P.S. I Owe You $1,800 .. When would you like it ? Signed Sonny Perdue     HB 261, recently signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue, which provides for an $1,800 tax credit for home-buyers in Georgia.      This $1,800 state tax credit to the $8,000 federal tax credit makes for an unparalled opportunity for buyers, this "free money" combined with the historically low interest rates, gives buyers  a never been a better time to purchase a home.     Unlike the federal tax credit, the Georgia credit is not limited to first-time homebuyers, and there are no applicable income limits. The credit is only available to buyers of eligible single family residences who close between June 1 and November 30 of this year.    So I have to Ask? When would you like your $1800.00 07/07/2009

Taxes will always be a part of life.  The Questions I get asked is " How can I reduce them ". First understand that all property in Georgia (i.e., land, improvements, and personal property) is subject to being taxed unless it qualifies for a specific exemption under state law. So, for example, a typical homeowner in Georgia will pay taxes on the value of his or her house (the improvements) and the lot upon which it sits (the land), but the owner's possessions (the personal property) within the house are generally exempt from taxation under state law. All of these taxes are what are known as "ad valorem" taxes because they are based "upon the value" of the property.    Now On to the appeal process - and yes it is a process so be ready and put your game face on. Appealing Tax Assessments ... 07/07/2009

30 --- Number of places nationwide with "liberty" in their name. The most populous one is Liberty, Missouri (26,232). Iowa has more of these places than any other state: four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty). 11--- places have "independence" in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Missouri, with 113,288 residents. 1 -- places adopted the name "freedom." Freedom, California, with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these. 3-- is one place named "patriot" - Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 202. 5--And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called "America"? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents. $128.8 millionThe value of firew... 07/04/2009

Friends, food, fireworks and fun. Check out our guide to Atlanta's Fourth of July events. Peachtree Road Race Even if you're not a runner, the Peachtree Road Race is an Atlanta tradition. Tailgating for the race is a fun way to support your friends and family who are running - and even if you don't know anyone, you'll love the crazy costumes you'll see on some spirited runners. The route goes straight down Peachtree from Lenox Mall to Piedmont Park and many businesses open early so you can set up camp and watch the race! Centennial Olympic Park Atlanta's biggest Fourth of July celebration is in Centennial Olympic Park with a massive fireworks display over the downtown skyline. This year will include a live performance by Vertical Horizon, plus plenty of fun family activities and food ve... 07/04/2009

10 Surprising Facts About the Fourth of July 1. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941. 2. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century. The Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and explosives. 3. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961. 4. There are many precise rules for taking care of the American flag. And speaking of flag traditions, we're sorry to report that contrary to legend, historical research has failed to confirm that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag. 5. Not all members of the Cont... 07/04/2009

The Problem of PMI and Short Sales  A lot of short sale investors become very confused as soon as PMI is mentioned. PMI or Private Mortgage Insurance is that monthly fee many homeowners pay each and every month for what appears like no apparent reason (in their opinion). Of course, there was a reason for it and if you are contemplating a short sale deal, that reason was a valid concern. PMI was created for the express purpose of insuring against default by home buyers that didn't put at least 20 percent down when purchasing a home. The idea was simple enough; real estate rarely ever falls and when it does, it rarely falls by much more than 20 percent. Because the majority of mortgages are amortized, the closing costs and larger up-front payments effectively reduce the risk even more. To... 06/30/2009

Slow approval process for short sales hampers housing rebound  Experts believe that the current level of housing inventory has to come down for the industry to get into a phase of sustained recovery. Short sale transactions offer a win-win-win situation to buyers, sellers, and lenders, and help clear the housing inventory available for sale. While short sales have risen in the last year or so, experts believe that banks are still not fully prepared to approve the transactions in a timely manner. Rick Shargo, vice president of marketing at RealtyTrac, said: "Interminable delays of six weeks to three months are not uncommon, or banks rejecting a 20% discount at short-sale only to ultimately take the property back and market it at 40 or 50% lower."  Banks have to report their mortgage asse... 06/30/2009

  The occupant at the time of the foreclosure sale is a "bona fide tenant" of the former owner with a fixed term lease:  The new laws only pertain to bona fide tenants as defined by the Act. A bona fide tenant of the previous owner is someone who entered into a lease agreement before the Notice of Foreclosure was recorded, the lease was negotiated at "arms-length," and the rent is not "substantially" lower than the fair market rent for the property (unless reduced because of a subsidy). However, if the tenants are the child, spouse or parent of the former owner, they are not bona fide. If a tenant is bona fide and a fixed term lease is in effect at the time of the Notice of Foreclosure, the tenant is now allowed to remain in possession of the property until the lease expires. However, i... 06/29/2009

Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009  The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 signed into law on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-22) provides a 90-day  notice requirement and additional protections for tenants in foreclosed properties.  Below you will find the major provisions outlined under Title VII, Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009. - During the term of the lease, the tenant has a right to remain in the unit and cannot be evicted, except for actions that constitute good cause. - If the lease ends in less than 90 days, the new owner may not evict the tenant without giving the tenant at a minimum 90 days notice. - At the end of the term of the lease, the new owner may terminate the tenancy if the new owner provides a 90-day notice. - The new owne... 06/29/2009

OK men be honest which when are you A) Had one and worshiped it daily B) Worshiped my brothers C) Had one but my mother took it away. Now Be honest which is it .. I am hoping they re issue the poster now as a fund  raiser for cancer research -- I bet it be a million dollar sell out 06/25/2009

   Michael was such a part of my life .. Every Year of My Life is marked with a song by Michael EARLY YEARS 1958: Born Aug. 29 in Gary, Ind. He is the seventh child of Joseph and Katherine Esther Jackson. 1969: In Los Angeles, the Jackson 5 debut as Motown's newest act. In December, the group's single "I Want You Back" hits No. 1 on the Billboard Top 40 Chart. 1970: Jackson 5 hits "ABC, "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" all reach No. 1 on Billboard charts. 1972: First No. 1 solo hit "Ben," a song about a movie rat. 1974: Introduces a dance step called the robot on "Soul Train." The step sweeps the country. 1978: Played "The Scarecrow" in the movie musical "The Wiz," alongside Diana Ross, Richard Pryor and Nipsey Russell. 1979: Jackson's "Off the Wall" solo album catapults him to s... 06/25/2009

You're Invited! U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson welcomes you to a free workshop for first-time homebuyers, offering information about homeownership opportunities. Government agencies will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions.  The workshop will take place THIS Saturday, June 27, 2009, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Gwinnett Technical College, located at 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043. This is sure to be a great event, sponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson, who is a REALTOR® by trade and a great advocate of homeownership. If you are thinking about buying your first home, this is an event you can't afford to miss! I'll be there - will you? Come meet me at the Atlanta Board of REALTORS® booth - stop by and say hello! Please RSVP by email to rsvp@isakson.senate.gov ... 06/25/2009

Number of bank failures this year: 40 and counting  Last week, regulators closed three banks, bringing the number of bank failures to 40 so far this year. Cooperative Bank of Wilmington, North Carolina, with $970 million in assets and $774 million in deposits; Southern Community Bank of Fayetteville, Georgia, with $377 million in assets and $307 million in deposits, and First National Bank of Anthony, with $156.9 million in assets and $142.5 million in deposits were closed last week. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures up to $250,000 per account at member institutions, will take a hit of over $363 million on account of the 3 failures.  Amid the recession and a rise in delinquent loans, the pace of bank failures has been rising, from 3 in 2007 to 25 in 2008, t... 06/23/2009

Despite the current slump, the long-term prospects for the housing industry are not bleak, according to the "The State of the Nation's Housing 2009" report, released by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS). The report details factors such as unemployment and the credit crisis leading to problems in the sector. Home equity is positively correlated with consumer spending, and plunging home values have pulled down consumer spending and economic growth in the last couple of years. Analysts say that the current recession provides a painful but a much needed correction to the housing market.   But is there a silver lining anywhere? The so-called echo boomers, who are the children of baby boomers, will be a big source of housing demand in the next year and beyond, accor... 06/23/2009

Existing-home sales rise for the second straight month  According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sale of existing-homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.77 million units in May, denoting a rise of 2.4% over the April figure. This is the second straight month of increase in sale of existing-homes, due to a plentiful supply of homes and availability of attractive mortgage rates. According to NAR, this is the first back-to-back rise since August and September 2005. "While sales may not have yet reached an absolute bottom, clearly a bottoming process is underway," said Wachovia, a financial services firm.  The total number of existing-homes available, at the end of May, stood at 3.80 million units; this represents a 9.6-month supply at the current sales pace, d... 06/23/2009

Tips for Showing Your Home   •1.            KEEP YOUR HOME SPARKLING CLEAN.  This is the single most important thing you can do to improve a potential buyer's impression of your home.  A clean home not only is esthetically pleasing, but also creates the impression that you have taken pride in your home and therefore have kept it properly maintained.  Make sure that all tubs, toilets, and counter tops are clean.  Empty the dishwasher and sink.  Keep the floors clean.  Put laundry up or in the washer or dryer. •2.            ELIMINATE ODORS.  Do not smoke in your house, including your garage or basement.  Keep all trashcans and waste baskets clean.  Avoid cooking foods such as fish, liver or strongly seasoned foods within a few hours of showing your home.  Open windows whenever possible t... 06/19/2009

Ten banks repay TARP funds  Banks have received over $700 billion under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) so far. Consequent to the government allowing 10 banks to return TRAP funds last week, those banks have started repaying TARP funds, indicating that they are strong enough to remain without bailout funds. JPMorgan Chase has repaid $25 billion, while Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have repaid $10 billion each. Other banks which have made the repayment include U.S. Bancorp, Capital One, American Express, BB&T, Bank of New York Mellon, State Street, and Northern Trust. In total, banks have repaid $68 billion so far. Banks issued both preferred stock and warrants for receiving TARP funding. In addition to buying back preferred shares, banks are looking at buying back warrants, ... 06/19/2009

Homeowners' association can foreclose homes for nonpayment of dues  Have you been making timely payments to your homeowner association? If no, you may lose your home. There are more than 59 million people living in over 300,000 association-governed communities nationwide. Homeowner associations typically have the foreclosure clause in the purchase agreement signed by homeowners. Many associations have mandated external agencies to collect dues from homeowners, and collection agencies say they go about doing their job in a professional manner. Andrew Schlegel, executive vice president for Merit Property Management, which manages more than 140,000 community homes in California, said: "No one wants to do this. It's only coming up when people are completely obstinate about it." Schlegel sai... 06/19/2009

This time of year (mid year - summer vacation) is when most of us start to feel a little worn out and those goals we set early on seem to far out of each so we try and talk our self into giving up and calling for a "do over". Well don't give up .. stop look and listen .. the market has changed from the first of the year so maybe your goals and the steps to getting there may need ADJUSTMENTS but what ever you do no don't give up and go home. This article by Max Berry has get tips on goal setting. Tailoring your goals and expectations to reality will help you succeedBy Max Berry A certain amount of ambition is necessary when running your own business. If you aren't expecting a lot from your idea and yourself, it will be hard to deliver much to your customers. But at what point does ambiti... 06/17/2009

Did you notice today's Google image ? Every so often I stop and hover on the Google image of the day and you be amazed at what pops up as today's image.. Now you tell ,me what does this image celabrate ? Hint Click Here I think this may become a regular thing 06/17/2009