Forsyth Park

Forsyth Park is the heart of Downtown Savannah life, providing leisure and rest to citizens and tourists. This 30 acre green space crosses the border of the Historic and Victorian Districts, with Gaston Street to the north and Park Avenue to the south. Stunning Victorian mansions surround the park on all sides, and the gorgeous oak and palmetto trees that typify the town are in abundance around its mile perimeter.

Originally the park was only ten acres, an area donated by William Hodgson in the 1840’s. It was expanded by twenty acres to its current size in 1851 and named for Georgia Governor John Forsyth. The original ten acres is perfect for picnics, covered in shade by dozens of trees. This area has plenty of space for walking with sidewalks symmetrically designed to lead to a central fountain. The additional twenty acres are mostly comprised of two expansive, green fields that are ideal for the recreational games and events that are Forsyth Park’s great heritage. You’ll also find two play grounds, a café, an amphitheater, a historic Fragrant Garden for the Blind, tennis and basketball courts, and a central Confederate Memorial Statue.

Perhaps the most visited spot in all of the Hostess City, the Parisian inspired fountain at the central-north end of the park is arguably its most recognizable landmark. The fountain is romantically framed by a tunnel of arching branches, and is often the centerpiece of spring and summer weddings. The water turns a festive shade of green during St. Patrick’s Day to welcome the crowds that swarm downtown annually for the nation’s second largest celebration (2nd only after New York City).

Whether seeking rest or activity, Forsyth Park is always bustling with people enjoying the outdoors in the heart of a vibrant city. Pack a lunch, bring a soccer ball, sun bathe on a blanket, play fetch with your dog, read a chapter of your favorite new book, or watch all the hustle and bustle from the quite nook of an oak tree.

Make Your Home Appealing to Buyers

As you start to gather up your belongings and pack them away for your move, many sellers question which items they should leave out for buyer appeal. Often the wrong items are left on display; things like family photos, personal keepsakes, and treasured belongings. All of these items should be safely packed away which very often creates open space (a plus for buyers) on shelves, refrigerator doors, and desktops.

Buyers often make a decision within just seconds of seeing your home about whether or not they want to buy it. So picture your home through the eyes of your potential buyers. What do you see in about 10 seconds? When you walk up do you see children’s toys scattered across the front lawn. Do you see overgrown shrubs and weeds? Do you see chipped paint on the front door, a screen that’s torn? Do you spot oil spills on the driveway?

Even answering yes to just one or two of those questions can be damaging and that’s before your potential buyer has entered your home. Sometimes, those seconds are all the buyers need to decide to simply do a "drive by" and not even stop to go inside.

Of course, the goal is to get the buyers inside. To get them to spend time, feel like your home could be their home. But even though that goal is so widespread and common among sellers, somehow the decisions some sellers make are almost completely polar to the goals.

Let’s look at five tips that can make your home appealing to buyers.

1. Something simple like fixing a screen is often overlooked by a seller because it is so simple, yet, just seconds of seeing the ripped screen can cause a negative impact for buyers.
2. Adjust the artwork in your house to be non-personal. No family pictures! Buyers get distracted.
3. Make the kitchen a focal point. Winning over buyers with an appealing kitchen can often convince them that they must have the home.
4. Put the "ah" in the bedroom. The bedroom needs to look like a bedroom. Sounds funny, but many people use their bedroom for other things such as an office or storage.
5. If there isn’t much space, clear the clutter out. Remove excess furniture. It doesn’t matter if you use it. You can walk to another room to get what you need if it means you sell the home faster because it now looks more inviting and spacious.

Making your home more appealing is about seeing your home through the eyes of your potential buyers. When it comes time to go over the offers, you’ll be glad you did.

Tips for Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Celebration

As the city prepares for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration, we thought we'd share some tips to make Saturday a fun event for all.

PARADE: The Annual Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade winds its way through the heart of Downtown Savannah. The parade begins at Abercorn and Gwinnett and ends at Bull and Harris. Get Downtown early to grab a great spot along the route to take in the festivities. See the parade route on a map: http://www.savannahstpats.com/site/ssp/parade/

PARKING: Parking is at a premium. City parking garages are open, but be prepared for a $15 event fee to park. Street parking will be free, but scarce. Alternatives include one of three city shuttles from Southside, Islands or Westside for only $3. Shuttles run from 8am-11am and return noon-3pm. More info on shuttles: http://www.catchacat.org/CAT_System/NewRoutes/St__Patricks_Day/index.html

LIVE MUSIC: There's plenty of live music to go around. Bands will be performing throughout the day at City Market, Wild Wings, and River Street. Band Lineup here: http://www.savannahstpats.com/site/ssp/bands/

FOOD: There are plenty of restaurants open around town for breakfast and beyond. But, be prepared to wait in line. The city is expecting up to one million people for the event! If you want to check out an annual Savannah St. Patrick's day tradition, head on over to Wesley Monumental Church (Abercorn St. at Calhoun Square) for their PANCAKE Breakfast. Adults $5, kids $3.

Looking for some Irish dishes to make for your own St.Pat's celebration? Check out these traditional dishes: http://www.history.com/topics/irish-recipes-st-patricks-day

WEATHER FORECAST: Saint Patrick's Day: A mix of sun and clouds with a 30% chance of mainly afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Warm highs in the low 80s inland... with low to mid 70s on the Atlantic shore. Saturday Night: Variable cloudiness with a continued 30% chance of a showers or thunderstorms. Mild lows in the upper 50s to around 60.


IRISH PHRASES & TOASTS (sound like you're really Irish):
• Slainte: Cheers! or Good Health! (pronounced 'slawn-cha')
• Erin Go Bragh: Ireland Forever!
• Beannachtai Na Feile Padraig Oraibh: St. Patrick's Day Blessing Upon You!
• Dia Dhuit: Hello!
• Ni Fhaca Me La Fada Thu: Long Time No See!
• Go N-Eiri An T-Adh Leat: Good luck!
• Gabh Mo Leisceal: Excuse me!
• Graim Thu: I Love You!

Savannah Morning News - Realtor Spotlight

The Savannah Morning News did a full length feature article on Don in Sunday's paper. It's part of their new "Realtor Spotlight" section which gives readers a little glimpse into the life and career of a local real estate agent. Here's a preview of the article:

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the suburbs on Long Island, 60 miles east of New York City.

Family:

Pets- A dog named Audrey who came from Ossabaw Island and three rescue cats.

What do you enjoy most about living in the Savannah area?

Savannah is a large enough city to provide plenty of entertainment through the arts, galleries, museums, history, architecture, and festivals. What I really like about Savannah is that is a big enough town for it to have all of this activity going on but a small enough town to be connected. I really like to leave my office on Broughton Street and be able to walk through the squares, see people I know, and meet new people, all on the way to lunch. A great example would be the recent Super Museum Sunday. Some friends and I were able to walk to four different museums, see lots of amazing art, architecture, and the gardens at the Ships of the Sea Museum. It affirms my love for Savannah.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?

I always look forward to bringing my dog with me to the stable and riding my horse Sterling. I have been an equestrian since I was nine years old. Riding English and Dressage are my absolute favorite things. When I am at the stable, it allows me to remove myself from any of the stresses of a normal work day and focus on something I love. I also like to travel. I have been to over 15 countries over the years. My belief is exposure to different cultures eradicates judgment and opens the door for tolerance.

How long have you worked in Real Estate?

I have been working in real estate nearly 14 years.

Continue reading the article here: http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/SavannahMorningNews/Default.aspx?href=SMN%2F2012%2F03%2F11&pageno=35&view=document

Neighborhood Profile: Baldwin Park

Nestled to the southeast of Savannah’s Victorian District is the quaint residential neighborhood of Baldwin Park.  Within these few blocks you can see an architectural timeline of downtown Savannah.  From the Victorian homes and mansions that line its border on Victory Drive to the early 20^th century bungalows that make up most of the neighborhood, every home has character and charm.  Originally this neighborhood was part of the Chatham Crescent development, an area known for its curvilinear streets, roundabouts, and parks.  With the creation of Victory Drive in 1919 Chatham Crescent was separated, and the north end became what is today known as Baldwin Park.  

Baldwin Park

At the center of this neighborhood is its namesake, a circular park that is the ideal environment for walking, picnics, and recreation.  From the park, looking to the south, you can see the center of Chatham Crescent, picturesquely lined with palmetto trees, all the way down to Hedeman Park and the Savannah Arts Academy on Washington Avenue.

Atlantic Avenue looking south to Savannah Arts Academy.

Baldwin Park has a healthy and vibrant community network, making it perfect for young families who like to know their neighbors.  Block parties, organized yard sales, and even outdoor movie nights make this area a one-of-kind gem for midtown Savannah.  These happy residents are quite diverse in every respect, from age, to occupation, to race, to income, and it’s this diversity that adds to its richness and character.

Great neighbors aside, the residents here also have an outstanding location that puts them in close proximity to the best of Savannah.  Baldwin Park is just far enough from the hub-bub of downtown without feeling too far removed from the cultural activities of Forsyth Park and Broughton St.  Mere blocks outside this close-knit community you have several churches, restaurants, and antique shops all in walking distance.   Look to the east and you have Daffin Park and Grayson Stadium.   Have a car?  Living here provides easy access to Abercorn Street, Victory Drive, and the Truman Parkway connecting you to Savannah’s Southside and the nearby islands.

Just Listed: Outstanding Condo at The Merritt

JUST LISTED! - 1138 Whitemarsh Way
From the moment you turn into The Merritt, you know you're in for something special.  Driving past the gorgeous gardens, the majestic Clubhouse comes into view.  With its lavish interiors, Business Center, sumptuous Pool, Fitness Gym, and Billiards/Game Room, The Merritt caters to your every whim.  Pass through the regal gates, and directly in front of you is a large pond where species of birds and turtles swim and sun themselves.  There are also a dog park, car-wash, mail kiosk, and an abundance of barbecue, and picnic areas included in the public spaces.  Unit 1138 continues this gracious theme.  High, airy ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, large rooms, generous walk-in closets, over-sized windows framing expanses of lush trees, and an inviting Terrace, reminiscent of a small Savannah square, add to this unit's uniqueness and luxury.  The Merritt is conveniently located to Walmart, two Publix supermarkets, Kroger, CVS, banks, Target, Home Depot, and downtown Savannah is only 14 minutes away. Unit 1138 is truly a rare find!

The Islands:

As part of the famous Low Country of Georgia and South Carolina, Savannah has an abundance of marsh-front and waterfront communities. Collectively they are known as The Islands. These include Whitemarsh, Wilmington, and Tybee Island. Like the rest of Savannah, the housing options are diverse and varied. Typical Low Country homes stand alongside 60s ranchers and contemporary homes. There are also a number of apartment complexes and gated communities available depending upon one's taste. The key to these locales is access to water. Marinas and docks abound and beaches are only minutes away.

Tybee Island is a funky time-warp of sorts that somehow blends surfer-chic with millionaire sensibilities and comes out making sense of it all. It is a summertime hot spot for locals and tourists, offering everything from tours of the lighthouse at Fort Screven to kite surfing on South Beach or kayaking at the Back River.

Search Other Homes For Sale on The Islands: http://www.buyorsellsavannahhomes.com/community/area/Islands/

Down the Street Eats: Thomas Square

Thomas Square is an area known for its beautiful Victorian homes, diverse population of residents, and delicious epicurean fare. The Bull St. Library anchors this neighborhood where SCAD students and local families mingle between the galleries of Starland and DeSoto Row all the way north to the green fields of Forsyth Park. One of the best characteristics about this area is the variety of cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries peppered along Bull Street.

Back in the Day Bakery, Paula Deen’s favorite, is the go to spot for fresh and homemade baked goods.  From artisan bread sandwiches to cookies, bread pudding to cupcakes, everything that Cheryl and Griffith Day cook up is pure comfort and joy!  Their cookbook which just came out this month, is selling like hotcakes.

Butterhead Greens

diligently serves SCAD students between classes, and is a lovely, quiet lunch spot for nearby residents when class is in session.  The chefs pack upscale concepts into healthy, casual, and affordable food.  An ever changing menu provides relief from the ho-hum, been there done that, “what do I eat for lunch” blues.

Foxy Loxy Café is everyone’s new favorite spot to meet and eat.  Their menu is minimal making it ideal for a light snack.  They have an extensive offering of beverages including coffee, wine, and craft brews.  Sit back and take in the sights of their rotating gallery while you catch up with your friends over some delish Tex-Mex treats.

Local 11 Ten

is properly placed at the end of Forsyth Park in what used to be a 1950’s bank.  If you’re looking for smart design, local ingredients, and impeccable service this is your oasis.  Just above the restaurant is the rooftop bar, Perch, nestled nicely beneath the limbs of Savannah oak trees.

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