Buying A West Cobb Home – What Matters And What Doesn’t

Everyone heads out to look at potential homes with a list of the things they want in a house, and a list of the things they definitely do not want. In addition to that wish list, there are also some other things you will notice about the homes you visit that may strike you as potential problems. West Cobb is growing, and buying a West Cobb home might mean choosing a resale or new construction. For this article, we will focus on resales and helping you look at what matters and what doesn’t.

When looking at homes, it is important to know what things are deal breakers and what things are minor issues that you can deal with easily. Turning down a dream home because of something that is an easy fix seems like a silly thing to do, but it happens surprisingly frequently.

Cosmetic Issues

You walk into a home and it has terrible wallpaper or paint colors you wouldn’t dream of using, and it turns you off immediately. While the gut reaction is normal, it is important to step back from that instinct and think about it objectively. Painting is not particularly difficult or expensive, so try to imagine how the home would look with a different color palette, one that is more your style.

The ability to recognize which issues are merely cosmetic and can be easily fixed is an important key to finding a house you will love. Be prepared to visualize the home as you could make it with a few cosmetic changes. It will open you up to the possibilities and might allow you to consider homes that aren’t perfect the way they stand now, but could be just right with a little elbow grease and paint.

Major Repairs

In some cases the major repairs that a house needs might be obvious. In other cases they might only be unearthed during a home inspection. Either way, you will need to give serious consideration to whether or not you are willing to deal with the problem.

If the home needs expensive repairs, you can either try to get the seller to do the repairs or accept that you will need to do them yourself. In most cases, the seller will probably not be willing to take on major repair work, but might reduce the price accordingly. Still, this might be a deal breaker if you are seeking a turnkey home.

Knowing The Difference

A home inspection is the best way to uncover all of the issues, both minor and major, that a house might have. When you review the inspection, look for things that can be easily fixed as well as those that can’t. The amount of work you want to do on your home will determine what problems you can personally live with.

West Cobb offers several lifestyle choices for its residents. Looking at things and seeing what’s possible can help you find the perfect home. Buying a West Cobb home may be just the right thing!

A Homeowner’s Toolkit For Your West Cobb Home

Whether you have just bought your first home or have been a homeowner for some time, chances are that at some point you will be faced with home repairs. While you can always call the local repairman to fix minor plumbing or structural problems, doing the repairs yourself can save you time and money, and with a few tools you’ll have everything you need to make most simple home repairs. So what do you need to create a Homeowner’s Toolkit for your West Cobb home, and to give you the know-how to make the simple repairs yourself?

  • Home Repair Book – if you know nothing about home repairs, this may be the most important tool you will purchase for your home. There are a number of great books to choose from, including those in the “For Dummies” series that will not only give you step-by-step guidance, but also tell you the tools you’ll need for each job.
  • Hammer – This is a basic tool that you will no doubt use dozens of time for everything from hanging pictures to more major repairs.
  • Screwdriver – This is another basic tool that you will use over and over. Be sure you get a set with quality grips, and that includes a number of different heads. The ones with magnetic heads can make getting into tight spaces easier and less frustrating.
  • Wire Cutter – This handy tool is a must for any basic electrical work you may want to do.
  • Allen Wrenches – These are best in a set, because it’s hard to know which size you need.
  • Tape Measure – Be sure you choose one that has sufficient length to cover most spaces in your home, a good quality one with a lock.
  • Reversible Drill – A ⅜-inch model is one of the handiest tools any homeowner will ever have. Be sure you pick up a cordless model so you can also easily use it outdoors as well.
  • Level – This is helpful when hanging pictures, putting up shelving, leveling furniture.
  • Vise Grips – This handy tool is especially useful for any plumbing you may do.
  • Needle-nose Pliers – This tool is mostly used for electrical work, but is also useful for getting into tight spaces, and even for crafts.
  • Utility Knife – This is another one of those multi-purpose tools that is a homeowner essential. Be sure to pick one up with replaceable blades.

Getting started with home repairs can seem like a daunting task, especially if you have no experience, but with the right tools and a little knowledge you can save a fortune while keeping your home in good repair.

West Cobb Lawn Care – Fall & Winter

The beauty and relaxation that your West Cobb lawn and garden can provide you is certainly worth all the work you put in each year. Putting in a little extra work at the end of the season and into the winter, however, can make getting your garden ready next spring easier and can help keep your plants healthy through the winter months. Here are a few great tips to help with your West Cobb lawn care and make your garden ready to handle the cold and snow.

Clean Up:

Though not a favorite task of any gardener, it is a very necessary step to getting your garden ready for winter. Remove your annuals, empty and store any pots and containers, and give your garden one last mow. Also, raking up all those leaves is one chore all homeowners in West Cobb are familiar with each autumn, but they do make great mulch for your perennials and vegetable garden, and are also a great addition to your compost.

Plant Or Relocate Trees And Shrubs:

The fall is the best time to get new trees into the ground, or move those you have earmarked to be relocated. The best strategy is to choose trees that are hardy for your zone, as it makes their survival more likely and maintenance easier. Also, choosing evergreens and shrubs that produce berries in the winter months can make your garden more interesting and provide activity for birds and other wildlife.

Protect Your Trees:

For new or young trees this is an important step you’ll not want to forget in winterizing your garden. Covering trees and shrubs with burlap is most important in areas that have exposure to northwest winds and high sun. Be sure, however, not to do this too early in the season, in order to prevent rot. It is also a good idea to give your evergreens plenty of water to prevent burnout.

Test Soil And Mulch:

After the ground freezes be sure to add mulch to your perennial garden. This will protect both your soil and plants through the long winter months, as well as provide much needed nutrients for spring. This is also a good time to test the pH of your soil to see if it is lacking any essential minerals for the next growing season.

Plant Spring Bulbs:

This is also the time of year to get your spring bulbs into the ground. Be sure that you do this before the first frost, and give them plenty of water when planting them.

Unlike all the work you put into your garden in spring, winter clean-up can seem like a difficult and unrewarding task, but with this effort you will keep your West Cobb lawn and garden in tip-top shape for the growing season ahead!

Christmas Wreath For Your West Cobb Home

Choosing the perfect tree is part of any holiday decorating tradition, but finding the right wreath for your West Cobb home’s front door can really finish off your holiday look and can be a beautiful and elegant addition to your exterior décor. Choosing the right wreath, however, can be complicated, so here are a few tips to consider for finding a holiday wreath that not only works for your door, but also coordinates with your other holiday decorations and the exterior of your West Cobb home.

Size

The size of your wreath is an important consideration in making it look its best on your front door. If you have a large, prominent front door then you’ll want to choose a wreath that matches it well. A small wreath will get lost on the door and won’t look proportional.

Color

While you may select a wreath based on its appearance and whether it matches your other holiday décor, you will also want to choose a wreath that has colors that complement the color of your door. If you have mostly red and green holiday decorations, but have a blue door, you may want to consider a blue and silver themed wreath, perhaps hung with white lights, to better complement your front door.

Materials

This is the area where you can really get creative. From natural to synthetic, from pine to grapevine, there are a number of options from which you can choose. Again, when selecting a wreath for your front door you’ll want to consider whether it matches not only the other decorations, but the door itself and the style of your home. For example, if you live in a traditional or historic style home, using natural materials such as greenery and berries may look better than a more modern arrangement.

Decorating for the holidays should always be fun and reflect your personal style. But when selecting particular items for the exterior of your home, it is always a good idea to be sure they accent rather than detract.

As you drive through some of the West Cobb subdivisions like Seven Hills, Brookstone Golf & Country Club, Bentwater, Burnt Hickory Lakes and others, you will several homes with wreaths on their front doors, as well as on the windows of their home. When you visit the holiday light displays, leave a little earlier and see how many homes are decorated with wreaths.

Selling Your West Cobb Home During The Holidays

The process of selling your West Cobb home at any time of the year can be a stressful experience, but if you are trying to sell your home during the busy holiday season it may seem to be almost impossible. The battle to keep your home in model condition and host open houses while at the same time entertaining friends and family-all the work can seem like a difficult task. So what can you do to make selling your West Cobb home at this time of year less stressful while still keeping your property in salable condition? Here are a few tips to make it easier!

Keep The Decorations To A Minimum

Even if your home is usually the brightest on the block, you will definitely want to tone down the seasonal decorations on both the interior and exterior of your home. You still want to make it easy for potential home buyers to see themselves in your home, and decorations can be a huge distraction from the features of your home, especially if the potential buyers are not of the same religious and cultural background as you. If you do decorate, keep the decorations tasteful and modern. Think of how a model home would be decorated for the season, rather than your own personal taste.

Remember The Basics Of Home Sales

When selling your home, the advice you receive from your REALTOR® includes tips such as keeping your home clean and clutter free, and this should not be forgotten just because of the holidays. Keep personal items such as gifts and homemade crafts out of sight, and be sure to tidy up promptly after parties and events. When hosting an open house, using the sense of smell can always be an effective strategy, and by giving it a holiday twist you can really give the effect of a cozy family home. Bake some holiday cookies and throw on a pot of mulled wine before the potential buyers show up.

Overall, selling your home during the holiday season can present you with considerable challenges, but by trying to balance the needs of both your family and your potential buyers you can make this period as stress free as possible.

Eco Friendly Holiday Decor for West Cobb Homeowners

West Cobb Homeowners and home buyers are becoming more energy and eco conscious. Just look at new subdivisions like NatureWalk in Seven Hills where golf carts are becoming the norm for resident transportation around the neighborhood.  So it’s not surprising that eco friendly holiday decor is becoming more popular. Christmas is probably one of the easiest times of the year to use environmentally friendly decorating ideas, and given the more traditional decorating trends for the season and the ever increasing need for all of us to contribute to making the planet a greener place, it’s never been easier. Here a few great ways to decorate your home for the holidays and be greener at the same time!

Green Tree Ideas

  • Replace your old Christmas lights with new LED lights that can be found at Home Depot, WalMart and several other local retailers. They use less electricity and last longer than the older ones.
  • If you put up a real tree for the holidays consider using a live tree that you can plant after the holidays, or be sure you recycle your tree after the season is over.
  • Only purchase your real tree from a Christmas tree farm or retailer who purchases from farms. Never cut down a tree in a conservation area or in a public park.
  • Consider using an artificial tree; be sure that it is recyclable and not made using any harmful materials or chemicals.
  • Use natural products to decorate your tree. Berries, popcorn, and other food items that don’t perish quickly are a great addition to any tree.

Green Home Décor Ideas

  • Use real garland and other decorations from nature. Most garden centers are great places to get environmentally friendly decorations for the Christmas season.
  • Be sure that you purchase decorations and other holiday items that are durable and reusable year after year. If you want holiday tableware avoid the paper kind, and choose products that are made locally using environmentally friendly products.
  • If you put lights on the exterior of your home you may want to reduce the number of hours you turn them on each day, and only have them on when someone is home.
  • For wrapping and gift giving, use papers and materials that are reusable and recyclable.
  • Check out our Pinterest board for some eco friendly decorating ideas.

These are just a few ideas that you can use to make your Christmas more green while still keeping the holiday spirit alive! This is a great time of year to show our love for our planet and our fellow man, and keeping the holidays environmentally friendly is a great way to do that.

Choosing Real Christmas Trees in West Cobb

UPDATE – This blog post has been updated for 2015 and can be found here.

There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh pine filling your home during the holiday season, and a real Christmas tree can do that better than any candle or air freshener. Having a real tree is a tradition for many families, but if you haven’t had one before and are considering it, there are a few things you should know before you take it on. Residents around West Cobb love decorating for the holidays, just drive through several of our subdivisions like  Seven Hills, Brookstone Golf & Country Club, Bentwater, Echo Mill and others.

NOTE: make sure to read the important information at the end of this article about Christmas trees in West Cobb.

Real Trees, Real Mess

A real tree can make a bit of a mess in your home-you will have to vacuum up the dropped needles regularly. You will also have to keep fresh water in the tree stand and watch out for leaks or spills. There can also be other natural surprises in a real tree such as insects and spiders! While this is rarely a serious problem, it is something to keep in mind.

Repeated Cost Or One Time Cost?

Buying a false tree is something you can invest in one year and use for many years to come. A real tree, on the other hand, will have to be replaced every year. The cost of a real tree depends on where you live and where you purchase it. Since we live in a place where pine trees grow freely, the cost will be much less, and the tree will last longer since it will be fresh.

The Hunt For The Perfect Tree

If you just have to have that perfectly shaped Christmas tree, you will find it easier to use in a fake tree. Still, hunting through a tree farm or forest for the elusive perfect natural tree is a lot of fun for many people, and if you aren’t too set on perfection you will probably find something pretty close. Just be sure the search is something you will enjoy. There are Christmas tree lots on several street corners around West Cobb – on Dallas Highway, Cobb Parkway, and more. And then there are Christmas tree farms around West Cobb …

Berry Patch Farm
786 Arnold Mill Road
Woodstock, GA
Young Road Christmas Tree Farm
139 Young Road
Cartersville , GA 30120
Coker Tree Farm
2280 Macland Rd
Marietta, GA 30064
Pettit Creek Farms
337 Cassville Road
Cartersville, GA 30120
Lazy J Christmas Tree Farm
2840 Old Lost Mountain Rd
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Sleepy Hollow Trees
628 Sleepy Hollow Road
Powder Springs, GA 30127

A real Christmas tree adds a certain ambience and holiday spirit to any home, but it isn’t right for everyone. Consider the benefits as well as the possible problems with a real tree before you make a final decision on how to get your home ready for the holidays. Also, make sure to consider safety when decorating your tree.

Recycling Your Christmas Trees in West Cobb

Residents can help keep West Cobb clean by recycling their Christmas tree. Keep Cobb Beautiful will be sponsoring free Christmas tree drop off locations after the holiday which will take place through January 3, 2015 from 9 AM to 4 PM at the drop-off locations below, and at select Home Depot locations below only on January 3, 2015 . Last year the county recycled 19,000 trees which will then be chipped up and turned into free mulch that you can request with free delivery by simply sighing up. That’s why Cobb County is such a great place to live!

 

Holiday Music Around West Cobb | Living in West Cobb

Yes, I have complained about the stores playing holiday music before Thanksgiving, but after Thanksgiving, it’s fair game. There’s just something so familiar about holiday music. And as you mark your calendar for holiday events, don’t forget to check out the many musical performances going on throughout West Cobb. Along with neighborhood light displays and community events/parades, there are several musical events to enjoy (50+). Be sure to click on the “read more” link to find out about any ticket prices, reservations or other important information.

Please note that you can sort the columns by clicking on the arrows.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the performances too. And share your photos on our Facebook page!

DateTimeEventCityLocationPhoneInformation
3-Dec8:00pmDave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2014,CumberlandCobb Performing Arts Centre770-916-2800Read More
4-Dec8:00pmChoral Holiday ConcertKennesawKSU Bailey Performance 470-578-6650Read More
4-Dec6:00pmDinner Theatre - The Christmas PostPowder SpringsBurnt Hickory Baptist Church770-590-0334Read More
5-Dec8:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
5-Dec8:00pmSanders Family ChristmasMariettaFirst UMC of Marietta404-377-9948Read More
5-Dec7:30pmSweet Potato Pie Home Grown ChristmasDallasDallas Theatre Civic Center678-383-0813Read More
5-Dec8:00pmBrian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks ExtravaganzaCumberlandCobb Performing Arts Centre770-916-2800Read More
5-Dec6:00pmDinner Theatre - The Christmas PostPowder SpringsBurnt Hickory Baptist Church770-590-0334Read More
5-Dec7:30pmThe NutrackerCartersvilleThe Grand Theatre770-386-7343Read More
5-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
5-Dec7:30pmCarols for Christmas: "Illuminate"MariettaMt. Bethel UMC770-971-2880Read More
6-Dec8:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
6-Dec2:00pmThe NutrackerCartersvilleThe Grand Theatre770-386-7343Read More
6-Dec7:30pmThe NutrackerCartersvilleThe Grand Theatre770-386-7343Read More
6-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
6-Dec8:00pmSanders Family ChristmasMariettaFirst UMC of Marietta404-377-9948Read More
6-Dec6:00pmDinner Theatre - The Christmas PostPowder SpringsBurnt Hickory Baptist Church770-590-0334Read More
7-Dec3:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
7-Dec3:00pmThe NutrackerCartersvilleThe Grand Theatre770-386-7343Read More
7-Dec2:00pmSanders Family ChristmasMariettaFirst UMC of Marietta404-377-9948Read More
7-Dec3:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
7-Dec5:30pmCarols for Christmas: "Illuminate"MariettaMt. Bethel UMC770-971-2880Read More
7-Dec3:00pmBig Chicken ChorusCartersvilleSam Jones Memorial UMC770-382-4772Read More
11-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
11-Dec7:00pmMarietta Holiday Pops ConcertMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
11-Dec7:00pmBlue Skies ChristmasMariettaNorth Metro Church678-486-5585Read More
12-Dec7:30pmA Christmas CarolWoodstockCity Center770-924-0406Read More
12-Dec7:30pmWest Cobb Christmas CelebrationMariettaDue West UMC770-427-3835Read More
12-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
12-Dec8:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
12-Dec8:00pmSanders Family ChristmasMariettaFirst UMC of Marietta404-377-9948Read More
13-Dec7:30pmBig Chicken ChorusMariettaMarietta Performing Arts Centre770-428-2631Read More
13-Dec7:00pmAtlanta Pops Orchestra Holiday ConcertCartersvilleThe Grand Theatre770-386-7343Read More
13-Dec8:00pmSanders Family ChristmasMariettaFirst UMC of Marietta404-377-9948Read More
13-Dec8:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080RRead More
13-Dec7:30pmA Christmas CarolWoodstockCity Center770-924-0406Read More
13-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
14-Dec2:00pmSanders Family ChristmasMariettaFirst UMC of Marietta404-377-9948Read More
14-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
14-Dec3:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
14-Dec3:00pmBig Chicken ChorusMariettaMarietta Performing Arts Centre770-428-2631Read More
14-Dec6:00pmWest Cobb Christmas CelebrationMariettaDue West UMC770-427-3835Read More
17-Dec7:00pmFa La La La Folly RecitalMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
18-Dec8:00pmCharlie Brown Christmas ShowMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
19-Dec8:00pmA Christmas Carol MusicalMariettaTheatre at the Marietta Square678-224-8095Read More
19-Dec8:00pmCharlie Brown Christmas ShowMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
19-Dec8:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
19-Dec7:30pmA Christmas CarolWoodstockCity Center770-924-0406Read More
20-Dec1:00pmChristmas Royal Tea & Grand Yuletide BallMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
20-Dec3:00pmChristmas Royal Tea & Grand Yuletide BallMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
20-Dec8:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
20-Dec8:00pmCharlie Brown Christmas ShowMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
20-Dec7:30pmA Christmas CarolWoodstockCity Center770-924-0406Read More
21-Dec3:00pmCharlie Brown Christmas ShowMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
21-Dec3:00pmChristmas Royal Tea & Grand Yuletide BallMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
21-Dec3:00pmA Christmas TraditionMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
21-Dec1:00pmChristmas Royal Tea & Grand Yuletide BallMariettaEarl Smith Strand Theater770-293-0080Read More
24-Dec2:00pmA Christmas CarolWoodstockCity Center770-924-0406Read More
31-Dec10:30amNoon Year's Eve with Radio DisneySmyrnaSmyrna Community Center770-431-2842Read More

It’s great to live in an area where there are so many things to do, during the holiday season and all year round. That’s why I like being a West Cobb Realtor! Do you know someone interested in moving to West Cobb? Let me know, I would be happy to help them find a home.

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