Tag Archives: Atlanta Retirement Community

Waiting for a house to sell?

Kevin Isakson
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No!  That’s not for you!

Many currently stuck at the “Waiting Place” are there waiting for their home to sell.  If that’s you, here are a few tips.

Is it priced right?   Homes that are priced right on the front end sell faster and often for more than those who chase the market.  A good appraisal is key and I highly recommend using a Realtor®.  Realtors® provide excellent insight into the market starting with a comparative market analysis (CMA) that assists in setting a price supported by providing a side-by-side comparison of similar homes for sale and recently sold homes in your neighborhood.  CMAs illustrate the range of homes in the marketplace and the features that make them unique, including age, location, number of bedrooms, baths, room sizes, updates, condition, etc.  As a seller, you should be able to see where your home fits – in the top or lower price range of similar homes in your area.

An appraisal uses a variety of sources to establish a homes value and is performed by a professional appraiser.  Appraisals are always performed after an offer is made as part of the loan application process.  Banks use the appraisal to weigh their risk.  If an appraisal does not support the list price banks won’t approve the loan.  By ordering an appraisal on the front end and using it to establish the list price you are best insured when an offer is made it’ll hold up to the banks scrutiny.

Is it move-in ready?  As competitive as today’s market is, your house needs to be move-in ready.  Move-in ready often means making sure that which is broken gets fixed but sometimes may include updating as well.   Don’t worry about needing a house make over but expect to spend a little money repairing settlement cracks or possibly replacing carpet.  In all likelihood you have also lived in your house for a number of years and while the wall paper in the foyer might be your preference it could turn off today’s buyer.  Don’t be offended if a Realtor® recommends painting.  In fact, I encourage you to consider a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color every where.  Not only will the walls look appealing to most but the smell of fresh paint plays on the senses leaving a new, clean impression.

Finding a Realtor®, pricing a house and preparing it to go to market takes time and if you have not sold a house in a while, you might not know where to turn.  At Park Springs we offer the Vintage Home Plan which assists prospective Members in preparing for and selling their house as well as in making the move to our community.  Our plan may also allow you to defer payment of your entry fee and cover some carry costs until your house has sold.  Please visit our Atlanta retirement community website in order to learn more.

Perhaps with these tips, as Dr. Suess wrote, “Somehow you’ll escape all the waiting and staying.  You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.  With banners flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high!  [And at our premiere Atlanta retirement community], ready for anything under the sky.”

2011 Housing Turning Point

Brian Thomas
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A lot of media attention has been placed on the overall housing market over the past several years. At Park Springs, we have been focusing on helping our members overcome the concern of having to sell a home in today’s market. Our Vintage Home Plan is designed to help our members market and sell their existing homes, while allowing them to move into and enjoy the lifestyle of Park Springs during the sales period for their home. We have recently been seeing more activity in the homes that are in our program.

A reason for this is that according to a recent Macro Markets Press Release dated June 22, 2011, most housing experts feel as if the housing market has stabilized, and that the “US residential real estate market is at a historic turning point.” However, the experts clarify that this is best described as a “forcast of price stability rather than a rebound.”

The report results are an indication of the overall US housing market. However, residential real estate varies significantly region by region, state by state, and neighborhood by neigborhood. If you are considering Park Springs retirement community, please inquire about our Vintage Home Plan. Our team will help evaluate your current home, and help you determine if now is a good time to sell your home, and begin to enjoy  Atlanta retirement community.

Fitness Features… Curtis Williams, Exercise Physiologist

Lisa Kiely
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Park Springs members enjoy a state-of the-art fitness center with highly skilled and professional instructors and trainers.

Members wait in line to participate in Curtis’ Ultimate Balance class. Curtis J. Williams bring more than eight years of professional experience to the exercise/fitness field. His client database is diverse and includes soccer moms, seniors, athletes, bariatric clients and even military personnel.

Curtis is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and received his degree in Exercise Science at Georgia State University in 2003. He is nationally recognized by the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Certified Personal Trainer. He joined Park Springs, Atlanta active adult community, in 2005 as the Fitness Center Manager, where he promoted and implemented new classes, programs, and activities. He now conducts one-on-one training, and classes for our members. As the Exercise Physiologist and lead trainer at DeKalb Medical’s Wellness Center, Curtis has also gained extensive experience around the business side of health and wellness. He conducts one-on-one interviews with new clients, analyzes their needs and selects the best program and/or trainers to suit their needs. He brings a winning and motivating can-do attitude and spirit to the Atlanta retirement community. He has participated in several public service announcements for DeKalb County Television and appeared on CNN’s “Health Lines” where he discussed the benefits of water aerobics.

Curtis’ favorite phrase is “Make it a great day!” Meaning, YOU have what it takes to make each day great in your own way!

Individual Attention

Nils Stein
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Park Springs food service department works hard to give each and every person that dines in any of the venues at our Atlanta retirement community’s individual attention.  We strive to give the highest rated food and service possible where at Park Springs a score of six is the best.  Each one of the staff is in-serviced daily on each of the individual needs Members may have.  Whether it is low sodium, no-sugar added or certain allergies staff has some education on how to provide that Member with the proper food items from that days menu.  When questions arise Management and the Chef are available as a reference to assist the staff and Members for each food item.  We look forward to providing everyone that individual service, please let us know what we can do for you in order to receive that rating of six every time you dine with us.

Park Springs Showcase

Lisa Kiely
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by Lisa Kiely

Park Springs is excited to host a “new talent” audition Sunday, June 5th which we are calling the Park Springs Showcase.

We receive hundreds of requests to perform via phone calls, emails and proposals.   Over the years we have tried many ways to review this information and provide an opportunity for new and exciting talent.

One day I began thinking it would be really fun to have an open audition similar to those you see on popular television shows.  Wanting to entice the talent to come and perform I started thinking of ways to enhance their desire to come out and audition.  I was sure that other Atlanta retirement Communities experienced the same things and then thought it might be nice if we had several Communities involved in the actual event.

Soon we had commitments from Briarcliff Oaks, Clairemont Oaks, Lenbrook and a maybe from Canterbury Court.  I scheduled a meeting to discuss the strategy and together we determined that each Community would provide a judge, three new talents and transportation from their Community to ours for 10-15 of their members. A small stipend will be provided for all talent participants and a monetary prize available for the top three performers. Working together we can provide our talent with the opportunity to be seen by many Atlanta active adult communities and perhaps get more “bookings”!

We have a Park Springs member, Marvin Himmel, who has agreed to be the stage manager to design our stage set up, sound and lighting and we have another member who is considering being our MC.

Park Springs will provide reception for all talent and members, and we will take photographs to share in the future.

I am certain this will be a fun evening for our members, and guests!

 

Showcase by D. McNair

Thank you from R. Hoover

Thank you from J. Benson

 

Exceptional Employees

Raymond Previto
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Raymond Previto, Environmental Services Director

 

 

It’s hard to believe that 2010 has passed and we are into the second month of 2011. When I looked back at the employees of the Environmental Services department, those that keep our Atlanta area retirement community, Park Springs, clean and organized, I noticed that during 2010 we had three “Employees of the Month” and one of those became the ”Employee of the Year”. These employees bring a caring attitude to everything they do. They are an intricate part of the lives of the Park Springs Members. Our Members rely on a calendar to keep up with their busy lives and on that calendar is always noted the day and time their Housekeeper will pay a visit. Members and the housekeeping staff understand the bond that forms when you invite someone into your home and enjoy and benefit from that relationship. Park Springs has kind and loyal employees in all departments and they make our community a wonderful place to live.

Veterans Day at Park Springs

Lisa Kiely
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The following letter is written by the Activity Assistant at our very own premiere Atlanta retirement community, Park Springs, Simone Gibson. This letter is written about the Veterans Day program 2010 that our staff and Members in our Atlanta retirement community.

“Col. Brent Bracewell is truly one of the nicest most genuine persons you will ever meet. We had the pleasure of having Col. Bracewell be the guest speaker at our Park Springs Veterans Day program on November 11,2010, honoring our members.  Col. Bracewell is currently serving as the Commander of the 78th Aviation Troop Command, charged with the responsibility of overseeing the entire Georgia Army National Guard’s aviation assets to include all aircraft and associated personnel.  During his presentation Col. Bracewell spoke passionately about his love for the military life, technological advances of the aircraft and the comrade of his fellow servicemen. At the end of his presentation he was kind enough to extend an invitation for our members to tour Dobbins Air Reserve Base and have lunch on post.  Due to his energetic and passionate speech our members were “fired up” and jumped at this opportunity! We filled the 37 passenger bus in 10 minutes! Upon arrival at Dobbins Col. Bracewell and his fellow crew welcomed our members and instantly engaged them in conversations about their daily routines at Dobbins and the multiple responsibilities they will encounter upon deployment back to Iraq. After the presentations we had the chance to dine with our hostesses and get to know them on a more personal level.  At the end of the tour Col. Bracewell invited our members to come back in the spring when they will have the opportunity to go “joy riding” in one of the aircraft!  The members had a FANTASTIC time and are still talking about it!”

A New Year Brings a New Look

Nils Stein
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Jim Schneeberger; Food & Beverage Director

Our Atlanta retirement community food services Department has entered 2011 with all new menus in all Dining Venues.  We have taken the approach of assuring that Members see their favorite items more often in some cases daily and in other cases twice every five weeks.  This has created several new looks and changes for the Main Dining Room where we have increased the number of entree selections to 16.  We have also added chili to our starter items, changed out to more seasonal desserts and added a greater variety of vegetables and starter salads.  All these changes have created a more all inclusive menu in the Main Dining Room where a Member can have a lghter type salad entree or a heavier beefy type entree depending on the way they feel.  The Pub has seen a ”Munchie Menu” appear, where Members can order a smoked salmon or fried mozzarela sticks appetizer to go along with their favorite cocktail.  All changes have been introduced based on Members comments and input from interaction during meal time.  It is through the interaction of Members and staff that allows the Park Springs Food Services Department to make changes be successful.

What is you Diet asking for?

Nils Stein
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Jim Schneeberger; Food & Beverage Director

In any area of Food Service the people in charge need to attempt to listen to their Public and hear what they are asking for.  The great thing about Park Springs is Members have the great opportunity to interact with Management and have things adjusted to meet the current requests.  These adjustments generally go towards Members diets; what medications they are on, what weight they are trying to lose, allergies as they can change at any time and when a Member is just trying to watch what they eat to help maintain good health.  These are all things to be aware of when planning a menu.  This happens for me in the work place and at home where not everybody likes the same things and kids are always a challenge to get to eat healthy.

All menus are designed to allow for specific diners to eat the way they need to eat, this is the way we set the menus at Park Springs.  So from this article please let me know what you are looking for in a menu we can answer the question of what is your diet asking for?  We can make just about any menu work for you.