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Back-Burner House Hunting: a Luxury for Cumming, GA Buyers

If you’re pretty sure you will be in the hunt for a new Cumming, GA house sooner or later—but have the luxury of being able to wait until for the “perfect time” — it’s all too easy to put off doing anything about it until some event or other forces the issue. Experience teaches that using the time at hand to prepare in advance can make the difference between actually landing that dream Cumming, GA house and the alternative: just settling.

In case you fit into that category, there are some proven tactics you can adopt to make the most of your current time advantage. You might call these tips for “back-burner house hunting.” Here are four good ones:

Assess your clout. Serious house hunters recognize the advantage of getting pre-approved for a mortgage before they start shopping in earnest. That can be put off until later (and it does involve some financial reporting that carries an expiration date). But the “back-burner” house hunter can usefully assess their readiness from the lenders’ point of view. It’s useful to clear up any credit misreporting, pay down any excessive credit card balance, etc. When you are ready to get pre-approved – click here
Keep a running list of ‘must-haves.’ Make a list of baseline requirements for your ideal Cumming, GA house—and revisit it from time to time. Noting items that are added (or deleted) from the list will make it more meaningful—and clarify the difference between absolute gotta-haves and like-to haves!
Drive around—with a purpose. Get to know the neighborhoods and their relative plusses and minuses. When “back-burner” turns into “front-burner” house hunting, this can be a great help in comparing otherwise similar listings.
Buy a notepad and reserve it exclusively for tracking your findings. When your Cumming, GA house hunt heats up in earnest, your notes about properties of interest, their list prices and attributes will provide a valuable 3-dimensional atlas of the Cumming, GA market that will make you a standout among well-informed buyers.

Doing some back-burner house hunting gives you a jump on the other prospective buyers. And needless to say, giving me an early call is another step in the right direction!

This Cumming GA Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties.

I specialize in Real Estate sales in the following Forsyth County and North Fulton County cities: Cumming, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek. Other north metro-Atlanta suburbs are serviced by request, so please call.

Gayle Barton Forsyth County Real Estate | Cumming GA Real Estate | Mountain Crest Homes For Sale
Gayle Barton Cumming GA Real Estate | Forsyth County Real Estate

Your Summer Checklist

Summer weather is here and we’ve got a few household tasks you should knock out before it gets too hot. Tackle these projects and you’ll be more than ready for impromptu party-throwing.

Prep for Spring With These To-Dos

Get your home in tip-top shape with these quick and easy spring spruce-ups. From cleaning your patio furniture to giving your exterior some fresh curb appeal, take your home straight into the warm-weather months with our quick refresh tips.

Inspect Outdoor Cushion Covers

Indoor/outdoor cushions and pillows take a beating, so give them a good once over to make sure they’re still in decent condition. Consider removing covers and washing them. If some are in really rough shape, you may be better off replacing them altogether.

Wipe Down Outdoor Furniture

This one sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often it’s overlooked. While rain showers wash away some dirt and pollen, a thorough wipe down, including the nooks and crannies, goes a long way to keeping outdoor furniture looking its best.

Clean Outdoor Rugs

An outdoor rug will last a lot longer if you periodically vacuum it, hose it off, then let it dry out thoroughly. Even when it’s considered an “outdoor” rug, it needs the occasional TLC, too.

Pressure Wash the Patio

If you like instant gratification, pressure washing is going to be your new favorite hobby. Seriously. And a pressure washer doesn’t have to be intimidating. When you rent one, the rental center will show you how to use it. A few minutes of pressure washing can remove YEARS of dirt and grime off your patio and walkways.

Re-Paint Your Front Door

Summer sun and heat can do a number on a wood door, warping and cracking its surface over time. Re-painting your door not only helps seal the wood and protect it from the elements, but it gives your entry a nice little facelift.

Get That Grill Ready

If you cook out often, a deep clean twice a year is necessary to keep your grill in top form. It’s amazing what a good scrub-down of cooking grates, burner protectors and the cook box will do for your grill. And don’t forget to keep the grill’s exterior wiped down, too. Note: Always disconnect the gas before you do a deep clean!

Repair Damaged Screens

Even the smallest tear in a screen can let dozens of mosquitoes and flies into your screened-in porch or patio. This year, shut them down by fixing those screens once and for all. It’s surprisingly easy to do with just a few tools.

Switch Direction on Ceiling Fans

Most fans are designed so you can flip a switch at the base of the fan to change the direction of the rotation. In the summer months, the blades should run forward — or rotate counter-clockwise — to move the air down, creating a breezy effect.

Re-caulk Windows + Doors

Keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summer months can be a challenge. Keep your air-conditioning costs down by re-caulking windows and doors in the spring. Maintaining a properly sealed house helps keep the cool air in which means lower energy bills for you and your family.

Update House Numbers

If you plan on doing a lot of entertaining this season, make sure your house numbers are in full view. Consider replacing them with numbers that are larger in scale, and position them under a light fixture for better visibility after the sun goes down.

Update Fixtures

Spring is a good time to consider upgrades and check exterior light fixtures to make sure they’re functioning properly. If you plan on doing a lot of outdoor entertaining you’ll need proper task lighting, as well as fixtures for walkways, entries and ambiance.

Guest Room Spruce-Up

Consider upgrading your guest room’s bedding or adding a few new accessories to freshen the look. Guests will feel completely pampered and totally impressed.

Great Ideas For Summer Outdoor Lounging

Photos from 10 gorgeous decks and porches offer inspiration for just about every region, style and mood!

The weather in our area is starting to warm and the sun is hanging around a bit longer, so you’ve probably been eyeing any and all slivers of outdoor space with big dreams of soaking up the spring and summer air. But a single fold-up chair goes only so far to entice you out of your indoor cocoon. Let these 10 new outdoor lounge areas on Houzz act as your inspiration and with a few more ideas.

1. Lovely by the Lake

This lakeside home has enough room to accommodate 16 guests, so a large outdoor entertaining area was key. Flexible seating lets the homeowner host large or small groups, while thoughtful details keep any size party hopping. “Texas summers are hot, so we wanted to help our client look like an incredible hostess by giving her guests easy-access areas for grab-and-go-drinks,” says designer Carolina Gentry. A trough sink built into the island can double as an ice trough for soda and beer. A fun coffee table also can house ice and beverages.

2. Blissful in Barcelona

You don’t need much for a successful lounge space. This Spanish home features a compact outdoor area with enough room for a couple of chairs, an outdoor rug and a hot tub, all encased in walls of green foliage.

3. Fabulous in Florida

A front porch on an island off the coast near Jacksonville, Florida, is done up right with wicker pieces and cushy pillows. The addition of side-table lamps and a fiddleleaf fig makes this outdoor space feel like an extension of the interiors.

4. Stylish in Sydney

There’s not much wrong with this Australian hangout, which incorporates palm tree trunks into the design. A steel cable rail keeps views open and air flowing no matter where you’re lounging, while a rich deck stain and a natural black bamboo fence add to the organic feel. Landscaper Ben Kingsworth, who designed this space, says he’s been seeing more clients “open to the idea of creating multiple, smaller linked entertaining areas rather than one large single area, such as a large level deck or patio.”

5. Awe-Inspiring in Austria

Plush cushions on wood-frame furniture, two large coffee tables and an old-world-style light fixture lend a homey vibe to an otherwise rustic outdoor space in the Austrian countryside.

6. Sunny in Sausalito

A colorful, graphic painted deck design energizes this lounge atop a houseboat on San Francisco Bay. A steel cable rail doesn’t disrupt the view, while string lights can quickly turn this spot into a late-night party perch.

7. Alluring in Austin

Modern white furnishings pop against a feature wall and a rich wood deck overlooking a hilly Texas landscape.

8. Laid-Back in Los Angeles

Wispy grasses in container boxes create a private hideaway at a beachside Los Angeles home. Cushioned furniture and a fire-feature coffee table complete the lounge vibe. “We decided to keep the furnishings neutral and allow the colors of nature to stand out, such as the blue of the ocean or sky, or the greenery in the landscaping,” says designer Megan Crane.

9. Majestic in Montana

This wood-wrapped outdoor lounge in the mountains of Whitefish, Montana, has just about everything you need — grill, fireplace, furniture and a marvelous view that makes the TV obsolete during the daytime. “When it is nice outside, the last place you want to be is inside,” says designer and builder David Brandt. “I feel like it’s the most important room in the house on those days, so we want to make it comfortable and enjoyable. We often design the deck to take in the best views and then design the house around the deck.”

10. Enchanting in England

It’s not just the comfy sectional and the leafy surroundings that make this a successful lounge. The subtle dollops of color bring vibrancy. The painted wood furniture base and the combo backrest-raised planter are particularly nice touches.

Your Backyard Party Checklist

Think of the backyard party as the dinner party’s easygoing little sibling. Not sure if you’ll have eight people or 18? No problem — just ask folks to bring something extra to throw on the grill. Hate cleaning house just to have people over? Now you don’t have to! Of course, for all its laid-back charm, a backyard barbecue still requires some forethought. Here’s an outdoor party prep countdown that will help you check things off in advance, so you can feel more relaxed on party day.

One Month Before

Check your schedule. It’s easy to let the summer slip by without getting to all the things you wanted to do — so if hosting more backyard gatherings is on your summer list, make plans before the grilling season gets rolling. Look over the next few months on your calendar, decide when you might like to host, and mark it down.Clean and maintain the grill. Both charcoal and gas grills can use a good deep cleaning at the start of grilling season to keep them in top condition. For gas grill safety, it’s also important to inspect the fuel line for cracks and to make sure burner holes aren’t clogged with grease.

Assess the outdoor furniture. Wish you could seat a few more friends around the fire pit? Craving a more comfy outdoor lounge zone? Items ordered online can take weeks to ship (and local deals can get snapped up fast), so if you’re looking to add to or replace your outdoor furniture, set a budget and start shopping sooner rather than later.

For a large or formal gathering, invite guests now. If it’s an important occasion — like graduation or a milestone birthday — be sure to give guests a heads-up about a month in advance so that they can mark it on the calendar.

Stock up on backyard party essentials. We reach for the same go-to items at nearly every backyard party, so make things easier on yourself and pull together a party kit in advance. Store these items in the same place so that you know just where to find the cooler and bug repellant wipes on party day.

Fuel for grill (propane tank or charcoal)
Skewers
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Reusable outdoor dinnerware
Lightweight platters for transporting food
Cooler or ice bucket
Bug repellent towelettes
Sunscreen
String lights or lanterns
Wireless outdoor speakers
Umbrellas or shade sails

Three Weeks Before

Decide on the menu and create a shopping list. Whether you’re going for classic burgers and hot dogs or a vegan veggie-centric menu, your head will feel clearer if you get the plan on paper (or on your phone) in advance. List the dishes and sides you plan to cook, and then create a master shopping list — bonus points for dividing the list into sections for perishable and nonperishable items.

Decide on outdoor games and activities. Want to roast marshmallows over your fire pit, rent a bouncy house for the kiddos or play boules on the lawn? Figure out what (if any) activities you’d like to have during your party, and pick up or reserve necessary supplies.

Two Weeks Before

Organize friends’ contributions if it’s a potluck. Collaborate with your guests to make sure each type of dish (main, side, salad, dessert) is represented, and be prepared to offer specific ideas or direction if asked. Folks are more likely to step up to help if you make things as simple and clear as possible.

Shop for nonperishable items and do a little kitchen prep. Pick up wine, beer, condiments and pantry staples, and store them out of the way until party day. If you have any recipes on your party list that can be made ahead and frozen, do it now and you’ll thank yourself later. Even something as quick as making a batch of simple syrup to store in the fridge for homemade lemonade can ease your party prep workload later on.

Week of Party

Get a final head count. Check in with guests who haven’t RSVP’d, and confirm what everyone is bringing if it’s a potluck.

Tidy up the guest bathroom. One great thing about entertaining in the backyard is that you don’t have to stress about getting the indoors looking guest-perfect, with one exception: the bathroom. Carve out time to tidy up the powder room, stock it with extra toilet paper and hand towels, and top off the soap.

Decide on the music. Pick your playlist or streaming channel to strike the right mood (or opt to go music-free). If you have a new outdoor sound system, be sure to test it out before the party so that you’re clear on how everything works.

Clean out the fridge. You’re going to need more space than you think for all those party dishes and chilling beverages, so make some room before you hit the market.

Shop for perishable ingredients and make a few dishes in advance. Pick up perishable goods, including fresh fruits, veggies, cheeses and meats, up to two days before the party, but wait until the day before (or morning of) to buy fresh seafood. Look over your menu and pick out a few recipes that can be prepared (or partially prepped) in advance.

Day of Party

Chill the drinks. Make sure the cold beverages make it into the fridge about four hours before party time to chill; transfer them to an ice-filled cooler (if using) about 20 minutes before guests are due to arrive.

Cue up the party playlist. Turning on the music will help get you in the mood while you finish prepping for the party — and if early birds arrive, it will feel festive, even if everything isn’t ready.

Set up an outdoor cleanup station. You’ll want to have a garbage can and a recycling bin available in the party area, plus a dishpan for transporting reusable dishes and platters to the kitchen for cleanup.

Organize the grill staging area. Get out your serving platters, tongs, grill brush and any other tools you like to have on hand while you cook.

Set up a self-serve food table. Help guests help themselves by setting out the necessities:

Dishes
Flatware
Napkins
Cups
A basket with bug repellant wipes and sunscreen
A bucket of ice with tongs
Serving spoons

Finish preparing the food. The thing that makes barbecues less stressful than a capital-D Dinner Party is that your guests actually expect most of the cooking to happen after they arrive — so don’t stress if you’d hoped to have more done before the first guests show up. Pour some icy cold beverages and chat while you grill.

Kick back and savor your well-deserved relaxation time. Don’t be afraid to hand over the grilling tongs to someone else — and if people ask if they can help carry dirty dishes to the kitchen, say yes!

How To Make A Dutch Door From Scratch

8 Relaxing Backyard Decks Around The World

This coffee-break escape offers dozens of cleverly placed decks that are worth a peek. 5 & 8 are my favorites – what are yours?…

Do you long for a deck to stretch out on but have only a postage-stamp patch of an outdoor area? Never fear, this collection of compact but cleverly designed decks will provide all the inspiration you need to deck out your own small space and create the perfect outdoor retreat for you and a select few to enjoy.