Atlanta area summer camps
Posted by thunsicker in Atlanta Summer Camps, Living on August 30, 2011
Fun at the Westminster Summer Day Camp in Atlanta.
Well now summer camps are over and next year may be a year of new camps for many. I thought I’d capture any input that people have from their Atlanta-area summer camp experience in 2011 so in January when we start booking again, we all may know some new things available.
I thought I’d write this post to share ideas on what camps I know of and to get input from others on camps they use and the ages they are appropriate for.
Since Chase was 4 1/2 I’ve sent him to summer camps. They are different lengths based on the child’s age and most seem to have before and after care if you don’t have time in your schedule to pick them up at odd times during the day.
This past summer I had scheduled him for 7 weeks of camps and ended up cutting it back by 1 week. As a working mom I think summer camps provide an organized play date for your children with a combination of relaxing/swimming time as well.
I do think that next summer I will cut it back to 5 weeks of camp to give him more flexibility to go to the beach etc. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to sign him up for a surf camp somewhere as well!
Most schools will have programs and it really depends on your child’s interest as to which ones you choose. My son has gone to the following:
Age 4:
Camp Wildcats (ages 4-7) at Westminster and Westminster Summer Day Camp (ages 4-13).
Pace Camp at Pace Academy
Haverty Hollow in Garden Hills has a camp for younger children (ages 3-5 for Preschool Camp and ages 5-10 for Frog Hollow Camp) at Garden Hills Recreation Center.
Age 6:
A “real” camp experience, including a good old fashioned mud game, can be had at Josh Powell Summer Day Camp
A whole new world has opened up. Chase can now go to Josh Powell Summer Day Camp which they take a bus out to the country everyday. This camp is very rustic and a true “camp”, there is running water but its cold.
Update 1/14/15: Sadly, just learned that Josh Powell Summer Day Camp has closed.
He’s also able to go to Westminster Summer Camp, Pace Camp and Lovett Summer Camps.
Haverty Hollow will allow 6 year olds to come to Frog Hollow at their main location on E. Beechwood off of Northside Parkway.
There are tennis and swim camps offered at the Cochise Club as well. I know all of the programs expand as they get older. I have several friends that prefer the academic approach to camps and are sending their children to “camp” as the Schenck School. It’s a great summer program to help give your children an academic boost for the next school year.
Chase isn’t old enough for sleep away camps yet, but I’ve heard a lot of girls go to Greystone as they get older and I saw a friend post that her daughter went to another sleep away camp this summer as well.
If you’re reading this, please post any camps you like and what age and sex they are appropriate for as I’m sure I’ll be looking for them in the next year or so as well.
Tips for Planning Summer Camp Schedule
- I know I start booking for most of these in January and February – I’m sure many think I’m crazy, but you’ll be wait listed if you don’t!
- If you wait until March to register for camp, most have filled up.
- Westminster is available to book late January as is Pace.
- Josh Powell is usually early February as is Haverty Hollow.
- Returning campers usually get booking priority.
- It requires careful coordination as most don’t run on the same two-week schedule.
- Most will allow refunds of fees up until May 1st, then you’re stuck with what you’ve booked back in January.
- I try to leave at least three weeks free for beach time and at least one “do nothing” week at home, especially the week before school starts so they are well rested up from the summer fun!
What camps have you used? Let’s try to put together a more comprehensive list as a tool for next year!
Yankee By Birth, Southerner By Choice
Posted by thunsicker in Vinings on August 26, 2011
Ok, ok, I don’t want my Pittsburgh friends to get mad at me. This topic made me think while I was at the beach recently in New Jersey with a sorority sister from college. I had such a great time and so enjoyed seeing her, my brother, sister-in-law and their children that it makes you think about where you live and wish that you could see them more often.
Twenty years ago via a job opportunity I moved to Atlanta, sight unseen. I remember my first real estate agent. I think I drove her crazy looking all over the city. We settled on a rental on Moores Mill in Buckhead back in 1992. It was a great house – (no longer there, torn down a few years ago) with a pool and large back yard. I’ve always had a dog, so a yard was important to me.
The house on Moores Mill was less expensive than my townhome in Washington D.C., where I had moved from. …a townhome was about all I could afford there. The housing values were definitely different in Atlanta and still are!
I would say the first two years were quite an adjustment and then I spent so much time traveling for work that I didn’t really get involved in things locally as much. At first the thing I noticed in Atlanta was that people didn’t talk about national news here. Maybe it was the circles I was traveling in at the time, but it was a big change for me coming from working across the street from the White House.
As my year-long rental came to close, my agent helped me find new construction on Log Cabin (in the neighborhood Chapel Hill of Vinings), and that was the first place that really started to feel like home. We had neighborly Friday drop-bys, neighborhood holiday parties, and actually a group of us went on a ski trip together. I’m still in contact with many of the group from Chapel Hill of Vinings.
The railroad tracks that run through Vinings, a unique four-square mile area in metro Atlanta, that I call home.
As a matter of fact, it was the movement of this group of people from our “starter homes” to the bigger lots across the railroad tracks into Vinings that got me wanting to make the move as well.
So in 1998, I bought the lot/house that I now call home in Vinings. I’ve been building and remodeling since it seems, with the last major work being done in 2005 – landscaping and an addition of a pool. I think I’m “done” now, but being in the real estate business has taught me that you are never “done” with your home. The updates keep changing and of course there is always maintenance that I keep up with monthly through the help of a great handyman.
Vinings Village, an exceptional shopping resource in Vinings.
Now almost twenty years later from that first move to the South, our Vinings home is truly our home. This is the only home my little boy has really known and the sidewalks, Vinings Village, the walking ability and the amount of long-time owners here makes the four square miles known as Vinings very unique.
I think many of the young families moving to Vinings now grew up here and have always considered it home and have finally reached the point where they can afford to step up to the bigger house as I did 13 years ago. And I have a funny feeling that – God willing – we’ll be here another 13 years in the same house…
Click here to see homes for sale in Vinings.
Prudential Georgia – Buckhead Office
“Flipping Out” – Cottage Industry Construction should be the next star!
Posted by thunsicker in Atlanta Home Builders, Buckhead, Interior Design, Preparing Your Home For Sale, Vinings on August 24, 2011
Maybe you’ve watched the television show Flipping Out on Bravo, maybe not. I get a kick out of it because sometimes when I’m dealing with (or a client is dealing with) builders and designers we probably feel how the star, Jeff Lewis, often feels in this program.
A custom home built by Greg DeLoach of Cottage Industry Construction in Atlanta.
I have a real life Vinings/Buckhead answer to the remodeling/building nightmares: Cottage Industry Construction, owned by husband/wife team Lauren and Greg DeLoach. They have been friends and clients of mine for years.
Greg is a builder with a building degree from Georgia Tech and Lauren is a designer with a degree in Interior Design from the University of Georgia. Lauren regularly works with Greg’s clients drawing plans, space planning and making selections. Greg is amazing at keeping the project on time and on budget.
Everyone will have to sell their house someday and I often get calls when people are remodeling or building wondering what a prospective buyer’s preference would be, or asking me how important something is.
Greg and Lauren have a sense of what needs to be done at what price point with houses. She can select lighting fixtures for a $300,000 house or a $3M house and make them both look timeless and current.
On the TV program, Jeff Lewis does both design and building as well and he has a staff that he’s constantly firing or having issues with because it really is a tough job to marry the two.
Trying to keep on schedule (and on budget) is always a challenge and by working with a couple that is literally married I think the builder gets the answers he needs a lot quicker from the designer!
Greg, Lauren and I had a standing joke that I could sell all of their houses in “1” day. I think it took 3 days one time. Anyway, their talents of building, design and experience are worthy of making note. I want the DeLoach’s to start their own TV program, and of course I want to be the agent to sell all of their gorgeous houses!
Cottage Industry Construction has two projects going on in Buckhead currently, joining with great names in architecture locally. I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the future.
I’m including some pictures and their contact information if you know of someone interested.
So stay tuned!
Cottage Industry Construction
Greg DeLoach
404-227-0621
gregkdeloach@yahoo.com
A picture of a kitchen before and after, benefitting from the work of Cottage Industry Construction.
The most elegant ping pong table I have ever seen. Beautiful!
A kitchen designed and remodeled by Lauren and Greg DeLoach of Cottage Industry Construction in Atlanta.
A sophisticated and warm kitchen. Love the chairs at the bar!
A lovely, inviting entry way designed by Lauren DeLoach of Cottage Industry Construction.
Review of Vinings Fish Company
Posted by thunsicker in Restaurants, Vinings on August 23, 2011
I should preface my commentary of Vinings Fish Company by saying that I am not a “foodie” or a cook, so I don’t necessarily have the knowledge to comment on anything….but I do like to eat!
Based on my experience, I love the atmosphere at Vinings Fish Company and they were super nice to my little boy.
Inside at the Vinings Fish Company
Main Dishes
I had the crab cakes as that’s somewhat of my test to determine if a restaurant is good or not as I try them everywhere. The crab cakes were excellent and served with mashed potatoes and green beans and plated very pretty. I wish they had some sort of sauce with them, as that is usually a determining factor if I’ll crave them or not.
They do have the children’s menu with fish fingers, fried shrimp, and the normal kid food like mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, etc.
I look at this restaurant as kind of fish “purist”, nothing fancy for the sauces, but great seafood. I’d go again.
Comments from My Dinner Companions
“I had the sautéed snapper and added crab. Fabulous.”
“On the shrimp and grits – I liked the red sauce, but I was surprised by it because I’m used to the brown roux in Charleston. Maybe people in different areas prepare it differently. It looked a little like a Creole dish, but without the heat! The grits were really yummy!”
Dessert
The children’s menu comes with a mini-sundae which my son loved of course. The fried banana sundae – very delicious, but too much, needed to split it with someone. (Who can eat a whole banana and ice cream after a meal!?)
The key lime was good but milder than I normally like with a bit more tang.
The Scene
The wine menu is extensive and covers most anything you’d like as well.
The bar is chic and was hopping by the time we left which was close to 8pm and I did recognize quite a few people there so it is a great spot to see Vinings and Buckhead people. Those I knew were Buckhead people, so they are headed our direction on their Friday out as well.
Join Us for Dinner Tonight: Vinings Fish Company
Posted by thunsicker in Restaurants, Vinings on August 19, 2011
Well, I’ve decided I have to personally try each restaurant in Vinings with friends and children and get locals’ comments.
Join us tonight at Vinings Fish Company!
Tonight we’re trying Vinings Fish Company. I’ve wanted to try it for awhile and have stopped by for a glass of wine with friends, and saw that they have a childrens menu, so tonight we’re going.
I also found out that if you live within walking distance – (which many of us do) you can eat on the patio with your dog! They’ll actually bring your dog a bowl of water. More on dogs and Vinings soon…
You’re welcome to join us at 6pm for a fun experience. I’ll post our comments and pics when we’re done. Click here to see what we thought of Vinings Fish Company.
Here are some of the reviews I found online and we’ll post our own after this evening. Feel free to join us!
Review of Vinings Fish Company on Yelp.
Review of Vinings Fish Company on OpenTable.
Review of Vinings Fish Company on UrbanSpoon.
Tina’s review of Vinings Fish Company.
Here’s the address:
Vinings Fish Company
4300 Paces Ferry Road Southeast
Vinings, Georgia 30339
(678) 888-9036
Real estate trends in Buckhead’s 30327 zip codes
Posted by thunsicker in Data and Statistics, State of Real Estate Market on August 17, 2011
For the 30327 Buckhead market the trend is very different than the Vinings real estate market in 30339. What we’re seeing is consistent sales that are the same as last year, not down like Vinings.
The interesting thing about the Atlanta zip code 30327 in Buckhead (and I know this to be true from my clients who are looking to purchase) is that the inventory is really low.
We don’t see many new homes for sale in Buckhead entering the market and the inventory is getting eaten up so prices have stabilized more. I fully expect to see prices begin to increase slightly in 30327 as demand continues to increase and inventory does not.
Is now a good time to move up to a larger, better home? It may just be.
If a client is trading up this is still the time to do it, but for those downsizing or having to participate in this market for relocation purposes it still remains tough.
Statistically we are back to 1998 pricing. So if you think your house was worth “x” in 2005 that’s not the value anymore. Think back to what it was worth in 1998 and that’s what you’ll most likely get in today’s market.
I also run a Case-Shiller index for my clients to help exhibit what that value most likely is for their home.
Give me a call or text to 404.931.3944 or email tinahunsicker@hotmail.com if you’d like me to provide this free analysis for you.
Real Estate Indicator Tool: Case-Shiller Index for individual properties
Posted by thunsicker in Data and Statistics, State of Real Estate Market, Vinings on August 15, 2011
This Vinings home was listed at $575,000, which is a price we determined using the Case-Schiller Index report I can run on an individual property in metro Atlanta.
I have a listing in Vinings now that has an interesting real life example of value, and how the Case-Shiller Index has valued it over the years since they purchased it.
My clients purchased this home in August of 2004 for $677,500 and the home in August of 2011 is currently on the market for $575,000.
It is hard for people trading down, but this client is trading up and realistic about the market.
It can be difficult for most clients to understand this concept of the devaluation of our properties, but this is a saavy client in the financial industry and they completely understand the nature of our real estate market in metro Atlanta. These clients are looking to trade up, so they know they’ll reap the benefits of the depressed pricing on the purchase side.
The tax assessment on this home is still $623,550 and I’m sure many other benchmarks would show a higher value, but we’re ready to sell and priced right.
A Case-Shiller study is a great analysis to do on any purchase to help determine the current fair market value. As a professional REALTOR, I have many data-oriented tools like these at my disposal. Combined with my experience in the market, I use them to help my clients determine the right price to pay (or to list) for a home in this fluctuating real estate market.
An individual Case Schiller Index report for a Tina Hunsicker’s real estate client in Vinings (Atlanta).
Check it out: Finely Frugal Blog
Posted by thunsicker in Interior Design on August 12, 2011
Scalamandré Fabric and Fred Reed Antique French Botanicals Meet Ballard’s Backroom Outlet Tables and Steinmart Lamps!
The Splurge: Hand painted frames with high quality mats and gold leaf inserts from Fred Reed Picture Framing in Atlanta. Look at the detail of the hand painted border and the indented corner at outer edge of the frame.
The Save: Gold painted resin sunburst mirror and laurel wreath plate holders from Hill Street Warehouse in Atlanta.
The Pièce de Résistance: Antique French botanical prints we found on our 10 year anniversary trip to Paris. Here is the element of meaningfulness that a space needs.
Check out the new blog: Finely Frugal. You’ll love Michelle’s sense of style and her abilities!
Top 5 Landscaping Tips
Posted by thunsicker in Home Maintenance, Preparing Your Home For Sale, Vinings on August 10, 2011
When I show homes to clients, the front landscaping as well as the architectural look and proportions are the first two things a prospective client sees. I am a big believer in NO deferred maintenance but also first impressions.
One mistake I often see people do is save their landscaping till the last thing they do in a home…even after interior decorating. Or they leave things “natural” instead of landscaping which doesn’t help exhibit the size of the lot.
Often when I show property to a married couple, I notice the husband will immediately checks out the backyard, basement or garage (while the wife focuses on the first floor flow and kitchen).
Before you consider remodeling inside, look at your yard and try to see it from a potential buyer’s eyes.
This Vinings home features beautiful, lush landscaping.
Landscaping Tips
1. In a very high percentage of situations most homes need “some” yard.
Yard can be achieved in a number of ways. Atlanta has so much topography that we are used to being creative. The “yard” doesn’t have to be in the back, it can be on the side or front, but it should be screened for privacy.
2. No matter how long you’ve been in the home, now is the time to do the privacy screening.
Leland Cypress trees are a great way to have an economical and private yard. They are called the “green fence”.
Even if they are little Leland cypresses or magnolias, in 10 years your home will have privacy, so start now while it’s relatively cheap.
3. Get started now!
Don’t wait to do the huge master plan as too often that just doesn’t happen.
You can add things every spring or fall that aren’t expensive and in several years you’ll have a fabulous yard.
4. If you own a “mature” yard, screening is probably great, but you may lack sun.
I like to see a yard with great screening as long as the plantings look fresh and manicured. That may mean chopping large plantings back dramatically in winter to keep a groomed appearance.
5. Don’t allow bushes to cover windows from an aesthetic and safety perspective.
Often when I list houses I have to have them do major chopping back of plants. Also, it’s helpful to check back there for deferred maintenance, especially wood rot.
I have now lived in my house in Vinings for over 10 years, and every year I take a look and try to determine what would need to be done if I were to put my home on the market. An annual home review provides a fresh perspective and keeps maintenance up.
If you want a second opinion of your home, or are unsure of the maintenance areas you should concentrate on, ask me for a referral to a home inspector. They can make a punch list for you and point you in the right direction.
Top Three Things to Consider when Planning Your Backyard Pool
Posted by thunsicker in Home Amenities, Vinings on August 9, 2011
An appealing pool located at a Vinings home for sale that was listed by Tina Hunsicker.
While the summer is quickly coming to a close, the temperatures are still high in metro Atlanta. There are still many days left in the pool season!
Swimming pools are a fun amenity to have in a home and I have lots of clients each year looking for a house with a pool or considering to put one in their current home.
As with any amenity, location and type of pool, and considerations on how to reduce ongoing maintenance are key factors. I do believe a pool adds value, however that value is diminished if the location of the pool or features of the pool don’t fit the house, neighborhood or lot.
I may have a few appraiser friends that can add a statement here as to their impressions, but I’ve seen appraisals come in with as much as a $50k bump for the pool.
That being said, good sized pools with the right equipment, decking and landscaping can easily cost $100,000.
Many people enjoy their neighborhood pools and country clubs, but there’s still nothing like the convenience and beauty of one in your own backyard! In my own home, we thoroughly enjoy our pool as well!
Below are some comments I’ve taken from the advice of a friend combined with my own thoughts, experience and recommendations when considering having your own pool.
1 – Planning Your Pool
My suggestion would be to try and gauge how comparable the proposed pool would be to the pools located at homes that have recently traded in the target price point of your home.
For example, some of the things I mention below may not apply if you have a $300,000 home, but would be a must at the $1M price point. I’ll add a caveat here that many people get frustrated with their pool contractor, so check as many references as you can that are close in location to you.
2 – Kinds of Pools
A heated salt-water pool with an interior finish that is either pebble-sheen or pebble-Tec, along with some amount of useable and attractive stone flat deck space for lounge chairs, etc., as well as space for any safety fencing that may be required.
This automatic pool cover protects a lovely rectangular-shaped infinity-edge pool with a fantastic view.
I also believe that having a rectangular pool with an automated cover will help in resale if the buyer has small children or really wants to minimize maintenance. The cover reduces evaporation, reduces chemical usage and really keeps the pool clean of debris.
In terms of the interior pool finish, Pebble-sheen is the smoother variant of pebble tech but has similar optical properties in terms of interesting water color. Conventional white plaster shows every kind of dirt, so it’s tougher to maintain.
3 – Maintenance of pools
Mechanicals are important, and in terms of the heater, a +/-400,000 natural gas BTU heater at a minimum for pools 10,000 gallons or more is desirable, especially if there’s a hot tub.
Exploring feasibility of solar options for pool heating would be an excellent idea, especially given energy costs these days. A solar feature would certainly further distinguish the property.
I like the idea of having a hot tub separately as it takes a special design and eats up pool space to have one under the automated cover. Separate hot tubs are less expensive, more comfortable and easier to maintain.
Polaris Robotic Pool Cleaner
In terms of maintenance, I love the Polaris automated cleaning robot. If they are configured correctly and maintained, they work very well.
Another popular but more costly option is the self-cleaning jets in the pool floor. I have heard nightmares about their repair and replacement and the cost may not justify the means. There could be some other self-cleaning technologies out there too that your pool contractor can discuss with you.
Maintenance costs of pools are so much less than they use to be. Having a saline/salt water pool requires next to no chemicals. Additionally, pool services aren’t really required if you have the cover and salt systems.
If you don’t have the desire to maintain your own pool there are many services that are under $50/visit and you can have them every other week. Chemical balance can be maintained very well through a salt-water pool’s automated chlorination catalyst.
Old pools can be remodeled to have the newer features such as: auto-fill feature, salt-water conversion, fountains, Polaris, automated covers etc.
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