Tag Archives: condo

“The Art of the Highrise”

18 Monday Mar 2013

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THE GALLERY
2795 Peachtree Road

In my visits to Buckhead highrises, I am charmed by the way Buckhead buildings work to distinguish themselves from one another. We have so many highrises, but most of them are very different from one another in ways that are carefully planned by the architects, designers, and marketers for each property.

This week we take a look at The Gallery – which rises above Garden Hills on Peachtree right across from St. Phillips church and near Fellini’s Pizza. It’s a newer tower wedged in front of the older building known as The Carlyle. The Gallery was built in 2007, right before the severe market downturn – the building has done quite well given that unfortunate timing!

The motivation for the name was originally that the condo building would host many original and unique works of art. Now the art is primarily confined to the lobby, clubroom and foyer areas (and of course the art gallery, also in the lobby), but with its soaring lines, glass exterior and triangulated balconies, the building itself is a work of art, designed by favored Atlanta architects Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Associates and William T. Baker.

There are 200 homes here on 27 floors, nine homes to most floors. Most of those homes are two bedroom homes, although there are one and three bedroom floorplans as well. The top two floors are penthouse units – four per floor, and floors 24 and 25 are larger units with eight per floor.

The HOA dues are about 32 cents a square foot and include internet access. The fourth floor has the pool, fitness room, clubhouse, tennis court and movie room – and there are two community outdoor living rooms, both with fireplaces. There’s a dog walk area, but no wine cellar (which seems to be the amenity “du jour” these days, but I suppose the Gallery could always add a wine cellar if there’s a market for it).

There are quite a few Buckhead downsizers here and it is generally a social bunch, with happy hours at the club room the first Friday of every month.

In the past year and a half, two bedroom, two and half bath units have sold from $350,000 to $540,000. There are currently seven units on the market from a one bedroom, two bath listed at $365,000 to a three bedroom, three bath unit listed at $795,000. Call me if you have any interest in exploring The Gallery!

Mary Anne Walser
Keller Williams Realty of Buckhead
#1 Individual Agent in 2012!
maryannesellshomes@gmail.com
404-277-2537

The Home Search

11 Friday Nov 2011

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A previous blog post was on how much money you’ll need before you search for a home – basically going through the down payment you’ll need, the money for an inspection or inspections, earnest money, closing costs and the like.  So, you’ve saved the money you need.  What happens now?

First, if you aren’t prequalified already, meet with a Lender and get prequalified.  This will let you know how much you can afford to pay for a home.  Even IF you don’t want to spend the entire amount you can qualify for, you’ll know how high you can go.  The other calculation, then, is at what price point you’ll be comfortable.  Consult mortgage payment tables, which calculate principal and interest at given interest rates, then remember to add in a sum for taxes and insurance.  The four elements of your monthly mortgage payment will be that: PITI, or principal, interest, taxes and insurance.

It’s definitely a good idea to figure this out BEFORE you start looking for homes.  There’s nothing more frustrating than looking at homes way above your price range and then discovering you have to settle for something much less.  Plus, when you do get ready to make an offer you’ll need a prequalification letter.  If you’ve already spoken to a lender, you’ll be able to get one of those quickly when the time comes.

Price often dictates neighborhood – and property type.  If you are in a lower price range, but set on living in Buckhead, for instance, you’ll need to look for a condo or townhome.  Your agent can help you identify, in your range, where it is possible for you to live.  We can then set up a property search accordingly.

We have lots of cool tools these days for that – I can set my buyers up on automatic notification, so that when a new home meeting their criteria comes on the market, they know immediately.  But of course, I also look at the new listings every day, and quiz other buyers about unlisted properties, to determine whether there’s something “new” out there for one of my buyers.

So, you search – and if you have targeted correctly, you might be able to find your dream home relatively quickly.  At that point, it is time to MAKE AN OFFER – which will be the subject of a future blog post… so STAY TUNED!!!