Here are some of the hottest trends that are bringing outdoor living to a whole new level.

Outdoor Kitchens

You can choose to simply add a grill and pizza oven to supplement your indoor kitchen, or go the full gamut and create a satellite kitchen outside, complete with a fridge, sink and cooking-prep space.

Edible Gardens

Some edible garden trends include immunity gardens, which are packed with Vitamin C-rich tomatoes, and “meatless Monday” gardens, which are filled with hearty vegetables and designed to grow an array of spices.

Privacy Structures

Add a tilting umbrella or a strategically planted border of tall grasses, or install overhead structures from which you can hang drapery. Creating a private area outdoors creates the perfect spot for working, yoga or an intimate meal.

Social Front Yards

Bringing a welcoming social element to our front yards helps foster the sense of community. This can be as simple as adding a small bistro table set, bench or a pair of adirondack chairs.


 As your local expert Realtor®, I am here to help you with your real estate needs. Follow me on social media and contact me if you would like more information on the home selling or home buying process.  


Al Pratte is your local Georgia Realtor® with over 18 years of experience helping homebuyers and sellers accomplish their real estate goals stress free.  He is currently an associate broker
with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties.  

*The information for this blog post was provided by RIS Media.

What is the most important factor when deciding to buy something?  Of course it's MONEY!  This is especially true when buying a home.  Therefore, I highly recommend your home buying experience start with a Pre-Approval with a reputable lender.  Having a clear understanding of your finances will help to focus your search efforts on homes you can actually afford.  Not to mention, it will save you time and disappointment from falling in love with homes outside your budget.  Here are some additional benefits that come from getting pre-approved and items you will want to get-together in advance before meeting with your preferred lender. 

Pre-approval advantages:

• Your lender will discuss, inform and recommend the best loan options for your home buying goals.
• He will run a check on your credit and alert you to any concerns.
• She will Inform you of the maximum amount you can borrow, which helps set a price range and budget for your home search.
• Completing the process allows you to make an offer instantly.
• Sets you above the competition that do not have a pre-approval.
• Validates your offer, as sellers will be more willing to work will and negotiate with you knowing you can actually obtain financing.
• You can lock in your loan and Rate for 90 days to protect you against market changes.

Items needed for Pre-approval:

• Proof of income
• Verification of employment
• Proof of Assets
• Credit check
• Identification - Social Security #, driver's license, and current address

If you are not quite ready to commit, a Pre-qualification might be a better route, as this will give you an idea of what you can afford and help with your home search, without the credit and financial check.  However, keep in mind that, in most instances, a pre-approval must accompany your offer to purchase.

Contact me, Al Pratte, If you would like more information regarding the pre-approval or home buying process. As your local professional I am here to help and I can also recommend reputable lenders in the area. 



Al Pratte is your local Georgia Realtor® with over 18 years of experience helping homebuyers and sellers accomplish their real estate goals stress free.  He is currently an associate broker
with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties in Alpharetta.  

*The information for this blog post was provided by RIS Media.

When it comes to real estate, I like to refer to curb appeal as the icing on the cake.  It’s the first thing you see and, at times, the most important.  Curb appeal provides prospective buyers with an expectation of how well or poorly kept the inside of a home might be.  To help determine the likability of a home, buyers will usually do a drive-by or view photos on-line...thats if there is professional photography and there should be if you want to sell for top dollar, but we’ll visit that in a future blog post.   Proper curb appeal can influence selling success as much, if not more, than staging the interior or certain upgrades.

If you are planning on selling, then plan now for the task of drawing home buyers to your property.  Homes that look cared for and loved will get the most attention and that “first impression” matters immensely.  

So, let’s explore, a little deeper, why curb appeal is so important when selling your home.


It’s the first thing buyers see

The in-person home buying decision starts with the walk to the front door and is then cemented as a buyer steps into the home for the first time.  Upon driving up to the home, buyers immediately begin assessing the landscaping and exterior maintenance. This initial impression is very powerful.  It will immediately set the tone of the showing and will have an effect on how buyers perceive the rest of the property.  If their first impression is a negative one, they may simply move on to the next home and forget about yours.

It reflects the perceived maintenance of the home

The condition of a home’s exterior will often match the interior.  If the grass is dying or patchy,  the siding is dirty or paint is peeling, then buyers are going to be very cautious of what other kinds of maintenance concerns could be present or out of sight.  These concerns instantly translate to dollar signs and stress for potential home buyers, so it’s likely they will move on to another home to avoid them both.

It helps your home stand out from the competition

Keep in mind that buyers will see all the houses around yours.  So, go outside, walk your subdivision and compare your property to others in the neighborhood.  Buyers will take note as they drive through the neighborhood and even as they are walking up to your front door to view it's interior. They will compare it to the homes next door and all around, so if yours doesn’t stand out in a positive way, it could affect the price of a potential offer.  Ultimately, Poor curb appeal makes a home forgettable.

It increases the perceived value of the home

Small details, like poorly maintained shrubbery or old and full gutters, reduce the perceived value of a property just as much as larger details.  Buyers look at everything and do not want to inherit work after a home purchase.  Any concerns will register in a buyer’s mind and is a cause for reducing the value of the home.  I am sure you can agree that a home that has clearly been taken care of is more valuable to a buyer than one that is in disarray.

To learn more about how to increase your home’s value with simple curb appeal strategies or for answers to any of your real estate questions contact me, Al Pratte, your local luxury home and residential real estate expert.


Al Pratte is a local Georgia Realtor® with over 17 years of experience, currently as an associate broker
with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties in Alpharetta.