Virtual Tour of Inman Park: A true-urbanism mix of new homes (condos, townhomes, and single-family homes) mixed with existing homes and bevy of of restaurant and cafe choices

New and historic homes blend seamlessly and create an overwhelming character of digestible urbanity for the neighborhood.

[caption id="attachment_378" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Historic Homes in Inman Park"]   Street Signs Convey Inman Park Branding Efforts

 

 

 

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[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Superior Renovation of Historic Craftsman Style Home in Inman Park"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_371" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Craftsman Bungalow in Inman Park"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_372" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Craftsman Bungalow in Inman Park"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_373" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Newer Construction Craftsman Style Homes in Inman Park"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Newer Construction Craftsman Style Home in Inman Park"][/caption]

 Many personal services, restaurants, and cafes suitable to the discriminating professional residents (trying not to take themselves to seriously) populate Inman Park's commercial districts.

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Retail & Services in Inman Park"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_381" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Restaurants in Inman Park (Pure Taqueria)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_380" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Restaurant in Inman Park (Fritti)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="449" caption="View of the Area's Development & Downtown Skyline Heading West on Highland Avenue "][/caption]

 Inman Park is so close to Downtown Atlanta the skyline is visible from most points.

[caption id="attachment_379" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Inman Park, Dedicated Site of the Annual Inman Park Festival"][/caption]

Cabbagetown: A small intown neighborhood that started transitioning before the boom and now offers an affordable historic home market with unique artsy homes, renovated homes with Victorian features, and value-priced fixer-uppers

[caption id="attachment_358" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Row of Historic Homes in Cabbagetown"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_354" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Renovated Historic Home with Victorian Detailing in Cabbagetown"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_360" align="aligncenter" width="449" caption="Artsy Historic Home in Cabbagetown"][/caption]

 

Cabbagetown is located just east of Downtown Atlanta, approximately 1 mile from the city's Central Business District.  The neighborhood is relatively small and bound on the north by Dekalb Avenue/ Decatur Street, the south by Memorial Drive, the West by Boulevard, and the East by Pearl Street.

Cabbagetown is predominately historic, with most of the homes populating the neighborhood built in the early 1900's.  Cabbagetown was one of the hot intown neighborhoods receiving both public and private investment and rehabilitation as the Atlanta real estate market was booming from 2004-2008.  Investors and enterprising first-time home buyers were purchasing and renovating run down shot-gun style homes, small bungalows, and larger Victorian-style homes.  In the meantime, the neighborhood was the benefactor of public revitalization funds and efforts, including the significant improvements completed at Cabbagetown Park which resulted in an asset that is now widely used by its residents.

Evidence of the boom and (lesser) bust in Cabbagetown real estate is provided by the Zillow.com home value change over the past decade for the neighborhood.  According to Zillow.com, the estimated Cabbagetown median home value  in 2001 was $123,500.  Just six years later, the estimated median home value in Cabbagetown peaked at $222,500 representing a total appreciation of 80% and an average annual growth rate of 10% from 2001 to 2007. 

As with most transitional intown markets, prices have since reset.  The estimated median home value from Zillow.com for first quarter 2010 is almost exactly mid-mark of 2001 and 2007 at $178,700.

The current listing price of homes for sale in Cabbagetown varies widely as the housing stock, although similarly aged for the most part, varies dramatically in size and quality. 

For instance, a superiorly renovated 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom home with Victorian features is priced at $600,000.  This would represent, however, the top of the Cabbagetown market.  A similar quality 3 bedroom home would list for between $250,000 and $350,000. 

Some advantageous value plays ripe for the opportunistic buyer can be found in Cabbagetown amidst the current real estate downturn. 

Examples of such deals actually closed are:

• Historic home with 3 bedrooms  and 2 baths sold for $37,000 in October 2009.  The last prior sell of the home was for $178,000 in August 2000 and the county tax assessor appraised the value of the home at $209,000 in 2009. 


• Historic shot-gun style home with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths sold for $82,000 in 2009, the same year it was appraised by the county tax assessor to be worth $130,800.

Examples of current foreclosure properties that present a great return on investment opportunity are:

• Foreclosure property with 2 bedrooms and one bath listed at $89,000.  This property was last appraised by the Fulton County tax assessor for $221,000 (2009 value).


• Foreclosure property with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths listed at $174,000.  This property last sold for $291,000 in 2006 and was appraised at $273,000 in 2009 by the Fulton County tax assessors office.

For a virtual tour of the Cabbagetown neighborhood, please see:

http://atlanta.homespace.com/2010/02/12/cabbagetownvirtualtour

Suwanee Town Center: North Atlanta bedroom community that focuses on resident well-being and offers a variety of home types

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Situated in north Gwinnett County approximately 30 miles northeast from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta Central Business District (CBD), Suwanee is a true bedroom community of Atlanta.  Over the past five years, the community has been a magnet for professional families because of its excellent school system, eco-friendly tendencies, and overall family-oriented feel of the development.  The tagline for Suwanee  communicates the community's focus on resident happieness and well-being:  "Play Hard, Live Well, Smile More."

The town center, a 63-acre mixed-use development, anchors the City of Suwanee.  The town center includes a 10-acre park and amphitheater, City Hall, and a number of restaurants, boutiques, professional and medical services, and residences.  The vision and development of town center commenced in 2002, and today it is a vibrant and widely used amenity by families - residents and visitors alike.  Events such as the summer concert series have attracted more than 15,000 visitors.

Forty acres of residential development - Shadowbrook at Suwanee Town Center - is also key component of the town center.  At build-out, the town center will boast 85 single-family homes and 147 townhome and condo units.  The neo-traditional style homes borrow features from historic forms and styles and utilize materials such siding and brick.  Resale listings indicate current townhome pricing from $199,000 to $240,000 and single-family pricing from $260,000 to $280,000.

Suwanee is helping to lead the effort for more sustainable and eco-conscious practices in the Atlanta area. In addition to many green policies adopted to ensure more energy-efficient and environmentally smart government operations (e.g., prohibiting idling of city vehicles when not actively transporting from one location to another), City Hall was the second LEED-certified public building in Gwinnett County.   

Suwanee is widely acclaimed for its outstanding development and revitalization efforts.  Suwanee has been designated a Community of Excellence, Mainstreet Community, and member of Green Communities Program.

(Source:  www.suwanee.com)

Historic Downtown Norcross: Another example of a social, walkable neighborhood to consider for home purchase in Atlanta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downtown Norcross is located about 20 miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta in Gwinnett County.  While much of the development along Buford Highway is sprawling strip centers and subdivisions, Historic Norcross is a pedestrian-friendly haven of parks and small, independent boutiques, professional services, restaurants, and taverns that are easy to enjoy on foot and cannot be found in larger, formulaic shopping centers prevalent outside of the Perimeter (Interstate 285). 

The outstanding preservation and charm of Historic Downtown Norcross today is the manifestation of many years of efforts by the city to improve Downtown.  Primary revitalization efforts have occurred since 2002.  Downtown now thrives with businesses and numerous events to bring the citizens of Norcross together for the summer concert series, farmer's market, and approximately 10-15 other special, free events for the area residents.

New and historic homes that remain true to the architectural style of yester-year surround Downtown Norcross. Victorian homes and bungalows alike add to the charm of the Downtown area and provide a home location that offer walking distance proximity to Downtown amenities - restaurants, shops, and parks in Downtown Norcross.

Virtual Tour of Atlanta Metro Area's Historic Norcross: Downtown businesses and homes

Downtown Norcross is located about 20 miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta in Gwinnett County.  While much of the development along Buford Highway is sprawling strip centers and subdivisions, Historic Norcross is a pedestrian-friendly haven of parks and small, independent boutiques, professional services, restaurants, and taverns that are easy to enjoy on foot and cannot be found in larger, formulaic shopping centers prevalent outside of the Perimeter (Interstate 285). 

Restaurants, Services, & Streetscapes of Historic Downtown Norcross















Cultural & Civic Assets in Downtown Norcross:  Churches, Parks, Art Centers









New & Historic Homes Reflect the Architectural Styles of Yester-Year





(New Construction Home in Downtown Norcross)



(Historic Victorian Home in Downtown Norcross)

Suwanee Town Center: A virtual tour of a North Atlanta community town center and homes

Situated in north Gwinnett County approximately 30 miles northeast from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta Central Business District (CBD), Suwanee is a true bedroom community of Atlanta.  Over the past five years, the community has been a magnet for professional families because of its excellent school system, eco-friendly tendencies, and overall family-oriented feel of the development.  The tagline for Suwanee  communicates the community's focus on resident happieness and well-being:  "Play Hard, Live Well, Smile More."

The town center, a 63-acre mixed-use development, anchors the City of Suwanee.  The town center includes a 10-acre park and amphitheater, City Hall, and a number of restaurants, boutiques, professional and medical services, and residences.  The vision and development of town center commenced in 2002, and today it is a vibrant and widely used amenity by families - residents and visitors alike.  Events such as the summer concert series have attracted more than 15,000 visitors.

(Source:  www.suwanee.com)

Shadowbrook at Suwanee Town Center:  40 acres of condos, townhomes, and single-family residences tat are within the Suwanee Town Center.

Current townhome resale listings are priced from $199,000 and single-family listings are priced from $260,000.

 











 

Suwanee's City Hall (located in the Town Center): the second public building in Gwinnett County to gain LEED certification.

 

Boutiques, Restaurants, and Professional Services populate the Town Center











 



Town Center's Amphitheater and Town Green:  The location of most events for residents and visitors hosted by the City of Suwanee including the farmer's market and summer concert series.

Little Five Points ("L5P") Neighborhood: A virtual tour of the urban amenities that could be within a short walk of your front door if you purchase a home here

Little Five Points ("L5P") is an intown neighborhood that is centered on Moreland Avenue, bound on the north by the Poncey-Highland neighborhood and Freedom Parkway and on the south by Reynoldstown and Dekalb Avenue.  Little Five Points has an edgy, artsy vibe with a character defined by a wide variety of locally-owned restaurants and bars, live music venues, unique vintage and new clothing and merchandise boutiques, and more. 

 

If you are searching for a home in Little Five Points, it is officially considered Inman Park (west side of Moreland) and Candler Park (east side of Moreland).  Home values in Candler Park are down approximately 6% from 2008 to an average of $300,500 (according to zillow.com). Home values in Inman Park are down 9.5% from 2008 to an average value of $287,500.

 

[caption id="attachment_273" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Infamous Junkman's Daughter Merchandise Store in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_272" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Front Page News in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_271" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Assortment of Boutiques Selling Vintage and New Merchandise at the Corner of Euclid and Moreland in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_269" align="aligncenter" width="449" caption="Tijuana Garage in Little Five"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_268" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_267" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Little Five Points Starbucks"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Variety of Boutiques in Little Five Points"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_275" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Star Bar in Little Five Points"][/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Psycho Sisters Boutique in Little Five Points"][/caption]