Elements of the Just-Right House

Houzz.com recently gathered photos of ten elements that create the just-right house. The last few decades have seen the size of the average American home increase significantly. Before 2008 it was not uncommon to see whole developments with 4,000- to 6,000-square-foot houses sprout up in the suburbs. In the process, the little things stopped mattering.

But in recent years another approach has given us a renewed interest in a home that isn’t just about size. As articulated by bestselling author Sarah Susanska, a house that’s big and bland is less preferable to a home that’s small and rich in character.

What we want in our homes is that elusive quality of “just right.” Not too big nor too small; not too expensive nor too cheap — we want smart design that enables us to live the life we want to live in a sustainable and enriching way.

Element #2: A smartly designed home uses every bit of space to enrich the lives of its inhabitants…by Bud Dietrich, AIA

… while leaving no cubic inch unwanted, uncovered and unused. by Tim Cuppett Architects

And giving the kids a sense of wonder and delight. by Mark English Architects, AIA

For more photos, click here to see the top ten elements of a just-right house.

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Answer from Andrea: Setting priorities on curb appeal and preparing to list your home

This post is in response to an email post from Andrea’s client inquiring about setting priorities on curb appeal and preparing to list their home.

Hi Client,

Thank you so much for contacting me first. After seeing your home and walking through together, I just wanted to summarize my suggestions on items you should work on over the next 30 days to prepare your home for us to put on the market.

I am always trying to be cost conscious on these recommendations and am keeping in mind what will have the most impact on the buyer for the least amount of cost for you. If you need recommendations for vendors on anything you do not want to handle yourself please let me know so I can provide those as well.

Here is a list of my suggestions to improve your curb appeal, and I put in order or priority: 1. Replace front door hardware and repaint front door

Pressure wash sidewalks and driveways to increase curb appeal

2. Pressure wash sidewalks and driveway

3. Plant fresh flowers in the front and in the pots by the door to make front entrance as welcoming as possible

4. Wash windows

5. Take care of any wood rot (remove, repair and repaint) and paint trim

Prune any overgrown trees or bushes to improve curb appeal.

6. Prune overgrown trees

7. Remove screens from windows on front of the house

Add potted flowering plants to the deck.

8. Add some potted plants to the deck area

9. Water your grass the next 30 days to try and get it looking as good as possible

10. Replace pine straw with darker colored mulch and or freshen up pine straw

I know in this market if we stage the house, handle these items on the exterior, market aggressively and price it competitively we will get it sold!

Looking forward to working with you all again on the sale of this house.

Thank you so much for choosing to work with me.

Andrea Cueny

Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

Top 10 Agents 2009, 2010

404.695.7040 (c)  404.506.9205 (f)

Click here to view my listings & recent sales

Become a fan on facebook

Check out our blog at http://andreasellshomes.wordpress.com/

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Top Atlanta Real Estate Blog Posts 2011: Andrea Cueny’s Blog

My blog turns four months old on March 12, 2011!  I have enjoyed some great traffic from loyal and new readers.  Blogging is a great way to participate in the community, and is one of the ways I’m plugged into new technology as a realtor.

Thanks to my top website and blog referrers:  Fans of my Facebook page, rootsinalpharetta.com, urbanspoon.com, and wordpress.com.

In honor of this milestone, here’s a list of the top five posts of all time (so far) on my blog. Thanks everyone for reading!

1. Homes for sale in North Fulton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek

The top post: Homes for Sale in North Fulton.

2. Top Home Remodeling Trends 2011

Top Home Remodeling Trends in 2011

3. Famous people from in and around metro Atlanta

Famous People from in and Around Metro Atlanta

4. North Fulton (Atlanta) Most Expensive Homes Sold in 2010

The Most Expensive Homes Sold in North Fulton in 2011

5. Ten Things to Do Outside in the Spring in Metro Atlanta 2011

Top Ten Things to Do in Atlanta Outside in the Spring 2011

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2010 Residential Real Estate Metro Atlanta in Review for Andrea Cueny

2010 has been a great year for The Cueny Connection with sales increasing by more than 25%!

 

Click here to see Andrea's recent sales.

We attribute 2010 residential real estate success to the Sotheby’s International Realty brand, our powerful marketing program for sellers, and hard work and commitment to this business each and every day.  Our success in this market is simple . . . knowledge of multiple markets in metro Atlanta residential real estate!

The experience and understanding of multiple markets is from working with clients relocating here from around the world for business.   Buyers relocating to Atlanta and people who already live here often want to consider and explore real estate in the various pockets of Atlanta.

I feel fortunate to work and know many markets to help buyer and seller clients.  Atlanta has so much to offer and so many areas for a buyer to consider!

A graphical representation of the locations of Andrea's buyers and sellers throughout metro Atlanta during 2010.

Just as an example in 2010, sales for buyer and seller clients were in the following areas:

• Alpharetta
• Atlanta
• Brookhaven
• Cumming
• Decatur
• Mableton
• Marietta
• Midtown
• Roswell
• Smyrna
• Virginia Highlands

Please click here to see some of the homes I have recently sold in metro Atlanta.

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