Atlanta Private Schools Open House Schedule 2015

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photo credit: prepfection.com

Every year, I have out of town clients that tell me which private school their child is planning to attend.  Most parents aren’t aware of the process, the schedule, and how competitive it is.  I have a post about “off cycle” admissions  but most private schools in Atlanta don’t accommodate off cycle admission, creating a challenge for executives who are relocated during the summer months.  Holy Innocents is the only one I know of that my clients have been able to get into off cycle.

Part of being a realtor is helping families with relocation and transition and a big part of that process is finding the right schools for your children. I’ve done a few posts with tips and information about the process of application for Atlanta private schools in order to help parents navigate the process and minimize disappointment when unexpected things pop up. For me, it’s not just about selling real estate, it’s about helping people create homes here in Vinings and Buckhead!

The “on cycle” process typically starts in October the year prior to the year you want your child to start,  usually with testing beginning in October.  Then in November the private school Open Houses start and the schools may schedule private tours of the schools as well.  By January, schools have booked the individual interviews and they stop accepting applications in January to early February.  Decisions are made and announced at the same time, usually the first Saturday in April.

There are wait lists and a lot of movement during those first two weeks after announcements, so don’t give up on your first choice too soon.  But it’s interesting because  schools are pretty good at knowing which students are the best fit for their curriculum and education styles so I’d prefer a school that wanted my child on their first list personally.  Trust the process and apply to at least three. Schools are looking for candidates that are going to succeed in their environment so it is not usually the parent’s choice at the end of the day, it’s up to the schools.

The psychologist that does your child’s testing is a good resource in directing you to the schools that would be the best fit, but if your heart wants one in particular, don’t give up, wait out the wait list.  I know people with siblings tend to just apply to the school they have a child in already and many regret it later when that child doesn’t get in, so expand your search and consider others; a school program that is a fit for one isn’t always a fit for another and you don’t want to be in a position of having to move to get in a good school district after the fact! Trust me- it happens more often than you can imagine!  So, to help you get rolling, here are this year’s Open House dates:

Woodward Academy offers group tours by reservation on select dates through February

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SOLD: 1908 New Haven Court SE

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1908 New Haven Court SE, Smyrna

If you’re looking for million dollar  finishes in your home, 1908 New Haven Court may be just the place for you. The vaulted ceiling and soaring windows in the great room, light-filled and elegant open floor plan, graciously sized bedrooms and living spaces create a stunning first impression but the beauty of this home is really in the details.

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The home has been completely remodeled this year with all new bathrooms, a family-friendly eat-in kitchen, new cabinetry and appliances, new hardwood floors, new roof and windows. The home has gorgeous hardwood floors throughout the living spaces and bedrooms, no carpet anywhere. With fresh paint and designer wall coverings thru-out, all new light fixtures and built ins in study, you’ll a find a beautifully appointed home that is absolutely move-in ready.

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Trim has been added everywhere with coffered ceiling, wainscoting, built ins in the study, and all new light fixtures. The elegant master bedroom on the main floor has beautiful woodwork highlighting the high ceilings; the master bath has heated Carrara marble floors a claw-foot soaker tub and separate glass spa shower.

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The main living area flows out to a private landscaped backyard with a deck and pool, perfect for entertaining or just hanging out.

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This home really has too many upgrades to list- you really need to see it to appreciate what a great opportunity this is! Check out the full listing here; please contact me if you have any questions about this beautiful home or to set up a time to view it.

Overview: 3,475 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage, pool

Schools: Teasley/ Campbell/ Campbell

Listing price: $525,000

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High-tech Med-cottage or “Granny Pods”: Assisted Living of the Future?

What if you could bring a fully equipped, high-tech assisted living space to your home for an aging parent? Would you consider a modular, temporary guest house that could be removed after a few months? i ran across this Washington Post article  “Pioneering the Granny Pod: Fairfax County family adapts to high-tech dwelling that could change elder care and it got me thinking about the many ways this could be used by my clients. A Methodist minister in Virginia had the idea that “as America grows older, its aging adults could avoid a jarring move to the nursing home by living in small, specially equipped, temporary shelters close to relatives” and he set out to create the Medcottage, a portable high-tech cottage that could be moved to the family’s property as a home for a relative in need of special care. 

photo credit: guidetonursinghomes.com

People have strong opinions about modular housing but the modern designs and practicality of these options has to make you stop and think twice. Rather than making permanent and expensive renovations to your home, would you consider a “granny pod” as an option to give aging parents security, comfort, and privacy? Or for older parents who split their time between different cities as a temporary apartment?  What about a modular solution for my clients who need a guest room on the main floor of their home with its own sitting area, perhaps brought in for the holidays and rented by the month? And with the U.S’s aging population,  I believe it will get to the point where there is a resale market for this type of space. With threshold-free floors, accessible showers, and medical monitoring and equipment already factored into the design of many of these units, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of working with a contractor who may not be as experienced with renovations like these. Of course, there are questions of zoning, space, and family dynamics to consider, but it’s certainly food for thought.  I’d love to hear your opinions!  If zoning can address the additional structure, I think there will be a market for this!

Interior of Med cottage

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Pirch Cooking Demo: Pink Himalayan Salt Block Cooking

We learned all about salt block cooking

Pink Himalayan Salt Block Shrimp

I can’t say enough good things about the experience we had at my event at Pirch. I’ve talked about their space and the wonderful event staff but I wanted to tell you more about one of the highlights of the evening: the cooking demo. I had never heard of salt block cooking but let me tell you, I am sold! The chef made a really wonderful but simple shrimp dish on a pink Himalayan salt block; we we all really impressed by how he simply sauteed the shrimp on the heated block and it was really delicious, just lightly infused with salt.

I found an interview with Mark Bitterman on The Splendid Table (a great cooking radio show and podcast) who wrote the book that our demo was based on: Salt Block Cooking 101  He explains the technique and how to care for your salt block. I have his cookbook and can’t wait to try making shrimp on it at home. I also noticed that it can be used on the grill, which is great since we are lucky in Atlanta to be able to grill almost year round, and also saw some really great looking cold salads like watermelon and feta in the book.

This recipe from Sur la Table is similar to the one we loved at Pirch:

photo credit: Surletable.com

photo credit: Surlatable.com

Salt Block Honey and Black Pepper Shrimp

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small shallot, peeled and finely minced
  • 1 medium garlic clove, peeled and finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1-½ teaspoons cracked black pepper
  • 1 pound large shrimp, cleaned
  • Kosher sea salt, as needed

Procedures:

Grilling shrimp brings out their natural sweetness, and grilling them directly on a Himalayan salt block, imparts a subtle salty note to the shellfish. Make sure to heat the salt block slowly on the grill or in an oven to prevent cracking. Also make sure to give the block several hours to cool to room temperature before lightly scrubbing under running water.

Prepare the Himalayan Salt Block: Place a completely dry Himalayan salt block on a cold charcoal or gas grill. Light grill and heat slowly to 400 degrees. Once grill reaches temperature, allow salt block to heat for another 20 to 30 minutes. Alternately, set salt block on a rimmed baking sheet, place on a rack in the center of a cold oven and heat to 400 degrees. Once oven reaches temperature, allow salt block to heat for another 20 to 30 minutes.

To make the honey cracked pepper glaze: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook until shallots have softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the honey, lemon juice and black pepper. Stir to combine, then taste and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the shrimp: Using a silicone pastry brush, brush shrimp with glaze mixture. Place shrimp directly on salt block and cook until lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, turn shrimp onto a clean spot on the block. Brush again with glaze and continue cooking until the center is slightly opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes more.

To serve: Divide shrimp between 4 heated serving plates. Drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons of reserved glaze mixture and serve immediately.

Via the Sur la Table test kitchen

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SOLD: 4100 Paces Walk SE

This  bright condo is freshly painted and ready to be your new home! Top floor unit means high ceilings and wooded views; an elevator next to two dedicated parking spots means easy in-and-out with groceries. Lots of windows and an open floor plan make the kitchen and living areas feel spacious, while a gas fireplace creates a cozy ambiance. This community is close to all the shopping and dining in Vinings but with a peaceful atmosphere at home, a great place to relax at the end of the day.

Take a look at the full listing for a complete list of features and community amenities.

Overview: 1250 sq. ft.,  2 bedrooms/ 2 bathrooms

Schools: Teasley/ Campbell/  Campbell

List price: $210,000

4100 Paces Walk SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

4100 Paces Walk SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

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As always, please contact me if you have any questions about this home or to set up a time to view it.

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Fall Fun: Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patches Around Atlanta

photo credit : www.brightboldbeautiful.com

Fall is finally here and we are enjoying the cooler days and the beginning of the leaves changing here in Vinings. As many of you know, Chase loves for us to decorate the front yard for Fall. His birthday is in October so it makes the whole season more special for us.  As he has gotten older, he’s upped the “scary” factor in our decorations- BOO!

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Once the front yard is looking festive, we try to visit one of the many apple orchards, harvest festivals, or pumpkin patches around the state. Once of the great things about living in the Vinings/Buckhead area of Atlanta is that the beautiful North Georgia mountains are close enough to spend a fun Saturday or Sunday enjoying the leaves and drinking cider.

Photo credit: ajc.com

I did a round up a few years ago of some of our favorites and I’ve come across a few more ideas for local Fall fun.

CBS Atlanta did a post with a great list of apple orchards in Ellijay, Georgia. The Ellijay Apple Festival is still going on for a few weeks too:

B.J. Reece Apple House     
9131 Highway 52 E
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 276-3048
reeceorchards.com

Hillcrest Orchards
9696 Highway 52 E
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 273-3838
hillcrestorchards.net

Panorama Orchards
63 Talona Road
Ellijay, GA 30540
(706) 276-3813
panoramaorchards.com

R&A Orchards
5505 Highway 52 E
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 273-3821
randaorchards.com

Red Apple Barn
3379 Tailscreek Road
Ellijay, Georgia 30540
(706) 635-5898
redapplebarn.com

photocredit: redtri.com

I also ran across this article on FieldTripsWithSue.com where she has a list of 13 pumpkin patches in the Atlanta area and lots of other ideas for family friendly activities around the region

Leave me a comment with your family’s favorite Autumn activities and destinations!

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October Real Estate Update for Buckhead

Here is a video from Berkshire Hathaway with some interesting stats about the current real estate market in Buckhead. The market is down again this past month more than it was the previous month.  I’m not sure if this is seasonal or just a mismatch of inventory to buyers.  If you’ll notice, the average sales price is around $600k and the average listing price is $1.2M.

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Party at the Pirch

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The grand entrance

A couple of weeks ago I hosted an event for my clients.  It was SO much fun that I need to keep telling the world about my new favorite place,  Pirch.
Back when the real estate market was crazy in 2005-2007 I sold more new construction than resales.  Then the market tanked and business became re-sales and buyer representations.  Recently the market for new construction has opened up again and I’m currently working with two clients who are building new homes and three clients who are doing major remodels.  That passion and joy that that business brings me is embodied in the Pirch experience.
Just step inside their doors at Lenox Marketplace Showroom at 3535 Peachtree Road NE (across from Phipps Plaza) and you’ve opened up a world to dream about what your home could be.  The service is incomparable and they’ll even serve you a drink from the Cafe while you browse.  They have in house consultants and rooms where you can design and dream.
Pirch chef hard at work in this showcase kitchen

Pirch chef hard at work in this showcase kitchen

I had attended a function with my office there a few months back and one of the outside sales reps had suggested that I hold an event for my clients.  The challenge came in conveying the experience and how much fun it is to them via an invitation.  Those that have a passion for cooking understood, along with my “foodie” friends but every single person left wanting to come back, just like I did.
We learned all about salt block cooking

We learned all about salt block cooking

Delicious dumplings

Delicious dumplings

The cooking demo area with friendly, helpful staff

The cooking demo area with friendly, helpful staff

Guests were treated to tours and a cooking demo by their in house chefs who come from some very upscale  restaurants and are showing their skills in this beautiful show kitchen without having to deal with the brutal hours of the restaurant world.  They taught us how to prepare fish, cook on a salt block and served us very yummy food and treats.
Cocktails ready to go!

Cocktails ready to go!

Cheers!

Cheers!

 Guests were treated to go home with a salt block and a cookbook along with a goodie bag with items from my partners that helped me host the event.  Besides Pirch, I had Dan Asbury with Suntrust Mortgage provide the drinks, Caleb Rhodes with Green Friendly Homes who showcased some fabulous homes he had built and provided measuring tapes to all, Traci Rhoads with Traci Rhoads Interiors, who gave tips on decorating, showcased some of her fabulous work, and slipped a wonderful linen candle into the goodie bags, and then one of my closing attorneys, Anthony Bagiatis with McLain and Merritt came up with a creative idea to give everyone a jar of specialty pork/chicken rub that he assures us is fantastic, can’t wait to try it along with my salt block.  Traci Rhoads said that it was such a great event that she’d have her wedding there one day!  We all cracked up, but it’s really a testament to what a first class event it was.
Goodie bags ready for guests

Goodie bags ready for guests

Since the event, I had a client that needed to look at appliances for a prospective build go over to check Pirch out.  He called me the next day to tell me they served him lobster and turned on the TV to his football game! He ended up spending three hours there!  Trust me and head over to Pirch to dream, you won’t go home hungry.  Even my son enjoys coming along to have the barista’s serve him hot chocolate!  I encourage you to check out one of their upcoming events, you won’t be disappointed.

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Summer Reading Programs for Kids

photo credit: kids.britannica.com

photo credit: kids.britannica.com

If you’ve ever been in a library or bookstore and wondered “is this book age-appropriate for my child?” summer reading lists are really helpful. The Westminster School posts great detailed lists of books that their librarians recommend for each class group along with a short synopsis of each book.

We all know its important to keep our children’s minds engaged during the summer holiday so that they get back up to speed quickly when the academic year begins again; these reading lists are a great way to encourage that in a really fun way.

I mentioned last week that I’m a fan of our local libraries here in Vinings and Buckhead; they also have summer reading lists categorized by age and children’s librarians who are happy to help with suggestions. Some libraries also offer reading contests as an extra incentive to read more.

Here are links to The Westminster School’s Summer Reading lists:

Pre-first Grade

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Middle School

Happy Summer reading!

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Visit Your Local Library for Summer Fun

Vining Branch Library

Vining Branch Library

One of my favorite local resources here in Vinings and Buckhead are our local libraries. Both Cobb and Fulton counties have great branches in the area. We love our local Vinings branch library; their summer program theme is “Superheros!” and their events schedule looks pretty “super!”

From story hour for toddlers, summer reading programs for all age groups (including adults), special guest speakers, classes, art competitions and family movie screenings, the libraries are a wealth of activities that are great for your brain and your budget.

Take a look at the websites for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and Cobb County Public Library System I’ve linked here, find the closest branch and see what cool (literally- they’re air conditioned!) summer programs they have coming up in July and August.

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