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 If you’re considering leasing your home and you’re ready to put it on the market you might have thought someone who is looking to rent rather than buy won’t mind if the paint is peeling a bit or if the hardwood floors are scratched and old. But other than the location of your home and it being priced correctly, your home’s condition and how well it shows is a very important factor in renting it quickly and to a great tenant. Renters have much more sophisticated tastes today, as many are coming from nice homes and upgraded apartments. The better condition your home is in the more likely you will attract a tenant who will appreciate this and will care for it as if it’s their own. A fresh coat of paint does wonders, especially if it is peeling or cracking on the outside or inside. So go ahead and repaint that hot pink child’s room that looked so lovely with your daughter’s furniture or the blue dining room that set off your china set so well, with neutral colors that will compliment what potential renters own. If your bathrooms and kitchens are outdated and it’s in your budget, replace the countertops and/or paint the cabinetry and add new hardware. Installing new light fixtures will go a long way as well.
Congratulations, you are well on your way to finding the perfect family to rent your home!
Leigh Ann Birkinshaw
Real Estate Consultant & Property Manager
Before you can do anything you need to start with a figure. Most renovators with a few years under their belts have come up with a few budget calculating tips. Take that kitchen we were talking about earlier; we can give you an estimated price of $300/per linear foot for mid range cabinets, $32/per square foot of hard surface countertops and $15/per square foot of backsplash. With these numbers you will be able to make an educated decision as to whether or not you would like to move forward and have a designer plan out your space. And with that in mind I will be able to give you my thoughts on what this price point will buy you. But alas this is where the ‘free advice’ ends.
I think peoples reluctance to ‘give out’ their budget amount is due largely to the feeling that the renovator will make them overspend or charge a higher fee. This is so far from the truth! An ethical project manager is looking out for their clients best interests, regardless of their budget. We want you to have the BEST renovation/home build your budget will allow. And once we know your budget we will help stretch your $ to achieve this for you!
Our best advice regarding a remodeling budget is: Have one. The second piece of advice is: Be sure it’s realistic. This is where things get a bit sticky. “Why?” you ask. Because realistic is a subjective term.
It’s always interesting when people ask us how much we think their remodel will cost. Or conversely, they will ask if $XXX is enough to cover their home project. It seriously happens on a regular basis. It’s a difficult question. “Why?” you ask. Because we don’t have nearly enough information about the client’s situation or expectations to provide a reasonably accurate or relative answer. Occasionally, we receive the answer that every Project Manager loves to hear: “We don’t have a budget” or “Money is not an object”. Unfortunately, when we ask if they are comfortable with a $100k working budget, more often than not… they answer no.
All remodels are not the same. Even if you had two kitchens with the same square footage, their total costs would most likely not even be close. There are so many variables.
Can you build a full kitchen remodel in Atlanta for less than $25,000? Absolutely!! Can you build a full kitchen remodel in Atlanta for more than $25,000? Absolutely!! You get our point.
 We are often asked, “What’s the most important factor to be considered when renovating a home?” Perhaps one answer is the RESPECT FOR THE HOMES SURROUNDING the property being renovated. When contemplating a well-designed renovation, you must certainly consider the fit of the home itself, but as important you must create a fluid transition within the fabric of the neighborhood in which it resides. In every community there is usually an age and a character that identifies the neighborhood. Although it is fine to be different in design and décor, differences must respect the envelope of scale, massing, and character of the original home as well as the surrounding properties. A “unique” home is only perceived as valuable when its distinctiveness enhances the flavor of the community.
When hired as a project manager, a top priority for Berry Realty Company is to consider the desired budget before undertaking any renovation project. We evaluate the cost of the desired renovation by obtaining bids for every aspect of the project. We then assess the budget against the return on investment and projected implications for resale or marketability for the total renovation based upon that specific area. Once a final renovation plan has been determined, we budget and monitor the finances throughout the project, paying attention to every detail. Often the smaller items, although inexpensive, can be numerous and quite costly if unaccounted for in the initial budget planning, a common mistake we see happen with a novice renovator. One of the main goals of a well-executed renovation is to have the renovation dollars that are spent add value to the home for a high return on investment. If the home is already the most expensive on the block, the renovation investment might be a waste of money when there is no (or little) return on the investment.
Renovations can be costly and some of our clients have chosen to finance their project. Be sure to research all options available to you for financing. If you will be borrowing the funds for your project, you may be able to refinance your existing mortgage – a good choice while interest rates are still so low or you may be able to get a home equity loan. Home equity lines are better for smaller renovations projects – ones that you can repay quickly, while refinancing may be a better choice if you need a large amount of money for your renovation and plan to remain in your home for many more years.
As with any construction project, renovations require much pre-planning. If you spend any time here at Berry Realty Company, you are bound to hear someone on the renovation team say, “Measure twice and cut once!”
A Legacy Lives On by Holly Berry Cosentino
There are few moments in life that are of great importance and March 29, 2011 was one of them. For it marked the passing of life on this earth of my beloved dad. To so many my dad, Bob Berry, was a real estate giant, the innovator behind Berry Realty Company, an entrepreneur, an investor, and a mighty man of integrity and honesty: some have called him an “icon of our community.” But to his children, he was just “Daddy.” The man who could dance like Fred Astaire, whistle like Bing Crosby, laugh fully and love completely (especially his family). The man who made hard work look easy – even enjoyable. There was nothing he couldn’t do and do well. Stability was his grace of nature. He was happily married to the same woman, Honor Berry – the love of his life, a few months shy of 60 years, lived in the same house for nearly 56 years, managed and owned Berry Realty for some 42 years and now has gone home for an eternity.
We find ourselves most grateful to the Lord, as His hand has been on every detail these past few weeks, no matter the size. For a man who hated the thought of hospitals, he had found a way to never enter one, as a patient at least, until he was 80 years of age! Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t in perfect health, just not hospitalized. He rarely complained about his health, perhaps for fear of the dreaded confrontation of being hospitalized. We won’t ever know for sure, but I do know that, as the bible says, “Perfect Love cast out fear.” That is exactly what we witnessed in his final week this side of Heaven. No Fear But Perfect Love!
There are too many circumstances to list here but many should not go untold: Unbeknownst to Ralph, the girls and me, not even a week ago, we were able to spend a special time at mom and dad’s house which ended by our circling around him, with hands upon his shoulders and back praying peace, love and healing over him to The God of Peace. It was a time we will cherish forever. In every moment at Emory, we found comfort as a family in the respect, honor and care given to Dad by all associated with Emory Hospital. One anticipates brilliance from Emory, but the compassion and care were beyond comprehension. By God’s grace, He orchestrated the circumstances that provided for dad’s best friend to be at Emory in his last hours. Dick McGowan has been a friend of my dad’s since he was five years old, best-man at his wedding, and the man we called, when we were growing up, “Uncle Dick.” They had the pleasure of exchanging, in a few short sentences, the love that comes with decades of friendship. A true gift.
When I called my sister, Belinda from Scottsdale to let her know she might want to fly home, her response to me was, “I know I’ve already booked the flight, the Holy Spirit told me to go.” She was in the last seat on the plane. Despite the lines at the airport and the hold up in security, she was able to pass it all, board the plane, take off and land on time, be retrieved by our brother Rob (Dad’s namesake and all of his sister’s rock and supporter),and arrive at Emory in enough time to visit with dad while he was still talking and awake. My sister Tina and husband Glenn arrived from Florida early afternoon affording them some individual time with dad before others arrived. His last “pleasure” was chocolate fudge hand-made (and his forever favorite) by his amazing and loving sister, Pat Jones who was by his side every day to administer sisterly encouragement and love to her brother.
Before the final hour, Mom and all five of us children, along with three of her six grandchildren, were able to speak blessings of love into dad, laugh with him through our tears and even sing over him. His passing was peaceful and precious. Our tears were joined by those of many staff and nurses from Emory. The family joined hands and praised our Heavenly Father for our earthly father. We were able to thank God for His goodness in all things. For we were given a glimpse into the personal details to the place-setting that Our Lord Himself prepares for each of us at the banquet table in Heaven.
We know that there was a party of celebration as dad joined his father, the founder of Berry Realty, his mother, in-laws and so many who have gone before him. We rejoice with dad for God makes all things new! He will be dearly missed.
God saw you getting tired
A cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you
And whispered son “Come with me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you
And saw you fade away
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating
Your tender hands at rest.
God took you home to prove to us
He Only takes the Best!
Robert “Bob” Berry
1930-2011
 Ringing in the new year, we were ready to begin the year off with a freshly new and vibrant start. Unbeknownst to us metro Atlantans, it would be a vibrantly white and icy start! Being confined to our homes for three days (some even more) made many of us start new year’s resolutions we didn’t even declare:
- BE MORE ORGANIZED – many closets were delved into, expired food tossed and stacks of paper were finally filed
- START COOKING MORE MEALS AT HOME – concocted new recipes with the only food we had in the house
- TIME TO GET IN SHAPE – shoveled the snow, unable to restock the sweets and maybe dusted off the exercise equipment
- SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME WITH THE FAMILY – did we have any other choice? Ha, ha!
- FINALLY READ THOSE BOOKS YOU’VE BEEN MEANING TO – nothing is on TV during the day anyways
- BE MORE THRIFTY – shopping online for the after-holiday deals
Now that the ice has melted and we have emerged from our homes, we at Berry Realty wish you a new and productive year! Who knows… maybe even continue one of those undeclared resolutions!
The tree decorated, the coziness of lights, the smell of freshly baked treats in the oven and the Christmas music playing in the background… it’s Christmas time! A wonderous time for celebration, family, traditions and delicious treats. As we reflect back on this past year, we realize the many blessings we have been given and are thankful for our faith, family, friends, clients and health. However, we realize more than ever this year, Christmas can be a tough time for those who have lost love ones, are going through hard times or don’t have family close by. Reach out to those around you who may need a friendly smile, a hug, or just a listening ear.
Our holiday tradition of giving back is something that is important to us. If you are interested in starting a new tradition, here are several ways you can volunteer or give back in your local community.
Dream House – donate or volunteer to medically fragile children
The Salvation Army – donate or volunteer
Toys for Tots – donate a toy for a needy child
Georgia Cares – volunteer to the elderly and disabled
United Way – donate or volunteer
Berry Realty would like to truly thank you for being apart of our real estate family. We have had a blessed year and pray the same for you and your family. Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with family, friends, love and joy!
 
Facebook. Who doesn’t know what Facebook is nowadays. It seems that if you don’t have a business facebook page, let alone a personal one, you are behind the times. Well, that is one place Berry Realty has never been and will NOT be! We have had our page for almost a year, but just creating the page doesn’t cut it. We realize that and are heading strong into the New Year with updating our Facebook friends with statuses, photos of our latest renovation projects and whatever comes up in this crazy world of real estate! Along with the beginning of our new blog site, please help us stay connected to you via our newest social media outlets. Write us your thoughts, comment on our posts and we will too. Just click LIKE and have your friends do so too!
In an effort to keep up with the ever-changing real estate world, Berry Realty Company has established this blog to keep you informed on real estate news, market trends, featured homes and interesting issues in the metro Atlanta area. We hope to make you a raving fan of our new blog!
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If you’re considering leasing your home and you’re ready to put it on the market you might have thought someone who is looking to rent rather than buy won’t mind if the paint is peeling a bit or if the hardwood floors are scratched and old. But other than the location of your home and it being priced correctly, your home’s condition and how well it shows is a very important factor in renting it quickly and to a great tenant. Renters have much more sophisticated tastes today, as many are coming from nice homes and upgraded apartments. The better condition your home is in the more likely you will attract a tenant who will appreciate this and will care for it as if it’s their own. A fresh coat of paint does wonders, especially if it is peeling or cracking on the outside or inside. So go ahead and repaint that hot pink child’s room that looked so lovely with your daughter’s furniture or the blue dining room that set off your china set so well, with neutral colors that will compliment what potential renters own. If your bathrooms and kitchens are outdated and it’s in your budget, replace the countertops and/or paint the cabinetry and add new hardware. Installing new light fixtures will go a long way as well.
