Any plans for this summer? Chances are, some of you are of course going on vacation, some may be just relaxing whenever you have the opportunity, and some may be simply spending time with family, friends and loved ones.

But, some might be spending the summer (or at least a portion of it), searching for a new home. Think about it – you could be spending the rest of the summer in your dream home!

If you’re hoping to purchase a home, do you know exactly what you’re looking for? Whether you’re searching for your first home, or your third home, chances are you can always use a little “refresher” on everything you should be looking for in your dream home.

I invite you to use the following checklist, so you can be sure you aren’t missing a beat when you’re touring your home. I have it attached as well, so you can easily download it, print it out, and carry it with you to any home you’re interested in.

Be sure to search for homes which are currently on the market on my website – or you can simply contact me. I’ll be more than happy to lead you in the right direction – answer all of your questions – and help you find that perfect home!

  Room by room house hunting checklist

Living room & family rooms

• Does it have an open or closed layout? What do you prefer?
• What is the flooring made of? Wood, tile, carpet, other?
• Does the room receive a lot of light?
• What type of lighting fixtures are used?
• Is there a ceiling fan?
• Are there skylights?
• Is there a fireplace?

Bedrooms

• How many bedrooms are there?
• How many bedrooms are upstairs? Downstairs? Basement? 
• How large is each room?
• What is the flooring made of in each bedroom? Wood, tile, carpet, other?
• Does each bedroom have a closet? Walk-in or sliding door?
• Does each room get enough natural light?
• What type of light fixtures are in the room?
• Is there a ceiling fan in each room?

Bathrooms

• How many full bathrooms are there?
• How many showers?
• How many bathtubs?
• How many half bathrooms are there?
• Is there a separate (ensuite) master bathroom?
• What is the flooring made of in each bathroom? Wood, tile, carpet, other?
• Does each bathroom have proper ventilation? Is there a window or fan?
• How much storage is there? Are there cabinets, medicine cabinet, or below-sink storage?
• Do the faucets work? Are there any signs of leaking?
• Are there any visible signs of mildew or mold?

Kitchen

• Is there enough counter space?
• Is there enough storage space? Pantry, storage cabinets, etc.
• What material is used for the countertops? Marble, granite, tile, laminate, other?
• What is the flooring made of? Wood, tile, carpet, other? 
  
• How old are the appliances? Will they need to be replaced? 
• Is the stove gas or electric?
• Is it included in the purchase?
• Is the refrigerator built-in?
• Is it included in the purchase?
• Is there a microwave? Is it built-in?
• Is it included in the purchase?
• Is there a dishwasher? Is it built-in?
• Is it included in the purchase?
• Does the kitchen sink have any features?
• Garbage disposal?
• Water filter system?
• Extendable nozzle? Spray head?
• Is there a kitchen island?
• Does the island have power or electrical outlets?
• Is there a dining area in the kitchen?
• Is the kitchen accessible from the living room? Dining room?

Laundry

• Is there a laundry room? Where is it located?
• What is the flooring made of? Wood, tile, carpet, other? 
• Is there storage?
• Is there a sink?
• Is there a washer and dryer?
• Are they built-in?
• Are they included in the purchase?
• Will they need to be replaced in the next few years?

Basement

• Are the walls finished?
• Is the ceiling finished?
• Is the ceiling high enough?
• What is the flooring made of? Wood, tile, carpet, other?
• Is it properly ventilated? Windows or a fan?
• Are there any signs of mold or mildew?
• Is there any visible water damage or flooding?
• Is there a sump pump in the basement?

Garage

• Is there a garage?
• How large is it?
• Is there direct access from the house?
• Is there any storage space? Cabinets?
• Is the floor finished or concrete?
• Are there any cracks in the concrete?
• Does the garage door function properly?

Outdoor space

• Is the front yard landscaped?
• Is there a front porch? Will it require significant maintenance?
  
• Is there a backyard? Is it landscaped?
• Is there a deck or balcony in the backyard? Will it require significant maintenance?
• Is there a patio cover? Does it receive a lot of sun?
• Is there room for patio furniture?
• Is there a built-in grill?
• Is it gas, propane, or electric?
• Does it work? Will it need to be replaced? 
• Is there a pool?
• Is it in-ground or above ground?
• Is there a spa or jacuzzi?
• Are there any cracks in the pool wall or surrounding areas?
• Are all the critical systems for the pool working?
• Is the backyard fenced in? Does it require significant maintenance or need to be replaced?
• Is there a garden?
• Is there a view?

General

• Does the house have central air?
• Does the house have central heating?
• Is there a separate office area or den? 
• Is the roof in good shape?
• Is the siding of the house in good shape?
• Does the home require a new coat of paint?
• Is the electrical system up to code?
• Is the plumbing system up to code?
• Are the windows in working order? Single pane or dual pane?
• Is the foundation in good shape?
• Is there proper draining in case of a storm?

If you need a helping hand to fix anything throughout your home, Dexter Williams and Estate Solutions LLC are ready to pitch in and help. We can assist with not only fixing your home, but selling it as well! Need to find a home? We can help you find the home of your dreams!

Interested? Contact Dexter Williams of Estate Solutions LLC at 404-913-3030 or visit the website at www.est8solutions.com. Our team is ready to help!

I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to summer. The great news is – it’s right around the corner and will be here faster than we know it!

Believe it or not, we actually need to “prepare” for summer – and sometimes there are those little steps we really should take, that we tend to forget. So, Dexter here is to the rescue so we all remember those important steps – which will help us all to enjoy our summers to the fullest!

1. Give your BBQ a really deep clean. Give your outdoor grill (and even your indoor grill for those rainy summer days, a good deep clean so it’s ready for all those summer get-togethers. To do this effectively, you’ll need to know what type of grill grate you have (porcelain, stainless steel, etc) so you can know how to effectively clean them for those great barbeques! There are different cleaning techniques for those different grates, so be sure to search yours online.
2. Trim your trees. This is actually the perfect time of the year to give your trees, bushes and shrubs a haircut. Trimming them makes them healthier, and promotes growth. If you aren’t comfortable with trimming your trees (especially larger ones), be sure to reach out to a tree expert.
3. Turn your ceiling fan counter-clockwise. Most of us probably know this trick, but to help your air conditioning circulate better throughout your home, be sure to turn your ceiling fan counter-clockwise. This little trick will even save you money throughout the summer, as the cool air will be pushed down to the floor more efficiently.
4. Wash your windows. Get rid of all the pollen and outdoor blech by giving your windows a nice wash. Don’t forget the inside of them too!
5. Wipe down your lights. You’ll be amazed at how much pollen and dust accumulates on your lights! By taking a slightly damp rag, you can eliminate all of that dust and pollen by simply wiping both sides (inside and outside) of your lamp shades.
6. Check your hose. I know you’ve ran into this problem – you’ve gone to water your garden or lawn, and there are annoying little holes in the hose. Be sure to check your hose for leaks and or damage. If it’s been a few years since you replaced your hose, you make want to pick a new one up just in case.
   
   If you’re dealing with tree branches which have fallen, a leak in your basement, or simply just need a helping hand to fix anything throughout your home, Dexter Williams and Estate Solutions LLC are ready to pitch in and help. We can assist with not only fixing your home, but selling it as well! Need to find a home? We can help you find the home of your dreams!

Interested? Contact Dexter Williams of Estate Solutions LLC at 404-913-3030 or visit the website at www.est8solutions.com. Our team is ready to help!

Here in Georgia, we all know we end up with a ton of rain – sometimes more rain than we ever want to see. So, how important are those “April Showers”?

April showers do, of course, bring those gorgeous flowers in May. However, just like any other month, all these showers can cause some issues that no one really wants to actually deal with. Some issues that we commonly see are downed trees, flooding, and unfortunately a word none of us ever want to hear – mold.

Mold is horrible to try to get rid of. If you’re allergic to mold spores, it can have some serious consequences on your health. If you aren’t allergic, mold can simply just be a pain in the you-know-what to even try to deal with. There are certain steps you need to take if you experience an issue with mold in your home. If you need help, never be embarrassed to reach out to a mold remediation specialist to help you get rid of these annoying spurs in your home.

To get rid of mold, mix ½ cup of bleach, 1 quart of water and a little bit of dish detergent. Be sure to wear old clothes as the bleach will stain your clothing, goggles and long rubber dish gloves. Using a sponge with an abrasive side or a scrub brush, scrub this mixture into the affected surface. You may need to repeat this 2 or 3 times until the mold is killed and no longer appears. Once that happens, be sure to rinse the surface thoroughly with water.

If you’re dealing with tree branches which have fallen, a leak in your basement, or simply just need a helping hand to fix anything throughout your home, Dexter Williams and Estate Solutions LLC are ready to pitch in and help. We can assist with not only fixing your home, but selling it as well! Need to find a home? We can help you find the home of your dreams!

Interested? Contact Dexter Williams of Estate Solutions LLC at 404-913-3030 or visit the website at www.est8solutions.com. Our team is ready to help!

Planning on selling your home? If you’re like most, you want your home to sell fast, and for the most amount possible. But, there’s one question in mind – how do I accomplish that goal?

Staging your home takes some work on your part, but the results are astounding. Here are some tips on staging your home, so it sells quickly.

1.    Boost that curb appeal. What’s the first thing people will see when they pull up? You guessed it – your front lawn, driveway, and the outside of your home. Spend time getting those weeds pulled, powerwash your siding, clean the outside of the windows, re-paint or re-stain your front porch if you have one, and plant some flowers to add a nice boost of color. Make your home pop to those potential buyers!
2.    Even if you have a front stoop, place a nice “Welcome” mat in front of your front door. At night, illuminate your front porch with lights to make it stand out to anyone driving by.
3.    Clean and declutter. Clean, clean, clean. You want to make your home simply sparkle! If you need to, bring in a professional cleaning service (especially for a tough stain on the carpet). While you’re cleaning, you’ll also want to put any non-used furniture and as many decorations as possible into storage. Keep some decorations out so your home doesn’t look so cluttered. Be sure to remove family photos (you’ll be able to put them in your new home), and keep things out that will add a nice charm to your home such as a vase with freshly cut flowers.
4.    A new splash of color. If you’re able, repaint some rooms with a new splash of color. This will of course add that new freshness, and make the room much more inviting!
5.    Closets and cabinets. While you’re cleaning and decluttering, don’t forget to clean out closets and cabinets. Trust me, potential buyers will open them!
6.    Pet odors? When you have a showing, or an open house, be sure to have some air fresheners around. The automatic ones are great for this situation. That little spritz will take care of any odors Fido may have left behind – even if you can’t smell them.

Thinking some of this may be a little too hard to handle? I can assist with some of those “general contracting” tasks that you just simply don’t want to deal with. Here’s the best part – at the same time, I can sell your home!

Ready for more information? Contact Dexter Williams of Estate Solutions LLC at 404-913-3030 or visit the website at www.est8solutions.com. Our team is ready to help!

I’m sure you normally clean the lint out of your removable lint filter in your dryer. However, if you think that by simply cleaning that filter you are preventing a fire from happening – think again.

A good amount of lint can actually be backed up inside the vent itself. If that isn’t cleaned out, unfortunately some bad things may happen. If you’ve noticed a good amount of extra lint on your clothing or blankets lately, there’s a good possibility that there may be some lint clogged somewhere within the vent.

Other signs that your dryer vent may be clogged can be the following:

• Your clothes aren’t fully drying
• The outside of the dryer feels quite hot
• Clothes seem much hotter than usual
• There is a burnt smell in the laundry room

However, don’t fear! You can do this simple project yourself! You’ll just need your vacuum cleaner with a long hose attachment and a dryer vent brush kit (which retails for about $20 at Home Depot).

Unplug your dryer.

Remove the lint filter from your dryer, and use your vacuum to not only vacuum the filter itself, but set it inside the crevices of your dryer to make sure all the lint has been removed as much as possible.

Pull the dryer out a little if needed, and disconnect the dryer duct (which is that long silver tube in the back of your dryer). It can be easier to remove it from both the wall as well as the back of the dryer, so you can vacuum it out efficiently. Vacuum that tube as much as possible to remove any clogs.

If you’re able, use the long extension on your vacuum to also vacuum the duct connection on the back of your dryer, as well as the connection that is on your wall.

Reattach the ductwork, slide your dryer back into place, and run it for a few minutes to have any loose lint pieces go into the lint trap. Now plug your dryer back in, and you’re ready to use it again!

Do you have more advanced home improvement projects – and no spare time to get them finished? No more shopping around, trying to find a contractor. No more researching a good real estate agent in the Atlanta Metro area. I have you covered for both!

Interested? Contact Dexter Williams of Estate Solutions LLC at 404-913-3030 or visit the website at www.est8solutions.com. Our team is ready to help!

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February 2019 What's Going On In February? Search Homes Now at DexterWilliams.net As Housing Costs Remain High, Parents Buy Homes To Give Their Kids A Leg Up As home prices have risen, especially in large cities, the idea of co-buying — where multiple, non-married buyers are listed on the deed — has become increasingly common, according to real-estate data firm Attom Data Solutions. For example, in San Jose, California, 49.3% of all housing sales involved co-buyers as of the second quarter of 2018, according to Attom. Many of these transactions involve parents helping their kids buy a home. Other ways parents are helping out: Rather than selling their over-large homes, baby-boomers are holding onto those homes and renting or selling them to their adult kids. Parents are contributing to their adult children's rent or mortgage, either outright, or in exchange for services, such as elder care. Parents are buying homes outright for their adult children. (Handy parents to have.) Fascinating Facts! Clouds are really heavy: Clouds are not as light and fluffy as they appear. In fact, one cloud weighs 1.1 million pounds, according to researchers. How do they know? That’s calculated by taking the water density of a cloud and multiplying it by its volume. And the reason why it “floats” at that weight is because the air below it is even heavier. One-quarter of all your bones are in your feet: There are 26 bones and 33 joints in each foot. That’s 52 bones in both feet, out of 206 total bones in your whole body. All those bones and joints allow your feet to absorb and release energy efficiently. It would only take one hour to drive to space: If you got into your car, turned on the ignition and drove up at 60 mph, it would only take one hour to get to outer space, says astronomer Fred Hoyle. Of course, you'd need a Tesla to do it in style! The Cabinets of Curiosities: Part Museum, Part Slideshow Cabinets of curiosities, were popular in Europe between the 1500's and 1800's. Since the term 'cabinet' at that time referred to a room rather than a piece of furniture, cabinets of curiosities were rooms full of curious artifacts. The artifacts included relics and objects from natural history (sometimes faked), ethnography, archaeology, geology, and religion (also sometimes faked). The most similar thing we have today might be Ripley's Believe It or Not attractions in popular tourist destinations. Spring Is Coming!! Contact me for a listing appointment to get your home ready for the busy real estate season. 2019 is already shaping up to be a promising real estate year! Let's Get Your Home Sold In 2019! (404) 913-3030 Atlanta's February Average Mortgage Rates Program Rate 1W Change APR 1W Change 30-Year Fixed Rate 4.32% 0.03 % 4.40% 0.01% 20-Year Fixed Rate 4.24 % 0.06% 4.32 % 0.05% 15-Year Fixed Rate 3.73 % 0.01% 3.86% 0.01% 10-Year Fixed Rate 3.80% 0.09% 4.05% 0.16% 7/1 ARM 4.25% 0.22% 4.89% 0.14 % 5/1 ARM 4.03% 0.00% 4.90% 0.00% 3/1 ARM 3.83% 0.00 % 5.05 % 0.00% "I Think My House Is Worth More Than What You're Telling Me" It makes perfect sense that a home owner would have their own ideas about how much their home is worth. They've probably spent a while doing their own research. By the time they start interviewing listing agents, they already have an expectation about price. Then the real estate agent comes along and uses comparable properties to evaluate the likely price of the home as objectively as possible. But an agent hasn't lived in the home and may not be able to see its value from the seller's perspective. That's why it's important to have a dialog with the agent about why they came up with that price and why you came up with your price. Together, you can develop a pricing strategy that makes sense to you. If you're selling your home this spring, call me for a listing consultation as far ahead as possible. Vacant Lot! 0 Dimmock Street Atlanta, GA Don't miss this opportunity to build in Oakland City area! Minutes from Beltline, shopping and downtown. Lot has easement for rear access. See signs at road near access location. Bring all offers. Thank You Friends! Thank you to all my friends who've trusted me to help them and their friends, family, & co-workers. I hope you feel comfortable introducing me to the people you care about. I'll make extra sure that they thank you for the referral. Have you been thinking about selling your home in 2019, but need repairs done first? Estate Solutions LLC is ready to assist with home renovations, storm repairs or even new construction. Owned by real estate agent Dexter Williams, Estate Solutions LLC can assist you every step of the way - providing not only home repairs but also all of your real estate services to get your home sold! Interested? Give us a call today at 404-913-3030 or visit us at www.EST8Solutions.com. Your First Home is the Foundation to Wealth! Free 1st Time Buyer Consultations I love working with first—or even second and third—time buyers, guiding them and patiently helping them buy in the right way to protect their future investment. If you know someone buying their first home, please give them my number or email (or even better—just forward this newsletter to them!). I’ll make sure they get started with the best home for their financial future. (404) 913-3030 Four Clever Kid Hacks For Parents Make a table-top hammock for the little ones by tying a sheet all the way around a small table. Get the kids do chores in a snap by changing the wifi password, then giving it to them when chores are done. Stinky kicks? A dry tea bag in the shoes will help reduce the smell. Kids won't eat brown apple slices? Preserve the slices and give the kids a little fun at the same time by rubber-banding the sliced apple back together. Funny Facts: Someone Tried To Sell New Zealand On eBay Some odd things have been sold on eBay, from a grilled cheese sandwich with the face of the Virgin Mary to Justin Timberlake’s half-eaten French toast. But one of the strangest listings ever had to be for the country of New Zealand. That’s right: A man from Brisbane, Australia tried to sell New Zealand off on eBay in 2006. The listing described the country as “the dodgiest American Cup win ever” and said it has “very ordinary weather.” Despite those selling points, the ridiculous auction gained a ton of interest. The starting bid was one cent and after 6,000 hits and 22 bids, the selling price for New Zealand climbed all the way to $3,000. Eventually, eBay caught wind of the auction and pulled it from its site. “Clearly New Zealand is not for sale,” a spokesperson for eBay Australia said at the time. February Quiz Question From what festival did the month of February get its name? Send Your Answer Now >> Email Your Questions >> Dexter Williams Chapman Hall Realtors Call me today! (404) 913-3030 Visit My Website Email Me >> Share on your FB feed Tweet to your followers Pin on your board

We know you’ve been there – you’re looking around your home, thinking “if I get that renovated and fixed up, then I can sell”. Chances are, you also are thinking that you have to research home renovation specialists, as well as real estate agents.

Wouldn’t it be easier if it was just one phone call?

Estate Solutions LLC is you’re “one-stop shop” when it comes to all aspects of home renovations, storm damage repairs and even new construction. And, it’s owned by real estate agent Dexter Williams – which means you would be making one phone call to tackle two different tasks.

No more shopping around, trying to find a contractor. No more researching a good real estate agent in the Atlanta Metro area. I have you covered for both!

Interested? Contact Dexter Williams of Estate Solutions LLC at 404-913-3030 or visit the website at www.est8solutions.com. Our team is ready to help!

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We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.