Levytag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:2923Common Things to Look Out for Before Buying Your Dream Home<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/2807/image/3-questions-to-ask-before-buying-your-dream-home.jpg" alt="Common Things to Look Out for Before Buying Your Dream Home" title="Common Things to Look Out for Before Buying Your Dream Home" height="410" width="750" />
It is easy to become overwhelmed when you enter the home buying market. Friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances will give you their opinions if you are a first time home buyer. While most of them are looking out for your best interest, they are not fully aware of what is happening in the housing market.
It is important for you to be prepared and have your own questions ready. No matter what other opinions you are getting, you are the one buying the home and your comfort level will help make your final decision. Here are three important questions to ask before you purchase a home.
1. Why am I Buying a Home?
Regardless of the finances, it is important to think about what made you want to buy a home in the first place. Usually the reasons don’t have to do with money. Instead, home buyers are focused on how the house will impact their family in the future. A study done by the Joint Center for House Studies at Harvard found there are four reasons people buy a home. Those reasons include schools for your children, a safe environment, more room for your family to grow, and control of your own space.
These factors are the most common reasons people look to buy a new home. When you ask yourself why you are looking to purchase a home, do any of those factors come up? Spend time with your spouse or family members who are involved in this decision and determine why you want a home in the first place. Creating this list will help when searching for a home and can help your real estate agent find the best home for your needs.
2. What is the Trend with Home Values?
Our current economy and housing market is strong. That means home values and mortgage rates are increasing. If you are looking to purchase a home but want to stay within a budget, it may be in your best interest to move quickly. It is forecasted for these trends to continue in an upward motion, causing home values to continue to increase.
3. What About Current Mortgage Rates?
The ticket price is not the only thing you should be concerned with when purchasing a home. Mortgage rates are always changing and can have a huge impact on your monthly payments. Current trends show mortgage rates are rising. This is something to consider if you are debating the right time to purchase a home, since the rates may be even higher down the road.
Bottom Line
You and your family are the only ones who can determine the right time to purchase your dream home. It is important to decide exactly why you want a new home for your family and decide on a budget that will be comfortable moving forward. This budget may affect the amount of time you have to search for a home, since home prices and mortgage rates are increasing. 2021-01-04T09:02:00-07:002021-01-04T09:04:25-07:00Tricia Levytag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:2922Will Increasing Mortgage Rates Impact Home Prices?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/2807/image/mortgage-rate-projections.jpg" alt="Will Increasing Mortgage Rates Impact Home Prices? " title="Will Increasing Mortgage Rates Impact Home Prices? " height="410" width="750" />
There has been some discussion recently on home prices in relation to mortgage rates. Some believe if there is a rapid rise of mortgage rates, home prices should decrease. Logically it makes the most sense for the price of the house to drop when interest rates are rising, but this is not always the case.
This theory of home prices decreasing is typically discussed by future home buyers. As a buyer you would like to think if you are paying higher rates on your mortgage, you should be able to see a decrease in cost somewhere else. Unfortunately, these rates are rising because the economy is in better shape. As the economy succeeds, incomes rise, rates go up, as well as the price of the home.
A recent study by the John Burns Real Estate Consulting found mortgage rates have very little impact on the cost of the home. The housing market and price increases are affected by things like job growth in the area and rising wages. Coincidentally, these same factors are causing the rise in the mortgage rates since people can afford to take out more.
Bottom Line
As the economy progresses and strengthens, mortgage rates and home prices will fluctuate. It is a misconception as rates increase, home prices will decrease. Advances in the economy have shown that rates and home prices are more likely to increase together.2021-01-04T09:02:00-07:002021-01-04T09:04:21-07:00Tricia Levytag:22onerealty.com,2012-09-20:2924Why You Should Consider Selling in the Winter<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/2807/image/selling-in-the-winter-attracts-serious-buyers.jpg" alt="Selling In Winter Attracts Serious Buyers" title="Selling In Winter Attracts Serious Buyers" height="410" width="750" />
The season you sell your home can have an impact on how much you get for your home and how quickly it sells. The season that has the most success in selling homes is spring. This is a good time of year for families moving to new school districts and is also more convenient weather for moving. Because of this trend, most people will recommend waiting to list your home until after the winter is over. Avoiding the winter is a huge misconception in the housing industry and can cause homeowners to miss out on opportunities.
Selling in the winter can give you a few advantages. There will be fewer houses on the market since most people assume winter is a bad time to sell. This gives your home more attention. Potential buyers are always looking no matter the time of year. Keeping your house on the market in the winter might bring the right buyer to your door. Real estate agents also tend to be less busy during these months and commit more time to getting your home sold.
Studies have shown winter buyers are buying because they need to move right away either for a relocation or personal situation. They will want to close quickly and allow for a much smoother sale.
Bottom Line
If you need to sell your home right away, or have some time but want to see what is out there, consider listing in the winter. Most homeowners who are going to sell will list their home in the spring, making for a competitive market. The winter allows buyers who are in a hurry to move consider your home and sell for more money than you would have in the spring.2021-01-04T09:02:00-07:002021-01-04T09:04:29-07:00Tricia Levy