Holiday Safety – Tips & Tricks from Wilson Parker

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

Seasons greetings everyone!  Wilson Parker here with my tips and tricks for holiday safety.  Many families will be decorating their homes this season, with lights, candles, decorations and trees.  These Holiday traditions are part of the magic of the season, but they can present hazards if safe practices are not observed.  Read my pointers for staying safe this holiday season.

 Holiday Lights

Holiday lights can provide sparkle to a winter’s night, so play it safe, and you’ll have beautiful light every night!  Before decorating with previously used light strings, make sure to inspect them.  Pay special attention to plugs, and ensure that the wire insulation is fully intact.  Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.  Don’t overload extension cords with strings of lights, as this can cause an electrical fire.

Candles

You may enjoy the natural glow of candles to festively illuminate your home during the Holidays.  Candles are wonderful, but we need to be especially careful with open flames.  Be sure to keep candles away from evergreen trees and flammable materials.  Never leave candles unattended, and be sure to extinguish all candles before leaving the house.

Decorations

Decorations come in all shapes and sizes, so use these guidelines to make safe selections for your festive trimmings.  Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Never use lighted candles on or near a tree. Families with small children should make sure to avoid decorations that a sharp or easily broken.  Decorations that look like candy or food may be a choking hazard to young children who might put the item in his or her mouth.

Trees

A tree is often the centerpiece of holiday decorating and getting the right tree is the first step towards safety.  Artificial trees should be fire resistant.  Check for a tag that says “fire-resistant” before purchasing an artificial tree.  Live trees should be bought as fresh as possible or else your tree could become dry and flammable. A fresh tree is green with needles that are hard to pull from branches.  The needles should not break when bent.  Keep trees away from fireplaces and heaters, and keep plenty of water in the base.

These are just a few tips to help keep your family safe this holiday season.  If you follow my suggestions you can minimize any risks associated with holiday decoration.  Stay safe, and Happy Holidays!

Your loyal companion,

Wilson Parker

Posted in Tricks & Tips from Wilson Parker | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Pick Your Present- Wilson Parker is giving extra gifts for the holidays

Posted on December 16, 2011 by admin

Ho, Ho, Ho!  Wilson Parker is here with some gifts that really have my tail wagging. With the holidays coming faster than it takes me to eat a Milk bone, we want you to Pick Your Present! These deals have me more excited than when company arrives!

 

Each special gift is up to $5,000 in value. So when you buy a new home from me, you can choose from the following:

● Iron spindles

● Stainless steel appliances

● Granite countertops

● Blinds

With over 55 new homes in Atlanta still waiting for a new owner,  I am confident that you will be able to find one that fits the needs for you and your family…including pets. As one of the top Atlanta home builders , we are pleased to give away presents to show how important you are to us.

Happy Holidays from Wilson Parker!

Posted in Atlanta, New Homes In..., Treats from Wilson Parker | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Agents Don’t Lose that Sale…Challenge an Appraisal & Win!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

Would you like to learn how to challenge an appraisal…and win?  In collaboration with DS Murphy School of Real Estate, we’re hosting “Mastering Appraisals,” a free seminar that will give you the resources to secure fair home values.

We heard from our Atlanta real estate agents & we’re taking action. Undervaluation is simply too common, so this seminar will be packed with useful information for anyone with questions regarding home appraisal.

Click to View Event Flyer

Join us at one of TWO upcoming classes:

Tuesday, December 13th from 10:00 am – 1:15 pm at Town Creek at Cedar Grove. Sign -in will begin at 9:30 am. Please RSVP to towncreek@wilsonparkerhomes.com.

Wednesday, December 14th from 9:00 am – 12:15 pm at Avalon. Sign-in will begin at 9:00 am. Please RSVP to avalon@wilsonparkerhomes.com.

Atlanta real estate agents will earn 3 hours of CE credit by attending the seminar.  Learn what qualifies as a bedroom or bathroom, how gross living area is calculated, how appraisers determine value, and much more.

For more information on Wilson Parker Homes, to learn more about the communities in which we build or to browse plans or move in ready homes visit us online at www.wilsonparkerhomes.com.

 

Posted in Realtor News & Events, Treats from Wilson Parker | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Keep Warm This Winter! – Tips & Tricks from Wilson Parker

Posted on November 30, 2011 by admin

Brrrr…Wilson Parker here and ready to curl up next to the fireplace!  The weather is getting colder by the day and winter is quickly approaching, so I’ve decided to share some of my winter Tips and Tricks for homeowners.  Did you know that you can save money on your monthly energy bills during the winter months?  With these pointers, you can stay warm and comfortable throughout the cold season while cutting down on costs!

1. Use Your Ceiling Fan

One way to heat your home more efficiently is to reverse the direction of your ceiling fan.  Almost all fans have a small switch on them that reverses the direction of the rotation.  Set your fans to rotate clockwise to distribute warm air evenly throughout the room.  Don’t forget to Switch fans back to rotating counter-clockwise when the weather becomes warm again.

2. Keep In the Heat

Keeping warm air in your house is the name of the game for energy efficiency in the winter. Ensure that all windows have adequate seals and check exterior doors for any gaps that could allow drafts and heat escape. Wilson Parker Homes, your Atlanta builders, uses high efficiency insulation, windows, and other materials to offer cost-effective homes for buyers.

3. Turn Your Thermostat Down

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day.  You can save up to 5% on heating costs for each degree you lower you thermostat below 70.  Try turning your thermostat down to 55 at night. If your home is well insulated and sealed, you should stay toasty through the night with the heat you made during the day.

4. Use Your Fireplace

Using your fireplace to heat a room or two in your home is an easy and great way to save money.  Wood is usually inexpensive and a fire adds cozy wintertime charm to your home. However, try not to use a fireplace to replace your heating system.  Fireplaces are best used when you plan on being in the room for a long period of time, letting you turn off your central heating system for a while.

5. Turn Off Your Irrigation Systems

You can also save on your water costs during the winter. Your yard and plants do not require as much water in the colder months, so turn off any irrigation systems and spray it with a hose once a week, if that.  It’s important to let your yard and plants get a little water during the winter, but generally you should expect your water bill to be considerably lower during the coldest months of the year.

That’s all for my November Tips and Tricks! This is your loyal companion Wilson Parker signing off.  Stay warm and visit our website to learn more about Wilson Parker Homes, your Atlanta home builders.

Posted in Tricks & Tips from Wilson Parker | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wilson Parker Homes’ Marketing Campaign Wins Gold at OBIES

Posted on November 21, 2011 by admin
ATLANTA– The Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council congratulates Evolv Real Estate Solutions for winning a Gold OBIE in the Best E-Marketing Best E-mail  Marketing Message category for Atlanta home builder, Wilson Parker Homes.
The unique, engaging campaign had not been done in the home building industry before and it really put Wilson Parker on the map as a builder of choice in the Atlanta real estate. The campaign can now rollout into all aspects of their marketing efforts including onsite promotions, promo items, social media, overall advertising campaigns and on/offsite signage. It is a campaign that can continue to build for a long time.

For more information, visit www.WilsonParkerHomes.com or call 678-443-2183.

The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s OBIE Awards celebrates its 31st anniversary in 2011. The awards began in 1980 and have grown throughout the years to now feature more than 100 building, remodeling, marketing and personal achievement categories. The OBIE Awards, named after the obelisk shape of the actual award given, are the premier awards in of Atlanta’s residential building industry. To see more OBIE award winners, visit www.AtlantaRealEstateForum.com/OBIEs.

About Wilson Parker Homes
Wilson Parker Homes, a regional homebuilder provides excellent customer satisfaction alongside its 10-year structural warranty for each home. With more than 100 years combined experience, Wilson Parker Homes specializes in new homes in Atlanta, Ga. Raleigh, N.C. and Phoenix, Ariz. The company’s exceptional reputation creates an unparalleled demand for a Wilson Parker Home. Build your dream home with Wilson Parker Homes and become a member of the Wilson Parker Homes family! For more information, contact Wilson Parker Homes at 678-942-1590 or visit www.wilsonparkerhomes.com.

Posted in Atlanta, New Homes In... | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Re-Grand Opening of Town Creek Community Nov. 15

Posted on November 10, 2011 by admin

Click to View Event Flyer

Wilson Parker Homes, your Atlanta new home builder, is announcing the Re-Grand opening of our Town Creek community!  On Tuesday November 15, 2011 join us for BINGO at Town Creek at Cedar Grove in Fairburn, GA.  Play for your chance to win the grand prize, a 51” Plasma Flat Screen TV.  Other prizes include $50 and $100 American Express Gift Cards.  Complimentary food and drinks will be available.

Town Creek at Cedar Grove is one of the most sought after new Atlanta communities. This community features spacious, wooded homesites with homes featuring extras such as full brick fronts, granite kitchens, 42-inch kitchen cabinets, marble vanities and custom trim packages as a standard.

While you’re here, check out Town Creek’s numerous amenities including our swimming pool with cabana, tennis courts, playground and more.

We hope you’ll join us November 15th for some fun as Wilson Parker Homes celebrates our Re-Grand Opening!  For directions to Town Creek and more information about this fabulous community, click here visit the Atlanta new communtiy web page online.

Posted in Atlanta, New Homes In... | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Mastering Appraisals CE Class: FREE at Wilson Parker Homes

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

Click to View Event Flyer

Hey Atlanta real estate agents: Are you frustrated with low appraisals? Do you not understand why someone’s home value is coming in low? At Wilson Parker Homes, we want to help Atlanta-area agents learn how to keep deals intact and avoid appraisal disasters. We’d like to invite you out to our FREE 3 hour CE Course, Mastering Appraisals, on Oct. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The course will be held at the clubhouse in our Bridgetowne community.

The Mastering Appraisals class was offered before, and filled up quickly. It is full of useful information, like learning the true definition of gross living area, what qualifies as a bedroom or a bathroom, how to find and adjust comparables, how to determine value and so much more. You’ll learn the keys to challenging an appraisal and winning.

This is a popular class. Be sure to RSVP to bridgetowne@wilsonparkerhomes.com to ensure your seat.

Mastering Appraisals
October 26, 2011
9:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Bridgetowne Clubhouse
3850 Bridgetowne Drive
Cumming, GA 30040

Take GA 400 north 1 mile past Exit 17; At light turn left onto Hwy 369; Bridgetowne is .5 mile on the left; clubhouse is across the street from model home.

After the class, be sure to visit our other Forsyth County new home communities: Avalon, Brookside, Riverbrook and Wallace Run. At each community you’ll draw a card for a chance to win a grand prize!

Posted in Financing, Treats from Wilson Parker | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

100 Percent Financing Available at Rosebud Park

Posted on October 6, 2011 by admin

Rosebud Park is a designated conservation community with ample greenspace nestled among shady trees in Gwinnett County. Only 10 minutes from Stone Mountain, this community is perfect for the homebuyer who craves excitement and relaxation. Gwinnett County new homes at Rosebud Park are large, with up to five bedrooms and are priced at a true value, from the $130,000s.

Homebuyers looking for 100 percent financing may be able to utilize downpayment assistance through the Gwinnett HOMEStretch Program. The program provides loans of $7,500 at 0 percent interest to qualifying first-time homebuyers who purchase affordable homes in Gwinnett County. The loans can be used for downpayment and/or closing cost assitance, and/or prepaid items. As long as the homebuyer lives in the home for five years as their principal residence, the loan is satisfied and does not require repayment.

There are certain requirements to participate in the Gwinnett HOMEStretch program. See an onsite sales agent at Rosebud Park for more information.

Rosebud Park is a terrific value in an excellent location. Atlanta home builders Wilson Parker Homes and the Gwinnett HOMEStretch program can make your dream of home-ownership a reality.

Posted in Atlanta, Financing, New Homes In... | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pest Control – Tricks & Tips from Wilson Parker

Posted on September 26, 2011 by admin

Hello, your friend, Wilson Parker here!

This month, I’ve got some Tips and Tricks for an oft-overlooked, yet important element of home maintenance: PEST CONTROL.  Insects, rodents, and other critters can be a major nuisance in your household, so prevention is the best strategy.  Let’s take a look at five ways to help keep your home pest free!

Tip 1:  Trim Away Foliage: Tree branches that make contact with your roof or any other part of your home can offer easy access into the house for many different types of pests, so be sure to examine your property for any such limbs.  Cut down or trim away these branches.  Shrubs and other foliage should also be trimmed back to avoid direct contact with your home.

Tip 2:  Keep Up a Clean Household:  While this tip may seem obvious, it is still one of the most important steps (and most missed)  for pest control.  Vacuum or clean floors, scrub kitchen surfaces and empty trash regularly.  Also, try to minimize food consumption outside of kitchen or dining areas to avoid leaving behind crumbs and residue that attract pests.

Tip 3:  Maintain Dry Storage:  Basements and Attics can become havens for pests,  especially if they become humid or moist.  Keep basements and attics well ventilated and dry and consider using a dehumidifier in these areas.

Tip 4:  Uphold House Exterior:  Always be sure to repair and seal any cracks or holes on your home’s exterior to prevent pests from entering.  Cracks and holes are often found at entry points for pipes or other utilities.

Tip 5:  Monthly Extermination:  Leave extermination to the professionals.  If your home has become infested with pests, dial your local pest control professional.  Many store-bought products can be smelly, ineffective, or even toxic to humans or pets (Yikes!), especially when used improperly, so it’s best to trust an expert.

These Tips and Tricks can save you a lot of trouble with pests in your home.  And remember that pest prevention is the best method of pest control!

That’s all for now!

-Wilson Parker

Posted in Tricks & Tips from Wilson Parker | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New Lots Available for Building in Raleigh Communities

Posted on September 19, 2011 by admin

I’m excited to announce that new lots and homepage are available for building your new home in Raleigh! New, lively communities in and around Raleigh greet homeowners with access to the endless amenities and diverse businesses Raleigh has to offer. Our newest ready-to-build lots are located in the Tryon Place and Sumerlyn communities.

TRYON PLACE – Wake County New Home Community

Tryon Place is located in southeastern Raleigh, which offers easy access to I-40, I-440, Downtown Raleigh and is just minutes away from Garner and Cary. Tryon Place is just a short drive to the several renowned universities, colleges, and medical centers in the area.  Plus, Research Triangle Park, a prominent hub for national and international companies is only 11 miles from community.  Tryon  Place offers spacious 3 and 4 bedroom floor plans with customizable features, such as upper-level lofts and master bath double vanities.  Build your dream home at the Tryon Place community today, homes start in the low $130’s!

SUMERLYN – Wake County New Home Community

Sumerlyn, a beautiful Raleigh new  home community, allows homeowners to experience the peace and quiet of the country, while offering easy access to lively downtown Raleigh and the entire Triangle Area.  This community lies less than 4 miles from I-40, making the development ideal for commuters to any part of the Triangle.  Sumerlyn is also conveniently located less than a half mile from a newly constructed shopping center and other area amenities. Raleigh new homes offered in this community have up to 5 bedrooms and 3 Baths.  With homes starting in the $140’s, you can build your own very own slice of country living.

We welcome you to visit our website or schedule a personal tour to find your new home in Raleigh.  Make your dream home a reality today with your friends at Wilson Parker Homes!

Posted in New Homes In..., Raleigh | Tagged , | Leave a comment