JB, my husband, and I have both resided inside the perimeter for years. Personally, I like my concrete, tall buildings and cityscape views and if you know JB, you'd know he's a stable settled man not really up for change. When looking for our first home I introduced Covington to him because it was affordable, friendly, accessible to Atlanta and had a community feeling to it. But by no means was he sold, "It's outside the Perimeter." Yes but it's still worth a consideration." I said in my real estatey voice. After 30 minutes of back and forth he caved in and we ventured out, of course he had his no nonsense I'm not wavering but I'll humor my wife exterior.
Our first stop was Downtown Covington Talk about Cute as a Button! It was like being transformed into another time or better yet, it was like we were on vacation. We walked The Square, had an awesome lunch at R.L.'s Off the Square popped into the boutiques and looked at houses. The architecture style of the homes accentuates the historic and comfort feeling of Covington.
Take Clark's Grove, based on the principles of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development (walkable neighborhoods, greenery). They attempted to provide "A diverse mixture of traditional architecture with the charm of small town living." And they've achieved it! This 90 acre development provides a variety of single family homes detached, park homes single family attached, cottages as well as live/work space. The neighborhood also plays home to The Montessori School of Covington. With inventory left to build, currently there are 8 single family homes advertised for sale on GAMLS ranging from $225,900-$425,000.
After living here for a few years and with gas prices increasing, I asked my husband if he's like to reduce his 55 mile commute to work and move back inside the Perimeter. You would've thought I turned blue and grew horns on my head..."Move...from Covington? Oh no this is home. I like the fact when we go to the city it's a straight shot into Atlanta. I like the fact that when we're done with the city we can go to a place that's peaceful and away from the city. Our kids are settled and we've built a life here."
Honestly...after the drama he put me through, I had to laugh. Stats as of today on GAMLS here's what's going on in my town for single family homes:
Active: 1,553
Fresh on the Market: 8
Back on the Market: 2
Reduced: 5
Under Contract: 13
If you want to know more about buying a home in Covington call me.
If you live in DeKalb County and have a house built before 1993, I hope you've been following the news about the recent legislation that has just been passed about "Low-Flow Toilets." In response to the drought, the DeKalb County commissioners office and CEO Vernon Jones passed the "Inefficient plumbing fixtures replacement plan," which will affect home sellers to who's property was built before 1993.
Under this new legislation sellers will be forced to spend more money replacing their toilets, facets and other fixtures to more water conserving units in order to be in compliance. Currently there are 4,577 properties (single family homes, condos/townhouses) built before 1993 advertised for sale on Georgia MLS. Starting in June, home buyers who purchase homes built prior to 1993 will find that the DeKalb Water Department will NOT hook up their water service unless they have proof that they have a new "low-flow" toilet. For sellers because of disclosure, your toilets will need to be addressed.
In efforts to offset the costs of replacing the toilets, The Department of Watershed Management offers a Toilet Retrofit Rebate. There are two options, first is a $50 rebate for 1.6 gallons per flush toilet and secondly there's a $100 rebate for 1.28 gallons per flush toilet. To receive the rebate the toilets must be on their approved list. For more details about the rebate and requirements go to http://www.dekalbwatershed.com/index.html
As a Full-Time Realtor® working in DeKalb County, I take this news in stride. As my sellers face home depreciation and economic woes, this is another jagged little pill we'll need to digest. If you're facing or have faced this situation please share your comments or advice.
Katherine Basden,Broker
Phase 7 Realty, LLC
Phone: 404.399.8155
I LOVE My Career! I am very passionate about assisting & educating my Buyer/Seller clients. A personal touch, excitement & experience is what I bring to the table. See more at www.phase7realty.com.
Phase 7 Realty, LLC, is a hands-on full service real estate brokerage servicing the most progressive cities and neighborhoods across metro Atlanta. The firm was established to bring a higher service level to the real estate industry. Phase 7 Realty's innovative and fresh approach is the brainchild of real estate and marketing veteran Katherine Basden.
Ms. Basden saw the need for this type of service driven company after spending several years setting herself apart in the industry by combining her real estate knowledge with a high level of personal follow up and hands-on style. "I wanted to create a company that truly focused on the client's needs. I have always believed in a high level of accountability in every part of my business. When you follow through and are accountable for every action it creates a better buying or selling experience for your clients," says Basden. By utilizing strong communication as well as advanced technology systems that enable home listings and market research to be delivered instantaneously to client's email, Phase 7 eases the stress that typically accompanies many real estate transactions.
"Buying and selling a home is often times one of the most crucial decisions my clients will make, and Phase 7 Realty is set up to help alleviate the unwanted hassles from the process. I treat all my clients like I would my own family and friends. Its is imperative to me that my clients are not only happy with their real estate transaction, but they feel sound with the decision they have made to buy or sell their home." says Basden.
Katherine Basden is not only the Broker for Phase 7 Realty, but an Accredited Buyer's Representative, Realtor®, Member of the National Association of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors and East Metro Board of Realtors.
Servicing home buyers and sellers across Atlanta. We're there for you whether you are relocating, buying a home for the first time or are an experienced home buyer. Seller clients appreciate our hands-on marketing strategies. We work with our clients to design a plan to reach their goals whether they are selling to move-up, downsizing or facing foreclosure.
Area of Service (partial list):
"I just recently purchased a home and Katherine Basden was my Realtor. She is excellent and a fighter for her clients. I highly recommend her; she gives a personal touch that others may not."
Ruth H.
"Working with Katherine has been a blessing, not only does she believe in honesty but she's flexible with ideas, suggestions and an all around professional personal...Katherine made it possible for my family to feel like a family again."
Sandra B.
"We met Katherine Basden when I was 5 months pregnant with my first child. We wanted to sell our old home and upgrade to bigger place. Katherine made our experience of buying and selling a pleasant one. She took away the stress of finding a new home because she listened to what we wanted; every house that we visited had something that I had specified that we wanted. Katherine was very professional, very cautious, but timely. We sold our old house and bought and moved into our new house before the baby was born.
If I have to say one thing about Katherine, it would be that when you sign on that dotted line, she works for YOU, and only you, and not the sub-division and not for herself, but for you. She gives you a sense of piece of mine and this put us at ease just knowing that Katherine on the job."
Dionne & Benathan M.
"Katherine is phenomenal! She continued to provided great service even after the closing. She even assisted me with the actual moving process!"
Angela G.
"Having heard the difficulties to be faced with buying a home, Katherine showed dedication throughout the whole process. I look back to that time and realize we were quite a challenging pair from choosing a home, contract terms, negotiations to the signing table, but Katherine's patience, knowledge and diligence made the process seamless."
Kevin & Charmain P.
"I was looking for my first home about three years ago and I came across Katherine Basden. She was my buyer's agent at that time. The first day I met Katherine, I was impressed with her professionalism and friendliness. I felt very comfortable working with Katherine during the whole process of searching for a home. She was always there when I had questions or concerns purchasing a home.
After I purchased my first home, we kept in touch and became friends. Within that year, my boyfriend was looking for a new home as well. Of course, with a good experience I had with Katherine, I introduced her to my boyfriend to help him out. So, my boyfriend bought a new home through the help of Katherine and he couldn't be any happier.
This is the third year I've been working with Katherine and she's still my agent and a friend. She's been wonderful, hard working, honest and caring, so I highly recommend Katherine to anyone looking for an agent."
Joanne L.
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