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Source: AJC Private Quarters
3040 Wellington Road
Robert and Sharon Henry fell in love with this Bill Harrison-designed home in Alpharetta as they were falling in love with each other. They bought it while they were courting and embarked on a renovation that would culminate with the wedding reception in May 2003. With a blended brood of four children, they needed lots of space. “We wanted to create a Brady-Bunch scene,” Sharon Henry said.
Now that their childre are grown, the Henrys lavish their nuturing urges on Boston Terriors Abigail and Arthur. Sharon Henry is writing a series of children’s books, ‘The Adventures of Abigail and Arthur,’ with the canine pair as hero and heroine.
The front foyer showcases black granite floors and a floating staircase. The dark granite adds a dramatic counterpoint to the gleaming white brick of the exterior.
Living room
The two-story living room is bathed in light from the bank of windows overlooking the pool. The Henrys removed shutters from the windows to make the most of the natural light. The living room fireplace burns with either gas or wood and the chandelier also lowers on a hydraulic cable for cleaning, like the one in the foyer. Eggplant drapes on the windows are matched in the bookshelves’ interior. An antique Italian clock ornaments the mantel.
Master Bedroom
Rich tones of aqua blue and gold adorn the master suite. Robert Henry faux-painted the tray ceiling himself and loves the shimmer. “In the morning, when the sun comes through the windows, the whole ceiling kind of flickers,” he said. The master suite has a sound system that is separate from the systems that feeds into the rest of the house.
With tavertine marble and dual sinks, the master bath contains lots of built-in extras, including a small television and a fireplace. His and hers closets adjoin the bath, and a morning kitchen is tucked discreetly between the bath and bed chambers.
Sharon Henry loves to cook and the couple enjoys entertaining. The airy kitchen, the last of the couple’s renovations, is characterized by its bounty of storage, including slide-out racks like these next to the stove and refrigerator. The kitchen sink features a swing-over arm from the island sink next to the stove to allow pots on the stove to be filled in place. The illuminated water gloss-fronted cabinets make choosing the right china easy. Read the rest of this entry »
1965 Birmingham Road
Source: AJC Homefinder
You’re considering working with a real estate agent to buy or sell your home. Real estate agents tout their knowledge and access to information, which can aid in everything from setting a price to negotiating a deal. But beyond that, what can agents do for you?
A major component is a marketing plan. A strategy for selling your home involves all types of out-of-pocket expenses – recouped by the commission when the house sells – ranging from balloons and signs to virtual tours and brochures to print and online listings.
Some agents admit it costs more to be successful. Several metro Atlanta agents opened their checkbooks and shared their routines and expenses, as well as what they’re doing to keep in constant communication with buyers and sellers to get that “sold” sign in the front yard.
A Personal Touch
Agents say listening to and keeping in contact with buyers and sellers are crucial. For a $1.375 million listing on Birmingham Road in Alpharetta, Nancy Murphy, an agent with Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Realtors, wanted to make an extra impact on buyers who returned a second and third time to view the home.
So she brought in breakfast for the second visit, which included the couple, the husband’s parents and a friend. When she learned the couple wanted to return to the home another evening, Murphy asked the agent what type of wine they enjoyed drinking. She brought a bottle of wine – which cost $63 – and cheese, setting it up at the lake’s gazebo. “On a beautiful, not-so-humid evening, [they could] go down and enjoy the tranquility of the lake. It allow them to linger a little longer and think about it in the relaxed atmosphere. They were impressed and appreciative.”
Her efforts resulted in an offer, although Murphy said in mid-July it hadn’t turned into a contract. “We all spend a little more time, energy and hospitality, whatever it takes,” Murphy said. “It seems like we’re spending more time for maybe not quite the return we used to get.”
An exclusive group of over 100 of Georgia’s premier real estate agents gathered for a Bastille Day celebration and private preview of Atlanta’s only French Château, Le Rêve Estate, located a half hour north of Atlanta. The event, hosted by listing agent James Simons and the Jenny Pruitt & Associates Buckhead Office, gave sales agents from some of Atlanta’s leading real estate companies the opportunity to tour the homes 82 rooms and more than 72 acres of sprawling grounds. The Luncheon à La Française, held in the home’s grand ballroom, which doubles as a 12-vehicle garage, was catered by A Legendary Event, and featured French-inspired cuisine and decadent gourmet desserts. Lavish door prizes consisting of French designer items from Hermès, Chanel, Christian Dior and other couture icons were awarded to attendees during a random drawing at the conclusion of the luncheon. For more information please visit www.lereveestate.com.
Agent Karen Pate and listing agent James Simons, both of Jenny Pruitt & Associates Buckhead office enjoy the view overlooking the magnificent grounds at Le Reve.
Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle
The number of millionaire households in Atlanta grew 30.7 percent to 83,035 in 2007 — the biggest jump among the top 26 U.S. cities, according to market research firm Claritas.
The report defines millionaire households as those with financial wealth of $1 million or more, excluding primary residence and consumables.
Atlanta ranked No. 1 among the top 13 largest U.S. cities for the expected five-year growth rate of millionaire households with a 28.8 percent expected rise. Atlanta placed fourth among the top 26 U.S. cities in the expected five-year growth rate of millionaire household after Orlando, Phoenix and Sacramento.
Atlanta’s five-year expected growth rate for total number of households also ranks No. 1 among the top 13 metro areas with a 10.6 percent expected overall household growth rate.
Globally, the wealth of the world’s high net worth individuals jumped 9.4 percent to $40.7 trillion in 2007, according to the 12th annual World Wealth Report, published Tuesday by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini. The number of high net work individuals in the world jumped six percent in 2007 to 10.1 million.
The study defines high net worth individuals as those with net assets of at least $1 million, excluding their primary residence and consumables.
