Agent Spotlight: Derrick Duckworth
Posted by Susan Fessler on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 8:01am.
If you live, work, or play in Atlanta, chances are you've heard more and more about the Atlanta BeltLine Project lately. Wondering what all the fuss is about? We chatted up our very own in-house BeltLine specialist, Derrick Duckworth, to find out more about the BeltLine and the Atlanta market.
M&R: Tell us about what is going on with the BeltLine Project and why it is so important for Atlanta?
DD: Great question. There's a ton going on with the Atlanta BeltLine Project. Currently the Eastside trail is being prepared. It'll run from Cabbagetown/Reynoldstown/Inman Park all the way to Ansley Park. Connecting areas like Inman Park Village and its amenities (Pure Taqueria, Parrish, the new restaurant Barcelona, and Pritti) to Piedmont Park, Ansley Park, The New Skate Park, Historic 4th Ward Park, The New Ponce City Market, Paris on Ponce, Two Urban Licks, One Midtown Kitchen, The Botanical Gardens, Ansley Mall, Poncey Highlands, Virginia Highlands, Atkins Park, The Carter Center, The Historic Martin Luther King Center, and more. Imagine how much more walkable these areas will be.
It's really important because it will help to increase the walkability for Atlanta. Not often can you reshape a city that is already established, connecting it in a way that it's never been connected. Mayor Reed says it's Atlanta's largest infrastructure project since Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and should have a similar impact. Not only is this the largest urban transit project in the country, but it's also the most inclusive. It deals with:
- 45+ different neighborhoods
- Over 2,000 acres of parkspace
- Environmental clean-up
- Light-rail transit
- Economic development (i.e. - jobs)
- Public art
- Better density
- Trails for walking, jogging, biking, that will create healthier environments
- Affordable housing
- Diversity
M&R: What are the benefits of investing in a home or property on the Belt Line? Are there any added benefits of doing that now versus later on in the project?
DD: All of the above. As fast as Atlanta seems to be growing, gas prices are also continuing to rise. Traffic is now a seven-day-a-week issue, and the amenities are already in the city. Buying/investing in BeltLine real estate today is advantagous because as the project continues to grow, it will only become more and more expensive. Today the real estate market is at a low that hasn't been seen in generations, and with interest rates what they are, it turns into the perfect storm.
M&R: What is your most memorable home buying/selling experience, either as an agent or even personally?
DD: I love wins. Here are 2:
- I sold a home in Sylvan Hills to a young artist for 1/10th of the price she'd of paid for a similar home on E. Rock Springs. Same home, and she also paid less than 1/2 of what she intended to pay.
- I also sold a young expecting couple who owned a townhome in Cabbagetown, a larger home in The West End. They wanted to be close to MARTA, have more room as their family now is 4, and still live close to town. They spent less on this home than they originally paid for their townhome and were able to keep both. They are such adamant supporters of better transit that they actually submitted a short video to MARTA that exemplifies public transit.
M&R: What advice would you give to someone looking for a home in the Atlanta market?
DD: Be open-minded. Research for yourself and don't rely on others' comments. Explore different neighborhoods, and different times of the day, and don't be in a hurry.
M&R: What is your favorite place in Atlanta and why (it can be a park, restaurant, store, bar, etc.)?
DD: Historic 4th Ward. Wow - look at the location, the amenities that are there today, and what's to come.
- Walking distance to downtown and midtown
- Ponce City Market (could be Atlanta's version of Chelsey's Market, or Pike Place Market)
- The New Historic 4th Ward Park
- The Martin Luther King Center, and The Carter Presidential Libary
- The New Skate Park
- The Beltline Trail, Freedom Park Trail
- Two Urban Licks, The Highland Bakery, Parrish, Fritti, Parks Edge, etc.
- Views
Check out two of Derrick's prime BeltLine listings below! For more information about these or other listings, Derrick can be contacted at (770) 354-1565 or at derrick@mandrrec.com. To see updates on the BeltLine project, follow The BeltLine Team on Facebook.
630 Gillette Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
934 Hope Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
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